Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Bethea.
Hi Ryan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been blessed. I mean, I grew up in San Diego. Does it get much better than that? Son to a prominent radio host and a father who is a specialist in global security. And just like that, you get the hybrid entertainer and businessman that was probably destiny all along.
I was always making movies, writing plays, hamming it up wherever and whenever I could. I developed a deep love of making people laugh and fell in love with documenting the lessons learned from the human experience. After college, I began working in the start-up scene and business took precedent though the pilot light for entertaining and hosting still flickered. Years later, after I had made some money and had some success as a consultant, I decided it was time to head back into the media world and reignite that passion.
Like everyone else, I wanted to host a show, but I had the vision to make it different. I also had friends around me that encouraged me and told me I had to do it. At some point, you just have to go with what you have, and the best idea we had at the time was to make a podcast with an entirely mobile studio. When it came to aesthetics, I have always been a massive fan of Disneyland and the Blue Bayou inside Pirates of the Caribbean. That “Outside” nature on the inside aesthetic of a restaurant always made me feel like I was transported to another world. So we designed the inside of our studio to be a model from camping somewhere in some mystical mountains. Thus “I went camping” was born.
The best conversations happen by a fire, so I figured, what the heck? I wanted to sit down with the best people and get at life’s most important lessons, to hear the stories that weren’t being told. Anyone and everyone. UFC legends to Grammy nominees, to Disney Stars. I wanted to hear all the wisdom I could and share it with the world. It’s also a ton of fun.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Laughing at the question considering our bus travels the nation and we are always grateful for smooth roads. It’s been smooth except for the rather small issue of the pandemic. I mean, we built a studio in January, and then the world changed forever. Suddenly it was not so exciting to be in a confined space with someone indoors for an hour. So we had to go back and retrofit the entire thing with plexiglass, advanced air filtration, social distancing, you name it. I’m amazed with what we have accomplished given the circumstances. I had an amazing team that really blessed me along the way and provided some incredible workarounds.
On top of that, you have the constant question of whether you’re living a fantasy or not. People love and support you, they want you to succeed, and so sometimes you wonder if you’re getting real feedback. You hope what you are making is successful. It’s such a gift to be able to do what you love and make a living. It’s also rare. I am excited to see where this takes us.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
My main background is in marketing and sales. I’ve since repented of the latter. I’ve worked with tons of tech companies and love the thrill of accelerating a start-up. I’ve worked on everything from start-up private airlines to films to education reform. As a producer, my content is known for equal parts levity and depth. I love the serious inquisition of a hard-hitting journalist, with enough humor and laughs to ease fill the space. I love talking about the deep things in life and celebrating the stuff that is simple but so profound. We do segments on family, gratitude, reminders of who helped us along the journey and lots of others. I have always loved asking deep questions and challenging the ways things are done.
Our current show, I Went Camping With, is centered on deep, intimate and fireside chats with some of today’s most interesting people. We have another show called “Kinda Christian” that features the top theologians and pastors in the world sitting down to be asked the toughest questions of faith. Both of which are growing nicely.
I’m honestly most proud of the fact that I have been able to care out a wonderful living, doing something I enjoy with people I love, and to have a shot at hosting for a living. I’ve been blessed to interview some amazing people- Chuck Liddell, Andre Cymone, David Henrie, Bill Gerber, Bailee Madison, very fortunate.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Happy to chat with anyone and fill in the gaps/etc.
Contact Info:
- Email: Ryan@ryanbethea.com
- Website: Linktree.com/wentcamping
- Instagram: @wentcamping
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8P_1_h13Z4xkgdoNSz12bg
Image Credits:
Gregory Woodman, Mark Reininga.
