David Brown is one of the world?s fastest blind runners, a two-time record breaker, and the first totally blind athlete to run 100m in under 11 seconds. Jerome Avery is his running guide. The two run tethered together by a short strap. They train together almost daily to maintain their synchronization and speed, and that hard work shows on and off the track. In this episode, hear how David fell in love with running, their journey to start running together, and what it feels like when they?re the first to cross the finish line.

Connect with David and Jerome:

David's TwitterDavid's InstagramJerome's Instagram

Season Sponsor:

Ford

Episode Sponsor:

On Running

 In 2016, Karel beat the record for the fastest known time to complete the Pacific Crest Trail. Then in 2018, he ran the Appalachian trail and broke the fastest known time record by four days! Karel started running as a hobby so that he could get some exercise after work. Now, just a few years later, he?s running some of the longest wilderness trails on earth. 

Episodes to listen to: 

Chris McDougall

Connect with guest: 

WebsiteFacebook YouTubeInstagram 

Resources:

Out There MovieBarkley MarathonsBorn to Run by Chris McDougall

Episode Sponsor:

On Running 

When you think of exciting outdoor activities, bird watching probably isn?t the first thing that comes to mind. But in the words of today?s guest Corina Newsome, it?s like a treasure hunt. There is exhilaration in looking for movement through binoculars or listening for specific bird calls. There's also a sense of achievement that comes with identifying a specific bird and crossing it off your list. Corina isn?t your stereotypical birder. She?s a 27 year old Black woman from Philadelphia with a Master?s degree in Ornithology (the study of birds). Corina was one of the primary organizers behind Black Birders Week, a virtual event that took place in summer of 2020. In this episode, Corina tells us about how she fell in love with birds, the circumstances that inspired Black Birders Week and what it?s like being a Black woman in the outdoors. Read more about how she's helping more birders find their place. 

Connect with Corina:

WebsiteTwitterInstagram

Resources:

Black AF in STEMGeorgia AudubonNational Audubon SocietyMerlin Bird ID AppAudubon App

Episode Sponsor:

Danner

Trying a new sport or skill for the first time can be scary. Nobody wants to look like an awkward newbie in front of the pros, but Dylan Efron is learning to embrace the thrill of being a beginner. In fact, he?s inspiring others to do the same with his new YouTube series called Flow State. The goal of the show is to invite professional athletes to do an outdoor sport that they?ve never tried before, from spearfishing to speed flying, and see what happens. On this episode, Dylan tells us about some of the most impactful Flow State episodes, what it?s like working with his brother Zac Efron, and how he?s built a lifestyle doing what he loves most.

Connect with Dylan Efron:

TwitterInstagramYouTube

Resources:

Flow StateFirestone Walker Brewing Company

Episode Sponsor:

Danner's Mountain Pass Arctic Night bootMade in our Portland, Oregon factory and inspired by the original Mountain Light, the Mountain Pass Winter was created to handle cold days and icy city streets. A breathable GORE-TEX lining and Thinsulate? insulation keep feet warm and dry in slush and snow. An updated construction method allows us to significantly reduce weight and create out-of-the-box comfort that doesn't come standard for most classic hiking boots. The Vibram® Arctic Grip outsole was designed to keep your footing secure on wet ice, frozen ground or whatever else the colder months have in store.

2020 has been quite a year. We had a plan for what this season of Wild Ideas Worth Living would look like, but a few months in we had to change course, just as everyone in the world did. So while our first few episodes focused on adventurers who traveled all over the world and broke barriers, we spent the rest of the year learning from guests who taught us how to find peace and a sense of adventure in our own homes. 

Thank you to all of our guests for sharing your stories and wild ideas with us. And thank you especially to you, the listeners, for tuning in, writing reviews, and sending us notes about your own wild ideas. We?ll be back with new episodes in January, so be sure to subscribe or follow wherever you listen to podcasts. Happy holidays and happy new year.

Episodes to listen to:

Mike PosnerJames NestorEric WolfingerLatoya Shauntay Snell - Running Fat Chef + Redefining RoutingJoe Gray

Season Sponsor:

Subaru

Episode Sponsor:

Danner

Noah Howell is one of the greatest backcountry skiers to date, and he has been named one of the ?50 Icons of Backcountry Skiing? by Backcountry Magazine. He was also the second person to ski all 90 lines of what author Andrew McLean deemed the steepest ski lines in Utah?s Wasatch Mountains. Noah feels free skiing rarely traveled slopes, and for him, that freedom is also reflected in his everyday life. When he?s not skiing, Noah continues to buck the norms and do what he loves, even when it is difficult to keep pathing his own way.

Connect with Noah:

WebsiteInstagramVimeo

Resources:

Black Diamond profile (Noah is sponsored by Black Diamond)The Chuting Gallery: A Guide to Steep Skiing in the Wasatch Mountains by Andrew McLean

Season sponsor:

Subaru

Episode sponsor:

Ikon Pass

When Ally Coucke adopted her white German Shepherd, Bailey, she had no idea what she was getting herself into. Ally was just a kid looking for a big, protective dog to run with her in the early mornings, and what she got became the most important relationship of her life. Now, Bailey and his adoptive brother, ?Loki the Wolfdog? are Internet sensations. But Bailey has been battling cancer for the last couple of years, and last week he lost the fight. Back in August, Ally was preparing to face the deepest grief she?s ever experienced, she found that Bailey had a lot to teach her about herself and her community. 

Connect with Ally: 

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources: 

Wild Together

Season Sponsor

Subaru

Episode Sponsor

Ikon Pass

Tom Putnam is a filmmaker known for writing and directing documentaries and short films. After reading Robert Pyle?s book, Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide, he felt compelled to turn Pyle?s story into a movie. After 10 years of writing and re-writing the script, Tom brought the entire cast and crew for The Dark Divide film into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Oregon. They shot the film on-location in just 22 days, and it was quite the wild adventure. In this episode, Tom talks about his career as a director, what it was like to write and direct The Dark Divide, the stories and hiccups they faced while shooting the film, and more. You can now rent or buy The Dark Divide now on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play and On Demand everywhere. To learn more about the movie and where you can watch it, visit darkdividefilm.com. 

Learn more about the film:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide by Robert Pyle

Season Sponsor:

Subaru

Episode Sponsor:

Danner 

Clare Gallagher is an accomplished trail and ultra runner who made history when she won the Leadville 100 in 2016, a notorious 100-mile trek through the Rocky Mountains. Soon after she started her career, Clare realized that she had a unique platform as an outdoor athlete to become a dedicated environmental advocate. For Clare, working for a healthy planet is a no-brainer, and she argues that it is not such a wild idea to fight pollution and climate change. In this episode, Clare shares her story and useful tips on easy ways to get involved in the issues that you care about.

Connect with Clare:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

CommonCauseLeah ThomasIntersectional Environmentalist Leadville Race SeriesEarthraging with English

Season Sponsor:

Subaru

Episode Sponsor:

DannerIkon Pass

Now that Christiane is Head of Sustainability at Fjallraven, she wears ?the grandma jacket? regularly as a reminder of the brand?s mission to make timeless clothing that lasts. In this episode, Christiane shares how heritage and longevity inform how Fjallraven designs and manufactures their products.

Connect with Fjallraven & Christiane: 

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Historically, outdoor apparel and clothing brands have shrunk the same designs that they use in their mens? lines and dyed them a supposed "girly" color (aka: purple and pink) to create outdoor gear for women. However, Edita Hadravska, Design Director at Arc?teryx Equipment, takes a different approach. She designs outdoor equipment and gear for women that take into account how women?s bodies are actually shaped, the way they move, and the elements that they encounter in the outdoors. Edita?s designs are challenging industry trends and helping women look stylish and perform their best as outdoor athletes.

Kailey Kornhauser is a fat cyclist. Those two words didn?t come easily to her. But as she has claimed her place in both the cycling community and the body positivity movement, they?re words she now identifies with proudly. In 2018, Kailey took on one of the most challenging rides she?d ever been on: cycling 1,000 miles across Alaska to hear about the impact of climate change on the lives of locals. Hear her talk about the journey, her activism, and why everyone belongs in the outdoors on this episode. 

Connect with guests:

Instagram

Resources:

Kailey?s article - I?m a fat cyclist - and I don?t need to ?fix? my bodyUnlikely HikersSalt Lake City Bicycle CollectiveRAGBRAI

Episode sponsor:

DannerIkon Pass

Textured Waves is a surf collective that aims to introduce more women of color to riding waves.  The co-founders of Textured Waves, Chelsea Woody, Danielle Black Lyons, Gigi Lucas and Martina Duran, are working to encourage and represent women of color who surf. Textured Waves recently partnered with the women?s surf brand Seaa on a short film called Sea Us Now, which reimagines vintage surf culture to include and highlight Black women, using imagery, music and poetic narrative. But Textured Waves is just getting started, they have some powerful new projects on the horizon.

Connect with Textured Waves:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

Watch the Sea Us Now filmSeea Swimwear available at REISurfRider Foundation

Season Sponsor:

Subaru

Episode Sponsor:

IKON Pass

There is a lot of confusing, conflicting information around exercise and pregnancy. When pro cyclist Laura King became pregnant, she didn?t want to lose touch with the amazing biking community that she had built in Richmond, Vermont. Without a guidebook, Laura had to experiment and listen to her body to figure out what worked for her. Listen to today?s episode to hear what Laura has learned about keeping an active lifestyle while pregnant, moving across the country and building a gravel cycling community. 

Season Sponsor

Subaru

Episode Sponsor

Cannondale

Connect with Laura 

TwitterInstagram

Resources:

Rooted VermontStravaUnTappedExercising Through Your Pregnancy by James F. Clap, M.D.Beth Gerdes McKenzieLarissa ConnorsVelocioDirty KanzaHow I Built ThisKing of the RideWork Play LoveThe Moment of Lift by Melinda GatesDIYGravelDIYgravel Belgian Waffle Ride: 140 Miles Vermont to Canada Featuring Laura King
 

Jesse Huey is a professional climber who spends much of his time clambering up icy mountains, frozen waterfalls and other alpine landscapes. Climbing allows Jesse to push his own limits as well as build strong friendships with fellow climbers. 

The tight-knit climbing community was the inspiration for a climbing route he completed in the Wyoming wilderness to honor his late friend Hayden Kennedy. In this episode, Jesse shares how he became addicted to climbing and how friendship and loss have been a part of his life and career. 

Please note that the conversation in this episode covers suicide and survivors? guilt. If you or someone you know is struggling, know that there?s always someone there to listen. The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-TALK (8255).

Connect with Jesse:

WebsiteInstagram

Resources:

Jesse's Alpinist article Hayden Kennedy Public Lands Defense Fund First Light TrailerHoney Stinger

Season sponsor:

Subaru

Episode sponsor:

Arc'teryx 

Joe Kudla seems like one of those people who has 36 hours in a day. He?s dedicated to yoga and breath work, he loves being a dad and he is the CEO and founder of Vuori Clothing. After years of struggling to find his true calling, Joe learned how to prioritize both a healthy spirit, a healthy business, and a healthy personal life. Now, Joe?s created a multi-million dollar, fast-growing company that aligns with his values. 

Connect with Joe Kudla:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

Wim Hof MethodEckhart Tolle?s book: The Power of NowReis Paluso

Season Sponsor:

Subaru 

Episode Sponsor:

Hydroflask

Years of hard work and training have landed ?Mighty? Meagan Martin as a mainstay on the NBC show American Ninja Warrior, where she completes hardcore obstacle courses. Meagan is a born athlete and competitor, but she considers herself lucky to have found climbing as a young child. Now, climbing is her greatest passion, and she is working to make the sport more accessible to everyone.

Connect with Meagan: 

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Season sponsor:

Subaru 

Episode sponsor: 

Teva

Amber Pierce started cycling in her early twenties, and within a year, she went pro. She signed her first professional contract with the WEBCOR Builders Pro Cycling Team in 2006. Since then, Amber has won more than 60 individual races across 5 continents. Now, Amber is all about encouraging healthy competition among women athletes. With the work of her non-profit Network for Advancing Athletes, she?s inspiring them to unleash their greatest potential in their sport.

Connect with Amber Pierce:

WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitter

Resources:

Amber talking about diet for cyclingSaddlesNetwork for Advancing Athletes

Episode sponsor:

Cannondale

Season sponsor:

Subaru 

With more than 740,000 active members and counting, GirlTrek is the largest health movement and nonprofit for Black women and girls in the country. They are on a mission to inspire one million Black women to walk in the direction of their healthiest, most fulfilled lives by the end of 2020.

GirlTrek kicked off their Black History Bootcamp series on June 1st ? the Bootcamp is an epic 21-day walking meditation sharing the stories and legacies of legendary and revolutionary Black women in history. Women like Audre Lorde, Ella Baker and Shirley Chisholm. Every day you can join GirlTrek founders Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison as they hop on the phone and take a walk to discuss who these women are and why everyone should know their stories. And while we?re already in the last week of this 21-day bootcamp, there?s no reason you can?t start today. Or tomorrow. Or right now! These stories are relevant any time ? so start from the beginning of the series or listen in whatever order feels right to you.

You can sign up for the bootcamp anytime at girltrek.org/blackhistorybootcamp or find the entire Black History Bootcamp series on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

 

Joe Gray is an accomplished trail, mountain, and snowshoe runner. He was the first Black athlete to make the Team USA World Mountain Running Team and the first Black American to win the U.S.A. National Mountain Running Championships, which he has now done 18 times. But even with all this success, Joe is frustrated by the lack of diversity not only in pro running, but also in media coverage and sponsorship of the sport. He knows that young Black athletes aren?t pursuing the sports he loves because they don?t see themselves represented, so he?s doing something about it with his  organization, Project Inspire Diversity.

Connect with Joe:

FacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

World Mountain Running ChampionshipHoka One OneRunner?s World article

Show sponsor:

Hoka One One

While the COVID-19 pandemic has been keeping a lot of us humans indoors, the wildlife is taking advantage of the lack of human presence. Animals have been spotted in places where we don?t usually see them: playing in waterways, making homes under boardwalks and taking back their natural habitats. One place they?ve been seeing way more animals than usual? Yosemite National Park, where bobcats, bears and coyotes are showing up in places they'd usually avoid. On this episode, park ranger Jamie Richards talks about what she and the other rangers are seeing, how you can engage with the park?s online activities and how to plan your visit as they reopen.

Connect with guests:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

Video of black bear looking for foodMore videos, including Kids Ask Rangers and Draw with a RangerDay use reservationFind out what?s open at Yosemite

Episode sponsors:

SubaruDanner

Having a dog during the COVID-19 pandemic seems like a blessing: they provide an excuse to get outside (safely!), they are always up for some quality time and pets, and they can provide some entertainment and maybe even a little laughter. No one knows the joys and comforts of being a dog owner more than photographer and author Ben Moon. His recent book, Denali, is all about how his pup helped him through his battle with colorectal cancer in his 20s. On today?s show, Ben shares how pets can help relieve stress and shares the story of adopting Denali.

Episodes of Wild Ideas Worth Living to listen to:

Tate MacDowell

Connect with Ben Moon:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

Denali bookDenali short filmThe Lucky Ones short film

To celebrate REI's 82nd anniversary and our Anniversary Sale, we asked some past guests to share their favorite stories about being in the great outdoors. Escape with Sal Masekela, Chris McDougall, Bonnie Tsui and more as they share stories about close encounters with wildlife, trips gone awry and the power of being outside.

What is your favorite memory of being in the great outdoors? We want to hear it! Share your story on social media with the tag #REImember. 

Episodes to listen to:

Sal MasekelaChris McDougall, Natural Born HeroesChris McDougall, Running with DonkeysBonnie TsuiChris FaganChris CoteSteve BramucciBrian Keaulana

Connect with guests:

Sal MasekelaInstagramChris McDougallWebsiteRunning with ShermanBonnie TsuiWebsiteBen MoonWebsiteBookInstagramChris FaganWebsiteBookChris CotePodcastSteve BramucciWebsite

During these weird times of the COVID-19 Pandemic, one thing that can make us all feel a bit better is laughter. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your mental health is to stop reading the news and instead read or watch something that makes you smile. To help us find something to laugh at, past guest, adventurer and illustrator Brendan Leonard joins the show to share where he?s finding inspiration for his comedic work and what he?s laughing about these days.

Episodes to listen to:

What to Cook While CampingHow to Run 100 Miles

Connect with guests:

WebsiteTwitterInstagram

Resources:

Strange Planet by Nathan W PyleNew Yorker CartoonsRaising a Teenage Daughter by Liz Weil

With everyone spending most of their time at home during this COVID-19 Pandemic, many are turning to their kitchens to provide comfort and entertainment. There has been a particular rise in people baking their own bread. Maybe it?s because grocery stores were running out of this staple, or maybe it?s because it?s a fun, time intensive but relatively simple baking project. Previous guest Eric Wolfinger knows a thing or two about baking bread, having worked at Tartine Bakery for years, so I thought I?d ask him for some tips about how to make the perfect loaf. From simple no-knead recipes to intricate sourdoughs, Eric has lots of ideas and tricks for making yourself some delicious food while you stay at home.

Episodes to listen to:

How to be a World-Class Traveling Food Photographer with Eric Wolfinger

Connect with guest:

WebsiteInstagram

Resources:

No Knead Bread by Jim LaheyTartine Bread CookbookTartine Bread recipe (abbreviated version)Tartine Bread recipe (fan rewrite, more detailed)Donabe Cookbook

Sponsors:

Danner

If you are struggling to adapt to the physical and emotional challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, you are not alone. Latoya Shauntay Snell is a pro athlete and inclusivity advocate who was training for her first triathlon when the isolation orders hit in New York City, and her life, routines and plans have all been disrupted. But Latoya says this is just another hurdle to clear and that we?re going to come out of it stronger than ever. Today Latoya shares some great advice on how to adjust your training routine to stay safe indoors, how she?s cooking in isolation and why we need to relieve the pressure to be creative and productive during this stressful time.

Other episodes of Wild Ideas Worth Living to listen to:

Latoya Shauntay Snell: Running Fat Chef

Connect with guests:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

Hot Chocolate 15kGo GuardedStrava Beacon (support page)Brene BrownLatoya Shauntay Snell?s Spotify Playlist

Episode sponsor: 

Hoka One One

James Nestor?s new book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art dives deep into the art and science of breathing. He participated in experiments, spoke with experts, and studied ancient breathing practices like Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya, and Tummo to learn about humans? beliefs around breath. Modern research shows us that changing the way we breathe can impact our athletic performance, rejuvenate our organs, stop snoring, allergies, asthma, and more. In the unsettling times of the COVID-19 epidemic, one thing we can do to be healthier and calmer is breathe. James is here to tell us how to do it right, sharing four exercises that will help us breathe better. 

Connect with James:

WebsiteInstagram

Like many of you, we had some big plans for spring and summer, and we got ahead on the podcast, but life happens and things shift. So, we're taking the next few months to create new timely podcasts for you that hopefully make your days a little brighter.

Mike Posner is a Grammy-nominated pop artist who decided to walk across the United States to see if a cross-country walk would help him become someone he was proud of. He started his trek in April of 2019, but it nearly ended when he was bitten by a rattlesnake en route. As it turns out, a rattlesnake bite wasn't enough to stop Mike. He eventually finished the walk and learned a lot about himself along the way.  

Connect with Mike: 

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Products mentioned in the episode: 

Bodyglide Foot GlideREI Silk Liner Socks Salomon

Books mentioned in the episode: 

Ask and it is Given by Esther Hicks The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho  

Episode sponsor: 

Teva 

In 1974, Ben Finley and his friend Art Clay founded the National Brotherhood of Skiers, the largest group of African American skiers in the country. The NBS aims to get more skiers of color out in the mountains, and to send black skiers to the Olympics and Paralympics. On today?s episode, Ben Finley (who is now 81 and still skiing regularly) and his co founder Art Clay tell Shelby about the NBS?s legendary Black Summit events, the love stories that bloom from yearly gatherings, and how you can help the pair?s induction into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. 

Connect with guests:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

Fundraiser to induct Ben Finley and Art Clay into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of FameU.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of FameNBS 2020 Black Summit Registration

Show sponsors: 

Hydro Flask

When Shanti Hodges had her son Mason, she knew she wanted to share her love of nature with him. She saw a lack of organized outdoor activities for families and decided to do something about it. She ended up helping thousands of families get outside and get active. Her organization Hike It Baby has grown from an informal gathering in Portland, OR, to a nation-wide network of parents and children hiking together and supporting each other. Shanti built this community from the ground up, but now she?s taking a step back to focus on her own family and her next professional adventure in Utah. In this episode, Shanti and Shelby talk about how Hike it Baby has changed lives, supporting amazing women and must-have tips to taking kids hiking and in the outdoors.

Connect with Shanti:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

Hike It BabyMirna ValerioKatie Arnold Melody Forsyth on InstagramChris MacDougall - Running with ShermanAdventure Mamas

Advertisement:

REI Adventure Travel

Related episodes:

Mirna ValerioChris MacDougall 

 

When a heckler disrespected plus-size runner Latoya Shauntay Snell during the 2017 New York Marathon, she couldn?t help returning fire. After her personal essay about the incident went viral, Latoya became an inspiration to people who were tired of being told they can?t be proud of who they are or can?t achieve the goals they want. The experience spurred her on to become an advocate for inclusivity of all kinds in health and fitness. Today, we?ll talk about Latoya?s journey to balance fitness with self-compassion, her involvement with the Black Girls RUN! Movement and what a running chef eats before a big race.

Connect with Latoya 

Honor Your Voice seriesWebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitter

Resources

Latoya?s piece on The RootThe Long RunBlack Girls RUN!New York Marathon

Episode advertiser

Hoka One One

If you?re an adventurer who likes to get out into the mountains, you?ve probably noticed first hand that our winters are being impacted by climate change. In 2007, professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones decided to take action by founding Protect Our Winters, an organization that works to solve the global climate crisis through educational, activist and community based projects. Jeremy and other athletes, plus scientists, creatives and business leaders travel to Washington D.C. to persuade politicians to vote on legislation that will help protect our climate and preserve the most vulnerable places on the planet. On today?s episode, Shelby and Jeremy talk shop on snowboarding and outdoor adventures, as well as how he started working on the climate crisis and how you can get involved and make an impact.

Connect with Jeremy:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

Protect Our Winters CORE ACTRules For a Knight by Ethan HawkeStillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday

Episode midroll: 

Opt to Act Plan by REI

The total isolation you encounter in Antarctica can be monotonous, but the profound beauty Chris Fagan discovered there made her realize silence isn?t to be filled, it?s to be felt. With climate change threatening the possibility to explore some of the wildest places on earth, Chris Fagan and her husband Marty made a decision to leave their 12-year old son at home and break a dangerous world record by skiing across the South Pole. Her new book, ?The Expedition,? chronicles how she and her husband became the first married Americans to ski 570 miles unguided, unsupported, and unassisted to the South Pole in 2014. On today?s show, Chris and Shelby discuss why she took the journey, the many challenges she overcame, including as a middle aged woman, and she offers advice on how you can reach your own South Pole.

Connect with Chris Fagan: 

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Resources:

The ExpeditionDiva CupBreakfast Skillet Mountain HouseBrené BrownDaring Greatly by Brené BrownOpt to Act 

In the 2019 season of Wild Ideas Worth Living we dove a little deeper. Instead of just focusing on individuals, we talked about themes?mindfulness, facing fear, how to unplug, how to win an Academy Award (okay that happened after one of our guests came on the show) and so much more. Today's show is a recap of some of our best moments, advice, quotes from fan favorites, and a few outtakes.

I am also sharing some big news about the show and where Wild Ideas Worth Living is headed next (listen to the episode to find out). If you are new to this show or a seasoned fan, I think you are going to like this recap and it's a perfect taste of what we covered in 2019 and a preview of what's to come.

Thank you to all the guests for sharing your wild ideas, and thanks especially to you?the listeners?for your reviews and sharing with me in the wild ideas journey. We will be returning with new episodes and adventures in January, so be sure to hit subscribe or follow wherever you're listening so you get notified as soon as we start releasing episodes in 2020. Happy holidays and remember, the best adventures often happen when you follow your wildest ideas.

Key takeaways:

2:45 - Mindfulness expert John Allcock on what happens when you pay attention to your breath.4:00 - Danny Kim on how digital addiction shapes your behavior.5:35 - Author Bonnie Tsui shares how "fallow time" resists hustle culture.6:50 - Musician Garrett Dutton aka G. Love plays a sweet riff.7:40 - Author Karen Rinaldi on why sometimes we should be okay with mediocrity.8:45 - Swimmer/Record Breaker Kim Chambers on facing fear.10:00 - Jerry Holl's advice on getting outside your comfort zone.11:40 - Outdoor advocate/influencer Pattie Gonia on how to be radically yourself in the outdoors.14:00 - Holocaust Survivor Edith Eger's advice on the power of choice.18:05 - Tate MacDowell on setting goals and starting.

 

Melissa Hartwig Urban is the powerhouse founder of the Whole30 program which, in the last decade, has amassed a huge following and helped thousands of people reset their own health, habits, and relationship with food. The mom, author, and health and wellness advocate has also recently started spending more time in the great outdoors. Melissa is also the author the new book Whole30 Friends & Family, which helps Whole30 followers stick to the program in social settings and during the holidays.

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Mick Ebeling believes that nothing is impossible, forever. In 2009 Mick met Tempt One, a graffiti artist who had been paralyzed by ALS. Without any experience in ocular technology, Mick launched himself into a project called the EyeWriter to help Tempt communicate and draw again using his eyes. That project helped launched Not Impossible Labs, an award-winning incubator and content studio that develops creative, technology-driven solutions to real-world problems.

When it comes to recycling, it can be difficult to know what you can toss in that blue bin. Luckily, there are plenty of resources and organizations that can help you recycle properly. Helen Lowman, President & CEO of Keep America Beautiful, is here to help. Helen has had an impressive career (including working for President Obama) and is an expert on the background of the recycling industry, common recycling myths, and some tips and tricks.

Chris McDougall is the author of the bestselling books ?Born to Run? and ?Natural Born Heroes.? His new book, ?Running with Sherman,? documents the adventure of his family's adoption of a donkey named Sherman who had been neglected by an animal hoarder. Their solution to getting Sherman happy and healthy was to give him a purpose and teach him how to burro race. It's a must-read if you like animals or just want to hear an amazing story about running with donkeys, human performance, and so much m

Have you ever felt lost ? literally or metaphorically? There?s an event that happens every year, created by former rally and off-road racer Emily Miller, designed to help women have a better sense of direction on the road and in life. The Rebelle Rally is the first women?s off-road navigational rally in the United States. Emily Miller created this unique event as a platform to build skills and confidence for women and they come away wiht much more than driving and navigation skills.

REI's new podcast, Camp Monsters, tells the stories of impossible encounters with impossible creatures in the wildest corners of North America. A wolf man with bat wings thirty feet across. An enormous eel in America?s most popular lake. A frog half the size of a man. Travel the country, sit around campfires and talk about that thing that ran across the trail in the middle of the night, just beyond the beam of your flashlight. Coming to your ears October 1st.

Caroline Gleich is a professional ski mountaineer and activist who decided to use her platform as an athlete for good at the top of Mt. Everest early this summer. Her ?Climb for Equality? campaign used her 29,029-foot climb as a platform to encourage more women to take on mountains in the outdoors, the boardroom, and daily life. Caroline?s actual journey to the top is an incredible story.

Sarah Herron is a creative, filmmaker, and non-profit founder. Sarah was born without the bottom half of her left arm, a condition known as congenital limb difference. After appearing on season 17 of The Bachelor, she received an outpouring of love from women and girls with their own physical differences. Sarah then found a passion for outdoor adventure and was inspired to found SheLift, a non-profit organization aimed to help women and girls with physical differences embrace outdoor activities.

Bonnie Tsui?s essay ?You Are Doing Something Important When You Aren?t Doing Anything,? was one of the most shared stories from the New York Times on the weekend it was published earlier this summer. Bonnie?s theory behind the importance of lying fallow is one everyone can apply to their lives. Down time, or time spent not doing anything we usually think of as ?productive,? is valuable. It?s in this time that we can refuel, find inspiration, solve problems, and so much more.

Jerry Holl, Julie Hotz, and Ryan Higginbotham are three ordinary people who decided to drop everything and pursue extraordinary adventures. Each of them wanted to shake themselves free from their routines, push themselves to extremes, and become the best versions of themselves. Setting off on bike, foot, and on paddleboard to travel the length of the west coast of the U.S., these three proved that there is so much we can learn from doing something that pushes our limits in the wild.

Loveis Wise and Lisa Congdon are two visual artists who have turned their passion for art into amazing careers. Loveis is an illustrator who became the second black woman in 91 years to design a cover for the New Yorker. She takes inspiration from the outdoors and her desire to showcase people from underrepresented communities.

Lisa Congdon started pursuing art when she was in her 30s. She creates bright works of art with bold and often humorous messages that make anyone want to do something big.

When she was 13, up-and-coming pro surfer Bethany Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack. That?s just the beginning of her story. Bethany bounced back a month later and today is one of the best surfers in the world. There?s a new documentary about her story, ?Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable,? that hits theaters July 12th. The film?s director, Aaron Lieber, has found a niche making films about female surfers and was committed to telling Bethany's whole story in her own voice.

For many people, figuring out portable meals that are healthy, filling, and tasty is a challenge. For others, the prospect of bringing food on the trail is an afterthought entirely. Bon Appetit?s Brad Leone and Best Served Wild Authors Brendan Leonard and Anna Brones offer advice on how to eat well, cook well and impress friends with your campfire cooking. Don?t let food be an afterthought as you?re hitting the trails, the beach, or the mountain this year!

Can you imagine eating only what you grow or forage for an entire year? Rob Greenfield is doing just that. He?s living in a tiny house on a plot of land where he?s planted an elaborate garden in the backyard of a neighborhood where he?s also teaching others to garden. Rob goes into detail about his 200 plus days living solely off of food he?s grown or foraged himself. He also shares how you can grow your own food and reduce your environmental footprint by how you eat.

On September 2nd 2017, just east of Portland Oregon, 150 hikers were trapped behind a wall of flames created by one very bad decision, one that would lead to immense fear and loss. Wildfire, a podcast from REI Co-op, investigates the causes and repercussions of this devastating wildfire.