Bush & Banter

In this location spotlight, Jen and Dyana take listeners to the magical land of New Zealand, where they chat with Trail Advocate KJ Jennings. They discuss bungee jumping, the Te Araroa Trail, The All Blacks, and KJ’s work in connecting people in the outdoor community through trails. At the end of the episode, Jen and Dyana also share their favorite adventures while exploring the country and a few...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat  with Author and Founder Jessica Chenard, delving into her debut memoir, "Her Hike." The discussion spans across the realms of writing, hiking, healing, and the journey of discovering purpose amidst the challenges of grief. Jessica shares her journey of healing after her brother's tragic death, rediscovering a love for the outdoors along the Appal...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with journalist/author James Edward Mills. He is the author of the book "The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors" which chronicles the first all-African American summit attempt on Denali, the highest point in North America. He is a contributor to National Geographic Magazine, a Fellow of the Mountain & Wilderness Writing Program at the...

In this episode, the hosts of Bush and Banter, Jennifer and Dyana, dive deep into the intriguing subject of failure. The duo candidly share their personal stories of failure and discuss how the biggest downfalls can remarkably shape one's life for the better. Send us Fan Mail Where to find and support Bush & Banter: Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter Visit Bush & Ba...

In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with Pro Highliner Faith Dickey who is one of the greatest in the sport. Highlining is similar to walking a tightrope, yet Dickey walks across a rope sprawled out between two canyons with a drop below that will make anyone’s jaw (literally) drop.  In 2012, Faith broke the record for the longest free solo, that's highlining without a safety harness. Then in...

In the first episode of the fourth season of 'Bush and Banter,' Jen and Dyana chat with Travel Journalist Jeff Jenkins, whose new show on Nat Geo, 'Never Say Never with Jeff Jenkins,' has viewers questioning their own limitations. Jenkins travels the world, testing the limits of his physical abilities. Throughout his global odyssey, Jeff makes deep connections with locals and l...

In this episode, Dyana chats with fellow author and adventurer Christine Reed, whose debut memoir, "Alone in Wonderland," chronicles her hiking adventure along the Wonderland Trail and her quest for independence through solo exploration of nature. Reed discovered long-distance backpacking while surfing the internet at work one day and decided to attempt a thru-hike of the Appalachian Tra...

Jen and Dyana kick off their new location spotlight series with a place near and dear to their hearts: Lake Tahoe. The two discuss their thru-hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail, as well as list off their favorite places around the lake to explore, dine, and hang out. Featured in the episode is a $19 million dollar estate, a "wet woody," and Jen giving listeners a very important lesson in Lake T...

In this special, surprise one-year anniversary episode, Jen and Dyana reminisce about the last year and what they have learned. The duo also discuss their hopes and dreams for the future of Bush and Banter, including a bar and perhaps an astronaut. These girls can dream. A special thank you to all the listeners for your support. Here's to the next year, may it be even Bushier and filled with...

DISCLAIMER: This episode was recorded on June 22nd, prior to the SAG Strike. In this episode, Jen and Dyana talk with Champion Swimmer, Author, Public Speaker, and National Icon, Diana Nyad.  On September 2, 2013, at the age of sixty-four, Diana Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the aid of a shark cage, swimming 111 miles in fifty-three hours from Havana to Key West...

Josh, an avid off-roader and adventure photographer, has embarked on journeys across the globe and has inspired others to embrace their own wild adventures. In this episode, we delve into his profound passion for off-roading, his enchantment with backcountry camping with his family of four, his admirable efforts in cultivating an appreciation for the outdoors among young minds, and his skillset in...

In this special episode, hosts Jennifer Mabus and Dyana Carmella of Bush and Banter discuss the sources and significance of inspiration in their lives, exploring where and from whom they draw inspiration.  Send us Fan Mail Where to find and support Bush & Banter: Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com Join Bush &...

Will 'Akuna' Robinson is all about those good vibes and embodies the very definition of redefining oneself. This Army Veteran found long-distance hiking as a way to heal and inspire others to 'go for it all.' Akuna has gained attention as the first black male to complete the Triple Crown of Hiking, having successfully hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (2017), Appalachian Trail (201...

Callie is a scavenger-gatherer who lives nomadically following the seasons and wild food. She made a name for herself after competing in Season 7 of the History Channel’s hit reality-survival show “Alone,” where she survived 89 days alone in the Arctic. Callie currently lives in the woods of Montana with her herd of goats and teaches a handful of wilderness immersion courses. Callie’s main focus h...

In this episode, we chat with Tommy Corey, a remarkable individual who embodies the spirit of both a Thru-Hiker and a Portrait Photographer. Tommy is on a quest, called "100 Humans of the Outdoors," where he endeavors to illuminate the remarkable stories of those who have wholeheartedly embraced nature. During his own transformative journey along the Pacific Crest Trail, Tommy coined the...

Season 3 of Bush & Banter officially starts on July 5th, yet Jen and Dyana are bursting. In this special episode, the duo discuss the guest lineup, reveal how listeners can enter weekly giveaways, and introduce a few surprises. And to wrap up, Dyana shares a captivating story about stumbling upon a completely pointless photo at a thrift store in Northern California.  Send us Fan Mail Where to...

It's been one heck of a snow season for the Sierra Nevada mountains. In this special episode of Bush & Banter, co-host Jennifer Mabus interviews Ned Tibbits, Founder and Educator of Mountain Education Inc., on how to safely trek through ice and snow. Tibbits has been a wilderness instructor for the last 40 years and was in the first batch of thru-hikers to ever hike the Pacific Crest Trai...

Jen and Dyana answer your questions about season 2, including the biggest lesson they learned, how to tackle steep elevation, anxiety hiking solo, dream guests, the work/backpacking relationship, places in the world they would love to visit, and if they would ever turn B&B into a YouTube show. Follow us! @ BushandBanter Email us! - bushandbanter@gmail.com Special thank you to Sawyer Products f...

Dan and Kika are currently living and sailing around the world in their All-Electric sailboat named Uma. In this episode, Jen and Dyana dive into their lives before Uma, their choice to live on the water, how they deal with transoceanic voyages, the rise of the Uma Nation, and their future endeavors (in the sky).  Check out Sailing Uma www.sailinguma.com Instagram - @sailinguma Youtube: https://ww...

Adventure Photographer Chad Torkelsen will do whatever it takes to get the shot. The Pacific Northwest-based shooter has captured some of the most breathtaking views on social media. In this episode, Jen and Dyana dive into where his love for photography came from,  his creative process, and a few photos that mean the most. Follow Chad Torkelsen https://www.chadtorkelsen.com @chadtorkelsen Special...

Author/Speaker/Skier Steph Jagger traveled the world with a pair of skis and set a world record for vertical feet skied in a year. She wrote two books, Unbound: A Story of Snow and Self-Discovery and Everything Left to Remember: My Mother, Our Memories, And a Journey Through the Rocky Mountains . In this episode, Steph discusses her journey across the globe,  the most incredible mountain she has e...

Thru-Hiker / Filmmaker Elina Osborne has raised the bar for what’s possible for storytelling in the outdoors. The New Zealand native had tackled the Pacific Crest Trail and Te Araroa Trail, spanning the length of both islands of New Zealand. Her heartfelt, artistic, and inspirational video content has captivated audiences around the globe. In this episode, we dive into her thought process when sho...

Tyler “Mac” Fox, a fearless adventurer and all-around cool guy, delights Jennifer and Dyana with tales of his epic expeditions across the globe. From conquering the rapids of the Grand Canyon to cycling across the vast expanse of Australia, from pushing himself to the limits in an ultra-marathon to thru-hiking both the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, Mac has done it all. In t...

Welcome to Season Two! Jennifer and Dyana discuss the guest lineup for the second season of Bush & Banter and what adventure they both fear. It’s going to be one hell of a season. New episodes will be released every Wednesday starting February 22nd!  Send us Fan Mail Where to find and support Bush & Banter: Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter Visit Bush & Banter'...

In this final episode of the 2022 Fall Series of Bush & Banter, Jennifer and Dyana discuss the topic of Capability. Jennifer reminisces about finishing the Pacific Crest Trail, and Dyana relives completing the Pacific Northwest Trail. Both women talk about how thru-hiking helped redefine their perception of Capability and how it fueled their mission to inspire others to chase their dreams. Spe...