Wild Chats with Ben Southall

Join Ben Southall and bestselling author, journalist and endurance expert Alex Hutchinson for a fascinating conversation about curiosity, exploration and why stepping into the unknown might be one of the most important things we can do for our brains. Alex, author of The Explorer's Gene and Endure, explains why humans are naturally driven to explore, how modern technology is quietly removing...

Join Ben Southall and mountain guide, climber, backcountry skier and K7 Adventures co-owner Lewis Foster for a conversation about growing up in Australia's alpine country, finding purpose in the outdoors, and why wild places continue to shape who we are. Raised in Thredbo by ski-loving parents, Lewis spent his childhood exploring the Snowy Mountains long before he realised how special they we...

Join Ben Southall and filmmaker, long-distance hiker and storyteller Bart Schrijver for a conversation about life on the trail, the freedom of walking, and how adventure can shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us. From hiking the 3,000-kilometre Te Araroa Trail across New Zealand to solo journeys through the remote landscapes of Norway, Bart shares how long-distance walking became...

Join Ben Southall and adventurer Alastair Humphreys for a conversation about big expeditions, small adventures and why the outdoors doesn’t have to be far away, expensive or extreme to change your life. From cycling around the world and walking across deserts to the rise of microadventures, Al shares how curiosity, storytelling and paying attention to nature can help us reconnect with the world ar...

Ben Southall sits down with Wild Earth’s own Danielle Lewis to unpack the wild, exhausting and addictive world of adventure racing. As Wild Earth’s retail area manager and an experienced adventure racer, Danny has taken on everything from 24-hour races to multi-day expedition events across Australia and New Zealand. In this episode, Dani shares what it's really like to race through remote ter...

Ben Southall sits down with explorer, survivalist and filmmaker Ed Stafford to unpack a life shaped by challenge, discomfort and deep self-discovery. Known as the first person to walk the length of the Amazon, Ed reflects on the two-and-a-half-year expedition that changed him, the brutal reality of life in the jungle, and the inner drive that pushed him into some of the world’s toughest environmen...

Ben Southall sits down with legendary Australian mountaineer Tim Macartney-Snape to unpack one of the most iconic adventure stories of all time, his Sea to Summit ascent of Everest. Tim shares how a childhood in East Africa shaped his curiosity, self-sufficiency, and drive to explore, before taking us through the climbs, decisions, and philosophy that led him from the Bay of Bengal to the top of t...

Join Ben Southall as he explores the fascinating world of underwater filmmaking, marine research, and conservation with Emmy-winning cinematographer Richard Fitzpatrick. Discover the stories behind the lens, cutting-edge technology, and the urgent need for protecting our oceans. 🦈 Follow Richard's adventures:  https://biopixeloceans.org/ https://www.instagram.com/biopixeloceans/ https://www....

In this episode of Wild Earth Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with Steve Jackson, founder of Trail Trips and Events and the race director behind legendary running events like the Wild Earth Coastal High 50. They talk about how trail races are built, what first-time ultra runners often get wrong, Steve’s journey from Hamilton Island to race directing, and where trail running in Australia is head...

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall chats with legendary explorer, biologist and packrafting pioneer Roman Dial about a lifetime spent chasing wild rivers, remote landscapes, and unforgettable journeys.  From the early evolution of packrafting in Alaska to adventures on Tasmania’s Franklin River, Roman shares the stories, lessons, and hard-earned wisdom that come from decades in the field....

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with legendary Australian mountaineer Andrew Lock, the only Australian to have climbed all 14 of the world’s 8,000 metre peaks.  Andrew takes us back to the moment it all began, a slideshow in the back room of a pub that lit the fuse, and the sharp left turn that followed. Within months he was learning to climb in the Blue Mountains. Within a c...

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with Australian trail running star Lucy Bartholomew to explore what it really takes to stay in love with the sport while chasing big goals. Lucy shares the story behind her rise through the trail scene, the role her family has played in keeping her grounded, and why balance matters just as much as grit when you are training, travelling, and rac...

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with award-winning travel writer and journalist Sophy Roberts to explore the kind of storytelling that begins with a “lump in the throat” and ends in places most people never think to look.  Sophy unpacks the strange, irresistible ideas behind her books, from The Lost Pianos of Siberia to A Training School for Elephants, and why she is drawn to...

In this conversation, Rolf Potts discusses the philosophy of minimalistic travel, emphasising the importance of traveling light and giving oneself permission to explore the world at any age. He shares insights on the evolution of travel storytelling, the value of experiences over material possessions, and the significance of intergenerational travel. Rolf also reflects on his journey as a travel w...

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with world walker Tom Turcich to unpack what it really takes to walk around the planet. After the sudden loss of a close friend as a teenager, Tom made a decision that would reshape his entire life: step out his front door and keep walking. Over seven years, Tom covered roughly 46,000 km across six continents and 38 countries, with an unexpecte...

In this episode, Ben Southall sits down with “ Outback Mike ” from Alone Australia to unpack how a kid obsessed with adventure became a survival instructor, and why he always planned to trade jets for the bush. Mike shares what he has learned from First Nations people about living with Country rather than on it, and how that wisdom guided his solo expeditions through the Australian Outback and alo...

In this episode of Wild Chats , Ben Southall sits down with ultra runner Coree Woltering , whose athletic journey has taken him from the world of triathlons to the heart of the ultra running community. Coree shares how his passion for the trails led him to pursue Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempts and endurance challenges that push both body and mind. He opens up about his Ice Age Trail FKT —the ob...

In this episode of Wild Chats , Ben Southall sits down with ultra runner Buha Bali , whose journey has taken her from local races in Australia to competing on the world stage at the prestigious UTMB in Chamonix .  Buha opens up about the highs and lows of ultra running—how training, community support, and sheer determination play a role in preparing for some of the toughest endurance events on the...

Join Ben Southall as he delves into the exhilarating world of reality TV survival shows with adventurer Karla Pound. Discover the intense challenges and unexpected rewards of participating in shows like "Alone" and "Million Dollar Island." From battling hunger and isolation to forming lifelong friendships, Karla shares her unique insights and experiences. Tune in to explore the...

In this episode of Wild Chats , Ben Southall sits down with long-distance adventurer Alex Campbell, who’s been walking around the world for over two years. From the steppes of Central Asia to the roads of South America, Alex opens up about the mindset needed for such an epic journey and why packing light is more than just a gear decision. They dive into the mental and physical challenges of life o...

Before sat-nav, internet, and mobile phones, there was Elspeth Beard, a 23-year-old architecture student who set off to ride her motorcycle around the world. In this episode of Wild Chats , Elspeth shares the highs and lows of her pioneering solo journey across continents in the early 1980s. Host Ben Southall dives deep into Elspeth’s story: the spark that ignited her adventure, the obstacles she...

In this episode of Wild Chats, host Ben Southall sits down with Australian mountaineer Oliver Foran to explore his powerful journey from the footy fields of Brisbane to the world’s highest peaks. Ollie opens up about the personal loss that changed his life, how he discovered a love for the mountains, and the mental and physical challenges of high-altitude expeditions. From summiting Island Peak to...

In this powerful episode of Wild Chats, host Ben Southall sits down with explorer and climate advocate Geoff Wilson to talk all things adventure, sustainability, and the future of our planet. Geoff shares the highs and lows of his Project Zero expedition, a groundbreaking mission to complete carbon-neutral exploration through some of the planet's harshest environments. From navigating the glo...

Join host Ben Southall in this unforgettable episode of Wild Chats as he sits down with adventurer, filmmaker, and storyteller Beau Miles. Known for his offbeat adventures and DIY ethos, Beau shares how a life of kayaking, running, filmmaking, and fatherhood has shaped his creative journey. This episode dives into Beau's love for craftsmanship, his commitment to sustainability, and how solitu...

Join host Ben Southall as he chats with gut health expert and outdoor enthusiast Kirsty Wirth. Kirsty opens up about her transformative journey from curiosity-driven explorer to passionate advocate for gut health and holistic wellness. Together, they dive into the powerful connections between gut health, outdoor adventures, and overall well-being. Discover how Kirsty's personal experiences, p...