The Trail Less Traveled

Mandela Leola van Eeden

Dedicated to documenting humanity by gathering stories & sounds from the most remote locations around the world. The goal for the show is to take you, the listener, back to mankind's earliest form of entertainment: story telling. Therefore, every week features an interview with an adventurer in their natural habitat in order to provide an audible journey packed with adventure (and conservation) information & inspiration. Everyone has a story & different perspective, we aim to share the stories from the world’s diverse cultures & unknown lands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. The Hush of the Land: Smoke Elser shares some of this favorite stories from the Bob Marshall Wilderness

    MAR 22

    The Hush of the Land: Smoke Elser shares some of this favorite stories from the Bob Marshall Wilderness

    Arnold “Smoke” Elser is a legendary wilderness outfitter, educator, and conservationist whose life’s work is deeply rooted in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness. Since his first trip into the Bob in 1956, Elser has spent nearly seven decades guiding thousands of people—many of them first-time riders—through its rugged terrain, sharing not only the landscape but also his deep reverence for wild places. After graduating from the University of Montana in 1968 with a degree in range management and secondary education, Elser and his wife Thelma founded Bob Marshall Wilderness Outfitters. They built their business on a philosophy of “interpreting the land,” helping guests connect with the wilderness through storytelling, horsemanship, and a commitment to conservation. Elser has led over 700 trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness and has spent more than 8,030 nights under its stars. Elser’s influence extends beyond guiding. He has taught horse and mule packing at the University of Montana since 1964, training over 30,000 students, including military personnel and federal land managers. He co-authored the textbook Packin’ In on Mules and Horses and is a certified “Master of No Trace” instructor with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). A passionate advocate for wilderness preservation, Elser played a key role in the creation of the Great Bear Wilderness in 1978 and testified in support of the 1964 Wilderness Act. His efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including the University of Montana’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award and the Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award from The Conservation Roundtable. Elser’s stories and experiences are captured in the memoir Hush of the Land: A Lifetime in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, co-authored with Eva-Maria Maggi. The book offers a vivid account of his adventures and his enduring commitment to protecting Montana’s wildlands. Even in his 90s, Smoke Elser remains an active voice in wilderness education and conservation, embodying a lifetime dedicated to stewarding the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Show notes: 00:03:59 - Teaching Guests to Listen to Wilderness 00:06:14 - Wilderness Education for Youth Away from Screens 00:07:48 - Bringing Youth Back to the Wilderness 00:10:02 - Starting Wilderness Camps for Kids 00:11:43 - Montana Elders Teaching Youth Wilderness Skills 00:13:08 - Teaching Wilderness Skills to Young Adults 00:15:08 - Touring the Historic Barn and Saddle Collection 00:16:53 - Historic Saddles and Branding Iron Collection 00:19:44 - Caring for Retired Horses and Mules 00:22:17 - Camping at the Airfield with Horses 00:24:23 - Sleeping with Grizzlies in the Wilderness 00:26:38 - Protecting the Wilderness Through Innovation 00:29:16 - Gore-Tex Innovation and Leave No Trace Camping 00:33:46 - Lightweight Camping and Leave No Trace Practices 00:36:05 - Making Fire Pans and Horse Shoeing Tips 00:37:35 - Biodiversity: Why Every Species Matters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  2. HIV and AIDS: Education, Treatment, and Stigma

    MAR 14

    HIV and AIDS: Education, Treatment, and Stigma

    Virginia (Ginny) Bond is an educator and public health researcher based in Zambia whose work focuses on HIV, stigma reduction, and community health. Trained as a social anthropologist, she collaborates with health programs and research organizations to better understand the social and cultural factors shaping HIV prevention, treatment, and care. Her work emphasizes community engagement, education, and participatory research methods that strengthen public health responses and empower people living with HIV. Through teaching, mentoring, and field research, she contributes to training the next generation of global health practitioners while helping develop strategies that address stigma and improve access to care.  One scientific curiosity hides behind work like hers: viruses are biological, but epidemics are social phenomena. The virus spreads through bodies, yet stigma, poverty, gender inequality, and access to education often determine whether treatment actually reaches people. That is why community counselors and educators are as critical to the HIV response as laboratories and pharmaceuticals. Show notes: 00:03:40 - Childhood Memories Across Africa 00:06:43 - From Minority Student to Anthropologist 00:09:34 - A Close Friendship Lost to AIDS 00:11:16 - HIV Origins and Early Community Counseling Work 00:14:38 - HIV Transmission Routes and Biological Factors 00:17:41 - HIV Immune System and Comorbidities in Africa 00:20:25 - Home-Based Care During the AIDS Crisis 00:23:43 - AIDS Stigma and Generational Trauma in Zambia 00:27:03 - HIV Stigma and the Power of Openness 00:30:34 - HIV Treatment Challenges and Social Stigma 00:32:28 - Tackling HIV Stigma in Health Facilities 00:37:41 - Northern Star Project: Global Stigma Reduction Initiative 00:40:37 - Modern HIV Treatment and Ending Stigma 00:42:40 - Protecting Backcountry Trails During Mud Season #travel #adventure #travelpodcast #adventurepodcast #podcasting #storytelling #inspiration #wanderlust #exploremore #travelstories #missoula #missoulamontana #montana #hivawareness #aidsawareness #endthestigma #globalhealth #publichealth #changetheworld #humansofearth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  3. Stewardship and Phenology with Lisa Bickell

    MAR 10

    Stewardship and Phenology with Lisa Bickell

    Lisa Bickell is an environmental educator and interpretive planner based in Missoula, Montana, and the current board chair of the Montana Natural History Center. She has been involved with the organization for more than 25 years and previously served as its Education Director, helping shape many of the programs that connect people of all ages to the natural world. Lisa holds a degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and a Master of Education from Western Washington University. Her career has focused on environmental education, interpretive planning, and helping communities engage more deeply with the landscapes around them. She is especially interested in Phenology, the study of seasonal changes in plants, animals, and ecosystems. Through field courses, community programs, and decades of observation, Lisa encourages people to slow down, pay attention, and notice how the rhythms of nature are shifting over time. Show notes: 00:02:37 - Childhood Adventures in Florida Woods 00:04:46 - Childhood Nature Adventures Shape Career Path 00:08:35 - From Environmental Education to Youth Programs 00:10:32 - Visiting Naturalists School Year Program 00:12:27 - Connecting Children with Nature Through Education 00:15:33 - Montana Master Naturalist Program Overview 00:18:13 - Noticing Nature's Seasonal Changes 00:19:51 - Observing Fall Leaves Like a Naturalist 00:22:04 - Mouse Tunnels Under Melting Snow 00:24:03 - Montana's Mountain Valley at Sunset 00:26:21 - Exploring Nature Through Art and Classes 00:28:07 - Exploring Nature Through Art and Creativity 00:31:18 - Montana's Fossil History and Ecosystems 00:35:26 - Life Lessons: Leaving Well and Daily Walks #travel #adventure #montana #missoula #montananaturalhistorycenter #ecology #naturescience #phenology #travelpodcast #sciencepodcast #adventurepodcast #thetraillesstraveled #traillesstraveled #missoulamt #missoulamontana Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  4. Selway River Adventures with Doug Proctor

    JAN 17

    Selway River Adventures with Doug Proctor

    Doug Proctor grew up just outside Cincinnati, Ohio, where his love for rivers was seeded early in life. As a boy he spent years canoeing with his family and through the Boy Scouts on class one rivers across southern Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. At the age of 12 he embarked on his first extended canoe trip—a two-week wilderness journey in Kentucky that helped shape his lifelong passion for river travel and backcountry adventure.  In 1977 Proctor began his professional guiding career, leading whitewater rafting trips commercially on the New Riverand the Gauley River, two of the eastern United States’ premier whitewater destinations. Over the next 35 years he built extensive experience as an outfitter in West Virginia, guiding trips through challenging Class III and Class IV waters and cultivating deep skills in river stewardship, guest experience, and wilderness logistics.  His love of rivers and adventure didn’t stop in Appalachia. His guiding has taken him to Grand Canyon, Alaska, Chile, Costa Rica, Idaho, and numerous rivers in both the eastern and western United States. These experiences helped refine his craft as a guide renowned for both technical competence and a commitment to sharing wild rivers with thoughtful guests.  Today Proctor is co-owner of Selway River Adventures, a wilderness rafting outfitter based in Stanley, Idaho. With his partners he operates under one of the extremely limited commercial permits on the Selway River, a nationally designated Wild and Scenic river flowing through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Trips are typically five to six days long, weaving technical whitewater with solitude and natural beauty few river runners ever get to experience.  Proctor now lives in Stanley with his wife Cathy and their dogs, drawn to Idaho by the remarkable concentration of great rivers in the region. Guiding river trips for over 40 years, he views sharing his experience with guests and friends as not just a profession but a deep passion—one rooted in the rhythms of wild water and the stories those rivers tell.  Show notes: 00:03:51 - The Selway River: Permit System and Access 00:05:56 - From Boy Scouts to River Guide Entrepreneur 00:07:56 - Class 6 Rafting Company Origin Story 00:09:59 - Selway River: Protected Wilderness and Rafting History 00:12:24 - Early Spring Wildlife and River Adventure 00:15:41 - Protecting Rivers and Wilderness Areas 00:17:56 - Selway River Adventures Trip Overview 00:19:38 - First-Time River Trips Need Only Willingness 00:21:41 - Wildlife Abundance on the Selway River 00:24:23 - Salmon Extinction Crisis and Dam Removal Solutions 00:26:27 - Selway Lodge History and River Adventures 00:28:21 - Epic River Adventures in Alaska and Beyond 00:30:19 - Doug's Eighth Grade Singing Trauma 00:31:53 - Three Pieces of Life Advice and Conservation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  5. A Culinary Journey Across Continents: The Silk Road Catering & Spice

    JAN 10

    A Culinary Journey Across Continents: The Silk Road Catering & Spice

    Sam and Elise Risho are the culinary heart and soul behind The Silk Road Catering & Spice in Missoula, Montana. Their story is rooted in decades of family food tradition and a passion for global flavors. Sam grew up in a restaurant family, learning the love of food and hospitality from his father and brother through years of working in local eateries and mastering fine-dining service and kitchen craft. In 2009 Sam and his brother, along with Elise, opened The Silk Road Restaurant to bring a tapas-style global tasting experience to the community. The restaurant’s success eventually blossomed into a thriving catering business and an artisanal spice line inspired by world cuisines. Elise plays a central role in running the business and shaping its creative vision as co-owner alongside Sam. Today they focus on crafting memorable menus for weddings and special events and sharing unique spice blends that reflect their commitment to exceptional hospitality and globally inspired cuisine. Show notes: 00:03:49 - From Sheltered to Adventure: Building Community 00:06:05 - Growing Up in a House of Hospitality 00:07:53 - Adventures Before Kids Around the World 00:10:03 - Custom Tailoring in Shanghai's French District 00:12:13 - From Restaurant to Catering Adventures Across Montana 00:14:11 - The Silk Road Inspired Spice Blends 00:17:23 - From Spice Bags to Store Shelves 00:20:54 - Finding Your Favorite Spice Blend 00:23:04 - Adding Sour and Shopping Local 00:25:46 - Community Spirit in Missoula, Montana 00:28:30 - Hiking Adventures with Kids in Missoula 00:30:49 - Keeping Missoula Weird Through Diversity 00:32:56 - Embrace Slow Travel and Community Connection 00:35:06 - Parenting Advice: Encourage Kids to Try New Things 00:37:39 - Clark Fork River and The Wellerman Song Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  6. Missoula Spotlight: Aimee McQuilkin, Shane Clouse and Dave Stromeyer

    12/20/2025

    Missoula Spotlight: Aimee McQuilkin, Shane Clouse and Dave Stromeyer

    Aimee McQuilkin is a Missoula entrepreneur and community builder, best known as the owner of Betty’s Divine and the Clark Fork Yacht Club. Through these beloved businesses, she has helped shape Missoula’s social and cultural fabric by creating welcoming spaces rooted in style, hospitality, and connection. Aimee’s work reflects a deep commitment to local economy, creativity, and gathering people together in meaningful ways. Shane Clouse is a Missoula musician and songwriter whose work blends Americana, folk, and roots traditions with thoughtful storytelling. His music is shaped by Montana landscapes and lived experience, carrying a quiet honesty that resonates both on stage and in more intimate listening spaces. Shane is a steady presence in the local music community, known for craft, collaboration, and authenticity. Dave Stromeyer is a Missoula County Commissioner focused on infrastructure, public service, and long term regional planning. He is currently working on a passenger railroad project aimed at improving transportation options and connectivity in western Montana. Dave’s work reflects a practical, forward looking approach to governance with an emphasis on public benefit, economic resilience, and sustainable mobility.​ Show notes: 00:03:44 - 1983 Rabbit and Missoula Roots 00:05:53 - Opening Betty's Divine While Pregnant 00:09:34 - Building Community Through Shared Experiences 00:11:56 - Community Heart and Entrepreneurial Joy 00:13:23 - Homeownership Enables Community Business Growth 00:15:39 - How Desmond the Mannequin Found Home 00:18:12 - The Governor of the Hip Strip 00:23:37 - Missoula's Deep History and Indigenous Stewardship 00:27:39 - Gateway to the Rocky Mountains and Home 00:32:15 - Stewardship and Restoring Passenger Rail 00:38:12 - Keeping Missoula Special Through Community Involvement 00:41:16 - Montana's State Song and Pink Grizzly Greenhouse 00:44:10 - From Farm to Pink Grizzly Business 00:46:39 - From Lumber Mills to Community Music 00:50:32 - Historic Irrigation Ditch Sustains Missoula Community 00:53:56 - Hunting and Fishing Fund Conservation 00:58:58 - Montana Matters: A Song of Unity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 5m

  7. 12/13/2025

    Defending Wildlife as Public Trust: Frank Szollosi of the Montana Wildlife Federation

    Frank Szollosi is the Executive Director of the Montana Wildlife Federation, the state’s oldest and largest wildlife conservation organization focused on protecting wildlife habitat, public lands access, and science-based natural resource policy in Montana. He took on this leadership role in June 2020 after a long career with the National Wildlife Federation, where he worked for over a decade on climate and water policy at the Great Lakes Regional Center and on national campaigns that defended public lands, advanced the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and connected people with wildlife. At MWF, Szollosi collaborates with state agencies including Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, tribal governments, landowners, businesses, and conservation partners to advance policies that sustain healthy wildlife populations and accessible wild places. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Utah and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan, and he brings extensive experience in government, including work as both a staffer and local elected official. Outside of his professional work, Szollosi is an avid outdoorsperson who has spent more than 25 years fly fishing and participates enthusiastically in annual hunts with friends and colleagues. He lives in Montana with his wife and four children and enjoys kayaking, downhill skiing, and backpacking.  JOIN THE MONTANA WILDLIFE FEDERATION FOR ONLY $40/YEAR --> www.MontanaWildlife.org Show notes: 00:02:54 - Growing Up in Toledo, Ohio 00:05:29 - Leading Montana Wildlife Federation 00:08:26 - Finding Balance in Wildlife Conservation 00:10:14 - Montana Wildlife Federation's Origins and Conservation History 00:15:45 - Hunter-Funded Conservation: Montana's Legacy 00:19:53 - Climate Change and Wildlife Conservation in Montana 00:24:09 - Defending Public Lands Through Community Action 00:26:17 - Montana Wildlife Federation's Advocacy Tools 00:29:05 - Protecting Public Lands from Corporate Development 00:31:30 - Montana Wildlife Federation Membership Benefits 00:33:55 - Understanding Differences and Conservation Leadership Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  8. Iditarod Lessons: John Wood on Dogs, Distance, and Discipline

    12/12/2025

    Iditarod Lessons: John Wood on Dogs, Distance, and Discipline

    John Wood is an Alaska musher from Chugiak who started chasing the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in the late nineteen seventies and went on to finish the thousand mile route to Nome four times in 1978, 1979, 1982 and 1986. Known for his dry humor and honesty about the grind of the trail, he once joked that after three runs he had “an unparalleled record of mediocrity” and zero prize money, yet if you asked whether he planned to run again his answer was “hell yes,” because the race embodied adventure, excitement, competition and camaraderie that felt uniquely Alaskan. John served as a musher representative on the Iditarod board and offered straight talking advice to rookies about staying upbeat, caring for their dog teams and setting realistic goals in a race where two weeks of little sleep and deep cold are the norm. The event he helped shape as a veteran competitor and mentor is itself legendary an annual March run from Anchorage to Nome of roughly one thousand miles across mountains, frozen rivers and Bering Sea coast, first completed in 1973 and often called the Last Great Race on Earth for its blend of brutal weather, wilderness travel and the deep historical ties between sled dogs and Alaska communities. Show Notes: 00:02:37 - Growing Up in Alaska's Homestead 00:06:29 - Mountain Life and Mining Adventures in Alaska 00:09:32 - Getting into Dog Mushing with Trap Lines 00:12:43 - Recording the Grand Canyon with John Wood 00:16:32 - From Finishing to Competing in Iditarod 00:18:59 - Iditarod Southern Route and Racing Strategy 00:22:53 - Alaskan Huskies: Sled Dogs and Racing 00:27:47 - Iditarod Dog Care and Rest Cycles 00:30:52 - Sleep Strategy for Iditarod Success 00:33:43 - Three Life Lessons from Iditarod Racing 00:35:42 - Grand Canyon Evening and Iditarod Song Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
See All (221)

4.9
out of 5
100 Ratings

About

Dedicated to documenting humanity by gathering stories & sounds from the most remote locations around the world. The goal for the show is to take you, the listener, back to mankind's earliest form of entertainment: story telling. Therefore, every week features an interview with an adventurer in their natural habitat in order to provide an audible journey packed with adventure (and conservation) information & inspiration. Everyone has a story & different perspective, we aim to share the stories from the world’s diverse cultures & unknown lands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Mandela Leola van Eeden
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    221
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Trail Less Traveled

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