Chasing Wild

Jake takes listeners on a full immersion into the Serengeti National Park - his favorite place on the planet. Having lived in Tanzania for three and a half months in 2017, Jake shares everything: what game drives actually feel like ripping through the endless plains at full speed, the unexpected beauty of seeing 100,000 wildebeest stretching as far as the eye can see, and what it/s like to camp in the wild with no fence between you and Africa's most dangerous animals. Dean and Jake als...

Some of the biggest blockbuster films have been heavily inspired by nature. Think back to Jurassic Park, Jaws, Avatar and even Disney films such as The Jungle Book and Lion King. But just how often do artists draw inspiration from or reference the natural world in their art? Well, turns out it happens quite a bit. On this episode, Jake and Dean cover a list of twelve different pieces of pop culture that reference nature. If you're looking to join in the fun and create your own "pop cul...

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 lio...

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 ...

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 chan...

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 ta...

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. ...

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 crea...