Outdoor Minimalist

In episode 20 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we will be discussing conservation and how that applies to our hiking trails. We’ve talked about conservation pretty consistently on the show, but this will be a more in-depth look into how one conservation organization is creating a thru-hike, building community, and encouraging conservation action all across the US. To help me discuss these topics...

In episode 19 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we are going to be discussing the topic of hunting on the show for the first time. In creating this podcast, I was unsure about including activities like hunting and fishing, but I thought it a missed opportunity if we didn’t as they are a huge sector of the outdoor industry. Sportsmen contribute immensely to the conservation of our wild spaces and...

In episode 18 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, I’m excited to be exploring a topic we briefly covered before: fly fishing! Fly fishing is a super interesting outdoor sport to me, and a surprisingly low impact and minimalist endeavor. To help me discuss all things fly fishing, I’d like to introduce Joe Mahler. Joe Mahler is a fly fishing author, illustrator, and casting coach. He fishes, canoes,...

In episode 17 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we are going to talk about a topic that I think is applicable to everyone, whether or not you experience a menstrual cycle. The focus will be on using pee rags, menstrual cups, and more in the backcountry. Topics regarding hygiene, peeing, and menstrual cycles in the backcountry, I believe, are important to understand and have some knowledge of even...

In episode 16 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we will be discussing another one of the 7Rs of Outdoor Minimalism: remove.  You are likely familiar with some of the Leave No Trace ethics and guidelines , and the idea of “leave it better than you found it.” Well, remove encompasses a lot of those ideas as well. We want to pack out what we pack in but we also should remove other things that d...

This Holiday Special: The Christmas Tree Display was written and produced by Meg Carney and edited by Alex Carney. ----------------------------- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalist ----------------------------- Features Alex Carney as the...

In episode 14 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we are going to be talking about a few things that hold a lot of space in my life: trail running and storytelling. Combining those two things with minimalism, I’m excited to have Jess Vandenbush on the show to discuss Eat Clean, Run Dirty magazine.  Jess has shameless enthusiasm for wild places, fresh air, small-town diners, culture, art, road...

In episode 13 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we are going to talk about how consumers can recognize truthful and transparent product marketing and how businesses can optimize their green stories. To help me break down and better understand the ins and outs of sustainable product marketing, I’d like to introduce Amanda Winther. Amanda Winther is a Sustainability Brand Messaging Strategist and C...

A staggering amount of wrapping paper is produced and sent to the landfill each year, but there is still a large portion of that being sent to be recycled.  That's a good thing though, right? The answer might surprise you! Tune into this week's bonus episode to learn more.  What you'll find in this bonus episode: How to identify recyclable wrapping paper Why most gift wrap can't be recyc...

In episode 12 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we discuss the use, or lack thereof, of natural fibers in the outdoor industry. What is the deal with natural fibers in the outdoor industry?  Why don’t we use them more if they’re more sustainable?  Why are they more expensive and harder to design?  Are synthetics really that bad for the environment?  Are certain natural fibers...

In episode 11 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we are going to hit a topic that I love to talk about but I hate that exists: greenwashing. Like many topics that I cover in my book, I feel confident I could do an episode on my own about this, but I’d rather hear from industry experts about greenwashing specifically in the outdoor industry, their experiences, how they avoid it, and their ideas mov...

How can we shift our mindset to focus more on the outdoor experience and less on the equipment it takes to get us there? In episode 10, we explore what it means to have a sense of place and to truly experience your time outside. To help me explore these ideas and how to apply this mindset shift, I had the pleasure of talking with Daniel Ritz.  Daniel A. Ritz, is an outdoor journalist and writ...

In episode 9 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we will be discussing a hot topic in any part of the sustainability and zero-waste movement:  single-use plastics. More specifically, we will be discussing the use of plastics on the production side of packaging with some limited discussion regarding consumer use of single-use plastics.  To help me expand on this topic, I had the pleasure o...

As you start to plan your holiday plans, book flights, or map out your road trip, you may be asking yourself: Is it greener to drive or fly to Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations? There isn't a cut-and-dry answer to this, so in this bonus episode, I'll provide a few options and some food for thought.  [I misspoke in the episode and where I say carbon "positive" I meant to say carbon "nega...

Episode Disclaimer : the topic of ecollars (or shock collars) is discussed during this episode. Since the time of recording this episode, I have changed my stance regarding ecollars and no longer use them with any of my dogs. If you listen to later dog-related episodes, you will hear more about R+/Force Free dog training that involves no adverse tools. I encourage owners to do their research and k...

When starting a new outdoor pursuit, should you buy your gear or rent it first? Is renting gear only for beginners?  What kinds of outdoor gear should you rent, and which ones should you buy? In episode 7 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, Reet Singh, co-founder of TripOutside, and I explore questions like this as well as the pros and cons of renting vs. owning, mindset surrounding *having* t...

In episode 6 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we get an inside look at the business practices of CNOC Outdoors, an environmentally focused business within the outdoor industry.  To help drive the conversation, Gilad Nachmani, the co-founder and general manager of CNOC Outdoors joins me. CNOC Outdoors is a small backpacking gear manufacturer in Portland, Oregon, focused on making innovative, dura...

MYTH: Living a sustainable lifestyle is only for the elite and is too expensive. FACT: Living a sustainable lifestyle can save you money. In episode 5 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we are delving into finances and how they related to outdoor recreation and sustainable living.  The R&D Financial Coaches, Rebecca and Dylan, are here to help me discuss saving money and bolstering your f...

The Outdoor Minimalist Podcast is here to share ideas for all sectors of the outdoor industry on how to minimize your impact. Based on the concepts in the book "Outdoor Minimalist: Waste Less Hiking, Camping, and Backpacking" written by Meg Carney. New episodes are released every Monday. ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimali...

What is outdoor minimalism? First and foremost, it is a lifestyle. It is a mindset shift that roots all of our outdoor recreation activities in minimalist philosophies. It is a way to combine minimalism, environmentalism, mindfulness, and essentialism and meld it into all of our outdoor pursuits. That's all easy to say, but how do you do it? To help you skip the learning curve I waded through, I w...

The 7R's of Outdoor Minimalist serve as the framework of these concepts and are the stepping stones to implementing Outdoor Minimalist pursuits into your life.  The 7R's of Outdoor Minimalism include:  Reduce Refuse Rethink Repair Rehome/Repurpose Remove Restore In episode 2 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, I'm exploring the first three Rs: Reduce, Refuse, and Rethink. You'll learn how...

The 7R's of Outdoor Minimalist serve as the framework of these concepts and are the stepping stones to implementing Outdoor Minimalist pursuits into your life. The 7R's of Outdoor Minimalism include: Reduce Refuse Rethink Repair Rehome/Repurpose Remove Restore In episode 4 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, I will be exploring the third R and the concept of Repair in the outdoor industry with the...

In episode 3 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, I will be discussing how consumers and brands can take steps to identify more sustainable product materials. This is a big topic that I felt was best discussed with an industry expert like Mary Swanson.  Mary is the CEO and a co-founder of Lava Linens. Together, she, her mom, Sheila, and sister, Caitlin, create durable, luxurious adventure towel...