Guest: Briana Evigan. Actress (Step Up 2, Step Up 3D, S. Darko), Founder of Abundant Village, Humanitarian & Conservation AdvocateBriana Evigan spent years doing what most actors only dream of. The Step Up franchise, billboards across LA, film after film. But the pace caught up with her, and behind the success was burnout, loneliness, and the creeping feeling that none of it was enough.A trip to Bali started shifting things. Riding an elephant in Indonesia and learning what happens behind the scenes in tourist camps lit something she couldn't ignore. That led her to the poaching crisis, two months trekking with mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and eventually Southern Africa. A baby elephant named Selma, caught in a poacher's snare, became one of the most important teachers of her life. The lesson: if we don't heal humans first, we'll never protect animals or the planet.During the pandemic, a night of powerful reflection in Beverly Hills made the decision for her. She sold her house, sold her car, packed up her dog, and booked a one-way ticket. Five years on, she's living in Zimbabwe and co-leading Abundant Village.We talk about how that model works, what she learned from sitting down with poachers, and why conservation without community is fighting a losing battle.If you've ever thought about doing something completely different with your life, this one is worth your time. Leave a review if you enjoy it and share it with someone who needs to hear it.Connect With Briana & Abundant Village🌍 Website: abundantvillage.world📸 Instagram: @abundantvillage | @brianaevigan▶️ YouTube: Briana Evigan — including the short documentaries The Land Remembers and Circles of Connection💼 LinkedIn: @brianaevigan💛 Donate: abundantvillage Watch / Read🎬 The Land Remembers — Short documentary by Abundant Village (YouTube)🎬 Circles of Connection — Short documentary by Abundant Village (YouTube)🎬 “Coming To South Aftica” — Briana's personal video documenting her move to Southern Africa (YouTube)CreditsHost, Producer and Editor: Chris BaronGuest: Briana EviganMusic: Music_Unlimited and SaavaneSounds effects: Pixabay and FreeSoundTopics & Keywordswildlife conservation, community conservation, Abundant Village Zimbabwe, Briana Evigan, Step Up actress, Hollywood burnout, humanitarian work Africa, anti-poaching, elephant poaching, pangolin, mountain gorillas Uganda, Zimbabwe conservation, Chisarira Zimbabwe, Kruger National Park conservation, plant medicine spiritual awakening, life reinvention, purpose-driven life, leaving fame behind, conservation documentary, actress turned conservationist, illegal wildlife trade, poaching supply chain, Bali spiritual experience, Uluwatu Temple, burnout recovery, podcast about conservation, humanitarian podcast, Send us Fan MailSUPPORT US - NOM is a 100% independent show. Help us keep the lights on by buying us a coffee (or a beer) - https://buymeacoffee.com/noordinarymonday. We're deeply grateful for any level of support. SHOW SOME LOVE - click five-stars on whatever platform you're on, and leave us a review, or tell a friend about the show. WANT TO BE A GUEST? You can submit your own career story through our website at www.noordinarymonday.com, or email us at [email protected].

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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