Run Wild My Child Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I’m recapping our 10-day spring break road trip through Western Montana, where we skied three very different mountains, stayed in cozy cabins and ski-in/ski-out lodging, chased fresh powder, went dog sledding, soaked in hot springs, and learned a lot along the way about what actually works when traveling with kids.

I’m sharing the details of our itinerary, why Montana in late winter is such a sweet spot for families, what made each stop unique, and the lessons we learned that I’d absolutely carry into our next ski trip. This is a real-life, no-gatekeeping recap about what went well, what surprised us, and why Montana completely stole our hearts.

And stay until the end, because I’m bringing on my daughter to give her honest, unfiltered kid perspective on the trip...what she loved, what stood out to her, and what actually mattered from her point of view.

If you’re considering a winter or spring break adventure with your kids and want inspiration that feels doable, not intimidating, this episode will give you a clear picture of what a Montana family ski trip can really look like.

Blog Posts:

• 10-Day Montana Road Trip with Kids
• Which NW Montana Ski Resort is Best for Your Family

Other Resouces:

• Visit Montana
• Western Montana's Glacier Country

In this episode, Sara is joined by Jamie Wagner, mom of two, outdoor enthusiast, travel lover, and founder of A to Z Adventures. Jamie is passionate about helping families say “yes” to adventure, whether that means a cross-country road trip or a simple walk around the neighborhood. We chat all about how to make outdoor time and travel more accessible, less intimidating, and a lot more fun, no matter what season of parenting you’re in.

Jamie opens up about what it was like to adventure with babies, the inspiration behind her versatile travel-friendly baby play mat, and the reality of balancing business, motherhood, and creative dreams. We talk about how travel has evolved as her kids have grown, what it means to lay a strong foundation for outdoor play, and how our expectations of family adventures don’t always match reality (and that’s okay!).

If you’ve ever struggled with logistics, gear choices, or feeling overwhelmed by the idea of traveling with kids, this conversation is packed with practical tips, encouragement, and real-mom perspective to help you feel more empowered to get out the door and explore.

A to Z Adventure Gear:
Website: www.atozadventuregear.com
Instagram: @atozadventuregear
Amazon link

Resources:
Packing Lists & Mini Adventures
Happy Campers Guide

RWMC:
Run Wild My Child Magazine
RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild

In this episode, we cover the good, the bad, and the ugly of youth sports. We chat about the elusive balance between organized sports and outdoor free play, the time and cost commitments of participating in youth sports, tips for juggling busy schedules, and why, despite the madness, we choose to participate at all! Whether you’re currently navigating the complexities of your child’s sports schedules or if you’re just curious about how youth sports work these day, this episode is going to be packed with real-life stories, advice, stuggles, and strategies to help you and your family figure this all out. 

For this episode, co-host Michelle Garrett interviews three moms from the Run Wild My Child team, who all have kids involved in youth sports. Run Wild My Child founder and mom of three, Sara McCarty, California working mom of three, Araceli Gonzalez, and homeschooling mom of two, Nichole Holze.

Run Wild My Child Magazine
RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild

Sara's Instagram: @sara_mccarty
Araceli's Instagram: @roaminggonzalez
Nichole's Instagram: @coleyraeh

Wendy Cox is a photographer, gardening instructor, and mom of four. Her family recently moved from San Diego to Virginia. Wendy talks about how she uses nature to ground and connect her children through the changes and transition from moving across the country, how she beautifully captures kids connecting with nature through photography, and how travel can help kids make real-life connections with what they learn in school. 

Run Wild My Child Magazine

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Wendy's Instagram: @wendycoxphotography

Recommendation: Go Pro Black 12

Wendy's Posts:
Exploring California Redwoods
Hiking Havasupai with Kids
Outer Banks with Kids

In this episode, we discuss everything parents need to know when planning their first international trip with kids. Co-host Michelle Garrett is planning her first international trip with kids. She speaks with RWMC founder Sara McCarty (who just took her kids to Belize) and Travel Expert Jen Barnes (@gofamilyadventure) about topics such as how to pick an international destination, what documentation you need when traveling internationally with kids, budgeting tips for traveling as a family, choosing outdoor excursions and adventures for the whole family, and more!

Coco Beach Resort - 40% off discount for trip through August 2024
Use the code RUNWILDMYCHILD

RWMC post: Exploring Belize with Kids

Run Wild My Child Magazine
RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Jen's Instagram: @gofamilyadventure
Jen's website: Go Family Adventure

Laura Stroup is a mom of 3, nature study creator, author, podcaster, and founder of School of the Wild.  Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Ecology with an emphasis in natural resource education. A former wildlife conservation educator and upper school science teacher, she loves traveling, hiking, and reading. Laura talks with us about her nature school and resources, her new book and podcast, getting teens outside, and so much more!

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Laura's website: www.fireflynatureschool.com
Laura's Instagram: @fireflynatureschool
Laura's book (affil link): Nature School
Laura's podcast: WILD Mysteries
Digital magazine: WILD Mag
Nature school: School of the Wild

How to Use a Pocket Microscope with Kids

Emily Liebel, mom of three, runs an Instagram account called @inclusivelibrary, where she uses books to educate, promote inclusion, understanding, justice, and inspire adventure and creativity. Emily loves showing families how reading and being outdoors can overlap in exciting ways! She currently lives in Utah and explores both mountain and city outdoor spaces weekly with her kids and friends and attends library story times, as well as leads a local story time. Emily’s here to chat with us about how literature and libraries can help busy families get outside in a variety of creative ways.

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Emily's Instagram: @inclusivelibrary

Posts:
How Public Libraries Can Help Families Get Outside
Spring & Summer Book & Activity Pairings
Fall & Winter Book & Activity Pairings

Emily's recommendation:
Sunday Funday by Katherine Halligan

Amy Bushatz is an outdoor enthusiast and mom to two boys in Anchorage, Alaska. An accomplished reporter and editor, in 2017, Amy redirected her talents to a passion project known as Humans Outside, a movement to spend at least 20 minutes outside, every day. She hosts the Humans Outside podcast, which is all about her personal experiences of spending time outside, as well as travel, adventure, and outdoor living! Amy talks with us about the challenge, what it takes to be an adventurous mom in Alaska, and what getting outside every day has done for her and her family.

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Humans Outside website: www.humansoutside.com
Use the code WILDCHILD for 20% off your purchase!
Humans Outside Instagram: @humansoutside

Amy's recommendations:
Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam

Sara & Michelle chat about the upcoming holiday gift-giving season and share their recommendations for the best gifts for outdoorsy kids. Gift categories include outdoor adventure gear, outdoor games, backyard toys, classic toys, experience gifts, hands-on nature STEM gifts, gifts for older kids and teens, family gifts, memberships and subscription boxes, and so much more!

For info on each of the products discussed, links to purchase, and lots more ideas, download our FREE gift guide: https://runwildmychild.com/gift-guide-pdf/

Gift Guide 2022
Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Kids
Outdoor Toys that Promote Creative Play
Experience Gifts for Outdoor Kids
Best Backyard Toys for Kids
Gifts for Outdoor Moms
Favorite Educational Nature Books for Kids
Best Balance Bikes for Toddlers
Favorite Bike Accessories for Kids

Wonder Club Explorers - use the code BEMERRY for 30% off your purchase

Teen Gift Guide from Jen @gofamilyadventure 

Elizabeth Newcamp is a Colorado-based homeschooling mom of three boys. She is the co-host of Slate's Parenting Podcast Mom And Dad Are Fighting and author of the expat travel and parenting blog, Dutch Dutch Goose. Elizabeth loves the outdoors and has a passion for engaging her children within the world around them. She’s here with us today to talk about travel, outdoor adventures, parenting advice, and friendship.

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Elizabeth's website: www.dutchdutchgoose.com
Elizabeth Instagram: @ejdn

Mom & Dad Are Fighting

Elizabeth's recommendations:
The Lost Spells
Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature