Outdoor Minimalist

In episode 119 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we enter the biking world. I am an avid cyclist, mostly with gravel biking, so when I learned about electric adventure bikes, I raised my eyebrows a bit. First of all, I didn’t know what they were. Were they like e-bikes? Are they electric motorcycles? And they weren’t going to be good for the environments they’re used in, right? Well, I was pleasa...

For the year's final episode, episode 118, we've picked out our top-ranking episodes of 2023 to recap and return to some of our listener's favorite conversations. We release an episode every Monday, so many other amazing episodes are available beyond these five, but if this is your first time listening, this is an excellent place to start.  Looking back on 2023, I want to thank all our...

In episode 117 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we set out to answer the question: what does circularity look like when designing products? To provide real-life examples and experiences of how they’ve implemented more sustainable operations and moved towards a more circular product design, I had the pleasure of hosting Alicia Chin and Sue Jesch from Smartwool.  Alicia Chin  is the Director of Su...

In episode 116 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I was introduced to an innovative app perfect for life on and off the trail. GOES is an award-winning outdoor safety app co-founded by wilderness medicine expert Dr. Grant Lipman and healthcare tech innovator Camilo Barcenas. Dr. Lipman is a former professor of emergency medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and was director of its wil...

In episode 115 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I sat down to chat with Emme Hayes, the founder of Articles in Common. During our conversation, we learned a lot about one another and just how much we actually had in common, including our thoughts on buying used gear and keeping products in circulation for as long as possible. Since buying used is a topic I’ve explored with other guests in the pa...

In episode 114 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I am answering some listener questions. I sometimes get questions from listeners via DMs on Instagram; they’ll comment on a post or submit a question to my website contact box, or, more recently, I sent a form in the weekly newsletter asking what some listener questions may be. If you ever have a question related to the show, please contact me! Som...

In episode 113 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I interview author Elizabeth Hilborn, about her new book Restoring Eden. The book is at once a riveting environmental detective story, an inspiring account of citizen advocacy, and a gorgeous ode to the fragile ecosystems that nourish us, both physically and spiritually. Dr. Elizabeth Hilborn is a veterinarian who specializes in honey bee medicine....

In episode 112 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we will be talking a whole lot of shit. Our focus today is on a topic that I care deeply about, and I spend a lot of time thinking about it because I have three large dogs: dog poop. More specifically, we discuss the reasons why we all should be picking up our dog’s poop and the best ways to dispose of it once we do. To help lead this conversation,...

In episode 111 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we introduce the highly requested topic of PFAS. You’ll get an inside look into how and why companies have chosen to use PFAS in the past and how one company has phased out the chemical to better align their products with their commitment to a better outdoor experience and a more sustainable future.  There’s much to be said about this subject, and...

In episode 110 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I am excited to introduce  Lukas Gräf , the US Head of Growth and Expansion for Trelino. Trelino produces composting toilets perfect for camping, vanlife, boating, tiny houses, and more! If you’re curious about how composting toilets work, if they’re worth investing in for travel and tiny living, this is the episode for you.  At the end of 2018, Lu...

In episode 109 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we discuss how running events, whether trail or city courses, can become more sustainable, reduce waste, and be more inclusive for their communities. To help me do that, I sat down to chat with Brian Mister. Brian Mister (he/him) is the co-founder of Around the Crown 10K, presented by Truist (ATC10K), founded in 2018. While working for major event...

“Why would anyone want to learn the wild skills of our ancient ancestors today, when our lives are full of advanced technologies, quick conveniences, and the joys of instant communication? What could their Paleolithic wisdom have to offer us when a blockchain digital utopia is on our horizon?” That is the opening paragraph of the book Why We Need to be Wild: One Woman’s Quest for Ancient Human Ans...

In episode 107, we discuss a part of the outdoor industry that we don’t usually discuss: RV living and travel. There have been a few episodes about vanlife and overlanding, and since so many people choose RVs, trailers, and vans as their mode of transit or even as a full-time home, it only makes sense to explore how to do it sustainably. I have never lived in a camper trailer or an RV, so when I d...

In episode 106 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we return to a topic that most of us likely love (I know I do): food. Trail food is something that brings me a lot of joy when I’m out in the backcountry, and it is also something that can quickly boost my morale as I hike. It gives me something to look forward to on those final miles before I reach camp and is a place to build connection and commu...

Meg is walking around in the Badlands of South Dakota, the land of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, so it’s me, Alex, gracing you with an intro this week! In episode 105 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, Meg explores how rural communities can build more inclusive outdoor spaces. To do this, she sat down to chat with Kristen Neithercut, cofounder of the Montana-based nonprofit the female climbers collecti...

In episode 104 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we dive into how to identify your needs when choosing a hiking trail. There are many online resources and ways to discover new trails, but who is making those trail recommendations and writing the reviews? Sometimes, finding a trail that suits your needs is hard, especially if you’re hiking with dogs, children, or have any disability. Even as we ag...

How does minimalism fit into your outdoor adventure wardrobe? Is it possible to have one shirt that works for every one of your adventures? In episode 103 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we aim to answer those questions. To do that, I sat down with founder and adventurist Jen Loofburrow to see how and why she created a company whose goal is to reduce the number of apparel items you buy. Jen lov...

We talk a lot about how we impact the environment on this show, but what about how the natural world impacts us? It is no secret that climate change has upped the ante regarding extreme weather events and natural disasters. This summer alone, I have experienced some of the effects of wildfires in the PNW. There have been countless hurricanes, and in all of these situations, people and homes are lo...

In episode 101 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we get into the nitty gritty of wool production and answer the question: How sustainable and ethical is wool? Wool is a widely used natural fiber in the outdoor industry. From socks to sweaters, people have relied on wool materials to keep them warm and safe in even the most extreme weather. As more of us gravitate away from synthetic materials and...

100 episodes - I can't believe we are here! The podcast has been out for almost two years now, and while we've missed a week or two here and there, you've joined us every Monday to explore a new topic about minimalism, outdoor recreation, and being outside. THANK YOU Getting to 100 episodes is something that only about 10% of podcasts achieve in their lifetime, and I couldn't have...

Episode 99 - can you believe that we are almost to 100?! I certainly can’t! And we have a special 100th episode next week featuring the rest of the Outdoor Minimalist team, Alex and Ethan. When I started the podcast, I was afraid I’d run out of ideas and wouldn’t have enough to discuss. I’ve been so blessed throughout my writing and podcasting journey to have met some amazing people and interviewe...

When we enter wild landscapes, no matter how remote, there is an inherent risk. A risk that we could be injured, that we encounter a wild animal, become lost, or, worst case scenario, succumb to foul play at the hands of another human. Some of these interactions and scenarios are unavoidable; even the most seasoned explorers die in the wilderness.  In episode 98, we explore these exact topics. I f...

In episode 97, we are diving into a world that is a bit foreign to me but has fascinated me for a long time: wildlife photography. Many listeners likely enjoy photography as a hobby or profession. This artistic pursuit is one way we can spend time in nature and get to know the world more intimately.  So, why are we talking about photography on this show? Minimalism in the world of photography is a...

In episode 96 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we discuss how one company is making waves in the outdoor industry through new product innovations and pioneering a circular production model. Most of our discussion revolves around a new proprietary fabric and upcoming product innovations from the Nemo Equipment team. To explain how they’ve achieved all this and more, I had the pleasure of hosting...

Many of us enjoy sharing our adventures online with friends and family, but does how we share those experiences impact the wild spaces themselves? In episode 95, we discuss social media and online conversations about geotagging, location sharing, and equal access in the outdoors. To help do a deep dive into geotagging, I had the pleasure of hosting Maddy Marquardt. Maddy is a sea kayaking guide, e...