Humans Outside Amy Bushatz

When was the last time you thought about the way learning to notice and navigate changing seasons affects how you view your indoor life?
One of the best things about spending a lot of time outdoors is how it prompts you to pause and see how the world is shifting day by day. Are you ready for it? Are you taking it as it comes?
No matter how you approach the shift in seasons, one thing is certain: getting used to changes outdoors can teach you a thing or two about changes indoors.
 Getting okay with growth  Noticing when it's coming  Embracing what it brings Listen to this episode of Humans Outside now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:

[00:35] Here’s a highly philosophical observation about the sun
[01:28] We’ve got some signs of spring up in here
[02:31] Let’s get aware of seasons
[03:11] No solar eclipse here, but we do have seasons changing
[03:29] There’s sun and I’m not mad about it
[04:00] Just over here learning from nature for my inside life, once again

Ready for solo adventure? Feeling safe?
Getting out there by yourself can feel like a real safety risk. I absolutely love going out alone, but I know it comes with pros and cons. 
But it doesn't mean I don't go. It just means I go empowered.
Nicole Snell, a safety expert and owner of Girls Fight Back who specializes in self-defense in the outdoors, has a different idea. In this episode she shares her best tips and tricks to empower you to get into nature solo while also staying safe. 
Hear Nicole talk about staying stafe outside in this "best of" episode.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Nicole Snell’s website
Visit Nicole’s Girls Fight Back website
Watch Nicole’s Outdoor Defense YouTube series (it’s really good!)
Book a one-on-one session with Nicole
Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn
Follow Nicole and Girls Fight Back on Facebook
Follow Nicole on Instagram
Follow Girls Fight Back on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram



Some of the good stuff:
[4:06] Nicole Snell’s favorite outdoor space
[4:52] How Nicole became someone who likes to go outside
[7:16] How she got into self-defense
[14:05] Why people (often women) feel unsafe alone outside
[20:12] What self-defense tools should people use?
[26:54] What we mean when we say “use your words.”
[28:55] Why she didn't say “I’m sorry” 
[31:57] The role of intuition
[37:41] How to make the outdoors more safe for everyone
[41:10] Top three tips for self-defense in nature
[44:41] Nicole’s favorite outdoor memory 
 

 
When did you last hug a tree? I mean literally, actually hug a tree?

Yeah, I know it sounds weird, but hang with me, because this silly thing has been recharging and reshaping how I feel about heading outside.
Listen now!   
 
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Listen to Alastair Humphrey’s episode on Humans Outside
Listen to my episode about my scary Grand Canyon trip
 
Some of the good stuff:
[00:35] Tree Hugging as Gratitude
[01:20] Grounding Experience of Tree Hugging
[01:41] Winter Contrast and Appreciation in Seattle
[02:49] Monthly Sit Spot Reflection 
[03:08] Observations and Gratitude for Trees
[04:36] Emotional and Sensory Connection with Nature
 

The changing of seasons is the perfect time to look around for signs of changing life outside.
But what if instead of just seeing the signs, you looked at them as encouragement for your day? What if you saw them as symbols of hope that you can take with you or find whenever you need a little push through your day?

What would you choose?
How would it help you?
Learn about my chosen symbol in this episode of Humans Outside. Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Signs of spring and easter
[1:19] Here’s where I see new life in nature
[1:58] Excuse me winter, please leave permanently
[2:21] Here’s some personal symbols I see
[2:48] Why I look to the birds
[4:12] And why you should find your own symbols

If you’ve ever spent time living in a major city, you know finding nature takes a lot more intentionality than if you spend all of your time in a rural environment. You might even think about experiencing nature in a city as happening in spite of the concrete jungle, not because of it.
But what if you flipped that on its head? What if you learned ways to appreciate nature because of the city it’s in?

That’s something today’s guest, Brittany Gowan, has become good at as part of her work coaching organizations and executives. With an industrial and organizational psychology master's degree, she works with her clients to lean on nature in and out of the city, a concept also shares in her new book “Turn to the Sun.”
In this episode of Humans Outside Brittany talks about:
Finding nature wherever you are The gifts of an outdoor habit in an urban environment How noticing nature can raise awareness for other things Listen now!
Connect with this episode:
Visit Brittany Gowan’s website
Read Brittany’s book “Turn to the Sun” (affiliate link)
Follow Brittany on Facebook
Follow Brittany on Instagram
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[2:17] Brittany Gowan’s favorite outdoor space
[4:02] How Brittany became someone who likes to go outside
[4:57] How do people react to the idea of nearby nature?
[6:02] Ways to find natures in the city
[8:23] Why birds are cool for this
[10:59] How to build awareness for nature in a city
[13:06] How to create space for nature
[15:03] The art of nature visualization
[22:53] Do houseplants move you towards nature?
[28:00] The top thing Brittany has learned through her outdoor practice
[34:01] Brittany’s favorite outdoor moment

You know the photos don’t tell the whole story: doing something cool outdoors or going on an epic adventure takes work.
And I don’t just mean deciding where to go and then peeling yourself out of your house. I mean:
Sacrificing other things you want/need to do Living with the discomfort of flexibility Preparation and vision But is it worth it? Yes.
Listen to this episode to hear more now!
Connect with this episode:
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[:35] Just a little introvert dilemma
[1:06] Answering the call of adventure despite inconvenience
[2:56] You’re going to have to make some sacrifices
[3:40] Some of them will be related to flexibility
[5:07] Regrets? None so far.