381 episodes

They say spending time in nature can change your life. But in a world packed with indoor life pressures, how can you make getting outside just a part of who you are? Welcome to Humans Outside, where we explore a wellness-rich life in the great outdoors from our perch in Alaska while hearing from fascinating outdoor-minded guests.

Humans Outside Amy Bushatz

    • Science
    • 4.9 • 83 Ratings

They say spending time in nature can change your life. But in a world packed with indoor life pressures, how can you make getting outside just a part of who you are? Welcome to Humans Outside, where we explore a wellness-rich life in the great outdoors from our perch in Alaska while hearing from fascinating outdoor-minded guests.

    What to do when your adventure falls apart thanks to another human (Luc Mehl & Sarah Histand, outdoor adventure experts)

    What to do when your adventure falls apart thanks to another human (Luc Mehl & Sarah Histand, outdoor adventure experts)

    Remember my rim-to-rim hike in the Grand Canyon that became a dangerous disaster after another member of the group put us all at risk? Yeah, that wasn’t great. But when I shared that story, I immediately received a parade of messages from Humans Outside followers and podcast fans with their own stories of outdoor misadventures caused by someone else’s poor choices.
    There’s some comfort in knowing my experience wasn’t unique. But it also made me think maybe there’s a lesson there on what we can all do better next time. If so many of us have had a similar problem, maybe we need someone to help us avoid it happening again.
    Enter: Luc Mehl and Sarah Histand, adventure experts who happen to be married to each other.
    You’ve probably heard Sarah here before, bringing insight on adventuring in ways that feel safe. Luc is a trip planning expert who has done major expeditions in Alaska and teaches courses on heading into the wilderness while having fun and not dying. Together they’re the perfect pair to help us with this problem.
    In this episode hear:
    Luc’s advice for building a solid adventure group What to do if you’re stuck on adventure with someone who is falling apart How to be kind to yourself (and others) while deal with the whole thing. Listen now!
     
     
    Connect with this episode:
    Check out coaching with Sarah on Mind & Mountain
    Take one of Luc’s cool adventure courses
    Follow Sarah on Instagram
    Follow Luc on Instagram
    Join the Humans Outside Challenge
    Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
    Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
    Some of the good stuff:
    [3:33] Sarah’s favorite outdoor space
    [4:04] But wait, Luc has a different favorite
    [4:50] Luc and Sarah’s outdoor stories (plus, how they met)
    [8:05] What is risk management and why is it important?
    [11:04] It sounds harsh, but are there simply people who shouldn’t be invited on adventures?
    [12:20] How to figure out who is the right fit for your trip
    [13:45] What to do when you thought your had it figured out, but actually you did not
    [17:41] The role of people picking in trip planning
    [20:24] What to do when you get into the adventure and now you’ve got real problems
    [26:45] The fear of offending someone
    [29:29] Think about it as “carrying pride”
    [32:28] So you’re in a bad situation. Here’s what to do next.
    [37:50] The rumors are true: don’t leave a buddy (or frienemy) behind
    [41:40] How to avoid an emotional stress injury
    [45:16] Luc and Sarah’s favorite outdoor moments

    • 46 min
    373: What to do when the outdoors wears on your every nerve (Outdoor Diary)

    373: What to do when the outdoors wears on your every nerve (Outdoor Diary)

    There are just certain outdoor things that drive me absolutely bonkers. They make my nerves feel like tattered edges, especially if they’ve been going on for awhile.
    And that’s a problem, because I am committed to getting outside every single day, no matter what. … and that “no matter what” includes stuff I don’t like, and even stuff I hate.
    So what do I do when this happens? I take these three steps.
    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] I’m betting you have some outdoor thing you hate. Don’t be a hero about this.
    [1:01] Here are some really good examples
    [1:55] And here’s the thing I hate, thank you.
    [2:04] I need you to hang on while I get this off my chest.
    [4:06] Obviously, it’s not going to keep me inside
    [4:34] Which means I have to take a few steps to move through it
    [6:54] Here’s a fun fact about Amy in March

    • 7 min
    They clear-cut part of my backyard trails and I’m devastated (Outdoor Diary)

    They clear-cut part of my backyard trails and I’m devastated (Outdoor Diary)

    They clear-cut part of my backyard trails and I’m devastated (Outdoor Diary)
    When I heard the saws, I should’ve known it was not a good thing, not just a trail crew clearing wood downed on the trail.
    I never guessed the loss those sounds were bringing. And when I saw it, I stood in disbelief.
    I guess that’s the risk brought by loving something. When it’s taken away, a piece of you feels gone, too.
    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] Man-made destruction without warning
    [1:45] I assumed it wasn’t major. Boy was I wrong.
    [2:55] Only Treebeard has the words for this
    [3:45] These trees were my friends
    [4:50] It feels like a heavy loss
    [5:12] My bad for trusting anyone on the internet
    [6:22] But I do think this is a universal experience

    • 7 min
    Low Pressure, High Fun: These Experts Know How to Maximize National Park Trips (Matt and Karen Smith, National Park travel experts)

    Low Pressure, High Fun: These Experts Know How to Maximize National Park Trips (Matt and Karen Smith, National Park travel experts)

    Planning a visit to one of the many national parks or federally protected lands? You’ll be in good company. Visiting these spaces is more popular than ever before.
    So how do you make sure the company isn’t too good? How do you avoid the crowded spots, still get to have that bucket list trip and make the most of the journey?
    Matt and Karen Smith are national park travel experts because they’ve been there, done that, and share their journey in their podcast “Dear Bob and Sue” and books of the same title. Their show is packed with practical, clear advice on visiting the parks, and in this episode of Humans Outside they bring that help here.
    In this episode hear:
    The biggest mistakes national park visitors make The wonderful parks experience you might be missing The best way to avoid big crowds Listen now!
    Connect with this episode:
    Visit Matt and Karen’s website
    Follow Matt and Karen on Instagram
    Follow Matt and Karen on Facebook
    Join the Humans Outside Challenge
    Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
    Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
    Some of the good stuff:
    [3:01] Matt and Karen’s favorite outdoor spaces
    [6:38] How they got into visiting national parks
    [11:30] What is it about the national parks that we love so much?
    [13:26] How the heck can you afford that?
    [16:46] Biggest national parks mistakes they see
    [21:31] Their favorite parks
    [25:41] How to avoid seeing too many people
    [32:33] Where you really should go
    [34:23] Their best tips for making the most of any national park trips
    [40:00] Matt and Karen’s favorite outdoor memory

    • 42 min
    The day we did all of the outdoor winter things … sort of (Outdoor Diary)

    The day we did all of the outdoor winter things … sort of (Outdoor Diary)

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    What would happen if you spent a handful of hours attempting to do every available outdoor activity in a certain area?
    That’s the question I asked before a Do All The Things day I just did with a friend. We loaded up our cars with outfit changes, equipment and nowhere near enough snacks, and headed into Hatcher Pass for a packed five hours of outdoor fun.
    Here’s what happened.
    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] The siren song of a challenge, even it’s just one day
    [1:09] Can we even do all the things?!
    [2:16] A tiny edit, and then we set forth
    [2:26] (Don’t get me started on my people and these ski passes)
    [2:52] Here starts the activity check-check-check
    [5:17] A few ta

    • 6 min
    The thing I like most about podcasting? It’s the connections (Outdoor Diary)

    The thing I like most about podcasting? It’s the connections (Outdoor Diary)

    With four years of running this podcast behind me, I’ve been thinking about what I have learned from this journey and the many, many guests I’ve interviewed.
    Inspiration. Thought-provoking lessons. A change in perspective. All of my interviews and outdoor hours have left a mark on me.
    But this year, those are not my favorite takeaways. Instead? It’s all about connections like the ones I talk about in this episode of my Outdoor Diary.
    Listen now!
    Connect with this episode:
    Join the Humans Outside Challenge
    Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
    Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
    Nature for Everyone: Working for Outdoor Inclusivity and Respect (Brandi Small, inclusivity advocate and hiker)
    She Went Outside to Finish Her Dad’s Epic Bucket List and Found Big Things About Herself (Laura Carney, author and bucket list chaser)
    Canoeing the Entire Mississippi River to Shatter Barriers (Cory Maria Dack, Canoe guide and inclusivity advocate)
    She’s Conquering Trails with a Rare Brain Disease (Crystal Gail Welcome, BIPOC and disabled thru-hiker)
    Some of the good stuff:
    [:35] Four years = a lot of takeaways
    [1:33] But my favorite thing right now? Connections
    [1:35] And here’s a bunch of my favorite examples, near and far
    [3:15] My other favorite connections? It’s you, of course.

    • 3 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
83 Ratings

83 Ratings

Rebekah39 ,

Both inspiring and relatable

Amy is cheerful, entertaining and inspiring while at the same time real and relatable. Thanks for all the great content, Amy!

VIPeele ,

My fix for outdoor podcasts!

I have been listening to Humans Outside for a few years now, really almost since the beginning! I love Amy’s content which shares her own outdoor adventures, as well as, those of other outdoor lovers. I appreciate the diversity in her guests and the outdoor experiences they represent. Additionally, I love the consistency she has demonstrated in delivering quality episodes month after month - I know that’s not easy!

MollyM1133 ,

thanks for the inspiration

Listening to your podcasts helps move me to get outside with my young kids. Thank you.

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