Until next time, we’ll see you out there (Outdoor Diary)
May 30, 2024
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
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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.
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With my unexpectedly dangerous and near-disaster Grand Canyon hike two weeks in the rearview, I’ve been surprised by how raw I still feel, especially when it comes to facing discomfort outside near my house.
Is it normal to feel like this after a big scare? And why is it happening?
If you missed the recap of my dangerous (and dramatic) Grand Canyon rim-to-rim adventure, you can hear it here — plus I have a very important but easy thing that I really need your help with.
Hear it all in this episode of Humans Outside. Listen now.
[:35] It’s been two weeks since the canyon and I’m still feeling like this
[:46] First a short recap of what happened
[2:26] A thing I really do need your help with, pretty please
[4:01] I’m still feeling raw and here’s why
[5:15] This is a human thing, and I’m good with that
[6:05] Here’s your permission to experience this human thing, too
[7:04] No, but really please rate and review! Help a friend out.
The modern world is designed to make us continually chase more, more, more — more stuff, more entertainment, more ease. But what if by realizing the triggers that feed into that more-ness you could not just break the cycle, but use it to make your life better, more fulfilling and have more time to do what you like, such as getting outside?
The pattern that feeds into the more-ness is the subject of Michael Easter’s new book “Scarcity Brain.” After joining us in 2021 to talk about his book “The Comfort Crises,” he’s back to help us learn how to break out of the scarcity loop and instead move into a pattern of abundance.
In this episode you’ll hear:
- All about “scarcity brain”
- How to break the scarcity loop by heading outside
- How to find an abundance loop instead
Listen now!
[3:46] Michael Easter’s favorite outdoor space
[5:12] How Michael became someone who likes to go outside
[7:16] What is scarcity brain?
[11:53] Examples of scarcity loop in real life
[18:35] Shame and the scarcity loop
[20:37] What does an abundance loop?
[22:48] How to break the scarcity loop
[25:34] Why outside is great for this
[28:01] Ways Michael chooses abundance
[30:31] How it felt getting this secret out
[32:35] The connection between scarcity brain and getting uncomfortable
[36:30] Michael’s favorite outdoor moment
You’ve been wondering what happened on the Grand Canyon trail that made it so hard to talk about.
Now, after sitting with the story for more than a week, I’m ready to talk about it. Here’s what went wrong, what I wish I had done differently beforehand and how we can all avoid being part of what causes this kind of problem in the future.
Spoiler alert: honesty is the best policy — with yourself and with others.
Hear the whole story — or at least my side of it. Listen now.
[:35] I wish this story was about something different
[1:50] Here’s what you need to know about the canyon hike
[3:10] Here’s what training is for
[4:21] How our hike was set-up — and what I should’ve known in advance
[7:35] Here’s where things started getting very dangerous
[9:26] Finished at last
[9:40] The aftermath
[10:38] Two important lessons here
What happens when you mix a real, no kidding fear of going outside, a comedian, sharp wit and a no holds barred look at what’s really going on with outdoor recreation gate-keeping? You get an honest, hilarious and confronting look at what heading outside means in America — and how you can change that.
That’s the theme of Ivy Le’s narrative Spotify podcast FOGO, or Fear of Going Outside. Unlike basically every other guest I’ve ever had on Humans Outside, Ivy is definitely not outdoor-minded. But after trying outdoor stuff including camping and hunting, she’s got some takeaways to share that we all need to hear.
Maybe the AI tool I use to help me with show notes says it best (or at least funniest). According to that tool, in this episode you’ll hear about:
- The anecdote for attracting attention in a state park.
- Challenging traditional ideas of camping and encouraging exploration for people of color.
- Ivy’s difficulty finding a nature store and going to REI instead.
- Acceptance of rats in New York City as sentient neighbors.
(OK, this AI tool is fired — but you’re intrigued, aren’t you?)
Want to know what those takeaways have to do with anything? Listen now!
[2:32] Wherein we bond over plumbing
[3:48] Ivy’s favorite outdoor space
[5:17] Making a show about going outside when you hate going outside
[8:19] Did she find anything outside she actually likes?
[10:30] When REI is something happens to you
[13:30] The stuff she had to overcome to get out there
[23:08] What has to happen to making getting outside less hard
[27:08] Yes, she really tried hunting. Here’s what happened.
[35:43] What’s really going on in the outdoor industry
[42:19] Ivy’s favorite outdoor moment, and she does actually have one.
The changing leaves and crisper air has me a little moody as I feel the last wisps of sunny weather and sunshine moving out of my grasp. I can be sad — and believe me, I am.
But what happens if, instead, I’m excited? And how can a simple change in terminology change my perspective?
Consider this: instead of looking at the changes as a “termination” of what you love, look at them as a “anticipation” of what’s to come.
Here’s how that’s changing my mood. Listen now!
[:35] It’s that time again whether you like it or not
[:50] Here are some of the symptoms
[1:19] A little terminology
[1:39] Followed by a shift in perspective
[2:36] Here are just some of the things I like
[3:26] No, I actually am excited
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FEATURED POSTS
The power of ‘yes’ and following your gut to outdoor adventures (Mimi Zieman, author, doctor and outdoor adventurer)
May 23, 2024
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
This is the best gift of my outdoor habit (Outdoor Diary)
May 21, 2024
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