Wild Chats with Ben Southall

Wild Earth Australia
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Join host Ben Southall for Wild Chats, a series that dives deep into the world of adventure. We bring you trail runners, hikers, travelers, and explorers sharing their most inspiring and wildest stories from around the globe. Whether you're chasing ultra-running dreams, planning your next big trek, or simply looking for a spark of adventure, Wild Chats delivers firsthand insights from those who live and breathe the outdoors. 🎙 New episodes every other Friday! Presented by Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia

  1. Ed Stafford on Survival, Rites of Passage and Why We Need to Do Hard Things

    1D AGO

    Ed Stafford on Survival, Rites of Passage and Why We Need to Do Hard Things

    Ben Southall sits down with explorer, survivalist and filmmaker Ed Stafford to unpack a life shaped by challenge, discomfort and deep self-discovery. Known as the first person to walk the length of the Amazon, Ed reflects on the two-and-a-half-year expedition that changed him, the brutal reality of life in the jungle, and the inner drive that pushed him into some of the world’s toughest environments. They also dive into Ed’s latest series, Rite of Passage, where he travels into remote communities around the world to understand the rituals that mark the journey from boyhood to adulthood. From bullet ant ceremonies in Brazil to the bigger questions of courage, community, masculinity and maturity, Ed shares why these experiences are about far more than pain or endurance. This conversation explores adventure, fatherhood, survival, mental health, rites of passage, and what the modern world may have lost by making life too comfortable. Find out more about Ed: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ed_stafford/ Website: https://edstafford.org/ Watch Rite of Passage on Amazon Prime & Foxtel 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

    1h 5m
  2. From Sea to Summit with Tim Macartney-Snape

    APR 16

    From Sea to Summit with Tim Macartney-Snape

    Ben Southall sits down with legendary Australian mountaineer Tim Macartney-Snape to unpack one of the most iconic adventure stories of all time, his Sea to Summit ascent of Everest. Tim shares how a childhood in East Africa shaped his curiosity, self-sufficiency, and drive to explore, before taking us through the climbs, decisions, and philosophy that led him from the Bay of Bengal to the top of the world.  They also dive into the origins of Sea to Summit, how Tim went from climber and expedition leader to co-founding one of the best-known gear brands in the outdoor world, and why innovation, problem solving, and doing hard things still matter.  Find out more about Tim: https://www.timmacartneysnape.com/ 🎙️ Hosted by  Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

    57 min
  3. Behind the Lens: The Art and Science of Underwater Filmmaking with Richard Fitzpatrick

    APR 2

    Behind the Lens: The Art and Science of Underwater Filmmaking with Richard Fitzpatrick

    Join Ben Southall as he explores the fascinating world of underwater filmmaking, marine research, and conservation with Emmy-winning cinematographer Richard Fitzpatrick. Discover the stories behind the lens, cutting-edge technology, and the urgent need for protecting our oceans. 🦈 Follow Richard's adventures:  https://biopixeloceans.org/ https://www.instagram.com/biopixeloceans/ https://www.instagram.com/richard_fitzpatrick_acs/ 🎙️ Hosted by  Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

    1h 1m
  4. Steve Jackson on Building Trail Races, Coastal High 50 and the Future of Trail Running

    MAR 19

    Steve Jackson on Building Trail Races, Coastal High 50 and the Future of Trail Running

    In this episode of Wild Earth Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with Steve Jackson, founder of Trail Trips and Events and the race director behind legendary running events like the Wild Earth Coastal High 50. They talk about how trail races are built, what first-time ultra runners often get wrong, Steve’s journey from Hamilton Island to race directing, and where trail running in Australia is heading next. A great episode for runners, adventurers, and anyone curious about the people behind the start line. 🏃 Connect with Steve Jackson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trailtrips_and_events/ Website: https://www.trailtrips.com.au/events-2 Sunset Slice: https://events.humanitix.com/host/wild-earth-australia 🎙️ Hosted by  Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

    1h 5m
  5. Packrafting, Wilderness Exploration and the Franklin River with Roman Dial

    MAR 6

    Packrafting, Wilderness Exploration and the Franklin River with Roman Dial

    In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall chats with legendary explorer, biologist and packrafting pioneer Roman Dial about a lifetime spent chasing wild rivers, remote landscapes, and unforgettable journeys.  From the early evolution of packrafting in Alaska to adventures on Tasmania’s Franklin River, Roman shares the stories, lessons, and hard-earned wisdom that come from decades in the field. He talks through what it takes to plan for true wilderness travel, how to adapt when conditions change, and why the best adventures are often shaped by uncertainty. Follow Roman's adventures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialroman/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: www.bestlifeadventures.com Wild Earth Australia: www.wildearth.com.au

    1h 19m
  6. Inside the Death Zone and the Mindset Behind 14 x 8,000m Peaks with Andrew Lock

    FEB 19

    Inside the Death Zone and the Mindset Behind 14 x 8,000m Peaks with Andrew Lock

    In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with legendary Australian mountaineer Andrew Lock, the only Australian to have climbed all 14 of the world’s 8,000 metre peaks.  Andrew takes us back to the moment it all began, a slideshow in the back room of a pub that lit the fuse, and the sharp left turn that followed. Within months he was learning to climb in the Blue Mountains. Within a couple of years he was testing himself on Denali. And not long after that, he was stepping into the Himalaya with a mindset that would shape the rest of his life, to earn the skills, respect the mountains, and keep coming back.  Ben and Andrew unpack the realities behind big altitude dreams, including what it feels like to turn around short of the summit, why he learned he was a slower acclimater, and how experience changes the way you make decisions when the weather turns, the cold bites, and the margin for error disappears.  🏔️ Learn more about Andrew  Guided trips: www.andrewlockadventures.com  Speaking: www.andrew-lock.com 🎙️ Hosted by  Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: www.bestlifeadventures.com Wild Earth Australia: www.wildearth.com.au

    56 min
  7. Finding Balance | Lucy Bartholomew's Approach to Running and Life

    FEB 6

    Finding Balance | Lucy Bartholomew's Approach to Running and Life

    In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with Australian trail running star Lucy Bartholomew to explore what it really takes to stay in love with the sport while chasing big goals. Lucy shares the story behind her rise through the trail scene, the role her family has played in keeping her grounded, and why balance matters just as much as grit when you are training, travelling, and racing at the highest level. They unpack the emotional rollercoaster of UTMB, from unpredictable weather and course changes to the mental battle of the pain cave, plus what consistency looks like when life is busy and motivation comes and goes. Lucy also reflects on the magic of trail running community, the beauty of training in wild places, and what surprised her most about stepping into Ironman events. 🏃 Follow Lucy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy_bartholomew 🎙️ Hosted by  Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: www.bestlifeadventures.com Wild Earth Australia: www.wildearth.com.au Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lucy Bartholomew 02:58 Finding Balance in Life and Sport 09:05 The Role of Family in Athletic Development 11:56 Breaking into the Racing Scene 15:07 The Importance of Support and Opportunity 18:03 Training in Diverse Environments 21:07 The Power of Storytelling in Sports 23:52 Engaging with the Community and Inspiring Others 28:55 Navigating the Trail Running Journey 32:19 Understanding the Risks of Trail Running 35:05 The Evolution of a Trail Runner 39:04 Embracing the Pain Cave 41:29 The Role of Community in Trail Running 43:43 The Path to Chamonix and UTMB 46:07 Preparing for the UTMB Experience 53:20 Adapting to Race Conditions 54:48 Learning from Experience 55:28 The Importance of Basics 56:53 Overcoming Low Points 59:37 Highs of Racing 01:01:28 Mutual Respect in Competition 01:04:22 Exploring New Challenges 01:06:46 Community in Endurance Sports 01:08:09 The Joy of Finishing 01:10:49 Gear Preferences and Technology 01:12:12 Future Aspirations

    1h 10m
  8. Travel That Changes You: Sophy Roberts on Curiosity, Fear, and Meaning

    JAN 22

    Travel That Changes You: Sophy Roberts on Curiosity, Fear, and Meaning

    In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with award-winning travel writer and journalist Sophy Roberts to explore the kind of storytelling that begins with a “lump in the throat” and ends in places most people never think to look.  Sophy unpacks the strange, irresistible ideas behind her books, from The Lost Pianos of Siberia to A Training School for Elephants, and why she is drawn to places with difficult reputations, not to romanticise them, but to find the human counter-narrative inside them.  They talk about “xenophilia” (a love of the stranger), the hunt for the un-Google-able, and the real fieldwork behind great travel writing: moving slowly, earning trust, taking handwritten notes, working with the right interpreter, and letting the story decide where you sleep next.  Listen if you love big landscapes, sharp ideas, and travel that is less about consumption and more about feeling your way back to the world. 🌍 Follow Sophy’s work  Website: https://sophieroberts.com/ Podcast: https://gonetotimbuck2.com/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from: Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

    1h 12m
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About

Join host Ben Southall for Wild Chats, a series that dives deep into the world of adventure. We bring you trail runners, hikers, travelers, and explorers sharing their most inspiring and wildest stories from around the globe. Whether you're chasing ultra-running dreams, planning your next big trek, or simply looking for a spark of adventure, Wild Chats delivers firsthand insights from those who live and breathe the outdoors. 🎙 New episodes every other Friday! Presented by Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia

Information

  • Creator
    Wild Earth Australia
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Wild Chats with Ben Southall
  • Show Website
    Wild Chats with Ben Southall

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