Hiking Unfiltered

Happy Anniversary! In this special bonus episode Courtney talks with three fantastic guests in some "after party" conversations: 1. Grant "Detour" Breidenbach talks about keeping the wilderness wild and they swap stories about bears and alligators (oh my!). Original Interview in Episode #17   2. Emily "In Tune" Janecek keeps it real with talk about "feminine" challenges on trail during her 2022 Ap...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Andrew Verlezza Jr., a former chef and future Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. They discuss what it's like to try keto and intermittent fasting on the trail, recovering from injury while prepping for a big hike and they answer the question - What's it like to countdown to a thru hike? Andrew is a Navy submarine veteran who is passionate about ultralight backpackin...

In this episode, Courtney has stitched together three bonus reels never heard on her show. She riffs in an "after party" conversation with Gary "Green Giant" Sizer, Anna "Mudbutt" Huthmaker and Christine "Lady Unicorn" Reed. She answers the question - What is a Frankenstein Hiking show? Remember, I'd love to hear from you on any topic that comes up in the show or if you know someone that would be...

In this special episode, Courtney talks with her husband, Travis "Sir Plansalot" Miller. Just days after Hurricane Ian left a swathe of destruction through their neighborhood, they sit down to talk about what it's like to evacuate, coming home again, and they answer the question - "How does hiking prepare you for a hurricane?" Remember, I'd love to hear from you on any topic that comes up in the s...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Dr. Natalie Bonthius, wilderness first aid specialist and founder of Survival Med. They talk about what intrigued Dr. Bonthius about this field, how medicine in the wild can be so different and they answer the question: "How can I be prepared so I won't need first aid?" Natalie Bonthius, MD is an Emergency Medicine physician and the founder of Survival Med, an...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Josh and Cassie Sutton about their recent trip with their 6 year old son, Harvey and about their 2021 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Listen in as Cassie and Josh explain why they made the choice to embrace adventure, how they do not take their time for granted and they answer the question: "How can you adventure as a family?" Josh, Cassie, and Harvey Sutto...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Paul "Skunkape" Collins, of the Hammock Hangers podcast, and Thom "Dutch" Ressler, founder of Dutchware. They talk about thru-hiking the AT with a hammock, what it is like to innovate how we hike and they answer the question: Why should you try hammock camping? Paul "Skunkape" Collins discovered hammocks back in 2011 when he was planning for a 2012 thru-hike of...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Sierra "Lucky Charm" Peters-Buckland as she attempts her thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. They discuss how her adventurous spirit was awakened, what it's like traveling in the Sierra Nevadas and they answer the question: "Can a change of scenery really change you?" Follow Sierra: https://www.instagram.com/sierrapb/ Remember, I'd love to hear from you on an...

In this episode, Courtney gets unfiltered with Chelsea McCurdy. They talk about what it is like to notice yourself slipping into a depressed state and how hiking can be whatever we need it to be. They answer the question: "What does it mean to move joyfully?" Chelsea McCurdy is a plus-size, queer, autistic hiker who loves to move her body joyfully outside in nature while healing her heart at the s...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Joseph "Whiskey Joe" Ryan. Joseph completed his Appalachian Trail thru hike in 2021 with his best friend, Travis/Roosta. They talk about what life is like before and after a thru hike, Joey's signature "Whiskey Joe" drink and answer the question: "Is it hard to hike with your best friend?" About Joey Ryan: He started backpacking at age 11 through his boy scout...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Jamila Minnifield, aka Turtle. Jamila is a wilderness therapist and describes her experiences with her own "group of unicorns," how natural consequences can help kids back in the "real world" and she answers the question: "What is Wilderness Therapy?" Remember, I'd love to hear from you on any topic that comes up in the show or if you know someone that would be...

In this episode, Courtney gets unfiltered with Keith "Fozzie" Foskett, author and worldwide hiker. They discuss long trails all over the world and particularly in the UK, living a wanderlust lifestyle, and they ask the question: "How can we rebel against the status quo?" Someone once described Keith Foskett as an anomaly (it was apparently a compliment). He has hiked thousands of miles and holds a...

In this Bonus Episode, Courtney gets unfiltered with Brian "Mr. Frodo" Livingston in a fun game of lightning-round questions! Brian Livingston was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. He went to Clemson University and earned a degree in History. He thru-hiked the AT in 2013 and then went to Washington & Lee University School of Law for his JD. He now practices law in Charleston SC and lives with his wi...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Brian Livingston aka Mr. Frodo. They dive in to how a gap year of thru-hiking influenced his first novel, how to incorporate nature in parenthood, and why animals are so fascinating. They answer the question: What are the long-term effects of a thru hike? Brian Livingston was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. He went to Clemson University and earned a degree in H...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Emily (In Tune) Janecek about her current attempted thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. They talk about hiking partners, hike timing, and Emily answers the question: Is it safe for a woman to hike alone? Emily Janecek describes herself as a Canadian, 24 yrs old, trail name In Tune, just trying to thru-hike the AT! Follow Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emjanec...

In this Bonus Episode, Courtney gets unfiltered with Garret "Jive Turkey" Tandy in a fun game of lightning-round questions! Garrett Tandy, Jive Turkey, is an accomplished hiker. After completing his 2021 thru-hike of the AT he started planning his thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. As of this recording, he was preparing to begin that hike in April of 2022. You can follow Jive Turkey on Instagra...

In this episode, Courtney talks to Grant "Detour" Breidenbach, of Bear Vault, about the challenges of bear safety. Should you hang your food? Should you carry a bear canister? How far away should it be from your camp? What the heck do I do if I actually have a bear encounter? They answer all these questions and more! Grant Breidenbach is an outdoor enthusiast and wilderness ethics fanatic. He acti...

In this Bonus Episode, Courtney gets unfiltered with Christine "Lady Unicorn" Reed in a fun game of lightning-round questions! Christine Reed is a long-distance backpacker and author of the memoir, Alone in Wonderland. She shares her personal journey from sedentary office worker to rugged outdoorswoman in hopes of inspiring others to see something bigger for themselves-- whatever that may be. But...

In this episode, Courtney gets unfiltered with Christine "Lady Unicorn" Reed. They talk about what it feels like to get bitten hard by the hiking bug, redefining independence, and intentionally taking on major challenges to force changes in ourselves. We ask the question: "You want to be alone on purpose?!" Christine Reed is a long-distance backpacker and author of the memoir, Alone in Wonderland....

In this episode, Courtney has a conversation with Anna "Mud Butt" Huthmaker about the hiking community that she created, Trail Dames. They explore the concept of how we can, and do, support each other on the trail so that we can experience the growth that exploring the outdoors has to offer. Anna and Courtney ask the question: "Does it take a village to hike a trail?" In 2003, Anna Huthmaker hiked...

In this episode, Courtney chats with Andrew Forestell, aka Reptar. Andrew shares some of his craziest adventures and together they answer the question: How is being miserable fun?! Andrew "Reptar" Forestell is an entrepreneur, photographer, and explorer on a journey to pursue sheer adventure and keep nature clean. After completing a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2015, Reptar realized...

In this episode, Courtney has an unfiltered conversation with Jon and Missy Baatz that was so much fun it had to be broken into two episodes! In Part 2 the Baatz dive into life on a long trail with a spouse/significant other, how Missy surprised herself, and how the "drug" of happiness can get us hooked. They answer the question: How much is enough?! Jon and Missy Baatz are a married couple whose...

In this episode, Courtney has an unfiltered conversation with Jon and Missy Baatz that was so much fun it had to be broken into two episodes! In Part 1 we get to hear about the fun story of Missy's trail name "Hot Buns", how the AT hook was set in the Baatz's and changed their lives, and one heart-breaking decision. Jon and Missy Baatz are a married couple whose hike on the Appalachian Trail in 20...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Gary "Green Giant" Sizer, author and Appalachian Trail thru hiker (2014). Gary turned his lifelong love of story-telling into a best-selling book, Where's the Next Shelter? They explore how the trail changes you physically and mentally, what life looks like after a long hike and how hiking can grow from a hobby to an obsession. Gary Sizer was born in New Castle...

In this episode, Courtney talks with Stephanie Quarles or Wander Woman. She joins the Appalachian Trail Class of 2022 in February of this year for her AT thru hike attempt. As a wife and mother of four, she is in a unique situation. Stephanie is going solo for her thru hike! Listen as Unfiltered and Wander Woman crack each other up over mom guilt, getting away, and answering the question "How can...