Thru Hiking Episodes
Dec. 19, 2022
Episode #39- Michelle Samson "How has hiking helped you discover your strength?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Michelle Samson, a local hiker on the Illinois trails. They talk about what it is like for an extrovert to hike alone, why she prefers cold weather hiking and how hiking as allowed her to celebrate her sobriety and...
Sept. 12, 2022
Episode #25 Dutch and Skunkape - "Why should you try hammock camping?"
**Notes with guest** **My Commentary** Closing Question: I am striving to be more present and "real", hence Unfiltered. What ways are you trying to be more Unfiltered in your life now? **Show Notes** In this episode, Courtney talks with Paul...
Aug. 8, 2022
Episode #20 - Keith Foskett (Fozzie) - "How can we rebel against the status quo?"
In this episode, Courtney gets unfiltered with Keith "Fozzie" Foskett, author and worldwide hiker. They discuss long trails all over the world and particularly in the UK, living a wanderlust lifestyle, and they ask the question: "How can we rebel...
Aug. 1, 2022
Lightning Round #3 - Brian Livingston (Mr Frodo)
In this Bonus Episode, Courtney gets unfiltered with Brian "Mr. Frodo" Livingston in a fun game of lightning-round questions! Brian Livingston was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. He went to Clemson University and earned a degree in History. He...
July 25, 2022
Episode # 19 Brian Livingston - What are the long-term effects of a thru hike?
In this episode, Courtney talks with Brian Livingston aka Mr. Frodo. They dive in to how a gap year of thru-hiking influenced his first novel, how to incorporate nature in parenthood, and why animals are so fascinating. They answer the question: What...
July 11, 2022
Lightning Round #2 - Garret "Jive Turkey" Tandy
In this Bonus Episode, Courtney gets unfiltered with Garret "Jive Turkey" Tandy in a fun game of lightning-round questions! Garrett Tandy, Jive Turkey, is an accomplished hiker. After completing his 2021 thru-hike of the AT he started planning his...
July 4, 2022
Episode #17 - Grant "Detour" Breidenbach - "What about bears?"
In this episode, Courtney talks to Grant "Detour" Breidenbach, of Bear Vault, about the challenges of bear safety. Should you hang your food? Should you carry a bear canister? How far away should it be from your camp? What the heck do I do if I...
June 20, 2022
Episode #16 - Christine Reed (Lady Unicorn) - "You want to be alone, on purpose?!"
In this episode, Courtney gets unfiltered with Christine "Lady Unicorn" Reed. They talk about what it feels like to get bitten hard by the hiking bug, redefining independence, and intentionally taking on major challenges to force changes in ourselves....
April 18, 2022
Episode #12 - John and Missy Baatz - "Does hiking change you?" (Part 1)
In this episode, Courtney has an unfiltered conversation with Jon and Missy Baatz that was so much fun it had to be broken into two episodes! In Part 1 we get to hear about the fun story of Missy's trail name "Hot Buns", how the AT hook was set in the...
April 4, 2022
Episode #11 - Gary Sizer (Green Giant) "How do you go from hobby to obsession?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Gary "Green Giant" Sizer, author and Appalachian Trail thru hiker (2014). Gary turned his lifelong love of story-telling into a best-selling book, Where's the Next Shelter? They explore how the trail changes you...
March 21, 2022
Episode #10 - Wander Woman "How can you thru hike while you still have kids at home?!"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Stephanie Quarles or Wander Woman. She joins the Appalachian Trail Class of 2022 in February of this year for her AT thru hike attempt. As a wife and mother of four, she is in a unique situation. Stephanie is going...
March 7, 2022
Episode #9 - Jive Turkey - "Is getting off trail a failure?"
Garrett Tandy, or Jive Turkey, completed his Appalachian Trail Thru hike in 2021 and decided to take on the Pinhoti Trail next. Garret talks with Courtney about his experiences on this trail that made him rethink his gear, his reason for hiking that...
Feb. 21, 2022
Episode #8 - Mus Ox - "What does the trail provide?"
In this episode Courtney talks with Carisa Oxendine or Mus Ox. Mus is in the Appalachian Trail Class of 2022 and plans to start at Springer Mountain on February 22, 2022. This is her second attempt at a thru hike, but that's not the most important...
Feb. 7, 2022
Episode #07 - Derick Lugo - What does it take to be Fabulous on and off trail?
In this episode Unfiltered talks to Derick Lugo, Author of The Unlikely Thru-Hiker, Host of The Unlikely Stories Podcast, aka Mr. Fabulous. He opens up about how his unexpected thru hike of the Appalachian Trail changed the trajectory of his career...
Jan. 17, 2022
Episode #06 - Melanie "Peanut" Harsha - Is hiking sexy?
In this episode we ask Melanie Harsha, aka Peanut, that burning question: “Is hiking sexy?” Melanie is a seasoned hiker who has thru hiked both the Appalachian Trail, as a solo NOBO, and the Pacific Crest Trail NOBO with her partner James...