Podcast

Learning how to stay warm and, therefore, comfortable in cold weather can be the difference between a great outdoor experience and one you never, ever want to have again.

And while so much of the “what” of the clothing that you wear outside will be based on your own personal preferences and needs (helpful, right?), there are some basic building blocks that you can lean on to get started.

Enter the mysterious yet necessary “base layer.”

What do you need to know about picking a great base layer? What kind of fabric and fit should you look for? What goes on top of it? And why do some outdoor adventure clothes cost so much?

In this episode Jen Loofbouroow, founder of the outdoor apparel company Alpine Fit, tells us all of the secrets to layering, gives her best tips for staying warm and happy during any outside adventure and walks us through what we need to know about getting dressed for cold weather.

Listen now!

There’s pushing yourself to chase big goals outside because it’s something you want to do — and then there’s doing it because someone else can’t.

When Laura Carney found her dad’s unfinished bucket list years after his tragic death, she knew completing it wasn’t just a fun sounding idea — it was something she absolutely had to do. And since many of the list items were outdoor activities, that meant digging deep to find the courage to step outside her comfort zone and tackle a series of crazy. Impossible-sounding tasks.

What she learned on her journey to finishing his list for him goes beyond just self-discovery or liking new hobbies. The courage and insight she found through her time outside is fueling her life today — and can inspire you to chase big dreams, too.

Don’t miss this excellent and inspiring episode with Laura. Listen now.

We know heading outside helps us all sort through the junk of life — a tough day, actual trauma, relationships, whatever. And veterans know spending time in nature also has special power over the wounds of military service.

For Vedia Barnett, a disabled Black Air Force veteran and founder of the nonprofit organization Black Vets Outdoors, spending time outside has extra power. She’s seen it work to heal the double trauma carried by those who carry both the burden of military service and the weight of racism. In this episode she talks about:

• Creating a sense of belonging outdoors
• Why reaching out and supporting Black veterans is important
• The power of heading outside for everyone

Join us as we explore the transformative impact of nature on veterans, the incredible resilience and camaraderie found within veteran-led groups like Vedia’s — and how you can make an impact for them, too.

What is it about wilderness that draws us? And how do you find wilderness wherever you are?

Those are just two of the questions Jon Waterman, an author and adventurer best known for his work around Denali, the highest mountain in North America, tackles within the pages of his gorgeous new table-top book from National Geographic, Atlas of North America.

But this book sparks more than just awe for the wilds across the nation. In this episode Jon takes us on a journey through:

• The evolving definition of wilderness
• Why that definition and those places matter
• How we can experience the true essence of wild places

And yet wilderness isn’t just about physical landscapes, Jon says. Learn why in this fascinating conversation. Listen now!