Hiking Unfiltered

In this episode, Courtney talks with Jason "Mav" Brocar, a retired veteran and aspirational triple crown and international hiker. They talk about his hikes in Spain and Scotland, upgrading from military grade gear to "real" hiking gear, his dreams of hiking in Iceland and they answer the question: What is it like to hike with a fear of heights? About Mav: Marine Army Veteran (MAV) retired after 23...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Brittany "Puddin" McDonald. They talk about finding yourself in Nature, the amazing support in the hiking community, the hiking addiction and they answer the question: Why did you hike over 4000 miles? About Puddin: I started hiking the Appalachian Trail for self healing purposes after only completing one backpacking trip. When I reached Katahdin I continued on...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Maren "Wizard" Wahle. They talk about the challenges of hiking in the sun, whether social media documentation is a great idea and they answer the question: What is it like to hike internationally? About Maren: My name is Maren, I'm 28 years old, and I was born and raised in Germany. My parents emigrated to Michigan about 9 years ago; I made the move to join the...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Lee "Boots" Fortune. They discuss the efforts Lee is making to help spread the message that the outdoors is for everyone, his controversial snack choice and they answer the question - What is Hike for Healing? About Lee: "My name is Lee but on the trail, on YouTube, socials, and even at work I am known as Boots (a name I came by honest). I have also been called...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Chris "Roll Tide" Marshburn, a newly minted Ridge Runner for the ATC in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They talk about how Chris came to crave a change from litigation to outdoor adventures, what the hut caretaking system is like in the White Mountains and he answers the question: "What is it like to work on trail?"   About Chris: Chris was born in Ra...

In this episode, Courtney talks with author of new book, Feral, Emily Pennington. They discuss life on the road, how traveling in nature has specifically affected Emily's "type A personality" and they answer the question: "What is it like to hike in every US National Park?" About Emily: Emily Pennington is Outside Online's parks and travel columnist. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Th...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Andrew "Tetanus" Black, They talk about the rabbit holes of research that suck hikers in, how to successfully complete the PCT in a high fire season and they answer the question: "Why did you hike huge trails back to back?" About Andrew: "I have hiked over 5k miles, including the Superior Hiking Trail in 2020, the Appalachian Trail in 2021, the Pacific Crest Tr...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Tara "BAM" Atkinson. They talk about the huge differences between the Florida trail and any other trail in the US, what it's like to finally be an empty nester and they answer the question: "Why not hike now?" BAM- Bad Ass Mom. Adventurer, lover of life and the outdoors, proud mama to 4 sons in their 20's, Yoga Therapist. Florida Trail - 2023 (in progress) Oreg...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Miss Janet, the legendary trail angel of the AT. They talk about her family tradition of helping hikers, what it is like to meet hikers from all over the world and they answer the question: "What is real trail magic?" Miss Janet's Bio: "I'm a 60 year old grandmother who was adopted by the Appalachian Trail hikers over 30 years ago! I travel the AT offering Supp...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Outdoor Jamaican, They dive into a fascinating look at how history still effects the hiking culture, the talk about hiking in Jamaica compared to the US, his exploration of the river valleys in Missouri and they answer the question: "How can BIPOC people embrace the outdoor living too?" Outdoor Jamaican specializes in providing compassionate support and service...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Aaron "Sling" Owens Mayhew, owner/founder of Back Country Foodie. They talk about special foodie hacks to making tasty on-trail smoothies, the challenges of hiking the very back country Condor Trail, balancing being a business owner and a hiking and they answer the question: "How can we eat healthy food on trail?" About Back Country Foodie: Founded in 2017 by A...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Pesto. Pesto has completed the Pinhoti Trail, the Foothills trail, the Appalachian Trail and a host of others. They talk about how she got started hiking alone, why the CDT might be the next big adventure and together they answer the question: "How do you let yourself go alone on a hike?" About Pesto: " I am s 24 year old who recently completed her 5 year long...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Olivia "Rainbow" Neal and Johnny "Lost Johnny" William, owners of the newly established Hidden Pond Hostel. Theirs is a unique story! They met on trail on their 2022 AT thru hike. They talk about surprising serendipity, what it's like to "date" on a thru hike, and they answer the question: Why would you open a hiker hostel? Find Rainbow and Lost Johnny: The Hid...

In this episode, Courtney talks with author and hiker, Andrea "Hey Mom" Lani. They talk about taking hot food for granted (especially when you are cold and wet), seeing the playfulness bloom in her kids on trail, and she answers the question: "What is it like to drag your family along, uphill both ways?" About Andrea: Andrea Lani is the author of Uphill Both Ways: Hiking Toward Happiness on the Co...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Claire Dal Nogare, thru hiker and soon to be Alaskan pilot. They discuss the fear mongering that can spring up on trail, what it is like to use a thru hike as physical therapy and they answer the question: "How is hiking like commercial fishing?" About Claire: "More than anything else, I want the world to know that I live in Alaska. I am currently working on my...

This episode, we revisit Courtney's very first podcast interview with Theresa Ebert or "Halo".  They talk about being a mother of four, a hiker, and a true trail angel! Halo shares with us some of the great strategies she and her husband, Disciple, have used for memorable hikes with their kids in tow. She also gets real with about how she manages to get in her own "me time" on solo local hikes. By...

This is a very special bonus leftovers episode! We often keep talking after the "official interview" is done for the show, so this time Courtney talks to John "No Worries" and Missy "Hot Buns" Baatz, Keith "Fozzie" Foskett and Stephanie "Georgie" Quarles. These are pretty random! We talk about the danger of random falling animals in the tropics, our pre-historic connection to living outside and tr...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Michelle Samson, a local hiker on the Illinois trails. They talk about what it is like for an extrovert to hike alone, why she prefers cold weather hiking and how hiking as allowed her to celebrate her sobriety and "recover out loud". She answers the question: "How has hiking helped you discover your strength?" Michelle describes herself as "Just a woman on a m...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Michelle "Beck" Cofer, the owner/operator of White Blaze Shuttle. They discuss how Michelle's interest in hiking got fired up, why she loves most about starting her business and she answers the question " What do trail shuttle drivers do?" Michelle is an Atlanta native, a married, mother of 2 girls and 2 boy cats now residing in the North Georgia mountains. She...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Derick Lugo, Mr Fabulous. This is Derick's second appearance on the podcast. They talk about how having an audience might influence your hike, night hiking on the CDT versus the AT, running from mountaintop storms and he answers the question "Why take on the hardest trail 10 years later?" Listen to Derick's first episode here. Storytelling is Derick Lugo's fort...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Andrew Forestell "Reptar", for a repeat spot on the show. They talk about what it feels like to fell like you MUST finish what you start, finding your way past excuses to live an adventurous life and they answer the question: "What's it like to go beach backpacking?" Andrew "Reptar" Forestell is an entrepreneur, photographer, and explorer on a journey to pursue...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Patrick "Dosu Kinuta" French, a hiker with over 20,000 miles under his boots. They talk about the variety of trails to be found here in the United States and abroad, how he came to "walk the earth" for so many miles and they answer the question: "Why do you answer the SAME hiking questions over and over again?" As a New Hampshire native Patrick has taken the St...

In this episode, Courtney talks with repeat guest, Jamila "Turtle" Minnifield. Turtle is a Wilderness Therapist. They discuss the way that kids numb with screen time, how we can help them reconnect to others face-to-face and together they answer the question "How can Wilderness heal this disconnection?" Listen to my original episode with Turtle about wilderness therapy here: Episode #21 - What is...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Garrett "Jive Turkey" Tandy for a check in after his most recent thru hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. They talk about the different experiences of forest and desert hiking, the challenges of a hiking season full of fires and trail closures and he answers the question: What is it like to re-enter the Matrix?" Garrett Tandy, Jive Turkey, is an accomplished hiker...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Steve "Mighty Blue" Adams, the host of "Mighty Blue on the Appalachian Trail - The Ultimate Mid-Life Crises". They discuss the amazing trail community, what it's like to settle in and feel at home in the woods and they answer the question: "Why would you hike the entire Appalachian Trail, twice?!" Steve's Bio: "I hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2014, at the age...