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Filming Bears, Deep Seas & the Matriarchs of the Wild
🎙️ Adventure Diaries Podcast

From grizzly bear close calls in Alaska to exploring 4,000 meters below the sea, wildlife cinematographer Erin Ranney takes us deep into some of the wildest places on Earth.

Erin has filmed for National Geographic, Disney, BBC, IMAX, and was part of the groundbreaking all-female production team behind Queens, a visually stunning documentary that redefined how we tell stories about animal leadership—through the lens of matriarchal power.

A third-generation fisherwoman from Bristol Bay, Alaska—home to the world’s largest sockeye salmon run—Erin shares how growing up between forests and fisheries gave her a lifelong connection to nature, a strong work ethic, and a deep respect for wildlife.

We talk about:

• 💥 Her funniest bear encounter (mid-bathroom break in Katmai!)
• 🐾 Filming adolescent grizzlies and why they’re the real troublemakers
• 🎓 Switching from veterinary science to ecology thanks to a fly-fishing class
• 🎥 Getting hooked on photography in Madagascar with a Costco camera
• 🛥️ Exploring the deep ocean with the Nautilus Live team
• 🐘 Filming elephants for Queens and navigating heartbreaking animal moments
• 🎞️ Founding Wildlife Cameramen Community and mentoring through Girls Who Click
• 🧭 Her passion project retracing her bush pilot grandmother’s remote Alaskan adventures

Plus, we round things off with Erin’s Call to Adventure, Pay It Forward conservation picks, and some quick-fire questions—including the advice she lives by:
"Lift as you climb."

🎧 Whether you love wildlife, adventure, conservation, or just great storytelling—this episode has it all.

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Adventure Diaries: Justin Packshaw MBE – Pushing Human Limits in the Harshest Environments

In this episode of Adventure Diaries, I sit down with Justin Packshaw MBE—adventurer, entrepreneur, and modern-day explorer. From the frozen extremes of Antarctica to the summit of Everest, from racing around the world to traversing the North and South Poles, Justin has built a life defined by resilience, boldness, and the relentless pursuit of the unknown.

We dive into Justin’s record-breaking Antarctic expedition, Chasing the Light, where he and his teammate, Jamie Facer-Childs, became some of the most highly monitored humans on the planet. With backing from NASA and the European Space Agency, their mission collected vital data on human endurance, mental resilience, and the effects of extreme environments—insights that may one day shape future space travel.

Justin shares how growing up in Malta shaped his adventurous mindset, how the British Army gave him the discipline for extreme expeditions, and why teamwork, leadership, and mindset are everything in high-risk situations. We explore the mental and physical challenges of survival, the importance of calculated risk, and what Antarctica is teaching us about climate change.

Topics Discussed:

✅ The role of curiosity and boldness in shaping a life of adventure
✅ Lessons from historical explorers like Shackleton, Amundsen, and Knox-Johnston
✅ The Antarctic crossing and its contribution to space travel research
✅ How extreme environments reveal hidden depths of human capability
✅ The reality of climate change, witnessed firsthand in the polar regions
✅ Why positive mental attitude and humor are survival tools
✅ What it takes to build and lead elite teams in dangerous conditions
✅ The philosophy of pursuing excellence and making adventure meaningful

Call to Adventure 🚀

Justin challenges you to try something new—big or small, just take the first step. Whether it’s a new sport, an expedition, or a personal challenge, boldness has genius, magic, and power in it.

Pay It Forward 🌍

Justin emphasizes the power of small actions to combat climate change—turning off lights, reducing waste, and making sustainability part of daily life. He also highlights the importance of mentorship and investing in youth to shape the next generation of explorers and change-makers.

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to push beyond your limits!

👉 Subscribe & Review: If this episode fuels your adventurous spirit, leave a review and share with fellow explorers! #AdventureDiaries #JustinPackshaw #Antarctica #Exploration

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Exploring the Hexatrek with Lauren Roerick

In this episode of Adventure Diaries, I sit down with Lauren Roerick, an adventurer, thru-hiker, and content creator who completed the Hexatrek, a 3,034 km long-distance trail across France. As the first North American woman to complete the trek, Lauren shares her experience of navigating rugged mountain landscapes, immersing herself in French culture, and overcoming the mental and physical challenges of solo adventure.

🌍 In This Episode, We Cover:
✔️ Lauren’s unconventional path from music and film set design to adventure travel
✔️ The Hexatrek experience – diverse terrain, wild camping, and cultural encounters
✔️ Solo hiking lessons – navigating challenges, finding community, and unexpected kindness from strangers
✔️ Thru-hiking culture – how the Hexatrek compares to the PCT and other long-distance trails
✔️ Gear, food, and logistics for planning an extended European hiking adventure
✔️ How adventure builds confidence, self-sufficiency, and resilience

🏔️ Key Takeaways:
🔹 The Hexatrek offers a pioneering adventure with fewer crowds than traditional thru-hikes
🔹 Wild camping is permitted in most areas, but national park rules vary
🔹 France’s diverse landscapes – Vosges Mountains, the Alps, and the Pyrenees – offer unique challenges
🔹 Solo travel fosters independence but also invites unexpected generosity from locals
🔹 Adventure is accessible to everyone – no permission needed to tackle big challenges!

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