Let's Go Outside | Adventurous Moms, Hiking, Camping, Travelling with Kids, Parenting Outside

If you're a mom who's ever packed snacks, wrangled kids into boots, and wondered if outdoor adventures are really worth the effort—this episode is for you. I chat with Annika Mang, a fellow adventurous mom, author of Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies, and creator of TrailCollectiv, a hiking app for families. We dive into what hiking with kids really looks like at different ages, from babywearing on mountai...

Ever wondered how families actually make backpacking with kids work — from packing gear to keeping toddlers moving on the trail? In this episode, I chat with Stephanie (@thebackpackingmom), a mom of four who’s spent years exploring places like the Idaho, Tetons, the Washington coast, and even Patagonia with her kids. She shares real stories, her favorite gear, and super practical tips for everything from sleep setups to food to cho...

Are you nervous about hiking or camping with your kids because of wildlife? You’re not alone—and this episode is for you.

Hosts Danika and Stephanie Goodbrand break down everything outdoor moms need to know to feel confident and prepared in the wild. From how to tell the difference between black bears and grizzlies, to handling bear spray the right way, to what to do if you see a cougar or moose on the trail—this episode is packed w...

In this episode of Let’s Go Outside, I chat with Eleanor about what it’s like to live on a sailboat with kids and how her family brings little ones along on epic bikepacking adventures. We dive deep into how to plan an international bike trip—especially if you’re brand new to it (like me!) —and go through all the different gear and systems that make riding with kids doable (and fun!). From front seats to tow ropes to tandem set...

We all know there is seasons when getting outside with our kids can feel like a lot—especially when the weather’s bad, your kids are at tough ages, or you're feeling drained as a mom. In this episode, we hear from Sara McCarty, founder of Run Wild My Child, for a refreshingly honest conversation about how to make outdoor time part of your life—even when it’s hard. You will hear about what Run Wild My Child is and how it started...

Heather Ellison shares all about taking international trips with young kids, and now what it looks like to go around the world on school holidays! She dives into the beauty of unplanned adventures—like hopping trains in Japan and renting a last-minute campervan in Norway. We chat about the benefits of taking the kids on these trips, and she shares about her kid's favorite places. Listen along if you are an adventurous parent who en...

Have you ever dreamed of hiking internationally with kids? What about trekking through the mountains of Nepal? I chat with Shannon, who is fresh off the Annapurna Circuit with her six-year-old twins. We talk about what it’s like to trek with her husband’s heart condition, managing -15°C nights in teahouses, how to avoid food poisoning on the trail, and the signs to watch for in case of altitude sickness. This was their family’s sec...

Mom and road trip pro— Holly Burgess— shares about finding hidden gems across Alberta, British Columbia, and beyond. Holly shares her journey into the outdoors, how motherhood changed her adventures, and why Saskatchewan belongs on your travel bucket list. We chat about favorite family-friendly campgrounds to unforgettable road trip stops. Even if you don’t live in Canada, you will learn how to find the best places as she shares Ho...

Erika Norton, a Utah mama, proves that doing what you love doesn’t have to stop after kids. She trekked 50 miles in Peru while pregnant with her first, hiked weekly with her one-year-old during her second, and now, at 21 weeks pregnant with her third, she’s still skiing, hiking, lifting, and embracing the outdoors. Erika shares how she keeps adventuring through pregnancy, her favorite family trips, and practical tips for making out...

Ever wondered about living in a van and homeschooling?  As a family of 4 (with a 5.5-year-old and a 7-year-old) Kirsty shares about life in Europe as a nomadic climbing family. She shares about homeschooling her kids on the road, getting back into climbing as a mom, her son starting into lead climbing, and how they started chasing this dream as a family. For climbing families or to anyone who wants to adventure as a family this epi...

Maritza from British Columbia Canada shared how she learned all about outdoorsy adventures with her husband in her twenties. We talk about hiking with her son from when he was a baby, ideal layers to stay warm in the rain and snow, which are her go-to brands, and tips for hiking with kids to stay excited and motivated. 

Places Maritza mentioned:

• Golden Ears Provincial Park, BC

• Joffre Lakes Park, BC

• Iceland

Gear Me...

Kat Badry shares her experience with postpartum depression—specifically, how it can show up late in postpartum and what it’s like to navigate the journey of healing while balancing life as a new mom. Our guest, Kat, shares her raw and honest story of experiencing postpartum depression at 10–11 months postpartum, the signs she noticed, and how she found herself feeling isolated and dissociated.

Kat’s healing journey is rooted in out...

Embrace winter adventures with kids! In this episode with Susanne Cupido, an Albertan mom of two toddlers we chat about her go-to tips for keeping little ones warm, her favorite family-friendly winter hikes around Cochrane, Calgary, and Kananaskis, and the gear that works well for toddlers. Susanne is a beautiful example that we can do incredible adventures with little kids when we are determined!

Places mentioned:

Winter Hik...

Are you finding it hard to get outside with the kids because the process of getting out the door feels overwhelming? Do you feel exhausted just thinking about packing snacks, layers, drinks, and all the gear you need, plus dressing the baby, toddler, and kids appropriately?

I’ve been there—this feeling is all too familiar. In this episode, I’m sharing my experiences and the systems I’ve learned in my few years of parenting so...

An inspiring chat with Meghan Oosterhof, a mom of five girls who has navigated adventuring with kids through every stage—babies, toddlers, tweens, and teenage years. Meghan shares her journey from early stroller adventures to multi-day backpacking trips. She chats about how she does certain age birthday trips, one being their trips to the West Coast Trail with their 13-year-old twins.

We also dive into her family’s love for Hawaii ...

In this episode, Carley Sawers shared her journey of growing up skiing, to then teaching her babies how to ski when they were younger than 18 months old. Now 7 years of taking her kiddos to the hill she is an expert ski mom. 

OVERVIEW: Tips for Skiing with Littles 1. Start at Home: • Skiing with kids begins before you hit the slopes. Start in the living room—let them wear their boots, click into skis, and get comfortable wit...

Jenice Smith lives in a small Alberta mountain town raising kids to love the outdoors. She shares how she got into adventuring with her parents. We discuss how courses have helped prepare her family for bigger paddle trips (key for her sea kayaking trip!) and ski trips.

Jenice chats about how important it is to find your people to go on trips on to share the load of packing, setting up camp, food prep, and expert skills. She ...

In this first episode of Let’s Go Outside, I dive into the vision behind this podcast—a space for real, encouraging conversations about the joys and challenges of outdoor adventures with kids.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the hurdles of getting outside, like choosing the best hiking gear, figuring out how to adventure with toddlers, or planning a family camping trip? You’re not alone!

Together, we’ll explore practi...