Humans Outside

There's a real push and pull. On the one hand, many women want to head outside solo and have amazing adventures alone. On the other hand, doing so can feel like a huge safety risk, especially when we hear about the major tragedies some women encounter doing things that should be perfectly safe. So what should you do? Stay home? Only head out with friends and family? Nicole Snell, a safety expert a...

The things we find comfort in as kids stay with us -- even if we've forgotten what they are until we find them in an unexpected place. That's what Amy found when she stumbled upon the Palmer community piano sitting out on a patio on a cool fall Alaska day. And when she sat down she was transported. Hear about it in this Outdoor Diary episode. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Chal...

So you're thinking about relocating so you can spend more time outside or be closer to the kind of nature you really love. Or, maybe you want to pack up and live the nomad van life. Or, maybe you're looking for a fresh start and a life reset and think the best way to get is by relocating, even though you don't actually really want to move. Melody Warnick, author and place attachment expert, has he...

It started out as just a 15 minute break from computer work on a busy and exhausting Tuesday morning. But before she knew it, Amy was having an adventure in rewilding. Hear what she discovered when she took the advice of one recent Humans Outside podcast guest. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Follow Humans Outside on Instag...

When it comes to nature, the idea of "pristine, untouched wilderness" is part of the American ethos. But the reality is most land was touched, valued and used -- by indigenous landholders. Recreating outside today means using that land in new ways. Yet honoring the past not only doesn't have to be complicated, it can also broaden our appreciation for the land and what it gives us by connecting us...

Blame it on the optimism of Past Me: she really felt like Future Me was going to have it so much more together than she actually does. But making actionable outdoor plans for the upcoming winter season is key to getting out the door when it's hard to want to. That means we're spending time right now making some commitments for things we'll do in the future -- and hoping that it's not the optimism...

So you want to learn how to handle tough challenges in life, both those you encounter while playing outside and those you find just going about your day-to-day, indoor life and job. But how do you make it happen? Steve Magness, a world-famous coach, human performance expert and author of the new book Do Hard Thing: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness says part...

What happens when you head outside way past your comfort zone into a risky area like staying up after bedtime? You might just see what Amy got to see in the early morning light on Resurrection Pass, Alaska during the Resurrection Pass 100 race. Amy recently presented a version of this story at Trail Tales in Anchorage and had such a good time doing so, she decided to share it here, too. Connect wi...

Dubbed "the real-life most interesting man alive" by The Chive, Ira Edwards isn't just out there living an active outdoor lifestyle in Alaska, he's doing so from a wheelchair. After creating a wildly adventurous and outdoor-centric life, Ira was struck by a falling tree about 10 years ago and paralyzed from the waist down. Today he continues many of his adventures despite the physical barriers, in...

Time management can be used to make you more productive -- or it can be used to simply make your life better. Dr. Cassie Holmes, a happiness researcher, author and professor, shared how to make that happen in a recent episode of Humans Outside. But what does that mean on a practical, day-to-day level in Amy's life? In this episode Amy talks about the small yet important changes Cassie's advice and...

Authenticity is one of those whole-life emotional skills that makes a big difference. In a world that rewards us for putting our best foot forward every day and presenting that social media ready life, living authentically can be really hard. Learn how to align what's really going on with you with good boundaries, and you might feel more settled and successful. But can heading outside help you bui...

Maybe it's part of the loss or grief process - first Amy was in denial about the changing season, then there was some anger and now there's acceptance. Part of that acceptance is hunting for the good stuff, including the things she actually likes about fall. And doing that takes two steps. Listen to this episode to hear what those are, plus a quick preview of what's coming for Humans Outside seaso...

With a thousand demands on our time every day, it's hard to find the space for even everything you absolutely have to do, much less the nice-to-haves. Time tracking exercises, productivity hacks and streamlining are all great, but they can feel like they don't always leave time for the good stuff that makes you happy -- just time to fulfill more obligations. So how do you find time for things that...

September 1, 2022 marked five full years of Amy's 20 minutes outside daily habit, and it has her reflecting on some of the life skills she's gained spending that many days -- 1,825 to be exact -- outside experiencing all nature has to offer. What can building a daily nature habit give to you, too? Listen now to find out. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Ou...

nd what it reminded her about handling the tough stuff when it appears. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Read "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" (because you know you want to) Learn about the Lost Lake trail Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Some of the good stuff: [:45] In case you need a recap of "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" [1...

Whenever I explain why heading outside is so very good for creativity and the art of trying new things, I refer back to this conversation with positive psychologist Cordele Glass, one of my most favorite interviews for the podcast. I loved this conversation because it had a direct impact on how I think about the world and heading outside. I'm excited for you to hear it. Connect with this episode:...

When the seasons change -- both literally and figuratively -- it's easy to get stuck being sad about what was, what's gone or what's going. But as Amy remembered this week, sometimes a little shift towards gratitude can make the whole thing easier. In this Outdoor Diary episode Amy remembers how to find that gratitude and why heading outside every day no matter what has given her the tools to do s...

Your journey to be and stay the kind of person who loves to head outside no matter the weather deserves all the support it can get. And Humans Outside Season 6 is here to make things interesting and inspirational, with insights from a parade of guests who know it because they live it. Coming soon! 

Ever stopped to consider when the right time to start a new habit might be? In her book Happier at Home, Gretchen Rubin has a suggestion on when that is -- and Amy tends to agree. In this episode Amy talks about why now is a great time to try a new habit like going outside every day. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Follow H...

Today's "Best Of" episode is all about walking with therapist Carmen Rendell, a UK-based walking enthusiast who takes her clients and herself outside to see what therapeutic help nature can bring. Those mornings and evenings of summer are the perfect time for taking a walk, and so I hope you find some inspiration in this "Best Of Humans Outside" episode. Some of the good stuff: [2:13] Carmen Rende...

There's something funny that happens when you start spending more time outside: what you want out of life changes, too. In this episode Amy reflects on how spending time outside has shifted her priorities, and why her birthday is the perfect pause point to reflect on that shift. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Follow Humans Outside on...

There's dreaming, there's preparing and then there's doing. When it comes to big outdoor goals and adventures, dreaming and prepping take the most time -- but the doing is where you get to see if you have what it takes after all. In this week's Outdoor Diary Amy dives into the race she's been preparing for all season, why she decided to try the shorter distance instead of again tackling the race s...

If you have a kid or have been a kid, you've probably heard or uttered this phrase at some point over the summer. And even as adult, you may have lingered over the feeling of boredom, then quickly pivoted to something like picking up your phone or switching on the TV to ease that discomfort. In this 'best of' episode we hear from author Michael Easter on his book The Comfort Crises: Embrace Discom...

We do our best to roll with nature's punches, but we're definitely not ready for this warm, sunny and green relationship to be over. It's only July, after all. But when push comes to shove, perhaps the ticking clock is inspirational. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Some of the good stuff:...

Things are going summer crazy here at Humans Outside as we milk every hot second we can from the season. That's why this week we've only got two things: one suggestion and one ask for help. Listen now. Connect with this episode: Join the Humans Outside Challenge Follow Humans Outside on Facebook Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Email Amy at contact@humansoutside.com Some of the good stuff: [:46]...