In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with Nicole Snell—a powerhouse in personal safety, self-defense, and solo adventure. As the CEO of Girls Fight Back, Nicole is a dynamic speaker, educator, and advocate known for empowering women and marginalized communities, especially in outdoor and travel settings. She shares her journey from a successful career in production to becoming a leading voice in self-defense education. Nicole dives into the importance of solo outdoor experiences, challenges societal norms around women's safety, and emphasizes building confidence through training and awareness. With solo adventures across 18 countries, Nicole brings a wealth of insight, practical strategies, and unforgettable stories—offering listeners a bold and empowering perspective on moving through the world with strength and self-assurance.

Follow Nicole Snell on Instagram - @adventuresofnik
Follow Girls Fight Back on Instagram - @girlsfightback
Nicole Snell’s Website - www.nicolesnell.com
Nicole's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Nicole_Snell

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

3:23 Welcome, Nicole Snell!

5:18 How Nicole got into self-defense and becoming CEO of Girls Fight Back

10:40 Nicole's perspective on people going in to the outdoors alone

16:44 The narrative shift that's taking place with women in the outdoor space

19:00 Advice for women about to solo adventure

20:05 Weapons or no weapons?

29:00 Nicole's progression of confidence + how that can help others

50:37 Tips for those who want to travel Internationally

59:50 Future plans and projects for Nicole

1:06:13 Where you can follow and connect with Nicole

Send us a text

Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman

In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with two of the most cherished figures in long-distance hiking: Barney and Sandy—better known on the trails as Scout and Frodo. At 73 years old, Scout recently completed the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail, adding to an already staggering list of accomplishments including the Triple Crown of Hiking: the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail. He’s also the author of Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail, a powerful account of his 2007 thru-hike with Frodo. The book was a finalist in the 2020 Banff Mountain Book Competition and has sold nearly 20,000 copies worldwide. But beyond their personal achievements, Scout and Frodo are best known for their unmatched generosity. As legendary trail angels, they’ve hosted over 8,000 Pacific Crest Trail hikers at their San Diego home, providing a launchpad for countless northbound journeys. Join us as we talk about adventure, community, aging with grit, and what it means to give back to a trail that has given so much.

Buy Barney's book: https://amzn.to/3S6Syno

Check out Barney's Website: barneyscoutmann.com

Barney's Instagram: @journeys.north

Learn More about the Eastern Sierra Land Trust - eslt.org/bushandbanter/

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

0:42 Eastern Sierra Land Trust

4:41 Welcome, Scout and Frodo!

17:03 Scout's Triple Crown journey starting with the Pacific Crest Trail

24:26 How hosting PCT hikers came about

40:18 The meaning behind Scout's book, Journey's North

54:50 How the outdoors can make you like yourself

1:06:00 Advice from Scout and Frodo on why it's never to late to chase a dream

1:15:23 Advice for taking young kids backpacking

1:22:52 Scout and Frodo on the Pacific Northwest Trail

1:33:54 The importance of trail advocacy

1:40:40 Words to those about to start their first thru-hikes

Send us a text

Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman

In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with Tia Banks — motivational speaker, resilience expert, mountaineer, and mental health advocate. Tia is on a mission to help students and educators build resilience and push through the heavy weight of anxiety and depression. She’s climbed some of the world’s tallest volcanoes, including Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and Pico de Orizaba in Mexico. She’s also the author of Mind Over Mountains, a certified resilience coach, and a viral voice on social media known for her raw, powerful insights on mental strength and growth. Today, she shares her journey — from hitting rock bottom in college to standing on volcanic summits — and how she’s helping others find the grit to keep going.

Tia’s Website - www.tiabanks.com
Follow Tia on social media at @thetiabanks

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS

3:35 Welcome, Tia Banks!

6:46 Tia's painful climb of Mount Kilimanjaro and how progress fuels resilience

20:45 What Tia was thinking on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro

25:45 How mountains and nature connect us to something greater

30:03 Why Tia climbed Pico de Orizaba in Mexico and her first attempt

34:53 Tia's second attempt on Pico de Orizaba

43:49 The Mind Over Mountains Program

48:37 What drew Tia to helping educators and students

1:03:30 What's next for Tia and where to connect with her

1:06:33 Advice for those who have fear that is holding them back

Send us a text

Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman