Adventures Less Traveled

John Schwenck
  • 5.0 (3)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Adventures Less Traveled podcast is an immersive video podcast that seeks those who trade comfort for risk and daringly venture into the unknown. There is no single definition of adventure. It is characterized by the experiences that shape each person’s unique perspective, and this podcast seeks to connect these dots through conversation.

  1. 05/12/2025

    25 | Rasmus Krath - Crossing the Darien Gap: Migration, Trafficking, and the Pursuit of Freedom

    With no government presence, rampant cartel activity, and deadly terrain, the Darién Gap is one of the most dangerous migration routes on Earth—despite being less than 100 miles long. Every day, thousands of migrants from over 50 countries risk drowning, starvation, or violence as they attempt to cross this lawless stretch of jungle in search of a better life. We often see statistics in the news—but Rasmus Krath, documentary filmmaker and adventurer, is determined to put faces to those numbers. In this episode, Rasmus shares his firsthand experience crossing the Darién Gap with a Venezuelan family fleeing political and economic collapse. With previous work in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Somalia, this became his most personal and dangerous project to date. He opens up about the power of storytelling to humanize migration, challenge public narratives, and inspire global empathy. In this powerful conversation, we explore the real human stories behind mass migration, the brutal dangers of jungle crossings, and the filmmaker’s mission to humanize those too often reduced to statistics. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in: - Human migration and the untold realities behind border crossings - Documentary Filmmaking in conflict zones and ungoverned territories - Firsthand accounts from the Darién Gap—one of the world’s most dangerous routes - Debunking myths about migrants, cartels, and U.S. border issues - Empathy-driven media that puts real people before politics 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@adventures.less.traveled 🌐 Learn more about the upcoming documentary: https://vimeo.com/user197865632 GUEST LINKS - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasmus_krath/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rasmuskrath - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasmus-krath-a6487237/ - Website: https://www.rasmuskrath.dk/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rasmus.krath.3/ - Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user197865632 PODCAST LINKS - Podcast Website: https://adventures-less-traveled.com - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LpB7vI - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-less-traveled/id1681357393 OUTLINE (00:00) – Introduction: Venezuela Crisis & Mass Migration (02:00) – Documentary filmmaking & humanizing migration (04:00) – Universal hopes and dreams among migrants (05:30) – Why the Darién Gap makes logistical sense for illegal immigrants (07:00) – Survival Through the Darién Gap: Nature, Cartels & Lawlessness (10:10) – Harrowing Experiences: Gangs, Robberies, and Sexual Violence (11:45) – Complete Dearth of Government Oversight (15:35) – Migrants vs Cartels: De-coupling Motivations and Debunking Border Misconceptions (23:35) – What Makes the Darién Gap Different From Other Humanitarian Issues? (28:45) – Global Awareness: Sharing the Documentary’s Message (34:15) – Defining "Adventure" PODCAST SOCIAL - Instagram: https://instagram.com/adventures.less.traveled - Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_ALT_podcast - Facebook: https://facebook.com/AdventuresLessTraveled

    36 min

  2. 04/20/2025

    24 | Nathalia dos Reis Monteiro - Balancing Career and Adventure

    Professional snowboarder and civil engineer Nathalia dos Reis Monteiro shares how she transitioned from training on sand dunes in Brazil to competing on snow-covered slopes in North America. As a full-time engineer in New York City, she reveals how she balances her demanding job with Olympic-level training, and how she founded Brazil Snow, a nonprofit supporting Brazilian winter athletes. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in: - Career transitions from corporate to sports - Time management for high-performance lifestyles - Inspiring immigrant success stories - Women breaking boundaries in male-dominated fields - The pursuit of Olympic dreams 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@adventures.less.traveled 🌐 Learn more about Brazil Snow: https://www.brazilsnow.org/ GUEST LINKS - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natkings/ - FIS Profile: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/athlete-biography.html?sectorcode=sb&competitorid=283033 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaliareismonteiro/ - 2025 Update: https://brazilcham.com/brazils-nathalia-dos-reis-monteiro-secures-fis-world-championship-spot-on-road-to-milano-cortina-2026/ PODCAST LINKS - Podcast Website: https://adventures-less-traveled.com - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LpB7vI - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-less-traveled/id1681357393 OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (01:15) Chicken or the egg - What came first: sports or engineering? (04:20) Discovering Snowboarding (Winter Olympics) (07:05) Sandboarding vs Snowboarding (07:45) Logistics of going pro from Brazil (09:44) Founding the Brazil Snow Nonprofit (13:20) Balancing her two worlds (17:15) Advice for time-strapped professionals (20:15) Overcoming age stereotypes (24:10) Future plans (26:00) Brazilian pride (27:10) Nathalia’s definition of adventure PODCAST SOCIAL - Instagram: https://instagram.com/adventures.less.traveled - Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_ALT_podcast - Facebook: https://facebook.com/AdventuresLessTraveled

    28 min

  3. 12/09/2024

    23 | Chad Caruso - Pushing Through America

    Chad Caruso made history by pushing his skateboard across America for 3,162 miles over 57 days, setting the world record as the first person to do so. In addition to this incredible feat, he has also completed various vlog challenges on his YouTube channel such as 30 tricks/30 days and 50 tricks/50 states. GUEST LINKS - Natural High Non-Profit: https://www.naturalhigh.org/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChadCaruso - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chad_caruso/ - Website: https://chadcaruso.com/ OUTLINE (00:00) - The skate scene (02:45) - 30 tricks / 30 days & 50 tricks / 50 states (07:20) - Professional skateboarding (09:40) - Lightning Round (Firsts & Favorites) (15:20) - Pushing Through America (25:00) - Natural High Fundraising Efforts (28:20) - Tony Hawk (30:00) - Book Release (30:55) - Defining Adventure PODCAST INFO - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventures.less.traveled - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LpB7vI - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-less-traveled/id1681357393 - Instagram: https://instagram.com/adventures.less.traveled - Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_ALT_podcast - Facebook: https://facebook.com/AdventuresLessTraveled - Podcast Website: https://adventures-less-traveled.com ** All photos and videos provided by Chad Caruso with consent *** Studio provided by Floored Media

    32 min

  4. 11/03/2024

    22 | Tom Turcich - The World Walk

    Tom Turcich is the 10th person to walk around the world, and his loyal companion - Savannah - made history as the first dog to walk around the world. She offered a constant presence that helped fill the all-too-common void of isolation and loneliness as he walked over 28,000 miles over a seven year period across six continents. There were no motors and no pedals, just deliberate, human-powered exploration on foot into the unknown over 28,000 miles over a seven year period across six continents. His recent book, The World Walk, is more than just an account of this adventure; it offers a unique perspective, not just as a traveler, but as a witness to the raw, unfiltered essence of humanity. It’s a profound narrative about resilience, connection, and dismantling pre-conceived notions about the people and cultures along the way, and above all, it highlights the unbreakable bond, and the unspoken understanding, between a man and his dog. GUEST LINKS - Website: https://www.tomturcich.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldwalk/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theworldwalk - Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Theworldwalk/ - The World Walk (Amazon): https://a.co/d/8UzBt56 OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (01:10) Why? (04:00) Carpe Diem & Memento Mori (06:40) World Walk stats (08:25) Mr. Ed vs Rob (14:20) The Note in the Desert (19:40) Impact of COVID (23:55) The star of the show - Savannah (34:55) A highlight of the trip NOT in the book (36:35) Defining Adventure PODCAST INFO - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventures.less.traveled - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LpB7vI - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-less-traveled/id1681357393 - Instagram: https://instagram.com/adventures.less.traveled - Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_ALT_podcast - Facebook: https://facebook.com/AdventuresLessTraveled - Podcast Website: https://adventures-less-traveled.com ** All photos & videos provided by Tom Turcich with consent

    39 min

  5. 06/20/2024

    21 | Andrew Mortensen - First Known Openly Gay Man To Cycle The World

    You may recognize Andrew Mortensen from a previous episode when he cycled from Neah Bay, Washington in the United States down to Patagonia during COVID back in 2020. Here we are 4 years later in 2024, and he's done it again. This time adding 25 more countries to his repertoire from Spain to Singapore, bringing his grand total to over 27,000 cycling miles across 37 countries - officially circumnavigating the world. What makes his story different than others who have accomplished similar feats? He is the first openly gay man to do so. I have been friends with Andrew since high school and I am very proud of the journey he has undertaken - both literally around the world on a bicycle as well as his journey as a gay man. His curiosity to better understand the people and cultures around the world epitomizes the adventurous spirit that we all should embrace - regardless of identity. GUEST LINKS - Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/andrew-mortensen-biking-across-the-world-for-trevor/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrew_mort/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrew.mortensen.16 - 1st Adventures Less Traveled Podcast with Andrew (Ep. 12): https://youtu.be/tOEgnJeHvNA PODCAST INFO - Podcast Website: https://adventures-less-traveled.com - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LpB7vI - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-less-traveled/id1681357393 OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (02:30) Demystifying Andrew's adventure (07:45) The Trevor Project (09:45) LGBTQ acceptance around the world - Expectations vs Reality (14:20) Traversing the Middle East (17:35) 1st trip (North to South America) vs 2nd trip (Europe, Middle East, Asia) (18:55) What connects us? (21:10) Why does it (being gay) matter? (26:30) Logistics (29:20) Biggest misconception (32:15) World record standards (35:30) EFI (Every F***in Inch) (38:00) Reflections (40:25) Overview Effect (43:30) Advice for future adventurers (45:20) Changing your perspective (47:10) Defining adventure PODCAST SOCIAL - Instagram: https://instagram.com/adventures.less.traveled - Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_ALT_podcast - Facebook: https://facebook.com/AdventuresLessTraveled

    50 min

  6. 06/05/2024

    20 | Neil Laughton - Adventureholic

    It's one thing to climb the tallest mountain in the world. It's another thing to have the world's highest black tie dinner party atop it. Neil Laughton is an "adventureholic" whose expeditions range from the classic seven-summits ascents, to the unusual such as rowing a bathtub around the Solent, or hosting a game of cricket on the geographic south pole, or driving the world's first street-legal flying car across the Sahara from London to Timbuktu. Neil has more stories than can possibly be fit into a single podcast episode, but I tried to learn as much as I could in the time allotted. He also published Adventureholic which outlines over 50 of these adventures in great detail for those looking to learn more. GUEST LINKS - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Laughton - Personal Website: https://neillaughton.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neillaughton1/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neillaughton1/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neil.laughton1 - X/Twitter: https://x.com/NeilLaughton - Siobhan's Trust: https://siobhanstrust.uk/ PODCAST INFO - Podcast Website: https://adventures-less-traveled.com - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventures.less.traveled - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LpB7vI - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-less-traveled/id1681357393 OUTLINE (00:00) - Introduction, Background, & Military Service (06:00) - Neil & Paula Reid's cycling trip across Ukraine (09:30) - Riding a penny farthing (13:10) - Experiencing the Ukraine war firsthand on the ground (20:30) - Glenn Shaw's desire to see Mt. Everest (24:15) - V.I.S.T.A. leadership (29:35) - The world's highest black tie dinner party (33:30) - Crossing the Sahara Desert in a street-legal flying car (35:35) - Charity + Expeditions (41:50) - Defining adventure (43:55) - Leaving a legacy PODCAST SOCIAL - Instagram: https://instagram.com/adventures.less.traveled - Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_ALT_podcast - Facebook: https://facebook.com/AdventuresLessTraveled

    47 min

  7. 03/29/2024 · BONUS

    Order vs Chaos in Cave Diving | Edd Sorenson [BONUS CONTENT]

    Edd Sorenson gives his take on the balance between the order of having rigid training and fundamentals and the chaos of exploring the unknown. GUEST LINKS - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edd_Sorenson - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CaveAdventurers - Cave Adventurers Website: https://www.caveadventurers.com/ - Cave Adventurers Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/divecaveadventurers/ - Cave Adventurers Training: https://www.caveadventurerstraining.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddsorenson/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edd.sorenson/ PODCAST INFO - Podcast Website: https://adventures-less-traveled.com - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LpB7vI - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-less-traveled/id1681357393 PODCAST SOCIAL - Instagram: https://instagram.com/adventures.less.traveled - Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_ALT_podcast - Facebook: https://facebook.com/AdventuresLessTraveled

    10 min

  8. 03/26/2024

    19 | Edd Sorenson - Body Rescue & Recovery (Cave Diving Part 2)

    Oftentimes cave diving doesn't go as planned, and when it doesn't, the most likely outcome is a slow inevitable death. Wedged between narrow gaps in caves with no means of escaping, divers become trapped and typically die by hypocapnia as a result. Of the individuals who are found and returned to the surface, almost none of them come out alive (body rescue). The overwhelming majority of them end up in a body bag (body recovery). Edd Sorenson is known to be the only person with more than one body rescue in the world… he has six. So if there is any chance of survival, there is not a more equipped and more experienced individual to return these trapped divers back to their families - dead or alive. Edd is a cave diving instructor examiner and body rescue & recovery specialist based out of Marianna, Florida. He is the founder of Cave Adventurers, a cave diving training and exploration company, and is known for his expertise in body rescue and recovery during rescue missions to bring back individuals who get stuck inside underwater caves. Edd discusses his track record, how he got involved, differences between cave diving vs open water diving, what the allure of cave diving is, how he compartmentalizes death, and one particular experience of having to break a body apart to get it to the surface. GUEST LINKS - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edd_Sorenson - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CaveAdventurers - Cave Adventurers Website: https://www.caveadventurers.com/ - Cave Adventurers Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/divecaveadventurers/ - Cave Adventurers Training: https://www.caveadventurerstraining.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddsorenson/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edd.sorenson/ PODCAST INFO - Podcast Website: https://adventures-less-traveled.com - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LpB7vI - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-less-traveled/id1681357393 OUTLINE (00:00) - Introduction (02:55) - Cave Adventurers (05:50) - Differentiating dive types (10:30) - The allure of cave diving & Edd's background (16:05) - The IUCRR & responding to an emergency (23:05) - # of body rescues vs # of body recoveries (29:05) - Compartmentalizing death & breaking a body out of a restriction PODCAST SOCIAL - Instagram: https://instagram.com/adventures.less.traveled - Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_ALT_podcast - Facebook: https://facebook.com/AdventuresLessTraveled

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Adventures Less Traveled podcast is an immersive video podcast that seeks those who trade comfort for risk and daringly venture into the unknown. There is no single definition of adventure. It is characterized by the experiences that shape each person’s unique perspective, and this podcast seeks to connect these dots through conversation.

Information

  • Creator
    John Schwenck
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © John Schwenck