New York's Adirondack State Park is bigger than Yellowstone, the Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Parks... combined. This week, we're handing the mic off to producers Emily Russell and Brian Mann, who show us how the Adirondacks serve as a testing ground for ideas shaping public lands management across the U.S.

New York's Adirondack State Park is bigger than Yellowstone, the Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Parks... combined. This week, we're handing the mic off to producers Emily Russell and Brian Mann, who show us how the Adirondacks serve as a testing ground for ideas shaping public lands management across the U.S.

'Forever Wild'

On the Idaho-Wyoming border, the future of a special piece of land hangs in the ether. It’s called the Palisades. Some people want to see it protected as Wilderness. Others want to preserve its wild character AND keep it open to motorized and mechanized uses. Producer Scott Stuntz wonders if the two sides have more in common than they think.

On the Idaho-Wyoming border, the future of a special piece of land hangs in the ether. It’s called the Palisades. Some people want to see it protected as Wilderness. Others want to preserve its wild character AND keep it open to motorized and mechanized uses. Producer Scott Stuntz wonders if the two sides have more in common than they think.

The Pickle of the Palisades

Julian Carr

What happens when a professional skier/cliff jumper decides to start a trail running series? Well, let's just say running isn't the main focus. The Cirque Series in the brain child of famous cliff-jumper Julian Carr, and takes place on some of the most well-known ski resorts around the West. Producer Claire Jones sets off to learn more about the series and Julian, which leads her down a path to answer one question: What on earth draws people to run up and down 3000 vertical feet?

What happens when a professional skier/cliff jumper decides to start a trail running series? Well, let's just say running isn't the main focus. The Cirque Series in the brain child of famous cliff-jumper Julian Carr, and takes place on some of the most well-known ski resorts around the West. Producer Claire Jones sets off to learn more about the series and Julian, which leads her down a path to answer one question: What on earth draws people to run up and down 3000 vertical feet?

Julian Carr and The Fix

Trail magic is part serendipity, part heroism, part… well, magic. It's a helping hand when hikers need it most. Outlandish is partnering with the Out There podcast to bring you today's story. We'll meet Willow Belden, a radio-maker who's thru-hiked the Colorado Trail. She helps us answer the question of why trail angels are so kind. What makes an angel commit to offering repeated acts of altruism?

Trail magic is part serendipity, part heroism, part… well, magic. It's a helping hand when hikers need it most. Outlandish is partnering with the Out There podcast to bring you today's story. We'll meet Willow Belden, a radio-maker who's thru-hiked the Colorado Trail. She helps us answer the question of why trail angels are so kind. What makes an angel commit to offering repeated acts of altruism?

The Selfless Act of Trail Magic

How many people know a gold miner? Producer Monica Gokey knew exactly zero before she set off into the backwoods of Idaho to find one. She thought she'd find grizzled old men hellbent on striking it rich. Instead, she found an eclectic community of people for whom gold mining is a hobby, a social connection, and their bridge to the great outdoors. 

How many people know a gold miner? Producer Monica Gokey knew exactly zero before she set off into the backwoods of Idaho to find one. She thought she'd find grizzled old men hellbent on striking it rich. Instead, she found an eclectic community of people for whom gold mining is a hobby, a social connection, and their bridge to the great outdoors.

Is There Gold in Them Thar Hills?

Producer Nick Mott moved to Montana about a year ago. He’s an avid rock climber – and he noticed something really weird when he first moved there: It was super hard to find information on where and what all the climbs were. People were tight-lipped. At the same time, social media meant all kinds of public lands were getting busier than ever. So he started wonder: What does sharing information – or being secret about it – mean for the places we play?

Producer Nick Mott moved to Montana about a year ago. He’s an avid rock climber – and he noticed something really weird when he first moved there: It was super hard to find information on where and what all the climbs were. People were tight-lipped. At the same time, social media meant all kinds of public lands were getting busier than ever. So he started wonder: What does sharing information – or being secret about it – mean for the places we play?

Secret Climbs in the Big Choss

Does getting better at something increase our enjoyment of it? In today's episode, producer Monica Gokey asks the question of whether aptitude affects how much we enjoy a particular activity - in this case, fly-fishing. We'll also hear from an expert on how waterway access differs from public land access. Pull out your fly rod, tie a fly, and put in your earbuds - Outlandish is heading to the river! 

Does getting better at something increase our enjoyment of it? In today's episode, producer Monica Gokey asks the question of whether aptitude affects how much we enjoy a particular activity - in this case, fly-fishing. We'll also hear from an expert on how waterway access differs from public land access. Pull out your fly rod, tie a fly, and put in your earbuds - Outlandish is heading to the river!

Fly-Fishing: A Journey of Persistence

Outlandish is in full-on production with season three around the corner... but in the meantime, we're re-releasing an interview with our favorite Iditarod musher, Jesse Royer. Jesse's running at the front of the pack in this year's race. We couldn't pass up the chance to put her amazing voice back on the airwaves. We're rooting for you, Jesse! Mush on.

Outlandish is in full-on production with season three around the corner... but in the meantime, we're re-releasing an interview with our favorite Iditarod musher, Jesse Royer. Jesse's running at the front of the pack in this year's race. We couldn't pass up the chance to put her amazing voice back on the airwaves. We're rooting for you, Jesse! Mush on.

Iditarod Flashback

Mark Bethke

On this episode of Outlandish we speak with Mark Bethke, Director of Planning and Budget for the U.S. Forest Service Region 4 (and Liz's boss!) to discuss why it's important for you to be engaged in your region and exactly how you can join the conversation.

On this episode of Outlandish we speak with Mark Bethke, Director of Planning and Budget for the U.S. Forest Service Region 4 (and Liz's boss!) to discuss why it's important for you to be engaged in your region and exactly how you can join the conversation.

S2E28: Mark Bethke: Join the Conversation

Team outlandish explores the intersection of public lands and public health.

Team outlandish explores the intersection of public lands and public health.

S2E27: Ya ‘a’ tey

Outlandish is a podcast started by the United States Forest Service as part of our "Your Forests Your Future." campaign. Through this podcast we will bring you interesting and relevant stories about what's happening out on your public lands right now!

A great listen!

You girls are great to listen too!  I really enjoyed your show.

Great podcast!

Outlandish

This week on Outlandish, we're diving into a two-part series on grazing and public lands. We're handing the mic off to Monica Gokey, who's taking us out to the great sagebrush sea - to a place where the relationship between ranchers and the land they run cattle on is so intertwined that people can hardly remember it any other way.

This week on Outlandish, we're diving into a two-part series on grazing and public lands. We're handing the mic off to Monica Gokey, who's taking us out to the great sagebrush sea - to a place where the relationship between ranchers and the land they run cattle on is so intertwined that people can hardly remember it any other way.

S2E15: Grazing Part 1: Sagebrush Sea

Put on your mushroom goggles and join Rachel Layman as she takes you on the spore-to-plate journey of a wild mushroom, with a few choose-your-own-adventure detours along the way. Don't try this at home unless you're sticking to the "foragers' golden rule."

Ep.3 Fungus Amongus!

Been feeling a little low lately? Like something's missing in your life? Perhaps you've got a case of NDD! In this episode we explore the growing phenomenon known as "Nature Deficiency Disorder" starting with the future of our public lands... kids!

Ep.9 A National Natural Deficiency

Canada or Mexico? out.LAND.ish guest reporter Gina Knudson takes us on an adventure along her favorite National Scenic Trail; the Continental Divide Trail, which spans the United States, north to south, border to border. We'll learn about Trail Angles, Hiker Boxes, and the lucky among us may even just get our own "Trail Name."

Ep.6 Conquering the Continent | The Great American Through Hikes

On this episode of Outlandish, Liz and Mindy take a trip to the Appalachian Trail to learn about it's history with the native people and how much beauty it still holds today. 

On this episode of Outlandish, Liz and Mindy take a trip to the Appalachian Trail to learn about it's history with the native people and how much beauty it still holds today.

S2E5 The Appalachian Trail

Dan Seffeirt

On this bonus episode of Outlandish, I dig deeper into glaciers with an amazing geologist: Dan Seffeirt. He explains "ice patch archaeology" and how glaciers impact our ecosystems.

On this bonus episode of Outlandish, I dig deeper into glaciers with an amazing geologist: Dan Seffeirt. He explains "ice patch archaeology" and how glaciers impact our ecosystems.

S2E14: Dan Seffeirt: Ice Patch Archaeology

Is it the destination? Or the journey? Everyone has a story to tell about road trips and our nation's often overlooked public lands serve as both the destination and journey. Because of this we have dedicated a two part series on the Great American Road Trip. Experience the Windshield Wilderness as Rachel explores public lands through the lens of the Great American Road Trip and builds some family values along the way.

Ep.7 The Great American Road Trip: Part I

This week on Outlandish we're continuing our discussion on grazing and public lands. Outlandish is going on a cattle drive! We'll hear from a long-time buckaroo, plus recreational users whose hiking overlaps with cattle country. We'll spend the episode on a grazing allotment on the Boise National Forest. Giddyup, Outlandish!

This week on Outlandish we're continuing our discussion on grazing and public lands. Outlandish is going on a cattle drive! We'll hear from a long-time buckaroo, plus recreational users whose hiking overlaps with cattle country. We'll spend the episode on a grazing allotment on the Boise National Forest. Giddyup, Outlandish!

S2E16: Grazing Part 2: Cattle Among Us

Matt Rinella

Today on Outlandish our guest reporter Monica Gokey has a chat with rangeland researcher and llama packing hunter, Matt Rinella. When it comes to public lands and hunting, Matt and his llamas have some great stories. 

Today on Outlandish our guest reporter Monica Gokey has a chat with rangeland researcher and llama packing hunter, Matt Rinella. When it comes to public lands and hunting, Matt and his llamas have some great stories.

S2E24: Matt Rinella- Hunting with Llamas

On this episode of Outlandish we explore groups of individuals raising awareness on public lands and social issues at the same time.

On this episode of Outlandish we explore groups of individuals raising awareness on public lands and social issues at the same time.

S2E7: Wild Plans on Wild Lands!

What does RV’ing have to do with Public Lands? Get ready for an adventure with Mindy and Liz as they set out to discover just that….in an RV of course! As summer fades to fall, make time for one last road trip and come along for an audio journey into the amazing world of RVing on public lands.

Ep.8 Livin' That RV Life

Find out more at yourforestsyourfuture.org. Welcome to Season 2 of Outlandish! For this episode, we traveled to  Alaska to see the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Often referred to as “The Last Great Race,” this 1,000-mile long challenge is some of the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. Listen to this episode to hear us speak with the founders of The Iditarod. We hear their perspectives on what the event means to the state of Alaska and to the greater picture of humanity and our public lands.

Find out more at <a href="https://www.yourforestsyourfuture.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">yourforestsyourfuture.org</a>. Welcome to Season 2 of Outlandish! For this episode, we traveled to  Alaska to see the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Often referred to as “The Last Great Race,” this 1,000-mile long challenge is some of the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. Listen to this episode to hear us speak with the founders of The Iditarod. We hear their perspectives on what the event means to the state of Alaska and to the greater picture of humanity and our public lands.

S2E1 Iditarod. Did you?

On this episode of Outlandish we explore a variety of migration types happening in our own backyard.   Join us as we see what's happening in the air, in the water, and on the land as we bring in a special guest reporter to help us uncover these fascinating facts.

On this episode of Outlandish we explore a variety of migration types happening in our own backyard.  Join us as we see what's happening in the air, in the water, and on the land as we bring in a special guest reporter to help us uncover these fascinating facts.

S2E9: The Many Migrations

On this episode of Outlandish, we explore one of the most beautiful bodies of water we've seen: Fossil Creek.  We also learn about the history of the river, and it's relationship with the native people.   Download this episode now to hear about a truly remarkable gym that's hidden in Arizona.

On this episode of Outlandish, we explore one of the most beautiful bodies of water we've seen: Fossil Creek. We also learn about the history of the river, and it's relationship with the native people.  Download this episode now to hear about a truly remarkable gym that's hidden in Arizona.

S2E3 Shangri La

This week on Outlandish we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic River Act, an Act that gives back to our splendid rivers by armoring them against the pressures of the outside world. Listen in as we follow its origin story and the brothers who made it happen.  

This week on Outlandish we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic River Act, an Act that gives back to our splendid rivers by armoring them against the pressures of the outside world. Listen in as we follow its origin story and the brothers who made it happen.

S2E25: Celebrating 50 Years of Protecting our Most Scenic Rivers

Bjorn Frederickson

As part of our new interview series, I was interested in talking with Bjorn Frederickson from the Fossil Creek episode about life in the forest service, and all things wild and scenic.

As part of our new interview series, I was interested in talking with Bjorn Frederickson from the Fossil Creek episode about life in the forest service, and all things wild and scenic.

S2E4 Bjorn Frederickson: Life in the Forest Service

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The best podcasts about ourselves as well as the world through the lense of Science. Specific topics include things about our brain, emotions to biology, physics and more!