Humans Outside: Recent Episodes
Amy Bushatz
They say spending time in nature can change your life. But in a world packed with indoor life pressures, how can you make getting outside just a part of who you are? Welcome to Humans Outside, where we explore a wellness-rich life in the great outdoors from our perch in Alaska while hearing from fascinating outdoor-minded guests.
Did you know I’m a journalist? I mean, you probably do because I mention it in the intro of many episodes of Humans Outside. But you probably didn’t know I’m launching a local nonprofit newspaper.
It’s an all-consuming project, and going outside has been key to helping me get it off the ground.
Going outside daily has also been key to helping me understand how to manage my time, how to prioritize what’s important to me, how to make all of it happen in one day.
But it’s also taught me that the world is full of natural beginnings and endings as a part of the seasons.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
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Some of the good stuff:
[:36] A fun fact about me
[:54] In which I wax reminiscent about days of yore
[1:52] Why local news is so, so important
[2:35] My new local news project
[3:14] What outdoors continues to mean to me
[4:05] But I can’t do everything
[5:23] And so it comes down to this
Do you have one person whose work you’ve looked to for inspiration? For me, that’s Gretchen Rubin, author of the Happiness Project, and it’s why I was so excited to get her on Humans Outside for a sit-down.
It was such a fun conversation that I want to make sure you get to hear it in this best of humans outside episode. I hope you love this interesting and inspirational conversation with Gretchen Rubin.
Connect with this episode:
Read Life in 5 Senses (affiliate link)
Visit Gretchen’s website
Follow Gretchen on Instagram
Follow Gretchen on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:05] Gretchen Rubin’s favorite outdoor space
[4:10] How Gretchen became someone who likes to go outside
[6:35] The problem of things taking effort
[8:47] Why Gretchen started her Life in 5 Senses project
[11:33] Does she still go to this place every day?
[11:38] How that practice is like a sit spot
[14:40] The freedom (and challenge) of doing something every day
[18:28] Gretchen’s favorite sense and how her experiment impacted it
[19:41] What do we lose when we ignore our senses?
[22:27] All about Gretchen’s daily outdoor project
[24:15] The difference between a chore and recess outside
[27:00] Why the freedom to choose your own rules is important (and hard)
[30:13] The inspiration for Gretchen’s project
[33:17] How her five sense are influencing her outdoor project
[36:19] Personal habits that make her outdoor time better
[40:21] Gretchen’s favorite outdoor moment
What happens if you say "yes" to just one adventure or step out of your comfort zone? Maybe you'll create a single unforgettable experience. Or maybe that "yes" will lead you down a path where you encounter more interesting (and maybe a little scary) ideas and opportunities.
That's what today's guest, author and physician Mimi Zieman, found when she stepped out of her comfort zone in New York City to try something new. From the streets of the city to the base camp of Mt. Everest, Mimi discovered how saying yes to ideas and taking up space in the world can lead to a lifetime of growth.
In this episode, Mimi takes us on her journey from "yes" to Everest and gives us tips for finding our own space by following the power of that one word. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[2:42 ] - Mimi Zieman’s favorite outdoor space
[04:22] - How Mimi went from city to nature
[06:27] - The challenges Mimi found up at Rocky Mountain Biological Lab.
[09:25] - How Mimi ended up in Nepal
[15:10] - The wild challenges on Everest
[21:45] - Here’s how that Everest experience impacted Mimi.
[28:59] - Why you have to take up space in the world
[31:11] - Mimi’s best advice for those wanting to say yes to more adventures
There are a lot of reasons to spend time in nature, but as I reflect back on all of the things I’ve learned by heading outside every day for more than 2,500 days in a row, some takeaways stick out more than others.
The biggest thing I’ve learned by spending time outside is also both my favorite lesson and the thing I least expected.
What is it? Listen now!
Connect with this episode: Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[00:45] The start of my outdoor challenge
[01:39] There were some benefits I expected
[02:21] And then there is one big benefit I didnt see coming
[03:33] I realized while doing this unpredictable thing
[04:15] 2016 Amy would NEVER
[05:08] It’s time to face the change
There’s something both comforting and amazing about the way nature takes the reigns no matter what happens. During a recent walk in the woods, I saw startling new growth on top of recent harm, and it was just the reminder I needed about nature’s power to reclaim itself and me.
Maybe it’s a reminder you need, too.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[00:23] Here’s what I did outside this week
[00:35] Nature just out there healing its own self
[01:37] Here’s where I face the music
[02:32] And here’s what I saw when I did
[04:03] Oh yeah, nature heals people, too
No matter how you define “hard,” heading outside offers plenty of chances to tackle it. Many people who choose to tackle hard stuff outside are pushed to do so to honor some kind of “why.”
For some of us, that “why” is health or to push our own personal boundaries. For others, the “why” is on behalf of someone else.
Ultrarunner Emily Halnon’s “why” has everything to do with her mom, who died from an aggressive form of cancer in early 2020. To honor her she headed out to tackle a major challenge running on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It’s a story she’s now shared in her new book “To The Gorge.”
Through her journey, she learned the power of moving through hard stuff. In this episode you’ll hear Emily share the things she’s learned through that journey and how you can make yourself do hard things outside, too.
Connect with this episode:
Read Emily Halnon’s new book, To The Gorge (affiliate link)
Visit Emily’s website
Follow Emily on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[4:06] Emily Halnon’s favorite outdoor space
[5:36] How Emily became someone who likes to go outside
[7:05] How Emily’s mom inspired her running career
[10:29] All about Andrea Halnon’s adventurous life
[15:27] The grief and grit in running across Oregon
[22:37] How to get mentally tough to prepare for a mega run
[30:01] Why hard stuff outside helps us prepare for life's challenges.
[33:04] The internal dialogue of pushing through the tough stuff
[35:07] Why it’s not a bad thing to feel a little scared
[36:39] Emily’s favorite outdoor moment
There’s something special about the way spring sounds in Alaska.
Maybe it’s how dramatic the experience is as compared to the sounds of winter. Maybe it’s that they’re happy sounds that I can hear through my windows. Maybe it’s that the weather is so much nicer than it had been, that I’m outside more to hear sounds at all.
Whatever the reason, I love the outdoor symphony. Here’s what I’ve been noticing.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[00:35] I’m feeling really grateful for my ears [00:52] Here’s the source of my leaning into my senses challenge [01:46] The sounds of spring are basically the best [02:02] Here’s a few examples [02:26] Birds, birds, birds. [03:31] Not birds but still souds [04:04] OK, winter has sounds, too
I do it to myself and over and over again. That feeling of overwhelm sneaks right in, and it’s entirely because of my own poor choices.
(You would think I’d learn my lesson, but I have not.)
So when the going gets crowed, what do I do? I think you’re probably going to guess. But the wild thing is just how much adding more of it to my schedule helps.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[00:23] Yeah, OK I do this to myself
[01:17] We know the signs -- truly
[01:32] Maybe I could do this before
[02:25] This is the part where we come up with a solution
[02:43] When, in fact, the real solution is this one that doesn’t make any sense.
[03:33] The reason it helps? Priorities.
Florence Williams has learned a thing or two about making the most of what you have right outside your door and the tools you already possess to do so. Since Florence, author of “The Nature Fix,” literally wrote the book on how going outside creates positive impacts on our mental health and wellbeing, that’s really saying something.
I learned about Florence before we even started going outside every day. It was her book, published shortly before we knew we were looking for it, that gave us the 20 minute daily goal. We are so honored that she gave some of her time to share her latest lessons in exactly how you can harness the power of nature for your health, happiness and mental well-being.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:05] Florence William’s favorite outdoor space
[3:14] Why she started writing about outdoor benefits
[5:16] Why going outside makes us feel good
[8:01] Why going outside is good for your brain
[10:26] Why going outside helps trauma
[16:36] Why finding what speaks to you is important
[19:05] Why tuning in matters
[21:24] The difference between “seeking” and “available”
[23:48] Why many doctors love drugs and ignore nature
[25:49] How to find awe in what’s right outside your door
[35:30] Florence’s favorite and most essential gear
[36:47] Florence’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Read (or listen to) The Nature Fix, by Florence Williams
Listen to The 3-Day Effect on Audible
Read Florence William’s website
Follow Florence Williams on Instagram
Like Florence William’s Facebook author page
Follow Florence Williams on Twitter
I used to hear friends talk about the crazy wonderful things they were spotting outside and wonder how it was I was missing out. Why didn’t I see that stuff? Were they trying harder? Going places I didn’t want to go? Getting up in tbe middle of the night to do it? And then one day I stumbled upon their secret by accident. And now that I’ve figured out the trick to seeing wonders outside, I just can’t stop.
- It’s not that hard
- It doesn’t take any extra work
- It does take intention
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff: [00:35] Yes, I’m an early riser
[01:32] This morning experience changed my perspective
[02:12] All I had to do was take this step
[02:31] Yes, I missed stuff
[03:03] But now I see this stuff, too
When was the last time you thought about the way learning to notice and navigate changing seasons affects how you view your indoor life?
One of the best things about spending a lot of time outdoors is how it prompts you to pause and see how the world is shifting day by day. Are you ready for it? Are you taking it as it comes?
No matter how you approach the shift in seasons, one thing is certain: getting used to changes outdoors can teach you a thing or two about changes indoors.
- Getting okay with growth
- Noticing when it's coming
- Embracing what it brings
Listen to this episode of Humans Outside now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff: [00:35] Here’s a highly philosophical observation about the sun
[01:28] We’ve got some signs of spring up in here
[02:31] Let’s get aware of seasons
[03:11] No solar eclipse here, but we do have seasons changing
[03:29] There’s sun and I’m not mad about it
[04:00] Just over here learning from nature for my inside life, once again
Ready for solo adventure? Feeling safe?
Getting out there by yourself can feel like a real safety risk. I absolutely love going out alone, but I know it comes with pros and cons.
But it doesn't mean I don't go. It just means I go empowered.
Nicole Snell, a safety expert and owner of Girls Fight Back who specializes in self-defense in the outdoors, has a different idea. In this episode she shares her best tips and tricks to empower you to get into nature solo while also staying safe.
Hear Nicole talk about staying stafe outside in this "best of" episode.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Nicole Snell’s website
Visit Nicole’s Girls Fight Back website
Watch Nicole’s Outdoor Defense YouTube series (it’s really good!)
Book a one-on-one session with Nicole
Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn
Follow Nicole and Girls Fight Back on Facebook
Follow Nicole on Instagram
Follow Girls Fight Back on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[4:06] Nicole Snell’s favorite outdoor space
[4:52] How Nicole became someone who likes to go outside
[7:16] How she got into self-defense
[14:05] Why people (often women) feel unsafe alone outside
[20:12] What self-defense tools should people use?
[26:54] What we mean when we say “use your words.”
[28:55] Why she didn't say “I’m sorry”
[31:57] The role of intuition
[37:41] How to make the outdoors more safe for everyone
[41:10] Top three tips for self-defense in nature
[44:41] Nicole’s favorite outdoor memory
When did you last hug a tree? I mean literally, actually hug a tree? Yeah, I know it sounds weird, but hang with me, because this silly thing has been recharging and reshaping how I feel about heading outside.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Listen to Alastair Humphrey’s episode on Humans Outside
Listen to my episode about my scary Grand Canyon trip
Some of the good stuff:
[00:35] Tree Hugging as Gratitude
[01:20] Grounding Experience of Tree Hugging
[01:41] Winter Contrast and Appreciation in Seattle
[02:49] Monthly Sit Spot Reflection
[03:08] Observations and Gratitude for Trees
[04:36] Emotional and Sensory Connection with Nature
The changing of seasons is the perfect time to look around for signs of changing life outside.
But what if instead of just seeing the signs, you looked at them as encouragement for your day? What if you saw them as symbols of hope that you can take with you or find whenever you need a little push through your day? What would you choose? How would it help you?
Learn about my chosen symbol in this episode of Humans Outside. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Signs of spring and easter
[1:19] Here’s where I see new life in nature
[1:58] Excuse me winter, please leave permanently
[2:21] Here’s some personal symbols I see
[2:48] Why I look to the birds
[4:12] And why you should find your own symbols
If you’ve ever spent time living in a major city, you know finding nature takes a lot more intentionality than if you spend all of your time in a rural environment. You might even think about experiencing nature in a city as happening in spite of the concrete jungle, not because of it.
But what if you flipped that on its head? What if you learned ways to appreciate nature because of the city it’s in? That’s something today’s guest, Brittany Gowan, has become good at as part of her work coaching organizations and executives. With an industrial and organizational psychology master's degree, she works with her clients to lean on nature in and out of the city, a concept also shares in her new book “Turn to the Sun.”
In this episode of Humans Outside Brittany talks about:
- Finding nature wherever you are
- The gifts of an outdoor habit in an urban environment
- How noticing nature can raise awareness for other things
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Visit Brittany Gowan’s website Read Brittany’s book “Turn to the Sun” (affiliate link)Follow Brittany on Facebook Follow Brittany on Instagram Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:17] Brittany Gowan’s favorite outdoor space
[4:02] How Brittany became someone who likes to go outside
[4:57] How do people react to the idea of nearby nature?
[6:02] Ways to find natures in the city
[8:23] Why birds are cool for this
[10:59] How to build awareness for nature in a city
[13:06] How to create space for nature
[15:03] The art of nature visualization
[22:53] Do houseplants move you towards nature?
[28:00] The top thing Brittany has learned through her outdoor practice
[34:01] Brittany’s favorite outdoor moment
You know the photos don’t tell the whole story: doing something cool outdoors or going on an epic adventure takes work.
And I don’t just mean deciding where to go and then peeling yourself out of your house. I mean:
- Sacrificing other things you want/need to do
- Living with the discomfort of flexibility
- Preparation and vision
But is it worth it? Yes.
Listen to this episode to hear more now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Just a little introvert dilemma
[1:06] Answering the call of adventure despite inconvenience
[2:56] You’re going to have to make some sacrifices
[3:40] Some of them will be related to flexibility
[5:07] Regrets? None so far.
You’d think after all of these days outside over years of keeping my outdoor habit, I’d have figured out that after feeling some kind of way in the winter, I am an entirely new person when the daylight comes back.
But no.
So this is a letter from current me to future me, based on the experience of past me. And I bet these me-s can you help you, too.
Listen now.
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Dear all the Amys: listen up
[:48] This is a letter about the power of sunshine
[1:52] Remember back like two weeks ago when you thought you were done for?
[2:22] It’s all about powering through to the light
[3:27] Will I ever get the memo?
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Remember my rim-to-rim hike in the Grand Canyon that became a dangerous disaster after another member of the group put us all at risk? Yeah, that wasn’t great. But when I shared that story, I immediately received a parade of messages from Humans Outside followers and podcast fans with their own stories of outdoor misadventures caused by someone else’s poor choices.
There’s some comfort in knowing my experience wasn’t unique. But it also made me think maybe there’s a lesson there on what we can all do better next time. If so many of us have had a similar problem, maybe we need someone to help us avoid it happening again.
Enter: Luc Mehl and Sarah Histand, adventure experts who happen to be married to each other.
You’ve probably heard Sarah here before, bringing insight on adventuring in ways that feel safe. Luc is a trip planning expert who has done major expeditions in Alaska and teaches courses on heading into the wilderness while having fun and not dying. Together they’re the perfect pair to help us with this problem.
In this episode hear:
- Luc’s advice for building a solid adventure group
- What to do if you’re stuck on adventure with someone who is falling apart
- How to be kind to yourself (and others) while deal with the whole thing.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Check out coaching with Sarah on Mind & Mountain
Take one of Luc’s cool adventure courses
Follow Sarah on Instagram
Follow Luc on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:33] Sarah’s favorite outdoor space
[4:04] But wait, Luc has a different favorite
[4:50] Luc and Sarah’s outdoor stories (plus, how they met)
[8:05] What is risk management and why is it important?
[11:04] It sounds harsh, but are there simply people who shouldn’t be invited on adventures?
[12:20] How to figure out who is the right fit for your trip
[13:45] What to do when you thought your had it figured out, but actually you did not
[17:41] The role of people picking in trip planning
[20:24] What to do when you get into the adventure and now you’ve got real problems
[26:45] The fear of offending someone
[29:29] Think about it as “carrying pride”
[32:28] So you’re in a bad situation. Here’s what to do next.
[37:50] The rumors are true: don’t leave a buddy (or frienemy) behind
[41:40] How to avoid an emotional stress injury
[45:16] Luc and Sarah’s favorite outdoor moments
There are just certain outdoor things that drive me absolutely bonkers. They make my nerves feel like tattered edges, especially if they’ve been going on for awhile.
And that’s a problem, because I am committed to getting outside every single day, no matter what. … and that “no matter what” includes stuff I don’t like, and even stuff I hate.
So what do I do when this happens? I take these three steps.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] I’m betting you have some outdoor thing you hate. Don’t be a hero about this.
[1:01] Here are some really good examples
[1:55] And here’s the thing I hate, thank you.
[2:04] I need you to hang on while I get this off my chest.
[4:06] Obviously, it’s not going to keep me inside
[4:34] Which means I have to take a few steps to move through it
[6:54] Here’s a fun fact about Amy in March
They clear-cut part of my backyard trails and I’m devastated (Outdoor Diary)
When I heard the saws, I should’ve known it was not a good thing, not just a trail crew clearing wood downed on the trail.
I never guessed the loss those sounds were bringing. And when I saw it, I stood in disbelief.
I guess that’s the risk brought by loving something. When it’s taken away, a piece of you feels gone, too.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Man-made destruction without warning
[1:45] I assumed it wasn’t major. Boy was I wrong.
[2:55] Only Treebeard has the words for this
[3:45] These trees were my friends
[4:50] It feels like a heavy loss
[5:12] My bad for trusting anyone on the internet
[6:22] But I do think this is a universal experience
Planning a visit to one of the many national parks or federally protected lands? You’ll be in good company. Visiting these spaces is more popular than ever before.
So how do you make sure the company isn’t too good? How do you avoid the crowded spots, still get to have that bucket list trip and make the most of the journey?
Matt and Karen Smith are national park travel experts because they’ve been there, done that, and share their journey in their podcast “Dear Bob and Sue” and books of the same title. Their show is packed with practical, clear advice on visiting the parks, and in this episode of Humans Outside they bring that help here.
In this episode hear:
- The biggest mistakes national park visitors make
- The wonderful parks experience you might be missing
- The best way to avoid big crowds
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Visit Matt and Karen’s website Follow Matt and Karen on Instagram Follow Matt and Karen on Facebook Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:01] Matt and Karen’s favorite outdoor spaces
[6:38] How they got into visiting national parks
[11:30] What is it about the national parks that we love so much?
[13:26] How the heck can you afford that?
[16:46] Biggest national parks mistakes they see
[21:31] Their favorite parks
[25:41] How to avoid seeing too many people
[32:33] Where you really should go
[34:23] Their best tips for making the most of any national park trips
[40:00] Matt and Karen’s favorite outdoor memory
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What would happen if you spent a handful of hours attempting to do every available outdoor activity in a certain area?
That’s the question I asked before a Do All The Things day I just did with a friend. We loaded up our cars with outfit changes, equipment and nowhere near enough snacks, and headed into Hatcher Pass for a packed five hours of outdoor fun.
Here’s what happened.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] The siren song of a challenge, even it’s just one day
[1:09] Can we even do all the things?!
[2:16] A tiny edit, and then we set forth
[2:26] (Don’t get me started on my people and these ski passes)
[2:52] Here starts the activity check-check-check
[5:17] A few ta
With four years of running this podcast behind me, I’ve been thinking about what I have learned from this journey and the many, many guests I’ve interviewed.
Inspiration. Thought-provoking lessons. A change in perspective. All of my interviews and outdoor hours have left a mark on me.
But this year, those are not my favorite takeaways. Instead? It’s all about connections like the ones I talk about in this episode of my Outdoor Diary.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Nature for Everyone: Working for Outdoor Inclusivity and Respect (Brandi Small, inclusivity advocate and hiker)
She Went Outside to Finish Her Dad’s Epic Bucket List and Found Big Things About Herself (Laura Carney, author and bucket list chaser)
Canoeing the Entire Mississippi River to Shatter Barriers (Cory Maria Dack, Canoe guide and inclusivity advocate)
She’s Conquering Trails with a Rare Brain Disease (Crystal Gail Welcome, BIPOC and disabled thru-hiker)
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Four years = a lot of takeaways
[1:33] But my favorite thing right now? Connections
[1:35] And here’s a bunch of my favorite examples, near and far
[3:15] My other favorite connections? It’s you, of course.
When life comes at you hard -- pain, trauma, injury, loss, grief -- the outdoors is there just waiting for you to use it for healing. You just have to go outside.
That’s what Denali Strabel, a semi-professional mountain runner and life-long Alaskan has found as she navigates the wide variety of victories and challenges life has thrown at her. From addiction to the loss of her identical twin sister, Rubye, Denali knows that by keeping the mountains a part of her, she can move through pain.
In this episode Denali gifts us a rare window into what it’s like to actively move through grief after loss while still in the thick of it as she's daily making the decision to heal and move.
Hear Denali share how the mountains, ocean and running have been key in helping her with this challenge and so many others -- and learn how you, too, can lean on heading into nature to get through the hard stuff.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Follow Denali Strabel on Instagram
Follow Rubye Blake (Denali’s identical twin) on Instagram
In honor of Denali’s nephew, Gunnar
Visit Denali’s website
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:20] Denali Strabel’s favorite outdoor space
[5:45] Denali’s outdoor story
[8:35] What it’s like to grow up in Seward
[12:31] About Mount Marathon
[16:05] Using nature to recover
[22:25] The importance of reconnecting with the outdoors
[29:53] All about Rubye Blake, Denali’s identical twin sister
[35:44] What it’s like to lose a twin
[44:22] Advice for dealing with grief when you’re in the thick of it
[53:44] Denali’s favorite outdoor memory
It’s a question I’ve heard several times over my more than 2,300-day outdoor streak: ‘what do you do if you’re sick?’
Since I’ve never missed a day, and I’ve definitely been sick more than once, you can easily guess that I still go outside. And fortunately the benefits I find there -- even though getting out in it takes extra effort -- make it all worth it. Of course they do.
In this episode I talk about how (and why) I get outside even when I’m sick and down for the count. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] You can tell when I’m sick -- probably
[:59] But then you might assume this
[2:11] I gotta get out there, but it’s winter, so…
[2:37] The best thing about the 20-minute minimum
[3:10] Plus, then I’m grateful
One of my favorite benefits of spending time outside is how doing so daily has worked to better my relationships, giving me space to grow them in the context of nature.
But did you know nature can also help when a relationship ends -- that it can literally be a part of healing heartbreak? In this Best Of episode we hear from best-selling author Florence Williams about her up close and personal study on that topic.
You might remember Florence from her work on one of her previous books, The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative. She joined us to talk about the book in a previous episode of Humans Outside. In her new book Heartbreak (and the immersive audio book) Florence pairs her own experience with the kind of research she’s known for, and in the process lays out a map for using nature to heal from a broken heart.
Connect with this episode:
Read or listen to Heartbreak by Florence Williams (affiliate link)
Hear Florence Williams’ previous episode on Humans Outside
Listen to Amy and Luke Bushats with Florence on the Outside Magazine podcast
Follow Florence Williams on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the Good Stuff:
[4:33] Florence William’s favorite outdoor space
[5:46] All about Florence’s heartbreak
[7:00] The not entirely secret story of Amy’s heartbreak
[8:53] Why heartbreak becomes a book
[12:58] Why she decided to try a nature cure
[17:01] What she tracked for her project
[23:00] Exactly how to heal heartbreak by going outside
[29:00] Can healing happen close to home?
[32:55] Why this is all actually really simple -- but not immediate
[40:05] One surprising thing Florence learned
It was a sad closing to the week in my house as we said “goodbye” to our dog of 12 years. We brought so much joy to each other. But it was time to let her go.
Chloe was there when I first started spending time outside for nature’s sake, so remembering her in an episode seemed like the least I could do to honor her place in our lives and the joy dogs bring so many of us.
She was a very good girl. Terrible breath; but such a good girl. This one is for her.
Connect with this episode:
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Some of the good stuff:
[:42] It was harder than I thought it would be
[1:30] What kind of dog is she?
[2:04] All about best good girl, Chloe
[4:18] Ever tried to write news stories while a dog snores?
[5:19] Please, pet a dog
Every now and then you run across something that captures your imagination while giving you a connection to an outdoor experience you loved. That’s exactly how I felt the first time I came across one of the National Park posters designed by amateur parks historian Ranger Doug Leen and his team of artists and creators. The colors, design and connection to the past reminded me of all of the work and drama that went into protecting the lands I had come to love -- and why doing so is important.
Many other collectors and park enthusiasts feel just as I do about the prints -- and the mystery and chase around creating them. In this episode Ranger Doug, so-called ‘Ranger of the Lost Art,’ tells the story of chasing down the historic park prints, creating new ones in their style and why these connect visitors to the national parks they love.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
All about Ranger Doug’s art
Buy the Ranger of the Lost Art table top book
Follow Ranger Doug on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:10] Talking to Doug Leen from here
[3:44] Ranger Doug’s outdoor story
[5:53] A career that took him all sorts of place
[7:48] How he became ‘Ranger of the Lost Art’
[16:21] What these posters look like
[20:27] Why people like the posters
[22:29] How the posters connect us with the parks
[27:22] How people can support this work
[30:17] Doug’s favorite outdoor space
Wondering if you really do have time for that epic outdoor adventure in the middle of your otherwise normal life, or not quite sure if you can make it happen?
That’s how I felt recently while trying to balance my desire to head out for an ice skating trip to a glacier with having 1 million surely very important things to do. Did I actually have time? Would I be dropping too many balls by going? The answer, of course, was that, yes, I had time. You have time to add some fun to your schedule, too. And in this episode I share some ideas for making it happen.
Listen now.
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Some of the good stuff:
[:35] My brain said no but my heart said go
[1:32] The work I’ve been doing on my brain
[2:31] Epic things come when you make the time
[2:44] A series of three helpful tips for making time for epic stuff during normal life
How do you handle zero-fun outdoor time? Push through and get the goal anyway before calling it quits? Wrap it up and head back to the car? Beat yourself up about quitting? Know that it’s OK? This week on a mountain adventure with a few friends I found myself having zero fun time. The whole thing just didn’t feel right. And I was big done. So what did I do?
Listen now.
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Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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Some of the good stuff:
[:46] OK, so I like a challenge
[:59] But even I have to draw a line
[1:55] So I started trying to work with my nervous system
[2:48] But you know what? No.
[3:44] Here’s the permission we didn’t need but we have anyway
How well do you know the outdoor areas near your home? I don’t just mean the obvious spots, I mean all of the spaces.
And what would happen if you took the time to truly and deeply explore them?
That’s something British adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys set out to discover as part of a personal project that turned into his new book, Local. Dividing the region into one-kilometer grid squares, Alastair systematically experienced all of the outdoor spaces near his urban home, and in the process became not only more familiar with where he lived, but also grew a deep appreciation for the nature around him found in some of the most unlikely places.
In this episode you’ll hear all about Alastair's truly local adventure, plus some of the simple benefits of taking time to enjoy everything -- the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful -- that nature has for you close to home.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Follow Alastair Humphreys on Facebook
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Visit Alastair’s website
Buy Alastair Humphrey’s new book, Local (affiliate link)
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[3:08] Alastair Humphrey’s favorite outdoor space
[4:02] Alastair’s outdoor story
[5:46] What “Local” is about -- project and book
[8:37] What is “nearby nature?”
[10:35] For the record, I don’t have this outside my window
[11:38] What did Alastair find during his project that surprised him?
[15:21] Embracing technology to make outside time better
[17:59] The inspiration to fix problems
[21:55] A mind shift to gratitude and curiosity
[26:12] Taking the time for adventures big and small
[28:36] How anyone can get started on a project like Local
[34:03] Alistair’s favorite outdoor moment
If you’ve been keeping your outdoor habit for awhile just like me, you might be looking for a way to give it a little boost. Or maybe you’re new to this, but want to add a little spice or specific outings to your outdoor life. If that’s you, this easy new outdoor habit I’m trying this year is probably the perfect fit. It’s a simple, low time commitment and interesting option and I can’t wait to see how it goes over the coming months.
Want to join me? Learn all about it in this episode of Humans Outside. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
About Alister Humphrey’s “year in a tree”
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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Some of the good stuff:
[:28] I was worried about getting stuck in a rut
[:54] I was curious about forest bathing
[1:22] And then I heard this idea from Alastair Humphreys -- brilliant!
[2:19] How I picked my own version
[3:24] Here’s what I picked
[4:05] Here’s what I did while I was there
[5:04] You should do this, too!
One of my favorite things I’ve gained from heading outside every day? The discovery that I have an incredibly useful superpower.
No, it’s not x-ray vision, time travel or flying, which is a bummer because those would all be very cool. It’s a move power -- the power to make myself do things I don’t want to do. And you cannot imagine how helpful this superpower is in all sorts of circumstances.
I think you have a superpower, too. Let's figure out what it is.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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Some of the good stuff:
[:35] I was here when I remembered my superpower
[1:14] This is my superpower and why I love it
[2:35] I think you have a superpower, too -- here’s what it might be
[3:29] Why these superpowers matter
If new habits or a wellness practice refresh is on your mind, you’re in good company. The start of a new year or new season often feels like the perfect time for a refresh.
But if you’re going to squeeze in a new helpful habit or practice, you might need to phase out an old, less-helpful one. And that’s easy to say, but hard to do.
In this episode of Humans Outside, wellness coach and habit expert Sarah Hays Coomer walks us through how to build good habits and get rid of old ones while talking through practical examples of how to make it happen.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Visit Sarah Hays Coomer’s website
Read Sarah’s Forbes column
Follow Sarah on Instagram
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Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[2:54] Sarah Hays Coomer’s favorite outdoor space
[4:28] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside
[7:12] A little bit on the nuts and bolts of habits
[9:29] Some practical habit building
[14:41] The seasons of habits
[18:20] The cruel irony of flexibility vs. consistency
[19:30] Why some habits are hard to break
[22:23] What a growth mindset has to do with it
[24:00] The curiosity factor
[28:30] Microdosing wellness
[31:00] Fitting in the stuff you know you like even when the internet calls your name
[34:18] Breaking out of a ‘bad’ habit
[37:16] You really do have time
[39:52] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment
The weather might be frightfulish or not exactly what you’d order for your perfect outdoor day, but Humans Outside is still out here helping you get inspired to build and keep that outdoor habit all year long. And now we’re ready for Humans Outside season 9.
So you want to create a new habit -- maybe it’s heading outside daily for that 20 minutes, maybe it’s something related, maybe it’s something else entirely. It can be easy to pick a really aggressive goal, or, on the flip side, toy with committing to something and then back out because you don’t want to disappoint yourself.
In the happy middle, though, is aiming for a habit that both improves your wellness life and gives you what you need. So how do you get there? In this episode of Humans Outside, Sarah Hays Coomer, a wellness coach and habit expert joins us for a third time to talk about creating a habit that focuses on what you need, gently. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Sarah Hays Coomer’s website
Read Sarah’s Forbes column
Follow Sarah on Instagram
Follow Sarah on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:34] Sarah Hays Coomer’s favorite outdoor space
[3:55] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside
[7:33] The nuts and bolts of a habit
[16:27] The role of sustainability in habit picking
[19:35] How to create a gentle guide for what you need
[26:57] What counts as going outside?
[32:40] Is habit building a muscle?
[37:29] Some tips for a gentle wellness practice
It’s good to take a beat, think about the past few seasons and decide with intention how you want to go forward. My preferred method for memory? Photo scrolling.
And so I dove into some memories of outdoor time from the past year, and when I was done I had found two important outdoor lessons that I can take with me to make my future choices and adventures that much better.
… And they can help you, too. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Taking a cruise through old photos
[1:05] A few lessons from the past year
[2:03] The first lesson
[2:49] Lesson, the second
[4:26] My hope for you
Want to find a way to chase a goal for the new year without becoming one of the estimated 91% of Americans who abandon their new year’s resolution before completion? Here at Humans Outside we believe that one simple habit can change your life. And if you’re already chasing it, I have some simple ideas for you to give it a little boost.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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In seasons of literal darkness it's important to hunt for the light. And there’s plenty of places to find it -- warming fires, twinkle lights or the Menorah, shining stars, headlamps and more.
But my favorite way is through a more figurative means: the light of other humans.
With winter darkness and the importance of light on my mind, now is a perfect time to briefly pause and appreciate the light of humans as we go outside together.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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Some of the good stuff:
[:35] The question: where do you find light?
[1:00] The light situation around here
[1:48] Some light places
[2:45] My favorite source of light
[3:06] Here’s who they are and where to find them
Today’s best of episode is with one of my favorite productivity thinkers, Laura Vanderkam. I love her for her practical advice and steps, including those shared in her most recent book Tranquility By Tuesday. This is the perfect episode to hear as you deal with an intense season of busy where pushing yourself outside in less than ideal weather may not be your favorite idea.
On the one hand is time management -- using steps to get the most out of every hour. On the other hand is energy and having the bandwidth to get it all done.
So what happens when you’re great at time management but always find yourself energy poor? You’ve got time to do everything you need to do, but lack the energy to get around to the things you want to do. Instead you feel rushed at best, or simply exhausted at worst.
In this episode Laura lays out nine guidelines that she has found make a measurable difference in how satisfied people feel about how they spend their time. In this episode she digs into two of the nine and gives tips on how we can make them work for us.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Laura Vanderkam’s website
Follow Laura on Instagram
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Follow Laura on Twitter
Listen to Best of Both Worlds
Listen to Before Breakfast
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[3:39] Laura Vanderkam pretty much just writes books for me
[4:50] Laura’s favorite outdoor space
[7:13] What is tranquility?
[9:37] What are the ‘Tranquility by Tuesday’ rules?
[12:44] Why is ‘three times a habit?’ And what does that mean?
[17:28] Intensity vs. consistency
[21:00] All about ‘one big adventure, one little adventure’
[24:15] There are no adventure police
[27:00] We’re back to intentionality again
[30:30] Overcoming inertia
[33:57] ‘Police the muscle’
If the deep, dark winter and cold are hitting you like a ton of bricks just like they are hitting me, it might be time to stand back and remember what you’ve done in the past that can boost your mood this time of year.
It’s OK to say you hate the darkness and winter weather. Saying it out loud helps me move through it. But what isn’t going to help me is giving up and hating it from my couch. So to fight back I’m trying a pair new outdoor habit experiments to see if they can help my mood and get me through the dark months.
Learn more in this episode.
Connect with this episode:
A Humans Outside episode about Seasonal Depression (SAD)
More about the “one big adventure, one little adventure” idea with Laura Vanderkam
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[:35] We’ve got the outdoor blahs
[1:00] Oh, hi seasonal depression
[3:00] Let’s just acknowledge that everything actually is terrible
[3:39] Busting me out of this mood in two parts
[3:54] Chasing daylight
[5:20] One big adventure, one little adventure
Modern American culture uses Greek mythology to refer to stars and constellations in the night sky. But a rich tradition of Native American astronomy and indigenous star stories is out there, too, waiting for us to learn it. Better yet? Learning star stories can help us chart the seasons and help us enjoy heading outside.
In this episode of Humans Outside Carl Gawboy, a Native American astronomer, Native Skywatchers elder and Ojibwe artist based in Minnesota, guides us through his groundbreaking work in Ojibwe star stories and what they can mean to us today. At almost 80, Carl shares a lifetime of work, study and cultural understanding with us.
Connect with this episode:
Learn about Native Skywatchers
Learn about Carl Gawboy’s art
Read the Forest Service pamphlet that doesn’t recognize the star stories
Learn more about the Hegman Lake pictographs
The Sun Dagger documentary
Talking Sky by Carl Gawboy and Ron Mortin
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[3:32] Carl Gawboy’s favorite outdoor space
[5:55] How Carl became someone who likes to go outside
[7:31] How indigenous star stories because a part of his journey
[16:32] How he discovered the connection of Ojibwe pictographs to star stories
[26:19] What the Hegman Lake pictographs mean
[32:05] The Ojibwe words for what’s in those pictographs
[34:00] What do you indigenous star stories teach us about our world today?
[38:19] How Carl’s artwork and star stories connect to simplicity
[42:29] The role of myth in understanding our world
[45:44] Using star stories to chart the year
[48:57] How to learn more about star stories wherever you are
When I moved to Alaska from Tennessee I was not someone who spent a lot of time outside, and I owned virtually no clothing you and I would think of as “winter gear.” I simply had no experience spending time outside in cold weather, and I had no idea what I was doing.
In the years since I have quite a lot of time to practice going outside comfortably in all types of weather and seasons, which means I have had some time to figure out what I like to wear out there -- and what I don’t.
Maybe these experiences can help you, too, as you learn to how to stay warm and comfortable outside all winter long.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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Some of the good stuff:
[:35] I have a whole lot of practice with outdoor gear because it’s winter here for months and months and months
[1:30] First let’s talk about the things I like the most and why
[2:00] The star of the show
[2:45] Foot stuff
[3:31] The core of the issue
[4:06] Neglect not the hood
[4:41] Skip this stuff
[4:45] Things that don’t fit right
[6:07] Cold heads even if they’re cute
Learning how to stay warm and, therefore, comfortable in cold weather can be the difference between a great outdoor experience and one you never, ever want to have again.
And while so much of the “what” of the clothing that you wear outside will be based on your own personal preferences and needs (helpful, right?), there are some basic building blocks that you can lean on to get started.
Enter the mysterious yet necessary “base layer.”
What do you need to know about picking a great base layer? What kind of fabric and fit should you look for? What goes on top of it? And why do some outdoor adventure clothes cost so much? In this episode Jen Loofbouroow, founder of the outdoor apparel company Alpine Fit, tells us all of the secrets to layering, gives her best tips for staying warm and happy during any outside adventure and walks us through what we need to know about getting dressed for cold weather.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Visit the Alpine Fit website
Follow Alpine Fit on Instagram
Follow Alpine Fit on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:59] Jen Loofbourrow’s favorite outdoor space
[4:55] The very Canadian way she became someone who likes to go outside
[5:51] The Alpine Fit story
[8:35] A word of caution about too many good ideas during adventures
[11:40] The secrets of sizing
[22:32] What the heck is a “base layer”
[24:02] Why we’re glad layers don’t have butt flaps anymore
[25:00] A few gear essentials
[28:41] What to wear on a normal person cold day
[31:47] A digression on the subject of hand warmers
[35:50] What to wear on a really cold day
[41:24] A little bit about price point and why things are so expensive
[50:16] Jen’s favorite outdoor moment
If the annoying perky people in the world are right and your perspective really does determine your reality, then there’s one tried and true way to make heading outside in less than great circumstances -- weather, schedule, whatever -- just a tiny bit better.
I’ve tested what it’s like to go out there with a bad attitude.
So, what happens when I take a different track?
And what happens if I do when things are really, really hard? I’m talking -15 degrees, blowing, very frosty, don’t want to be there, have other stuff to do hard?
Let’s find out.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[:35] A reality check
[1:03] What happens when you have a bad one
[1:45] I know this because I’ve tested it
[2:20] A little hunting for the good and what I’ve found
[2:58] A smart aleck saying that’s true
[3:59] Check in on me on this
Call it a gift of my daily outdoor habit: I am surprised to be grateful for some outdoor stuff that old me would’ve considered either not a big deal or downright bad.
And yet here I am, including it on a gratitude list? Life is weird.
Gratitude is a healing practice, and when it comes to challenging seasons (like winter … or any bad weather … or hard personal life stuff …) taking time to name it and claim it can be a powerful practice.
And so here we are, listing it out.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Back when I first started all of this
[1:12] I am surprised by what I am grateful for, honestly
[1:53] Here’s a list of crazy things, including birds -- which, frankly, is weird
[4:53] Here’s the thing I’m still not grateful for, sorry
There’s pushing yourself to chase big goals outside because it’s something you want to do -- and then there’s doing it because someone else can’t.
When Laura Carney found her dad’s unfinished bucket list years after his tragic death, she knew completing it wasn’t just a fun sounding idea -- it was something she absolutely had to do. And since many of the list items were outdoor activities, that meant digging deep to find the courage to step outside her comfort zone and tackle a series of crazy. Impossible-sounding tasks.
What she learned on her journey to finishing his list for him goes beyond just self-discovery or liking new hobbies. The courage and insight she found through her time outside is fueling her life today -- and can inspire you to chase big dreams, too.
Don’t miss this excellent and inspiring episode with Laura. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Laura Carney’s website
Follow Laura on Instagram
Follow Laura on X (Twitter)
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[3:27] Laura Carney’s favorite outdoor space
[5:33] Who Laura became someone who likes to go outside
[6:52] A little about Laura’s dad and his list
[10:39] What is a “thin place?”
[15:33] Getting outside for list items
[17:52] How working on the list changed her relationship with herself
[21:34] How the list project changed her relationship with her husband
[25:51] Some really good lessons from the list work
[28:39] The big life lessons from the list
[30:19] The value of learning to laugh at yourself
[38:40] Making her own list and the rules that don’t exist
[42:54] Laura’s favorite outdoor moment
If the weather outside is frightful or simply not delightful, how do you make yourself go outside anyway? What’s the trick for getting past the discomfort and I-don’t-want-to so you can experience what nature has to offer even in bad weather?
I lean on two tools to help me -- and you can lean on them, too. Learn how in this episode. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Yes, it really is hard out there
[2:00] So how do we make ourselves go out?
[2:57] Here are two tools
[3:29] First tool: gear
[4:02] Second tool: a plan
We know heading outside helps us all sort through the junk of life -- a tough day, actual trauma, relationships, whatever. And veterans know spending time in nature also has special power over the wounds of military service.
For Vedia Barnett, a disabled Black Air Force veteran and founder of the nonprofit organization Black Vets Outdoors, spending time outside has extra power. She’s seen it work to heal the double trauma carried by those who carry both the burden of military service and the weight of racism. In this episode she talks about:
- Creating a sense of belonging outdoors
- Why reaching out and supporting Black veterans is important
- The power of heading outside for everyone
Join us as we explore the transformative impact of nature on veterans, the incredible resilience and camaraderie found within veteran-led groups like Vedia’s -- and how you can make an impact for them, too.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Black Vets Outdoors Connect with Vedia Barnett on LinkedIn Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:33] Vedia Barnett’s favorite outdoor space
[4:01] Vedia’s outdoor story
[4:40] About Vedia’s military service
[6:18] Yes, to join the military, she really did have to sign over custody of her son
[9:08] Vedia’s work with veterans
[11:06] How does going outside help veterans?
[14:06] Why a sense of belonging matters outside
[16:44] Do military veterans experience healing outdoors differently from other people?
[20:03] All about Black Vets Outdoors
[22:38] Why outdoor affinity groups are important
[25:00] Simply finding outdoor joy
[29:02] How spending time outside impacts the Black veteran community, specifically
[32:00] The impact of historic trauma
[35:18] How Black vets can access the group and how allies can help
[43:12] Vedia’s favorite outdoor moment
When everything is cold, and drab and just not that great outside, are you able to find the small wonders in nature? It’s that time of year when things aren’t exactly lovely or pleasant all the time, and hunting for the good takes some work and some practice. It also takes understanding that the small wonders aren’t going to be predictable -- you’re going to have to work for them.
So how do you make that happen? Learn how I’m doing it for myself in this episode. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[:53] No, I really am ridiculous about my habits
[1:36] But heading outside has shown me this
[2:06] Why October is terrible
[2:25] How finding the small daily wonders changes my outlook
[3:14] And then there are the bigger wonders
[4:03] Take the time for this
What is it about wilderness that draws us? And how do you find wilderness wherever you are?
Those are just two of the questions Jon Waterman, an author and adventurer best known for his work around Denali, the highest mountain in North America, tackles within the pages of his gorgeous new table-top book from National Geographic, Atlas of North America.
But this book sparks more than just awe for the wilds across the nation. In this episode Jon takes us on a journey through:
- The evolving definition of wilderness
- Why that definition and those places matter
- How we can experience the true essence of wild places
And yet wilderness isn't just about physical landscapes, Jon says. Learn why in this fascinating conversation. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Visit Jon Waterman’s website
Check out his gorgeous new book, The Atlas of Wild America (affiliate link)
Follow Jon on Instagram
Follow Jon on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:26] Jon Waterman’s favorite outdoor space
[3:35] How Jon became someone who likes to go outside
[6:26] Why Alaska is special to Jon
[7:06] Why wilderness matters
[10:36] What is wilderness, anyway?
[14:02] Did he leave anything out of the book?
[16:59] Did he almost skip including anything because it’s just too special to him?
[22:22] Why going to wilderness is important
[28:30] How to get yourself into wilderness
[35:20] Why easy-access places are important, too
[37:22] Jon’s favorite outdoor moment
When you love a daily schedule as much as I do, it can feel very risky to just drop what you’re doing and chase a last-minute outdoor adventure. But sometimes that’s just what the weather, conditions or mood calls for. And whether I seize the day or walk by the opportunity is up to me
I want to be someone who lives in the moment, knowing that I really do have time for outdoor adventures when they come calling. But was it so hard to remember that I do? And what happens when I step outside my comfort zone and go for it?
340: Why Is It Hard to Remember That I Do Have Time for Adventure? (Outdoor Diary)
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] It’s “drop everything” conditions time
[2:04] Here are a bunch of reasons why I can’t drop everything (actually they’re excuses)
[3:09] A little bit about Nordic ice skating
[5:00] And then I did drop everything and go … twice
[6:41] Here’s a few things I learned in the process
How can spending time outside change your perspective on self-care? And what if we’ve been thinking about self-care all wrong?
Scott Tatum is a self-care expert and new author who has carved a niche offering followers “friendly reminders” as he works on his own mental health. His new “Friendly Reminders” book offers an easy guide through the value of self-care, and in this episode he lays it all out for us, with a special emphasis on why it’s important and the best way to find it and just why nature offers a spectacular map for making it happen.
This episode will help you get inspired to give your own value the priority it deserves, so that you can be better for everyone around you.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Follow Scott Tatum on Instagram Connect with Scott on Facebook Read Scott’s book, Friendly Reminders (affiliate link)Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:00] Scott Tatum’s favorite outdoor space
[3:41] How Scott became someone who likes to go outside
[9:04] What is self-care?
[11:42] How is self-are different from self-worth?
[15:40] The limiting views of self-care that keep people down
[23:11] Why going outside is spiritual and physical experience and why that matters for self-care
[29:33] Steps for finding self-care outside
[33:35] Scott’s favorite outdoor moment that is actually a whole human experience
Each and every time the weather starts to shift from pleasant and easy to cold, I forget how to get dressed. It’s as if every lesson I've ever learned about layering and getting ready for heading outside when the temperature is below my favorite comfort zone just falls out of my head.
Don’t be me.
Meanwhile, I’m out here being me so you don’t have to. Catch my cautionary tale in this Outdoor Diary episode. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] My annual ridiculous problem
[1:08] Maybe we need an expert
[1:26] I… am cold.
[1:36] The problem
[2:35] We’re gonna have to use the tools
[3:12] The hacks don’t work unless you them
[3:49] Please take a note
What’s it like to build your life around seizing the outdoors wherever you are, as if you’re there on a clock?
That’s how travel therapists Hailey and TR Jamar aka the Tie Dye Travelers live their lives as they work short-term contracts at spots around the U.S. with the goal of spending every spare second exploring nature wherever they are.
So how do they make it happen? And how can the lessons they’ve learned from living like this help you make the most of wherever you are regardless of how long you plan to be there? Hear their cool outdoor adventure stories and super useful advice in this fun episode of Humans Outside! Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Visit the Tye Die Travelers website Connect with Hailey and TR on Facebook Follow the Tye Die Travelers on Instagram Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[1:59] Hailey and TR Jamar’s favorite outdoor space [3:28] How they became people who like to go outside [6:51] The (important) meaning behind “Tie Dye Travelers” [8:39] Has traveling PTs always been a thing? [10:10] What working this way is like [14:18] Ever been tempted to say somewhere? [17:08] Ever feel like you’ve done it all? [20:04] Is checking off this list stressful? [21:03] What are some challenges to living this way? [25:34] What’s the strategy for getting it all in? [32:09] The secrets to making it all happen
With my unexpectedly dangerous and near-disaster Grand Canyon hike two weeks in the rearview, I’ve been surprised by how raw I still feel, especially when it comes to facing discomfort outside near my house.
Is it normal to feel like this after a big scare? And why is it happening? If you missed the recap of my dangerous (and dramatic) Grand Canyon rim-to-rim adventure, you can hear it here -- plus I have a very important but easy thing that I really need your help with.
Hear it all in this episode of Humans Outside. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] It’s been two weeks since the canyon and I’m still feeling like this
[:46] First a short recap of what happened
[2:26] A thing I really do need your help with, pretty please
[4:01] I’m still feeling raw and here’s why
[5:15] This is a human thing, and I’m good with that
[6:05] Here’s your permission to experience this human thing, too
[7:04] No, but really please rate and review! Help a friend out.
The modern world is designed to make us continually chase more, more, more -- more stuff, more entertainment, more ease. But what if by realizing the triggers that feed into that more-ness you could not just break the cycle, but use it to make your life better, more fulfilling and have more time to do what you like, such as getting outside? The pattern that feeds into the more-ness is the subject of Michael Easter’s new book “Scarcity Brain.” After joining us in 2021 to talk about his book “The Comfort Crises,” he’s back to help us learn how to break out of the scarcity loop and instead move into a pattern of abundance.
In this episode you’ll hear:
- All about “scarcity brain”
- How to break the scarcity loop by heading outside
- How to find an abundance loop instead
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Follow Michael Easter on Instagram Visit Michael’s website and subscribe to his newsletter Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:46] Michael Easter’s favorite outdoor space
[5:12] How Michael became someone who likes to go outside
[7:16] What is scarcity brain?
[11:53] Examples of scarcity loop in real life
[18:35] Shame and the scarcity loop
[20:37] What does an abundance loop?
[22:48] How to break the scarcity loop
[25:34] Why outside is great for this
[28:01] Ways Michael chooses abundance
[30:31] How it felt getting this secret out
[32:35] The connection between scarcity brain and getting uncomfortable
[36:30] Michael’s favorite outdoor moment
You’ve been wondering what happened on the Grand Canyon trail that made it so hard to talk about. Now, after sitting with the story for more than a week, I’m ready to talk about it. Here’s what went wrong, what I wish I had done differently beforehand and how we can all avoid being part of what causes this kind of problem in the future. Spoiler alert: honesty is the best policy -- with yourself and with others.
Hear the whole story -- or at least my side of it. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] I wish this story was about something different
[1:50] Here’s what you need to know about the canyon hike
[3:10] Here’s what training is for
[4:21] How our hike was set-up -- and what I should’ve known in advance
[7:35] Here’s where things started getting very dangerous
[9:26] Finished at last
[9:40] The aftermath
[10:38] Two important lessons here
What happens when you mix a real, no kidding fear of going outside, a comedian, sharp wit and a no holds barred look at what’s really going on with outdoor recreation gate-keeping? You get an honest, hilarious and confronting look at what heading outside means in America -- and how you can change that.
That’s the theme of Ivy Le’s narrative Spotify podcast FOGO, or Fear of Going Outside. Unlike basically every other guest I’ve ever had on Humans Outside, Ivy is definitely not outdoor-minded. But after trying outdoor stuff including camping and hunting, she’s got some takeaways to share that we all need to hear.
Maybe the AI tool I use to help me with show notes says it best (or at least funniest). According to that tool, in this episode you’ll hear about:
- The anecdote for attracting attention in a state park.
- Challenging traditional ideas of camping and encouraging exploration for people of color.
- Ivy’s difficulty finding a nature store and going to REI instead.
- Acceptance of rats in New York City as sentient neighbors.
(OK, this AI tool is fired -- but you’re intrigued, aren’t you?)
Want to know what those takeaways have to do with anything? Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Check out the FOGO podcast Follow Ivy on Instagram Follow Ivy on Facebook Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:32] Wherein we bond over plumbing [3:48] Ivy’s favorite outdoor space [5:17] Making a show about going outside when you hate going outside [8:19] Did she find anything outside she actually likes? [10:30] When REI is something happens to you [13:30] The stuff she had to overcome to get out there [23:08] What has to happen to making getting outside less hard [27:08] Yes, she really tried hunting. Here’s what happened. [35:43] What’s really going on in the outdoor industry [42:19] Ivy’s favorite outdoor moment, and she does actually have one.
The changing leaves and crisper air has me a little moody as I feel the last wisps of sunny weather and sunshine moving out of my grasp. I can be sad -- and believe me, I am.
But what happens if, instead, I’m excited? And how can a simple change in terminology change my perspective?
Consider this: instead of looking at the changes as a “termination” of what you love, look at them as a “anticipation” of what’s to come.
Here’s how that’s changing my mood. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] It’s that time again whether you like it or not
[:50] Here are some of the symptoms
[1:19] A little terminology
[1:39] Followed by a shift in perspective
[2:36] Here are just some of the things I like
[3:26] No, I actually am excited
People like to say nature is for everyone, but do we really act like it is?
From a lack of bigger bodies in outdoor marketing, to other-ing attitudes from both rangers and fellow outdoor users, the problems are real.
Never experienced these challenges or don’t know they exist? That might be because you’re not someone at whom they are targeted.
Creating welcoming spaces outside is everyone’s work, and it starts with acknowledging the problem by listening to the personal experiences of those who have faced these issues. How do they handle them? How can we make spaces that are open -- not in words, but in action -- for everyone?
Brandi Small lays it all out in this episode based on her own experience on the trail and in the campgrounds. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Get $20 off Ski Babes fitness with coupon code “HUMANS”Follow Brandi Small on Instagram Connect with Brandi on Facebook Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:49] Brandi Small’s favorite outdoor space
[4::22] How Brandi became someone who likes to go outside
[7:58] Visiting all of California’s National Parks
[8:41] Brandi’s first love
[14:34] Don’t miss out on this super awesome Ski Babes discount
[16:31] Diving into representation outside
[18:00] Have things gotten worse?
[20:36] This has never happened to me and it’s not a shock
[23:00] How much of this is race and how much of this is body size?
[24:08] I am absolutely astonished
[30:56] What is the work to address these issues?
[35:00] Brandi’s favorite outdoor moment
Have you ever noticed certain seasons smell more strongly than others? I’ve been working to lean into my five senses -- hearing, smell, taste, sight, touch -- during my daily outdoor time, inspired by a recent conversation with Gretchen Rubin, author of “Life in Five Senses.” Taking time for a little extra intentionality has enriched my outdoor time, and left me noticing something special about my sense of smell and this time of year.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Listen to Gretchen Rubin on Humans Outside (“Advice for Making Outdoor Time Better via Life in 5 Senses”) Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] The problem with seasons around here
[1:17] Here’s autumn
[1:35] Fall has this smell
[1:55] Here are some examples
[2:20] How leaning into noticing helped and is helping
So we all want to be people who are outside having cool adventures -- but what about finding adventure right where you live? How do you learn the best local spots, break out of your comfort zone to try something new and, maybe even more importantly, find adventure buddies with whom to do it?
Those are all questions Kierre Childers is working to tackle through her Palmer, Alaska-based tour company Revel Treks and Tours, which focuses on helping locals get outside and explore Alaska. Breaking outside your comfort zone in your own backyard can feel like a daunting task, especially when you’re squeezing it into your already packed life. But Kierre has some great suggestions for making it happen as you learn to explore right where you live, find a community to do it with and get comfortable with asking for help.
Listen to this helpful episode now!
Connect with this episode:
Get $20 off Ski Babes fitness with coupon code “HUMANS”
Find a trip through Revel Treks and Tours
Follow Revel Treks and Tours on Instagram
Follow Revel Treks and Tours on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:15] Why this episode is a little different
[3:03] Kierre Childer’s favorite outdoor space
[4:20] Kierre’s outdoor story
[8:10] Not so many volcanoes in Indiana
[9:02] Why we love where we live
[13:22] Why focus on tourism for locals?
[15:37] What’s 2020 got to do with it?
[20:34] Is it surprising that locals need help doing local outdoor stuff?
[21:00] P.S. it’s hard
[24:46] Here’s a little about Revel Treks and Tours
[27:45] The struggle of finding out what’s happening
[32:50] Here’s some tips for getting outside right where you live
[39:03] Kierre’s favorite outdoor moment
You’ve heard me talk about how much I love my outside community events. Maybe you want to head out for some, too. But do you know how to find them? If you’re stuck not knowing even where to get started on learning about the fun outside things that are happening in your community, I’ve got some failure-free tips for you in this episode of Humans Outside.
Listen now -- and then share your favorite way to learn what’s happening outdoors near you.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:41] Yes, I do love it here
[:50] My very first community event (and it was cold)
[1:21] On the hunt for outdoor community fun
[2:27] Here’s the conundrum
[3:00] The first way to fix it
[3:31] The second way
[4:08] Way number three
[4:55] You have been warned about the dangers so don’t come at me
Ever wondered if it's safe to eat those berries you see on a hike, or if there are medicinal plants hiding in plain sight? The longer you spend outside, the more you might start to wonder how to find good things to consume out there -- and how to avoid the ones that might kill you.
What we all need is a little guidance. And for that we have Ebony Gheorghe, a forager focused on herbs based in the UK and author of the new book Enchanted Foraging. In this episode teaches us why foraging creates a special connection to nature, the best way to get started without risking eating something that will definitely or even possibly kill you and few of her foraging favorites.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Get $20 off Ski Babes fitness with coupon code “HUMANS” Visit Ebony’s website Follow Ebony on Instagram Read Ebony’s book, Enchanted Foraging (affiliate link) Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:55] Ebony Gheorghe’s favorite outdoor space
[3:30] Ebony’s outdoor story
[6:14] How Ebony got into foraging
[7:05] Why everyone should try foraging
[12:52] How foraging makes you appreciate food and the work of it all
[14:29] How to make foraging more accessible
[17:42] Reconnecting with nature through foraging
[25:00] How to get started foraging
[27:46] Ebony’s favorite things to forage
[34:12] Warning: it’s addictive
[36:14] Ebony’s favorite outdoor moments
It’s been six years since I started my daily outdoor habit, spending at least 20 consecutive minutes outside every single day, no matter what. I’ve learned countless things about myself, about the world and about how heading outside impacts me.
But the truth is there’s one big lesson I keep coming back to, and it’s the same thing I was battling the very first day I kicked off this adventure. It is without a doubt the most important, most impactful thing I’ve learned. It has, quite simply, changed my life -- and it can change yours, too.
Listen now!
It’s something I’ve noticed over and over again: the more bold steps I take outside, the more life adventures I’m willing to tackle in my home and work life.
That’s a theme Shelby Stanger has heard over and over again from guests she interviews on REI’s Wild Ideas Worth Living podcast and something she experienced in her own life. It’s also the theme of her new book, “Will to Wild: Adventures Great and Small to Change Your Life.” But what is the will to wild? How do you find it and how do you chase it? Is it something that can be gained only by the super outdoorsy or those privileged enough to spend lots of time outside? Shelby tackles those questions and more in this exciting episode of Humans Outside. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Get $20 off Ski Babes fitness with coupon code “HUMANS”
Read “Will to Wild” (affiliate link)
Follow Shelby Stanger on Instagram
Listen to Wild Ideas Worth Living
Sign-up for Shelby’s newsletter
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:08] Shelby’s favorite outdoor space
[4:13] How Shelby became someone who likes to go outside
[9:17] What is the ‘will to wild?’
[10:40] What this is all really, actually about
[13:18] What’s happening out there
[18:01] An example from here in Alaska
[20:35] Hello! Register for Ski Babes!!
[22:30] The biggest limiter
[25:11] How to get over that limiter
[28:54] Is the will to wild a matter of privilege?
[32:42] A few times others’ wild ideas got Shelby out there
[35:37] The truth of JOMO
[38:38] Steps for chasing wild ideas
[41:19] Shelby’s favorite outdoor moment
It can be tempting to think about getting outside as focused on just naturey-nature. But what about going out around other people? What about the benefits of community events?
Heading outside to experience community can bring a whole host of useful impacts, all based in the glorious space created by the great outdoors. For me they include inspiration, encouragement, joy and belonging.
Why is that true and how can you find it? Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:32] How did I get started there anyway?
[:53] Here’s why it’s so great
[1:30] A little Monday commitment
[2:15] Just a few of the things that community brings
[2:30] And yes this is true for an introvert, too.
[3:15] Contagious joy
[3:30] Here’s my theory about space
[3:55] How this expands my definition of nature
[4:16] Also a sense of belonging
What happens when you take the time and intentionality to listen -- I mean really listen -- outside? So much of our auditory experiences are about blocking sounds out. But happens when we flip things around and choose to purposefully let sounds in?
That’s what I tried to do during a recent week focusing on my sense of hearing during my outdoor adventures. And what I found was deeply enriching. It showed me how my brain can reset, ruly challenging listening is and why it’s worth it.
Listen to this episode to hear more now!
Connect with this episode:
Listen to Gretchen Rubin on Humans Outside (“Advice for Making Outdoor Time Better via Life in 5 Senses”)
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:32] I purposefully ignore this sense and so do you
[1:26] My own five senses experiment and where it came from
[2:30] Here’s what I found by leaning into my sense of hearing
[2:45] First, there was relief
[3:10] A few examples of what I heard
[3:30] What those sounds bring
[3:45] OK but it was also really hard
[4:25] Your assignment
Spend enough time outside and you’ll start to notice all of the things growing around you -- and that some of those things look delicious. From greens to berries, to gardening, fishing and evening raising chickens, nature in your backyard can be full of food.
For today’s guest Tamar Haspel, the possibilities of gathering or growing at least a portion of her own meals, an experience she calls “first-hand food,” became the spark for a personal challenge to eat at least one thing she sourced herself each day for a year. In this episode Tamar talks about first-hand food, how growing and sourcing it connected her with spending time outside and how you can get started on a first-hand food journey, too.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Visit Tamar Haspel’s website
Read Tamar’s book, “To Boldly Grow” (affiliate link)
Some of the good stuff:
[2:41] Tamar Haspel’s favorite outdoor space
[3:47] How Tamar became someone who likes to go outside
[6:14] Tracking her first-hand food challenge
[8:10] Going from city-dweller to farmer
[9:33] Best and worst first-hand food experiences
[11:59] Why first-hand food is such an appealing idea
[14:17] Don’t be afraid of foraging, Amy
[17:54] How to balance first-hand food around the rest of your life
[19:43] Amy is a first-hand mooch
[25:07] How first-hand food has changed Tamar’s experience of nature
[27:41] Has it changed how she feels about her place in nature?
[31:23] Why first-hand food doesn't have to be extreme
[32:52] Is there a middle ground and what is it?
[33:50] How to get help doing it
[38:32] Tips for getting started
[39:34] Tamar’s favorite outdoor gear
[40:33] Tamar’s favorite outdoor memory
My friend called it the “fall wall” -- that moment where you know without a doubt that the season is changing. (Are you ready for it? I’ll admit that I’m not.)
But it’s here for me in Alaska. And whether the wall is a weather one or a schedule one, dealing with it while maintaining the things that are important to you -- like getting outside -- can take some work.
Here’s how I’m doing it. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:32] The origin of the “fall wall”
[:47] Here’s one type of “fall wall”
[1:15] Here’s another type of “fall wall”
[2:00] My growing concern
[2:30] “The summer we had fun anyway”
[3:08] A few tips for working through the fall wall
Are you too grown-up to notice and enjoy play? I don’t mean you avoid it on purpose. I mean your grown-up brain just doesn’t see it, isn’t used to allowing it, crowds it out with other stuff and is just so, well, responsible.
Kids don’t have this problem. Play is how they learn and what they know. But adults, on the other hand …
Here’s what I learned this week by taking time to seize the play, and what it did for me. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:31] Setting the stage on a beautiful summer day
[1:15] And then I forgot this thing
[1:36] The relief of play
[2:00] The burden of being a grown-up
Depending on your background of using nature and heading outside, you might think of spending time outdoors as something you go do instead of something that’s on the other side of your front door.
And if you do make a habit of going into the nature that’s close to home, you might be tempted to think that the same-old, same-old isn’t as good as shaking it up and going somewhere news and different.
Dr. Kathleen Wolf has made a career of researching human use of nature and its benefits as a research social scientist at the school of environmental and forest sciences at the University of Washington. She joined in Season 3 for an overview of how much time in nature is really useful (spoiler alert, it’s about 20 minutes a day!). And in this episode she talks about the benefits of nearby nature and how to get the most out of it.
Connect with this episode
Learn more about Dr. Kathleen Wolf
Read Dr. Kathleen Wolf’s long term project, “Green Cities: Good Health”
Find Dr. Kathleen Wolf on LinkedIn
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:54] What Kathy’s been doing since we last spoke
[7:54] What is nearby nature?
[10:31] What people think of as nature and why making generalizations isn’t a good idea
[15:23] What nearby nature factors appeal to people?
[19:44] The role of mindfulness in nearby nature
[22:45] Is there any benefit to doing the same thing in nature over and over?
[25:37] What it’s like to stare at the same tree for 70 minutes
[27:33] What Amy has learned by doing the same thing over and over again
[33:33] How people can create a great nearby nature experience no matter where they are
[41:40] Why nature is like nutrition
How does your connection to nature change when you focus on experiencing it through each of your five senses? With the chance to literally taste the outdoors at every turn, I leaned into the gifts of the land and explored how experiencing nature through my mouth (and stomach) makes me feel.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Listen to Gretchen Rubin on Humans Outside (“Advice for Making Outdoor Time Better via Life in 5 Senses”)
Some of the good stuff:
[:40] The best senses intentions
[1:08] It was a deliciousness emergency
[1:28] A delicious pit stop
[2:31] Blueberries in all the places
[2:40] Even more berries and even more deliciousness
[3:15] Wherein someone else feeds me and I hit my limit
[3:48] And here’s the theme
When was the last time you really noticed your world by focusing on one of your five senses? That’s something Gretchen Rubin talked about in her episode with Humans Outside, and it’s something I’ve recently been asking myself as I head outside daily.
What would happen if I spent some time noticing each sense outside? What would I find? What would I experience? Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
- Listen to Gretchen Rubin on Humans Outside (“Advice for Making Outdoor Time Better via Life in 5 Senses”)
- Listen to Max Romey on Humans Outside (“How He Finds His Unique Art and Creativity Outside -- and You Can, Too”)
- Listen to Cordele Glass on Humans Outside (“How Heading Outside Makes Your Brain More Creative”)
- Listen to Mike Rucker on Humans Outside (“How to Create Your Own ‘Fun Habit’ and Why It’s Important)
- Join the Humans Outside Challenge
- Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
- Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] One of the best parts of podcasting
[:50] Let’s talk about Gretchen Rubin for a sec
[1:15] A little bit about “Life In Five Senses”
[1:40] Leaning into “sight”
[2:00] When was the last time I really, truly saw stuff?
[2:25] Sparking awe through sight
[2:42] Finding awe in the everyday sights
[2:59] It went like this
[4:00] But then there was irritation
[4:20] New York City people problems
[4:40] And how they reframed this for me
[5:00] What’s next for me
It can be easy to think of practices like rewilding and mindfulness as being habits of only extra-zen, nature-based people. But if you’re someone who likes to go outside or is building an outdoor habit, they are probably already a part of what you’re doing, at least a little.
So how can you do it more? And if you don’t think you’ve added them, how can you make them happen while balancing a modern life?
In this episode Micah Mortali, rewilding expert and dean of the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership, shares his insights and tips of rewilding, mindfulness and even meditation. Author of the book “Rewilding, Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature,” Micah’s extra-practical tips make a rewilding habit accessible for any outdoor-lover.
Connect with this episode:
Buy “Rewilding, Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature” by Micah Mortali (affiliate link)
Follow Micah’s school, Kripalu, on Instagram
Listen to Brene Brown talk with Dr. Amishi Jha about productivity and meditation
Visit Kripalu’s website
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Some of the good stuff:
[1:52] Why this recording is a little different
[2:41] Micah Mortali’s favorite outdoor space
[4:41] Amy’s regular moment of mindfulness
[5:16] What Micah thinks about that moment
[6:34] How Micah became someone who likes to go outside
[9:32] The spiritual connection of nature and how it’s weird some religions are confused
[10:55] Other Christian faith traditions and nature
[13:42] What is “rewilding?”
[20:45] How a nature draw plays out for city-dwellers
[23:35] Mindfulness and task-focus in nature
[29:56] The challenge of meditation for focused people
[32:22] How rewilding and mindfulness fit into a daily nature habit
[37:02] What the pandemic taught us about rewilding
[40:27] Simple tips for rewilding and mindfulness in nature
[42:47] Micah’s favorite outdoor moment
Heading into nature has a way of bringing plenty of challenges, whether you want them or not. Those can be anything from the weather to the creatures or even people you meet there. And just how good you feel about tackling those things can change day-by-day.
So how do you know when to push outside your comfort zone, and when to simply let it slide?
The answer is a little more complicated than it might seem.
Here’s how I’ve been tackling it as I deal with some challenging outdoor conditions. Listen now.
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] We don’t know how this is happening but it is
[1:06] The mantra is reaching its limits
[1:15] Let’s remember the goal
[2:15] Ok but what does this actually mean
[2:45] Trying to remember this advice
[3:23] Real life example
[4:30] You have to be the boss of this
[4:45] One more example
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Hear more from Sarah Histand on being nice to your nervous system
The situation is this: I was simply not prepared for the idea of needing to mentally power through summer.
But here we are. Whether it’s heat that melts your hair, or chilly rain that requires three jackets, bad weather can really kill the summer good attitude vibe.
The bad news? There’s nothing you can do about that.
The good news? This is when that outdoor habit comes in for the win.
Here’s how I’m facing less-than-ideal summer weather problems and a few things you can try if this is your problem, too. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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Some of the good stuff:
[:32] I just wasn’t prepared
[:45] Here’s the problem
[1:18] Outdoor habit, coming in for the (sorta) win
[1:50] Now I’m going to complain for a minute or two
[2:47] All done complaining and now on to problem solving
[3:05] What I’ve learned before
[3:45] Here’s what we’re going to do about it
Simple. Boring. Tired. You might think of just going for a regular walk as being something only people with nothing better to do make a part of their daily lives.
But what if going for a walk isn’t only an easy way to spend time outside, but also one that’s so varied and beneficial that understanding the practice is a matter of scientific research?
Author Annabel Streets was so startled by how much better she felt when she started going for walks that she researched the science behind what was happening and wrote a book about it. The result, 52 Ways to Walk, details out -- you guessed it -- 52 different ways to go for a walk and all of the research behind the benefits of each one.
In this Best Of episode of Humans Outside, Annabel shares her least and most favorite ways to walk, her walking journey, and why any of it should matter to you.
Connect with this episode:
Read 52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy, One Week at a Time (affiliate link)
Follow Annabel Streets on Instagram
Follow Annabel Streets on Twitter
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[2:59] Annabel Street’s favorite outdoor space
[3:36] How Annabel became someone who likes to go outside and also go for walks
[7:07] Why she started researching walking
[8:14] Was it hard to find 52 ways?
[8:52] Why people avoid walking
[9:23] Her favorite new way to walk
[12:19] Amy’s night experience
[16:44] What people always think about walking
[18:43] Her least favorite way to walk
[19:39] Another perfect and underappreciated walking favorite
[24:18] Ways to walk that didn’t make it into the book
[30:38] Want to start walking? Here’s how.
[35:06] Annabel’s favorite outdoor gear
[36:49] Annabel’s favorite outdoor memory
Now - whenever now is for you -- is the perfect time to try something new outside. It doesn’t have to be complicated, far away, scary or wild. It just has to be new.
I’m coming to you live from a campground on the Kenai Peninsula during a week packed with new things.
New-to-me things have been all the rage for me recently thanks to a work assignment. And now I’m hoping you’ll join me. Here’s one new thing I’ve tried, and why you should try something new, too -- and share it with me.
Listen now.
Some of the good stuff:
[:40] Hello from the road!
[1:15] What I’ve been doing out here
[1:30] New things galore
[1:45] A new thing challenge for you
[2:05] My top new thing (or one of them)
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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The solstice - winter or summer - offers a time to pause in appreciation of what the light brings. And while it also feels like an acknowledgement of what is leaving or no longer present, there’s plenty of good to be found outside in the world and inside ourselves and the other humans around us.
So how am I celebrating the light? Listen now.
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Solstice and what it didn’t mean
[1:18] Solstice is always a positive even if that takes work
[1:48] How the light inspires me right now
[2:30] What following the light helps me do
[3:08] Hunting for the good
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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If you love spending time in nature like it's your job, you might start looking for ways to make that literally true. If that’s you, you’re not alone -- it’s the inspiration behind the careers of many members of the outdoor industry. But how do you make the jump from one industry to another? And is making nature your job a good idea?
Those are just some of the questions Jenna Celmer helps address through the outdoor industry job company Basecamp Outdoor and its Facebook-based networking group. In this episode Jenna talks through the why and how of making the jump into the outdoor industry.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Basecamp online
Find Basecamp on Facebook
Follow Basecamp on Instagram
Follow Jenna Celmer on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[3:31] Jenna Celmer’s favorite outdoor space
[4:01] How Jenna became someone who likes to go outside
[7:05] What is Base Camp?
[8:27] How Jenna got involved in Base Camp
[12:51] Creating accountability in the outdoor industry
[15:50] Why it’s easy for people in the outdoor industry to be taken advantage of
[20:00] Why does going outside make you want to make it a job?
[22:41] Is it easy to break into the outdoor industry?
[24:41] How to break into the outdoor industry
[27:17] What is networking?
[30:44] What does Jenna tell people who want to get into the outdoor industry?
[34:04] What to expect in the outdoor industry
[35:03] Tips for breaking into the outdoor industry
What happens when all of your tasks are outside but none of your nurturing? Can you lose sight of why you built an outdoor habit to start with? And how do you take a pause to reassess?
In seasons where tasks take us into the great outdoors, it’s easy to lose sight of why you want to be there, finding yourself just exhausted as always, but this time exhausted outside.
So what should you do? Listen now.
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] An unusual (for me) problem
[1:26] What happens when you’re outside for tasks not benefits?
[1:45] Sorta like chores but not really
[2:19] Why I’m thinking about this
[3:11] Where have you gone, oh recess?
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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When was the last time you took a road trip near where you live and did some of the regular tourist stuff outside?
That’s what I’ve been up to on a week-long adventure traveling a portion of the Kenai Peninsula as I work on a writing assignment. I've met all sorts of interesting people and tried a bunch of new (to me) things -- river floating, Alaska whitewater rafting, gold mining and ziplining.
The biggest reminder? Don’t let the weather get you down.
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Hey hey from Alaska
[:45] A little scene-setting
va[1:17] What the heck I’ve been doing
[1:30] (Yes, it’s cool)
[1:50] Two quick takeaways so far
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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When schools is out and so is the sun, it can feel like a waste to spend the day inside. But soaring temperatures can make getting outside just seem so hard -- especially if you’re trying to take children with you for more than just some fun in the backyard.
How do you get outside with kids in the heat, avoid the meltdowns -- literally and figurative -- and have an enjoyable and enriching time?
Adventure mom India Tate makes a lifestyle of getting out for adventures with her two little boys. And since she lives in Atlanta, Georgia, she knows what hot looks and feels like. In this Best Of episode she shares her best tips and tricks for making it through hot adventures with her family.
Connect with this episode:
Follow India Tate on Instagram
Follow India Tate on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:44] How India Tate became someone who likes to go outside
[6:12] How she started getting her kids outside, too.
[8:35] Mini golf league?
[10:24] Keeping kids cool through what they wear
[14:57] Keeping it cheap
[16:40] All about shoes
[18:00] We are strongly pro-snack
[23:40] Tricky water and hydration
[27:27] Getting ready for that hot weather
[32:48] Tricks for hot summer day fun
[38:40] How to get ready for all kinds of heat
[44:19] Favorite outdoor gear
[46:57] India’s favorite outdoor moment
When summer is short and you want to do everything, having a goal or adventure list for each summer can help keep you from feeling paralyzed by options.
And having one that’s designed to give you something to do for just a few hours on any given afternoon? That keeps the fun rolling without exhausting everyone in the process.
So how can you create a goal list that hits the mark without feeling impossible? Listen now.
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] We all know I like lists, OK?
[:58] The “problem” of getting stuck in a rut (or is it?)
[1:22] My summertime planning problem
[1:50] A solution for this
[2:10] Going with easy
[2:30] What we’re doing
[3:10] Bonus: free
[3:52] How this is different than big stuff
[4:15] There are no rules
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Most of the time, it’s a little in my head that tells me I can do things or narrates when they feel like they are about to go very wrong. Sometimes it’s more like a movie -- a dramatic demonstration of the terrible thing that’s about to happen, or a picture of the upcoming victory. According to our recent podcast guest Sarah Histand, a mental health-informed fitness trainer all of it is self-talk.
Over my days building my outdoor habit, I’ve learned to make self talk work for me with a few phrases, or mantras, I can repeat over and over.
But there’s still one major thing I struggle with.
And leaning into this negative self-talk? It produces that kind of silly outdoor fail that seems to be my personal speciality.
Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Mastering the Power Self-Talk for Amazing Adventures (Sarah Histand, mental health informed adventure fitness trainer)
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:30] A little bit of background on self-talk
[1:10] The times I don’t get it right
[1:35] My biggest outdoor problem
[2:00] What I do about it
[2:37] My reminder self-talk
[3:44] Using it for your indoor life
Maybe it’s something you quietly tell yourself over and over again -- actual words, floating through your brain in a steady monologue. Maybe it’s more like a movie, as you visualize what happens next while you work through any given challenge. But all of it can be categorized as “self-talk,” and it holds surprising sway over whether we feel like whatever it is we’re doing will be incredible -- or fail miserably.
So how do you learn to have positive self-talk, especially while in the middle of something extremely challenging or even more than a little scary? Can you self-talk your way to success? Can learning how to do so outside translate to your indoor life, too? Sarah Histand says “yes.” A mental health-focused fitness trainer and Humans Outside fan favorite guest, in this episode Sarah shares her secrets to create self-talk that can get you through the challenge and on to victory. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Learn about Ski Babes, Summer Strong and Mind and Mountain Follow Sarah Histand on Facebook Follow Sarah Histand on Instagram What to Wear in Cold Weather, Sarah’s first Humans Outside episode Why Going Outside Challenges Like Harsh Weather Can Feel Bad and What to Do About It, Sarah’s second Humans Outside episode Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:28] Sarah’s favorite outdoor space (this time)
[3:20] Sarah’s outdoor story, plus bonus info on how she met her adventure partner/husband, Luc
[7:05] What is self-talk and what are “mantras”
[9:57] Why do we so clearly experience self-talk outside?
[13:13] When self-talk is visual
[14:12] Taking negative self-talk and making it positive and empowering
[17:36] The problems with a negative loop
[19:29] Mantras and self-talk that work for Sarah
[21:03] Examples of Amy’s useful self-talk
[29:01] How to create positive self-talk
[32:06] Example of negative visualization and how to fix it
[38:00] The mega importance of pausing to note what this feels like
[39:50] Mantras for you to try
[41:42] How to find Sarah and her (recent) favorite outdoor moment
We’re outside for the joy of nature and to experience all heading out there has to offer us. But sometimes the thing it offers is a little bit less earthy and a little more human. It’s a chance to see humans at their best, moving through something challenging together and holding each other up along the way.
Experiencing that is the joy of being outside with humans. And it’s something you shouldn’t miss.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff: [:35] My favorite fitness thing of the year
[:50] What the humans have to do with it
[1:15] Why the Gold Nugget triathlon is a little different
[1:40] A few of the complications and reasons that it’s great
[2:00] Why humans together outside shows what we need to see
[3:15] Other adventures just this week that showed that humans outside are the best
Have you ever felt compelled to tackle a big journey outside? Big is always relative, but for this podcast guest it was really, really big -- canoeing the Mississippi River from source to sea for over 130 days.
An indigenous Latina who was born in Ecuador, Cory Maria Dack worked with a pair of other women paddlers to make the journey and highlight the need to bridge equity gaps in the outdoors for women broadly, and women of color specifically.
In this episode Cory Maria tells us about her adventure, what she learned on the journey, and why canoeing and spending time on the water is a meaningful and effective way to build equity in the outdoors. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Follow Cory Maria Dack on Instagram Visit Cory’s website, Women on the Water Learn about Canoemobile Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:43] Cory Maria Dack’s favorite outdoor space [3:30] How she became someone who likes to go outside [5:04] Going from not outdoorsy to canoeing queen [8:20] The power of people who believe in you [11:38] Why the Mississippi trip [15:30] Do not “conquer” the Mississippi River [17:00] What she expected and what she got [21:00] What happened when it got really, really cold [25:04] What it’s like to finish that kind of journey (hint: it’s emotional) [31:29] Why canoeing and water are great for inclusivity work [37:47] How you can get involved [39:36] Cory Maria’s favorite outdoor moment
If you follow me you know I run. But what got me started is an entirely different story.
My first runs were done as a way to honor, remember and move with others through grief. Today it helps me move through everything.
When it comes to marking Memorial Day, taking purposeful steps forward is a powerful way to do it. In this episode you can hear some of my running back story and learn how you can commit purposeful steps to honoring a fallen service member whether you are a runner or not. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the wear blue: run to remember Memorial Day milesWatch our documentary, Unconditional, on PBS Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:36] The power of purposeful steps
[:55] Why I first started running
[1:10] You can see of our backstory in a documentary
[1:30] The ask that got me running
[2:10] Why I run now
[3:00] The importance of honoring
When the doctors told her she couldn’t do anything because of her rare brain disease, she decided to instead do everything. After all, if she was going to be working through its fallout, why not work through it outside?
Crystal Gail Welcome didn’t grow-up looking at nature as nature, per se. But after a grounding experience in a park with a friend, she made the dramatic decision to become a thru-hiker even though she had never hiked in her life and was dealing with her disability. The result is thousands of miles hiked and becoming the first known Black thru-hiker of the 1,500 mile Florida trail. Hear Crystal’s incredible story and the inspiration she has for you on just getting out there to see where nature takes you in this episode of Humans Outside. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Connect with Crystal’s organization Footprints for Change Learn more about Crystal Follow Crystal on Instagram Follow Crystal on Twitter Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:24] Crystal Gail Welcome’s favorite outdoor place [4:06] Crystal’s outdoor story [8:35] Why feeling disconnected from your body is relatable [9:48] How many miles has Crystal hiked? [11:14] How the rare brain disease impacts Crystal’s hikes [14:11] How the death of George Floyd impacted Crystal [19:36] Why the Florida Trail? [23:31] Why the Florida Trail was the most challenging trail Crystal has ever done [29:44] What Crystal has learned about people from her hike [37:03] What Crystal hopes people will learn from her journey and experience [38:55] Crystal’s favorite outdoor moment
It’s that moment where you know something big is coming -- maybe not what, maybe not what will happen -- but you can feel it coming in your soul.
It is standing on the edge of something large, the moment before the leap, or the wave’s crash or when you simply take flight.
I just made a huge life decision, and it has me contemplating how this moment before the action feels and looks.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:30] A song quote
[1:05] Standing on the edge of something large
[1:20] How the waves teach me this
[2:02] What this looks like for life
[2:36] How the outside helps with the something large
[3:37] Something large in my work life and a big change
Taking kids outside? Then you know the struggle. No matter how fun the thing you’re planning is likely to be, getting the crew out the door with all of the necessary belongings and good attitudes intact is a real challenge. So what are some strategies to get kids out into nature all year long without the fun unraveling into a fight? In this episode of Humans Outside mom and creator of the All Weather Adventure kit line joins the podcast to talk about her best tips and tricks for getting her small humans outside for family fun as just a part of who their family is. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Find Holly’s All Weather Adventuring kits Follow Holly on Instagram Follow Holly on Facebook Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:52] Holly Horch’s favorite outdoor space [4:32] How Holly became someone who likes to go outside [5:30] How nature became a part of their family culture [8:49] Yes, the struggle is real [9:26] How they’ve built outdoor time into their daily schedule [11:04] Why we like nature so much as parents [13:41] All about Holly’s All Weather Adventuring kits[19:44] The secret art of marketing [21:03] A philosophical pondering about kids and understanding fun [22:06] Why group suffering matters [25:00] The best way to make everyone happy [29:04] The art of taking care of parental overwhelm [37:07] Holly’s favorite outdoor moment
A new feature-length documentary streaming and airing on PBS nationwide and showing in some theaters is all about mental health and healing from trauma -- and it features me and my family and follows our life in Alaska. Want to see it? Here’s how.
Connect with this episode:
Watch the “Unconditional” trailer Get tickets to see Unconditional in person until May 6 Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:40] I know it’s wild, but here it goes
[1:00] What the movie is about
[1:30] Some words from the director
[2:40] Why I think you should watch it
[3:14] Here’s what I hope you take away
[4:25] All the ways you can see the film
Sometimes the best way to understand the importance of connecting to your place in the world is through wandering away from it. And when we pair that with spending time in the wild outdoors, we might also learn that things aren’t quite as wild as they seemed from the outside. Maybe what you think of as “wild” others simply consider “home.”
John Messick, author of the new book Compass Lines, is currently grounded in Alaska -- but his life hasn’t always looked that way. In this episode he talks about the importance of belonging in relation to the world, how he found that in his travels and how you might be able to find it too. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Read Compass Lines: Journeys Toward Home (affiliate link)Visit John Messick’s website Follow John Messick on Instagram Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:23] John’s favorite outdoor space [5:15] How he became someone who likes to go outside [10:02] The idea of wild [14:03] How does traveling the world impact that idea [18:27] How many countries has he visited? [20:23] What was he looking for during his travels? [21:21] A diversion to “Gathland” [27:13] Tip for finding a grounding where you are [30:31] John’s favorite outdoor space
Keeping a daily habit, any habit, comes with a risk that it eventually transforms from something you want to do into something that’s simply a chore. You do it without thinking. It’s so a part of who you are that you may not even remember if you did it or not.
I don’t want my outdoor habit to be a chore. I want it to feel like recess, a concept introduced to me by New York Times best-selling author Gretechn Rubin in her recent guest episode with Humans Outside.
What changes when I think about heading outside as recess instead of a chore? Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Hear Gretchen Rubin on Humans Outside Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] What might happen when you realize that every day is a lot of days
[1:11] You don’t want this to feel like a chore
[1:37] What I want it to feel like instead
[2:15] What Gretchen Rubin taught me about this in our recent episode
[2:50] Do you remember recess as a kid?
[3:15] What would happen if I made my outdoor time recess
[4:00] Here’s how that looks
[4:45] Two great examples of this
What would you find if you spent your outdoor time focused on experiencing life through your five senses? I don’t mean just soaking in the great outdoors by seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting, but by adding an intentional focus to explore what each of them adds.
That’s a question New York Times best-selling author Gretchen Rubin asks through her new book Life In Five Senses and is actively exploring through her own one-year outdoor challenge that she’s shared with listeners of her Happier With Gretchen Rubin podcast.
In this episode Gretchen sits down to chat with us about all things five senses, outdoor habits, what you find by doing the same thing every day -- whether that be going outside of visiting a museum -- and how you can use your five senses to make your life even happier. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Read Life in 5 Senses (affiliate link)
Visit Gretchen’s website
Follow Gretchen on Instagram
Follow Gretchen on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:05] Gretchen Rubin’s favorite outdoor space
[4:10] How Gretchen became someone who likes to go outside
[6:35] The problem of things taking effort
[8:47] Why Gretchen started her Life in 5 Senses project
[11:33] Does she still go to this place every day?
[11:38] How that practice is like a sit spot
[14:40] The freedom (and challenge) of doing something every day
[18:28] Gretchen’s favorite sense and how her experiment impacted it
[19:41] What do we lose when we ignore our senses?
[22:27] All about Gretchen’s daily outdoor project
[24:15] The difference between a chore and recess outside
[27:00] Why the freedom to choose your own rules is important (and hard)
[30:13] The inspiration for Gretchen’s project
[33:17] How her five sense are influencing her outdoor project
[36:19] Personal habits that make her outdoor time better
[40:21] Gretchen’s favorite outdoor moment
Is it possible to lean into preservation and conservation while also spending a ton of time outside? And if you want to be earth-friendly while also being an avid earth-user, how can you balance a desire to leave no trace while still getting out there?
In this episode of the Humans Outside Outdoor Diary, I talk about a few simple steps I take to be earth-friendly while still using nature daily. And they’re steps you can take, too. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Episode 198: How to Maximize Your Outdoor Life While Creating a Minimalist Lifestyle (Meg Carney, outdoor minimalist) Episode 149: How a Pee Cloth Is Making One Small Step for Inclusivity (Anastasia Allison, Kula Cloth founder) Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] How do you balance use and not making it look like you use it?
[1:25] A change in my thinking
[2:27] “Outdoor minimalism”
[2:45] A few basic “leave no trace” ideas
[3:30] What “reduce, reuse, recycle” has to do with it
[3:55] The art of reusing in the outdoor industry world
[4:35] A few tips for reusing that are wallet and earth-friendly
[5:20] I will now talk about a pee cloth
The more time you spend outside, the more you might be thinking about doing what you can to make sure the thing you love so much -- nature -- is taken care of and around for others to enjoy, too. It’s a bummer to watch something you enjoy so much disappear or be carelessly shoved aside.
In this “best of” Humans Outside episode Meg Carney, an outdoor minimalist, author and podcast host shares her tips for outdoor minimalism and it’s worth a listen.
Connect with this episode:
Learn about Outdoor Minimalist Follow Outdoor Minimalist on Instagram Follow Outdoor Minimalist on Facebook Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Life is full of forks in the road -- literally and figuratively. And over my more than 2,000 days going outside every single day for at least 20 minutes I’ve noticed something: the more I practice making decisions outside, the better I am at making them inside.
Why is that and why does it matter? Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:40] Going outside means you’re going to encounter this
[:45] The many ways I’ve faced this
[1:15] What I’ve noticed about this over my outdoor time
[2:05] Taking this lesson inside
[3:00] Practice makes perfect when dealing with risk
One of the most frequent questions I get when it comes to heading outside is whether my family goes with me and, if so, how I get them out there. While the truth is that my daily outdoor habit is my habit and my family isn’t always with me, they often are. And I’m working hard to make going outside a part of who my kids are, just like heading outside has become a part of who I am.
So how do I make that happen? I lean into what we like to call “nearby nature,” that outside space that’s just where you are. It’s not complicated. Isn’t not hard to get to. It’s right there. It’s nearby.
But going outside as a family means everyone needs to sometimes reframe their expectations. In this best of episode Zenovia Stephens the founder of Black Kids Adventure tells us about her nearby nature and how she works with her own family to help other families appreciate it.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Black Kids Adventures
Visit Black Adventure Crew
Follow Black Adventure Crew on Instagram and Facebook
Follow Black Kids Adventures on Instagram and Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside 365 Challenge
When it comes to balancing a desire to spend time outside with indoor obligations that keep your job and life running, a little bit of organization goes a long way.
I’ve realized that powering through one simple planning task every one of us faces is the difference between living in harried chaos and feeling like everything is under control with plenty of time for everything I want to do, including heading into nature.
So what is it? Menu planning.
(Yes, seriously.)
But I have figured out a way to make it as painless as possible (while still hating it). Listen now to find out what works for me, why it has such a major impact and how it could help you, too.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] The major problem of this time of year
[1:00] Here comes the chaos
[2:07] The impact of time management
[2:30] I hate this, I really do
[3:06] Here’s why I do it anyway
[3:21] My system for tackling this
[4:30] The next step: food prep
[4:45] Why this matters for going outside
[5:31] Yup, I’m still learning.
How do you overcome fear of outdoor unknowns? How do you get comfortable with nature-based risks like wildlife or finding danger when you’re all alone? What do you do about all of the outdoor “what ifs?” Those are questions natural science illustrator and art instructor Sandy McDermott found herself grappling with after an unexpected move from the northeast U.S. to Anchorage, Alaska. And as she looked for ways to move through her fears, she turned to a familiar comfort -- creating the art that pushed her to head outside to start with.
In this episode Sandy talks about her ongoing journey towards getting comfortable with the uncomfortable and how you can overcome your own fears of the unknown in wild spaces. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Sandy McDermott’s website
Follow Sandy on Instagram
Follow Sandy on Facebook
Connect with Sandy on LinkedIn
Register for Sandy’s newsletter
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:03] Sandy McDermott’s favorite outdoor space
[5:24] What does a nature illustrator actually do?
[7:24] The outdoor fears that surprised her in Alaska
[9:48] Did the fear surprise her?
[10:31] Normalizing the fear response
[13:45] Did she ever consider just staying inside?
[16:00] How all the problems add up
[21:58] How art has helped her work through the fears
[28:07] Is she surprised by where the journey has brought her?
[28:05] It’s called “bearanoid”
[33:21] What the combination of nature and art mean to her
[35:42] Tips for getting over nature fears
[45:38] Sandy’s favorite outdoor moment
Got hard stuff? Me, too. Fortunately for all of us, there’s nature to help with that.
One of the best things I’ve ever learned while recording episodes of Humans Outside is to think about nature as a container for all the tough stuff of life. So how do you do that? Listen now to find out.
Connect with this episode:
How to Use the Outdoors As Therapy (Judith Sadora) Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[;34] The importance of reframing and why I love it so
[1:15] One of my favorite reframings
[1:40] Think about the outdoors as a “container”
[2:15] Why a container is good for you too
[3:00] How I used the container recently
[4:00] How to make the container work for you
[4:10] The tool of soft focus
[5:12] Mind wandering + walking
[5:46] Working hard outside
[6:00] Don’t forget the container when you need it
It might also be trendy, but backyard chicken keeping isn’t just a delightful way to source a parade of fresh eggs and endless chicken entertainment, it’s also the perfect lure for getting outside regularly right where you are. And while, yes, keeping any outdoor animal provides the obligatory outdoor chore list, a backyard coop can also draw you into nature in ways that don’t include coop cleaning or flock feeding, says podcast guest Tove Danovich.
A journalist and author of the new book Under the Henfluence: Inside the World of Backyard Chickens and the People Who Love Them, Tove has an insider perspective on all the ways keeping a parade of chickens can connect you with your own nearby nature, too. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Read Under the Henfluence (affiliate link) Visit Tove Danovich’s website Follow Tove on Instagram Follow Tove’s chickens on Instagram (yes, really) Follow Tove on Facebook Follow Tove on Twitter Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:16] Tove Danovich’s favorite outdoor space [4:23] How Tove became someone who likes to go outside [6:42] Tove’s chicken story [8:45] Chicken math [11:02] Is there such a thing as too many chickens? [14:40] How chickens help Tove get outside [18:00] Warning warning she might a birder [22:30] Rooster problems [23:53] Why it matters that the chickens don’t need her [29:05] The inside scoop on chicken culture [32:17] What people should know about chickens that the books don’t really say [37:00] Keeping chickens from becoming a chore [42:47] Tove’s favorite outdoor moment
Tackling big challenges outside offers plenty of opportunities to learn big lessons. But this one? This takeaway is something I am going to be able to leverage for every outdoor experience. It all started with some insight from a Humans Outside podcast guest and became crystal clear during a recent big adventure on a very windy mountain run. So what’s the lesson and how can it help you? Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Sarah Histand’s website
Hear more about being nice to your nervous system in this Humans Outside episode
Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:58] What is the most important thing I’ve learned?
[1:05] Woooooo, nervous system
[1:20] Sarah Histand, master of this topic, so check her out
[1:45] The secret power of your nervous system
[2:00] All the ways you might hear your nervous system talking
[2:40] Training your nervous system
[3:00] The fun words: titration and pendulation
[3:30] How this lesson helped me.
[3:50] The most important part of this lesson
[4:20] A reason example of this particular learning
[4:30] All about the Crazy Lazy Mountain Race and exactly how crazy it was
[6:12] The moment my nervous system left the party
[6:45] Why this understanding matters
[7:25] How this might apply to you even if you’re not on Lazy Mountain in big wind
How does spending time outside impact or help humans who are tackling life with various forms of neurodivergence or with an autism diagnosis? Dad and daughter duo Ian and Eve Alderman, who share both an autism diagnosis and a love of hiking, are navigating the world - literally - one hike at a time. With the support of mom Sarah, the Scotland-based family is teaching Eve to pair her unique abilities with the wide world by doing long hiking projects for charity.
In this episode Ian takes a break from the trail to talk about their adventures, how spending time outside aids them on their life journey, and what other humans both neuronormative and neurodivergent may be able to find by spending more time outside.
Connect with this episode:
Follow Our Spectrum Adventures on Facebook
Buy Ian and Eve a coffee (or hot chocolate!)
Visit Ian and Eve’s website Our Spectrum Adventures website
Follow Our Spectrum Adventures on Instagram
Support Scottish Autism through Just Giving
Support Scottish Autism through GoFundMe
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:58] Ian Alderman’s favorite outdoor space
[3:44] All about Ian’s family and their outdoor story
[8:13] What autism looks like for Eve (age 9) and Ian
[12:09] How spending time outside helps Eve
[17:18] How they handle Eve’s schooling while hiking full time
[22:40] All about this year’s hiking project
[24:02] Hiking for charity
[28:13] What working through nature has taught Ian about his own autism
[31:55] Feeling vulnerable in nature and why that’s everyone
[32:33] What humans can find by going outside
[36:24] How listeners can support Ian and Eve
[37:37] Ian’s favorite outdoor moments
If getting excited about spring weather despite all of its unpredictability makes me a fool, then so be it. But while the uncertainty of spring can be exasperating, it also carries some important reminders that can help you lean into making the most of it, other seasons -- both outside and inside -- and events outside your control.
Ready to be a fool for spring, too? Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Spring is, well, a little dramatic
[1:05] 45 winters and springs and their names (not really)
[1:50] I am a fool and I like it
[2:30] The reminders of spring drama
[2:49] Living with flexibility due to lack of other options
[3:35] The seizing the day of the winter
[4:00] The power of understanding that seasons change
How Travel Photography Can Connect You to Humans Outside (Lola Akinmade Åkerström, travel photographer)
We spend a lot of time talking about the act, art and benefits of connecting with nature. But what about connecting with the humans who live on the land? What about seeing and being seen no matter where you are or what kind of nature you call home?
Travel photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström has made a career of creating connections with the landscape, land and culture through portraiture of humans around the world. Born in Nigeria and now living in Sweden, Lola has a deep understanding of connecting with other humans because of the way she shares their experiences.
In this episode Lola talks about what she has personally learned through travel photography, what it’s like to make excellent portraits around the world and how you can find those same connections, too. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Lola Akinmade Åkerström’s website
Follow Lola on Instagram
Follow Lola on Facebook
Follow Lola on Twitter
Connect with Lola on LinkedIn
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:16] How Lola Akinmade Åkerström became someone who likes to go outside
[4:04] Lola’s outdoor story
[8:21] The kinds of photos Lola loves to make
[10:59] Lola’s books
[13:00] Life as a GIS scientist and how it translates to travel
[15:58] Her country tally and why it doesn’t matter
[17:58] The meaninglessness of borders and the importance of humans
[21:07] Why the connection of humans to seasons matters
[26:27] How she’s learned about people and culture
[28:45] How you can lean into that cultural connection
[30:43] What the shame cycle has to do with it
[33:31] The barriers, access and connection brought by being a Black woman
[37:30] Lola’s favorite outdoor moment
When I started my outdoor habit it was because I needed a way to push myself outside daily, no matter what. But over those more than 2,000 days I have discovered facets that are especially meaningful to me. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Why I first started my outdoor habit
[1:00] Taking photos daily is a good try
[1:40] Things I love about my outdoor habit
[2:00] The favorite of a zillion new hobbies
[3:24] The favorite of new friends
[4:46] The thing I love the very most about my outdoor habit
Do you head outside for your mind, body, spirit -- or all three? And when you’re out there, do you find there’s one specific activity or facet that is simply your favorite? That really moves you -- literally or figuratively? That heals whatever part of you is feeling the most neglected today? Tammah Watts followed a bird from her kitchen window while she was working on ways to physically heal. But what she found through bird watching is so much more. So what can a little connection with birds do for you? Listen now to find out.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Tammah’s website
Read Tammah’s book (affiliate link)
Follow Tammah on Instagram
Follow Tammah on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:38] Tammah Watt’s favorite outdoor space
[5:30] How Tammah became someone who likes to go outside
[6:50] How Tammah became a birder
[11:33] How this is sort of like The Secret Garden
[14:22] The difference between birding and birdwatching and is there one?
[19:29] What intentionality has to do with it
[22:29] Why birding is healing to Tammah
[25:44] Why birds are easier for this connection than mountains or trees
[29:32] How birds can lead to mindfulness
[35:44] Why birding is so hot right now
[38:30] Tammah’s favorite outdoor moment
As the weather changes outside and one season starts to become another, it’s a good time to think about what happens when seasons change for humans. I don’t mean the outdoor seasons -- but those count, too. I mean the seasons of humans, that it’s OK to change over time and what happens when you lean into the changing instead of resisting them.
Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:40] Lessons from a coworker
[1:10] A changing of actual seasons
[1:35] Reminder on a sticky note
[2:00] Hints of spring in the air
[2:30] Fake news weather
[2:40] Seasons even when they aren’t dramatic
[3:13] Seasons just happen
[3:30] What happens when we resist actual seasons
[3:50] What happens when humans have seasons, too.
[4:20] It’s probably going to be OK
Curious about dog mushing? You’re in good company. Dog racing, known as mushing, is one of the many sports that draws tourists and lures enthusiasts to live in Alaska. But not everyone who mushes is a pro-racer tackling the Iditarod or keeping a huge yard of sled dogs. The north and Alaska are full of amateur racers who take on the sport because they both love dogs and the time in nature running a sled and dog teams brings.
In this episode Sarah Varland, an author, high school English teacher and amateur musher gives us the inside scoop on dog mushing, why she loves it and how it connects her to the world. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Alaska Dog Mushers Association
Read Sarah Varland’s books
Follow Sarah on Instagram
Listen to Iditarod dog mushers Kristy and Anna Berington on Humans Outside
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:49] Sarah Varland’s favorite outdoor space
[4:53] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside
[6:59] About Sarah’s writing and how going outside impacts it
[9:26] The basics of dog mushing and dog racing
[12:28] How Sarah got into dog racing
[14:36] What is mushing like?
[17:11] Is there “flow” when mushing?
[19:04] Top secret musher math
[23:05] What do sled dogs actually look like?
[24:41] What happens when a dog doesn’t want to work or pull?
[26:41] Is mushing and dog racing cruel to the dogs?
[29:22] What does dog racing cost?
[30:35] What dog mushing teaches Sarah about herself
[35:45] What dog mushing teaches Sarah about her faith?
[39:03] How to learn more about mushing if you’re interested or want to try it
[41:08] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment
I can hardly believe it: I am hitting 2,000 days in a row of my outdoor habit. That’s 2,000 days of spending at least 20 consecutive minutes outside every single day, no matter the weather.
So what have I learned over 2,000 days? Unlike my 1,000 day mark, my 2,000th day is in the dead of winter. That means my three 2,000th day lessons are winter lessons -- and they look a little different than the lessons found during the good summer weather.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Celebrating 2,000 days of my outdoor habit
[:48] It wasn’t exactly the goal
[1:06] This isn’t at all like my 1,000th day outside
[1:33] The difference between the things you learn
[2:00] What the lessons of other anniversaries show -- and how this is different
[2:30] Lesson one: Knowing I can do hard things
[3:18] Lesson two: “I live in abundance”
[4:06] Lesson three: knowing the value of taking it slow
[5:07] How I’m marking 2,000 days outside
We’re taking a beat this week and bringing you a “best of” episode, this time on something you might be struggling with as winter turns into more winter, then into the spring of deception, then back to winter: getting your children outside even when it’s cold and no one wants to.
That’s always a big problem here even with older kids, especially as the winter days drag on and everyone is kind of over it. But Sara McCarty, founder of Run Wild My Child, has some great advice on how to tackle it.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Run Wild My Child
Listen to the Run Wild My Child podcast
Follow Run Wild My Child on Instagram
Follow Run Wild My Child on Facebook
Follow Run Wild My Child on Twitter
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
What would happen if you made room each week for one big adventure and one little adventure?
It’s a pretty simple concept: each week, purposefully do one small out of the ordinary, a “little adventure,” and one thing bigger that might take up to several hours, a “big adventure.” They don't have to be outside. But they certainly can be.
In this episode Amy explains how she's taking on the challenge, presented in Laura Vanderkam’s recent book Tranquility by Tuesday, how she’s tackling it, a unique spin she’s trying to put on it and the challenges and benefits of doing so. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
More about Tranquility by Laura Vanderkam in our episode with Laura
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] A little bit about Tranquility by Tuesday
[1:15] All about one big adventure, one little adventure
[2:10] Why I like this idea
[2:52] How this concept looks for me
[3:50] An expanded adventure idea
[4:40] A quick caveat about this
[4:55] My recent really big adventure
[6:30] A snowboard revelation
When was the last time you experienced a sense of awe in nature? Feeling awe is something many outdoor users chase. But can you even define the experience of awe? Or is it one of things where you just know it when you see it? Where can you best find it? And what are the benefits of spending time outside purposefully chasing the feeling?
Professor Dr. Dacher Keltner joins us in this episode to tackle those questions and more. Leaning on research and advice included in his new book “Awe: the new science of wonder and how it can transform your life,” Dacher guides us into an understanding of the what, how and why of chasing awe outside. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Read “Awe: the new science of wonder and how it can transform your life” (affiliate link)
Visit Dr. Dacher Keltner’s website
Learn about the Greater Good Science Center
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:52] Dacher Keltner’s favorite outdoor space
[3:35] How Dacher became someone who likes to go outside
[6:47] Can we define awe?
[9:12] How to experience awe in ways that are not specific to going outside
[11:52] How the “eight wonders of life” are all tied to nature anyway
[13:34] Do humans have a need for wild awe?
[15:36] Why don’t we talk about the importance of awe?
[20:01] Can you create an awe habit?
[21:26] Is there such a thing as an awe muscle?
[23:34] What does noticing have to do with it?
[26:28] The difference between “awe” and “wonder”
[28:04] Tips for finding and keeping an awe habit
[30:18] Dacher’s favorite moment of outdoor awe
It’s been three years since I launched the Humans Outside podcast in the early winter of 2020. It’s been an incredible ride of learning, growth and outdoor adventures for me as I’ve connected with 101 Humans Outside guests and recorded over 270 episodes. But what were some of the ones that have stuck with me the most?
In this episode I talk about my favorite takeaways from three years of Humans Outside, plus share how you can enter a giveaway I’m hosting to celebrate the Humans Outside birthday. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Enter the Humans Outside birthday giveaway
Episode 18: How Nature Can Help Your Marriage (Corie Weathers)
Episode 26: Heading Outdoors to Conquer Challenges Indoors (Nailah Blades Wylie)
Episode 54: How to Use Outdoors as Therapy
Episode 83: Here's Exactly How to Build an Outdoor Habit (Sarah Hays Coomer)
Episode 99: How Heading Outside Makes Your Brain More Creative (Cordele Glass)
Episode 171: How to Create an Outdoor Habit that Works for You (Sarah Hays Coomer)
Episode 179: How to ‘Rewild’ Yourself Even If You Live in a City (Claire Dunn)
Episode 208: Simple and Easy Ways to ‘Rewild’ Your Life by Going Outside (Micah Mortali)
Episode 264: How to Create a Habit That Gives You What You Need (Sarah Hays Coomer)
Episode 268: Why Outside Challenges Like Harsh Weather Can Feel Bad and What to Do About It (Sarah Histand)
Some of the good stuff:
[:50] What podcasting is to me
[1:17] What three years of this podcast means by the numbers
[1:46] What podcasting here means to me
[2:23] A few highlights of the interviews I’ve loved
[7:20] Info about the giveaway
The deep, cold, dark winter of the north is a unique experience that both challenges and inspires. On the one hand, it shows you things about nature and about yourself you'd never see in the long hours of warmer daylight. On the other, it carried a depth that at times feels insurmountable.
Among the winter enthusiasts and survivors are cyclists, people out there riding their bikes through, on and over the ice. They are part of a rich history of people not just exploring the Arctic under their own power, but leaning into the experience despite all the odds. In today’s episode writer and editor Jessica Cherry talks about the experience of cycling through Alaska’s winter. Listen now.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:56] Jessica Cherry’s favorite outdoor space
[3:45] How Jessica became someone who likes to go outside
[6:21] Jessica’s personal connection to cycling
[9:42] What is a “fat bike?” [17:01] About Frank Soos
[18:58] The experience of recreating over winter in the arctic
[21:01] The surprising sound factor
[24:56] What people miss by not going outside in the winter’s darkness
[28:36] How being a climate scientist changes how Jessica experiences nature
[33:09] What Jessica learned from her book, Wheels on Ice
Connect with this episode:
Read Wheels on Ice, edited by Jessica Cherry and Frank Soos
Visit Jessica’s website
Find Jessica on Facebook
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
When so many outdoor adventures are or can be solo, when conquering big things is about your internal drive, why does community matter?
After attending a local workshop hosted by a semi-pro runner and friend, I’ve been thinking about why showing up for others and having them show-up for me isn’t just important, it’s life changing. Hear why in this Outdoor Diary episode.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:56] The premise behind Humans Outside
[1:27] The benefit of community
[1:55] A reminder that is, obviously, related to running
[2:30] The ways it’s up to you alone
[2:46] But also it’s not only up to you
[3:57] How Denali Strable models this
[4:10] How Denali models the power of community
[4:30] Why this matters
[4:50] What I’m trying to do here
Life is full of opportunities for problem solving, for looking at challenges in a fresh way, for reshaping the landscape to peel out an unexpected solution. And what does it take to get there? Creativity.
You might be thinking about creativity as it relates to art, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Instead I mean the creativity found in how you approach the world. And heading outside? It has a measurable impact on boosting creativity if you take the right steps -- often literally. In this episode we dive into boosting creativity by heading outside in a conversation with Garry Pratt, a business coach, author and innovator around what he calls “outside thinking.” Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Follow Garry Pratt on LinkedIn
Read The Creativity Factor (affiliate link)
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:07] Garry Pratt’s favorite outdoor space
[4:33] How Garry became someone who likes to go outside
[7:10] Garry’s “outside thinking” lightbulb moment
[9:01] What is “creativity?”
[11:59] What is “outside thinking?”
[15:06] Why is nature perfect for deep work thinking?
[21:00] Why walking in nature works for creativity
[24:24] The deal with 20 minutes
[28:00] All about 20:3:3
[31:00] Why it works for business thinking
[36:34] Does type of nature matter?
[38:55] A few tips for building your own outside thinking habit
[41:45] How to find Garry’s book
How do you feel about falling? Or, perhaps more importantly, how do you feel about getting up again?
One of the top lessons of Amy’s outdoor habit is the inevitability of falling and all of the lessons getting OK with it brings. Learning to fall and be OK with it has not only opened the door to trying and learning new things, but given her a better understanding of risk and recovery in her indoor life. Listen to this Outdoor Diary episode to learn more.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:30] Braver and more courageous: a reminder
[1:45] The deal with learning to take risks
[2:00] The deal with falling
[2:41] Here’s what really matters
[2:52] The inevitability of falling if you’re ever going to learn something new
[3:30] Pro-tip about snow in your pants
[4:15] What if you did this instead?
[4:50] An important distinction
[5:15] How this feels during inside life
Ever seen that meme that asks “why do I live some in a place where the air hurts my face?” Heading outside in harsh conditions can feel like a personal attack that has your whole body and mind screaming “noooooooooo!” You want to want to do it, but you don’t. You know there’s no actual danger, but if feels like there is. You want to be someone who goes outside and does cool stuff, but you can’t figure out how to calm down that internal “nope” monologue.
So what can you do about it? In this episode Alaska-based mental health informed adventure fitness trainer Sarah Histand tackles the big question of dealing being kind to your nervous system while teaching it that, hey, heading outside for challenges big and small is a safe and even fun idea. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Learn about Ski Babes and Mind and Mountain Follow Sarah Histand on Facebook Follow Sarah Histand on Instagram What to Wear in Cold Weather, Sarah’s first Humans Outside episode Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:57] Sarah Histand’s (different from last time) favorite outdoor space
[6:10] How Sarah got into the subject of mind meets mountain
[10:53] Why going outside in harsh weather or for big challenges sometimes feels so very bad
[13:40] Why sometimes it feels totally fine and other times it feels totally not fine
[19:05] All about very individualized risk tolerance
[24:19] Steps for overcoming this problem
[25:13] Snacks and other comfort items
[30:54] Baby steps aren’t just for babies
[32:24] This is an everyone problem -- not just beginners
[37:27] No comparing, please
[39:48] Learning to balance intuition with social pressure
[45:01] How to find more about Sarah
One of the hardest things about spending time outside in all weather is figuring out what to wear to keep your body comfortable. After all, if heading outside is really uncomfortable, you’re simply not going to want to do it.
But what’s the best way to dress in cold weather? And what if you’re entirely new to this and just don’t know? In this episode, Amy lays out what she personally wears in cold weather and the different layers that work really for her body. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Why you might be thinking about this
[1:15] The great and generous thing about outdoor-minded folks
[1:34] I want you to be warm and happy
[1:54] A few caveats
[3:30] A rundown of what I wear for slow stuff on the bottom
[4:58] What I’m wearing on top
[6:00] The extremities
[7:30] What I wear while being active
[9:30] A final important step
So you’ve got an outdoor habit, but are you actually making time for fun? If having fun is a priority, how do you make time to actually make it happen? How can you organize your life around creating space for it? Dr. Michael Rucker’s new book, The Fun Habit, lays out the reasons we should make fun a priority, how to make it happen and what happens when you do. And in this episode of Humans Outside he helps us mix an outdoor habit with a fun habit to get the most out of our time.
Connect with this episode:
Buy The Fun Habit (affiliate link)
Dr. Michael Rucker’s website How to Find Time to Go Outside with Laura Vanderkam
Hack to Make Life More Tranquil, More Fun and More Outdoorsy with Laura Vanderkam
How to Make Time for Joy and Heading Outside (Dr. Cassie Holmes)
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:41] Dr. Michael Rucker’s favorite outdoor space
[4:17] How Mike takes his own fun habit outside
[8:20] The difference between “happiness” and “fun”
[10:42] The role of intentionality
[20:16] What is the SAVOR model?
[25:57] Why is reminiscing important?
[27:42] A digression into fun types one, two and three
[30:37] Awe and “the mystery”
If you’re doing an outdoor challenge, we promise the question is going to come up: what counts as “outside?” In this episode Amy lays out the rules -- or the lack therefore -- and goes through what she counts for herself. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:46] Here’s a question you might’ve encountered
[:55] Don’t laugh, it’s a thing
[1:07] Why this gets asked
[1:33] Yes, I’ve asked it too
[2:10] Sorry, no rules from me for you
[2:30] But you should have your own rules
[3:00] But here are my rules for me
So you want to create a new habit -- maybe it’s heading outside daily for that 20 minutes, maybe it’s something related, maybe it’s something else entirely. It can be easy to pick a really aggressive goal, or, on the flip side, toy with committing to something and then back out because you don’t want to disappoint yourself.
In the happy middle, though, is aiming for a habit that both improves your wellness life and gives you what you need. So how do you get there? In this episode of Humans Outside, Sarah Hays Coomer, a wellness coach and habit expert joins us for a third time to talk about creating a habit that focuses on what you need, gently. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Sarah Hays Coomer’s website
Read Sarah’s Forbes column
Follow Sarah on Instagram
Follow Sarah on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:34] Sarah Hays Coomer’s favorite outdoor space
[3:55] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside
[7:33] The nuts and bolts of a habit
[16:27] The role of sustainability in habit picking
[19:35] How to create a gentle guide for what you need
[26:57] What counts as going outside?
[32:40] Is habit building a muscle?
[37:29] Some tips for a gentle wellness practice
Brave? Courageous? Those words don’t describe Amy. Or, at least, they didn’t used to. But thanks to her outdoor habit she’s now more courageous and adventurous than ever before. Why and how did that happen -- and how can it happen for you? Listen now to find out.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] How it was when I started my challenge
[1:05] OK, I’m pretty boring
[1:28] How this changes when I head outside
[1:44] My new outdoor toy
[2:10] Ice skating is walking on knives, fyi.
[2:50] A change of tune
[3:10] My first nordic skating adventure
[3:20] Am I courageous?
[3:45] The brave-building of heading outside
[4:11] Trusting the process and find rewards
[5:05] You can have this, too
Got habits on the mind? You’re probably in good company, and it’s the season to think about what you’re going to do about it. But jumping into a new habit or adding something to one you already have can feel a little risky. If you commit to something and can’t make it happen, you might feel like you’re letting yourself down. So if you do really want to accomplish something or create a sustainable lifestyle, the best first step would be to build something that works for you right out of the gate.
And that’s why we have habit expert Sarah Hays Coomer in this best of episode of Humans Outside. This was Sarah’s second episode with us -- you can hear her first in season in season 3, episode 3 and a replay of it as season 4, episode 33.
Ok, here’s Sarah’s episode on creating an outdoor habit that works for you.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Sarah Hays Coomer’s website
Read Sarah’s Forbes column
Follow Sarah on Instagram
Follow Sarah on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:39] Sarah Hays Coomer’s favorite outdoor space
[4:50] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside
[8:45] How to create a new habit
[14:41] Examining yourself to understand what you need
[19:14] What, exactly, is mindfulness?
[22:21] What mindfulness has to do with creating a new habit
[24:57] Can you create a new habit without mindfulness?
[28:35] The important difference between rules and power-over
[34:08] How mindfulness can impact a non-mindful habit
[40:00] Sarah’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[43:44] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment
How do you find the motivation to build and keep an outdoor habit, no matter what life or the weather throws at you? What’s the point of heading outside daily, anyway? Why even bother? That’s a question we grapple with in every episode of Humans Outside while we get excited for outdoor adventures and motivated to chase whole-life health and wellness through spending time in nature.
Welcome to Season 7 of Humans Outside, starting in early 2023.
Inspiration. Information. Those are two of the reasons we've brought you new Humans Outside episodes twice weekly for almost three years. And they are why last winter we ntroduced the Humans Outside challenge kits, which you can still get today. Need help getting your own outdoor challenge going? Listen to learn how we can help.
December 21 marks the winter solstice -- the official first day of winter and the shortest day of the year with the least time between sunrise and sunset. In Alaska and other places far north, the lack of light is noticeable from both a physical and emotional perspective. But the darkness can bring lessons of light. In this episode Amy lays out what the solstice and its darkness has taught her. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[:45] Once upon a time, what is solstice?
[1:15] What I learned about solstice after we moved to Alaska
[1:50] 3 things solstice means to now
[2:00] A reminder to fight
[2:57] All light matters
[3:40] The light of people
[4:39] The real lesson of solstice
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. The following is an edited transcript of this episode of Humans Outside.
I’m sure I had heard of the winter and summer solstices before I moved to Alaska in 2016. But it was like you hear about something in passing, or see it on a calendar. It meant nothing. Maybe “first day or winter” or “first day of summer,” which are marked by the solstices, meant something. I knew about those things.
But here in Alaska that first day business seems like fake news. It’s definitely been winter for awhile. And by the time summer solstice rolls around, we know a major chunk of what feels like summer is over.
But until me moved here, solstice as an event, as the marking of how long the sun spends in the sky, as an emotional experience, as an physical event, as soul food for someone who loves to spend time outside -- well, I just didn’t know about that.
Today Solstice has meaning. And every winter that we spend here it gains more meaning and takes on more richness. It is a celebration of the actual light of the sun. It is a celebration of the importance of light in our lives.
So I want to share with you three things that the physical darkness and the marking of solstice means to me right now --things that have been taught me by my connection spending time outside with the light and in the darkness of winter.
Solstice, I’ve learned, is a reminder of the importance of fighting. Each December I start to feel a little sad and a little slow. At some point I find myself thinking that I’m just going to let it happen and be OK with it keeping me down. I start thinking that I don’t really care that much about things I definitely care about but that take work -- my relationships, my fitness, succeeding at any given project I’ve worked hard on, even keeping this podcast going.
And then at some point in there I realize that what is happening is the darkness is tricking me, once again. And instead I have to fight. I have to remember that the darkness is something to move through until I can find the light and optimism on the other side. And solstice is a reminder that the light does come, that it will come and that the world will start feeling so dark and heavy. There is light - hope, really - on the other side.
The darkness has taught me that all light matters. In the deepest, darkest days there is only about 5.5 hours between sunrise and sunset here. But that is not all the light we see. Because before the sun has risen and after it has set, the ambient light lingers before the darkness really sets in. And that light matters.
And the same is true about the light of hope, the light of friendships, the light of faith, the light of family and the light of community in these physically dark times. Each glimmer of love and light shines into the darkness, spreading its life like a beam. Just like every flicker from every headlamp on a dark trail is a noticeable signal, the light of hope shines into the dark. I don’t think I’d ever appreciate that the way I do today without the lessons of winter and the solstice.
And I’ve learned the true light of people and community during the months of dark. When they someone lights up the room, or that people are a light on a hill, or that someone’s smile shines, they are talking about the physical manifestation of a spirit. And maybe those phrases have always simply been analogies to you.
But I am here to tell you, coming in from the actual darkness of the north, that those things really are true. People DO carry light in those ways. And I know that because I’ve seen it and felt it. We often associate darkness with cold and light with warmth. And I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, that the light these people around me, the people I’ve met through this podcast, you listening and the people I know here in my community IS a light of warmth. It holds me when the darkness is overpowering and pushes me to keep going when I want to stop and hide.
Because here is the real, overarching lesson of solstice: we celebrate the light because we have grown to appreciate it through its absence. But without darkness to show us, we would never know that light existed at all. We would never understand its power. We would never value its existence. The darkness brings gratitude for the light, and solstice is a chance to celebrate and understand that experience.
While you might live somewhere much less dark than where I am, I hope you have a chance to pause and feel gratitude for the light around you -- the physically light of the sun, the emotional light of friends and community and the strength you have inside you to fight and to endure.
May you always find the light, my friends.
You can see photos of me chasing light here in Alaska on Humans Outside on Facebook and Instagram. And please share your photos with me too. Tag me with #humansoutside365. Until next time, we’ll see you out there.
Are you daylight biased? As Amy has learned to become a human who likes to go outside, she focused all of her efforts on daylight. But what happens after dark is worth seeing, too. Spending time with a galaxy of stars by simply looking up after dark shifted how she feels about darkness, winter and her spot in the world.
In this episode you’ll hear tips and tricks for the beginner night sky viewer from Vicky Derksen, a stargazing enthusiast and host of the Night Sky Tourist podcast. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Check out Night Sky Tourist
Follow Night Sky Tourist on Instagram
Visit Night Sky Tourist on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:39] Vicky Derksen’s favorite outdoor space
[3:53] How Vicky became someone who likes to go outside
[5:20] What is “light pollution?”
[8:38] How to stargaze close to home
[12:16] What you’re skipping by only going outside during the day
[18:18] What’s the best way to learn the stars?
[23:03] How the stars move
[24:03] Why people don’t want to go out after dark
[26:46] What to wear for stargazing
[30:16] What are “star stories” and why are they important?
[34:30] What are the best ways to learn local star stories?
[37:18] How to get into stargazing
[39:31] Vicky’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[41:31] Vicky’s favorite outdoor moment
You’ve heard of the gifts from the 12 Days of Christmas? Well, the gifts of heading outside don’t include any lords-a-leaping (that Amy is aware of) but they do include a parade of other (probably better) things, especially in winter.
In this episode Amy talks about just three of the winter gifts she’s received during her outdoor time and the impact they’ve had. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[:45] Gifts of the 12 days and what they have to do with any of this
[1:28] The gifts of my outdoor time -- focused on winter
[1:35] But first, drama
[2:00] The first gift
[3:10] What getting involved has to do with anything
[3:30] The second gift
[4:27] The third gift
When Amy first started her outdoor challenge it wasn’t to inspire anyone but herself to make getting into nature a daily habit. It wasn’t even because she had found heading outside to be so transformative she had to do it every day. Originally, the 20 minute daily challenge was born of a question: how would her life change if she went outside for a certain amount of time every day for a year? The experiment started September 1, 2017. And there at the beginning was Amy’s friend Holly Wise, helping her develop the concept just as she had for all of Amy’s big ideas since 2004.
In this “best of” episode recorded four years after starting her experiment and hundreds and hundreds of hours outside as part of her daily practice, Amy and Holly discuss what Amy learned over the course of her habit -- and what you can learn, too.
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Some of the good stuff:
[2:42] Amy’s favorite outdoor space
[4:37] A question no one is asking
[5:47] What Amy has learned over the last four years
[9:02] Was this a surprise?
[12:00] The importance of incremental changes
[16:24] How doing hard things outside helps with life inside
[20:45] How she gets herself to do hard things
[31:49] The stories we tell ourselves and why they matter
[37:49] The going outside pep talks
[49:02] Amy’s relationship with nature
[51:28] Amy’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[55:51] Amy’s favorite outdoor moment
Amy is on an adventure this week and checking in from Phoenix, Arizona. She’s there on a short vacation with friends -- and not finding what she expected to see there. Hear her quick check-in now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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It’s not just your imagination: the winter sads are the real deal. With less sunlight and more darkness over the winter months, you might feel slow and heavy in both body and spirit.
But there are solutions -- we don’t actually have to live like this. And that’s why I brought Dr. Michael Terman, one of top experts in the use of light therapy, onto the podcast to teach us specifically what we need to do to overcome this particular seasonal problem. Here’s his episode.
Connect with this episode:
Read about the Center for Environmental Therapeutics
Take the circadian rhythm assessment
Follow the Center for Environmental Therapeutics on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:35] Dr. Michael Terman’s favorite outdoor space
[5:23] How he got into the study of light therapy and circadian rhythm
[6:41] What his research found
[10:52] What light has to do with depression
[16:28] Where is it a problem?
[19:15] Does this have to be a problem year after year?
[26:33] What does going outside have to do with it?
[34:09] What is a light box and how to find one
[44:44] Dr. Terman’s favorite outdoor moment
Looking for ways to add outdoor traditions to the holiday season. Over the years Amy and her family have added a variety of outdoor activities to how they celebrate. In this episode Amy shares a few ways you can easily do that with your family and friends, too. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
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Some of the good stuff:
[:52] What I learned right off the bat
[1:26] Here come the traditions
[1:45] It’s not just me a thing
[2:10] Do you want to do it too?
[2:15] A little theme here
[3:00] Start simple with some lights
[3:35] Next: try community events
[4:40] One more idea for day specific stuff
At what point is heading outside for your daily habit really, truly just a part of who you are? That’s a question Amy tackled this week when she realized she’d skated right by the 1,900 day outdoor habit mark without even noticing. Hear more on this episode of the Humans Outside weekly Outdoor Diary.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] How I usually keep track of my day tally
[1:01] For a long time, this was important
[2:20] Why this was a surprise
[2:35] Here’s a quick tally of what that means
[3:06] Is this what happens after this much time?
[3:30] It’s just a part of who I am, I guess
[4:37] Here’s how you get this, too
We all know that spending time outside in the winter is a major key to getting through the season happy and healthy. Winter temperatures and not knowing how to get comfortable in it might be one of the things keeping you inside. And that makes sense. Why in the world would you want to go outside if you know you’re going to be uncomfortable, cold and miserable?
With a little help from an expert, heading outside in cold weather doesn’t have to be an impossible and really uncomfortable challenge. Today’s guest, Sarah Histand, works to make winter recreation accessible to everyone, and that starts with learning the simple basics on how to stay warm and happy when you’re out there. She breaks down exactly what to wear when it’s cold outside in this helpful and practical episode. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Learn about Ski Babes and Mind and Mountain
Follow Sarah Histand on Facebook
Follow Sarah Histand on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:22] Sarah Histand’s favorite outdoor place
[4:16] Fun and weird fact about Valdez
[4:59] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside.
[7:28] The connection of mind and getting uncomfortable
[12:12] The first thing people need to know about dressing for cold
[15:12] The basic steps staying warm outside
[18:24] What we mean by layers
[22:30] Does getting dress for cold weather have to be expensive?
[25:57] An actual example of getting dressed for a cold day
[30:11] The glory of the buff
[32:33] The biggest cold weather dressing mistake Sarah sees
[33:54] The magic of snacks and peeing (yes really)
[36:24] Amy and Sarah’s favorite underappreciated gear
[39:19] Mistakes that were made
[42:19] Why it’s important to be gentle with yourself
[45:54] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment
It’s not exactly a low stress time of year — and if it is now, let’s be honest, it probably will be at least a little stressful soon. That’s just how the holidays go for so many of us. It’s part of life.
But dealing with it can also be a part of life. And Amy has found that heading outside is perfect for that. In this episode Amy talks about why this time of year is so stressful for her and what she’s been doing about it.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:50] The body does, in fact, keep the score
[1:00] Here’s what’s wrong with November
[2:28] And then there comes the holidays
[3:09] Here’s some not so good tools
[3:40] But what about going outside?
[3:55] Make a container out of it
[4:30] A recent example
Join wear blue: run to remember and Amazon Global Military for a bonus episode of Humans Outside on stories of service and sacrifice for the annual wear blue: run to remember Allied Forces run in partnership with Amazon’s Warriors@ employee affinity group. Walk or run a 5k while listening to take purposeful steps on this Veterans Day in the U.S. or Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom and Canada to honor the fighting, fallen and families.
Connect with this episode:
Learn about wear blue: run to remember
Follow wear blue on Facebook
Follow wear blue on Instagram
Follow wear blue on Twitter
Learn more about Humans Outside
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Military injuries and combat trauma are part of our origin story here at Humans Outside. It’s why we started looking to nature for healing. It’s why we moved to Alaska. And it’s why we ended up spending at least 20 consecutive minutes outside every day, no matter what.
The weeks around Veterans Day are the perfect time to talk about the power of getting outside to address war wounds and the weight of military service. But there’s one thing we’ve never done: bring Luke on the show to talk about it himself.
That seems really silly, so in this episode we fix that. Hear Luke Bushatz gives his own perspective on what he experienced serving in the U.S. Army, how heading outside helped him deal with it and what he’s done about it since through his work with the veteran-focused nonprofit Remedy Alpine. This is an episode you don’t want to miss.
Connect with this episode:
Learn about Remedy Alpine
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:06] Let’s just make this awkward as quickly as possible
[3:50] Luke’s favorite outdoor space
[5:01] How Luke became someone who likes to go outside
[7:52] A view into Luke’s war trauma
[13:54] The moment Luke realized heading outside helped his war wounds
[17:44] All about Remedy Alpine
[21:48] Watching nature heal veterans
[31:00] How Luke has seen nature help Amy
[33:00] How we’ve seen nature help our kids
[36:18] Luke’s favorite outdoor gear isn’t boring to him
[38:00] Luke’s favorite outdoor space
Amy hasn’t always been OK with falling. Once upon a time it was exactly what she was avoiding. But since she started spending more time outside, she’s realized that falling is a somewhat inevitable part of life -- plus she’s so very good at it.
So how does that help with non-outside things? In this episode Amy addresses what she’s learned from getting comfortable with falling in all the ways. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:46] A new thing I’m saying
[1:10] I do not have a good background with this thing
[1:20] A brief of history of a lot of falling
[3:14] Falling immersion therapy
[3:35] Getting OK with falling (not really) inside
[4:10] And now these are my options
[5:30] Help a friend out and fail a little please
For thousands of years, Tribal Nations have leaned on an understanding that everything is connected to keep themselves healthy and their communities successful. But western culture has lost or, worse, purposefully ignored the wisdom of those teachings -- and it hasn’t made us exceptionally healthy and happy.
In their new book The Seven Circles, indigenous wellness advocates Thosh Collins and Chelsey Luger lay out seven interconnected principles for pursuing whole-life health. In this episode of Humans Outside Chelsey and Thosh dive into the “land” principle and use indiegnous cultural teachings to show us how spending time outside and connecting with the land can have whole-life benefits.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Well for Culture
Read The Seven Circles
Follow Chelsey Luger on Instagram
Follow Thosh Collins on Instagram
Follow Well for Culture on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:42] Thosh Collin’s favorite outdoor space
[3:01] Chelsey Luger’s favorite outdoor space
[3:42] How Chelsey and Thosh learned the value of spending time outside
[7:22] A caveat on “indigenous” wellness
[10:37] What are the seven circles of wellness?
[17:38] Looking at the circles as an interconnected ring
[20:17] All about connecting with the land
[27:30] Why we have to learn to be connected to the land
[31:26] What we spend time with shows what we value
[35:51] How the land circle interacts with the other circles
[40:53] The stages of understanding the circles
[46:29] Thosh and Chelsey’s favorite outdoor moments
You probably know Amy is a runner. But do you know why? The story goes back to a really tragic military deployment, trying to know what to say or do when so many of your friends’ husbands don’t come home to their families and worrying that you, too, could get The Knock any day.
Listen to this episode to learn why Amy sees running as a path to honoring the fallen while working to live an inspired life.
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] It’s hard to remember what I was like in the before time (not those before times)
[1:00] Before I was outdoorsy
[1:43] The story begins with a baby and a sad goodbye
[2:20] When things got real
[3:00] The problem of not knowing what to do
[3:44] The very first email invite
[4:16] Finding something to do
[5:20] The act and power of movement
[6:00] Upcoming bonus episode
[6:17] How I honored through movement this week
Connect with this episode:
Learn more about wear blue: run to remember
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
On the one hand is time management -- using steps to get the most out of every hour. On the other hand is energy and having the bandwidth to get it all done. So what happens when you’re great at time management but always find yourself energy poor? You’ve got time to do everything you need to do, but lack the energy to get around to the things you want to do. Instead you feel rushed at best, or simply exhausted at worst.
In her new book Tranquility by Tuesday author and time management expert Laura Vanderkam lays out nine guidelines that she has found make a measurable difference in how satisfied people feel about how they spend their time. In this episode she digs into two of the nine and gives tips on how we can make them work for us.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Laura Vanderkam’s website
Follow Laura on Instagram
Follow Laura on Facebook
Follow Laura on Twitter
Listen to Best of Both Worlds
Listen to Before Breakfast
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:39] Laura Vanderkam pretty much just writes books for me
[4:50] Laura’s favorite outdoor space
[7:13] What is tranquility?
[9:37] What are the ‘Tranquility by Tuesday’ rules?
[12:44] Why is ‘three times a habit?’ And what does that mean?
[17:28] Intensity vs. consistency
[21:00] All about ‘one big adventure, one little adventure’
[24:15] There are no adventure police
[27:00] We’re back to intentionality again
[30:30] Overcoming inertia
[33:57] ‘Police the muscle’
Amy’s pretty used to eating her words by now, which is why she’s not at all ashamed to admit that she said she’d never, ever ski and now she kind of loves it -- especially when we’re talking Nordic skiing.
But this week’s first ski of the year showed that skiing has brought a totally expected benefit: it’s taught her to actually look forward to winter. Never underestimate the power of anticipation.
Some of the good stuff:
[:46] I’m OK with eating my words even if it’s a fail
[1:10] My “never ski” proclamation was totally legit
[1:58] Yes, we’re blaming this on Luke
[2:58] Why wanting and action are not the same.
[3:55] What happened when I actually tried
[4:11] The power of anticipation
[5:05] A recent ski season win
Connect with this episode:
If you like skiing, check out the MatSu Ski Club
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
There’s a real push and pull. On the one hand, many women want to head outside solo and have amazing adventures alone. On the other hand, doing so can feel like a huge safety risk, especially when we hear about the major tragedies some women encounter doing things that should be perfectly safe.
So what should you do? Stay home? Only head out with friends and family?
Nicole Snell, a safety expert and owner of Girls Fight Back who specializes in self-defense in the outdoors, has a different idea. In this episode she shares her best tips and tricks to empower you to get into nature solo while also staying safe.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Nicole Snell’s website
Visit Nicole’s Girls Fight Back website
Watch Nicole’s Outdoor Defense YouTube series (it’s really good!)
Book a one-on-one session with Nicole
Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn
Follow Nicole and Girls Fight Back on Facebook
Follow Nicole on Instagram
Follow Girls Fight Back on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[4:06] Nicole Snell’s favorite outdoor space
[4:52] How Nicole became someone who likes to go outside
[7:16] How she got into self-defense
[14:05] Why people (often women) feel unsafe alone outside
[20:12] What self-defense tools should people use?
[26:54] What we mean when we say “use your words.”
[28:55] Why she didn't say “I’m sorry”
[31:57] The role of intuition
[37:41] How to make the outdoors more safe for everyone
[41:10] Top three tips for self-defense in nature
[44:41] Nicole’s favorite outdoor memory
There’s a real push and pull. On the one hand, many women want to head outside solo and have amazing adventures alone. On the other hand, doing so can feel like a huge safety risk, especially when we hear about the major tragedies some women encounter doing things that should be perfectly safe.
So what should you do? Stay home? Only head out with friends and family?
Nicole Snell, a safety expert and owner of Girls Fight Back who specializes in self-defense in the outdoors, has a different idea. In this episode she shares her best tips and tricks to empower you to get into nature solo while also staying safe.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Nicole Snell’s website
Visit Nicole’s Girls Fight Back website
Watch Nicole’s Outdoor Defense YouTube series (it’s really good!)
Book a one-on-one session with Nicole
Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn
Follow Nicole and Girls Fight Back on Facebook
Follow Nicole on Instagram
Follow Girls Fight Back on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[4:06] Nicole Snell’s favorite outdoor space
[4:52] How Nicole became someone who likes to go outside
[7:16] How she got into self-defense
[14:05] Why people (often women) feel unsafe alone outside
[20:12] What self-defense tools should people use?
[26:54] What we mean when we say “use your words.”
[28:55] Why she didn't say “I’m sorry”
[31:57] The role of intuition
[37:41] How to make the outdoors more safe for everyone
[41:10] Top three tips for self-defense in nature
[44:41] Nicole’s favorite outdoor memory
The things we find comfort in as kids stay with us -- even if we’ve forgotten what they are until we find them in an unexpected place.
That’s what Amy found when she stumbled upon the Palmer community piano sitting out on a patio on a cool fall Alaska day. And when she sat down she was transported. Hear about it in this Outdoor Diary episode.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:46] Homeschool Amy friend problems
[1:21] So I did this instead
[1:33] Playing the piano was not actually an option but I liked it anyway
[2:15] The piano + beach = escape
[3:00] When I bought a piano for myself
[3:20] How this is like going outside
[3:51] What happened when I found a piano on the sidewalk
The things we find comfort in as kids stay with us -- even if we’ve forgotten what they are until we find them in an unexpected place.
That’s what Amy found when she stumbled upon the Palmer community piano sitting out on a patio on a cool fall Alaska day. And when she sat down she was transported. Hear about it in this Outdoor Diary episode.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:46] Homeschool Amy friend problems
[1:21] So I did this instead
[1:33] Playing the piano was not actually an option but I liked it anyway
[2:15] The piano + beach = escape
[3:00] When I bought a piano for myself
[3:20] How this is like going outside
[3:51] What happened when I found a piano on the sidewalk
So you’re thinking about relocating so you can spend more time outside or be closer to the kind of nature you really love. Or, maybe you want to pack up and live the nomad van life. Or, maybe you’re looking for a fresh start and a life reset and think the best way to get is by relocating, even though you don’t actually really want to move.
Melody Warnick, author and place attachment expert, has heard all of these scenarios. She even included Amy’s story of relocating to Alaska to get closer to nature in her newest book, “If You Could Live Anywhere.” In this episode she talks through her best advice for picking where you want to live -- and how to know if moving is actually what you want after all.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Melody Warnick’s website and get a free worksheet
Read Melody Warnick’s book, This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are (affiliate link)
Follow Melody Warnick on Instagram
Follow Melody Warnick on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:48] First, a confession
[3:56] Melody Warnick’s favorite outdoor space
[4:53] What makes Amy especially fond of this book
[6:50] Why Melody is interested in this subject
[9:29] How people pick where they want to live
[14:10] The deal with nomading
[18:00] Did Amy regret moving to Alaska?
[19:50] Place picking vs. you changing
[25:00] Making yourself OK with moving
[29:40] Strategies + steps
[32:40] Why the military community makes this interesting
[36:15] How to know if you’ve made a huge mistake
[41:00] Why risk is OK
So you’re thinking about relocating so you can spend more time outside or be closer to the kind of nature you really love. Or, maybe you want to pack up and live the nomad van life. Or, maybe you’re looking for a fresh start and a life reset and think the best way to get is by relocating, even though you don’t actually really want to move.
Melody Warnick, author and place attachment expert, has heard all of these scenarios. She even included Amy’s story of relocating to Alaska to get closer to nature in her newest book, “If You Could Live Anywhere.” In this episode she talks through her best advice for picking where you want to live -- and how to know if moving is actually what you want after all.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Melody Warnick’s website and get a free worksheet
Read Melody Warnick’s book, This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are (affiliate link)
Follow Melody Warnick on Instagram
Follow Melody Warnick on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:48] First, a confession
[3:56] Melody Warnick’s favorite outdoor space
[4:53] What makes Amy especially fond of this book
[6:50] Why Melody is interested in this subject
[9:29] How people pick where they want to live
[14:10] The deal with nomading
[18:00] Did Amy regret moving to Alaska?
[19:50] Place picking vs. you changing
[25:00] Making yourself OK with moving
[29:40] Strategies + steps
[32:40] Why the military community makes this interesting
[36:15] How to know if you’ve made a huge mistake
[41:00] Why risk is OK
It started out as just a 15 minute break from computer work on a busy and exhausting Tuesday morning. But before she knew it, Amy was having an adventure in rewilding. Hear what she discovered when she took the advice of one recent Humans Outside podcast guest. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] Favorite podcasting stuff
[1:07] Which is how I got here on a Tuesday
[1:28] It all started with a walk break
[2:00] The question was the next step
[3:02] When one thing leads to another
[3:25] And when it was over. …
It started out as just a 15 minute break from computer work on a busy and exhausting Tuesday morning. But before she knew it, Amy was having an adventure in rewilding. Hear what she discovered when she took the advice of one recent Humans Outside podcast guest. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] Favorite podcasting stuff
[1:07] Which is how I got here on a Tuesday
[1:28] It all started with a walk break
[2:00] The question was the next step
[3:02] When one thing leads to another
[3:25] And when it was over. …
When it comes to nature, the idea of “pristine, untouched wilderness” is part of the American ethos. But the reality is most land was touched, valued and used -- by indigenous landholders.
Recreating outside today means using that land in new ways. Yet honoring the past not only doesn’t have to be complicated, it can also broaden our appreciation for the land and what it gives us by connecting us with those who called it home for centuries before we arrived.
In this episode Aaron Leggett, president of the Native Village of Eklunta near Anchorage, Alaska and senior curator of Alaska History and Indigenous Culture at the Anchorage Museum shares with us his perspective on use of traditional Dena'ina lands and how outdoor lovers today can respect and honor the past.
Connect with this episode:
Learn about the Native Village of Eklutna
Read about Aaron Leggett’s work at the Anchorage Museum
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:03] Aaron Leggett’s favorite outdoor space
[5:15] About the Native Village of Eklutna
[7:39] About growing up in Anchorage and getting passionate about Native history
[11:13] Who are the Dena'ina and what is their land?
[13:46] What is a Native Corporation?
[21:12] How to tell where Native land is and isn’t
[24:50] What the Native place name project is and why it matters
[34:00] What are the best practices for using traditional indigenous lands for recreation?
[35:50] What “leave no trace” has to do with it
[39:30] How to give back to a space while using it
[41:00] What just having it in mind does
[48:41] Aaron’s favorite outdoor memory
When it comes to nature, the idea of “pristine, untouched wilderness” is part of the American ethos. But the reality is most land was touched, valued and used -- by indigenous landholders.
Recreating outside today means using that land in new ways. Yet honoring the past not only doesn’t have to be complicated, it can also broaden our appreciation for the land and what it gives us by connecting us with those who called it home for centuries before we arrived.
In this episode Aaron Leggett, president of the Native Village of Eklunta near Anchorage, Alaska and senior curator of Alaska History and Indigenous Culture at the Anchorage Museum shares with us his perspective on use of traditional Dena'ina lands and how outdoor lovers today can respect and honor the past.
Connect with this episode:
Learn about the Native Village of Eklutna
Read about Aaron Leggett’s work at the Anchorage Museum
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:03] Aaron Leggett’s favorite outdoor space
[5:15] About the Native Village of Eklutna
[7:39] About growing up in Anchorage and getting passionate about Native history
[11:13] Who are the Dena'ina and what is their land?
[13:46] What is a Native Corporation?
[21:12] How to tell where Native land is and isn’t
[24:50] What the Native place name project is and why it matters
[34:00] What are the best practices for using traditional indigenous lands for recreation?
[35:50] What “leave no trace” has to do with it
[39:30] How to give back to a space while using it
[41:00] What just having it in mind does
[48:41] Aaron’s favorite outdoor memory
Blame it on the optimism of Past Me: she really felt like Future Me was going to have it so much more together than she actually does.
But making actionable outdoor plans for the upcoming winter season is key to getting out the door when it’s hard to want to. That means we’re spending time right now making some commitments for things we’ll do in the future -- and hoping that it’s not the optimism coming to bite us yet again. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] We’re helping winter me
[1:10] The problem of the three Mes
[1:46] Facing the music
[2:15] This isn’t really a winter me problem
[3:00] Doing winter me a favor by making some plans
[3:40] Why now is great for this
[4:14] A quick privilege acknowledgement
[4:50] What I’ve got on tap for this winter
[6:15] Why having a new skill goal matters
[7:05] What I’ve been up to now
Blame it on the optimism of Past Me: she really felt like Future Me was going to have it so much more together than she actually does.
But making actionable outdoor plans for the upcoming winter season is key to getting out the door when it’s hard to want to. That means we’re spending time right now making some commitments for things we’ll do in the future -- and hoping that it’s not the optimism coming to bite us yet again. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] We’re helping winter me
[1:10] The problem of the three Mes
[1:46] Facing the music
[2:15] This isn’t really a winter me problem
[3:00] Doing winter me a favor by making some plans
[3:40] Why now is great for this
[4:14] A quick privilege acknowledgement
[4:50] What I’ve got on tap for this winter
[6:15] Why having a new skill goal matters
[7:05] What I’ve been up to now
So you want to learn how to handle tough challenges in life, both those you encounter while playing outside and those you find just going about your day-to-day, indoor life and job. But how do you make it happen?
Steve Magness, a world-famous coach, human performance expert and author of the new book Do Hard Thing: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness says part of the reason toughness against life’s challenges is so create is that we are going about it wrong.
In this episode, Steve walks us through what the research shows about building a lifestyle around getting and staying tough, why that matters and what heading outside has to do with it.
Connect with this episode:
Find Steve Magness on Instagram
Visit Steve’s website
Read “Do Hard Things” by Steve Magness
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:52] Steve Magness’s favorite outdoor space
[3:48] How Steve became someone who likes to go outside
[6:00] Why going outside is so important to him now
[9:18] What’s the difference between toughness and resilience?
[10:41] Examples of awareness
[15:28] What’s wrong with how we tend to think about toughness
[18:06] How do you build toughness?
[21:40] The difference between thoughtful response and reaction
[28:10] How this applies to everyday life
[29:35] Creating a strong why -- and why it matters
[35:41] What this has to do with setting incremental goals
[38:07] Why the Humans Outside 365 challenge is great for this
[41:48] Is toughness a muscle you have to maintain or something you only have to learn once?
[46:44] Steve’s favorite outdoor moment
So you want to learn how to handle tough challenges in life, both those you encounter while playing outside and those you find just going about your day-to-day, indoor life and job. But how do you make it happen?
Steve Magness, a world-famous coach, human performance expert and author of the new book Do Hard Thing: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness says part of the reason toughness against life’s challenges is so create is that we are going about it wrong.
In this episode, Steve walks us through what the research shows about building a lifestyle around getting and staying tough, why that matters and what heading outside has to do with it.
Connect with this episode:
Find Steve Magness on Instagram
Visit Steve’s website
Read “Do Hard Things” by Steve Magness
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:52] Steve Magness’s favorite outdoor space
[3:48] How Steve became someone who likes to go outside
[6:00] Why going outside is so important to him now
[9:18] What’s the difference between toughness and resilience?
[10:41] Examples of awareness
[15:28] What’s wrong with how we tend to think about toughness
[18:06] How do you build toughness?
[21:40] The difference between thoughtful response and reaction
[28:10] How this applies to everyday life
[29:35] Creating a strong why -- and why it matters
[35:41] What this has to do with setting incremental goals
[38:07] Why the Humans Outside 365 challenge is great for this
[41:48] Is toughness a muscle you have to maintain or something you only have to learn once?
[46:44] Steve’s favorite outdoor moment
What happens when you head outside way past your comfort zone into a risky area like staying up after bedtime? You might just see what Amy got to see in the early morning light on Resurrection Pass, Alaska during the Resurrection Pass 100 race. Amy recently presented a version of this story at Trail Tales in Anchorage and had such a good time doing so, she decided to share it here, too.
Connect with this episode:
Learn about Trail Tales
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:46] Invited to Trail Tales and it was oh so fun
[1:30] What this story is about
[1:40] The first thing you need to know
[2:02] The next thing you need to know
[2:22] An entirely different kind of risk I don’t like
[2:38] Why that made me try to run 100 miles, which is crazy
[3:00] Your Resurrection Pass briefing
[4:15] What I found thanks to the risk
[4:30] And so the run begins + snacks
[5:00] The thing we saw worth seeing
[6:10] Why it was worth the risk
[6:33] What I’ve been seeing recently
What happens when you head outside way past your comfort zone into a risky area like staying up after bedtime? You might just see what Amy got to see in the early morning light on Resurrection Pass, Alaska during the Resurrection Pass 100 race. Amy recently presented a version of this story at Trail Tales in Anchorage and had such a good time doing so, she decided to share it here, too.
Connect with this episode:
Learn about Trail Tales
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:46] Invited to Trail Tales and it was oh so fun
[1:30] What this story is about
[1:40] The first thing you need to know
[2:02] The next thing you need to know
[2:22] An entirely different kind of risk I don’t like
[2:38] Why that made me try to run 100 miles, which is crazy
[3:00] Your Resurrection Pass briefing
[4:15] What I found thanks to the risk
[4:30] And so the run begins + snacks
[5:00] The thing we saw worth seeing
[6:10] Why it was worth the risk
[6:33] What I’ve been seeing recently
Dubbed “the real-life most interesting man alive” by The Chive, Ira Edwards isn’t just out there living an active outdoor lifestyle in Alaska, he’s doing so from a wheelchair. After creating a wildly adventurous and outdoor-centric life, Ira was struck by a falling tree about 10 years ago and paralyzed from the waist down. Today he continues many of his adventures despite the physical barriers, inspires others to do the same and advocates for creating and maintaining accessibility for all users.
In this episode Ira talks about what it takes to stay positive and active despite a life-altering disability and guides us through what everyone can do to make sure nature is as accessible as possible for all types of users.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Ira’s website
Follow Ira on Instagram
Follow Ira on Twitter
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:41] Ira Edward’s favorite outdoor space
[3:53] How Ira became someone who likes to go outside
[4:45] The story of Ira’s injury
[7:36] The challenge of recovery
[9:12] Moving forward mentally
[12:44] The crazy expenses
[16:08] Why modeling the possible matters
[20:28] The role of heading outside in staying positive
[22:00] Staying warm while doing it
[26:12] The biggest challenge of heading outside
[28:12] Why this crazy thing that I didn’t think of is the real barrier (literally)
[30:14] It’s all about money and policy
[31:26] The easy things we can all do to help
[35:00] Did you ask a person with a disability?
[36:50] Ira’s favorite outdoor gear
[40:45] Ira’s favorite outdoor moment
Dubbed “the real-life most interesting man alive” by The Chive, Ira Edwards isn’t just out there living an active outdoor lifestyle in Alaska, he’s doing so from a wheelchair. After creating a wildly adventurous and outdoor-centric life, Ira was struck by a falling tree about 10 years ago and paralyzed from the waist down. Today he continues many of his adventures despite the physical barriers, inspires others to do the same and advocates for creating and maintaining accessibility for all users.
In this episode Ira talks about what it takes to stay positive and active despite a life-altering disability and guides us through what everyone can do to make sure nature is as accessible as possible for all types of users.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Ira’s website
Follow Ira on Instagram
Follow Ira on Twitter
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:41] Ira Edward’s favorite outdoor space
[3:53] How Ira became someone who likes to go outside
[4:45] The story of Ira’s injury
[7:36] The challenge of recovery
[9:12] Moving forward mentally
[12:44] The crazy expenses
[16:08] Why modeling the possible matters
[20:28] The role of heading outside in staying positive
[22:00] Staying warm while doing it
[26:12] The biggest challenge of heading outside
[28:12] Why this crazy thing that I didn’t think of is the real barrier (literally)
[30:14] It’s all about money and policy
[31:26] The easy things we can all do to help
[35:00] Did you ask a person with a disability?
[36:50] Ira’s favorite outdoor gear
[40:45] Ira’s favorite outdoor moment
Time management can be used to make you more productive -- or it can be used to simply make your life better. Dr. Cassie Holmes, a happiness researcher, author and professor, shared how to make that happen in a recent episode of Humans Outside. But what does that mean on a practical, day-to-day level in Amy’s life? In this episode Amy talks about the small yet important changes Cassie’s advice and research has prompted in her own life. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
How to Make Time for Joy and Heading Outside (Dr. Cassie Holmes, happiness researcher)
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] What I’ve always focused on for time management
[1:00] A shift in how I thought about it
[1:22] My conversation with Dr. Cassie Holmes about this
[1:40] A little bit about “Happier Hour”
[2:35] Here’s how I reframed it and the resulting action
[3:10] The secret sauce is this (yet again)
[3:35] What I did about it this week
Time management can be used to make you more productive -- or it can be used to simply make your life better. Dr. Cassie Holmes, a happiness researcher, author and professor, shared how to make that happen in a recent episode of Humans Outside. But what does that mean on a practical, day-to-day level in Amy’s life? In this episode Amy talks about the small yet important changes Cassie’s advice and research has prompted in her own life. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
How to Make Time for Joy and Heading Outside (Dr. Cassie Holmes, happiness researcher)
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] What I’ve always focused on for time management
[1:00] A shift in how I thought about it
[1:22] My conversation with Dr. Cassie Holmes about this
[1:40] A little bit about “Happier Hour”
[2:35] Here’s how I reframed it and the resulting action
[3:10] The secret sauce is this (yet again)
[3:35] What I did about it this week
Authenticity is one of those whole-life emotional skills that makes a big difference. In a world that rewards us for putting our best foot forward every day and presenting that social media ready life, living authentically can be really hard. Learn how to align what’s really going on with you with good boundaries, and you might feel more settled and successful.
But can heading outside help you build an authentic and aligned life? Congruency coach Lori Halliday says it can, and leans on equine therapy to help her clients build those skills. In this episode Lori gives us a framework for understanding why authentic living matters and how spending time in nature can offer a gentle on ramp to learning how to do it.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Lori Halliday’s website
Follow Lori Halliday on Instagram
Follow Lori Halliday on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:02] Lori Halliday’s favorite outdoor space
[6:18] How Lori became someone who likes to go outside
[8:24] What is “congruency?”
[9:45] Why horses are perfect for learning this
[14:01] The link between heading outside and self-care
[17:09] The release brought by nature
[21:03] Why equine therapy helps build alignment
[31:04] Do you have to get this from a horse?
[39:00] Can you build a congruency muscle?
[41:00] Tips for doing this now
[45:00] Lori’s favorite outdoor gear
[49:14] Lori’s favorite outdoor moment
Authenticity is one of those whole-life emotional skills that makes a big difference. In a world that rewards us for putting our best foot forward every day and presenting that social media ready life, living authentically can be really hard. Learn how to align what’s really going on with you with good boundaries, and you might feel more settled and successful.
But can heading outside help you build an authentic and aligned life? Congruency coach Lori Halliday says it can, and leans on equine therapy to help her clients build those skills. In this episode Lori gives us a framework for understanding why authentic living matters and how spending time in nature can offer a gentle on ramp to learning how to do it.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Lori Halliday’s website
Follow Lori Halliday on Instagram
Follow Lori Halliday on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:02] Lori Halliday’s favorite outdoor space
[6:18] How Lori became someone who likes to go outside
[8:24] What is “congruency?”
[9:45] Why horses are perfect for learning this
[14:01] The link between heading outside and self-care
[17:09] The release brought by nature
[21:03] Why equine therapy helps build alignment
[31:04] Do you have to get this from a horse?
[39:00] Can you build a congruency muscle?
[41:00] Tips for doing this now
[45:00] Lori’s favorite outdoor gear
[49:14] Lori’s favorite outdoor moment
Maybe it’s part of the loss or grief process - first Amy was in denial about the changing season, then there was some anger and now there’s acceptance. Part of that acceptance is hunting for the good stuff, including the things she actually likes about fall. And doing that takes two steps. Listen to this episode to hear what those are, plus a quick preview of what’s coming for Humans Outside season 6.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] The problem with skipping the PSL
[1:30] My attachment is about to change
[1:54] What to do about the opposite problem
[2:18] Opening to hope
[2:36] 2 steps: a thought and a action
[4:30] A Season 6 preview - here is what’s coming
Maybe it’s part of the loss or grief process - first Amy was in denial about the changing season, then there was some anger and now there’s acceptance. Part of that acceptance is hunting for the good stuff, including the things she actually likes about fall. And doing that takes two steps. Listen to this episode to hear what those are, plus a quick preview of what’s coming for Humans Outside season 6.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] The problem with skipping the PSL
[1:30] My attachment is about to change
[1:54] What to do about the opposite problem
[2:18] Opening to hope
[2:36] 2 steps: a thought and a action
[4:30] A Season 6 preview - here is what’s coming
With a thousand demands on our time every day, it’s hard to find the space for even everything you absolutely have to do, much less the nice-to-haves. Time tracking exercises, productivity hacks and streamlining are all great, but they can feel like they don’t always leave time for the good stuff that makes you happy -- just time to fulfill more obligations.
So how do you find time for things that make you happy, like heading outside? And what role does going into nature play in happiness?
In this episode Dr. Cassie Holmes, a popular UCLA professor, happiness researcher and author of the new book Happier Hour shares with her best tips and insights on how to manipulate your time to make space -- real space -- for the things that make you happy.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:57] Is this just an Amy intervention?
[4:02] Why we can blame Amy’s mom
[5:34] Dr. Cassie Holme’s favorite outdoor space
[7:02] Why nature and joy is interesting
[10:08] All about time tracking and why what she suggests is different from normal methods
[13:00] The happiness difference between indoor and outdoor things
[18:26] What makes outside time happy
[25:03] How to actually make time happen for you
[29:00] What to do if you hate time tracking
[35:27] What to do with the info you tracked (or not)
[39:00] What to do if you get on track with time management but then fall off the wagon
[47:00] What this is really about -- a final nutshell takeaway
Connect with this episode:
Learn about Dr. Cassie Holmes
Read “Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time and Focus on What Matters Most”
Get Dr. Holme’s time tracking and time crafting sheets.
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
With a thousand demands on our time every day, it’s hard to find the space for even everything you absolutely have to do, much less the nice-to-haves. Time tracking exercises, productivity hacks and streamlining are all great, but they can feel like they don’t always leave time for the good stuff that makes you happy -- just time to fulfill more obligations.
So how do you find time for things that make you happy, like heading outside? And what role does going into nature play in happiness?
In this episode Dr. Cassie Holmes, a popular UCLA professor, happiness researcher and author of the new book Happier Hour shares with her best tips and insights on how to manipulate your time to make space -- real space -- for the things that make you happy.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:57] Is this just an Amy intervention?
[4:02] Why we can blame Amy’s mom
[5:34] Dr. Cassie Holme’s favorite outdoor space
[7:02] Why nature and joy is interesting
[10:08] All about time tracking and why what she suggests is different from normal methods
[13:00] The happiness difference between indoor and outdoor things
[18:26] What makes outside time happy
[25:03] How to actually make time happen for you
[29:00] What to do if you hate time tracking
[35:27] What to do with the info you tracked (or not)
[39:00] What to do if you get on track with time management but then fall off the wagon
[47:00] What this is really about -- a final nutshell takeaway
Connect with this episode:
Learn about Dr. Cassie Holmes
Read “Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time and Focus on What Matters Most”
Get Dr. Holme’s time tracking and time crafting sheets.
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
September 1, 2022 marked five full years of Amy’s 20 minutes outside daily habit, and it has her reflecting on some of the life skills she’s gained spending that many days -- 1,825 to be exact -- outside experiencing all nature has to offer. What can building a daily nature habit give to you, too? Listen now to find out.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] FIVE YEARS.
[1:04] My daily habit by the numbers
[2:45] Lesson one: my superpower
[3:55] Lesson two: I’m one tough cookie
[4:45] Lesson three: gratitude
[5:35] Yeah there’s other stuff too
[6:10] OK one more gift
September 1, 2022 marked five full years of Amy’s 20 minutes outside daily habit, and it has her reflecting on some of the life skills she’s gained spending that many days -- 1,825 to be exact -- outside experiencing all nature has to offer. What can building a daily nature habit give to you, too? Listen now to find out.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] FIVE YEARS.
[1:04] My daily habit by the numbers
[2:45] Lesson one: my superpower
[3:55] Lesson two: I’m one tough cookie
[4:45] Lesson three: gratitude
[5:35] Yeah there’s other stuff too
[6:10] OK one more gift
nd what it reminded her about handling the tough stuff when it appears. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Read “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” (because you know you want to)
Learn about the Lost Lake trail
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] In case you need a recap of “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”
[1:30] About the annual Lost Lake run
[2:07] What a ton - a TON - of rain does
[2:45] Here are your mud options in real life
[3:20] The temptation and what you eventually do
nd what it reminded her about handling the tough stuff when it appears. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Read “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” (because you know you want to)
Learn about the Lost Lake trail
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] In case you need a recap of “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”
[1:30] About the annual Lost Lake run
[2:07] What a ton - a TON - of rain does
[2:45] Here are your mud options in real life
[3:20] The temptation and what you eventually do
Whenever I explain why heading outside is so very good for creativity and the art of trying new things, I refer back to this conversation with positive psychologist Cordele Glass, one of my most favorite interviews for the podcast. I loved this conversation because it had a direct impact on how I think about the world and heading outside. I’m excited for you to hear it.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Exploring New Horizons Outdoor School
Follow Cordele Glass and his music on Instagram
Listen to Cordele’s podcast, Upward Acts
Some of the good stuff:
[2:25] Cordele Glass’s favorite outdoor space
[4:27] How definitions impacted his outdoor journey
[6:55] How he got into the study of positive psychology
[18:41] What is creativity?
[21:09] Does everyone have creativity within them?
[22:51] The difference between being creative and being good at something
[26:03] The impact of mindset
[29:35] How nature impacts creativity
[33:44] All about the upward spiral
[37:51] How spending time outside impacts the upward spiral
[43:23] Two ways listeners can increase their creativity outside
[48:13] Cordele’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[49:32] Cordele’s favorite outdoor moment
Whenever I explain why heading outside is so very good for creativity and the art of trying new things, I refer back to this conversation with positive psychologist Cordele Glass, one of my most favorite interviews for the podcast. I loved this conversation because it had a direct impact on how I think about the world and heading outside. I’m excited for you to hear it.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Exploring New Horizons Outdoor School
Follow Cordele Glass and his music on Instagram
Listen to Cordele’s podcast, Upward Acts
Some of the good stuff:
[2:25] Cordele Glass’s favorite outdoor space
[4:27] How definitions impacted his outdoor journey
[6:55] How he got into the study of positive psychology
[18:41] What is creativity?
[21:09] Does everyone have creativity within them?
[22:51] The difference between being creative and being good at something
[26:03] The impact of mindset
[29:35] How nature impacts creativity
[33:44] All about the upward spiral
[37:51] How spending time outside impacts the upward spiral
[43:23] Two ways listeners can increase their creativity outside
[48:13] Cordele’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[49:32] Cordele’s favorite outdoor moment
When the seasons change -- both literally and figuratively -- it’s easy to get stuck being sad about what was, what’s gone or what’s going. But as Amy remembered this week, sometimes a little shift towards gratitude can make the whole thing easier.
In this Outdoor Diary episode Amy remembers how to find that gratitude and why heading outside every day no matter what has given her the tools to do so. Listen now.
Some of the good stuff:
[:48] You know this about me
[:53] Have you met my boyfriend, Alaska summer?
[1:15] The problem with summer flings
[1:33] The status of that relationship
[2:20] Sadness is OK but then there’s this
[3:06] They’re back! My little buddies
[3:30] A changed perspective from gratitude
[4:45] What you can find on my feed right now
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Your journey to be and stay the kind of person who loves to head outside no matter the weather deserves all the support it can get. And Humans Outside Season 6 is here to make things interesting and inspirational, with insights from a parade of guests who know it because they live it. Coming soon!
Ever stopped to consider when the right time to start a new habit might be? In her book Happier at Home, Gretchen Rubin has a suggestion on when that is -- and Amy tends to agree. In this episode Amy talks about why now is a great time to try a new habit like going outside every day. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Gretchen Rubin on September is the other January
Some of the good stuff:
[:46] I’m a junky for this
[1:08] Why I decided to try this for a year
[1:24] How that got me to The Happiness Project, which is about this
[1:38] Gretchen Rubin’s second book gives this idea
[2:20] What she suggests instead of that other thing
[2:49] Which brought me to this
[3:08] And that has inspired me to suggest this
[3;22] Let’s have a party together!
[3:30] I made this help
[4:15] No regrets -- none
Today’s “Best Of” episode is all about walking with therapist Carmen Rendell, a UK-based walking enthusiast who takes her clients and herself outside to see what therapeutic help nature can bring. Those mornings and evenings of summer are the perfect time for taking a walk, and so I hope you find some inspiration in this “Best Of Humans Outside” episode.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:13] Carmen Rendell’s favorite outdoor space
[3:58] How Carmen became someone who likes to go outside
[6:16] How Soul Hub came to be
[17:15] The plan for walking the British Isles
[24:35] The gift of having flexible goals
[25:30] What is “walking therapy?”
[25:40] But first, what is “wizard school?”
[29:00] Why nature is a great therapy space
[32:47] How movement is important in walking therapy
[35:09] Why don’t all therapists offer walking therapy?
[38:03] How anyone can do walking therapy
[47:10] Carmen’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[48:49] Carmen’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Carmen Rendell on Instagram
Follow Carmen Rendell on Facebook
Learn more about Soul Hub
Follow Soul Hub on Twitter
There’s something funny that happens when you start spending more time outside: what you want out of life changes, too. In this episode Amy reflects on how spending time outside has shifted her priorities, and why her birthday is the perfect pause point to reflect on that shift.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] Have you noticed this about heading outside?
[:55] How it started for me
[1:28] How the mission creep started
[1:54] The shift from time to time, money and energy
[2:30] Why I’m thinking about this now
[3:00] What I used to do
[3:15] What I wanted to now
[4:20] And here’s what’s next
There’s dreaming, there’s preparing and then there’s doing. When it comes to big outdoor goals and adventures, dreaming and prepping take the most time -- but the doing is where you get to see if you have what it takes after all. In this week’s Outdoor Diary Amy dives into the race she’s been preparing for all season, why she decided to try the shorter distance instead of again tackling the race she dropped out of last year and how it all went. Listen now.
Some of the good stuff:
[:46] A little bit of background on my race
[1:34] What happened last time
[2:26] What I picked instead and why
[3:14] It started like this
[3:40] What you can see there
[4:15] What I was hoping to do
[4:40] What actually happened
[5:10] The sweet reward
[5:20] Tiny little snafu and rescue
[5:35] Zero stars to the burger place
[5:45] Bugs are rude
[6:00] 50 again?
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
If you have a kid or have been a kid, you’ve probably heard or uttered this phrase at some point over the summer. And even as adult, you may have lingered over the feeling of boredom, then quickly pivoted to something like picking up your phone or switching on the TV to ease that discomfort.
In this ‘best of’ episode we hear from author Michael Easter on his book The Comfort Crises: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self and why getting bored in nature makes you happier.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:31] Michael Easter’s favorite outdoor space
[4:47] How Michael became someone who likes to go outside
[7:18] What, exactly, the middle of nowhere in Alaska is like
[10:41] Why being open to stuff matters
[15:47] What it’s like to be out there for 33 days
[18:41] Why do we get bored?
[23:43] What does boredom do to your brain?
[27:47] What’s the intersection of discomfort, boredom and going outside?
[30:37] Why does it make us happier?
[33:05] Why do we shy away from risk and boredom?
[36:19] How do we insert boredom into our lives?
[38:52] How to get bored and stay bored
[44:07] Michael’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[50:37] Michael’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Visit Michael Easter’s website
Buy The Comfort Crises affiliate link
Follow Michael Easter on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
We do our best to roll with nature’s punches, but we’re definitely not ready for this warm, sunny and green relationship to be over. It’s only July, after all. But when push comes to shove, perhaps the ticking clock is inspirational. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:46] My buddies, the leaves
[1:25] What should be happening with my leaves
[1:50] A startling discovery
[2:12] We’re going to talk about it anyway
[2:26] What is “termination dust?”
[3:00] The bad news
[3:11] This brings us back to the leaves
[3:30] What that makes me do
[4:00] Please send good vibes thanks
Things are going summer crazy here at Humans Outside as we milk every hot second we can from the season. That’s why this week we’ve only got two things: one suggestion and one ask for help. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Email Amy at contact@humansoutside.com
Some of the good stuff:
[:46] What we’ve been up to
[1:04] A midsummer habit suggestion
[1:43] Why you should spend some cash
[2:25] We really need your help with this
As a part of our annual summer break, we’re re-publishing some of Humans Outside’s best episodes. This one certainly qualifies.
When Amy started her daily outdoor habit in 2017 she had no idea there was a whole world of others already tackling an outdoor effort of their own, formed around a different idea known as the 52 Hike Challenge. Through that program participants pledge to complete 52 hikes over a year.
The things its co-founder, Karla Amador, has learned over both her own journey of hiking and by helping people around the world participate in the challenge are about more than just hiking 52 times. They are also perfect for anyone looking to build and keep a new and challenging outdoor habit like the daily one we focus on at Humans Outside.
In this episode of Humans Outside Karla shares what she’s learned about outdoor habits by helping people complete their 52 Hikes, her own journey to spending time in nature and the insight and health it has given her.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:23] Karla Amador’s favorite outdoor place
[4:18] How Karla became a person who likes to go outside
[6:09] Nature as a healing tool
[7:12] How the 52 Hike Challenge was born
[13:41] What derails hikers from their goals
[18:21] Advice for building the habit
[25:16] Habit pitfalls
[31:20] The healing gift of being out in nature
[32:55] How to avoid those habit pitfalls
[37:46] How to get involved in 52 Hikes
[43:23] Karla’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[44:35] Karla’s favorite outdoor moment
Register for the 52 Hike Challenge
Follow 52 Hike Challenge on Instagram
Follow 52 Hike Challenge on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
How do you know where a good adventure stops and something that’s just not worth it starts? And can you tell when you’re avoiding something because it’s uncomfortable or if you’re avoiding it because it’s miserable and unnecessary, unrewarding suffering?
Those are the questions Amy is asking this week as she scraps a long-planned adventure while thinking about things she’s done that sound bad but end up being great in the end. So how can you make that decision?
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Read the Comfort Crises
Hear Michael Easter on the Humans Outside
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] As you know, I like predictability
[1:05] But sometimes I don’t
[1:25] Another thing to know
[1:40] One of the best things about going outside
[2:20] The problem with all of this
[2:45] What I am not doing while I record this
[3:30] Things I’m considering
[4:00] There really is a line
[4:07] But sometimes it’s not clear
[4:30] This one is really over the line
[4:45] Is there a good answer?
[5:30] The real key
What if instead of a “to do” list you made the opposite: a “not to do” list? Coming up with the things that should go on it is an exercise in self-awareness and the gift of perspective. And where can you really find that? Outside, of course! In this episode Amy discusses how she developed her “not to do” list and why heading into nature helped her make it happen.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:59] Why this matters
[1:05] A little bit of background
[2:15] The magic of unplugging trips
[2:45] My love of “to do” lists
[3:18] What is a “not to do” list?
[4:00] What belongs on a “not to do” list
[4:25] How I created my list
[4:45] Some stuff Im not going to do anymore
[5:40] What belongs on your list?
It’s summer break time at Humans Outside, which means it’s the perfect time for some “Best Of” episodes.
Today, LGBTQ outdoor advocate Mikah Meyer is known for his work representing his community and advocating for inclusion in nature. But that hasn’t always been the case. In fact, when Mikah set out on his journey to become the youngest person to visit the over 400 National Park units in the U.S., inclusivity advocacy wasn’t his goal at all.
MIkah’s story is not just one of growing into an advocacy role, it also is a perfect demonstration of how immersing ourselves in nature can help us discover what we really want to be doing with our lives and who we want to be doing it for. In this powerful interview Mikah reveals the steps on that journey, empowering us to find out our own whys just like he did.
Some of the good stuff:
[3:55] MIkah Meyer’s favorite outdoor space
[7:11] How MIkah became someone who likes to go outside
[9:30] The importance of the stories we tell ourselves
[10:43] Mikah’s original ‘why’
[17:20] Changing goals
[20:09] Finding his focus of advocacy
[26:05] Finding a vocation
[29:21] The role of nature in making that happen
[36:13] How that practice can help everyday life
[37:45] What’s next for Mikah
[44:07] Mikah’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
Connect with this episode:
Visit Mikah’s website
Follow Mikah on Instagram
Follow Mikah on Facebook
Follow Mikah on Twitter
It took months of planning, but Amy and her family headed out for a three-day, totally unplugged adventure in a dream Alaska spot: a wild lagoon off the coast in an Alaska State Park. From otters to birdsong, kayak trips to perhaps too many days without a shower, this adventure was a picturesque keeper in Halibut Cove Lagoon of Kachemak Bay State Park. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Hear Charles Wohlforth on Humans Outside
Hear The 3-Day Effect by Florence Williams
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] An important question
[:55] Why we were MIA
[1:25] All the planning for this
[2:00] How we got there and tide problems
[3:05] About the public use cabins in Alaska
[3:45] About the Halibut Cove Lagoon Overlook Cabin
[4:12] Here’s something weird about this place
[4:45] Wildlife center and some wildlife sounds for you
[5:50] What we did out there
[6:05] The 3-Day Effect and how to learn more about that
[6:50] Why these trips matter for me
Happy solstice! Summer solstice is a big deal in Alaska where there’s plenty of reason to celebrate the endless light. But midnight sun is not why Amy celebrates it, exactly. In this episode Amy talks about why the solstice is important to her -- and what she doesn’t do on it.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] The first thing you need to know
[1:00] What this means for endless light
[1:35] What I mean when I say I celebrate summer solstice
[2:28] Why I celebrate these things
[2:50] What the solstice means to me
[3:00] (Am I old?!)
[3:20] The patterns it brings
As you’re building a life around going outside, you might have found that making time to go outside is all about opting out of the things that don't matter to you so that you can opt into the things you do care about, like heading into nature.
This episode with bestselling author Cait Flanders is all about those choices. She joined us in October of last year to talk about her opt-out habit and I’m excited to re-share this episode with you.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Cait Flanders’ website
Buy Cait’s book, Adventures In Opting Out: A Field Guide to Leading an Intentional Life
Buy Cait’s book, The Year of Less
Listen to Cait’s podcast
Follow Cait on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[3:22] Cait’s favorite outdoor space
[4:54] How Cait became someone who likes to go outside
[7:59] All about her shopping ban
[16:46] Preparing for the stories you wish you were telling yourself
[18:38] The decision to opt-out
[24:37] The importance of helpers
[27:04] Where do you find such a helper?
[32:25] What hiking has to do with going outside
[36:56] Can you pursue life with a nature emphasis without opting out?
[41:00] Does spending time in nature help you understand your opt-out choices?
[43:27] Tips for opting out
[52:03] Cait’s favorite outdoor gear
[55:34] Cait’s favorite outdoor moment
You know how much Amy loves her small town and all the festivals and outdoor events it hosts. Thanks to one of the annual summer festivals, she’s been thinking about the ways nature creates a sense of place, and why that matters to her. Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] The place understanding created by going outside
[:55] A reminder that I love where I live (as if you forgot)
[1:39] Why a sense of place matters
[1:55] Lessons from a morning in town
[2:28] What other people have to do with this
[2:53] The emotional connection to the changes of nature
[3:40] The appreciation that drives it
[4:10] The safety of pattern
[4:30] The recent festival that was a reminder of all this
If your summer is heating up, you might be tempted to hide out in your cool and comfortable house instead of going outside. But just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean you can’t head into nature and have a great time. You just need the tools and tips to make it happen. And then there’s the kind of heat you’re dealing with. Hot and humid is one thing, but what about hot and dry? Since dealing with those different kinds of summer heat can utilize different tricks, we’ve split this subject into two episodes: one on hot and dry and one on hot and humid. In this episode Cassidy Feltenberger, an outdoor enthusiast who loves to play in the desert, shares her best tips for getting outside safely and comfortably in the dry, baking heat.
Connect with this episode:
Connect with Cassidy Feltenberger on Instagram
Connect with Cassidy Feltenberger on LinkedIn
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:00] Cassidy Feltenberger’s favorite outdoor space
[4:09] How Cassidy became someone who likes to go outside
[6:15] How she learned to go outside in the heat
[7:45] How do you get used to it?
[13:07] What to wear in the heat
[16:15] But does anyone actually use the zip-off pant part?
[18:49] Making hot weather pants multi-season
[23:28] All about sunburns
[26:49] Hydrating and more
[31:33] All about the good snacks
[33:21] Keeping busy in the heat
[37:15] Secret sunscreen tip
[40:44] Cassidy’s favorite outdoor gear
[41:53] Cassidy’s favorite outdoor moment
What does it take to create summer moments so memorable, they feel like magic? That’s what Amy has been thinking about as they take on the warm, endless sunlight summer days in Alaska. She noticed that all of her best summer memories have two things in common. Learn what they are in this episode of the Humans Outside Outdoor Diary.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:50] What makes for a great summer memory?
[1:08] Core memories are like this
[2:39] 2 things core summer memories have in common
[2:50] Here’s the first thing
[3:30] Here’s two examples
[5:00] Here’s the second thing
[6:17] Testing the theory
Going outside in hot weather can feel oppressive, suffocating and, well, not that fun. But with a little preparation and thought the hot seasons can be just as enjoyable as their cooler counterparts. But how do you dress, eat, and play to make that happen? In this episode of Humans Outside, Joe Jacobs, cycling enthusiast and owner, owner of ArkansasOutside.com joins us from the hot humid state of Arkansas in the southern U.S. to share his best tips and tricks for getting outside and having a great time no matter how hot the weather gets.
Connect with this episode:
Visit ArkansasOutside.com
Find Joe on Arkansas Outside on Facebook
Follow Arkansas Outside on Instagram
Following Arkansas Outside on Twitter
Find Joe Jacobs on LinkedIn
Some of the good stuff:
[3:37] Joe Jacob’s favorite outdoor space
[4:32] How Joe became someone who likes to go outside
[6:26] What Joe does outside now
[7:42] Just how hot is it in Arkansas?
[9:28] How to get used to that heat
[12:04] Is heat harder than cold?
[13:45] How to dress for the heat
[15:44] Why cotton is all the evil
[18:04] Comfort is key
[21:01] Baggy vs fitted clothes
[23:22] Finding the breeze
[24:58] The power of a fan
[26:02] The power of cold towels
[28:51] The importance of snacks
[34:01] Did you forget a hat?
[34:56] OK but what should you do when it’s hot?
[40:44] You really will get used to it
[41:34] Joe’s favorite outdoor gear
[44:13] Joe’s favorite outdoor memory
When school is out and so is the sun, it can feel like a waste to spend the day inside. But soaring temperatures can make getting outside just seem so hard -- especially if you’re trying to take children with you for more than just some fun in the backyard.
How do you get outside with kids in the heat, avoid the meltdowns -- literally and figurative -- and have an enjoyable and enriching time?
Adventure mom India Tate makes a lifestyle of getting out for adventures with her two little boys. And since she lives in Atlanta, Georgia, she knows what hot looks and feels like. In this episode she shares her best tips and tricks for making it through hot adventures with her family.
Connect with this episode:
Follow India Tate on Instagram
Follow India Tate on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:44] How India Tate became someone who likes to go outside
[6:12] How she started getting her kids outside, too.
[8:35] Mini golf league?
[10:24] Keeping kids cool through what they wear
[14:57] Keeping it cheap
[16:40] All about shoes
[18:00] We are strongly pro-snack
[23:40] Tricky water and hydration
[27:27] Getting ready for that hot weather
[32:48] Tricks for hot summer day fun
[38:40] How to get ready for all kinds of heat
[44:19] Favorite outdoor gear
[46:57] India’s favorite outdoor moment
With warm temperatures and all the sunshine, Amy is ready for summer in Alaska. And she knows summer is the perfect time for you to try two outdoor-related challenges. Hear what they are and how you can get involved in this episode of the Humans Outside Outdoor Diary. Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Episode 20: The Powerful Connection of Movement, Nature & Grief (Lisa Hallett)
Wear blue: run to remember Memorial Day registration
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] One thing to know about Amy
[1:12] Secret background of the original Humans Outside challenge
[2:09] Something for you to think about
[3:00] Where to find more about the Humans Outside challenge
[3:15] A new challenge for everyone around Memorial Day
[3:35] Why Memorial Day is important to Amy’s family
[3:50] The point of Memorial Day
[4:25] How you can mark Memorial Day
Simple and Easy Ways to ‘Rewild’ Your Life by Going Outside (Micah Mortali)
It can be easy to think of practices like rewilding and mindfulness as being habits of only extra-zen, nature-based people. But if you’re someone who likes to go outside or is building an outdoor habit, they are probably already a part of what you’re doing, at least a little.
So how can you do it more? And if you don’t think you’ve added them, how can you make them happen while balancing a modern life?
In this episode Micah Mortali, rewilding expert and dean of the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership, shares his insights and tips of rewilding, mindfulness and even meditation. Author of the book “Rewilding, Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature,” Micah’s extra-practical tips make a rewilding habit accessible for any outdoor-lover.
Connect with this episode:
Buy “Rewilding, Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature” by Micah Mortali (affiliate link)Follow Micah’s school, Kripalu, on Instagram
Listen to Brene Brown talk with Dr. Amishi Jha about productivity and meditation
Visit Kripalu’s website
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Some of the good stuff:
[1:52] Why this recording is a little different
[2:41] Micah Mortali’s favorite outdoor space
[4:41] Amy’s regular moment of mindfulness
[5:16] What Micah thinks about that moment
[6:34] How Micah became someone who likes to go outside
[9:32] The spiritual connection of nature and how it’s weird some religions are confused
[10:55] Other Christian faith traditions and nature
[13:42] What is “rewilding?”
[20:45] How a nature draw plays out for city-dwellers
[23:35] Mindfulness and task-focus in nature
[29:56] The challenge of meditation for focused people
[32:22] How rewilding and mindfulness fit into a daily nature habit
[37:02] What the pandemic taught us about rewilding
[40:27] Simple tips for rewilding and mindfulness in nature
[42:47] Micah’s favorite outdoor moment
Don’t like what’s going on outside? Wait awhile, power through and it will change. That’s just part of the truth about seasons Amy is clinging to -- and an important lesson she’s learned -- as she deals with a fresh running injury.
How does heading into nature and understanding outdoor seasons help with the rest of our lives? Hear about it in this episode of Amy’s regular Humans Outside Outdoor Diary.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] Good and bad habits
[1:10] The problem with ankles
[1:50] What Amy missed this month
[2:20] Things learned instead
[2:30] Risk is inevitable
[2:52] Get friends like this
[3:35] The important thing about seasons
[4:02] The good and not so good things about fireweed
Depending on your background of using nature and heading outside, you might think of spending time outdoors as something you go do instead of something that’s on the other side of your front door.
And if you do make a habit of going into the nature that’s close to home, you might be tempted to think that the same-old, same-old isn’t as good as shaking it up and going somewhere news and different.
Dr. Kathleen Wolf has made a career of researching human use of nature and its benefits as a research social scientist at the school of environmental and forest sciences at the University of Washington. She joined in Season 3 for an overview of how much time in nature is really useful (spoiler alert, it’s about 20 minutes a day!). And in this episode she talks about the benefits of nearby nature and how to get the most out of it.
Connect with this episode
Learn more about Dr. Kathleen Wolf
Read Dr. Kathleen Wolf’s long term project, “Green Cities: Good Health”
Find Dr. Kathleen Wolf on LinkedIn
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:54] What Kathy’s been doing since we last spoke
[7:54] What is nearby nature?
[10:31] What people think of as nature and why making generalizations isn’t a good idea
[15:23] What nearby nature factors appeal to people?
[19:44] The role of mindfulness in nearby nature
[22:45] Is there any benefit to doing the same thing in nature over and over?
[25:37] What it’s like to stare at the same tree for 70 minutes
[27:33] What Amy has learned by doing the same thing over and over again
[33:33] How people can create a great nearby nature experience no matter where they are
[41:40] Why nature is like nutrition
It’s hard to ignore the song of the returning light and warming weather -- especially after a winter of darkness and cold. You aren’t just drawn to it. it’s like a magnet.
In this Outdoor Diary episode Amy discusses a series of moments that happen over the creeping of spring that let her know that summer really is right around the corner, and the days of winter are in the past.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] How dark was it really?
[:57] How you notice the darkness at all
[1:25] Hint: it’s sneaky
[1:42] The light is the ticket
[2:03] The Day of Blinding Light
[2:33] The warm and sweet day
[3:10] The day when it’s only light
[3:27] “Green Day”
[4:00] Why this matter
Among the lifestyle challenges of living in a city are finding ways to create nature spaces near your home. While many city community green spaces are in the form of parks, everything from their upkeep to ease of access varies widely. And those spaces often aren’t designed with a focus on what the community needs or who lives and plays there, creating a block for use by all.
In Washington, D.C. the organization City Blossoms is working to change that by creating garden spaces focused on youth involvement across the city. With two of their core values focused on diversity and equity, the organization partners with communities to create gardens that don’t just live in the neighborhood, but are centered around its needs.
In this episode, Rafael Woldeab, City Blossom’s executive director, shares his organization’s mission, why it matters and how outdoor-lovers anywhere can use what City Blossoms has learned to connect them with nature right where they are.
Connect with this episode:
Learn more about City Blossoms
Find City Blossoms on Facebook
Follow City Blossoms Instagram
Follow City Blossoms on Twitter
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:54] How Rafael Woldeab became someone who likes to go outside
[5:05] Why the National Arboretum is a good example of nature inequity
[10:19] What is City Blossoms?
[18:31] Should we focus our resources on community gardens or curated garden spaces?
[20:32] Why diversity and inclusion are central to gardening
[26:23] Why do gardens matter?
[33:51] What gardening can teach you about life
[36:52] How anyone can experience the power of gardens
[44:01] Rafael’s favorite outdoor gear
[45:44] Rafael’s favorite outdoor moment
When was the last time you let curiosity be your guide as you headed outside? It can be easy to stuff that sense of wondering down and fall victim to box checking or making it to the destination. Curiosity, as cliche as it sounds, is what lets you enjoy the journey.
In this Outdoor Diary Amy explores the simple way she’s been working to let curiosity drive her decisions outside -- and why you might want to do the same.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] The destruction of a windstorm leads to curiosity
[1:21] What this meant near Amy
[1:50] Getting dirty and into it
[2:26] Adults are bad at this
[2:46] What might happen if you’re fueled by wondering
[3:13] Why Amy is thinking about this
[3:54] Following curiosity to a debris field
Simple. Boring. Tired. You might think of just going for a regular walk as being something only people with nothing better to do make a part of their daily lives.
But what if going for a walk isn’t only an easy way to spend time outside, but also one that’s so varied and beneficial that understanding the practice is a matter of scientific research?
Author Annabel Streets was so startled by how much better she felt when she started going for walks that she researched the science behind what was happening and wrote a book about it. The result, 52 Ways to Walk, details out -- you guessed it -- 52 different ways to go for a walk and all of the research behind the benefits of each one.
In this episode of Humans Outside, Annabel shares her least and most favorite ways to walk, her walking journey, and why any of it should matter to you.
Connect with this episode:
Read 52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy, One Week at a Time (affiliate link)
Follow Annabel Streets on Instagram
Follow Annabel Streets on Twitter
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:59] Annabel Street’s favorite outdoor space
[3:36] How Annabel became someone who likes to go outside and also go for walks
[7:07] Why she started researching walking
[8:14] Was it hard to find 52 ways?
[8:52] Why people avoid walking
[9:23] Her favorite new way to walk
[12:19] Amy’s night experience
[16:44] What people always think about walking
[18:43] Her least favorite way to walk
[19:39] Another perfect and underappreciated walking favorite
[24:18] Ways to walk that didn’t make it into the book
[30:38] Want to start walking? Here’s how.
[35:06] Annabel’s favorite outdoor gear
[36:49] Annabel’s favorite outdoor memory
Spending a lot of time outdoors? You might find that you’ve started caring about the environment more than you used to. While Amy was a kid, “environmentalism” was seen by her family as a bad thing. But today she knows loving nature means taking care of it. And so she’s started doing some simple tasks to put those feelings into action. Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Episode 198: How to Maximize Your Outdoor Life While Creating a Minimalist Lifestyle (Meg Carney)
Some of the good stuff:
[:50] What environmentalism was to Amy growing up
[1:58] How she thinks about environmentalism now
[2:14] Why spending time outside makes you care about the environment
[3:00] The selfishness of loving the environment
[3:22] What this has to do with “leave no trace”
[3:45] What it has to do with buying used stuff
[4:00] What it has to do with how you spend your time
No matter where you live you probably regularly see at least one kind of animal outside your window: birds. City or country, birds serve the ecosystem while providing humans with beauty, curiosity and entertainment.
And if you spend any time noticing them, you are already participating in birding. Feeling curious and want to learn more about these feathered friends? That’s where today’s guest, Yamina Nater-Otero, comes in. As a program coordinator for Audubon New York based in New York City, she knows that you don’t need to live somewhere with big forests or nearby mountains to learn about and watch birds. And in her role as secretary for Amplify the Future, she knows you also don’t need to look a certain way or come from any special background to participate. Birding and all of nature is for everyone.
In this episode of Humans Outside Yamina talks to us about how literally anyone can become a birder and the importance of birds in the use of nearby nature.
Connect with this episode:
Learn more about Audubon New York
Learn more about Amplify the Future
Find Audubon New York on Instagram
Follow Yamina Nater-Otero on Instagram
Audubon Bird Guide app
Merlin app
iNaturalist app
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:04] Yamina Nater-Otero’s favorite outdoor space
[4:11] How Yamina became someone who likes to go outside
[5:39] How she got into birding
[7:12] What is her favorite bird and, also, is it possible to have a favorite bird?
[8:09] Amy’s favorite bird
[11:46] How birding was an outdoor gateway
[13:58] Misconceptions about birding
[18:20] What is a birder?
[22:49] Useful bonus items for birding
[24:17] What kind of binoculars to buy if you want some
[26:39] How to create a happy bird space
[29:48] How to get started with birding
[32:07] How birding might be a gateway activity
[35:17] Birding can even make you love this place
[38:10] Yamina’s favorite outdoor gear
[39:24] Yamina’s favorite outdoor moment
As so many faith traditions celebrate holy days in the spring, Amy has been thinking about the spirituality of heading outside and the ways her faith background misses the boat on understanding and appreciating spirituality in nature.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Text of Psalm 23
Some of the good stuff:
[:47] Is nature spiritual?
[1:03] Why we rarely talk about spirituality on Humans Outside
[2:05] The mistake of some faith traditions
[3:27] Where the Bible talks about the spiritual connection of nature
[3:58] A scripture connection to nature
If you spend time with nature you might start to feel like the great outdoors is a friend that you want to take extra care of. Even if you’ve been interested in conservation before, it might now seem more personal, more important. But spending time outside also means you’re using nature more than you used to. So how can you maximize your time in nature while also creating a minimalist lifestyle? Today’s guest, Meg Carney, offers help for environmentally-minded outdoor uses through her podcast Outdoor Minimalist and upcoming book of the same title. Connect with this episode:
Learn about Outdoor Minimalist
Follow Outdoor Minimalist on Instagram
Follow Outdoor Minimalist on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:51] Meg Carney’s favorite outdoor space
[4:01] How Meg learned to love to go outside
[5:54] Why people get into conservation
[7:15] What is “minimalism?”
[11:45] Meg’s book and podcast
[13:55] How to be a minimalist without also living in a tiny house
[23:40] Does one person’s minimalism matter in the big picture?
[30:00] How should the outdoor industry fit into this?
[36:34] Simple steps you can take towards minimalism right now
[40:00] Meg’s favorite outdoor gear
[44:30] Meg’s favorite outdoor moment
The great thing about nature is that it will always have what you need. But how do you know what that is? In this episode, Amy talks about a little bit of her journey to understand how to get what she needs from heading outside.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] How seeking what I need got started
[2:00] The unique thing about a relationship with nature
[2:11] Why you’re not actually giving anything back so don’t say you are
[2:25] Why nature is like a buffet
[3:00] How people figure out what they need
[3:40] What you really have to do
[3:51] What I’ve been up to
If you love heading outside like it's your job, you might start looking for ways to make that literally true. If that’s you, you’re not alone -- it’s the inspiration behind the careers of many members of the outdoor industry. But how do you make the jump from one industry to another? And is making nature your job a good idea?
Those are just some of the questions Jenna Celmer helps address through the outdoor industry job company Basecamp Outdoor and its Facebook-based networking group. In this episode Jenna talks through the why and how of making the jump into the outdoor industry.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Basecamp online
Find Basecamp on Facebook
Follow Base Camp on Instagram
Follow Jenna Celmer on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:31] Jenna Celmer’s favorite outdoor space
[4:01] How Jenna became someone who likes to go outside
[7:05] What is Base Camp?
[8:27] How Jenna got involved in Base Camp
[12:51] Creating accountability in the outdoor industry
[15:50] Why it’s easy for people in the outdoor industry to be taken advantage of
[20:00] Why does going outside make you want to make it a job?
[22:41] Is it easy to break into the outdoor industry?
[24:41] How to break into the outdoor industry
[27:17] What is networking?
[30:44] What does Jenna tell people who want to get into the outdoor industry
[34:04] What to expect in the outdoor industry
[35:03] Tips for breaking into the outdoor industry
What are your expectations for yourself? For how you get outside? For what you find there? For what you do there?
As the weathers changes into spring and summer, it’s easy to look outside and expect yourself to want to be there more or experience certain things when you get out there. But what would happen if you simply listened to yourself instead? In this Outdoor Diary episode, Amy talks about getting outside without self-judgment and how hard it is for her to do so.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] The deal with expectations
[1:10] What the real problem is
[1:29] What I can control
[2:04] The balancing act
[3:13] Start listening
[4:37] Why spending 20 outside is perfect for this
[5:22] What I’m working on
[5:40] What I’m doing outside now
Spend enough time outside and you’ll start to notice all of the things growing around you -- and that some of those things look delicious. From greens to berries, to gardening, fishing and evening raising chickens, nature in your backyard can be full of food. For today’s guest Tamar Haspel, the possibilities of gathering or growing at least a portion of her own meals, an experience she calls “first-hand food,” became the spark for a personal challenge to eat at least one thing she sourced herself each day for a year. In this episode Tamar talks about first-hand food, how growing and sourcing it connected her with spending time outside and how you can get started on a first-hand food journey, too. Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Visit Tamar Haspel’s website
Read Tamar’s book, “To Boldly Grow” (affiliate link)
Some of the good stuff:
[2:41] Tamar Haspel’s favorite outdoor space
[3:47] How Tamar became someone who likes to go outside
[6:14] Tracking her first-hand food challenge
[8:10] Going from city-dweller to farmer
[9:33] Best and worst first-hand food experiences
[11:59] Why first-hand food is such an appealing idea
[14:17] Don’t be afraid of foraging, Amy
[17:54] How to balance first-hand food around the rest of your life
[19:43] Amy is a first-hand mooch
[25:07] How first-hand food has changed Tamar’s experience of nature
[27:41] Has it changed how she feels about her place in nature?
[31:23] Why first-hand food doesn't have to be extreme
[32:52] Is there a middle ground and what is it?
[33:50] How to get help doing it
[38:32] Tips for getting started
[39:34] Tamar’s favorite outdoor gear
[40:33] Tamar’s favorite outdoor memory
We all have a type of weather we just really can’t stand. But what if you paused to find a reason to at least appreciate it? What would you find?
In this Outdoor Diary episode, Amy talks about her recent experience learning to like the notorious wind in her part of Alaska.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] The wind as an Alaska origin story
[2:32] The wind comes off the what?
[3:39] Getting over it
[4:08] Finding yourself in the wind and what to do about it
[5:07] What you might notice
If you’ve picked up an outdoor habit or are tackling the Humans Outside 365 Challenge, you may have puzzled over how much time you want to spend outside every day. 15 minutes? 30 minutes? An hour? Or, like Amy, maybe you’re shooting for 20 consecutive minutes. When Amy picked that 20 minute goal it was based on a little research she had read about outdoor time “dosage,” combined with picking a time she thought she could actually do. Since that time a host of research has come out about just how much time outside each week is beneficial. In this “best of” episode, social scientist Dr. Kathleen Wolf dives into just how much time outside makes a difference and why. Dr. Wolf is joining us again for another episode in Season 5, so now is the perfect time to catch up on what she told us the first time she came on the show.
Kathy holds a Phd in landscape architecture and environmental psychology from the University of Michigan and now does research at the University of Washington, where she’s spent more than two decades researching the way spending time outside impacts those who do so. That makes her the perfect person for us to talk to on Humans Outside.
Here’s that original episode from 2021.
Connect with this episode:
Learn more about Dr. Kathleen Wolf
Read Dr. Kathleen Wolf’s long term project, “Green Cities: Good Health”
Find Dr. Kathleen Wolf on LinkedIn
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[1:49] Dr. Kathleen Wolf’s favorite outdoor space
[4:16] Kathy’s journey to outdoor researcher
[6:58] What the research says about nature making you feel better
[9:24] What the research says about spending 20 minutes outside a day
[12:26] Is Amy too worried about dosage or doing something different every day?
[25:41] Does what you do outside matter?
[28:18] Is some of Amy’s outside time worthless?
[32:23] A Seatac airport secret - shhh don’t tell
[34:56] How people can get the most of their outdoor time
[39:07] Kathy’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[43:11] Kathy’s favorite outdoor moment
It happens: sometimes life is just busy. So how do you make time to go outside when you’re busy? How do you keep it a priority? How do you fit it in? In this Outdoor Diary episode Amy talks about how she fits her outdoor time into every day no matter what, and gives you a few tips for how you can do so, too.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:47] Why it’s hard to get outside
[1:45] Tips for making it happen
[1:47] Write it down
[2:37] Be specific
[4:03] Remember your why
My favorite Humans Outside interviews are with people who teach me lessons so memorable that I find myself thinking about them months later when I’m outside. My interview with Max Romey was one of these, and why I’ve selected it as a “Best Of” episode.
There is no stopping Max Romey -- not when he’s painting, not when he’s filming, not when he’s running and not when he’s doing all three at exactly the same time. What he creates is better than brilliant and it’s better than art: it’s inspiration. In this episode Max shares with us his why, his world and insights into how you can find for yourself the same life fire he feels and the push to great creative in nature.
Good Stuff
[2:11] Max Romey’s favorite outdoor space
[3:00] How Max became a person who heads outside
[5:45] How Max sees storytelling
[7:08] Max describes his art
[12:34] How Max found his place in the world
[19:17] How nature unlocks creativity
[27:02] How 2020 changed Max’s projects and what he’s working on now
[31:25] Proof Amy is very bad at Alaska state history
[38:40] How heading outside can help non-artists tap their creativity
[44:17] Max’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[47:41] Max’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect
Follow Max Romey on Instagram
Follow Max’s Trail Bound Sketches work on Instagram
Follow Max Romey Productions on Facebook
Favorite outdoor gear: A jacket with a great chest pocket (we like this one from Outdoor Research) and a travel size sketchpad and watercolor set.
Most essential outdoor gear: A great running vest or backpack (this Adv Skin 12 from Salomon is still our favorite).
Just because nature is right outside your front door doesn’t mean everything you want to do in it must be done alone or leaning only on your own experience and knowledge. There’s a world of people out there who want to assist you if you just ask them. That can be a hard mindset for Amy, who likes to do things on her own. But asking for a little help has made her outdoor time much better than it was when she was trying to fly solo. In this episode she talks about two easy ways you can get help with heading outside.
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] Amy’s solo mindset
[1:15] Why asking for help can make outdoor time better
[2:15] The first kind of outdoor help
[3:59] A second type of help
[5:00] Help from the Humans Outside 365 Challenge
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Even if you know next to nothing about Alaska, you’ve probably still heard of the annual Iditarod sled dog race, where teams of mushers travel with their dogs hundreds of miles across frozen alaska, racing to the remote town of Nome. The race kicks off the first weekend of March with a festival known as Fur Rendezvous or Fur Rondy.
Mushing is more than a sport-- it’s a lifestyle. And it puts those racing it into extremely isolated, middle of nowhere, survival situations as they make their way from Willow to Nome. So I wanted to know what that’s like, and how it connects the musher to nature. And to learn that, I brought on the podcast Kristy and Anna Berington, identical twin Iditarod racers.
If you’re listening to this in early March when I’m releasing it, Kristy and Anna are both out there racing their individual dog teams as you’re hearing this. And now you can hear our conversation from 2021 for a little bit of insight into what makes dog racing special, as well as the nuts and bolts of how it works. Kristy and Anna Berington’s kennel, Seeing Double Sled Dog Racing Follow Kristy and Anna on Instagram
Learn about the Iditarod race
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Good stuff:
[2:36] Kristy and Anna Berington’s favorite outdoor space
[6:40] What is dog racing?
[8:09] All about sled dogs
[10:12] Is mushing cruel to dogs?
[16:41] What do sled dogs eat?
[19:17] What is the iditarod?
[22:24] What are the costs of dog racing?”
[24:38] How dog racing connects them with nature
[30:15] About their relationship with the dogs
[33:14] Can you replicate the experience of dog racing in another way?
[35:58] How to have the same experience with nature
[37:03] Kristy and Anna’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[41:39] Their favorite outdoor moment
If you’ve been contemplating an outdoor habit, you may have fallen into a trap Amy constantly finds herself in: thinking you have to go all in. So what’s the real deal? In this episode of Amy’s Outdoor Diary, she talks about her own “all in” habit and how it keeps her from trying new things.
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] What does “all in” mean to Amy?
[1:25] What all in looks like in Amy’s life
[2:00] Why thinking about going all in might stop you from trying
[2:15] The dangers of this mindset for Amy
[2:41] Lessons from a recent interview
[4:20] Don’t let this thinking keep you from doing this
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Read Tamar Haspel’s new book “To Boldly Grow” (affiliate link)
Note: Human error got the best of me, and despite actually discussing with Carl during our interview (before recording) the difference between astrology and astronomy, I proceeded to use the wrong term in the title of this podcast episode and throughout the post and podcast notes. Carl Gawboy is an astronomer. The below has been corrected. Thank you for understanding!
Modern American culture uses Greek mythology to refer to stars and constellations in the night sky. But a rich tradition of Natvie American astronomy and indigenous star stories is out there, too, waiting for us to learn it. Better yet? Native American astronomy and learning star stories can help us chart the seasons and help us enjoy heading outside. In this episode of Humans Outside Carl Gawboy, a Native American astronomy, Native Skywatchers elder and Ojibwe artist based in Minnesota, guides us through his groundbreaking work in Ojibwe star stories and what they can mean to us today. At almost 80, Carl shares a lifetime of work, study and cultural understanding with us.
Learn about Native Skywatchers
Learn about Carl Gawboy’s art
Read the Forest Service pamphlet that doesn’t recognize the star stories
Learn more about the Hegman Lake pictographs
The Sun Dagger documentary
Talking Sky by Carl Gawboy and Ron Mortin
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Bad attitudes and not feeling like doing something are just a part of life. So is facing conditions or circumstances that aren’t fun or pleasant. And when it comes to those things being a part of your outdoor habit? There is a reason you should move into them head-on and do the thing anyway. Amy’s been thinking about two reasons that’s true as she battles through some of her own bad attitude feelings, and talks about them in this episode of Humans Outside. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:45] A Spring-ish confession
[1:20] What “over it” means right now
[2:30] Why this is when you need to be out there
[2:50] The muscle you build when you get out there
[3:40] The outside time you’ll absolutely regret
How’s the end of winter going for you? Across the northern hemisphere hints of spring are popping up, with daffodils and flowers pushing through the ground. That’s even true in Alaska, where the longer daylight and temperatures closer to 30 than to 10 are warming things up and offering glimmers of hope, even if they do come between arctic blasts and falling snow. In this Outdoor Diary episode Amy walks through the power of those hints and why it’s important to seize them when it comes.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
“Van life.” Sounds like something fancy for someone else, right? Someone who doesn’t have a job, or commitments, or a family, or stability, or … or… or.
Wrong! Using a camping van or having longterm adventures doesn't have to just be for other people. It can be something normal people just like you use to get closer to nature near and far.
This week’s guest Kristen Bor knows that’s true because she’s lived all version of van life as part of her work on her website Bearfoot Theory. On this episode of Humans Outside, Kristen shares with us her best tips for making van life a part of your regular outdoor adventures.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Bearfoot Theory: https://bearfoottheory.com/
Visit Open Roads Fest: https://openroadsfest.com/
Follow Bearfoot Theory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearfoottheory/
Follow Bearfoot Theory on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bearfoottheory
Join the Humans Outside Challenge: https://humansoutside.com/challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansoutside
What happens when you take your date day outside? As Amy knows all too well, it can go horribly wrong or be really great. The difference? Communication. In this Outdoor Diary episode Amy talks about two very different ski dates, and why one worked but the other failed spectacularly.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Episode 18 with Corie Weathers: How Nature Can Help Your Relationships
If you’ve ever experienced a broken heart, you know how dramatically it can impact all aspects of your life. The ending of a relationship or loss of a loved one can be a traumatic, emotional rollercoaster than can last years. And in the midst of it you’ll likely find yourself wondering exactly how to make the pain stop and when it will stop hurting.
Heartbreak is both the subject and title of a new book by journalist Florence Williams. You might remember Florence from her work on one of her previous books, The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative. She joined us to talk about the book in a previous episode of Humans Outside. In her new book Heartbreak (and the immersive audio book) Florence pairs her own experience with the kind of research she’s known for, and in the process lays out a map for using nature to heal from a broken heart.
In this episode Florence talks about her experience healing from heartbreak by heading outside and gives us our own personal how-to on doing so in our lives, too.
Connect with this episode:
Read or listen to Heartbreak by Florence Williams (affiliate link)
Hear Florence Williams’ previous episode on Humans Outside
Listen to Amy and Luke Bushats with Florence on the Outside Magazine podcast
Follow Florence Williams on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
The Humans Outside podcast hits its two-year anniversary this week. Two years! That’s two years of episodes with outdoor-minded guests who have taught Amy (and you) countless lessons about heading into nature. In this episode hear about why the Humans Outside podcast got started and just some of the things Amy has learned through podcasting for two years.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (affiliate link)
Imagine this: you live in a city or very urban environment, maybe close enough to a major highway that you can hear it, or far away enough from a space you consider a park to make heading there every day seem impossible. You can’t imagine really enjoying being outside all the time where you live because it’s just so not “nature.”
If that sounds familiar or like it could be you, Claire Dunn is just who you need. Author of “Rewilding the Urban Soul: Searching for the Wild in the City,” Claire is an Australia-based rewilding and urban nature expert who joined us to talk about what it takes to find nature wherever you are.
Connect with this episode:
Find Claire Dunn online
Buy Claire’s book (affiliate link)
Find Claire on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Disliking new things doesn’t make you weak or scared -- it makes you normal. But the good news is that nature is the perfect tool for teaching us to be OK with the new and uncomfortable. Why is that? And how has it impacted Amy? In this week’s Outdoor Diary, Amy talks about why heading outside makes it easier to try new things in all parts of life, plus the new thing she’s finally working on. Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Episode 99 with Cordele Glass “How Heading Outside Makes Your Brain More Creative”
Getting outside with kids looks pretty easy and fun if you’re basing your expectations on social media photos. Delightfully grubby kids frolic through a meadow near a perfectly set-up campsite, and zero people are throwing a temper tantrum or muddling through a poor night of sleep. Also, they all look warm.
But of course that’s not the full picture. Getting to that moment required overcoming all sorts of challenges from mindset to using the appropriate gear. And when you think about getting your own kids out for adventure, you might see those challenges and simply feel, well, tired. I mean who wants to deal with a crying kid in the middle of nowhere when you could deal with a crying kid in the comfort of your home instead?
Today’s guest, Heather Balogh Rochfort, has made a lifestyle and career out of getting herself out for adventures and, since the birth of her daughter, doing so with her whole family. Now she offers advice for parents who want to overcome those obstacles in practical, normal-person ways.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside 365 Challenge
Visit Heather Balogh Rochfort’s website
Learn more about Wild Kind
Follow Heather on Instagram
Follow Wild Kind on Instagram
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This month Amy hit 1,600 days in a row spending at least 20 consecutive minutes outside. Along the way she learned two important lessons about what happens when you encounter something you don’t like. Hear what she learned on this week’s Outdoor Diary podcast episode.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
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One of the things that can hold people -- adults, kids, families and otherwise -- back from purposefully spending time outside is the idea that “nature” looks like something other than what is right outside their front door. If it doesn’t look like a National Park, does it really count as “nature?”
The truth, of course, is that “nature” is whatever is in the fresh air right outside your front door. But can you help yourself and your family see, appreciate and enjoy that, especially when you think parts of it -- bugs, weather, etc. -- are things you really don’t like?
Today’s guest Zenovia Stephens has made a mission of helping kids and families get outside near her home in Alabama. Founder of the nonprofit Black Kids Adventures, Zenovia and her family, known as the Black Adventure Crew, work to help Black families get outside while working to increase representation in the outdoor community.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Black Kids Adventures
Visit Black Adventure Crew
Follow Black Adventure Crew on Instagram and Facebook
Follow Black Kids Adventures on Instagram and Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside 365 Challenge
Outside is outside, but sometimes it’s more nature-rich than others. Does that matter? In this episode of the Humans Outside Outdoor Diary Amy contemplates where her family just spent a week of vacation, and why its decided lack of nature-scapes was totally fine.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:26] Is all outside time created equally?
[1:29] Amy’s actual vacation
[3:07] Different types of nature
[4:45] Taking nature as we find it
[5:29] Where to find Humans Outside
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com/podcasts/
Join the Humans Outside Challenge: humansoutside.com/challenge/
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
When we talk about going outside every day, we usually mean in the daytime. But what if heading outside after dark for a little stargazing is just the boost your outdoor habit needs?
Vicky Derksen, host of the Night Sky Tourist podcast and a stargazing enthusiast joined us for this episode to talk about something almost completely new to Amy: stargazing. With tips and tricks for how to get into the hobby, this really informative episode is the perfect gateway to helping would-be starwatches step outside at night a little night sky viewing. Connect with this episode:
Check out Night Sky Tourist: https://nightskytourist.com
Follow Night Sky Tourist on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nightskytourist/
Visit Night Sky Tourist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NightSkyTourist
Join the Humans Outside Challenge: https://humansoutside.com/challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansoutside
It’s easy to head outside when the weather is great. It’s even easy to plan to be outside in future bad weather from a seat on a sunny, warm day. But what do you do when the weather rolls in and, suddenly, you’re faced with having to actually do it? A recent two-day wind storm with gusts up to 75 mph had Amy thinking about this very thing. So how do you make yourself go outside in bad weather? Here’s what she did.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:26] Things seem easier when the sun is shining
[1:30] Amy’s aversion to wind
[2:48] An unprecedented wind and heading outside anyway
[4:06] Make a plan
[6:32] Where to find Humans Outside
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com/podcasts/
Join the Humans Outside Challenge: humansoutside.com/challenge/
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
It’s easy to know you want to make a change or even what kind of change you want to make. But how can you create a habit that actually works for you? How do you know the right actions to take to make that habit sustainable long term?
The answer might just be found in mindfulness and knowing enough about who you are and what you need. That understanding can establish a habit that works for you, says our guest, Sarah Hays Coomer.
Sarah is Humans Outside’s unofficial very own habit expert who authored the book The Habit Trip, A Fill-in-the Blank Journey to a Life on Purpose. She’s also a Mayo Clinic and nationally board certified wellness coach, author of the Forbes column Hey, Health Coach and a personal trainer.
Visit Sarah Hays Coomer’s website: https://www.sarahhayscoomer.com/
Read Sarah’s Forbes column: https://www.forbes.com/health/author/sarah-hays-coomer/
Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.hays.coomer/
Follow Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahhayscoomer
Join the Humans Outside Challenge: https://humansoutside.com/challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansoutside
The New Year offers a natural starting point for launching a new challenge -- and has Amy reflecting on all the ways heading outside daily has changed her life. Now registering for the Humans Outside 365 Challenge can offer you a dose of extra motivation to make it happen.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff:
[:27] Outdoor memories
[:54] How Amy has changed from her time outside
[3:10] Why getting outside is tough
[3:39] Humans Outside Challenge kits
[4:28] Where to find Humans Outside
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com/podcasts/
Join the Humans Outside Challenge: humansoutside.com/challenge/
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Almost ready for the new year? If you’re itching to kick-off a new habit -- maybe one of going outside every day -- or re-energize an old one, you need help from habit expert Sarah Hays Coomer.
Sarah Hays Coomer has written a new book about keeping habits. Hear Sarah talk in this “best of” episode about the how of building a habit and the power of figuring out what you need, where it fits in your life, how to keep it going and the power of nature in all of that.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:22] Sarah Hays Coomer’s favorite outdoor space
[3:23] How Sarah first connected with the outdoors
[6:21] Why it’s important to go outside especially when you don’t want
[8:40] About Sarah’s book, The Habit Trip: A Fill-in-the-Blank Journey to a Life on Purpose
[9:28] How to create a habit
[13:15] How to know what you need
[18:45] How going outside impacts creating a habit
[22:35] What is a habit reward?
[26:14] The practice of creating a habit
[31:39] How does developing a habit help you create more?
[35:47] A few great tips for creating habit
[40:57] Sarah’s favorite and most essential outdoor great
[42:37] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Read The Habit Trip: A Fill-in-the-Blank Journey to a Life on Purpose
Visit Sarah Hays Commer’s website
Follow Sarah Hays Coomer on Instagram
Follow Sarah Hays Coomer on Facebook
Follow Sarah Hays Coomer on Twitter
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
It’s the darkest time of the year in the northern hemisphere, but that doesn’t mean light can’t be found. In fact, the light is easier to find in times of darkness than any other time. In this Outdoor Diary Amy explores how that is literally and figuratively true for her.
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
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So you want to create and keep a daily nature habit. You love being outside -- or at least enough to know that it’s something you crave more of. And now you’re looking for the inspiration, push, accountability and help to get out there every day.
Season 5 of Humans Outside is coming soon to help you in your journey with a focus on understanding, using and loving nearby nature. Don’t miss it!
Have you heard about the Humans Outside Outdoor 365 Challenge kits? Read more now.
Find more about the Humans Outside podcast.
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram for daily outdoor inspiration.
If you’ve ever heard me talk about my small town here in Alaska, Palmer, you know that I don’t just like where I live, I love it. And a lot of that is because of my outdoor practice. When we moved here in 2016 I had never experienced anything even close to the weather, darkness, or other extreme wilds of Alaska. After a year here I had some friends through our CrossFit gym, but I still felt like something was missing. I wanted to know more about where we lived and be connected to it, but I wasn’t sure how to make that happen.
But when I started my year outside, I looked to community events to give me an outdoor activity or two each week. Showing up at that stuff meant I met people, which meant I got closer to my community and, well, the rest is history.
Going outside helped me love where I live, but the way I discovered that isn’t the only method. In this best of episode I’m bringing by author Melody Warnick, author of the book This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever you Are, to talk about how spending time outside helps you love where you live.
Visit Melody Warnick’s website
Read Melody Warnick’s book, This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are(affiliate link)
Follow Melody Warnick on Instagram
Follow Melody Warnick on Facebook
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Some of the good stuff:
[1:57] Melody Warnick’s favorite outdoor space
[3:21] What is “place attachment?”
[7:51] How she feels about her newish home now
[14:04] Act as if …
[18:29] How going outside helped her like where she lived
[23:51] Does it matter if you’re moving?
[32:27] Was the way the outdoors built a connection to people surprising?
[43:12] How you can increase place attachment by going outside
[48:37] Melody’s favorite and most essential gear
[51:17] Melody’s favorite outdoor moment
Nothing demonstrates the way Amy loves where she lives in Alaska the way the annual holiday festival in her small town does. Spending that full day outside amidst Hallmark Christmas movie-level merry making in some very, very cold weather has Amy contemplating what her outdoor habit has to do with learning to love where she lives.
Some of the good stuff:
[:28] Amy meets Palmer
[2:36] Finding community
[4:59] Learning to love where you live
[5:21] The gifts of going outside
[6:36] Humans Outside Challenge Kits
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge: https://humansoutside.com/challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
This Best Of Humans Outside episode features Tim Gravel talking about the secrets of making awesome coffee in the wild. Tim is the co-owner of Kaladi Brothers Coffee, an Alaska-based coffee roaster. He’s also an outdoor lover. Better yet, if you listen carefully to this one, you’ll hear some awesome gift ideas for the coffee-lover in your life.
Connect with this episode:
Learn about Kaladi Brothers: https://kaladi.com/
Buy Kaladi Brothers coffee: https://kaladi.com/shop/
Register for the Humans Outside 365 Challenge: https://humansoutside.com/challenge
Follow Kaladi Brothers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaladibrotherscoffee/
Follow Kaladi Brothers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaladiBrothersCoffee
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://instagram.com/humansoutside/
Some of the good stuff:
[1:48] Tim Gravel’s favorite outdoor space
[3:51] Tim’s outdoor story
[4:57] Why outdoor challenges matter
[7:36] Exactly what Tim means by “challenging snow conditions”
[11:52] Why Alaska is so magical
[14:57] About Kaladi Brothers coffee
[19:36] Tim’s favorite coffee tricks
[27:25] Coffee in the backcountry
[28:42] What about instant coffee?
[35:00] Coffee when car camping
[42:05] Tim’s favorite outdoor gear
[43:07] Tim’s most essential outdoor gear
[44:10] Tim’s favorite outdoor moment
As if heading outside to begin with isn’t a big enough challenge, we are often faced with the decision of whether or not to face an even bigger challenge once we get out there. Listen to this installment of Amy’s outdoor diary to hear about what choosing the challenge can look like, and how Humans Outside can help you do just that.
Some of the good stuff:
[:27] A decision
[1:40] The more time I spend outside...
[2:45] What it looks like to pick the challenge
[3:21] A transferable skill
[4:19] Humans Outside Challenge Kits
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge: https://humansoutside.com/challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Here at Humans Outside we practice getting outside every day for 20 minutes no matter the weather -- and that means sometimes we go outside when it’s wet, cold or otherwise not that pleasant. Sometimes we go outside when the weather is bad. But if you’ve never had an outdoor habit or spent a lot of time outside in the winter, then you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by what some folks think of as the basics, like what kind of jacket to wear or how to keep your hands and feet warm.
No matter where you live you’re likely to at some point face what you see as less than ideal weather. Cold is relative to your experience, whether you’re in Alaska or in Florida. So how do you know what to wear?
The good news is that learning how to dress for cold weather is basically the same wherever you are. What largely changes is how much you wear or the thickness or warmth of your choice.
Mollie Foster is an Alaska-based guide and outdoor author. Her guide company, Traverse Alaska, helps all sorts of people get outside, and her book, Hiking Alaska, tells others where to go.
In this highly practical episode of Humans Outside that originally ran in late 2020, Mollie tells outdoor-lovers what to wear for going outside and how to dress for cold weather.
Join the Humans Outside 365 Challenge: https://humansoutside.com/challenge
Learn more about Mollie on her website: https://www.molliefostermedia.com/
Visit Alaska with Traverse Alaska: https://www.traversealaska.com/
Follow Mollie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molliefostermedia/?hl=en
Follow Traverse Alaska on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traversealaska/?hl=en
Buy Mollie’s guidebook Hiking Alaska: https://amzn.to/2HMe28B
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Some of the good stuff:
[2:26] Mollie Foster’s favorite outdoor space
[3:40] Mollie’s outdoor story
[7:03] Why outdoor attitude matters
[9:50] The most important advice for dressing for cold weather
[13:13] Why cold is relative
[16:22] How to know what is right for you outside
[23:32] The power of the wind layer and the vest
[27:32] Down vs. synthetic
[29:44] The glory of The Pants
[31:57] How to keep cold hands warm
[39:26] How to keep cold feet warm
[45:18] The glory of the face buff
[48:05] Keeping kids warm outside
[49:00] Mollie’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[51:22] Mollie’s favorite outdoor moment
Find full show notes: https://humansoutside.com/podcasts/mollie-foster-humans-outside-podcast/
How do you insert heading into nature into your holiday traditions? That’s the question Amy tackled as her family spent their second Thanksgiving in a row enjoying an off-the-grid option that took just enough extra effort to seem like a terrible idea. Hear how it turned out in this Outdoor Diary episode.
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Some of the good stuff:
[:27] Opting outside
[1:30] A Bushatz Thanksgiving
[3:36] The extra effort is worth it
[4:42] Humans Outside Challenge kits
[5:25] Where to find Humans Outside
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Are you ready for the Humans Outside 365 Challenge? Amy has exciting news about a new challenge kit to help you along the way. Ready to head outside? Listen to this episode to hear what you need to know.
Connect with this episode:
Register for the Humans Outside 365 Challenge: https://humansoutside.com/challenge/
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Some of the good stuff:
[1:49] All about the Humans Outside 365 Challenge kits
[2:32] What’s in each of the kits
[3:51] The Ground Level kit
[4:13] The Mountain Level kit
[5:04] The Sky Level kit
[6:22] Pricing info
The weather may have taken an unusual turn in Alaska, but that isn’t stopping Amy from getting in her 20 minutes outside every single day. But just because she makes it happen doesn’t mean it’s easy (or that she always likes it).
Tune in to this week’s installment of Amy’s Outdoor Diary here on Humans Outside to find out just how cold it really is in Alaska right now, and to hear her top tips on how to make yourself get outside, even when the warmth indoors seems to be calling your name.
Some of the good stuff:
[:27] Why Amy’s podcasting closet seems extra cozy this week
[1:20] Get OK with it, or get off the bus
[2:12] Amy’s four tips for getting outside when it’s cold
[4:48] Where to find Humans Outside
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Episode 68: How to Dress for Cold Weather (Mollie Foster): https://humansoutside.com/podcasts/mollie-foster-humans-outside-podcast/
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
If you’re trying to establish or maintain an outdoor habit around kids, big or little, you know the struggle is real. And it’s especially difficult when the weather starts to get cooler or more challenging. How do you motivate kids into getting out into nature when they (and likely you, too) think staying inside sounds warmer and easier? And how the heck do you dress everyone?
Sara McCarty - mom, attorney and outdoor lover - knows a thing or two about getting kids outside. She’s gotten so good at it that she created a website and a podcast on the subject, Run Wild My Child, so she can share her tips and tricks with all of us. And we’re really lucky that she joined us on Humans Outside to share those tips here, too.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:51] Sara McCarty’s favorite outdoor space
[4:03] How Sara became a person who likes to go outside
[7:26] Who are we really going outside for?
[8:44] How Run Wild My Child got started
[13:19] Advice for parents who are having a hard time getting outside
[18:15] Helping kids work through outdoor hesitancy
[32:14] Is there a secret to keeping track of kids’ gear?
[38:14] Kid gear advice for specific weather
[45:19] Most essential and favorite outdoor gear
[48:23] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Visit Run Wild My Child: http://www.runwildmychild.com/
Listen to the Run Wild My Child podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/run-wild-my-child-podcast/id1546696910
Follow Run Wild My Child on Instagram: https://instagram.com/runwild.mychild
Follow Run Wild My Child on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunWildMyChildAdventures
Follow Run Wild My Child on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RunWildMyChild
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansoutside
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
It can be difficult to hear what your body and soul need when life gets really hectic or the long days stack up. Building that outdoor habit and heading outside daily have helped Amy and her family listen to their own needs and know what to do about them. Hear what happened in this episode of the Humans Outside Outdoor Diary.
Some of the good stuff:
[:27] Can we stay out a little longer?
[2:30] Take it outside
[3:16] What we need from nature
[4:22] Where to find Humans Outside
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
You know how we feel about veterans using nature to heal from the wounds of war. After all, helping Luke deal with the hidden injuries from service was what sent us packing for Alaska to start with. Spending time outside, study after study demonstrates, helps brains heal from trauma.
Veterans Day is a day set aside for the U.S. to honor its living veterans. It also makes a great time to talk about veteran-specific issues, like heading into nature to find the assistance you need. In this episode of Humans Outside we talk with Lornett Vestal, who leads programming for the Sierra Club’s military outdoors effort.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:44] Lornett Vestal’s favorite outdoor space
[4:03] How Lornett became someone who likes to go outside
[11:05] What we decided to call members of the Space Force (sorry, guys)
[11:28] The problem with military transition
[15:54] Why going outside is great for veterans
[22:42] What he’s seen from veterans outside
[27:12] Why doing something as a group or unit is important
[31:46] Do we lean on medication too much?
[38:18] Do we overcomplicated heading outside?
[47:32] How to get involved with the Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors
[50:06] Lornett’s favorite outdoor gear
[51:36] Lornett’s favorite outdoor moment
Read more about Lornett Vestal: https://lornettvestal.com/
Learn more about the Sierra Club’s military outdoors program: https://www.sierraclub.org/military-outdoors
Follow Lornett on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvedman83/
Find Lornett on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lornettbvestal
Follow Lornett on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EvolvingManLBV
As the season changes from fall to winter, Amy and her family are tapping into seasonal activities -- and remembering that they’re still very bad at them. In this episode of the Outdoor Diary, Amy ponders what happens when you hit a sport that isn’t your comfort zone, and shares advice from her sons, Huck and Dave, on how to stay motivated and finish what you started.
Some of the good stuff:
[:28] A weird time of year in Alaska
[1:05] Amy’s evolving opinions on skiing
[3:26] A Bushatz skiing adventure
[5:45] Advice on motivation from Dave and Huck
[6:25] Where to find Humans Outside
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
It’s a familiar feeling for many of us over the winter months: the light fades, the darker days settle in and your mood dips. It can feel hard to get outside and hard to do really anything. Motivating yourself off the couch becomes an even bigger challenge than normal.
But there’s steps you can take to counter those feelings. In this episode Dr. Michael Terman, an expert in treating seasonal depression with light therapy, shares his best tips and findings for getting through the winter months with your mood and sanity intact.
Connect with this episode:
Read about the Center for Environmental Therapeutics: https://cet.org/
Take the circadian rhythm assessment: https://cet.org/assessments/
Follow the Center for Environmental Therapeutics on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mychronotherapy
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansoutside
You might find yourself traveling again for work or otherwise after many, many months of staying home. You’ve gotten into a home-focused routine, and that includes your outside time. How do you keep your nature habit going when you hit the road?
That’s something Amy battled this week as she took her first work trip in a long time. In this Outdoor Diary she talks about getting still making time for heading into nature anyway.
Some of the good stuff:
[:26] Amy’s travels
[2:13] Getting outside on travel days
[3:19] Heading outside between meetings
[3:57] Being intentional
[5:04] Where to find Humans Outside
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
It started with a year-long shopping ban and a decision to downsize. But like so many big life changes, the decision to shift who she was and how she interacted with the world had a much bigger impact than she expected. Now Cait Flanders, author of the best-selling book Year of Less, has morphed her “less” habit to one of purposeful opt-outs, choosing to say “no” to the cultural expectations that keep her life from looking the best way it can for her.
So what does that have to do with going outside? Both her book Adventures in Opting Out: A Field Guide to Leading an Intentional Life, and her podcast with a similar title, Opting Out, take a look at saying “no” to things that won’t help you make the life you want -- whatever you believe that to be -- and “yes” to what will move you forward.
In this episode of Humans Outside, Cait takes us on her own journey, giving us opt-out tips and teaching us what it means to make space for your own joy.
Connect with this episode (affiliate links below):
Visit Cait Flanders’ website: https://www.caitflanders.com/
Buy Cait’s book, Adventures In Opting Out: A Field Guide to Leading an Intentional Life: https://amzn.to/3E2wgdc
Buy Cait’s book, The Year of Less: https://amzn.to/3E2wgdc
Listen to Cait’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/opting-out-with-cait-flanders/id1560688606
Follow Cait on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitflanders/
What do you do if you just don’t feel like going outside? How do you talk yourself into it? This week Amy was dealing with a nasty cold and just wasn’t feeling that nature vibe -- especially not in the highs of 40 degrees they are rocking in Alaska right now.
That had her thinking about what to do when you’re trying to motivate yourself out the door when you just don’t feel like going outside. Listen to this episode to learn more.
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Today, LGBTQ outdoor advocate Mikah Meyer is known for his work representing his community and advocating for inclusion in nature. But that hasn’t always been the case. In fact, when Mikah set out on his journey to become the youngest person to visit the over 400 National Park units in the U.S., inclusivity advocacy wasn’t his goal at all. MIkah’s story is not just one of growing into an advocacy role, it also is a perfect demonstration of how immersing ourselves in nature can help us discover what we really want to be doing with our lives and who we want to be doing it for. In this powerful interview Mikah reveals the steps on that journey, empowering us to find out our own whys just like he did.
Some of the good stuff:
[3:55] MIkah Meyer’s favorite outdoor space
[7:11] How MIkah became someone who likes to go outside
[9:30] The importance of the stories we tell ourselves
[10:43] Mikah’s original ‘why’
[17:20] Changing goals
[20:09] Finding his focus of advocacy
[26:05] Finding a vocation
[29:21] The role of nature in making that happen
[36:13] How that practice can help everyday life
[37:45] What’s next for Mikah
[44:07] Mikah’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
Connect with this episode:
Visit Mikah’s website: https://www.mikahmeyer.com/
Follow Mikah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikahmey/
Follow Mikah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikahMey/
Follow Mikah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikahMey
Register for the Humans Outside newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com: https://www.humansoutside.com/podcasts/
We all tell ourselves stories about ourselves. Sometimes they’re true, sometimes they’re not. Whatever the case may be, don’t let any story stand in the way of you doing something you want. Listen to Amy unpack this concept in this installment of her outdoor diary.
Some of the good stuff:
[:27] The unintentional theme of Season 4
[1:17] Outside is for everyone—even you!
[2:05] The stories Amy tells herself
[4:12] Tell yourself stories, but make sure they’re true
[5:10] Where to find Humans Outside
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
I know what you’re thinking. “What is a ‘pee cloth?’” And, maybe, “do I want to know?” And possibly also “gross.” If you’ve ever been a woman trying to pee outside you know that the struggle is real and the solutions are sparse. Your options for good hygiene while taking care of business are limited to: a drip-shake dry method, which is ineffective at best; packing out dirty toilet paper, which is not great for obvious reasons; or using some kind of fabric that you plan to wash later. (And if you’re a dude who is thinking “what about those female urination devices like a ‘She-wee?’” -- great idea for solving the squatting issue, but it doesn't actually impact this hygiene conundrum at all.)
So what’s a girl to do? That’s exactly the problem Anastasia Allison was trying to solve when she got the idea for Kula Kloth. Instead of using an ugly piece of fabric, why not create and produce a product for women that can make using the outdoors not just more sanitary, but at the same time also create community and be fun.
In this episode Anastasia shares her infectious joy, personal story of getting close to nature -- including the time she literally stole toilet paper during her first-ever backpacking trip -- and a window into how she is working through her small brand to make heading outside more accessible for everyone.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:50] Anastasia Allison’s favorite outdoor space
[5:00] How Anastasia became someone who likes to go outside
[9:35] How a change of identity changes your perspective
[14:55] How Kula was born
[20:30] The danger of over-thinking
[27:55] What exactly is a Kula Kloth?
[34:35] What has running Kula taught her about inclusivity?
[40:00] Why Kula is a small step for inclusivity
[44:31] That time she stole toilet paper -- like, literally stole it.
[53:49] Anastasia’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[56:45] Anastasia’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Follow Kula Kloth on Instagram (seriously, do it): https://www.instagram.com/kulacloth/
Follow Anastasia Allison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasia.allison/
Shop Kula Cloth: https://kulacloth.com/
Sign-up for a Kula Academy class: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/kula-cloth-30263713380
Win a decal by signing up for the Humans Outside newsletter: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
https://www.humansoutside.com/podcasts/
Is there ever a time that keeping a habit with intentionality and focus is simply easy? Amy hit 1,500 days outside this month, and she noticed that the answer is, well, not really.
But there’s a reason for that -- a solution. In this episode of the weekly Outdoor Diary, Amy talks about what it takes to keep a focused habit going.
Some of the good stuff:
[:25] One might think...
[1:09] Disruptions and habits
[2:23] Going outside with intentionality
[3:10] This week’s hike
[4:22] Stay accountable with Humans Outside
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
There’s something about getting hooked on nature that can help you move past the things that are stealing or numbing your ability to experience life. For the sober or sober-curious, heading outside can offer the fresh perspective and push needed to find freedom from reliance on substances or habits that distract from living fully. That’s the subject Emily Holland explores in her own podcast, Nature Untold. In this episode of Humans Outside, Emily shares with us the lessons she’s learned about heading outside for sobriety from her guests and through her own journey. She offers a window into how our listeners can use the outdoors that way, too.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:31] Emily Holland’s favorite outdoor space
[4:52] How Emily became someone who likes to go outside
[9:40] Why she got sober
[14:08] What COVID had to do with it
[22:19] What is “sobriety” anyway?
[29:18] What sobriety has to do with going outside
[33:09] Is sobriety especially important for people who want to be close to nature?
[36:16] What’s the most powerful sobriety tool from nature?
[38:42] How to use nature for sobriety
[49:02] Emily’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[51:47] Emily’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Visit the Nature Untold website: https://www.natureuntoldcollective.com/
Follow Nature Untold on Instagram: https://instagram.com/natureuntoldpodcast
Follow Emily Holland on Instagram: https://instagram.com/e_hollz
Follow Nature Untold on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Nature-Untold-Podcast-108832871354619
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
https://www.humansoutside.com/podcasts/
When things outside are absolutely miserable and you’re in the thick of it, what do you do? Do you stick it out? Is it worth it? Why even bother?
In this episode Amy talks about a recent miserable outside experience and why she’s been thinking about being uncomfortable outside, why being uncomfortable is OK and why it’s worth it.
Some of the good stuff:
[:27] Unexpectedly uncomfortable
[2:20] Amy’s interview with Michael Easter
[3:58] The benefits of discomfort
[5:20] Preparing yourself for discomfort
[5:45] Where to find Humans Outside
Connect with this episode:
Listen to Michael Easter’s episode on Humans Outside: https://humansoutside.com/podcasts/michael-easter-humans-outside-podcast/
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
When the boredom first set in as he sat in the middle of nowhere for more than 30 days during a caribou hunt on the arctic tundra, Michael Easter looked for a way to entertain himself. He read the labels on his food. He made his Christmas lists. He wrote portions of his book by hand in a small notebook. And when that was done he did, well, nothing.
Looking back on the experience as part of his new book, The Comfort Crises: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self, Michael has since discovered that boredom doesn’t just make you feel crazy or give you a perfect excuse for understanding the contents and labeling on every food package in your bag, it also does something actually useful: it makes you happier.
In this episode Michael discusses the experiences that brought about his book, boredom and what he discovered about happiness and nature along the way.
Warning to those listening with tender ears: there’s some salty language towards the end of this episode.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:31] Michael Easter’s favorite outdoor space
[4:47] How Michael became someone who likes to go outside
[7:18] What, exactly, the middle of nowhere in Alaska is like
[10:41] Why being open to stuff matters
[15:47] What it’s like to be out there for 33 days
[18:41] Why do we get bored?
[23:43] What does boredom do to your brain?
[27:47] What’s the intersection of discomfort, boredom and going outside?
[30:37] Why does it make us happier?
[33:05] Why do we shy away from risk and boredom?
[36:19] How do we insert boredom into our lives?
[38:52] How to get bored and stay bored
[44:07] Michael’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[50:37] Michael’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Visit Michael Easter’s website: https://eastermichael.com/
Buy The Comfort Crises (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3lDktML
Follow Michael Easter on Instagram: https://instagram.com/michael_easter
Register for the Humans Outside newsletter and win a free decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
https://www.humansoutside.com/podcasts/
Been feeling in a bit of a funk recently? Grumpy about summer ending or winter approaching? Even if you love fall, it can be a way too short a bridge to cold weather.
If you’re feeling the feels or have felt them, you’re not alone. In this Outdoor Diary episode Amy talks about dealing with that certain sense of loss that comes with the changing of the seasons.
Some of the good stuff:
[:30] In a funk
[1:16] Unusual weather
[2:06] Sitting in the sadness
[4:10] Embracing the changes
[5:14] Where to find Humans Outside
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Making heading into nature a regular habit takes purpose and focus. Add in small children, and you just amped-up the amount of planning you have to do before you can tackle any big adventure. Have differently abled family members who require extra care and consideration? The challenge just got even bigger -- and getting outside just became even more worth it. It’s that juxtaposition that Melody Forsyth, a mom of four, discovered after her daughter, Ruby, was born with Down Syndrome. While the experience of Down can span a broad spectrum, Ruby, now age 5, is nonverbal, uses oxygen overnight and can only hike short distances. Still, it was her birth and learning how to care for her that first pushed Melody and her family into nature to find calm and adventure.
The family now backpacks together with one parent typically carrying Ruby, explores National Parks and other wild spaces and makes an intentional habit of spending time together outside not just in spite of their challenges, but because of them.
It’s that experience of watching Ruby and each other grow and discover their own interests and abilities outside that inspired Melody to start her Instagram feed, DownWithAdventure. There she shares her family’s journey to connect in nature and raise awareness around Down Syndrome.
But chasing big dreams in nature doesn’t come to Melody’s busy family without some really careful planning, factoring in the needs of all of her children and each of their special interests -- not just Ruby. In today’s episode Melody gifts us insight into not just how she makes it work, but how you can, too.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:13] Melody Forsyth’s favorite outdoor space
[3:18] How Melody learned to head outside
[4:25] All about Ruby
[5:42] What it’s like to adventure with an awesome but heavy daughter
[9:44] What nature means to their family
[12:10] Does nature mean different things to different family members?
[15:00] How it connects them
[20:24] How nature has helped her connect with her kids
[30:02] How do we bring the calm nature gives our families to our inside life?
[33:00] How do we set and chase big outdoor family goals?
[39:27] Melody’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[43:09] Melody’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Follow DownWithAdventure on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downwithadventure/
Watch this cool video about Melody from Salomon Women: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=150297497071018
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: www.instagram.com/humansoutside
Win a Humans Outside decal by signing up for our newsletter: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
https://www.humansoutside.com/podcasts/
What happens when you take the idea of “intentionality” and steer it completely wrong?
We know that being intentional is one of the most important keys to forming and keeping any habit, including outdoor ones. But Amy has a special knack for smashing something good into her box and then taking it way too far. In this episode she explores where she goes wrong, and how to keep that from happening.
Some of the good stuff:
[:26] Amy loves rules
[2:10] What is intentionality?
[2:36]Intentionality or rotten rules?
[5:25] Where to find Humans Outside
Connect with this episode:
Hear our episode with Christina Dunbar: https://humansoutside.com/podcasts/christina-dunbar-humans-outside-podcast/
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
You know that intentionality is the foundation of keeping any habit, challenging or not. But maybe we’re overthinking this whole thing. What if there was a way to not only make and keep the outdoor, nature-focused habit you want to create, but also give better focus to your entire day? And what if it was only a matter of setting aside 10 minutes?
That’s the theory that drives the work of today’s guest, Christina Dunbar. Her program, Intentional Ten, works with clients (and a focus on busy moms) to give them the framework to drive focus and success all day long. And guess what? Heading outside is a vital part of that. In this episode Christina walks us through the simple but powerful Intentional Ten framework while handing us tools for making, keeping or reenergizing a daily nature habit. Some of the good stuff:
[3:37] Christina Dunbar’s favorite outdoor space
[4:33] How Christina became a person who goes outside
[10:38] Is there a moment where things changed?
[15:35] What is the Intentional Ten method?
[22:49] Why 10 minutes?
[27:01] What are the reasons people struggle to make this happen?
[29:06] Specific steps for creating a habit
[35:36] What role does nature play?
[40:33] How to create daily mindfulness
[45:04] Christina’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[47:29] Christna’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Learn more about Intentional Ten: www.intentionalten.com
Christina’s free guide to Intentional 10: www.intentionalten.com/journal
Follow Intentional Ten on Instagram: https://instagram.com/intentionalmama_
Follow Intentional Ten on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intentionalten
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter to win a free decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
https://www.humansoutside.com/podcasts/
Amy is a sucker for a new challenge, but this is one worth doing. Between now and September 2022 she’s going to do 52 hikes as part of the 52 Hike Challenge. Why? Listen to this Outdoor Diary episode to find out.
Some of the good stuff:
[:28] A sucker for a challenge
[1:00] Karla Amador
[2:13] Amy’s newest challenge
[3:00] Join us—from anywhere!
Connect with this episode:
Hear our episode with Karla Amador: https://humansoutside.com/podcasts/karla-amador-humans-outside-podcast-2/
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
When Amy started her daily outdoor habit in 2017 she had no idea there was a whole world of others already tackling an outdoor effort of their own, formed around a different idea known as the 52 Hike Challenge. Through that program participants pledge to complete 52 hikes over a year. The things its co-founder, Karla Amador, has learned over both her own journey of hiking and by helping people around the world participate in the challenge are about more than just hiking 52 times. They are also perfect for anyone looking to build and keep a new and challenging outdoor habit like the daily one we focus on at Humans Outside.
In this episode of Humans Outside Karla shares what she’s learned about outdoor habits by helping people complete their 52 Hikes, her own journey to spending time in nature and the insight and health it has given her.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:23] Karla Amador’s favorite outdoor place
[4:18] How Karla became a person who likes to go outside
[6:09] Nature as a healing tool
[7:12] How the 52 Hike Challenge was born
[13:41] What derails hikers from their goals
[18:21] Advice for building the habit
[25:16] Habit pitfalls
[31:20] The healing gift of being out in nature
[32:55] How to avoid those habit pitfalls
[37:46] How to get involved in 52 Hikes
[43:23] Karla’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[44:35] Karla’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Register for the 52 Hike Challenge: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/pages/original-series
Follow 52 Hike Challenge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/52hikechallenge/
Follow 52 Hike Challenge on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/52hikechallenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://instagram.com/humansoutside
Register for our newsletter to win a Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
https://www.humansoutside.com/podcasts/
It’s been four years since Amy started her daily outdoor habit. In this episode of her weekly outdoor diary, Amy reflects on how keeping that habit has not just influenced her, but impacted the people around -- her friends, family and even you.
Some of the good stuff:
[:28] How it all began
[1:40] The impact of four years outside
[2:16] Heading outside as a spouse
[2:59] Spending time outside as a parent
[4:08] How heading outside impacts those around us
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
When Amy first started her outdoor challenge it wasn’t to inspire anyone but herself to make getting into nature a daily habit. It wasn’t even because she had found heading outside to be so transformative she had to do it every day. Originally, the 20 minute daily challenge was born of a question: how would her life change if she went outside for a certain amount of time every day for a year?
The experiment started September 1, 2017. And there at the beginning was Amy’s friend Holly Wise, helping her develop the concept just as she had for all of Amy’s big ideas since 2004. Today, four years after starting her experiment hundreds and hundreds of hours outside as part of her daily practice Amy and Holly discuss what Amy has learned over the course of her habit -- and what you can learn, too.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:42] Amy’s favorite outdoor space
[4:37] A question no one is asking
[5:47] What Amy has learned over the last four years
[9:02] Was this a surprise?
[12:00] The importance of incremental changes
[16:24] How doing hard things outside helps with life inside
[20:45] How she gets herself to do hard things
[31:49] The stories we tell ourselves and why they matter
[37:49] The going outside pep talks
[49:02] Amy’s relationship with nature
[51:28] Amy’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[55:51] Amy’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Follow Amy Bushatz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amybushatz
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://instagram.com/humansoutside
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Register for the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Even in summer in Alaska it can be hard to make yourself do things outside when inside life is calling or the outside isn’t exactly what you want it to be. So how do you get yourself out there?
In this episode of Humans Outside’s Outdoor Diary Amy talks through three situations she recently faced where she didn’t want to go outside, and thinks through what it takes to get out anyway.
Some of the good stuff:
[:28] Deciding to make an effort
[2:43] The Lost Lake Race
[4:43] Worth it
[6:11] How do you take risks?
[7:14] Awareness
Connect with this episode:
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: instagram.com/humansoutside
Subscribe to the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
What’s the difference between wilderness therapy and just, well, going outside? Judith Sadora, a licensed therapist based in Oregon, practices wilderness therapy with clients outdoors and is an expert in how spending time outside can help us work through trauma. Hear why the outdoors is a great “container” and how to create your own therapeutic experience outside in this thoughtful and insightful episode.
Some of the good stuff:
[2:06] Judith Sadora’s favorite outdoor space
[3:33] Difference between wilderness therapy and therapeutic recreation
[9:50] Why nature makes a good ‘container’
[18:01] Does nature heal trauma?
[20:09] Connecting nature to city life
[22:12] Changing the narrative around what nature is (and isn’t)
[30:14] Judith’s ‘why’
[40:34] How to find your own therapeutic recreation
[45:23] Judith’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[48:18] Judith’s favorite outdoor moment
Connect with this episode:
Judith Sadora, Triune Health and Wellness: https://triunehealthandwellness.com/
Evoke Therapy: http://www.evoketherapy.com
Follow Judith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadorawellness
Do you love where you live? If you’ve been listening to Humans Outside you know Amy loves her small town, Palmer Alaska. But she hasn’t always lived there — or loved it.
In this episode Amy reflects on how spending time outside has helped her love where she lives, and why that matters.
Some of the good stuff:
[:30] Do you love where you live?
[1:37] Palmer, Alaska
[3:14] The Alaska State Fair
[5:17] Where to find Humans Outside
Connect with this episode:
Check out Melody Warnick’s book on loving where you live
Listen to Melody on the Humans Outside podcast: https://amzn.to/2W8WI4Phttps://humansoutside.com/podcasts/melody-warnick-humans-outside-podcast/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansoutside
Sign-up for the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
You’ve heard them mentioned, you’ve seen their pictures -- and now you get to hear them on the Humans Outside podcast: Amy’s “running wives,” Clare Shea and Rachel Gernat. In this podcast Season 2 premier, Amy, Clare and Rachel discuss outdoor-based friendship, what makes it special and how, exactly, you, too, can make outdoor-minded friends. What’s the secret sauce? How do you even find great friends?
Connect with this episode:
Follow Clare Shea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatinwild/
Follow Rachel Gernat on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/32rkg/
Register for the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a free decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Some of the good stuff
[1:51] Rachel Gernat’s favorite outdoor space
[2:20] Clare Shea’s favorite outdoor space
[4:12] How Amy met her Running Wives
[4:34] How Rachel and Clare met
[6:12] What makes us such great friends
[9:19] Favorite memory of the wives together
[16:30] The importance of finding friends who push you
[18:15] What brought us to Alaska
[23:00] How to find outdoor friends
[34:16] How doing hard things outside helps you find friends
[47:22] Clare’s favorite outdoor gear
[48:30] Rachel’s favorite outdoor gear
[50:04] Clare’s favorite outdoor gear again
[51:00] Rachel’s favorite outdoor gear
[55:57] Amy’s favorite outdoor moment
[56:35] Rachel’s favorite outdoor moments
[57:59] Clare’s favorite outdoor moment
When trauma or difficult events seep into your life, it’s easy to get angry or sad -- and hard to process them. Thanks to some advice from a past podcast guest, this week Amy hit the great outdoors to process some tough stuff going on, and use nature as a “container” for that work.
Some of the good stuff
[:26] Some current events and emotions
[1:46] Using the outdoors as a safe place
[3:23] Brainstorming outside
[4:30] Changing seasons
[4:56] Where to find Humans Outside
Listen to Humans Outside with recreational therapist Judith Sadora: https://humansoutside.com/podcasts/judith-sadora-how-use-outdoors-therapy/
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansoutside
In the beginning, she was just trying to save her sanity, says Virginia Yurich, who goes by Ginny. With a passel of little kids she was feeling run ragged brought by all the commitments shuffling children here and there. When her friend invited her to simply spend some time outside, letting her kids explore and live a little, she was skeptical. But after seeing the benefits, her skepticism vanished -- and she was hooked.
Now Ginny shares her experience through a vibrant community of parents and families with one goal in mind: getting their kids to spend at least 1,000 hours outside each year. That seems like a huge number, but Ginny says it’s both possible and completely life-changing for the whole family.
Listen to this episode of the Humans Outside podcast to learn how Ginny makes it happen, and how you can integrate her lessons into your own life.
Some of the good stuff:
[1:41] Virginia Yurich’s favorite outdoor space
[3:21] Where her 1,000 hours outside project came from
[14:47] The learning misconception
[24:42] How nature enhances learning
[27:34] How to work towards 1,000 hours outside
[33:11] What they do in the winter
[46:00] How to get started
[43:50] Their favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[46:18] Her favorite outdoor space
Connect with this episode:
1,000 Hours Outside website: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/
1,000 Hours Outside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1000hoursoutside/
1,000 Hours Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1000hoursoutside
When Amy headed outside to run again in January following a rehab time from her September surgery, she had one goal: get ready for the Resurrection Pass 100 ultra trail race. Crazy? Maybe.
The race was July 30, and while it didn’t go exactly as Amy hoped it would, she learned plenty about herself, nature and doing hard things along the way.
Some of the good stuff:
[:26] Amy’s slightly neurotic, yet productive, schedule
[1:25] Trying something new
[2:20] The race
[6:00] A different achievement
[6:49] The small wins
Connect with this episode:
Resurrection Pass 100 results: http://www.rpultras.com/p/results.html
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://instagram.com/humansoutside
Follow Humans OUtside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Sign-up for the Humans Outside newsletter for a chance to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
Ready to explore how building a daily outdoor habit can change your life, amp up your hapiness and help you find yourself? It’s been four years since we started our own daily outdoor habit -- and now we’re bringing you with us through insights and helps from nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and experts.
Join us for Humans Outside Season 4 to hear from experts like Karla Amador, founder of the world-famous 52 Hike Challenge, author Michael Easter whose new book explores the benefits of discomfort and activists Mikah Meyer and Melody Forsyth.
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram: https://instagram.com/humansoutside
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansoutside
Register for our newsletter and enter to win a decal: http://humansoutside.com/newsletter/
We liked this episode so much we're releasing it again!
In 2017 when Amy picked 20 minutes as her minimum daily outdoor time, she based that decision on some research she read in passing that said 20 minutes is enough time to spend outside and see health benefits from doing so. But Amy isn’t a social scientist or a scientific researcher, so her choice of 20 minutes wasn’t overly scientific either. That and every other outdoor decision she’s made is just based on gut.
So was she right? Has her outdoor experiment been aimed at the right thing -- or has she been wasting her life on the wrong timing and wrong activities? In this episode we bring in an actual outdoor experience researcher and scientist, Dr. Kathleen Wolf, to weigh-in on not just what the research says about what Amy is doing, but on how everyone can get the most out of their own time in nature.
Connect with this episode:
Learn more about Dr. Kathleen Wolf: http://www.naturewithin.info/webCV_KWolf.pdf
Read Dr. Kathleen Wolf’s long term project, “Green Cities: Good Health”: http://depts.washington.edu/hhwb/
Find Dr. Kathleen Wolf on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katwolf/
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Some of the good stuff:
[1:49] Dr. Kathleen Wolf’s favorite outdoor space
[4:16] Kathy’s journey to outdoor researcher
[6:58] What the research says about nature making you feel better
[9:24] What the research says about spending 20 minutes outside a day
[12:26] Is Amy too worried about dosage or doing something different every day?
[25:41] Does what you do outside matter?
[28:18] Is some of Amy’s outside time worthless?
[32:23] A Seatac airport secret - shhh don’t tell
[34:56] How people can get the most of their outdoor time
[39:07] Kathy’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear
[43:11] Kathy’s favorite outdoor moment
When a podcast guest for the upcoming Humans Outside Season 4 suggested a new outdoor tradition she has with her kids, Amy knew she had to do it. Now that it’s in the bag, she’s got one thought on how to make it better: focus.
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Some of the good stuff:
[:27] A brilliant idea
[1:47] A new tradition
[2:30] Visiting Seward with David
[3:21] Camping with Huck
[4:00] Lessons for next time
We talk about all of the benefits of heading outside and the things you can learn there, but what can it teach you about your relationships? In this episode, Amy ponders the surprising lesson conquering tough things outside has given her about her marriage to her husband, Luke. Connect with Humans Outside:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/humansoutside
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/newsletter
Some of the good stuff:
[:26] Letting your brain be bored
[1:12] The stories we tell ourselves
[2:47] Amy and Luke
[5:10] How to connect with Humans Outside
Have you ever stopped to think about the stories you tell yourself about who you are in the world -- or about how they change how you approach time in nature?
Amy’s been thinking about how her perception of herself as “not that outdoorsy” has hindered her ability to enjoy nature as much as she could be. Hear about her journey to this point and why confronting these internal narratives matters. Connect with Humans Outside: Instagram: https://instagram.com/humansoutside
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
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Some of the good stuff:
[:30] A fact about Amy you might not believe
[:40] What’s been on her mind
[1:30] The story of who she used to be
[2:43] Luke’s attempts to get Amy outside (not good)
[3:15] What got us outside
[4:15] What happens when you like something too much
[5:22] Humans Outside’s original tagline
[5:32] Why Amy has trouble seeing herself as outdoorsy
[5:45] Why this matters
After marking her 1,400th day of spending at least 20 consecutive minutes outside, Amy is thinking about the gifts of nature and how it has brought her where she is today. When she hit 1,300 days outside she talked about what it's taught her. In this episode, she reflects on the gift of a nature-inspired life perspective.
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We talk a lot about getting outside to improve our lives, but what about using it to make our relationships better? Did you know heading outside is a great way to create so-called “sacred spaces” with people in your life?
In this episode, Amy talks about heading into nature to create sacred spaces with her husband, Luke, over a grown-ups-only outdoor summer adventure.
Some of the good stuff:
[:55] Sacred spaces
[1:45] How the outdoors helps build sacred spaces
[3:00] How Amy and Luke create sacred spaces
[4:41] Working through challenges together
[5:51] Worth it
Summer and sunshine are great until you get so excited about them that you lose the focus on the peace heading into nature gives you. It’s so easy to just go, go and go some more.
In this Outdoor Diary Amy talks about the push and pull of making the most of summer and wanting to use it for the peace and restoration it gives her. She also talks about how you can get an outdoor inspiration summer printable.
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We know so much about success is determined by having - or not having - a good attitude. So why is it so hard to learn?
In this episode Amy talks about a few recent challenges as well as details on their first family camping trip in the Vanimal.
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We spend a lot of time talking about getting the most from nature as humans outside. But we share this big, wide world with a whole host of living things. So this episode is dedicated to our interactions with animals, including the time Luke almost got kidnapped by a sloth. Instead of just interviewing one person about interacting with animals in nature -- although we should definitely do that later -- we built this episode with a collection of stories shared from both listeners and previous podcast guests.
In this episode you’ll hear stories from: Dwight Rabe, Carol Seppilu (episode 58), Melinda Kilian, Rebekah Sanderlin (episode 40), Darcy Gaechter (episode 36), Sarah Schulting Kranz (episode 103) and Luke Bushatz.
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How do you tackle an outdoor activity or sport that scares you? If you’re Amy, you probably avoid it until confronted with the truth that you are not practicing what you preach. And that’s why she’ll be taking this sport on the road - literally - all summer long as she works to overcome her fear.
Hear about that fear and how you can mark Memorial Day in a meaningful way in this episode of the Humans Outside weekly Outdoor Diary.
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After a year focused for better or worse on only the nature within our bubbles, Florence Williams has learned a thing or two about making the most of what you have right outside your door and the tools you already possess to do so. Since Florence, author of “The Nature Fix,” literally wrote the book on how going outside creates positive impacts on our mental health and wellbeing, that’s really saying something.
We learned about Florence before we even started going outside every day. It was her book, published shortly before we knew we were looking for it, that gave us the 20-minute daily goal. We are so honored that she gave some of her time to share her latest lessons in exactly how you can harness the power of nature for your health, happiness and mental wellbeing.
They’re calling it -- the van project is done! (Is a van project ever actually done?). After buying a 1997 Coachman Ford E250 Econoline van in September, 2020, Amy and Luke have finished all of the remodel work they needed or wanted to do. So what does that mean? Here’s how they did their van conversion project.
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We’ve all heard it: going outside is good for you. We also know from experience that’s true. From improved health thanks to exercise to simply feeling better after some fresh air, it’s clear that spending time in nature is a good thing, no other evidence required.
But have you ever once had a medical doctor actually prescribe simply heading outside as a solution to a health problem? Unless you see Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller at her Iowa integrated health and OBGYN practice, probably not. But that’s exactly what she does. In this episode she talks about the specific health benefits of getting out in nature, and reveals what it’s like to prescribe nature as a type of medicine, prescription pad and all.
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It’s finally nice outside, but you’re still just as busy as ever inside. If you’re anything like Amy, you’ve noticed that you are getting nowhere near the amount of outdoor time you wish you could. So how do you make sure your summer doesn’t fly away without you even noticing? In this Outdoor Diary episode Amy shares her best tips for making the most of summer.
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One of the best things about U.S. national and state parks is how accessible they are to every kind of user. Kids to Parks Day, organized by the National Parks Trust, looks to encourage families and kids into parks nationwide.
Chris Rief has made a project of taking his young daughter into the National Park units to do the Jr. Ranger program and collect the Jr. Ranger park cancellation stamps. In this episode Chris talks to us about what he’s learned about taking his own kid into the parks, how to make the most of the Jr. Ranger program and mistakes he’s made along the way.
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This time of year can be absolutely crazy as the season shifts. Projects and tasks seem to overlap. And it can be easy to forget the power of heading outside to help you deal with the busy. In this episode Amy remembers just how useful getting in nature can be.
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Before Amy really started to learn how to get outside and long before her 20-minute daily challenge, she discovered the National Parks cancelation stamps program and the club of people that enthusiastically participate.
As Humans Outside celebrates National Parks week we couldn't think of anything better than talking to the people who spearhead that club and bringing podcast guests the join of the obsession … we mean hobby … straight from the people who know it best. Yvonne Manske, the club’s current president, in this episode shares everything you need to know about the cancelation stamp program, and maybe even a little bit more.
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When was the last time you paused to remember why you head outside? In this Outdoor Diary, Amy talks a little about her book project and remembers her “why” behind starting her challenge in 2017 and still getting outside everyday now.
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You’ve probably been to a few National Parks. You might have even spent some serious time there. But have you actually truly experienced the ones you’ve visited?
That’s the goal of Liz and Dan Pollock, two National Parks enthusiasts based in Ohio. In this episode they talk about what has inspired them to tackle this project, why intentionality matters and the intense way they are experiencing Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the park closest to their home.
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It’s remarkable how a single day of nice weather can impact attitudes -- and Amy is no different. In this episode of the Humans Outside weekly Outdoor Diary, Amy considers the huge impact a swing towards warmer temperatures has had on her. She also updates us on the project to remodel the interior of their 1997 Ford Coachman conversion van.
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When Linda Mohammad immigrated to the U.S. from Malaysia it was not with the plan of visiting all of the country’s National Parks. But that’s exactly what she did -- at least until the system added another one in late 2020, knocking her away from her goal again, at least temporarily.
Now she’s sharing with us some awesome tips and tricks for National Park lovers of all stripes. In this episode Linda shares with us insider info on visiting and experiencing the National Parks and even tells us her most and least favorite parks so far.
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Sometimes everything in normal life just seems harder than it should be. But for that we have a change of perspective gifted by heading outside, looking around, doing something challenging and seeing something new.
In this Outdoor Diary episode, Amy talks about three experiences she recently had that helped her hunt for and find the good.
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In 2017 when Amy picked 20 minutes as her minimum daily outdoor time, she based that decision on some research she read in passing that said 20 minutes is enough time to spend outside and see health benefits from doing so. But Amy isn’t a social scientist or a scientific researcher, so her choice of 20 minutes wasn’t overly scientific either. That and every other outdoor decision she’s made is just based on gut.
So was she right? Has her outdoor experiment been aimed at the right thing -- or has she been wasting her life on the wrong timing and wrong activities? In this episode we bring in an actual outdoor experience researcher and scientist, Dr. Kathleen Wolf, to weigh-in on not just what the research says about what Amy is doing, but on how everyone can get the most out of their own time in nature.
Find full show notes at humansoutside.com
https://www.humansoutside.com/podcasts/dr-kathleen-wolf-humans-outside-podcast
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Winter seems to be just dragging on and on in Alaska, and to pull herself out of a late-winter funk, Amy spent a week reminding herself about the things she actually likes about Alaska by doing some of her favorite winter activities.
Listen to this week’s edition of Amy’s Outdoor Diary to find out what those winter things are and be inspired to make the most of whatever season you’re in.
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When Ben Cross took over his family’s UK-based flower farm, he faced an uphill battle of competing against the cheaper flower imported from overseas into UK marketplaces. His British Flowers Rock campaign looks to teach flower buyers the importance of supporting local flower farmers not just for sustainability, but for bringing a slice of their local nature inside.
In this episode Ben talks about what spending time flower farming has taught him about nature, why supporting local farmers - food and flowers - ties us to the outdoors and how bringing cut blooms indoors can increase our appreciation of the outdoors.
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Hitting 1,300 days in a row of heading outside for at least 20 consecutive and starting work on a book proposal has Amy thinking about the gifts of building an outdoor habit and the things she’s learned from heading outside.
In this Outdoor Diary Amy shares just a few of the things she’s learned during her outdoor diary.
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We’ve spent years thinking about and experiencing going outside impacts your life. But we never once realized that getting into nature would help us learn how to forgive. But all of that changed when we found the work of Sara Schulting Kranz. A wilderness guide, a life and leadership coach and a certified Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model therapist, Sara’s book, Walk Through This, guides readers through getting to forgiveness and understanding the freedom it gives by heading outside.
In this episode of Humans Outside Saraa shares her powerful story and insights on how nature and getting outside can bring you to a powerful place of forgiveness.
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How are you embracing spring? In Alaska it means marking the Vernal Equinox and finding ways to lean into those bright spring sunshine hours. Hear in this Outdoor Diary how Amy is doing that, plus details on how to submit your crazy wildlife story and appear on an upcoming Humans Outside episode.
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Hetty Key was so curious about how people experience the outdoors and what it does to their lives and attitudes, that she started her own research company to look specifically at women in sport. Her U.K-based firm, Women in Adventure, has now produced three studies on women in the outdoors. In this episode she walks us through her findings about mental health and nature, detailed in her 2019 report on her Mental Wellbeing Survey. We loved hearing her most surprising discoveries, and how we can use her findings to fuel our everyday life outdoors.
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One thing you may not know about Amy is that she hates birthday parties. Like, cannot stand them. In this outdoor diary, find out what the Bushatz family does instead and how they make heading outside part of every birthday!
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So often when we think about heading outside, we think about what it’s doing for our body and emotions -- how we feel. But time in nature and, specifically, doing things outside your comfort zone has a real impact on your brain, which then has an impact on everything else. And one of those brain things is creativity.
In this episode, positive psychologist and creativity expert Cordele Glass talks to us about how spending time in nature works with our brains to put us in what he calls an upward spiral, increasing our well being and specifically making us more creative. He also tells us how we can harness that experience for our own lives.
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If you’ve been following the Unplugging Challenge, you know Amy was trying to unplug over her outdoor time each day for a week. So what did the challenge teach her? Here she shares what she learned over the seven days of unplugging that you might want to know, too.
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Tim Moss thought the key to having a life focused on outdoor challenges was to them his job. But instead the UK-based adventurer found that adventure work brought fewer adventures to his life, so he shifted his mindset to make adventure a part of regular life -- and help others fund theirs through his Challenge Grants program.
Listen to Tim’s thoughts on leaving life as a professional adventurer and how to incorporate outdoor adventures into your normal, everyday life.
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Did you know that the vast majority of New Year resolutions fail by mid-February? If your outdoor habit is feeling wishy-washy, it’s never too late to get it back on track. In this week’s Outdoor Diary episode, Amy talks about re-energizing a lost or slightly broken habit.
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If you’re anything like me, you have trouble unplugging inside or outside. Even when I head outside I am typically toting my phone, snapping photos and getting sucked into various social media platforms. One time I was so busy texting that I almost walked into a moose.
My struggle is pretty normal, according to today’s guests. Unplugging is really, really hard. But Sebastian Slovin and Sonya Mohamed are unplugging experts, and on this episode they share not just the intel on why unplugging is so hard, but their best tips and tricks for making it happen inside and outside.
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When your outdoor time becomes such a habit that it’s just something you naturally do every day, you might find a new problem. Instead of experiencing the wonder of heading into nature, now you just do it as something to get done. In this episode Amy talks about the problems that brings, what causes it for her and what she noticed when she took the time to be present.
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Nothing about Alaska captures the imagination quite like sled dog racing and mushing. Imagine bundling against sub-zero temperatures and then forward standing on a sled pulled by a team of dogs -- and, for the long distance events, doing it for days on end. And while the races are only in the winter, keeping and caring for the dogs is a year-round thing. Dog racing is truly a lifestyle.
In this special episode of Humans Outside, two world-famous mushers and identical twin sisters, Kristy and Anna Berington, share with us not just everything you’ve ever wanted to know about mushing, but also a window into the special connection the sport creates with the outdoors.
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When was the last time you jumped off a cliff? In this Outdoor Diary Amy talks about why she decided to jump off a cliff, her vacation to Maui and an extremely long trip home to Alaska.
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Like it or not, sometimes life means relocating to a new place. Moving to an entirely new area far from friends or family can be unsettling no matter who you are. And no matter how great it is there, it’s definitely going to be different from the place you left behind, complete with things that are easy to enjoy and facets that are hard to get used to. In short, change is hard no matter what.
But what if heading outside could help you learn to love the place you live? Melody Warnick is an expert in place attachment, or what makes humans feel connected to specific locations, and she shares with us exactly why heading into nature connects you to the place you’re calling “home.”
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Ever have that moment where you make some sort of broad statement about not doing something, only to have to take it back later? Yeah, that happens to Amy a lot -- especially when it comes to doing stuff outside. And here’s why she’s OK with taking it back and eating her words every single time.
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Sonja Weick likes to do hard things. That’s how she ended up competing in Eco Challenge: Fiji and being featured on the Amazon Prime show about what’s billed as the world’s toughest endurance race. But all is not always sunshine and big wins in Sonja land -- something the reality program showed viewers worldwide. In this episode Sonja Weick talks about her journey into the outdoors, how it has impacted her mental health and how doing hard things outside - no matter what they are - can change you.
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Join Amy as she reflects on the FIRST BIRTHDAY of the Humans Outside Podcast! It has been a wild ride and we are so thankful for you, our listeners! Make sure to listen to get the details on some birthday giveaways coming this month!
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Carmen Rendell has learned a lot about life pivots -- and she’s let spending time in nature both adventuring and just being show her the way. Now the owner of Soul Hub, Carmen is also a walking therapist, guiding her clients to growth. So what is walking therapy and how can you practice it for yourself? Carmen tells us how.
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If you’re building an outdoor habit or have had one for awhile and you’re anything like Amy, you’re resistant to trying new things for a whole host of reasons. So how do you get over that hump? In this episode Amy talks about strategies for making yourself try new things outside.
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There is no stopping Max Romey -- not when he’s painting, not when he’s filming, not when he’s running and not when he’s doing all three at the exact same time. Instead of tackling learning challenges in the classroom, Max finds his way in the world by sharing what he sees with others. What he does is better than brilliant and it’s better than art: it’s inspiration. In this episode Max shares with us his why, his world and insights into how you can find for yourself the same life fire he feels.
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It’s easy to fall into a rut of the same old, same old when you head outside every day. After all, it’s simpler to just do the things that are, well, simple instead of seeking big adventure or heading out somewhere farther from home.
So how do you avoid that rut? In this episode we talk about what you “should” do when you head outside every day and how to keep it interesting.
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So you want to start a new habit like going outside every day no matter what, but you always seem to get derailed somehow. What are you doing wrong? And how can you keep yourself on track?
Sarah Hays Coomer has written a new book about exactly that. Hear Sarah talk in our Season 3 premiere not only about the how of building a habit, but the power of figuring out what you need, where it fits in your life, how to keep it going and the power of nature in all of that.
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If you’re building or keeping an outdoor habit, you might’ve wondered what, exactly, counts as “outside” time? Are there any rules? Do you have to be in a specific place, see a specific thing, do a specific activity? Must be only daylight? Only a park? Do you have to be moving?
In this episode Amy talks through the guardrails she thinks you should - or shouldn’t - have, and talks about the ones she has for herself.
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Are you ready for Season 3 of Humans Outside? We are! Season 3 is all about those practical insights and how-tos for building and keeping that outdoor habit. Come with me as I talk to experts and enthusiasts learning about creating a life focused on the outdoors and how to make the most of the gifts it offers.
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You’ve heard me talk about getting outside every single day, and you know I go for at least 20 consecutive minutes. But do you know why I picked 20 minutes? In this episode I go over the background of why I decided 20 minutes was the perfect amount of time for my daily outdoor habit.
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It’s almost 2021 -- time to put 2020 behind us and the perfect time to build or reenergize that outdoor habit. Want to know why I spend 20 minutes outside a day and how we got here on Humans Outside? Listen on. Also, I’m going tell you how to get a free one-month habit tracker printable made by me.
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Are you ready to welcome back the light in the season of hard and dark? This week Amy and the family visited another state park cabin as they celebrated Winter Solstice -- the darkest and shortest day of the year -- and contemplated the challenges and gifts that the darkness can bring.
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How do you make holiday memories outside and power through the dark days of December and winter? In this week’s Outdoor Diary Amy talks about her favorite annual outdoor festival in her small Alaska town and marks her latest milestone, 1,200 days in a row going outside for at least 20 consecutive minutes.
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Sometimes you just need to make space for a big idea to come. Check out this installment of Amy’s outdoor diary to find out how she did just that. Plus, hear how she got outside this week!
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If you’ve followed Humans Outside for even a millisecond, you know how incredibly important we think coffee is. We might be a little obsessed. But there’s just something about a hot cup of coffee by the campfire, in a mug on a cold day, brewed at the top of a mountain, sipped over a walk on a beach, or happily enjoyed basically anywhere outside that’s just entirely perfect.
Luckily we’re not the only people who think that. Tim Gravel, co-owner of the Alaska-based Kaladi Brothers doesn’t just know good coffee, he knows good coffee outside. And in this episode he helps us dial into the best ways for brewing coffee outdoors.
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How do you create a new tradition or know a new tradition worth keeping? Hear how Amy and her family spent Thanksgiving outside and whether it was as bad as she thought it would be.
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Ever made plans for the winter in the summer? All sounds like a good idea when it’s sunny outside. So here we are in November, and it’s time to enjoy the plans we made six months ago.
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When was the last time you knew exactly what to buy every single person on your holiday shopping list? And that’s why we created this special edition of the Humans Outside podcast, a 2020 holiday gift guide with items picked not just because they make good gifts, but because we really, really like them.
Even better? Seven of them are a part of our 7 Giveaways in 7 Days, with giveaways opening for entries Nov. 19 to 25.
Hear Amy talk to two special guests -- husband Luke Bushatz and ‘running wife’ Rachel Gernat - in this hilarious gift guide. And please ignore the part where we wander into a discussion about what an ascot is and the various really silly ways Luke wears hats.
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Amy and her family are under quarantine and battling through COVID-19. But they’re still headed outside every day for at least 20 minutes, and know that doing the same is key to staying safe, sane and getting healthy.
Hear more on this week’s episode of the Humans Outside podcast.
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Do you think of yourself as “outdoorsy?” Nature lovers and “outdoorsy” people aren’t just folks who scale mountains or go on long runs -- despite what the outdoor industry and even this podcast might (accidentally) have you believe. Instead, outdoor users come from all perspectives, backgrounds, sizes, shapes and interests. Like plants? Enjoy listening to birds? Appreciate coffee on the porch? Make going outside a part of your life? You’re a nature-lover. It’s as simple as that.
But getting to the point where you see yourself that way is a journey -- even for people who have mastered building their lives around making more time for what they enjoy. In this week’s episode digital nomad Esther Inman talks about the power of learning to see yourself as outdoorsy, how she built her life to give her more time for what she wants to do and how she helps other people do the same.
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It’s still a weird time of year for weather, as the fall transitions into the winter. In Alaska, that means some rain, some snow and a lot of slushy yuck, Amy’s least favorite kind of weather. So how do you get outside when it’s less than ideal? And what do you wear? Listen to this Outdoor Diary to find out how Amy is handling that.
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Here at Humans Outside we practice getting outside every day for 20 minutes no matter the weather -- and that means sometimes we go outside when it’s wet, cold or otherwise not that pleasant. Sometimes we go outside when the weather is bad.
But if you’ve never had an outdoor habit or spent a lot of time outside in the winter, then you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by what some folks think of as the basics, like what kind of jacket to wear or how to keep your hands and feet warm.
No matter where you live you’re likely to at some point face what you see as less than ideal weather. Cold is relative to your experience, whether you’re in Alaska or in Florida. So how do you know what to wear?
The good news is that learning how to dress for cold weather is basically the same wherever you are. What largely changes is how much you wear or the thickness or warmth of your choice.
Mollie Foster is an Alaska-based guide and outdoor author. Her guide company, Traverse Alaska, helps all sorts of people get outside, and her book, Hiking Alaska, tells others where to go.
In this highly practical episode of Humans Outside Mollie tells outdoor-lovers what to wear for going outside and how to dress for cold weather.
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It’s a big ball of stress out there, friends. At the time of this writing, that stress might be from the U.S. election. But the truth of the matter is that the world has been stressful for a while, and that is unlikely to change any time soon. And even if it does? There will be stressful moments.
And that’s why it’s so great that the outdoors is always there for us, just waiting to take some of the burden away. How you use it is up to you. Here’s Amy’s advice.
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As a certified forest therapist, Michelle Abbey knows the personal benefits of heading outside. She’s even shared them with us during Humans Outside Season One. But getting into nature isn’t just something she recommends for clients — it’s also a tool she and her husband Derek Abbey use for bettering their marriage.
In this episode of Humans Outside Michelle and Derek reveal not only why spending time has been an incredible marriage tool, but how others can leverage nature for both themselves and their relationships.
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Need a little motivation to get out there and follow your own plans and goals? It’s “mission accomplished” time for Amy’s modified, one-mile-per-day marathon, and has some thoughts on goal hitting and never, ever letting someone else tell you what your goals should look like.
Hear all about the importance of relative goals and following your own path, plus a few recommendations for some fantastic warm jackets on this week’s Humans Outside Outdoor Diary.
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Toby Israel calls herself a “vagabondess.” Her book of the same title, part personal exploration, part practical guide for female travelers, gives readers are a window into what it’s like to wander the world happy and free.
In this episode of Humans Outside Toby gives us a window into that experience, and offers some practical tips for making full time travel happen for yourself that any one -- man or woman -- can use. Someday we will operate in a post-pandemic world. For now, prepare for that reality by hearing Toby’s great advice.
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Alaska Day is the perfect to contemplate what we love about living in Alaska. When it happens to correspond with the first snowfall of the year? Well, how could we not talk about Alaska Day -- and even sing for you.
Enjoy this episode of the Outdoor Diary and the only time you’ll probably ever hear Amy do this.
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Few careers are as demanding and all encompassing as military service. Your time, where you live, where you’ll be tomorrow and how long you’ll be there are not your own. So how do you prioritize an outdoor-adventure focused life around those things?
The lessons Kathy Beasley learned about that effort over her career in the U.S. Navy and a dedication to staying active have guided her to incredible heights -- literally -- and aren’t only applicable for those who work for Uncle Sam. Listen to this episode with Kathy Beasley for insight into not only how to build outdoor adventures into regular life, but how to keep them a priority for a lifetime.
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Listen as Amy Bushatz explains why she calls being in a funk “floor time” and how she recovers.
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If all you know of attorney and entrepreneur Rachel Brenke is her online presence, you might be tricked into thinking she literally does it all. Her boutique law firm specializes in supporting small businesses nationwide with their brands, providing legal resources for digital entrepreneurs, photographers and gym owners. But she’s also a mom, spouse, runner, ironman and thyroid cancer survivor.
But behind the magic is a finely tuned system of hard work, maximizing what she spends her time on -- and hitting the outdoors to help the whole thing work. In this episode Rachel talks about how the outdoors helps her make it happen, how she fits it in with her multiple jobs and hobbies and tips for others looking to balance it all.
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As promised, we have received names for our new camper van based on our your suggestions -- and picked a winner. But before we go there, we have to talk about Amy’s new challenge.
That’s right, not despite having surgery but rather because of that, Amy needs a new challenge. But what is “challenge?” And how does a challenge differ person to person? And how does doing something with purpose impact it?
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After a suicide attempt almost took her life and left her with a tracheotomy, Carol Seppilu ultimately made the choice to pursue mental health through ultra trail running. If you think running 100 miles sounds hard, imagine how hard it must be when breathing is a challenge under even non-running circumstances.
But Carol is relentless in her pursuit of doing great things. Listen to her share her journey and why staying in touch with her Indigenous Alaskan culture is an important part of that on this episode of the Humans Outside podcast.
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On this week's Outdoor Diary, find out what Amy’s big purchase of the week was - and how it is going to be a major game changer for her outdoor time this winter!
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When Hannah Wolt and Jennifer Everheart found themselves stationed really far away from home in the kind of exotic location most folks only dream about, they knew two things: that had to make the best of it, and they needed some new friends. Guam, a U.S. territory in the Pacific Ocean, is a whole other world for mainlander Americans, complete with exotic waterfalls, amazing hiking and tree snakes (yes, tree snakes).
Their solution? An outdoor group for military families, Military Wild. Hear about friendship in the outdoors and some of the peculiarities of Guam (like the need for a “spider stick” -- we wish we were kidding) in this fun episode.
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Major hip surgery is a great reason to hang out on the couch for a few days and not go outside ... unless, that is, you're working on a more than three year 20 minutes-per-day outdoor streak. Amy didn't let hip surgery get her down. Hear how she continued to get outside and what she needs from you on this week's episode of the Humans Outside Outdoor Diary.
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What’s the difference between wilderness therapy and just, well, going outside? Judith Sadora, a licensed therapist based in Oregon, practices wilderness therapy with clients outdoors and is an expert in how spending time outside can help us work through trauma. Hear why the outdoors is a great “container” and how to create your own therapeutic experience outside in this thoughtful and insightful episode.
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Check in with Amy as she shares her last adventures in the outdoors before hitting the operating room!
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For many outdoor users, heading into the backcountry is about finding that awesome solitude that brings both peace of mind and peace of body. Hunter and videographer Chris Mann pairs that pursuit with hunting as part of High Range Hunting, which takes veterans, first responders and families of fallen military personnel out on hunts nationwide.
Hear how Chris uses the outdoors for himself and what he’s learned through the act of solitude on this episode of the Humans Outside podcast.
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Who even decided January is the perfect time for fresh starts? Here’s why September makes more sense, and the new habit you should start -- or double down on -- today.
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In the beginning she was just trying to save her sanity, says Virginia Yurich, who goes by Ginny. With a passel of little kids she was feeling run ragged brought by all the commitments shuffling children here and there. When her friend invited her to simply spend some time outside, letting her kids explore and live a little, she was skeptical. But after seeing the benefits, her skepticism vanished -- and she was hooked.
Now Ginny shares her experience through a vibrant community of parents and families with one goal in mind: getting their kids to spend at least 1,000 hours outside each year. That seems like a huge number, but Ginny says it’s both possible and completely lifechanging for the whole family.
Listen to this episode of the Humans Outside podcast to learn how Ginny makes it happen, and how you can integrate her lessons into your own life.
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Have you ever woken up to find that things are way harder and more sad than you expected? That’s what happened to Amy this week when she got some bad news about a hip injury she started dealing with over the podcast break. Hear how she’s handling it in this episode of the weekly Outdoor Diary.
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By studying hundreds of time management logs and interviewing some of the most productive men and women in the country, Laura Vanderkam hasn’t just become one of the most sought after time management experts in the country, she has learned what it takes to get the most of time, whether that means doing more for work or making more time to play.
Vanderkam also happens to be the time management expert who taught Amy everything she knows about productivity and getting the most of her time, one of Amy’s favorite subjects. She also has tried Amy’s 20 minutes a day outdoor time experiment.
What she’s learned about time management and getting the most out of the minutes we have can help you find more minutes in your schedule to spend in nature. Hear her best tips, tricks, and insights on this exciting episode of the Humans Outside podcast.
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So what exactly has Amy been doing outside this summer? Probably not what you would guess. Listen to hear all of the exciting adventures she has had, and also how she has dealt with the disappointment of the summer not being what she expected.
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You’ve heard them mentioned, you’ve seen their pictures -- and now you get to hear them on the Humans Outside podcast: Amy’s “running wives,” Clare Shea and Rachel Gernat. In this podcast Season 2 premier, Amy, Clare, and Rachel discuss outdoor-based friendship, what makes it special and how, exactly, you, too, can make outdoor-minded friends. What’s the secret sauce? How do you even find great friends?
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We're reading for Season 2 of the Humans Outside podcast! Upcoming guests include Laura Vanderkam, author of some of my favorite books and host of the Before Breakfast podcast, outdoor therapist Judith Sadora, 1,000 hours outside founder Ginny Yurich, High Range Hunting owner Chris Mann and indigenous Alaskan, mental health advocate and ultra runner who competes with a tracheotomy Carol Seppilu and, of course, Amy's "running wives," Rachel Gernat and Clare Shae.
This is a season you don't want to miss.
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Listen in as Amy recaps the first season of Humans Outside and gives you the lowdown on how you can keep up with us even during our summer podcast break!
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There’s something about working with the earth, about hearing the birds sing and about producing in the sun. It’s more than just the physical labor, says this week’s guest Peter Scott, it’s about creating and being a part of something bigger.
Peter Scott can’t talk about a lot of what he did and saw while in the military. But he can talk about the farm he now uses to help veterans like himself heal from the wounds of war and to grow food for local military and veteran families. Listen to this compelling episode now!
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You probably know that “solstice” marks the shortest or longest day of the year. But did you know why it’s worth celebrating?
In this Outdoor Diary, Amy talks about Summer Solstice and why it matters so very much. Listen now!
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Stephanie Puglisi and her family want to make traveling a part of their lifestyle, but with twin infants, the idea of tent camping seemed kind of crazy and staying in hotels was just super stressful.
Enter: RVing. Stephanie and her husband Jeremy changed their entire lives by investing in an RV and making traveling, camping and spending time in nature just a part of who they are as individuals and as a family.
If you’ve ever thought about taking up camping but just hate the idea of sleeping on the ground or in a tent, this one is for you. Listen to this episode for great tips on purchasing an RV and shaping your professional life to support your personal goals.
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You know those moments in the outdoors where you’re standing on the cusp of things going very, very wrong? That was the beginning of Amy’s weekend adventure when her son, Dave, briefly went missing.
Hear the drama and all about Amy’s outdoor time last week on this episode of the Humans Outside Outdoor Diary.
Mentioned in the show:
Ptarmigan Lake, Alaska
Balega socks
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What if you spent your adult life living in vastly different parts of the U.S. because your job made you? How would you make sure you were making the most of it? Would adapting be hard? Would you never want to explore again? Would it be easy to take advantage of every space -- or would you be just over it?
This week’s guest Rebekah Sanderlin is living that life and has some great advice for anyone who wants to make sure they are taking advantage of wherever they find themselves, no matter how long they’ve lived there or plan to stay.
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The outdoors offers space -- both physical and mental -- for deep thought and conversation. And when it comes to sorting through the racial issues with which America is grappling right now, it’s the perfect setting for tough stuff. Here’s how Amy experienced that this week.
Connect with this episode:
Black Lives Matter Protests
REI Kingdom 8 Tent
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If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the last few months, it’s that life doesn’t always go the way you planned. Sometimes the world shifts in a way you didn’t anticipate, and you have to make a decision: are you going to let it derail you, or will you ultimately adapt and overcome?
This week’s guest Craig Vaream faced that decision when he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. One second he was healthy, athletic and living life to its fullest -- and the next he was learning to live with and manage a complicated disease.
Rather than let it sideline him, he chose a different path -- and used it to fuel his fire. In this episode Craig, now an inspirational speaker and author of the new book No Limits: Adventures and Lessons from Living with Diabetes, shares how spending time in the outdoors helped him do so, and how people can do the same.
Mentioned in the show:Read Craig’s book, No Limits: Adventures and Lessons from Living with Diabetes
Learn about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
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As we confront racial injustice in our world, Amy reflects in this week’s outdoor diary on both her privilege and those providing inspiration as they fight that injustice.
What inspires a person to conquer big things outside or try for the seemingly impossible? Those are questions this week’s guest Darcy Gaechter had plenty of time to ponder as she became the first woman to ever paddle the Amazon River from source to sea. A journey now detailed in her new memoir, Darcy joins us on the podcast to talk about that adventure and what she learned along the way.
Mentioned in the show:
Favorite Gear: Jackson Kayak Nirvana
Most Essential Gear: Kayak dry suit
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As of May 27, 2020 Amy hits an incredible milestone: 1,000 days in a row doing her daily outdoor time challenge. That’s 1,000 days spending at least 20 consecutive minutes outside every day. In this week’s Outdoor Diary she gives a window into what those 1,000 days mean now that they are over.
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When was the last time you were fired-up? We mean really fired-up?
Fired-up-ness is status quo living for Mike Erwin, founder and Executive Director of veteran service organization Team Red, White & Blue, which connects veterans with their communities. Mike is laser-focused building leaders and living a life focused on positivity, and he’s doing it through fitness, community service -- and heading outside.
Catch Mike in this episode drilling down into how he’s seen heading into nature develop strong leaders, plus tips on keeping that leadership fire burning when the going gets tough.
Mentioned in the show:
Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB)
Team RWB Eagle logo
Team RWB ethos
Veterans
First Responders
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Addarondacks, New York
Lake of the Pines
University of Michigan
Positive psychology
Army Special Forces
VA Hospital, Ann Arbor
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Rock climbing
CrossFit
Triathlon
Military transition
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Volleyball
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Rucking
Running
Runners high
Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)
Mental health
Spending 20 minutes outside a day
Tommy Caldwell
Estes Park, Colorado
Fort Polk, Louisiana
The Village Arboretum, North Carolina
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude
Solitude vs. isolation
Snowshoeing
Lake Placid
Appalachian Trail
JFK 50 Miler
Favorite Gear: REI pants
Most Essential Gear: Cowboy boots or ruck
Affiliate links above.
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As restrictions ease across the country and numbers continue to drop, it seems like outdoor life, at least, is starting to return to normal. At least that’s how it’s feeling where Amy is. And her outdoor adventures are starting to reflect some of those normal patterns -- sort of.
Hear all about it on this week’s Outdoor Diary.
Check out Goodr sunglasses
Look at Eska Falls trail
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When neither addiciton nor a suicide attempt ended her life, Kate Arnold found the strength to not just change everything, but to live boldly. Now she’s a runner, athlete and fitness coach in Palmer, Alaska, soaking in creation and living each moment boldly and loudly because she can. In a world of Instagram fame, “influencers,” and self-promotion, it can be hard to find the folks who are out there just humbly doing incredible things while no one is watching.
Kate is that person and she has a deeply felt reason for doing it. In this week’s podcast she shares what drives her and her no-big-deal (except that it is) view on what it’s like to be a total outdoor badass like Kate, where she draws her strength and how she’s taking others out to explore Alaska, too.
Mentioned in the show:
The Butte, Alaska
Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska
Wisconsin
Alcoholism
Addiction
Susitna 100
Faith
12 step programs
“Higher power”
Iditasport 100k
Lazy Mountain
Dave Johnston
Christy Marvin
Pioneer Peak
Run Like a Girl running adventures
Iceland
Patagonia
Costa Rica
Italy
Reindeer Farm
Musk Ox Farm
Palmer, Alaska
W Trek, Patagonia park
Favorite outdoor gear:
Montbell down pants
Most essential outdoor gear:
Buff
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How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
A window into Amy’s why and an important ask make up this week’s Outdoor Diary. With Memorial Day just a few weeks away, you can take a moment to plan how you are going to mark it, and Amy has a suggestion.
Mentioned in the show:
wear blue: run to remember: https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/
wear blue: run to remember Memorial Day walk/run pledge: https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/memorial-day
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Follow us on Instagram and share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
In the U.S., creating space for conservation and outdoor use is directly tied to public lands. But what do you do when most land is privately held? And how do you encourage conservation and nature appreciation in major cities like Dallas? For Joni Carswell and Texan By Nature, an organization founded by former First Lady Laura Bush, the answer comes down to everyone - businesses, nonprofits and citizens - working together to focus on what we share around the outdoors.
Catch Joni’s beliefs around conservation, her love of Texas, tips for encouraging conservation in your own backyard, plus the inside scoop on why, exactly, it always looks a little bit like the George W. Bush Presidential Library’s lawn is getting out of hand.
Mentioned in the show:
Austin, Texas
El Paso, Texas
Laura Bush
National Parks
Bird Watching
Texan By Nature: https://www.texanbynature.org
West Texas
US Fish and Wildlife
Natural Resource Management
Monarchs
Land restoration
Biodiverse habitat pollinators
Ogallala, Texas
George W Bush Presidential Center
Dallas, Texas
Blackland Prairie
Rainwater capture
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower
Crawford Texas
Texas State Parks
Texas Bee Keepers Association
Health benefits of going outside
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Texas Children in Nature
Conservation Wranglers
Texas Monthly Magazine
Texan By Nature 20
Guadalupe Peak, Texas
Favorite Gear: Icebreaker Gloves
Most Essential Gear: Polarized sunglasses
Affiliate links above.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
Listen to this episode of Amy's outdoor diary to hear how she got outside last week and all about her epic gear fail! And what exactly are “running wives” anyway?
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
How are you spending your outdoor time? Tell us at (360) 362-5317.
When we say “forest bathing” we definitely don’t mean taking a scrub surrounded by trees. First formally started in Japan, shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” is a nature therapy focused on mindfulness. And certified forest therapists, like today’s guest Michelle Abbey, help students get there.
OK, but why do you need a forest therapist to help you go outside? And what does studying forest therapy teach you about your own relationship with nature? Michelle gives us the inside scoop.
Mentioned in the show:
Certified Forest Therapist
Forest Bathing
California Central Coast
Amy’s #humansoutside365 challenge
Proprioceptive sense
Phytoncides
Interoceptive sense
Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs
San Jacinto Mountain, Idyllwild California
Favorite Gear: Buff
Most Essential Gear: Headlamp and emergency blanket
Affiliate links included above.
Email Michelle at abbeynutrition@gmail.com or follow her on Instagram as @thenaturenutritionist.
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Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Email us at contact(at)humansoutside(dot)com and share a photo and description of your outdoor time. If we use it, we’ll send you a decal!
Listen to this installment of Amy’s outdoor diary to hear about how she got outside last week. Hint: it involves snowshoes and a pretty darn remote cabin!
Mentioned in the show:
Alaska State Parks: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/index.htm
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
How are you spending your outdoor time? Tell us at (360) 362-5317.
What if going outside isn’t just your inspiration, but also the inspiration you share with others? When Nailah Baldes Wylie looked at her life as a marketer and communicator, she knew she wasn’t happy in her job, and that one thing did make her happy and inspired -- spending time outside.
And so she founded Color Outside, a coaching and community building company that takes women of color outside to explore and build both themselves and their business goals.
What is it about doing hard things outside that translates so well to business? This inspirational interview with Nailah Blades Wylie is sure to leave you ready to conquer your own challenges both in and out of the office.
Find Nailah on her website, on Facebook and Instagram.
Mentioned in the show:
Utah
Southern California
Salt Lake City, Utah
Color Outside
Salt Lake City Mountains
Outdoor rock climbing
Indoor rock climbing
Snowshoeing
Hiking
Skiing
Snorkeling in a crater in Utah
The 3 Day Effect
Nordic Center
Trailmix
Lip balm
Machu Picchu
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Favorite Gear: Eddie Bauer leggings
Most Essential Gear: Eddie Bauer Lukla Pro Mid Hiker or Hoka One One Speedgoat hiking boots
Affiliate links included above.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Email us at contact(at)humansoutside(dot)com and share a photo and description of your outdoor time. If we use it, we’ll send you a decal!
Amy discusses how she spent her time outside last week and kept things fresh even in this monotonous season of staying at home.
Mentioned in the Show:
Bogs: https://bit.ly/3cvu0xj
Affiliate link above.
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
How are you spending your outdoor time? Tell us at (360) 362-5317.
Sometimes you follow your gut for problem solving. And sometimes you follow your … feet?
That, at least, is what Biran Beckstead did when he co-founded the running shoe company Altra. Looking to solve both his own running shoe problems and the problems of clients hitting up a store where he sold running shoes, he worked with a partner to design a shoe that did what they needed.
What can designing a running shoe teach about building a business? And how does staying in touch with the outdoors make a difference? Brian shares his secrets as well as a few tips about shoe design (hint: it involves a toaster oven) in this fascinating episode.
Find Altra online, and follow Brian’s ultra running and fishing adventures on Instagram.
Mentioned in the show:
Altra Shoes
Altra Escalante
Cross country running
Bunions
Neuromas
Hammer toes
Mount Marathon
Laura Vanderkam
Bryce Canyon National Park
Orem, Utah
Fly fishing
Ultra Trail Mount Fuji
New Zealand
Favorite Gear: Altra Lone Peak Shoes & Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System
Most Essential Gear: Positive Attitude
Affiliate links included above.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
In this installment of the Humans Outside Outdoor Diary, Amy discusses how she finally had a breakthrough last week and which aspects of the outdoors got her there.
Mentioned in the show:
Altra Escalante 2 (women’s): https://cutt.ly/0tN1OqS
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
How are you spending your outdoor time? Tell us at (360) 362-5317.
Have you ever loved a place enough to spend your life writing about it and the people who live there? That's Charles Wohlforth's relationship with Alaska and the outdoors.
His trademark, he said, was learning about the outdoors and the outdoor sports and people he was covering as he covered them. He also wrote extensively about global warming. And although he now lives in outside Alaska, his passion for the arctic remains.
Join us for this fascinating interview!
Mentioned in the show:
Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Alaska
Global warming
Outdoor Explorer
The Whale and the Supercomputer
Everglades, Florida
Arctic
Alaska for Dummies
Family Vacations in the National Parks
Frommer's Alaska
Kenai Fjords National Park
Denali National Park
Kenai Peninsula
Seward, Alaska
Homer, Alaska
Whittier, Alaska
Favorite gear:
The bike is REI's CTY 2.2 (modified by Charles with a higher stem)
Charles notes: “It has Ortlieb Classic panniers, which carry a huge load.”
Photo credit: Erik Hill
Affiliate links included above.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
Do you ever just need an attitude adjustment? Here how Amy worked through her bad attitude last week and how she finally found her solution in the outdoors!
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
How are you spending your outdoor time? Tell us at (360) 362-5317.
If you’ve listened to this podcast or followed me on Instagram, you’ve surely noticed that I love to run. It’s where I find my best therapy. But that’s not always been the case. I started running because of one person -- Lisa Hallett -- and the organization she cofounded, wear blue: run to remember. Lisa and I share the unbreakable bond of not just being Army wives whose husbands were in the same unit, but of trauma and loss experienced when that unit lost so many soldiers in combat, including her husband Capt. John Hallett.
In this episode Lisa shares the role spending time outside has had in her healing and helping her family move through that loss.
Things mentioned in the show:
Lisa’s favorite piece of outdoor gear:
Snacks (all of them)
Lisa’s most essential outdoor gear:
Cheap gloves from Target
Affiliate links included above.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
Neighborhood walks, frozen lake walks, and cabin comedy of errors! Check out this outdoor diary to find out how Amy and her family got outside last week and how the outdoors are helping them stay sane during this time of upheaval.
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
How are you spending your outdoor time? Tell us at (360) 362-5317.
After I started spending at least 20 consecutive minutes outside every day I started wondering how spending time outside helps my relationships. Does it make my marriage better? And if so, why?
I’m so excited to share this conversation with my good friend Corie Weather where we dive into just that. A marriage counselor and Army spouse. Corie is one of my most favorite people in the world.
Things mentioned in the show:
Sacred Spaces: My Journey to the Heart of Military Marriage
Corie’s most essential outdoor gear:
Merrell Boots: https://amzn.to/2wvRnYn
Corie’s favorite outdoor gear:
Multi-room tents: https://amzn.to/2J6OJes
Affiliate links included above.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
The current state of the world and “social distancing” can make you a little stir-crazy. The cure? Get outside! Last week, one of Amy’s favorite races was canceled due to you-know-what, so she headed on a glacier adventure with some friends.
Mentioned in the show:
Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
The world has been thrown for a loop with the spread of COVID-19. This included the cancelation of Amy’s travel plans to sunny California. Listen in to find out how she still made time to get outside, even during this season of social distancing!
Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
Adrianne Haslet wasn’t at the Boston Marathon finish line in 2013 because she was a runner. Her decision to walk by, however, changed her life as the bombs went off, taking her leg in their wake.
Now, seven years later, she’s not only running Boston for a second time as an amputee, she also convinced race association officials to add an amputee category -- and she’s aiming to win it.
Get ready to be inspired through this incredible conversation with Adrianne about healing in the outdoors through a sport she never even considered before the bombing. Adrianne isn’t just fighting back against what happened -- she’s winning.
Mentioned in the show:
Coach Bennett https://www.instagram.com/coachbennett/?hl=en
Fred Estaire the Therapy Dog https://www.instagram.com/fred.estaire/
We.org https://www.we.org/en-US/
Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
https://www.backpacker.com/trips/the-perfect-circle-hiking-the-annapurna-circuit
REI trail https://www.rei.com/maintenance
Patagonia trail maintenance
Nalgene water bottle https://amzn.to/2UKrUEn
Maasai Mara National Preserve, Kenya https://www.maasaimarakenyapark.com/
Favorite gear:
Nalgene water bottle: https://amzn.to/335Klp6
Most essential gear:
Madewell fannypack: https://shop.nordstrom.com/c/belt-bags/filter/madewell~brand_11669
Follow Adrianne on social media (and get ready to be seriously inspired):
Instagram: @adriannehaslet and #adriannestrong
Affiliate links included above
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
Amy was traveling last week, but she still made time to get outside! Listen to this episode of her Outdoor Diary to find out the best tips for getting outside when you’re on a business trip!
Bonus: you’ll never believe who she met during her outside time right before she left Alaska!
Mentioned in the Show:
Dallas Parks & Recreation: https://www.dallasparks.org/
Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
What does conservation and hunting have in common? According to this week’s guest, JJ Hinton, everything. JJ leads the Mule Deer Foundation, a Utah-based organization that advocates for the preservation of Mule Deer. An avid hunter, JJ loves the outdoors for the solitude and food it offers.
Listen to this week’s episode for an honest exchange of ideas and understanding as Amy, a non-hunter, learns from JJ’s perspective on what makes the outdoors special to him, and how we can all meet in the middle.
Mentioned in the show:
Upland hunting
Grouse
Pheasants
Chukar
German Wirehaired Pointer
Vista Outdoor
Camelbak
Millett
Mule Deer Foundation
Black-tailedl deer
Mule deer habitat constraints
Wildfire suppression
Chronic wasting disease
Wildlife management and habitat
The Pittman-Robertson Act 1937
Teddy Rosevelt hunter and conservationist
U.S. National Parks
Trophy hunting
Hunting approval rating
Dirtbags
Secret berry picking
Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
Duck decoys
Prairie pothole in North Dakota
Ducks Unlimited
Waterfowl hunting
Favorite gear:
Game vest. JJ’s favorite is no longer made, but he says this one is comparable: https://www.alpsbrands.com/alpsoutdoorz/products/extreme/upland-game-vest-x
Most essential gear:
Merino wool base layers (like Smartwool): https://amzn.to/3anwD3h
Affiliate links included above
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
Check out this outdoor diary episode to find out what Amy did outside last week! It’s a family friendly event that’s definitely unique to Alaska! Hint: it involves fur, ice cream, dogsleds, and extremely cold temperatures.
Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
Nicole Spitzack’s journey to the outdoors hasn’t been all fun and adventure. While her passion for world travel really has led her to some incredible places, it’s been the journey to heal from the sudden death of her father and sister that has taught her to seek solace in the everyday moments.
In this incredibly raw interview, Nicole, a fitness model, nutrition coach, Crossfit trainer, mom and Army spouse talks about finding connection and health in the outdoors. Hear her tips for getting outside and staying on track!
Things mentioned in the show:
Zion National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Death Valley National Park
Redoubt Volcano, Alaska
Switzerland
CrossFit Sola Fide, Tennessee
CrossFit Jaakrhu, Texas
Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike
Nicole’s favorite outdoor gear:
ASOLO Hiking Boot Link: https://www.asolo.com/en
Smartwool socks and base-layers: https://amzn.to/2Phpnhp
Affiliate links above.
Find Nicole Spitzack on Social Media (and otherwise)
Nicole Spitzack on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolespitzack/?hl=en
Nicole Spitzack on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolespitzacknutrition/
Nicole.Spitzack@Hotmail.com
Register for our newsletter to win a decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Share your outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
How are you spending your outdoor time? Tell us at (360) 362-5317.
Recently, Amy experienced a newfound motivation to try an outdoor activity that she has never done before! Listen to this outdoor diary episode to find out what new activity Amy tried last week and how she felt about it!
Mentioned in this episode:
Great Land Trust: https://greatlandtrust.org
Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
Erin Kirkland’s work as an Alaska travel wizard is centered not on outsides, but on Alaskans themselves. But she doesn’t stop there. She’s got an extra focus on the state’s future stewards: kids. As the founder and author of AK On the Go, she’s also worked on guide books focused on traveling the state with kids.
In this episode Erin weighs in on how playing outside makes us better as people and families, plus advice on traveling the state for residents and visitors.
Things mentioned in the show:
AK On the Go
Kesugi Ken Campground
Denali National Park
Glen Alps near Anchorage
Teenagers who don’t wear enough clothes in the winter
Alaska State Parks
Alaska Families to Parks Days
Beluga Cabin, Bird Creek Campground
Turnagain Arm
4-H
Finger Lake Campground, Alaska
Toolbox of camping gear
Outdoor Families Magazine and print-offs
UnCruise
Kids to Parks Day
Becoming an Outdoor Woman
Fairbanks, Alaska
Denali Highway
Kachemak Bay
Juneau, Alaska
Alaska State Capitol
Glacier Bay, Alaska
Lupin (alpine flower)
Erin’s favorite outdoor gear:
A rain jacket -- variety depends on the conditions.
Erin’s most essential outdoor gear:
Teton Sports backpack: https://amzn.to/2wnkwEJ
Find Erin’s website social media
AK On the Go: www.AKontheGO.com
AK on the Go Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akonthego
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akonthego/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/akonthego
Books: www.AKontheGO.com/book
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
Time in the outdoors is supposed to be full of adventure and new experiences, right? Well, sometimes.
But other times, we do the same thing over and over. When this happens, it’s important to take the time to be intentional and really notice what is going on around us. Find out how Amy did this last week!
What are you doing outside?
Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
Spending time outdoors can help us heal, but what if we could use it to help others heal, too?
Elizabeth Carr has used the outdoors to help her heal from her own trauma. She also works with Back on My Feet, an organization that uses running to help the homeless, well, get back on their feet. Elizabeth tells us all about her personal journey to running and how it clears her head.
We also hear about her claim to fame: she’s in the Guinness Book of World Records...but not for running.
Things mentioned in the show:
Runner’s World: https://www.runnersworld.com/
Back on My Feet: https://www.backonmyfeet.org/
Elizabeth’s favorite piece of outdoor gear:
Craft Hybrid weather Gloves: https://amzn.to/2uCfB1W
Elizabeth’s most essential outdoor gear:
Backpack (notes from Elizabeth in quotes): "Actually a cycling bag but I use it for running because of the lumbar cushion, chest strap and waist strap and the fact that it is 100 percent waterproof made of dry bag material!"
https://www.provizsports.com/en-us/reflect360-waterproof-dry-bag-1694.html
Follow Back on My Feet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backonmyfeet/
Affiliate links included above.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
How does Amy celebrate? By getting outside, of course! This week’s adventures included a lot of little pockets of the outdoors between life, as well as hitting the slopes with the family, and a mountain run. Yes, a mountain.
Mentioned in this week’s episode:
Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System: https://www.rei.com/product/890608/kahtoola-microspikes-traction-system
Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
One moment she was riding high off taking gold in nordic skiing at the olympics, a first for the U.S., and the next she was receiving a breast cancer diagnosis.
But Kikkan Randall doesn’t take life’s challenges lying down. Not only did she fight cancer, she did so while staying active, proving that spending time outside and moving your body isn’t just possible no matter what, it’s necessary.
Kikkan joined us on The Humans Outside Podcast to talk nature therapy, kid raising, fighting cancer, body image and even a sneak peak on what’s next for her.
Things mentioned in the show:
Happy Socks, designed by Kikkan during her cancer fight and made by Darn Tough: https://shop.kikkan.com/
Kikkan’s favorite piece of outdoor gear:
Her cross country skis (surprise!), Fischer Speedmax 3D Skate Plus: https://www.fischersports.com/ca_en/speedmax-3d-skate-plus-1172?c=4925
Kikkan’s most essential outdoor gear:
LL Bean Neoshell Jacket (designed with her help!): https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/91143?page=womens-beans-neoshell-jacket-color-block-misses
Bonus! Kikkan’s LL Bean page: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/517974?page=kikkan-randall&nav=C4t517974-517973
Follow Kikkan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kikkanimal/
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Don’t forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
It’s easy to stick to the easy when the weather is already hard. This week outdoor time included something a little different: a snowshoe race.
Mentioned in the show:
Snowshoe racing: http://www.snowshoeracing.com/
These are Amy’s snowshoes (but an older model): https://www.rei.com/product/107172/atlas-run-snowshoes
This week’s Real Outdoor Hero is the Solomon Spikecross 5 GTX running shoe (only comes in mens): https://amzn.to/36YaztU
Affiliate links above.
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Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
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How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
A cruise isn’t exactly the most ideal way to spend time in nature, but it IS warm. People always ask how we deal with the darkness in Alaska. Finding some sun is key.
But a cruise isn’t all we did during our thaw-out trip to Florida. Listen to hear it all.
Mentioned in this week’s episode:
Canaveral National Seashore: https://www.nps.gov/cana/index.htm
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.
It’s no secret that spending time outside can help people process traumatic experiences. But about literally walking off a war? And what about doing it with your husband or wife?
Wella and Justin Jay, Army veterans who now call Alaska home, did exactly that in 2017 with the help of the organization Warrior Expeditions. In today’s episode, the couple reflects on how journeying through the wilderness not only helped them work through the experiences of service overseas, but also brought them closer as a couple and back to “normal” society.
Things mentioned in the show:
“Barefoot Sisters:” https://amzn.to/2SVbtUB
"A Walk in the Woods” https://amzn.to/37zVeQQ
Warrior Expeditions: https://warriorexpeditions.org/
Justin and Wella’s favorite piece of outdoor gear:
Big Agnus Fly Creek HV UL two-person backpacking tent
https://amzn.to/37DUmuz
Their most essential outdoor gear:
Justin: Chocolate (listen to the show to find out why)
Wella: Biodegradable baby wipes https://amzn.to/37yp9Jg
Affiliate links included above.
How are we spending time outside?
Outdoor time this week wasn’t exactly, well, ideal. It was really cold and it included my first-ever marathon DNF -- did not finish. So what’s THAT like? Listen for more.
Mentioned in this week’s episode:
Anchorage’s Frosty Bottom Marathon: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=72494
Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/
Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/
Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/
How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call (360) 362-5317.