Zachary Green is the CEO of Mountains Calling Media and Co-Founder of Rivers are Life. With over 20 years producing award-winning, genre-defining series for major networks and platforms, including the global franchise Alone (History Channel/Netflix), he has built a career at the intersection of storytelling, conservation, and brand-funded content. A storyteller at heart, Zach champions narratives that inspire audiences, drive impact, and rally us to protect the wild places we love to explore.

How many years have you been a judge?

1-3

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first job in the industry was on CBS’s Survivor, as a member of what’s affectionately called the “Dream Team”; the group of young staffers who help test and build the challenges. I left a steady corporate role in CBS Ad Sales in New York to take a chance on a new path, and it changed my life. Overnight, I went from a cubicle in Manhattan to living in a tent on an uninhabited beach in Thailand, working in a fledgling new genre of television in the early 2000s.

That experience taught me that creativity mixed with grit, endurance, and logic can be incredibly powerful. It showed me that this industry is filled with amazing people. And most importantly, it proved that it’s possible to build a long career doing something I truly love.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

I’m most proud of my work on the global hit Alone. It was a completely new type of storytelling that turned a genre on its head and has since become the gold standard by which other survival series are measured. We built something that had never been done before and created a format that feels truly real, with the most authentic storytelling of any project I’ve worked on to date. What makes me proudest is that it continues to resonate: now in its 12th season, airing in over 200 territories worldwide, it’s a series that audiences everywhere can connect with and enjoy.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

The most challenging part of this industry is navigating the ever-shifting sands; audience behaviors evolve, platforms rise and fall, and business models change faster than ever. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. The challenge is staying nimble, anticipating what’s next, and building teams and stories that can adapt. But that’s also what makes it exciting. The constant reinvention keeps you sharp and pushes you to innovate.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

For me, excellence in video and television comes down to authenticity and impact. On the craft side, it’s about compelling storytelling, strong characters, and visuals that feel intentional and memorable. But the real measure is whether the audience can see themselves in the characters they’re watching, whether the story moves them, teaches them, or inspires them to see the world differently. When a project combines creative mastery with that kind of resonance, that’s when I know it’s excellent.

How do you unwind from work mode?

I unwind by putting family first, spending time with my kids, coaching hockey, skiing fresh powder, and making sure I’m present so I don’t miss the important stuff. When it comes to being outside, that’s where I can really recharge. Exploring, adventuring, and pushing limits in the backcountry, whether it’s skiing, climbing, or fishing, being outdoors is where I find balance and inspiration.

When did you know that this career is what you wanted to do?

I realized this was the career I wanted when I was in college. I was double-majoring in Archaeology and Environmental Studies, and as part of my program I lived in East Africa for a time. At 19, I found myself in northern Kenya, working on a wildlife management program and tracking elephants. One day, my advisor asked me to guide a visiting team of researchers to a herd I’d been following. That “research team” turned out to be a camera crew from National Geographic.

I only spent a few days with them, but it was transformative. Hearing about their lives, their travels, and the adventures they got to call work lit a spark in me. I had no background in storytelling, cameras, or production, but I suddenly saw a path where I could explore the world, have extraordinary experiences, and share them with others… and get paid to do it!From that moment on, I was hooked.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

I lean on a few practices to keep my creativity fueled. First, I carve out time to unplug; being outside, away from screens, always sparks new ideas. I also read widely and draw inspiration from unexpected places, whether it’s history, science, or a good novel. Collaboration is another big one: bouncing ideas around with smart, passionate people always leads to new perspectives. Most of all, I try to stay curious; asking questions, exploring, and seeing the world with fresh eyes is the best way I know to keep creativity alive.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

What inspired me to join this field has always been the spirit of adventure. I’ve been drawn to travel, to hard-to-reach places, and to the kind of characters you only meet when you step off the beaten path. Authenticity is at the core of it. Capturing real people, real challenges, and real environments in a way that connects with audiences. For me, storytelling has always been about more than just entertainment. It’s about bringing viewers into these worlds, giving them a sense of discovery, and showing that truth can be every bit as powerful as fiction.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

One of the most significant changes in the industry is how quickly audience behaviors are evolving. Traditional models are giving way to streaming, FAST channels, and brand-funded content, and the competition for attention has never been more intense. In this environment, authenticity is everything. Viewers can spot inauthentic storytelling instantly. My insight is that the way to navigate these shifts is by staying nimble: embracing new platforms, experimenting with formats, and above all, telling stories that feel real and resonate with people’s lives. If the story is authentic, it can cut through the noise, no matter where or how it’s distributed.

What’s a work tool you use every day and what’s one that is obsolete that you wish still existed?

A work tool I use every day is collaboration software; everything from Slack and Zoom to cloud-based editing platforms. The ability to stay connected with teams across time zones and to review creative in real time has completely changed how we work.

One tool I wish still existed is the simplicity of an old-school edit bay with everyone in the same room. There was a magic in having directors, editors, and producers shoulder to shoulder, reacting to the same cut at the same time. Remote tools are powerful, but nothing quite replaces that creative energy of being in the room together.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

I currently serve as CEO of Mountains Calling Media and Co-Founder of Rivers are Life. In these roles, I lead teams in developing and producing content that spans premium television, documentary film, and brand-funded storytelling. My responsibilities range from shaping creative vision and overseeing production to building partnerships with networks, global brands, and NGOs. I also work closely with partners to design content strategies that deliver measurable impact while inspiring audiences worldwide.

What I love most about my job is the opportunity to bring powerful stories to life. Stories that entertain, but also connect people to a larger purpose. Whether I’m on location with a crew in a remote environment or collaborating with executives in a boardroom, I’m inspired by the idea that storytelling can change how people see the world and motivate them to protect it. That blend of creativity, adventure, and real-world impact is what drives me every day.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

Right now, I’m leading several projects that I’m really excited about. At Mountains Calling Media, we’re developing a slate of original series, including a natural history project that uses cutting-edge macro cinematography to reveal ecosystems we’ve never truly seen before, and a feature documentary/limited series about America’s first solar-powered town, exploring how communities can thrive while living in balance with the environment.

On the brand-funded side, the work at Rivers are Life, the global conservation platform I co-founded, continues to move forward with films and campaigns that spotlight river guardians around the world. I’m also in active exploratory talks with several Fortune 500 brands and organizations that are taking a deeper dive into brand-funded content.

These projects excite me because they sit at the intersection of creativity, purpose, and impact, the sweet spot where storytelling doesn’t just entertain, it inspires real change.