Ilana Nevins loved backpacking with her father. But after she was diagnosed with an eating disorder, their relationship became strained. She worried that hiking together would put her recovery at risk, because so many of her behaviors were modeled after him.

In this episode, Ilana shares the story of the difficult challenge she faced: how to prioritize her own wellbeing without wrecking her relationship with a loved one.

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In May of 2022, Maria Ordovas-Montanes set out to become the fastest woman to run the Oxford Greenbelt Way, a 55-mile route through the English countryside.

She had always loved running, and this was an exciting challenge. But at the event, something happened that would derail her life — and lead to a life-altering diagnosis.

On this episode, Maria shares her story.

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Our upcoming season is all about silence. From the Grand Canyon to South Korea, we’ll travel the globe, exploring how we find stillness amidst the noise — whether literal or figurative. Here’s a sneak peak at some of the stories.

The season launches April 4, 2024.

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Maya Kroth’s goal for the New Year was to build self-confidence, and she decided to start by taking herself snowboarding. But things did not go well.

In this episode, Maya shares her story and explores how we can get our mojo back when life throws us curveballs.

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Women are often told we can do anything we want in life: ride bikes, scale cliffs, surf waves. But in some areas of outdoor recreation, the gender gap remains shockingly large.

In this episode, we visit a women’s mountain bike camp in Wyoming and explore what’s really needed to get people of all genders on equal footing.

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This is a story about fear.

It makes sense to be scared when we're facing danger. But what happens when disasters occur in unexpected places?

In this episode, we travel from a desert in Utah to a suburb in Missouri and explore how a flood changed one woman's relationship with fear and risk.

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Learning something new as an adult can be daunting, especially when it's something that a lot of people have been doing since childhood.

On this episode, Naomi Mellor takes us from a beach in Australia to an archipelago in the UK and explores how she got past her fears and pushed herself to take a big plunge.

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Mykella Van Cooten was angry, and she didn’t know why. It got so bad that she began to feel unhinged.

And then, she went to a little cabin in the woods. In this episode, she tells the story of what happened. It’s a story about stopping, about letting go, and about uncovering the real feelings that are buried deep beneath the surface.

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In Finland, it’s commonplace to go swimming in the winter — outdoors.

The practice offers surprising mental-health benefits, and it isn’t just for die-hard adventurers. On this episode, we share the story of one woman who started “ice swimming” in an effort to soothe the brain by shocking the body.

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As a nonbinary person, Newt Schottelkotte never felt at home in Appalachia. But then, they went on a road trip with their dad. Driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains, something started to shift. This is a story about figuring out how to be yourself without abandoning where you’re from.

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Sierra Club panel: Diverse Perspectives in Outdoor Media

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Carolyn McDonald's depression had gotten so bad that she couldn’t see a way forward.

Then, one particularly miserable day, she went to the beach — and something happened that she never could have imagined. Something that opened the door to healing and sparked a deep and genuine joy.

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We’ve all had moments when we feel lost. Sometimes it’s literal; sometimes it's emotional. Either way, it’s unnerving. And lonely.

This episode takes us from the deserts of California to the jungles of the Philippines, and explores how one young woman got back on track, when she lost her way, both literally and figuratively.

 

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Humans are noisy. The National Park Service estimates that all of our whirring, grinding, and revving machines are doubling or even tripling global noise pollution every 30 years. 

A lot of that noise is negatively affecting wildlife and human health.

In this guest episode, the team from Outside/In takes us on an exploration of three sonic landscapes: noise, silence, and something in between.

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When someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness, there’s often a flood of difficult emotions. Grief. Depression. Learning to live without hope.

But more and more, people are experiencing that kind of anguish even when they’re perfectly healthy.

In this episode, we bring you the story of a young man named Jacob Erickson, who almost died from climate anxiety — before a pivotal moment in nature rekindled his will to live.

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This season, we’re exploring the theme SECRETS OF THE EARTH.

Each episode, we’ll share a story about an outdoor experience that uncovered new truths. Through introspective personal narratives, we’ll harness the power of nature to make sense out of our lives and give us a fresh look at humanity.

Here’s a little taste.

 

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Clock time is a human invention. So it shouldn’t be a box that confines us; it should be a tool that helps us accomplish the things we care about.

But consider the system of standard time, first imposed by the railroad companies in the 1880s. It constrains people who live 1,000 miles apart—on opposite edges of their time zones—to get up and go to work or go to school at the same time, even though their local sunrise and sunset times may vary by an hour or more.

And it also consigns people who live on the eastern edges of their time zones to ludicrously early winter sunsets.

For over a century, we've been fiddling with standard time, adding complications such as Daylight Saving Time that are meant to give us a little more evening sunlight for at least part of the year.

But what if these are just palliatives for a broken system? What if it's time to reset the clock and try something completely different?

This is a guest story from the podcast Soonish, first published in 2021.

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NEW KIDS' PODCAST: Once Upon a Meadow 

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Most parents would never consider leaving their kids in the dark woods at night, and letting them find their way back. But the Dutch do just that. They call it Dropping.

This is a guest episode from Nocturne, a podcast that explores the night and how thoughts, feelings and behaviors transform in the dark.

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NEW KIDS' PODCAST: Once Upon a Meadow is set to launch in February 2023

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“Fallen Sky,” a work of installation art at New York’s Storm King Art Center, is like a moon map etched into a hillside.

On this episode, Tamar Avishai explores how Sarah Sze’s striking sculpture helps visitors pay attention to the world around us — and the world inside our heads.

This is a guest episode from The Lonely Palette, a podcast that returns art history to the masses, one object at a time.

NEW KIDS' PODCAST: Once Upon a Meadow is set to launch in February 2023

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Fear is a powerful indicator that something could hurt us. But sometimes, the fear itself is the most dangerous part.

This is the story of marathon swimmer Pat Gallant-Charette. Because of something that happened to her when she was a teenager, Pat has to overcome a fear of deep water every time she competes. But she doesn’t let that stop her.

This is a special guest episode from The Briny, a podcast about how we’re changing the sea, and how the sea changes us.

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Every year, in the mountains of Vermont, a group of ultra runners gather for a 550-mile race called Infinitus. It’s one of the toughest trail running races in existence.

Jordan Wirfs-Brock was no stranger to ultra marathons, but Infinitus broke her: she failed to finish. Surprisingly, though, the failure turned out to be one of the best things that's ever happened to her.

This story first aired in 2016, and it won a gold medal for best independent podcast from Public Radio News Directors, Inc., or PRNDI.

 

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Dewey Gallegos and Jessica Flock bonded over their passion for the outdoors. But the thing they had in common was also one of their biggest differences. Their story explores how hard it can be to share the thing you love most, with the person you love most.

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When Sam Anderson’s father invited him to go hunting for the first time, Sam was worried. What if he couldn’t bring himself to pull the trigger? And conversely, what if he could? What would that say about him?

On this episode, Sam takes us into the woods of New Jersey and explores the emotional complexity of taking the life of an animal.

This story first aired in 2017, and it won a gold medal for Best Independent Podcast from Public Radio News Directors, Inc.

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We often hear that “the outdoors is free.” But for Charlsie Shaver, just driving to a trailhead was often cost-prohibitive; hitting the road to explore America’s wild places was a luxury she could only dream of.

On this episode, Charlsie explores what it takes to build the life you want. How do you balance the need for stability with a thirst for freedom? And how do you keep dreaming, when you can barely pay the rent?

This story first aired in 2019.

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Many of us have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in our lives. Often it’s at work, where we doubt our own skills and accomplishments. But what happens when you feel like a fraud simply for being yourself? In this episode, we travel from New York State to a national park in Korea and explore how one transracial adoptee made peace with her own identity.

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Why are some people overly generous? On this episode, we visit with a “trail angel" (someone who offers free food, drinks, and encouragement to thru-hikers on long trails), and we explore what makes a person commit acts of altruism for total strangers. (Hint: it’s probably not what you’d expect).

This story first aired in 2018, and it won a gold medal for best independent podcast from Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, or PRNDI.

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Tiffany Duong had achieved the pinnacle of success: she’d finished law school, worked for a big firm in LA, and traveled as much as she could. But she was miserable.

Then she went scuba diving in the Galapagos, and everything changed. Her story is about letting go of your safety net, embracing the unknown, and finding bliss.

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In 2015, Out There host Willow Belden signed up for a 70-mile mountain bike race. She had always liked big athletic challenges, but this time, pushing her limits turned out to be a mistake. On this episode, she shares her story. It's about trying to prove yourself — and learning when to say no.

Click here to see the full show notes for this episode. 

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How do you decide whether to leave someone for dead?

This is the story of a trip up Mt. Everest, in which climber Myles Osborne comes face to face with one of the hardest decisions mountaineers ever have to make.

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A preview of our summer season!

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The number of Americans hunting and fishing is declining, but women are bucking the trend.

On this guest episode from The Modern West podcast, journalist Melodie Edwards finds a sisterhood at an all-women hunting camp—and catches her first fish with her dad.

MARKETING COORDINATOR JOB: Apply by June 5, 2022

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It’s healthy to know who you are. But sometimes, defining yourself too rigidly can be problematic.

On this episode, Bo Jensen takes us from the Gulf of Mexico to the Camino de Santiago and explores what happens when you stop forcing yourself to choose a single identity.

SURVEY: What did you think of this season?

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Here’s a special preview of Not Lost, a new podcast about finding yourself in places you’ve never been from our friends at Pushkin Industries. Host Brendan Francis Newnam takes us around the world, learning about new places by getting invited to a stranger’s house for dinner. From Montréal to Mexico City, Brendan and his guests drink, dance, and eat, learning as much about themselves as the places they visit. Not Lost is both a travel escape and an insightful look at people — locals and visitors alike — trying to make sense of a constantly changing world. You can hear more from Not Lost at  https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/notlost?sid=outthere. SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron

When we lose a loved one, many of us seek healing from the outdoors. But what happens when the weather is bad, and your happy place is miserable? 

Today’s story takes us to “the most beautiful beach in Washington State” and explores what can we learn about grief and acceptance when nature is at its ugliest.

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It’s easy to measure achievements based on what other people are doing. But how do you know what you should really expect from yourself?

This episode takes us from a mountain in Arkansas to an attempted thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail and explores how much better life can be when you realize your shortcomings might not be your fault.

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Demetria Lynn always wanted to be a scientist. But growing up, no one believed in her. The negative feedback was so overpowering that she stopped believing in herself.

In this episode, we follow Demetria from her elementary school classroom to a geology field trip in the desert, and explore what it took to rekindle faith in herself.

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We often go outside to get away from our problems. But escapism has its limits.

On this episode, we share the story of how Live Action Role Play taught one woman the importance of confronting your troubles head on.

Click here to see the full show notes for this episode. 

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Ziyi Xu spent so much time on her phone that it was ruining her focus and productivity.

Then, one night in Texas, she tried stargazing.

On this episode, Ziyi tells the story of how she kicked the smartphone habit and got her creativity back.

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Last year, the term ‘climate crisis’ was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

The words we use to talk about the environment are evolving. But could they motivate us to take action?  

On this bonus episode, we bring you a guest story from the podcast Living Planet about the relationship between language and the environment. Plus, a behind-the-scenes conversation with one of Living Planet’s hosts.

http://www.outtherepodcast.com/episodes/2022/3/7/climate-language to see the full show notes for this episode. 

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National Parks are often referred to as “America’s best idea.” And there’s a lot to love about them.

But they also have a complicated history — a history of broken promises, displacement of indigenous people, and genocide. And that history is not over.

Is there a way to right historical wrongs? Can we protect wild spaces in a way that is also socially just?

This episode takes us from a young national park in Germany to Denali in Alaska and offers some hope for a better future.

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Church was Angie Chatman's sanctuary, both literally and figuratively. So when the pandemic began, and she couldn’t attend services in person, there was a big void in her life.

On today’s episode, Angie shares the story of how she discovered a new way to find peace and community — in an unexpected place.

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After attending a wilderness therapy program, Sarah Dealy was intent on becoming a rugged outdoorswoman.

But the transformation didn’t work out as she had imagined. Sarah was an indoor kid at heart. She disliked many of the activities she imagined her outdoorsy self doing.

On this episode, she takes us from the Utah desert to the mountains of Colorado and explores what happens when the person you think you want to be doesn’t mesh with the person you are.

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Think of this episode as a pre-season treat.

We reached out to listeners and fellow podcasters and asked: “What is one way your relationship with nature has changed in a way that has surprised you?”

The answers we received were thought-provoking, inspiring, and hopeful, and on this episode, we’re sharing some of our favorites.

Open Mic Night: To perform, sign up by Feb. 4, 2022.

Virtual Happy Hour: Become a patron by March 4, 2022 to get an invitation.

Show Notes: Go to outtherepodcast.com to learn more about the people and podcasts that contributed to this episode.

 

We're launching a new season! Here's a sneak peak.

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How many times have we been told the story of the fearless leader — in work, in politics, in the mountains? When the stakes are high, it’s natural to place our confidence in strength and certainty. To turn to the leader and believe they have no doubt.

This story, which originally aired on She Explores in 2020, isn’t about how to become a fearless leader in the mountains. Nor is it about how to overcome your fear, or even how to harness it. But it is about listening to what fear is trying to teach us. It’s an opportunity to consider what kind of leader you need, as well as the one you might want to be.

Hear more from She Explores here.

Music in this episode includes works by Gracie & Rachel via Music Bed.

In 2001, Donna Martino stuck a newspaper clipping on her fridge. It was a photo of a handsome kayaker paddling through the surf. A few months later, Donna matched with the man on a dating website.

We tend to assume that improbable beginnings are a recipe for disaster — that sappy romances can’t last — that fairytale endings are only for movies. But sometimes, the real world serves up a dose of schmaltz.

This story, which first aired in 2020 and went on to win a national award, is about what happens when coincidences pile up, and strangers go out on a limb and take a chance on each other.

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Alison Világ pays attention for a living. She counts migrating ducks at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory in Michigan. It's key to getting a pulse on different bird populations. But for Alison, counting ducks is more than just science – it's an escape from the expectations of others.

This is a guest story from Points North, a podcast about the land, water, and inhabitants of the Great Lakes region.

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Melat Amha had been struggling with chronic illness for years, when she decided to move to an organic farm in the Sierra National Forest.

On this episode, she shares her story. It’s a story about finding your way back to health when modern medicine has failed you. And it’s about learning what it means to love yourself and honor your needs.

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On the surface, competing as a runner seems straight forward: the winner of a race is the fastest person from point A to point B, and to progress, you just have to be a better runner than everyone else. Right?

Turns out, it’s not so simple. Fairness is a surprisingly complicated concept.

On this episode we bring you the story of two athletes — a “ghost runner” from the U.K. and a phenom from Uganda — and we explore how rules meant to ensure fairness can end up excluding some of the best athletes from competitions.

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Growing up with a rare bone condition, Will Cox was constantly in and out of hospitals — and constantly fearful of the world around him.

The fear eventually took over his life, controlling almost everything he did. And that’s probably the way his future would have played out, had it not been for a mountain bike.

On this episode, Tanya Chawla brings us Will’s story.

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We often hear that you shouldn’t worry about what society thinks of you — you should chart your own course in life. But that’s easier said than done.

What if different parts of you are at odds? How do know if you’ve made a mistake by following your gut?

This is a story about learning to trust yourself on a mountain bike, and in life.

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