#202 - What if one hard rule could change the way you face everything from headwinds to heartbreak? I sat down with author and adventurer Teri Brown to unpack how a 3,102-mile tandem bike ride across America helped her leave an abusive past, reclaim her voice, and build a set of life rules sturdy enough to carry her through grief.

Starting in Astoria and crossing Lolo Pass into Big Sky country, Teri and her husband Bruce pedaled through pandemic uncertainty, logistics stress, and days so hot the road rippled. Riding tandem forced a new kind of honesty: shared cadence, three-count stand breaks, and zero room for simmering resentment. A Dollar General parking lot became a place to name a hurt and move on. Montana gifted them wonder—horses racing uphill beside them, the Milky Way hanging close, and Comet NEOWISE blazing a tail across the night sky. Those moments of awe refueled their grit when flats stacked up and the wind turned cruel.

Out of the ride came Ten Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure. “Never quit on a bad day” stopped a mid-ride collapse after three flats; “Do hard things” later became a mantra as Bruce faced glioblastoma. Terry read from the book at his bedside; he passed as she spoke those words, a final gift that still gets her up when grief says stay down. The finish line in Washington, D.C. unlocked a deeper shift: the question changed from “Can I?” to “What do I want?” She chose authorship, publishing novels that explore identity, war, resilience, and healing.

If you’re navigating burnout, rebuilding after loss, or wrestling with self-doubt, this conversation offers practical resilience, relationship tools, and a fresh definition of adventure: bigger than your plans, kinder than your fear, and honest about the work. Listen, share it with someone who needs a push, and tell us: which rule will you carry into your next hill?

To learn more about Teri and her books visit www.terimbrown.com and check her out on Instagram @terimbrown_author.

Subscribe to the Human Adventure for more human stories of grit and growth, leave a review to help others find the show, and connect with us to keep the conversation going. You can find me on Instagram @humanadventurepod or check out the video episodes on YouTube @humanadventurepod.

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#201 - Some stories hit like a wave and then teach you how to breathe underwater. Our conversation with Zander Sprague does exactly that, moving from the shock of losing his sister to murder to the hard-won wisdom that comes from advocacy, travel, and choosing the next brave step.

Zander opens a window into the often-ignored world of sibling grief. He explains why brothers and sisters become invisible mourners, how that silence delays healing, and what simple acknowledgment can do for a family. We trace his path from writing Making Lemonade to serving on the board of The Compassionate Friends, and we unpack practical ways to support “sibling survivors” with empathy, language, and presence.

Adventure threads through everything. Zander defines it as seeking new places and doing what scares you, then proves it with stories: a misread note in Tasmania that turned into a farm lunch and a nine-hole pasture course, and a first safari sighting of lion cubs who later became the famed Mapogo coalition. Those moments illustrate how travel builds courage, how kindness creates opportunity, and how serendipity rewards people who show up. We also dig into his “epic” framework: structure lowers stress, courage embraces detours, and progress starts with one step forward. From dealing with flight delays to releasing a book after years of doubt, Zander shows how to turn friction into momentum.

If you’re navigating loss, craving purpose, or waiting for a sign to begin, consider this your nudge. Hear the tools, borrow the mindset, and start your own pilgrimage today. Subscribe, leave a review to support the show, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that the next step counts more than perfect certainty.

To learn more about Zander and his work visit zandersprague.com and give him a follow on Instagram @epic_begins.

Want to be a guest on the show? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

#200 - A new name, a sharper mission, and a story that hits like a drumbeat. Journey with Jake evolves into The Human Adventure, and we mark the moment with Joleen Hyde, a South African guide whose life moved from the weight of apartheid to the work of building bridges through travel, education, and Ubuntu. This is not a safari highlight reel. It’s a tour of how courage, forgiveness, and community can transform how we move through the world.

We start with the why behind our new title: a focus on people, resilience, and purpose. Joleen brings that focus to life. She explains what it meant to be legally classified under apartheid, how her father’s quiet generosity shaped her, and what she learned while working with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Mandela’s model of forgiveness looms large here, not as a slogan but as a discipline that keeps hope practical. From there, Joleen traces a path to the United States and the creation of Into Africa Tours, an impact-driven approach to travel that pairs wildlife and coastline with classrooms, townships, and feeding programs.

You’ll hear how guests step beyond surface-level tourism to meet teachers and students, support community projects, and experience the spirit of Ubuntu: I am because we are. We talk about the hard parts too—limits, heartbreak, and the humility to choose one project and follow through. There’s laughter in the mix, from language lessons to bold bites of local food, and plenty of adventure that still honors safety and respect. Listeners walk away with a richer view of South Africa, tangible ways to get involved, and a challenge to keep serving back home, long after the passport is stamped.

Ready to rethink why you travel and what your presence can do? Press play, share this with someone who needs a dose of human connection, and subscribe to stay with us on The Human Adventure. Your review helps more people find stories that turn empathy into action.

To learn more about Joleen and Into Africa Tours visit her website www.intoafricatours.com and give her a follow on Instagram @intoafrica_tours.

Want to be a guest on The Human Adventure? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

The compass has shifted—and it points inward. What started as a travel-and-adventure show evolved into a deeper exploration of growth, courage, and connection. I've renamed the show The Human Adventure to reflect what the journey has truly become: not just where we go, but who we become along the way.

We look back at conversations that changed our trajectory. A Disney storyteller reframed joy and nostalgia as serious connective tissue. An Ultraman athlete taught us that discipline is a conversation with doubt. A guest turned running coach turned friend showed that progress moves at the speed of honesty, not hype. Again and again, our guests reminded us that the most meaningful maps are drawn between people, not points on a globe.

That’s the heartbeat going forward. Expect stories from musicians finding their voice, creators building from nothing, travelers who understand places through people, and everyday moments that test limits and redefine fear. We’ll probe the decisions behind the destinations, the inner terrain beneath the milestones, and the small, repeatable practices that turn inspiration into traction. Think resilience, mindset, vulnerability, mentorship, and the art of taking one more step when it counts.

If you’ve felt stuck, curious, or quietly called toward something more, this is your sign to lean in. Come for the stories; stay for the tools that help you act on them. Subscribe, share the show with someone who needs a nudge, and leave a review so more people can find The Human Adventure. Let’s take the next step together.

#199 - What if the most important part of travel is the part you can’t see? I sat down with cultural intelligence educator Renae Ninneman to unpack the “iceberg” of culture—how the visible stuff like food, transit, and phrases sits on top of deeper values about identity, respect, and communication that truly shape connection. Renee takes us from a formative year teaching in South Korea to years of refugee advocacy, sharing how naming culture shock and learning CQ transformed exhaustion into empathy.

Together we break down cultural intelligence as a practical skill you can build: understand your own defaults, recognize different norms without judging, create a plan before you enter a new space, and adapt your behavior so others feel at ease. Renae offers vivid examples—from ordering pizza in Seoul to navigating indirect communication in Japan—showing how small shifts in greeting, tone, and timing open doors. We also talk about heavy but vital travel: visiting Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial and the power of paper cranes as a living wish for peace.

You’ll come away with simple, actionable ways to grow your CQ without leaving home: volunteer with local ESL programs, shop at international markets, watch K‑dramas or Bollywood films, and explore global music that connects American blues back to Mali. If you’re planning a trip or leading teams across borders, Renae’s Beyond Tourism training and assessment can help you prepare thoughtfully so every interaction builds trust rather than friction. Subscribe, share this conversation with a curious friend, and tell us: what’s one habit you’ll adapt to connect better on your next adventure?

To learn more about Renae and to receive $80 off her Individual Intercultural Training ceck out www.goingbeyondtouris.com and mention you heard her on the show. You can also follow her on Instagram @goingbeyondtourism.

Want to be a guest on the show? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

#198 - A story of wild trails, darker nights, and a love that wouldn’t let go. I sat down with author and long-distance hiker Wing Williams to unpack his “howling twenties,” the constant motion that took him across 49 states, and the quiet rituals that hid a growing addiction. From Mount Washington to the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, Wing explains how the woods taught him endurance and community while alcohol promised relief from an unseen torment he now names as spiritual warfare.

What follows is a candid look at rock bottom: seizures, medical detox, and the moment pride finally broke into surrender. Wing shares why asking for help is the bravest first step, how family showed up when it counted, and why spiritual and medical support must work together when alcohol has become a lifeline and a trap. We also explore the stark difference between hiking with a bottle and living strong in sobriety, the loneliness of being misunderstood, and the humble daily practices that keep recovery honest.

Cinereal, Wing’s new memoir, threads these pieces into a story about addiction, faith, and redemption that is both gritty and life-giving. You’ll hear practical insights on recognizing early warning signs of dependency, how long trails like the AT and PCT become blueprints for resilience, and what it means to rebuild identity on purpose instead of performance. If you’ve ever felt lost in the silence after the summit, this conversation offers a handhold: hope is real, healing is possible, and you don’t have to walk alone.

If this episode moved you, tap follow, leave a quick review to help others find the show, and share it with a friend who needs to hear that redemption is still on the table.

To learn more about Wing and his book check out wingwilliams.com and give him a follow on Instagram @cinerealememoir.

Want to be a guest on Journey with Jake? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

#197 - Forbidden stories aren’t just about shock—they’re about truth we’re often afraid to name. I sat down with author Bria Rose to explore how dark romance gives readers a safe place to wrestle with power, consent, and grief, and how a reimagined Beauty and the Beast can turn survival into self‑love. Bria shares how childhood bullying and a lifelong bond with Belle’s courage shaped her voice, then opens the doors to Her Dark Promise, where Belle is the Beast, the castle is in France, and the magic is human: trauma, desire, and the choice to heal on your own terms.

We move from Disneyland memories to real‑world cast life—4 a.m. shifts, sunrise yoga at the castle, and the electric joy of cast previews that remind grownups why Walt designed the park for them, too. Then Bria breaks down dark romance with clarity: morally gray leads, explicit trigger notes, and tropey pressure cookers that challenge comfort zones without glamorizing harm. She explains how to retell a classic without infringing copyright—keeping essence, ditching replicas—and why nods like “the gray stuff” land best when anchored by character depth.

The publishing journey is a masterclass: a three‑month draft, two years of rewrites, a decisive pivot to self‑publishing, and a learning curve through KDP, keywords, ISBNs, and design. Sixty cold emails led to one yes and a special edition—proof that you only need one door to open. Along the way, Bria centers representation and found family: all types of characters, sign language, and a castle that becomes a refuge for anyone told they don’t belong. We wrap with new projects—an audiobook, a HarperCollins imprint deal, a spicy Pinocchio retelling—and practical advice for aspiring writers: write the words, then make them better.

If this conversation sparked something in you, tap follow, share it with a friend who loves retellings, and leave a quick review. Your support helps more curious listeners find the show and keeps these stories moving.

To learn more about Bria and her books check out www.authorbriarose.com and give her a follow on Instagram @authorbriarose.

Give me a follow on Instagram @journeywithjakepodcast and learn more about my personality and what I love.

Want to be a guest on Journey with Jake? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

#196 - What does it really take to walk away from a peak career, point your bow into headwinds, and chase a goal so big it scares you? I sat down with Malaysian sailor Fabian Fernandez, who circumnavigated the globe on his own terms—eschewing the easy “milk run” to round the Cape of Good Hope and steer straight into the kind of weather that makes legends and humbles egos.

Fabian’s story isn’t a montage of perfect beaches. It’s a masterclass in planning, patience, and purpose. He breaks down how years of engineering and manufacturing shaped his voyage like a mega-project: route windows, finances, maintenance, and timing all choreographed to create momentum without gambling safety. He shares why he stopped often, how he used seasons to his advantage, and why the planning was harder than the sailing. You’ll hear a frank take on destinations—why French Polynesia felt overrated, why the Cook Islands and South Africa stole his heart, and why he scouted the Beagle Channel only to choose the Panama Canal after weighing joy against endurance in subpolar cold.

At the core is a spiritual journey. Thirty-two days alone across the Pacific stripped away the “white noise” of modern life and surfaced a simple truth: meaning grows when you give back. Fabian talks about faith, the courage to quit a prescribed path, and the cruising community’s radical kindness that ignores borders, race, and creed. He also honors the ocean’s cost, recounting the loss of a careful solo sailor friend—a reminder that respect and preparation are nonnegotiable.

We wrap with what comes next: talks on mental resilience, a short documentary, and a book that reframes adventure as an inner stretch, not a postcard. If you need a push to set your own big, hairy, audacious goal—and the practical playbook to make it real—this conversation will nudge you from someday to start. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with someone who’s ready to trade comfort for courage.

To learn more about Fabian check out his website www.destinydawnsailing.com and give him a follow on Instagram @destinytwelve.

Be sure and check out my Instagram for clips from the show and some snippets into my personal journey @journeywithjakepodcast.

Want to be a guest on Journey with Jake? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.