Out There
198 episodes - English - Latest episode: 22 days ago - ★★★★★ - 561 ratingsOut There is a podcast that explores big questions through intimate stories in the great outdoors.
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Episodes
Rekindling the Spark
April 04, 2024 09:00 - 26 minutes - 37.7 MBWe’re told to follow our dreams. But often, that’s disappointing. Reality typically doesn’t measure up to what we’d imagined. So what then? How do you reignite your passions? On this episode, we travel from an observatory in Puerto Rico to a hillside in New Jersey, and explore how one scientist overcame the disillusionment of academia. --- Links: Support Out There on Patreon Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke
Silence
March 21, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 3.5 MBOur 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. --- Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke
Building Self-Confidence
January 04, 2024 10:00 - 25 minutes - 35.9 MBMaya 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. --- Links: Support Out There Subscribe to our email newsletter --- Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke
Closing the Gender Gap
November 30, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 41.3 MBWomen 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. --- Links: Support Out There Rowdy Gowdy Camp Hub & Spoke
The Flood
November 02, 2023 09:00 - 22 minutes - 31.3 MBThis 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. --- Support Out There on Patreon Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke.
Learning to Swim
July 13, 2023 09:00 - 36 minutes - 50.8 MBLearning 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. --- --- Links: Sign up for our email newsletter Support Out There on Patreon Follow us on Facebook and Instagram --- Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke
Excavating Grief
June 29, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutes - 46.1 MBMykella 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. --- Links: Support Out There on Patreon --- Out There is a member of Hub & Spoke
Ice Swimming
June 15, 2023 09:00 - 27 minutes - 39.1 MBIn 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. --- Links: Support Out There on Patreon --- Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke
Queer in Appalachia
June 01, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutes - 45.9 MBAs 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. --- Links: Take our poll about next season's theme Sierra Club panel: Diverse Perspectives in Outdoor Media Support Out There on Patreon --- Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke
Rekindling Hope
May 18, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 41.5 MBCarolyn 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. --- Links: Take our poll about next season's theme Support Out There on Patreon --- Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke
Moonlight
May 04, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutes - 45 MBWe’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. SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke.
Living Without Hope
April 20, 2023 09:00 - 33 minutes - 46.4 MBWhen 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. --- SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Out There is a proud m...
Secrets of the Earth
April 06, 2023 06:01 - 2 minutes - 3.63 MBThis 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. Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke.
This Is How You Win the Time War
March 02, 2023 07:01 - 59 minutes - 82 MBClock 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 peopl...
Notes in the Trees
February 02, 2023 07:01 - 34 minutes - 47.2 MBMost 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. --- NEW KIDS' PODCAST: Once Upon a Meadow is set to launch in February 2023 SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron and get an invitation to our virtual happy hour Out There is a proud...
Fallen Sky
January 12, 2023 07:01 - 33 minutes - 46.9 MB“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 SUPPORT OUT ...
Fear is the Thing with Fins
December 01, 2022 17:04 - 18 minutes - 26.4 MBFear 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. SUPPORT OUT THERE: Beco...
High on Failure
November 10, 2022 07:01 - 45 minutes - 62.8 MBEvery 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...
Pedaling and Paddling
October 20, 2022 06:01 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MBDewey 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. PITCH US A STORY: Details here SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke
The Instinct to Kill
September 29, 2022 06:01 - 40 minutes - 55.4 MBWhen 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. SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become ...
Too Poor to Dream?
September 08, 2022 06:01 - 34 minutes - 48.3 MBWe 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. SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron ...
Selfless Acts
August 18, 2022 06:01 - 25 minutes - 36 MBWhy 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. SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Click here to se...
Blue Dive
July 28, 2022 06:01 - 38 minutes - 53 MBTiffany 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. SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Click here to see the full show notes for this episode.
Failure in Success
July 07, 2022 06:01 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBIn 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. SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron
Moral Compass
June 16, 2022 06:01 - 38 minutes - 53.9 MBHow 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. SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Click here to see the full show notes for this episode.
Nature's Nostalgia
June 09, 2022 06:01 - 3 minutes - 5.37 MBA preview of our summer season! SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Click here to see the full show notes for this episode.
Adult-Onset Hunting
May 26, 2022 06:01 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBThe 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 SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Click here to see the full show notes for this episode.
Beach Bum
May 12, 2022 06:01 - 30 minutes - 42.5 MBIt’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? SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Click here to see the full show notes for this episode.
Introducing Not Lost
May 04, 2022 16:08 - 4 minutes - 14.4 MBHere’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 visit...
Never Enough
April 28, 2022 06:01 - 37 minutes - 51.9 MBWhen 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. POLL: Help shape our upcoming season SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Click here to see the full show notes for this episode.
Measuring Up
April 14, 2022 06:01 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBIt’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. SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Click here to see the full show notes for this episode.
Escape
March 31, 2022 06:01 - 34 minutes - 47.1 MBWe 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. OPEN MIC NIGHT: Register to attend SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron
Pamper Your Brain
March 17, 2022 06:01 - 26 minutes - 37.2 MBZiyi 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. SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron OPEN MIC NIGHT: Register to attend Click here to see the full show notes for this episode.
Climate Language
March 10, 2022 07:01 - 21 minutes - 30.2 MBLast 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. Click here to see the full show notes for this episode. OPEN MIC NIGHT: Register to a...
America's Best Idea?
March 03, 2022 07:01 - 43 minutes - 59.5 MBNational 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. VIRTUAL...
Pandemic Sundays
February 17, 2022 07:01 - 28 minutes - 39.1 MBChurch 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. --- VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR: Become a patron by March 4, 2022 to get an invitation OPEN MIC NIGHT: Register to attend
Indoor Kid
February 03, 2022 07:01 - 43 minutes - 59.6 MBAfter 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. Open Mic Night: To perform, sign...
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
January 27, 2022 07:01 - 21 minutes - 30 MBThink 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 outtherepodc...
Things I Thought I Knew
January 20, 2022 07:01 - 3 minutes - 5.1 MBWe're launching a new season! Here's a sneak peak. Support Out There: Become a patron on Patreon
Fear and Leadership in the Mountains
January 13, 2022 07:01 - 40 minutes - 55.5 MBHow 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 ...
Too Good To Be True?
December 16, 2021 07:01 - 30 minutes - 42.2 MBIn 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 ...
The Art of Loving Yourself
December 02, 2021 07:01 - 35 minutes - 49.3 MBMelat 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. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: Take our audience survey to get a FREE Out There sticker and be entered into a drawing for an REI gift card REFER A FRIEND: Refe...
In the Name of Fairness
November 18, 2021 07:01 - 31 minutes - 43.5 MBOn 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 ...
Riding Past Fear
November 04, 2021 06:01 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MBGrowing 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. REFER FRIENDS, WIN REWARDS: Sign up for your personal referral link here NEW OUT THERE MERCH: Check it out here SUPPORT...
Choosing a Line
October 21, 2021 06:01 - 27 minutes - 38.6 MBWe 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. Share Out There & win rewards! Get your personal referral link here.
Outskating Your Demons
October 07, 2021 06:01 - 35 minutes - 48.8 MBMolly-Anne Dameron had struggled with severe mental illness her whole life. And, after years of drug addiction, she had recently gotten sober. But — as she puts it — getting sober is "not always f*cking rainbows." She wasn’t sure she was going to make it in sobriety, with the added isolation of the pandemic. So she set out to skate from Maine to New Jersey. SHARE THIS PODCAST, WIN REWARDS: Get your personal referral link here. MERCH SALE: Get 30% off Out There merch with promo code FAL...
Forest as Pharmacy
September 23, 2021 06:01 - 33 minutes - 45.7 MBShannon Prince comes from a family with a rich relationship to the natural world. Her Cherokee ancestors were skilled at using plants as medicine. But her family’s eco-literacy had been stripped away over the generations. Yearning to rediscover forgotten knowledge, Shannon traveled across the world to Mongolia, where ancient traditions were more intact. On this episode, she explores the surprising things that can happen to you on a personal level, when you attempt to preserve a way of li...
Trial by Fire
September 09, 2021 06:01 - 42 minutes - 59.1 MBBecky Jensen had given herself the perfect present for her 50th birthday: a two-week solo backpacking trip. But when she emerged from the trail, she learned that a wildfire had started near her home in northern Colorado. Her house might already be gone. On this episode, Becky shares her story. She takes us from the tranquility of the San Juan mountains to a cramped basement where she waited out her evacuation, and explores how you find serenity when a natural disaster threatens everything ...
On My Own Terms
August 26, 2021 06:01 - 32 minutes - 44.7 MBAfter a demoralizing hiking trip in college, Ava Ahmadbeigi gave up on nature. She had never been outdoorsy, and now she knew she didn't belong. But that hiking trip kept haunting her. On this episode, Ava tells her story. She takes us from a cramped apartment in NYC to a mountain in the Adirondacks, as she seeks to find her place — both in her own body, and in the world outside her walls. Click here to read the transcript for this episode. Sign up for our email list and be the first to...
The Happy Hustle
August 12, 2021 06:01 - 27 minutes - 38.4 MBA career in the arts is tough. Creative professionals are notoriously overworked and underpaid. Even if you “make it,” it’s easy for your passion to turn into just another stressful job. On this episode, we bring you a story about photographer and skateboarder Khaleeq Alfred, who has been learning how to walk the line between following his dreams and paying the bills. It's a story about getting the compensation you deserve without sacrificing your artistic integrity, and about finding bala...