Adventure is Out There Podcast

This week I am so excited to talk again with my friend, Hiker, Author of the upcoming memoir Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself , Influencer, & Mental Health Advocate, Shilletha “Dragonsky” Curtis. Follow Dragonsky on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/i_am_dragonsky/ Pre- Order Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself https://books.disney.com/book/pack-light/ Andy and Shilletha's conversation from February 2022: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5yeoaSwdWlvrChf4tbKSvQ?si=dbdb699113a14ce2 Music is licensed from Musicbed.com. Subscribe to my YouTube:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes Buy Andy a Coffee ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes ⁠ Get a Gregory Mountain Products Pack or Luggage for your next Adventure by using code "andy15" at checkout at www.gregory.com to get 15% off your purchase and help Andy and the Podcast out. Need Outdoor gear for your next adventure? Use Andy's REI affiliate link and help Andy out: https://alnk.to/fSeu523 About Shilletha: Shilletha “Dragonsky” Curtis was born in Newark, New Jersey, and spent much of her time growing up on the Jersey Shore. Shilletha received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from Rutgers University in 2014 and spent a summer abroad in Beijing, China (2012) to further her Mandarin speaking skills and then she traveled to Romania (2013) to do an internship at an orphanage in Cluj-Napoca. Helping people has always been her passion, but she eventually found that she had a profound love for animals and eventually the outdoors. She trained as a Veterinary Technician in 2016 in Austin, Texas, and practiced for two years. She lost her job due to the coronavirus pandemic in March of 2020. Like many, with a new outlook on life, Shilletha pursued hiking, beginning with the Appalachian Trail. One day, her dream is to finish The Triple Crown, which is the highest honor, in hiking, completing the Appalachian, Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide. Her journey to complete continues though in every way--she's already won. About Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself : Shilletha Curtis, also known as "Dragonsky," takes readers on a profound journey through her life, from the shores of New Jersey to the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Trail. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Shilletha's upbringing was marked by adversity, including fractured family dynamics, bullying, and abuse. However, despite these challenges, Shilletha's unwavering spirit and passion for helping others shine through. After losing her job as a Veterinary Technician due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shilletha embarked on a life-changing adventure—the Appalachian Trail. Pack Light chronicles her courageous decision to confront the roots of her trauma while hiking through 14 states, battling depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD along the way. But this memoir is more than just a hiking story. It's a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of nature. Shilletha's journey challenges the conventional narrative of "Hiking While Black," asserting that the great outdoors belongs to everyone. Through vivid prose and heartfelt reflection, Shilletha invites readers to join her on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. Her experiences resonate with authenticity, offering hope and inspiration to anyone facing their own challenges. Explore Shilletha Curtis's remarkable story and share in her triumphs and tribulations. This memoir is not just a book—it's a testament to the human spirit's resilience and capacity for growth. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This week I have the wonderful opportunity to talk with Outdoor Photographer & Content Creator, Jhamil Bader Follow Jhamil on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jhamilbader/ Jhamil Bader is a commercial photographer and content creator based in Portland, Oregon, specializing in outdoor lifestyle and travel work. Through captivating visual content and the value he provides his community, he has built a following of 140,000+ outdoor enthusiasts across his social media channels. His posts, which combine outdoor and travel inspiration, introspection, and personal growth, aim to inspire his audience to get outdoors, travel, embrace new experiences, and grow in their personal and business lives. Using his 7+ years of branding and social media experience, he works with other freelancers and small business owners to develop their branding identity, expand their social media presence, and increase brand recognition by harnessing creative marketing strategies and high-quality, narrative-driven content. Music is licensed from Musicbed.com. Subscribe to my YouTube:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Andy a Coffee ⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes ⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This week I have the wonderful opportunity to talk with my friend, attorney and advocate, Darrah Blackwater. More About Darrah: https://blackwatersoul.wordpress.com/ Follow Darrah on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/blackwatersoul/?hl=en Darrah Blackwater is from Farmington, New Mexico and is a citizen of the Navajo Nation. She is a conceptual artist and an attorney specializing in Indigenous law and telecommunications law. In a previous career she was a tennis professional at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas and in Zhongshan, China. While in China, Darrah and her walking partner, Ann Liang, walked 1,388 miles from Zhonshan to Beijing to raise money for organizations that empower people with disabilities. She spent a year of law school working on tribal issues in Washington D.C., and has assisted in building multiple community networks in Indigenous communities. Darrah has extensively researched and written about the concept of spectrum sovereignty, the idea that Native Nations have exclusive rights to the electromagnetic spectrum on and over their lands. Darrah spent her summer after law school hiking the Colorado Trail to raise awareness about the digital divide and Indigenous issues. Her Native Lens video on Indigenous spectrum sovereignty (below) is featured in the National Museum of Natural History exhibit Cellphone: Unseen Connections through 2025. In her spare time she can be found playing tennis, making art, or playing in the mountains. Music is licensed from Musicbed.com. Subscribe to my YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes ⁠⁠⁠ Buy Andy a Coffee: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes ⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This week I have the wonderful opportunity to talk with my friend, playwright and TV writer, Franky D. Gonzalez. Follow Franky on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/phattheddproductions/ Franky D. Gonzalez is a playwright and TV writer of Colombian descent splitting time between Dallas and Los Angeles. Nationally, his work has appeared with The Lark, the Sundance Institute, the Ojai Playwrights Conference, Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Ground Floor, the NNPN National Showcase of New Plays, the Latinx Playwrights Circle, the Texas State University's Black and Latino Playwrights Celebration, The Sol Project (SolFest 2022), Urbanite Theatre, Visión Latino Theatre Company, the Great Plains Theatre Conference, the Goodman Theatre (Live @ Five Series), Launch Pad at UC Santa Barbara, The New Harmony Project, Bishop Arts Theatre Center, Repertorio Español, LAByrinth Theater Company, Ars Nova (ANT Fest 2021), Dallas Theater Center, the William Inge Theatre Festival, Austin Latinx New Play Festival, Stages Repertory Theatre's Sin Muros Latinx Theatre Festival, the Latino Theatre Company’s RE:Encuentro 2021: National Virtual Latina/o/x Theatre Festival, the Latinx Theatre Commons 2022 Comedy Carnaval, Seven Devils New Play Foundry, the HBMG Foundation National Winter Playwrights Retreat, Tofte Lake Center, Ignition Arts, Play4Keeps Podcast, the Antaeus Playwrights Lab, Clamour Theatre Company, Ammunition Theater Company, Greenway Court Theatre, the Cloud Factory, The Mid-America Theatre Conference, The Midwest Dramatists Conference, and the One-Minute Play Festival. Franky was a recipient of the Charles Rowan Beye New Play Commission, an MTC/Sloan Commission, the Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Prize, co-recipient of the MetLife Nuestras Voces Latino Playwriting Award, won the Crossroads Project Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative Award, the Judith Royer Award for Excellence in Playwriting, the Short+Sweet Theatre Festival Manila Best Overall Production Prize, and was a staff writer for the fourth season of 13 Reasons Why. The 2023 Chicago Production of his play That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven garnered two Non-Equity Jeff Awards (for Short Run Production and Director). Previously Franky was named the 4 Seasons Resident Playwright, a Sony Pictures Television Diverse Writers Program Fellow, and a Core Writer with the Playwrights Center. Currently Franky serves as the Bishop Arts Theatre Center Playwright-in-Residence, is writing on a Sony/Amazon show, and is developing a series with Sony Pictures Television. He is proudly represented by Valor Entertainment, the Gersh Agency, and the law firm Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bonn & Dang. Full Play Reading of Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes By Franky D. Gonzalez - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5qHu05Z8Wzw6lkAVoR6KmE?si=_yyuEjKCRzeD3zNcPQ2AEw Andy's Past Interview with Franky on the Ashland New Plays Festival Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2M9TDqe7B2hCh9DCBZN81c?si=Ul5g2-g_QSmND2Hxa1U0MQ Music is licensed from Musicbed.com. Subscribe to my YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes ⁠⁠ Buy Andy a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

I am so excited to have Erick Andino trail name "Dogfoot" on the show this week! Dogfoot was born and raised in L.A. but traces his roots toHonduras, Central America. Erick served as a firefighter/medic in the Navy from Aug 2001 to April 2009. In 2022 he took on the PCT as his 1st thru hike with the ultimate goal of going for the triple crown. We'd like to thank our sponsors: Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gregorypacks.com Music is licensed from Musicbed.com. Subscribe to my YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes ⁠⁠ Buy Andy a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This week I'd like to welcome the founder of Make Plus Equal, Andrea Kelly. Voted by Outside Business Journal as one of 2022's Twenty Most Influential people in the Outdoor Industry, Andrea Kelly has been championing Size Inclusion in the apparel industry for over 20 years. With her belief that every body deserves the same amount of choice, she launched her consultancy, Make Plus Equal in the Spring of 2023. Her mission is to educate and guide apparel brands and retailers as they work to serve a more size-inclusive consumer base than they've traditionally served in the past. Andrea's countless years behind the scenes in the apparel industry, passion for the outdoors as a plus-sized person herself, and engagement with the plus- sized community, give her the unique perspective and experience to bring about change in the apparel industry. See more from Andrea at https://makeplusequal.com We'd like to thank our sponsors: Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gregorypacks.com Music is licensed from Musicbed.com. Subscribe to my YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes ⁠⁠ Buy Andy a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

Sidney Raskind is a content creator with over 5 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. His "things I wish I knew before I was in my 30s" series is full of lifehacks that people use everyday and laugh along while their minds are blown with Sidney daily. After 10 years in digital, Sidney made his dream come true of being a content creator. Listen as he shares the adventure that got him here! Follow Sidney on Instagram and TikTok: @sidneyraz We'd like to thank our sponsors: Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gregorypacks.com Music is licensed from Musicbed.com. Subscribe to my YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes ⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

On the first episode of The Adventure is Out There Podcast (formerly the Hiker Podcast) I am so excited to talk with Jeff Jenkins. Jeff Jenkins is an award-winning Travel/ Food Blogger, speaker, podcast host,and Influencer based out of Austin, Texas. Jeff most recently is proud to addtravel documentarian to his list of adventures as he stars in “Never say Never with Jeff Jenkins.” A show that explores diverse cultures, locations and overcoming fears, backed by National Geographic. Never say Never premieres on Nat Geo July 8 and Disney+ soon after. See what Jeff is up to on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chubbydiaries and also check out www.chubbydiaries.com We'd like to thank our sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gregorypacks.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. Subscribe to my YouTube: ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠ Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes ⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This week I am super excited to talk with Olivia Tati… Olivia is 28 years old and has already traveled to over 50 countries. She is passionate about pushing her own personal boundaries, exploring the world, and having an absolute blast doing it. She quit her corporate engineering job so that she could fully immerse herself in her real estate career and spend time creating beautiful spaces for people to vacation at near national parks. Whenever she’s not being a busy body you can find her exploring the great outdoors with her favorite adventure pup or hopping on a plane across the world. Check out more from Olivia: https://www.oliviatati.com Follow Olivia on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/theoliviatati/ We'd like to thank our sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gregorypacks.com/⁠⁠⁠ The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! Subscribe to my YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠ Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠ Check out my TikTok: ⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This week I am super excited to talk to Rolland Tizuela of Campthropology. Rolland is a California-based outdoor enthusiast, gear aficionado, and cultural observationist that advocates for safe, clean, and responsible recreation in US public lands. He focuses on camping gear reviews, outdoor tips & tricks, and travel recommendations aimed at campers of all experience levels. A McNair Scholar of University of California San Diego, Rolland's research focused on transformative aspects of long distance hiking. He earned his BA in Sociocultural Anthropology in 2018. Follow Rolland on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@campthropology Follow Rolland on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campthropology/ We'd like to thank our sponsors: ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gregorypacks.com/⁠⁠ The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! Subscribe to my YouTube: www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠ Check out my TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

So yeah, it's been a minute but I am back answering your questions! We'd like to thank our sponsors: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv⁠⁠https://www.gregorypacks.com/⁠ The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64⁠ Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! Subscribe to my YouTube: www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes Check out my TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

By far one of my favorite interviews in 30 months of doing the Podcast. This week I’m excited and honored to have a conversation with Cal "Starburst" Dobbs (they/he)! Cal "Starburst" Dobbs (they/he) @cal_hikes is a 26 year old queer and trans hiker, runner, and teacher. They are the first known transgender person to complete the Triple Crown of hiking. Cal used his 7,000+ miles of backpacking to raise $7000 for the Trevor Project, an organization that provides resources and support to lgbtq+ youth and allies. In 2023 Cal will be running across America to raise awareness about anti-trans legislation and fundraise for local groups working to protect and advocate for trans youth. Follow Cal on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cal_hikes/ A Penny Per Mile by Cal Dobbs (The Trevor Project): https://give.thetrevorproject.org/fundraiser/3515742 We'd like to thank our sponsors: https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrvhttps://www.gregorypacks.com/ The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64 Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

We're back and I am so excited to have Sarah Red-Laird of Bee Girl on the show. Sarah Red-Laird is the founder and Executive Director of the Bee Girl organization, a grassroots nonprofit centered on bee habit conservation through research, regeneration, & education. She is a graduate of the University of Montana's College of Forestry and Conservation and the Davidson Honors College with a degree in Resource Conservation, focused on community collaboration and environmental policy. Sarah also serves as the “Kids and Bees” program director for the American Beekeeping Federation. To see her commitment to good policy and community collaborations realized, she also has served as president of the Northwest Farmers Union and Western Apicultural Society, and as a board member of the National Farmers Union. When she is not tirelessly working with bees, beekeepers, kids, farmers and ranchers, and policy makers, Sarah loves to read books while drinking coffee, ride her vintage 10-speed, run in the hills, and see new places, things, and people. To see her latest projects updates visit Instagram and Facebook @sarahbeegirl or www.beegirl.org. Notes from the show: Venn diagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfHpZsANRZ8/ All We Can Save: https://www.instagram.com/allwecansave/ How 2 Save the Planet Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/how2saveaplanet/ This weeks episode was recorded and edited in its entirety at the podcast studios at Catalyst Ashland. Catalyst Ashland is a family-run, BIPOC, and veteran-owned business in the heart of Downtown Ashland, Oregon. A collective creative co-working space serving the community and its visitors, especially BIPOC, LGBTQ, and Southern Oregon friends to support and encourage diverse entrepreneurship and collaboration. For more information about Catalyst Ashland go catalystashland.com. Ashland, OR in the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Latgawa and Takelma peoples who lived here for millennia & were displaced between 1851 and 1856. Today, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz identify their members as living descendants of the Takelma and Shasta peoples of this area. We'd like to thank our sponsors: https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrvhttps://www.gregorypacks.com/ The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64 Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This week Andy is excited to Welcome Back Hiker, Speaker and Author Derick Lugo! Storytelling is Derick Lugo’s forte; he’s the author of the popular book, The Unlikely Thru-Hiker, a humorous memoir of his 6-month thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. He has written several pieces for outdoor magazines, short stories for various books and is currently working on two new books, including a children’s picture book, and a second memoir detailing his 5-month thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail. He’s a sought-after keynote speaker, adventurer, and host of the Unlikely Stories Podcast. To learn more about Derick Lugo, his new writing projects, and his next adventure, follow him on Instagram & Facebook @dericklugo, and at www.dericklugo.com Our host Andy is now an Ambassador for Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ... We'd like to thank our sponsor CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv Big thank you to our Patreon Patron's for supporting The Hiker Podcast: www.patreon.com/andynealplussizehiker The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64 Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes Send Andy a Postcard from the trail! Andy Neal 1750 Delta Waters Road STE 102-406 Medford, OR 97504 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This week Andy is excited to talk to hiker and traveler Meredith McAlister. Meredith McAlister is a solo travel enthusiast, Instagram influencer and HR professional. Meredith discovered her love of the outdoors when she was young and is passionate about sharing that love with others. She has solo traveled all over the world and wants to inspire other women to follow their passion and curiosity and get out and explore. They outdoors have been key to unlocking her overall happiness, peace and pleasure. Follow Meredith on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/meredithtx/ Our host Andy is now an Ambassador for Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ... We'd like to thank our sponsors: https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrvhttps://cs-instant-coffee.peachs.co/a/andy-nealhttps://www.sawyer.com Big thank you to our Patreon Patron's for supporting The Hiker Podcast: www.patreon.com/andynealplussizehiker The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64 Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This week I am so excited to welcome Chelseas McCurdy to the show. Chelsea McCurdy is a queer plus-sized hiker who advocates for body positivity, health at every size, and joyful movement. She believes that nature is healing and that everyone deserves to enjoy the outdoors, regardless of their body type or fitness level. She lives in Arkansas and owns a business (Hobbit Hikers) dedicated to hikers who love to take their time, enjoy the view, snack a little along the way, and experience nature on their own terms. She is also a video creator on TikTok (@whatwouldellewoodsdo) and Instagram (@_whatwouldellewoodsdo_) where she shares her hikes, outdoor tips, and self-love journey with her friend Shelby Varner, who is the Samwise Gamgee to Chelsea's Frodo Baggins. Our host Andy is now an Ambassador for Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ... We'd like to thank our sponsors: https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrvhttps://cs-instant-coffee.peachs.co/a/andy-nealhttps://www.sawyer.com Big thank you to our Patreon Patron's for supporting The Hiker Podcast: www.patreon.com/andynealplussizehiker The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Begin Again” by Andrew Judahwhich you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64 Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

Ending season four, Andy reflects on the last four seasons, where the show is going, and how hiking in the hiking and outdoor community has impacted him. Season five will begin August 1. Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes This weeks episode was recorded and edited in its entirety at the podcast studios at Catalyst Ashland. Catalyst Ashland is a family-run, BIPOC, and veteran-owned business in the heart of Downtown Ashland, Oregon. A collective creative co-working space serving the community and its visitors, especially BIPOC, LGBTQ, and Southern Oregon friends to support and encourage diverse entrepreneurship and collaboration. For more information about Catalyst Ashland go catalystashland.com Our host Andy is now an Ambassador for Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ... We'd like to thank our sponsors: CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv CS Instant Coffee makers of environmentally sustainable and great tasting instant coffee for the trail. Use the link to get yours and help the show: https://cs-instant-coffee.peachs.co/a/andy-neal . Sawyer Products: MORE THAN AN OUTDOOR COMPANY. For more information go to https://www.sawyer.com Big thank you to our Patreon Patron's for supporting The Hiker Podcast: www.patreon.com/andynealplussizehiker The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Kindred Spirits” by Analog Heart which you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64 Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This recording is 3 weeks old but happy to finally get it out... Andy answers your questions! Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes This weeks episode was recorded and edited in its entirety at the podcast studios at Catalyst Ashland. Catalyst Ashland is a family-run, BIPOC, and veteran-owned business in the heart of Downtown Ashland, Oregon. A collective creative co-working space serving the community and its visitors, especially BIPOC, LGBTQ, and Southern Oregon friends to support and encourage diverse entrepreneurship and collaboration. For more information about Catalyst Ashland go catalystashland.com Our host Andy is now an Ambassador for Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ... We'd like to thank our sponsors: CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv CS Instant Coffee makers of environmentally sustainable and great tasting instant coffee for the trail. Use the link to get yours and help the show: https://cs-instant-coffee.peachs.co/a/andy-neal . Sawyer Products: MORE THAN AN OUTDOOR COMPANY. For more information go to https://www.sawyer.com Big thank you to our Patreon Patron's for supporting The Hiker Podcast: www.patreon.com/andynealplussizehiker The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Kindred Spirits” by Analog Heart which you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64 Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This Week Andy is excited to welcome Climber, Backpacker, Storyteller, Model and Advocate Emmeline Wang to the show! Climbing and the outdoor environment are what inspire Emmeline to advocate for the things that matter: our earth, social equity and justice, and finding peace through the chaos we all experience. Emmeline lives for getting high off the ground, playing in the vertical world, and protecting the places that we love. Check out more from Emmeline at https://emmelinewang.com Follow Emmeline on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/emmelinewang Phone Credit: Rachel Ross https://www.instagram.com/rach4thesky/ This weeks episode was recorded and edited in its entirety at the podcast studios at Catalyst Ashland. Catalyst Ashland is a family-run, BIPOC, and veteran-owned business in the heart of Downtown Ashland, Oregon. A collective creative co-working space serving the community and its visitors, especially BIPOC, LGBTQ, and Southern Oregon friends to support and encourage diverse entrepreneurship and collaboration. For more information about Catalyst Ashland go catalystashland.com Our host Andy is now an Ambassador for Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ... We'd like to thank our sponsors: CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv CS Instant Coffee makers of environmentally sustainable and great tasting instant coffee for the trail. Use the link to get yours and help the show: https://cs-instant-coffee.peachs.co/a/andy-neal . Sawyer Products: MORE THAN AN OUTDOOR COMPANY. For more information go to https://www.sawyer.com Big thank you to our Patreon Patron's for supporting The Hiker Podcast: www.patreon.com/andynealplussizehiker The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Kindred Spirits” by Analog Heart which you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64 Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message

This week I am excited to have our first IN PERSON interview of the show. I sat down with Tara Laidlaw of the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy to talk about her story and work, climate change, educating children and adult about the outdoors and how hikers can help conserve the land they are hiking on... Tara has worked in place-based education for 15 years as a frontline facilitator, instructional designer, teacher trainer, and program manager, helping students develop scientific, environmental, and social-emotional literacy in outdoor spaces. She grew up exploring in the high Sierra, and now calls southern Oregon home. Tara currently serves as the Education Program Manager with Southern Oregon Land Conservancy (www.landconserve.org) and offers consulting services through her company Out to Learn (www.out2learn.com). She also volunteers on the board of the Environmental Education Association of Oregon (www.eeao.org). This weeks episode was recorded and edited in its entirety at the podcast studios at Catalyst Ashland. Catalyst Ashland is a family-run, BIPOC, and veteran-owned business in the heart of Downtown Ashland, Oregon. A collective creative co-working space serving the community and its visitors, especially BIPOC, LGBTQ, and Southern Oregon friends to support and encourage diverse entrepreneurship and collaboration. For more information about Catalyst Ashland go catalystashland.com Our host Andy is now an Ambassador for Gregory Packs. To get 15% off your order, and help Andy out use promo code ‘Andy15’ when you check out at https://www.gregorypacks.com/ ... We'd like to thank our sponsors: CNOC Outdoors making our adventures the best possible, simple, enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable. Use the link & be sure to use coupon code 'Hiker Podcast' for 10% off trekking poles. https://tinyurl.com/2p93ecrv CS Instant Coffee makers of environmentally sustainable and great tasting instant coffee for the trail. Use the link to get yours and help the show: https://cs-instant-coffee.peachs.co/a/andy-neal . Sawyer Products: MORE THAN AN OUTDOOR COMPANY. For more information go to https://www.sawyer.com Big thank you to our Patreon Patron's for supporting The Hiker Podcast: www.patreon.com/andynealplussizehiker The Music for the Hiker Podcast is licensed from Musicbed.com. This weeks opening song is “Kindred Spirits” by Analog Heart which you can listen on our Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lXwaTWf2f0CUnXiogxCLj?si=c12c1fa33cd94c64 Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes Go to www.hikerpodcast.com for all our social media accounts, email, and all the ways to listen to The Hiker Podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureisoutthere/message