In Finland, it’s commonplace to go swimming in the winter — outdoors.
The practice offers surprising mental-health benefits, and it isn’t just for die-hard adventurers. On this episode, we share the story of one woman who started “ice swimming” in an effort to soothe the brain by shocking the body.
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As a nonbinary person, Newt Schottelkotte never felt at home in Appalachia. But then, they went on a road trip with their dad. Driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains, something started to shift. This is a story about figuring out how to be yourself without abandoning where you’re from.
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Carolyn McDonald's depression had gotten so bad that she couldn’t see a way forward.
Then, one particularly miserable day, she went to the beach — and something happened that she never could have imagined. Something that opened the door to healing and sparked a deep and genuine joy.
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We’ve all had moments when we feel lost. Sometimes it’s literal; sometimes it's emotional. Either way, it’s unnerving. And lonely.
This episode takes us from the deserts of California to the jungles of the Philippines, and explores how one young woman got back on track, when she lost her way, both literally and figuratively.
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Most parents would never consider leaving their kids in the dark woods at night, and letting them find their way back. But the Dutch do just that. They call it Dropping.
This is a guest episode from Nocturne, a podcast that explores the night and how thoughts, feelings and behaviors transform in the dark.
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NEW KIDS' PODCAST: Once Upon a Meadow is set to launch in February 2023
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“Fallen Sky,” a work of installation art at New York’s Storm King Art Center, is like a moon map etched into a hillside.
On this episode, Tamar Avishai explores how Sarah Sze’s striking sculpture helps visitors pay attention to the world around us — and the world inside our heads.
This is a guest episode from The Lonely Palette, a podcast that returns art history to the masses, one object at a time.
NEW KIDS' PODCAST: Once Upon a Meadow is set to launch in February 2023
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Dewey Gallegos and Jessica Flock bonded over their passion for the outdoors. But the thing they had in common was also one of their biggest differences. Their story explores how hard it can be to share the thing you love most, with the person you love most.
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When Sam Anderson’s father invited him to go hunting for the first time, Sam was worried. What if he couldn’t bring himself to pull the trigger? And conversely, what if he could? What would that say about him?
On this episode, Sam takes us into the woods of New Jersey and explores the emotional complexity of taking the life of an animal.
This story first aired in 2017, and it won a gold medal for Best Independent Podcast from Public Radio News Directors, Inc.
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Why are some people overly generous? On this episode, we visit with a “trail angel" (someone who offers free food, drinks, and encouragement to thru-hikers on long trails), and we explore what makes a person commit acts of altruism for total strangers. (Hint: it’s probably not what you’d expect).
This story first aired in 2018, and it won a gold medal for best independent podcast from Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, or PRNDI.
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Click here to see the full show notes for this episode.
Tiffany Duong had achieved the pinnacle of success: she’d finished law school, worked for a big firm in LA, and traveled as much as she could. But she was miserable.
Then she went scuba diving in the Galapagos, and everything changed. Her story is about letting go of your safety net, embracing the unknown, and finding bliss.
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In 2015, Out There host Willow Belden signed up for a 70-mile mountain bike race. She had always liked big athletic challenges, but this time, pushing her limits turned out to be a mistake. On this episode, she shares her story. It's about trying to prove yourself — and learning when to say no.
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How do you decide whether to leave someone for dead?
This is the story of a trip up Mt. Everest, in which climber Myles Osborne comes face to face with one of the hardest decisions mountaineers ever have to make.
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Click here to see the full show notes for this episode.
The number of Americans hunting and fishing is declining, but women are bucking the trend.
On this guest episode from The Modern West podcast, journalist Melodie Edwards finds a sisterhood at an all-women hunting camp—and catches her first fish with her dad.
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It’s healthy to know who you are. But sometimes, defining yourself too rigidly can be problematic.
On this episode, Bo Jensen takes us from the Gulf of Mexico to the Camino de Santiago and explores what happens when you stop forcing yourself to choose a single identity.
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When we lose a loved one, many of us seek healing from the outdoors. But what happens when the weather is bad, and your happy place is miserable?
Today’s story takes us to “the most beautiful beach in Washington State” and explores what can we learn about grief and acceptance when nature is at its ugliest.
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It’s easy to measure achievements based on what other people are doing. But how do you know what you should really expect from yourself?
This episode takes us from a mountain in Arkansas to an attempted thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail and explores how much better life can be when you realize your shortcomings might not be your fault.
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We often go outside to get away from our problems. But escapism has its limits.
On this episode, we share the story of how Live Action Role Play taught one woman the importance of confronting your troubles head on.
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Ziyi Xu spent so much time on her phone that it was ruining her focus and productivity.
Then, one night in Texas, she tried stargazing.
On this episode, Ziyi tells the story of how she kicked the smartphone habit and got her creativity back.
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Last year, the term ‘climate crisis’ was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.
The words we use to talk about the environment are evolving. But could they motivate us to take action?
On this bonus episode, we bring you a guest story from the podcast Living Planet about the relationship between language and the environment. Plus, a behind-the-scenes conversation with one of Living Planet’s hosts.
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National Parks are often referred to as “America’s best idea.” And there’s a lot to love about them.
But they also have a complicated history — a history of broken promises, displacement of indigenous people, and genocide. And that history is not over.
Is there a way to right historical wrongs? Can we protect wild spaces in a way that is also socially just?
This episode takes us from a young national park in Germany to Denali in Alaska and offers some hope for a better future.
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After attending a wilderness therapy program, Sarah Dealy was intent on becoming a rugged outdoorswoman.
But the transformation didn’t work out as she had imagined. Sarah was an indoor kid at heart. She disliked many of the activities she imagined her outdoorsy self doing.
On this episode, she takes us from the Utah desert to the mountains of Colorado and explores what happens when the person you think you want to be doesn’t mesh with the person you are.
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Think of this episode as a pre-season treat.
We reached out to listeners and fellow podcasters and asked: “What is one way your relationship with nature has changed in a way that has surprised you?”
The answers we received were thought-provoking, inspiring, and hopeful, and on this episode, we’re sharing some of our favorites.
Open Mic Night: To perform, sign up by Feb. 4, 2022.
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Show Notes: Go to outtherepodcast.com to learn more about the people and podcasts that contributed to this episode.