By Land Podcast

Text the show! Nina Banducci from Polarsteps joins the podcast to talk about something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately; how we document our lives and why social media doesn’t always feel like the right way to do it. We discuss the trending shift away from performative platforms like Instagram and why more people are craving something more personal and meaningful when it comes to capturing th...

Text the show! In this episode, I sit down with Tia Banks, a former professional athlete turned mountaineer, resilience expert, and motivational speaker. Tia’s journey is one of resilience, self-discovery, and mental toughness, and in our conversation, she shares how learning to manage setbacks helped her transition into a new passion.  From growing up in Nebraska to inspiring thousands through he...

Text the show! In this episode, I sit down with Tayson Whittaker, founder of Outdoor Vitals, to dive deep into fastpacking—what it is, why it works when time is tight, and how to cover more ground in less time. Whether you’re a backpacker looking to move faster and lighter, or someone trying to maximize limited time on the trail, this episode is packed with tons of insights on how to make fastpack...

Text the show! In this episode of the By Land Podcast , I sit down with Bria Ruben, co-founder of Ruck Evolution, to explore the benefits of rucking—a simple yet powerful way to build fitness, mental resilience, and community. Rucking is walking with weight, and it’s one of the most accessible, low-impact ways to increase endurance and strength.   Bria shares how she discovered rucking, why it bec...

Text the show! In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Timm, founder of Seek Outside, to discuss the intersection of hunting, backpacking, and innovation in outdoor gear design. Kevin shares his thoughts on bridging the divide between recreational users and hunters, the role of durability in product design, and the stories behind Seek Outside's tents and backpacks. We dive into the evolution o...

Text the show! In this episode, I sit down with Chad to dive into his journey from a beginner hiker to a seasoned thru-hiker, ultra-runner, and outdoor content creator. We explore the moments that shaped his path, including his first 100-mile hike, overcoming mental and physical challenges, and his leap from a 9-to-5 job to full-time content creation. Chad shares his insights on balancing passion...

Text the show! Acclaimed author Kevin Fedarko, joins the podcast to discuss his new book, A Walk in the Park , which details the epic journey he took across the length of the Grand Canyon. Kevin reflects on the grueling physical and emotional challenges he and his hiking partner, Pete McBride, faced and how the landscape humbled them. He shares the powerful lessons learned from the wilderness and...

Text the show! Alex Rich of Mystery Ranch shares his journey from the production floor to the design team, where he now focuses on creating outdoor and hunting gear that prioritizes load carriage and comfort. We dive into the brand's unique approach to pack design, including the revolutionary overload system, which allows users to carry heavy loads more efficiently. Our conversation then turn...

Text the show! Andrew Cottrell is the lead designer of the Radix series of backpacks at Mystery Ranch, an innovative line of ultralight backpacks that combines comfort, durability, and weight-saving features. Andrew shares insights into his hands-on approach to design, the importance of balancing load-carrying capacity with ultralight performance, and how the right gear can impact a hiker’s endura...

Text the show! Barefoot Ted is widely known for his role in the book Born to Run, but that's just a small part of who he is. In this episode, Ted discusses his approach to life and how to maintain a regular connection with the flow state in everyday life. Show Notes and Links The Connection Between Movement, Music, and Ideas Barefoot Running and the Rediscovery of Natural Movement The Philoso...

Text the show! Jack McClure and his wife hiked southbound on the PCT in 2023 with their 9-month-old baby and joins the show to share their journey and lessons learned along the way.  We discuss what life is like as a SOBO, preparing for the hike, relationship challenges along the way, hitting the SOS button, and what it all means in the end.  Show Notes and Links Preparing for the PCT with a Baby...

Text the show! Will Cockrell joins the podcast to discuss his recently published book detailing the history of Mount Everest, his perspective on the draw of mountaineering, and the connection between suffering and achievement.  Will also explains the need to tell the full story of Everest, as well as the misconceptions and negative narratives surrounding the mountain. He challenges the idea of who...

Text the show! Brad Brooks joins the podcast to compare notes on our recent backpacking trips with our kids and discuss the importance of exposing children to the outdoors. We share our experiences and challenges while planning and executing our trips, emphasizing the value of involving children in the decision-making process and building their confidence in doing hard things. We also discuss the...

Text the show! Aaron Owens runs “Backcountry Foodie,” a one-stop shop for backpackers and long-distance hikers who want to level up their food game in the backcountry.  From ultra-light food recipes and meal planners to a robust calorie calculator and resupply service, Aaron has you covered.  She loves backcountry food so much that she’ll even pack your food bag for you and ship it to your home so...

Text the show! Robbie Kroger of Blood Origins joins the show to discuss the complex relationship between hunting and conservation.   We cover a range of topics, including the reintroduction of wolves, the function of wetlands, what would happen if we stopped hunting altogether, and finally, the impact social media has had on hunting.  We also discuss the responsibilities brands have in shaping nar...

Text the show! Janelle Smith is the strategic communications team lead at rec.gov and is responsible for spreading the word about the myriad of offerings the platform has for outdoor enthusiasts.  As the summer season approaches, many of us are deep in the planning mode for camping trips, making this conversation with Janelle and her team a no-brainer. If you're not yet familiar with rec.gov,...

Text the show! Dr. Dan Wildcat joins the podcast to discuss his new book "On Indigenuity" and how we can reframe our relationship with the natural world in both a personal and global way.  Dan is a Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, PhD, and teaches at Haskell Nations University.  He's a wealth of wisdom and knowledge and offers a refreshing approach to long-debated to...

Text the show! Jen Loofbourrow is the Owner and Founder of Alpine Fit, a baselayer-focused brand that offers multiple fit options in a custom odor-resistant fabric.  Jen joins the show to talk about her background in the outdoors, why she launched a baselayer clothing brand, why proper fit is so important, and much more! Show Notes and Links PCT Days recap  Getting involved with the long-distance...

Text the show! Bill Stoker is a retired Army Veteran with a passion for teaching others how to master the art of fieldcraft and land navigation.  In this episode, Bill joins the podcast for a deep dive into how to gain the correct mindset and perspective when in the field, the importance of situational awareness, and how his childhood years impacted how he views the world today. Show Notes and Lin...

Text the show! In this episode, it's just you and me hanging out for a bit.  We'll catch you up on life and why I've been missing from the podcast for a couple of months.  Don't worry, the show still goes on, but I had some growing to do, and you're going to hear all about it. I love gear and trail stories as much as the next person, however, I think it's equally impo...

Text the show! Michael "Einstein" Gelfeld is an accomplished backpacker and bikepacker.  He's logged thousands of miles doing both, but when you ask him what matters most after all of that, he'd tell you it's not the stats but instead, whether or not you enjoy what you're doing. Einstein joins the podcast to discuss current backpacking culture, how he escaped the thru...

Text the show! Andy Wynne is the CEO of Nuyarn®, a Merino wool textile manufacturer that has reinvented the way Merino is spun so it can unlock its natural characteristics while enhancing performance.  The result is a material that can outperform synthetics while maintaining the benefits of natural fiber.  Nuyarn® is stronger, stretchier, softer, more abrasion resistant, and as you’ll learn here i...

Text the show! Exo Mountain Gear specializes in load-hauling backpacks designed for hunters.  Steve Speck and Mark Huelsing join me for a behind-the-scenes look at Exo's newest K4 pack design.  After more than 3 years in development and over a decade of pack-building experience, the K4 is a finely tuned design and the best pack Exo has designed to date. This episode is loaded with insight int...

Text the show! Dan Becker is a backpacker from Wisconsin who turned his passion into his full-time profession.  If you’ve poked around YouTube for backpacking, you’ve no doubt seen his videos a time or two.  He’s grown a massive following and for good reason - he’s just a great guy.  Dan is genuine, sincere, funny, and just loves to backpack.  I didn’t know much about him before we spoke, but sinc...

Text the show! The Hexatrek is a 3000 km long-distance trail across France that begins at the border of Germany, traverses the Pyrenees Mountains, and ends at the Bay of Biscay.  Thomas works for the Hexatrek organization and spent the summer and fall of 2022 hiking and documenting the trail.   Thomas is able to recognize the realities of hiking a long and share all sides of that reality.  He can...