Bush & Banter

In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with Kathleen Neves, a self-proclaimed food-motivated hiker, solo backpacker, and backpacking coach for women. The episode centers on embracing solo adventures and using the journey to elevate life off the trail. They discuss Kathleen's experience on the Pacific Crest Trail, the importance of mental preparedness, and the common fears many women face when ve...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with veteran location manager Ilt Jones, whose career spans over 30 years. He and his team have masterminded some of Hollywood’s most iconic filming locations, working on blockbuster productions like The Dark Knight , Inception , Iron Man , and the Transformers franchise. But beyond big-budget films, Ilt is an adventurer at heart. From scouting the perfect c...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with international dog photographer John Fabiano, who left his corporate 9-to-5 job to travel the world, documenting the unique bond between dogs and humans across different cultures. His journey has taken him from the Land of the Strays in Costa Rica—home to over 1,800 stray dogs—to photographing German Shepherds in Germany and Greenlandic sled dogs in Greenlan...

In their latest episode, Jen and Dyana dive into the benefits and challenges of being spontaneous. They discuss "greenlights," inspired by Matthew McConaughey's book Greenlights , and explore how we can seize opportunities when they are presented to us. They reminisce about moments of spontaneity, including Jen’s experience watching a SpaceX launch and Dyana’s late-night nacho binge...

Jen and Dyana chat with cyclist Jacob Lemanski, who rode his bicycle 38,000 miles over 999 days, crossing six continents and circling the earth twice. They discuss logistics, his biggest fears, favorite places to cycle, and the mental toll of life on two wheels. Jacob is currently the creator of Ant Space, a company that designs unique psychedelic ant farms, and he holds the record for the largest...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with professional fly fisherman Ashley White, who shares his journey into fly fishing and how it has profoundly impacted his mental health and personal growth. The conversation delves into the therapeutic nature of the outdoors, the art of fly tying, and the strong sense of community within the fly fishing world. Ashley opens up about how fly fishing has served...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with Chamois Andersen, Senior Field Representative for Defenders of Wildlife, to discuss the essential protocols for encountering some of the most formidable wildlife on U.S. hiking trails, including grizzly bears and mountain lions. Andersen also shares insights into the challenges of protecting endangered species, the complexities of relocating bison and g...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with adventure photographer Tommy Corey about his new book, All Humans Outside: Stories of Belonging in Nature . Over the past two years, Tommy traveled across the country, capturing portraits of some of the most adventurous individuals making waves in the outdoor space. Tommy conducted more than two hundred interviews to chronicle these diverse experiences, sha...

In this special on-location episode, Dyana sits down with Robin Greenfield—an environmental activist, adventurer, and speaker passionately dedicated to sustainable living and shining a light on critical environmental and social issues. Known for his bold and unconventional actions, Robin inspires others to embrace eco-friendly and intentional lifestyles. His latest endeavor? Walking 1,600 miles do...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with Greg Mak who is a former United States Navy deep sea diver, and friend of Owen, Jen's husband. Owen makes a special appearance and we get to hear Greg and Owen share about their time in the military together, their deployments, and all about basic training and the missions they've completed in their diving careers. Greg details his experience...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana look ahead to 2025 and share five tips for cultivating more adventure in their lives. Whether it’s embarking on a thru-hike, learning a new skill, or starting a business, adventure can be found in many forms. The duo breaks down the steps to embrace more adventure, including topics like shifting your mindset and cultivating curiosity. Send us Fan Mail Where to find a...

In this special holiday episode, Jen and Dyana reflect on some of their favorite guests from 2024 and share the top six lessons they learned from these discussions—lessons they will carry into the new year and hope to inspire others to embrace as well. Episodes mentioned:  Jessie Krebs - Navigating the Wilderness & Essential Skills for Survival https://www.buzzsprout.com/2033939/episodes/14635...

In their latest episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with paraglider Bri Clark, who’s soaring to incredible heights around the world. The conversation dives into the thrilling world of paragliding, covering everything from training and gear to mechanics, costs, and tips for beginners. Bri also shares her experiences competing in hike-and-fly races and emphasizes the importance of female representation...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana explore the fascinating science behind the mindset of thrill-seekers. They break down the four types of sensation seekers and discuss the psychology of chasing excitement and the exhilarating sensation of truly feeling alive. Jen shares a story about her "wild" honeymoon, while Dyana offers listeners a fun and thought-provoking homework assignment to tackle...

In their latest episode, Jen and Dyana chat with filmmaker and podcast host Chris Ward, whose podcast Like a Bigfoot recently reached 400 episodes. The show fosters a community of adventurers who chase exploration in nature, push personal limits, and achieve feats beyond what they once thought possible. Ward’s documentary, A Long Way from Nowhere , captures the raw journey of a group of runners un...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana explore the transformative power of small, consistent habits in enhancing and enriching everyday life. Drawing inspiration from Atomic Habits by James Clear, they delve into strategies for establishing new routines, showing up daily, and embracing consistency over perfection. Dyana also shares a suspenseful story about a late-night encounter with intruders, while Jen...

In this special storytime episode, Bush and Banter co-host Dyana Carmella dives into the theme of relinquishing control—particularly in moments when it might just save your life. She reads one of her favorite chapters from her book, A Walk Thru Neverland , which chronicles her 74-day adventure on the Pacific Northwest Trail, navigating the rugged landscapes of Montana, Idaho, and Washington. To le...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with filmmaker and ultra-endurance cyclist Gregg Dunham. After rediscovering his love for cycling at the age of 30, Gregg has overcome the challenges of spina bifida to compete in some of the toughest bikepacking events across the western U.S., including the Colorado Trail Race and the Arizona Trail Race. He is also the co-creator of Escape LA , a 300-mile route...

In their latest episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with solo traveler and marathon trainee Ashlyn Robinson. The conversation dives into the challenges of marathon training, the art of content creation in a world that rewards niches, and the importance of staying true to yourself while finding originality in your work. They also explore the experiences of camping solo, embracing fearlessness in the wi...

In this Outdoor Quickie, Jen and Dyana dive into the "Rule of Thirds," a concept shared by Olympian runner Alexi Pappas during an interview with Idea Generation. Pappas recalls advice from her coach during her training for the Rio Olympics. After a particularly tough day, when she felt like giving up, her coach reassured her, explaining that in the pursuit of any big goal, you're su...

In this special episode, Jen and Dyana take a deep dive into the life of Retired U.S. Navy Captain Paul Pampuro who served as a submarine commanding officer of the USS Asheville (SSN 758). After 38 years of service, Paul transitioned to thru-hiking, completing iconic trails such as the Appalachian Trail, the Colorado Trail, Machu Picchu, and Kilimanjaro. The episode explores his remarkable underwa...

In this special episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with Allison Massa, a functional nutritionist, lifestyle practitioner, breathwork facilitator, private chef, and author of The Food Faerie Cookbook. With a BS in biochemistry and molecular biology, Allison is on a mission to educate listeners about the importance of healthy digestion, absorption, and utilization of food to fuel your life and adventur...

PARENTAL ADVISORY - In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with world traveler, photographer, and artist James Thompson, also known as PartyLikeJZL on social media. With his bold and provocative brand, JZL, James has garnered nearly a million followers across all platforms. He shares some of his wildest travel stories, including a visit to a Russian strip club, an encounter with chicken eyeball stew,...

In their latest episode, Jen and Dyana reminisce about Dyana’s time at a seven day all-women’s wilderness retreat in Montana, led by Callie Russell, an ancestral-living instructor and contestant on Season 7 of "Alone." Dyana shares the seven key lessons she took away from the retreat that she plans to integrate into her everyday life. Callie also joins the conversation, discussing her in...

Grab a drink for this one because Jen and Dyana dive into some deep and thought-provoking discussion on how constant adventure can sometimes lead to disconnection. This episode is inspired by our recent two-time guest, Tyler 'MAC' Fox, who wrote an article on something he calls the interesting-weird divide. We explore what it's like to share with family and friends about going off o...