Outdoor Minimalist

In episode 144 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we return to the ever-popular topic of personal hygiene on the trail! One of our most popular episodes to this day is episode 17: Pee Rags, Menstrual Cups, and More with the menstrual cycle queen herself, Angie Marie.  In this episode, we are building on our backcountry hygiene knowledge, focusing on how we manage our waste, including disposable fe...

In this episode, we explore climate change issues and practical steps you can take to reduce your environmental impact as we wrap up Plastic Free July. Tickborne Illnesses We revisit the topic of tickborne diseases, which are becoming more prevalent due to climate change. We’re joined by Dr. Gary Richter, a renowned veterinarian, who shares tips on protecting pets from ticks and fleas. Read more a...

Fish fanatics – this one is for you!  In episode 143 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we examine the fishing industry's operations in depth and help answer the question of whether wild-caught fish is the healthiest and most sustainable option.  Since I haven't eaten fish for most of my life, I am far from an expert on this topic. That's why I was stoked to learn from Adra Kusnirova. ...

In episode 142, I am excited to introduce the topic of AI to the show. Technology plays a massive role in our daily lives, but also in shaping the outdoor industry and our experiences with the natural world.  With AI applications on the rise, there are many ways that AI can be detrimental to the environment as well as to our interpretation of the world and art. I will eventually do an episode on t...

When West Virginia broke away from Virginia in 1861 at the start of the American Civil War, its founders did not agree upon the Confederacy or the role of the state in the war. They were, however, united in their interests around the extraction and exploitation of the rich resources of the state – predominantly coal and timber – what would prove to be the dominant theme throughout the history of W...

There is wonder in storytelling, whether through words, film, photography, music, dance, or painting. Any form of art requires a deep wonder and admiration for the subject or muse. Growing up in a world plagued by a climate crisis, though, there is immense worry.  So, how can we grapple with the wonder and the worry within our world of telling stories? For episode 141 of the Outdoor Minimalist pod...

In episode 140, we enter bear country. Now, we’ve talked about bears on the show before with bear biologist Garret Tovey ( Episode 85 ). That episode is a must-listen if you are planning to enter the bear country and want to know some practical bear safety tips.  In this episode, we sit down with another bear biologist, but this time have a chance to hear about the bigger picture of bear conservat...

In this edition of In the News, we cover: 1. Why climate protesters painted Stonehenge and why you should pay attention Inspo: https://www.tiktok.com/@liloceanpaige/video/7383069081353604383Sources:https://youtu.be/IOsPJcWlqo4?si=1pRyaj6PSwieLXxD https://www.renewablematter.eu/en/amoc-collapse-consequenceshttps://apnews.com/article/stonehenge-vandalism-paint-climate-protest-summer-solstice-34d7591...

I was chatting with my brother, who is also the audio producer of this podcast, and I mentioned how we have a surprising number of anglers who listen to the show and interact with our content on social media, including YouTube.  While I was surprised, he said, “Well, maybe it is because they see all of the pollution and direct impact of the littering and waste while they’re outside just trying to...

Let’s be real: zero waste is super hard to achieve. I myself will likely never be truly zero waste, but much like minimalism, I see zero waste as more of a journey than an endpoint.  Several years ago, I came across a Facebook group called “Zero Waste, Zero Judgement." The name itself drew me in, and I decided to join. While I am no longer on Facebook, or at least I’m not at the time of this...

If you listen to this podcast, I assume you love outdoor adventure and travel. Although we may love to visit new places and schedule new adventures each year, it’s no secret that traveling is not sustainable.  So, in episode 137 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we answer the question: if travel isn’t sustainable, should we stop doing it?  To help us answer this question and how we can maximize t...

In episode 136 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we are tackling the highly requested topic of Down insulation.  If you remember, back in episode 101 we spoke with Mike Somberby from Duckworth about how ethical and sustainable wool production actually is. Well, today, we take a similar approach to learn about down insulation.  And to all of our vegan listeners: be ready for what you learn, becaus...

In episode 135 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, packaging design takes center stage.  Packaging is often at the top of many consumers' minds regarding waste, and we've discussed what goes into changing packaging, the issues with plastics and compostables, and how companies can reduce their packaging altogether. But today, we're critically examining one type of packaging often hailed...

In episode 134, we explore a new topic on the show: impact investing. In one of the very first episodes of this podcast, we discussed how living sustainably can actually save you money, but what are you actually doing with the money you save? Investing can be a big undertaking and is a topic that many people often avoid (me included). But aligning investments with my values instead of investing in...

In episode 133 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we explore some root concepts of minimalism: mindfulness.  I’ve wanted to explore more topics regarding mindfulness on the show, so when I learned about Manduka’s company story and dedication to bringing mindfulness to the masses, I knew I had to learn more.  Joining me in today’s conversation, I had the pleasure of learning from the CEO of Manduka...

In this special bonus episode, Maggie Peikon, manager of communication for American Hiking Society, is joining me to invite trail users across the country to celebrate the 32nd annual National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1st.  From trail stewardship activities, to group hikes, paddles, trail runs, and more, there's so many ways to celebrate the trails with your community. INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In episode 132 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we finally enter the world of snowsports and skiing with one of America's skiing legends, Ted Ligety.  Ted Ligety is one of America's greatest ski racers of all time. The two-time Olympic Champion revolutionized ski racing as an athlete. Now, he's taking that energy, meticulous approach to craft, and ability to assess risk into a new ve...

Throughout this ten-part series, scientists, lawyers, advocates, and product producers all weighed in on our worldwide PFAS problem. While, yes, we have come a long way in understanding the scope of the issue and began moving away from PFAS, at least in the outdoor industry, many questions still remain.  One of the primary questions is, what should we do with all the old PFAS already in the enviro...

In episode 131, we dive even deeper into how becoming a mother can influence the importance of nature in our lives. More specifically, my guest, Madelaine Anderson, shares her journey of navigating postpartum depression and anxiety during a global pandemic and how nature helped her discover joy and healing through difficult seasons.  As the co-founder and creative director of Talus Films and the c...

Throughout this series, we’ve learned not only about how harmful PFAS is as a class of chemicals but also what the outdoor industry is doing to address the issue. While we may have started too late, we are on the right track now, but the work is far from over.  Guests featured in this episode: - Alex Lauver, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Outdoor Research⁠⁠⁠ - James Pollock, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Marten Law LLP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Mike Schade, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠...

In episode 130 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we introduce the idea of Culinary Conservation. Forewarning: if you haven’t eaten or are hungry now, you’ll be starving by the end of this episode.  I had the pleasure of sitting down with Justin Townsend to explore the wonders of culinary conservation and discuss his view of ethical hunting and foraging practices.  Justin, a tribal member of the C...

Celebrate this Earth Day by getting outside and following the Leave No Trace seven principles.  Earth Day  is the perfect opportunity to enjoy our planet’s beauty, while considering how to preserve it for generations to come. As part of this effort, NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) trains casual adventurers and park rangers alike in the 7 principles of Leave No Trace to minimize our impac...

It seems that many brands are moving in the right direction in terms of phasing PFAS out of their products, but one of the many aspects complicating this process is the potential for contamination. In this episode, we hear directly from leading outdoor industry brands like Keen, Outdoor Research, Fjallraven, and Houdini Sportswear alongside scientists and environmental epidemiologists about how an...

In episode 129 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we return to a highly requested topic area on the show: product packaging.  By now, we all know that plastic is a problem, but what are the alternatives? And how can we as consumers really know if other single-use packaging options are as green as they say they are?  Well, we answer those questions and many more with the founder of SOFi Products, B...

As we learned in earlier episodes, phase-out and regulatory efforts for PFAS were not swift, and they certainly are not complete. However, because of the recent regulatory changes on consumer goods, specifically in California, many US-based outdoor brands and chemical companies have finally committed to removing PFAS from their products.  Guests featured in this episode: - Greg Brietmier, ⁠Mystery...