Global Guardians

Global Guardians

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!

Episodes

Big Cat Conservation: Saving Costa Rica's Jaguars - Tico Haroutiounian - Ep. 12

August 27, 2025 • 60 mins
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 cam...
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Field Notes from Australia: Crocs, Cameras, and Chaos - Ep. 12

August 13, 2025 • 86 mins
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 th...
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World's Most Dangerous Apex Predators - Casey Anderson - Ep. 11

July 30, 2025 • 160 mins
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 Br...
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When The River Dries: Conservation with Crocodile Biologist Dr. Chris Murray - Ep. 10

July 16, 2025 • 84 mins
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. ...
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Science of Survival: Sea Turtles, Habitat Loss, and Human Impact - Marine Conservationist Laura Exley - Ep. 9

July 2, 2025 • 43 mins
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 involve...
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Hidden Dangers in South Africa: Ticks, Rhinos, Snakes & More - Ep. 8

June 17, 2025 • 82 mins
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....
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The Price of Paradise with Florida Keys Biologist Christina Wilson - Ep. 7

June 4, 2025 • 94 mins
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 he...
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Ultimate Predator Battle: Filming Wildlife in Brazil – Ep. 6

May 21, 2025 • 85 mins
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 ...
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Roars, Howls, Noise, & Silence with Production Sound Mixer Ryan LaVergne - Ep. 5

May 7, 2025 • 45 mins
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 alo...
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Bigfoot, Aliens & Mystery Creatures – Monster Hunter Pat Spain – Ep. 4

April 23, 2025 • 73 mins
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 ...
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Monkeys Eat Lizard Alive! - Global Guardians Ep. 3

April 9, 2025 • 87 mins
Mario and Trent share their gear insights and the importance of being "dialed in" for filming wild moments, using their Costa Rica experiences—including capuchin monkeys eating a live iguana—as a prime example. This episode offers a raw, behind-the-scenes look at documenting critical ecosystems in real-time. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/globalguardians and get on your way t...
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Fire Nearly Wiped Out His Life’s Work - Entomologist Jim Cordoba - Ep. 2

March 26, 2025 • 86 mins
Mario interviews entomologist and conservationist Jim Cordoba! They explore the role of insects in the ecosystem, stunning biodiversity stats from Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, the controversial practice of shark finning, the impact of conservation on local communities, and how annual agricultural fires threaten Jim’s jungle reserve. Jim is president of the BioSur Foundation, and non-profit organization based in Costa Rica dedic...
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Crocs Found at Nuclear Site?! - Global Guardians Episode 1

March 19, 2025 • 52 mins
Join Mario Aldecoa and Trent Underwood as they launch Global Guardians! This first episode dives into their personal origin stories, exploring the paths that led them to wildlife filmmaking. They'll also give you a sneak peek at future guests and topics, and Mario recounts his experience working with crocs at a nuclear facility. 00:00:00 Intro Global Guardians, Why and History of Global Guardians 00:06:05 Mario’s background, vol...
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Introducing: Global Guardians

March 17, 2025 • 1 min
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 h...
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