101. How Sustainable (and Ethical) is Wool? with Mike Sombery
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 try to find more sustainable natural fibers that perform well, we might prefer wool. But is wool always the best choice? You might be surprised by the answers brought forward by my guest, Mike Sombery. Mike served as the Marketing Director at Duckworth for three years and was initially drawn to the company due to its intersectionality of performance fashion, sustainable supply chain and small-footprint management, and Montana-based agriculture. A passionate outdoorsman, Mike has watched as brands operating under the guise of outdoor-loving apparel manufacturers have disregarded the environment and ecology of wild places and is dedicated to helping forge an example-setting model for others to follow and iterate upon. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalist ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book VENMO: @OutdoorMinimalist --------------- Duckworth Website: https://www.duckworthco.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duckworthco/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DuckworthCo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DuckworthCo Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/duckworthco/ Connect with Mike Somerby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-somerby/ --------------- Related Episodes 3. How to Identify Sustainable Product Materials 12. What's the Deal with Natural Fibers in the Outdoor Industry? 33. The Truth About Sustainable Shoes 67. Using Apparel to Make the Outdoors Accessible for All 72. What’s the Deal with Deadstock? 96. Balancing Fabric Performance and Sustainability -------------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
29 Elo 202348min
EPISODE 100
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 done it without all of you. Each week I show up and interview another expert in the outdoor industry, and without fail, I learn something new. Outdoor Minimalist has brought me some of the most amazing connections and relationships, and what's crazy is that there's still more to come. So, thank you. Thank you for listening. Thank you for supporting the show, and thank you for helping create a better outdoor space as we recreate. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalist ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book VENMO: @OutdoorMinimalist Lava Linens Discount Code for 15% off your next purchase: OUTDOORMINIMALIST -------------------- Episodes Mentioned 15. HOLIDAY SPECIAL: The Christmas Tree Display 18. Finding Minimalism and Connection Through Fly Fishing 53. How To Talk About Outdoor Minimalism 54. Why We Need Nature 64. The Environmental Impact of Wildfires 73. Wild Horse Conservation: What's the Problem and How Can We Fix it? -------------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
21 Elo 20231h 18min
99. How Sustainable is Vanlife? with Dave Santillo
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 interviewed countless experts in the outdoor industry. Some of those people I met while I was traveling for four months living out of my van. Van and car living have woven their way in and out of my life for the last decade. At times, I did it out of necessity, and at others, just because I wanted to travel. Social media has changed the vanlife landscape quite a bit, and what was once looked down upon as a lifestyle has become coveted and pursued by many, even if it is only for a short time. Because vanlife, overlanding, and RV travel are a big part of the outdoor industry, it only makes sense to discuss how and why this lifestyle may or may not be as sustainable as we think. That’s why in episode 99, we are answering the question: how sustainable is vanlife? To help me dive into this topic, I was happy to host Dave Santillo. Dave is a career environmental scientist with a Ph.D. in Environmental & Forest Biology. He lists his favorite things as traveling with any of his three kids, but he also loves wilderness expeditioning, sea kayaking, and hiking. He also spends a lot of time wrestling with issues like ecological footprint and sustainability as they relate to his interests, both in his profession and his recreation, which he recently linked together in his nonprofit initiative called the TerraTrek. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalist ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book VENMO: @OutdoorMinimalist --------------- Dave Santillo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terratrekus/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terratrekus/ YouTube: @TerraTrek Website: https://terratrek.org/ --------------- Related Episodes 40. Becoming Minimalist: Downsizing for Life 76. Grow Where You Are 87. Using Minimalism to Reduce Stress 91. The Rise of Overlanding and Its Environmental Impact
15 Elo 202355min
98. How Not to Die in the Wilderness with Andrea Lankford
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 find that it’s essential to have a healthy fear when entering the wilderness. Maybe not a fear, but a mindset that it’s possible for things to go wrong, and it’s important to be prepared for when they do. Although I could likely fill an episode alone discussing some of my wild experiences and encounters outdoors, I had the pleasure of sitting down and learning from Andrea Lankford about how not to die in the wilderness. Andrea Lankford is the author of Ranger Confidential, three trail guides, and her upcoming book, Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail. During her career with the National Park Service, Andrea performed law enforcement, search and rescue, wildland firefighting, and wilderness emergency medicine. After leaving the ranger ranks, the accomplished outdoorswoman thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, kayaked from Miami to Key West, and she and her friend, Beth Overton, were the first to mountain bike the 800-mile Arizona Trail. Andrea is now a registered nurse living in Northern California. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalist ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book VENMO: @OutdoorMinimalist --------------- Andrea Lankford Website: https://www.andrealankford.com/ Ranger Confidential: https://www.andrealankford.com/ranger-confidential Trail of the Lost: https://www.andrealankford.com/trailofthelost PCT Missing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/pctmissing.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hauntedhiker/
7 Elo 202325min
97. The Trend of Minimalism in Photography with Daniel J. Cox
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 topic that is brushed over relatively quickly and often. So, when Daniel J. Cox approached me, I was intrigued by the idea of discussing the evolution of photography over the last few decades, the trend of minimalism both in gear and as an artistic concept, and how having and doing less can sometimes lead to a more efficient process. Daniel J. Cox has been documenting the world of nature for over four decades. His work has appeared in National Geographic Magazine and many other publications related to conservation issues. He was recently awarded the Environmental Impact Award from the North American Nature Photographers Association, and he’s firmly committed to scaling down, which includes the equipment he uses to produce his work. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalist ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book VENMO: @OutdoorMinimalist --------------- Daniel J Cox (Natural Exposures) YouTube: @danieljcox Website: https://naturalexposures.com/about-us/staff/daniel-j-cox/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naturalexposures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danieljcoxne/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieljcox/ --------------- Related Episodes 40. Becoming Minimalist: Downsizing for Life 81. How Do You Define Adventure? 87. Using Minimalism to Reduce Stress
1 Elo 202337min
96. Balancing Fabric Performance and Sustainability with Theresa McKenney
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 Theresa McKenney. Theresa is the Director of Sustainability at NEMO Equipment, an innovative gear brand based in Dover, New Hampshire. When she’s not deep in a spreadsheet or hiking a trail, Theresa enjoys playing piano and fiddle with the Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalist ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book VENMO: @OutdoorMinimalist --------------- Nemo Equipment Website: https://www.nemoequipment.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nemoequipment/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nemoequipment YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NEMOEquipmentInc Theresa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-mckenney-37137a3b/ OSMO Fabric Overview: https://www.nemoequipment.com/pages/osmo Nemo Sustainability Page: https://www.nemoequipment.com/pages/sustainability Outdoor Industry Association Climate Action Corps: https://outdoorindustry.org/climateaction --------------- Related Episodes 3. How to Identify Sustainable Product Materials 12. What's the Deal with Natural Fibers in the Outdoor Industry? 38. Is There an Alternative to Toxic Solvent-Based Gear Coatings? 48. Can a Company Be 100% Circular? 58. The Truth About Recycled Apparel 71. Linear vs Circular Economy 72. What’s the Deal with Deadstock?
25 Heinä 202332min
95. How Much Does Geotagging Matter? with Maddy Marquardt
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, expedition paddler, and writer. From guidebooks to guided tours, she's shared outdoor information and locations in many different ways and seen the impacts of areas that have been loved to death. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalist ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book VENMO: @OutdoorMinimalist --------------- Maddy Marquardt Website: https://madelinemarquardt.com/ Instagram: @maddymarq Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maddy.marquardt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maddymarquardt --------------- Related Episodes 10. Prioritizing Experience and Place Over Equipment and Possessions 21. Are We Loving the Land to Death? 57. Max Your Inspiration, Not Your Impact 60. How Does Technology Impact Our Experience Outdoors?
17 Heinä 202343min
94. How Do Bear Canisters Work? with Holly Jaleski
In episode 94 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we discuss the importance of proper food storage when hiking and camping in bear country. If you haven’t had a chance to listen yet, I recommend going back and tuning into episode 85, where I interview a wildlife biologist specializing in bears from Glacier National Park. He shares some great tips on safely recreating around bears and avoiding an encounter altogether. So, to build on that topic and focus on one of the primary ways bears and humans collide, I was excited to interview Holly Jalenski, the co-founder of Grub Can, about how she and her husband created a bear-safe food canister that’s comfortable to carry. You’ll hear us chat about what inspired them to design a new bear canister, how they’re tested, and if they actually work when a bear gets their hands on them. Holly Jaleski and Jim Corning are a husband and wife backpacking duo. They've both been backpacking all over the US for over 40 years. They created Grubcan out of a desire for a bear-resistant container that fits comfortably inside or outside backpacks and opens easily without tools. Grubcan’s are handmade in Flagstaff (and we love visitors!). Holly is the CCO at Grubcan. She is trained in wildlife rehabilitation and is the Director of a rescue ranch. Her parents instilled in her a respect and love for nature from an early age. She has been on the BLM Resource Advisory Council for many years as an advocate for preserving nature for the good of all. She is also a novelist and writes environmental fiction. Jim is an Aeronautical Engineer and has been designing and manufacturing airplane parts out of carbon fiber for 26 years; now, he’s used his expertise to transform the bear-resistant container market. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalist ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book VENMO: @OutdoorMinimalist --------------- Grub Can Website: https://tuffystuffy.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildiproducts Instagram: @grubcan --------------- Episode Resources IGBC Website: https://igbconline.org/ #85 A Bear Biologist's Tips For Respecting Wildlife and Being Bear Aware Use of an approved canister is mandatory in some national parks and wilderness areas. This list includes: Yosemite National Park (entire backcountry except a few sites where food lockers are in place) Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks (selected areas; food boxes in place in numerous locations) Grand Teton National Park (entire backcountry except where food lockers are in place) Rocky Mountain National Park (all backcountry campsites below treeline) North Cascades National Park (selected areas) Olympic National Park (selected areas) Denali National Park (selected units) Glacier Bay National Park (all treeless areas) Gates of the Arctic National Park (most areas) Inyo National Forest, eastern and central Sierra Nevada, California (selected areas) Eastern High Peaks Wilderness Area, Adirondack Mountains, New York (between April 1 and Nov. 30, all areas)
10 Heinä 202338min
