In this episode, Dyana sits down with Triple Crown backpacker Sam Schild, fresh off his 1,200-mile trek along the Pacific Northwest Trail. From crossing Glacier National Park to navigating the Cascade Range, the Idaho Panhandle, and the rugged Selkirks, Sam recounts the journey that eventually led him to the Olympic coast — and the finish line of one of America’s wildest long-distance trails. Together, they dive into it all — the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Sam is a storytelle...
In this location spotlight on San Francisco, Dyana sits down with award-winning Location Manager Heather MacLean, a born-and-raised Bay Area native who has worked on some of the biggest film and television productions in the city. Together they dive into San Francisco’s restaurants, culture, proper attire for the ever-changing weather, hidden gems, and a behind-the-scenes look at filming The Matrix Resurrections. Notable Timestamps 0:00 Intro 3:36 Welcome Heather MacLean 5:21 Growing up in th...
In this special on-location episode, Dyana visits outdoorsman, craftsman, and adventurer Kim Peschardt. Featured in Dyana’s book A Walk Thru Neverland, Kim has decades of experience and has circled the globe many times over. We’ll dive into his childhood in Denmark, encounters with Africa’s wildlife, and the time he was dropped by helicopter into the rugged mountains of New Zealand. Kim is an outdoorsman in the truest sense — a hunter, fisherman, craftsman, and adventurer. He’s here to share ...
We made it to 100 episodes of Bush and Banter! To celebrate, we’re bringing back one of our favorite guests — filmmaker, storyteller, and thru-hiker Elina Osborne. Elina has a rare gift for capturing not just breathtaking landscapes but the complexities and beauty of the human spirit. In this episode, she takes us behind the scenes of hiking and filming the grueling 812-mile Hayduke Trail, crossing some of the wildest desert terrain in the American Southwest. We dive into trail camaraderie, i...
In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with Emily Pennington — journalist, adventure writer, and photographer — who’s made a name for herself covering the outdoors, national parks, adventure travel, and wellness. Emily has visited every U.S. national park and chronicled her journey in her memoir Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America’s National Parks. They dive into her most memorable park experiences, why solo adventuring shaped her, and how it eventually inspired her to seek out mo...
In this episode, Jen and Dyana continue their 55-mile trek in and around Grand Teton National Park with friends Shea and Mak. In Part Two, they take on the grueling Paintbrush Divide—what Dyana calls the hardest climb of her life—face a sketchy snow crossing, reflect on the highs (and lows) of the journey, and bid farewell to the trail. Special thank you to Sawyer Products for powering this episode. From water filters to Picaridin insect repellent, sunscreen, and first aid—Sawyer gear h...
In this episode, Jen and Dyana revisit the first three days of hiking a 55-mile loop around Grand Teton National Park, starting at the Taggart Lake Trailhead. Join them live from the trail alongside their friends, Mak and Shea, as they take you through tough climbs, epic landscapes, wrecked feet, and rainy nights. This is part one of a two-part series that brings you right into the adventure with them. Special thank you to Sawyer Products for powering this series. From water filters to Permet...
In this episode, Jen and Dyana discuss how they’re each preparing for a backpacking trip through Grand Teton National Park. From mindset and physical training to gear and food, they cover everything it takes to plan a successful trek through the backcountry. Jen opens up with personal insights on embracing the adventure fully, while Dyana shares her goal of living a minimalist lifestyle on trail. NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro and Jen's poop story 3:42 Jen and Dyana discuss their upcoming trip...
This episode is all about the 174-mile Tahoe Rim Trail — how to hike it, bike it, or even ride it on horseback— plus what’s being done to keep this incredible land public. A recent threat to sell off parts of the trail and surrounding areas could have been devastating, but two experts from the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) are here to break it all down. We’re joined by TRTA’s Executive Director, Lindsey Schultz, and Communications Manager, Daniel Corona, who share how the trail is mainta...
In this episode, we sit down with Wells Jones—adventurer, author, and all-around renaissance man. Wells joined the U.S. Navy at 18, launching a life of thrill and purpose as a precision skydiver on the Navy’s Antarctic Pararescue Team. We dive into some of his wildest missions, then head to the desert to hear how he was inspired by explorer T.E. Lawrence—and how retracing a historic route through the Middle East led to his historical fiction novel, A Line in the Sand. A Line in the Sand on Am...
In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat about their upcoming backpacking adventure through Wyoming’s stunning Teton Range. From the Tetons’ dramatic geology and glacial history to bear safety and physical prep, this conversation blends trail stoke with practical backcountry insight into one of the country’s most beautiful and wild regions. Learn more about the Grand Teton Loop Trail, click here. Learn more about the Teton Crest Trail, click here. Send us a text Where to find and suppo...
In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with Mandy Bishop, founder of Old Ways Wisdom and a passionate advocate for ancestral skills, wild foraging, and natural medicine. Mandy shares her path into this world of old knowledge, exploring the emotional healing and deep sense of connection that comes from aligning with the earth and our roots. Together, they talk about the challenges of balancing modern life with the pull toward a simpler, more natural way of living. From the beauty of common pl...
Record producer Rick Rubin once said, “Don’t worry about what’s cool or what’s popular. Go after what’s interesting to you.” In this episode, Jen and Dyana explore the power of following your interests, staying curious, and navigating the resistance that often comes from the outside world. Whether it’s tackling a long thru-hike, getting into crafting, or diving into 1970s landscape art (Dyana’s latest obsession), curiosity is your greatest teacher—and it’ll always point you in the right direc...
In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with thru-hiker and author Julia Sheehan to unpack her transformative 2,190-mile journey along the Appalachian Trail. Julia opens up about the emotional and physical challenges of the hike, the experience of documenting it on social media, and the unexpected impact of going viral. She shares insights from her new book, Hiking is the Easy Part: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail, and gets candid about the pressure to stay authentic online, navigate comm...
In this episode, Jen and Dyana dive into the highs, lows, and hilarious moments of hiking Mount Whitney—the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. Both Jen and Dyana have successfully summited Mount Whitney and have unique perspectives to share about their trips, with Jen tackling the summit via the Pacific Crest Trail and Dyana using the famous Whitney Portal. They swap stories about the mental and physical grit it takes to summit, share lessons learned from unpredictable weather and ...
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, challenge...
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 hi...
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 med...
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 i...
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 Tam...