Thru Hiking Episodes
Episode #39- Michelle Samson "How has hiking helped you discover your strength?"
Dec. 19, 2022
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…
Episode #25 Dutch and Skunkape - "Why should you try hammock camping?"
Sept. 12, 2022
**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, Cour…
Episode #20 - Keith Foskett (Fozzie) - "How can we rebel against the status quo?"
Aug. 8, 2022
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 quest…
Lightning Round #3 - Brian Livingston (Mr Frodo)
Aug. 1, 2022
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 de…
Episode # 19 Brian Livingston - What are the long-term effects of a thru hike?
July 25, 2022
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…
Lightning Round #2 - Garret "Jive Turkey" Tandy
July 11, 2022
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 …
Episode #17 - Grant "Detour" Breidenbach - "What about bears?"
July 4, 2022
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 t…
Episode #16 - Christine Reed (Lady Unicorn) - "You want to be alone, on purpose?!"
June 20, 2022
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 …
Episode #12 - John and Missy Baatz - "Does hiking change you?" (Part 1)
April 18, 2022
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…
Episode #11 - Gary Sizer (Green Giant) "How do you go from hobby to obsession?"
April 4, 2022
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 h…
Episode #10 - Wander Woman "How can you thru hike while you still have kids at home?!"
March 21, 2022
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 si…
Episode #9 - Jive Turkey - "Is getting off trail a failure?"
March 7, 2022
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, h…
Episode #8 - Mus Ox - "What does the trail provide?"
Feb. 21, 2022
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…
Episode #07 - Derick Lugo - What does it take to be Fabulous on and off trail?
Feb. 7, 2022
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 …
Episode #06 - Melanie "Peanut" Harsha - Is hiking sexy?
Jan. 17, 2022
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 he…