Josh Bernstein

Josh Bernstein, born in 1971, is an American explorer, writer, and survival expert recognized for his television work. He gained prominence as the host of The History Channel's 'Digging for the Truth,' an adventure-archaeology series that explored ancient mysteries and became the network's highest-rated show. Bernstein also hosted Discovery Channel's 'Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein' for one season. His background includes extensive academic study, having earned degrees in Anthropology and Psychology with minors in Native American and Near Eastern Studies from Cornell University. He further pursued postgraduate studies in Jerusalem, focusing on mysticism and ancient texts.

Beyond his media career, Bernstein served as the president and CEO of the Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS), a renowned institution for traditional living skills. He has a diverse range of professional affiliations and accomplishments, including being a fellow of The Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society. Bernstein is also a skilled photographer and writer, with his work published in numerous major magazines. His personal life includes his Jewish heritage, with family roots in Jerusalem, and he has experienced significant personal losses. He was briefly married and later divorced.

Josh Bernstein is widely recognized for his role as the host of 'Digging for the Truth,' a popular adventure-archaeology series on The History Channel that premiered in 2005. The show delved into ancient mysteries worldwide and achieved record-breaking ratings for the network. Bernstein's tenure on the program concluded in April 2007. He later transitioned to the Discovery Channel, where he hosted 'Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein' for a single season. His public persona often drew comparisons to Indiana Jones, though Bernstein himself downplayed this association, emphasizing his genuine exploration and research rather than fictional portrayals. He is a fellow of prestigious organizations like The Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society, underscoring his credentials as a serious explorer.

Bernstein's academic foundation is rooted in a double major in Anthropology and Psychology from Cornell University, complemented by double minors in Native American and Near Eastern Studies. This academic background provided a framework for his later explorations. Following his undergraduate studies, he spent a year in Jerusalem engaged in postgraduate work, where his studies specifically included mysticism and ancient texts. This period of study in a historically significant and spiritually charged location likely informed his approach to exploring ancient mysteries and potentially contributed to his interest in the esoteric aspects of human history and belief systems.

Prior to and alongside his television career, Josh Bernstein held a significant leadership role at the Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS), the world's oldest and largest traditional living skills and survival school. Bernstein's involvement with BOSS began as a student at age 17, progressing through apprenticeships and instructor roles before assuming the position of president and CEO in 1997. He led the organization until January 2014, when he sold his stake to pursue new educational ventures. His extensive experience in survival and outdoor skills, cultivated through BOSS, complements his work as an explorer and documentarian of ancient cultures and their practices.