Papa Bear Hikes

Martin welcomes returning guest Jessica Bagnell as she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail with a trail partner, where weather governs tempo and small errors accumulate into consequence. Jessica reflects on the first weeks on trail, when comfort becomes irrelevant and daily life is reduced to judgment, pacing, and mutual reliability. Shared distance exposes character with unusual speed. Jessica and Mart...

Papa Bear Hikes Podcast with host Martin welcomes returning guest and friend of the show, Ben “Paladin” Cox. A life shaped through hiking, backpacking, and environmental stewardship informs Cox’s perspective, grounded in sustained engagement with the outdoors rather than occasional escape. Service within the thru hiking community and long trail experience reinforce a consistent ethic of responsibi...

Martin welcomes Darren Silver to Papa Bear Hikes for a grounded conversation on wilderness as teacher, rites of passage in the modern world, and how nature shapes purpose, resilience, and leadership. Darren Silver, MA is a rite of passage guide, mythologist, and founder of Great Earth School, a yearlong experiential program rooted in nature based leadership, ritual, and deep relationship to land....

Papa Bear Hikes welcomes Brent and Kyle Pease, co-founders of The Kyle Pease Foundation and two of the most inspiring endurance athletes in the country. Together they have completed more than one hundred fifty endurance races, raised ten million dollars for inclusion, and set the IRONMAN World Championship Push Assist World Record. Their journey of brotherhood and purpose has moved audiences at Go...

Martin welcomes back Rue McKenrick back to Papa Bear Hikes. A favorite guest of the show, Rue returns to talk about the latest volume in his American Perimeter Trail series, Volume 1 West: A 14,000 Mile Journey. McKenrick is a professional backpacker, conservationist, and Executive Director of the American Perimeter Trail Conference. After completing the Triple Crown of Backpacking, he spent three...

Papa Bear Hikes welcomes Christopher Hill, founder of the luxury philanthropic travel companies Hands Up Holidays and Impact Destinations. Christopher joins Martin Hysot to explore how purposeful travel can strengthen families and communities through experiences that unite adventure with meaningful service. He shares how living in New Zealand with his wife, two sons, and dog Zola shapes his global...

Papa Bear Hikes welcomes back guest Adam Salinger, whose long trail history and steady backcountry judgment always elevate the conversation. Martin guides the episode as Adam talks through the eastern Sierras with clear, grounded insight, reflecting on route choices, conditions, pacing, and the small decisions that shape a safe, satisfying day outdoors. Their easy rapport keeps the discussion warm...

Guest Neil Markey joins host Martin for a grounded conversation about mental wellbeing, resilience, and the realities of finding calm after high-pressure lives. A former Army Ranger who later entered the corporate world as a McKinsey executive, Neil speaks openly about post-combat PTSD, burnout, and the long path toward rebuilding a workable inner life. He describes how these experiences led him t...

Host Martin welcomes Shawn Gossman, founder of Hiking with Shawn, a brand devoted to hiking, biking, and outdoor adventure across the Shawnee National Forest and Southern Illinois. What began as a fun personal project in 2016 has evolved into a thriving platform that inspires thousands to explore responsibly, appreciate nature, and support local outdoor spaces. Through YouTube, Facebook, Instagram...

In this episode of Papa Bear Hikes , host Martin Armitage introduces Ben Brown , founder of Body Systems and host of The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Show . Ben shares how men can rebuild lasting energy and strength in their 40s and beyond by understanding their body’s unique blueprint. With over 15 years of experience and dual Master’s degrees in Exercise Physiology and Clinical Nutrition, he expl...

Martin welcomes back friend and returning guest Adam Salinger. In this conversation, Adam shares stories from his recent adventure: the Sawtooth Loop, a demanding route that tested his endurance and rewarded him with unforgettable views. Adam reflects on the challenges, the solitude, and the awe that keep drawing him deeper into the wilderness. Listeners will come away inspired by Adam’s resilienc...

Host Martin welcomes Hillary, a marketer from Brooklyn with roots in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. A passionate traveler, Hillary seizes every opportunity to explore, from the energy of bustling city streets to the stillness of the world’s most remote corners. What makes her journey unique is her mission to bring others along, inspiring friends and family to share in experiences that create lasting...

Friend of the podcast Dr. Robert Scanlon joins host Martin to talk about preparation as the ultimate survival skill. A physician, backpacker, and author of the upcoming book Surviving the Trail (launching September 2025), Dr. Scanlon shares practical safety tips and insights for anyone looking to thrive on the trail. Pre-order Surviving the Trail and get ready to make every outdoor adventure safer...

On this episode of the Papa Bear Hikes podcast, host Martin welcomes James Oliver, lifelong hiker and founder of Atlas, a company dedicated to clean, convenient, high-protein nutrition. James shares how his journey on the trail shaped his approach to endurance, wellness, and the importance of fueling with intention. Today, through Atlas, he’s helping others push their limits and thrive with nutrit...

On this episode of the Papa Bear Hikes podcast, host Martin welcomes Rebecca Campbell, an internationally bestselling writer, poet, mystic, artist, ritualist, and mother. Her work is devoted to weaving the soul back into everyday life and guiding people to live in alignment with their spirit. Born in Australia and now living in Glastonbury, UK, Rebecca has been working with the rose and other plan...

On this episode of Papa Bear Hikes, host Martin welcomes Howard Falco, a spiritual teacher and mindset coach who left a successful career in finance after a life-changing awakening. Howard shares powerful insights from his new book, Invincible: The Mindset of Infinite Potential and the Secret to Inevitable Success , offering practical guidance on breaking through self-imposed limits and tapping in...

In this episode, Martin talks with Ken Posner about his shift from Wall Street life to mountain trails, where he took on the brutal and beautiful Catskill "Grid"—a challenge requiring over 400 ascents across every month of the year. What began as a pursuit of a record evolved into something far deeper. Ken shares how stripping away gear, comfort, and convention helped him reconnect with...

In this episode, Martin welcomes outfitter and river guide Jon Barker for his first appearance on the podcast. Jon is the founder of Barker River Expeditions and has spent over 40 years navigating Idaho’s remote rivers. For the past 25 years, he’s specialized in desert river trips on the Jarbidge, Bruneau, and Owyhee Rivers. Jon shares stories from his decades guiding clients through some of the m...

Host Martin Armitage welcomes Dr. Sean Pastuch, founder of Active Life, whose groundbreaking approach is transforming how we think about health, movement, and longevity. Rather than relying on quick fixes or unnecessary medical interventions, Dr. Pastuch empowers individuals to reclaim their active lives through smart, sustainable fitness solutions. With a background in coaching elite athletes and...

 This week on Papa Bear Hikes , host Martin welcomes back listener favorite Ben “Paladin” Cox. A husband, father, hiker, environmentalist, hunter, fisherman, and world traveler, Ben joins us once again to share stories, reflections, and a few new perspectives since his last visit. Together, Martin and Ben dive into the experiences that have shaped him over the past year from time spent outdoors to...

Aaron returns to the show to share her expert insight as a licensed nutritionist and founder of Backcountry Foodie, focusing on how hikers can fuel their adventures with healthy, ultralight snacks—without overspending. Drawing from her extensive experience creating trail-tested meal plans, she offers smart, affordable picks from dollar stores and discount chains that deliver real nutritional value...

Host Martin welcomes back fan favorite Audrey “Glowstick” Payne, a seasoned thru hiker, blogger, and author, for an inspiring update on her latest long distance journey: trekking from Carson City to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail. Audrey shares vivid stories of dusty switchbacks, high desert ridgelines, and the ever changing terrain that defines the northern stretch of the PCT. She also dish...

In this episode of Papa Bear Hikes , host Martin welcomes Doug Beaumont, the California-based adventurer behind the popular YouTube channel, Backcountry Pilgrim. With decades of experience exploring the backcountry, Doug shares insights from his hiking journeys and the stories that inspire his content. Doug discusses his passion for hiking, his experiences on various trails, and the lessons he&apo...

In this empowering episode of Papa Bear Hikes , host Martin chats with Giovanna Silvestre—📚 author, 🌎 solo traveler, 🧘🏻‍♀️ and the visionary behind Confused Girl , a trailblazing sportswear line inspired by healing crystals. Featured in Forbes , NBC , and LA Yoga , Giovanna opens up about her journey from uncertainty to bold entrepreneurship—and how spirituality and solo adventures led her to...

In today’s episode, Martin talks about his recent 5K race experience. He shares how it fit into his regular fitness routine, what the event was like, and why staying active off the trail matters. It was a fun, straightforward morning that reminded him how small challenges help build a stronger outdoor lifestyle. Join Martin for a quick recap and some thoughts on keeping movement a part of everyday...