Outdoor Minimalist

In episode 134, we explore a new topic on the show: impact investing. In one of the very first episodes of this podcast, we discussed how living sustainably can actually save you money, but what are you actually doing with the money you save? Investing can be a big undertaking and is a topic that many people often avoid (me included). But aligning investments with my values instead of investing in companies that actively contribut...

In episode 133 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we explore some root concepts of minimalism: mindfulness. 

I’ve wanted to explore more topics regarding mindfulness on the show, so when I learned about Manduka’s company story and dedication to bringing mindfulness to the masses, I knew I had to learn more. 

Joining me in today’s conversation, I had the pleasure of learning from the CEO of Manduka, Pamela Levine. 

Pamela has always...

In this special bonus episode, Maggie Peikon, manager of communication for American Hiking Society, is joining me to invite trail users across the country to celebrate the 32nd annual National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1st. 

From trail stewardship activities, to group hikes, paddles, trail runs, and more, there's so many ways to celebrate the trails with your community.

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In episode 132 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we finally enter the world of snowsports and skiing with one of America's skiing legends, Ted Ligety. 

Ted Ligety is one of America's greatest ski racers of all time. The two-time Olympic Champion revolutionized ski racing as an athlete. Now, he's taking that energy, meticulous approach to craft, and ability to assess risk into a new venue: producing ski gear. 

Working w...

Throughout this ten-part series, scientists, lawyers, advocates, and product producers all weighed in on our worldwide PFAS problem. While, yes, we have come a long way in understanding the scope of the issue and began moving away from PFAS, at least in the outdoor industry, many questions still remain. 

One of the primary questions is, what should we do with all the old PFAS already in the environment?

Guests featured in this epi...

In episode 131, we dive even deeper into how becoming a mother can influence the importance of nature in our lives.

More specifically, my guest, Madelaine Anderson, shares her journey of navigating postpartum depression and anxiety during a global pandemic and how nature helped her discover joy and healing through difficult seasons. 

As the co-founder and creative director of Talus Films and the co-host of The Wild We Share podcas...

Throughout this series, we’ve learned not only about how harmful PFAS is as a class of chemicals but also what the outdoor industry is doing to address the issue. While we may have started too late, we are on the right track now, but the work is far from over. 

Guests featured in this episode:

- Alex Lauver, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Outdoor Research⁠⁠⁠

- James Pollock,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Marten Law LLP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Mike Schade,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Toxic Free Future⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Ammi Borens...

In episode 130 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we introduce the idea of Culinary Conservation. Forewarning: if you haven’t eaten or are hungry now, you’ll be starving by the end of this episode. 

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Justin Townsend to explore the wonders of culinary conservation and discuss his view of ethical hunting and foraging practices. 

Justin, a tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is an av...

Celebrate this Earth Day by getting outside and following the Leave No Trace seven principles. 

Earth Day  is the perfect opportunity to enjoy our planet’s beauty, while considering how to preserve it for generations to come. As part of this effort, NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) trains casual adventurers and park rangers alike in the 7 principles of Leave No Trace to minimize our impact in the wilderness.

Today, I am jo...

It seems that many brands are moving in the right direction in terms of phasing PFAS out of their products, but one of the many aspects complicating this process is the potential for contamination.

In this episode, we hear directly from leading outdoor industry brands like Keen, Outdoor Research, Fjallraven, and Houdini Sportswear alongside scientists and environmental epidemiologists about how and why PFAS spreads and contaminate...

In episode 129 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we return to a highly requested topic area on the show: product packaging. 

By now, we all know that plastic is a problem, but what are the alternatives? And how can we as consumers really know if other single-use packaging options are as green as they say they are? 

Well, we answer those questions and many more with the founder of SOFi Products, Brandon Leeds. 

SOFi Products is an ...

As we learned in earlier episodes, phase-out and regulatory efforts for PFAS were not swift, and they certainly are not complete.

However, because of the recent regulatory changes on consumer goods, specifically in California, many US-based outdoor brands and chemical companies have finally committed to removing PFAS from their products. 

Guests featured in this episode:

- Greg Brietmier, ⁠Mystery Ranch⁠

- Mike Schade,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Toxic...

In episode 128 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I chatted with Katie Houston about Sawyer's clean water projects.

Sawyer is a pioneering water filtration company with a rich history spanning over three decades, dedicated to providing innovative solutions for clean water access worldwide. Established in 1984, Sawyer has continuously evolved its product line, offering a range of advanced filtration systems designed for outdoor...

The goal of this series is to provide useful information for consumers regarding PFAS, specifically within the outdoor industry, but also for those of us working in the industry. I learned from every single person that I interviewed and talked to about the topic of PFAS, and one of the patterns I noticed during production was that most of the European brands like Jack Wolfskin, Fjallraven, and Houdini Sportswear were early adopters...

Episode 127 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast is an open letter to the outdoor industry—a call to action to do more and make less.

If you’ve followed this podcast for a while, you know we are all about environmental action. While I believe individuals can make a difference to achieve more significant impacts, we need the industry to lead the way and decide to do better for the future of our planet and the younger generations.

I h...

As more regulations come into play, many outdoor brands have moved the needle and promised to phase PFAS out of their products and apparel by 2025. 

While this is great news, what’s curious as a consumer is that alternative chemistry has existed for quite some time. Brands like Nikwax never needed to use harmful chemicals to achieve waterproof capabilities, and now Nikwax is one brand leading the charge with industry-wide innovatio...

Regulatory efforts across the globe have been pushing for removing certain types of PFAS in specific product categories. Still, there are many limitations, and regulators often receive pushback from chemical companies.

In episode four of the Forever Chemicals ten-part podcast series, we break down the increase of PFAS regulation in the US and the EU, along with the limitations we face in the pursuit of cleaner chemistry.

Subscribe ...

In episode three of the Forever Chemicals ten-part podcast series, we give an overview of how PFAS is used in modern-day production, and get an inside look at why it became a performance chemistry in the outdoor industry.

Subscribe to the Forever Chemicals Podcast to hear the full series: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forever-chemicals/id1724693010⁠

Guests featured in this episode:

- Mike Schade,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Toxic Free Future⁠⁠⁠⁠

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PFAS are a large class of chemicals that have been used since the late 1930s. What makes them particularly hazardous is that they are persistent and difficult to break down. That means all the PFAS that have even been created still exist today.

In the first episode of this ten-part series, we learned the history of how PFAS was created. In episode two, we get a better understanding of just how dangerous PFAS chemicals are and how a...