We Been Out Here

Matthew Ross of Blackhaven Ranch provides incredible information for the community in how to buy land, what to look for, and how he and his family are building a ranch. From Chicago, he is a community activist, father, husband and so much more who originally wanted for his community to collectively buy a county in Southern Illinois. When no one showed up, Matthew began looking to buy land to build his family home on. I see so much of the community in who he is and see the future of it in what he is creating. This is an incredible episode.

Joe Kanzangu, data analyst by day and adventure seeker all the time. This conversation was high energy and fun as we discussed: the lack of Black representation resulting in tokenism, protecting wild spaces, afro futurism, and so much more. Joe speaks openly and writes about the Black experience on the outdoors both historically and currently citing the diversity gap. Growing up in Texas and currently living in Denver, this conversation gave affirmation that we can do anything. 

Ms. Ebony Luna is a fellow Alaskan-grown Black woman. In this episode we talk about the things we need to fill our spirit and dropping the excuses. She has inspired a couple of my most intimate adventures, like being buck naked in nature, leading me to explore who I am without titles. She is a mother and an Airwoman in the Air Force. From growing up in Alaska she went to college at the HBCU Tuskegee University. From there she moved to Montana, Wyoming, and is back in Alabama. Leaving the adventure of the Rocky Mountains to flat lands in Alabama, she talks about re-establishing what adventure can look like and be. 

Adam Akisanya - One of the very few people I trust and very much love to adventure the outdoors with. His adventure vibe is like " I don't know what's over there. Let's go find out." A cyclist, hiker, and avid reader, Adam consistently seeks the expansion of self through the world and the outdoors. Raised in Colorado, he is currently a Project Manager for The North Face, a job he purposefully sought out in order to immerse himself more into the wilderness. 

In this episode he shares how he learned to prepare for his adventures in order to be able to enjoy them fully. Also that the tough adventures are the ones with the reward of exclusivity because you may have to be psycho in order to get there. In the best way, of course. 

Stephen Miller is a an incredible visual artist and business owner who you can find somewhere between LA, DC, and NYC. I have been so impressed by his his road trip journeying the way he and his friends just roll out on the road ahead. This was such a conversational interview I thoroughly enjoyed and hope you do as well.

In this episode he breaks down how he researches to adventure through his road trips. He mentions these few companies and resources linked below as well a couple National and State Parks.

My friend Angie V lives full time in her van, Peter Parker. She shares what it's like to live in a van or as she says, she lives outside and sleeps in her van. She invites us in on what work looks like for her and her obsession with nature as an adventure expert. Angie is such an inspiration to me. I hope she inspires you as well.

Peter Rizzardi, LA resident and owner of Real Fitness Playa is today's guest. I have admired his level of adventuring for a while. He does the hard hikes in the incredible places, that as he shares, have to be earned. As an adult he was introduced to incredible spaces in nature by simply joining a friend on his adventures. In this interview, he shares those initial experiences and his most recent ones as well. You'll hear why you don't have to know everything to go but you have to go in order to experience these wild places.

From Dr. Seuss trees to his first time feeling beyond the Earth to being stabbed by a Yucca plant and so much more, Peter has been out here. 

Hi and welcome. This podcast is first, for the Black community. To support those who have been in the outdoors but without the community presence to feel connected and supported, for you to see that as we are making our way in the outdoors, you are not alone. To show those who are not in the outdoors but are curious or seeking, that we are out here for you to join, if and when you want to. It is also for allies who want a better understanding to the narrative, "Black people don't adventure". This episode is just a preview of Black folks who have loved the outdoors exclaiming it. I hope to see you out there.