104. Finding the Right Trails for Your Needs with Hope Rowan
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 age, our needs in trail maintenance, difficulty, and length will likely change. Then, finding the resources to identify where those trails are and the description accuracy is an entirely different challenge. That’s why I sat down with a trail and map expert to get her take on how to better identify and find the right trails for our needs. Hope Rowan is a creator of maps, particularly maps of trails. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Colby College and a Master’s degree in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic. Hope has authored two kids' hiking guides and enjoys getting outdoors with her dog Tess as much as possible, whether climbing mountain peaks, kayaking the ocean, or rediscovering lost canoe portaging routes among Maine's rivers and ponds. 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 --------------- Hope Rowan Trail Guides: https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/hope-rowan/2511112/ Facebook Maine Trail Finder: https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/ Land Trust Alliance: https://landtrustalliance.org/ --------------- Related Episodes 20. Creating a Thru-Hike and Conserving Our Trails 24. Identifying Your Needs: Adventure, Gear, and Safety 36. Building a Daily Outdoor Habit 37. Tips for a Low-Waste Thru-Hike 82. Creating a More Adaptive Hiking Space -------------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
18 Sep 202335min
103. One Shirt for Every Adventure with Jen Loofburrow
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 loves long adventures outdoors, self-propelled by foot, pedal, paddle, or ski. She launched the Alaska-based outdoor apparel brand Alpine Fit to combine her passions, values, and experiences in materials development and adventuring in the backcountry of Canada and Alaska. Alpine Fit makes essential pieces of clothing for adventures of all kinds, offering fit options for body shapes and odor-resistant fabrics in base layers, bushwhacking leggings, hats, headbands, and neck gaiters made in the USA. 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 --------------- EPISODE SPONSOR Diorite Gear: https://dioritegear.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dioritegear Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089931191484 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dioritegear/ Get 15% Off Your Next Order with the Code MINIMALIST --------------- Alpine Fit Website: https://alpinefit.com/ Rendezvous Ridge Long Sleeve: https://alpinefit.com/products/rendezvous-ridge-long-sleeve-1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alpinefitco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpinefitco/ -------------------- Related Episodes 3. How to Identify Sustainable Product Materials 12. What's the Deal with Natural Fibers in the Outdoor Industry? 27. Why You Need a Pee Rag (if you squat when you pee) 58. The Truth About Recycled Apparel 67. Using Apparel to Make the Outdoors Accessible for All 72. What’s the Deal with Deadstock? 101. How Sustainable (and Ethical) is Wool? -------------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
11 Sep 202332min
102. How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster with Brad Greer
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 lost. That’s why, in episode 102 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we provide resources to prepare you for natural disasters and other emergencies. September is National Preparedness Month, and today’s guest will ensure we’re ready, no matter the emergency. Brad Greer has over 20 years of experience in health care, cybersecurity, identity theft, law, litigation, insurance, and government affairs. Greer and five others helped start up the United States’ leading identity theft protection company, LifeLock, in 2005. He served as the primary interface for the Company on legislative, administrative, and regulatory issues with state and federal government. Greer is the CEO of DrySee. DrySee is a worldwide, patented technology involving a waterproof, breathable liquid indicating bandage. The latest rendition of the device addresses a very large market opportunity with a waterproof covering, a water invasion indicator near the edge and center of the bandage with cost-effective materials that ensure maximum profitability and multiple patient benefits from a disposable bandage. 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 DrySee Website: https://drysee.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/drysee/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dryseebandage/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrySeeBandages/ --------------- Episode Resources National Risk Index for Natural Disasters: https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/products-tools/national-risk-index Preparing for a Disaster: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/pfd.pdf September is National Preparedness Month: https://www.ready.gov/september --------------- Related Episodes 24. Identifying Your Needs: Adventure, Gear, and Safety 54. Why We Need Nature 64. The Environmental Impact of Wildfires -------------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
5 Sep 202335min
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 Aug 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 Aug 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 Aug 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 Aug 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 Aug 202337min
