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. Long-distance Hiking, Creativity and Adventure Filmmaking | Bart Schrijver

    3d ago

    Long-distance Hiking, Creativity and Adventure Filmmaking | Bart Schrijver

    Join Ben Southall and filmmaker, long-distance hiker and storyteller Bart Schrijver for a conversation about life on the trail, the freedom of walking, and how adventure can shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us. From hiking the 3,000-kilometre Te Araroa Trail across New Zealand to solo journeys through the remote landscapes of Norway, Bart shares how long-distance walking became a path to self-discovery, creativity and a completely different way of living. They explore the mental challenges of spending months on the trail, the surprising lessons that come from solitude, and why some of the most important adventures happen inside your own head. Bart also takes us behind the scenes of his award-winning films, including Human Nature and his latest release, The North, a cinematic journey through the Scottish Highlands. He shares what it's really like to create films in remote wilderness, carrying everything on foot, working with tiny crews, embracing unpredictable weather, and capturing authentic stories in some of the world's wildest places. Connect with Bart: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartschrijver1 Tuesday Studio: https://tuesdayfilm.com/ Watch Human Nature: https://tuesdayfilm.com/human-nature/ Watch The North: https://tuesdayfilm.com/the-north/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au

    1h 3m
  2. MicroAdventures and Getting Unwilded With Alastair Humphreys

    Jun 3

    MicroAdventures and Getting Unwilded With Alastair Humphreys

    Join Ben Southall and adventurer Alastair Humphreys for a conversation about big expeditions, small adventures and why the outdoors doesn’t have to be far away, expensive or extreme to change your life. From cycling around the world and walking across deserts to the rise of microadventures, Al shares how curiosity, storytelling and paying attention to nature can help us reconnect with the world around us. Connect with Al: https://alastairhumphreys.com Buy his new book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Unwilded-Natural-Without-Noticing-Matters/dp/1785634836 Check out the beer can camera: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXrpldrDU3G/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Adventure and Micro-Adventures 05:04 The Journey Begins: From University to Adventure Travel 10:51 Cycling the Karakoram Highway: A First Big Adventure 16:10 The Evolution of Adventure Storytelling 21:53 Challenges in Adventure: Pushing Boundaries 28:07 The Future of Adventure and Storytelling 33:17 Final Thoughts and Resources for Adventure Seekers

    1 hr
  3. Dani Lewis on Adventure Racing, Type Two Fun and Surviving the Pain Cave

    May 21

    Dani Lewis on Adventure Racing, Type Two Fun and Surviving the Pain Cave

    Ben Southall sits down with Wild Earth’s own Danielle Lewis to unpack the wild, exhausting and addictive world of adventure racing. As Wild Earth’s retail area manager and an experienced adventure racer, Danny has taken on everything from 24-hour races to multi-day expedition events across Australia and New Zealand. In this episode, Dani shares what it's really like to race through remote terrain, navigate under pressure, paddle through freezing conditions, battle sleep deprivation, and keep moving when everything hurts. She also reflects on her recent race in New Zealand, where a brutal ocean paddle, rough surf and a frightening emergency moment pushed her team to their limits. 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

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

    May 7

    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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Wild Chats with Ben Southall
  • Show Website
    Wild Chats with Ben Southall

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