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.
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
I can hardly believe it: I am hitting 2,000 days in a row of my outdoor habit. That’s 2,000 days of spending at least 20 consecutive minutes outside every single day, no matter the weather.
So what have I learned over 2,000 days? Unlike my 1,000 day mark, my 2,000th day is in the dead of winter. That means my three 2,000th day lessons are winter lessons — and they look a little different than the lessons found during the good summer weather.
[:35] Celebrating 2,000 days of my outdoor habit
[:48] It wasn’t exactly the goal
[1:06] This isn’t at all like my 1,000th day outside
[1:33] The difference between the things you learn
[2:00] What the lessons of other anniversaries show — and how this is different
[2:30] Lesson one: Knowing I can do hard things
[3:18] Lesson two: “I live in abundance”
[4:06] Lesson three: knowing the value of taking it slow
[5:07] How I’m marking 2,000 days outside
What would happen if you made room each week for one big adventure and one little adventure?
It’s a pretty simple concept: each week, purposefully do one small out of the ordinary, a “little adventure,” and one thing bigger that might take up to several hours, a “big adventure.” They don’t have to be outside. But they certainly can be.
In this episode Amy explains how she’s taking on the challenge, presented in Laura Vanderkam’s recent book Tranquility by Tuesday, how she’s tackling it, a unique spin she’s trying to put on it and the challenges and benefits of doing so. Listen now.
[:45] A little bit about Tranquility by Tuesday
[1:15] All about one big adventure, one little adventure
[2:10] Why I like this idea
[2:52] How this concept looks for me
[3:50] An expanded adventure idea
[4:40] A quick caveat about this
[4:55] My recent really big adventure
[6:30] A snowboard revelation
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
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
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