Wild Ideas Worth Living

Loveis Wise and Lisa Congdon are two visual artists who have turned their passion for art into amazing careers. Loveis is an illustrator who became the second black woman in 91 years to design a cover for the New Yorker. She takes inspiration from the outdoors and her desire to showcase people from underrepresented communities. Lisa Congdon started pursuing art when she was in her 30s. She creates bright works of art with bold and often humorous messages that make anyone want to do something big. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When she was 13, up-and-coming pro surfer Bethany Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack. That’s just the beginning of her story. Bethany bounced back a month later and today is one of the best surfers in the world. There’s a new documentary about her story, “Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable,” that hits theaters July 12th. The film’s director, Aaron Lieber, has found a niche making films about female surfers and was committed to telling Bethany's whole story in her own voice. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For many people, figuring out portable meals that are healthy, filling, and tasty is a challenge. For others, the prospect of bringing food on the trail is an afterthought entirely. Bon Appetit’s Brad Leone and Best Served Wild Authors Brendan Leonard and Anna Brones offer advice on how to eat well, cook well and impress friends with your campfire cooking. Don’t let food be an afterthought as you’re hitting the trails, the beach, or the mountain this year! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can you imagine eating only what you grow or forage for an entire year? Rob Greenfield is doing just that. He’s living in a tiny house on a plot of land where he’s planted an elaborate garden in the backyard of a neighborhood where he’s also teaching others to garden. Rob goes into detail about his 200 plus days living solely off of food he’s grown or foraged himself. He also shares how you can grow your own food and reduce your environmental footprint by how you eat. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On September 2nd 2017, just east of Portland Oregon, 150 hikers were trapped behind a wall of flames created by one very bad decision, one that would lead to immense fear and loss. Wildfire, a podcast from REI Co-op, investigates the causes and repercussions of this devastating wildfire. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pattie Gonia is the world’s first outdoor drag queen and activist. The brainchild of Wyn Wiley, a talented photographer and Eagle Scout from Nebraska, Pattie rocks her platform boots to hike, ski, and now surf her way through Mother Nature’s most beautiful settings. She’s become an example of how to be WILDLY YOU, no matter what. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Edith Eger is a Holocaust survivor, an author, and a renowned therapist. In 1944, when she was just a teenager, Edith had been training to make the Hungarian Olympic Gymnastics Team when her family was forcefully sent to Auschwitz, one of the most infamous Nazi concentration camps in Poland. Her experience there was both raw and heartbreaking, but Edith was able to survive. Today, she has helped thousands of people deal with their own trauma and grief to live life to its fullest potential. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Karen Rinaldi is the author of It’s Great to Suck at Something, a book about the joy she found in pursuit of surfing, a sport she says she’ll never be good at. David Romanelli wrote Life Lessons from the Oldest and Wisest when he started to realize that elderly people often have some of the best advice. David and Karen talk about why sucking at something can be awesome, how to let go of our egos, and focus more on the relationships we have, the way we make people feel, and the energy we put into the wo Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Garrett Dutton, aka G. Love of G. Love & Special Sauce, has had an incredibly successful music career but remains humble and grounded. His music uses unexpected combinations from different musical genres like blues, R&B, surf, and jazz in his songs. Aside from being a master at his craft, Garrett’s a passionate ocean lover and a father of two boys. Inspiration for songs often comes while he’s surfing with his kids. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In honor of Earth Day 2019, dive into the problem of plastic pollution and the impact it’s having on our oceans with a handful of experts that are channeling their creative and innovative brain power to combat the issue of plastic pollution, from surfer Rob Machado to the people behind Igloo’s first biodegradable cooler, Alison Teal, and the Girl Scout who got Alaska Airlines to give up plastic straws. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Steve Bramucci is a writer who has been able to focus his passion for the outdoors and books into a career as a kid's adventure author and a travel/food writer for national publications like Uproxx (where he's the travel, adventure, and food editor) and National Geographic. On assignment, he’s rowed down the Mekong Delta on a traditional Vietnamese boat called a x’ampan, traveled into the Australian Outback with Aboriginal elders, and driven himself through East Africa on safari. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brian Keaulana is a legendary waterman, who grew up on the water near Makaha Beach fishing, surfing, and spending time with friends and family near the ocean. He became one of the top lifeguards on the island and is credited with not only creating the jet ski rescue sled but also some of the first commercial standup paddleboards. His heritage goes all the way back to Hawaiian royalty, and his insight into traditional Hawaiian values and culture has made him the ultimate mentor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sally Bergesen, the founder of Oiselle, fell in love with running in college but couldn’t find the kind of running clothes she wanted to wear, so she created her own company. As she learned more about women and their relationship with clothing, she started diving deeper into the history of women’s athletic apparel. Sensi Graves is a kiteboarder, who created a swimsuit company with suits that could keep up with athletes on the water, stay in place, look good, and be produced in a sustainable way. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kim Chambers was 30 years old, an athlete and a powerful executive, when she slipped and fell down a set of stairs. The injuries she sustained changed the course of her life. In 2014, she became the sixth person (and third woman) to complete the Oceans Seven. In 2015, Kim became the first woman to swim 30 miles from the Farallon Islands to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, a swim that’s incredibly dangerous. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In June of 2017, rock climber Alex Honnold climbed El Capitan, a granite rock formation about 3,000 feet high in Yosemite National Park without any ropes. His journey to achieve that climb was captured and made into a beautiful, Academy Award-nominated documentary by filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. Aside from being incredibly talented filmmakers, Jimmy and Chai are married with two small children. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Smartphones have been around for a little over a decade, but in that short time, many of us have become addicted to our digital devices. Have you ever been staring at a gorgeous vista or surrounded by snow and found yourself wanting to pull out your phone to capture the moment? Danny Kim is a researcher and speaker who is studying the impact of technology and social media on our health. In his workshops, he talks about how to actually unplug. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At Sea Change Preparatory, a school in Del Mar, San Diego that not only educates junior high and high school students in traditional subjects, but also focuses on mindfulness, physical fitness, teamwork, and goal setting, they begin each day on the beach with a ten minute meditation and a mile-long swim in the open ocean before starting classes. What’s even more impressive, these kids are training to swim the English Channel as a team this summer. John Allcock, the co-founder and Director of Mindfulness at Sea Change Preparatory, talks about the impact this kind of education is having on these kids’ lives. John isn’t just an educator though, he’s also a Harvard-educated trial lawyer at one of the top firms in San Diego and the author of Forty Things I Wish I’d Told My Kids, a book about his journey learning mindfulness. Mindfulness has been a hot topic for a while now, but incorporating it into education is still a relatively new idea. John and the folks at Sea Change Prep are making a huge difference in these kids’ lives, so much so that it made me wonder how long it will be until a meditation practice is commonplace in both our kids’ lives and our own lives. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last year was a big year for this podcast, and this year we’re boosting our production even more. We’re diving deeper into stories and exploring not just people, but also about topics and ideas that will help you chase down your own wild adventures. From mindfulness to saying yes to fear, hacking your health, and changing how we think about the outdoors, fitness, and technology, we’ve already recorded the first few shows. I think you’re going to love it. This trailer is here to give you a taste of what’s to come. I hope you enjoy it! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wild Ideas Worth Living Podcast’s Idea: To interview top athletes, health experts, adventurers, and authors about their wild idea and share them with you. We are now two years, 97 episodes, and well over a million listens into this podcast. It’s been a wild ride, to say the least. And an incredible one. Thank you for listening and for your support. It’s been a privilege to interview some of the biggest names in adventure. This year, I’ve enjoyed the theme of exploring how we adventure inside our own heads as much as we adventure outside in the wild. We’ve talked about how being outside in nature can help us overcome trauma and become healthier, what it’s like seeing the earth from outer space, the changing tides of consumerism, fighting wildfires, gaining financial independence, ultramarathon trail running, becoming sober, facing failure, representation in the outdoors, breaking records, how to surf giant waves, how to face fear, how to build your life resume, and so much more. In the final episode of 2018, I’m sharing some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned this year from guests and all of you. Some of the best parts of running this podcast are getting messages about how the show has inspired you to go on an adventure or change your own lifestyle. I hope you enjoy these highlights and I hope you enjoy your holiday. We’d love for you to share with us how this show has benefitted you. Click SUBSCRIBE wherever you are listening to this and reading this. We’re taking a brief break to sharpen the saw and produce an even bigger show next year. We’ll be back mid-January, and are excited to share what we have with you. Listen to this episode if: You want to hear a fun recap of some highlights from this year. You love adventuring. You want some inspiration to conquer your goals for next year. You are a Wild Ideas Worth Living listener …or You want to know what the show is about. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/97 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jesse’s Wild Idea: To encourage people to achieve massive things in their life and focus on what matters most. Today’s guest eats only fruit until noon. He loves Run-DMC. He wrote the New York Knicks anthem, “Go New York Go,” and he likes to live life out of the box. In his New York Times bestselling book, Living with a Seal, Jesse invited Navy Seal David Goggins to live with him for a month and train him. Years later he wrote Living with Monks, where he lived in a monastery in upstate New York. Both of his books are about learning lessons that others have to teach you, something Jesse is passionate about. Early in his career, Jesse was a rapper and wrote and performed in the NBA’s Emmy Award-winning “I Love This Game” music campaign. Prior to being a best-selling and hilarious author, he co-founded Marquis Jet, the world's largest private jet card company which he and his partner sold to Berkshire Hathaway/NetJets. Jesse then partnered with Zico coconut water, which he and his partner sold to The Coca-Cola Company. He is also a serious adventurer, running ultramarathons and launched an event a few years ago called 29,029 that brings “Everesting” to individuals around the country. Today, he’s the owner of the Atlanta Hawks, husband to Spanx founder Sara Blakely, and a father of four kids. His latest online course, called “Build Your Life Resume,” is all about encouraging you to get out there and build a life full of experiences, creating memories, achieving big goals and doing more. With an infectious energy about him, Jesse has some great insights about how we spend our time, and how we can use this knowledge to live more fully and be more present with those we love. In our conversation, we talk about goal setting, why you have to give in order to get, how to support your partner, why we all need to get real with time, and how to achieve one massive thing every year. Listen to this episode if: You like living life on your own terms. You’re want to set and accomplish big goals. You’ve ever thought of writing a book. You want to experience some amazing things in your life. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/96 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eric’s Wild Idea: To create a program that helps people optimize performance and alleviate pain. As an athlete and human, it’s important to be able to move to the best of your ability. Injuries and pain that have kept me from running, surfing, or other adventuring have always been challenging. Today’s guest, Dr. Eric Goodman, has been recommended to me by many guests of this show. As the founder of the movement-based Foundation Training program, Dr. Goodman has helped thousands of athletes and every-day people alleviate pain and increase performance. Some of the people he’s worked with include athletes like surfers Lakey Peterson and Brad Gerlach, the late climber Dean Potter, as well as actors Rob Lowe, Chris Hemsworth, Jeff Bridges, and Matthew McConaughey. Both my partner Johnny and I have been using Foundation Training for the last six months to help us alleviate a nagging back injury and IT band pain, and both of us have experienced positive results. I wanted to have Dr. Goodman on the show because he has a great story. His wild idea to become a health practitioner and create a program to help people move and feel better is something I think a lot of people can relate to. A former water polo player, Dr. Goodman developed back pain that doctors told him he would need surgery to fix while he was in chiropractic school. Instead of going under the knife, he developed a series of exercises that helped him heal and became the origins of Foundation Training. Early in his career, he was also hired to train the U.S. Olympic Men’s Water Polo team, and used his methods to help them the year they took the silver medal. Today, Dr. Goodman has published two books, and there are Foundation Training trainers in over thirty countries around the world. Since many of you are getting ready to make New Year’s Resolutions, I wanted to get Dr. Goodman’s advice on how to avoid injuries and train the right amount. We also dive into why healing emotional pain is as important as healing physical pain, how he got the wild idea to create a new movement practice, and what other methods he uses and thinks you might want to check out. Listen to this episode if: You struggle with injuries or chronic pain. You want to strengthen your body. You are interested in helping others heal. You are curious about movement-based training programs. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/95 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Elizabeth’s Wild Idea: To write about people who adventure for a larger purpose. There are some writers whose words resonate so well and whose descriptions are so deep, their words hit you to the core and transport you into their world. Today’s guest, Elizabeth Weil, has evoked that feeling for me time and again through her work. The award-winning writer often covers the kind of people I love - those who live outside the normal boundaries of society, and pursue their own wild ideas and make them a reality. She has written about everyone from snowboarder Shaun White and skier Mikaela Shiffrin to swimmer Diana Nyad, Senator Kristen Gillibrand and a man named Doba who kayaked across the Atlantic in his seventies. In addition to writing articles for The New York Times Magazine, Outside Magazine, Wired, and more, she has also written a book about her own marriage, and she recently penned the New York Times bestselling book, The Girl Who Smiles Beads. In addition to being a writer, she’s also a mom and a wife. She’s married to one of my other favorite writers (who happens to cover surfing and rock-climbing), Daniel Duane. In our conversation, Liz and I talk about a few of the subjects she’s covered including Doba, and some other adventurers who have done wild feats without the desire for any recognition. We also talk about why she is attracted to stories about people who live wildly, why they do it, what she has learned from them, and her advice for anyone who wants to make a living as a writer. Listen to this episode if: You want to be a writer. You love reading amazing stories. You like stories of adventurers who do wild things just for themselves. You are looking to improve your relationship. You need help balancing your personal and professional life. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/94 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Samin’s Wild Idea: To share the power of food with the world and inspire everyone to get in the kitchen and cook with confidence using salt, fat, acid and heat. If you have been anywhere on the internet lately, you’ve probably seen something about Netflix’s new series, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. The show follows today’s guest, Samin Nosrat, around the world as she teaches the importance of cooking with each of these four elements. On the show, she travels from Italy to Japan to Mexico and back to Berkeley, California working with internationally known foodies to discover how things like miso, soy sauce, corn tortillas and parmesan cheese are made. The whole series is beautifully documented, and she makes cooking and eating accessible and fun for everyone. Samin’s cookbook of the same name came out just a year ago, and it quickly became a New York Times bestseller and won a James Beard Award (which is like an Oscar of the food world). She has been cooking since 2000, when she started working in the kitchen at the world-renowned Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California and has been called the next Julia Child by NPR’s All Things Considered. I actually know Samin from high school where we were on the same cross-country running team. I remember her being very nurturing, making cookies to share and always bringing people together. As the daughter of immigrant parents, food has always been an important part of her life and identity. She didn’t always feel like she fit in, which taught her some important life lessons about failure and self-acceptance. It was a joy to talk to her about her success and her journey. We get into her upbringing, her mother’s cooking and the impact our cross-country coach had on her life. She also talks about how author Michael Pollan became her mentor and the work that went into creating her Netflix series. Plus Samin shares a few tips on how to make your Thanksgiving or holiday meal the best one yet. Listen to this one through to the end. Listen to this episode if: You love to cook or want to learn how. You love to eat and are passionate about food. You are an immigrant or come from an immigrant family. You need some inspiration to be persistent and go after your goals. You want to hear from one joyful storyteller. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/93 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gabby’s Wild Idea: To continuously learn new ways to optimize health and fitness while helping others be their best selves. Gabby Reece is a woman of many talents. She is a health and fitness expert, a former professional volleyball player, a best-selling author, a model, a TV host, wife to big wave surfer Laird Hamilton, and a mom. She is also the co-founder of XPT (extreme performance training) and founder of HighX Training. I have looked up to Gabby since I was young, and have even written a few stories about her throughout my career. It was pretty exciting to interview her at her house in Malibu (they have a slackline over their pool), and this conversation is different than many that you usually hear on this show. Instead of asking Gabby about her one wild idea, I ask her for advice on health, nutrition, training, how to have a great relationship, being a female athlete, being a mom, and so much more. She has a huge passion for what she does and an incredibly intuitive sense about her. It makes her an awesome coach and a great person to ask for advice. Enjoy the show! Listen to this episode if: You want to train smarter. You want to get motivated. You are trying to eat healthier. You have ever felt insecure. You are trying to raise strong, confident kids. You are looking for a healthy and balanced relationship. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/92 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Shannon’s Wild Idea: To work for NASA and spend months aboard the international space station. Shannon Walker first dreamed of becoming an astronaut in the 1960s. After getting her undergraduate degree in physics and her Masters of Science and Doctorate of Philosophy in Space Physics, she got her start with the Rockwell Space Operations Company at the Johnson Space Center in 1987 as a robotics flight controller for the space shuttle program. In 2004, she was selected to be a part of NASA, and six years later she served as a flight engineer for a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. Not only did Shannon need to know how to work a spacecraft, but she had to know how to do it in Russian. In addition to spending time far above the earth, she has also spent time below sea level as an aquanaut on the NEEMO, an underwater space station. She also loves the outdoors and has seen earth from a rare perspective so I was excited to get her thoughts on how the planet and the environment are changing. Shannon and I discussed how she became an astronaut (which I think most people dream about as kids) and she shared her advice for anyone who wants to work at NASA or who wants to go to outer space. We also talked about overcoming rejection, the excitement that comes from actually learning about science, and how there is so much to explore here on earth. Listen to this episode if: You have ever wanted to go to space. You’re interested in getting a new perspective on our planet. You are focused on achieving a huge, long-term goal and need some inspiration. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/91 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tate’s Wild Idea: To climb over 13,000 feet up Grand Teton in Wyoming after seeing an image of the mountain in the hallway where he received cancer treatments. To not let his diagnosis affect his sense of humor and positive attitude. Today’s guest is a skier, filmmaker, and all around awesome guy who I’ve known for a few years. Tate MacDowell got his start as a filmmaker making ski movies for companies like Teton Gravity Research and Brain Farm. His current company, Death Cookie Entertainment, specializes in editorial action sports films. He’s very present in the outdoor and action sports industry, and I have loved watching his movies. I started following his story more closely the last few years after he shared some vulnerable posts. In 2008, Tate and his wife moved from Jackson Hole, Wyoming to Cardiff, California and a few years later had a son, Wilson. Just two years ago, Tate was diagnosed with cancer, which has now advanced as he is going through stage IV metastatic rectal cancer. While undergoing treatments, he got the wild idea to climb Grand Teton after seeing a picture of the mountain in the hallway where he was getting cancer treatments. His journey to the top has been an emotional ride, and one that he shares in detail in our conversation. We talk openly about his journey with cancer, being a dad and husband, his new hobby painting with watercolors, and why we shouldn’t waste any time in going after our dreams. His honesty in this challenging time is astounding, and I love his message and his story. Listen to this episode if: You or someone you know has had cancer. You’ve ever dreamed of going to the Grand Tetons. You aren’t one to let some obstacles stop you from achieving your goals. You are in need of some inspiration to go out and make your dreams reality. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/90 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rue’s Wild Idea: To start a movement that celebrates diversity, and helps gets more people outside and connected in nature. Rue Mapp is a true force of nature. The activist, nature-lover, and mom of three founded Outdoor Afro as a blog in 2009 and has since grown it to become the nation’s leading nonprofit network that encourages African-American leadership in nature. With nearly 80 leaders in 30 states around the country, the organization has connected thousands of people to outdoor experiences, changing the conversation around who plays outside. Diversity in the outdoors is a hot topic these days, especially at the Outdoor Retailer show where we did this interview. Rue’s voice is a valued leader in the conversation. Outdoor Afro started as something small and personal to Rue, but has grown and become incredibly influential in the outdoor arena. Rue herself has been invited to the White House to participate in the America’s Great Outdoors Conference and was part of a think tank for Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Initiative. In 2014, she was appointed to the California State Parks Commission by California Governor Jerry Brown, and her work has been featured everywhere from the Wall Street Journal and NPR, to Sunset and Ebony Magazines. Rue’s ability to connect and empower communities from across all cultures is inspiring and has made her a sought-after speaker. We talk about diversity in the outdoors and who is doing it well (you might be surprised), how nature doesn’t discriminate, and the power of joy, humor, and relationships in your life. Listen to this episode if: You are trying to create or grow a community. You want to see more diversity in the outdoors. You want to know which companies are showcasing diversity well. You are looking for inspiration to do something meaningful with your life. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/89 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pete’s Wild Idea: To surf on the Big Wave World Tour, and create a life and career around surfing. You may have seen today’s guest gliding down a giant wave at Mavericks, or heard his voice behind the microphone as the commentator for the World Surf League. The long-time Quiksilver athlete, WSL commentator, owner of his family surf shop in Santa Cruz, husband and dad, Peter “Pete” Mel has a lot of roles he balances. We talk about how the man with one of the longest and most robust surfing careers does it all. We also chat about the complexities of big wave surfing, how he conquers fear, his sobriety, parenting advice, his take on failure, why he’s so into Eckhart Tolle, and so much more. Listen to this episode if: You’ve ever wondered how people surf six-story tall waves. You want to ask better questions. You love surfing. You are on a journey to find a better work-life balance. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/88 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Courtney’s Wild Idea: To battle her autoimmune diagnosis by embracing minimalism, being less busy, having more JOMO, and sharing her journey and tips with the world. If you have social media or are connected to our current tech-savvy world, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced some FOMO (fear of missing out). Or maybe you’ve experienced a sense of feeling overwhelmed, being too busy, or had this deep desire to simplify your life and be happy with where you are and what you have right now? If those questions spark something inside you, you will love today’s guest. After years in a fast-paced career as an ad executive, Courtney Carver was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that forced her to rethink her whole life. Stress caused major flare-ups for her, so she went about eliminating as many sources of stress as she could. This led to a passion for minimalism, the creation of Project 333, and her book Soulful Simplicity, which has become a huge hit and really touched me when I read it. I don’t talk about it much, but in the last few years I’ve struggled with an autoimmune condition Vitiligo that only affects me aesthetically. It seems to also be exacerbated by stress, and I’ve tried a lot of remedies to combat it. You can hear me talk a bit more about it in this episode, and you’ll also hear about how Courtney’s book and her message of living with less can give you so much more. I loved talking to her about how to minimize your life, how to be less busy, her love of hiking, and how to embrace JOMO (the joy of missing out) instead of suffering from FOMO. Listen to this episode if: You’ve ever suffered from FOMO and you want more JOMO. You want to minimize your life. You dislike the busy-ness epidemic. You have an autoimmune disease. You feel stressed out by technology and social media. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/87 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex’s Wild Idea: To climb El Capitan without ropes and tackle some of the world’s most challenging routes, setting records, inspiring others, and giving back through his foundation. *Editors Note: Do not try this at home. Alex Honnold is the most exciting and recognized climber in the world, in addition to being one of the best climbers ever. Last year, Alex completed the most terrifying, challenging climbing feats to date. He climbed 3,000 feet up El Capitan in Yosemite without ropes. (Yes, if he fell at any point he could have died). The film he made with National Geographic about his journey, and the training and everything else leading up to it will hit theaters nationwide in just a few weeks. For years, Alex has lived the life that many athletes dream of -- living out of his van, traveling around, and climbing some of the toughest and most stunning routes. Along the way, he set plenty of records, but remains humble about his talents. He strives to live his own terms to the fullest, and encourage others to do the same. He also is incredibly generous and gives away a third of his income to through his foundation. My conversation with Alex goes from his amazing free solo ascent of El Cap to his perspectives on life and death, his unique mindset on conquering huge goals, what he does on his vacations, how he met his girlfriend, and why being in danger can make for having a better perspective on the present moment. Listen to this episode if: You’re a climber. You have ever thought about free soloing. You want to achieve a huge goal and don’t know where to start. You think about life and/or death. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/86 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jamie’s Wild Idea: To overcome asthma and become a world-champion paddleboarder and big wave surfer. To educate himself and the world about sustainable aquaculture practices. Today’s guest exemplifies what it means to make your wild idea a reality. Jamie Mitchell is one of the best athletes in the world and a ten-time winner of the Molokai to Oahu paddleboard race, one of the most challenging, prestigious races in the world where competitors paddle 32 miles between the Hawaiian Islands. Jamie was passionate about a sport, that at the time he started, wasn’t particularly popular, but he pursued it and made a great career out of it. He isn’t paddleboarding much anymore, but he is on the Big Wave Tour where he has taken the podium many times. If he wins the Big Wave Tour, he’ll be the first person ever to win both this title and the paddleboarding title. In addition to his amazing career, we talk about Jamie’s struggle with asthma as a kid, and how it actually got him into water sports in the first place and eventually even saved his life. We also talk about the often-controversial aquaculture practices that he is working to learn more about, and how he hopes to educate others. To do this, he recently partnered with Verlasso, a sustainable fish-farming company based in Chile, and he recently made a film with previous guest Eric Wolfinger about his participation with them. We also talk about how much he trains today and tips to living wildly and achieving any goal. Listen to this episode if: You love the ocean. You like paddleboarding and/or surfing, especially bigger waves. You love a good Aussie accent (I do). You want to hear from one of the best athletes on the planet. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/85 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andy’s Wild Idea: To reduce the amount of new items we purchase every year by 25% through his company, Yerdle. Andy Ruben has had a unique career path. He never thought he would end up in the business world, but ended up working as the Chief Sustainability Officer for Walmart. After seeing just how many products are bought and never used or thrown out, he decided to do something about it. In 2012, he co-founded Yerdle, a company that focuses on buying back and reselling products that might otherwise end up in a landfill, a process Andy calls “re-commerce.” Companies like REI, Patagonia, and Eileen Fisher all have their own buy-back programs where they will give you credit for your old gear or clothes, and then resell those items for a fraction of the price. Andy is a forward-thinker with an untraditional path whose focus is to make a positive impact on our environment. While he’s aware that there’s still a need for new gear, he supports sustainable production practices. Through Yerdle, customers can get the most out of gear that already exists and keep it out of landfills. On this episode, Andy offers unconventional ideas about how to make a difference and how you can get a job working in sustainability. We also talk about how he ended up at Walmart, how he works with companies like REI and Patagonia (and how that work affects us as customers), and what we can do overall to take better care of our planet. Listen to this episode if: You care about our environment and want to help save the planet. You love awesome gear. You want to have a career that makes an impact on the world. You are an entrepreneur and like carving your own path in life. You want to ask the right questions. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/84 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Scott’s Wild Idea: To renew his sense of purpose by running the Appalachian Trail (which he also set the speed record for), and chronicling his adventures with his wife in a book called North. Scott Jurek is one of the most accomplished ultra-runners of all time. Among his many accomplishments, Scott won the 153-mile Spartathalon, The Hard Rock 100, The Bad Water 135 Ultramarathon, and he’s won the Western States 100-mile endurance run a record-breaking seven straight times. He’s also the author of the New York Times bestseller Eat & Run, a memoir that traces Scott’s journey from his Midwestern childhood to his adventures in ultrarunning, and how he became a vegan. In 2015, Scott had already accomplished much in his life, but found himself wanting a refresh. He eventually decided to run the entire 2,189-mile Appalachian Trail north towards Maine, with his wife, Jenny, as his support crew. The trail not only tested his limits, but also renewed his sense of purpose and love for running and the life he created. Averaging over 50 miles a day for over 46 days, Scott was pushed to his limits, enduring injury and meeting an amazing cast of characters along the way. He also broke the trail’s speed record, despite running north toward Maine, a harder route to follow if going for speed. In our conversation, Scott and I talk about what it was like to run the infamous trail, what he ate along the way, and the challenges and benefits of doing it all with his best friend/wife as his support system. We also dive into the process of co-writing a book with your spouse, and how adventure can be so impactful in helping you rediscover your own purpose in life and build better relationships. Listen to this episode if: You’ve ever thought about hiking (or running) the Appalachian Trail. You want to run an ultramarathon. You are or are interested in becoming a vegan. You like to write. You need some inspiration to renew your sense of purpose. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/83 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Scott’s Wild Idea: To write about adventure and the outdoors, debunk gurus, and find ways to biohack your body to improve performance and health. Last week, I interviewed “Iceman” and record breaker Wim Hof, who talked about how cold immersion and breathing techniques can help humans achieve better health, happiness, and strength. This week, I thought it was appropriate to follow up our conversation with anthropologist and investigative journalist Scott Carney. In addition to spending a lot of time with Wim Hof, studying his method and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro with him in record time wearing little clothing, Scott also wrote a best-seller about Wim called What Doesn’t Kill Us. The book dives deep into the science behind the Wim Hof Method, and also explains how environmental conditioning can help us renew our lost evolutionary strength. Scott spent much of his career debunking health and spiritual gurus, and writing about them for national publications and books. When he set out to do the same thing with Wim Hof, something different happened. Scott discovered Wim’s methods actually worked. He also discovered that cold water, ice baths, and other conditioning practices (like those used in the Wim Hof Method) can renew strength, make your body leaner, and increase your physical abilities and your brown fat, which is needed to stay warm. Scott loves to immerse himself in his work, often putting himself in situations that push his body’s limits. He encourages young writers to do the same. In our conversation, we talk about his time with Wim Hof, what he thought of his methods, and why they work. We also discuss other methods to challenge yourself, the value of being uncomfortable, and how to make it as a freelance writer. Listen to this episode if: You liked the Wim Hof episode and want to know more. You want to be an adventure writer. You’re interested in biohacking your body to be a better athlete and human. You want to get better at being uncomfortable. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/82 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wim’s Wild Idea: To help humans connect to their inner power, heal and achieve big goals by using nature, cold exposure, breathing techniques, and commitment. When I started this podcast, my goal was to talk to people who had made their wild ideas a reality, and Wim Hof has been a dream guest for a long time. Over the last few decades, Wim has broken dozens of records and achieved some wild feats. He climbed 20,000 feet up Mt. Everest while wearing only shorts and shoes. He’s run a marathon barefoot above the Arctic Circle. He sat in an ice bath for two whole hours. He even swam 66 meters beneath polar ice caps. Many of his records were attempts to show the world that healing and high performance can be achieved if we go back to nature, and we have healing powers within ourselves. Wim has worked with researchers all over the globe to back up his theories with the goal to reach more people and help them heal. Today there are several studies showing how the Wim Hof Method works. He’s also has helped thousands of people learn to better control their own body temperature and immune systems through breathing exercises, commitment, and meditation through his online and in person courses. Wim has taken a different path than many, and this podcast is a bit of a wild ride. Listen as we talk about his philosophies, what he’s doing next, and the research he’s excited about now. Plus, you get to hear him sing and talk about why we need to instill core values in our kids. Enjoy! Listen to this episode if: You’ve ever heard of Wim Hof (and even if you haven’t) and want to learn more about his methods. You want to try cold therapy. You think it’s time for humans to return to nature. You believe humans are capable of amazing things. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/81 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aspen’s Wild Idea: To rebuild her mental and emotional strength by hiking the entire Pacific Crest Trail, and her journey in the book, Girl In the Woods Editor's note: This episode contains references to sexual violence and may not be suitable for all audiences. After being raped her second night of her freshman year in college, Aspen Matis grew depressed and was shocked at how her school didn’t believe her, and how little they did to protect her. She’d spent a lot of time in the outdoors in growing up, and knew that getting into the wilderness could bring her a sense of peace and healing. Instead of returning to school, she dropped out and embarked on a 2,000-mile journey to walk the PCT from Mexico to Canada. She shared the story of her journey in the 2015 book, Girl in the Woods, which became an international bestseller. It’s a story that’s equally vulnerable and fearless, one where Aspen shares moments of magic from the trail and its healing power. It’s also a book I couldn’t put down and has resonated with many, including receiving praise from people like Lena Dunham, Cheryl Strayed, Oprah Magazine, and many more. I talk with Aspen about her time on the PCT, her favorite things about the hike and how she made it through some of the most challenging days. We also dive deep into her gear recommendations, especially for those who like to go lightweight, and what she had with her. At the end, Aspen shares with us a book she’s working on now, the first time she’s shared this information with the world. Listen to this episode if: You or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault. You’ve ever wanted to hike the PCT. You love geeking out about gear. You think nature has magical powers. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/80 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Beth’s Wild Idea: To become a world class rock climber, and inspire others to find their own drive and definition of happiness and success. Beth Rodden started climbing in indoor gyms when she was 14. She quickly won national competitions, and then began climbing outside around the world. She became famous for free climbing the nose on El Capitan. She also completed many other first ascents, like free climbing the Meltown, a 5.14c route in Yosemite, where she showed the world women can climb as well as men. It hasn’t all been easy on and off the wall for Beth, though. In 2000, Beth and three of her climbing partners were on a climbing trip in Kyrgyzstan when they were captured by members of the IMU, a militant group. They escaped on the sixth day, but no one at home even knew they’d been kidnapped. A few years later, Beth went through a divorce. After that, she decided to break down her own ideals about perfectionism and being a constant overachiever. I love Beth’s story because it’s honest, and perfectionism is something I’ve struggled with and many listeners told me they struggle with. While Beth speaks about breaking the perfectionist cycle, she’s also achieved a version of success and happiness that works for her. She still climbs. She’s a sought-after speaker, a beautiful writer, she’s remarried, and a mom to a four-year old son. We talked about what it was like to share the story of her kidnapping with the world, what she has learned from being a mom, and how you can shatter your own ideals about perfectionism. We also dive into her relationship with climbing today, and what’s it like to live in the magical valley of Yosemite. Listen to this episode if: You’re a climber. You are a recovering perfectionist. You want to visit or have been to Yosemite. You are still looking for your own sense of drive and passion. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/79 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael’s Wild Idea: To write captivating stories about people who live on the fringes of society and do wild things. Michael Finkel is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit, which we dive deep into on today’s show. The story chronicles a highly intelligent man that lived alone in the woods of Maine for 27 years without lighting a single fire, or talking to a single soul. An outdoors lover himself, who splits time between Montana and Southern France, Michael has a penchant for stories about those who live on the edges of society, and people who live with less. On assignment as a journalist for the likes of the New York Times and National Geographic, he’s skied off the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, set sail on a Haitian refugee boat, joined a cult in Colorado, been in a car that was run over by a tank in Afghanistan, and covered the last hunter-gatherer tribes. His previous book, True Story, was adapted into a 2015 major motion picture produced by Brad Pitt starring James Franco and Jonah Hill. Listen to this episode if: You want to be a writer. You’ve ever thought of leaving it all behind to live alone in the woods. You enjoy hearing from amazing storytellers. You love stories of survival and those who can thrive with less. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/78 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rebecca’s Wild Idea: To encourage others to take risks, push themselves physically and mentally, and get everyone in the world on a bike. Today we welcome back Rebecca Rusch, this show’s first repeat guest. Rebecca has been called a modern day wonder woman and the queen of pain for her ability to not only withstand harsh conditions in endurance racing, but for her well-versed career. She has been a pro athlete for over three decades. She’s a seven-time world champion, author, philanthropist, and she’s shattered the glass ceiling in everything she’s done from finishing ahead of every guy in major mountain bike races, becoming a fire fighter, breaking records, and winning major adventure and endurance mountain bike races. Since we last spoke, Rebecca was on tour with the feature film Blood Road, which follows her journey along the 1200km Ho Chi Minh Trail to find the site of her father’s plane crash during the Vietnam War. This year, Rebecca is about to celebrate her 50th birthday, and she’s had some time to reflect back on her life. We get deep into her philosophy about how to pave your own path in life and how to make it in a career without a clear road map. We also dive deep into taking risks, how she trains her body, and most importantly how she trains her mind. She also shares tips and science she’s learned from the Red Bull coaches. Listen to this episode if: You love biking, any kind. You want to take more risks in life. You are interested in pushing your body or your mind. You want to hear from a badass athlete and get motivated. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/rebecca-rusch Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cheryl’s Wild Idea: To share her story of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, encourage others to get outside, share their stories, and embrace kindness. Cheryl Strayed is the author of #1 New York Times bestselling memoir Wild about her trek along the Pacific Crest Trail. The book was adapted into an Oscar-nominated movie starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern. In addition to writing Wild, Cheryl also wrote the New York Times bestsellers Tiny Beautiful Things and Brave Enough, as well as her first novel, Torch. She is the co-host of Dear Sugar, an advice column turned WBUR podcast, and a true force of nature. On this episode, we talk about hiking, how to choose your best adventure, how to make better decisions about what to do with your life, the party she’d throw, and so much more. I have wanted to interview Cheryl since I read her first book, so this was a real treat. I hope you enjoy this show. *Please note, we are taking next week off, which is important for living wildly. Listen to this episode if: You love Cheryl Strayed. You want to go on a big adventure. You’ve ever thought about being a writer of any kind. You love hiking. You think the world needs more kindness. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/76 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Catra’s Wild Idea: To spend maximum time outdoors trail running while breaking ultramarathon records and helping people and dogs along the way. After battling drug addiction, Catra Corbett hit her bottom, finding herself in jail. Soon after she got sober, Catra discovered her love of fitness. She also started running, and running more. To date, Catra, aka “the Dirt Diva” has run over 260 marathons, over 137 100-mile runs, and set numerous records including becoming the first to run the 424-mile round trip of the John Muir trail in just over 12 days. While she is known in the ultra-running community for her brightly-colored hair, loud running outfits and, numerous piercings and tattoos, most know her now for her tenacious spirit and giant heart. A lover of animals, the vegan runner has adopted numerous dogs including a dachshund named Truman who she’s trained to run and who now has a following larger than most Instagram stars himself. Catra recently penned a book, Reborn On The Run, where she shares her story in its most raw form. We talk about her book, being an unlikely runner, her love of dogs, and why and how she decided to share her most intimate truths. Listen to this episode if: You love running. You want to try an ultramarathon race. You or someone you know has struggled with addiction. You love dogs (especially ones that run). For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/75 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Karen’s and Adriana’s Wild Idea: To encourage diversity in the outdoors and change how the media portrays who plays outside. Part of living wildly is standing up for what you believe in. After not seeing people who looked like them represented in the outdoors, today’s guests took action. Karen Ramos and Adriana Garcia are two young women who started movements to encourage diversity and representation in the outdoor industry. The daughter of migrant farmers turned entrepreneurs, Karen loved being outdoors and camping with her family when she was younger. She wanted to provide that same opportunity to kids today, so she founded Get Out, Stay Out, an organization that connects indigenous-migrant children with the outdoors through hikes, camping trips and multi-day backpacking adventures. Adriana Garcia grew up Mormon, half-Mexican, and in the south. She said she never felt like she belonged until she got outside. Last year, she left her accounting job to co-found LatinX Hikers with her friend, Luz Lituma. It’s become a platform to showcase people from diverse backgrounds participating in outdoor activities. They are offering meet-ups and hikes all over the south. On this show, I talk to Karen and Adriana about their history, some of their unique experiences in the outdoors, how they’re trying to change the landscape of who plays outside, and how you can get involved. Listen to this episode if: You want to see more diversity in the outdoors. Hearing new perspectives matters to you. You want to see people like you represented in the media. The outdoors has helped you. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/74 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mark’s Wild Idea: To become a professional photographer taking photos of what he loves. I enjoy interviewing photographers, especially ones who take photos of things I love, like the outdoors, and activities like surfing and snowboarding. Today’s guest, Mark McInnis, is an accomplished photographer who works with a lot of my favorite brands and publications. A lot of his work takes place along the Pacific Northwest, and he loves shooting pictures of freezing cold climates, empty waves and stunning landscapes. Mark has a great personality and a positive outlook on life. We talk about how Mark got his start taking photos, how he contacted his favorite photographer to be his mentor (who happens to be a guest of the show), and how he makes a living doing editorial and advertising work around the globe. Not only does he have a great personal story (I’m going to let you listen to hear it for yourself), but Mark has great advice for those starting out. He shares how he’s made a living as a photographer, and how you can get started today. Listen to this episode if: You love photography or want to be a photographer. You’re close to your family. You love photos of nature, the outdoors, and empty waves. You are trying to not sweat the small stuff. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/73 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Diane’s Wild Idea: To run great distances and do what she loves while raising awareness about epilepsy and other great causes. Running 100 miles is remarkable. Running and winning 100+ mile races as a 58-year old who-has had part of their brain removed is a different level. Diane was a professional tennis player before she had epilepsy, but when she started having seizures, running helped stave them off. Ten years into her disease, she decided to have a risky, radical surgery where doctors removed a part of her brain. Once she healed, she started running, this time much longer distances than ever before. While the epilepsy went away, Diane lost some things with the surgery. Today, she struggles with her sense of time, and she has a hard time with her sense of direction, both integral to long distance trail running. Running, however has become is her ultimate medicine, and she’s set some incredible records on her journey. She won the infamous Yukon Arctic Ultra, a 430-mile footrace pulling a 50-pound sled through temperatures below 50 degrees for eight days. She climbed South America’s tallest peak. She completed the worlds’ hardest 100-mile race, running for 45 hours straight. She also ran and set record for the 1,000-mile Mountains to Sea Trail, where she traversed the state of North Carolina in just over 22 days for a cause. In addition to being an athletic force, Diane is a long-time athlete for The North Face. She is also a speaker at events like REI’s Outessa series, which is how I found out about her amazing journey. I love how endlessly positive she is, and how she relates to everyone on and off the trail. Diane is a true survivor, an amazing performer, and she has a wonderful perspective on reaching your own potential. Listen to this episode if: You’ve ever wanted to run an ultramarathon or a long-distance trail race. You or someone you know suffers from epilepsy. You’re not one to let health issues keep you from the outdoors. You want to reach your full potential. You are curious what it’d be like to miss your sense of time and direction. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/72 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lacey’s Wild Idea: To protect the environment by fighting fires in the wild. I’ve always been interested in people with careers that allow them to spend time outside and contribute to the greater good. That’s how I found out about wildland firefighter Lacey England. REI recently made a video called “Women in Fire” that features Lacey and some other badass female firefighters and launches April 30th. Lacey was also profiled in the National Forest Foundation series, “Drawn to Flame: Women Forged by Fire.” Fighting wild fires is a career I never heard much about as a kid, so I was fascinated by how Lacey got into it. She shared her story, plus the unglamorous life of her job (it involves Spam and carrying insanely heavy packs), what her day-to-day training entails, and what it’s like to be in a field that is dominated by people that don’t look like her. Plus, she tells us why she’s passionate about inspiring the next generation of young women to pursue careers that may fall outside the norm. Listen to this episode if: You want to protect the environment. You’ve ever thought about being a firefighter. You want to be incredibly strong. Like Hulk strong. You’re a woman in a male-dominated field. You like being alone in the outdoors. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/71 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen’s Wild Idea: To help people unlock their inner badass, and make the kind of money that allows them to live the life they want. We’ve done a few shows about how to find the career you love and how to make the money to create the life you want. I get great feedback on them. This is why I’m so excited to have on one of my favorite authors ever, whose books I gift all the time: Jen Sincero. Jen is the author of You are a Badass and You Are a Badass at Making Money. Her latest book is a guide on how to make more money and teaches you how to release negative views about it. Jen is a free spirit with lots of sass who walks the walk and loves the outdoors. She’s done everything from starting a punk band, to traveling the world, and penning #1 New York Times Bestsellers (multiple times). She also has a no B.S. approach and a great sense of humor that I appreciate, and I think you will too. In this episode, Jen shares how to live more wildly, how to make more money, how to get out of your own way, and how to get started today. I recommend listening through to the end. Listen to this episode if: You want to make more money. You want to work for yourself. You are afraid of failure. You love Jen Sincero’s books. You want to get over fear, self-doubt and perfectionism. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/70 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrea’s Wild Idea: To start and run an organic farm with her husband, and share her recipes from the foods she grows with the world through her blog and book, Dishing Up The Dirt. Today’s guest has one of the most important jobs you can think of: she’s a farmer and grows the food we eat. After moving from town to town living the nomad lifestyle, Andrea Bemis and her husband, Taylor, started an organic vegetable farm called Tumbleweed Farm in Parkdale, near Hood River, Oregon. We talk about how she got into farming, what she would have done if she wasn’t a farmer, what she’s learned from working on the land, and the realities of farm, which is not always as romantic as it may seem. We also talk about how she turned her passion for growing and cooking her own food into a successful blog, Dishing Up The Dirt, and how that blog gained the attention of a major publisher and resulted in a gorgeous cookbook. Andrea is a delightful storyteller with a great message of having a simple dream and sharing community through food. At the end, Andrea even shares some recipes. Listen to this episode if: You’ve ever thought about quitting your job and moving to a farm. You love local, organic produce. You’re into food blogs and beautiful pictures. You want to grow your own food. You want to write a book, especially a cookbook. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/69 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick and Shelby’s Wild Idea: To share about their adventure podcasts, both presented by REI Co-op, and turn the microphone back on each other. The word’s out. REI has been my main partner all year and it’s been an awesome, wild ride. They’re also now in the podcast game with not just with my show, but also a new 8-episode series called Take it From Me, that launches this week. We talk to Nick Mott, who is the producer of the show, share a quick clip, and dive into the unique format and adventurous characters he interviews. Nick is a fellow journalist, writer, photographer, and a rock climber. Originally from Kansas and now living in Boulder, Colorado, he loves the outdoors and sharing stories of people going on badass adventures. He also hosts another show about sustainability and has good tips for anyone who wants to start a podcast. After I talk to Nick, he turns the microphone back on me. A lot of people have been asking me to share my story, so I talk about why I started the podcast, what I look for in guests, and some key things I have learned along the way. It’s quick episode. Perfect for a fast run, or a short commute. Enjoy. Listen to this episode if: You love podcasts about the outdoors (which you do, why else would you be here?) You like to get outside. You are looking for an additional wild podcast. You want to start a podcast, or learn more about why I started Wild Ideas Worth Living. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/68 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Liz’s Wild Idea: To live frugally so she and her husband could achieve financial independence and spend more time hiking, homesteading, and doing what they love. Part of living wildly is having the means to pull it off. Traveling and buying gear can add up. On the show, we’ve interviewed dumpster divers, minimalists, and people with side hustles galore. But today we present a new financial take on living wildly. Author Elizabeth Thames, aka Liz Frugalwoods, is the voice behind the blog and new book, Meet the Frugalwoods. Liz and her husband did everything they were supposed to as young adults: they attended a good state college, graduated, and got good jobs. But as millennials working 9-to-5 jobs for non-profits, they knew there was something beyond the daily grind. Instead of just working harder and harder, they instead used extreme frugality so they could retire in their early thirties. Today, Liz and her husband have two daughters and live on a sixty-acre homestead in Vermont. They still spend money on things like farming equipment (which doesn’t come cheap), and she works on her blog only by choice, not because she has to. Instead of making more money so they could have more, they just spent less - a lot less - in order to achieve financial independence. This mindfulness about money led them to a unique, amazing outlook on life, and one that I found motivating. In our conversation, Liz shares some great tips for living frugally (like hacking her SodaStream) and also talks about the psychology of what going with less has done for her own self-esteem. We also get deep into the power of gratitude and privilege, and how having less materially has helped her get more out of life. Listen to this episode if: You want to retire early and achieve financial independence. You’ve ever dreamt of living on a lot of land. Getting outside and going hiking gives you peace of mind. You want to quit your job. You have a five year or more goal. You want to have kids but think they are too expensive. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/67 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Florence’s Wild Idea: To show why being in nature makes us feel so good, with science to back it up. If you are a regular listener to this podcast, chances are you love spending time outside in nature, and you’d love to spend even more time in it. Today’s guest, Florence Williams, knows all about this feeling, and the science behind it. Her book The Nature Fix proves why being in nature makes us happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. We talk about the research behind it, new research she’s discovered since she wrote it, policy and workplace decisions that have been informed from the book, and how you can squeeze in more time outside, even if you work a 9-to-5 desk job. We also talk about the best places to travel to be in nature, what sounds in nature are the most appealing and advice on writing books. We even delve into some other fun topics including breasts, which Florence wrote about in another book (it’s not a picture book) and some of her favorite authors. Florence is an accomplished writer and speaker. Her writing has appeared everywhere from the New York Times to Outside Magazine, and she’s even hosted a few podcasts herself, so this conversation flows fast. She loves what she does, and you get a sense from listening to her that she really wants others to get more joy in their lives from nature. Listen to this episode if: You love spending time in the outdoors. You want to know why it feels so good to be outside in nature. You care about leading a healthy lifestyle. You want some stats to show your boss/teacher why you need more breaks, more time outside or a window nearby. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/66 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.