The Wild Dispatch

Back in Episode 11 Ejler shared some memories of farm life on the rural island of Bonholm, Denmark. One story that really struck a chord was the existence of a food called Head-cheese, a magical substance created from the boiled remains of whatever comes out of the head of a pig. Never one to turn down a challenge, Robin provided the head of a wild boar the very next chance he had to harvest one....

Today we are sitting down with writer and modern day explorer Riaan Manser. His adventurous journey began the day he decided to quit his job and go for a bike ride... around the entire continent of Africa. This was done without backup, and before personal gps and smartphones were in public circulation. Riaan has since become the holder of numerous world records: first to ride 42000km around Africa...

In this Episode Robin takes a seat with Monroe Robinson - author of 'The Handcrafted Life of Dick Proenneke' to chat all things wilderness living in Alaska: The relentless nature of maintaining a homestead and your gear in such a harsh environment, building a greater connection with nature and the sometimes tragic consequences that come with it.  A big thankyou again to Monroe for sharing his time...

The fallow deer rut is an all-bows-blazing non-stop action-packed month that’s firmly marked in every South African bowhunter’s calendar. It’s a magical time that testosterone in the fallow population bubbles over and the thickets of the Eastern Cape descend into mating season mayhem. This episode we follow Robin from @thewilddispatch @williamdonian from Wellington Farms and Callum Methley from @k...

An immensely talented bowhunter-spearfisherman from South Africa –Jandre has been honing his skills since the age of 5. Wherever you're from, when it comes to sourcing protein, there’s an easy way, and there’s hard way… Then there’s Jandre’s way. An anomaly in the South African hunting community, Jandre hikes many kilometers deep into the mountains to areas with no roads, and no backup. Although h...

Lama Nasser-Gammett and her husband Matthew are owners of The Forest People, and supply a large area of the Mendocino coast with cultivated mushrooms.  Building their business from the ground up at a time when there was very little information available, they taught themselves exactly how to make mushrooms thrive in a controlled environment. Chefs and natural grocery stores appreciate their attent...

This week it is Violet Warman's 97th Birthday. She was born in 1928 — Rather a lot of wild stuff happened since that day...  In this episode Robin was lucky enough to hear some of Vi and Ray's memories from the past: The moment WW2 was declared, being evacuated, watching dog fights in the skies above... and trading bike rides to American soldiers for enormous amounts of pocket money.  In this epis...

In this episode we break from a week-long adventure in the Eastern Cape to celebrate a successful bow hunt. The jokes roll thick as backstraps and wild game sausage sizzle on a flat-stone locally called an Yster Klip, which literally translates to 'Iron Stone'.  — sound quality took a bit of beating early on in this episode, if you’re over the sound of sizzling meat then jump to about 35 mins in —...

In EP55 Robin and William Arthur Sprague IV continue on their two-part myco-nautical adventure. Many topics are discussed, including but not limited to: how mushrooms make you make better music, the real reason humans evolved to have such big brains, and what Amanita Muscaria does, and how to get the most out of this medicine. All the music you hear in this episode was created by William Arthur Sp...

Adam Brennan has been shooting a traditional bow for as long as he can remember. Born and raised in the Yukon, It was here he learned what it takes to thrive in the Canadian wilderness.  It's his life-long honed skill-set, dogged perseverance and willingness to suffer that’s made him the successful outdoorsman he is today. In this episode we enjoy a smorgasbord of Adam’s wild stories, including a...

Our journey through mycelium universe continues today with Eugenia Bone. A food and nature writer, her work has appeared in many anthologies, magazines, and newspapers across the world.  Eugenia is also the author of nine books on food and biology, including: Well-Preserved, Mycophilia, and most recently, Have a Good Trip: Exploring the Magic Mushroom Experience. As usual we have plenty of informa...

In EP52 Robin and William Arthur Sprague IV don their helmets, detach from the Mother-ship and set off on a two-part myco-nautical adventure.  But first they couldn't resist catching up on the highs and lows of the NorCal mushroom season before jumping deep into the world of psilocybin. They cover micro doses, heroic doses... personal experiences,  how taking mushrooms can help you find more mushr...

----- The second part of this story continues with EP61  ----- Having spent 30 years homesteading at Twin Lakes, Alaska, building an incredible cabin (and entire lifestyle) with nothing but hand tools –Dick Proenneke fast became a legend of the Alaskan Wilderness. Author Monroe Robinson and his wife K spent 19 summers caring for Dick Proenneke's cabin after he left in 1999. A master craftsman in h...

In England there's an expression "all talk and no trouser" Kiefer is the opposite of this saying. An all-out and all-round outdoorsman based in Michigan, Kiefer is constantly trying to squeeze that elusive 25th hour out of his day. From trapping to chasing ducks to downing enormous herd bulls with his bow - this guy gets after everything in his free roaming converted schoolbus. Give Kiefer a follo...

Raymond and Violet Warman, aka Ray n' Vi... aka Robin's Nana and Gramps were born in England in the 1930s. Raised in both the English countryside and East London—their experiences growing up were very different. But life changed for everyone on the arrival of World War 2. Here are a few of their stories. From memories of evacuations to hunting rabbits with self-made bows, from D-Day preparations t...

That's (almost) a wrap on 2024. Thank you to everyone who's been part of this adventure! To the guests sharing their time and knowledge, the listeners tuning in from all over the world, and the friends and family who've put up with my wild babblings on a variety of topics... Thank you and Merry Christmas! 05:00 — EP21: Renias and Alex - Tracking leopards for the president 10:30 — EP17: Surviving w...

Henry Shires is the joint founder of Tarptent - an ultralight tent company based out of Nevada City California. A tinkerer by nature, when the world didn’t provide the ultralight gear Henry wanted, he just bought a sewing machine and made it himself. Little did he know this would be the beginning of an almost 25 year business… This Episode’s got coming of age stories, adventures, learnings and som...

Dave Holder has dedicated most his life to thriving in wild places. The Englishman now lives in Canada running expeditions and survival courses with his wife Brenda. He also spends four months of the year consulting for the TV show Alone, keeping it's participants and staff safe and informed in a variety of potentially dangerous environments. In this episode we hear how Dave fell in love with the...

In this episode Dennis Mckiver, retired Pararescue specialist and fish and game warden shares even more wild stories along with a bunch of useful survival tips that might just help you save your own skin. This podcast went live on Veterans Day, one day after Rememberance Day over in the United Kingdom and many other countries too — Thank you Dennis, and all veterans who have served and sacrificed...

Another in the field episode capturing the highs, lows, and everything-in-betweens over a month spent chasing beasties with a bow in Colorado. Robin and a handful of different friends go after Moose, Elk and antelope... there will be big successes, crushing failures and some surprise new friendships in the mountains sparked by a common love of adventure and prolonged suffering... Thanks to everyon...

Monroe Robinson is a truly fascinating individual. An avid student of the wild and meticulous craftsman and maker – his combined passion for the outdoors and attention to detail has gotten him into all kinds of interesting adventures. From salvaging ancient abandoned redwoods in California to care taking Proenneke's historic cabin at Twin Lakes, Alaska for almost 20 years. Monroe also wrote a book...

Hello everyone, Just a quicky this episode. Here's a great little chat with Ejler while processing the traditional small mountain of fish back at his fish shack earlier in the Summer. Normal programming will return on return from chasing elk and Moose in Colorado! Thanks again to Ejler for the nuggets of wisdom and entertaining stories. ----------------- Subscribe to this podcast so you're always...

Harmony Cronin's path has taken many fascinating turns. From urban roots, to hopping trains, balancing in a societal nook called the 'slip space' and fighting the system with punk-rock: ultimately all roads have led her to nature. A human with a love for all beings, she honors the lives she takes by making full use of the resources they provide. Developing her own ancient skills and sharing this k...

This episode Robin and Cayden Marquis (from ep 05) take a trip down memory lane, recounting a savagely long, hot, but ultimately successful day spent hunting together under the African sun. Gotta earn that milkshake. A big thanks to Cayden for all the adventures and memories! Follow Cayden on Instagram ----------------- Subscribe to this podcast so you're always up to date. Even better - share us...

Kielyn Marrone is back from the Wild Wild North! Despite covering a ton of good-n-deep stuff in our last episode… Robin and Kie barely scratched the surface on her career as an expedition guide in Canada. So, thankfully she's agreed to gear up, slap on her snowshoes and dive deep into life as an extreme winter-wilderness expert. This one’s got a bunch of fantastic stories, all told with her tradem...