Out There
Episodes
The Fear of Loneliness
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Julie Censullo has a rule: When someone invites her to do something, she always says yes. It's her way of staving off loneliness. But when aquaintance...
The Gift of Silence
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ilana Nevins loved backpacking with her father. But after she was diagnosed with an eating disorder, their relationship became strained. She worried t...
Running As Medicine
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In May of 2022, Maria Ordovas-Montanes set out to become the fastest woman to run the Oxford Greenbelt Way, a 55-mile route through the English countr...
Silence and Sound
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Humans are noisy. The National Park Service estimates that all of our whirring, grinding, and revving machines are doubling or even tripling global no...
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in our lives. Often it’s at work, where we doubt our own skills and accomplishments. But...
Silencing the Critics
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Demetria Lynn always wanted to be a scientist. But growing up, no one believed in her. The negative feedback was so overpowering that she stopped beli...
Birds of Paradise
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alison Világ pays attention for a living. She counts migrating ducks at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory in Michigan. It's key to getting a pulse on ...
1,000 Hours Outdoors
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us go outside because the quiet is calming. But what if silence isn't calming for you? What if it’s the opposite? Could you still find a way...
The Tonic of Silence
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For many of us, getting outside is more than just fun; it’s how we find inner stillness. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we decided to tu...
My Dad's Depression
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For Paul Barach, hiking is an antidote to depression. Is it that way for everyone? This episode takes us from Washington State to Joshua Tree National...
Rekindling the Spark
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’re told to follow our dreams. But often, that’s disappointing. Reality typically doesn’t measure up to what we’d imagined. So what then? H...
Silence
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our upcoming season is all about silence. From the Grand Canyon to South Korea, we’ll travel the globe, exploring how we find stillness amidst the n...
Building Self-Confidence
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maya Kroth’s goal for the New Year was to build self-confidence, and she decided to start by taking herself snowboarding. But things did not go well...
Closing the Gender Gap
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Women are often told we can do anything we want in life: ride bikes, scale cliffs, surf waves. But in some areas of outdoor recreation, the gender gap...
The Flood
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is a story about fear. It makes sense to be scared when we're facing danger. But what happens when disasters occur in unexpected places? In this ...
Learning to Swim
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Learning something new as an adult can be daunting, especially when it's something that a lot of people have been doing since childhood. On this episo...
Excavating Grief
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mykella Van Cooten was angry, and she didn’t know why. It got so bad that she began to feel unhinged. And then, she went to a little cabin in th...
Ice Swimming
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In Finland, it’s commonplace to go swimming in the winter — outdoors. The practice offers surprising mental-health benefits, and it isn’t just f...
Queer in Appalachia
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As a nonbinary person, Newt Schottelkotte never felt at home in Appalachia. But then, they went on a road trip with their dad. Driving through the Blu...
Rekindling Hope
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Carolyn McDonald's depression had gotten so bad that she couldn’t see a way forward. Then, one particularly miserable day, she went to the beach —...
Moonlight
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all had moments when we feel lost. Sometimes it’s literal; sometimes it's emotional. Either way, it’s unnerving. And lonely. This episode...
Living Without Hope
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness, there’s often a flood of difficult emotions. Grief. Depression. Learning to live without hope. Bu...
Secrets of the Earth
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This season, we’re exploring the theme SECRETS OF THE EARTH. Each episode, we’ll share a story about an outdoor experience that uncovered new trut...
This Is How You Win the Time War
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clock time is a human invention. So it shouldn’t be a box that confines us; it should be a tool that helps us accomplish the things we care about. B...
Notes in the Trees
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Most parents would never consider leaving their kids in the dark woods at night, and letting them find their way back. But the Dutch do just that. The...
Fallen Sky
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Fallen Sky,” a work of installation art at New York’s Storm King Art Center, is like a moon map etched into a hillside. On this episode, Tamar ...
Fear is the Thing with Fins
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Fear is a powerful indicator that something could hurt us. But sometimes, the fear itself is the most dangerous part. This is the story of maratho...
High on Failure
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every year, in the mountains of Vermont, a group of ultra runners gather for a 550-mile race called Infinitus. It’s one of the toughest trail runnin...
Pedaling and Paddling
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dewey Gallegos and Jessica Flock bonded over their passion for the outdoors. But the thing they had in common was also one of their biggest difference...
The Instinct to Kill
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When Sam Anderson’s father invited him to go hunting for the first time, Sam was worried. What if he couldn’t bring himself to pull the trigger? A...
Too Poor to Dream?
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We often hear that “the outdoors is free.” But for Charlsie Shaver, just driving to a trailhead was often cost-prohibitive; hitting the road to ex...
Selfless Acts
18 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why are some people overly generous? On this episode, we visit with a “trail angel" (someone who offers free food, drinks, and encouragement to thru...
Blue Dive
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tiffany Duong had achieved the pinnacle of success: she’d finished law school, worked for a big firm in LA, and traveled as much as she could. But s...
Failure in Success
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In 2015, Out There host Willow Belden signed up for a 70-mile mountain bike race. She had always liked big athletic challenges, but this time, pushing...
Moral Compass
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you decide whether to leave someone for dead? This is the story of a trip up Mt. Everest, in which climber Myles Osborne comes face to face wit...
Nature's Nostalgia
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A preview of our summer season! SUPPORT OUT THERE: Become a patron Click here to see the full show notes for this episode.
Adult-Onset Hunting
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The number of Americans hunting and fishing is declining, but women are bucking the trend. On this guest episode from The Modern West podcast, journal...
Beach Bum
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s healthy to know who you are. But sometimes, defining yourself too rigidly can be problematic. On this episode, Bo Jensen takes us from the Gulf...
Introducing Not Lost
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a special preview of Not Lost, a new podcast about finding yourself in places you’ve never been from our friends at Pushkin Industries. Hos...
Never Enough
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When we lose a loved one, many of us seek healing from the outdoors. But what happens when the weather is bad, and your happy place is miserable? To...
Measuring Up
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s easy to measure achievements based on what other people are doing. But how do you know what you should really expect from yourself? This episod...
Escape
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We often go outside to get away from our problems. But escapism has its limits. On this episode, we share the story of how Live Action Role Play taugh...
Pamper Your Brain
17 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ziyi Xu spent so much time on her phone that it was ruining her focus and productivity. Then, one night in Texas, she tried stargazing. On this episod...
Climate Language
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Last year, the term ‘climate crisis’ was added to the Oxford English Dictionary. The words we use to talk about the environment are evolving. But ...
America's Best Idea?
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
National Parks are often referred to as “America’s best idea.” And there’s a lot to love about them. But they also have a complicated history ...
Pandemic Sundays
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Church was Angie Chatman's sanctuary, both literally and figuratively. So when the pandemic began, and she couldn’t attend services in person, there...
Indoor Kid
03 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After attending a wilderness therapy program, Sarah Dealy was intent on becoming a rugged outdoorswoman. But the transformation didn’t work out as s...
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Think of this episode as a pre-season treat. We reached out to listeners and fellow podcasters and asked: “What is one way your relationship with na...
Things I Thought I Knew
20 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're launching a new season! Here's a sneak peak. Support Out There: Become a patron on Patreon
Fear and Leadership in the Mountains
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How many times have we been told the story of the fearless leader — in work, in politics, in the mountains? When the stakes are high, it’s natural...
Too Good To Be True?
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In 2001, Donna Martino stuck a newspaper clipping on her fridge. It was a photo of a handsome kayaker paddling through the surf. A few months later, D...
The Art of Loving Yourself
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Melat Amha had been struggling with chronic illness for years, when she decided to move to an organic farm in the Sierra National Forest. On this epis...
In the Name of Fairness
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On the surface, competing as a runner seems straight forward: the winner of a race is the fastest person from point A to point B, and to progress, you...
Riding Past Fear
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Growing up with a rare bone condition, Will Cox was constantly in and out of hospitals — and constantly fearful of the world around him. The fear ev...
Choosing a Line
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We often hear that you shouldn’t worry about what society thinks of you — you should chart your own course in life. But that’s easier said than ...
Outskating Your Demons
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Molly-Anne had struggled with severe mental illness her whole life. And, after years of drug addiction, she had recently gotten sober. But — as she ...
Forest as Pharmacy
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Shannon Prince comes from a family with a rich relationship to the natural world. Her Cherokee ancestors were skilled at using plants as medicine. But...
Trial by Fire
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Becky Jensen had given herself the perfect present for her 50th birthday: a two-week solo backpacking trip. But when she emerged from the trail, she l...
On My Own Terms
26 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After a demoralizing hiking trip in college, Ava Ahmadbeigi gave up on nature. She had never been outdoorsy, and now she knew she didn't belong. But t...
The Happy Hustle
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A career in the arts is tough. Creative professionals are notoriously overworked and underpaid. Even if you “make it,” it’s easy for your passio...
Horse Crazy
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we talk with Sarah Maslin Nir, author of the book Horse Crazy. Horse Crazy is part memoir and part cultural exploration. It’s a lo...
The Bucket List Traveler
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us assume that self care is inherently selfish — that we either focus on ourselves, or we help others. But what if that’s a false dichotom...
Don't Take 'No' for an Answer
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
My mother always told me I shouldn’t take “no” for an answer. If you don’t get what you want, she said, keep pushing. Growing up, I took t...
The Ultimate Outdoorswoman
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How Harriet Tubman could change your perspective on who belongs outdoors You probably learned about Harriet Tubman in school growing up — how she l...
The Thru-Hike of Misery
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul Barach embarked on his first thru-hike, he was expecting a life-changing experience. The Shikoku Pilgrimage, which traverses Japan’s most ...
Vulnerability is a Strength
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Climbing a mountain can be a lot like coming out. That’s a metaphor filmmaker Devin Fei-Fan Tau explores in his new documentary Who’s On Top. The...
Running Blind
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As more people get vaccinated and the world starts opening up again, many of us are reflecting on the unprecedented isolation we’ve experienced over...
Why Do We Stay?
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the wake of natural disasters, those affected are faced with a tough decision: do you leave and go somewhere safer, or stay put and try to rebuild ...
The Right to Complain
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In 2015, Australian journalist James Bennett moved to India, to take up a long-coveted role as a foreign correspondent. James was an outdoorsy type: h...
Introducing the Atlas Obscura Podcast
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this bonus episode, we introduce you to a new podcast we think you'll love. It's called the Atlas Obscura Podcast, and it takes you on an audio jo...
When You Close Your Eyes
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Explorer Christopher Venter lost his eyesight very suddenly, at age 40. He was an avid traveler, and at first, he couldn’t imagine going on with lif...
The Confidence to Thrive
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this bonus episode, we take you behind the scenes at Out There and tell you about a challenge that we’re facing as a podcast. It’s a challenge ...
The Stories We Carry
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If there’s anything universal that most long-distance hikers dislike, it’s road walking. Asphalt is hot, tough on joints and tiring. But the edges...
Exiled from Ranch Country
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Growing up, Heather Kitching was enamored with rural life. She dreamed of living in the countryside, riding horses, wearing cowboy boots, and listenin...
Common Ground
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Have you found yourself at odds with family members or close friends over diverging values? The past year has dredged up tensions over many issues —...
The Three-Year-Old Thru-Hiker
28 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When Tara Karineh and her husband embarked on a thru-hike with their three-year-old daughter, Acacia, they weren’t sure she’d be able to finish th...
8 Miles in NYC
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When Kelsie Wilkins moved to New York City, she quickly became overwhelmed. She was surrounded by more people than she had ever been around in her lif...
Nice Guys Can Finish First
31 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode: A story about a cyclist in NYC, which explores how to get what you want — the friendly way. Plus, a vision for an outdoor utopia. I...
Better Than Fun
24 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This year has been a time of profound isolation, and many of us are alone for the holidays. But, hard as it may feel, being alone is not always bad. T...
Back to the Real World
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Grand adventures often change us. They help us process complicated emotions and work through our problems. But what if the forward progress is tempora...
After Getting Sober
10 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Fresh out of college, Brendan Leonard was an alcoholic. He got sober, but drinking had been his favorite thing. It was what defined him. After alcoho...
Passing
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When we pass people on the trail, we often exchange quick greetings, recognizing our fellow hikers and showing that we are no threat. But sometimes —...
Changemakers
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this bonus episode, we talk with Mercy M'fon Shammah, founder of Wild Diversity, about her efforts to make the outdoors safe and welcoming for the ...
The Motherload
26 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Becky Jensen had a lot of things going for her: sweet kids, a caring fiancé, a promising career. But deep down, she wasn't happy. So a few years ago,...
Conservation 2.0
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon and called for the area to be protected. “Leave it as it is,” he said. ...
An Unlikely Family
12 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We often assume that scientists are not supposed to fall in love with their research subjects. They’re supposed to remain objective — to keep thei...
Out of the Shadows
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Growing up, Erin Parisi knew she was a girl. But the body she was born with didn’t match. And she didn’t feel safe telling anyone her secret. It w...
Mr. Fabulous
15 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Derick Lugo was not a typical thru-hiker. A suave, manicured New Yorker, he wasn’t into hiking and had never been camping. But one day, he decided t...
A Series of Unlikely Events
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In 2001, Donna Martino stuck a photo on her fridge. It was a picture from the newspaper of a handsome kayaker paddling through the surf. A few months ...
Under the Radar
17 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Christine Boskoff was a mountaineer who pushed boundaries and set records. She climbed mountains no North American woman had ever summited, and she wa...
Different Shades of Fear
03 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When David Klebosky was out in the desert earlier this year, he ended up being shot at. The gunfire wasn’t malicious, but there were bullets coming ...
Resilience Through Diversity
20 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As a marine biologist, Colin Howe sees diversity as an indicator of health: the more diverse an ecosystem, the more likely it is to thrive. But while ...
The Tools to Thrive
06 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When KC Cheng decided to hike the Camino de Santiago, she imagined it as a kind of therapy. She wanted to feel young and adventurous again, in charge ...
Black and Outdoorsy
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you attended a predominantly white college or university, there was probably an outdoors program on campus. And it was likely composed of mostly wh...
The Sweetness of Suffering
09 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone suffers. Sometimes it’s obvious; other times it’s less visible. But it’s inevitable that we’ll suffer at some point in our lives. And...
Acceptance
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Growing up in an emotionally abusive household, Meg Atteberry yearned for her parents’ approval. But no matter how hard she tried, the message was a...
Alex Honnold's Mother
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dierdre Wolownick is the oldest woman to have climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. She’s also a teacher, a musician, a marathon runner — ...
Becoming Better Allies
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Black Lives Matter. The events that have been unfolding over the past few weeks have made it very clear that all of us need to be doing much more to a...
Birding While Black
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The events that have been unfolding across the United States over the past weeks have driven home once again that simply existing carries risks if you...
Vanlife and COVID
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Amber McDaniel lives on the road full-time. She and her partner are both freelance writers, so working remotely isn’t a problem for them. And they l...