Busted Knees & Pretty Trees Podcast
Welcome to Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, the podcast where the trail dust never settles! Hosted by Travy J, Brad, and Paddy – three outdoorsmen with a passion for all things wild – we dive deep into the world of nature, backcountry adventure, and wilderness living.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker, curious birder, backcountry hunter, weekend canoe tripper, or just someone who finds peace under an open sky, this podcast is your campfire conversation. Each season, we talk gear, share stories, swap survival tips, and celebrate the beauty and challenges of spending time in the great outdoors.
We also sit down with fascinating guests from all walks of life – conservationists, wildlife experts, guides, and everyday folks who have chosen to make nature a central part of their lives. Together, we explore how they connect with the wild and what they're doing to protect it for future generations.
If you love the crunch of leaves underfoot, the call of a loon at dawn, or the satisfaction of sore legs after a long day on the trail, then you're in the right place.
Busted Knees and Pretty Trees – where passion for the wild runs deep, and the stories are as real as the wilderness.
Available on all major platforms. Subscribe now and join us on the trail.
Episodes
83 episodes
Ep. 82 - Let's Take A Ride On The Magic School Bus w/ Mr. Burnworth
This week on Busted Knees & Pretty Trees, we sit down with the man, the myth, the legend — Paddy’s old biology teacher, Jabin Burnworth — and trust us… this one is special. You know that teacher who made science feel like an adventure...
Ep. 81 - Pack It or Whack It: Strange, Bizarre or Totally Normal Gear in 2026
In this episode of Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we dive headfirst into the wildest, weirdest, and most head-scratching gear of 2026. From “who asked for this?” gadgets to surprisingly brilliant oddities, we’re breaking down what’s innovative,...
Ep. 80 - Busted Brains & Pretty Tough Questions: Season 8 Recap Trivia
In this special recap showdown, the Busted Knees and Pretty Trees crew puts memory, pride, and podcast credibility on the line in a no-holds-barred Season 8 trivia gauntlet. From layin logs in Brad's kayak to unexpected wildlife encounters, no ...
Ep. 79 - Jungles, Volcanoes, and Sloths: Brad and Sarahs Adventure Across Costa Rica’s Wild Places
This week on Busted Knees & Pretty Trees, we sit down with Brad and Sarah to unpack their wild trip to Costa Rica — from trekking through Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (yes, the one shaped like a whale’s tail) to hiking deep into Refugio N...
Ep. 78 - Paddy’s Lowcountry Adventure: Bulls Island, Congaree & Fort Sumter with the Family
This week on Busted Knees & Pretty Trees, Paddy loads up the family and heads south for a full-blown Lowcountry adventure! From wild shores on Bulls Island to the towering old-growth forest of Congaree National Park, and the living history ...
Ep. 77 - Studying Plants Where They Fight To Grow with Dr. Jordan Marshall
This week on Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we’re throwing on the boots and heading straight into the undergrowth.Dr. Jordan Marshall takes us beyond the classroom and into the field! We talk educating generations of biologists, the future ...
Ep. 76 - Hammocks Here! We Talkin Hammocks Here!
This week on Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we’re hanging out… literally.We’re diving headfirst into the world of hammocks — gathered ends, bridge hammocks, straps, underquilts, bug nets, tarp setups, and all the comfort (or chaos) that com...
Ep. 75 - Part Deux! The Official Trail Trivia Boardgame Adventure Challenge Prototype
Travy J is back… and it all comes down to this.The board is set, the questions are tougher, and the stakes have never been higher as we dive into Part 2 of the Official Trail Trivia Boardgame Adventure Challenge! Who’s been paying atten...
Ep. 74 - The Official Trail Trivia Boardgame Adventure Challenge Prototype!
It’s round one of a two round game night on Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, and your host Travey J is leading us deep into the wild with something brand new: the official Trail Trivia Boardgame Adventure Challenge prototype. Yeah… it’s a mouthfu...
Ep. 73 - Hunting For Love And Rocks with Debbie Hawthorne & Travey J
In this episode of Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we sit down with Debbie Hawthorne and Travey J to talk about a passion they share—rockhounding. From searching gravel pits and creek beds to celebrating the thrill of an unexpected find, Debbie ...
Ep. 72 - Me Lovey Midwestey: Our Ode To The Midwest!
Endless cornfields glowing gold at sunset. Fog lifting off quiet lakes at dawn. Gravel roads that lead to trailheads you almost missed. In our newest episode, “Our Ode to the Midwest,” we slow down and say thank you to the places that raised us...
Ep. 71 - The Ground Beneath Our Boots: A Conversation with Professor Benjamin Dattilo
This week on Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we’re digging deep — way deep.We sit down with Professor Benjamin Dattilo for a fascinating conversation about the stories written in stone beneath our boots. From ancient oceans and shifting c...
Ep. 70 - Busted Knees, Big Moments - Our Season 7 Recap
Season 7 was one wild ride and we’re breaking it all down in our Season 7 Recap!From unforgettable guests and muddy miles to the moments that made us laugh, learn, and fall even more in love with the outdoors, we’re revisiting the highs,...
Ep. 69 - Final Birding Challenge Update!
After weeks of early mornings, quiet trails, and plenty of “wait… do you see it?” moments, Brad and Paddy wrap up their years long Birding Challenge.We’re talking favorite sightings, unexpected birds, lessons learned, and just how much clos...
Ep. 68 - The Animal Draft: Our Top 5 Favorites
Round-robin picks, top-tier animals. We’re ranking our five favorite creatures and breaking down why each one earned its spot. Simple concept, strong takes, and plenty of love for the wild things.
Ep. 67 - Culture Meets Campfire - A Crossover with Justin Neeley
This week we’ve got a crossover episode with Justin Neeley from the Cultured Dudes, and he’s asking the questions non-outdoors people may be thinking—but never say out loud.How do you shit in the woods? What actually keeps you c...
Ep. 66 - The Challenge of Who Wins The Sourdough Cookies!!
Brad’s in the host chair, the questions are flying, the trash talk is loud, and the stakes are strangely high—the winner gets to eat a sourdough cookie. Knowledge is power. Victory is delicious. Press play and see who knows their stuff… a...
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Ep. 65 - Maps, Miles, and Migration: Our 2026 Plans
2026 is on our minds, and this episode is all about what we’re hoping to get into next year. We talk through the trips on the radar—backpacking Isle Royale, kayaking the Big Manistee, and hitting The Biggest Week in American Birding along with ...
Ep. 64 - Rock by Rock, Fish by Fish: Matt Herbert's Great Lakes Comeback Story!
Get ready for a great conversation as we sit down with Matt Herbert, Senior Conservation Scientist with The Nature Conservancy. Matt is helping reshape the Great Lakes—literally—by rebuilding spawning reefs and restoring the once-thriving lake ...
Ep. 63 - What's in Your Sleep System?
How do you actually sleep outside without waking up angry at the world? In this episode, we’re tearing into our full sleep systems — what we use, what we’ve ditched, and what we’re still arguing about. Pads, bags, quilts, pillows, cold nights, ...
Ep. 62 - Sea to Summit Kettle of Friendship and Love!
This week, we’re taking things off-trail with a game of unpredictable questions and unfiltered answers. Each draw from the Sea to Summit Kettle of Friendship reveals something new — hilarious stories, surprising truths, and the kind of campfire...
Ep. 61 - From Roots to Renewal: Stewardship Stories with Chloe Smith-Guitard
This week on the podcast, we sit down with Chloe Smith-Guitard, the Stewardship and Land Management Director at LC Nature Park, for a deep dive into what it truly means to protect, restore, and care for wild spaces.From rebuilding prairi...
Ep. 60 - A Very Thankful Season 6 Recap
This week, we’re breaking down the biggest moments, the standout guests, and the conversations that pushed us deeper into the wild. From unexpected trail stories to the behind-the-scenes chaos you never heard, we’re revisiting the episod...
Ep. 59 - Rebuilding the Frontier: Inside Fort Wayne's Old Fort w/ Harrison Snyder
Strap on your boots and step back in time with us as we explore one of Fort Wayne’s most iconic historic landmarks: The Old Fort.In this episode, historian, reenactor and storyteller Harrison Snyder guides us on a captivating journey thr...
Ep. 58 - Geodes and Birds: Travy J's and Brads Wild Travels
In this episode of Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, Brad and Travy take their love for the outdoors on two very different adventures. Brad heads deep into the heart of Texas, chasing the calls of rare and beautiful birds across open prai...
