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.
If the weather outside is frightful or simply not delightful, how do you make yourself go outside anyway? What’s the trick for getting past the discomfort and I-don’t-want-to so you can experience what nature has to offer even in bad weather?
I lean on two tools to help me — and you can lean on them, too. Learn how in this episode. Listen now.
[:35] Yes, it really is hard out there
[2:00] So how do we make ourselves go out?
[2:57] Here are two tools
[3:29] First tool: gear
[4:02] Second tool: a plan
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:
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.
[3:33] Vedia Barnett’s favorite outdoor space
[4:01] Vedia’s outdoor story
[4:40] About Vedia’s military service
[6:18] Yes, to join the military, she really did have to sign over custody of her son
[9:08] Vedia’s work with veterans
[11:06] How does going outside help veterans?
[14:06] Why a sense of belonging matters outside
[16:44] Do military veterans experience healing outdoors differently from other people?
[20:03] All about Black Vets Outdoors
[22:38] Why outdoor affinity groups are important
[25:00] Simply finding outdoor joy
[29:02] How spending time outside impacts the Black veteran community, specifically
[32:00] The impact of historic trauma
[35:18] How Black vets can access the group and how allies can help
[43:12] Vedia’s favorite outdoor moment
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When everything is cold, and drab and just not that great outside, are you able to find the small wonders in nature?
It’s that time of year when things aren’t exactly lovely or pleasant all the time, and hunting for the good takes some work and some practice. It also takes understanding that the small wonders aren’t going to be predictable — you’re going to have to work for them.
So how do you make that happen? Learn how I’m doing it for myself in this episode. Listen now.
[:53] No, I really am ridiculous about my habits
[1:36] But heading outside has shown me this
[2:06] Why October is terrible
[2:25] How finding the small daily wonders changes my outlook
[3:14] And then there are the bigger wonders
[4:03] Take the time for this
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:
And yet wilderness isn’t just about physical landscapes, Jon says. Learn why in this fascinating conversation. Listen now!
[2:26] Jon Waterman’s favorite outdoor space
[3:35] How Jon became someone who likes to go outside
[6:26] Why Alaska is special to Jon
[7:06] Why wilderness matters
[10:36] What is wilderness, anyway?
[14:02] Did he leave anything out of the book?
[16:59] Did he almost skip including anything because it’s just too special to him?
[22:22] Why going to wilderness is important
[28:30] How to get yourself into wilderness
[35:20] Why easy-access places are important, too
[37:22] Jon’s favorite outdoor moment
When you love a daily schedule as much as I do, it can feel very risky to just drop what you’re doing and chase a last-minute outdoor adventure. But sometimes that’s just what the weather, conditions or mood calls for. And whether I seize the day or walk by the opportunity is up to me
I want to be someone who lives in the moment, knowing that I really do have time for outdoor adventures when they come calling. But was it so hard to remember that I do? And what happens when I step outside my comfort zone and go for it?
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] It’s “drop everything” conditions time
[2:04] Here are a bunch of reasons why I can’t drop everything (actually they’re excuses)
[3:09] A little bit about Nordic ice skating
[5:00] And then I did drop everything and go … twice
[6:41] Here’s a few things I learned in the process
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