Will Cockrell joins the podcast to discuss his recently published book detailing the history of Mount Everest, his perspective on the draw of mountaineering, and the connection between suffering and achievement.  Will also explains the need to tell the full story of Everest, as well as the misconceptions and negative narratives surrounding the mountain. He challenges the idea of who deserves to climb Everest and questions the romanticism and judgment associated with mountaineering. Our conversation covers various themes related to climbing Everest, including the issue of discounting diffe ..read more

Aaron Owens runs “Backcountry Foodie,” a one-stop shop for backpackers and long-distance hikers who want to level up their food game in the backcountry.  From ultra-light food recipes and meal planners to a robust calorie calculator and resupply service, Aaron has you covered.  She loves backcountry food so much that she’ll even pack your food bag for you and ship it to your home so all you need to do is toss it in your pack and head out the door!   Key Takeaways: Food plays a crucial role in backpacking and can impact performance and enjoyment on the trail Creating a diverse ..read more

Robbie Kroger of Blood Origins joins the show to discuss the complex relationship between hunting and conservation.   We cover a range of topics, including the reintroduction of wolves, the function of wetlands, what would happen if we stopped hunting altogether, and finally, the impact social media has had on hunting.  We also discuss the responsibilities brands have in shaping narratives and the importance of a respectful approach to hunting as a part of conservation.  Robbie is a wealth of knowledge and one heck of a guy! Support the show Thanks for listening! Check out the l ..read more

Aaron Owens runs “Backcountry Foodie,” a one-stop shop for backpackers and long-distance hikers who want to level up their food game in the backcountry.  From ultra-light food recipes and meal planners to a robust calorie calculator and resupply service, Aaron has you covered.  She loves backcountry food so much that she’ll even pack your food bag for you and ship it to your home so all you need to do is toss it in your pack and head out the door!   Key Takeaways: Food plays a crucial role in backpacking and can impact performance and enjoyment on the trail Creating a diverse ..read more

Robbie Kroger of Blood Origins joins the show to discuss the complex relationship between hunting and conservation.   We cover a range of topics, including the reintroduction of wolves, the function of wetlands, what would happen if we stopped hunting altogether, and finally, the impact social media has had on hunting.  We also discuss the responsibilities brands have in shaping narratives and the importance of a respectful approach to hunting as a part of conservation.  Robbie is a wealth of knowledge and one heck of a guy! Support the show Thanks for listening! Check out the l ..read more

Janelle Smith is the strategic communications team lead at rec.gov and is responsible for spreading the word about the myriad of offerings the platform has for outdoor enthusiasts.  As the summer season approaches, many of us are deep in the planning mode for camping trips, making this conversation with Janelle and her team a no-brainer. If you're not yet familiar with rec.gov, think of it as your ultimate planning companion for camping and various outdoor activities.  Janelle walks us through the functionalities of this planning tool, highlighting how it simplifies the process of di ..read more

Dr. Dan Wildcat joins the podcast to discuss his new book "On Indigenuity" and how we can reframe our relationship with the natural world in both a personal and global way.  Dan is a Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, PhD, and teaches at Haskell Nations University.  He's a wealth of wisdom and knowledge and offers a refreshing approach to long-debated topics. Show Notes and Links Getting to know Dan Dan’s early years Relationships with the land Our disconnection with the natural world On being insulated from natural reality How to retraining our mental framework Reso ..read more

Jen Loofbourrow is the Owner and Founder of Alpine Fit, a baselayer-focused brand that offers multiple fit options in a custom odor-resistant fabric.  Jen joins the show to talk about her background in the outdoors, why she launched a baselayer clothing brand, why proper fit is so important, and much more! Show Notes and Links PCT Days recap  Getting involved with the long-distance crowd  Seeing products in the wild for the first time  Why start a base layer brand?  Jen’s custom fabric for Alpine Fit  Jen’s outdoor backstory  Learning how to pack the essent ..read more

Bill Stoker is a retired Army Veteran with a passion for teaching others how to master the art of fieldcraft and land navigation.  In this episode, Bill joins the podcast for a deep dive into how to gain the correct mindset and perspective when in the field, the importance of situational awareness, and how his childhood years impacted how he views the world today. Show Notes and Links Getting to know Bill How Bill got into land nav and fieldcraft The importance of changing perspective How complacency presents itself What land navigation students struggle with the most Digital vs. analo ..read more

In this episode, it's just you and me hanging out for a bit.  We'll catch you up on life and why I've been missing from the podcast for a couple of months.  Don't worry, the show still goes on, but I had some growing to do, and you're going to hear all about it. I love gear and trail stories as much as the next person, however, I think it's equally important to talk about life off the trail.  What we learn in the field makes us better at home, and vice versa.  I've been in the throws of a learning experience and I'm now ready to talk about it. Links Link to my short film ..read more