Episodes

Michael Neiman, who, along with Bruce Matson, brought us Platinum Blazing to the trail, is our guest this week. Michael thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018, and his new book tells that story–as a 98% true novel. Michael,...

We welcome Rob Diamond to the show today. I met Rob in 2024 in Hot Springs, when we went and tried to help out after Hurricane Helene. Rob told me then that he was planning on a 2025 thru-hike, so I asked him then to follow u...

Savannah Schuring, or Snazzy Cat, took on an Appalachian Trail thru-hike–which she completed in a remarkable three months–as her graduate thesis. On the way, she was interviewing hikers as to their motivations to be out on th...

Today, we meet an AT thru-hiker from the Class of 2015 who went on to buy and run a hostel near the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Erin Tuveson, or Bookie, became so enamored of the trail that she wanted to be around the community...

This week, Tony Roddy joins the podcast. Tony walked across America in 2015, vowing to do one of the long-distance American trails ten years later. His original choice was the CDT, but a last-minute change took him to the App...

We meet a member of the Class of 2012 this week, who happens also to be a member of this years class of 2026. In fact, Todd Sears is starting the day after I start, in March this year. He had a long career in military intelli...

Michelle Michaud is our guest today. She has completed the Appalachian Trail three times, having been on trail every year since the late 90s. Her love for the AT is apparent, and she has managed to parlay that love into a bus...

We welcome Dr Rob Scanlon to the podcast today to talk about five essential skills that hikers need to learn to avoid becoming a depressing statistic on trail. Rob shares anecdotes and data to illustrate those five skills, an...

The self-deprecating James Kinch is on the show today, claiming the title of the “Fattest Known Time” on the Appalachian Trail, having twice thru-hiked the trail, starting at well over 300lbs each time. James has published hi...

Ellen Langford, or Adventurine, joins us today. Ellen is a professional artist who had dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail for several years before 2025 opened a window for her. On the trail, she found logistics to be cha...

We meet Jesse Cody and Mike Rose today, and hear about their non-profit, Hike the Good Hike, an organization committed to enhance mental wellness through nature. They have partnered with several well-known outdoor brands to p...

Emily Manzon, or Tic Tac, is our guest this week. Emily was looking for an epic way to celebrate her 40th birthday this year, so the Appalachian Trail certainly checked that box. Along the way, Emily gained a respect for the ...

Tom Margaria, a retired FDNY firefighter, set out on January 1st from Key West to hike the 5700 mile Eastern Continental Trail. On the way, Tom met up with–and joined–the “Over the Hill Gang,” the group including Dave Santi, ...

We meet a young New Hampshire guy today who had never hiked in New Hampshire prior to his Appalachian Trail thru-hike this year. Galloway Johnson had dreamed about the AT for five years and made it a reality this year. He did...

This is indeed the season for hearing from successful thru-hikers, and we have another one joining us today. Jennifer Cole, or Indy 5, was looking for a great adventure and a bit of independence. She certainly found both on t...

We’ve got a family of three on the show today, with Mike, Molli, and Kayla McCarthy sharing their own hiking story. I met Molli and Kayla on my 2014 thru-hike, and found them to be charming company. Mike had started with them...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...