From Hamburg to the Sahara with Jan & Renata Pasel

Jan & Renata Pasel

When we started recording the Alternative Urban season we thought we’d need to find guests through stalking interesting Instagram profiles. Not the case with Jan & Renata as we bumped into them deep in the South Western desert of the United States and from the moment Jan introduced himself, I knew he was a friend for life.

As we spent more time together, their story unfolded in chapters from an adventurous love story. Jan, originally German fell in love with Renata, originally Croatian in Southern Spain. Within months they were married touring Europe in their retro Mercedes van. Discovering they were pregnant, they returned to Hamburg to build their city lives - Jan finishing medical school and Renata just commencing art school - a five year full time commitment. Over the next five years they had twin boys and a daughter and the pace of their life increased to a frenetic pace. However travel remained a staple in their lives.

Eventually they decided to take a year off and travel all of Africa as a family but getting there nearly broke them. Fortunately it didn’t and the trip to Africa set the tone of their family lifestyle forthwith. Both Jan and Renata are driven, talented and are willing to take on projects that would scare most away making them an absolute inspiration.

Learn more about Renata’s Art on her website or instagram.

Rewilding Parenthood was produced by Afuera Vida and hosted by Colin Boyd & Sofi Aldinio. Follow Our journey, and podcast highlights on instagram.

Sound Design & Editing by Mercedes Riva

Music by Thomas Tyrel