The Trail Less Traveled

Mandela Leola van Eeden

Dedicated to documenting humanity by gathering stories & sounds from the most remote locations around the world. The goal for the show is to take you, the listener, back to mankind's earliest form of entertainment: story telling. Therefore, every week features an interview with an adventurer in their natural habitat in order to provide an audible journey packed with adventure (and conservation) information & inspiration. Everyone has a story & different perspective, we aim to share the stories from the world’s diverse cultures & unknown lands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Selway River Adventures with Doug Proctor

    JAN 17

    Selway River Adventures with Doug Proctor

    Doug Proctor grew up just outside Cincinnati, Ohio, where his love for rivers was seeded early in life. As a boy he spent years canoeing with his family and through the Boy Scouts on class one rivers across southern Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. At the age of 12 he embarked on his first extended canoe trip—a two-week wilderness journey in Kentucky that helped shape his lifelong passion for river travel and backcountry adventure.  In 1977 Proctor began his professional guiding career, leading whitewater rafting trips commercially on the New Riverand the Gauley River, two of the eastern United States’ premier whitewater destinations. Over the next 35 years he built extensive experience as an outfitter in West Virginia, guiding trips through challenging Class III and Class IV waters and cultivating deep skills in river stewardship, guest experience, and wilderness logistics.  His love of rivers and adventure didn’t stop in Appalachia. His guiding has taken him to Grand Canyon, Alaska, Chile, Costa Rica, Idaho, and numerous rivers in both the eastern and western United States. These experiences helped refine his craft as a guide renowned for both technical competence and a commitment to sharing wild rivers with thoughtful guests.  Today Proctor is co-owner of Selway River Adventures, a wilderness rafting outfitter based in Stanley, Idaho. With his partners he operates under one of the extremely limited commercial permits on the Selway River, a nationally designated Wild and Scenic river flowing through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Trips are typically five to six days long, weaving technical whitewater with solitude and natural beauty few river runners ever get to experience.  Proctor now lives in Stanley with his wife Cathy and their dogs, drawn to Idaho by the remarkable concentration of great rivers in the region. Guiding river trips for over 40 years, he views sharing his experience with guests and friends as not just a profession but a deep passion—one rooted in the rhythms of wild water and the stories those rivers tell.  Show notes: 00:03:51 - The Selway River: Permit System and Access 00:05:56 - From Boy Scouts to River Guide Entrepreneur 00:07:56 - Class 6 Rafting Company Origin Story 00:09:59 - Selway River: Protected Wilderness and Rafting History 00:12:24 - Early Spring Wildlife and River Adventure 00:15:41 - Protecting Rivers and Wilderness Areas 00:17:56 - Selway River Adventures Trip Overview 00:19:38 - First-Time River Trips Need Only Willingness 00:21:41 - Wildlife Abundance on the Selway River 00:24:23 - Salmon Extinction Crisis and Dam Removal Solutions 00:26:27 - Selway Lodge History and River Adventures 00:28:21 - Epic River Adventures in Alaska and Beyond 00:30:19 - Doug's Eighth Grade Singing Trauma 00:31:53 - Three Pieces of Life Advice and Conservation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  2. A Culinary Journey Across Continents: The Silk Road Catering & Spice

    JAN 10

    A Culinary Journey Across Continents: The Silk Road Catering & Spice

    Sam and Elise Risho are the culinary heart and soul behind The Silk Road Catering & Spice in Missoula, Montana. Their story is rooted in decades of family food tradition and a passion for global flavors. Sam grew up in a restaurant family, learning the love of food and hospitality from his father and brother through years of working in local eateries and mastering fine-dining service and kitchen craft. In 2009 Sam and his brother, along with Elise, opened The Silk Road Restaurant to bring a tapas-style global tasting experience to the community. The restaurant’s success eventually blossomed into a thriving catering business and an artisanal spice line inspired by world cuisines. Elise plays a central role in running the business and shaping its creative vision as co-owner alongside Sam. Today they focus on crafting memorable menus for weddings and special events and sharing unique spice blends that reflect their commitment to exceptional hospitality and globally inspired cuisine. Show notes: 00:03:49 - From Sheltered to Adventure: Building Community 00:06:05 - Growing Up in a House of Hospitality 00:07:53 - Adventures Before Kids Around the World 00:10:03 - Custom Tailoring in Shanghai's French District 00:12:13 - From Restaurant to Catering Adventures Across Montana 00:14:11 - The Silk Road Inspired Spice Blends 00:17:23 - From Spice Bags to Store Shelves 00:20:54 - Finding Your Favorite Spice Blend 00:23:04 - Adding Sour and Shopping Local 00:25:46 - Community Spirit in Missoula, Montana 00:28:30 - Hiking Adventures with Kids in Missoula 00:30:49 - Keeping Missoula Weird Through Diversity 00:32:56 - Embrace Slow Travel and Community Connection 00:35:06 - Parenting Advice: Encourage Kids to Try New Things 00:37:39 - Clark Fork River and The Wellerman Song Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  3. Missoula Spotlight: Aimee McQuilkin, Shane Clouse and Dave Stromeyer

    12/20/2025

    Missoula Spotlight: Aimee McQuilkin, Shane Clouse and Dave Stromeyer

    Aimee McQuilkin is a Missoula entrepreneur and community builder, best known as the owner of Betty’s Divine and the Clark Fork Yacht Club. Through these beloved businesses, she has helped shape Missoula’s social and cultural fabric by creating welcoming spaces rooted in style, hospitality, and connection. Aimee’s work reflects a deep commitment to local economy, creativity, and gathering people together in meaningful ways. Shane Clouse is a Missoula musician and songwriter whose work blends Americana, folk, and roots traditions with thoughtful storytelling. His music is shaped by Montana landscapes and lived experience, carrying a quiet honesty that resonates both on stage and in more intimate listening spaces. Shane is a steady presence in the local music community, known for craft, collaboration, and authenticity. Dave Stromeyer is a Missoula County Commissioner focused on infrastructure, public service, and long term regional planning. He is currently working on a passenger railroad project aimed at improving transportation options and connectivity in western Montana. Dave’s work reflects a practical, forward looking approach to governance with an emphasis on public benefit, economic resilience, and sustainable mobility.​ Show notes: 00:03:44 - 1983 Rabbit and Missoula Roots 00:05:53 - Opening Betty's Divine While Pregnant 00:09:34 - Building Community Through Shared Experiences 00:11:56 - Community Heart and Entrepreneurial Joy 00:13:23 - Homeownership Enables Community Business Growth 00:15:39 - How Desmond the Mannequin Found Home 00:18:12 - The Governor of the Hip Strip 00:23:37 - Missoula's Deep History and Indigenous Stewardship 00:27:39 - Gateway to the Rocky Mountains and Home 00:32:15 - Stewardship and Restoring Passenger Rail 00:38:12 - Keeping Missoula Special Through Community Involvement 00:41:16 - Montana's State Song and Pink Grizzly Greenhouse 00:44:10 - From Farm to Pink Grizzly Business 00:46:39 - From Lumber Mills to Community Music 00:50:32 - Historic Irrigation Ditch Sustains Missoula Community 00:53:56 - Hunting and Fishing Fund Conservation 00:58:58 - Montana Matters: A Song of Unity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 5m

  4. 12/13/2025

    Defending Wildlife as Public Trust: Frank Szollosi of the Montana Wildlife Federation

    Frank Szollosi is the Executive Director of the Montana Wildlife Federation, the state’s oldest and largest wildlife conservation organization focused on protecting wildlife habitat, public lands access, and science-based natural resource policy in Montana. He took on this leadership role in June 2020 after a long career with the National Wildlife Federation, where he worked for over a decade on climate and water policy at the Great Lakes Regional Center and on national campaigns that defended public lands, advanced the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and connected people with wildlife. At MWF, Szollosi collaborates with state agencies including Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, tribal governments, landowners, businesses, and conservation partners to advance policies that sustain healthy wildlife populations and accessible wild places. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Utah and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan, and he brings extensive experience in government, including work as both a staffer and local elected official. Outside of his professional work, Szollosi is an avid outdoorsperson who has spent more than 25 years fly fishing and participates enthusiastically in annual hunts with friends and colleagues. He lives in Montana with his wife and four children and enjoys kayaking, downhill skiing, and backpacking.  JOIN THE MONTANA WILDLIFE FEDERATION FOR ONLY $40/YEAR --> www.MontanaWildlife.org Show notes: 00:02:54 - Growing Up in Toledo, Ohio 00:05:29 - Leading Montana Wildlife Federation 00:08:26 - Finding Balance in Wildlife Conservation 00:10:14 - Montana Wildlife Federation's Origins and Conservation History 00:15:45 - Hunter-Funded Conservation: Montana's Legacy 00:19:53 - Climate Change and Wildlife Conservation in Montana 00:24:09 - Defending Public Lands Through Community Action 00:26:17 - Montana Wildlife Federation's Advocacy Tools 00:29:05 - Protecting Public Lands from Corporate Development 00:31:30 - Montana Wildlife Federation Membership Benefits 00:33:55 - Understanding Differences and Conservation Leadership Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  5. Iditarod Lessons: John Wood on Dogs, Distance, and Discipline

    12/12/2025

    Iditarod Lessons: John Wood on Dogs, Distance, and Discipline

    John Wood is an Alaska musher from Chugiak who started chasing the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in the late nineteen seventies and went on to finish the thousand mile route to Nome four times in 1978, 1979, 1982 and 1986. Known for his dry humor and honesty about the grind of the trail, he once joked that after three runs he had “an unparalleled record of mediocrity” and zero prize money, yet if you asked whether he planned to run again his answer was “hell yes,” because the race embodied adventure, excitement, competition and camaraderie that felt uniquely Alaskan. John served as a musher representative on the Iditarod board and offered straight talking advice to rookies about staying upbeat, caring for their dog teams and setting realistic goals in a race where two weeks of little sleep and deep cold are the norm. The event he helped shape as a veteran competitor and mentor is itself legendary an annual March run from Anchorage to Nome of roughly one thousand miles across mountains, frozen rivers and Bering Sea coast, first completed in 1973 and often called the Last Great Race on Earth for its blend of brutal weather, wilderness travel and the deep historical ties between sled dogs and Alaska communities. Show Notes: 00:02:37 - Growing Up in Alaska's Homestead 00:06:29 - Mountain Life and Mining Adventures in Alaska 00:09:32 - Getting into Dog Mushing with Trap Lines 00:12:43 - Recording the Grand Canyon with John Wood 00:16:32 - From Finishing to Competing in Iditarod 00:18:59 - Iditarod Southern Route and Racing Strategy 00:22:53 - Alaskan Huskies: Sled Dogs and Racing 00:27:47 - Iditarod Dog Care and Rest Cycles 00:30:52 - Sleep Strategy for Iditarod Success 00:33:43 - Three Life Lessons from Iditarod Racing 00:35:42 - Grand Canyon Evening and Iditarod Song Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  6. Listening to Nature: Master Naturalist, Kelly Dix.

    09/20/2025

    Listening to Nature: Master Naturalist, Kelly Dix.

    Kelly Dix was raised in Lyndonville, NY, where time spent outside sparked her curiosity and awe of the natural world. She holds degrees in Mathematics, Environmental Sciences & Engineering, and Toxicology. Throughout her career in biomedical research she spent her spare time backpacking and exploring the mountain west with her husband. Kelly found her true passion in retirement, sharing her enthusiasm for science and nature with others. She’s been a substitute teacher and a volunteer with several environmental education non-profit organizations. After moving to Montana with her husband in 2016 Kelly found her home at MNHC and she has been involved with the VNS, Montana Master Naturalist, WOW, and other programs ever since. When she’s not volunteering at MNHC, you can find her at the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium, hiking almost anywhere, or taking way too many photos of just about anything in the natural world. Show notes: 00:03:39 - Childhood Outdoor Play 00:07:18 - Teamwork and Listening 00:10:52 - Listening to Nature's Hidden Voices 00:14:58 - From Math to Toxicology 00:17:09 - Pharmacokinetics and Environmental Toxicology 00:19:48 - Toxicology's Multidisciplinary Nature 00:22:16 - Importance of Public Lands 00:26:55 - Kelly Dix, Montana Naturalist 00:31:02 - Visiting Naturalist in Schools 00:34:26 - Hands-On Nature Education 00:37:26 - Montana Master Naturalist Program 00:42:23 - Montana Master Naturalists 00:44:32 - Montana Natural History Center Info 00:49:21 - Visiting Naturalist in Schools Please help us keep the podcast version of the show advertisement free while also supporting our educational outreach efforts by donating $3/month on Patreon. To donate, visit Patreon.com/TrailLessTraveled Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  7. Return: A Journey Back to Living Wild

    08/09/2025

    Return: A Journey Back to Living Wild

    Lynx Vilden is a renowned author, wilderness guide, and ancestral skills teacher known for her immersive “Stone Age Projects,” where participants live off the land using only primitive tools and techniques. With over three decades of experience in earth-based living, Lynx has dedicated her life to reconnecting people with the rhythms of the natural world through traditional lifeways. Her teachings blend deep ecological awareness with hands-on instruction in skills such as hide tanning, fire-making, and shelter-building, inspiring a global movement toward rewilding and self-sufficiency. Her work has been featured in documentaries, books, and international media, and she continues to guide others on the path of ancestral remembrance and ecological belonging. In her stunning memoir Lynx Vilden chronicles her journey to reconnect with the earth, offering a model for how we all can nurture the wild around and inside ourselves. Show notes: 00:03:33 - Connection to Nature and Ancestral Skills 00:07:06 - Finding My Path in Community 00:10:12 - Importance of Community in Wilderness Skills 00:13:54 - Exploring Stones by the River 00:15:32 - Exploring Natural Elements for Survival 00:17:19 - Exploring Earth, Water, and Fire 00:20:12 - Indigenous Survival Skills and Practices 00:24:33 - Learning Wilderness Skills with Lynx 00:27:07 - Exploring Nature's Grandeur 00:29:17 - Journeying Through the Wilderness 00:33:48 - Understanding Our Safety Plan 00:36:52 - Journey of Writing and Discovery 00:39:34 - Exploring Non-Conventional Publishing Paths 00:45:46 - Connecting with Nature and Moon Phases Please help us keep the podcast version of the show advertisement free while also supporting our educational outreach efforts by donating $3/month on Patreon. To donate, visit Patreon.com/TrailLessTraveled Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  8. A Mountain Man Legacy of Hunting, Gathering & Primitive Wisdom

    08/02/2025

    A Mountain Man Legacy of Hunting, Gathering & Primitive Wisdom

    Dana Anderson, better known as Wild Mountain Man Dan, is a celebrated bushcraft instructor based in Matlock, Washington. Now 68, he has spent over six decades honing wilderness skills and teaching them to others. Dana has lived completely off the grid in a hand‑built cabin by a creek for more than three decades, cultivating a rich life subsisting on foraging, hunting, fishing, and primitive craftsmanship. A master of stone‑tool crafting, arrowhead chipping, primitive cooking, and stone‑age technologies, Dana has taught countless students in wilderness gatherings across the western U.S. He’s best known for leading shelter‑building and raft‑building challenges at the PNW Survival Games, emphasizing resourcefulness, survival principles, and hands‑on learning. With over 33 years off‑grid experience and ongoing instructor roles in events like PNW Survival Games, Dana shares not just skills but also deep respect for wild landscapes. Ean Anderson, Dana’s son, has followed in his father’s footsteps in a rugged way. As a veteran bear hunter and certified survival skills instructor, Ean blends traditional wilderness mastery with modern safety and technique. He specializes in teaching advanced tracking, big-game fieldcraft, and hands‑on wilderness preparedness. With a strong focus on black and brown bear hunting, Ean has earned a reputation for combining ethical hunting practices with deep survival know‑how. Drawing on his father's traditions and his own professional experience, Ean teaches both individual learners and groups how to thrive safely in bear‑inhabited wilderness—from crafting emergency shelters and gear improvisation to honing decision-making under pressure. Show notes: 00:04:26 - Childhood Adventures and Life Lessons 00:08:03 - Growing Up in a Remote Town 00:10:08 - Lessons from Childhood Hardship 00:12:11 - Growing Up in Nature 00:14:45 - Childhood Adventures in the Woods 00:17:33 - Ancient Skills and Modern Gatherings 00:19:59 - Traditional Survival Skills Overview 00:24:05 - Traditional Hunting and Food Connection 00:26:06 - Honoring Animals Through Sustainable Hunting 00:28:09 - Respecting Nature Through Hunting 00:30:56 - The Significance of Names 00:33:41 - Finding Identity Through Names 00:36:01 - Passion for Bear Hunting 00:37:08 - Passion for Bear Hunting 00:39:00 - Connection Between Hunting and Conservation 00:41:48 - Understanding Nature's Clues Please help us keep the podcast version of the show advertisement free while also supporting our educational outreach efforts by donating $3/month on Patreon. To donate, visit Patreon.com/TrailLessTraveled Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
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4.9
out of 5
100 Ratings

About

Dedicated to documenting humanity by gathering stories & sounds from the most remote locations around the world. The goal for the show is to take you, the listener, back to mankind's earliest form of entertainment: story telling. Therefore, every week features an interview with an adventurer in their natural habitat in order to provide an audible journey packed with adventure (and conservation) information & inspiration. Everyone has a story & different perspective, we aim to share the stories from the world’s diverse cultures & unknown lands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Mandela Leola van Eeden
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    218
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Trail Less Traveled