Chasing Wild

Join us for an exciting episode where we bring in Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund (KACF), Dave Johnson. When a young conservationist and friend, Katie Adamson, passed away due to cancer, Dave stepped in to create a non-profit organization in her memory. 

Based in Denver, Colorado, the fund is a community-based organization that travels across the world to help local communities in their efforts to save endangered species. From radio collaring lions in Tanzania to funding and building a new vet hospital in Nepal, the KACF has been to over 24 countries and h...

On this episode, we sit down with avid Fly Fisherman, Chase Halter, as he dives into some of his most memorable experiences out on rivers, boats and streams. 

Chase talks about the differences between fly fishing and conventional fishing, and how each can be better suited for certain fish and certain ecosystems. He also gives a few tips and tricks on how to become an effective fisherman, using tackle and timing to your advantage. 

During his time on the water, Chase has also learned more about his natural surroundings and has helped form a group th...

In this episode, we sit down with Blake Dudzik, longtime hunter, as him and Dean break down their experiences deer hunting in Illinois and Wisconsin.  

A common misconception of hunting is that people often think it is a cruel sport that people do purely for self-satisfaction. While there are many forms of hunting and different hunters with different intents, deer hunting across the United States is typically a sustainable and ethical way to maintain deer populations. 

Due to the extirpation of natural predators such as wolves and bears in certain states, deer do not have ma...

Unchanged for 340 million years, predating the dinosaurs, this parasitic species has survived 4 major extinctions and dates back to the Paleozoic era. 

After being introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1800s, this invasive species has been wreaking havoc on native fish populations and is being called, "America's first destructive invasive fish species". 

These prehistoric fish latch onto the side of other fish, using their sharp, horny teeth to tear away at the flesh to suck its blood and bodily fluid. In its native ranges, the northern and western Atlantic, the host fish are able to wi...

Monster bass, a 10 pound walleye, 39 inch muskie and 50+ years of fishing experiences! 

This week we sit-down for our first guest episode with longtime freshwater fisherman and Jake's dad, Bob Johnson, to dive into the world of fishing. Bob's experiences provide listeners with an in depth view of what it looks like to be a passionate angler and how that's allowed him to have some trophy catches over the years. 

From tips and tricks, to the ethics of keeping your catch and the changes he's seeing with climate change, Bob hits all the important topics on wh...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to trek through one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet? Welcome to the Amazon Rainforest, home to roughly 10% of the world's known species. 

A bucket list destination for both Jake and Dean, Dean breaks down his 3-day trip with JunglePro, a guiding company through the Amazon. With an incredible array of flora and fauna, Dean highlights some of the animals he was able to find, which ones meant the most to him and which ones eluded him on this trip. 

A longer episode, there's so much to...

Travel to one of the seven human-made wonders of the world, Machu Picchu, with Dean as he breaks down his recent trip to Peru. An archaeological treasure, Machu Picchu was built by the Incas around 1450 AD, a full millennium after the fall of the Roman Empire and less than a century before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Peru. 

Re-discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, Machu Picchu quickly became a popular tourist destination, now hosting 1.5 million tourists annually. 

Dean talks about his expectations of the trip and how they changed as he arrived at the peak of th...

Dive deep into the bioluminescent waters of the Sea of Cortez and enjoy one of the top 5 most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world. The Vermilion Institute is a field station nestled on the coast of Baja California and is where the Project Dragonfly Master's Program brings students for Earth Expeditions.

On this 5 day adventure, I was able to experience a super pod of dolphins, snorkel with sea lions and even a whale shark. But the heart of the trip was the growth and perspective that came with getting out of my comfort zone and the many...

Join an immersive storytelling experience where Jake travels to Rancho San Gregorio in the Sonoran Desert with the Master's Program, Project Dragonfly. This trip was the spark that led Jake down the path to start The Dreamers Initiative and ultimately, the Chasing Wild Podcast. 

Rattlesnakes, scorpions, sleeping under the stars, new friends and the Sound of Silence Cover by Disturbed, this trip was truly nothing Jake expected and had so many different unique experiences packed in. 

Make sure to like the video and subscribe to the channel, as we look to build our community of ou...

On today's episode, we break down our biggest role model, Steve Irwin. The charismatic "crocodile hunter" was a global symbol for wildlife conservation, but who was he as a person? There's been a lot of questions about how Steve interacted with wildlife and whether or not it was ethical. We'll dive into the facts, showing just how much he accomplished in his 44 years of life for wild animals across the globe.

A husband, father, zookeeper, media personality and conservationist, Steve's mission was, "conservation through exciting education" and that was consistent in each aspect of his life. Sharing...

Join your hosts, Jake Johnson and Dean Dudzik, as we launch our new show, Chasing Wild. In this episode, we break down some of the experiences that inspired us to start a podcast, driven by wildlife, conservation and adventure. 

From witnessing a nighttime lion hunt in the Serengeti to the first steps in a Costa Rican jungle, our first episode shares a glimpse of what is to come and who we are as your guides to the outdoors. 

We're excited for you to join us on our journey to create a community ready to talk so...