Global Guardians is a new podcast hosted by Wildlife Biologist Mario Aldecoa and Nature Cinematographer Trent Underwood. Produced by Brave Wilderness, this series explores the people and ideas shaping the future of wildlife through conservation and innovation.
Join Mario and Trent as they interview scientists, ecologists, filmmakers, and tech pioneers in incredible outdoor locations like jungles, deserts, and swamps. They also host studio sessions, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, travel reflections, and insights on the evolving world of wildlife storytelling and conservation.
If you’re passionate about nature and the power of individuals to create change, subscribe to Global Guardians today!
Site
RSS
Spotify
Apple
Data updated on 04/07/2026
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
Big Cat Conservation: Saving Costa Rica's Jaguars - Tico Haroutiounian - Ep. 12
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 • Duration 01:00:47
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
Field Notes from Australia: Crocs, Cameras, and Chaos - Ep. 12
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 • Duration 01:26:28
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
World's Most Dangerous Apex Predators - Casey Anderson - Ep. 11
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 • Duration 02:40:01
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
When The River Dries: Conservation with Crocodile Biologist Dr. Chris Murray - Ep. 10
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 • Duration 01:24:05
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
Science of Survival: Sea Turtles, Habitat Loss, and Human Impact - Marine Conservationist Laura Exley - Ep. 9
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 • Duration 43:50
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
Hidden Dangers in South Africa: Ticks, Rhinos, Snakes & More - Ep. 8
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 • Duration 01:22:15
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
The Price of Paradise with Florida Keys Biologist Christina Wilson - Ep. 7
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 • Duration 01:34:36
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
Ultimate Predator Battle: Filming Wildlife in Brazil – Ep. 6
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 • Duration 01:25:02
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
Roars, Howls, Noise, & Silence with Production Sound Mixer Ryan LaVergne - Ep. 5
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 • Duration 45:36
In this episode Trent sits down with sound engineer Ryan LaVergne to explore the often overlooked but critical role of audio in filmmaking.
From the dense jungles of Costa Rica to the bear-filled wilderness of Katmai, Alaska, Ryan shares what it takes to capture the natural world through sound. Trent and Ryan reflect on Ryan’s first Brave Wilderness production and the unforgettable adventures—and audio challenges—they faced along the way. Good sound can make or break a story, making it essential to every wild production.
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.
Follow Ryan Lavergne on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ryan_lavergne/
Check out Ryan's website: https://www.ryanlavergne.com
FOLLOW Global Guardians on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/global_guardians_pod/
FOLLOW Mario Aldecoa on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mario_aldecoa/
FOLLOW Trent Underwood on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetrentunderwood/
FOLLOW Global Guardians on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@global.guardians/
CREDITS:
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
In this episode, Mario sits down with cryptozoologist and marine biologist Pat Spain for a fascinating dive into the world of legendary creatures like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.
Pat brings a grounded yet open-minded approach to cryptozoology—balancing scientific inquiry with cultural respect. Together, they explore how stories of mysterious creatures hold deep meaning for indigenous communities and why the field, often dismissed as pseudoscience, deserves both serious attention and a sense of wonder.
FOLLOW Pat Spain on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/patspain/?hl=en
To learn more about Pat's work check out https://www.patspain.com/
To purchase Pat's book series:
https://www.patspain.com/books
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BP66JN6Q
FOLLOW Global Guardians on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/global_guardians_pod/
FOLLOW Mario Aldecoa on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mario_aldecoa/
FOLLOW Trent Underwood on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetrentunderwood/
FOLLOW Global Guardians on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@global.guardians/
Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro to Location, Hagfish & Tide-Pooling
00:04:35 Intro to Cryptozoology & Pat's Approach to the Controversial Topic
00:26:04 Bigfoot and other Hominids
00:47:59 Extraterrestrial Life
00:57:25 Which Cryptid does Pat believe in?
01:08:21 Pat’s Book Series 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
Related Shows Based on Content Similarities
Discover shows related to Global Guardians, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.