Nikki Smith on Naked and Afraid, South Africa and the Reality of Survival

Stone Age Survival, Flint Knapping & Ancient Skills with Will Lord

In this episode of The Survival Debrief Podcast, Steven Kelly speaks with Will Lord, one of Britain’s leading prehistoric survival skills experts. Will shares his story of growing up around Grimes Graves, discovering flint knapping as a child, and spending decades mastering ancient survival technology. The conversation covers arrowheads, blades, bow making, hide tanning, carcass use, natural materials, Earth Lodge, Ed Stafford, First Man Out, and what modern survivalists can still learn from the Stone Age. This episode goes deeper than bushcraft. It is about patience, failure, craft, land connection, self-reliance and the old skills that still matter today. One of the biggest takeaways: when asked what prehistoric skill every survivalist should learn, Will’s answer was simple — net making. Follow Will Lord: Website: https://www.will-lord.co.uk/ [https://www.will-lord.co.uk/] Follow Steven Kelly: Website: https://www.stevenkelly.uk/ [https://www.stevenkelly.uk/] Instagram: @survival_ste TikTok: @survival_ste Subscribe to The Survival Debrief Podcast for more conversations with survivalists, adventurers, military veterans and outdoor experts.

Carleigh Fairchild: 86 Days Alone in Patagonia

Carleigh Fairchild survived 86 days alone in Patagonia on Alone Season 3 — and she still wasn’t ready to leave. In this episode of The Survival Debrief Podcast, Steven Kelly speaks with Carleigh about her early earth-skills training, the casting process for Alone, being dropped into Patagonia, the reality of long-term isolation, the battle for food, and what it felt like to be medically pulled when her mind was still fully committed. Carleigh also talks about returning for Alone: Redemption in Mongolia, where a fish-hook injury forced her out after a strong start. This episode covers survival mindset, hunger, solitude, nature connection, resilience, and the parts of survival TV that viewers rarely understand. Hosted by Steven Kelly — former British Commando, survival instructor, TV survivalist, and host of The Survival Debrief Podcast. Watch more episodes and find links here: https://www.stevenkelly.uk/podcast [https://www.stevenkelly.uk/podcast] Follow Steven: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/survival_ste/ [https://www.instagram.com/survival_ste/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29 [https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@survival_ste X: https://x.com/survival_ste [https://x.com/survival_ste]

EJ Snyder Wants One More Naked and Afraid Battle

EJ Snyder joins Steven Kelly on The Survival Debrief Podcast for a raw conversation about Naked and Afraid, survival mindset, Global Showdown, tribe, leadership, and why he is still ready for one more challenge. EJ is one of the most recognised names in the Naked and Afraid world. Six challenges. 206 days. Zero taps. In this episode, he talks about what makes Naked and Afraid such a brutal test, whether he would return to the franchise, and what fans can do if they want to see him back out there. Steven and EJ also discuss survival training, community, EJ’s 48-hour survival course, Freedom Pickles, Survival Mastery, and the bigger lesson behind survival: staying ready for whatever life throws at you. Hosted by Steven Kelly — British TV survivalist, former Commando, Naked and Afraid survivalist, and host of The Survival Debrief Podcast. Watch and listen to more episodes: https://www.stevenkelly.uk/podcast [https://www.stevenkelly.uk/podcast] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-survival-debrief-podcast-with-steven-kelly/id1844233698 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-survival-debrief-podcast-with-steven-kelly/id1844233698] #SurvivalDebrief #NakedAndAfraid #EJSnyder

Amanda Wilson & Ernie Hinojos: Fans to Naked and Afraid Survivalists

In this episode of The Survival Debrief Podcast, Steven Kelly sits down with Amanda “Mandy” Wilson and Ernie Hinojos from Naked and Afraid. Amanda and Ernie have one of the most unique stories in the franchise. They went from fans of the show to taking on a 14-day fan challenge together, then returned as a duo for a brutal 21-day challenge — surviving 35 days together across Mexico and Botswana. This conversation goes behind the edit and into what viewers did not fully see on screen: the mental pressure, the cold nights, the lack of food, the bugs, the danger, the arguments that were handled properly, and the bond that formed through real hardship. Amanda opens up about mindset, anxiety, gratitude and pushing through her lowest moments. Ernie talks honestly about the cold in Botswana, the pressure of survival, and why having the right partner can make or break a challenge. We cover: How Amanda and Ernie got onto Naked and Afraid What it felt like meeting each other naked for the first time The difference between Mexico and Botswana The unseen survival work that never made the episode Their lowest moments on challenge Why neither of them tapped Whether they would take on another challenge together Hosted by Steven Kelly, former British Army Commando Forces soldier, SERE survival instructor, Naked and Afraid survivalist, and host of The Survival Debrief Podcast. For more episodes, visit: www.stevenkelly.uk/podcast Follow Steven Kelly / Survival Ste: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29 [https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@survival_ste X: https://x.com/survival_ste [https://x.com/survival_ste]

Can You Really Learn Survival Skills Online? | William Johnson, Survival Mastery | The Survival Debrief Podcast

In this episode of The Survival Debrief Podcast, Steven Kelly speaks with William “Bill” Johnson, founder of Survival Mastery — an online survival education platform designed to teach practical outdoor, preparedness, and self-reliance skills from anywhere in the world. Bill shares how his background in software development, aerospace, and military contract work led him to build a platform that combines streaming-style lessons with real-world tasks, instructor feedback, progress tracking, badges, and practical skill development. Steven and Bill discuss how technology can be used to get people outside rather than keep them indoors, why basic survival skills are being lost, and how platforms like Survival Mastery could support families, Scouts, schools, outdoor learners, and anyone who wants to live more prepared. They also cover Scouting America, Bear Grylls, disaster preparedness, fire lighting, shelter, water, bow making, field medicine, and the future of online survival training. Steven Kelly is a former British soldier from 29 Commando Regiment, British TV survivalist, and host of The Survival Debrief Podcast. He has appeared on Naked and Afraid, Naked Alone and Racing to Get Home, and Bear Grylls: Wild Reckoning. Check out Survival Mastery: https://survivalmastery.co [https://survivalmastery.co] More from Steven Kelly: Podcast page: https://www.stevenkelly.uk/podcast [https://www.stevenkelly.uk/podcast] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-survival-debrief-podcast-with-steven-kelly/id1844233698 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-survival-debrief-podcast-with-steven-kelly/id1844233698] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@survival_ste Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29 [https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29] X: https://x.com/survival_ste [https://x.com/survival_ste]