Ann Rose is a farmer living off the grid in rural North Carolina, where she’s spent most of her life deeply connected to the Appalachian Mountains and forests. After a series of droughts made farming more difficult, she found herself stuck and ready for change. At 58, she set out to kayak from North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico. The journey brought unfamiliar waters, unpredictable weather, and more than a few alligators.

Connect with Ann:

• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
• Terns — used code “WILD” at checkout to receive 25% off your first order.

Amy & Dave Freeman are modern-day explorers who have spent over two decades on human-powered wilderness expeditions. In 2010, they completed a 12,000-mile journey across North America by canoe, kayak, and dog sled. Five years later, they lived off the grid for an entire year without re-entering society. No stores, no electricity, no roads, just the two of them, a nylon tent, and the frozen lakes and forests of Northern Minnesota.

Connect with Amy & Dave:

• Website
• Instagram
• Check out Amy & Dave's book, North American Odyssey: 12,000 Miles Across the Continent by Kayak, Canoe, and Dogsled

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
• Terns — used code “WILD” at checkout to receive 25% off your first order.

Robin Pacquing is a seasoned surfer based near Toronto, Canada, who has spent nearly two decades mastering the waves of the Great Lakes. Braving frigid temperatures and unpredictable swells, she’s become an expert in navigating one of the most unconventional surf scenes in the world.

Robin is also the founder of Lake Surfistas, a grassroots organization that connects and supports women of all abilities who surf, SUP, and SUP surf on the Great Lakes.

Connect with Robin:

• Website
• Instagram
• Lake Surfistas

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
• Terns — used code “WILD” at checkout to receive 25% off your first order.

Earlier this summer, host Shelby Stanger recorded a live episode of Wild Ideas Worth Living with Alex Honnold at the Outside Festival in Denver, Colorado. Alex is one of the most well-known climbers in the world, best known for his free solo climb of El Capitan— the 3,000-foot vertical wall of granite in Yosemite National Park.

In this conversation, Shelby talks to Alex about the projects he’s chasing now, how parenthood has shifted his relationship with adventure, and what his approach to free soloing looks like today.

Connect with Alex:

• Website
• Instagram
• Honnold Foundation

If you enjoyed this episode listen to Making Art as a Couple With Jimmy Chin and Chai Vasarhelyi

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
• Benchmade

Welcome to the Wild Ideas Worth Living Summer Camp Series! In these bonus episodes, we’re exploring camping beyond the traditional tent—from bikepacking and packrafting to camping with kids and dispersed car camping.

Felicia Fullwood is an adventure photographer and van lifer who left her corporate career to embrace the freedom of dispersed camping (also known as wild camping) and life on the road. Since her first wild camping trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, she’s built a thriving platform as a content creator, blogger, and outdoor enthusiast. On YouTube and Instagram, Felicia shares practical advice and inspiration for fellow travelers navigating van life and off-grid camping.

Connect with Felicia:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube

Gear & Apparel Mentioned:

• Mountain Bike
• Paddle Board
• Ooni pizza Oven
• Bucket Toilet
• Garmin InReach Mini
• The Public Lands app
• onX Offroad is the app

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®

Adam Pawlikiewicz Mesa is an endurance mountain athlete and bikepacker who has explored remote regions across Latin America and the U.S. After graduating college, he turned down a financial consulting career to pursue a transformative journey on two wheels. Now a full-time athlete and visual storyteller, Adam documents his adventures through Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, capturing the landscapes, cultures, and people he encounters. His work blends endurance travel with powerful storytelling that inspires connection and exploration.

Connect with Adam:

• Website
• Instagram

Photo credit: Leonardo Brasil

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
• Benchmade

Welcome to the Wild Ideas Worth Living Summer Camp Series! In these bonus episodes, we’re exploring camping beyond the traditional tent—from bikepacking and packrafting to camping with kids and dispersed car camping.

Kevin Frias is a cyclist and bikepacker who's taken on multi-day adventures through deserts, mountains, and everything in between. Whether he's navigating gnarly weather or unexpected setbacks, Kevin brings a steady optimism to the ride. His motto? A good map and a good attitude can take you a long way. In this episode, Kevin breaks down the essentials of bikepacking—from planning your first trip to the gear he trusts most on the trail.

Connect with Kevin:

• Instagram
• YouTube

Gear & Apparel Mentioned:

• Gravel Bikes
• Mountain Bikes
• Backpacking Tents
• Hammock tent
• Daypacks
• Panniers
• Jetboil
• Dry Bags
• Zpacks Tent & Sleeping Quilt
• NEMO Tensor Sleeping Pad
• Katadyn BeFree Water Filter
• Sleeping Bag Liner
• Bike Patch Kit
• Bike tools

Check out this Bikepacking Checklist!

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®

Mina Guli is a water advocate and ultrarunner who has dedicated her life to solving one of the world’s most urgent issues—the global water crisis. She runs marathons all over the world to raise awareness, logging thousands of miles across deserts and along rivers to change the way people, companies, and governments think about water.

Connect with Mina:

• Website
• Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
• Ocean Bottle