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  • Big Cat Conservation: Saving Costa Rica's Jaguars - Tico Haroutiounian - Ep. 12
    Aug 27 2025
    Jaguar conservationist and photographer Tico from Las Oncas joins Mario for a conversation centered on one of Mario’s favorite big cats—the jaguar. Originally from France, Tico shares how his journey led him to Costa Rica, where he immersed himself in the culture and saw a growing need to study these elusive predators. What began as a passion for photography evolved into a powerful conservation tool through the use of trail cameras, allowing Tico to identify individual jaguars across different regions. One of the most exciting discoveries? The presence of rare melanistic “black” jaguars in Costa Rica’s mountainous areas. Tico discusses the threats these cats face, the importance of preserving their habitat, and how viral footage on social media is helping raise awareness and support for their protection. Learn More: https://www.lasoncas.com/ Follow: https://www.instagram.com/lasoncas/?hl=en FOLLOW Global Guardians on Instagram - / / global_guardians_pod FOLLOW Global Guardians on TikTok - / / global.guardians FOLLOW Mario Aldecoa on Instagram - / mario_aldecoa FOLLOW Trent Underwood on Instagram - / thetrentunderwood CREDITS: HOST - Mario Aldecoa HOST - Trent Underwood DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Trent Underwood CAMERA OPERATOR & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST - Mario Aldecoa EDITOR - Trent Underwood MARKETING - Matt Fujita GRAPHIC DESIGN - Chance Ross PRODUCER - Suzanne Zonner PRODUCER - Beau Sedivy EP - Coyote Peterson PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REENACT OR RECREATE ANY EVENTS OR SCENES  FROM OUR VIDEOS. THE ANIMALS, INSECTS, PLANT LIFE, AND TERRAIN FEATURED IN  OUR VIDEOS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAN POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR  DEATH. The Global Guardians hosts and crew are professionally trained and routinely  receive assistance from wildlife experts, guides, and safety personnel when filming to  ensure the safety of our crew and all wildlife. No animals were harmed or removed from  their natural habitat while making this video. Global Guardians has obtained permission  to film in each location featured in this video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 Std. und 1 Min.
  • Field Notes from Australia: Crocs, Cameras, and Chaos - Ep. 12
    Aug 13 2025
    In this Studio Sessions episode, Mario and Trent dive into their love for Australia—one of their favorite filming destinations and a place that’s come to feel like a second home. With nearly 5% of all Brave Wilderness content filmed there, they recount highlights from their most recent trip in 2023, including behind-the-scenes stories about travel logistics, production goals, and the incredible friendships they’ve built over the years. For Mario, filming in Australia was a childhood dream come true, and thanks to their go-to wildlife guides Max and Lockie from Australian Wildlife Encounters, the team has captured some of the country’s most iconic animals. They also reflect on the not-so-glamorous side of fieldwork, from Trent’s battle with food poisoning in Darwin to Mario chipping his camera lens on a rock. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Brave Wilderness Down Under 00:08:00 - Our mates in Australia 00:18:02 - Australia: the best place for snakebites? 00:27:22 - New South Whales: Tazy Devils & Komodos 00:35:58 - Sunshine Coast moments 00:42:12 - Darwin: food poisoning & camera incident 01:03:01 - Cape York : green pythons, flight delays, & conclusion CREDITS: HOST - Mario Aldecoa HOST - Trent Underwood DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Trent Underwood CAMERA OPERATOR & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST - Mario Aldecoa EDITOR - Trent Underwood MARKETING - Matt Fujita GRAPHIC DESIGN - Chance Ross PRODUCER - Suzanne Zonner PRODUCER - Beau Sedivy EP - Coyote Peterson PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REENACT OR RECREATE ANY EVENTS OR SCENES  FROM OUR VIDEOS. THE ANIMALS, INSECTS, PLANT LIFE, AND TERRAIN FEATURED IN  OUR VIDEOS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAN POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR  DEATH. The Global Guardians hosts and crew are professionally trained and routinely  receive assistance from wildlife experts, guides, and safety personnel when filming to  ensure the safety of our crew and all wildlife. No animals were harmed or removed from  their natural habitat while making this video. Global Guardians has obtained permission  to film in each location featured in this video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 Std. und 26 Min.
  • World's Most Dangerous Apex Predators - Casey Anderson - Ep. 11
    Jul 30 2025
    Predatory mammal expert and renowned wildlife filmmaker Casey Anderson joins Mario for a powerful conversation about animal intelligence, respect, and the deep bonds that can form between humans and wildlife. Known for raising a grizzly bear named Brutus, Casey shares how that experience shaped his understanding of bear behavior and taught him that every animal is an individual. He shares the hilarious story of a moment when Brutus found himself in an awkward predicament and how their special bond allowed him to step in and help. The two dive into what it means to safely coexist with wild animals, why education is crucial to preventing dangerous encounters, and how our interactions with wildlife are, in fact, a form of negotiation. From recounting their time camping among the massive brown bears of Katmai, Alaska, to answering the ultimate showdown question, grizzly vs. polar bear—this episode offers insight, adventure, and heartfelt respect for the wild. Follow Casey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grizzlyguy/?hl=en Subscribe to Casey's YouTube channel, Endless Ventures: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu92-KmMbO6w5f9QqPG8_Dw Chapters: 00:00:00 - Casey’s Background; Brutus the Bear 00:20:00 - Bear Behavior & Intelligence 00:50:49 - Bear Species & Biology: An Overview 01:00:58 - Polar Bears vs. Brown Bears (& Hybrid Bears) 01:20:00 - Bear Safety, Attack Statistics, & Staying Safe in Katmai 01:34:30 - Casey’s Scariest Bear Encounter 01:48:45 - BTS: Our Time in Katmai National Park 02:13:35 - Other Dangers in Katmai: The Risky River Crossing CREDITS: HOST - Mario Aldecoa HOST - Trent Underwood DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Trent Underwood CAMERA OPERATOR & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST - Mario Aldecoa EDITOR - Trent Underwood MARKETING - Matt Fujita GRAPHIC DESIGN - Chance Ross PRODUCER - Suzanne Zonner PRODUCER - Beau Sedivy EP - Coyote Peterson PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REENACT OR RECREATE ANY EVENTS OR SCENES  FROM OUR VIDEOS. THE ANIMALS, INSECTS, PLANT LIFE, AND TERRAIN FEATURED IN  OUR VIDEOS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAN POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR  DEATH. The Global Guardians hosts and crew are professionally trained and routinely  receive assistance from wildlife experts, guides, and safety personnel when filming to  ensure the safety of our crew and all wildlife. No animals were harmed or removed from  their natural habitat while making this video. Global Guardians has obtained permission  to film in each location featured in this video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    2 Std. und 40 Min.
  • When The River Dries: Conservation with Crocodile Biologist Dr. Chris Murray - Ep. 10
    Jul 16 2025
    Crocodile biologist Dr. Chris Murray, one of Mario’s longtime best friends, joins the show for a special episode filmed on location at the Palo Verde Biological Station in Costa Rica. As the two spend a week catching American crocodiles for Chris’s long-term research project, they reflect on their shared journey into science, the mentors who guided them, and how their parallel paths led to studying the same remarkable species. Chris shares insights from his research, the future of croc conservation, and how even the most fundamental parts of science, like forming a hypothesis, can be a deeply creative and rewarding process. Learn more about Dr. Chris Murray's work here: https://sites.google.com/site/murracm/home?authuser=0 Follow Dr. Chris Murray on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crocchris11/?hl=en 00:00:00 Intro and history 00:10:28 The art of the hypothesis 00:17:41 Costa Rica croc work 00:32:50 Listing all the crocodilian species 00:45:51 History of alligator conservation 00:54:33 Croc Research findings in Costa Rica 01:15:39 Future research goals and conclusion CREDITS: HOST - Mario Aldecoa HOST - Trent Underwood DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Trent Underwood CAMERA OPERATOR & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST - Mario Aldecoa EDITOR - Trent Underwood MARKETING - Matt Fujita GRAPHIC DESIGN - Chance Ross PRODUCER - Suzanne Zonner PRODUCER - Beau Sedivy EP - Coyote Peterson PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REENACT OR RECREATE ANY EVENTS OR SCENES  FROM OUR VIDEOS. THE ANIMALS, INSECTS, PLANT LIFE, AND TERRAIN FEATURED IN  OUR VIDEOS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAN POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR  DEATH. The Global Guardians hosts and crew are professionally trained and routinely  receive assistance from wildlife experts, guides, and safety personnel when filming to  ensure the safety of our crew and all wildlife. No animals were harmed or removed from  their natural habitat while making this video. Global Guardians has obtained permission  to film in each location featured in this video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 Std. und 24 Min.
  • Science of Survival: Sea Turtles, Habitat Loss, and Human Impact - Marine Conservationist Laura Exley - Ep. 9
    Jul 2 2025
    In this Global Guardians episode, Sea turtle specialist Laura Exley joins Mario to share the story of how a research trip studying monkeys in South America unexpectedly led her to the shores of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. There, she launched COPROT—a grassroots conservation initiative focused on protecting critical sea turtle nesting beaches. Laura dives into the daily realities of monitoring turtles, building community involvement, and navigating the growing threats these animals face, including habitat loss and climate change. Together, she and Mario explore what it takes to safeguard one of nature’s most ancient mariners in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Learn how you can get involved by visiting: www.tortugasdeosa.org FOLLOW Tortugas de Osa on Instagram - / https://www.instagram.com/tortugasdeosa/ FOLLOW Lauran on Instagram - / https://www.instagram.com/laurita_pacita/ FOLLOW Global Guardians on Instagram - / https://www.instagram.com/global_guardians_pod/ FOLLOW Global Guardians on TikTok - / https://www.tiktok.com/@global.guardians CREDITS: HOST - Mario Aldecoa HOST - Trent Underwood DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Trent Underwood CAMERA OPERATOR & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST - Mario Aldecoa EDITOR - Trent Underwood MARKETING - Matt Fujita GRAPHIC DESIGN - Chance Ross PRODUCER - Suzanne Zonner PRODUCER - Beau Sedivy EP - Coyote Peterson PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REENACT OR RECREATE ANY EVENTS OR SCENES  FROM OUR VIDEOS. THE ANIMALS, INSECTS, PLANT LIFE, AND TERRAIN FEATURED IN  OUR VIDEOS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAN POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR  DEATH. The Global Guardians hosts and crew are professionally trained and routinely  receive assistance from wildlife experts, guides, and safety personnel when filming to  ensure the safety of our crew and all wildlife. No animals were harmed or removed from  their natural habitat while making this video. Global Guardians has obtained permission  to film in each location featured in this video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 Min.
  • Hidden Dangers in South Africa: Ticks, Rhinos, Snakes & More - Ep. 8
    Jun 18 2025
    In this Global Guardians studio session, Mario and Trent take a look back at their unforgettable adventures filming in South Africa, where wildlife, conservation, and chaos often went hand in hand. From unexpected encounters with venomous snakes to heartwarming moments with orphaned rhinos in rehabilitation, they share behind-the-scenes stories that reveal what it truly takes to produce meaningful wildlife content in the field. The highlight of the trip was a powerful rhino conservation collaboration with Kariega Game Reserve and the anti-poaching organization Global Conservation Force. Along the way, Mario recalls relocating a forest cobra found in a hotel bathroom—and returning home with an unexpected souvenir: a bacterial infection from a tick bite. Visit Kaiega Game Reserve ! Interested in helping protect rhinos and other threatened species? Support Global Conservation Force Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro to S. Africa, Covid delay 00:05:25 - Production partners! 00:14:20 - Filming locations in S. Africa 00:18:21 - Small car, lots of gear 00:24:40 - Venomous Snake Encounter 00:29:27 - Rhino Veterinary Procedures 00:43:01 - Mambas & Chameleons & Cobras, oh my! 00:59:07 - St. Lucia Cobra Rescue 01:07:45 - Tick bite fever; conclusion PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REENACT OR RECREATE ANY EVENTS OR SCENES  FROM OUR VIDEOS. THE ANIMALS, INSECTS, PLANT LIFE, AND TERRAIN FEATURED IN  OUR VIDEOS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAN POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR  DEATH. The Global Guardians hosts and crew are professionally trained and routinely  receive assistance from wildlife experts, guides, and safety personnel when filming to  ensure the safety of our crew and all wildlife. No animals were harmed or removed from  their natural habitat while making this video. Global Guardians has obtained permission  to film in each location featured in this video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 Std. und 22 Min.
  • The Price of Paradise with Florida Keys Biologist Christina Wilson - Ep. 7
    Jun 4 2025
    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/globalguardians and get on your way to being your best self. Florida Keys biologist, Christina Wilson, joins Mario Aldecoa for a conversation about the growing challenges of conservation in one of the most visited island chains in the US. As tourism surges, Christina shares how she works to protect fragile habitats and wildlife while also using her platform to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science. With years of collaboration alongside the Brave Wilderness team, Christina offers a unique perspective on the power of fieldwork, education, and how social media is reshaping the way science and conservation reach the public. FOLLOW Christina on Instagram - / https://www.instagram.com/christinawildwilson/?hl=en FOLLOW Global Guardians on Instagram - / https://www.instagram.com/global_guardians_pod/ FOLLOW Global Guardians on TikTok - / https://www.tiktok.com/@global.guardians Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro to how we met Christina 00:08:50 - Mermaids 00:13:40 - Christina's first time in Costa Rica 00:19:09 - Christina's origin story, California to Florida 00:26:37 - Christina's role in the Keys 00:39:58 - Facts about the Florida Keys 00:52:50 - Threats to the Florida Keys 01:13:16 - Role of social media in conservation CREDITS: HOST - Mario Aldecoa HOST - Trent Underwood DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Trent Underwood CAMERA OPERATOR & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST - Mario Aldecoa EDITOR - Trent Underwood MARKETING - Matt Fujita GRAPHIC DESIGN - Chance Ross PRODUCER - Suzanne Zonner PRODUCER - Beau Sedivy EP - Coyote Peterson PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REENACT OR RECREATE ANY EVENTS OR SCENES  FROM OUR VIDEOS. THE ANIMALS, INSECTS, PLANT LIFE, AND TERRAIN FEATURED IN  OUR VIDEOS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAN POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR  DEATH. The Global Guardians hosts and crew are professionally trained and routinely  receive assistance from wildlife experts, guides, and safety personnel when filming to  ensure the safety of our crew and all wildlife. No animals were harmed or removed from  their natural habitat while making this video. Global Guardians has obtained permission  to film in each location featured in this video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 Std. und 35 Min.
  • Ultimate Predator Battle: Filming Wildlife in Brazil – Ep. 6
    May 21 2025
    In this episode , Mario and Trent reflect on one of their most ambitious productions—filming jaguars hunting caiman in Brazil’s Pantanal, the best place on Earth to witness these elusive big cats in action. From months of pre-production and engineering a custom camera gimbal for boat-based filming, to navigating the highs and lows of fieldwork, they share the BTS stories of what it takes to capture nature at its wildest. Along the way, Mario dives into fascinating facts about jaguars, and the unforgettable people who helped make the expedition possible. To learn more and support Jaguar Conservation: https://www.jaguaridproject.com/ To book your own Jaguar Safari: https://biodiversebraziltours.com/ CREDITS: HOST - Mario Aldecoa HOST - Trent Underwood DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Trent Underwood CAMERA OPERATOR & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST - Mario Aldecoa EDITOR - Trent Underwood MARKETING - Matt Fujita GRAPHIC DESIGN - Chance Ross PRODUCER - Suzanne Zonner PRODUCER - Beau Sedivy EP - Coyote Peterson PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REENACT OR RECREATE ANY EVENTS OR SCENES  FROM OUR VIDEOS. THE ANIMALS, INSECTS, PLANT LIFE, AND TERRAIN FEATURED IN  OUR VIDEOS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAN POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR  DEATH. The Global Guardians hosts and crew are professionally trained and routinely  receive assistance from wildlife experts, guides, and safety personnel when filming to  ensure the safety of our crew and all wildlife. No animals were harmed or removed from  their natural habitat while making this video. Global Guardians has obtained permission  to film in each location featured in this video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 Std. und 25 Min.