Wild Chats with Ben Southall

Dani Lewis on Adventure Racing, Type Two Fun and Surviving the Pain Cave

Ben Southall sits down with Wild Earth’s own Danielle Lewis to unpack the wild, exhausting and addictive world of adventure racing. As Wild Earth’s retail area manager and an experienced adventure racer, Danny has taken on everything from 24-hour races to multi-day expedition events across Australia and New Zealand. In this episode, Dani shares what it's really like to race through remote terrain, navigate under pressure, paddle through freezing conditions, battle sleep deprivation, and keep moving when everything hurts. She also reflects on her recent race in New Zealand, where a brutal ocean paddle, rough surf and a frightening emergency moment pushed her team to their limits. 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Ed Stafford on Survival, Rites of Passage and Why We Need to Do Hard Things

Ben Southall sits down with explorer, survivalist and filmmaker Ed Stafford to unpack a life shaped by challenge, discomfort and deep self-discovery. Known as the first person to walk the length of the Amazon, Ed reflects on the two-and-a-half-year expedition that changed him, the brutal reality of life in the jungle, and the inner drive that pushed him into some of the world’s toughest environments. They also dive into Ed’s latest series, Rite of Passage, where he travels into remote communities around the world to understand the rituals that mark the journey from boyhood to adulthood. From bullet ant ceremonies in Brazil to the bigger questions of courage, community, masculinity and maturity, Ed shares why these experiences are about far more than pain or endurance. This conversation explores adventure, fatherhood, survival, mental health, rites of passage, and what the modern world may have lost by making life too comfortable. Find out more about Ed: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ed_stafford/ [https://www.instagram.com/ed_stafford/] Website: https://edstafford.org/ Watch Rite of Passage on Amazon Prime & Foxtel 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ [https://bestlifeadventures.com/] Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/ [https://www.wildearth.com.au/]

From Sea to Summit with Tim Macartney-Snape

Ben Southall sits down with legendary Australian mountaineer Tim Macartney-Snape to unpack one of the most iconic adventure stories of all time, his Sea to Summit ascent of Everest. Tim shares how a childhood in East Africa shaped his curiosity, self-sufficiency, and drive to explore, before taking us through the climbs, decisions, and philosophy that led him from the Bay of Bengal to the top of the world.  They also dive into the origins of Sea to Summit, how Tim went from climber and expedition leader to co-founding one of the best-known gear brands in the outdoor world, and why innovation, problem solving, and doing hard things still matter.  Find out more about Tim: https://www.timmacartneysnape.com/ 🎙️ Hosted by  Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Behind the Lens: The Art and Science of Underwater Filmmaking with Richard Fitzpatrick

Join Ben Southall as he explores the fascinating world of underwater filmmaking, marine research, and conservation with Emmy-winning cinematographer Richard Fitzpatrick. Discover the stories behind the lens, cutting-edge technology, and the urgent need for protecting our oceans. 🦈 Follow Richard's adventures:  https://biopixeloceans.org/ https://www.instagram.com/biopixeloceans/ https://www.instagram.com/richard_fitzpatrick_acs/ 🎙️ Hosted by  Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Steve Jackson on Building Trail Races, Coastal High 50 and the Future of Trail Running

In this episode of Wild Earth Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with Steve Jackson, founder of Trail Trips and Events and the race director behind legendary running events like the Wild Earth Coastal High 50. They talk about how trail races are built, what first-time ultra runners often get wrong, Steve’s journey from Hamilton Island to race directing, and where trail running in Australia is heading next. A great episode for runners, adventurers, and anyone curious about the people behind the start line. 🏃 Connect with Steve Jackson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trailtrips_and_events/ Website: https://www.trailtrips.com.au/events-2 Sunset Slice: https://events.humanitix.com/host/wild-earth-australia 🎙️ Hosted by  Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/