Episodes
April 24, 2023
Episode #57 Chris "Chicken Fat" LeBlanc - “Why was the Mountain to Sea Trail your hardest hike?”
In this episode, Courtney talks with long distance hiker, Chris “ChickenFat” LeBlanc. They talk about the logistics of hiking with his hound dog, Moose, his efforts to set FKTs, how to “hotdog hop” and they answer the questi…
April 17, 2023
Episode #56 - Jason "Mav" Brocar "What is it like to hike with a fear of heights?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Jason “Mav” Brocar, a retired veteran and aspirational triple crown and international hiker. They talk about his hikes in Spain and Scotland, upgrading from military grade gear to “real” …
April 10, 2023
Episode #55 - Brittany "Puddin" McDonald - Why did you hike over 4000 miles?!
In this episode, Courtney talks with Brittany “Puddin” McDonald. They talk about finding yourself in Nature, the amazing support in the hiking community, the hiking addiction and they answer the question: Why did you hike ov…
April 3, 2023
Episode #54 Maren "Wizard" Wahle - What is it like to hike internationally?
In this episode, Courtney talks with Maren “Wizard” Wahle. They talk about the challenges of hiking in the sun, whether social media documentation is a great idea and they answer the question: What is it like to hike interna…
March 27, 2023
Episode #53 - Lee "Boots" Fortune - What is Hike For Healing?
In this episode, Courtney talks with Lee “Boots” Fortune. They discuss the efforts Lee is making to help spread the message that the outdoors is for everyone, his controversial snack choice and they answer the question - Wha…
March 20, 2023
Episode #52 Chris "Roll Tide" Marshburn - "What is it like to work on trail?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Chris “Roll Tide” Marshburn, a newly minted Ridge Runner for the ATC in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They talk about how Chris came to crave a change from litigation to outdoo…
March 13, 2023
Episode #51 - EmilyPennington "What is it like to hike in EVERY US National Park?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with author of new book, Feral, Emily Pennington. They discuss life on the road, how traveling in nature has specifically affected Emily’s "type A personality" and they answer the question: “W…
March 6, 2023
Episode #50 Andrew "Tetanus" Black - “Why did you hike huge trails back to back?”
In this episode, Courtney talks with Andrew “Tetanus” Black, They talk about the rabbit holes of research that suck hikers in, how to successfully complete the PCT in a high fire season and they answer the question: “Why did…
Feb. 27, 2023
Episode #49 Tara "Bam" Atkinson - "Why not hike now?
In this episode, Courtney talks with Tara “BAM” Atkinson. They talk about the huge differences between the Florida trail and any other trail in the US, what it’s like to finally be an empty nester and they answer the questio…
Feb. 20, 2023
Episode #48 - Miss Janet - "What is real trail magic?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Miss Janet, the legendary trail angel of the AT. They talk about her family tradition of helping hikers, what it is like to meet hikers from all over the world and they answer the questio…
Feb. 13, 2023
Episode #47 Outdoor Jamaican - "How can BIPOC people embrace outdoor living too?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Outdoor Jamaican, They dive into a fascinating look at how history still effects the hiking culture, the talk about hiking in Jamaica compared to the US, his exploration of the river vall…
Feb. 6, 2023
Episode #46 - Aaron "Sling" Owens Mayhew - "How can we eat healthy food on trail?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Aaron "Sling" Owens Mayhew, owner/founder of Back Country Foodie. They talk about special foodie hacks to making tasty on-trail smoothies, the challenges of hiking the very back country C…
Jan. 30, 2023
Episode #45 - Pesto "How do you let yourself go alone on a hike?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Pesto. Pesto has completed the Pinhoti Trail, the Foothills trail, the Appalachian Trail and a host of others. They talk about how she got started hiking alone, why the CDT might be the n…
Jan. 23, 2023
Episode #44 - Rainbow and Lost Johnny - "Why would you open a hiker hostel?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Olivia "Rainbow" Neal and Johnny "Lost Johnny" William, owners of the newly established Hidden Pond Hostel. Theirs is a unique story! They met on trail on their 2022 AT thru hike. They ta…
Jan. 16, 2023
Episode #43 - Andrea "Hey Mom" Lani - "What is it like to drag your family along uphill both ways?!"
In this episode, Courtney talks with author and hiker, Andrea "Hey Mom" Lani. They talk about taking hot food for granted (especially when you are cold and wet), seeing the playfulness bloom in her kids on trail, and she ans…
Jan. 9, 2023
pisode #42 Claire Dal Nogare "How is hiking like commercial fishing?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Claire Dal Nogare, thru hiker and soon to be Alaskan pilot. They discuss the fear mongering that can spring up on trail, what it is like to use a thru hike as physical therapy and they an…
Jan. 2, 2023
Episode #41 - Best of...Theresa Halo" Ebert
This episode, we revisit Courtney's very first podcast interview with Theresa Ebert or "Halo". They talk about being a mother of four, a hiker, and a true trail angel! Halo shares with us some of the great strategies she an…
Dec. 26, 2022
Episode #40 - Bonus Leftovers! "What else is crazy about hiking?"
This is a very special bonus leftovers episode! We often keep talking after the "official interview" is done for the show, so this time Courtney talks to John "No Worries" and Missy "Hot Buns" Baatz, Keith "Fozzie" Foskett a…
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…
Dec. 12, 2022
Episode #38- Michelle "Beck" Cofer "What do trail shuttle drivers do?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Michelle "Beck" Cofer, the owner/operator of White Blaze Shuttle. They discuss how Michelle's interest in hiking got fired up, why she loves most about starting her business and she answe…
Dec. 5, 2022
Episode #37 - Derick "Mr. Fabulous" Lugo - "Why take on the hardest trail 10 years later?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Derick Lugo, Mr Fabulous. This is Derick's second appearance on the podcast. They talk about how having an audience might influence your hike, night hiking on the CDT versus the AT, runni…
Nov. 28, 2022
Episode #36 - Andrew "Reptar" Forestell "What's it like to go beach backpacking?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Andrew Forestell "Reptar", for a repeat spot on the show. They talk about what it feels like to fell like you MUST finish what you start, finding your way past excuses to live an adventur…
Nov. 21, 2022
Episode #35 - Patrick "Dosu Kinuta" French - "Why do you answer the SAME hiking questions over and over again?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with Patrick "Dosu Kinuta" French, a hiker with over 20,000 miles under his boots. They talk about the variety of trails to be found here in the United States and abroad, how he came to "walk …
Nov. 14, 2022
Episode #34 Jamila "Turtle" Minnifield - "How can wilderness heal this disconnection?"
In this episode, Courtney talks with repeat guest, Jamila "Turtle" Minnifield. Turtle is a Wilderness Therapist. They discuss the way that kids numb with screen time, how we can help them reconnect to others face-to-face and…