The Trail Dames Podcast
268 episodes - English - Latest episode: 15 days ago - ★★★★★ - 39 ratingsIn the Trail Dames Podcast we speak with "women who like to dance upon this earth." We are a supportive group of women hikers. Some will make you laugh, some may make you cry, but all will inspire you to join us and dance upon this earth.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Episode #166 - LiteShoe Tales of the AT #16-17 (Pre-Hike)
August 02, 2022 07:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBJan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training, and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day, and Liteshoe, along with many of those o...
Episode #165 - Amy Edelstein
July 26, 2022 07:00 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBIPPY-award winner and #1 Amazon bestselling author, Amy Edelstein has a unique perspective on the relationship between the inner journey and outer change. Having begun her own meditation practice in 1978, and spending the better part of four decades practicing, studying, researching, writing about, and ultimately teaching a variety of contemplative methodologies, Edelstein established and directs the non-profit Inner Strength Education, which she founded in 2014. Inner Strength brings min...
Episode #164 - LiteShoe's Tales of the AT #12-15 (Pre-Hike)
July 19, 2022 07:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBJan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training, and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day, and Liteshoe, along with many of those o...
Episode #163 - LiteShoe's Tales of the AT #10-11 (Pre-Hike)
July 05, 2022 07:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBJan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those ori...
Episode #162 - Diane Harsha (Sticks)
June 28, 2022 07:00 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MBDiane "Sticks" Harsha is the author of the recently published (and now also available on Audible) Sticks and Stones: How to Hike the AT in 13 Years. This is the memoir of a Tennessee wife, mother, and FBI agent who section hikes from Georgia to Maine when she can spare the time away from the demands of her career and the responsibilities to her family. From 2005 to 2017, Sticks lived her life with one foot on the Trail and one foot off, her heart always in two places but her mind at peace. ...
Episode #161 - LiteShoe's Tales of the AT #8-9 (Pre-Hike)
June 21, 2022 07:00 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MBJan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training, and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, remain friends to this day, and Liteshoe, along with many of those origina...
Episode #160 Lagniappe - Introductions with Kim Weiler
June 14, 2022 07:00 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBKim is the Co-Head Dame of the Georgia Chapter of Trail Dames and a member of the Trail Dames Board of Directors. Between her fantastic sense of humor and her tenacious strength, it is no coincidence that her trail name is Tough Cookie. She leads with heart and humor and we are so lucky that she has agreed to do some Guest Hosting on the Trail Dames Podcast! Guest Links- Kim on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kim.a.weiler Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at [email protected] You ...
Episode #159 - LiteShoe's Tales of the AT #7 (Pre-Hike)
June 07, 2022 07:00 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBJan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training, and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those or...
Episode #158 - 5th Tuesday - Spirituality on the Trail (Panel Discussion)
May 31, 2022 07:00 - 58 minutes - 53.4 MBWe have a panel discussion for you today about spirituality on the trail. Who better than these three ladies to talk with on this fascinating subject? Anne Gardner Writer. Minister. Adventurer. After spending twenty-five years working at two of Boston’s premier educational institutions, Harvard University and Phillips Academy, Andover, the author currently leads the chaplaincy program at Harvard-Westlake, a private secondary school in Los Angeles. An Episcopal minister by day, Reverend ...
Episode #157 - Em Janacek (In Tune)
May 24, 2022 07:00 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBMy name is Em, trail name, In Tune. I’m into a lot of outdoor adventure-type activities and also all things music. I’m 24 years old, from Canada, and currently attempting to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail! Guest Links- Em on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Em%E2%80%99sOutdoors Em on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/em_aroundtheworld/ Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at [email protected] You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit:...
Episode #156 - LiteShoe's Tales of the AT #5 (Pre-Hike)
May 17, 2022 07:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBJan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training, and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those or...
Episode #156 - LiteShoe's Tales of the AT #5&6 (Pre-Hike)
May 17, 2022 07:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBJan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training, and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those or...
Episode #155 - Anne Gardner (Let's Go)
May 10, 2022 07:00 - 55 minutes - 50.5 MBWriter. Minister. Adventurer. After spending twenty-five years working at two of Boston’s premier educational institutions, Harvard University and Phillips Academy, Andover, the author currently leads the chaplaincy program at Harvard-Westlake, a private secondary school in Los Angeles. An Episcopal minister by day, Reverend Gardner also finds time to work as a freelance writer. Her essays and columns have been featured in The National Catholic Reporter, The Boston Globe, The Providence Jo...
Episode #154 - LiteShoe's Tales of the AT #4 (Pre-Hike)
May 03, 2022 07:00 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBMore trail lessons as my friend, LiteShoe, tests out her gear, and pushes out of her comfort zone, getting closer to hitting the AT! Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on m...
Episode #153 - Courtney Miller (Unfiltered)
April 26, 2022 07:00 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBCourtney has had an on-again/off-again relationship with mountains, hiking and primitive camping, starting in Alaska in her very early life. She also often hiked and “car camped” in the high desert and Sierra Nevadas in California growing up. After living almost 20 years at Sea Level, the mountains were calling again. After “accidentally” stepping onto the Appalachian Trail in Georgia in 2020, the affair was back on! Now Courtney, aka “Unfiltered”, has created a podcast to indulge in resear...
Episode #152 - LiteShoe's Tales of the AT #3 (Pre-Hike)
April 19, 2022 07:00 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBJan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those ori...
Episode #151 Lagniappe - Chelsea McCurdy
April 12, 2022 07:00 - 37 minutes - 34 MBChelsea McCurdy is a queer plus-sized hiker who advocates for body positivity, health at every size, and joyful movement. She believes that nature is healing, and that everyone deserves to enjoy the outdoors, regardless of their body type or fitness level. She lives in Arkansas and owns a business (Hobbit Hikers) dedicated to hikers who love to take their time, enjoy the view, snack a little along the way, and experience nature on their own terms. She is also a video creator on TikTok and I...
Episode #150 - LiteShoe's Tales of the AT #2 (Pre-Hike)
April 05, 2022 07:00 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBJan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31–a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those original P...
Episode #149 - Nancy East (5th Tuesday)
March 29, 2022 07:00 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBI am a mom to three amazing kids, a wife to the love of my life, a retired veterinarian, a team member of our local search and rescue squad, a certified naturalist, and an active adventurer whose second home is in the Great Outdoors (and a chronic insomniac, which is why I can pack so much into one life). Guest Links- Nancy’s Blog- https://www.hopeandfeathertravels.com/ Nancy’s Facebook Group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/campingandhikingdeals/ Nancy’s search and Rescue Group- https...
Episode #148 - Natalie Bonthius
March 22, 2022 07:00 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBNatalie Bonthius is the founder of Survival Med. She earned her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Central Florida, and is combining a career in austere medicine with her background in neuroscience. Dr. Bonthius is a Fellow in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine, Advanced Wilderness and Expedition Provider, Advanced Wilderness Life Support instructor, and board member of the International Association of Near-Death Studies. She researches and teaches about what happens to the mind ...
Episode #147 - LiteShoe's Tales of the AT #1 (Pre-Hike)
March 15, 2022 07:00 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBJan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training, and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers who met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community, built on meetings at the ALDHA Gathering and a thousand online hours, still remain friends to this day and Liteshoe, along with many of those ori...
Episode #146 Lagniappe - Elevated Oats
March 08, 2022 10:27 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MBMegan Militello | Founder + CEO at Elevated Oats | Army Staff Sergeant | MS, Embry-Riddle | Mountaineer As an Army air traffic controller, Megan held key leadership and trainer positions, learned first-hand how to run a highly coordinated operation, and received a bronze star during her second Iraq deployment. She continued air traffic in the DOD and FAA, but ultimately felt unfulfilled, and following a lifelong goal of being an entrepreneur, Megan combined her passion for healthy eating a...
Episode #145 - Nancy East (a Trail Dames Story)
March 01, 2022 08:00 - 10 minutes - 9.91 MBNancy is a mom to three amazing kids, a wife to the love of her life, a retired veterinarian, a team member of her local search and rescue squad, a certified naturalist, and an active adventurer whose second home is in the Great Outdoors (and a chronic insomniac, which is why she can pack so much into one life). Guest Links- Nancy’s Blog- https://www.hopeandfeathertravels.com/ Nancy’s Facebook Group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/campingandhikingdeals/ Nancy’s search and Rescue Group...
Episode #144 - Kelly Howard
February 22, 2022 08:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBKelly Howard is the Fitness Consistency Coach with a touch of adventure! She helps busy women prioritize their fitness so they can feel great and have more time and energy for the things they love. When we feel strong, confident, and empowered, we can do anything. Kelly loves adding fun and a little adventure into life with outdoor activities like hiking, biking, backpacking, SUP, and kayaking. Her Fit is Freedom podcast, courses, and events have changed the lives of thousands of women. As ...
Episode #142 - Natalie Bonthius (a Trail Dames story)
February 15, 2022 08:00 - 8 minutes - 7.7 MBNatalie Bonthius is the founder of Survival Med. She earned her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Central Florida, and is combining a career in austere medicine with her a background in neuroscience. Dr. Bonthius is a Fellow in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine, Advanced Wilderness and Expedition Provider, Advanced Wilderness Life Support instructor, and board member of the International Association of Near-Death Studies. She researches and teaches about what happens to the mind...
Episode #143 - Natalie Bonthius (a Trail Dames story)
February 15, 2022 08:00 - 8 minutes - 7.7 MBNatalie Bonthius is the founder of Survival Med. She earned her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Central Florida, and is combining a career in austere medicine with her a background in neuroscience. Dr. Bonthius is a Fellow in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine, Advanced Wilderness and Expedition Provider, Advanced Wilderness Life Support instructor, and board member of the International Association of Near-Death Studies. She researches and teaches about what happens to the mind...
Episode #142 Lagniappe - Hiking the AT with my Favorite Brother
February 08, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBCharles Huthmaker, CEO and Founder of CJ Crew Co., has been immersed in rowing since 1988 when he was walking across campus and saw the same sign that thousands of rowers have seen, “If interested in trying crew, show up to the meeting at (fill in the blank).” Since then, he has been a student of the sport. Having first jumped into a coaching launch in 1991, he has since coached at all levels of the sport from novice juniors to elite athletes at world championships. Universities where he ha...
Episode #141- Courtney Miller, aka Unfiltered (a Trail Dames story)
February 01, 2022 08:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBCourtney has had an on-again/off-again relationship with mountains, hiking, and primitive camping, starting in Alaska in her early life. She also often hiked and “car camped” in the high desert and Sierra Nevadas in California growing up. After living almost 20 years at Sea Level, the mountains were calling again. After “accidentally” stepping onto the Appalachian Trail in Georgia in 2020, the affair was back on! Now Courtney, aka “Unfiltered,” has created a podcast to indulge in research o...
Episode # 140 - Julie Wilson-Freeman (Stripper)
January 25, 2022 08:00 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBAfter completing the AT in 2018, Julie Wilson-Freeman, aka Stripper, decided she wasn't quite done.... she shares her stories of the last 150 miles of her complete section hike of the AT, complete with rock scrambles and rebar climbing, and dancing on top of Katahdin. Bio: I have been married to Jon Freeman for 7 years, but have only been home twice to celebrate our anniversary! Usually I’m out hiking. I am 57 years old (birthday in a few weeks!). I have 2 children, Andrew and Kaytlyn and 2...
Episode #139 - Julie Wilson aka Stripper (a Trail Dames story)
January 18, 2022 08:00 - 8 minutes - 7.46 MBI have been married to Jon Freeman for 7 years, but have only been home twice to celebrate our anniversary! Usually I’m out hiking. I am 57 years old (birthday in a few weeks!). I have 2 children, Andrew and Kaytlyn and 2 step-sons, Jonathan and Eric. My kids are married; my son has 3 children (2 girls and a boy) while my daughter has one son (4 grandbabies total--2 girls and 2 boys). I lived in Indiana for 55 years and have been in Cosby, TN for just a couple of years now. I taught freshman...
Episode #138 Lagniappe - Compression socks, yea or nay??
January 11, 2022 08:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBAnna is the host of the Trail Dames Podcast and when not interviewing amazing women for the podcast, can be found running her family violins shop, Huthmaker Violins, in Atlanta, GA, as well as running Trail Dames, Inc, and the Trail Dames Charitable Foundation. Special thanks to Dame Gayle Snyder for her shoe pics! Guest Links: Wright Socks- https://www.wrightsock.com/ Smart Wool- https://www.smartwool.com/ Obozs- https://obozfootwear.com/en-us Chacos- https://www.chacos.com/ Comp...
Episode #137 - Mud Butt (a Trail Dames story)
January 04, 2022 08:00 - 17 minutes - 16 MBAnna is the host of the Trail Dames Podcast and when not interviewing amazing women for the podcast, can be found running her family violins shop, Huthmaker Violins, in Atlanta, GA, as well as running Trail Dames, Inc, and the Trail Dames Charitable Foundation. Guest Links: Unicoi State Park - https://www.unicoilodge.com/ Helen, Georgia - https://www.helenga.org/ Unicoi State Park Trail Map - https://www.unicoilodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Unicoi_TrailMap_2018.pdf Connect wit...
Episode #136 - Ada and Melissa (mother and daughter)
December 28, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MBAda In 2000, I retired from the telephone company in Chicago, Illinois where I worked as a computer programmer and business systems analyst. In the ensuing years, I’ve developed a passion for painting and drawing (who knew!); herb and flower gardening and, of course, hiking. I find spending time in the mountains with the Trail Dames or on my own in nature to be rejuvenating and creatively inspiring. The best part, the very best part is time spent in our gorgeous Georgia /North Carolina mo...
Episode #135 - Jessica Mills aka Dixie (a Trail Dames story)
December 21, 2021 08:00 - 9 minutes - 8.97 MBMy name is Jessica Mills, but in the hiking world, people call me “Dixie.” Although I was born in Florida, I ‘grew up’ in Opelika, AL. I spent the majority of my summers with my grandparents, who were backyard gardeners that grew up on farms. At a young age, I developed a love for the outdoors. Watching TV is never a desire of mine, unless it is football season–War Eagle! I graduated from Auburn University in 2012 with a degree in Biosystems Engineering and a minor in Agronomy and Soils. Fo...
Episode #134 Lagniappe - K. Jamila Minnifield (Turtle), Wilderness Therapist
December 14, 2021 08:00 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBK. Jamila Minnifield, MA, LAPC, NCC, Primary Therapist Jamila earned her undergraduate degree at Georgia Southern University and her master’s degree in counseling at Argosy University. She has extensive experience working with complex mental health diagnoses, family reunification and adoption. She entered the field of wilderness therapy out of a desire to increase impact and family engagement. Jamila loves working with younger students, Autism Spectrum diagnoses, learning disabilities, tran...
Episode #133 - Ada and Melissa / Mother and Daughter (a Trail Dames story)
December 07, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBAda- In 2000, I retired from the telephone company in Chicago, Illinois, where I worked as a computer programmer and business systems analyst. In the ensuing years, I’ve developed a passion for painting and drawing (who knew!); herb and flower gardening and, of course, hiking. I find spending time in the mountains with the Trail Dames or on my own in nature to be rejuvenating and creatively inspiring. The best part, the very best part, is time spent in our gorgeous Georgia /North Carolina ...
Episode #132 - 5th Tuesday Interview with Jessica Mills (Dixie)
November 30, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 60.4 MBJessica Mills, better known in the hiking world, as “Dixie,” was born in Florida. She ‘grew up’ in Opelika, AL, spending the majority of her summers with my grandparents, who were backyard gardeners that grew up on farms. At a young age, she developed a love for the outdoors. She's not a big TV fan, unless it is football season–Go War Eagles! She graduated from Auburn University in 2012 with a degree in Biosystems Engineering and a minor in Agronomy and Soils. For a year and a half, she was...
Episode #131 - Paula Martin (Wind Eagle)
November 23, 2021 08:00 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBAs a young kid, Paula Martin enjoyed exploring the outdoors, especially at her grandparents' cabin in the deep woods of Tioga State Forest. Much to her grandparents dismay, she would find injured animals and bring them back to help them. This included a fox and baby skunks. This didn’t change as an adult. She still loves animals and trained dogs for a few decades, all the while still wandering through the woods. At one point, Paula lived full time with her partner in her grandparents' cabin...
Episode #130 - Anna aka Mud Butt (a Trail Dames story)
November 16, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBAnna is the host of the Trail Dames Podcast and when not interviewing amazing women for the podcast, can be found running her family violins shop, Huthmaker Violins, in Atlanta, GA, as well as running Trail Dames, Inc, and the Trail Dames Charitable Foundation. Guest Links: https://www.elachee.org/ Connect with Anna, aka Mud Butt, at [email protected] You can find the Trail Dames at: Our website: https://www.traildames.com The Summit: https://www.traildamessummit.com The Trail Da...
Episode #129 Lagniappe - Shannon Fisher
November 09, 2021 08:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MB2021 has been full of adventures for Shannon Fisher! In February, she purchased "Beaulah", a 2006 retired ambulance that she is converting into a campulance. On her 45th birthday in May, she celebrated with her sister by hiking and backpacking 45 miles on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail. July included a week-long family trip to South Dakota. Shannon loved introducing her nieces and nephew to the hiking trails in Badlands National Park, Spearfish Canyon, and Custer State Park. I...
Episode #128 - Mary Emerick (a Trail Dames story)
November 02, 2021 07:00 - 10 minutes - 9.47 MBMary's story is about a chance bear encounter in the Alaskan wilderness, involving some adrenaline, a barking dog, and a whole lot of appreciation for the beauty that can be found in a mother grizzly and her cubs. Mary Emerick is an author and a wilderness planner with the Forest Service, but her real love is long distance hiking. She began her backpacking career at age 5, carrying a pack with a sweatshirt and a stuffed animal. Working as a seasonal wilderness ranger in Idaho and a wilderne...
Episode #127 - Mary Emerick (Monkey Bars)
October 26, 2021 07:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBMary Emerick is an author and a wilderness planner with the Forest Service, but her real love is long distance hiking. She began her backpacking career at age 5, carrying a pack with a sweatshirt and a stuffed animal. Working as a seasonal wilderness ranger in Idaho and a wilderness kayak ranger in Alaska were highlights of her life. She has section hiked the entire Pacific Crest Trail and a few sections of the Arizona Trail. She enjoys meeting other women on the trail and would prefer neve...
Episode #126 - Michelle Pettitt (a Trail Dames story)
October 19, 2021 07:00 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBMichelle Pettitt has been a teacher for almost 15 years. For the past 9 years, she has taught at Berkmar High School in Lilburn, Georgia, currently teaching American Government. She grew up in Florida, so the beach has always been her happy place, where she returns to relax and regroup. In January of 2020, Michelle's mom passed away, then Covid sent everybody into quarantine in March. She started walking through historic Buford to release anxiety, sadness, and simply to feel better. This ye...
Episode #125 Lagniappe - Crystal Willett
October 12, 2021 07:00 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBCrystal Willett is a 55 years old, single mom of 2 wonderful boys (men) 32 and 17 years old. She works in medical records for a mental health facility. Crystal is currently building a van into a house to travel across America as soon as her youngest heads to college. In the meantime, she is knocking out all the trails around NC that she can before traveling. Crystal also volunteers at Troop 900 scouts, was a Cub-scout master for the younger boys and girl scout leader for about 5 years. She ...
Episode #124 - Kim Weiler aka Tough Cookie (a Trail Dames story)
October 05, 2021 07:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBKim Weiler is, in her own words, a 'motor-city, Detroit girl'. She has a wide range of passions from music to travel, but it was a move to Georgia several years ago that woke up her love for the outdoors. She jumped into hiking and camping, and within a few months of joining Trail Dames, she became a Hike Leader, and then soon a Head Dame for the Georgia Chapter. It wasn't much later that she became a member of the Trail Dames Board of Directors, where she uses her background in corporate, ...
Episode #123 - Ann Leahy (Turtle Grace)
September 28, 2021 07:00 - 49 minutes - 45.1 MBAnn Leahy was born and raised in the seacoast area of NH. She spent her childhood summers on Lake Winnipesaukee and learned how to water ski and fish (thanks dad!!) She played sports all through high school (field hockey, basketball and softball) and then went on to college at UNH to study Occupational Therapy. Ann is married to Mike, who has hiked with her, even though he isn’t a fan of hiking. They have two children (Hannah 25 and Haley 22). Ann has always loved the outdoors and had done ...
Episode #122 - Paula Martin (a Trail Dames story)
September 21, 2021 07:00 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBAs a young kid, Paula Martin enjoyed exploring the outdoors, especially at her grandparents' cabin in the deep woods of Tioga State Forest. Much to her grandparents dismay, she would find injured animals and bring them back to help them. This included a fox and baby skunks. This didn’t change as an adult. She still loves animals and trained dogs for a few decades, all the while still wandering through the woods. At one point, Paula lived full time with her partner in her grandparents' cabin...
Episode #121 Lagniappe - Audrey Scanlan
September 14, 2021 07:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBAudrey Scanlan serves as the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Central Pennsylvania - an elected position that gives her oversight of 60 churches and 11,000 folks who belong to the Episcopal Church in the region. Conveniently, the AT runs right through the middle of the area that she oversees! She lives just 4 miles from a trailhead in the middle of the Cumberland Valley (PA) which is one of the most gentle (read: flat) sections of the entire AT! Audrey tries to get out on the trail at least...
Episode #120 - Colleen Drake #2 (a Trail Dames story)
September 07, 2021 07:00 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBGrowing up in the northwest in a family that camped every summer, Colleen Drake, also known as Teacup, has been hiking since she was old enough to walk, well over sixty years. Her hiking accomplishments include the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier, the Washington section of the PCT, most of the Washington section of the PNT, the southern Oregon section of the PCT, the Wind River Mountains and Bighorns of Wyoming, many of the National Parks of the southwest, and all the trails of Olympic N...
Episode #119 - 5th Tuesday Interview with Lauralee Bliss (Blissful)
August 31, 2021 07:00 - 49 minutes - 45.1 MBLauralee Bliss–trail name "Blissful"–is a two-time Appalachian Trail long distance hiker, both north and south, including a thru-hike with her teen son. She is currently section hiking the trail for a third time. She has completed other long distance trails in multiple states, including the Florida Trail, the Colorado Trail, the Foothills Trail, the Long Trail, and the Allegheny Trail. She also served six years as the ridgerunner in Maryland and Shenandoah National Park. Lauralee is a publ...