They say spending time in nature can change your life. But in a world packed with indoor life pressures, how can you make getting outside just a part of who you are?
Welcome to the Humans Outside podcast, where we explore life in the great outdoors from our perch in Alaska, all while hearing from fascinating outdoor-minded guests.
We spend a lot of time talking about the act, art and benefits of connecting with nature. But what about connecting with the humans who live on the land? What about seeing and being seen no matter where you are or what kind of nature you call home?
Travel photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström has made a career of creating connections with the landscape, land and culture through portraiture of humans around the world. Born in Nigeria and now living in Sweden, Lola has a deep understanding of connecting with other humans because of the way she shares their experiences.
In this episode Lola talks about what she has personally learned through travel photography, what it’s like to make excellent portraits around the world and how you can find those same connections, too. Listen now.
[3:16] How Lola Akinmade Åkerström became someone who likes to go outside
[4:04] Lola’s outdoor story
[8:21] The kinds of photos Lola loves to make
[10:59] Lola’s books
[13:00] Life as a GIS scientist and how it translates to travel
[15:58] Her country tally and why it doesn’t matter
[17:58] The meaninglessness of borders and the importance of humans
[21:07] Why the connection of humans to seasons matters
[26:27] How she’s learned about people and culture
[28:45] How you can lean into that cultural connection
[30:43] What the shame cycle has to do with it
[33:31] The barriers, access and connection brought by being a Black woman
[37:30] Lola’s favorite outdoor moment
When I started my outdoor habit it was because I needed a way to push myself outside daily, no matter what. But over those more than 2,000 days I have discovered facets that are especially meaningful to me. Listen now.
[:35] Why I first started my outdoor habit
[1:00] Taking photos daily is a good try
[1:40] Things I love about my outdoor habit
[2:00] The favorite of a zillion new hobbies
[3:24] The favorite of new friends
[4:46] The thing I love the very most about my outdoor habit
Do you head outside for your mind, body, spirit — or all three? And when you’re out there, do you find there’s one specific activity or facet that is simply your favorite? That really moves you — literally or figuratively? That heals whatever part of you is feeling the most neglected today?
Tammah Watts followed a bird from her kitchen window while she was working on ways to physically heal. But what she found through bird watching is so much more. So what can a little connection with birds do for you? Listen now to find out.
[2:38] Tammah Watt’s favorite outdoor space
[5:30] How Tammah became someone who likes to go outside
[6:50] How Tammah became a birder
[11:33] How this is sort of like The Secret Garden
[14:22] The difference between birding and birdwatching and is there one?
[19:29] What intentionality has to do with it
[22:29] Why birding is healing to Tammah
[25:44] Why birds are easier for this connection than mountains or trees
[29:32] How birds can lead to mindfulness
[35:44] Why birding is so hot right now
[38:30] Tammah’s favorite outdoor moment
As the weather changes outside and one season starts to become another, it’s a good time to think about what happens when seasons change for humans. I don’t mean the outdoor seasons — but those count, too. I mean the seasons of humans, that it’s OK to change over time and what happens when you lean into the changing instead of resisting them.
Listen now!
[:40] Lessons from a coworker
[1:10] A changing of actual seasons
[1:35] Reminder on a sticky note
[2:00] Hints of spring in the air
[2:30] Fake news weather
[2:40] Seasons even when they aren’t dramatic
[3:13] Seasons just happen
[3:30] What happens when we resist actual seasons
[3:50] What happens when humans have seasons, too.
[4:20] It’s probably going to be OK
Curious about dog mushing? You’re in good company. Dog racing, known as mushing, is one of the many sports that draws tourists and lures enthusiasts to live in Alaska. But not everyone who mushes is a pro-racer tackling the Iditarod or keeping a huge yard of sled dogs. The north and Alaska are full of amateur racers who take on the sport because they both love dogs and the time in nature running a sled and dog teams brings.
In this episode Sarah Varland, an author, high school English teacher and amateur musher gives us the inside scoop on dog mushing, why she loves it and how it connects her to the world. Listen now.
[3:49] Sarah Varland’s favorite outdoor space
[4:53] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside
[6:59] About Sarah’s writing and how going outside impacts it
[9:26] The basics of dog mushing and dog racing
[12:28] How Sarah got into dog racing
[14:36] What is mushing like?
[17:11] Is there “flow” when mushing?
[19:04] Top secret musher math
[23:05] What do sled dogs actually look like?
[24:41] What happens when a dog doesn’t want to work or pull?
[26:41] Is mushing and dog racing cruel to the dogs?
[29:22] What does dog racing cost?
[30:35] What dog mushing teaches Sarah about herself
[35:45] What dog mushing teaches Sarah about her faith?
[39:03] How to learn more about mushing if you’re interested or want to try it
[41:08] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. The following is an edited transcript of this episode of Humans
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. The following is an edited transcript of this episode of Humans
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. The following is an edited transcript of this episode