Mandela Leola van Eeden

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT MANDELA LEOLA VAN EEDEN

I grew up going back and forth between Montana\'s public lands and a private nature reserve at the most southern tip of Africa. This upbringing has shaped me into the professional storyteller and conservationist I am today. I have worked as an international adventure guide and expedition leader on multiple continents with a focus on multi-day whitewater expeditions, often living outside in remote places for months at a time. This is work that has demanded that I be a great team player, as well as maintain an honest core of empathy for others. My expertise is focused on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, the Alsek River, the Zambezi River, and the Middle Fork/Main Salmon River. My personal and professional methodologies are consistent: I read, listen, write, speak, communicate, create, think, do, share, teach and follow through. I serve on the board of directors for the Montana Wildlife Federation and the Montana Natural History Center. I work full-time in communications and media. For the past two decades, I have worked as the host, writer, producer, photographer, editor and audiographer of a weekly outdoor adventure radio series & award winning podcast called, “The Trail Less Traveled.” The show has been recorded on location in 26+ countries with over 675+ episodes as of 8/2025. I have fostered lasting relationships with journalists and other media influencers through my extensive travels filming and recording interviews around the world. I have a strong respect for others, especially for those who do not necessarily have the same worldview. I have two decades of experience doing narrative reporting and stories organized around plot. I am an artist with an eye for detail and I work magic in editing and production. My years of crafting immersive radio narratives have also taught me the importance of meticulous and dedicated pre-production work. I oversee tape gathering, audio editing, and all other areas of production. I direct talent in the studio (and in the field) and handle every step of the digital audio mixes in addition to music scores that inspire and spark emotion. I handle special projects including interactive web features, social media, photography, writing, videos, print pieces and live performances. I am passionate about outreach in schools for students of all ages. My presentations are diverse yet focused on culture and conservation. I do everything from podcast production, film making, media relations, social media strategic management and content creation on in all areas in front of and behind the camera.