The Living Project The Living Project

Welcome to Episode 37. Today we’re joined by Brad Booker; an educator from British Columbia, Canada. We recorded this conversation remotely between the Chimp, on a hectic sunny Thames, Basecamp Swindon & Dawson Creek Canada.
 
So who is Brad?

Brad's spent significant time facilitating outdoor youth education programs in remote wilderness, and has more recently transitioned to setting deeper roots with the wild on his family farm. He currently works as a high school vice principal. 

In this episode we find Brad in a reflective space in which he considers his evolving relationship with the wild, as he says, moving from guest to family member. 

It is important to note that our conversation starts with an acknowledgement of the very poignant news of that day, namely the finding of the buried bodies of 215 indigenous children on the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, Canada. Our love and thoughts are with everyone effected by this tragic news.

In our conversation today we were inspired to hear about Brad’s passion as an educator to foster a love of the wild with people, particularly young people. He says that this is critical to individual wellbeing and nature conservation.  He highlights that education is also the key to bringing healing and reconciliation between all people’s across Canada.  While this is a very Canadian story, it provides some insight for us all as we navigate our relationship with the wild within and without and our cultural context wherever we are.

We are honoured to share this special chat with Brad

Loads of love, Us x




Want to do something powerful and Wild? Join one of our Wild journeys





We're on Insta @itsthelivingproject - we'd love to see you there x




Original Music by Nigel Lacey @delaceynigel 





BE TRUE. LIVE WILD

Welcome to Episode 36. Today we’re joined by horse whispering adventurist and mental health champion Izzy De Santis. We recorded this conversation in Izzy’s adventure filled attic, shortly after she guided us on a beautiful hike in her local Wild in county Durham.

 

So who is Izzy?

 

Izzy’s an international expedition leader, a former member of her local Mountain Rescue team, and a passionate veterinary nurse. As we discover in this chat, her real passion is horses. She grew up with them and they’re an integral part of her life and her being. In 2022 she plans to combine her passion for horses with her love of adventure and she takes part in the epic Mongol Derby.

 

In this episode we hear all about Izzy’s love of adventure, and she bravely shares with us her mental health journey. She’s open in sharing her biggest challenge; her struggle with her mental health and her reality that the wild and adventurous path she’s followed and continues to pursue, has been a key part of her recovery and it continues to sooth and nurture her.

 

In our conversation with this special, thoughtful human we were inspired to hear such truth, and are privileged to hear Izzy’s message for others. 

 

This conversation is an inspiring and brave gift to us all as we walk our own paths. Thanks Izzy.

Loads of love, Us x




Want to do something powerful and Wild? Join one of our Wild journeys





We're on Insta @itsthelivingproject - we'd love to see you there x




Original Music by Nigel Lacey @delaceynigel 





BE TRUE. LIVE WILD

Welcome to Episode 35. Today we’re joined by mountaineering environmentalist Paul Lewis. We recorded this conversation in Dave the Wild bus, just after Paul took us for a little yomp in his local Wild – the Peak District National Park, specifically; stanage edge and Robin Hood’s caves.




Paul lives with his family in the Peak district where he runs his own outdoor business, Peak Mountaineering. An outdoor enthusiast and life-long adventurer, Paul’s been rock climbing since he was a teenager in the peaks and further afield. Unsurprisingly the climbing bug led him on a different journey of education and his graduation came when he achieved his Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor Award, no mean feat! Paul’s a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Leading Practitioner of the Institute of Outdoor Learning. 

 

In this episode we hear that Paul, above all describes himself as a teacher and an educator and that wild places are his classroom. Both Josh & I have worked with Paul and can testify to his passion for supporting and mentoring other aspiring professionals, as well as young people and adults on their wild adventures. 

 

In our conversation with this special, thoughtful human we were inspired to hear about his crucial life learnings found in Wild places, his organisation of annual litter picks in the Peak District and his deep care and commitment to look after the environment that has given him so much.

 

We were honoured to share time and conversation with Paul up in the Peaks, enjoy the chat.

Find out more about Paul and Peak Mountaineering at the website above or on Insta @peakmountaineering

Loads of love, Us x




Want to do something powerful and Wild? Join one of our Wild journeys





We're on Insta @itsthelivingproject - we'd love to see you there x




Original Music by Nigel Lacey @delaceynigel 





BE TRUE. LIVE WILD

Welcome to Episode 34. Today we’re joined by the effervescent energy of Emma Burrows. We recorded this chat with Emma in her home, near Lake Vyrnwy in mid Wales, just after she’d taken us for a SUP and a Swim in the Wild she calls home.

 

So who is Emma?

 

Emma’s an international expedition leader. She’s also an outdoor facilitator working with vulnerable young people to build trust, resilience and a remembering of a natural child-like state.




She’s also a bastion of her local community, passionately committed to engaging those around her in the Wild she loves, and simply knows, is good for us as humans.

 

In this episode we hear just how much Emma loves being outside having adventures and embracing whatever mother nature throws at her.

 

She tells us that the wild can be her escapism, her energy boost, and the space that calms her and gives her clarity.

 

Emma speaks about the opportunity she had at a young age to become involved in paddlesports and how much she loved it! And about how this early love led her to begin her coaching journey, studying Adventure Tourism Management at university and working both winter and summer seasons raft guiding, instructing and finding jobs which would allow her to see more of the world.




Emma shares how her experience led her to working with vulnerable young people, working with the outdoors to build trust and re-connection and the evidence she sees of how vital this experience can be for those who don’t have access to the Wild as part of their every-day life.

 

Throughout our conversation today what shines brightly in Emma is her passion for empowering other people to get involved in the benefits of getting outside, and to have adventures, no matter how big or small.

Loved this chat round Emma's kitchen table - we're sure you will too.

 

Loads of love, Us x




Want to do something powerful and Wild? Join one of our Wild journeys





We're on Insta @itsthelivingproject - we'd love to see you there x




Original Music by Nigel Lacey @delaceynigel 





BE TRUE. LIVE WILD

 

Welcome to Episode 33 of The Living Project Podcast. Today we’re joined by James Briscall. While we’d have loved to record this episode in person, James lives in Wanaka, New Zealand which was a little out of our reach, so we recorded this one remotely. It’s a corker.

 

So who is James Briscall?

 

James lives and plays amongst the hills and lakes surrounding a small town in New Zealand. He’s usually found trailing far behind either his dog or his children while trying not to fall off his mountain bike or tumble down a ski trail. Professionally he’s passionate about supporting others in their transformation to reach their next level in life and business. There's a link below to find out more...

 

In today’s episode James shares a snapshot of his journey and the role the Wild has played. From his beginnings in the garden of England, Kent – to where he finds himself now in the Wilds of New Zealand. James describes the magic of what he describes as “average” adventures and the joy in not always seeking the “epic”. James also bravely shares with us his experience of an auto-immune disease, a condition which at times he blamed the Wild for causing. James tells us of his recovery, and the re-building of a connection with that which is natural through an introduction to Chinese medicine. James shares with us his love of sharing the Wild with his children, and a clear passion for the environment in which he lives. This wide-ranging conversation was a gift to be a part of.

For more on James check out: https://corpus.nz/from-bitterness-to-gratitude/




Loads of love, Us x




Want to do something powerful and Wild? Join one of our Wild journeys





We're on Insta @itsthelivingproject - we'd love to see you there x




Original Music by Nigel Lacey @delaceynigel 





BE TRUE. LIVE WILD

Welcome to Episode 32 of The Living Project Podcast. Today we’re joined by Abbi Naylor, and excitingly for us we’re recording together, in real life, aboard Josh’s boat – The Chimp. We’ve been away for a while putting together a slightly different approach for season 4 which, as well as welcoming people onto the boat studio in the Wild, sees us travel the UK (in-line with government guidance) to visit people in their Wild and record the telling of their journey in person. We can’t wait to share it with you in the coming weeks.

 

So, to today’s conversation with Abbi. Who I hear you ask is Abbi?

 

Well firstly there’s the “doing”. Abbi’s an international expedition leader, an ultra-athlete and a mental health advocate to name but a few potential labels for this magical human.

 

And secondly, there’s the “being”, the stuff we’re really interested in. Abbi grew up in the wilds of Dartmoor which provided the foundations of the wild being part of her being and her pathway.  Abbi's journey has not always been the easiest path, but she has overcome obstacles with a vigour for life and a fundamental care for others and the natural world. She is equally happy taking people to the edge of their dreams through exciting adventures or curling up with a good book or furiously writing stories and poems. She is currently training hard for an ultramarathon and finding as much time as possible to connect with nature.

 

In our conversation today Abbi gives us a magical snapshot into her relationship with the Wild, and what it means to her both within and without. She shares some of her mental health journey and how the Wild has played and continues to play a significant role in that, as well as providing her with a platform to support others on their own human journey. We hear about epic endeavours – including completing 30 endurance challenges in her 30th year to raise money and awareness for mental health charity young minds – and we hear how the past 12 months has challenged Abbi to find presence in the Wild around her as the expedition world which had formed such a huge part of her life was put on hold indefinitely.

You can find out more about Abbi on Insta @abbi.naylor


 

It's a special conversation this one, with loads of goodness for us all to take away and think about on our own human journey. Enjoy x 




Loads of love, Us x




Want to do something powerful and Wild? Join one of our Wild journeys





We're on Insta @itsthelivingproject - we'd love to see you there x




Original Music by Nigel Lacey @delaceynigel 





BE TRUE. LIVE WILD