Episodes
Oct. 30, 2025
Episode #513 - Lisa Laidlow (High Viz)
Lisa Laidlow came to the trail when she became an empty-nester. She had always been an outdoor girl–often along with her father–yet it was only fairly recently that she returned to hiking and discovered the idea of a thru-hik...
Oct. 23, 2025
Episode #512 - James Dalberto (Nomad)
James Dalberto, or Nomad, joins the podcast today. James has been an RV'er for the past few years, earning a living as a “starving artist” (his words) all over the country. This year, he decided to mix it up a bit and headed ...
Oct. 16, 2025
Episode #511 - The ALDHA Gathering - October 2025
Very limited notes this month, mainly because I'm away and rushing to get this out on Wednesday evening!! It was an honor to be chosen to present the Saturday evening keynote speech at ALDHA last weekend. I picked my own gues...
Oct. 9, 2025
Episode #510 - Ken Posner (Barefoot Ken)
We meet an unusual hiker this week. Ken Posner has been a long-distance runner and hiker over the years, yet he has gradually morphed into a barefoot runner and hiker. Ken and I discuss this–to me–bizarre footwear choice, and...
Oct. 2, 2025
Episode #509 - Chrissy and Ady Schubert
Chrissy Schubert and her daughter Ady will be attempting a 250-mile section of the Appalachian Trail next year. No big deal, you may think. Think again. Ady is afflicted by profound autism, communicates through writing, and h...
Sept. 25, 2025
Episode #508 - Woods Hole Weekend 2025
This week, we have a little change of pace. I attended the Woods Hole weekend last week as a presenter, and I came away with friendships, more knowledge, and a decent amount of humble pie as I savored the experience. My Dana ...
Sept. 18, 2025
Episode #507 - Glenn Sweitzer (Wanderer)
Glenn Sweitzer, designer and filmmaker, is our guest today. Glenn’s fascinating back story takes in working with Disney, designing artwork for Tim McGraw and others, then telling stories through film, before ending up on the ...
Sept. 11, 2025
Episode #506 - Sandra Katerina Schmelzer Alvarez (Peaches)
Sandra Katerina Schmelzer Alvarez, or Peaches, completed her Appalachian Trail thru-hike last month. She is a single mother who managed her autistic son’s reaction to her hike by preparing him for a year before she left. The ...
Sept. 4, 2025
Episode #505 - Roxanne Strine (Idiot Runner)
Roxanne Strine completed her Appalachian Trail thru-hike just a few weeks ago, at the sprightly young age of 70. She proved her mettle after her original plans fell through at the last minute, deciding to modify those plans a...
Aug. 28, 2025
Episode #504 - Darrell Eck (Old Stag)
Darrell Eck, or Old Stag, is this week’s main guest. Darrell retired as a teacher in 2022 and fulfilled his dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. He had kept a picture of the AT behind him in his classroom, so the compl...
Aug. 7, 2025
Episode #501 - Madison Boehm (Rescue)
This interview was four years in the making, with Maddie Boehm our main guest, four years after we first made contact. It was worth the wait, as Maddie talks about her somewhat tricky start with backpacking on the Appalachian...
July 10, 2025
Episode #497 - Jim & Sarah Klepzig (Rocky Root & Social Cutie)
Our guests today are Jim and Sarah Klepzig, a couple who lost their 22-year-old son, Tristan, in a terrible car accident five years ago. Tristan is on the left in the picture below, taken just two weeks prior to his accident....
July 3, 2025
Episode #496 - Charles Bruce (Tracker)
We meet Charles Bruce, or Tracker, this week. Charles is a member of the Appalachian Trail Class of 2022, and he fulfilled a long-held bucket list item when he completed his thru-hike. Charles is from the northeast, and one o...
June 26, 2025
Episode #495 - Dr Lynne Savino (Older hikers on trail)
Our guest today is an old friend of the show; Dr Lynne Savino. Lynne always has an interesting take on medical issues related to hiking, and this week, she discusses older hikers on trail. She brings her normal passion for hi...
June 19, 2025
Episode #494 - The End and Epilogue on the Camino de Santiago
This is it; the final days on my Camino trip in Spain. We cover the final four days, as well as interviews with Dave, plus Beth and Andrew from the Appalachian Trail. Next week, we'll be back to normal!
June 12, 2025
Episode #493 - Days 29-31 on the Camino de Santiago
Almost there, with the trail now full of people since Sarria. I should be finished this weekend. Also, Dave is well past the 1200 mile mark and feeling the full effects of Pennsylvania. It hurts!!
June 9, 2025
Episode #492 - Days 25-28 on the Camino de Santiago
We’re closing in on the end and I’m not sure Im ready to be done. We’re back into the mountains and views are opening up all around us. Beth and Andrew have been joined by more friends to hike with for a few weeks.
June 5, 2025
Episode #491 - Days 22-24 on the Camino de Santiago
I’m back in the rhythm and within a couple of weeks from the end. I’m meeting new people, reacquainting my legs with hills, and eating relentlessly. I love hiking!!! Dave has passed Harper’s Ferry and pushing into Pennsylvani...
June 2, 2025
Episode #490 - Day 21 and a Road Trip Back
Today rounds off my last hike into Léon before taking a scheduled break to visit my family for a birthday party, followed by a long detour back to the trail via England, where I watched my beloved Mighty Blues in their unexpe...