Andy Films and Hikes with Andy Neal – Details, episodes & analysis

This week I am so excited to talk with comedic actress and content creator Aimee La Joie.

Aimee is a comedic actress and content creator. She is best known for her viral The Film Crew series. She resides in San Diego with her fur child, Lydia. 

More About Aimee: http://www.aimeelajoie.com

Follow Aimee on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/aimeelajoie

Follow Aimee on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aimeelajoie

Follow Aimee on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmATPHNS0gWjigjJGmF1GRA

Music is licensed from Musicbed.com.  

Subscribe to my YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠

Buy Andy a Coffee ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes ⁠⁠

Get a Gregory Mountain Products Pack or Luggage for your next Adventure by using code "andy15" at checkout at ⁠www.gregory.com⁠ to get 15% off your purchase and help Andy and the Podcast out.

Need Outdoor gear for your next adventure? Use Andy's REI affiliate link and help Andy out: ⁠https://alnk.to/fSeu523⁠

This week I am so excited to talk again with my friend, Hiker, Author of the upcoming memoir Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself , Influencer, & Mental Health Advocate, Shilletha “Dragonsky” Curtis.

Follow Dragonsky on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/i_am_dragonsky/

Pre- Order Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself https://books.disney.com/book/pack-light/

Andy and Shilletha's conversation from February 2022: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5yeoaSwdWlvrChf4tbKSvQ?si=dbdb699113a14ce2

Music is licensed from Musicbed.com.  

Subscribe to my YouTube:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes

Buy Andy a Coffee ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes ⁠

Get a Gregory Mountain Products Pack or Luggage for your next Adventure by using code "andy15" at checkout at www.gregory.com to get 15% off your purchase and help Andy and the Podcast out.

Need Outdoor gear for your next adventure? Use Andy's REI affiliate link and help Andy out: https://alnk.to/fSeu523

About Shilletha: Shilletha “Dragonsky” Curtis was born in Newark, New Jersey, and spent much of her time growing up on the Jersey Shore. Shilletha received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from Rutgers University in 2014 and spent a summer abroad in Beijing, China (2012) to further her Mandarin speaking skills and then she traveled to Romania (2013) to do an internship at an orphanage in Cluj-Napoca. Helping people has always been her passion, but she eventually found that she had a profound love for animals and eventually the outdoors. She trained as a Veterinary Technician in 2016 in Austin, Texas, and practiced for two years. She lost her job due to the coronavirus pandemic in March of 2020. Like many, with a new outlook on life, Shilletha pursued hiking, beginning with the Appalachian Trail. One day, her dream is to finish The Triple Crown, which is the highest honor, in hiking, completing the Appalachian, Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide. Her journey to complete continues though in every way--she's already won.

About Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself : Shilletha Curtis, also known as "Dragonsky," takes readers on a profound journey through her life, from the shores of New Jersey to the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Trail. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Shilletha's upbringing was marked by adversity, including fractured family dynamics, bullying, and abuse. However, despite these challenges, Shilletha's unwavering spirit and passion for helping others shine through.

After losing her job as a Veterinary Technician due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shilletha embarked on a life-changing adventure—the Appalachian Trail. Pack Light chronicles her courageous decision to confront the roots of her trauma while hiking through 14 states, battling depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD along the way.

But this memoir is more than just a hiking story. It's a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of nature. Shilletha's journey challenges the conventional narrative of "Hiking While Black," asserting that the great outdoors belongs to everyone.

Through vivid prose and heartfelt reflection, Shilletha invites readers to join her on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. Her experiences resonate with authenticity, offering hope and inspiration to anyone facing their own challenges. Explore Shilletha Curtis's remarkable story and share in her triumphs and tribulations. This memoir is not just a book—it's a testament to the human spirit's resilience and capacity for growth.

This week I am super excited to talk to Rolland Tizuela of Campthropology.

Rolland is a California-based outdoor enthusiast, gear aficionado, and cultural observationist that advocates for safe, clean, and responsible recreation in US public lands. He focuses on camping gear reviews, outdoor tips & tricks, and travel recommendations aimed at campers of all experience levels. A McNair Scholar of University of California San Diego, Rolland's research focused on transformative aspects of long distance hiking. He earned his BA in Sociocultural Anthropology in 2018.

Follow Rolland on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@campthropology

Follow Rolland on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campthropology/

We'd like to thank our sponsors:

• CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv⁠⁠
• Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at ⁠⁠https://www.gregorypacks.com/⁠⁠ ...

The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. 

Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast!

Subscribe to my YouTube: www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes

Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠

Check out my TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes 

So yeah, it's been a minute but I am back answering your questions!

We'd like to thank our sponsors:

• CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. ⁠https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv⁠
• Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at ⁠https://www.gregorypacks.com/⁠ ...

The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64⁠

Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast!

Subscribe to my YouTube: www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes

Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes

Check out my TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes

By far one of my favorite interviews in 30 months of doing the Podcast.

This week I’m excited and honored to have a conversation with Cal "Starburst" Dobbs (they/he)!

Cal "Starburst" Dobbs (they/he) @cal_hikes is a 26 year old queer and trans hiker, runner, and teacher. They are the first known transgender person to complete the Triple Crown of hiking. Cal used his 7,000+ miles of backpacking to raise $7000 for the Trevor Project, an organization that provides resources and support to lgbtq+ youth and allies. In 2023 Cal will be running across America to raise awareness about anti-trans legislation and fundraise for local groups working to protect and advocate for trans youth.

Follow Cal on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cal_hikes/

A Penny Per Mile by Cal Dobbs (The Trevor Project): https://give.thetrevorproject.org/fundraiser/3515742

We'd like to thank our sponsors:

• CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv
• Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ...

The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64

Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast!

Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes

We're back and I am so excited to have Sarah Red-Laird of Bee Girl on the show.

Sarah Red-Laird is the founder and Executive Director of the Bee Girl organization, a grassroots nonprofit centered on bee habit conservation through research, regeneration, & education.  She is a graduate of the University of Montana's College of Forestry and Conservation and the Davidson Honors College with a degree in Resource Conservation, focused on community collaboration and environmental policy. Sarah also serves as the “Kids and Bees” program director for the American Beekeeping Federation.  To see her commitment to good policy and community collaborations realized, she also has served as president of the Northwest Farmers Union and Western Apicultural Society, and as a board member of the National Farmers Union.  When she is not tirelessly working with bees, beekeepers, kids, farmers and ranchers, and policy makers, Sarah loves to read books while drinking coffee, ride her vintage 10-speed, run in the hills, and see new places, things, and people.  To see her latest projects updates visit Instagram and Facebook @sarahbeegirl or www.beegirl.org.

Notes from the show:

Venn diagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfHpZsANRZ8/

All We Can Save: https://www.instagram.com/allwecansave/

How 2 Save the Planet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/how2saveaplanet/ 

This weeks episode was recorded and edited in its entirety at the podcast studios at Catalyst Ashland. Catalyst Ashland is a family-run, BIPOC, and veteran-owned business in the heart of Downtown Ashland, Oregon. A collective creative co-working space serving the community and its visitors, especially BIPOC, LGBTQ, and Southern Oregon friends to support and encourage diverse entrepreneurship and collaboration. For more information about Catalyst Ashland go catalystashland.com. Ashland, OR in the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Latgawa and Takelma peoples who lived here for millennia & were displaced between 1851 and 1856. Today, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz identify their members as living descendants of the Takelma and Shasta peoples of this area.

We'd like to thank our sponsors:

• CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv
• Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ...

The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64

Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast!

Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes

This week Andy is excited to Welcome Back Hiker, Speaker and Author Derick Lugo! Storytelling is Derick Lugo’s forte; he’s the author of the popular book, The Unlikely Thru-Hiker, a humorous memoir of his 6-month thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. He has written several pieces for outdoor magazines, short stories for various books and is currently working on two new books, including a children’s picture book, and a second memoir detailing his 5-month thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail. He’s a sought-after keynote speaker, adventurer, and host of the Unlikely Stories Podcast. To learn more about Derick Lugo, his new writing projects, and his next adventure, follow him on Instagram & Facebook @dericklugo, and at www.dericklugo.com Our host Andy is now an Ambassador for Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ... We'd like to thank our sponsor CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv Big thank you to our Patreon Patron's for supporting The Hiker Podcast: www.patreon.com/andynealplussizehiker The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64 Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes Send Andy a Postcard from the trail! Andy Neal 1750 Delta Waters Road STE 102-406 Medford, OR 97504

This week Andy is excited to talk to hiker and traveler Meredith McAlister.

Meredith McAlister is a solo travel enthusiast, Instagram influencer and HR professional. Meredith discovered her love of the outdoors when she was young and is passionate about sharing that love with others. She has solo traveled all over the world and wants to inspire other women to follow their passion and curiosity and get out and explore. They outdoors have been key to unlocking her overall happiness, peace and pleasure.

Follow Meredith on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/meredithtx/

Our host Andy is now an Ambassador for Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ...

We'd like to thank our sponsors:

• CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv
• CS Instant Coffee makers of environmentally sustainable and great tasting instant coffee for the trail. Use the link to get yours and help the show: https://cs-instant-coffee.peachs.co/a/andy-neal .
• Sawyer Products: MORE THAN AN OUTDOOR COMPANY. For more information go to https://www.sawyer.com

Big thank you to our Patreon Patron's for supporting The Hiker Podcast: www.patreon.com/andynealplussizehiker

The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64

Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast!

Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes

This week I am so excited to welcome Chelseas McCurdy to the show.

Chelsea McCurdy is a queer plus-sized hiker who advocates for body positivity, health at every size, and joyful movement. She believes that nature is healing and that everyone deserves to enjoy the outdoors, regardless of their body type or fitness level. She lives in Arkansas and owns a business (Hobbit Hikers) dedicated to hikers who love to take their time, enjoy the view, snack a little along the way, and experience nature on their own terms. She is also a video creator on TikTok (@whatwouldellewoodsdo) and Instagram (@_whatwouldellewoodsdo_) where she shares her hikes, outdoor tips, and self-love journey with her friend Shelby Varner, who is the Samwise Gamgee to Chelsea's Frodo Baggins.

Our host Andy is now an Ambassador for Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ...

We'd like to thank our sponsors:

• CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv
• CS Instant Coffee makers of environmentally sustainable and great tasting instant coffee for the trail. Use the link to get yours and help the show: https://cs-instant-coffee.peachs.co/a/andy-neal .
• Sawyer Products: MORE THAN AN OUTDOOR COMPANY. For more information go to https://www.sawyer.com

Big thank you to our Patreon Patron's for supporting The Hiker Podcast: www.patreon.com/andynealplussizehiker

The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64

Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast!

Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes

Ending season four, Andy reflects on the last four seasons, where the show is going, and how hiking in the hiking and outdoor community has impacted him.

Season five will begin August 1.

Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes

This weeks episode was recorded and edited in its entirety at the podcast studios at Catalyst Ashland. Catalyst Ashland is a family-run, BIPOC, and veteran-owned business in the heart of Downtown Ashland, Oregon. A collective creative co-working space serving the community and its visitors, especially BIPOC, LGBTQ, and Southern Oregon friends to support and encourage diverse entrepreneurship and collaboration. For more information about Catalyst Ashland go catalystashland.com

Our host Andy is now an Ambassador for Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ...

We'd like to thank our sponsors:

CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv

CS Instant Coffee makers of environmentally sustainable and great tasting instant coffee for the trail. Use the link to get yours and help the show: https://cs-instant-coffee.peachs.co/a/andy-neal .

Sawyer Products: MORE THAN AN OUTDOOR COMPANY. For more information go to https://www.sawyer.com

Big thank you to our Patreon Patron's for supporting The Hiker Podcast: www.patreon.com/andynealplussizehiker

The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Kindred Spirits” by Analog Heart which you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64

Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast!