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.
What if instead of a “to do” list you made the opposite: a “not to do” list? Coming up with the things that should go on it is an exercise in self-awareness and the gift of perspective. And where can you really find that? Outside, of course! In this episode Amy discusses how she developed her “not to do” list and why heading into nature helped her make it happen.
[:59] Why this matters
[1:05] A little bit of background
[2:15] The magic of unplugging trips
[2:45] My love of “to do” lists
[3:18] What is a “not to do” list?
[4:00] What belongs on a “not to do” list
[4:25] How I created my list
[4:45] Some stuff Im not going to do anymore
[5:40] What belongs on your list?
It took months of planning, but Amy and her family headed out for a three-day, totally unplugged adventure in a dream Alaska spot: a wild lagoon off the coast in an Alaska State Park. From otters to birdsong, kayak trips to perhaps too many days without a shower, this adventure was a picturesque keeper in Halibut Cove Lagoon of Kachemak Bay State Park. Listen now.
[:45] An important question
[:55] Why we were MIA
[1:25] All the planning for this
[2:00] How we got there and tide problems
[3:05] About the public use cabins in Alaska
[3:45] About the Halibut Cove Lagoon Overlook Cabin
[4:12] Here’s something weird about this place
[4:45] Wildlife center and some wildlife sounds for you
[5:50] What we did out there
[6:05] The 3-Day Effect and how to learn more about that
[6:50] Why these trips matter for me
Happy solstice! Summer solstice is a big deal in Alaska where there’s plenty of reason to celebrate the endless light. But midnight sun is not why Amy celebrates it, exactly. In this episode Amy talks about why the solstice is important to her — and what she doesn’t do on it.
[:45] The first thing you need to know
[1:00] What this means for endless light
[1:35] What I mean when I say I celebrate summer solstice
[2:28] Why I celebrate these things
[2:50] What the solstice means to me
[3:00] (Am I old?!)
[3:20] The patterns it brings
You know how much Amy loves her small town and all the festivals and outdoor events it hosts. Thanks to one of the annual summer festivals, she’s been thinking about the ways nature creates a sense of place, and why that matters to her.
[:45] The place understanding created by going outside
[:55] A reminder that I love where I live (as if you forgot)
[1:39] Why a sense of place matters
[1:55] Lessons from a morning in town
[2:28] What other people have to do with this
[2:53] The emotional connection to the changes of nature
[3:40] The appreciation that drives it
[4:10] The safety of pattern
[4:30] The recent festival that was a reminder of all this
If your summer is heating up, you might be tempted to hide out in your cool and comfortable house instead of going outside. But just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean you can’t head into nature and have a great time. You just need the tools and tips to make it happen.
And then there’s the kind of heat you’re dealing with. Hot and humid is one thing, but what about hot and dry? Since dealing with those different kinds of summer heat can utilize different tricks, we’ve split this subject into two episodes: one on hot and dry and one on hot and humid.
In this episode Cassidy Feltenberger, an outdoor enthusiast who loves to play in the desert, shares her best tips for getting outside safely and comfortably in the dry, baking heat.
[3:00] Cassidy Feltenberger’s favorite outdoor space
[4:09] How Cassidy became someone who likes to go outside
[6:15] How she learned to go outside in the heat
[7:45] How do you get used to it?
[13:07] What to wear in the heat
[16:15] But does anyone actually use the zip-off pant part?
[18:49] Making hot weather pants multi-season
[23:28] All about sunburns
[26:49] Hydrating and more
[31:33] All about the good snacks
[33:21] Keeping busy in the heat
[37:15] Secret sunscreen tip
[40:44] Cassidy’s favorite outdoor gear
[41:53] Cassidy’s favorite outdoor moment
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