Bush & Banter is a seasonal, outdoor-inspired podcast hosted by thru-hikers Jennifer Mabus and Dyana Carmella. Each episode dives into captivating conversations with some of the most adventurous people from around the globe.

Jennifer Mabus (Bush)

Jennifer Mabus, better known in the hiking community as “Starburst,” completed the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail in 2018, followed by the Tahoe Rim Trail in 2020. An avid outdoors enthusiast with a love for wild stories and pushing limits, Jennifer is not only an accomplished thru-hiker but also a world-class messy hair aficionado. She has traveled to places as diverse as Iceland, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, and England. Jennifer works as a mechanical engineer in Reno, Nevada, where she lives with her husband, Owen, and their children, Finley and Sadie.

Dyana Carmella (Banter)

Dyana is a producer and writer based in Los Angeles, California. In 2019, she completed the 1,200-mile Pacific Northwest Trail, followed by the Tahoe Rim Trail in 2020 alongside her co-host, Jennifer Mabus. In 2024, she took on the Colorado Trail, continuing her mission to promote solo travel as a pathway to self-discovery and a deeper understanding of the world. In 2023, she released her first nonfiction book, A Walk Thru Neverland, chronicling her journey across the Pacific Northwest. Dyana currently divides her time between Los Angeles, Carpinteria, and Palm Springs.