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

In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with endurance athlete Nora Fierman. Nora has skied and mountain biked around the entire world, including places like Mexico, Lesotho (Southern Africa), Canada, and France. She shares stories from her experience in the Breck Epic which is a 6 day mountain biking stage race in Colorado as well as a forever life-altering experience skiing Pico de Orizaba where she witnessed her first fatality in the mountains. Nora's passion for the outdoors is deep and is attributed to her childhood with her mother being the driving force. With all of her experience and love for high speed sports, Nora realized something was missing with her nutrition, so she founded Neve. Neve offers plant-based smoothie pouches for athletes which are designed with science but made for adventure. This episode is one for the adrenaline junkies who have a taste for abnormal adventures!

Use code bush&banter10 for 10% off 6-packs on Neve's website!

Neve's website - https://eatneve.com/

Follow Neve on Instagram - @eat_neve

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

3:10 Welcome, Nora Fierman!

4:54 Nora's attraction to abnormal adventures

7:55 Bikepacking in Lesotho, a country in Southern Africa

15:30 The Breck Epic MTB 6 Day Stage Race in Colorado

24:52 The foundation of Nora's passion for skiing

30:20 Nora's life-changing ski trip to Mexico on Pico de Orizaba

37:36 How witnessing a mountain fatality changed Nora's perspective of the outdoors

44:54 Intertwining adventure, food, and hospitality

49:39 Creating Neve and helping athletes thrive using nutrition

58:09 Where to buy Neve pouches to fuel your adventures and travel

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 explore the power of creating an alter ego—and how it can help you land your dream job, break bad habits, or even conquer a thru-hike. When life gets tough, stepping into an alter ego can help you get out of your own way and tap into strengths you already have. They share how their own trail personas carried them through the hardest moments, with Jen reflecting on the different versions of herself needed for work vs. personal life—and Dyana introducing us to Tammy Taylor, her confident alter ego born back in fourth grade. Whether you're chasing a big goal or just trying to survive the week, this episode is your reminder that you're capable of way more than you think.

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 our latest episode, we sit down with athlete, author, and outdoor enthusiast Anthony Porter—a true multi-hyphenate known for his skills in archery, knife throwing, and parkour. These days, Anthony is best known for his educational and entertaining outdoor videos that explore nature conservation, wildlife, and survival skills. Anthony opens up about the intense challenges of competing on American Ninja Warrior, the unexpected moments he's faced in the great outdoors, and how a childhood love of nature shaped his life's path. Through humor, storytelling, and hands-on expertise, he brings the wilderness to life for audiences of all ages. A certified backpacking guide, rock climber, and archery instructor, Anthony shares his knowledge with thousands—but his true passion lies in inspiring kids to embrace the outdoors. His children’s book, My Epic Nature Journal, encourages young explorers to draw, craft, and engage with the natural world in creative ways.

Anthony's website - www.anthonyporter.com

Follow Anthony on Instagram - @outdooranthony

Follow Anthony on YouTube - @outdooranthony

Purchase Anthony's childeren's book, My Epic Nature Journal

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

2:27 Welcome, Anthony Porter!

7:58 The art and benefits of archery and knife throwing

14:03 Anthony's experience on American Ninja Warrior

28:04 One of the scariest moments in the outdoors and what Anthony learned from it

47:40 The importance of outdoor enthusiasts to be well-informed

57:51 My Epic Nature Journal, Anthony's outdoor children's book

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 chat with Australian adventurer and thru-hiker Cam Bostock—best known for his stunning outdoor exploration videos and epic long-distance hikes. Based in Western Australia, Cam has taken on some of the world’s most iconic trails, including New Zealand’s 1,864-mile Te Araroa Trail, the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the U.S., Mount Kilimanjaro, and countless rugged routes across Australia. All the while, he’s been documenting his journeys for hundreds of thousands of followers. Cam brings a fresh, cinematic perspective to life in the wild. Tune in as we explore his most unforgettable trail moments, the mindset behind solo adventure, and how the outdoors has reshaped his view on life.

Follow Cam on Instagram - @cambostock

Follow Cam on YouTube - @CamBostock

Cam's Podcast - The Life Outside Podcast

Cam's business - Optiventure

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

3:37 Welcome, Cameron Bostock!

14:46 Cam's favorite trails in Australia

20:31 Cam's experience on the Te Araroa Trail

25:41 Why the Pacific Crest Trail stands out to Cam as his greatest adventure

31:21 Cam's first steps on the PCT vs his last steps

41:56 The sections on the PCT that impacted Cam and Jen the most

50:03 Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the hilarious origin story of Team Spud, and dealing with altitude sickness

58:23 Cam's top 3 pieces of gear

1:02:10 Advice on how to stay connected to loved ones during long trips

1:08:26 Cam answers questions from the public (Carr Boyd, hiking as a business, scariest encounter in the bush, planning/gear/itineraries)

1:26:38 Cam's biggest lessons learned from the outdoors

1:30:02 What is next for Cam and where to follow along

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 renowned Canadian trick rider Bella Da Costa, whose high-speed, gravity-defying performances have earned her championship titles and captivated audiences everywhere. Bella shares insights into the deep bond between riders and their horses, how the confidence gained in the arena translates into real life, and her hopes for the future of the sport. Most recently, Bella was featured in the short documentary She Looked So Free, directed by Danny Gevirtz, which explores her journey and passion for trick riding.

She Looked So Free Documentary

Follow Bella on Instagram - @belladacostatrickriding

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Intro

5:06 Welcome, Bella Da Costa!

6:13 What is trick riding?

6:41 What drew Bella to trick riding

7:46 She Looked So Free Documentary

12:50 Bella's biggest physical and mental challenges in trick riding

14:07 The power of trust between rider and horse

25:47Coaching children on trick riding and the confidence it builds

35:10 Why chasing your passion is the best path

40:35 How to follow along on Bella's adventures and her future performances

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