EP34: Dr. Saeid Mushtagh and Burgess Andre—Pine Pollen, Canada's Home-Grown Superfood
Explore Magazine's Live the Adventure Podcast
Release Date: 12/22/2023
Explore Magazine's Live the Adventure Podcast
Welcome to episode 55 of Explore Magazine's "Live the Adventure" Podcast. Our guest this week is Martin Sampson, CEO of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA), a national leader championing the mental, physical and communal benefits of getting outside. Martin joins us to talk about Everyone Outdoors Together, CPRA's national movement culminating in the Great Canadian Sunset on July 18—aimed at uniting communities from coast-to-coast in one shared moment outdoors. What sparked this initiative? Why does it matter now more than ever? And how can Canadians get involved? Let's...
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We have a special (return) guest on this week's episode—Kevin Callan, also known as "The Happy Camper." Kevin is the author of 20 books, a columnist for Explore Magazine and he's written a weekly blog on our website for a staggering 20 years. He's also at an interesting transition in his life, as the media landscape changes and he looks to expanding and growing in different areas of his "Happy Camper" career. So what motivates Kevin? How did he get here? What's next? Let's find out with this lively and fun episode, streaming now.
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Welcome to episode 53 of Explore's Podcast! Today, we're continuing our behind-the-scenes look at the voices and personalities who bring Explore Magazine to life. And it's columnist Nora O'Malley's turn! Nora's been writing for Explore for almost a decade. You'll know her name as the author of our "Profiles" column. She works hard to find the most interesting and exciting interview subjects for each issue. But how does she find them? And why does she love the interview process? And how does living among the evergreens and wild waves of Vancouver Island's West Coast colour it all? Let's find...
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Jim Baird is always up to something interesting. If you've read his articles in Explore Magazine—often detailing solo expeditions in Canada's wildest places—or perhaps viewed his popular YouTube channel or watched him win the reality TV series "Alone" (Season 4) alongside his brother, Ted... you'd likely know this. And if you're just meeting Jim in today's episode—you'll get to hear for yourself what the life of a self-proclaimed "Adventurer" is like. So why does he do it? What does he hope you'll get from it? And is it ever... scary? Let's dig into all that and more in episode 52....
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Welcome to episode 51 of Explore's Podcast! We have an exciting guest today—Explore Magazine Field Editor, Ryan Stuart. Ryan's been at the writing game a long time and he's seen some big changes–from the rise of digital publishing to social media to... well, podcasting and more. As it would turn out, there's been some fun synchronicity with me, David Webb, and Explore Magazine for almost his entire career. So, let's get behind the scenes with how to be a freelance writer, what it means to craft an impactful story, the intricacies of testing outdoor gear and what's on the horizon for...
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Did you know that nearly two million Canadians travel to New Hampshire every year? And did you also know the state is less than a three-hour drive from Montreal, or a day's drive from Toronto? Or just a short jaunt from Boston Logan International Airport? I needed to know more about this off-radar vacation destination. So I reached out to Kris Neilsen, at Visit New Hampshire. Yes, it's easy to get to—but that's only one piece of the pie. Within New Hampshire, visitors revel in a wonderland of mountains, forest, lakes and seacoast... while touring charming towns with vibrant culture and deep...
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Welcome to episode 49 of Explore's Podcast! Today, my guest is Jennifer Malloy. Jennifer is a teacher, a writer and an outdoor enthusiast living in Alberta. She's written two full-length features for Explore Magazine, and many more online at —many of which document her journeys of mental health, physical activity, motherhood and personal growth. So let's delve deep with her on the nature of personal essays, facing fears, exploring the outdoors and journeying to becoming a fully realized person as life around you constantly changes. Stay tuned for Jennifer Malloy!
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Welcome to episode 48 of Explore Magazine’s “Live the Adventure” Podcast. We’re continuing our series of getting behind the scenes with the amazing writers and photographers of Explore Magazine. Today, we're talking to writer Sylvia Dekker. Sylvia's been writing for Explore for about five years—with features in both print and online. She's even been on the cover of the magazine herself! But why does she do it? Why does she put herself out there and pursue this career? We're digging deep to uncover her adventure passions, how she blends that into her career and we're even digging...
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Welcome to episode 47 of Explore's Podcast. We're continuing our series of getting behind the scenes with the amazing writers and photographers of Explore Magazine. Today, I'm talking to Frank Wolf. Frank is a renowned adventurer and an award-winning writer who pens features for our magazine, blogs for our website and he even has two books out (with a third on the way). We're digging deep with Frank to uncover why and how he traverses the landscapes of Canada and beyond, how he crafts his storylines and what epic trips he has on the horizon. Stay tuned for Frank Wolf!
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Welcome to episode 46 of Explore's Podcast! Today, we're continuing our series of getting behind the scenes with Explore Magazine's writers, photographers, illustrators and designers. We're chatting with all the people who make Explore Magazine Canada's favourite outdoors publication! My guest is Andrew Findlay. Andrew's been writing the "Wild Side" column in Explore Magazine since Spring of 2013, as well as many features. Plus, he's been a freelance journalist for more than 25 years. So let's dig into the life of a freelance journalist and the topics that are fascinating him today—and we'll...
info_outlineWe’ve all heard the term “superfood” before. Often in relationship to things like acai, a berry native to south and central America, or coconut oil—maybe avocado.
All of these foods, for Canadians anyway, would need to be imported. Such is the way…
So, when I heard about a superfood that was being wild and sustainably harvested right here in British Columbia—one that can bring you increases in energy, stamina, recovery and more—I was very interested.
Have you heard of pine pollen? A powdery dust harvested from the small male cones of the lodgepole and ponderosa pine?
Maybe you’re familiar with it as part of the tree’s propagation—but as a superfood? This is where things get really interesting.
Today, my guests are Dr. Saeid Mushtagh and Burgess Andre. They are the co-founders of a company called Canadian Pine Pollen, harvesters and retailers of, among other things, pine pollen products.
And they’ve been on a journey of discovery to unlock the potential of this superfood for our benefit.
You’re gonna want to stay tuned for this one—we balance science, nature and sustainability—and if that’s not enough, I even have a special gift for you at the end of the episode.
So let’s talk pine pollen with Dr. Saeid Mushtagh and Burgess Andre.