
Naturally Adventurous
Charley Hesse and Ken Behrens have travelled all over the globe, and accumulated a lifetime worth of adventure stories, in pursuit of wild places and wild creatures. Both are lifelong birding and natural history fanatics, and professional guides. Charley was born in the UK, but has spent his life living in Japan, Ecuador, South Africa, and now Thailand. Ken was born in the US, and has lived in South Africa and Madagascar for the last decade plus.
Contact Ken and Charley: ken.behrens@gmail.com and cfchesse@gmail.com
Photo Galleries: https://www.ken-behrens.com/naturally-adventurous-podcast
Latest episodes

Feb 12, 2021 • 47min
Episode 26: Ken's Top 10 Lifetime Mammals, numbers 2-4
We approach the grand finale of our top 10 mammals list. Ken talks about unforgettable sightings of two wild dogs and one wild cat. Coming soon: Charley and Ken's #1 top lifetime mammals.
As mentioned on the episode we have launched a Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/naturallyadventurous?fan_landing=true
Episode Photo Gallery: https://www.ken-behrens.com/copy-of-podcast-episode-25
The natural sound is a recording of a lone wolf made in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve by betchkal (CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0))
Feel free to contact us at: ken.behrens@gmail.com OR cfchesse@gmail.com
Naturally Adventurous Podcast
Travel Nature Adventure Birding

Feb 5, 2021 • 47min
Episode 25: Charley's Top 10 Lifetime Mammals, numbers 3 and 2
Charley continues telling Ken his Top 10 lifetime mammal sightings, today with the other-worldly Aye-Aye from Madagascar and a hair-raising encounter whilst tracking Black Rhinos in Namibia.
Charley also announces his brand-new tutorial on 'How to Get Kids into Birding' which can be found at https://www.schoolofbirding.com/
Ken's recent appearance on the Nature Hypeman podcast can be found here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wildlife-observer-network/id1506963646
Also, an interesting article on Yao Ming's efforts to reduce wildlife poaching can be found here https://wildaid.org/the-duke-of-cambridge-david-beckham-and-yao-ming-team-up-for-rhinos-and-elephants/
As always, the episode gallery can be found at https://www.ken-behrens.com/podcast-2
If you wish to support this podcast, please check out our patreon page at:
https://www.patreon.com/naturallyadventurous?fan_landing=true
Feel free to contact us at: ken.behrens@gmail.com OR cfchesse@gmail.com
Naturally Adventurous Podcast
Travel Nature Adventure Birding

Jan 29, 2021 • 49min
Episode 24: Ken's Top 10 Lifetime Mammals, numbers 6 and 5
Charley tells about a weekend trip with his bird-obsessed son to Doi Lang, one of the weirdest birding spots on Earth. Then Ken and Charley return to Ken's top 10 list, with Ken's numbers 5 and 6: Gorilla and Humpback Whale. A diverse pair: one Great Ape, and one huge marine mammal!
Check out Charley's new tutorial about planning a birding trip on www.schoolofbirding.com/
Episode Photo Gallery: https://www.ken-behrens.com/podcast-episode-24
If you wish to support this podcast, please check out our patreon page at:
https://www.patreon.com/naturallyadventurous?fan_landing=true
Feel free to contact us at: ken.behrens@gmail.com OR cfchesse@gmail.com
Naturally Adventurous Podcast
Travel Nature Adventure Birding

Jan 25, 2021 • 1h 5min
Episode 23: Interview with Emile Rajeriarison, from Ranomafana, Madagascar
After an intro from Ken and Charley, this episode features a long interview with one of Madagascar's most remarkable naturalists and local guides. The campfire conversation with Ken ranges from Emile's personal story of falling in love with the forest, to a near-fatal lightning strike while collecting snakes, to Emile's view of the future of Madagascar's forests.
Check out Charley's new tutorial on how to plan a birding trip, at https://www.schoolofbirding.com/
Episode photo gallery: https://www.ken-behrens.com/podcast-episode-23
The mixed bird flock recording at the beginning of the episode includes the voices of 7 species of Malagasy birds. Can anyone identify them all?! Throughout the interview with Emile you can hear Boulenger's Bridge Frog, plus several species of birds!
Apologies for a few technical imperfections, stemming from issues with Ken's microphone cable, plus frequent pops from the campfire during the Emile interview!
If you wish to support this podcast, please check out our patreon page at:
https://www.patreon.com/naturallyadventurous?fan_landing=true
Feel free to contact us at: ken.behrens@gmail.com OR cfchesse@gmail.com
Naturally Adventurous Podcast
Travel Nature Adventure Birding

Jan 15, 2021 • 55min
Episode 22: Adventures in Madagascar & Thailand
Ken tells of his further adventures with Linjo in Madagascar, including the ascent of one of Madagascar's highest mountains.
Charley tells of a close encounter with some rare pheasants in northeast Thailand.
Episode Photo Gallery: https://www.ken-behrens.com/podcast-episode-22
If you wish to support this podcast, please check out our patreon page at:
https://www.patreon.com/naturallyadventurous?fan_landing=true
Feel free to contact us at: ken.behrens@gmail.com OR cfchesse@gmail.com
Naturally Adventurous Podcast
Travel Nature Adventure Birding

Jan 1, 2021 • 45min
Episode 21: Charley's Top 10 Lifetime Mammals - numbers 4-5
Charley talks about his sightings of Maned Wolf and Jaguar, two of the coolest mammals in South America.
Episode Photo Gallery: https://www.ken-behrens.com/podcast-episode-21
If you wish to support this podcast, please check out our patreon page at:
https://www.patreon.com/naturallyadventurous?fan_landing=true
Feel free to contact us at: ken.behrens@gmail.com OR cfchesse@gmail.com
Naturally Adventurous Podcast
Travel Nature Adventure Birding

Dec 25, 2020 • 1h 7min
Episode 20: Ken's rugged northern Madagascar adventure with Linjo (Part 2)
Ken is joined again by a special guest: his sister-in-law Linjo Johnarson, and they tell Charley all about their further adventures in northern Madagascar, in the second of this 2-part epic tale.
Linjo works as a director of a Malagasy tour company called 8th Continent Expeditions: http://www.8thcontinent-expeditions.com/
Episode photo gallery: https://www.ken-behrens.com/podcast-episode-20
If you wish to support this podcast, please check out our patreon page at:
https://www.patreon.com/naturallyadventurous?fan_landing=true
Feel free to contact us at: ken.behrens@gmail.com OR cfchesse@gmail.com
Naturally Adventurous Podcast
Birding Nature Travel Adventure

Dec 16, 2020 • 1h 3min
Episode 19: Charley's Thailand travels and Ken's rugged northern Madagascar adventure with Linjo
Charley tells us about a few more wildlife experiences on the way back to Chiang Mai. Ken is joined by a special guest: his sister-in-law Linjo Johnarson, and they tell Charley all about their recent adventures in northern Madagascar, seeking out some rare and endangered creatures such as Blue-eyed Black Lemur, Madagascar Serpent-Eagle, Madagascar Pochard, and Red Owl. This is part one of our chat with Linjo, which will continue in the next episode.
Linjo works as a director of a Malagasy tour company called 8th Continent Expeditions: http://www.8thcontinent-expeditions.com/
Episode photo gallery: https://www.ken-behrens.com/podcast-episode-19
If you wish to support this podcast, please check out our patreon page at:
https://www.patreon.com/naturallyadventurous?fan_landing=true
Feel free to contact us at: ken.behrens@gmail.com OR cfchesse@gmail.com
Naturally Adventurous Podcast
Birding Nature Travel Adventure

Nov 27, 2020 • 42min
Episode 18: Ken's Top 10 Lifetime Mammals - numbers 7-8
Charley goes in search of mammals in Western Thailand and Ken continues with his top lifetime mammals, today with stories about Cheetah and Brown Hyaena.
Photos related to this podcast can be seen on our new Naturally Adventurous Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/naturallyadventurouspodcast/posts/105097711440909
Episode photo gallery: https://www.ken-behrens.com/podcast
If you wish to support this podcast, please check out our patreon page at:
https://www.patreon.com/naturallyadventurous?fan_landing=true
Feel free to contact us at: ken.behrens@gmail.com OR cfchesse@gmail.com
Naturally Adventurous Podcast
Birding Nature Travel Adventure

Nov 20, 2020 • 1h 2min
Episode 17: Northern Thai National Parks
Ken and Charley chat about Charley's current family trip to northern Thailand. He explores Phu Suan Sai and Doi Phu Kha National Parks in search of lifers.
The episode wraps up with an interview with Charley's 8 year old son, Felix.
Don't miss the episode photo gallery: https://www.ken-behrens.com/podcast-episode-17
If you wish to support this podcast, please check out our patreon page at:
https://www.patreon.com/naturallyadventurous?fan_landing=true
Feel free to contact us at: ken.behrens@gmail.com OR cfchesse@gmail.com
Birding Nature Travel Adventure