118. Best of 2023
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 listeners for making this our best year yet. We've grown a lot this past year, and I am excited to see what 2024 has in store for us. I also want to thank our podcast sponsors, Diorite Gear and Lava Linens, for their support in making this production possible. One big announcement for 2024 is the release of the 10-part podcast series Forever Chemicals. If you were a fan of episode 111, Phasing out PFAS in Outdoor Equipment, you'll want to subscribe to our weekly newsletter at theoutdoorminimalist.com to stay updated on release dates and trailers for the Forever Chemicals limited series. If you want to support our work and the upcoming Forever Chemicals series, please consider donating to our GoFundMe—link in the show notes. And if you can't support us monetarily, I'd love it if you could leave us a review on Apple podcasts. Reviews are a free way to support the show and to help new listeners find content that aligns with their interests and values. Without further ado, here are the top five episodes of 2023 based on listener analytics. 111. Phasing Out PFAS in Outdoor Equipment with Fjallraven 87. Using Minimalism to Reduce Stress featuring Becca Ploener, health and life coach and host of the Wild Woman Podcast 98. How Not to Die in the Wilderness, featuring Andrea Lankford, author of Ranger Confidential and Trail of the Lost 99. How Sustainable is Vanlife? Featuring Dave Santillo, environmental scientist and creator of TerraTrek 101. How Sustainable (and Ethical) is Wool? Featuring Mike Somberby 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 GOFUNDME: Fund the Forever Chemicals 10-Part Podcast --------------- Lava Linens Discount Code for 15% off your next purchase: OUTDOORMINIMALIST -------------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
26 Dec 202333min
117. How Smartwool Prioritizes Circularity in Their Design with Alicia Chin and Sue Jesch
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 Sustainability and Social Impact for emerging brands at VF Corporation—Altra, icebreaker, and Smartwool. At Smartwool, Alicia led the development of the brand’s 10-year roadmap aimed at protecting the outdoors and making outdoor recreation more accessible and inclusive. Before joining Smartwool, Alicia managed sustainability and social responsibility at Heineken USA and the NHL. Sue Jesch is Global Director of Design at Smartwool and has been with the brand for nearly 15 years. Sue oversees Smartwool’s product design team that brings the brand’s creative expression to life through award-winning, industry-leading products designed to inspire transformative moments in the outdoors. 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 GOFUNDME: Fund the Forever Chemicals 10-Part Podcast --------------- 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 --------------- Smartwool Website: https://www.smartwool.com/ Second Cut: https://www.smartwool.com/second-cut.html Recycle Your Socks: https://www.smartwool.com/second-cut/recycle.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartwool/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Smartwool/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/smartwool --------------- Related Episodes 12. What's the Deal with Natural Fibers in the Outdoor Industry? with John Gage 48. Can a Company Be 100% Circular? with Niclas Bornling 71. Linear vs Circular Economy 72. What’s the Deal with Deadstock? with Nicole Wilson 101. How Sustainable (and Ethical) is Wool? with Mike Sombery 111. Phasing out PFAS in Outdoor Equipment with Fjallraven --------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
18 Dec 202342min
116. Must Have Wilderness First Aid Knowledge For Your Next Trip with Camilo Barcenas
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 wilderness medicine fellowship. He’s a leader in wilderness medicine and has published numerous research papers, book chapters, and articles. He has expedition medicine experience on six continents and has taught wilderness medicine for 20 years. Today’s guest, Camilo Barcenas, has over twenty years of experience creating and implementing innovative solutions to improve patient care through technology with partners such as the Mayo Clinic and Stanford Health Care. I first learned about the GOES Health App just a few weeks before recording this episode, and now, I wonder why I ever hiked without it. The interactive database of health information, weather accuracy, and on-call doctors gives me and my loved ones peace of mind that I can be prepared for any situation I may encounter on the trail. Outdoor Minimalist listeners can get an exclusive one-month subscription for free to try the app for themselves with the code MINIMALISTGOES. 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 GOFUNDME: Fund the Forever Chemicals 10-Part Podcast --------------- Lava Linens Discount Code for 15% off your next purchase: OUTDOORMINIMALIST -------------------- GOES Health App Website: https://goes.health/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goeshealth/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GOEShealth/ Outdoor Minimalist listeners can get an exclusive one-month subscription for free to try the app for themselves with the code MINIMALISTGOES. -------------------- Related Episodes 24. Identifying Your Needs: Adventure, Gear, and Safety with Moose Mutlow 98. How Not to Die in the Wilderness with Andrea Lankford 102. How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster with Brad Greer -------------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
11 Dec 202328min
115. Buying Used vs Made from Recycled Materials: What's More Sustainable? with Emme Hayes
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 past, it was fun to take a new direction with Emme and compare how recycling gear and textiles may or may not fit into what we view as a circular production model. Emme Hayes is the founder of Articles In Common, an online marketplace for outdoor gear and apparel. As a climate activist, I was disappointed when I learned that the outdoor apparel industry was growing at a rate that would diminish our progress to net zero. Frustrated by the limitations of trade-in programs offered by outdoor brands, I wanted an easy way to send in gear that offered a transparent marketplace for outdoorists and athletes alike. 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 --------------- Articles in Common Website: https://articlesincommon.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/articlesincommon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/articlesincommon TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@articlesincommon Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/articlesincommon --------------- Related Episodes 3. How to Identify Sustainable Product Materials with Mary Swanson 12. What's the Deal with Natural Fibers in the Outdoor Industry? with John Gage 42. Is Buying Used Outdoor Gear Worth It? 58. The Truth About Recycled Apparel with Bill Johnston 72. What’s the Deal with Deadstock? with Nicole Wilson 93. How to Identify Your Gear Needs with Alisha McDarris 101. How Sustainable (and Ethical) is Wool? with Mike Sombery --------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
4 Dec 202332min
114. Q&A with Meg
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! Some of my favorite interviews have come from listener questions because if I can’t answer the question, I am always willing to find an expert to answer it. I’ll link the question submission form in the show notes, but the best way to stay in touch with me is to subscribe to our weekly newsletter at theoutdoorminimalist.com 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 --------------- Q1: Do you know what outdoor gear/clothing companies are doing to address microplastics shedding from their products? [1:57] Q2: After taking a crash course on textiles used in the outdoor industry (through your book, podcasts and resources provided in each), are there really any environmentally good choices with respect to clothing fabric? [7:19] Q3: When backcountry camping, how many days is too many days? Like.. when do you think you’ve overstayed your welcome in nature? [10:15] Q4: What is the best way to ease your pupper into tent camping? Any tricks for calming hypervigilant dogs at night? [11:37] --------------- Sources Q1: https://www.patagonia.com/stories/toward-an-end-to-microfiber-pollution/story-141340.html https://www.patagonia.com/stories/an-update-on-microfiber-pollution/story-31370.html https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X16307639?via%3Dihub Q2: Episode 101: How Sustainable (and Ethical) is Wool? with Mike Somerby from Duckworth Q4: http://www.youtube.com/@happyhoundsdogtraining https://happyhoundsdogtraining.ca/links https://www.k9ofmine.com/karen-overall-relaxation-protocol/ --------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
27 Nov 202318min
113. Can We Change How We Grow Food? with Dr. Elizabeth Hilborn
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. She uses her veterinary training and broad scientific expertise to shine a light on the interconnectedness of all life; she fully recognizes the power of the pollinator/plant partnership that supports, sustains, and nurtures life on earth. An avid gardener and fruit grower, for decades she’s fed family and friends with fresh produce from her family’s farm in central North Carolina. For over 25 years, she’s served as an environmental health scientist with the US Environmental Protection Agency where she studies and writes in scientific journals about the health effects of water pollution. 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 --------------- Restoring Eden: Unearthing the Agribusiness Secret That Poisoned My Farming Community Website: https://elizabethhilborn.com/ Order Book at Bookshop or Amazon --------------- Related Episodes 21. Are We Loving the Land to Death? with Tom Sadler 41. Protecting the Fragile Plants of Desert Landscapes with Jessica Esplin 54. Why We Need Nature with Kenny Peavy 65. The Biodiversity in your Backyard with Dillon Jones --------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
20 Nov 202345min
112. Does It Matter If I Pick Up My Dog’s Poop or Not? with Rose Seemann
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, I am excited to introduce Rose Seemann. The owner and operator of EnviroWagg, a company dedicated to collecting and composting canine waste into safe, nutrient-rich garden soil. She established the company after her extensive investigations into the issue of pet waste disposal in North America. Rose's goal is to educate and guide pet owners in the safe and responsible composting and up-cycling of their dogs' and cats' waste - in doing so, she hopes to nudge the world toward a more sustainable future. 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 -------------------- Enviro Pet Waste Network Website: https://www.epwn.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enviropetwastenetwork/ Email: contact@epwn.org -------------------- Related Episodes 8. Adventuring Responsibly with Your Dog with Jen Sotolongo 28. How to Poop Outside with Monica Aguilar 34. Small Dogs Hike Too with Jessica Williams 39. The Benefits of Insect Proteins for Us, Our Pets, and the Planet with Wesley Cooper 47. Conscious Consumption with Canine Companions with Briahna Hendey 51. Must Have Training Tips for Hiking With Your Dog with Stephanie Rombough 75. Is Enrichment Necessary for Our Dogs? with Maeva Leblanc -------------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
13 Nov 202331min
111. Phasing Out PFAS in Outdoor Equipment with Fjallraven
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 honestly, there’s far too much to cover in just one episode. That’s why I am excited to announce that we are working on a new 10-part series dedicated to discussing what PFAS is, how it works, and why it is being phased out across the globe. Stay tuned for updates on release dates! Leading our conversation today, I’m joined by Martin Axelhed and Donna Bruns. Martin is the CEO of the prominent outdoor brand Fjällräven, and Donna is the global director of product. Hailing from the small town of Örnsköldsvik in Sweden, a place where mountains and forest meet the sea, Fjällräven is an outdoor clothing and equipment company that’s committed to making nature more accessible. In true Swedish style, we focus on simplicity and practicality, and we have the utmost respect for the environment. 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 --------------- Fjallraven Website: https://www.fjallraven.com/ Sustainability: https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/about/sustainability PFC-Free Since 2009: https://press.fjallraven.com/en/story/saying-no-to-pfcrs-since-2009.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fjallraven_na Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fjallravennorthamerica -------------------- Related Episodes 3. How to Identify Sustainable Product Materials with Mary Swanson 12. What's the Deal with Natural Fibers in the Outdoor Industry? with John Gage 38. Is There an Alternative to Toxic Solvent-Based Gear Coatings? with Gabriella Whittaker 72. What’s the Deal with Deadstock? with Nicole Wilson 101. How Sustainable (and Ethical) is Wool? with Mike Sombery -------------------- Original music by Alex Carney and Ethan Wiese
6 Nov 202338min
