The Wild Dispatch

Robin Warman

Never-not intrigued by the outdoors? The Wild Dispatch pinpoints the wildest stories & guests on earth: World-record expeditions, ancient hunting, animal conservation, fishing, foraging, tracking... even bird communication. Each Monday, Robin –your typical British-Born American adventurer with a love for Africa– helps listeners learn something new about nature.

  1. Sep 21

    EP107: Nero From Alone 13 ↣ An Australian in Canadian Winter

    Growing up in New South Wales, Nero Buys had no idea he'd one day be representing Australia in the Alone World Championships. But, big life changes are not unusual for Nero... It's only through exploring many different careers, persistently searching for the right fit, and the right people, that he found himself alone, standing above three feet of ice in the Canadian wilderness. This is Nero's story – we find out what happened on Alone 13, and perhaps more importantly, why he even wanted to go in the first place. A huge thank you again for your time and stories Nero! Give Nero a follow on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube... and check out Nerobuys.com too. Help kids connect with nature through Nero's NaturePost kits. Give Robin and The Wild Dispatch a follow on Instagram + Facebook... Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and watch on YouTube too. Chapters: 0:00 Cold Opener 0:37 Episode introduction 2:57 Welcome and Possum Stick 8:31 The path to Alone 16:22 Lure of the North 26:21 The journey to Canada 28:32 Australian and Canadian cold 33:00 Sourdough pizza and expedition meals 38:30 Eating well on Alone 45:23 The polar plunge lesson 01:03:34 Preparing for Alone 01:10:13 Beaver hunting and fieldcraft 01:20:25 Axe craft and efficiency 01:27:33 Gear, bows and hunting 01:31:56 Fishing weir and adaptation 01:45:14 Early life and schooling 02:05:58 Military service and meaning 02:21:58 Nature Post and time outdoors 02:32:55 Episode closing

    EP107: Nero From Alone 13 ↣ An Australian in Canadian Winter
  2. Jul 13

    EP102: Finding Artistry in the Hunting Industry ↣ Doug Cockroft From Splitting Image

    In this Episode Robin visits Doug Cockroft –founder of Splitting Image Taxidermy– in his incredible factory and studio space. The conversation delves into the journey of taxidermy, It's origins, the unknown passion involved, and the future of the industry. It explores the impact of importation rules and its evolving solutions to new challenges. Amongst Doug's own fascinating stories we also cover the evolution of 3D printing technology, the art of taxidermy and anatomy, tanning techniques, ethics and principles in taxidermy, and the discussion of hunting, conservation, and responsibility. We also couldn't tip our hat to the future of taxidermy without giving a comical nod to taxidermy 100 years ago. A huge thank you to Doug for the thought provoking chat, and to the Splitting Image team for their help setting up the space. Check out the Splitting Image website Follow them on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook too Give Robin and The Wild Dispatch a follow on Instagram + Facebook... Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and watch on YouTube too. This episode dives into the fascinating world of taxidermy, guided by Doug Cocroft, founder of Splitting Image Taxidermy. We explore the history, technological advancements, ethical considerations, and the profound connection between hunting and conservation. Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction and the importance of respecting wildlife in taxidermy 00:44 - Doug Cockroft’s entrance into taxidermy 01:30 - The origin of taxidermy practices 02:16 - The transformative role of hunting and conservation in Africa 04:10 - The relationship between taxidermy and wildlife storytelling 05:16 - Personal reflections on connecting with nature 06:40 - The importance of patience, observation, and respect 08:07 - Hunting versus non-hunting – A spectrum of attitudes 09:13 - Memorable experiences and mishaps 10:52 - The story of a vehicle mishap 14:50 - The role of hunting 18:49 - Transition from guiding to taxidermy 20:00 - How 9/11 reshaped Doug’s career path into taxidermy 21:40 - Early training and challenges in taxidermy 25:12 - Doug's true passion for the craft and conservation’s role 28:49 - The history and cultural roots of taxidermy in Africa and beyond 38:31 - 3D printing, scanners, and chemical advancements 42:17 - Evolution of techniques and technologies 48:44 - Handling ethical considerations 53:01 - Taxidermy and creative, respectful expressions 56:46 - The influence of legislation and poaching 60:39 - The connection between hunting, storytelling, and societal perception 64:18 - The importance of authentic outdoor experiences a 65:33 - Resources and inspirations for those interested in taxidermy

    EP102: Finding Artistry in the Hunting Industry ↣ Doug Cockroft From Splitting Image
  3. Jul 6

    EP101: Wild Stories ↣ Alone's Kielyn Marrone & Joel van der Loon, and Aubrey Tidbury

    Congrats to three lucky guests from our EP100 Giveaway Competition! It's been an amazing few years and 100 episodes, here's a few favourites from other participants of Alone, and a wild African spear hunters tale from the Eastern Cape. Thanks again everyone, here's to another 100 episodes! Give Robin and The Wild Dispatch a follow on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Get ready for a diverse episode blending exciting contest announcements, gripping outdoor adventures, survival stories, and ethical hunting insights. Robin shares behind-the-scenes moments of a podcast competition, followed by intense narratives from seasoned adventure and hunting experts, revealing raw emotions and incredible wildlife experiences. Main Topics Covered:Announcing winners of a wilderness podcast contest and the behind-the-scenes processAn in-depth recount of a solo wilderness hunting experience, focusing on tracking, hunting strategies, and emotional resilienceThe story of a grappling encounter with a highly aggressive bushbuck, showcasing extraordinary animal behavior and human ingenuityInsights into outdoor gear preparation, clothing strategies for cold environments, and psychological tactics like stoicism and self-affirmationRobin announces the top three winners from San Jose and Minnesota with a live draw processAubrey Tibbury recounts wresting and suffocating a wounded bushbuck with a jersey as a makeshift tourniquetAn exploration of a hunter’s meticulous gear preparation, especially handmade clothing suitable for Arctic-like conditionsEmotional reflections on the risks, disappointments, and mental resilience involved in hunting larger game like mooseDiscussions on ethical hunting challenges, wildlife tracking, and the importance of mental readiness in survival situationsPhilosophical insights into the human drive, driven by seeking approval and deep personal valuesChapters:00:00 - Contest Winners 02:04 - Episode Setup 04:19 - Bushbuck Story 07:11 - Solo Survival 09:10 - Tracking Techniques 14:02 - Moose Hunt 18:02 - Ethical Tracking 22:34 - Lost Game 26:21 - Mental Resilience 28:01 - Personal Drive 32:20 - Purpose Shift 33:41 - Show Prep 36:13 - Homestead Build 40:23 - Support System 43:24 - Sacrifice 48:06 - Cold Gear 53:48 - Facing Fear 57:08 - Bushbuck Encounter 63:22 - Survival Tactics 67:13 - Final Reflections

    EP101: Wild Stories ↣ Alone's Kielyn Marrone & Joel van der Loon, and Aubrey Tidbury
5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Never-not intrigued by the outdoors? The Wild Dispatch pinpoints the wildest stories & guests on earth: World-record expeditions, ancient hunting, animal conservation, fishing, foraging, tracking... even bird communication. Each Monday, Robin –your typical British-Born American adventurer with a love for Africa– helps listeners learn something new about nature.

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