The Human Adventure

#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...

#098 - Imagine facing a life-altering illness, fighting for every breath, and being haunted by the possibility of never waking up from sleep. This was the reality for Ben Lawson, a fitness enthusiast whose world was upended by a leukemia diagnosis. Through his story, we traverse the uncertain terrains of health and resilience. Ben candidly recounts his intense battle, from the fear that gripped hi...

#097 - As my voice soldiers on through the remnants of a cold, I sit down with adventurer and author Edward Olu, the spirited soul behind the children's book "Around the World in Eight Dives: Scuba Diving All Seven Continents." Our conversation travels from the depths of Edward's Nigerian origins to his life today in Southern California, capturing the ethos of resilience and hu...

#096 - As the sun kissed the Arizona desert where Annalise Castillo's love for the natural world was nurtured, we embark on an exploration of her adventurous spirit and dedication to self-care. Annalise, a yogi with an insatiable appetite for adventure, shares with us her transformative journey from the dusty trails of Tucson to the serene beaches of the Marshall Islands. Her stories of wild...

#095 - Every battle leaves its scars, some visible, others hidden deep within the mind. Join me as I sit down with Vincent Proulx, a beacon of hope for anyone facing the dark aftermath of service. Vincent's raw and honest retelling of his struggle with PTSD and suicidal thoughts isn't just a tale of adversity; it's a narrative that reaffirms the immense courage it takes to reach out...

#094 - Have you ever stood at the precipice of change, teetering on the edge of transformation but unsure how to leap? Alex R Wagner, filmmaker and marathon runner, joins us to recount his exhilarating plunge from darkness into the light of self-discovery and relentless determination. Through the twists and turns of his life's narrative, Alex illuminates the path from a youth in Illinois to h...

#093 - The echoes of tragedy often linger long after the event has passed, but my guests Laura Hall and Sarah Bush have discovered a powerful form of healing that propels them forward—literally. In the wake of the Columbine High School shooting, these sisters found themselves grappling with the weight of trauma and its silent aftermath. Together, we take an intimate look at their emotional journey...

#092 - When Christie Sausa laced up her skates at the age of eight, little did she know the ice would carve out a path leading her to the heart of Lake Placid, where Olympic dreams shimmer and the spirit of winter sports thrives. Journey with us as Christie, a figure skating and speed skating dynamo, takes us through her life's voyage on the ice - an odyssey that intertwines the grace of piro...

#091 - Embarking on an adventure can be as simple as stepping outside your comfort zone and, for Desiree van Welsum, this meant transforming a health scare into a life of exploration. Desiree and her husband decided to go  for the freedom of the open road, and in this episode, she recounts the profound lessons and lifestyle shifts that come with full-time RV living. From their first excursion in a...