The Human Adventure
The Human Adventure
Jake Bushman
Saving Elephants, Finding Purpose In Bali with Nigel Mason
44 minutes Posted Mar 26, 2026 at 6:00 am.
Framing Nigel’s Odyssey
Host Welcome And Housekeeping
Meeting Nigel Across Time Zones
Wartime Roots And Loss
Australia, Grit, And Music Industry
Burning Out And Choosing Bali
Starting Over And Fitting In
Love, A Restaurant, And Momentum
Inventing Armchair Rafting
Success, Shutdown, And A Fight
Reopening To A Crowded River
Turning To Elephant Rescue
Operation Jumbo And Learning Fast
Activism, Standards, And Tough Calls
Ending Rides And Rebuilding
Designing A Living Jungle
Close Encounters Without Rides
COVID’s Toll And Survival
The Mahout Bond And Care
Memory, Reunion, And Trust
Joys, Aging, And Perspective
Legacy, Impact, And Adventure
Rapid Fire And Final Thanks
Closing Notes And Next Guest
0:00
44:41
Download MP3
Show notes
#217 - What does it take to leave one life, build another, and then wager it all on saving a species? We sit down with Nigel Mason, whose path runs from blitz-era London to the beaches of Bali, from music PR to pioneering “armchair rafting,” and finally to a 30-year fight to protect Sumatran elephants. His story blends grit, heartbreak, and stubborn hope as he turns a sanctuary into a living classroom and proves that hands-on adventure can fuel real conservation. Nigel opens up about the ear...