Episodes
Episode #53 - Lee "Boots" Fortune - What is Hike For Healing?
March 27, 2023
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…
Episode #52 Chris "Roll Tide" Marshburn - "What is it like to work on trail?"
March 20, 2023
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…
Episode #51 - EmilyPennington "What is it like to hike in EVERY US National Park?"
March 13, 2023
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…
Episode #50 Andrew "Tetanus" Black - “Why did you hike huge trails back to back?”
March 6, 2023
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…
Episode #49 Tara "Bam" Atkinson - "Why not hike now?
Feb. 27, 2023
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…
Episode #48 - Miss Janet - "What is real trail magic?"
Feb. 20, 2023
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…
Episode #47 Outdoor Jamaican - "How can BIPOC people embrace outdoor living too?"
Feb. 13, 2023
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…
Episode #46 - Aaron "Sling" Owens Mayhew - "How can we eat healthy food on trail?"
Feb. 6, 2023
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…
Episode #45 - Pesto "How do you let yourself go alone on a hike?"
Jan. 30, 2023
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…
Episode #44 - Rainbow and Lost Johnny - "Why would you open a hiker hostel?"
Jan. 23, 2023
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…
Episode #43 - Andrea "Hey Mom" Lani - "What is it like to drag your family along uphill both ways?!"
Jan. 16, 2023
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…
pisode #42 Claire Dal Nogare "How is hiking like commercial fishing?"
Jan. 9, 2023
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…
Episode #41 - Best of...Theresa Halo" Ebert
Jan. 2, 2023
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…
Episode #40 - Bonus Leftovers! "What else is crazy about hiking?"
Dec. 26, 2022
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…
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 #38- Michelle "Beck" Cofer "What do trail shuttle drivers do?"
Dec. 12, 2022
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…
Episode #37 - Derick "Mr. Fabulous" Lugo - "Why take on the hardest trail 10 years later?"
Dec. 5, 2022
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…
Episode #36 - Andrew "Reptar" Forestell "What's it like to go beach backpacking?"
Nov. 28, 2022
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…
Episode #35 - Patrick "Dosu Kinuta" French - "Why do you answer the SAME hiking questions over and over again?"
Nov. 21, 2022
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 …
Episode #34 Jamila "Turtle" Minnifield - "How can wilderness heal this disconnection?"
Nov. 14, 2022
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…
Episode #33 - Garrett "Jive Turkey" Tandy "What is it like to re-enter the Matrix?"
Nov. 7, 2022
In this episode, Courtney talks with Garrett "Jive Turkey" Tandy for a check in after his most recent thru hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. They talk about the different experiences of forest and desert hiking, the challenge…
Steve "Mighty Blue" Adams -"Why would you hike the entire AT, twice?!"
Oct. 31, 2022
In this episode, Courtney talks with Steve "Mighty Blue" Adams, the host of "Mighty Blue on the Appalachian Trail - The Ultimate Mid-Life Crises". They discuss the amazing trail community, what it's like to settle in and fee…
Episode #31 - Anniversary Bonus "1 Trip around the sun!"
Oct. 24, 2022
Happy Anniversary! In this special bonus episode Courtney talks with three fantastic guests in some "after party" conversations: 1. Grant "Detour" Breidenbach talks about keeping the wilderness wild and they swap stories abo…
Episode #30 Andrew Verlezza - "What's it like to countdown to a thru hike?"
Oct. 17, 2022
In this episode, Courtney talks with Andrew Verlezza, a former chef and future Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. They discuss what it's like to try keto and intermittent fasting on the trail, recovering from injury while preppin…