Welcome back Explore listeners! We are thrilled to have award-winning photographer and explorer Jillian Brown as our first guest of 2025. Based in Squamish, B.C., Brown has an epic list of adventures. She was the first Canadian to paddle across the continental US, from Oregon to Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. Brown was also part of the first crew to paddle down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in a sea kayak, which is not made for whitewater, as she explains. As a survivor of trauma and abuse, Brown is a strong and vocal advocate for those suffering from PTSD, promoting the importance of connecting to nature as a tool for healing while working with military veterans, first responders and more.Brown’s adventures have taken her up mountains and down rivers across North America.I couldn’t help noticing that many of her stories ended with the phrase, “But we survived!”  So buckle in and enjoy!And good news, the Canadian Geographic Polar Plunge Fundraiser is back! This year, the plunge will occur on March 9th in Canada's lakes, rivers and oceans. Check-in on the Canadian Geographic website and social media to learn more about how you can contribute and support Canadian Geographic’s mission of making Canada better known to Canadians and the world!