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.
Tackling big challenges outside offers plenty of opportunities to learn big lessons. But this one? This takeaway is something I am going to be able to leverage for every outdoor experience. It all started with some insight from a Humans Outside podcast guest and became crystal clear during a recent big adventure on a very windy mountain run. So what’s the lesson and how can it help you? Listen now.
[:58] What is the most important thing I’ve learned?
[1:05] Woooooo, nervous system
[1:20] Sarah Histand, master of this topic, so check her out
[1:45] The secret power of your nervous system
[2:00] All the ways you might hear your nervous system talking
[2:40] Training your nervous system
[3:00] The fun words: titration and pendulation
[3:30] How this lesson helped me.
[3:50] The most important part of this lesson
[4:20] A reason example of this particular learning
[4:30] All about the Crazy Lazy Mountain Race and exactly how crazy it was
[6:12] The moment my nervous system left the party
[6:45] Why this understanding matters
[7:25] How this might apply to you even if you’re not on Lazy Mountain in big wind
How does spending time outside impact or help humans who are tackling life with various forms of neurodivergence or with an autism diagnosis? Dad and daughter duo Ian and Eve Alderman, who share both an autism diagnosis and a love of hiking, are navigating the world – literally – one hike at a time. With the support of mom Sarah, the Scotland-based family is teaching Eve to pair her unique abilities with the wide-world by doing long hiking projects for charity.
In this episode Ian takes a break from the trail to talk about their adventures, how spending time outside aids them on their life journey, and what other humans both neuronormative and neurodivergent may be able to find by spending more time outside.
[2:58] Ian Alderman’s favorite outdoor space
[3:44] All about Ian’s family and their outdoor story
[8:13] What autism looks like for Eve (age 9) and Ian
[12:09] How spending time outside helps Eve
[17:18] How they handle Eve’s schooling while hiking full time
[22:40] All about this year’s hiking project
[24:02] Hiking for charity
[28:13] What working through nature has taught Ian about his own autism
[31:55] Feeling vulnerable in nature and why that’s everyone
[32:33] What humans can find by going outside
[36:24] How listeners can support Ian and Eve
[37:37] Ian’s favorite outdoor moments
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Buy Ian and Eve a coffee (or hot chocolate!)
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Support Scottish Autism through Just Giving
Support Scottish Autism through GoFundMe
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
If getting excited about spring weather despite all of its unpredictability makes me a fool, then so be it. But while the uncertainty of spring can be exasperating, it also carries some important reminders that can help you lean into making the most of it, other seasons — both outside and inside — and events outside your control.
Ready to be a fool for spring, too? Listen now.
[:35] Spring is, well, a little dramatic
[1:05] 45 winters and springs and their names (not really)
[1:50] I am a fool and I like it
[2:30] The reminders of spring drama
[2:49] Living with flexibility due to lack of other options
[3:35] The seizing the day of the winter
[4:00] The power of understanding that seasons change
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
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
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