Out There Willow Belden

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 different bird populations. But for Alison, counting ducks is more than just science – it's an escape from the expectations of others.
This is a guest story from Points North, a podcast about the land, water, and inhabitants of the Great Lakes region.
---
Links:
Support Out There on Patreon
Follow Out There on Facebook and Instagram
---
Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke
 

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 to love it?
In this episode, Florida-based producer Amber Von Schassen explores why silence in the outdoors is so unsettling for her, and shares what happened when she tried to get over her fear by spending 1,000 hours outdoors.
---
Links:
Support Out There on Patreon
Follow Out There on Facebook and Instagram
---
Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke
 

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 turn the mic over to you, our community. We asked how silence in nature has been significant to your mental health.
On this episode, we’re sharing some of our favorite responses.
---
Links:
Support Out There on Patreon
Tell a story at our Campfire Stories night
Follow Out There on Facebook and Instagram
---
Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke

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 Park and explores what happens when we try to impose our own life solutions on a loved one.
---
Links:
Support Out There on Patreon
Tell a story at our Campfire Stories night
Follow Out There on Facebook and Instagram
---
Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke

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? How do you reignite your passions?
On this episode, we travel from an observatory in Puerto Rico to a hillside in New Jersey, and explore how one scientist overcame the disillusionment of academia.
---
Links:
Support Out There on Patreon
Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke
 

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 noise — whether literal or figurative. Here’s a sneak peak at some of the stories.
The season launches April 4, 2024.
---
Out There is a proud member of Hub & Spoke