Wild Chats with Ben Southall
Join host Ben Southall for Wild Chats, a series that dives deep into the world of adventure. We bring you trail runners, hikers, travelers, and explorers sharing their most inspiring and wildest stories from around the globe.
Whether you're chasing ultra-running dreams, planning your next big trek, or simply looking for a spark of adventure, Wild Chats delivers firsthand insights from those who live and breathe the outdoors.
🎙 New episodes every other Friday!
Presented by Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia
Wild Chats with Ben Southall
From Pilot to Survivalist: Outback Mike's Story
In this episode, Ben Southall sits down with “Outback Mike” from Alone Australia to unpack how a kid obsessed with adventure became a survival instructor, and why he always planned to trade jets for the bush. Mike shares what he has learned from First Nations people about living with Country rather than on it, and how that wisdom guided his solo expeditions through the Australian Outback and along the Great Barrier Reef.
He talks us through the 14 month grind of building a dugout canoe by hand, the relentless repairs and close calls at sea, and what it really takes to navigate one of the most fragile marine environments on Earth. Along the way, Mike opens up about the emotional toll of his journey, the grief he felt as he confronted Australia’s history, and why genuine cultural connection is essential if we are ever going to resolve our national identity crisis.
The conversation also dives into the power of authentic storytelling, the realities of filming your own survival for YouTube and Alone, and how online platforms are helping a new generation of adventurers share raw, unfiltered stories from the edge of the map.
Get his book: Modern Day Castaway here.
🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia.
⛺️ To follow Mike's adventures check out outbackmike.com and reach out to him at @outbackmike on Insta, TikTok and YouTube.