The Scenic Route Podcast

Scenic Route Media
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture

Hosted by a college student and Biology and Economics major, The Scenic Route explores the lives of people who have chosen unconventional paths, pursued wild adventures, and carved careers out of unexpected places. Each week, Cal shares conversations that highlight amazing stories, valuable lessons, and the unexpected outcomes living differently, all while inviting listeners to come along on his own journey of learning how to step of the beaten path and take the scenic route in life.

  1. Jul 4

    61: Photographing Every Wild Cat Species on Earth - Sebastian Kennerknecht | Cat Expeditions

    Sebastian Kennerknecht grew up in Munich Germany and is now one of the world's leading wildlife and conservation photographers. He's photographed 35 of the 40 wild felid species on Earth, builds his own camera traps from scratch, and holds a distinction shared by no other photographer alive, the only high-resolution image of a wild Borneo Bay Cat in existence. A cat so rare that most biologists who study it have never seen one with their own eyes. He's survived elephant charges, tracked leopards in war-torn Yemen, and cried when he finally saw his first snow leopard after five weeks alone in a tent at sub-zero temperatures in Kyrgyzstan. Follow Sebastian on Instagram @pumapix View His Photography Via pumapix.com Join Sebastian and His Wife Searching For Wild Cats Here catexpeditions.com If you need gear that can survive anywhere on Earth while searching for wild cats, you need WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for any occasion! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

  2. Jun 19

    60: What An Ocelot Eats - Aaron Davies | Fauna Forever

    Aaron Davies is a conservationist and mammal ecologist from the United Kingdom currently working in the Peruvian Amazon as an Assistant Mammal Coordinator with Fauna Forever. He holds a degree in Geography with Applied GIS from the University of Exeter and an MSc in Conservation and Biodiversity. Aaron’s research has focused on ecological change, biodiversity monitoring, and carnivore ecology, including studying how prey communities influence ocelot occupancy in human-impacted landscapes in Tambopata, Peru. His current work centers on mammal monitoring, camera trapping, and wildlife research in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Go Check Out Aaron's Newest Adventures on Instagram @a.d_ventures_ Gear up your adventures, with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

  3. Jun 12

    59: The Backyard Bears of Lake Tahoe Got Me a Job - Riley McClaughry | Endless Venture

    Riley McClaughry is a wildlife filmmaker, cameraman, and editor who grew up in Sacramento before moving to Lake Tahoe after high school, trading a conventional path for van life and a camera. Starting out filming adventure sports at age 14, he eventually turned his lens toward wildlife, spending six months tracking black bears across the Tahoe basin to produce The Backyard Bear, a self-funded documentary exposing how human behavior is turning wild bears into food-conditioned animals with a death sentence. The film caught the attention of wildlife filmmaker and National Geographic personality Casey Anderson, and Riley has been by his side ever since, traveling the globe as the cameraman and editor behind Endless Venture, shooting everything from grizzlies in Montana to lions and hyenas on the African savanna. Follow Riley on IG @riley.mcclaughry Subscribe to Endless Venture on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/@endlessventure Gear up your adventures, with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

  4. Jun 5

    58: The Brother and Sister Duo Turning Their Faith and the Outdoors Into a Business - Salem & Soleil Rutan | Steez Fish

    Salem and Soleil are a brother-sister duo from Northern California who grew up homeschooled in the Colorado mountains before relocating with their family to Sandpoint, Idaho in 2024, the same year they launched Steez Fish, an outdoor apparel brand rooted in skate, snow, and fishing culture that started with handmade fleece beanies and has grown into a full gear line. Together they're building a brand around their belief that the passions God gives people are usually the key to a truly purposeful life. Follow Salem and Soleil's Journey Building a Brand on IG @steezfishh Shop Steez Fish Today Via https://steezfish.com Gear up your adventures, with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

  5. May 22

    57: Observing Means Conserving - Jon Hall | MammalWatching.com

    Jon Hall is a dedicated mammal watcher and the founder of MammalWatching.com. He is one of the most active explorers in the quest to find and protect the world's most elusive species. For 20+ years, Jon worked on different ways of measuring wellbeing and progress, most recently with the United Nations' Human Development Index, the global measure of how countries are developing beyond just economic growth, incorporating life expectancy, education, and happiness. Jon's passion for wildlife and his innovative approach to conservation have made significant impacts in preserving Earth's incredible biodiversity. Join the Mammal Watching Community Today Via mammalwatching.com Gear up your mammal watching adventures, with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

  6. May 15

    56: The Surprising Power of Storytelling - Kayla Shepherd | Wildlife Photographer

    Kayla Shepherd is a wildlife ecologist, conservationist, photographer, and storyteller based in Alaska. Through her work as both a field biologist and content creator, she documents the wildlife and ecosystems of one of the most remote and rapidly changing landscapes in North America. She now focuses on connecting people with nature through her role as a communication specialist with the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council. Kayla uses social media to advocate for wildlife conservation, blending her artistic talents with her scientific background to engage and educate a broader audience. Follow Kayla on Instagram @kaylawildlife Support Kayla's Work Via: kaylawildlife.com Gear up your adventures, with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

  7. May 8

    55: Putting the Wild on Canvas - Des McCaffrey | Wildlife Artist

    Desmond McCaffrey is a self-taught wildlife artist from northern Alberta whose work is deeply rooted in a lifelong connection to the outdoors. Born in Saskatchewan and raised exploring the forests and waterways of Alberta, he developed his artistic ability by sketching wildlife and landscapes from memory after hunting and fishing trips with his father. His career path included work in the oil industry, big game guiding, and operating a taxidermy studio, experiences that gave him a detailed understanding of animal anatomy and behavior. Since becoming a full-time artist in 1989, his work has been featured in national publications, earned numerous awards, and led to high-profile commissions, including projects with the Royal Canadian Mint. Follow Des on Instagram @des_mccaffrey_art View and Purchase Des's Art: https://www.desmccaffrey.com Gear up your adventures, with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

  8. May 1

    54: What It Takes to Name a Jaguar - Abbie Martin | Jaguar Identification Project

    Abbie Martin is a wildlife ecologist, conservationist, and founder of the Jaguar Identification Project, a long-term research initiative dedicated to studying and protecting jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal. Her work combines science, citizen participation, and story telling to better understand jaguar population dynamics and promote sustainable conservation strategies.Splitting her year between hemispheres, Abbie spends half the year in the field in Brazil and the other half working as a boat captain in the United States and the British Virgin Islands. Her efforts and story have been featured in the documentary Rise of Jaguars, highlighting both the beauty of the Pantanal and the challenges facing its apex predator. In April 2026, Abbie was accepted into a PhD program in Environmental Conservation, further advancing her commitment to long-term, science driven conservation. Support the Jaguar ID Project: https://www.jaguaridproject.com/jaguar-guides Follow the Project's Work on IG @jaguaridproject Gear up your adventures, whether you're in the mountains or the Pantanal, with WURU Wool - the merino wool apparel for you! Official Sponsor of The Scenic Route Podcast. Explore WURU here: https://wuruwool.com

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About

Hosted by a college student and Biology and Economics major, The Scenic Route explores the lives of people who have chosen unconventional paths, pursued wild adventures, and carved careers out of unexpected places. Each week, Cal shares conversations that highlight amazing stories, valuable lessons, and the unexpected outcomes living differently, all while inviting listeners to come along on his own journey of learning how to step of the beaten path and take the scenic route in life.

Information

  • Creator
    Scenic Route Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Scenic Route Media
  • Show Website
    The Scenic Route Podcast

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