Kindred Roads Podcast

There are few people who live their calling as boldly as Dr. Clifford Redford. He is a veterinarian, documentary filmmaker, and lifelong animal advocate whose work has taken him far beyond the walls of his busy clinic in Canada. From rescuing street dogs in Jamaica to saving wildlife in India and performing surgeries in Ukraine as missiles shook the ground, Cliff has made it his mission to help animals wherever they need him most, often alongside his daughter, who travels with him on many of these rescue missions. In this episode, Cliff shares how his passion for animal welfare led him to begin volunteering on rescue missions around the world. What started as a three-week trip to Jamaica turned into a lifelong journey of bringing care and compassion to animals in crisis. We talk about what it’s like to perform surgery with little supplies, how he’s learned to adapt to different cultures and conditions, and how traveling with his daughter has deepened the meaning of his work. Cliff also opens up about the emotional highs and lows of rescue work, filming his documentary World Wide Vet, and why he believes kindness and education are the most powerful tools for change. His stories reveal the quiet courage it takes to keep showing up, the hope that comes from helping, and the reminder that one person’s compassion can ripple across the world. Connect with Dr. Cliff: Website Instagram Youtube His Clinic Ohana Animal Charity His Podcast His Documentary (available soon in the USA!) . . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS veterinarian, animal rescue, adventure, documentary, veterinary medicine, wildlife, cultural experiences, family, kindness, travel podcast, adventure podcast, inspiring, storytelling, service, courage, compassion, humanitarian, volunteering, resilience  

Emily Corinne is a yoga teacher who has lived in Thailand, taught abroad, and spent nine months backpacking through 17 countries. Along the way she moved between classrooms and retreat spaces, traded city rush for sunrise meditations, and learned how to build simple routines in unfamiliar places. Those months held everything from missed buses and last-minute detours to quiet mornings spent journaling, practicing, and noticing the small details that make a place feel like home. Now she leads group trips and retreats around the world, bringing people together through yoga, community, and adventure. She talks about why saying yes to new experiences matters, how staying present changes the entire arc of a journey, and why the connections you make with people often become the most meaningful souvenirs. In this episode we get into what teaching overseas taught her about culture and resilience, how meditation and presence reshape the way you move through the world, and a few unforgettable backpacking stories that still make her laugh. Connect with Emily: Instagram Tiktok Join Her Group Trips   . . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube

Lachie Smart was just 18 years old when he became the youngest person to fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft. What started as a wild idea with no money, no flying experience, and a stack of rejection letters turned into a 54-day journey across 45,000 kilometers and 24 countries. In this episode, Lachie takes us inside the storms that nearly knocked him out of the sky, the moments of doubt that almost ended the dream, and the unexpected kindness of strangers that reminded him why he kept going. From dodging pirates and nearly being shot down in the Middle East, to crying over a cheese sandwich baked by a stranger in Sri Lanka, his story is as human as it is daring. We talk about what it really takes to pull off a record-breaking journey, why naivety can sometimes be your biggest advantage, and how persistence through 200 no’s finally turned into a yes. This is an adventure about risk, resilience, and the courage to start before you feel ready. Let’s dive in! Connect with Lachie: Website Instagram Youtube . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS aviation, circumnavigation, flying, adventure, sponsorship, youth empowerment, public speaking, travel, resilience, personal growth, travel podcast, pilot, overlanding, flying around the world  

Lauren Bash is a storyteller, climate activist, and TED speaker who was named to Harvard’s Climate Creators to Watch list. She has been featured on BuzzFeed, The New York Times, and more, inspiring ordinary people to join the climate movement through storytelling in an approachable, optimistic way. In this episode, we hear how Lauren Bash went from the filmmaking world to inspiring millions on social media, sharing that small steps can lead to big change. We dive into her viral “Make Polluters Pay” campaign, which called out Exxon and other oil giants for knowingly fueling climate disasters. Lauren also explains why ordinary people can shift legislation and why waiting to be perfect before you act is exactly what polluters hope you will do. She also opens up about Gimme My Medicine, the short film she created about her dad’s health journey. It documents the plant based challenge that transformed his health in just 30 days and the heartbreak that followed when she later lost him. Lauren shows how grief, love, and storytelling can fuel action that impacts millions. Overall, this episode is for travelers who have seen climate change firsthand but feel they are not informed enough to take action or share their views, and it proves that even one voice can make a difference. Let’s dive in! Connect with Lauren Instagram Tiktok Website Watch her short film, “Gimme My Medicine”  Surfrider LA Intersectional Environmentalist Grassroots Organization Network Patagonia Action Works . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ Keywords climate activism, community organizing, environmental justice, civic engagement, climate change awareness, sustainable living, grassroots movements, personal stories, Make Polluters Pay, eco-friendly resources, lauren bash  

Eli Snyder is a travel content creator with a community of over 500 thousand people across platforms. He’s traveled to 105 countries proving that if you look past the headlines and trust humanity, travel can be safer and more meaningful, while still staying smart. In this episode, we dive into the wildest and most intense stories from his recent travels through Afghanistan, Syria, West Africa, and more. We talk about sneaking into Saddam Hussein’s abandoned palace, losing a passport in one of the worst places possible, and taking the Iron Ore train, the most dangerous train in the world across the Sahara. He shares why West Africa was the most challenging place he's ever traveled and how strangers in Turkmenistan and Syria reminded him of the goodness of people again and again. Eli also opens up about why he left his corporate job to pursue a life of meaning through discomfort, how he plans his adventures based on instinct and seasonality, and why solo travel is the most social thing you can do. He gives advice to anyone afraid to leap into travel and explains why the world is much safer than we’ve been led to believe. At the end, he shares more about his group trips, where he takes small groups of curious travelers to places like Jordan, Afghanistan, Norway, Namibia, and Guatemala. These trips are for anyone who wants to experience deep culture and real connection with the world and each other. Connect with Eli: His Group Trips Instagram Tiktok Youtube - travel, adventure, Middle East, West Africa, cultural experiences, social media, travel advice, Eli Snyder, Snydexplores, tourism, extreme travel, solo travel, off the beaten path, digital nomad, overland travel, international borders, remote countries, group trips, travel storytelling, global perspective

Aisha Makara is a world traveler who’s explored over 60 countries and a Mongolian artist, engineer, entrepreneur, and author of the Joyful Living Guidebook. She spent her earliest years in a Soviet-era Russian orphanage before hitchhiking across Central Asia, earning an engineering degree in Norway, co-founding Lisbon White Rose property management in Portugal and launching a nonprofit to support orphanages. After a van break-in in Florida, she rebuilt her life and ultimately saw her art literally reach the stars on plaques sent to space by SpaceX. In this episode, Aisha recounts life without family, the moment she chose independence over scarce caretaker attention, her fight to reclaim a “sold” scholarship, building her first nonprofit during university, bouncing back from that Florida setback and why curiosity, resilience and gratitude fuel her joyful, purpose-driven journey. Connect with Aisha • Art Instagram: @aishamakaraart • Personal Instagram: @bigbossbaby7777 • Joyful Living Guidebook: Buy on Amazon - Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube

Fletcher Cox spent seven months driving the Pan-American Highway from Lake Tahoe to Ushuaia, Argentina with nothing but his husky mix, Dune, and his Audi sedan… In this episode, Fletcher tells the story of crossing a cartoonish bridge in Peru under the watch of a “toll troll,” galloping through a Mexican ghost town with a gold-toothed cowboy, and stumbling into a mysterious masked procession in a tiny mountain village. We also get into what it felt like to summit Patagonia’s granite spires, how he built a shrine to his late friend at the literal end of the world, and why travel warped his perception of time and reality forever. Let’s dive in! Connect with Fletcher: Instagram Linkedin . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS: overland travel, Pan-American Highway, Patagonia, dog travel, climbing, solo travel, Peru, Mexico, self-discovery, risk, grief, freedom, adventure storytelling, wild animals, car camping, life after loss, Andes, husky mix, shrine building, road trip, travel with purpose  

​​Kara Folkerts has done it all. She solo-hiked the length of Iceland at 21 and shortly after co-led her first Costa Rica trail running tour. By 22, she’d bike-packed 10,500 km from Canada through Alaska, Russia, Mongolia, and China, moved to Japan, then studied yoga in India before helping run an ecolodge in Indonesia. Since 25, she’s stepped into a career as a full-time guide, leading mountain running tours across Europe, Africa, North and South America, earning her 500-hour yoga certification, and leading a handful of yoga retreats, all while letting curiosity and adventure guide the way. In this episode, we talk about overcoming fear, serendipitous bikepacking encounters in Russia and Moroccan family dinners, balancing back-to-back international guiding trips, yoga and mindfulness, and her roadmap for navigating a truly nomadic career and life. Let’s dive in!  

Karmen Wiid is a South African solo traveler, writer, and host of The Lost & Found Podcast. She published her first book at 12, studied philosophy and literature in university, and now works remotely while moving through the world with curiosity and creativity. She’s currently based in India, and she shares such profound wisdom on the meaning of life and how to actually work through things, rather than letting fear or expectation stop you from living your dream. In this episode, Karmen shares stories from running out of money in Cambodia, crashing a motorbike in Nicaragua, and traveling through the US on Greyhound buses. We talk about her family’s initial resistance to her lifestyle, how she actually found a remote job (even when it felt impossible), and what helped her build back trust with her parents after leaving home. She opens up about free writing, her creative process, living on a permaculture farm in Nicaragua, mate culture in Buenos Aires, and why travel doesn’t need to be perfect to be worth it. We also get into philosophy, self-alignment, and why you are your best self when you live for you, not for someone else’s idea of success. Let’s dive in! Connect with Karmen: Buy Her Book – Untethered: A Beginner’s Guide to Solo Travel Join Her Bali Group Trip Listen to Her Podcast – The Lost & Found Podcast Read Her Blog Instagram Jordan Peterson’s Self Authoring Suite   . . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS self-discovery, travel, digital nomad, remote work, cultural exchange, writing, personal growth, ethical tourism, family expectations, existentialism  

Braden Roseborough is a wingsuit skydiver,, BASE jumper, helicopter pilot, and instructor with over 3,000 jumps, certifications in tandem, AFF and wingsuit flight, and a full-time career as a software engineer. In this episode, Braden takes us from packing parachutes to teaching wingsuit flights, free-flying out of MI-17 helicopters above the Pyramids of Giza, and performing live demo jumps at Formula E races for audiences of up to thirty million viewers. He recounts surviving a high-speed midair collision, earning the nickname “Braden’s Ghost” after a wrong-line base jump, and the three-legged “tripod” model he uses to balance home, career and skydiving passion. Whether you’re gearing up for your first tandem or dreaming of wingsuit flight, Braden’s tips on overcoming fear, building community at Perrine Bridge, and making every leap count will inspire you to take the plunge yourself. Let’s dive in! Connect with Braden: Website Instagram . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ wingsuit flying, skydiving, base jumping, extreme sports, adventure, risk management, personal stories, skydiving instructor, passion, career balance, skydiving, base jumping, equipment malfunctions, skydiving community, teaching skydiving, wingsuit training, skydiving advice, skydiving experiences, skydiving locations, skydiving stories  

Miki Bonny & Carlo Gava are award-winning filmmakers, certified freediving & scuba instructors, and founders of B & G Expeditions. They’ve built an online following of hundreds of thousands by sharing their freediving and scuba adventures. On top of that, they host immersive group trips, teach breath-hold techniques with their 3-Minute Program, and create breathtaking underwater photos and videos. In this episode, they explain how they filmed Deep Flight in just two days, trace their journey from Lanzarote’s underwater museum to earning scuba and freediving credentials, and share encounters with mantas in the Maldives, spinner dolphins in Egypt and reef sharks. They also share the art and technical hurdles of filming underwater and reveal how they’ve created a work-life balance that allows them to maximize their time diving in the ocean. Lastly, they’re now taking part in Sea Shepherd’s Fit for the Ocean challenge to raise money to support Sea Shepherd’s marine conservation patrols and protect ocean wildlife, and share how you can join in as well. Let’s dive in! Connect with Bonny & Gava: Website Expeditions & Group Trips  3-Minute Breath-Hold Program (Use Code KINDREDROADS for 20% off) Sea Shepherd Fundraiser Watch Deep Flight YouTube TikTok Instagram . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS freediving, ocean exploration, scuba diving, travel lifestyle, marine conservation, adventure, underwater experiences, personal stories, work-life balance, travel tips, freediving, ocean experiences, dolphin interactions, overcoming fear, underwater photography, marine life, group trips, short film, adventure, wildlife encounters, freediving, underwater photography, marine conservation, adventure travel, coral restoration, sustainable tourism, ocean awareness, underwater communication, photography tips, adventure lifestyle  

Gavin McClurg is a professional paraglider, the first American to finish the Red Bull X-Alps, and National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. He’s a two-time round-the-world sailor and record-holding foot-launch pilot. In this episode, we trace his path from ski racing in Tahoe to thirteen years at sea, where he built a global sailing and kitesurfing business. He survived hurricane-force winds off Cape Horn, shark-filled nights off Mozambique, and so much more. A chance paragliding lesson then led him to set the North American distance record and become the first to cross the Alaska Range unsupported. He went on to race four editions of the Red Bull X-Alps and earned his NatGeo honor for a seamless Canadian Rockies traverse. Let’s dive in! Connect with Gavin: Purchase His Book, Advanced Paragliding Listen to His Podcast Website Instagram Youtube . . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS: adventure, sailing, paragliding, resilience, travel, life lessons, exploration, kite surfing, Red Bull X Alps, personal growth, storytelling, sailing, friendships, paragliding, adventure, simplicity, storms, National Geographic, Red Bull X-Alps, life lessons  

Chase Reichenbach is a photographer and filmmaker based in Seattle. He has been featured on Good Morning America, ABC News, and other major platforms for his viral travel and storytelling work. He’s traveled to over 30 national parks, documented stories across the U.S. and Europe, and built a creative career capturing weddings and working with brands like Subaru and Luno!  In this episode, we talked about his 40-day solo road trip across the United States where he camped in his car and visited 24 national parks. He shared how he built out his car with his dad, what it was like living on the road alone, and the surprising kindness he found in strangers everywhere he went. We also talked about the moment he accidentally photographed a surprise proposal that ended up going viral and how that led to being featured on national news. If you’ve ever dreamed about doing a solo road trip or working full-time as a creative, you won’t want to miss this one! Connect with Chase:   Shop His Prints Website Instagram Tiktok   . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ road trip, photography, adventure, travel, national parks, kindness, solo travel, experiences, challenges, storytelling, travel, adventure, photography, Europe, road trip, viral moments, backpacking, life lessons, personal growth, storytelling, USA road trip, united states national parks

Risa Josephine, a ski resort dispatcher and adventure sports enthusiast, battled a brain tumor from age seven until her life-changing surgery at eighteen. She graduated from the University of Georgia, volunteered at the Jodie O’Shea Orphanage in Bali and then spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching English in Kyrgyzstan. In our conversation she shares what it was like living with that tumor for over a decade, from daily seizures, migraines and partial vision loss to the gratitude and perspective it gave her. She also recounts the celebration of life party her friend’s parents threw before surgery, explains how she and her non-English speaking immigrant parents navigated the U.S. medical system, and reflects on making her own life-or-death decisions about where and how to operate. We dive into her decision to fund and run her own volunteer program in Bali, the cultural surprises of life in At-Bashy and her vivid memories of Kyrgyz customs that taught her more than any textbook lesson. Let’s dive in! Donate to SNR Team today! SNR Team is a nonprofit providing mental and emotional support to ski-resort first responders in the Sierra Nevadas. It’s a place where resiliency teams and individuals can find resources, connect on a community platform, access educational trainings, and secure an advocate for themselves or their team. Connect with Risa Instagram Purchase Her Jewelry (Japanese influenced, Origami earrings)! Join the Peace Corps Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS: brain tumor, surgery, recovery, gratitude, immigrant experience, advocacy, cultural anthropology, resilience, personal growth, life lessons, Cultural Anthropology, Volunteering, Peace Corps, Orphanage, Bali, Kyrgyzstan, Community Development, Cultural Differences, Personal Growth, Gratitude

Today on the podcast, I spoke with Emma Wilson, a 22 year old solo travel coach and content creator who’s lived and worked in over ten countries across Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. Originally from Oregon, Emma grew up with a traditional mindset and had never even considered traveling. But in 2022, she left college with little support, booked a one-way ticket, and set out to completely change her life! Since then, she’s built a business helping women use solo travel as a tool for self-growth. Her work is all about intuitive travel, personal freedom, and choosing yourself first. In this episode, we talked about what it was like leaving without approval, how she traveled affordably through Worldpackers, and why every destination brought her closer to who she really is. She shared her story of living in Puerto Rico for five months, volunteering in hostels across Europe, and going on a silent meditation retreat in Thailand. We also talked about travel magic, self-development, and what it means to design a life that feels aligned. If you're curious about solo travel or thinking of making a change, you can sign up for a free solo travel coaching call with Emma or join her Portugal group trip in August 2025, linked below!   Connect with Emma: Free Solo Travel Call With Her! Join Her Portugal Group Trip in August 2025 Instagram Tiktok   . . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ personal growth, travel experiences, solo travel, meditation, self-discovery, podcasting, community support, inner work, transformative journeys, life lessons, spirituality, travel, personal growth, meditation, coaching, life lessons, human connection, adventure, self-discovery, travel stories

Ever wondered what it’s like to captain a 191-foot superyacht through some of the most remote and pristine places on Earth? Captain Liam Devlin takes Wall Street elites, Russian oligarchs, actors, and more on adventures around the world! He has spent over 25 years navigating the world’s oceans, from the rugged coastlines of Alaska to the untouched beauty of the Solomon Islands. Originally from Byron Bay, Australia, Liam is the captain of Unbridled, a world-class expedition yacht focused on diving, adventure, and six-star service. In this episode, he shares what it really takes to deliver life-changing experiences for some of the world’s most high-profile guests. We talk about the unspoken pressure of perfection in the superyacht world, what guests are really like behind the scenes, and the logistics of planning everything from helicopter tours to shark dives. He also speaks openly about the bond he feels with the ocean, why luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand, and how nature has a way of bringing us back to ourselves. Let’s dive in! Connect with Liam:   Instagram Website Youtube . . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube (yachting, yacht captain, luxury travel, marine life, environmental protection, guest experience, charter costs, daily operations, misconceptions, unique destinations, environment, yachting, sustainability, high-profile guests, personal growth, authenticity, travel, podcasting, experiences, marine life)

Today on the podcast, I sat down with photographer and agency owner Madison Olivia Brown in Charleston, SC. Madison built her first online business from scratch while traveling the country in her sedan. She later rebranded it as Vienna & Co, a creative marketing agency focused on luxury and hospitality brands. She also runs networking events for young entrepreneurs in Charleston, SC. In this episode, we talk about what it was like living out of a car while trying to land clients. We dive into how she rebranded her business to attract luxury brands and what she’s learned from taking risks and saying yes as an online business owner. She also shares a full roadmap for anyone who wants to work remotely and start their own business. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your travels into a creative career, you won’t want to miss this one! Connect with Madison  Website Instagram Linkedin Tiktok Listen to Her Podcast . . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube

McHenry Jackson grew up in Folly Beach, South Carolina, surfing every chance he got. Now, he spends months at a time living on boats as a seafloor mapper, exploring the ocean for work and surfing whenever he can. When he’s not working, he’s surfing in places like South Africa, Panama, and Hawaii. This August, he’s making the big move to Hawaii to fully dive into the surf lifestyle. In this episode, McHenry talks about what life is really like living at sea for months, what he actually does as a sea floor mapper, and his experiences surfing in some of the world’s most incredible spots. He shares stories of surfing in great white shark territory in South Africa, his most unforgettable surf trips, and why now is always the best time to go after the life you want. Connect with Mchenry: Instagram . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube

Teju Ravilochan is a Forbes 30 Under 30 social entrepreneur and TEDx speaker. He co-founded Uncharted and later started GatherFor out of a desire to intentionally create a mutual support system for people experiencing poverty. Growing up, Teju was struck by the extreme gap between wealth and poverty, which led him to question the way the world works. He shares what he has learned from Indigenous and immigrant communities about the power of connection and why the Western focus on independence might be holding us back. He also talks about GatherFor and how small groups of neighbors are coming together to support each other in everyday life. From sharing meals to helping with childcare and covering bills, they are proving that none of us are meant to do life alone. Let’s dive in! Donate to GatherFor Connect with Teju: Website Email . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube

Today, I’m talking with Francheska Krysiak, also known as Franny, a marine conservationist, scientific rebreather diver, and PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, who has spent the last 10 years working to protect our oceans. Franny supports conservation and restoration work for various organizations, such as the California Academy of Sciences.  She is also an underwater photographer and a brand ambassador for various scuba gear brands. In this conversation, Franny shares stories from her underwater research, such as the surreal experience of being surrounded by hundreds of sharks and how night diving unveils a completely different marine world. She also explains the differences between rebreather diving and traditional scuba diving, which allow her to spend extended periods underwater, and discusses the innovative techniques being used to preserve marine ecosystems for future generations. Let's dive in! Connect with Franny: Instagram Website Shop Her Prints Donate: Donate to SECORE Donate to Roatan Marine Park Other Links: Mexico's Revillagigedo National Park Hope For Reefs Bioluminescence vs. Fluorescence String of Pearls Why Coral Reefs Matter Coral Reef Seeding Coral Gardeners  Credits: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/rov.html, https://fishbase.mnhn.fr/photos/PicturesSummary.php?resultPage=3&ID=12012&what=species