I'd Rather Be

"Euphoric" is the word Trish Silvestri uses to describe the feeling of being completely in sync with the crowd when she's DJing. Hear the story of the first event she ever DJed, and how far she has come with this passion over the years.

"It's like panning for gold" says Audie Zimmerman, who spends long weekend days with his daughter Jen scouring Florida's Peace River for the teeth of megalodon sharks, the scales of glyptodonts, and the ear bones of whales, among other fascinating fossils. Check out some of their finds @idratherbepodcast

Steven Dimmitt lives on the road year round, chasing the climbing weather in his van. He also produces The Nugget Climbing podcast, which is beloved in the climbing world and is considered one of the best long-form interview podcasts in the outdoor space. In this episode of I'd Rather Be, Steven shares how he discovered his passion for climbing and some of the many lessons the sport -- and lifestyle -- have taught him over the years. Check out Steven's podcast here: https://thenuggetclimbing.com/ Follow I'd Rather Be on Instagram Show notes and episode transcript at idratherbepodcast.com

Nicole Burrill has made it her life's work to help people heal and realize how much personal agency they have -- all through the ongoing practice of yoga. Hear how Nicole discovered this passion and went from student, to teacher, to teacher of teachers. Chakra Power Yoga, Nicole's collection of studios Follow I'd Rather Be on Instagram Show notes and episode transcript at idratherbepodcast.com

Meet Erik and Justin, a paranormal-investigating duo. Erik grew up in a haunted house, Justin lived in New Jersey, home to famous cryptids like the Jersey Devil, and together, they've visited some of the spookiest and most haunted places imaginable, including the house of Jeffrey Dahmer. In their spare time, Erik and Justin produce ParaTruth Radio, a podcast that is 8 years and 300 episodes in the making. Their mission: to expose the myths and find the truth behind paranormal events. Follow I'd Rather Be on Instagram Show notes at idratherbepodcast.com

Taylor English's passion for disc golf has taken him around the world, from Halifax, Canada to Kurland, South Africa. Brian Graham is the Director of Membership and Growth for the PDGA. Together, they'll convince you that being bitten by the disc golf bug is a bite like no other. Follow IRB on Instagram Show notes and episode transcript at idratherbepodcast.com

"One last cast," is what Kent Toomb says to himself at least a dozen times before he finally calls it quits after a day of fly fishing. In this episode of I'd Rather Be, hear stories about Kent's beloved sport from his time on the waters of the Pacific Northwest. Follow IRB on Instagram Show notes and episode transcript at idratherbepodcast.com

Can a deck of cards hold the key to your own subconscious? Lizzie Burgess was skeptical, but tarot cards have worked their magic and become her favorite form of divination and self care. Hear her story in today's episode of IRB, and learn more at her website: https://backyardbanshee.com Follow IRB on Instagram Show notes and episode transcript at idratherbepodcast.com

Season 2 of IRB coming May 3! Get ready for 12 more episodes of the hobbies and passions that make life fuller and richer. Follow IRB on Instagram Music Credits: Slowly Until we Get There by Joey Pecoraro YouTube Music Library Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100474 Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Debby Michaud has won two horseshoe pitching world championship titles. Tammy Gilbert finished 13th at the most recent horseshoe pitching world tournament. Hear from these two pitchers who are among the best in the sport to learn what makes horseshoe pitching addicting enough to become a lifelong passion. Follow I'd Rather Be on Instagram Show notes at idratherbepodcast.com

A passion for stargazing brings with it a reverence for some of the greatest mysteries in the universe. What was there before the Big Bang? What happens when a star disappears into the abyss of a black hole? Devoted stargazer Tom Urbain loves to contemplate these questions as he observes the planets, constellations, and distant galaxies from his own backyard. Tom has such a strong curiosity about space that he created a website, starlust.org, that is packed with articles, resources, and helpful tips for anyone interested in exploring astronomy. If you have a question about space, chances are, starlust.org has the answer! This episode also includes guidance for novice stargazers from Quinn Sykes, the Observatory Manager for Boston University's Astronomy Department. Check out Tom's website, starlust.org Public Open Night at the BU Observatory I'd Rather Be Podcast Instagram Show notes at idratherbepodcast.com

What compels someone to spend weeks and even months in the wilderness with nothing but the supplies they can carry on their back? Ethan Gallogly, an avid backpacker, was so inspired by his 211-mile journey along the John Muir Trail that runs through the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California that he decided to write a novel based on the experience. In this episode, hear what lies at the heart of Ethan's passion for backpacking. Link to Ethan's novel, The Trail, on Amazon I'd Rather Be Podcast Instagram Show notes and full episode transcript available at https://www.idratherbepodcast.com/

Wouldn't it be great to know someone with a passion for baking cookies? Hear from two guests in this episode: Kendra Beltran, who discovered this passion when she was looking for a way to thank the hospital staff following her husband's cancer treatments, and Erik Sayce, one of the owners of Goodnight Fatty, a beloved cookie shop in Salem, Massachusetts that is known for its avant-garde cookie flavors and its 90s-nostalgia ambiance. See pictures from the episode on the I'd Rather Be Podcast instagram Show notes at idratherbepodcast.com Check out Kendra's podcast, Crushgasm Kendra's freelance writing website Crushgasm Twitter Crushgasm Instagram Crushgasm Facebook Goodnight Fatty's Website Goodnight Fatty's Instagram

There's something irresistible about miniature things, especially when the original scale of the things are massive. Enter: bonsai trees. They begin from the same seeds as trees that can grow dozens and even hundreds of feet tall, but humans have discovered the ability to "play nature" and keep these trees small by growing them in pots and trimming them using the tiniest of clippers. Hear from two bonsai lovers to learn what makes the art of bonsai a surprisingly addicting hobby. See pictures on the I'd Rather Be instagram Bonsai West Nursery Show notes at idratherbepodcast.com

Birdwatching can be as relaxing or as intense as you want to make it. In a way, it's the original Pokemon Go: you could come upon hundreds of species at any moment, some common, and some rare, but you have to be much more on your toes, because the sightings can be fleeting. For Correne George, avid birder of 37 years, it's one of the most therapeutic and mesmerizing things she has ever experienced. See episode-related pictures and follow the show on Instagram. Show notes at idratherbepodcast.com

There's sewing, and then there's embroidery. Translated from the French word meaning "embellishment," I'd Rather Be guest Caroline Matas describes embroidery as "painting with thread." The needle-and-thread art form has evolved quite a bit in the last 250 years, and this episode is full of surprises about the kinds of things hobbyists and artists alike have decided to embroider. See pictures on the I'd Rather Be Podcast instagram. Caroline's Instagram Artist Judith Klausner's website Judith's Instagram

Badminton is the second most popular sport in the world, and while participation in the US is high, it's largely unstructured. Hear from a devoted badminton enthusiast, Andrew Rhoades, who couldn't be more thrilled to have discovered the sport, as well as Ian Wright, Director of Development for the World Badminton Federation, about participation trends in the US, some surprising health benefits of badminton, and a new version of the game that just may become an Olympic sport someday. I'd Rather Be Podcast Instagram Show notes and full transcript for this episode can be found at at idratherbepodcast.com

Pottery - perhaps humankind’s earliest chemistry experiment - didn’t come naturally to Margie Zavoico, but that didn’t stop her from falling in love with it. In this episode, we start at the beginning of Margie's journey, when every day with the clay felt like an uphill battle, and end in the present, with Raku firing explosions, elusive infinity bowl curves, and a brand new studio in Asheville, NC's River Arts District. I'd Rather Be Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idratherbepodcast/ Margie's Pottery Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margiezavoicopottery/ Show notes and full transcript at www.idratherbepodcast.com

Many people love wine, but Morgan Joseph wants to know the story behind every bottle. Learn how to expand your palate and look for something new the next time you stop into a wine shop. Follow I'd Rather Be on Instagram: @idratherbepodcast www.idratherbepodcast.com for show notes!

Thrifting is one of Caitlin Ormsby’s “unique zones of genius.” She grew up with second-hand stuff out of necessity rather than choice, but she fully embraced thrifting as a teenager as a way to be different, proud, and to stand out from the crowd. Her stories, tips, and thrifting wisdom provide a window into the joy and exhilaration thrifting brings to all who share this adventurous (and budget-friendly!) hobby.