You’ve heard me talk about how much I love my outside community events. Maybe you want to head out for some, too. But do you know how to find them?

If you’re stuck not knowing even where to get started on learning about the fun outside things that are happening in your community, I’ve got some failure-free tips for you in this episode of Humans Outside.

Listen now — and then share your favorite way to learn what’s happening outdoors near you.

[:41] Yes, I do love it here

[:50] My very first community event (and it was cold)

[1:21] On the hunt for outdoor community fun

[2:27] Here’s the conundrum

[3:00] The first way to fix it

[3:31] The second way

[4:08] Way number three

[4:55] You have been warned about the dangers so don’t come at me

Ever wondered if it’s safe to eat those berries you see on a hike, or if there are medicinal plants hiding in plain sight? The longer you spend outside, the more you might start to wonder how to find good things to consume out there — and how to avoid the ones that might kill you.

What we all need is a little guidance. And for that we have Ebony Gheorghe, a forager focused on herbs based in the UK and author of the new book Enchanted Foraging. She teaches us why foraging creates a special connection to nature, the best way to get started without risking eating something that will definitely or even possibly kill you and few of her foraging favorites.

Listen now!

[2:55] Ebony Gheorghe’s favorite outdoor space

[3:30] Ebony’s outdoor story

[6:14] How Ebony got into foraging

[7:05] Why everyone should try foraging

[12:52] How foraging makes you appreciate food and the work of it all

[14:29] How to make foraging more accessible

[17:42] Reconnecting with nature through foraging

[25:00] How to get started foraging

[27:46] Ebony’s favorite things to forage

[34:12] Warning: it’s addictive

[36:14] Ebony’s favorite outdoor moments

It’s been *six years* since I started my daily outdoor habit, spending at least 20 consecutive minutes outside every single day, no matter what. I’ve learned countless things about myself, about the world and about how heading outside impacts me.

But the truth is there’s one big lesson I keep coming back to, and it’s the same thing I was battling the very first day I kicked off this adventure. It is without a doubt the most important, most impactful thing I’ve learned. It has, quite simply, changed my life — and it can change yours, too.

Listen now!

[:35] Happy outside anniversary to me!

[:50] What it looks like through numbers

[1:15] The story in case you forgot

[1:56] Here’s the big lesson

[2:40] Where I was reminded of all of this

[3:20] It wasn’t all roses, but also it was

[3:30] It’s always worth it, for real

[3:50] When I self-limiting, I am limited

It’s something I’ve noticed over and over again: the more bold steps I take outside, the more life adventures I’m willing to tackle in my home and work life.

That’s a theme Shelby Stanger has heard over and over again from guests she interviews on REI’s Wild Ideas Worth Living podcast and something she experienced in her own life. It’s also the theme of her new book, “Will to Wild: Adventures Great and Small to Change Your Life.”

But what is the will to wild? How do you find it and how do you chase it? Is it something that can be gained only by the super outdoorsy or those privileged enough to spend lots of time outside?

Shelby tackles those questions and more in this exciting episode of Humans Outside. Listen now!

[2:08] Shelby’s favorite outdoor space

[4:13] How Shelby became someone who likes to go outside

[9:17] What is the ‘will to wild?’

[10:40] What this is all really, actually about

[13:18] What’s happening out there

[18:01] An example from here in Alaska

[20:35] Hello! Register for Ski Babes!!

[22:30] The biggest limiter

[25:11] How to get over that limiter

[28:54] Is the will to wild a matter of privilege?

[32:42] A few times others’ wild ideas got Shelby out there

[35:37] The truth of JOMO

[38:38] Steps for chasing wild ideas

[41:19] Shelby’s favorite outdoor moment

Outdoor Diary: What I Find By Using Community Events to Get Outside

It can be tempting to think about getting outside as focused on just naturey-nature. But what about going out around other people? What about the benefits of community events?

Heading outside to experience community can bring a whole host of useful impacts, all based in the glorious space created by the great outdoors. For me they include inspiration, encouragement, joy and belonging.

Why is that true and how can you find it? Listen now.

[:32] How did I get started there anyway?

[:53] Here’s why it’s so great

[1:30] A little Monday commitment

[2:15] Just a few of the things that community brings

[2:30] And yes this is true for an introvert, too.

[3:15] Contagious joy

[3:30] Here’s my theory about space

[3:55] How this expands my definition of nature

[4:16] Also a sense of belonging

FOLLOW US

FEATURED POSTS