Outdoor Minimalist

In episode 132 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we finally enter the world of snowsports and skiing with one of America's skiing legends, Ted Ligety.  Ted Ligety is one of America's greatest ski racers of all time. The two-time Olympic Champion revolutionized ski racing as an athlete. Now, he's taking that energy, meticulous approach to craft, and ability to assess risk into a new ve...

Throughout this ten-part series, scientists, lawyers, advocates, and product producers all weighed in on our worldwide PFAS problem. While, yes, we have come a long way in understanding the scope of the issue and began moving away from PFAS, at least in the outdoor industry, many questions still remain.  One of the primary questions is, what should we do with all the old PFAS already in the enviro...

In episode 131, we dive even deeper into how becoming a mother can influence the importance of nature in our lives. More specifically, my guest, Madelaine Anderson, shares her journey of navigating postpartum depression and anxiety during a global pandemic and how nature helped her discover joy and healing through difficult seasons.  As the co-founder and creative director of Talus Films and the c...

Throughout this series, we’ve learned not only about how harmful PFAS is as a class of chemicals but also what the outdoor industry is doing to address the issue. While we may have started too late, we are on the right track now, but the work is far from over.  Guests featured in this episode: - Alex Lauver, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Outdoor Research⁠⁠⁠ - James Pollock, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Marten Law LLP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Mike Schade, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠...

In episode 130 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we introduce the idea of Culinary Conservation. Forewarning: if you haven’t eaten or are hungry now, you’ll be starving by the end of this episode.  I had the pleasure of sitting down with Justin Townsend to explore the wonders of culinary conservation and discuss his view of ethical hunting and foraging practices.  Justin, a tribal member of the C...

Celebrate this Earth Day by getting outside and following the Leave No Trace seven principles.  Earth Day  is the perfect opportunity to enjoy our planet’s beauty, while considering how to preserve it for generations to come. As part of this effort, NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) trains casual adventurers and park rangers alike in the 7 principles of Leave No Trace to minimize our impac...

It seems that many brands are moving in the right direction in terms of phasing PFAS out of their products, but one of the many aspects complicating this process is the potential for contamination. In this episode, we hear directly from leading outdoor industry brands like Keen, Outdoor Research, Fjallraven, and Houdini Sportswear alongside scientists and environmental epidemiologists about how an...

In episode 129 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we return to a highly requested topic area on the show: product packaging.  By now, we all know that plastic is a problem, but what are the alternatives? And how can we as consumers really know if other single-use packaging options are as green as they say they are?  Well, we answer those questions and many more with the founder of SOFi Products, B...

As we learned in earlier episodes, phase-out and regulatory efforts for PFAS were not swift, and they certainly are not complete. However, because of the recent regulatory changes on consumer goods, specifically in California, many US-based outdoor brands and chemical companies have finally committed to removing PFAS from their products.  Guests featured in this episode: - Greg Brietmier, ⁠Mystery...

In episode 128 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I chatted with Katie Houston about Sawyer's clean water projects. Sawyer is a pioneering water filtration company with a rich history spanning over three decades, dedicated to providing innovative solutions for clean water access worldwide. Established in 1984, Sawyer has continuously evolved its product line, offering a range of advanced filtr...

The goal of this series is to provide useful information for consumers regarding PFAS, specifically within the outdoor industry, but also for those of us working in the industry. I learned from every single person that I interviewed and talked to about the topic of PFAS, and one of the patterns I noticed during production was that most of the European brands like Jack Wolfskin, Fjallraven, and Hou...

Episode 127 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast is an open letter to the outdoor industry—a call to action to do more and make less. If you’ve followed this podcast for a while, you know we are all about environmental action. While I believe individuals can make a difference to achieve more significant impacts, we need the industry to lead the way and decide to do better for the future of our planet...

As more regulations come into play, many outdoor brands have moved the needle and promised to phase PFAS out of their products and apparel by 2025.  While this is great news, what’s curious as a consumer is that alternative chemistry has existed for quite some time. Brands like Nikwax never needed to use harmful chemicals to achieve waterproof capabilities, and now Nikwax is one brand leading the...

Regulatory efforts across the globe have been pushing for removing certain types of PFAS in specific product categories. Still, there are many limitations, and regulators often receive pushback from chemical companies. In episode four of the Forever Chemicals ten-part podcast series, we break down the increase of PFAS regulation in the US and the EU, along with the limitations we face in the pursu...

In episode three of the Forever Chemicals ten-part podcast series, we give an overview of how PFAS is used in modern-day production, and get an inside look at why it became a performance chemistry in the outdoor industry. Subscribe to the Forever Chemicals Podcast to hear the full series: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forever-chemicals/id1724693010⁠ Guests featured in this episode: - Mike...

PFAS are a large class of chemicals that have been used since the late 1930s. What makes them particularly hazardous is that they are persistent and difficult to break down. That means all the PFAS that have even been created still exist today. In the first episode of this ten-part series, we learned the history of how PFAS was created. In episode two, we get a better understanding of just how dan...

In the first episode of this ten-part series, we explore where PFAS came from and how it became a prevalent part of our consumer products. While the innovation of this class of chemicals has been astoundingly effective in applications like firefighting foams, waterproof rain jackets, and Teflon pans, our appetite for convenience created a toxic chemistry we may have to live with forever. In the ne...

In episode 126 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we look at using recycled polyester as insulation. While polyester has its fair share of problems, we explore if there are ways that we can use it sustainably, like removing ocean-bound plastics from the environment and making them into something new. To break down the ins and outs of developing recycled insulation, I had the pleasure of hosting Jo...

In episode 125 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we return to the world of epic parenting. At least that's what I call it because outdoor parents are badass, and I have to say it. I've only had one other episode dedicated to bringing kids outside and on outdoor adventures, and actually, that came out just a few weeks ago: episode 121– how having a baby changed the way I play outside with...

In this new ten-part series, we sat down with countless experts from brands like Fjallraven and Outdoor Research along with scientists, lawyers, and law makers that all have a stake in how PFAS is used, and how it is now being eliminated. Over the course of ten episodes, we’ll investigate the origins, rise, and now phase out of the forever chemicals PFAS (previously known as PFCs). With more compa...

In episode 124 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we explore what it means to be an activist and environmental advocate and how to build a community around conservation.  To me, being an activist and environmentalist is simply a part of life. They're not a hobby or second thought because I've always had a strong sense of justice no matter where I lived or the community present in my life....

Episode 123 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast is brought to you courtesy of Fish Nerds. The Fish Nerds Podcast is the fishing podcast for anyone who wants to fish better, laugh more, and learn a little. We talk about fish, fishing and eating fish. With a focus on conservation and sustainability. The show is usually funny, always interesting, and mostly true! Before we get to my Fish Nerds intervie...

In episode 122 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we’re going ultralight. We haven’t explored ultralight backpacking on this show for several reasons before, and one of those reasons is that I don’t know much about it! It is a topic that many listeners are interested in learning more about, so I was excited to invite an experienced ultralight hiker and entrepreneur onto the show to share about her...

In episode 121 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I sat down to talk to an entrepreneur, world traveler, and devoted mother about how, throughout her life, the way she gets outside has changed. We all enter new seasons of life, and our circumstances greatly influence how we spend time outdoors. Having children is always a significant change, and as someone who does not have children, I was so exci...

In episode 120 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we’re exploring a topic that has been on my mind throughout 2023 and now as we enter 2024. I’ve been reading the book Reclaiming Body Trust, and it has made me rethink and evaluate my relationship with food and my body on a deeper level. Especially entering the season of New Year's resolutions, I think it is essential to consider how we can bui...