Walking Post

Jim Cornall

The weekly podcast from walkingpost.com - interviews and news about the latest in walking, or hiking. Topics include new trails, walking festivals, new books, new gear and clothing, walking holidays and more. If it's news, and it's about walking, you'll find it on walkingpost.com and the Walking Post podcast! Hosted by multiple award-winning broadcaster, writer, editor and photographer Jim Cornall, Walking Post is a production of Ayr Coastal Media Ltd, located in rural Scotland where it never rains (unless you go outside).

  1. Walking Post podcast 39: Steps help to plant trees with Treekly

    4D AGO

    Walking Post podcast 39: Steps help to plant trees with Treekly

    This week, we have a conversation with Jon Bunning, co-founder of Treekly, about the app that tracks steps and turns them into trees. Treekly Operating as a social enterprise, Treekly is a digital platform that converts physical movement into reforestation efforts. The app encourages users to maintain a "Treekly streak" by walking at least 5,000 steps a day; once a streak is established, the company facilitates the planting of a mangrove tree in a climate-vulnerable region. The initiative is designed to tackle two issues simultaneously: the sedentary nature of modern life and the ongoing requirement for scalable carbon sequestration through natural means. The platform functions by integrating with existing health and fitness trackers to verify activity. While accessible to individual walkers, a significant portion of the company’s growth stems from its corporate wellness programmes. Businesses use the platform to incentivise employee activity, providing a tangible environmental output—measured in trees planted—as a reward for collective health milestones. The social aspect of the app allows users to form "forests" or leagues, fostering competition amongst hiking groups and local communities. In January 2026, the company announced it had surpassed a significant milestone of 1 million trees planted across its sites in Madagascar, Kenya, and Indonesia. This update coincided with a new partnership with a European reforestation collective to begin planting native broadleaf species in the United Kingdom, marking the first time the platform has offered domestic planting options for its users. To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com Link for Atlantic Canada podcast advertised on this week's podcast: https://lnkd.in/eBZvS3Uv

    26 min
  2. Walking Post podcast 38: EURORANDO 2026

    12/12/2025

    Walking Post podcast 38: EURORANDO 2026

    This week, we’re headed to the Czech Republic to chat with Jan Kerner, one of the organisers of EURORANDO 2026. EURORANDO is Europe’s largest hiking festival, organised every five years by the European Ramblers Association. Since its first edition in 2001, it has become a tradition that brings together thousands of walkers from across the continent. The 2026 edition will be unique in that it is hosted across two countries — the Czech Republic and Germany — with the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory/Erzgebirge) serving as the central venue. From 20–27 September 2026, the towns of Boží Dar, Loučná pod Klínovcem, and Kurort Oberwiesenthal will act as hubs for the event. Participants can expect 30 guided trails of varying lengths and difficulty, alongside marked unguided routes for those who prefer to walk independently. The programme also includes cultural events such as concerts, exhibitions, and regional markets, highlighting the mining heritage of the UNESCO‑listed Ore Mountains. EURORANDO 2026 coincides with the European Walking Day (26 September) and the European Week of Sport. It will also be closely linked with the 123rd Deutscher Wandertag (German Hiking Day), in Oberwiesenthal from 24–27 September. Tickets are already available, and the cost includes access to guided hikes, cultural events, and shuttles. To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

    26 min
  3. Walking Post podcast 37: Linda Åkeson McGurk on friluftsliv

    12/05/2025

    Walking Post podcast 37: Linda Åkeson McGurk on friluftsliv

    Linda Åkeson McGurk is a Swedish‑American writer and journalist best known for her books There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather (2017) and The Open‑Air Life (2022). Her work explores Scandinavian parenting and lifestyle traditions, especially the cultural ethos of raising children outdoors year‑round. The Scandinavian philosophy of friluftsliv (literally “open‑air life”) is a cultural tradition that emphasises everyday immersion in nature — not as a sport or conquest, but as a way of living. Coined in the 19th century, it reflects a belief that well‑being, resilience, and harmony come from time spent outdoors, whether walking, skiing, or simply sitting by a lake. Closely tied to this is the right to roam (allemansrätten in Swedish), which grants people legal access to most land for walking, camping, and foraging, provided they respect nature and private property. Together, these traditions underpin McGurk’s advocacy for outdoor parenting and everyday connection to the natural world. While friluftsliv and the right to roam emphasise free access, and are not just limited to Sweden, many regions are experimenting with fees and taxes linked to walking and outdoor recreation. Examples include park entry fees: Some national parks, like proposals in the UK’s Peak District, consider small charges (e.g. £1) to offset funding cuts. There are also tourist taxes, as cities and regions across Europe are introducing levies on overnight stays, which indirectly fund walking infrastructure and landscape maintenance. In other places, trail charges have been introduced. In heavily visited areas, fees are being imposed, or considered to manage overcrowding and environmental impact. These measures are controversial: advocates argue they provide much‑needed investment in trails and conservation, while critics worry they undermine the tradition of free access and could discourage participation. To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

    32 min
  4. Walking Post podcast 33: The psychology of long-distance walks

    10/31/2025

    Walking Post podcast 33: The psychology of long-distance walks

    On the podcast this week, we are talking about the increased incidences of people tackling longer walks. Whether it’s the Camino in Spain, or the Appalachian Trail in the US, people seem to be looking for bigger and bigger challenges. But why? And what are the challenges and dangers associated with this? Our guest is Vladimir Novkov, a Bulgaria-based psychologist and founder of Sportpersonalities.com, a consultancy that blends psychology, data science, and sport to help individuals and organisations unlock their full potential. With more than 15 years of experience in applied psychology, he specialises in understanding the mental frameworks that drive elite performance — not just in athletes, but in anyone striving to push their limits. His work focuses on the intersection of personality, motivation, and behaviour. Novkov uses psychometric tools and behavioural data to uncover what sustains long-term engagement and achievement. His approach is grounded in the belief that who you are — your personality traits, cognitive patterns, and emotional habits — plays a far greater role in success than fleeting bursts of motivation. SportPersonalities.com works with clients ranging from Olympic athletes to corporate leaders, helping them translate psychological insights into practical strategies. To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at jim@walkingpost.com

    42 min

About

The weekly podcast from walkingpost.com - interviews and news about the latest in walking, or hiking. Topics include new trails, walking festivals, new books, new gear and clothing, walking holidays and more. If it's news, and it's about walking, you'll find it on walkingpost.com and the Walking Post podcast! Hosted by multiple award-winning broadcaster, writer, editor and photographer Jim Cornall, Walking Post is a production of Ayr Coastal Media Ltd, located in rural Scotland where it never rains (unless you go outside).