This is "The Adventures of...": Recent Episodes
Christopher Smith, Hannah Pniewski
This podcast examines life. Exploring and celebrating individuals who have made the most of their time on this planet. The creators, adventurers and down right kick ass souls. We leave room for the good, the bad and the not so glamourous parts of life. As well as the four-legged and fictional. We will learn from those who have done it before us and see what gems we can glean from their stories.
Friends, we regret to say that this is our last episode for the podcast. We apologize if it seems a little emotional. We just really loved exploring this project with you all. We wish circumstances would allow us to do this forever, but as is life, things change. Just know how grateful we are for your time and your ears! We hope you learned something. We definitely did! Thank you a million!
Chris and Hannah
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The first of her name! Boudicca was a warrior Celt. Not much is known of her but she has been described as tall, fierce and charming. She led a revolt against the Roman Empire which ignited the remaining clans (in modern U.K.) to rise up and join the cause. Now a symbol for woman's rights she remains the epitome of strength and tenacity.
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As MLK was beginning the Civil Rights movement, he was met by a man from the opposite side of the world striving for the same thing. Dr. Ambedkar was a voice striving to work against the caste system in India fighting for the "Untouchables". The part of a broken system that he was born into. The work ethic is staggering and his book collection is equally impressive!
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Our first interview of the season is with a very precious spirit. One of Hannah's best friends, Kimberly has led such a varied life. She's an actor and financial advisor who has traveled the world and back. She is also an avid hiker with a few notable trails under her belt. This woman has accomplished a lot. Please join us as we celebrate her accomplishments! Thank you Kimberly!
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We all love a good mystery and this text still remains one of the weirdest and hardest codes to crack. Dating back to the Italian Renaissance, it's origins are still up for grabs. No one knows who wrote it or what it even says! It has it's own language! How wild that we still can't figure it out!
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The strong and powerful Shirley was an absolute trailblazer. A woman of the people, she ran for the highest office in the U.S. Sadly if it were a modern age she might have just won that seat. She still set record breaking legislature and was a force to be reckoned with!
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Our first legend of the season! Bass Reeves was the best of the best during his time. A certified U.S. Marshal who brought the law to the Wild West. Born a slave his life was forever changed when he fled up north to Indian Territory. The smooth talking, sharp dressed cowboy.
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We're back with another exciting season! Join us every Monday as we explore the lives of those who have come before us and discuss things we can take away for our own pursuits. Let's live EPIC!
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Thank you all who have made it this far! Join us as we recap the season and enjoy the folks we learned about along the way. Stay til the end to learn about what is next for our podcast going forward. Changes are on the way so stay tuned and thank you!
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This episode features not one but two legends! They were a married couple as a matter of fact. Filmmakers that traveled the world catching much of the earth's natural beauty. They set a lot of firsts in there time and pioneered a whole new wave of documentary filmmaking. The heart of their adventure seeking was Africa. A place that would become their second home and the muse of their inspiration.
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Our last female of Season 2 was a capital A, Adventurer. She snuck under the radar during her time and apparently in our own history books. She hid in disguise to travel the natural world and learn how to be a scientist. She is the true reason our show even exists. The first of her kind (that we know of) and the brave heart that we all wish to have.
This adventurer was at the forefront of one of the most profitable industries in the last decade...video games. He did so much for the industry in the most subtle way. It's often that a simple idea can revolutionize a moment and Gerald found that thing. He was an engineer and a brilliant mind and even collaborated with Stevie Wonder on an invention! Just a smart mind and a bright spirit.
Holy crap you guys, this woman's life is incredible. Not only was she a Hollywood star but she is also responsible for the inception of one of the greatest and most crucial modern technologies to exist for a very long time. She escaped a Nazi husband and she assisted Howard Hughes with the modern airplane! What an incredible life. We're so excited for you guys to know her!
We all have a soft spot for critters and in the particular episode we talk about very special cat. A legend from the West Coast of the U.S. We featured Balto in season 1 (go back and check that out) so we felt that the cats of our world should get a shoutout too!
This guy is the O.G. of travel and adventuring. His trials and sailing were documented pre-Antiquity. For those that don't known that is time before Plato and Aristotle. A time in world history that in some parts remains a mystery to us today. This adventurer set the bar for exploration and was the first to document several pieces of the newly developing word. An incredible story and a fascinating human.
Holy crap you guys this adventurer just one upped her self her whole life. Not only did she break records but she might have broken a few bones in the process. She was known to the world as stunt woman extraordinaire but she is still known to some as the fastest woman alive. He story is almost to incredible to be true but it is and we are grateful to have found her out.
At this point you have more than likely heard a certain song on TikTok that shares this adventurers name. Most people don't know however that it was inspired by this woman who was also known as Mama Africa. She was an advocate for Human and Civil Rights. She traveled the world as a singer and spoke out against the apartheid in South Africa from which she called home.
This guy is no spring chicken, though I'm sure he would have an opinion on said dish. He pioneered the food and travel lifestyle. Showing everyone the value in a good meal and a good destination no matter where in the world. His end was tragic but his legacy still remains as the "bad boy" of the food world. Shedding light on the food industry giving us all a realistic perspective on the industry that is highly sought after but often under appreciated.
She has been called an angel, even a wise oracle. Some might have even called her a tall glass of water but most would know her as the Queen of the Desert. She explored incredible territories, searched for treasure, made peace tidings with warring countries and even live in a monastery at the top of a hill. She absolutely set her own path and marched to the beat of her own drum. Even Lord Byron had choice words about her.
Laughing is one of the most primal things we can do. Its such an interesting emotion. Well this adventurer knew how to get people to do so. He was one of the first from his tribe to step out and make it big in a modern world. He was all over late night talk shows in the 70s through the 90s. A legend in the comedy world.
Also known as the Christian Samurai, this adventure traveled all over the world spreading the good word. He left from Japan and ended all the way up in Spain and Italy to speak on behalf of his country. He was charismatic and gracious and shared his culture with anyone and everyone he could. He has some pretty epic paintings of himself adorned with a blend of Japanese and Spanish garb. His country fell into turmoil however with a surprise that would change his course and life.
We've all heard of Plato, Aristotle and Socrates, but what about the ladies? Hypatia was one of the first prominent (and documented) philosophers of antiquity. She spoke on the words of Plato but used them in the context of her era. She was unfortunately stuck in between two divides of the ancient city of Alexandria. She spoke with dignity and a high moral compass become one of the most sought after teachers in all of the Roman Empire.
Happy Juneteenth everyone! The adventurer we featured on this holiday should be at top of mind in every class room when talking about feats of the new world. You wouldn't believe all this person has gone through. From fleeing prejudice in the U.S. to the coldest places on Earth. Even though its the middle of summer you may need your coat for this one. Nothing is cooler than this man, not even the place he discovered first.
I mean we all know the songs and if you don't know the story then we need you to immediately stop what you're doing and go watch the movie...seriously...go watch it. One of the first clear departures from traditional Disney princesses. Mulan sets the standard for independence and fighting for those you love.
This weeks adventurer set the standard for investigative journalism. They traveled the world (in 72 days) and went undercover in some of the most tragic places in the world. She was a capital (E) Explorer and is still regarded today as one of the best journalists to have graced this planet. She even worked with Pulitzer before he had his own award!
This guy, wow. This fearless and unstoppable Brit saved many off his many of his fellow soldiers during WWII, on one of the biggest missions in the history of war. He was a suave gentleman who carried an UMBRELLA into battle. It would become his moniker but he would call it a necessity. This episode is in honor of the brave men and women who have served in any military around the globe. Happy Memorial Day. Thank you for your service!
Mrs. Breedlove is no stranger to the business world. She grew her fortune designing some of the first hair car products for women of color. The first of her family born free after the Emancipation Proclamation, she started with only 3 months of primary school and went on to develop an empire. Her legacy is still in stores around the country as Madam C.J. Walker's haircare line.
Holy crap you guys. You want to talk about legends? This guy might just take the cake. An individual with Herculean strength and the supposed appetite of 10 men, all while wrestling 40 in the process. A wrestler from India who probably carries the most winning record out of any sport in any country. Eat your heart out WWE. It's The GREAT GAMA!
This adventure took a page out of Richard Francis Burtons playbook. She was inspired by his translation of Arabian Nights and shared a similar facial tragedy. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, that might not make sense. Regardless, she did so much as a traveler and was the O.G. influencer before the likes of social media.
The smoothest and cleanest gun in the west. Most didn't know that this cowgirl changed the entertainment industry with her daring feats of clean gun play. The cleanest shot her side of the Mississippi. There wasn't a target she couldn't hit. Her lively personality and warming demeanor allowed her to make some legendary friendships and garner the respect of the Wild West.
Holy crap was this guy cool! He traveled the world. Got into fights. Indiana Jones would have blushed meeting this guy. He also had one of the sickest mustaches of all time. I pioneer of his time, he spoke nearly 30 languages and inspired many modern adventurers after his time. An absolute enigma ahead of his time. Happy Birthday Chris!
Do you like whiskey? Perhaps on ice? Maybe with a little ginger beer. Perhaps just neat. Well you can give thanks to your favorite glass of hooch to one of biggest yet lesser known names to modern liquor. The unofficial father of what is called the Lincoln County Process, this legend has paved the way for whiskey lovers to build there own flavors and profiles. Even starting one of the biggest brands to date.
This weeks adventurer was a first in her country. She fought hard for its independence and the rights of women living there. She was also second in command to Ghandi. She was a poet, a scholar and an all around passionate leader with nothing getting in her way. She spoke on people having the knowledge to rely on the nature of the self and by doing so, prospering together as a country.
I mean if you don't know who this adventurer is then you must be living under a rock. You couldn't have a childhood without running into one of the puppets this man helped create and voice. A work horse with a funny bone and plenty of playfulness. He has created some of the most iconic faces in pop culture and still influences generations and generations of youth. A powerhouse creative who lived to help be laugh and learn.
Fiery doesn't even cut it when it comes to describing this adventurer. She was an absolute badass with an agenda and a beautiful voice. She was a Casanova possibly even before he was Casanova. He legend is still held together by stories and legends but one thing remains true; She loved to fight, sing and completely live her life the way she saw fit.
This lady was a capital "A" ATHLETE! She paved the way for athletes to come mostly in the world of tennis. Especially for athletes of color. There would be no Venus or Serena Williams without this adventurer paving the way. She didn't only stop there she was also a talented singer and even had a mentor in a famous boxer of her time. A record setting legend.
This adventurer was completely flying under the radar. The world may not know his name but they absolutely know of his work. He has saved millions and millions of lives and will continue to do so so long as there is modern medicine. He was the hero to Dr. Fauci and praised by scientists from all over the world for his contributions.
This adventurer was an aviation pioneer. He had his start with hot air balloons and was a big wig in the race for aeronautical travel. Hailing from Brazil he spent most of his life in Paris, France working with the best on what would become the airplane. He mesmerized the world with his balloon airships and is still looked at as a pillar of the air.
Season 2 starts of with an unsung hero of the paleontology world. She traveled all over with the intent to discover dinosaur bones. Most of which were found in her own back yard. She received little credit in her lifetime but is now being praised and lauded for her advancement in the world of dinosaurs!!
Adventurers! Thank you so much for listening to our season! We hope you come back and revisit episodes or share them with others! In our recap we discuss and digest some of our favorite Adventurers through a few interesting questions! We'll be back at the end of February, so catch up if you can and spread the word.
Here's to your true north. Thank you!
Our final adventurer for Season 1 is a softer soul than some of the others we have covered. She was an inventor of an item that we all have used but never really think about, because it is so common place. The idea being that she didn't have to make anything big to make a difference. It just took a little elbow grease and the patience to see something others didn't. She also invented a whole slew of other items. Dubbed the woman Edison her ideas are still seen today.
We all love a good performance and Edwin Forrest was no stranger to the stage. One of America's first "stars" he quickly became the favorite amongst a generation of young patriotic theatre goers. However this love from his adoring fans would also lead him down a path of infamy and an interesting legacy. He stood up for his fellow actors and reveled in the spotlight.
Do you like food? More specifically do you like comfort food? Even more specifically do you like Creole food? Do you even know what that is?? Chef Lena Richard was a pioneer in the food industry out of Louisiana. He recipes changed hearts and minds and was responsible for exposing to the world a region specific cuisine. A league of her own and ahead of her time, her recipes are still cooked today.
What an absolute melt your heart kind of guy. Leslie Jordan is one of the few people from recent history who could leave nearly anyone with a smile on their face. Actor turned recording artist, Leslie left no stone unturned. The kind of cheerful we can only hope to strive for on a regular basis. He left us to soon but his love for people will remain intact.
This is the pinnacle of legend! One of mine and Hannah's favorite heroes growing up. The king of underdogs and sword. A shadow in the night with charisma through the roof. He fought in a time when the power hungry would stop at nothing to obtain what they wanted. Sound familiar. Join us as we talk about this icon that inspired some of the most notable superheroes to date.
Zheng Yi Sao was a pirate, not only a pirate but a female pirate AND not only a female pirate but one of the most successful pirates of all time!! She commanded one of the biggest fleets and held an entire country under her thumb. She had a way with commanding her crew and gaining the respect of unifying them for a cause, live how you want and make no apology. A pirates life for me!
Aleister Crowley is the father of modern occultism. An extremely divisive person of his time who had no boundaries when it came to dark magics. He traveled the world trying to reach the "other" side of existence. To some he is seen as a genius, to most he's The Great Beast. His desire to speak to the gods is still taught and whispered in rooms not for the faint of heart. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
Huda set many firsts in her country of Egypt. An activist fighting for women's rights and the greater well being of the country she loved. One defining moment would sweep through her country invoking a new wave of thought and liberation for her people. A move neatly ushered at the turn of the century.
Policarpa or "La Pola", to those that know her, was a revolutionist in her time. More importantly she was a spy. Using her skills to infiltrate and report for her people and the plight of Colombians and other South Americans. She is still recognized by the country and even has a holiday dedicated in her name. A beautiful soul protecting a beautiful place.
Mr. Baldwin was and still remains a prolific writer of his time. Discussing and sharing the beauty and heartbreak of the time in which he lived. Tackling topics from the Civil Rights movement to homosexuality. Having been a gay black man in America his window to the world was unique especially for its time and his voice was even more so. He had a way with words that still holds so much weight as well as liberation.
Most know Sagan from his show Cosmos but little is known about his real involvement in pushing and pursuing space exploration and education. Quite literally a founder of NASA it only makes sense that he became a legend. He helped the masses consume the universe in a way that was easy to digest and cool to talk about.
Wilma Mankiller was the first of her kind, a woman chief for the Cherokee nation. She led her people through some of the worst of times and helped them stand on their own two feet. Emboldening future Cherokee and other indigenous to come. Not to mention she was total buddies with Gloria Steinem!
Miyamoto is about as badass as it gets. A samurai with a record for most duels fought in a time when a warriors word was there bond. We go to feudal Japan do discuss this legend.
This weeks adventurer is rather lawless, depending on who you ask. A near god like individual with a bad ass streak. They captured the hearts of females every where and are still regarded as a trailblazer for modern female heroines.
This Adventurer saved a whole town. Or at least helped save a whole town. Fighting off a blizzard and even having a movie or two made about them. The kindest heart and possibly the most talkative. Depending on who you ask.
This Adventurer was an absolute rugged person of the ice. An explorer whose will to be the first was so strong that they survived a winter in one of the coldest places on earth. A diplomat for people of the world and Noble Peace Prize winner.
This Adventurer is did it all. A life well lived in the best way with everything from music to trekking the continent of Asia. This individual inspired the Beat Generation and was even said to levitate. A brilliant yet restless mind.
This Adventurer was the first to discover a place of deep mystery. Something that plagues the minds of the conspiratorial. A loveable goof who is to smart for their own good and to stubborn to give up. Thatching a link of connection for a culture lost to myth and legend.
Our Adventurer this week had a lot of issues with how people were teaching Buddhism. So they did something about it. Not only did they spread teachings but they enhanced the spiritual practice by visiting nearly every monastery they could. They were also an expert in yoga.
Our Adventurer this week was one of the best in their field. A keeper of secrets they set the standard for having a cool head under the highest stakes possible. Oh yeah, she also has a wooden leg. *Sorry to say, you will hear this multiple times through the episode. They're just that cool!
This Adventurer was a civil servant stalwart. A defender of the peace and a fighter for all that is green. They won a Nobel Peace prize and watered their community along the way.
This Adventurer set records and found their way into the hearts of nearly everyone across the globe. They carry themselves with a dragons toughness but have the heart of a pure woodland creature. Often misunderstood, they are incredibly themselves and make no apology. Nor should they!
The Adventurer this week is someone who has contributed to nearly every field of science in some way. There is also a solid chance that you have heard or experienced something named after them. An individual whose zest for life and curiosity set the bar for modern exploration.
This weeks adventurer helped shape the landscape of the United States as we know it. An often regarded figure for one of Americas greatest achievements. They may have left this world early but what remains is a legacy that will last for centuries to come.
Often overlooked this adventurer captained many avenues for the enslaved. Starting schools and even operated a few businesses. One of the most knowledgeable of Charleston Harbor they became A Civil War hero!
This weeks Adventurer is one who set the bar for being adorable and capable. With a heart of gold and the tenacity of a dust bowl farmer. Helping friends earn their disposition where bluebirds fly.
Our featured adventurer was all about communication and inclusion. Erasing the lines between expectation and reality. A novelist with a pension for cultivating the mind and writing for the human condition. They're about as groovy as they come!
This Adventurer has changed the landscape for folk art and portrait style paintings. They have set records and even survived a horrible accident. They've become a symbol of liberation and all things ancestral.
Our season 1 opener has set the bar for wildlife conservation. An enthralling character who is all heart and tough as nails. An adventurer who inspired a whole generation with their obsession with animals and high flying rescues.