#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.