High on Failure

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Why hitting your breaking point could make you happier

Jordan Wirfs-Brock competes in the inaugural Infinitus race (photo by Victoria Petryshyn)

 
“I had been building up this hard, heavy shell of stress, and when my body broke, the stress broke away, too.”
— Jordan Wirfs-Brock
 

Season 3 // Episode 8

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 running races in existence.

Jordan Wirfs-Brock was no stranger to ultra marathons, but Infinitus broke her: she failed to finish. Surprisingly, though, the failure turned out to be one of the best things that's ever happened to her.

On this episode, Jordan takes us with her to the race course and shares the story of what happened.

This story first aired in 2016, and it won a gold medal for best independent podcast from Public Radio News Directors, Inc., or PRNDI.

Read the full episode transcript here

Follow Out There on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you stream podcasts.

 

Episode Notes

Credits

Story and sound design by Jordan Wirfs-Brock

Script editing by Willow Belden

Music includes selections from AudioBlocks

Additional Links

Support Out There on Patreon

If you’re really into suffering ultra-running, check out Infinitus

Follow Jordan on Twitter @jordanwb

 

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About the Journey

Pedaling and Paddling

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What if the thing that brings you together also pulls you apart?

Dewey Gallegos on a mountain bike and Jessica Flock on a river (photos courtesy Dewey Gallegos and Jessica Flock)

 
“When I saw what Jessica did — like, when she showed me a video of what rafting was ... I just remember thinking she was insane.”
— Dewey Gallegos
 

Season 3 // Episode 7

Dewey Gallegos and Jessica Flock bonded over their passion for the outdoors. But they soon realized that the thing they had in common was also one of their biggest differences.

Their story takes us from the mountains of Wyoming to the rivers of Arizona and explores how hard it can be to share the thing you love most, with the person you love most.

This story first aired in 2015.

Click here to read the episode transcript.

Follow Out There on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you stream podcasts.

 

Episode Notes

Credits

Story and sound design by Willow Belden

Script editing by Leigh Paterson

Music includes selections from AudioBlocks and Blue Dot Sessions

Additional Links

Find Dewey Gallegos at the Pedal House and Jessica Flock at the Paddle House

Pitch a story for our next season

Check out the series “Illuminations” from Ministry of Ideas

Support Out There on Patreon

 

This episode sponsored by

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Athletic Greens

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About the Journey

The Instinct to Kill

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Deep down, are we all hunters?

 
“I was curious about this ancient ritual — this masculine tradition where you go into the woods, just you and your dad, to go hunting. And you come out changed, somehow. Maybe more grown up.”
— Sam Anderson
 

Season 3 // Episode 6

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? And conversely, what if he could? What would that say about him?

On this episode, Sam takes us into the woods of New Jersey and explores the emotional complexity of taking the life of an animal.

This story first aired in 2017. It won a national award — first place for Best Independent Podcast — from Public Radio News Directors, Inc.

Click here to read the episode transcript.

Follow Out There on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you stream podcasts.

 

Episode Notes

Credits

Story and sound design by Sam Anderson

Script editing by Willow Belden

Music includes selections from AudioBlocks and Blue Dot Sessions

Additional Links

Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke

Support Out There on Patreon

Sam Anderson’s upcoming series, entitled Crooked City Season 2: The Emerald Triangle, comes out Nov. 7.

 

This episode sponsored by

 

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Athletic Greens

Get a FREE one-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/outthere

 

Too Poor to Dream?

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How do you build a life of adventure when you’re barely scraping by?

for years, CHARLSIE SHAVER has yearned FOR A LIFE in the outdoors — but forging a new path hasn’t been straightforward. (PHOTO BY CHARLSIE SHAVER)

 
“It can be hard to want stability and freedom at the same time.”
— Charlsie Shaver
 

Season 3 // Episode 5

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 explore America’s wild places was a luxury she could only dream of.

On this episode, Charlsie explores what it takes to build the life you want. How do you balance the need for stability with a thirst for freedom? And how do you keep dreaming, when you can barely pay the rent?

This story first aired in 2019.

Click here to read the episode transcript.

Follow Out There on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you stream podcasts.

 

Episode Notes

Credits

Story and narration by Charlsie Shaver

Editing and sound design by Willow Belden

Music includes selections from AudioBlocks and Blue Dot Sessions

Additional Links

Follow Charlsie on Instagram @chickadeenatives and @mydestinyisunbound

Check out Charlsie’s native plant nursery here

Support Out There on Patreon

 

This episode sponsored by

 

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Athletic Greens

Get a FREE one-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/outthere

 

Selfless Acts

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Why are some people overly generous?

BILL APPEL TALKS WITH A TRAVELER AT HIS AID STATION ALONG THE COLORADO TRAIL. (PHOTO BY WILLOW BELDEN)

 
“I think even the most selfless people ultimately may be doing it for their own ego.”
— Bill Appel
 

Season 3 // Episode 4

Bill Appel has devoted his retirement years to helping strangers.

He’s a “trail angel,” which means he hangs out on long-distance trails (the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, etc.) and brings treats to thru-hikers. He gives them food and water, offers rides into town to resupply, and cheers them on at some of the most demoralizing points in their journeys.

It’s a year-round operation, and he does it all for free.

On this episode, we pay a visit to one of his aid stations, and we explore what makes a person act so selflessly. (Hint: it’s probably not what you’d expect).

This story first aired in 2018, and it won a gold medal for best independent podcast from Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, or PRNDI.

Click here to read the episode transcript.

Follow Out There on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you stream podcasts.

 

Episode Notes

Credits

Story and sound design by Willow Belden

Story editing by Becky Jensen

Music includes selections from AudioBlocks and Blue Dot Sessions

Additional Links

Support Out There on Patreon

 

This episode sponsored by

 

PeakVisor

Kula Cloth

For 15% off your Kula Cloth order, click here and enter the promo code “outtherepodcast15” at checkout.

 

Blue Dive

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Letting go of success — and finding your bliss

Tiffany Duong on a dive (Photo courtesy Tiffany Duong)

 
“I’m determined to keep creating a life I don’t need a vacation from. ”
— Tiffany Duong
 

Season 3 // Episode 3

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 she was miserable.

Then she went scuba diving in the Galapagos, and everything changed. Her story is about letting go of your safety net, embracing the unknown, and finding bliss.

This story first aired in 2018.

Click here to read the episode transcript.

Follow Out There on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you stream podcasts.

 

Episode Notes

Credits

Story by Tiffany Duong

Editing and sound design by Willow Belden

Production assistance from Sara Hossainai

Music and sound effects include selections from AudioBlocks and Martin Erdtmann

Additional Links

Support Out There on Patreon

Follow Tiffany on Instagram and Twitter

 

This episode sponsored by

 

PeakVisor

Kula Cloth

For 15% off your Kula Cloth order, click here and enter the promo code “outtherepodcast15” at checkout.

 

Failure In Success

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Why reaching a goal can make you miserable

Willow Belden leaves an aid station to cycle the final 18 miles of the Laramie Enduro in 2015 (photo by Leigh Paterson)

 
“Succeeding at something doesn’t make it worth doing.”
— Willow Belden
 

Season 3 // Episode 2

In 2015, Willow Belden signed up for a 70-mile mountain bike race called the Laramie Enduro. She had always liked big athletic challenges. But this time, pushing her limits turned out to be a mistake.

On this episode, she shares her story. It's about trying to prove yourself — and learning when to say, “No.”

This story first aired in 2015, and it received a national award from Public Radio News Directors Inc. (second place for best independent podcast).

Click here to read the episode transcript.

Follow Out There on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you stream podcasts.

 

Episode Notes

Credits

Story and sound design by Willow Belden

Editing by Leigh Paterson

Music includes selections from AudioBlocks

Additional Links

Support Out There on Patreon

Laramie Range Epic (formerly known as the Laramie Enduro)

 

This episode sponsored by

 

PeakVisor

 

Moral Compass

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How do you decide whether to leave someone for dead?

MYLES OSBORNE'S CLIMBING GUIDE, DAN MAZUR (RED COAT), AND CLIMBER LINCOLN HALL (ORANGE) SHORTLY AFTER OSBORNE'S TEAM DISCOVERED HALL ON THE MOUNTAIN (PHOTO BY ANDREW BRASH)

 
“As human beings, we tend to convince ourselves of certain things, and then we look for the evidence to back up the point that we want to make.”
— Myles Osborne
 

Season 3 // Episode 1

When Myles Osborne set out to climb Mt. Everest, he knew he was up against a dangerous mountain. What he didn't consider was that it might not be his own life on the line.

Producer Phoebe Flanigan brings us Myles' story, exploring how we make moral decisions — like whether or not to help someone who's nearly dead.

This story first aired in 2017.

Follow Out There on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you stream podcasts.

 

Episode Notes

Credits

Story by Phoebe Flanigan

Editing by Willow Belden

Sound design by Chema Flores

Additional Links

Support Out There on Patreon

 

This episode sponsored by

 

PeakVisor

 

TRAILER: Nature's Nostalgia

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As the world reopens, and you return to the things you once loved, let Out There be your sound track.

Our summer season will fuel your adventures with award-winning narratives and beloved fan favorites from the early days of Out There.

Each episode will sweep you into nature, invite you to think big, and offer inspiration for living your best life. Here’s a preview.

Follow Out There on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you stream podcasts.

Special thanks to Jessica Taylor and Sheeba Joseph for editorial assistance on this trailer.