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Explore every episode of the podcast Go Wildly Podcast

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Ep. 4 | Part 1 | From Wild Child to Barefoot Guide Living the Way of Natural Movement16 May 202500:36:12

🌲🎙️🥾Episode #4 Part 1


Form Wild Child to Barefoot Guide Living the Way of Natural Movement


"It's the Magic of the MovNat Class"


The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies and decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

At the heart of each episode is one question: What was your pivotal outdoor moment—the one that changed everything?

We’re goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

Together let’s GO WILDLY!


Today's Guest: Diana Matula, A clinical herbalist and Level 3 MovNat Trainer, Restorative Exercise Specialist, and NASM Certified Personal Trainer.


Episode Summary: In Episode 4, Part 1 In this episode, we hike to the summit of Bolt Mountain with Diana Matula, a clinical herbalist and certified movement coach whose life is deeply rooted in nature, wellness, and embodied living. From our perch at the top, we dive into Diana’s journey with natural movement—what it means, how she teaches it, and why it resonates so deeply with people of all ages and backgrounds. She shares how her classes have become more than just fitness—they’re spaces of play, healing, and genuine connection where community naturally forms through movement. Her approach is accessible, joyful, and grounded in a belief that returning to our body’s innate wisdom is one of the most powerful things we can do.

We also explore the path she took to become a Level 3 MovNat trainer, including the details of her intensive certification experience in the desert. Diana recounts the physical and mental challenges of the course, and some unforgettable moments from the field. We talk about what it’s like to commit to a lifestyle and she opens up about the chapter of life she’s navigating right now. This episode is a true deep dive into the philosophy, grit, and joy behind the natural movement lifestyle.


What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🌲Diana's path to becoming a MovNat coach

🤸🏽The principles of MovNat and its benefits

🌀How she runs her class & community

🌞The Chapter of Life she's currently in

👣Crazy stories of the MovNat certification


Connect With Diana & Attend a Class With Her


Filmed on Location:

Bolt Mountain Southern Oregon

42.3720° N, 123.4108° W

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/bolt-mountain-trail

https://visitgrantspass.com/


Resources & Brands Mentioned (not sponsored…yet):

MovNat www.movnat.com

Survivor​ https://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/

Book Reference https://sarahjmaas.com/throne-of-glass-series/


Let's Go Wildly Together:

-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

-Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

-Leave us a review — it helps so much!

-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

-Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount codes (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


Keywords: natural movement, MovNat certification, movement coach, barefoot training, functional fitness, outdoor fitness, nature-based wellness, movement classes, mobility training, wild fitness, embodied movement, mindful movement, fitness in nature, holistic movement, Southern Oregon fitness, Pacific Northwest hiking podcast, Bolt Mountain hike, Oregon movement coach, hiking podcast, natural lifestyle podcast, primal movement, movement practices, go wildly, go wildly podcast, southern oregon, pnw,

oregon explored


Ep. 3 | Casting Lines, Dodging Lions: Tyler Gordon's Wild-Blooded Guide to the Good Life09 May 202501:35:54

🎙️🎣🦅 Episode #3

Casting Lines, Dodging Lions: Tyler Gordon's Wild-Blooded Guide to the Good Life


"I can feel the bears breath through the tent"


The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies and decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

At the heart of each episode is one question: What was your pivotal outdoor moment—the one that changed everything?

We’re goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

Together let’s GO WILDLY!


Today's Guest: Tyler Gordon [Rogue River Fishing Guide] of Gordon's Generational Guide Service located in the beautiful Southern Oregon


Episode Summary: In Episode 3 of the Go Wildly podcast, we float downstream with Tyler Gordon—third-generation Rogue River guide, Army vet, and the kind of guy who plans every trip down to the last snack. Raised with a rod in hand and a deep reverence for the wild, Tyler brings grit, heart, and precision to every guided day. We talk military life, fishing legacy, close calls with bears, and why harvesting your own meat just hits different.

This Episode is proof that legacy, intention, and wild places still matter. Whether you walk away craving a steelhead trip or just a deeper connection to the land, we hope this one Inspired you in you to think about where your food comes from, living a passionate and fulfilling life doing the things you love and staying rooted in what really matters...purpose, connection, and a little bit wild.

We chat about:

  • 🎣How Tyler approaches life & his career guiding.

  • 🥩The unexpected lessons of packing out big-game animals

  • 🌲Why planning is the key to success with everything you do.

  • 🎣Tangible tips for casting a line, reading the river, and ethical fishing practices

  • 🎙️A powerful perspective shift on what goes into a hunting trip & Harvesting an animal for sustenance

  • 🦁PLUS: a few insane stories about close encounters with wild predators.


    Connect with Tyler & Book a trip:

    https://www.rogueriverguide.com/

    Instagram: @fishinwithgordo


    Resources and brands mentioned (not sponsored...yet)

    Resources & Brands Mentioned (not sponsored…yet):

    Gordon's Generational Guide Service www.rogueriverguide.com

    Pavati Boats www.pavati.com

    Lamiglas Fishing Rods www.lamiglas.com

    Mustang Survival www.mustangsurvival.com

    Benchmade Knifes www.benchmade.com

    Garmin Inreach www.garmin.com

    Taylor's Sausage www.taylorsausage.com

    Steven Rinella www.themeateater.com

    Josephine County Parks Boat Ramps www.josephinecounty.gov

    Visit Grants Pass www.visitgrantspass.com


    Watch the companion film/podcast vlog on Youtube

    https://www.youtube.com/@gowildlypodcast


    Let's Go Wildly Together:

    -Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

    -Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

    -Subscribe to the -podcast so you never miss an episode

    -Leave us a review — it helps so much!

    -Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com


    -Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount codes (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


    Keywords:

    fishing in Oregon, Fishing the river, steelhead fishing, Southern Oregon adventures, Southern Oregon Rivers, Outdoor lifestyle podcast, outdoor stories, close encounters, wild game, hunting, hunting in Oregon, PNW travel tips, Podcast for adventurers, Go Wildly Podcast, Go Wildly, fishing gear, hunting gear, hunting stories, best fishing in Oregon, Outdoor stories, Outdoor lifestyle, Southern Oregon, Grants Pass, Rogue River, Rogue Valley, Pacific Northwest, outdoor gear reviews, fishing stories, fishing guide




  • Ep. 2 | Transcendental Cult Kid Turned Playa Dust-Covered Earth Defender02 May 202500:51:25

    🌲🎙️🥾 Episode #2

    Transcendental Cult Kid Turned Playa Dust-Covered Earth Defender

    "A Bunch of People Hopping Around on Mattresses"

    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies and decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something raw & amazing surfaces.

    At the heart of each episode is one question: What was your pivotal outdoor moment—the one that changed everything?

    We’re goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

    Together let’s GO WILDLY!

    Today's Guest is: Rianna Koppel

    Episode Summary: In the second episode of Go Wildly, we dive into a wide-ranging, heartfelt conversation with sustainability advocate and community builder Rianna Koppel.

    Raised in a Transcendental Meditation community and deeply connected to both the natural world and her local region of Southern Oregon, Rianna shares stories from her journey—from environmental activism to yoga lineage to the dusty magic of Burning Man.

    Rianna’s perspective is both grounding and inspiring—this is an episode for anyone looking to deepen their relationship with the Earth and live more intentionally.

    We Chat About:

    ✨ How growing up in a meditation-based community shaped Rianna’s worldview

    🔥 The transformative power of Burning Man and what it means to truly Leave No Trace

    🌍 How small, local actions can create big change in sustainability

    🌀 Reconnecting with nature, community, and purpose in chaotic times

    Connect with Rianna:

    Instagram:⁠ @⁠jewessforager


    Resources and Brands Mentioned (not sponsored…yet):


    Watch the companion film/podcast vlog on YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/@GoWildlyPodcast

    Let’s Get Wild Together:

    – Follow us on Instagram @gowildlypodcast

    – Tag us in your hikes or takeaways using #gowildlypodcast

    – Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple — it helps other wild hearts find us!

    – Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? gowildlypodcast.com & Sign up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, or episode.


    Keywords :

    Hiking in Oregon, Southern Oregon adventures, best trails in Oregon, outdoor lifestyle podcast, mindfulness in nature, PNW travel tips, podcast for adventurers, Go Wildly podcast, hiking gear reviews, best hikes in Oregon, backpacking stories, nature therapy podcast, wild outdoor stories, outdoor stories, outdoor lifestyle, Southern Oregon, Oregon, Rogue Valley, Pacific Northwest






    Ep. 1 | Ego Death on Aasgard Pass26 Apr 202500:49:06

    🥾🌲🎙️

    "EGO DEATH ON AASGARD PASS" Episode 1 

    "A PODCAST IN THE WILD FOR THE WILD"

    Thank you for listening! For the FULL EXPERIENCE of the Go Wildly Podcast with Heather & Emily head over to YOUTUBE!

    LIKE!

    SUBSCRIBE!

    SHARE!

    COMMENT!

    HIT THE BELL!

    👂🏻🎧

    Watch FULL experience on YOUTUBE.

    👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

    FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIALS

    IG: @gowildlypodcast

    TikTok: @gowildlypodcast

    Heather: @heather.gowildly

    Emily: @emily.gowildly

    📧

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

    gowildlypodcast.com


    🌟Episode Summary:

    In this episode, we sit down with Brittney “Bitty” Mesica—Oregonian and environmental-advocate—to explore her journey as a climber and woman in the outdoors. From her passion for animals, to her commitment to environmental causes and meaningful communication, to summiting Aasgard Pass, Brittney shares wisdom and wit in equal measure.


    🌟What We Talk About:

    - Growing up outdoors in rural Oregon 

    - Changing careers and following the path of passion

    - Best practices for bathrooms in the wild

    - Summiting Aasgard Pass in Washington

    - Navigating loss, anxiety, and doing hard things

    - Being hot in nature


    🥾Resources and Brands Mentioned (not sponsored…yet):

    - Wildlife Images https://wildlifeimages.org/

    - Nocs Binoculars https://www.nocsprovisions.com/

    - Rogue Rock Gym https://www.roguerockgym.com/

    - Honey Stinger https://honeystinger.com/

    - MovNat Southern Oregon https://www.instagram.com/movnat.southern.oregon


    🎙️ Guest Bio – Brittney Mesica

    Brittney “Bitty” Mesica is a passionate environmental advocate whose love for animals began early in life. Whether she’s coordinating events and fundraising for a local wildlife rehabilitation center, scaling cliffs on a rock climb, or caring for her many pets, Brittney is always rooted in her connection to the natural world.

    Soon to graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Media Innovation, she’s driven by a mission to inspire others to reconnect with nature. With a strong sense of purpose and a deeply authentic voice, Brittney brings intention and heart to everything she does.


    💕Follow Brittney:

    TikTok: @brittneymesica

    Instagram: @brittney.mesica

    Medium: @mesicab

    LinkedIn: Brittney Mesica


    🌲🎙️🥾LET'S GO WILDLY TOGETHER!


    Ep. 5 | Wildfire Season Special: Grit, Chainsaws, and the American Dream31 May 202501:42:47

    🌲🎙️🥾🔥Episode #5


    🔥Wildfire Season Special: Grit, Chainsaws, and the American Dream


    "Don't be a Dickbag, listen to Smokey Bear, Put out your fires..."

    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies and decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common tread that lend them to make the outdoors more then just a hobby but a calling.

    We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

    Together let’s GO WILDLY!


    Today's Guest: Miguel Narvaez; Federal Hotshot Wildland Fire Fighter

    In Episode 6, we hike straight into fire season with Miguel Narvaez— a Type 1 federal hotshot firefighter, sawyer, and living proof of what it means to chase the American dream with grit, guts, and a whole lot of smoke. Born in Mexico City, raised across the U.S., and now rooted in Southern Oregon, Miguel’s story is anything but ordinary.

    From college athletics to cutting firelines with a chainsaw, Miguel walks us through the journey that led him west with $200 in his pocket and into the world of wildland fire. We talk about how he earned his citizenship, what it takes to become a hotshot, and why the fireline feels like home. He opens up about the physical and emotional toll of the job, the tight-knit crew culture, and what it’s like navigating this chapter of life as a seasoned firefighter.

    This episode is a tribute to the people behind the flames — the ones holding the line, packing the saw, and finding purpose in the chaos.


    🔥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

    🪓 Miguel’s road from Mexico City to the frontlines of wildfire

    🇺🇸 How he earned his citizenship to follow his calling

    🧭 The in-and-outs of wildland fire culture and what it really takes

    🚒 The grind, grit, and purpose behind being a Type 1 Hotshot

    🌲 The chapter of life Miguel’s navigating right now


    🎒 Gear Rec from Miguel:

    Logger Suspenders — A must for the wildland folks in your life. Rugged, local, and fireline-approved.


    🔥 Shoutouts & Resources:

    Grassroots Wildland Firefighters — Advocating for better pay, classification, and well-being for federal wildland firefighters.

    Wildland Firefighter Foundation — Supporting firefighters and their families when tragedy strikes.

    Watch: Hotshot (Amazon Prime) — A solid documentary if you’re curious about what this world really looks like. (Fire Country… not so much, but yes, Miguel has watched every episode for the laugh.)


    Connect With Miguel & Follow his journey

    Instagram: @100migs

    Filmed on Location:

    Rogue River-Siskyou National Forest

    Let's Go Wildly Together:

    -Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

    -Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

    -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

    -Leave us a review — it helps so much!

    -Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

    -Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount codes (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

    Keywords: Wildland Firefighter, hotshot firefighter, wildland fire stories, fireline, fire season, oregon wildfire, wildfire podcast, go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, waterfall, wilderness, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, wildfire prevention, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, american dream, immigration to citizenship, grit, passion, purpose,

    Ep. 4 | Part 2 | From Wild Child to Barefoot Guide Living the Way of Natural Movement23 May 202501:00:05

    🌲🎙️🥾Episode #4 Part 2Form Wild Child to Barefoot Guide Living the Way of Natural Movement"You Just Go Outside With No Shoes On"The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies and decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.At the heart of each episode is one question: What was your pivotal outdoor moment—the one that changed everything?We’re goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!Today's Guest: Diana Matula, A clinical herbalist and Level 3 MovNat Trainer, Restorative Exercise Specialist, and NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Episode Summary: In Episode 4, Part 2 In this episode, we hike to the summit of Bolt Mountain with Diana Matula, a clinical herbalist and certified movement coach whose life is deeply rooted in nature, wellness, and embodied living. From our perch at the top, we dive into Diana’s journey with natural movement—what it means, how she teaches it, and why it resonates so deeply with people of all ages and backgrounds. She shares how her classes have become more than just fitness—they’re spaces of play, healing, and genuine connection where community naturally forms through movement. Her approach is accessible, joyful, and grounded in a belief that returning to our body’s innate wisdom is one of the most powerful things we can do.We also explore the path she took to become a Level 3 MovNat trainer, including the details of her intensive certification experience in the desert. Diana recounts the physical and mental challenges of the course, and some unforgettable moments from the field. We talk about what it’s like to commit to a lifestyle and she opens up about the chapter of life she’s navigating right now. This episode is a true deep dive into the philosophy, grit, and joy behind the natural movement lifestyle.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:🌲Diana's Daily Routines & Rituals🤸🏽Cold Plunge Hacks🌀 Social Media Boundaries 🌞 How to start your natural movement practice todayConnect With Diana & Attend a Class With Her⁠Website⁠Instagram:⁠ @dianagmatula⁠MovNat Southern Oregon:⁠ @movnat.southern.oregon⁠⁠MovNat Certification⁠Filmed on Location:Bolt Mountain Southern Oregon42.3720° N, 123.4108° Whttps://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/...https://visitgrantspass.com/Resources & Brands Mentioned (not sponsored…yet):MovNat www.movnat.comVibram Five Finger barefoot shoes https://www.vibram.com/us/shop/fivefingersYogi Tea https://yogi-life.com/en-USLet's Go Wildly Together:-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com-Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount codes (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.Keywords: natural movement, MovNat certification, movement coach, barefoot training, functional fitness, outdoor fitness, nature-based wellness, movement classes, mobility training, wild fitness, embodied movement, mindful movement, fitness in nature, holistic movement, Southern Oregon fitness, Pacific Northwest hiking podcast, Bolt Mountain hike, Oregon movement coach, hiking podcast, natural lifestyle podcast, primal movement, movement practices, go wildly, go wildly podcast, southern oregon, pnw,oregon explored

    Ep. 6 | Part 1 | Sorting Trash, Spotting Ravens & Spilling Life Tea08 Jun 202500:48:08

    🌲🎙️🥾🦅Episode #6 | Part 1


    ♻️Sorting Trash, Spotting Ravens & Spilling Life Tea


    "Humanity is Highly Combustible..."

    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies and decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common tread that lend them to make the outdoors more then just a hobby but a calling.

    We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

    Together let’s GO WILDLY!


    Today's Guest: Christy Chow

    In this episode, Emily sits down with Christy Chow—environmental consultant, triple-degree holder, and longtime friend—for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from career pivots to climate grief.

    The two talk through Christy’s academic journey, finishing her master’s during COVID, and the realities of working in environmental policy today. They unpack the aftermath of the Southern Oregon wildfires, the complicated relationship between zero waste and disaster response, and how COVID shifted the culture around single-use items. Plus, personal reflections on navigating adulthood, stepping away from social media, manifesting big changes, and the ways friendship can grow through it all.


    🌎What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

    🔥What the Talent and Phoenix wildfires revealed about community and resilience
    ♻️How COVID flipped the zero waste movement on its head
    🤸🏽The behind-the-scenes chaos of working in sustainability during a global crisis


    Connect with Christy

    Please email gowildlypodcast@gmail.com & we will personally connect you.

    Filmed on Location:

    Green Spring Mountain Loop Trail

    Let's Go Wildly Together:

    -Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

    -Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

    -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

    -Leave us a review — it helps so much!

    -Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

    -Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount codes (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

    Keywords: , go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, ashland oregon, wilderness, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, wildfire prevention, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, green springs mountain trail, trail talk, sustainability, recycling, environmentalist, reduce, reuse, climate work, covid, urban wildfire, single use plastics, longtime friend, conversations, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change,

    Ep. 18 | On The Water & In The Wild: Zac Kauffman’s Journey from Hippie Roots to Sawyer Paddles & Oars04 Nov 202501:18:21

    🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 18

    On The Water & In The Wild: Zac Kauffman's Journey from Hippie Roots to Sawyer Paddles & Oars

    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!

    Today's Guest: Zac Kauffman

    Zac Kauffman is the co-owner and CEO of Sawyer Paddles & Oars, a heritage Oregon brand crafting world-class paddles and oars right on the banks of the Rogue River. He’s also the host of the Sawyer on Water podcast, where he documents the stories and spirit of the river community that shaped him.

    In this episode, we talk about Zac’s roots growing up in Takilma, Oregon — from living for a time on a commune in a circus tent to helping his family build the five-bedroom log home they still live in today. He shares how a college rafting program in Ashland sparked his lifelong connection to the river and led him into the world of paddlecraft and outdoor business.

    We dive into the legacy of Sawyer, the importance of preserving river history, and the community that rises up in times of challenge — from the Phoenix-Talent fires to the everyday teamwork that defines life on the water. Zac shares a handful of memorable stories from his time on the river — the moments that shaped his love for whitewater and the people who call it home.

    It’s a story of craft, current, and community — proof that sometimes the wild calls you home in the most unexpected way.


    Get in touch with Sawyer Paddles & Oars

    📍 Retail Store (Sawyer Station)

    404 2nd Avenue, Gold Hill, OR 97525  

    📬 Mailing Address: PO Box 389, Gold Hill, OR 97525  

    📞 Phone: (541) 228-9645  

    📧 Email: info@sawyerstation.com  


    Factory / Headquarters (Dealers & B2B inquiries)

    📍 299 Rogue River Parkway, Talent, OR 97540  

    📞 Phone: (541) 535-3606  

    📧 Email: info@paddlesandoars.com  


    Listen to the Sawyer on Water Podcast

    Tune in on your favorite podcast platform for river-stories, craft-talk, community deep-dives and more with Sawyer founder Zac Kauffman.


    Sawyer Paddles & Oars (business)

    • Instagram: @sawyeroars  

    • Website: paddlesandoars.com  


    Sawyer On-Water Podcast

    • Spotify: “Sawyer On-Water Podcast” on Spotify  

    • Apple Podcasts: “Sawyer On-Water Podcast” on Apple Podcasts  

    • YouTube @ Sawyer On Water Podcast



    • Filmed on Location: Rogue River

    Let's Go Wildly Together:- Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com -

    Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, , hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health,, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, rafting, whitewater, Sawyer paddle and Oars, wild and scenic

    Ep. 17 | Inside the PCT: What It's Really Like to Hike the Pacific Crest Trail... Twice29 Oct 202501:18:19

    🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 17

    Inside the PCT: What It's Really Like to Hike the Pacific Crest Trail...Twice

    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!

    Today's Guest: Hunter Voris

    In this episode, we sit down with our longtime friend and fellow adventure junkie, Hunter Voris — a two-time Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker who’s walked the spine of the West Coast not once, but twice.

    We rewind all the way back to childhood — from muddy backyard missions and growing up in a BIG family to the hiking trip that started it all and moments that sparked his lifelong pull toward the outdoors. He gives us the rundown on trail life: the unspoken etiquette, the gear that gets him through, the community that forms along the way, and what it really takes to walk from Mexico to Canada on foot.

    • Filmed on Location: Reinhart Park, Grants Pass Oregon

    Let's Go Wildly Together:- Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com -

    Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, PCT, through hiker, hiker, trail magic, pacific crest trail, dirtbag, mountaineering, rock climbing

    Ep. 8 | The Wild TRUTH About Public Lands: They're Being Threatened- But Not By Who You Think28 Jun 202500:44:41

    🌲🎙️🥾🪏Episode # 8


    The Wild TRUTH About Public Lands: They're Being Threatened- But Not By Who You Think


    "Public Lands Are The Last Common Ground"


    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.

    We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

    Together let’s GO WILDLY!


    Today's Guest: Gabriel Howe

    Gabriel Howe is the executive director and trailblazing force behind the Siskiyou Mountain Club, a nonprofit born in 2010 to protect and restore the wild soul of southwest Oregon and northwest California. Raised in the suburban sprawl east of Portland, Gabriel cut his teeth exploring the underbelly of Mt. Hood National Forest, where the less-traveled paths sparked a lifelong obsession with wilderness. By 2005, his compass shifted south to the rugged, untamed Siskiyou Mountains, a place that captured his soul and never let go. These days, Gabriel calls Ashland home, where he and his wife, Jill, are raising two little explorers of their own under the shadow of the peaks they love.

    In this episode, we follow the thread of Gabe Howe's journey—from his wild childhood to his deep-rooted passion for making trails usable and public lands accessible. Along the way, you’ll hear a few unforgettable stories, a fired-up rant about why people are disconnected from the land (and how we fix it), and some bold ideas for getting folks back outside. We also dive into public lands as the last true frontier—and maybe the only common ground left between political sides. It’s thoughtful, fiery, and full of purpose. Let’s go there.

    Connect with Gabriel Howe

    @siskiyou.mountain.club on Instagram

    106 Talent Ave SUITE 3, Talent, OR 97540

    https://siskiyoumountainclub.org/

    (458) 254 -0657

    Filmed on Location:

    Middle Fork Trail of The Applegate River California


    Let's Go Wildly Together:

    -Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

    -Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

    -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

    -Leave us a review — it helps so much!

    -Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

    -Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, siskiyou mountain club, chetco river, red butte wilderness, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, applegate river, northern California, trail worker

    Ep. 7 | The House Lesbian's Survival Guide: How to be Queer in the Middle of Nowhere. An Origin Story20 Jun 202501:36:18

    🌲🎙️🥾🌈Episode # 7


    The House Lesbian's Survival Guide: How to be Queer in the Middle of Nowhere. An Origin Story


    A Wilderville-raised forest kid turned queer botanical icon shares backwoods childhood stories, forest-born wisdom and chaotic banter in this gloriously feral Pride Month special.


    "There's always an opportunity to make in Gay"


    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.

    We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

    Together let’s GO WILDLY!


    Today's Guest: Asia Stehnike

    We’re joined by Asia, known affectionately as Emily’s House Lesbian and her housemate. Asia is a born-and-raised Oregonian from Grants Pass, and a lover of all things beautiful, forageable, and delicious. By day, she tends to plants and people on a botanical herb farm. By night, she crafts nourishing meals as a private chef and micro-caterer, blending intuition, seasonality, and a deep reverence for whole foods. Rooted in the rhythms of the natural world, Asia’s life and work are shaped by the wild landscapes she calls home.

    In this Pride Month special, we talk about growing up in a forest setting, the quiet wisdom passed down from her grandpa, and what it felt like to leave Wilderville for the suburbs — and then feel the pull to return home. Asia shares what it looked like to reconnect to herself while navigating a more urban lifestyle, and the powerful moment she had on the John Day River that reawakened her inner child.

    We also dive into her identity, community, queerness, and all the hilarious chaos that comes with recording a podcast between close friends. It’s real, it’s raw, it’s full of tangents, heart, and as much gay joy as we could possibly pack into one episode.

    Press play for a beautifully wild ride through memory, meaning, and coming home to yourself.


    Connect with Asia Stehnike

    @asiastinky (personal)

    @eats_n_greens (business/cooking)

    Filmed on Location:

    Her Family Property in Wilderville, OR

    Let's Go Wildly Together:

    -Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

    -Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

    -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

    -Leave us a review — it helps so much!

    -Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

    -Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, wilderville, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, gay, pride month, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, lesbian, funny, comical, happy, joy, inner child, climbing trees, john day oregon, herbs, private chef


    Ep. 6 | Part 2 | The Owl, The Mountain, The Mouse13 Jun 202501:17:12

    🌲🎙️🥾🦅Episode #6 | Part 2


    ⛰️🦉🐁The Owl, The Mountain, The Mouse


    "You Can't Come Out Of This Without Being In The Cult"

    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies and decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common tread that lend them to make the outdoors more then just a hobby but a calling.

    We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

    Together let’s GO WILDLY!


    Today's Guest: Christy Chow

    In this episode, Emily sits down with Christy Chow—environmental consultant, triple-degree holder, and longtime friend—for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from career pivots to climate grief.

    In this episode, Christy Chow takes us deep into the wild heart of her childhood; where owls were friends, the backyard was sacred, and wonder came easy. She shares the story of the spotted owl who swooped down for a mouse off her head (yes, really), and the moment that changed everything. We follow her from those early outdoor roots to an unforgettable mountain trek in rural China, where she ditched the gondola for the deer path and things got… intense. It’s a story of connection, chaos, family, and finding yourself somewhere between the treetops and the trail.

    Connect with Christy

    Please email gowildlypodcast@gmail.com & we will personally connect you.

    Filmed on Location:

    Green Spring Mountain Loop Trail

    Let's Go Wildly Together:

    -Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

    -Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

    -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

    -Leave us a review — it helps so much!

    -Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

    -Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount codes (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

    Keywords: , go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, ashland oregon, wilderness, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, wildfire prevention, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, green springs mountain trail, trail talk, sustainability, recycling, environmentalist, reduce, reuse, climate work, covid, urban wildfire, single use plastics, longtime friend, conversations, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change,

    Ep. 16 | Wildly Us: How to Have a Summer So Feral it Needs a Debrief Episode 24 Sep 202501:07:18

    🌲🎙️🌊🌞Episode # 16

    Wildly Us: How to Have a Summer So Feral it Needs a Debrief Episode

    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting. Together let’s GO WILDLY!

    In this first-ever Wildly Us episode, we’re debriefing a summer that felt like a full-on life bootcamp — one filled with career pivots, river rapids, late-night shifts, and real-time personal growth.


    Emily shares reflections from her season guiding with First Descents, a nonprofit that provides outdoor adventure for young adults impacted by cancer — including the emotional weight of losing a participant and the many moments of purpose, presence, and transformation she experienced on the water. Meanwhile, Heather dives into what it’s looked like juggling a brand new real estate career and two serving jobs — from the chaos of busy schedules to the unexpected therapy of staying in motion. We talk about the evolution of the pod, what’s next creatively, current life dynamics (including shifts at home and TikTok experiments), and the beauty of staying grounded even when life feels anything but.


    This is a cozy, candid check-in for anyone navigating a season of change and trying to do it with heart.


    • Filmed on Location: Rafting- Rogue River

    Let's Go Wildly Together:- Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com -

    Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, Rafting, whitewater, rogue river, traveling, cancer, baseball, athlete, collage athlete, surfing, mountain biking,career , transformation , building, growth, river guide, tiktok

    Ep. 15 | From Cancer to Comeback: Lessons on Resilience & Outdoor Healing16 Sep 202502:07:52

    🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 15

    From Cancer to Comeback: Lessons on Resilience & Outdoor Healing

    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!

    Today's Guest: Emilio Semas "Hot Pants"

    Meet Emilio “Hot Pants” Semas — a former college baseball player, cancer survivor, and outdoor adventure athlete. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Emilio rebuilt his life through kayaking, surfing, climbing, mountain biking, and baseball. Now he shares how the outdoors became his path to resilience, recovery, and purpose.


    In this episode of the Go Wildly Podcast, we explore lessons from sports and adventure, overcoming cancer, building community outside, and the importance of mindset, self-care, and learning from failure. From near “oh-shit” river moments to hydration hacks, snow days in Texas, and the origin of his nickname “Hot Pants,” Emilio proves that the outdoors is the ultimate teacher.


    If you’re searching for inspiration on resilience, outdoor lifestyle, adventure sports, or finding healing in nature, this conversation delivers.

  • Filmed on Location: Rafting- Rogue River

  • Let's Go Wildly Together:- Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com -

    Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, Rafting, whitewater, rogue river, traveling, cancer, baseball, athlete, collage athlete, surfing, mountain biking

    Ep. 14 | How the River Unlocks Courage: Grief, Growth, Purpose & Cool Nicknames05 Sep 202502:39:11

    🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 14

    How the River Unlocks Courage: Grief, Growth, Purpose & Cool Nicknames

    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!

    Today's Guest: Julia Conrad (Hammer)

    Julia “Hammer” Conrad is an outdoor educator, expedition leader, and recreation professional with over 20 years of experience guiding people into transformative experiences on rivers, mountains, and wild spaces. She leads courses in outdoor leadership, whitewater kayaking, and group facilitation, and she coordinates recreation programs that have dramatically increased student success and engagement.

    Julia is also a Lead Staff with First Descents, facilitating life-changing kayaking, climbing, and surfing programs for young adults impacted by cancer and MS. She, along with her husband, owns Stout Creek Outfitters, offering whitewater and outdoor wellness programs in Central Oregon. With a background spanning river management, wilderness therapy, ski patrol, and adaptive recreation, she brings a rare mix of grit, vision, and heart to every adventure she leads.

    This episode flows through the comforts of the backcountry and the lessons the river has to teach. Listeners will learn what to wear on the water, essential river safety takeaways, and even how to R1 and paddle with confidence. We explore the power of first descents, river nicknames, and the role of adventure-based education in empowering people to conquer fear—unlocking courage that carries into every part of life. Along the way, we dive deep into grief, healing through adventure, and how the river becomes a space for growth, connection, and resilience. With plenty of river instruction, relationship dynamics, and live conversations from the water, this episode is equal parts practical guide and soulful journey.

    This episode is about adventure, river safety, backcountry experiences, First Descents (the non-profit), Grief & Healing, Empowerment of others and self.

    Connect with Julia

  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-conrad-impactfulexperiences

    https://www.stoutcreekrafting.com/


    Filmed on Location: Rafting- Rogue River

  • Let's Go Wildly Together:-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com-

    Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, Rafting, whitewater, rogue river, traveling, goats, dogs, animals,

    Ep. 13 | How Claiming Heritage and Healing Through Adventure Shapes a Wild Life26 Aug 202501:38:05

    🌲🎙️Episode # 13

    How Claiming Heritage and Healing Through Adventure Shapes a Wild Life


    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.


    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!

    Today's Guest: Paris Iha

    Paris Iha is a mental health counselor, coach, and clinical herbalist with training in adventure-based counseling. Inspired by place-based and more-than-human relationships, as well as her Indigenous Ryukyuan heritage, Paris' passion is to co-facilitate healing that centers our sense of belonging to nature. She integrates somatic, nature-based, canine-assisted, and neurobiology-informed approaches into her work.

    In this episode of the Go Wildly Podcast, we dive deep with Paris Iha into the wild world of adventure therapy — what it looks like, how it heals, and the role her dog Cap Joe plays as a four-legged co-therapist. 🌲🐕✨

    We explore Paris’s journey of reclaiming her Ryukyuan/Japanese heritage, navigating intergenerational trauma, and connecting with ancestral practices that have shaped her healing work. From conversations about blood quantum and cultural identity to stories of her and her sister rediscovering ancestral traditions, this episode is as raw as it is inspiring.

    Paris also shares powerful, vulnerable stories from her time in nature — encounters that cracked her wide open, moments where carrying protection gave her confidence outdoors, and a breathtaking experience in Alaska where a single flower made her feel at home miles away from her roots. 🌸

    We just skimmed the surface of her work in herbalism (definitely a part two coming), but even the glimpse we got showed how plants and the natural world can become allies in belonging and healing.

    This episode is about adventure, ancestry, resilience, and the medicine of the wild.

    Connect with Paris

    • Instagram: @paris.rae.iha

    Email: hellotherapistparis@gmail.com


    Filmed on Location: Rafting- Rogue River; Indian Mary to Ennis

    Let's Go Wildly Together:-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com-

    Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, Rafting, whitewater, rogue river, traveling, goats, dogs, animals, artist, murals, boarding school, crazy stories, creative, floating, river, wild and scenic, canyon, river canyon, therapeutic, haritage, ancestors, healing, trauma, herbalism, nature, travel, protection, plants

    Ep. 12 | How a Rebel Artist Built a Life Around Adventure with a Goat Named Frankie & Corn Dog15 Aug 202502:04:01

    🌲🎙️🐐🎨Episode # 12

    How a Rebel Artist Built a Life Around Adventure with a Goat Named Frankie & Corn Dog


    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.


    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!

    Today's Guest: Cate Battles

    Cate Battles is an East Coast native whose passion for art began in childhood and has taken many forms over the years…from painting murals across Southern Oregon to capturing the wild through her photography. Now based in the region, she’s also a social media pro behind some of its most prominent travel pages and the creator of the travel blog Argosy Odyssey.

    Cate’s life blends creativity and exploration…whether she’s camping in the Pacific Northwest, traveling the world, or spending time with her goat Frankie and dog Corn Dog. Her unique bond with Frankie was featured on the Discovery+ series The Bond. Through her murals, photography, and storytelling, Cate celebrates the beauty of wild places and the adventures that shape them.

    In this episode, Cate Battles takes us from her wild boarding school years to life on the road in a renovated Airstream with her goat Frankie and dog Corn Dog. We talk about how that chapter began, the adventures and challenges along the way, and how those experiences shaped the art and murals she’s known for today. Cate also shares what life looks like now—rooted in Southern Oregon but still fueled by travel, creativity, and a love for the outdoors.


    Connect with Cate www.argosyodyssey.com or on Instagram & Facebook @argosyodyssey or @catebattles

    Filmed on Location: Rafting- Rogue River; Hogs Creek to Indian Mary

    Let's Go Wildly Together:-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com-

    Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, Rafting, whitewater, rogue river, traveling, goats, dogs, animals, artist, murals, boarding school, crazy stories, creative, floating, river, wild and scenic, canyon, river canyon, rebel, bad kid, childhood, growth, tiny house.

    Ep. 11 | How To Build a Life As a River Guide -- Even If You Didn't Grow Up Outdoorsy22 Jul 202501:59:52

    🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 11


    How To Build a Life As a River Guide -- Even If You Didn't Grow Up Outdoorsy


    "I had to find a job where I could share the outside with people"


    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.


    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

    Together let’s GO WILDLY!


    Today's Guest: Michael Hughes

    Michael Hughes didn’t grow up outdoorsy. No family camping trips, no rafting childhood summers. But somewhere along the way, he said yes to the river — and it changed everything.

    Now he’s the manager of Northwest Rafting Company, a career river guide, ultra runner, and the guy leading trips from the Rogue River all the way to Bhutan. In this episode, we talk about what life’s really like as a guide, the magic of the Northwest guide house, international rafting culture, and what it takes to build a life around adventure, even if you started far from it.

    He also drops some real advice for anyone dreaming of a life outside: how to get started, how to stay grounded, and why it’s never too late to choose a different path.

    This one’s for the explorers, the late bloomers, and the ones who keep showing up ...even if the episode’s a little late.

    Let’s go wildly.


    Northwest Rafting Company https://www.nwrafting.com/

    also check out... https://www.whitewaterguidebook.com/

    Filmed on Location: Ferry Road Boat Ramp

    Let's Go Wildly Together:-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly-Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com-Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, rafting, whitewater, river, river guide, guiding rivers, outdoor guide, Bhutan, international travel

    Ep. 10 | The Singletrack Mind: How a Childhood Obsession with Bikes Built a Life of Adventure & Purpose12 Jul 202500:50:45

    🌲🎙️🚲🪏Episode # 10

    The Singletrack Mind: How a Childhood Obsession with Bikes Built a Life of Adventure & Purpose


    "Morality for me is carrying a saw and clearing trail "

    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.


    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!

    Today's Guest: Larry Sussman

    Lawrence (aka Larry) Sussman, is the Executive Director of the Southern Oregon Trail Alliance—a lifelong mountain biker, trail steward, and all-around adventure junkie with a singletrack mind that’s guided his entire life.

    Larry grew up in Nevada City, California—one of the best places in the world to fall in love with mountain biking. From the moment he first swung a leg over a bike at 12 years old, two wheels became the common thread through every season of his life. He even brought his bike with him when he moved to Costa Rica as a preteen!

    From racing cross-country and downhill in high school and college, to learning the mechanics that landed him his first job, to leading a trail alliance today—Larry’s story is a wild ride of passion, purpose, and community.

    In this episode, we talk about the unexpected power of childhood obsessions, how early passions shape our adult lives, and the beauty of giving back to the places we play. We get into his journey of mountain bike racing, his obsession with machines (including dirt bikes and cars), and how he’s now channeling all of that energy into trail stewardship and building community here in Southern Oregon.

    If you’ve ever wondered how to turn what you love into a life of purpose—or how the little things you nurture as a kid can shape who you become—this one’s for you.

    Connect with Larry@southernoregontrailalliance on Instagram & Facebook

    Filmed on Location:Dollar Mountain Trail System in Grants Pass Oregon

    Let's Go Wildly Together:-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly-Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com-Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, trail worker, trail stewardship, mountain biking, mtbing, biking, mountain bike racing, dirt bike, cross country mountain biking, costa rica, pura vida, fun, funny, southern oregon trail alliance, mule mountain, saw, cleaning, racing bikes, bike team, volunteer

    Ep. 9 | WILDLY US: Emily | Drowning Lessons I Never Asked For04 Jul 202501:16:52

    🌲🎙️🥾🌀Episode # 9


    WILDLY US: Emily - Drowning Lessons I Never Asked For


    "The river provides a metaphor for everything in life"


    The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

    We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.

    We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

    Together let’s GO WILDLY!


    WILDLY US:

    Emily Berlant is a passionate storyteller, community advocate, and co-host of the Go Wildly Podcast. Rooted in Southern Oregon, she brings a deep love for nature, authentic conversation, and creative connection to everything she does. Through her work, Emily inspires others to explore the outdoors, embrace vulnerability, and build a more sustainable, compassionate world.

    Her professional background spans the whitewater rafting and tourism industry, renewable energy and community engagement, small-town government, nonprofit management, and hospitality. Today, she curates a life rich with joyful activities and supportive communities that help her live her best life. Learn more about Emily each week on Go Wildly.

    In Episode 9 of the Go Wildly podcast, we turn the mic inward for a special storytelling session with me, Emily, your co-host. I open up about some of the most impactful—and, honestly, traumatic—experiences I had in the wild as a young person, and how they shaped the way I learned to navigate the world - not from a place of fear, but with respect and humility.


    What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

    • How the river humbles Emily 

    • The importance of a safe community, especially on the river

    • How everything can change in an instant

    • A powerful perspective shift on the fragility of life

    Connect with Emily

    Here!!! on the Go Wildly Podcast or Through DM or Email @ gowildlyoregon@gmail.com


    Instagram:

    Emily.gowildly


    Filmed on Location:

    Griffin Park, Grants Pass Oregon


    Let's Go Wildly Together:

    -Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

    -Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

    -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

    -Leave us a review — it helps so much!

    -Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

    -Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.


    Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, wilderville, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, gay, pride month, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, happy, joy, near death experience, near death stories, drowning stories, Salmon River, Middle fork of the salmon river, main salmon river Idaho, river trip, rafting guide, rafting outfitter, raft guide, whitewater, swift water, swift water rescue, lifejacket, pfd, kayak, rapid, rogue river, childhood stories, childhood trauma, camping

    Feral Forest Fairy: Fire, Rivers & Falling in Love with Sofie Maciel | Go Wildly Podcast22 Apr 202602:04:10

    Feral Forest Fairy: Fire, Rivers & Falling in Love with Sofie Maciel Episode 30 | Go Wildly PodcastAbout This EpisodeShe grew up feral in the forest — and never really stopped.In this episode of Go Wildly, we sit down with Sofie Maciel — wildfire educator, whitewater guide, prescribed burn practitioner, trail alliance board member, and self-described forest fairy — for a joyful, wide-ranging conversation about fire, rivers, biodiversity, and what it means to fall completely in love with a landscape.Sofie grew up in Truckee, California, skiing, hiking, and living mostly outside. After studying at CSU Monterey Bay and completing her graduate degree at Southern Oregon University — where she dove deep into the biodiversity of the Klamath-Siskiyou mountains — she landed in Grants Pass and never left. Today she channels that love into education, stewardship, and getting people outside through hands-on, adventure-based experiences.This episode has it all: glitter and whimsy, flash floods and river flips, animal sightings, a love story, and a genuinely moving conversation about fire's role in a healthy landscape — and how we can be better partners to the land we live on.In This Episode- Growing up as a feral forest fairy in Truckee- The importance of fire on the landscape and reciprocity with the land- How to get involved in prescribed burning- Kids learning through osmosis — teaching fire management and outdoor opportunity- How Sofie became a river guide- Her favorite Southern Oregon rivers for recreation- Flash floods, river flips, and adventuring despite fear- "Nature is metal"- Choosing Southern Oregon — how and why- Learning by teaching — outside- Her love story- A lot of animal sightings💰 Go Wildly Listener Offer — ROW AdventuresUse code GOWILDLY for $100 off any multi-day river trip in 2026 or 2027.New reservations only. Not combinable with other offers. Subject to availability. No cash value.www.rowadventures.com/multi-day-rafting-tripsFollow Go WildlyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gowildlypodcastSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowildlypodcastWebsite: https://www.gowildlypodcast.comAbout Sofie MacielSofie Maciel is the Wildfire Education Coordinator for the Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative, a whitewater guide with ROW Adventures, Board Secretary for the Southern Oregon Trail Alliance, and a volunteer prescribed burn practitioner with the Rogue Valley Prescribed Burn Association. Her passion is sharing nature with others through hands-on, adventure-based experiences that get people outside and connected to the land and community around them.Instagram: @sofmaceOrganizations & LinksSouthern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative: https://www.sofrc.orgROW Adventures: https://www.rowadventures.comSouthern Oregon Trail Alliance: https://www.sotrailalliance.orgRogue Valley Prescribed Burn Association: https://www.rvpba.orgProduction CreditsHosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly PodcastTheme Music: "Rainmaker" by Jared Masters — used with permissionSupport the ShowIf this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs it. You can also:- Subscribe on YouTube- Follow on Spotify- Leave a review wherever you listenYour support helps us keep bringing more outdoor stories to the mic. Thank you.KeywordsGo Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, outdoor podcast, Sofie Maciel, wildfire education, prescribed burning Oregon, Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative, Klamath-Siskiyou mountains, whitewater guide, ROW Adventures, Southern Oregon Trail Alliance, Rogue Valley, Grants Pass Oregon, Truckee California, biodiversity, fire ecology, river guiding Oregon, flash flood, outdoor education, feral kids outdoors, nature is metal, adventure despite fear, place-based podcast, community outdoors, forest stewardship, Emily Berlant, Heather White

    Rowing Blossom Bar at 15 — Then Jumping Out of Planes with Aaron DeSilva | Go Wildly Podcast15 Apr 202601:18:18

    Rowing Blossom Bar at 15 — Then Jumping Out of Planes with Aaron DeSilva

    Episode 29 | Go Wildly Podcast

    About This Episode

    Some lives are built for movement. Aaron DeSilva's is one of them.In this episode of Go Wildly, we sit down with Aaron DeSilva — Talent, Oregon native, Rogue River guide, former pro motocross athlete, skydiver, firefighter, EMT, scrub tech, and Warrior Impact trip support — for a conversation about adrenaline, service, grit, and the river that started it all.Aaron grew up in Southern Oregon and began guiding on the Rogue River at 15 years old — including rowing Blossom Bar, one of the most technical rapids on the river. Decades later, the river is still central to his life. He guides on the Lower Rogue and Lower Salmon, and supports trips with Warrior Impact, helping provide healing spaces for first responders and military veterans.In between, he turned pro in motocross, jumped out of planes starting at 21 (including one jump that went seriously sideways), served as a firefighter and EMT in Oregon and Southern California, and now works as a scrub tech in the operating room. He's also a proud husband and father who believes getting kids outside might be one of the most important things we can do.


    In This Episode

    - Rowing Blossom Bar at 15 — and a trip from hell as an adult with his mentors

    - Going pro in motocross and what that world taught him

    - Skydiving at 21, how he met his wife in the air, and a harrowing jump

    - Advice for getting into skydiving and reducing barriers to entry

    - Life as a firefighter and EMT — and what service does to a person

    - Guiding with Warrior Impact and supporting veterans and first responders

    - Quality of life as a matter of perspective

    - Praise for his daughter and why getting kids outdoors matters

    - What keeps drawing him back to the river

    Organizations Mentioned

    Warrior Impact: https://www.warriorimpact.org

    Save A Warrior: https://www.saveawarrior.org


    About Aaron DeSilva

    Aaron DeSilva was born and raised in Talent, Oregon, and has been shaped by the outdoors from day one. He started guiding on the Rogue River at 15 and has spent decades on the water as a private boater, commercial guide, and fishing guide on the Rogue and Alaska's Upper Kenai River. A former pro motocross athlete turned skydiver, he later served as a firefighter and EMT in both Oregon and Southern California. Today he works as a scrub tech in the operating room, guides on the Lower Rogue and Lower Salmon, and supports Warrior Impact trips for first responders and military veterans. He is a proud husband and father, rooted deeply in family and community.


    Follow Go Wildly

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gowildlypodcast

    Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcast

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowildlypodcast

    Website: https://www.gowildlypodcast.com


    Credits

    Hosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly Podcast

    Theme Music: "Rainmaker" by Jared Masters — used with permission


    Support the Show

    If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs it. You can also:

    - Subscribe on YouTube

    - Follow on Spotify

    - Leave a review wherever you listen

    Your support helps us keep bringing more outdoor stories to the mic. Thank you.


    KeywordsGo Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, outdoor podcast, Aaron DeSilva, Rogue River guide, Blossom Bar, Lower Rogue River, Lower Salmon River, Upper Kenai River, skydiving, motocross, firefighter EMT, Warrior Impact, Save A Warrior, veteran healing outdoors, first responder wellness, outdoor adventure, Talent Oregon, barriers to entry outdoors, getting kids outside, adrenaline sports, place-based podcast, resilience, service and the outdoors

    Place, Memory & the Meaning of Wild with Mark Tveskov | Go Wildly Podcast11 Feb 202601:34:46

    🎙 Go Wildly Podcast — Episode 20: Mark Axel Tveskov | Place, Memory & the Meaning of Wild | Southern Oregon Landscapes

    🌲 About This Episode

    In this episode of Go Wildly Podcast, we sit down with Mark Axel Tveskov — anthropologist, archaeologist, musician, and longtime student of how people shape and remember the landscapes they live in.

    Based in Southern Oregon, Mark shares stories from decades of research on historical memory, colonialism, Indigenous collaboration, and cultural landscapes — plus what it really means to slow down and listen to the land beneath our feet.

    We talk about archaeology of war, creative practice, personal turning points, and the idea of “wild” — exploring how place carries memory, how people form deep relationships with landscapes, and why understanding history can help us better understand ourselves.

    This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation about curiosity, meaning, and paying attention to the stories embedded in the places we move through every day — from rivers and forests to towns, trails, and quiet moments outside.

    Go Wildly is a storytelling podcast centered on real people, outdoor culture, and meaningful conversations rooted in Southern Oregon — exploring how wild places influence creativity, purpose, resilience, and community.

    If you love outdoor podcasts, Southern Oregon stories, archaeology, history, and campfire-style conversations — you’re in the right place.

    🎧 Follow Go Wildly

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoWildlyPodcast
    Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcast
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowildlypodcast
    Website: https://www.gowildlypodcast.com
    Contact: gowildlyoregon@gmail.com

    🌿 About Mark Axel Tveskov

    Mark is Professor of Anthropology at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. His work spans New England, the Pacific Northwest, California, Alaska, Iceland, and Mexico, with interests including archaeology of war, historical memory, coastal peoples and ecologies, and cultural landscapes.

    Now based in Medford, Mark also plays guitar with southern Oregon funk-rock band The Gus Factor — continuing to explore creativity both in the field and through music.

    🔗 Guest Links

    SOU Faculty Profile: https://sou.edu/academics/sociology-and-anthropology/faculty/
    Beyond the Battlefield (book): https://floridapress.org/9780813069562/conflict-archaeology-historical-memory-and-the-experience-of-war/
    The Gus Factor: https://www.thegusfactor.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegusfactor/

    🛠 Credits

    Hosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly Podcast
    Theme Music: “Rainmaker” by Jared Masters

    🏕 Keywords

    Go Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, outdoor podcast, outdoor adventure podcast, archaeology podcast, anthropology podcast, Mark Tveskov, Mark Axel Tveskov, Southern Oregon University, Southern Oregon, Medford Oregon, Ashland Oregon, Pacific Northwest podcast, cultural landscapes, historical memory, archaeology of war, Indigenous history Oregon, creative outdoors, nature podcast, storytelling podcast, independent podcast, adventure podcast, wilderness adventure talks, outdoor culture, wild places podcast, local voices podcast, Oregon outdoors, hiking Oregon, hiking podcast, rivers of Oregon, outdoor lifestyle podcast, creative community podcast, campfire conversations, real people real stories, environmental storytelling, landscape history, place-based storytelling

    Season 2 Begins: Reflections, the Off-Season, and What’s Ahead | Go Wildly Podcast04 Feb 202600:46:19

    In this Season 2 opener of Go Wildly Podcast, hosts Heather and Emily sit down by the river to reflect on the first season, share what the off-season looked like, and talk about what’s ahead for the podcast.

    This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Go Wildly has grown, lessons learned from Season 1, and how time spent outside continues to shape the direction of the show. Heather and Emily also share personal updates, outdoor moments from the off-season, and the intention behind focusing Season 2 on deeper storytelling and connection around the people who call Southern Oregon "home".

    Go Wildly is an outdoor storytelling podcast recorded outside, exploring the moments in nature that shape who we are—without scripts, studios, or flash.

    🎙️ Recorded outdoors in Southern Oregon🌲 Unscripted, story-driven conversations📍 New episodes released regularly


    Timestamps00:00 Intro – Welcome to Go Wildly Podcast03:20 Who is Go Wildly Podcast08:58 Reflections on Season One16:08 Favorite Episodes from Season One23:29 Recap on the Off Season39:17 Loving Proud Moment39:46 What to Expect for Season Two43:30 How To Get Involved45:40 Final Words🎧 Listen to Go Wildly PodcastSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcastApple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/applegowildlypodcastAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/amazonmusicgowildlypodcast📺 Watch Full Episodes on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@gowildlypodcast🌿 Follow Along & ConnectInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowildlypodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@GoWildlyPodcast Website: https://www.gowildlypodcast.com🤝 Collaborations & InquiriesFor guest suggestions, partnerships, or sponsorships:gowildlyoregon@gmail.com🔎 About This PodcastGo Wildly is an outdoor podcast focused on storytelling, freedom, outdoor lifestyles, and the moments outside that shape who we are.

    Topics: outdoor podcast, outdoor storytelling, nature connection, Southern Oregon outdoors, creative projects, life outside, independent podcast, freedom

    River Stewardship & Outdoor Leadership with Angie Braley | Go Wildly Podcast08 Apr 202601:35:59

    River Stewardship & Outdoor Leadership with Angie BraleyEpisode 28 | Go Wildly Podcast⚠ This episode contains a discussion of a river fatality. Please listen with care.About This EpisodeSome people find rivers. Angie is found by rivers.In this episode of Go Wildly, we sit down with Angie Braley — anthropologist, river guide, conservation professional, and founder of the Applegate Paddling Club — for a wide-ranging conversation about rivers, community, and what it means to truly care for the places that connect us.Angie's path took her from meeting a river for the first time to guiding on Wild and Scenic Rivers, working on conservation projects across the U.S. and Latin America, and earning a 2024 Forest Service Award for Outstanding Support to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program.This conversation goes deep — from lifelong friendships forged on the water and the practice of saying yes to opportunities, to navigating a river fatality, overcoming barriers to entry, and the quiet power of dropping your ego on the water.In This Episode

    • Meeting a river and becoming a guide
    • Lifelong friendships and the communities rivers build
    • Taking opportunities as they come
    • Knowing who you really are and what you really need
    • Mycophobia (yes, really)
    • Recreation planning and public lands management
    • Overcoming barriers to entry in outdoor recreation
    • Navigating a river fatality — with honesty and care
    • The Applegate Paddling Club and connecting river users locally
    • Dropping ego on the water

    Links & MentionsApplegate Paddling Club: https://www.applegatepaddlingclub.org/Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals: https://www.recpro.org/Planning the Wild Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5E5Kwzv...River Management Society: https://www.river-management.org/Diversify Whitewater: https://diversifywhitewater.org/Responder Alliance: https://www.responderalliance.com/Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council: https://www.applegatepartnership.org/FunLovin Fleecewear: https://www.funluvinfleecewear.comJacksaphine Count(r)y Fair: https://applegateconnect.org/jacksaphine-country-fair-week/💰 Go Wildly Listener Offer — ROW AdventuresUse code GOWILDLY for $100 off any multi-day river trip in 2026 or 2027.New reservations only. Not combinable with other offers. Subject to availability. No cash value.www.rowadventures.com/multi-day-rafting-tripsFollow Go WildlyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gowildlypodcastSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowildlypodcastWebsite: https://www.gowildlypodcast.comAbout Angie BraleyAngie Braley is a conservation professional based in Ruch, Oregon. She works as a Training Specialist with the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals and runs Detour Consulting, helping organizations build outdoor programs, steward rivers, and collaborate on conservation projects. Her river work spans Wild and Scenic Rivers across the U.S. and Latin America. She founded the Applegate Paddling Club and received the 2024 Forest Service Award for Outstanding Support to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. Contact via: https://www.applegatepaddlingclub.org/ or https://www.recpro.org/Production CreditsHosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly PodcastTheme Music: "Rainmaker" by Jared Masters — used with permissionSupport the ShowIf this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs it. You can also:

    • Subscribe on YouTube
    • Follow on Spotify
    • Leave a review wherever you listen

    Your support helps us keep bringing more outdoor stories to the mic. Thank you.KeywordsGo Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, outdoor podcast, Angie Braley, Applegate Paddling Club, Applegate River, river guide, Wild and Scenic Rivers, river conservation, recreation planning, public lands, river rights, barriers to entry outdoors, Diversify Whitewater, Ruch Oregon, Applegate Valley, community building outdoors, river stewardship, paddling Oregon, ROW Adventures, place-based podcast

    Martial Arts, Mount Whitney & Starting Over in Southern Oregon with Jesse Newell | Go Wildly Podcast01 Apr 202601:30:09

    🎙 Martial Arts, Mount Whitney & Starting Over in Southern Oregon with Jesse Newell | Go Wildly Podcast

    Episode 27 | Go Wildly Podcast

    What does it take to hear a place calling you — and finally answer?

    In this episode of Go Wildly Podcast, we sit down with Jesse Newell — martial artist, coach, hot rod builder, and Southern Oregon transplant — for a grounded, honest conversation about starting over, finding silence, and what happens when the outdoors stops being something you want and becomes something you need.

    Jesse grew up in Ventura, California, steps from the ocean, where fishing alongside his father gave him his first taste of solitude and patience. His grandmother was his earliest guide to the natural world. But as Ventura grew louder and faster — the lake he fished drained for development, the beaches overrun — home became unrecognizable.

    Southern Oregon had been calling for years. Burned out and coming off the end of a long relationship, Jesse finally listened. In January 2024, he packed up and moved north. This conversation goes deep — from martial arts mentors and a solo push up and down Mount Whitney, to healing trauma through extreme and controlled environments, and why he believes healing is holistic and multifaceted.

    Today Jesse is the owner and head coach of Southern Oregon Martial Arts Academy, training people of all ages while building a community rooted in discipline, confidence, and respect.

    In This Episode

    • Growing up in Ventura — fishing with his dad and his grandmother as outdoor guide
    • The shift from wanting to be outside to needing to be outside
    • His journey through martial arts and the mentors who shaped him
    • Building hot rods — craft, patience, and discipline
    • Running Mount Whitney solo — pushing limits and finding stillness
    • Healing trauma through extreme and controlled violence
    • Why healing is holistic — body, mind, outdoors, community
    • What Jesse is building at SOMA — and how he wants to change people

    🥋 Go Wildly Listener Offer — Southern Oregon Martial Arts Academy2-Week Free Trial, then sign up with a 6-month membership to support the show.southernoregonmartialarts.com

    About Jesse NewellJesse Newell grew up steps from the ocean in Ventura, California, where fishing with his father and exploring with his grandmother rooted him in the natural world. After years of burnout and a city that had grown beyond recognition, he moved to Southern Oregon in January 2024 for a clean slate. A lifelong martial artist and former hot rod builder, Jesse has pushed his limits in wild places — including a solo ascent of Mount Whitney. Today he owns and coaches Southern Oregon Martial Arts Academy, building community through self-defense, discipline, and respect.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernoregonmartialartsWebsite: https://southernoregonmartialarts.com/home

    About Go WildlyGo Wildly is a storytelling podcast rooted in Southern Oregon — real people, real stories, wild places. New episodes every week.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gowildlypodcastSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowildlypodcastWebsite: https://www.gowildlypodcast.com

    CreditsHosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly PodcastTheme Music: "Rainmaker" by Jared Masters — used with permission

    KeywordsGo Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, outdoor podcast, Jesse Newell, Southern Oregon Martial Arts Academy, martial arts Southern Oregon, self-defense Oregon, moving to Southern Oregon, burnout recovery, trauma healing, holistic healing, Mount Whitney solo, solitude and nature, silence and healing, anxiety and outdoors, hot rod builder, resilience, men and the outdoors, outdoor mental health, Rogue Valley podcast, place-based storytelling

    Finding Healing, Habit & Meaning in Water with Kylie Kuhlmann | Go Wildly Podcast25 Mar 202601:41:54

    🎙 Tides of Grief — Finding Healing, Habit & Meaning in Water with Kylie KuhlmannEpisode 26 | Go Wildly Podcast


    🕊 In loving memory of Dylan Works (January 12, 1989 – March 25, 2025).


    About this Episode

    What do you do when the ground shifts beneath you — and the only thing that steadies you is water?

    In this episode, we sit down with Kylie Kuhlmann — farmer, sailor, outdoor educator, and lifelong seeker of wild places — for an honest, moving conversation about grief, growth, and what it means to build a new life from the inside out.

    Kylie grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, far from any farm or ocean. Over time, a pull toward the edges shaped a life lived seasonally: farming in summer, facilitating at outdoor schools, and following rivers and oceans wherever they led.

    We talk about forming new habits and neural pathways in the wake of loss, the metaphors water offers for living through change, and how relationships with wild places can quietly become relationships with ourselves.

    In This Episode

    • Kylie's journey from Chicago to farming and sailing in Oregon
    • How grief reshapes us — and what it takes to build new patterns
    • New habits and neural pathways: the science and soul of change
    • Water as healer — cold plunges, hot springs, ocean living, river travel
    • What sailing taught Kylie about surrender, presence, and trust
    • Finding meaning in outdoor work and seasonal living
    • Lessons for life from wild places

    💙 If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, text CONNECT to 741741 to reach a Crisis Counselor 24/7, free of charge.

    About Kylie KuhlmannKylie Kuhlmann grew up in the suburbs of Chicago but has spent her adult life chasing the places that feel most alive — farms, oceans, rivers, and the wild margins in between. She works seasonally on farms and at outdoor schools, and in the off-season follows the water wherever it leads. She has lived aboard sailboats, worked harvests, and learned to meet grief with the same curiosity she brings to an unfamiliar coast.

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_saltyfarmer_22

    About Go WildlyGo Wildly is a storytelling podcast rooted in Southern Oregon — real people, real stories, wild places. New episodes every week.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gowildlypodcastSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowildlypodcastWebsite: https://www.gowildlypodcast.com

    CreditsHosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly PodcastTheme Music: "Rainmaker" by Jared Masters — used with permissionMemorial Music: "Drift Boat Kitchen" by Tommy Letchworth, Smiley T and The Tall Trees — used with permission

    KeywordsGo Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, grief and healing, Kylie Kuhlmann, water healing, sailing lifestyle, farm life Oregon, outdoor educator, neural pathways grief, habit formation after loss, cold water therapy, hot springs Oregon, ocean living, seasonal living, place-based healing, transformation, women in the outdoors, resilience, Dylan Works, Smiley T and the Tall Trees

    How Water Shapes a Life with Frances Oyung | Go Wildly Podcast18 Mar 202601:45:08

    🎙 Go Wildly Podcast — Episode 25: Frances Oyung | How Water Shapes a Life

    🌲 About This Episode

    On this episode, we float the Rogue with Frances Oyung — longtime conservation advocate and retiring Rogue Riverkeeper Program Manager with the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center.

    Frances’ life has revolved around snow, rivers, and wild places since the start. Even after moving to Oakland, California, skiing, camping, and exploring the Sierra Nevada remained central to her identity.

    As a teenager, she discovered whitewater boating on the Stanislaus River. When the canyon was flooded by the New Melones Dam construction in the late 1970s, it ignited a lifelong commitment to protecting rivers.

    Frances went on to study Environmental Studies at University of California, Santa Cruz, and built a career rooted in environmental education, river stewardship, and public lands conservation.

    After years of seasonal outdoor work — rafting, teaching field courses, working in parks, and even serving as an “owl hooter” for the Bureau of Land Management — she settled in Southern Oregon in 1992.

    She is soon to be retiring from her role as Program Manager with Rogue Riverkeeper where she's been working to protect water quality, fish habitat, and community access to rivers throughout the Rogue Basin.

    In this episode we talk about:

    • Jackson County drinking water and wastewater systems

    • The history of sewage and water management in Southern Oregon

    • Owl surveys with the BLM

    • Careers in outdoor and environmental work

    • How people build community in the Rogue Valley

    • The importance of land use and waterfront stewardship

    • Helping kids connect with nature

    • Protecting waterways where you live

    • Frances’ journey from dirtbag river guide to rooted community advocate

    👂🏽We also discuss organizations working in water and rivers including:

    • Rogue Riverkeeper: www.rogueriverkeeper.org

    • Medford Water Commission: www.medfordwater.org

    • Freshwater Trust: www.thefreshwatertrust.org

    • Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries: www.oregon.gov/dogami/pages/default.aspx

    Along the way, we watch a Great Blue Heron rookery, talk about recreating responsibly, and explore how everyday people can help protect the places they love.

    🌿About Go Wildly Podcast

    Go Wildly is a storytelling podcast based in Southern Oregon exploring outdoor culture, adventure, and the people whose lives are shaped by wild places. Each episode features guides, scientists, artists, and everyday locals who are building meaningful lives connected to the outdoors.

    Real people. Real stories. Wild places.

    If you love outdoor podcasts, rivers, community, or understanding the landscapes you move through — you’re in the right place.


    🎧 Follow Go Wildly

    YouTube: @gowildlypodcast

    Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcast

    Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

    Website: https://www.gowildlypodcast.com

    Contact: gowildlyoregon@gmail.com


    🛠 Credits

    Hosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly Podcast

    Theme Music: “Rainmaker” by Jared Masters


    Keywords

    Go Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, outdoor podcast, river guide life, Rogue River rafting, whitewater rafting podcast, rafting culture, outdoor adventure podcast, inclusive outdoor culture, Oregon rivers, Idaho rivers, Rogue Valley podcast, wilderness storytelling podcast, place-based podcast, Rogue River, Rogue River Oregon, Southern Oregon rivers, river conservation, riverkeeper, water conservation, Rogue Valley Oregon, whitewater history, environmental careers, river protection, outdoor jobs Oregon, water quality, freshwater conservation, environmental education, Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center, river advocacy, owl hooters

    How the River Helped Me Become Myself with Rian Garn | Go Wildly Podcast11 Mar 202601:23:00

    What does it mean to find your place in the world — and finally feel at home in yourself?

    In this episode of the Go Wildly Podcast, we float with river guide Rian Garn to talk about a life shaped by wild places, long river miles, and the deeply personal journey of becoming who you truly are.Rian grew up in the Sonoran Desert near Tucson, Arizona. After her first overnight canoe trip down the Gila River at 14, she was hooked. Over the next decade she chased river miles across the West — rowing trips through the Grand Canyon, Idaho, and Utah while building a deep love for moving water and the communities that form around it.

    Eventually a seasonal job at a remote lodge on Oregon’s Wild & Scenic Rogue River changed the course of her life into a career guiding river trips, running gear boats, and building a life around the river corridor.

    But this conversation goes far deeper than river guiding.

    Rian shares the story of coming home to the river — and coming out as her authentic self.

    We talk about her journey of transitioning, transforming, and transcending while building community within the river guiding world.

    We explore how outdoor spaces and guiding communities can become places of belonging — and how leaders in the outdoor industry can foster inclusive, supportive environments for queer and gender-nonconforming people.

    This episode is about wild rivers, resilience, identity, and the powerful feeling of finally meeting yourself in the places that shape you. Whether you're a boater, paddler, outdoor explorer, or simply someone who feels pulled toward wild places, this conversation explores the meaning of river life and the lessons water, and women, can teach us.

    In this episode we discuss

    • Growing up exploring the Sonoran Desert

    • First backpacking trips in the Grand Canyon

    • A first Grand Canyon rafting trip from hell

    • Discovering the Rogue River

    • Transitioning from lodge hand to professional river guide

    • The Lochsa River and Idaho river culture

    • Hormone Replacement Therapy

    • Building queer-inclusive outdoor communities


    About Go Wildly Podcast

    Go Wildly is a storytelling podcast based in Southern Oregon exploring outdoor culture, adventure, and the people whose lives are shaped by wild places. Each episode features guides, scientists, artists, and everyday locals who are building meaningful lives connected to the outdoors.

    Real people. Real stories. Wild places.If you love outdoor podcasts, rivers, community, or understanding the landscapes you move through — you’re in the right place.

    🎧 Follow Go Wildly

    YouTube: @gowildlypodcast

    Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypo...

    Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

    Website: https://www.gowildlypodcast.com

    Contact: gowildlyoregon@gmail.com

    🌿 About Rian Garn

    Rian Garn is a River guide who divides her seasons between the Rogue and Idaho, where she serves as the Lochsa River Area Manager for ROW Adventures. She also guides multi-day wilderness expeditions on legendary rivers like the Middle Fork of the Salmon.

    🔗 Guest Links

    Instagram: @queen_rian_loves_you

    ROW Adventures: www.rowadventures.com/multi-day-rafting-trips

    🔥 Listener Discount

    Use code GOWILDLY for $100 off any multi-day river trip with ROW Adventures in 2026 or 2027.

    Not valid in combination with any other discounts, offers, or promotions. Subject to availability and confirmed departures. No cash value. Valid on new reservations only.

    🛠 Credits

    Hosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly Podcast

    Theme Music: “Rainmaker” by Jared Masters


    Keywords

    Go Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, outdoor podcast, river guide life, Rogue River rafting, Idaho river guiding, Lochsa River, Middle Fork Salmon River, whitewater rafting podcast, rafting culture, Grand Canyon rafting, outdoor adventure podcast, LGBTQ outdoor stories, queer outdoor community, inclusive outdoor culture, Oregon rivers, Idaho rivers, Rogue Valley podcast, wilderness storytelling podcast, place-based podcast

    Life as a Rogue River Guide with Nicole Smedegaard | Go Wildly Podcast04 Mar 202601:06:43

    🎙 Go Wildly Podcast — Episode 23: Nicole Smedegaard | Life as a Rogue River Guide


    🌲 About This Episode

    On this episode of Go Wildly, we float with whitewater pro Nicole Smedegaard to talk about what draws people to wild rivers, the reality of “type two fun,” and what it takes to develop confidence and humility in powerful natural environments.

    For the past 15 years, Nicole Smedegaard has built her life around rivers. She is a true Rogue River rat - both growing up IN Rogue River and working ON the Rogue River. 

    Whether you're a boater, paddler, outdoor explorer, or simply someone who feels pulled toward wild places, this conversation explores the meaning of river life and the lessons water, and women, can teach us.

    In this episode we discuss

    • Life as a Rogue River guide

    • The meaning of “type two fun” and “type A” adventurer

    • Whitewater paddling and rowing

    • Swiftwater rescue and river safety

    • Expedition river trips

    • Community on the river

    • Learning humility from wild water

    • Her super cool gear!


    Go Wildly is a storytelling podcast centered on real people, outdoor culture, and meaningful conversations rooted in Southern Oregon — exploring how wild places influence creativity, purpose, resilience, and community.

    If you love outdoor podcasts, rivers, community, or understanding the landscapes you move through — you’re in the right place.

    🎧 Follow Go Wildly

    YouTube: @gowildlypodcast  

    Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcast

    Instagram: @gowildlypodcast  

    Website: https://www.gowildlypodcast.com

    Contact: gowildlyoregon@gmail.com


    🌿 About Nicole Smedegaard

    Nicole is a whitewater boater, guide, and instructor who has guided on the Rogue River for more than 15 years. She’s the owner of Nature Nicole Whitewater, an ACA Level 4–certified instructor with over 10,500 river miles and more than a thousand days on the water. A lover of inflatable boats, exploratory missions, and what she proudly calls “type two fun,” Nicole brings deep experience, curiosity, and joy to every stretch of river she runs.

    🔗 Guest Links

    Website: www.naturenicolewhitewater.com 

    Instagram: @nicolesmedegaard

    🔥 Listener Discount

    Use code WILDLY for $45 off Rescue 3 International’s Whitewater Rescue Technician–Pro Course, April 27–29, 2026 in Southern Oregon

    Space is limited! Intended for guides, river professionals, field staff, or individuals with prior swiftwater rescue training. Valid through April 26, 2026.

    👂🏽Guest Mentions

    Sparkle Pad from Oregon River Gear: www.oregonrivergear.com

    Worldwide Women of Whitewater: www.worldwidewomenofwhitewater.org

    SOTAR: www.sotar.com

    Sawyer Paddles & Oars: www.paddlesandoars.com

    Class V Adventure Gear: www.classvgear.com


    🛠 Credits

    Hosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly Podcast

    Theme Music: “Rainmaker” by Jared Masters


    🏕 Keywords

    Go Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, Rogue Valley podcast, outdoor podcast, rafting podcast, outdoor adventure podcast, outdoor culture podcast, outdoor lifestyle podcast, nature podcast, independent podcast, local voices podcast, place-based podcast, environmental storytelling, whitewater rafting, rafting, rogue river rafting, rafting rogue river, rogue river guide, river guide life, swiftwater rescue, swiftwater rescue training, river safety, paddling safety, whitewater kayaking, river expedition, type two fun, Nicole Smedegaard, Southern Oregon rivers, Rogue River, Rogue River watershed, Oregon rivers, wild rivers Oregon, Rogue Valley Oregon, Oregon outdoors, Medford Oregon podcast, Ashland Oregon podcast, Grants Pass Oregon podcast, river ecology, watershed health, drought and rivers, wildfire and streams, love story

    Freak For Fish with Marshall Wolf | Go Wildly Podcast26 Feb 202601:31:47

    🎙 Go Wildly Podcast — Episode 22: Marshall Wolf | Freak for Fish

    🌲About This Episode

    On this episode of Go Wildly, we sit down with stream ecologist Marshall Wolf to talk about fish, fieldwork, and what it actually looks like to survey wild streams in the Rogue Valley.

    Marshall holds a Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology from Utah State and has worked across the West studying fish populations, habitat connectivity, and watershed health. But Southern Oregon keeps pulling him back. After moving away multiple times, he’s returned again and again to work in Rogue Valley streams — surveying fish, analyzing creek systems, and helping better understand how water, habitat, and human impact intersect.

    In this conversation, we dive into:

    • How fish surveys actually work in Southern Oregon streams

    • What snorkeling in Oregon streams is like

    • What species are thriving (and struggling) in Rogue Valley watersheds

    • How fish tell us about the health of an ecosystem

    • Making friends with the outdoors

    • How to live a life in the dirt

    We spend most of this episode in the water — talking fish behavior, surveying structures, and the hidden complexity of small creeks that most people walk right past.

    Marshall also shares how his life moves between science and dirt — from aquatic ecology to trail building with the Rogue Valley Mountain Bike Association — and why the Rogue Valley continues to call him home.

    Go Wildly is a storytelling podcast centered on real people, outdoor culture, and meaningful conversations rooted in Southern Oregon — exploring how wild places influence creativity, purpose, resilience, and community.

    If you love outdoor podcasts, rivers, fish, local ecology, or understanding the landscapes you move through — you’re in the right place.


    🎧 Follow Go Wildly

    YouTube: @gowildlypodcast

    Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcast

    Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

    Website: https://www.gowildlypodcast.com

    Contact: gowildlyoregon@gmail.com


    🌿 About Marshall Wolf

    Marshall Wolf is a stream ecologist with a Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology from Utah State University. He has worked throughout the American West conducting fish surveys and watershed research, with a particular focus on Southern Oregon streams. He is also a trail builder, snowboard instructor at Mt. Ashland, and community member deeply rooted in the Rogue Valley.

    🔗 Guest Links

    Google: Marshall Wolf PhD Instagram: @shredthewolf

    YouTube: @MarshallWolfRogue Valley Mountain Bike Association: www.rvmba.org


    🛠 Credits

    Hosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly Podcast

    Theme Music: “Rainmaker” by Jared Masters


    🏕 Keywords

    Go Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, Rogue Valley podcast, outdoor podcast, ecology podcast, stream ecology, aquatic ecology, fish biology, fish surveys, snorkeling, Marshall Wolf, Southern Oregon streams, Rogue River watershed, Rogue Valley Oregon, Oregon rivers, freshwater ecology, watershed science, river restoration, fish habitat, environmental science podcast, field science, conservation podcast, Pacific Northwest ecology, Oregon outdoors, Medford Oregon podcast, Ashland Oregon podcast, Mt Ashland, trail building community, outdoor lifestyle podcast, nature podcast, environmental storytelling, place-based podcast, local voices podcast, watershed health, drought and rivers, wildfire and streams, independent podcast, ghetto birds, ghetto gown

    Breath, Fire & the Meaning of Resilience with Calvin Livingston | Go Wildly Podcast18 Feb 202601:33:30

    🎙 Go Wildly Podcast — Episode 21: Calvin Livingston | Breath, Fire & the Meaning of Resilience

    🌲 About This Episode

    In this episode of Go Wildly Podcast, we sit down with Calvin Livingston — a Southern Oregon–based breathwork facilitator, wildland firefighter, and Wim Hof Method instructor whose life has been shaped by deep time outdoors.

    Calvin’s relationship with nature runs through fire lines, cold rivers, sauna heat, and conscious breath — places where presence isn’t optional and resilience is earned.

    Whether he’s working on wildfires or guiding people through breathwork and cold exposure, Calvin sees the outdoors as a place of initiation — a place that strips things down and reminds us who we are beneath comfort and distraction.

    We talk about breath as a tool for resilience, cold exposure and heat, outdoor experiences that shape identity, and how learning to meet discomfort can help us return to ourselves.

    This is a grounded, thoughtful conversation about curiosity, embodiment, and paying attention to what the elements continue to teach.

    Go Wildly is a storytelling podcast centered on real people, outdoor culture, and meaningful conversations rooted in Southern Oregon — exploring how wild places influence creativity, purpose, resilience, and community.

    If you love outdoor podcasts, breathwork, wildfire stories, and campfire-style conversations — you’re in the right place.

    🎧 Follow Go WildlyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoWildlyPodcastSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowildlypodcastWebsite: https://www.gowildlypodcast.comContact: gowildlyoregon@gmail.com🌿 About Calvin Livingston

    Calvin Livingston is a Southern Oregon–based breathwork facilitator, Wim Hof Method instructor, and wildland firefighter whose life and work are deeply rooted in time spent outdoors.

    Through Lean In Breathwork, Calvin helps others reconnect with their breath, build resilience, and develop a more intentional relationship with discomfort — both outside and within.

    He sees the outdoors not as an escape, but as a place of remembering: a space where we’re invited back into our bodies, our awareness, and our capacity to meet life with steadiness and clarity.

    🔥 Listener Discount

    Use code GOWILDLY for 20% off Calvin’s Sauna Bus sessions- $30 for 30 minutes- $39 for 45 minutes

    First 10 redemptions receive a free mini breathwork session.
    Calvin donates $5 per redeemed booking to Go Wildly for the first 50 redemptions.

    🔗 Guest Links

    Website: www.calvinlivingston.comInstagram: @lean_in_breathworkFacebook: @leaninbreathworkYouTube: www.youtube.com/@LeaninbreathworkNippa Sauna Stoves: https://nippa.com/Sacred Sons: www.sacredsons.com/🛠 CreditsHosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly PodcastTheme Music: “Rainmaker” by Jared Masters🏕 KeywordsGo Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, outdoor podcast, breathwork podcast, Wim Hof Method, Calvin Livingston, Lean In Breathwork, wildland firefighter podcast, cold exposure, sauna therapy, resilience podcast, outdoor culture, wilderness podcast, adventure podcast, creative outdoors, nature podcast, storytelling podcast, independent podcast, campfire conversations, real people real stories, environmental storytelling, place-based storytelling, Oregon outdoors, hiking Oregon, outdoor lifestyle podcast, creative community podcast

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