163. Fighting for Outdoor Policy and Protection in 2025 with Adam Cramer
Welcome to the first episode of 2025! I’m stoked to dive into another exciting year of podcast content with all of you, and we have some exciting things planned for the year. So, if you aren’t already, make sure you’re subscribed to our weekly newsletter. Every Monday, with the release of a new episode, I send out an email newsletter with the latest content you can hear and watch and any additional information relevant to our listeners. Last October, we had our first theme month: Climate Month. I enjoyed focusing on one broad topic area and tailoring it to the outdoor industry through a series of expert interviews. So, we are doing that again in January, but this time, our focus is on policy and politics. There’s a lot of stress going into 2025 and many unknowns regarding human rights, land access, the economy, and so much more as we transition into a new administration. We will be talking about most of these topics throughout the month and how they relate to outdoor communities, but we are starting with outdoor policy predictions and how we, as individuals and businesses, can use our voices to take action to protect the people and lands we love. To help guide this conversation, I had the privilege of sitting down and chatting with Adam Cramer. Adam Cramer is the founding Executive Director and present CEO of Outdoor Alliance, a national coalition of outdoor recreation advocacy groups that has breathed new life into the conservation movement by harnessing the outdoor community’s passion for place and combining it with a modern approach to organizing and digital engagement. During his time as CEO, Adam has brought new sensibilities to conservation work that have resulted in hundreds of thousands more acres of protected landscapes, improved management for outdoor recreation, and thousands of outdoor enthusiasts awakened to conservation and advocacy work. He is an avid whitewater kayaker and mountain biker, but is always on the lookout for a good skatepark. Adam lives in Maryland with his wife and two kids. 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 LISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976 ---------------------- Outdoor Alliance Website: https://www.outdooralliance.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdooralliance Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutdoorAlliance/
6 Jan 26min
162. Best of 2024
It’s the final Monday of 2024, and what a year it’s been for the Outdoor Minimalist podcast! In this special round-up episode, we’re celebrating the year’s highlights, including the top five most downloaded episodes. Whether you’re a first-time listener or a dedicated fan who tunes in every Monday, this episode is the perfect way to reflect on our journey together. We’re also taking a moment to celebrate the success of Forever Chemicals, our new investigative podcast series. From becoming the #1 Chemistry podcast in the U.S. to earning a homepage feature on Apple Podcasts during Earth Month, this project has been a labor of love that sparked critical conversations in the outdoor community. Forever Chemicals has been nominated for the Best Sports Documentary Podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards! Voting is open until January 13th. Please cast your vote (link below) and help us take home the win. Vote Here: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-sports-documentary-podcast/ As for 2025, there’s even more to look forward to, including the possibility of another new podcast (pending funding)! For now, join us as we revisit the most memorable Outdoor Minimalist episodes of 2024: Top 5 Episodes of 2024: 5. Episode 132: What Skiing Taught Me About Taking Business Risks with Ted Ligety A deep dive into how skiing’s challenges translate into entrepreneurship, featuring two-time Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety. 4. Episode 137: Travel is Not Sustainable with Breanne and Dave KiefnerA critical look at the environmental impacts of travel and how we can rethink our wanderlust to prioritize sustainability. 3. Episode 146: How to Apply Minimalism to Ultralight Backpacking with Glen Van PeskiInsights from the founder of Gossamer Gear on packing light and living with intention on the trail. 2. Episode 122: Becoming Ultralight: A Long-Distance Backpacker’s Lessons in Gear with Sarah Berkely Sarah Berkely shares her journey of ultralight backpacking as a woman and the lessons she’s learned along the way. 1. Episode 120: Building a Healthier Relationship with Food (On and Off the Trail) with Heather KellyOur most downloaded episode of the year! Heather Kelly discusses nutrition, mindfulness, and the intersection of food and outdoor adventure. Thank You for a Great Year! Whether you’ve been with us since day one or are just joining the Outdoor Minimalist community, thank you for making 2024 such an incredible year. This podcast has been a journey of learning, growth, and connection, and we’re so excited for what’s to come in 2025. Let’s keep exploring, learning, and minimizing together. See you in 2025! 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 LISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976
30 Dec 202422min
HOLIDAY SPECIAL: The Christmas Tree Display [repost]
Happy Holidays outdoor minimalist listeners. I can’t believe this is the third holiday season I get to spend with all of you! To give the team a bit of a break over the next two weeks, we decided to repost one of our most popular and well-loved episodes –The Christmas Tree Display. If you haven’t heard this, you’re in for a treat! Before we get to the special though, I have a few announcements. First, the Forever Chemicals podcast was recently nominated for the Sports Podcast Awards! While we like to think of ourselves as a science podcast, it is an honor to be a finalist in the sports documentary category. We were nominated because we cover the use of hazardous chemicals in sporting equipment and outdoor gear. That said, it would mean the world to us if you took a minute to cast a vote for the Forever Chemicals podcast. The link is in the show notes as well as in all of our social media bios. Voting is open until January 13th and winners will be announced on January 30th. The second announcement I have is that I’ve also included a link to our listener survey in the show notes and will be sending these out in the next few email newsletters. Last year was the first year we tried a listener survey, and it helped us a lot to hear directly from you about the show. Your input helps us create a more impactful show and cover topics and interview guests that interest you most. I’ve made some updates to the listener survey since last year, including the option to have a sit down chat with me, your host so I can hear from you directly and get to know you better. If you’re interested in sharing your thoughts directly with me and scheduling a video call, please fill out the survey in the show notes! With that, thank you again for making this our best year yet, and happy holidays. This Holiday Special: The Christmas Tree Display was written and produced by Meg Carney and edited by Alex Carney. ----------------------------- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalist LISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/EzVMMbvxQdVjGmU26 VOTE HERE: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-sports-documentary-podcast/ ----------------------------- Features Alex Carney as the Narrator, Meg Carney as the PVC Tree, and Jay Stewart as the Farm Tree.
16 Dec 202412min
161. Conscious Gift Giving and Sustainable Holiday Shopping
The holiday season is here, and with it comes a surge in waste and consumption. In this rare solo episode of Outdoor Minimalist, we explore how to reduce environmental impact during one of the most high-waste times of the year. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, waste in the U.S. increases by 25%, with millions of tons of trash generated from gift wrap, decorations, food waste, and shipping materials. This episode gives you actionable strategies for conscious gift-giving and sustainable shopping, including: Embracing experiences over possessions to create lasting traditions Thoughtful gift ideas like practical items, subscriptions, or goal-oriented presents Supporting local artisans and ethical brands Crafting DIY or secondhand treasures for unique and personal presents Rethinking wrapping paper with reusable or recyclable materials The holidays are an opportunity to spark conversations about sustainability and inspire new traditions that align with eco-conscious values. Listen for practical tips and resources to celebrate joyfully without creating unnecessary waste. Links Mentioned: EarthHero Sustainable Shopping Episode 3: How to Identify Sustainable Product Materials Bonus: Is Wrapping Paper Recyclable? Who Gives a Crap and Reel Toilet Paper Go Green with Alexa 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 LISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976
9 Dec 202415min
160. Reconnecting with Nature Through Outdoor Play with Jen Ball
In the spirit of gift-giving, I want to highlight a book that I believe many listeners would love and cherish with their friends and family. Books are a timeless gift, and supporting small bookstores is something near and dear to my heart– after all, I grew up in one. That’s why I decided to feature Sticks, Stones, and Pinecones: Games to Play in Nature by Jen Ball in episode 160 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast. Jen Ball is lead faculty for the Sustainability Stream, a program that guides students into green sector careers, at Canada’s Humber College. Ball has also been a producer for CBC Radio One, coordinator for the Montreal Fringe Festival, and administrator for the Caravan Tall Ship Theatre Company. A member of the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario, Ball roams the outdoors often with friends and family. 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 LISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976 ----------------- Jen Ball Humber College: https://humber.ca/staff/announcement/sustainability-spotlight-jen-ball Mountaineers: https://www.mountaineers.org/members/jennifer-ball?ajax_load=1 Bookshop.org (US): https://bookshop.org/p/books/sticks-stones-pinecones-board-and-other-games-to-play-with-nature-jennifer-ball/21189103?ean=9781680517163 Indigo (Canada): https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/sticks-stones-pinecones-games-to-play-in-nature/9781680517163.html
2 Dec 202423min
159. Climate Change is Impacting Where and How We Ski with Anneka Williams
In this episode 159 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we’re heading into ski and snowboard season. Now, we don’t have many episodes focused around the snowsports industry (there’s a few, shout out to Ted Ligety and his episode), but as we gear up for winter sports, I wanted to look at how we enjoy our winter season with a more critical lens. We’ve all experienced a rapid change in weather patterns throughout the last 10 years, and skiing is at the forefront of climate change impacts. Warmer winters, shrinking snowpacks, and unpredictable conditions are transforming the sport as we know it. To help us unpack this pressing issue, we’re joined by Anneka Williams. Originally from Vermont’s Mad River Valley, Anneka is a climate scientist and she holds a BA in Biology and Earth and Oceanographic Science from Bowdoin College and an MSc in Climate Change from the University of Copenhagen. Anneka has worked on climate and environmental issues on four different continents and pursued stories and ski lines around the world. Currently, Anneka is based in Salt Lake City, Utah where she works on climate resilience in the energy sector and as a freelance writer. 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 LISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976 ----------------- Anneka Williams Website: https://www.annekawilliams.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annekawilliams/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anneka-williams-81215614b/ Email: annekawilliams24@gmail.com ----------------- Episode Resources Season Equipment: https://seasoneqpt.com/ Patagonia Worn Wear: https://wornwear.patagonia.com/ Intergovernmental Panel of the Climate Change: https://www.ipcc.ch/ Climate Central: https://www.climatecentral.org/
25 Nov 202430min
157. Gear & Beer: PFAS Buyers Guide
This episode is brought to you courtesy of Colin True from the Rock Fight and Gear & Beer podcasts. The Rock Fight: https://www.rockfight.co/ Gear & Beer: https://www.rockfight.co/yourmom/categories/gear-beer Please follow and subscribe to Gear & Beer and give them a 5 star rating wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a written review on Apple Podcasts and reach out to myrockfight@gmail.com to claim your free Gear & Beer sticker! Gear & Beer is part of the Rock Fight podcast network. Be sure to check out THE ROCK FIGHT for the best outdoor industry commentary on Apple or Spotify. Head to www.rockfight.co and sign up for News From the Front, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter! Want to see your favorite piece of gear or favorite beer featured on a future episode? Send your feedback and suggestions to myrockfight@gmail.com or send a message on Instagram or Threads.
11 Nov 202441min
