Wild Ideas Worth Living

Latest Episodes:

Cheryl Strayed - On Hiking, Getting Outside, Being Kind, and Writing Like a ‘MoFo May 30, 2018

Show notes

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 Corbett - How to Get Sober, Transform Your Life and Become a Record Breaking Ultramarathon Runner and Author May 23, 2018

Show notes

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 Ramos & Adriana Garcia - Starting a Movement to Encourage Diversity in the Outdoors May 16, 2018

Show notes

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 McInnis - Turning His Love of the Outdoors into a Photography Career May 09, 2018

Show notes

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 Van Deren – How to Run Ultramarathons and Set Records at 58 Despite Brain Surgery May 02, 2018

Show notes

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 England - Challenging Stereotypes and Protecting the Outdoors as a Wildland Firefighter Apr 25, 2018

Show notes

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 Sincero - How to Be a Badass at Making Money and Go After What You Want Apr 18, 2018

Show notes

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 Bemis - How to be an Organic Farmer, Feed your Community, and Publish a Gorgeous Cookbook Apr 11, 2018

Show notes

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 Mott and Shelby Stanger – Adventure and Podcasting with REI Co-op’s Two New Shows Apr 04, 2018

Show notes

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 Frugalwoods – Retire in Your 30s and Achieve Financial Independence by Being Frugal Mar 28, 2018

Show notes

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.

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