The Scenic Route Podcast

Desmond McCaffrey is a self-taught wildlife artist from northern Alberta whose work is deeply rooted in a lifelong connection to the outdoors. Born in Saskatchewan and raised exploring the forests and waterways of Alberta, he developed his artistic ability by sketching wildlife and landscapes from memory after hunting and fishing trips with his father. His career path included work in the oil industry, big game guiding, and operating a taxidermy studio, experiences that gave him a detailed understanding of animal anatomy and behavior. Since becoming a full-time artist in 1989, his work has been featured in national publications, earned numerous awards, and led to high-profile commissions, including projects with the Royal Canadian Mint.Follow Des on Instagram @des_mccaffrey_artView and Purchase Des's Art: https://www.desmccaffrey.comGear up your adventures, with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

Abbie Martin is a wildlife ecologist, conservationist, and founder of the Jaguar Identification Project, a long-term research initiative dedicated to studying and protecting jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal. Her work combines science, citizen participation, and story telling to better understand jaguar population dynamics and promote sustainable conservation strategies.Splitting her year between hemispheres, Abbie spends half the year in the field in Brazil and the other half working as a boat captain in the United States and the British Virgin Islands. Her efforts and story have been featured in the documentary Rise of Jaguars, highlighting both the beauty of the Pantanal and the challenges facing its apex predator. In April 2026, Abbie was accepted into a PhD program in Environmental Conservation, further advancing her commitment to long-term, science driven conservation.Support the Jaguar ID Project: https://www.jaguaridproject.com/jaguar-guidesFollow the Project's Work on IG @jaguaridprojectGear up your adventures, whether you're in the mountains or the Pantanal, with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

Oliver Starr is a wolf conservationist, author, and Executive Director of the Tahoe Wolf Center, a federally licensed nonprofit dedicated to wolf conservation and public education. His work focuses on closing the gap between myth and reality, helping people understand wolves not as symbols of dominance, but as complex, cooperative animals with lessons that extend far beyond the wild. He is the author of The Wolf Lover’s Guide to Raising Dogs, an Amazon #1 bestseller that challenges conventional dog training narratives and reframes the human–canine relationship through the lens of evolution and behavior. His recent TEDx talk, Defanging Alpha, builds on this work, confronting the long-standing “alpha” myth and offering a more accurate and humane model of leadership drawn from real wolf dynamics. Starr’s perspective isn't theoretical. It is built from decades of direct experience working with wolves and leading organizations. More recently, that perspective has been sharpened by his ongoing battle with metastatic head and neck cancer, which has forced a level of clarity about resilience, priorities, and leadership under pressure that few leadership models address honestly.Support Wolf Conservation and Education: TahoeWolfCenter.orgFollow Oliver on Instagram @ostarrHelp Oliver in His Battle With Cancer via https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-oliver-the-wolf-guy-in-cancer-battleGear up your adventures with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

Jack Schonhoff is a wildlife content creator, filmmaker, and on-screen host best known for Jack’s World of Wildlife, a documentary-style series he launched in 2018. He works as a writer, producer, and presenter on his own projects, focusing on hands-on experiences with wildlife, particularly dangerous and misunderstood species like spiders and scorpions. His content is defined by direct interaction, including intentionally being bitten or stung to document real effects and challenge common misconceptions. Through a mix of education and entertainment, his work aims to provide a firsthand look at wildlife while reshaping how people perceive fear and risk in the natural world.Check Out Jack's World of Wildlife Wherever You Consume Content @jacksworldofwildlifeGear up on your adventures with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

Morgan Treni is a singer, songwriter, and the Founder of Golden Estate Entertainment, a boutique agency specializing in live music for luxury events, weddings, and corporate gatherings. She leads the Golden Estate House Band and performs a mix of jazz standards, Broadway, and contemporary music, influenced by Golden Age Hollywood and early American song traditions. She has released original projects including The Dreamer & Other Essays and Alphabet City, and is known for combining performance, curation, and business through her work in the live entertainment industry.Check Out All of Morgan's Work and More Via goldenestatebands.comGear up on your adventures with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

Jack Kadis is a 22-year-old content creator attempting to walk the entire perimeter of the United States. He began the journey in January and has been heading south with everything he owns on his back, documenting the experience as he goes. Without a strict plan, deadline, or support crew, Kadis approaches the journey one day at a time, finding places to sleep, meeting people along the way, and turning those experiences into content. Rather than pursuing a record or specific cause, his goal is simply to tell a compelling story and see where the journey leadsFollow Jack's Journey on Instagram and TikTok @jlkadisGear up on your adventures with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

Rick Szabo is the creator of Birding with Rick, a rapidly growing birding platform, with more than 200,000 followers. There he teaches people how to find, identify, and truly enjoy birds in the wild. Rick leads small-group birding retreats across North America and Costa Rica, publishes the popular newsletter The 3-Minute Birder, and has helped thousands of people experience the thrill of seeing their first “lifer.” Before becoming a full-time birding educator, Rick spent more than 20 years working in finance and business leadership, served on several non-profit boards. Most recently he won Season 1 of the reality TV show Destination X on NBC. His mission is simple: help people experience the joy of birds.Check Out Everything Birds Including Guided Bird Watching With Rick Here: birdingwithrick.comGive Rick a Follow on IG @birding_with_rickGear up with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for real adventures. Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

Asher Wild is one of the four brothers behind The Wild Brothers, a group of missionary-raised filmmakers known for their adventurous storytelling, wildlife encounters, and faith-driven content. The brothers grew up deep in the rainforests of West Papua in Indonesia, where their parents worked as missionaries among remote tribes. Living in such an isolated and wild place shaped their curiosity for our natural world and how storytelling can help to protect it. Today, through films, documentaries, and online content, the Wild Brothers share their faith, stories of adventure, conservation, and culture, with audiences around the world, encouraging people to explore the outdoors, and the ultimate adventure of following Jesus.Check Out All of the Wild Brothers Content on https://wildbrothers.tvFollow the Wild Brothers on Instagram @thewildbrothersGear up with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for real adventures. Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

Lauren Dahl is the Programs and Operations Director at Green Door Folk School, a folk school based in northern Michigan focused on hands-on, community-centered learning. Folk schools began in Denmark in the mid-1800s, inspired by educator N. F. S. Grundtvig, who believed education should focus on personal growth, cultural identity, and civic engagement rather than exams or degrees. The movement spread across Europe and later to North America, where folk schools continue today as places for hands-on learning, traditional skills, and community connection. Green Door Folk School offers immersive classes in traditional crafts, folk skills, and creative practices, all designed to help people reconnect with the natural world, their own capabilities, and their community. Built on values of accessibility, sustainability, and lifelong learning, Green Door provides a space where education is experiential, collaborative, and grounded in both cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.Follow Green Door Folk School's Teachings on Instagram @greendoorfolkschoolLearn Folk Skills For Yourself Today: https://greendoorfolkschool.comShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Atherium Bommarito is a former firefighter and paramedic who spent a decade serving his community in high-intensity medical and emergency response roles before making a bold life shift. After ten years of emotionally and physically demanding work, including time working in hospital settings in Detroit and front-line emergency service, he chose to resign in late 2025 and pursue a new chapter focused on travel, creativity, and intentional living. Alongside his time on the job, Atherium has always made videos, played piano, and found grounding in nature. Now traveling across Southeast Asia, he’s exploring what life can be when you step away from the familiar and push your own limits.Follow Atherium's Travels on IG @atheriumShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Titus Humphreys is an outdoor filmmaker and storyteller based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Originally from Papua New Guinea and Australia, he brings a unique, global perspective to the rugged landscapes he documents. After five years working as a ski technician and bike mechanic, Titus is currently transitioning into full-time content creation, building a dedicated following through his signature blend of cinematic visuals and grounded, honest narratives. His work is defined by a commitment to "attainable adventure," focusing on the real struggles and quiet beauty of the outdoors rather than just the extreme highlights. But behind the high-quality visuals is a story of profound persistence. In 2022, Titus set out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, only to leave at mile 800 due to burnout and homesickness. In 2024, he returned to the Mexican border to face that "unfinished business" and rewrite his story from the ground up.Watch Titus's Adventures on YT Now: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_stn3uh2rwXE_6Bf-QrWNAFollow Titus on Instagram @titushumphreysShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Christopher Mickens is the Director of the Department of Public Safety at Ohio Wesleyan University and has worked at the university since 1999. Over more than two decades on campus, he has become a familiar presence to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. In addition to overseeing public safety operations, Christopher has been involved in various campus programs and service initiatives and has supported student activities throughout his tenure.Support Ohio Wesleyan's "We Are OWU" Initiative Today: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/OhioWesleyanUniversity/we-are-owuShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" NOW: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Max Sauerbrey and Juliette Benedetto are filmmakers and the co-founders of Quickdraw Films. They directed The Way It Was, a documentary built from archival footage shot in 1970s Alaska by Max’s grandfather, Chuck Wirschem, and brought the project to completion decades after it was originally filmed.Watch The Way it Was and Subscribe to Quick Draw Films on YT Now: https://youtu.be/-YRXMgKMlWY?si=d5hZ8WlsFSrp39K6Follow Max and Juliette's Future Work on Instagram @quickdraw.filmsShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Stephan Kesting is a lifelong martial artist, outdoor expeditionary, and educator. Stephan is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with more than 30 years of training across multiple martial arts systems, he is also a veteran firefighter of over 25 years and a recipient of the Canadian National Medal for Bravery. He is the founder of Grapplearts.com and host of The Strenuous Life podcast, and his latest book, Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic, documents a 1,000-mile solo canoe journey through northern Canada to Hudson Bay, an expedition completed while managing significant health challenges, including a kidney transplant and major orthopedic recoveries.Read Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic Now Wherever Books Are SoldCheck Out Stephan's Wilderness Education Channels on YT and IG @essentialwildernessIf You're Interested in Stephan's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Knowledge Head Over to grapplearts.com for More DetailsShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Kehinde McComb is a content entrepreneur who built his way out of hourly work by learning how attention really works online. Raised by a single mother, he worked 22 different jobs before turning 18, from warehouses and restaurants to delivery apps, before discovering online business. After nearly 20 failed attempts in e-commerce and a period of serious financial stress, Kehinde broke through by using TikTok to take a product from zero to six figures in a matter of days. Today, he helps brands grow through short-form content, runs a community focused on skill-building over hype, and speaks openly about failure, discipline, and what it takes to build leverage from nothing.Learn From Kehinde and Follow His Journey to Escape Debt @millionaire.ke on IGCheck Out More Content on YT: https://youtube.com/@kehindemccomb?si=lnZ62lloJKim_-pAShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

David Easterbrook is a bonsai artist with over 55 years of experience and a central figure in the development of North American bonsai. He served for more than three decades as curator of the Montreal Botanical Gardens Bonsai Collection, where he helped build one of the most respected public collections on the continent. Trained through early mentorships in the U.S. and a formal apprenticeship in Japan near Nagoya, David is widely regarded as a pioneer of bonsai education in Canada. He also founded the Montreal Bonsai and Penjing Society, introducing a structured, European-style teaching model that helped grow it into one of the largest bonsai organizations in North America.Check Out Some of David's Amazing Trees and Learn More About the Art of Bonsai on Facebook and Instagram @davideasterbrookbonsaiView More Bonsai Content via David's Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@BonsaiSocietyShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Ciaran Brayboy is the Co-founder of Skye Performance and a former Harvard basketball player who received over 30 Division I offers. Ciaran credits much of his competitive edge to the clean nutrition habits he grew up with in a functional-medicine household. When he arrived at Harvard, he was surprised by how processed and sugar-heavy most “performance” snacks were, which led him and fellow student-athlete Elisha to start making their own alternatives. What began as kitchen experiments eventually became Skye, a clean performance nutrition company built around real food, no artificial additives, and products they would actually eat themselves.Try Skye Bars Today at eatskye.comFollow Skye on Instagram to Learn More @eat_skyeShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Dr. Dimitri Deheyn is a professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. He leads the Deheyn Lab, where his work focuses on marine biology, environmental health, and materials in the natural world. Dimitri studies how organisms interact with light and color, and he also researches the spread of microplastics and synthetic fibers through oceans, air, and food systems. Keep Up With Dr. Deheyn's Work via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitri-deheyn-933264b/ or on His Website https://deheynlab.ucsd.edu/Learn More About Mircoplastics on Instagram @plast_fashionShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Grace Keilbach, along with her sister Aria, founded Boonie Babies, a nonprofit rescue based on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands archipelago. Together, they document, coordinate, and lead the organization’s efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and relocate the island’s boonie dogs, descendants of WWII combat dogs that still roam Saipan today. What began as a small, two-person effort has grown into a widely recognized rescue operation and nonprofit, reaching millions online and saving hundreds of dogs through medical care, hands-on rehabilitation, and both on-island and off-island adoptions.Follow Grace and Aria's Work With Bonnie Babies on All Socials @booniebabiesListen to the Hot Girls Rescue Dogs Podcast AVAILABLE NOW on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/show/6jyMWe4zOFHoJBr8TU0D81?si=fc00d44809e041a3Shop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

 Benjamin Kellett is a UK-born paraglider pilot and adventure flyer who splits his time between Queenstown, New Zealand, and the European Alps. With over a decade of experience in the air, Ben is known for his vol-biv style of travel, flying long-distance with all his camping gear and landing in remote alpine terrain to spend nights in the mountains. He’s flown tandem professionally, documented expeditions across the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Europe, and built a following by sharing the real, unpolished side of adventure flying. Ben uses paragliding as a way to explore some of the most inaccessible places on earth, turning the sky into both his highway and his home.Follow Ben on All Social Media @benjaminkellettShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Dr. Brendan Talwar and Dr. Chris Malinowski are marine scientists who have collaborated for more than a decade on conservation, fieldwork, and science communication. Brendan is a National Geographic Explorer and postdoctoral scholar at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Chris is the Director of Research & Conservation at the Ocean First Institute. Together, they formed Team Shark Docs, a partnership focused on shark and ray conservation through scientific research, public outreach, and media projects. Their joint work includes the Netflix project “All the Sharks,” where they set out to document as many shark species as possible while supporting ocean conservation organizations.Follow "Shark Docs" @shark_docs on InstagramListen to the "Beyond All The Sharks" Podcast Available NOW! https://www.sharkdocs.org/beyond-all-the-sharks-podcastShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Chad Caruso is a professional skateboarder, filmmaker, and content creator best known for setting a Guinness World Record for the fastest cross-country journey across America on a manually powered skateboard. He skated from Venice Beach, California to Virginia Beach in 2023, covering 3,027 miles and 77,000 feet of elevation in just 57 days alone, using the same board, wheels, and bearings the entire way. Chad is also known for his YouTube series 50 Tricks in 50 States, his long-term sobriety, and his work supporting youth through Natural High, a nonprofit focused on drug prevention and mental health. His journey and community contributions earned him an official Chad Caruso Day proclamation in Virginia Beach.Follow Chad on Instagram @chad_caruso Check Out the Skateboarding Across America Documentary Here ---> https://youtu.be/XFPZYeFmXCs?si=Ysuny1Rotdyxjop2Shop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Cass Verdy is a Netherlands-born travel creator who, after struggling with depression in his late teens and choosing sobriety at nineteen, left his home with €6,000 and relocated to Bali, a place he first connected with during a 2018 trip. There, he spent his early months living in small village rooms, traveling across the island by motorbike, and posting daily videos. Cass’s first viral clips led to his entry into content creation and time, he shifted away from purely cinematic travel work toward more personal, intentional content, focusing on mindset, vulnerability, and helping individuals through honest communication. Now based in Bali’s creative community, he continues to develop lifestyle-driven videos, deepen his mental health messaging, and build digital projects that reflect his commitment to discipline, authenticity, and personal growth.Follow Cass's Wild Life on Instagram @cass.verdyShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Bobby Greco is a wildlife biologist and Ph.D. student studying American crocodile conservation in the Dominican Republic. His path began in Connecticut, where he worked on projects ranging from stream salamanders to statewide turtle and snake surveys. Since then, he’s gained global field experience, from researching crocodiles in Belize to working with alligators in Texas and supporting habitat and wildlife projects for state and federal agencies. Bobby also led the first nationwide survey of American crocodiles in the Dominican Republic since the 1980s, providing critical data for long-term conservation. Now, as part of the Crocodile Research Coalition, he continues to focus on crocodilian ecology, field research, and protecting threatened habitats.Follow Bobby's Instagram @bobbygrecowildlifeLearn More About Bobby's Research Here: https://www.wiselabresearch.com/meet-the-studentsShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Owen Lombardi is the Chief Marketing Officer at Treka, a cutting-edge platform that connects outdoor travelers with verified local guides for bookable, GPS-enabled adventures. Owen brings deep insight into Treka’s mission to make guided hikes, multi-day treks, and unique experiences more accessible and trustworthy, all while helping guides earn more and treat their craft like a business.Download Treka available NOW in the App Store!Follow Treka on Instagram @treka.appShop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Tom “The Blowfish” Hird is a UK-based marine biologist, wildlife presenter, and science communicator known for blending heavy-metal energy with ocean education. With a degree in Marine Biology from Bangor University, he has become a familiar face on Discovery’s Shark Week, Netflix’s All The Sharks, and BBC and ITV wildlife programs. His work spans shark research, ethical wildlife filmmaking, and public outreach through organizations like The Shark Trust. Whether tagging makos in the Atlantic or breaking down fear-based myths about sharks on television, Blowfish uses storytelling, field science, and entertainment to make marine conservation accessible to audiences around the world.Keep up to date with Tom's adventures on IG @bigpoppablowfishWatch All The Sharks OUT NOW on Netflix!Watch Ocean Wonders on YT now (UK only or with VPN)Shop KokoFlow from Synthesis — Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" Today: https://synthesishealthstore.com/products/kokoflow

Andrea Boccini is an Italian wildlife filmmaker, photographer, and conservation storyteller whose work blurs the line between art and ecology. Trained in scenography and photography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Andrea began his career in design before devoting himself fully to documenting the fragile balance between humans and the natural world. Through his long-term project The Missing Link, he’s explored remote corners of Kenya, Australia, Indonesia, and India, revealing the tensions and connections that define our coexistence with wildlife. His films and photographs, recognized internationally and exhibited across Europe, invite viewers to rethink the relationship between civilization and wilderness. From coral reef restoration in the Indian Ocean to tracking species on the edge of extinction, Andrea’s work captures both the beauty and urgency of our planet’s wild places.Follow Andrea's work on Instagram @andreathebochStay tuned for updates on The Missing Link @the_missing_link_doc on IG and watch part one here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1KVZ0sL2ObOTLpcph2uUlw

Hallie Cowan is a wildlife biologist, photographer, and science communicator pursuing her master’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology at Clemson University. Her research focuses on mercury contamination in South American caimans, studying how these crocodilians act as bioindicators for ecosystem health. She has conducted fieldwork in Suriname and the Peruvian Amazon with organizations like Fauna Forever, where she helped monitor reptiles, mammals, and birds. With hands-on experience in wildlife capture, sampling, and contaminant analysis, Hallie combines scientific research with visual storytelling. Originally from New Jersey and of Colombian-American heritage, she uses her platforms to promote understanding of reptiles, amphibians, and underwater life while advocating for greater diversity in conservation and academia.Follow Hallie's progression in her master's degree and more adventures @the_halligator on IG!

Randy Thomas is a wildlife biologist, scuba diver, photographer, and filmmaker from Detroit, Michigan. After earning his degree in Environmental Science from the University of Toledo, he found his calling in marine research, working in the Florida Keys and at the Bimini Shark Lab, where he performed shark workups and appeared on Discovery’s Shark Academy and Netflix’s All the Sharks. Today, Randy works as a contracted biologist with the U.S. Air Force in California, protecting endangered species like the desert tortoise. Through his brand, The Adventures of 5K, and his upcoming documentary Finally Out the Chat, Randy continues to inspire others to see sharks and the natural world with wonder, not fear.Follow Randy on IG and Youtube @theadventuresof5k and on TikTok @tao5kLearn more about Randy's work here: https://www.theadventuresof5k.com/home

Jake Youngblood Dobbs is founder of the community-brand Irrational Optimism and a modern-day adventurer known for undertaking extreme, unconventional trips around the world. His projects center on community building, skill development, and exploring places that challenge Western narratives and perceptions. Jake has lived with the Taliban in Afghanistan to better understand life under their rule, completed a 400-kilometer horseback trek through the Narin Mountains of Kyrgyzstan, and hitchhiked from San Diego to Catalina Island with no money or GPS. Follow Jake on Instagram and TikTok @jakeyngbloodWatch Jake's Crazy Adventures on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@jakeyngbloodShop OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

Connor Blakley is the founder of The DropOut Companies and creator of Jams, a high-protein, crustless PB&J sandwich brand sold in over 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide. Connor began his entrepreneurial journey in high school, founding Youth Logic, a marketing agency that served over 50 businesses across the U.S. At 17, he landed a major deal with Sprint and after being expelled from highschool, went on to build connections with business leaders including Gary Vee and Daymond John. Now 26, Connor focuses on creating consumer brands and sharing his experiences to help young entrepreneurs navigate their own paths.Follow Connor on Instagram @connorblakleyBuy Jams NOW at exclusively at Walmart and Target!Tag @thescenicroute_podcast and @getjams when you buy your next Jams order!Shop OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

Dr. Marisa Tellez is a field biologist and co-founder of the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC) based in Belize. Her work focuses on the ecology, conservation, and health of crocodiles and other reptiles, as well as their connection to local communities and ecosystems. With a Ph.D. from UCLA, she’s conducted extensive research across Central America, using crocodiles as bioindicators to better understand environmental change and pollution. Dr. Tellez also leads education and outreach efforts, empowering people to coexist with wildlife while protecting critical wetland habitats.Follow Dr. Tellez's Work With Crocs on IG: @doc_tellez13Learn More About the Impactful of CRC: https://crocodileresearchcoalition.org/Shop OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

Benhail Antao is wildlife rescuer and conservation communicator from Goa India. Benhail is best known for starring in Snakes SOS: Goa’s Wildest on National Geographic, where he leads rescue missions, wrestles with human-wildlife conflict, and shows how conservation looks in real time. Through his career, he’s moved from studying engineering to handling venomous snakes, educating communities, and working to shift fear into understanding. Follow Ben's Adventures via IG @benhailantao Shop OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

Dr. Clifford Hurst is a professor of management and entrepreneurship at Ohio Wesleyan University whose work explores how people find purpose and meaning in what they do. With a background in formal axiology (the study of values) Cliff has spent much of his career thinking about what makes work “good” beyond money or success. Before teaching, he worked as a business management consultant and craftsman.Learn more about Cliff at cliffordhurst.comShop OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

Dr. Dustin Reichard is a behavioral ecologist and professor at Ohio Wesleyan University. Dr. Reichard’s research focuses on the evolution of bird song and how communication influences sexual selection, social behavior, and survival in species like the dark eyed junco and carolina wren. Beyond the lab, he’s passionate about teaching, mentoring, and helping students understand the deep connections between animal behavior and the broader ecological world.Follow Dr. Reichard on Bluesky @juncowren.bsky.socialContact and Learn More about Dr. Reichard HEREShop OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

Casey "Grizzly Guy" Anderson is a renowned naturalist, filmmaker, and explorer whose career has spanned decades of bringing people face-to-face with the wild. Known for his extraordinary bond with Brutus the Bear, Casey has built a life around wildlife education and storytelling. He's the Montana Grizzly Encounter Rescue and Educational Sanctuary and has hosted and produced acclaimed documentaries for National Geographic and Smithsonian Channel. Now, through his newest project Endless Venture, Casey continues that mission by exploring untamed places around the world, uncovering hidden caves, ancient history, and unforgettable encounters in the outdoors.Subscribe to Endless Venture on Youtube to follow Casey's Adventures!Follow Casey on Instagram @grizzlyguyShop OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

Dr. Shane Miller is a prehistoric archaeologist whose primary research interests are the Ice Age colonization of the Americas, the origins of agriculture in eastern North America, and how we can use lithic technology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and geoarchaeology to make inferences about past human behavior. In addition to southeastern archaeology, he has also worked at mammoth kill sites in Arizona, Sonora, and New Mexico; directed and participated in surveys in Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas; and has been the GIS analyst for projects across the Southwest, Great Basin, and Great Plains.Contact Dr. Miller directly for any questions regarding prehistoric archaeology at [email protected] OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

Natalie Kovarik is a fourth-generation rancher and social media storyteller who has woven the rugged beauty of western ranch life into a dynamic digital brand. A trained pharmacist turned rural entrepreneur, she co-hosts the hit podcast Discover Ag, runs her own ranch (Kovarik Cattle Co.) in the Nebraska Sandhills, and speaks at events like SXSW on modern agriculture and storytelling. Natalie aims bridges the gap between rural and urban worlds, showing us that food, farming, and community are more connected than we think.Learn more from Natalie on her podcast, Discover Ag wherever you listen to podcasts!Follow Natalie on Instagram @nataliekovarikShop OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

Myke Clarkson is a natural history filmmaker, television producer, and president of Herpetological Conservation International, having filmed, produced, and created programming for National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, Netflix and Animal Planet.  From working with snakes and amphibians to producing shows like All the Sharks on Netflix, Myke has built a career at the intersection of science, storytelling, and conservation. Mike also serves as the President for the International Herpetological Symposium the longest running private non-profit reptile and amphibian symposium in the United States.Follow Mykes work and his adventures over on IG @mykeclarksonLearn more about Herpetological Conservation at herpconservation.com!Support the International Herpetological Symposium HERE!Shop OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

David J DeBonis is a writer, educator, and entrepreneur with a deep passion for storytelling, nature, and personal growth. He’s the founder of Synthesis Ltd., a wellness brand inspired by ancestral health, and spends much of his time exploring the intersection of natural living and modern life. David also teaches writing and research at the Venture Academy of Leadership and Entrepreneurship. Whether he’s writing, teaching, or out on the trail, David is driven by a desire to help people live more intentionally, reconnecting with their bodies, their stories, and the wild world around them.Learn more about ancestral health with David on IG @davidjdebonisRead more at seekingsynthesis.com !Shop OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

Dr. Kristen Lear is a National Geographic Explorer, bat conservationist, and passionate science communicator who’s dedicated her life to protecting one of the world’s most misunderstood creatures. From building bat houses as a kid in Ohio to working on international conservation projects across Australia, Mexico, and Texas, Kristen’s path proves that following your curiosity can lead to wild and unexpected places.Follow Kristen on IG @batsforlifekristenFollow BCI online at batcon.org to learn more about their mission!Shop OFFICIAL sponsor of "The Scenic Route" TOPANGA APPAREL Now! Click here!

Rob Alleva is a wildlife expert, herper, safari guide, and TV host best known for his work on Kings of Pain. With a career that’s taken him from venom labs to remote jungles to even active war zones, Rob has made a name for himself by seeking out some of the planet’s most dangerous and misunderstood creatures.Follow Rob's Crazy Adventures on IG @cavemanrob and @cavemanherping on YT!Watch Kings of Pain Full Episodes: history.com Go On Safari w/ Rob: naturequestwildlife.comShop Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route, TOPANGA Apparel NOW! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://topangaapparel.com?sca_ref=8311126.1cUlasOkCwtk3M

Julia Hellweg is a wildlife advocate and content creator whose journey has taken her from the corporate world in Germany to the heart of southern Africa. After an eye-opening exchange trip to South Africa, Julia left behind a traditional career path to work hands-on with wildlife, from tracking brown hyenas in Namibia to caring for orphaned animals in Zimbabwe. Her experiences haven’t come without challenges, including speaking out against unethical practices in the space but, Julia has remained committed to using her voice and skills to advocate for animals. Follow Julia's Wildlife Adventures on IG and TikTok @julias.wildlifeShop Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route, TOPANGA Apparel NOW! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://topangaapparel.com?sca_ref=8311126.1cUlasOkCwtk3M

Professor Roger Thompson is an award-winning nonfiction author and Director of the Program in Writing and Rhetoric at Stony Brook University. His acclaimed book, No Word for Wilderness: Italy’s Grizzlies and the Race to Save the Rarest Bears on Earth, delves into the plight of Italy’s brown bears, particularly the Marsican brown bear, which survives in the Abruzzo region. Read "No Word For Wilderness" and Prof. Thompson's Other Books OUT NOW! https://www.amazon.com/stores/Roger-Thompson/author/B07913TYKX?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueShop Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route, TOPANGA Apparel NOW! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://topangaapparel.com?sca_ref=8311126.1cUlasOkCwtk3M

Ty Walker is the founder of Smoke in Chimneys, a sustainable trout farm in the mountains of Virginia. Guided by faith and a deep respect for creation, Ty blends ecological responsibility with regenerative farming practices, raising fish in a way that honors the land, the water, and the people it feeds. His work is as much about stewardship as it is about sustainability, rooted in the belief that good food should reflect good values.Follow Ty & Smoke In Chimneys on IG @smokeinchimneysLearn More About the Hatchery and Try Their Spring-Raised Trout: ⁠smokeinchimneys.com⁠Shop Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route, TOPANGA Apparel NOW! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://topangaapparel.com?sca_ref=8311126.1cUlasOkCwtk3M

Gary Attebery is a former U.S. Forest Service smokejumper who spent years parachuting into remote wildfires across the country. His experience spans elite wildfire response, the challenges of PTSD, and a powerful journey of recovery and resilience.Follow Gary on IG @ankledeepinashesRead Ankle Deep In Ashes OUT NOW Wherever Books Are Sold!Shop Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route, TOPANGA Apparel NOW! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://topangaapparel.com?sca_ref=8311126.1cUlasOkCwtk3M

Nate Luebbe, is a professional wilderness photographer, filmmaker, and Sony Alpha ambassador. He's worked around the world to capture some of the most remote and awe-inspiring landscapes, from the northern lights to grizzly territory.Follow Nate's Adventures on IG @nateinthewildTo Check Out Nates Photos and Sign Up for Workshops Visit: ⁠nateluebbe.comShop Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route, TOPANGA Apparel NOW! ⁠⁠⁠https://topangaapparel.com?sca_ref=8311126.1cUlasOkCwtk3M

Kayden Anthony and Sandra Pereira are wildlife educators and content creators from India, building a career around conservation, storytelling, and inspiring the next generation to care about the natural world. Together, they use social media and educational tools to bridge the gap between science and the public, empowering others to explore, protect, and better understand the natural world.Follow The Nature's Eye on IG @the.natureseyeCheck Kaden & Sandra @man_of_the_forest_ & the_jungirl on Instagram!To Learn More About The Nature's Eye Visit: thenatureseye.comShop Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route, TOPANGA Apparel NOW! ⁠⁠https://topangaapparel.com?sca_ref=8311126.1cUlasOkCwtk3M

Max Seigal is a National Geographic Award-winning photographer specializing in fine art landscape, nature, and wildlife photography. Inspired by a deep love for the outdoors and wildness, Max travels to remote and spectacular locations across the globe to capture breathtaking images.Follow Max on IG: @maxwildernessCheck Out Max's Work! maxwilderness.comShop TOPANGA Apparel an Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" NOW! ⁠⁠⁠https://topangaapparel.com?sca_ref=8311126.1cUlasOkCwtk3M

Hursh Dodhia-Shah is the Co-founder of Optiventure, on a mission to maximize and simplify health, wellness and performance for hikers, mountaineers and outdoor adventurers on & off trail.Follow Hursh and Optiventure on IG: @optiventure.co & @hurshdodhiashahLearn More About Optiventure! ⁠https://optiventure.coShop TOPANGA Apparel an Official Sponsor of "The Scenic Route" NOW! ⁠⁠https://topangaapparel.com?sca_ref=8311126.1cUlasOkCwtk3M