Wisdom of the Wilderness: Recent Episodes
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Sharing wisdom gained from time spent in nature, with a dose of inspirational and empowering stories of everyday people moving through uncharted territory, both literal and figurative.
Connect via wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
It’s almost spring! I thought it appropriate and relevant to talk about transitions and share some wisdom for navigating them as we shift into the season of new growth and possibilities. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wisdomofthewilderness/message
Courage Determination Bravery--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wisdomofthewilderness/message
Did Not Finish (DNF) a race doesn’t define who you are. Today I'm reading an article I wrote about my DNF experience at the Coldwater Rumble by Aravaipa Running in Estrella Regional Park on January 20.
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Today I delve into some of the questions and meanings we can consider when more desert animals cross our path. I'd forgotten about javelina and coyote as I recorded the previous episode, so decided to add them in here.
Javelina showed up for me last week in southern Arizona while I was driving at night: a family of four curiously investigating part of the desert. In a curious twist of fate, the day I recorded the episode, coyotes showed up multiple times both before and after. One place was in the book I finished that morning, about a tree in Haida Gwaii entitled The Golden Spruce by John Vaillant (highly recommend). One telling of that tree can be found here on the Haida Tourism site.
Thank you for listening! You can connect with me at cactusmoose@protonmail.com or @cactusmoose on Instagram with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Have a wonderful day, and enjoy the time you spend in nature.
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Thank you for listening, friends! Today's run surprised me with three different lizard or gecko sightings. I thought that since they were spaced throughout my 7.5 mile run that there was likely a message for me in the guise of their wisdom. To my trusty Medicine Cards deck I went, and discovered lizard/gecko medicine is about dreaming.
We discuss dreaming the future into your perceived reality, and some steps to take to bring those far-off goals into your lived experience.
As always, you can contact me on Instagram or at cactusmoose@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Until next week, enjoy the weather and opt outside whenever you can.
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Thanks for listening today, friends! It's a solo episode discussing the wisdom of some of my favorite desert beings: the saguaro cactus, roadrunner, owl and desert tortoise.
Inspiration for the episode comes from
Symbols of the Southwest
National Parks Service
Jamie Sams & David Carson
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Today’s solo episode shares a bit of my experience focusing on gratitude, and some ways we can flip a perspective to seeing something to be grateful for in any situation we might find ourselves in. Connect with me on Instagram @cactusmoose or cactusmoose@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wisdomofthewilderness/message
Happy 2024, friends! We're starting the year off with Realist Idealist for another discussion... this time about the importance of rest.
Realist Idealist has made a point over the past 8 months to incorporate scheduled rest into her schedule... turns out, it ain't so easy.
We chat about her motivation to schedule rest, what's out of balance, the history of a sabbath day or full day of rest, the importance of recharging both psychologically and spiritually, and how her rest days change as her life ebbs and flows. Other topics that pop up are challenging the 9-5/8-4 Monday to Friday concept of work, questioning the control-based work schedules, and asking yourself if your life is full and is the schedule of your job working for you. It is important to note that rest looks different for everyone.
It's a challenge to separate oneself from the constant dings and addictive nature of technology, but ultimately it helps us reset and rejuvenate. Additionally, taking a day of inactivity can be a huge challenge for many.
Rest allows for a reset to happen, and can be incorporated into weekly, fortnightly or monthly schedules. It's something I'm actively focusing on, as it's a challenge for me to stop moving and just sit or lie still.
Realist Idealist read the book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer before beginning her journey to rest more.
Thank you for listening, friends! I would greatly appreciate it if you shared this episode and gave it a rating and review on your podcast platform of choice. You can contact me at cactusmoose@protonmail.com on Instagram or on my website gregveregin.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions.
I hope you get a chance to be outside and take some deep breaths in a beautiful spot in nature. Until next week...
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Thank you for listening today, friends! We've got a great episode with Heidi Jorgenson, an inspiring ultrarunner, obstacle course racer (OCR), and sponsored Speedland athlete in Arizona. Connect with her on Instagram or TikTok.
We cover a number of topics including mindset, bringing dreams to reality, the challenges of ultramarathons, how she became an OCR athlete, how she became a contestant on 3 seasons of American Ninja Warrior, and some of her bucket list items and long term goals. It was fun to record out at Tempe Town Lake on a gorgeous sunny winter day.
We originally met at at mile 76 of Mak Regan's Javelina Jundred experience in October 2022. The story of our roles in Mak's race can be heard on this Gremlin Talk podcast.
Heidi's positive energy and inner light shine through during our conversation, and there are nuggets of wisdom hidden throughout. It'll be fun following her progress toward goals this year, and watching Ninja Warrior to see how she fares.
Below are links for some of the references from our wide-ranging chat:
Matt Fitzgerald - How Bad Do You Want It and The Champion's Mind
American Ninja Warrior
Spartan Race
Savage Race
As always, I hope you enjoy this episode, and that you get a chance to day to appreciate something beautiful in nature. You can connect with me on Instagram or by email cactusmoose@protonmail.com
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Flow state... the feeling of being so connected and having such energized focus in an activity as to lose track of time. It's what athletes and performers speak of... and it can also relate to our lives. Specifically, how well we are flowing with life, taking the path of least resistance. Or not.
In today's episode I share different ways I've found to connect to flow state, and how being in flow state has led me to new connections, opportunities and directions when I am open and receptive.
As always, connect with me on Instagram or at cactusmoose@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Until next week, here's to enjoying some quiet moments outside today!
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Thank you for listening, friends!
Today's episode was so much fun to record. Amanda and I share a mutual friend that introduced us at the recent Javelina Jundred Endurance Run in Arizona.
Amanda is a badass outdoor adventurer, having completed the Adirondack 46ers and currently working on the Adirondack Grid of 552 peaks. Amanda performed well at the race, and completed the 100 miles to get her finisher's buckle.
We talk about what happened in her race a couple weeks ago including why she decided to run 100 miles far from her mountainous New York home, what it's like to be in the desert overnight, what she ate, how her pacers made the last 2 20-mile loops fun, what she's up to next.
A great life tip was shared in the episode: to simply follow an idea. Just do it, and learn from it. Amanda crushed Javelina, and next up is completing the full Adirondack Grid.
It was a blast to record with Amanda: our laughter and Amanda's stoke fill the episode.
As always, connect with me on Instagram or through cactusmoose@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions.
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Thank you for listening today, friends! Today's guest is Melissa Crawford, a Medical Intuitive based in Nelson, British Columbia.
Melissa shares her journey from Medical Doctor in the allopathic system to Medical Intuitive, and how that journey was shaped by her own personal healing. Simple nature connection has strongly affected her, and she is enthusiastic about bringing nature time into personal time and homeschooling her son. Melissa uses a variety of modalities including Light Therapy, Holistic Detox, Reiki, Vibrational Water Medicine, Medical intuition and ThetaHealing.
We address a range of topics including her favorite nature connections, the potency of frequency medicine (Homeopathy and Vibrational Water Medicine), truth versus social programming, her experience healing on a deeper level through complementary, integrative modalities often eschewed by mainstream voices, teaching and modeling emotional intelligence, and how healing is simple... but not always easy.
This was a fun conversation full of great tidbits and resources. Melissa can be found on LinkedIn, Facebook, her website, Telegram and Instagram. She offers both in-person and remote healing for individuals, and group healings through her Wild Hearts Collective Membership as well as other workshops online and in-person.
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Hello friends, and thank you for listening. Today's episode details my experience being part of the biggest Hallowe'en ultramarathon dance party in the desert... the Aravaipa Running's Javelina Jundred presented by Hoka.
I did a lot, met a lot of cool people, and have so many more fun memories of driving trucks, pounding T-posts, setting up tents and passing out belt buckles. It's the first time I've been at a race and NOT been at an aid station.
Want to join us next year? Check out the Javelina Jundred website, Facebook page, Ultrasignup and the other events put on by Aravaipa. Signup starts January 1, 2024!
Remember... Arizona is AWESOME! Haha, just like all of us Aquarii are.
As always, you can connect with me with questions, comments and guest suggestions through my Instagram or cactusmoose@protonmail.com
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Thanks for listening today, friends!
I had a rough couple hour stretch after my trail adventure yesterday when I thought I'd lost my wallet. Turns out I hadn't, I just didn't look hard enough in my run vest, but it was rough nonetheless. Thinking I'd lost it, and how long it would take to replace what's in there, provided the material for today's episode. I share a bit about what's in my wallet, and some strategies I'm now using to make sure I can manage.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest requests. You can also follow me on Instagram @cactusmoose
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Thanks for listening today, friends!
The elk have unexpectedly dropped out of the high country, and I've seen some every day this past week. I thought I'd check in on elk medicine, and share a couple of tidbits about how I've applied that wisdom to my life.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com or @cactusmoose on Instagram with questions, comments and guest suggestions. There might be a slight shift in the podcast as momentum builds on another project I've been pondering.
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Hi there friends, thank you for listening today.
I've been seeing chipmunks everywhere for the past week, and decided to record an episode today about their wisdom.
Feel free to contact me with questions, comments and guest suggestions at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com or on Instagram @cactusmoose
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Thanks for listening today, friends!
Last Saturday, July 22, I ran a 50k ultramarathon in the town of Fernie: the Elk Valley Ultra by Stag Leap Running. Today I'm sharing my race-day experience: having stomach issues 5 miles in, seeing a bear cub, and doing a lot of climbing while it was 95 degrees. The course is gorgeous, and I highly recommend it for the views; it's also tough, and will test you on the climbs and technical sections.
It was a blast to go out and see how I fare against others, and we were blessed with a beautiful bluebird, smoke-free day in the valley.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest ideas. I'm also on instagram @cactusmoose
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Thanks for listening today, friends! I had a chance encounter with a badger on my run today, and thought I'd share badger medicine from the Sams & Carson deck I frequently use. Lo and behold, it's a meaning that's spot on for what I am experiencing in some aspects of my life.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Until next week, here's to spending time outdoors and unplugged!
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Thanks for listening today, friends! We had a stressful situation out here a couple weeks ago now, and I wanted to collect my thoughts and share my experience dealing with a forest fire.
We got really lucky in that it was nearby, reported to us quickly, and we were prepared. A small crew of four of us got it put out. It could have easily become out-of-control due to conditions that day. Living with fire is a reality of life throughout North America, and not just in recent memory. Our ponderosa forest depends upon fire for its health.
I offer today my experience as a source of what went right, what could have gone wrong, and what I didn't do or even consider when fighting the fire. I learned a lot, about not just fire behavior but about resourcefulness and the need to be self-reliant. I'm grateful for the chance to practice earlier in the spring.
Fire safety is great to review periodically, especially when heading out to camp, run or hike in fire-prone areas. Just like I could have easily been in a bad place when the winds shifted, you could find yourself stuck in an unfortunate situation. The tips were modified from a Department of Interior website, and common sense hopefully prevails when people are recreating in the bush. Please do not do something stupid like setting off fireworks to reveal whether your baby will be a boy or girl.
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Thanks for listening, friends! Today's episode details a few of the... adventures I've had in airports when traveling in western North America. Learn from my experiences traveling after performing landscape beautification and trying out a new dietary addition... things didn't go exactly as planned. This episode will help you know what NOT to do when traveling.
As always, connect with me on Instagram or through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Until the next episode, I hope you have a wonderful day and get a chance to decompress in the fresh air.
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Values.
What are they? How do they shape our lives? How do they change over time as we grow and evolve?
Today's episode is a perspective on values, how to approach them, and some questions to use to determine what your values are, and whether you're living in alignment with them.
Material for the episode is from a conglomeration of websites including this one.
As always, contact me with questions, comments and guest suggestions.
Cheers, friends, and be sure to get out into nature today.
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Thank you for listening, friends!
Today's topic is frequency/vibration from a spiritual or metaphysical perspective... and some ways that you can raise yours. What can happen when you raise your vibes, let go of old, non-serving behaviors and toxic people/places/situations? Listen along for some suggestions and reflections from my life experience.
I also pulled a card, When A Witch Must Drink Their Brew, from Colette Baron-Reid's free oracle cards app available here: https://www.colettebaronreid.com/use-colettes-free-online-oracle-cards-app/
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Thanks for listening today, friends! I've been asked a lot about the details of my recent 5 month road trip, and about what are things I considered when planning out my trip. Today's episode goes through some of my thought processes and tips for creating an epic adventure.
Topics covered include
-planning
-prioritizing
-what's important and NOT important to you
-saving & budgeting
-fear of the unknown... it's just unknown
-researching the trip through blogs, social media, videos, books, asking friends to share their stories
Next steps for my Fall '23 trip
-redesigning the platform
-waterproofing the canopy
-improving gas mileage
-researching places & races
-clearing clutter and minimizing the stuff I bring
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Today's episode is another with my good friend Realist Idealist. Unfortunately, the first 45 minutes of our discussion of language is lost to the ethers, but what's left is a neat discussion. It's a philosophical discussion the likes of which I enjoy for the different perspectives that we can access.
Language is a powerful tool. Realist Idealist ponders what we can become aware of as we notice how the use of certain words make us feel.
We chat about lifestyle design, affirmations, how to stay positive while your focus isn't manifesting, and what you're speaking into existence. There's a discussion about how if an affirmation is not going to change you, it's not going to work.
A big part of this episode is our chat about values - what is important to you, and are you making that a priority in your life? It's been neat for me to reflect upon that concept as I've redesigned my life to fit my values rather than those of external organizations.
When you think things are falling apart, what if they are actually falling together? Could a shift in perspective or language help you through a situation you're experiencing?
Realist Idealist organizes her life around living the question, and then living her way into the answer. The full context of the snippet can be found in the poem below or at this link:
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke
As always, thanks for listening! Feel free to contact me at cactusmoose@protonmail.com or on Instagram with questions, comments and guest requests.
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I spent a lot of the past 5 months dry camping in my truck as I explored the desert and participated in the trail and ultrarunning communities. Today's episode is a synopsis of the motivation for the trip, as well as what I learned.
The main reasons for the trip were to see friends, explore the desert, try out the snowbird lifestyle and connect with the community I enjoy in different places. There are a few things I'd change about my camping setup, the routes I took, places I still have yet to experience, and taking much less stuff... that's not at all to say it was a bad trip, only that there's ways it could be improved.
I also chat about what I learned and some of the key takeaways from the whole experience making new friends, seeing new places, reconnecting to old ones, and attempting to date along the way. The passenger seat is still open, and there will be more space and a greater degree of comfort this coming fall.
Thank you for listening! As always, you can connect with me on Instagram or through cactusmoose@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest requests. Enjoy!
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Thanks for listening, friends! Today's episode is my perspective of the events from the Aravaipa Running Black Canyon 100k that I ran on February 18, 2023 in Arizona.
It was a great experience: meeting new and old friends, being part of the race community and supporting others.
A lot of things happened that day, and even in the recording and as I write the description I realize I've missed a few things. Here are a few links to topics or people I mention during the episode:
Heidi Garner Studio made the awesome Black Canyon 100k buff racers received
Race results are here
Black Canyon Trail
My friend
My friend Lindsay
My friend Emily
My friend Jen
Phoenix PT and dry needling
As always, contact me with questions, comments and guest suggestions at cactusmoose@protonmail.com or through Instagram
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It's been a hot minute friends! This week's episode catches you up on January busy-ness, and what I've been pondering as this adventure comes to an end. My long run in January was a whopping mile(!!) while I stayed with friends for lambing season to learn, experience and help out. That prompted the idea for today's episode, and with the nonstop nature of lambing/calving on the ranch, explains the absence of episodes lately.
One thing we can all do is lend a hand to another person, cause or endeavor that we support. Maybe it's listening to a friend struggling with a relationship; maybe it's digging ditches for your favorite trails or maybe it's bottle-feeding bum lambs at 2 in the morning 7 days a week.
As always, connect with me @cactusmoose with questions, comments and guest suggestions.
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Happy 2023!
Today I'm discussing how I spent New Year's being inspired by participants in a 6 day race called Across The Years, and ways that we can all be inspiring to others.
Connect with me on Instagram @cactusmoose or wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest requests.
As always, here's to a magical day outdoors full of laughter and love!
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Thanks for listening today, friends, and hello to all the different cities and countries y'all are tuning in from!
Today I'm answering listener questions about my truck camping setup for road trips, how I get water, where I get clean, and how I choose sites for the evening. I also discuss the many decisions anyone on a road trip faces every day, and some ways to prevent those processes from becoming overwhelming. Breathwork (Wim Hof method; Kim Anami style), taking things one step at a time, gathering information and trusting the process are strategies I use to keep from being overwhelmed.
I recorded today's episode from a trailhead in an undisclosed location as I watched the colors start dancing on the incredible geologic formations.
As always, connect with me on Instagram @cactusmoose or at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments, and guest suggestions.
Enjoy your day, and here's to a magical experience in nature.
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Thanks for listening, friends!
Today I talk about the energy of place, and how it can affect how we feel in different locations around the globe. I'm drawn to deserts, despite growing up on the wet coast... perhaps there's something for us in the locations we're attracted to, and perhaps our life can change if we visit (or move to) places that call us.
I'm mentioned on Gremlin Talk as for my role in Mak's race experience at Javelina Jundred.
As always, connect with me on Instagram @cactusmoose or at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions.
Have a wonderful day, and remember how great you feel after getting into nature for some fresh air!
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Thanks for listening today, friends!
This episode details how cougar patrol came into existence, how it's both a real thing and a playful way to create content, and some trail safety thoughts. It was recorded while grounding myself in the majestic landscape of White Sands National Park.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com or on Instagram @cactusmoose with questions, comments and guest suggestions.
Here's to a wonderful day!
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Why am I, and many other people, so drawn to the desert? Tune in today to hear some thoughts about why the desert is my happy place, and how being in deserts has helped me process life and grow.
A few of the topics I mention:
longevity
open spaces and openness of people
harsh environmental conditions requiring adaptation and resourcefulness
facing yourself
spiky plants
sunshine
Edward Abbey
Morgan Sjogren or Instagram
Episode 111 with Megan
As always, connect with me through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions, or on Instagram @cactusmoose.
Thank you for listening! Please consider leaving a review on your podcast platform of choice.
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Thanks for listening, friends! Today I share what transpired as I DNF'd my attempt at the 106 mile Deadman Peaks ultramarathon near Cuba, New Mexico.
It didn't end how I anticipated and I learned a lot about myself, about preparation, and about leaving it all on the course. It was a fantastic, albeit painful, experience, and I'm planning to return in 2023 to finish and claim my buckle.
Big thanks to everyone at the race, all the volunteers who helped out, the other runners, and race director Eric Bailey. Follow along on the Deadman Peaks Instagram page for more updates.
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In today's episode, Megan @mkupres22 shares some wisdom and insight from her journey into trail running, competing and coaching that extends far beyond start/finish lines and trails.
Megan's positive energy is contagious, to the point she seems to be the Energizer Bunny.
We chat about a variety of subjects including Aravaipa Running, what it's like to coach, how to influence high school to make running fun, the importance of community, staying motivated during an injury, perfectionism versus living life, learning from mistakes, learning patience through trail running, how the trails reflect life and work back to us, mentoring younger women and pursuing passions versus staying put in life.
As always, connect with me through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions, or on Instagram @cactusmoose.
Thank you for listening!
Please consider leaving a review on your podcast platform of choice.
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“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust
What does this quote actually mean? Listen today for some thoughts about the famous Proust quote as it relates to reconnecting with places I've lived, worked and explored in the past... and how the quote can apply to jobs, relationships and even relocation.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. You can also find me on Instagram @cactusmoose
Here's to a wonderful day of sunshine, fresh air and quality time spent in nature!
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Thank you for listening today, friends!
I've been seeing a lot of spiders lately, and was curious about the meaning behind spiders, and on take on their energy. It's a shorter episode today, but sometimes the short and sweet stories have the greatest impact.
Big, heartfelt thank you for a wonderful Saturday mountain adventure, and to the powers we all have for what else has manifested out of that hike.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com or find me on Instagram with questions, comments and guest suggestions.
Until next week... #optoutside, friends
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The title says it all: there were worms everywhere today. So many showed up I looked into the wisdom of the worm in relation to what may be transpiring in our lives.
Enjoy this episode, and the rest of your day!
Connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com or on instagram @cactusmoose for questions, comments and guest suggestions.
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I'm really excited to share today's episode with the hilarious and inspiring Jen Laughlin because... cool people do cool stuff.
We have a wide-ranging discussion about how to balance ultramarathon training with family and work responsibilities, creating and sharing adventures, the awesomeness of Arizona, the value of networking and some of our favorite beers. We even chat about beer selection before introductions!
It was a lot of fun to chat with Jen, another contact made from random synchronicities in my life. We discuss training (and living) in the heat, living in the desert, following intuition and what it's like to manage a LOT of social media accounts. There are gems of wisdom hidden throughout the episode, and I encourage you to listen through the end to find out what Jen's top three beers actually are. You'll also hear a great recipe for a kind-of rehydrating orange dreamsicle.
We chat about a lot of different organizations and places... if you're having trouble finding any of them you can connect with myself or Jen and we'll point you in the right direction.
Tower Station IPA
Mother Road Brewing
Aravaipa Running
Mogollan Monster
Coros watches
Tushars Mountain Run
Sounds of Freedom IPA from State 48 Brewery
Late for the Train coffee
Squirrel's Nut Butter
Filiberto's Mexican Food
Arizona State University Sun Devils
University of Arizona Wildcats
Dirtbag Runners
Tuscon Marathon
Javelina Jundred
Run Steep, Get High
Salt Stick
Cocodona 250
Church Music IPA from The Shop
Voodoo Ranger
Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA
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Thank you for listening, friends!
Today's episode focuses on the energy and medicine within the Otter card from the Sams & Carson deck that I frequently use. It's really neat how the energy has shown up in my life the past few days, including just towards the end when I see a deer then the friend who carries otter energy. Magic can--and does--happen all the time.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com or on Instagram at @cactusmoose with questions, comments and guest suggestions.
Here's to a magical day spent out of doors!
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Thanks for listening today, friends! Toda is a solo episode sharing a bit about the adventures of the last 10 days, culminating in a spontaneous overnight canoe trip in the dark. Many opportunities come up to say yes to the gifts from the Universe. Last night was one: a friend and I had a fantastic evening paddling, chatting, and supporting each other discussing past traumas.
I'm on the hunt for guest to share their stories on the podcast, and comments, questions and guest suggestions, too. You can connect with me on the following platforms:
wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
@cactusmoose on Instagram
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Thanks for listening friends! Today I share a bit about my experiences over the past couple of weeks: death, unexpected endings and potential opportunities, unanticipated injuries and a LOT of sunshine. I felt it would be beneficial to share some of my thought processes and reflections in light of going through a few traumatic experiences in the space of a few days. To me, it's just life, and I keep going... but it's also beneficial to share strategies and techniques for managing life as it comes up.
During the episode I refer to episode 100 with Realist Idealist discussing the difference between jumping into or jumping out of life, quote Robbie Burns, and share a perspective about which meridians flow through the tooth I broke... and how that relates to the emotions I experienced and sought to subconsciously self-manage with a significant injury.
Fret not, friends: I'm fine, and by the time this comes out... the dentist's kids' tuition will be halfway paid, I'll be back from a backcountry adventure and eating solid food again.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com for questions, comments and guest suggestions. You can also follow the wisdom I glean as I create life on Instagram: @cactusmoose.
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Thank you for listening today, friends! It's Episode 102, and today's topic is the wisdom from Eyes of the Eagle which I accessed through the free oracle cards available on Colette Baron-Reid's website. It's a gem that connects with much of my experience over the past 72 hours, before pondering the couple of years before that. It's always fun for me to look for deeper meaning in the seemingly-random "coincidences" that define my experience.
As always, #optoutside and enjoy the lovely living world around us, friends. Connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest requests. I'm excited to have more guest on the show in the next few months as we all expand and support each other.
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Thank you for listening, friends!
I'm celebrating the entry to triple-digit numbers with an episode sharing my thoughts about how we can all be an inspiration to someone else. Wherever you are at in your life situation, job title, relationship status, athletic achievements, education, business savvy and all other avenues or situations in life, you're an inspiration to someone else. There's someone out there wondering if they could make the change(s) you made... and we all have an opportunity to assist others who are where we used to be.
Also, whatever situation you've left in your life takes courage, and it's important to acknowledge and appreciate it. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, whichever thing you've left in the past, I appreciate your willingness to embrace the discomfort of leaving something familiar to experience what other possibilities exist.
Again, as always, thank you for listening. Y'all can connect with me through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com for questions, comments and guest suggestions. I appreciate feedback and enjoy hearing from listeners.
Here's to wonderful adventures, happiness, and some rejuvenating time outdoors today!
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I've got Realist Idealist back to celebrate the milestone 100th episode of Wisdom of the Wilderness... and want to thank you, the listeners, spread out amongst 42 countries.
This is a wide-ranging conversation (as usual) covering spiritual aspects of navigating life and the balance between planning versus going with the flow. We spontaneously create new words, ponder the role of horses in catalyzing personal growth and cultural change, consider the energetic differences of jumping into or out of a situation, and reminisce about how the Universe provides gifts to us in the form of synchronicities when we're on the right track. There are heaps of nuggets of wisdom in this chat between friends: we ponder attachment to identity, seeing evidence of possibility rather than lack, and the space that opens up when releasing longtime hobbies... complete with real life examples.
We reference a number of topics that can be further investigated through these links:
14ers.com is my favorite website for accessing route descriptions, trailhead directions, photos, trip reports and conditions when hiking the 14,000' peaks in Colorado.
Moab, Utah is one of my favorite areas... the landscape and energy of the rock formations, canyons and mesas, arches and ecology is magical. The Moab Information Center has great resources, friendly volunteers and maps. To learn about the area I suggest reading my favorite book, Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey, as it derives from his journals as a park ranger in Arches before it was developed.
Realist Idealist partners with a BLM mustang, a wild/feral horse who was adopted after formerly ranging freely. Mustang herds across America are caught in the middle of a protracted political debate concerning their future on the rangelands.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. I enjoy reading listener comments, especially how episodes have influenced your lives.
Until next week, opt outside and enjoy some quiet time in nature today, friends.
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Big thank you to the listeners from all 42 countries! Today's episode walks through a bit of my journey from urban office to a variety of "Wait... what happened? ... really?" stories from the adventures I've had at work. There's value to everyone's individual dreams - perhaps today is the day to start pondering whether you want to wait until retirement to do that, or just start today...?
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Here's to a lovely day for all of y'all, and remember to #optoutside for some fresh air, sunshine and good vibes.
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Thank you for listening, friends! Today I'm sharing some lessons from the beach, and how they can be used to help is grow and work with what's happening in our lives.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions... or to share your favorite way to enjoy the beach.
Until next week, #optoutside and take some deep breaths fo fresh air!
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Thank you for listening again today, friends! Today I'm sharing about my trail run yesterday, and the way our vision and perspective can change as we get more experience route-finding, at a job or while creating a relationship.
As always, contact me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Here's to a wonderful adventure today as you #optoutside
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Today's episode is a tale of what happened, and what I learned, by saying yes and trusting my intuition. Thank you for listening!
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Until next week, enjoy the sun and #optoutside!
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It's been a challenging time as I've encountered technical difficulties that resulted in the non-recording of three episodes... Thank you for your support, and here's to being back in top shape by July.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with comments, questions and guest suggestions. #optoutside and enjoy some time in nature today!
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Thank you for listening, friends! I was listening to a great podcast with Luke Storey about water, and one of the ideas stuck with me. Those words and idea inspired today's episode where I talk about the ways movement helps us grow in life thanks to what we see with water out in nature.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Until next week, #optoutside and enjoy the beauty all around us!
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Thank you for listening today, friends! It's a brief discussion of fate in the context of natural rhythms and circles/cycles of life, combined with an update on the curious sights and experiences I've had this week... tying into the idea that perhaps those wxperiences were fated... and if not, what aspect of me called them into this life experience?
As always, connect with me at wisdomfthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Until next week, #optoutside and find a way to spend some time outside today; your mind, body and soul will thank you.
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Thank you for listening! Today I'm sharing a story of a recent hike where I saw a coyote run through the grass a ways down the slope I was hiking. That experience prompted me to check into the Animal Medicine cards deck for an interpretation, and to see what message that coyote held for me... Lo and behold, the message made sense, and I was able to smile and move on from an interesting situation with the energy the trickster brings. What invitations does coyote bring to reflect upon our lives? Tune in today to find out
As always, contact me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Here's to a magical experience when you get out to connect with nature today!
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We're back today with some observations about how nature can help remind us to be present and to reduce the stresses we place onto ourselves with expectations. I mention Eckhart Tolle's book The Power of Now, and how remembering to breathe can help reduce the physiological stresses generated when what we're experiencing doesn't match what we hoped, anticipated or planned for.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Until next week, #optoutside and enjoy the magic to be found outdoors in nature.
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Thank you for listening! Today we're discussing some of the sensual aspects of being in the forest - what can we see, smell, taste, touch, hear and experience beyond convenient categories. Using the senses is a wonderful way to engage with nature, and in today's case, connect my attempted cold plunge to the various sensory engagements I experienced getting to that point.
As always, contact me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Enjoy, and #optoutside today!
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Some butterflies caught my eye as I was cold plunging on the warmest day of 2022, so far. It didn't seem to be a coincidence that there were more than a few of them on the beach, so I decided to look into the meaning of butterfly energy.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions... and #optoutside today!
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Thank you for listening today, friends!
It's a solo episode for May 2, sharing my experiencing of kindness and compassion from a mountain biker after my gnarly crash on the trails, and how that connects with the energy of deer. The topic for today is actually coming out next week, as a young deer appeared out my window just before I hit the record button, and, following the Just Wing It episode, I went with that.
The deer interpretation is from the Sams & Carson deck of Medicine Cards
Some tips for driving now that it's animal movement season again:
Geico
From a law firm
Driving tips for rural roads
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Thank you for listening today, friends!
I've seen so many birds out here lately - red-tailed hawks, osprey and osprey nests, eagles, crows, ravens, little forest birds, flickers, blue jays, pileated woodpeckers and turkeys - that I got to thinking about wings... then about how the advice "just wing it" can be a great way to approach some situations. Today's episode is sharing thoughts and experiences about the differences of planning everything versus going with the flow, how the best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men gang aft agley (Robbie Burns), and transitioning out of culturally-conditioned norms. As Wayne Dyer says, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
Some of the links mentioned in the episode:
The poem To A Mouse by Robbie Burns
The River by Garth Brooks
Wayne Dyer
Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
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This week's episode continues where last weeks unexpectedly dropped off with NatureWise Mama. This is a more broad-ranging conversation covering a variety of topics including sleep as medicine, NatureWise Mama's adventures in the desert, on the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands, how to poop in the woods and using dirt for cleaning, a tiny bikini, the role of nature as a shaman, counting one's blessings and some of her favorite books. In no surprise for longtime listeners, NatureWise Mama asks me a few questions and we chat about group dynamics in the context of a BOSS course.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Opt outside today, and have fun!
Links:
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Deep Survival
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Thanks for listening, friends! Today we've got a special guest, Naturewise Mama of www.naturewisemama.com
We have a wide-ranging conversation that actually - spoiler alert - got cut off, so prepare yourself for the upcoming part 2. Some of the topics discussed include
Lafayette, CO
Old Town Longmont, CO
Lafayette Florist
Colorado Athletic Club - Tabor Center
Attachment parenting
Turtle energy
Consciousness
Weaving consciousness into the mainstream and awakening
Being open to learning
Seeing the world we wish to see
Colorado clouds
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Thanks for listening, friends! Today's topic is rewilding, a topic near and dear to my heart. If you've been listening along, you'll recall my BOSS course experience had a profound impact upon my worldview, outlook and life direction. Rewilding connects the dots between various experiences of my life, so I wanted to to share some of the ways one can get into the movement and reconnect with ancestral and primitive skills, technologies, methodologies and ways of being.
I mention a few of my favorite podcasts, authors and books throughout the course of the podcast. Daniel Vitalis had an amazing podcast called ReWild Yourself; his current venture is Wild Fed. It's been highly impactful for me to listen and learn as I go; I first heard of him on the Life Stylist podcast.
RewildU is a great resource for rewilding topics, as is rewild.com, especially their detailed analyses of the misrepresentations of hunter gatherers in common culture, and the huge implications those sometimes-purposeful misrepresentations have on our perception of the role of hunter gatherers, tribalism, peacefulness, land use, and their lives of meaning. It's definitely worth checking out, and checking your media-conditioned presumptions before you read the articles.
Christopher McDougall wrote Born to Run, a bestselling book that spurred the interest in ultramarathons, barefoot shoes, zero drop and the colorful characters in the ultramarathon world including Jenn Shelton, Scott Jurek and Barefoot Ted who promotes natural movement.
Local plant books are a great way to reconnect to the wildness and beauty around you; Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies is what I'm currently reading.
Enjoy the episode, folks! As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest requests. Cheers!
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Today we delve into the wisdom that jaguar holds. It's been an interesting start to the year in this corner of Trucktoyaktuk, compete with -30 snow, above-freezing rain and slush melt, and all weathers between. I was meditating on a theme for 2022 and pulled the jaguar card, which is connected with intuition, honesty and integrity... which felt prudent to share as we enter a period where we are creating new paradigms as the old systems fall away.
Jaguar wisdom from Tanya Casteel
Jaguar wisdom from What Is My Spirit Animal
Jaguar wisdom from the Sams & Carson Medicine Cards deck
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Today's episode was catalyzed by the unexpected and synchronistic appearance of a frog in my life yesterday that prompted me to look into some of the wisdom shared by frogs. Cleansing is very useful in these stressful times we're in, and letting go of what no longer serves can bring us to the magic that makes life worth living. Join me today to hear some lessons that nature shares to help us process the emotions associated with letting go of something, or being let go: a job, romantic relationship, limiting belief, friendship or what we think is "normal."
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. And thank YOU to the listeners out there across 34 countries and counting: have a wonderful day and always remember to #optoutside
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Self care is an important topic anytime, but especially now with the amount of grief, mental health challenges, job losses, suicides, deaths of despair and addictions exacerbated by political events of the recent past.
I recorded this episode specifically to share how important it is to take care of yourself at any time. As with the briefing given before a plane takes off, in the event of an emergency put on YOUR oxygen mask before helping others. Individually, we are not helping anyone else if we're not taking care of ourself first.
Today's episode goes through a definition of self-care, and shares many ways by which one can perform self-care. We're all unique, and we are all individually responsible for ourselves; my self-care will look different from yours, no matter how close of friends we are, what experiences we share or how cool our past is. There are scores of ways to take care of oneself, from meditation to massage, sex to a trail run, quiet time alone to eating a favorite food. None are right, wrong or anything else: what works for an individual is unique to them.
It's important to keep up with our self-care practices as we move through challenging situations, particularly nowadays. Many have experienced great loss in the recent past for a variety of reasons.
This is the second part of the grief podcast, episode 80, that I allude to during Episode 80. I decided to publish them separately so listeners can digest the information and reflect upon it.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. It's wonderful to read your feedback, and to see the listener demographics growing with each new episode.
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Thanks for listening, friends!
The last two years have brought a lot of loss into everyone's life, whether it's a job, friend, lover, family member or an actual death of someone you care about. I've noticed a lot more people struggling over the past month, and wanted to do something to offer support.
Today's episode is about the stages of grief that humans experience after a loss (which often, but not necessarily is a death), and some tips and suggestions on how to move through the 5 stages of grief. These are suggestions and offerings from my own experiences, and I am not a counselor or therapist. For specific questions and individual concerns you can connect with a specialist in your area with a simple internet search; I use DuckDuckGo.
This is a great article that details five stages of grief, and here's Homer Simpson going through all five in less than a minute.
There are numerous resources available online to assist anyone struggling with any of the stages, and suicide hotlines for those in the depths of depression. 1-800-273-8255 is the number to call in North America. If you are struggling with any aspect of processing grief, connecting with someone to share what you're going through is a courageous step to take.
As always, y'all can connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions.
And, as always, remember that some of the greatest benefits for physical, mental and spiritual health occur when we #optoutside
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Thanks for listening, friends! So today it was -1000 (again) when I went for a lovely run in blustery weather. The run got me thinking about what we can learn from discomfort, and the ways we build confidence from stepping into situations that have some level of uncomfortable feeling.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with comments, questions and guest suggestions. Enjoy!
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After digging a path to a new plunge pool, and running 8 miles up a forest road with a new friend, I spooked 3 deer: a mom and 2 yearlings. That experience got me to ponder what messages deer had for me for while I finished the run, then jumped into the dang-near freezing creek for a cold plunge. It turns out there's some wonderful messages from deer regarding compassion, gentleness and an open heart... tune in today for some stories of the winter out here, the wisdom of deer, and how we can connect that to our own lives.
I reference the Sams & Carson Medicine Cards deck, and material on the What is my spirit animal website.
Wim Hof has amazing guided meditations and workshops available through his website, wimhofmethod.com. I've been doing the breathwork and cold plunges since mid-August... highly recommend, and I ain't paid to say that.
As always, opt outside today for some fresh air, vitamin D and phtoncides, and have yourself a magical day. Connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com for questions, comments and guest suggestions. Enjoy!
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Happy Valentine's Day, friends! Today my friend Elena Harder of the Joygasmic Life Podcast interviews me about my healing and personal growth journey to become a practitioner of consciousness-based modalities. It was fun to record this episode and share experiences with another amazing person on her own journey, and I look forward to the upcoming book sharing her story in more detail.
We had no script or set questions for this discussion - everything flowed freely after I hit the record button. As mentioned in the introduction, there were some audio issues from a grader clearing snow while we recorded, and I discovered a limit of 59:59 in recording off of the handheld device I was using. Live and learn, so they say!
More information about me and the modalities can be found at gregveregin.com
Feel free to contact me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions.
And, as always, #optoutside and take some time today to appreciate all the beauty around us in nature.
Links:
Linking Awareness founded by Loesje Jacob
The BodyTalk System
Reiki
Shinrin-Yoku/Forest Bathing
The Joygasmic Life Podcast
Elena Harder
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The song "Millionaire" by Chris Stapleton came on during my run today, and I share some reflections upon how we're all millionaires... when we can change our perception towards nature.
Here's a link to the audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPoN-FNB2V8
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with comments, questions and guest suggestions.
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Today's guest is my friend - and fellow run & cold plunge in the dark enthusiast - Kylie, a homeschooling mom who lives in a small off-grid house.
Kylie is yet another interesting person navigating several simultaneous wilderness situations including living on the side of a mountain in grizzly country. She shares with us her Plug It project to bring more joy to life through mindfulness, her experiences learning to sing in her 30s, the importance of listening to our breath, synchronicities, and the value of improv to manage your life. One of the recurring themes in our discussion is meditation; another is finding comfort in discomfort, whether by cold plunging, learning as an adult, connecting to a crowd or having outdoor showers with a bucket of hot water when it's -20 outside her small house.
Kylie is a great new friend out here in the mountains, and it was a blast recording this episode--as you'll tell from all the laughter and banter--since it is also the first in-person episode I've recorded (complete with passing the mic back and forth).
As always, connect with me through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com for questions, comments and guest suggestions. Kylie's Youtube channel, Plug It, can be found through this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJPcaSmw5GbSc5P8u5pcsCQ
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What wisdom and teachings can a river offer us? Tune in today where I share some of my river experiences and lessons learned and suggested by the magical waterbodies that flow through our lives.
Questions? Comments? Guest suggestions? Connect with me through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Cold plunges! Wim Hof is a wonderful guide into the world of breathwork and the benefits of the cold.
Today's episode shares some of my experiences with cold plunges, including my plunge-run 10 miles-plunge early-in-the-day adventure with a new friend. I've also compiled some of the studies mentioned in the episode that detail what changes occurred in individuals who began cold showers or plunges. Benefits of cold showers and plunges include reduced inflammation, improved circulation, enhanced immune system function and fat burning, blood sugar regulation, mood boosts and enhanced antioxidant activity, to name a few. There are others.
If you're not yet cold plunging, take a listen and perhaps try 10 seconds of less-warm water at the end of today's shower, moving to 10 seconds of cool water tomorrow. After all, you'll never know if you never give it a go...
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com for comments, questions and guest suggestions.
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I've been seeing elk every day for about a week now, and finally pulled out the Medicine Cards deck to see what message and wisdom they're sharing with me. Tune in today for some wisdom, and some thoughts about the ways that elk is reminding us how important stamina is.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com for guest suggestions, questions and comments. Enjoy!
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What is intuition? Today's episode delves into my favorite definition of intuition from Positive Psychology, then shares some tips on how to connect - hint, #optoutside, leave your phone and take some deep breaths in nature - and an example or two of when I did or didn't listen to my intuition while favoring the "logical, rational" approach.
Dr Joe Dispenza has great resources that help you to create realities and bring dreams to fruition.
Enjoy today's episode, and, as always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Hearing the word cancer conjures up emotions and imagery for pretty much everyone. Today we have a very special guest, my new friend Rebecca, a single mom who is navigating her second cancer diagnosis by focusing on holistic treatments. We discuss how she takes time to educate herself about the numerous available treatments, different methods of detoxifying the body, what led her to the holistic and traditional healing modalities, the importance of nature, the energy shifts from being outside, asking for help and how she connected with a new health paradigm.
We are both involved with Ezra Wellness in Winterfell.
The book Rebecca mentions is called How to Starve Cancer by Jane McLelland.
As always, you can connect with me for comments, questions and guest suggestions at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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There are many ways one can be courageous. In today's episode I detail my favorite definition of courage, some ways to build courage, and how our perceptions of courage can change when we broaden our view from what we are conditioned to.
Dictionary.com defines courage as "the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain... without fear; bravery."
Here's to everyone out there taking action in the face of fear.
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” John Wayne
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It's a solo episode today, friends, talking a bit about my BOSS experience and why the song Amazing by Aerosmith is such a connection for me. There are four simple sentences that have really impacted me in the years since that experience, and it's got a badass guitar solo. Why does this share wisdom? Well, read the lines below... and reflect upon how they bring up certain memories in your life:
It's amazing
With the blink of an eye you finally see the light
It's amazing
When the moment arrives that you know you'll be alright
Thank you for listening! As always, give my podcast a review wherever you're listening, and connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions.
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Today's episode details some of the ways moving catapults us into a growth phase... and I share some tips on things to consider when you are moving. We always grow when we move, as moving is often in conjunction with a new chapter of life.
As always, connect at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with your questions, comments, show ideas and guest suggestions.
Cheers!
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Thank you for listening, friends! I was about to record a different episode about perspectives when my intuition directed an abrupt switch to share the story of my experiences earlier in the day. A squirrel called out during a session recording, and I was called to share the wisdom of squirrel from the Sams & Carson deck. My comments and thoughts follow the very fitting wisdom of these magical creatures who played a significant component in how my day transpired.
As always, connect with me through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions. Enjoy!
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What wisdom can we glean when we ponder the lure of the open road? Today I share some thoughts about the draw of road trips, as we have unlimited possibilities once we start our drive. The feeling of freedom, the magic that can transpire, and connection with our ancestral memories of hunter-gather lifestyles all connect to the draw of the open road.
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Today's episode is a fun discussion about sexuality, free birthing, personal growth and the Joygasmic life with Elena Harder. Elena's passion and positivity is contagious, and it was wonderful to connect and hear about her current, and in-the-works offerings. Elena's podcast focuses on Inspiring stories and actionable ideas for awakening mothers. Her podcast can be found here. Elena Harder is a Courage Catalyst and Bulletproof Mom Coach. She started her awakening journey when she conceived her son in an abusive relationship, and then spent 7 years in crippling postpartum depression, self loathing and people pleasing. She never gave up hope on finding a way through. Her search for “mental health” led Elena to study Mindfulness, Spirituality, NLP, Theta Healing, Tantra, Optimal Nutrition, and Intermittent Fasting to find a way to finally recover her mind and joyful soul.
Now she works with other mothers to help them master the tools and skills that really work to remove their negative self talk, eliminate stress, heal their hearts, and remove anxiety, fear and depression.
She believes that by sharing vulnerable stories, and hard earned wisdom, others don’t need to make the same mistakes, can move from suffering to joy much faster, and be empowered to find their own Joygasmic Life.
Connect and Follow Elena Websites:ElenaHarderr.com
BulletproofMoms.com (FREEBIE 5 Fantastic Freakout Fighting Fingers)
Instagram:instagram.com/joygasmharder (personal)
instagram.com/bulletproofmom/ (bulletproof moms)
Facebook:facebook.com/joygasm8
facebook.com/JoyGASMagic
Connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Thanks for listening today, friends! In the fall of 2019, on a post-intense summer job road trip, my phone was stolen while I was spending time with an old contact. It was a very interesting time, and I thought it prudent to share thoughts on the technology dependence many people have... and what that can open up for learnings and growth when it is no longer available. Paper maps, handwritten address/contact books, and spatial/situational awareness are things that can be learned, and serve as backups when technology fails. My experience was a challenge, but I not just managed--I thrived! Today we focus on some of the lessons learned when the phone you store your acoustic and photographic memories on is no longer part of your human experience.
As always, connect with me with comments, questions and guest suggestions at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Positivity spreads, and we can make a difference with our thoughts and actions. Where thoughts go, energy flows... this episode is a result of technological fails trying to record for the second time with Realist Idealist about how thoughts create things, energy and creating our dream with intent, visualization and conscious language. While annoying, the inability to record tonight spurred an impromptu monologue sharing some of the positive aspects of my day, including how my positive attitude and focus affected several people in the grocery store checkout line. That's just one example of how we can be the change we wish to see in the world. So, while we didn't have an epic discussion yet... you do get to hear a tale of stepping out to share positive energy with the world.
I also mention my great, calf-deep cold plunge in sub-freezing temperatures while using the Wim Hof method of breathing. It's been transformative for me over the 6 weeks since I started; perhaps it will be for you, too, if you choose to try it out. I share this for educational purposes only, as everyone's experience will be unique to them, and you may wish to consult your health care professional of choice before starting. Here are two links to the breathing technique, and a guided meditation with the technique. Enjoy!
Guided breathing by Wim Hof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tybOi4hjZFQ
Breathing tutorial by Wim Hof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzCaZQqAs9I
Wim Hof Method: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/
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Today's episode details an experience I had with a rainbow trout in the local river... then how that experience connected synchronistically to a friend's fishing expedition 4 hours away. It's incredible what transpires when we block out the voices competing for our attention and reconnect with our own intuition. Magical coincidences can -- and do -- happen!
As always, please connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with comments, questions and guest suggesions.
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Thank you for listening, friends! We've got a fun episode today with my friend and fellow trail runner, Aileen. Aileen has completed several epic adventures in the mountains, from crushing local peaks to solo explorations of Moab, Utah to finishing as second-place female and 16th overall at the 2020 Orcas Island 100 mile ultramarathon in torrential rain. She's written great articles for the Trail Sisters community that can be found here: https://trailsisters.net/author/aileenmckeown/
We have a wide-ranging conversation about outdoor adventuring, taking solo road trips, the new frontier of raising a puppy and what got her into running just four short years ago. Aileen reminds us that there are so many things to be grateful for, that time outdoors is self-care, and just how far our own legs can take us. Enjoy!
As always, connect with me through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and guest suggestions, and don't forget to leave a review on your podcast listening platform of choice.
Below are links to some of our topics of discussion:
https://www.discovermoab.com/
https://www.rainshadowrunning.com/orcas-island-100m.html
https://sunshinecoast-trail.com/
https://www.highlonesome100.com/
http://squamish50.com/
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Thanks for listening, friends! Today I delve into compassion... more specifically, ways to be compassionate during these unusual times. There are some tips on how to be compassionate when interacting with anyone else - friend, family member, spouse, partner, store clerk - and a reminder that we can all be kind, regardless of our differences.
Questions? Comments? Guest suggestions? Contact me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Hi friends, thanks for listening today! This episode shares some ways we can process the ending of a relationship, whether a friendship, partnership, employment or family connections. We're focusing on solutions and ways to move forward in life after what can be a jarring experience.
I reference this video of Johnny Cash singing Hurt in the earlier parts of the episode.
Connect with me via wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with questions, comments and to share suggestions for future guests.
In adventure!
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Thank you for listening today, friends. It's a special episode, the first in a new series of Real Conversations with my good friend, host of Realist Idealist podcast.
Today's discussion is about the concept of reality: we explore several different related topics while eschewing others for another time and episode. It's very interesting to note what our discussion centers on when we encounter unexplained audio difficulties. We cover some of the limits of language in the context of neuro-linguistic programming, whether reality or truth is objective or subjective, the role of perspective, how thoughts can create "realities" and more. It was a fun episode to record, and I'm excited for this new feature.
Remember, you are the ultimate arbiter of your life experience, deciding which steps to take for yourself. If you're drawn to investigate some of these topics in further depth, there are numerous resources available in print and online: you can use your own discernment to decide which resonate and which are out of alignment.
As promised in the recording, here are a list of links to areas we explore:
What thoughts serve you best?
Serena Dyer on Luke Storey's The Life Stylist Podcast episode 366
Wayne Dyer quotes: "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." "You'll see it when you believe it."
NLP is Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a fascinating field of study. Natasha Althoff of Fearless Riding Success and Damon Cart of Life Mastery Gym are two sources Realist Idealist has studied with.
Thank you for listening! As always, contact me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com with comments, questions and guest suggestions.
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Thank you for listening, friends! In today's episode I share a brief, yet memorable wolverine encounter under the Milky Way earlier this week. I also share some thoughts and guidance we can connect with through the energy of wolverine.
As always, reach out to me through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com and enjoy the episode!
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Thanks for listening, friends! I've been seeing ladybugs everywhere as summer wraps up... and I thought, why not share some of the wisdom of ladybug as we transition into autumn. The leaves are changing, the harvest is bountiful and there are transitions happening everywhere. What wisdom does ladybug bring, and how can it apply to your life?
As always, connect with me through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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I've been seeing grasshoppers everywhere over the past two weeks as we transition into autumn. The sightings prompted me to research some fo the wisdom associated with grasshopper... and much to my interest, there is much to be gleaned from what I found. Today's episode focuses on some lessons and invitations from grasshopper, with illustrations from both my experience and what yours could be. Thanks for listening!
As always, connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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I've been seeing tons of butterflies lately: landing on me, flying by... all different colors and descriptions. What wisdom does the wilderness of butterflies hold? There are some pretty neat thoughts about transformation, change and emerging from a cocoon today...
As always, connect with me through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com and #optoutside to enjoy nature today.
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For three consecutive hike/runs on different mountains I scared the bejeezus out of a (or a covey) of grouse. I was curious what the medaning of this might be, for the experiences were too similar to dismiss as mere coincidence. It turns out that grouse shares a wonderful message for this time of year - listen in to hear more, and more ways to connect with nature as we approach the autumnal equinox.
As always, you can connect with me through wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Did you know there's a desert in Canada? Actually, there's more than one.
Today's episode covers a story of my mountain adventures, then the wisdom shared by Snake... especially from the rattler I encountered exploring the South Okanagan, which is the northern tip of the Sonoran Desert. Crazy!
As always, please share this episode with your friends, pass along to colleagues and rate it on your podcast platform of choice. You can connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com for all comments, questions and guest requests. Enjoy!
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I'm on an unstructured trip to explore the BC mountains and keep seeing red-tailed hawks... what message does the hawk wish to share with us today?
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Thanks for listening, friends! I've had quite the series of experiences with foxes on my adventures in the Rockies... and I wanted to share both the adventures, and the wisdom and invitations from the Fox medicine card. I've really enjoyed Fernie Brewing's IPAs - Eclipse, Thunder Meadows, and Nomad, specifically. They're not a sponsor, and I'm not paid to endorse their products, but all their staff have been friendly and helpful while I've been checking out the area.
As always, please rate this podcast on the podcast platform of your choosing, and pass it along to your friends if the episode resonates with you. Don't hesitate to connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Thanks for listening, friends! Today we've got a short bonus episode: an experience I had driving on the highway today, some tips for navigating the wilderness of the increasingly-crowded roads, and the wisdom armadillo shares. Enjoy!
As always, feel free to connect with me: wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Thank you for listening! Today I'm sharing some of the reasons I use cast iron cookware, and some of the benefits thereof. If you haven't used it, there's a wilderness-like learning curve from using this sturdy, reliable form of food preparation dating back more than 2500 years. Enjoy!
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Hey friends! Today I'm sharing a story of my experience at Ormiston Gorge, Northern Territory, Australia. That experience caused me to literally and figuratively reassess the concept of identity and how it relates to our perception. Truly, you'll never know if you never go. As the former tourism campaign of the Northern Territory, it's fitting that this experience happened in such a majestic part of the world.
Questions? Comments? Guest suggestions? Connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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I received the gift of a crow feather on my evening walk... at a fortuitous time, no less. What wisdom does the crow feather have to share with us today?
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I got my truck! Today's episode details my experience purchasing the truck, plus my list of must haves, dealbreakers, and nice to have features along with a hefty dose of wisdom gained from previous experiences. The past three months of vehicle issues have been quite the ride, and I'm excited to move on to new adventures in a new adventuremobile!
When considering a vehicle, it's very helpful to have a list of essential features it must have what your dealbreakers are, and what is nice--but not essential. Everyone has their own preferences, tolerances and interests: be sure to get the right vehicle for YOU, the one that meets your needs.
Must haves: what does the vehicle have to have? AC? Cruise? Towing capacity? Offroad capabilities? Fuel efficiency? Take time to think ahead about what you need a vehicle to have.
Nice to haves: what are things you don't need but that are nice to have? Manual transmission? AC? Cruise? A bajillion cameras? Warranty? Entertainment system? Bluetooth? What are the features you'd like to have but that are not essential for your purposes.
Dealbreakers: what features, quirks or issues will eliminate a vehicle from consideration? Rusted frame? Price? Automatic transmission? Push button start? High mileage? Low ride height? Altered suspension? Think about what you absolutely do not want in the vehicle you will be purchasing.
As always, send comments and questions to wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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I'm feeling a bit like I'm stuck in a Corb Lund song entitled Truck Got Stuck.
Today's episode is an update on the truck search with some learnings--and adventures--test driving a Toyota, Ford, and repairing (again) the Forester which has been unofficially dubbed The Death Trap. The following statement from Marcel Proust sure is holding true for this... adventure:
“We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.”
― Marcel Proust
I reference the Chris Fix and The Homework Guy videos as part of my inspection process on any vehicle I consider.
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What has the hawk swooped by to share with us all today? Find out on this special bonus episode of the Wisdom of the Wilderness podcast.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Pass them along at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Today's episode focuses on tips to manage a heat wave like the unusual one sweeping across the west right now: it was 106F/41C as I recorded!
This link to NOLS Wilderness Medicine is a great resource for preventing and treating heat illness.
https://blog.nols.edu/2015/08/11/preventing-and-treating-heat-illness
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The last episode of a three-part series detailing my recent experience purchasing a new-to-me vehicle, and what I learned the hard way. I hope you can learn from my mistakes the next time you're purchasing a vehicle. There are some great resources available online that walk you through conducting an inspection, how to negotiate, and what to be aware of. Enjoy!
Questions? Comments? Guest suggestions? Connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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“We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” Marcel Proust
Being in a heat wave can be a challenge, yet it also offers several invitations to reassess routines, plans and life. Join me today for some thoughts on what additional wisdom the heat wave shares.
Comments? Questions? Connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Part two of a three-part series detailing my recent experience purchasing a new-to-me vehicle, being Whitehorsed working on the issues that unexpectedly popped up immediately after purchase, and what I learned the hard way. I hope you enjoy this story, and can learn from my mistakes the next time you're purchasing a vehicle.
Questions? Comments? Guest suggestions? Connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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So I nearly ran into a cougar just moseying down the trail today... pretty unusual, but also it was a life goal of mine to see one, so it's a great day! My encounter was over quickly, as the cougar just walked into the bush. Others may have different experiences when encountering a mountain lion. I decided to look into the wisdom and medicine that cougar/mountain lion has to share, and share some ways to embody that in our lives. Again, all readings are from the Sams & Carson Medicine Cards.
I refer to a video from last summer of a trail runner being threatened by a cougar. The raw video can be found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p25MgRZ9rJc&t=9s
Here's a link to an interview with another trail runner who killed a cougar that attacked him in Colorado: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fUZw6er0Eg
Have you encountered a cougar? I'd love to hear your story: contact me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Is there a moose on the loose in your life? Listen along to find out what moose medicine can offer, and where the energy might be found.
Questions? Comments? Guest suggestions? Connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Part one of a three-part series detailing my recent experience purchasing a new-to-me vehicle, being Whitehorsed working on the issues that unexpectedly popped up immediately after purchase, and what I learned the hard way. I hope you enjoy this story, and can learn from my mistakes the next time you're purchasing a vehicle.
Questions? Comments? Guest suggestions? Connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Thank you for listening today, friends! Today I'm talking about some of the wisdom shared with us by deserts, with examples from some of my desert experiences. Enjoy!
Questions? Comments? Guest suggestions? Connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Today's episode starts with an update on my 5-months-and-counting social media detox disconnect. I was inspired to share some of the benefits you may experience turning off your phone for a set time to focus elsewhere, choosing to spend an hour, day or longer disconnecting from media sources or social media, and what you may notice disconnecting from an urban environment to get out in nature for a afternoon, day, weekend or longer trip. Thank you for listening!
Feel free to connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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A lovely hummingbird dropped by to share energy shortly after a series of interesting bird and animal encounters during a trail run... what did she have to share?
Feel free to connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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I had an interesting encounter with a black bear Friday morning, prompting me to read up about Bear in the Sams & Carson Medicine Cards book and deck. Quite the appropriate energy to show up in my life at this time... and I thought it may resonate with you, too.
Enjoy! Feel free to connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Thanks for listening to this bonus episode! Raven came up recently and the message felt like a good one to share... lo and behold, a baby dragonfly landed on my bare foot while recording and we also go into Dragonfly's message.
Feel free to connect with me at wisdomofthewilderness@protonmail.com
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Today I'm sharing the story of a bear encounter I recently had, plus some suggestions on travel in bear country. Enjoy!
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Today I'm sharing some of the wisdom from taking a Wilderness First Responder course, and how that can apply to our lives. Enjoy!
WFR course providers include NOLS Wilderness Medicine, WMA and Base Medical.
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As we enter spring and folks are planning out gardens, preparing for adventures and ready to enjoy longer days of sunshine, I thought it beneficial to share some thoughts and wisdom gained from gardening.
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Some thoughts today about lessons, wisdom and invitations from everyone's favorite weather topic: rain!
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Thanks for listening on Earth Day, friends! Today I share a quick, simple way to connect with nature to decompress and de-stress: it's even part of my morning routine. Enjoy!
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Today's episode details my journey to working with nature, natural healing and trying many complementary, integrative health and healing modalities for myself. This is only my experience, and in no way, shape or form constitutes, nor can it be inferred to constitute, any type of medical advice. My experience is shared for information purposes; your health decisions are your responsibility.
Qi Gong
Tai Chi
Reiki
BodyTalk
Linking Awareness
Yoga
Hot Yoga
Massage Therapy
Active Release Technique
Chiropractic
Physical Therapy
Dry Needling
Naturopath
Visualization
Affirmations
Trail Therapy
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I've been focusing lately on learning and improving traditional, ancestral skills. Join me on today's episode to learn why they're important, how to learn or improve, and what they can teach us, inspire us with, and how they're empowering. This episode was recorded prior to Episode 31.
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A series of synchronicities gave me the wolf card from the Jamie Sams & David Carson Medicine Cards after discussing a wolf encounter on a dayhike... which prompted me to share the story of that wolf encounter while backpacking the West Coast Trail.
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I'm excited to share this episode with my good friend Eli, Executive Director of the Boulder Outdoor Survival School and former Official Farmer of the South Pole. Eli has lived an interesting life in environmental education field that has culminated in his current position through the wealth of knowledge and experience he has built. We have a fun conversation about what it means to be human, the experience of being alive, the language of the landscape and different types of knowledge. There are a lot of wonderful quotes and nuggets of wisdom during this episode.
Here are links to some of the topics we discuss
Boulder Outdoor Survival School
Joseph Campbell and the desire for meaning
The elusive master instructor we refer to
Learning curves
Big landscapes
The comfort zone
How discomfort isn't a survival threat
Wendell Berry
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Some musings today on where we see resilience in nature, and how we can use that resilience as a metaphor for our own lives.
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Thanks for joining me again, friends! It's a bit of a change for this week's episode as I go into some things I learned after a car wreck in the fall of 2015. There's a mix of what I shared in an article I wrote for an outdoor organization shortly after relating to being both an injured party and a first responder for an incident, plus what I've gleaned in the years that followed.
As always, this episode is provided for information purposes and to share wisdom gained from that experience.
I mention a few things during the episode, further details of which can be found through the links below:
Wilderness First Responder training
Patient Assessment System
WFR acronyms
Kootenay region of BC
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A short bonus episode for y'all today after encountering a siege of Great Blue Herons on my trail run today. It's unusual to see more than one heron, as they're solitary, territorial individuals. I saw a group of about 20 on the far side of the lake when I made an unusual-for-me stop to look around that probably wasn't a coincidence. Sharing the wisdom and insight from the Jamie Sams & David Carson Medicine Cards, we learn some of the wisdom heron has to share: self-reflection and seeking our own truth.
This website has more information about heron wisdom
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There I was, minding my own business practicing my friction fire skills when inspiration struck: why not share some of the lessons, wisdom and inspiration connected to making fire with sticks?
I learned the skill during my BOSS course. There are many other materials that can be used, and techniques to try: a simple internet or video search can provide a variety of options to learn or enhance your skills. Enjoy!
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Today's bonus episode shares the wisdom and insight of the Buffalo card. I've pulled the Buffalo out of the Medicine Cards deck by Jamie Sams and David Carson several times this week, which suggested its message is to be shared widely. As always, this episode is provided for information purposes. Enjoy!
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Thanks for listening!
Today is a bit of a twist: a story of how expectations I had of the Sierra Nevada were shattered once I finally got out to visit in the fall of 2019. Listen along to learn how visiting to see and experience for myself completely changed ideas I'd held for no good reason. Maybe this has happened to you, too?
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Thank you for listening! Today we've got a treat: a wide-ranging discussion of journeys through the inner and outer wilderness with Diane Clemenceau.
Diane is a Purpose & Fulfillment Specialist and Clinical Hypnotherapist who guides high achievers to reconnect and align to their true essence and purpose by inviting more of God into their life. That way they can experience deep fulfillment and aliveness from within and have the confidence and courage to share the song that’s in their hearts so life doesn’t pass them by with their music still inside of them.
We cover several topics today including hypnosis, being open to different possibilities, the influence of travel and working outdoors on Diane's transition to coaching and hypnotherapy. Diane shares with us some of her favorite places to travel including Western Australia, Ningaloo Reef, Indonesia, Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island and the glacial lakes of the Rockies.
Diane can be found through her website, www.dianeclemenceau.com on Instagram and Facebook.
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Some tips on how to hold space, for those who may find themselves called to do so. We can appreciate many things about how nature holds space for us all in our role as nature: There is no good, bad or ideal... and it is not our role to judge. I refer to this article focusing upon Indigenous worldviews in relation to regenerative agriculture and permaculture.
I mention the following modalities I learned as part of my journey:
Linking Awareness
Reiki
BodyTalk
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How the nature of our environment contributes to our identity
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Hi friends! Today's episode is sharing what I experienced and learned during a social media detox that is nearly at two months. I talk about why, what changed, what's opened up and what's been challenging after disconnecting from the platforms.
As always, this experience and the wisdom gained are shared for information purposes. Feel free to take, leave or ponder anything on this episode.
Thank you for listening!
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Thanks for listening, friends! Today I've got an interview with Tyra, an old friend from what in some ways is a lifetime ago. We have a wide-ranging, free-flowing discussion about wilderness, the importance of place, place attachment and place identity.
As promised, here are links to some of the locations that are mentioned as we meander along... in no particular order:
Tongass National Forest
Chugach National Forest
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve
Alaska
Devil's Tower National Monument aka Bear's Lodge
Devil's Tower origin stories
University of Wyoming
Badlands National Park
Adirondack 46ers
Bryce Canyon National Park
Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve
Konza Prairie Biological Station
Manhattan, Kansas
Kansas State University
Petrified Forest National Park
Bob Marshall
Type II Fun
Nematode research
Portage, Alaska
Prince of Wales Island
Musk ox
I had a must ox burger here years ago
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Today I'm sharing a story--and the wisdom gained--from a hiking adventure to the highest point of New Mexico, Wheeler Peak.
My plan to attempt two 14,000’ peaks in southern Colorado, Blanca & Ellingwood, was aborted due to high winds and snow at higher elevations. The backup plan was to hike Wheeler Peak: the highest point in New Mexico had been on my to-do list for nearly a decade.
A version of this episode also appears here in print.
Enjoy, friends!
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Wisdom to be found seeing through the eyes of a child.
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A fun interview with my friend Samantha where we discuss her explorations of Western Canada and what it's like to guide tours out here.
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Some great wisdom from a lovely song entitled Shine The Light by Sugarland
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Today is another fun interview with the Realist Idealist about horses. We chat about what we can learn from horses about ourselves, our relationships, society and our connections. There is so much wisdom to learn with and from these majestic animals.
Our discussion brings in aspects of both figurative and literal wilderness when we get into learnings from mustangs, feral or wild horses in North America: what can they represent in us, and how can we learn from them?
Thanks for listening, friends!
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2 minutes about kindness: can you share some today?
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Episode 18: Nature Negatives... and how to counter them
What's a nature negative, pray tell? Well, madam or sir, a nature negative can best be described with an example. A cold, rainy, gray day in November is "miserable." In reality, the day is cold, rainy and gray... it is humans who decide it is miserable, and unsuitable for going out when in actuality, it's simply what nature does in November. Counteracting nature negatives can be as simple as recognizing them, dressing appropriately or modifying one's behavior to see the invitation different situations offer. An "unsuitable" area for camping near a lake with mosquitos can be seen as an invitation to set up the tent further from the water source, and enjoy the lake during the day.
Sometimes all it takes is a perspective change.
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As Warren Miller says, if you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do.
A solo episode today celebrates the new year with my story of the figurative wilderness I've been navigating since coming to the decision to start this podcast. It's been a steep learning curve requiring patience, compassion and asking for help. Big thanks to my friend Richard at the Pro Hockey News podcast for answering heaps of questions and offering his insight and advice. Cheers, amigo!
As always, thank you for listening: if you get a chance, please rate and review Wisdom of the Wilderness on your podcast app.
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Today I’m excited to be chatting with Emily about her Yahtzee game, developed to stay motivated and focused during the unexpected changes thrown at everyone this year. Emily is an endurance athlete, mountain climber and adventure lover frequently seen with her canine companion, Jolly. Listen along for a hefty dose of inspiration, determination and the courage to try new things.
3 Sisters Wilderness in Oregon.
The Tetons are the mountain range located in and near Grand Teton National Park
Bend is a fun town in central Oregon.
We both plan to be competing at the Broken Arrow Skyrace in Squaw Valley, California over the 2021 summer solstice.
Maldives
Pacific Crest Trail
Fastest Known Time is a great resource to check out who has completed an epic route or trail in the shortest amount of time. Emily's FKTs are listed here.
Yahtzee
The Lost Coast Trail
Crater Lake Rim FKT https://fastestknowntime.com/route/crater-lake-rim-high-route-or
Cabana de Oso
El Camino in Spain
The 395 beer I mention is the 395 IPA by Mammoth Brewing Company... and it was awesome!
Here’s some information on US 395 through California
We also refer to Episode 14, in which Jillian discusses her PCT thru-hike.
Tim Horton’s is a well-known Canadian coffee
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More synopses of research studies investigating the mechanisms and means by which nature contact affects mental health. There's a lot, there's a lot of repetition and a lot to digest... the biggest takeaway? Just getting outside, whether in an urban park, for an urban walk or to watch your kids play has huge benefits for stress-relief. It's nature itself that provide the benefits, not the way in which you access nature.
Studies referenced in this article include:
Nature–Based Interventions for Improving Health and Wellbeing: The Purpose, the People and the Outcomes
Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing
Contact to Nature Benefits Health: Mixed Effectiveness of Different Mechanisms
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Thanks for listening today! This week we're back again with another guest, the host of the Realist Idealist podcast.
This is a wide-ranging, unscripted conversation about critical thinking. We cover discomfort with emotions, sitting in or with negative emotions, dam-building, how solving a problem can create new problems, and how to connect with your own feelings, emotions and intuition.
I mention a fantastic professor who encouraged critical thinking in courses I took during my master's degree program.
We talk briefly about an issue with biodiesel I heard about on the Life Stylist podcast with Luke Storey.
And, because he's one of my favorite writers, here's a great quote by the incomparable Edward Abbey, also mentioned during our discussion, that I think can be expanded out to encompass critical thinking.
Transparent and intangible as sunlight, yet always and everywhere present, [the desert] lures a man on and on, from the red-walled canyons to the smoke-blue ranges beyond, in a futile but fascinating quest for the great, unimaginable treasure which the desert seems to promise. Once caught by this golden lure you become a prospector for life.
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Hello friends, another solo episode today discussing some studies reporting the benefits and potential mechanisms by which nature contact improves mental health. With reports of deteriorating mental health becoming more common over the past few months this is an important topic; time in nature can have noticeable effects on mental health with as little as 120 minutes--2 hours--of contact time per week. Please reach out to trusted friends, family and colleagues, or contact a mental health professional if you are struggling during this time.
Studies referenced in this episode include
How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway
Minimum Time Dose in Nature to Positively Impact the Mental Health of College-Aged Students, and How to Measure It: A Scoping Review
Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing
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Today we’re talking to Jillian Keenan, a journalist and author currently based in Mexico City, Mexico about her experience hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Connect with Jillian on Instagram or Twitter.
Here’s some links to topics discussed in the episode:
The Pacific Crest Trail
Jillian's Mantis pack is a custom version from ULA Packs.
Here's where to get a Cotopaxi fanny pack like mine (thanks, Holly!) to match Jillian’s Mantis backpack.
The Arctic Circle Trail is in Greenland.
Jillian’s 20 minute PCT highlight reel
The course Jillian mentions as renewing her interest in hiking the PCT is offered by the Boulder Outdoor Survival School in Boulder, Utah. Check out Episode 6 to hear a bit about my experience on a 14-Day Field Course out near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
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Today we talk with Tina, a passionate hiker and skier currently in Austria. Tina shares her story of living an adventurous life while working close to nature in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. She's also shares some wonderful life wisdom, stories of her travels and jobs, and her infectious positivity.
Enjoy this episode!
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A short bonus episode summarizing a few more studies about nature contact and the benefits on mental health. Studies referenced in this episode include:
Contact to Nature Benefits Health: Mixed Effectiveness of Different Mechanisms
Nature–Based Interventions for Improving Health and Wellbeing: The Purpose, the People and the Outcomes
Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing
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Thanks for joining! It's a solo episode today where I share some tips and tricks I've picked up from a decade(ish) of taking long road trips, whether solo or with friends. There's a lot of territory you can cover in North America with a set of wheels, and a lot of things that can help make the drivetime more enjoyable.
Enjoy!
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Welcome to the first episode with a guest! My friend Megan joins us from Colorado to talk about her experiences in nature, a game we used to play while hiking called Tres Revs, working with at-risk youth, the importance of having a connection to your local environment and a beginner's mind. We also talk a bit about flow state, being present, and multiple intelligences.
Some links to things we discuss:
Megan applied for graduate school at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado.
I quote from the inspiring book Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey:
“You can't see anything from a car; you've got to get out of the goddamn contraption and walk, better yet crawl, on hands and knees, over the sandstone and through the thornbrush and cactus. When traces of blood begin to mark your trail, you'll see something, maybe.”
We backpacked the West Coast Trail in Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island, British Columbia in June 2011. One day there may be an episode about that adventure...
Thanks for listening!
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Today is all about Clyde, the wonderful stevia plant I grew this summer. Learn about his journey as a metaphor for reflecting upon our own life situations in work, relationships and locations.
Thank you for listening!
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Our health as humans is dependent upon the health of the environment. How so? We need fresh air to breathe, clean water to drink, healthy soils to grow food in, forests/plants/trees to produce oxygen, and the work of pollinators such as bees to help agricultural crops grow. The interconnections between ecosystems and species, symbiotic relationships and food webs are essential to maintaining the quality of life for all sentient beings on earth.
Please remember, we live on this planet and are dependent upon her resources. The food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink... all are circulated, recycled and reused by nature. We can play a role in helping heal the environment... by healing nature, we heal ourselves in the process.
The value of air is mentioned in this fantastic reference for a nature-centric perspective through ecopsychology.
Zach Bush, MD discussing soil health. He's been on some fantastic podcasts including Luke Storey and Dr. Mark Hyman
Gulf of Mexico dead zone due to nutrient runoff from agriculture.
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Exposure to natural sunlight causes Vitamin D to be produced by the body; it also plays a role in maintaining a healthy immune system. Vitamin D can modify the innate and adaptive immune responses; a deficiency is associated with greater chances of an infections and mortality.
This bonus episode discusses a recent study on the Vitamin D status of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Spain. Recent research suggests a relationship between Vitamin D levels and coronavirus susceptibility. Vitamin D may play a preventative role, and improve the prognosis for those diagnosed with COVID-19.
This information is shared to encourage discussion and critical thinking around the role of nutrition in our lives. I am not a doctor, nor does this constitute medical or professional advice. Please read the study and come to your own conclusions.
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In this episode of Wisdom of the Wilderness, we learn about different ways to use analogies and metaphors in nature to help understand our own lives.
Thanks for joining the conversation!
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A story about my experience completing a 14 Day Field Course with the Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS) in the summer of 2012.
I tie into previous episodes as I relate how contact with nature, earthing and immersion in the outdoors affected me during and after the course, and catalyzed major changes in my life as I journaled on the wilderness within while on the solo component.
More information about BOSS can be found on the website at www.boss-inc.com
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Earthing/grounding is having direct physical contact with the surface of the earth. Walking barefoot outside, or sitting, working or sleeping indoors connected to conductive systems that are transferring the earth's free electrons into the body from the ground has been associated with a wide range of health benefits.
In this episode we learn all about earthing aka grounding including a synopsis of several studies, ways to quickly ground ourselves and what the health benefits are. Benefits of grounding include reduced inflammation, better sleep quality, reduced muscle pain after activity, greater feelings of calm... and a reconnection to the earth and our ancestral ways.
Have you tried it yet? It's SIMPLE, profound technique and often-overlooked factor in overall health and healing (Menigoz et al., 2020)
Studies referenced in the episode include:
Image of the human body with highlighted impacts of earthing/grounding... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830719305476
Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265077/#B20
The effects of grounding on bodyworkers' pain... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830718302519?via%3Dihub
The effects of grounding on inflammation... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/
My website
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As little as 10-20 minutes of contact with nature can reduce stress and feelings of depression and anxiety. Today I'm sharing a few ways I sneak in nature time to maintain well-being.
Thank you for listening!
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Episode 3: the benefits of wilderness! Well, some of them. Join along to hear why wilderness is important for the variety of services and values we gain, plus why conservation is imperative for the future.
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Episode 2 details some of the benefits we can receive from just getting outside. Lowered blood pressure, reduced feelings of depression and anxiety, lowered stress levels and cortisol, and activation of the parasympathetic (aka rest and digest ) nervous system are a few of the benefits covered. Some of the stresses of urban living are mentioned, including the transition somewhere in 2008 when human population in urban areas became greater than the rural population. The steady stresses of urban life have been associated with mood disorders, and both constant stimuli and the demands of modern life can activate the sympathetic (aka fight or flight, freeze or faint) nervous system.
As usual, everything is nuanced.
The takeaway: the more time you spend outdoors, the better you'll feel. Spending as little as 15-45 minutes in a city park--even with noise, crowds and pavement--can improve mood, feelings of restoration and vitality. A minimum of 5 hours per month in the outdoors is associated with health benefits; those benefits increase with additional time spent outside. So.... the more and more you're outside, the better and better you'll feel!
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Welcome to the inaugural episode of Wisdom of the Wilderness podcast. This episode is an introduction to why I started, what we'll be doing and how this podcast can inspire, educate and empower you to reconnect to well-being. In the future we'll be chatting with average people about lessons learned on their personal journeys through uncharted territory--perhaps even in wilderness areas, sharing benefits of time spent in the outdoors, and using nature as a tool to guide us along our own voyages of discovery.
I recap the reasons behind starting the podcast, a bit of my story, why I started this, how I got interested in sharing the benefits that nature provides, and what the goals are. The podcast will feature guests that inspire, educate and empower you to get outdoors and to use nature as a guide for your own journey.
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