Inspire Campfire

Scott Wurtzbacher
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Welcome to Inspire Campfire. A podcast where ordinary people tell their stories of extraordinary adventure. These are campfire stories meant to inspire the rest of us to light the fire within, get outside, follow our dreams and return to tell our own stories. Ready? Let’s strike the match…

  1. 2 MAR

    Episode 192: One Jump That Became Pygmy Elephant with Andrew Delmenhorst

    This week, we're honored to welcome Andrew Delmenhorst, founder of Pygmy Elephant, a company that designs self-guided adventures for travelers around the world. Growing up with a restless curiosity and an early love of exploration, Andrew's life took a defining turn when a bungee jump in Switzerland, a leap he was terrified to take, cracked open something profound inside him and set the course for everything that followed. Andrew takes us on a journey through his transformation from corporate professional to passionate architect of life-changing travel experiences. He describes that pivotal moment standing at the edge, heart pounding, knees shaking, and ultimately jumping, and how that single act of courage made him ask: if I can do this, what else am I capable of? That question sparked a sabbatical, a 35-day solo hike across the Camino de Santiago, a bicycle journey over the Alps, and ultimately the birth of Pygmy Elephant in 2015. In this episode, we explore the profound philosophy behind the Pygmy Elephant name, the idea that small trips can have an overarching impact on your life, the unique self-guided adventures the company offers across Patagonia, the Tour du Mont Blanc, Scotland, the Dolomites, and beyond, and how Andrew's business has become a bridge between travelers and the transformative power of nature. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about finding meaning through movement, building a business from the ground up with nothing but grit and passion, and what it truly means to err on the side of adventure.

    49 min

  2. 16 FEB

    Episode 191: The People You Meet with Melissa Rodway

    This week, we’re honored to welcome Melissa Rodway to the campfire, author, podcast host, and lifelong adventurer who lives by a simple but unsettling truth. If you constantly feel like you are meant to be doing something else, you probably are. Melissa has followed that inner agitation across continents, letting curiosity and discomfort guide her toward a more honest life. Melissa takes us deep into her multi month journey through Southeast Asia, traveling through Thailand, Lao, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China. What began as an open ended backpacking trip became something far more personal. From leech filled jungle treks and chaotic ferry rides to unexpected luxury resorts and powerful encounters with locals, Melissa shares how travel stripped away distractions and forced her to confront herself. You cannot escape your own head by changing countries. But you can learn to listen to it. In this episode, we explore the meaning of agitation, the courage to leave a life that no longer fits, and the wisdom of knowing when a journey is complete. We talk about resilience, human connection, and why the real story of any adventure is not the destination but the people you meet. Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about paying attention to what lights you up and having the bravery to follow it.

    56 min

  3. 2 FEB

    Episode 190: Find Your Zen - Inspired Wanderlust with Brian Kuchinski

    This week, we’re honored to welcome Brian Kuchinski, founder of Peaceful Ponds and a lifelong seeker of beauty, meaning, and connection through nature. Known for helping people “find their zen” by recreating waterfalls, streams, and tranquil outdoor spaces, Brian’s work is deeply tied to the way he lives his life, guided by inspiration, gratitude, and action. Brian takes us on a powerful journey that begins with a spontaneous family trip to Iceland and unfolds into something far deeper. What starts as a story about chasing waterfalls and the Northern Lights becomes a reflection on listening to the universe, recognizing moments of awe, and trusting the quiet nudges that invite us into adventure. Along the way, Brian shares how travel, nature, and coincidence have repeatedly aligned in ways that feel anything but accidental. At the heart of this conversation is Brian’s experience with profound loss, the death of his son, Xander, and how that loss reshaped his understanding of purpose, love, and gratitude. He opens up about the “Xander miracles” that continue to show up in his life, the healing paths he’s walked, and the simple but life changing truth that now guides him. The universe wants us to be happy, and gratitude is the key. In this episode, we explore inspired wanderlust, the healing power of nature, turning inspiration into action, and what it means to live fully even after deep heartbreak. Join us for a moving, honest conversation about choosing awe over fear, finding peace in unexpected places, and making it happen, one dream at a time.

    52 min

  4. 19 JAN

    Episode 189: Guiding Transformation in the Everglades with Justin Tucker

    This week, we're honored to welcome Justin Tucker from the North Carolina Outward Bound School. Growing up as a city kid in Baltimore, Justin's path seemed set: fashion industry, New York City life, the whole nine yards. But after losing a close friend, something shifted. That grief led him to a trailhead in the Bronx, and that first hike sparked a transformation that would reshape his entire life. Justin takes us through his remarkable journey from fashion professional to Appalachian Trail through-hiker to wilderness educator. He describes that pivotal moment on the AT when he met two fellow hikers who planted a seed: the realization that he, too, could attempt something extraordinary. That encounter, combined with the pandemic's forced reset, gave him the push he needed to spend six months walking from Georgia to Maine, ultimately discovering his calling with Outward Bound. In this episode, we explore the unique world of guiding students through the Florida Everglades (a first for Inspire Campfire). We discuss the profound transformations that happen when young people step outside their comfort zones, the magic of the solo experience, and how Justin's own journey from concrete jungle to mangrove tunnels mirrors the growth he now facilitates in others. Join us for an inspiring conversation about finding purpose through wilderness, the healing power of nature, and what it truly means to become comfortable being uncomfortable.

    53 min

  5. 5 JAN

    Episode 188: Canada to Mexico with a Brain Tumor with Risa August

    This week, we're honored to welcome Risa August, an adventurer and author based in Colorado. After receiving a life-altering diagnosis of a brain tumor in 2018, Risa faced a choice that would define her future: to retreat into fear or to embrace life with renewed purpose. She chose the latter, transforming from a rigid perfectionist into someone who lives fully in each moment. Risa takes us on a journey through her transformation from accomplished athlete to someone facing an uncertain medical future, and ultimately to a woman who refused to let a brain tumor (affectionately named Bubba) define her limits. She describes that pivotal moment sitting on her worn-out couch in gray sweatpants, realizing this was no way to live, and making the decision to pursue her lifelong dream of cycling 1,800 miles from Canada to Mexico along the Pacific Coast. That decision sparked what would become a six-week journey of physical challenge, emotional healing, and profound self-discovery. In this episode, we explore the power of choosing how we respond to life's obstacles, the unexpected companionship that can come from accepting rather than fighting our circumstances, and how Risa's cycling journey became a vessel for transformation. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about finding strength in vulnerability, learning to ask "what can I do?" instead of dwelling on limitations, and what it truly means to live life on your own terms, one pedal stroke at a time.

    48 min

  6. 08/12/2025

    Episode 187: A Million Steps on Lava with Ricardo Kaljouw

    This week, we're honored to welcome Ricardo Kaljouw from the Netherlands, the first Dutchman to conquer all seven volcanic summits. Growing up in a country below sea level, Ricardo developed an early fascination with mountains and exploration that eventually evolved into something deeper—a calling to stand on the crater rims of the world's most powerful volcanoes. Ricardo takes us on a journey through his transformation from Royal Navy serviceman to passionate volcano mountaineer. He describes that pivotal moment standing on the rim of Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, watching the world's largest lava lake bubble beneath him through the night, and feeling an immediate connection that would shape his future. That initial visit sparked what would become a decade-long mission to climb volcanoes across all seven continents, from the icy slopes of Mount Sidley in Antarctica to the nearly 7,000-meter heights of Ojos del Salado in the Atacama Desert. In this episode, we explore the profound difference between climbing mountains and climbing volcanoes, the unique character of each volcanic summit, and how Ricardo's journey became a testament to taking life one step at a time. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about finding purpose through passion, embracing adventure through small steps, and what it truly means to follow your inner fire—even when it leads you to the most isolated and dangerous places on Earth.

    1h 5m

  7. 24/11/2025

    Episode 186: Behind the Mississippi: Filmmaking Adventure Partners Alex Maier & Amy Robin

    This week, we're honored to welcome Alex Maier and Amy Robin, the creative force behind Wilderness Mindset, a Montana-based outdoor filmmaking company devoted to nature-inspired storytelling. What began as a deeply personal journey on the Continental Divide Trail has evolved into something far greater—a mission to capture the transformative power of wilderness through the lens of a camera. Alex and Amy take us on a journey through their transformation from individual adventurers to filmmaking partners documenting others' epic quests. Amy describes that pivotal moment when she nervously texted Alex about hiking the CDT together to create a mental health documentary—a question that would change both their lives. That initial leap of faith sparked what would become a lifelong partnership, both personal and professional, centered around the belief that when we explore the wilderness, we take a look within ourselves. In this episode, we explore the profound philosophy behind Wilderness Mindset, the challenges of building a passion-based business from scratch, and how their work on the Mississippi Speed Record documentary revealed the shared belief system among adventurers. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about finding purpose through nature, the courage it takes to look within, embracing synchronicity as a guide, and what it truly means to stay wild.

    55 min

  8. 10/11/2025

    Episode 185: The Power of the Pause with Austin Whitehead

    This week, we're honored to welcome Austin Whitehead from Salt Lake City, Utah, who made a pivotal decision 15 years ago that would shape the entire trajectory of his life. Growing up in suburban Charlotte, North Carolina, Austin felt the pull of something beyond the traditional path: a calling to step away, explore, and discover who he truly was before diving into college. Austin takes us on a journey through his transformative gap year, from that first step onto the Appalachian Trail as an 18-year-old, to working on organic farms in the Italian Dolomites, to returning as a caretaker at a legendary trail hostel. He describes those pivotal moments: breathing in the mountain air, finding simplicity in the rhythm of walking, and meeting people from all walks of life. These experiences gave him the context and confidence to pursue a life aligned with his deepest values. In this episode, we explore the profound power of the intentional pause, the difference between falling behind and gaining clarity, and how Austin's deliberate choice to take a gap year became an accelerator rather than a detour. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about listening to your inner compass, the medicine of moving your body in nature with others, and what it truly means to figure it out as you go, one adventure at a time.

    52 min
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About

Welcome to Inspire Campfire. A podcast where ordinary people tell their stories of extraordinary adventure. These are campfire stories meant to inspire the rest of us to light the fire within, get outside, follow our dreams and return to tell our own stories. Ready? Let’s strike the match…

Information

  • Creator
    Scott Wurtzbacher
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    191
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Inspire Campfire. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Inspire Campfire

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