The Human Adventure

#122 - From riding a rickshaw across Pakistan to navigating the treacherous routes of the Sahara on an iron ore train, Will Meara's adventures are nothing short of epic. This episode features the adrenaline-pumping stories of Will, an event organizer and adventure travel expert from Dublin, Ireland, whose passion for exploring unconventional destinations has led him to some of the world'...

#121 - Jennie Milton's story is a thrilling ride through the world of extreme sports, from her vibrant upbringing in her parents' sports store to becoming a pioneer in kite surfing and snow kiting. Jennie's early exposure to activities like windsurfing, sailing, and skiing laid the foundation for her adventurous spirit and resilience. Her journey is a testament to how embracing adve...

Bonus - What drives a man to exchange the picturesque mountains of Pennsylvania for the sun-soaked coastlines of Florida? Join us on this special Labor Day bonus episode of Journey with Jake, where we chat with Bob Gonzalez, the passionate author of "Flicker in the Water." Bob takes us on a nostalgic trip through his early fishing days, recounting the excitement of catching his first oce...

#120 - How does one find solace in the wilderness after facing the darkest of times? Mike Martin joins us to share his extraordinary journey from homelessness and depression to becoming a beacon of mindfulness and spiritual connection with nature. Mike's story is not just about overcoming adversity; it's about rediscovering the healing power of the outdoors through wilderness meditation....

#119 - Ever wondered how epic adventures can reshape your outlook on life? Join me as I sat down with Matt O'Neill, the inspiring host of the Good Mood Revolution podcast. Matt opens up about his remarkable journey from Michigan to Colorado and finally to the beach, sharing how setting goals for extraordinary adventures can break the routine and enrich our lives. He reveals the secret to main...

#118 - What would compel someone to leave the security of home for the uncertainty of the road? Adventurer Nicolai Dotter joins us to share the origin story of his daring spirit and the motivations behind Operation Brazil, his bold motorcycle expedition from California to Brazil. Influenced by his father's enthralling travel tales and an unconventional education in the Redwood Forest, Nicolai...

#117 - What happens when a seasoned adventurer shifts his focus to improving parent-preteen relationships? Meet Marcus Higgs, our extraordinary guest who brings a wealth of multicultural wisdom and global teaching experience to the table. Raised by a father from the Bahamas and a mother from the Philippines, Marcus has lived and taught in South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Spain. His insight...

#116 - David Allen Tracy, a personal brand coach and intrepid adventurer, shares his extraordinary journey that spans continents and life-changing experiences. From his childhood exploring the rainforests of Panama to his nonprofit work providing medical aid in remote and dangerous areas, David's story is one of courage, resilience, and profound humanitarian effort. His collaboration with Pan...

#115 - What if life's unexpected twists could lead you to newfound passions and a brighter future? Join me as I sit down with Briana Medvecki, a former elite gymnast who turned a career-ending ACL injury into an inspiring journey of resilience and self-discovery. Hear how she transitioned from the intense world of gymnastics to collegiate diving at Cal Poly University, embracing changes that...

#114 - Can scuba diving be the ultimate stress-reliever for a high-pressure office job? Meet Giulia Uggias, a tax advisor from Hamburg who has discovered an extraordinary escape in the underwater world of scuba diving. With a rich multicultural heritage, being half Italian and half Russian, and fluency in multiple languages, Giulia’s story is more than just about diving; it's about embracing...

#113 - Ever wondered how a DC lobbyist specializing in defense and technology transitions into a fantasy fiction author? Join me for an extraordinary conversation with Joe Hilliard, also known as J.V. Hilliard, as he reveals how his real-life experiences in politics, diplomacy, and war have enriched his epic fantasy narratives. From the foothills of Pittsburgh to the creative freedom unlocked duri...

#112 - Can financial constraints truly hinder your wanderlust? Join us as we chat with Linda King, the Smart Travelista, who proves that travel and savings can go hand-in-hand. Linda, originally from Sydney and now based in Melbourne, shares her unique blend of travel expertise and financial savvy. Her early experiences, including a life-changing four-month road trip across Australia, ignited her...

#111 - Curious what it’s like to trade the hustle and bustle of city life for crystal-clear waters and remote island adventures? Imagine living on a catamaran while exploring the untouched beauty of French Polynesia and the Bahamas. Michael and Cassandre from Journey of MC join me to share their incredible stories and the life-changing impact of their off-the-beaten-path travels. From serendipitou...

#110 - What happens when a family decides to pause their conventional lives and embark on a year-long global adventure? Margaret Sullivan joins the podcast to share the captivating story of her family's extraordinary decision to take a gap year and explore the world with their young children. From corporate marketing in Lower Manhattan to fishing for piranhas in the Amazon, Margaret’s journey...

#109 - Kirsten Rudberg’s journey across the Camino de Santiago offers more than just tales of physical endurance; it’s a deep dive into the realms of solitude, personal growth, and the magic of unexpected generosity. Join us as Kirsten, a panentheist with a Master’s of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology, shares her transformative pilgrimage experience, shedding light on the profound lessons le...

#108 - What drives someone to leave behind the chaos of their home city and embark on a global adventure? Chris Donaldson, an intrepid 65-year-old motorcyclist from Belfast, Northern Ireland, shares his incredible journey of riding a Moto Guzzi Le Mans around the world. From the conflict-ridden streets of Belfast to navigating the deserts of Sudan, Chris's story is a testament to resilience,...

#107 - Embark on a photographic odyssey as I sat down with the remarkable Amber, whose lens has turned elopements into visual sonnets against Earth's most awe-inspiring canvases. Once a travel agent, Amber's trajectory to becoming an elopement photographer is a vibrant narrative of love, adventure, and the chance encounters that can shape our destinies. As she recounts her journey, your...

#106 - Embrace the pulse of perseverance and youthful ambition through the experiences of Kambrie Wilkinson, a trail-blazing runner ready to conquer the peaks of Utah and the tracks of collegiate competition. My conversation with Kambrie isn't just about her swift strides on the racecourse; it's a heart-to-heart on how a mother's nudge led her from a dabbling multi-sport athlete to...

#105 - Embarking on a journey of health and hope can be as daunting as it is illuminating, and Elwin Robinson's story is a testament to the transformative power of wellness. Born to an international family, Elwin faced early health challenges that set him on an explorative quest for understanding. I have the privilege of delving into Elwin's remarkable transformation and his profound ins...

#104 - When the balance beam of life meets the vault of ambition, where do you land? Lundyn VanderToolen, a high school senior on the cusp of collegiate gymnastics, joins me to untangle this convergence. We kick off our chat with Lundyn’s evolution from a five-year-old with a beam in her eyes to a seasoned gymnast with dreams bigger than a perfect 10. The heart of her story is rooted in family sup...

#103 - When Scott Gurian, a journalist with a knack for embedding himself in the marrow of the world's less-trod paths, tells the story of the Mongol Rally, you can't help but lean in closer. I had the pleasure of peeling back the layers of Scott’s 11,000-mile trek in a vehicle that's barely more at home on the vast steppes than a fish on a bicycle. His voice brings the landscapes a...

#102 - Imagine the ground beneath your feet giving way, plunging you into darkness. That's how Dan McQueen's world changed when a brain hemorrhage in 2014 left him grappling for the basic threads of life. Join me as I sit down with Dan in an episode that promises to grip your heart with a story of indomitable courage. Together, we navigate the jagged path of Dan's recovery, where ev...

#101 - Embark with me on a narrative voyage where Carol Springer, the vibrant voice behind the 'Where Next' podcast, captures our imagination with tales of her ever-changing journey through life's seasons. From the snowy frontiers of Minnesota to the sun-kissed peaks of Colorado, we traverse her personal atlas, unpacking the dreams that unfold as the nest starts to empty. Carol&apos...

#100 - When you hit a hundred of anything, it's worth throwing a party, and that's exactly what we're doing here on Journey with Jake as we ring in our 100th episode! Join your host Jake (thats me) and my effervescent guest host Rick Bamford, as we stride down memory lane, reliving the belly laughs, the slip-ups, and the heart-tugging stories that have painted the vibrant canvas of...

#099 - Embark on a transformative journey with me as I sit down with Colleen Avis, a masterful storyteller and coach who intertwines the sacredness of spaces with personal growth. Her book "Sacred Spaces," reflects the profound impact our environments have on our well-being, and through our discussion, we discover how vulnerability can be a powerful tool for connection and inspiration. S...