Explore every episode of the podcast Humans Outside
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 391: Until next time, we’ll see you out there (Outdoor Diary) | 30 May 2024 | 00:06:55 | |
Did you know I’m a journalist? I mean, you probably do because I mention it in the intro of many episodes of Humans Outside. But you probably didn’t know I’m launching a local nonprofit newspaper. It’s an all-consuming project, and going outside has been key to helping me get it off the ground. Going outside daily has also been key to helping me understand how to manage my time, how to prioritize what’s important to me, how to make all of it happen in one day. But it’s also taught me that the world is full of natural beginnings and endings as a part of the seasons. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:36] A fun fact about me [:54] In which I wax reminiscent about days of yore [1:52] Why local news is so, so important [2:35] My new local news project [3:14] What outdoors continues to mean to me [4:05] But I can’t do everything [5:23] And so it comes down to this | |||
| 390 Best Of: Making Your Outdoor Time Better With Life in Five Senses (Gretchen Rubin, happiness researcher and author) | 28 May 2024 | 00:41:54 | |
Do you have one person whose work you’ve looked to for inspiration? For me, that’s Gretchen Rubin, author of the Happiness Project, and it’s why I was so excited to get her on Humans Outside for a sit-down. It was such a fun conversation that I want to make sure you get to hear it in this best of humans outside episode. I hope you love this interesting and inspirational conversation with Gretchen Rubin. Connect with this episode: Read Life in 5 Senses (affiliate link) Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff: [3:05] Gretchen Rubin’s favorite outdoor space [4:10] How Gretchen became someone who likes to go outside [6:35] The problem of things taking effort [8:47] Why Gretchen started her Life in 5 Senses project [11:33] Does she still go to this place every day? [11:38] How that practice is like a sit spot [14:40] The freedom (and challenge) of doing something every day [18:28] Gretchen’s favorite sense and how her experiment impacted it [19:41] What do we lose when we ignore our senses? [22:27] All about Gretchen’s daily outdoor project [24:15] The difference between a chore and recess outside [27:00] Why the freedom to choose your own rules is important (and hard) [30:13] The inspiration for Gretchen’s project [33:17] How her five sense are influencing her outdoor project [36:19] Personal habits that make her outdoor time better [40:21] Gretchen’s favorite outdoor moment
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| 381: My outdoor habit has taught me this about getting OK with seasons (Outdoor Diary) | 16 Apr 2024 | 00:05:52 | |
When was the last time you thought about the way learning to notice and navigate changing seasons affects how you view your indoor life? One of the best things about spending a lot of time outdoors is how it prompts you to pause and see how the world is shifting day by day. Are you ready for it? Are you taking it as it comes? No matter how you approach the shift in seasons, one thing is certain: getting used to changes outdoors can teach you a thing or two about changes indoors.
Listen to this episode of Humans Outside now! Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [01:28] We’ve got some signs of spring up in here [02:31] Let’s get aware of seasons [03:11] No solar eclipse here, but we do have seasons changing [03:29] There’s sun and I’m not mad about it [04:00] Just over here learning from nature for my inside life, once again | |||
| 292 Best Of: How to Maximize Your Outdoor Life While Creating a Minimalist Lifestyle (Meg Carney, outdoor minimalist) | 14 Apr 2023 | 00:47:47 | |
The more time you spend outside, the more you might be thinking about doing what you can to make sure the thing you love so much -- nature -- is taken care of and around for others to enjoy, too. It’s a bummer to watch something you enjoy so much disappear or be carelessly shoved aside. In this “best of” Humans Outside episode Meg Carney, an outdoor minimalist, author and podcast host shares her tips for outdoor minimalism and it’s worth a listen.
Connect with this episode: Learn about Outdoor Minimalist | |||
| 291 Outdoor Diary: How Going Outside Has Made Me Better at Decision Making | 11 Apr 2023 | 00:04:03 | |
Life is full of forks in the road -- literally and figuratively. And over my more than 2,000 days going outside every single day for at least 20 minutes I’ve noticed something: the more I practice making decisions outside, the better I am at making them inside. Why is that and why does it matter? Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Some of the good stuff: [:40] Going outside means you’re going to encounter this [:45] The many ways I’ve faced this [1:15] What I’ve noticed about this over my outdoor time [2:05] Taking this lesson inside [3:00] Practice makes perfect when dealing with risk | |||
| 290 Best Of: How to Use ‘Nearby Nature’ to Get You and Your Family Outside (Zenovia Stephens) | 06 Apr 2023 | 00:48:57 | |
One of the most frequent questions I get when it comes to heading outside is whether my family goes with me and, if so, how I get them out there. While the truth is that my daily outdoor habit is my habit and my family isn’t always with me, they often are. And I’m working hard to make going outside a part of who my kids are, just like heading outside has become a part of who I am. So how do I make that happen? I lean into what we like to call “nearby nature,” that outside space that’s just where you are. It’s not complicated. Isn’t not hard to get to. It’s right there. It’s nearby. But going outside as a family means everyone needs to sometimes reframe their expectations. In this best of episode Zenovia Stephens the founder of Black Kids Adventure tells us about her nearby nature and how she works with her own family to help other families appreciate it. Connect with this episode: Follow Black Adventure Crew on Instagram and Facebook Follow Black Kids Adventures on Instagram and Facebook | |||
| 289: Outdoor Diary: This Time Management Hack Gives Me More Outdoor Time | 04 Apr 2023 | 00:06:20 | |
When it comes to balancing a desire to spend time outside with indoor obligations that keep your job and life running, a little bit of organization goes a long way. I’ve realized that powering through one simple planning task every one of us faces is the difference between living in harried chaos and feeling like everything is under control with plenty of time for everything I want to do, including heading into nature. So what is it? Menu planning. (Yes, seriously.) But I have figured out a way to make it as painless as possible (while still hating it). Listen now to find out what works for me, why it has such a major impact and how it could help you, too. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Some of the good stuff: [:35] The major problem of this time of year [1:00] Here comes the chaos [2:07] The impact of time management [2:30] I hate this, I really do [3:06] Here’s why I do it anyway [3:21] My system for tackling this [4:30] The next step: food prep [4:45] Why this matters for going outside [5:31] Yup, I’m still learning. | |||
| 288: Working Through Outdoor Fears (Sandy McDermott, natural science illustrator, instructor) | 30 Mar 2023 | 00:49:17 | |
How do you work through fear of outdoor unknowns? How do you get comfortable with nature-based risks like wildlife or finding danger when you’re all alone? What do you do about all of the outdoor “what ifs?” In this episode Sandy talks about her ongoing journey towards getting comfortable with the uncomfortable and how you can overcome your own fears of the unknown in wild spaces. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Visit Sandy McDermott’s website Connect with Sandy on LinkedIn Register for Sandy’s newsletter Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [3:03] Sandy McDermott’s favorite outdoor space [5:24] What does a nature illustrator actually do? [7:24] The outdoor fears that surprised her in Alaska [9:48] Did the fear surprise her? [10:31] Normalizing the fear response [13:45] Did she ever consider just staying inside? [16:00] How all the problems add up [21:58] How art has helped her work through the fears [28:07] Is she surprised by where the journey has brought her? [28:05] It’s called “bearanoid” [33:21] What the combination of nature and art mean to her [35:42] Tips for getting over nature fears [45:38] Sandy’s favorite outdoor moment | |||
| 287 Outdoor Diary: The Value of Taking My Hard Stuff for a Hike | 28 Mar 2023 | 00:06:46 | |
Got hard stuff? Me, too. Fortunately for all of us, there’s nature to help with that. One of the best things I’ve ever learned while recording episodes of Humans Outside is to think about nature as a container for all the tough stuff of life. So how do you do that? Listen now to find out. Connect with this episode: How to Use the Outdoors As Therapy (Judith Sadora) Some of the good stuff: [;34] The importance of reframing and why I love it so [1:15] One of my favorite reframings [1:40] Think about the outdoors as a “container” [2:15] Why a container is good for you too [3:00] How I used the container recently [4:00] How to make the container work for you [4:10] The tool of soft focus [5:12] Mind wandering + walking [5:46] Working hard outside [6:00] Don’t forget the container when you need it | |||
| 286: Going Chicken Crazy for an Outdoor Habit In Your Own Backyard (Tove Danovich, author, journalist, chicken enthusiast) | 23 Mar 2023 | 00:45:25 | |
It might also be trendy, but backyard chicken keeping isn’t just a delightful way to source a parade of fresh eggs and endless chicken entertainment, it’s also the perfect lure for getting outside regularly right where you are. And while, yes, keeping any outdoor animal provides the obligatory outdoor chore list, a backyard coop can also draw you into nature in ways that don’t include coop cleaning or flock feeding, says podcast guest Tove Danovich. A journalist and author of the new book Under the Henfluence: Inside the World of Backyard Chickens and the People Who Love Them, Tove has an insider perspective on all the ways keeping a parade of chickens can connect you with your own nearby nature, too. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Read Under the Henfluence (affiliate link) Some of the good stuff: [3:16] Tove Danovich’s favorite outdoor space | |||
| 285 Outdoor Diary: The Most Important Thing I Learned This Season | 21 Mar 2023 | 00:09:13 | |
Tackling big challenges outside offers plenty of opportunities to learn big lessons. But this one? This takeaway is something I am going to be able to leverage for every outdoor experience. It all started with some insight from a Humans Outside podcast guest and became crystal clear during a recent big adventure on a very windy mountain run. So what’s the lesson and how can it help you? Listen now. Connect with this episode: Hear more about being nice to your nervous system in this Humans Outside episode Join the Humans Outside Challenge Some of the good stuff: [:58] What is the most important thing I’ve learned? [1:05] Woooooo, nervous system [1:20] Sarah Histand, master of this topic, so check her out [1:45] The secret power of your nervous system [2:00] All the ways you might hear your nervous system talking [2:40] Training your nervous system [3:00] The fun words: titration and pendulation [3:30] How this lesson helped me. [3:50] The most important part of this lesson [4:20] A reason example of this particular learning [4:30] All about the Crazy Lazy Mountain Race and exactly how crazy it was [6:12] The moment my nervous system left the party [6:45] Why this understanding matters [7:25] How this might apply to you even if you’re not on Lazy Mountain in big wind | |||
| 284: This Dad-Daughter Duo Takes Long Hikes to Share Their Spectrum Adventures (Ian and Eve Alderman, hiking for autism awareness) | 16 Mar 2023 | 00:39:45 | |
How does spending time outside impact or help humans who are tackling life with various forms of neurodivergence or with an autism diagnosis? Dad and daughter duo Ian and Eve Alderman, who share both an autism diagnosis and a love of hiking, are navigating the world - literally - one hike at a time. With the support of mom Sarah, the Scotland-based family is teaching Eve to pair her unique abilities with the wide world by doing long hiking projects for charity. In this episode Ian takes a break from the trail to talk about their adventures, how spending time outside aids them on their life journey, and what other humans both neuronormative and neurodivergent may be able to find by spending more time outside. Connect with this episode: Follow Our Spectrum Adventures on Facebook Buy Ian and Eve a coffee (or hot chocolate!) Visit Ian and Eve’s website Our Spectrum Adventures website Follow Our Spectrum Adventures on Instagram Support Scottish Autism through Just Giving Support Scottish Autism through GoFundMe Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [2:58] Ian Alderman’s favorite outdoor space [3:44] All about Ian’s family and their outdoor story [8:13] What autism looks like for Eve (age 9) and Ian [12:09] How spending time outside helps Eve [17:18] How they handle Eve’s schooling while hiking full time [22:40] All about this year’s hiking project [24:02] Hiking for charity [28:13] What working through nature has taught Ian about his own autism [31:55] Feeling vulnerable in nature and why that’s everyone [32:33] What humans can find by going outside [36:24] How listeners can support Ian and Eve [37:37] Ian’s favorite outdoor moments | |||
| 283 Outdoor Diary: Why Fool’s Spring Is OK With Me | 14 Mar 2023 | 00:05:23 | |
If getting excited about spring weather despite all of its unpredictability makes me a fool, then so be it. But while the uncertainty of spring can be exasperating, it also carries some important reminders that can help you lean into making the most of it, other seasons -- both outside and inside -- and events outside your control. Ready to be a fool for spring, too? Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:35] Spring is, well, a little dramatic [1:05] 45 winters and springs and their names (not really) [1:50] I am a fool and I like it [2:30] The reminders of spring drama [2:49] Living with flexibility due to lack of other options [3:35] The seizing the day of the winter [4:00] The power of understanding that seasons change | |||
| 380 Best of - Safe and Solo: Empowering Women to Play Outside Alone and Feel Great About It (Nicole Snell, self-defense expert) | 11 Apr 2024 | 00:47:28 | |
Ready for solo adventure? Feeling safe? Getting out there by yourself can feel like a real safety risk. I absolutely love going out alone, but I know it comes with pros and cons. But it doesn't mean I don't go. It just means I go empowered. Nicole Snell, a safety expert and owner of Girls Fight Back who specializes in self-defense in the outdoors, has a different idea. In this episode she shares her best tips and tricks to empower you to get into nature solo while also staying safe. Hear Nicole talk about staying stafe outside in this "best of" episode. Connect with this episode: Visit Nicole’s Girls Fight Back website Watch Nicole’s Outdoor Defense YouTube series (it’s really good!) Book a one-on-one session with Nicole Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn Follow Nicole and Girls Fight Back on Facebook Follow Girls Fight Back on Instagram Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Some of the good stuff: [4:06] Nicole Snell’s favorite outdoor space [4:52] How Nicole became someone who likes to go outside [7:16] How she got into self-defense [14:05] Why people (often women) feel unsafe alone outside [20:12] What self-defense tools should people use? [26:54] What we mean when we say “use your words.” [28:55] Why she didn't say “I’m sorry” [31:57] The role of intuition [37:41] How to make the outdoors more safe for everyone [41:10] Top three tips for self-defense in nature [44:41] Nicole’s favorite outdoor memory
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| 282: How Travel Photography Can Connect You to Humans Outside (Lola Akinmade Åkerström, travel photographer) | 09 Mar 2023 | 00:42:03 | |
How Travel Photography Can Connect You to Humans Outside (Lola Akinmade Åkerström, travel photographer) We spend a lot of time talking about the act, art and benefits of connecting with nature. But what about connecting with the humans who live on the land? What about seeing and being seen no matter where you are or what kind of nature you call home? Travel photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström has made a career of creating connections with the landscape, land and culture through portraiture of humans around the world. Born in Nigeria and now living in Sweden, Lola has a deep understanding of connecting with other humans because of the way she shares their experiences. In this episode Lola talks about what she has personally learned through travel photography, what it’s like to make excellent portraits around the world and how you can find those same connections, too. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Visit Lola Akinmade Åkerström’s website Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [3:16] How Lola Akinmade Åkerström became someone who likes to go outside [4:04] Lola’s outdoor story [8:21] The kinds of photos Lola loves to make [10:59] Lola’s books [13:00] Life as a GIS scientist and how it translates to travel [15:58] Her country tally and why it doesn’t matter [17:58] The meaninglessness of borders and the importance of humans [21:07] Why the connection of humans to seasons matters [26:27] How she’s learned about people and culture [28:45] How you can lean into that cultural connection [30:43] What the shame cycle has to do with it [33:31] The barriers, access and connection brought by being a Black woman [37:30] Lola’s favorite outdoor moment | |||
| 281 Outdoor Diary: 3 Things I Love About My Outdoor Habit | 07 Mar 2023 | 00:07:22 | |
When I started my outdoor habit it was because I needed a way to push myself outside daily, no matter what. But over those more than 2,000 days I have discovered facets that are especially meaningful to me. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:35] Why I first started my outdoor habit [1:00] Taking photos daily is a good try [1:40] Things I love about my outdoor habit [2:00] The favorite of a zillion new hobbies [3:24] The favorite of new friends [4:46] The thing I love the very most about my outdoor habit | |||
| 280: Chasing Connection, Health and Happiness by Watching Birds (Tammah Watts, therapist, birder and author) | 02 Mar 2023 | 00:42:14 | |
Do you head outside for your mind, body, spirit -- or all three? And when you’re out there, do you find there’s one specific activity or facet that is simply your favorite? That really moves you -- literally or figuratively? That heals whatever part of you is feeling the most neglected today? Connect with this episode: Read Tammah’s book (affiliate link) Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [2:38] Tammah Watt’s favorite outdoor space [5:30] How Tammah became someone who likes to go outside [6:50] How Tammah became a birder [11:33] How this is sort of like The Secret Garden [14:22] The difference between birding and birdwatching and is there one? [19:29] What intentionality has to do with it [22:29] Why birding is healing to Tammah [25:44] Why birds are easier for this connection than mountains or trees [29:32] How birds can lead to mindfulness [35:44] Why birding is so hot right now [38:30] Tammah’s favorite outdoor moment | |||
| 279 Outdoor Diary: People Have Seasons, Too | 28 Feb 2023 | 00:05:32 | |
As the weather changes outside and one season starts to become another, it’s a good time to think about what happens when seasons change for humans. I don’t mean the outdoor seasons -- but those count, too. I mean the seasons of humans, that it’s OK to change over time and what happens when you lean into the changing instead of resisting them. Listen now! Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:40] Lessons from a coworker [1:10] A changing of actual seasons [1:35] Reminder on a sticky note [2:00] Hints of spring in the air [2:30] Fake news weather [2:40] Seasons even when they aren’t dramatic [3:13] Seasons just happen [3:30] What happens when we resist actual seasons [3:50] What happens when humans have seasons, too. [4:20] It’s probably going to be OK | |||
| 278: Everything You Want to Know About Dog Mushing (Sarah Varland, amateur musher and author) | 23 Feb 2023 | 00:42:52 | |
Curious about dog mushing? You’re in good company. Dog racing, known as mushing, is one of the many sports that draws tourists and lures enthusiasts to live in Alaska. But not everyone who mushes is a pro-racer tackling the Iditarod or keeping a huge yard of sled dogs. The north and Alaska are full of amateur racers who take on the sport because they both love dogs and the time in nature running a sled and dog teams brings. In this episode Sarah Varland, an author, high school English teacher and amateur musher gives us the inside scoop on dog mushing, why she loves it and how it connects her to the world. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Alaska Dog Mushers Association Listen to Iditarod dog mushers Kristy and Anna Berington on Humans Outside Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [3:49] Sarah Varland’s favorite outdoor space [4:53] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside [6:59] About Sarah’s writing and how going outside impacts it [9:26] The basics of dog mushing and dog racing [12:28] How Sarah got into dog racing [14:36] What is mushing like? [17:11] Is there “flow” when mushing? [19:04] Top secret musher math [23:05] What do sled dogs actually look like? [24:41] What happens when a dog doesn’t want to work or pull? [26:41] Is mushing and dog racing cruel to the dogs? [29:22] What does dog racing cost? [30:35] What dog mushing teaches Sarah about herself [35:45] What dog mushing teaches Sarah about her faith? [39:03] How to learn more about mushing if you’re interested or want to try it [41:08] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment | |||
| 277 Outdoor Diary: 2,000 Days Outside Taught Me These 3 Winter Lessons | 21 Feb 2023 | 00:05:51 | |
I can hardly believe it: I am hitting 2,000 days in a row of my outdoor habit. That’s 2,000 days of spending at least 20 consecutive minutes outside every single day, no matter the weather.
Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:35] Celebrating 2,000 days of my outdoor habit [:48] It wasn’t exactly the goal [1:06] This isn’t at all like my 1,000th day outside [1:33] The difference between the things you learn [2:00] What the lessons of other anniversaries show -- and how this is different [2:30] Lesson one: Knowing I can do hard things [3:18] Lesson two: “I live in abundance” [4:06] Lesson three: knowing the value of taking it slow [5:07] How I’m marking 2,000 days outside | |||
| 276 Best Of: How to Get Kids Outside All Winter Long (Sara McCarty, Run Wild My Child founder) | 16 Feb 2023 | 00:52:55 | |
We’re taking a beat this week and bringing you a “best of” episode, this time on something you might be struggling with as winter turns into more winter, then into the spring of deception, then back to winter: getting your children outside even when it’s cold and no one wants to. That’s always a big problem here even with older kids, especially as the winter days drag on and everyone is kind of over it. But Sara McCarty, founder of Run Wild My Child, has some great advice on how to tackle it. Connect with this episode: Listen to the Run Wild My Child podcast Follow Run Wild My Child on Instagram Follow Run Wild My Child on Facebook Follow Run Wild My Child on Twitter | |||
| 275 Outdoor Diary: Try One Big Adventure, One Little Adventure | 14 Feb 2023 | 00:07:16 | |
What would happen if you made room each week for one big adventure and one little adventure? It’s a pretty simple concept: each week, purposefully do one small out of the ordinary, a “little adventure,” and one thing bigger that might take up to several hours, a “big adventure.” They don't have to be outside. But they certainly can be. In this episode Amy explains how she's taking on the challenge, presented in Laura Vanderkam’s recent book Tranquility by Tuesday, how she’s tackling it, a unique spin she’s trying to put on it and the challenges and benefits of doing so. Listen now. Connect with this episode: More about Tranquility by Laura Vanderkam in our episode with Laura Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:45] A little bit about Tranquility by Tuesday [1:15] All about one big adventure, one little adventure [2:10] Why I like this idea [2:52] How this concept looks for me [3:50] An expanded adventure idea [4:40] A quick caveat about this [4:55] My recent really big adventure [6:30] A snowboard revelation | |||
| 274: How and Why to Build an Outdoor Awe Habit (Dr. Dacher Keltner, awe expert, professor and author) | 09 Feb 2023 | 00:32:57 | |
When was the last time you experienced a sense of awe in nature? Feeling awe is something many outdoor users chase. But can you even define the experience of awe? Or is it one of things where you just know it when you see it? Where can you best find it? And what are the benefits of spending time outside purposefully chasing the feeling? Professor Dr. Dacher Keltner joins us in this episode to tackle those questions and more. Leaning on research and advice included in his new book “Awe: the new science of wonder and how it can transform your life,” Dacher guides us into an understanding of the what, how and why of chasing awe outside. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Read “Awe: the new science of wonder and how it can transform your life” (affiliate link) Visit Dr. Dacher Keltner’s website Learn about the Greater Good Science Center Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [2:52] Dacher Keltner’s favorite outdoor space [3:35] How Dacher became someone who likes to go outside [6:47] Can we define awe? [9:12] How to experience awe in ways that are not specific to going outside [11:52] How the “eight wonders of life” are all tied to nature anyway [13:34] Do humans have a need for wild awe? [15:36] Why don’t we talk about the importance of awe? [20:01] Can you create an awe habit? [21:26] Is there such a thing as an awe muscle? [23:34] What does noticing have to do with it? [26:28] The difference between “awe” and “wonder” [28:04] Tips for finding and keeping an awe habit [30:18] Dacher’s favorite moment of outdoor awe | |||
| 273 Outside Diary: My Favorite Humans Outside Episodes Over 3 Years + a Birthday Giveaway | 07 Feb 2023 | 00:08:21 | |
It’s been three years since I launched the Humans Outside podcast in the early winter of 2020. It’s been an incredible ride of learning, growth and outdoor adventures for me as I’ve connected with 101 Humans Outside guests and recorded over 270 episodes. But what were some of the ones that have stuck with me the most? In this episode I talk about my favorite takeaways from three years of Humans Outside, plus share how you can enter a giveaway I’m hosting to celebrate the Humans Outside birthday. Listen now! Connect with this episode: Enter the Humans Outside birthday giveaway Episode 18: How Nature Can Help Your Marriage (Corie Weathers) Episode 26: Heading Outdoors to Conquer Challenges Indoors (Nailah Blades Wylie) Episode 54: How to Use Outdoors as Therapy Episode 83: Here's Exactly How to Build an Outdoor Habit (Sarah Hays Coomer) Episode 99: How Heading Outside Makes Your Brain More Creative (Cordele Glass) Episode 171: How to Create an Outdoor Habit that Works for You (Sarah Hays Coomer) Episode 179: How to ‘Rewild’ Yourself Even If You Live in a City (Claire Dunn) Episode 208: Simple and Easy Ways to ‘Rewild’ Your Life by Going Outside (Micah Mortali) Episode 264: How to Create a Habit That Gives You What You Need (Sarah Hays Coomer) Some of the good stuff: [:50] What podcasting is to me [1:17] What three years of this podcast means by the numbers [1:46] What podcasting here means to me [2:23] A few highlights of the interviews I’ve loved [7:20] Info about the giveaway | |||
| 379: Have you hugged a tree lately? Because I have, and it’s great. (Outdoor Diary) | 09 Apr 2024 | 00:06:00 | |
When did you last hug a tree? I mean literally, actually hug a tree? Listen now!
Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Listen to Alastair Humphrey’s episode on Humans Outside Listen to my episode about my scary Grand Canyon trip
Some of the good stuff: [00:35] Tree Hugging as Gratitude [01:20] Grounding Experience of Tree Hugging [01:41] Winter Contrast and Appreciation in Seattle [02:49] Monthly Sit Spot Reflection [03:08] Observations and Gratitude for Trees [04:36] Emotional and Sensory Connection with Nature
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| 272: How Cycling Through Winter Can Connect You to Nature (Jessica Cherry, writer, editor and climate scientist) | 02 Feb 2023 | 00:36:37 | |
The deep, cold, dark winter of the north is a unique experience that both challenges and inspires. On the one hand, it shows you things about nature and about yourself you'd never see in the long hours of warmer daylight. On the other, it carried a depth that at times feels insurmountable. Among the winter enthusiasts and survivors are cyclists, people out there riding their bikes through, on and over the ice. They are part of a rich history of people not just exploring the Arctic under their own power, but leaning into the experience despite all the odds. In today’s episode writer and editor Jessica Cherry talks about the experience of cycling through Alaska’s winter. Listen now. Some of the good stuff: [2:56] Jessica Cherry’s favorite outdoor space [3:45] How Jessica became someone who likes to go outside [6:21] Jessica’s personal connection to cycling [9:42] What is a “fat bike?” [18:58] The experience of recreating over winter in the arctic [21:01] The surprising sound factor [24:56] What people miss by not going outside in the winter’s darkness [28:36] How being a climate scientist changes how Jessica experiences nature [33:09] What Jessica learned from her book, Wheels on Ice Connect with this episode: Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn Join the Humans Outside Challenge | |||
| 271 Outdoor Diary: The Power of Community in Outdoor Adventures | 31 Jan 2023 | 00:05:39 | |
When so many outdoor adventures are or can be solo, when conquering big things is about your internal drive, why does community matter? After attending a local workshop hosted by a semi-pro runner and friend, I’ve been thinking about why showing up for others and having them show-up for me isn’t just important, it’s life changing. Hear why in this Outdoor Diary episode. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:56] The premise behind Humans Outside [1:27] The benefit of community [1:55] A reminder that is, obviously, related to running [2:30] The ways it’s up to you alone [2:46] But also it’s not only up to you [3:57] How Denali Strable models this [4:10] How Denali models the power of community [4:30] Why this matters [4:50] What I’m trying to do here | |||
| 270: How to Find Creative Thinking by Going Outside Every Day (Garry Pratt, business coach, author and outside thinking innovator) | 26 Jan 2023 | 00:43:15 | |
Life is full of opportunities for problem solving, for looking at challenges in a fresh way, for reshaping the landscape to peel out an unexpected solution. And what does it take to get there? Creativity. You might be thinking about creativity as it relates to art, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Instead I mean the creativity found in how you approach the world. And heading outside? It has a measurable impact on boosting creativity if you take the right steps -- often literally. Connect with this episode: Follow Garry Pratt on LinkedIn Read The Creativity Factor (affiliate link) Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [3:07] Garry Pratt’s favorite outdoor space [4:33] How Garry became someone who likes to go outside [7:10] Garry’s “outside thinking” lightbulb moment [9:01] What is “creativity?” [11:59] What is “outside thinking?” [15:06] Why is nature perfect for deep work thinking? [21:00] Why walking in nature works for creativity [24:24] The deal with 20 minutes [28:00] All about 20:3:3 [31:00] Why it works for business thinking [36:34] Does type of nature matter? [38:55] A few tips for building your own outside thinking habit [41:45] How to find Garry’s book | |||
| 269 Outdoor Diary: How Going Outside Taught Me to Be OK With Falling and Why It Matters | 24 Jan 2023 | 00:06:37 | |
How do you feel about falling? Or, perhaps more importantly, how do you feel about getting up again? One of the top lessons of Amy’s outdoor habit is the inevitability of falling and all of the lessons getting OK with it brings. Learning to fall and be OK with it has not only opened the door to trying and learning new things, but given her a better understanding of risk and recovery in her indoor life. Listen to this Outdoor Diary episode to learn more. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:30] Braver and more courageous: a reminder [1:45] The deal with learning to take risks [2:00] The deal with falling [2:41] Here’s what really matters [2:52] The inevitability of falling if you’re ever going to learn something new [3:30] Pro-tip about snow in your pants [4:15] What if you did this instead? [4:50] An important distinction [5:15] How this feels during inside life | |||
| 268: Why Outside Challenges Like Harsh Weather Can Feel Bad and What to Do About It (Sarah Histand, mental health informed adventure fitness trainer) | 19 Jan 2023 | 00:46:42 | |
Ever seen that meme that asks “why do I live some in a place where the air hurts my face?” Heading outside in harsh conditions can feel like a personal attack that has your whole body and mind screaming “noooooooooo!” You want to want to do it, but you don’t. You know there’s no actual danger, but if feels like there is. You want to be someone who goes outside and does cool stuff, but you can’t figure out how to calm down that internal “nope” monologue. So what can you do about it? In this episode Alaska-based mental health informed adventure fitness trainer Sarah Histand tackles the big question of dealing being kind to your nervous system while teaching it that, hey, heading outside for challenges big and small is a safe and even fun idea. Listen now.
Learn about Ski Babes and Mind and Mountain Some of the good stuff: [2:57] Sarah Histand’s (different from last time) favorite outdoor space [6:10] How Sarah got into the subject of mind meets mountain [10:53] Why going outside in harsh weather or for big challenges sometimes feels so very bad [13:40] Why sometimes it feels totally fine and other times it feels totally not fine [19:05] All about very individualized risk tolerance [24:19] Steps for overcoming this problem [25:13] Snacks and other comfort items [30:54] Baby steps aren’t just for babies [32:24] This is an everyone problem -- not just beginners [37:27] No comparing, please [39:48] Learning to balance intuition with social pressure [45:01] How to find more about Sarah | |||
| 267 Outdoor Diary: What I Wear Outside in Cold Weather | 17 Jan 2023 | 00:10:51 | |
One of the hardest things about spending time outside in all weather is figuring out what to wear to keep your body comfortable. After all, if heading outside is really uncomfortable, you’re simply not going to want to do it. But what’s the best way to dress in cold weather? And what if you’re entirely new to this and just don’t know? In this episode, Amy lays out what she personally wears in cold weather and the different layers that work really for her body. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:35] Why you might be thinking about this [1:15] The great and generous thing about outdoor-minded folks [1:34] I want you to be warm and happy [1:54] A few caveats [3:30] A rundown of what I wear for slow stuff on the bottom [4:58] What I’m wearing on top [6:00] The extremities [7:30] What I wear while being active [9:30] A final important step | |||
| 266: How to Create Your Own ‘Fun Habit’ and Why It’s Important (Dr. Michael Rucker, author and positive psychologist) | 12 Jan 2023 | 00:36:43 | |
So you’ve got an outdoor habit, but are you actually making time for fun? If having fun is a priority, how do you make time to actually make it happen? How can you organize your life around creating space for it? Connect with this episode: Buy The Fun Habit (affiliate link) Dr. Michael Rucker’s website Hack to Make Life More Tranquil, More Fun and More Outdoorsy with Laura Vanderkam How to Make Time for Joy and Heading Outside (Dr. Cassie Holmes) Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [2:41] Dr. Michael Rucker’s favorite outdoor space [4:17] How Mike takes his own fun habit outside [8:20] The difference between “happiness” and “fun” [10:42] The role of intentionality [20:16] What is the SAVOR model? [25:57] Why is reminiscing important? [27:42] A digression into fun types one, two and three [30:37] Awe and “the mystery” | |||
| 265 Outdoor Diary What Counts as ‘Outside’ When You're Tracking Your Time? | 10 Jan 2023 | 00:05:33 | |
If you’re doing an outdoor challenge, we promise the question is going to come up: what counts as “outside?” In this episode Amy lays out the rules -- or the lack therefore -- and goes through what she counts for herself. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:46] Here’s a question you might’ve encountered [:55] Don’t laugh, it’s a thing [1:07] Why this gets asked [1:33] Yes, I’ve asked it too [2:10] Sorry, no rules from me for you [2:30] But you should have your own rules [3:00] But here are my rules for me | |||
| 264: How to Create a Habit That Gives You What You Need (Sarah Hays Coomer, wellness coach and habit expert) | 05 Jan 2023 | 00:45:09 | |
So you want to create a new habit -- maybe it’s heading outside daily for that 20 minutes, maybe it’s something related, maybe it’s something else entirely. It can be easy to pick a really aggressive goal, or, on the flip side, toy with committing to something and then back out because you don’t want to disappoint yourself. In the happy middle, though, is aiming for a habit that both improves your wellness life and gives you what you need. So how do you get there? In this episode of Humans Outside, Sarah Hays Coomer, a wellness coach and habit expert joins us for a third time to talk about creating a habit that focuses on what you need, gently. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Visit Sarah Hays Coomer’s website Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [2:34] Sarah Hays Coomer’s favorite outdoor space [3:55] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside [7:33] The nuts and bolts of a habit [16:27] The role of sustainability in habit picking [19:35] How to create a gentle guide for what you need [26:57] What counts as going outside? [32:40] Is habit building a muscle? [37:29] Some tips for a gentle wellness practice | |||
| BONUS Outdoor Diary: A Braver, More Adventurous Me Thanks to Going Outside | 03 Jan 2023 | 00:05:54 | |
Brave? Courageous? Those words don’t describe Amy. Or, at least, they didn’t used to. But thanks to her outdoor habit she’s now more courageous and adventurous than ever before. Why and how did that happen -- and how can it happen for you? Listen now to find out. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:35] How it was when I started my challenge [1:05] OK, I’m pretty boring [1:28] How this changes when I head outside [1:44] My new outdoor toy [2:10] Ice skating is walking on knives, fyi. [2:50] A change of tune [3:10] My first nordic skating adventure [3:20] Am I courageous? [3:45] The brave-building of heading outside [4:11] Trusting the process and find rewards [5:05] You can have this, too | |||
| 378: Looking outside for symbols of hope (Outdoor Diary) | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:05:12 | |
The changing of seasons is the perfect time to look around for signs of changing life outside. But what if instead of just seeing the signs, you looked at them as encouragement for your day? What if you saw them as symbols of hope that you can take with you or find whenever you need a little push through your day? Learn about my chosen symbol in this episode of Humans Outside. Listen now! Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:35] Signs of spring and easter [1:19] Here’s where I see new life in nature [1:58] Excuse me winter, please leave permanently [2:21] Here’s some personal symbols I see [2:48] Why I look to the birds [4:12] And why you should find your own symbols | |||
| 263 Best Of: How to Create an Outdoor Habit that Works for You (Sarah Hays Coomer) | 29 Dec 2022 | 00:45:56 | |
Got habits on the mind? You’re probably in good company, and it’s the season to think about what you’re going to do about it. But jumping into a new habit or adding something to one you already have can feel a little risky. If you commit to something and can’t make it happen, you might feel like you’re letting yourself down. So if you do really want to accomplish something or create a sustainable lifestyle, the best first step would be to build something that works for you right out of the gate. And that’s why we have habit expert Sarah Hays Coomer in this best of episode of Humans Outside. This was Sarah’s second episode with us -- you can hear her first in season in season 3, episode 3 and a replay of it as season 4, episode 33. Ok, here’s Sarah’s episode on creating an outdoor habit that works for you. Connect with this episode: Visit Sarah Hays Coomer’s website Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [3:39] Sarah Hays Coomer’s favorite outdoor space [4:50] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside [8:45] How to create a new habit [14:41] Examining yourself to understand what you need [19:14] What, exactly, is mindfulness? [22:21] What mindfulness has to do with creating a new habit [24:57] Can you create a new habit without mindfulness? [28:35] The important difference between rules and power-over [34:08] How mindfulness can impact a non-mindful habit [40:00] Sarah’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear [43:44] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment | |||
| Here Comes Humans Outside Season 7 | 27 Dec 2022 | 00:01:13 | |
How do you find the motivation to build and keep an outdoor habit, no matter what life or the weather throws at you? What’s the point of heading outside daily, anyway? Why even bother? Welcome to Season 7 of Humans Outside, starting in early 2023. | |||
| 262: An Outdoor Challenge for Your New Year | 22 Dec 2022 | 00:04:25 | |
Inspiration. Information. Those are two of the reasons we've brought you new Humans Outside episodes twice weekly for almost three years. And they are why last winter we ntroduced the Humans Outside challenge kits, which you can still get today. Need help getting your own outdoor challenge going? Listen to learn how we can help. | |||
| 261 Outdoor Diary: What I’ve Learned from the Darkness and Solstice | 20 Dec 2022 | 00:05:47 | |
December 21 marks the winter solstice -- the official first day of winter and the shortest day of the year with the least time between sunrise and sunset. In Alaska and other places far north, the lack of light is noticeable from both a physical and emotional perspective. But the darkness can bring lessons of light. In this episode Amy lays out what the solstice and its darkness has taught her. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:45] Once upon a time, what is solstice? [1:15] What I learned about solstice after we moved to Alaska [1:50] 3 things solstice means to now [2:00] A reminder to fight [2:57] All light matters [3:40] The light of people [4:39] The real lesson of solstice Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.The following is an edited transcript of this episode of Humans Outside. I’m sure I had heard of the winter and summer solstices before I moved to Alaska in 2016. But it was like you hear about something in passing, or see it on a calendar. It meant nothing. Maybe “first day or winter” or “first day of summer,” which are marked by the solstices, meant something. I knew about those things. But here in Alaska that first day business seems like fake news. It’s definitely been winter for awhile. And by the time summer solstice rolls around, we know a major chunk of what feels like summer is over. But until me moved here, solstice as an event, as the marking of how long the sun spends in the sky, as an emotional experience, as an physical event, as soul food for someone who loves to spend time outside -- well, I just didn’t know about that. Today Solstice has meaning. And every winter that we spend here it gains more meaning and takes on more richness. It is a celebration of the actual light of the sun. It is a celebration of the importance of light in our lives. So I want to share with you three things that the physical darkness and the marking of solstice means to me right now --things that have been taught me by my connection spending time outside with the light and in the darkness of winter. Solstice, I’ve learned, is a reminder of the importance of fighting. Each December I start to feel a little sad and a little slow. At some point I find myself thinking that I’m just going to let it happen and be OK with it keeping me down. I start thinking that I don’t really care that much about things I definitely care about but that take work -- my relationships, my fitness, succeeding at any given project I’ve worked hard on, even keeping this podcast going. And then at some point in there I realize that what is happening is the darkness is tricking me, once again. And instead I have to fight. I have to remember that the darkness is something to move through until I can find the light and optimism on the other side. And solstice is a reminder that the light does come, that it will come and that the world will start feeling so dark and heavy. There is light - hope, really - on the other side. The darkness has taught me that all light matters. In the deepest, darkest days there is only about 5.5 hours between sunrise and sunset here. But that is not all the light we see. Because before the sun has risen and after it has set, the ambient light lingers before the darkness really sets in. And that light matters. And the same is true about the light of hope, the light of friendships, the light of faith, the light of family and the light of community in these physically dark times. Each glimmer of love and light shines into the darkness, spreading its life like a beam. Just like every flicker from every headlamp on a dark trail is a noticeable signal, the light of hope shines into the dark. I don’t think I’d ever appreciate that the way I do today without the lessons of winter and the solstice. And I’ve learned the true light of people and community during the months of dark. When they someone lights up the room, or that people are a light on a hill, or that someone’s smile shines, they are talking about the physical manifestation of a spirit. And maybe those phrases have always simply been analogies to you. But I am here to tell you, coming in from the actual darkness of the north, that those things really are true. People DO carry light in those ways. And I know that because I’ve seen it and felt it. We often associate darkness with cold and light with warmth. And I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, that the light these people around me, the people I’ve met through this podcast, you listening and the people I know here in my community IS a light of warmth. It holds me when the darkness is overpowering and pushes me to keep going when I want to stop and hide. Because here is the real, overarching lesson of solstice: we celebrate the light because we have grown to appreciate it through its absence. But without darkness to show us, we would never know that light existed at all. We would never understand its power. We would never value its existence. The darkness brings gratitude for the light, and solstice is a chance to celebrate and understand that experience. While you might live somewhere much less dark than where I am, I hope you have a chance to pause and feel gratitude for the light around you -- the physically light of the sun, the emotional light of friends and community and the strength you have inside you to fight and to endure. May you always find the light, my friends. You can see photos of me chasing light here in Alaska on Humans Outside on Facebook and Instagram. And please share your photos with me too. Tag me with #humansoutside365. Until next time, we’ll see you out there. | |||
| 260 Best Of: Outside After Dark - Why and How to Try Stargazing (Vicky Derksen, night sky lover and host of Night Sky Tourist Podcast)) | 15 Dec 2022 | 00:44:51 | |
Are you daylight biased? As Amy has learned to become a human who likes to go outside, she focused all of her efforts on daylight. But what happens after dark is worth seeing, too. Spending time with a galaxy of stars by simply looking up after dark shifted how she feels about darkness, winter and her spot in the world. In this episode you’ll hear tips and tricks for the beginner night sky viewer from Vicky Derksen, a stargazing enthusiast and host of the Night Sky Tourist podcast. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Follow Night Sky Tourist on Instagram Visit Night Sky Tourist on Facebook Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [2:39] Vicky Derksen’s favorite outdoor space [3:53] How Vicky became someone who likes to go outside [5:20] What is “light pollution?” [8:38] How to stargaze close to home [12:16] What you’re skipping by only going outside during the day [18:18] What’s the best way to learn the stars? [23:03] How the stars move [24:03] Why people don’t want to go out after dark [26:46] What to wear for stargazing [30:16] What are “star stories” and why are they important? [34:30] What are the best ways to learn local star stories? [37:18] How to get into stargazing [39:31] Vicky’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear [41:31] Vicky’s favorite outdoor moment | |||
| 259 Outdoor Diary: The Winter Gifts of Heading Outside | 13 Dec 2022 | 00:05:53 | |
You’ve heard of the gifts from the 12 Days of Christmas? Well, the gifts of heading outside don’t include any lords-a-leaping (that Amy is aware of) but they do include a parade of other (probably better) things, especially in winter. In this episode Amy talks about just three of the winter gifts she’s received during her outdoor time and the impact they’ve had. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:45] Gifts of the 12 days and what they have to do with any of this [1:28] The gifts of my outdoor time -- focused on winter [1:35] But first, drama [2:00] The first gift [3:10] What getting involved has to do with anything [3:30] The second gift [4:27] The third gift | |||
| 258 Best Of: What I Learned from Spending 20 Minutes Outside Every Day for 4 Years | 08 Dec 2022 | 00:59:53 | |
When Amy first started her outdoor challenge it wasn’t to inspire anyone but herself to make getting into nature a daily habit. It wasn’t even because she had found heading outside to be so transformative she had to do it every day. Originally, the 20 minute daily challenge was born of a question: how would her life change if she went outside for a certain amount of time every day for a year? In this “best of” episode recorded four years after starting her experiment and hundreds and hundreds of hours outside as part of her daily practice, Amy and Holly discuss what Amy learned over the course of her habit -- and what you can learn, too. Connect with this episode: Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Join the Humans Outside Challenge Some of the good stuff: [2:42] Amy’s favorite outdoor space [4:37] A question no one is asking [5:47] What Amy has learned over the last four years [9:02] Was this a surprise? [12:00] The importance of incremental changes [16:24] How doing hard things outside helps with life inside [20:45] How she gets herself to do hard things [31:49] The stories we tell ourselves and why they matter [37:49] The going outside pep talks [49:02] Amy’s relationship with nature [51:28] Amy’s favorite and most essential outdoor gear [55:51] Amy’s favorite outdoor moment | |||
| 257 Outdoor Diary: Checking in from Phoenix | 06 Dec 2022 | 00:02:22 | |
Amy is on an adventure this week and checking in from Phoenix, Arizona. She’s there on a short vacation with friends -- and not finding what she expected to see there. Hear her quick check-in now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge | |||
| 256 Best Of: How to Use Light to Deal With Winter Blues (Dr. Michael Terman, SAD expert) | 01 Dec 2022 | 00:48:26 | |
It’s not just your imagination: the winter sads are the real deal. With less sunlight and more darkness over the winter months, you might feel slow and heavy in both body and spirit. But there are solutions -- we don’t actually have to live like this. And that’s why I brought Dr. Michael Terman, one of top experts in the use of light therapy, onto the podcast to teach us specifically what we need to do to overcome this particular seasonal problem. Here’s his episode.
Connect with this episode: Read about the Center for Environmental Therapeutics Take the circadian rhythm assessment Follow the Center for Environmental Therapeutics on Facebook Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [3:35] Dr. Michael Terman’s favorite outdoor space [5:23] How he got into the study of light therapy and circadian rhythm [6:41] What his research found [10:52] What light has to do with depression [16:28] Where is it a problem? [19:15] Does this have to be a problem year after year? [26:33] What does going outside have to do with it? [34:09] What is a light box and how to find one [44:44] Dr. Terman’s favorite outdoor moment | |||
| 255 Outdoor Diary: How to Create Holiday Traditions Around Outdoor Time | 29 Nov 2022 | 00:05:50 | |
Looking for ways to add outdoor traditions to the holiday season. Over the years Amy and her family have added a variety of outdoor activities to how they celebrate. In this episode Amy shares a few ways you can easily do that with your family and friends, too. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:52] What I learned right off the bat [1:26] Here come the traditions [1:45] It’s not just me a thing [2:10] Do you want to do it too? [2:15] A little theme here [3:00] Start simple with some lights [3:35] Next: try community events [4:40] One more idea for day specific stuff | |||
| 377 Powered by City Nature: Fueling an Urban Outdoor Habit (Brittany Gowan, author and coach) | 28 Mar 2024 | 00:35:25 | |
If you’ve ever spent time living in a major city, you know finding nature takes a lot more intentionality than if you spend all of your time in a rural environment. You might even think about experiencing nature in a city as happening in spite of the concrete jungle, not because of it. But what if you flipped that on its head? What if you learned ways to appreciate nature because of the city it’s in? In this episode of Humans Outside Brittany talks about:
Listen now! Connect with this episode: Visit Brittany Gowan’s website Some of the good stuff: [2:17] Brittany Gowan’s favorite outdoor space [4:02] How Brittany became someone who likes to go outside [4:57] How do people react to the idea of nearby nature? [6:02] Ways to find natures in the city [8:23] Why birds are cool for this [10:59] How to build awareness for nature in a city [13:06] How to create space for nature [15:03] The art of nature visualization [22:53] Do houseplants move you towards nature? [28:00] The top thing Brittany has learned through her outdoor practice [34:01] Brittany’s favorite outdoor moment | |||
| 254 Outdoor Diary: I Hit 1,900 Days of Going Outside and Didn’t Even Notice | 22 Nov 2022 | 00:05:07 | |
At what point is heading outside for your daily habit really, truly just a part of who you are? That’s a question Amy tackled this week when she realized she’d skated right by the 1,900 day outdoor habit mark without even noticing. Hear more on this episode of the Humans Outside weekly Outdoor Diary. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:45] How I usually keep track of my day tally [1:01] For a long time, this was important [2:20] Why this was a surprise [2:35] Here’s a quick tally of what that means [3:06] Is this what happens after this much time? [3:30] It’s just a part of who I am, I guess [4:37] Here’s how you get this, too | |||
| 253: What to Wear in Cold Weather (Sarah Histand, adventure fitness trainer) | 17 Nov 2022 | 00:48:00 | |
We all know that spending time outside in the winter is a major key to getting through the season happy and healthy. Winter temperatures and not knowing how to get comfortable in it might be one of the things keeping you inside. And that makes sense. Why in the world would you want to go outside if you know you’re going to be uncomfortable, cold and miserable? With a little help from an expert, heading outside in cold weather doesn’t have to be an impossible and really uncomfortable challenge. Today’s guest, Sarah Histand, works to make winter recreation accessible to everyone, and that starts with learning the simple basics on how to stay warm and happy when you’re out there. She breaks down exactly what to wear when it’s cold outside in this helpful and practical episode. Listen now! Connect with this episode: Learn about Ski Babes and Mind and Mountain Some of the good stuff: [3:22] Sarah Histand’s favorite outdoor place | |||
| 252 Outdoor Diary: How I’m Using Nature to Get Through Stressful Times | 15 Nov 2022 | 00:05:20 | |
It’s not exactly a low stress time of year — and if it is now, let’s be honest, it probably will be at least a little stressful soon. That’s just how the holidays go for so many of us. It’s part of life. But dealing with it can also be a part of life. And Amy has found that heading outside is perfect for that. In this episode Amy talks about why this time of year is so stressful for her and what she’s been doing about it. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Some of the good stuff: [:50] The body does, in fact, keep the score [1:00] Here’s what’s wrong with November [2:28] And then there comes the holidays [3:09] Here’s some not so good tools [3:40] But what about going outside? [3:55] Make a container out of it [4:30] A recent example | |||