Explore every episode of the podcast Run Wild My Child Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skiing Montana with Kids: A Family Spring Break Road Trip | 29 Dec 2025 | 00:50:05 | |
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: Other Resouces: | |||
| Mini Adventures & Building Foundations with Jamie Wagner | 22 Oct 2025 | 00:47:18 | |
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: Resources: RWMC: | |||
| How to Manage Youth Sports as an Outdoor Family | 19 Sep 2024 | 01:06:05 | |
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. | |||
| Connecting with Nature Through Change, Travel, and Photography with Wendy Cox | 22 Aug 2024 | 00:37:21 | |
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. | |||
| First Time International Travel with Kids | 30 Apr 2024 | 00:56:50 | |
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! | |||
| Nature School with Laura Stroup | 17 Jan 2024 | 00:43:16 | |
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! | |||
| Literary Outdoor Adventures with Emily Liebel | 27 Nov 2023 | 00:43:11 | |
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. | |||
| Humans Outside Challenge with Amy Bushatz | 27 Dec 2022 | 00:53:46 | |
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. | |||
| Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Kids | 01 Dec 2022 | 00:59:55 | |
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! | |||
| The Importance of Nature, Wonder & Friendship with Elizabeth Newcamp | 15 Nov 2022 | 01:05:51 | |
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. | |||
| Adventuring with Medically Complex Kids with Meghan Garriott | 12 Sep 2022 | 00:27:56 | |
Meghan Garriott is a Physical Therapy Assistant, photographer, and mom of 3 in rural central Illinois. At nine days old, Meghan's oldest son was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), meaning he was born without an immune system. Meghan donated her bone marrow and saved his life. In order to protect a compromised immune system, their family turned to nature and began spending a lot of time outdoors, which has been a safe space for the whole family to grow, learn, and thrive. She chats with us about adventuring outdoors with a medically-complex child. | |||
| Embracing Change with Tiana Kubik | 05 Aug 2022 | 00:41:11 | |
Tiana Kubik is a nomadic mom of two, currently residing in Austin, Texas. A city girl through and through, Tiana has not always been thrilled with outdoor adventures. However, after learning the importance of nature and play through earning a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education she’s learning to embrace the outdoors and all that nature has to offer. Tiana and her husband run a photography business, she's a freelance writer, and she homeschools their kids, often while on the road. They spent the last few years traveling in a DIY Converted Sprinter Van across North America. Tiana chats with us about her travels, the shift to homeschooling, exploring new places, and how to embrace the changes and curveballs life throws our way. | |||
| Cooking, Camping, & Culinary Adventures with Lydia Gwin | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:53:23 | |
In this deliciously fun episode, Sara is joined by Lydia Gwin, a St. Louis-based culinary instructor, travel advisor, mom of two, and the creative force behind Gwin’s Tiny Kitchen. Lydia has built a career around helping kids (and adults!) connect the dots between food, science, culture, and travel. She teaches hands-on cooking classes to all ages, hosts camps, curates immersive culinary trips, and shares practical, family-friendly ways to make mealtime more meaningful and adventurous. Together, Sara and Lydia dive into: Whether you’re a campfire cooking rookie, a tired parent with picky eaters, or a food-loving family looking to explore the world through your tastebuds, this episode is packed with practical tips, inspiration, and a whole lot of heart. Gwin's Tiny Kitchen Run Wild My Child Magazine Lydia's Recommendations:
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| Weekend Warrior with Araceli Gonzalez | 11 Jul 2022 | 00:43:47 | |
Araceli Gonzalez is a full-time working mom of three. She and her husband have made it a priority to raise their children with a strong bond for the outdoors and a sense of adventure. As working parents, they accomplish this by being weekend warriors. That’s when they take the family on long weekend adventures camping, hiking, crabbing, fishing, beaching, and road-tripping as a family. Araceli talks with us about planning weekend adventures as a working mom, how to make time for travel and adventure around busy family schedules, how a camping challenge started this all, and tips for finding unique destinations for the whole family. | |||
| Learning about Local Nature & Conservation with Lissy Perna | 06 Apr 2022 | 00:35:46 | |
Lissy Perna is the go-to resource for all kid-friendly things to do outside on Cape Cod. Any given day, you can usually find info in her Instagram feed and stories about nature discoveries on the beach, in the woods, or on the trails. She loves identifying plants, fungi, insects, and animals, as well as finding sea glass and learning about the history of her area. She's also passionate about local conservation efforts and how we can all make a difference through our actions. We talk to Lissy about how to become more informed about the nature and wildlife in your local area and why sharing the message about conservation efforts is so important. | |||
| Mountaineering & Backpacking with RyAnn Peverly | 14 Mar 2022 | 00:35:08 | |
RyAnn Peverley is a Washington mom of four kids between the ages of 6 and 21. RyAnn works as a youth program instructor for Mountaineers.org, as well as an outdoor adventure guide for a local army base where she leads army families on outdoor adventures. RyAnn chats with us about raising children and teenagers who love the outdoors, mountaineering, climbing, how to get started backpacking, and more!
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| Outdoor Schools & Gear with Alyssa Marsh of Outdoor School Shop | 15 Feb 2022 | 00:41:12 | |
Co-founder of Outdoor School Shop and Minnesota mom of 2, Alyssa Marsh joins us to chat about outdoor schools and outdoor kids gear. We discuss the various types of outdoor education (farm schools, forest schools, nature preschools, etc.), what they teach, how to find an outdoor school near you, and what kids need (gear-wise) to spend so much time outside. Outdoor School Shop is the premier online destination for education materials and gear for outdoor schools, featuring brands like Reima, Bogs, Smartwool, Muddy Puddles, and Polarn O. Pyret. ODSS is also the flagship sponsor for our first annual nationwide Run Wild My Child Treasure Hunt, coming to a city near you on April 2nd. Listen to the episode for more details! | |||
| Family Homesteading with Leslie Alvis | 08 Dec 2021 | 00:41:39 | |
Leslie Alvis is an Ohio homeschooling and homesteading mom of four. Her family recently purchased property in the country and they are beginning the process of building a homestead from the ground up, doing most of the work themselves, along with their children. They're not only building their home with lumber milled from their own property, but raising animals, growing a garden, battling poison ivy, and teaching their children the importance of hard work, family time, and outdoor play. Leslie's also a photographer and freelance writer. She's written numerous posts for the RWMC website (listed below) on animals, outdoor activities, and life on a farm.
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| Overcoming Grief with Nature with Somer Pickel | 12 Oct 2021 | 00:49:18 | |
Somer Pickel is a RN and Tennessee mom of two girls. Her first daughter Avie was born with severe congenital heart defects and spent the majority of her 18 months of life in an ICU. Nature has been a huge part of the grieving and healing process for her and her husband. They found solace in the outdoors by backpacking a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Their second daughter Lyra has become quite the adventure buddy and together, Somer and Lyra have hiked over 2000 miles. Somer chats with us about her motherhood journey, the importance of mental health, the joy of raising toddlers, and the healing power of nature. | |||
| Outdoor Adventures with Teens & Tweens with Jen Barnes | 24 Sep 2021 | 00:47:45 | |
We're chatting with Jen Barnes, South Carolina mom of 3 teenagers. Jen specializes in helping parents plan and book adventure travel trips with their teens and tweens. She knows firsthand the importance of giving teenagers the space to take risks, learn important skills and discover themselves through outdoor adventure and travel. Jen gives parents of teens helpful tips on how to choose and implement the perfect vacation for everyone in your family. | |||
| New Adventures & Nonprofits with Zenovia Stephens | 15 Sep 2021 | 00:33:24 | |
Co-hosts Sara McCarty and Michelle Garrett talk to Alabama mom of 3, Zenovia Stephens. Zenovia is founder of the non-profit organization Black Kids Adventures, Inc. an organization that focuses on getting Black and Brown families to spend time together in nature. Zenovia shares her passion behind her mission, how she's using her strengths to inspire families to try new things and redefine what it means to be "outdoorsy." She's also sharing a few of her favorite outdoor adventures around the Huntsville, Alabama area and the story behind how she accidentally fell in love with her state. | |||
| Dads Outdoors with Matthew Marvich | 08 Sep 2021 | 00:26:22 | |
We're back and we're chatting with outdoorsy single dad Matthew Marvich. Matthew and his 4-year old son are quite the adventure duo. Together they love hiking, chasing waterfalls, exploring new parks, and playing golf. Matthew is committed to encouraging and inspiring dads everywhere to get their kids involved in what they love to do. On the show, he speaks to the importance of dads planning outdoor adventures with their kids and gives tips on how dads can gain the confidence needed to make those plans a reality. | |||
| Outdoor Adventures & Photography with Kristen Ryan | 03 Feb 2021 | 00:39:06 | |
This week we chat with Kristen Ryan, an Oklahoma photographer, wife, and mother of two. You can usually find her family camping, climbing, hiking, or mountain biking together. They’re working on their goal of visiting all of the Oklahoma state parks and are over halfway there! Kristen is an instructor and mentor at Hello Storyteller and she's currently in her 7th year of doing a 365 project. She loves to use photography to document her family’s outdoor adventures in creative ways. She’s here talking with us about how to incorporate photography into your everyday life and outdoor adventures so you have beautiful visual reminders of all those amazing memories. | |||
| Body Confidence & The Comparison Trap with Calen Caple | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:28:54 | |
In this heartfelt and empowering episode, Sara chats with new Creative Team contributor Calen Caple to discuss her debut article in the SPLASH issue of Run Wild My Child Magazine, titled "Ditch the Mom Bod Guilt." Calen opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum body image, the internal pressure so many moms face to “bounce back,” and the pivotal moment on a beach with her daughter that changed everything. Together, we unpack the mental load of mom guilt, the power of presence, and how outdoor adventures help shift our focus from insecurity to connection. This conversation is real, relatable, and full of encouragement for any mom who’s ever struggled to feel confident in her own skin. Calen's Instagram: @andyetafraid Run Wild My Child Magazine | |||
| Outdoor Safety & First Aid with Ashley Greenhalgh | 28 Jan 2021 | 00:29:03 | |
This week we talk to Ashley Greenhalgh a Nevada mom of two about outdoor safety and first aid. Ashley is an RN certified in Advanced Wilderness Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. She’s passionate about outdoor education for parents and kids has written multiple articles for our website about hiking safety and how to teach first aid to kids. She’s here today to talk to us about being safe and prepared when adventuring outdoors with kids and ways you can give your kids first aid skills and know-how to handle sticky situations. | |||
| Raising Eco-Conscious Kids with Chelsea Furlong | 21 Jan 2021 | 00:41:07 | |
This week we speak with Chelsea Furlong, a Virginia Beach photographer, former teacher, and homeschooling mom of two about raising eco-conscious kids. Chelsea is committed to reducing her carbon footprint and raising kids that care for our planet. Every week they spend a day picking up litter, plastic and cleaning up the beaches in their area. Chelsea talks about how we can raise kids that are good stewards of nature and small things that all of us can do to make a difference. | |||
| How to Be an Adventure Mom with Nichole Holze | 14 Jan 2021 | 00:40:52 | |
This week, we chat with Nichole Holze, an Arkansas mom of 2 and self-proclaimed adventurer! She has been known to take off for multi-day road trips, overnight canoe trips, and other epic adventures at nearly a moment’s notice. Many of these adventures are done solo with her kids. She's passionate about empowering moms to get out and explore safely with their kids. She's here today to talk with us about how moms can safely go on more adventures with their kids and how to be responsibly brave. | |||
| Exploring Outdoors in the City with Desiree Macke | 06 Jan 2021 | 00:27:31 | |
This week, Los Angeles (and now Kansas City) mom of 2, Desiree Macke speaks with us about the challenges of getting outside and into nature when you live in a city. Desiree provides helpful ideas and creative ways to find green places in cities and provides a few fun outdoor activities for city kids. We also discuss how to find local gems when you're new to a city and her son's favorite outdoor city activity, geocaching.
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| Mental Health and Nature with Tiffany Griffin | 28 Dec 2020 | 00:32:26 | |
This week, Tiffany Griffin, Texas photographer and homeschooling mom of four, speaks with us about the importance of taking care of your kids' mental health and how you can do that with nature. And it's not just kids that benefit from spending time outside, it's good for moms too! Plus, we chat about postpartum self-care and tips for getting outdoors with a baby. | |||
| Working Mom Balance with Michelle Garrett | 28 Dec 2020 | 00:30:16 | |
This week, Michelle Garrett, full-time working mom, and entrepreneur, talks about how to balance outdoor time with kids while working outside the home. Her job as a civic leader inspired her to create a company called Wonder Club Explorers, which helps inspire wonder and curiosity in little kids by allowing them to earn merit patches and pennants for outdoor activities. | |||
| RV Life & Roadschooling with Katie Fox | 27 Dec 2020 | 00:35:41 | |
This week we're talking to Katie Fox, a full-time roadschooling mom of two about her travels and outdoor adventures. Katie gives us a sneak peek into life on the road in a tiny home on wheels, her favorite destinations so far and future travel plans. Plus, she gives us a glimpse into her new state-specific travel guides, designed to get kids informed and excited about visiting new states. | |||
| Trailer: Introducing The Run Wild My Child Podcast | 27 Dec 2020 | 00:05:31 | |
Podcast host and founder of Run Wild My Child, Sara McCarty introduces the show and touches on the importance of getting outside with kids. | |||
| Exploring Nature Through Music & Poetry with Sara Ernst | 14 Jul 2025 | 01:10:47 | |
In this episode, Sara's joined by the wildly creative Sara Ernst, musician, poet, nature-loving mama, and the heart behind Wild Pickle Press. We dive into the magic of using music and poetry to connect kids with the natural world and spark curiosity about the creatures around them (especially bugs… which we both happen to love). We chat about the creative process, how songwriting and storytelling can be powerful tools for teaching kids to appreciate and protect nature, and why she believes empowering children through the arts is just as important as letting them dig in the dirt. Sara also shares the inspiration behind her brand-new book Poetry for the Wild & Curious Ones, a beautiful collection designed to ignite wonder, joy, and a sense of wildness in readers of all ages. Wild Pickle Press Website: www.wildpicklepress.com Run Wild My Child Magazine Sara's Recommendation: | |||
| Promoting Outdoor Independent Play with Julianne Nienberg | 06 Jun 2025 | 01:02:20 | |
Julianne Nienberg is the voice behind @myoutdoorsymom on Instagram and the host of the brand new My Outdoorsy Mom Podcast, where she helps busy parents raise confident, capable kids through the magic of outdoor play. She’s a big believer that letting kids play independently outside builds confidence, not just for the kids, but for moms, too. Her content is full of practical tips, relatable stories, and encouragement to make outdoor time a little easier and a lot more doable. She's here today talking to Sara about how to promote independent play in kids, how to spend more time outside no matter where you live, and the behind-the-scenes of turning a passion into a business. Julianne's Podcast: My Outdoorsy Mom Run Wild My Child Magazine Julianne's Recommendations: | |||
| Reimagining Outdoor Play Structures with Amanda Lacy of Bijou Build | 10 Apr 2025 | 00:44:44 | |
In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Lacy, founder of Bijou Build, a company reinventing outdoor play structures for modern families. Amanda shares how her background in children's product development and her experience as a mom of three inspired her to create a modular, collapsible, and beautiful play structure that grows with kids and encourages open-ended outdoor play. We chat about the importance of imaginative play, building a backyard kids (and moms) actually want to spend time in, and how parents can rethink outdoor spaces to support creativity and adventure. Amanda also opens up about balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and getting outside as a family, plus offers tips for creating outdoor memories that last. Website: www.bijoubuild.com Run Wild My Child Magazine Amanda's Recommendations: | |||
| 2024 Year in Review - Professional & Personal | 08 Jan 2025 | 00:39:27 | |
Sara McCarty, founder of Run Wild My Child, is mixing things up and taking a look back at 2024—celebrating the wins and learning from the challenges. Sara shares the business highs of the year, like launching three issues of the Run Wild My Child magazine in print, some incredible travel adventures, and the honor of winning the People’s Choice for Best Online Publication. | |||
| Create Your Own Outdoor Family Challenge | 27 Dec 2024 | 00:47:52 | |
In this episode, we’re diving into the world of outdoor challenges and how they can inspire families to prioritize time outside. As we head into a new year, it’s the perfect opportunity to set some meaningful goals, and there’s no one better to talk about this than Amy Bushatz, founder of the Humans Outside 365 challenge. Amy’s challenge—spending at least 20 minutes outside every day, no matter the weather—has not only transformed her life but also served as a model for countless others looking to connect with nature regularly. She’s been going strong for over seven years, and is the perfect person to chat with about setting challenges, overcoming obstacles, and picking the right challenge for your family. | |||
| Highlights from Outdoor Media Summit in Missoula | 30 Oct 2024 | 00:32:22 | |
In this solo recap episode, Run Wild My Child founder Sara McCarty dives into her recent experience at the Outdoor Media Summit (OMS) in Missoula, Montana, sharing highlights from the event and the local adventure scene. Activities include llama trekking, hiking, and fly fishing on the Blackfoot River. Moving into the OMS experience, Sara breaks down the exciting “new gear speed dating” session, spotlighting standout innovations (which would make great gifts) from a few of our favorite top outdoor brands. She also covers hot topics in the outdoor industry, including the resurgence of print media. The episode concludes with a special announcement of Run Wild My Child’s People's Choice Award win for Best Online Publication of 2023, celebrating the publication’s achievements and community support. | |||