

The Wild Lab
Ned Weidner
The Wild Lab, explores how wildness still lives in our bodies, our relationships, and the natural world. Through story, conversation, and practice, we investigate how to reawaken what the modern world made us forget. We talk with trackers, horsemen, monks, plant shamans, hunters, coaches, and wild-hearted thinkers. And the host Ned Weidner goes solo too—digging into what it means to live closer to instinct, to let the wilderness shape us, and to walk the long road back to ourselves.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 5min
Bears, Conservation, and Mental Health with Joe Kondelis.
In this conversation, Joe Kondelis and I talk about the role of hunting in maintaining ecological balance and conservation efforts. We discuss personal stories about the role of hunting in our own mental health, and the importance of hunter advocacy for wildlife conservation.
To get in contact with Joe and the American Bear Foundation: https://americanbearfoundation.org/
Stay Connected
Instagram: @stepintoyourwild
Walker School of the Wild: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/walker-school-of-the-wild.html
Subscribe to The Wild Lab
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TzHzFi8lkaxIqyJDwoAet?si=33d247444d3d4042
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-lab/id1816620068
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stepintoyourwild
Please like, share, and follow:
If this episode stirred something in you, send it to a friend. Help spread the medicine.

Aug 18, 2025 • 1h 21min
Horses and Lessons in Authenticity with Duey Freeman
In this conversation, Duey Freeman and I explore the intricate dynamics of human relationships, trauma, and healing. We discuss the importance of creating spiritual connections, understanding the prey-predator dynamic in relationships, and the empowerment that comes from community. Our conversation delves into the roles of victims, predators, and perpetrators, emphasizing the need for men to confront their inner predator and foster healthy relationships. We also highlight the significance of attachment and trust, advocating for emotional openness and the ability to navigate tough times together.
To get in contact with Duey: https://www.dueyfreeman.org/
Stay Connected
Instagram: @stepintoyourwild
Walker School of the Wild: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/walker-school-of-the-wild.html
Subscribe to The Wild Lab
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TzHzFi8lkaxIqyJDwoAet?si=33d247444d3d4042
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-lab/id1816620068
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stepintoyourwild
Please like, share, and follow:
If this episode stirred something in you, send it to a friend. Help spread the medicine.

Aug 14, 2025 • 15min
What Horses Can Teach Us about Fear
In this solo episode, I tell a story about how swimming with horses taught me how to overcome the fear of taking that first step into the unknown.
Stay Connected
Instagram: @stepintoyourwild
Walker School of the Wild: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/walker-school-of-the-wild.html
Subscribe to The Wild Lab
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TzHzFi8lkaxIqyJDwoAet?si=33d247444d3d4042
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-lab/id1816620068
Please like, share, and follow: If this episode stirred something in you, send it to a friend. Help spread the medicine.

Aug 11, 2025 • 1h 1min
The Healing Power of Hunting with Tom Alford
In this conversation, Tom Alford and I explore the profound impact of hunting on personal growth, masculinity, and emotional healing. Tom shares his lifelong passion for hunting, emphasizing its role in connecting with nature, God, and oneself. We discuss the importance of father-son relationships in hunting, the emotional weight of taking a life, and the lessons learned from the wilderness. Tom also highlights the significance of teaching young people about hunting and the respect it fosters for life.
To get in contact with Tom Alford: @thomasalfordhunting
Stay Connected
Instagram: @stepintoyourwild
Walker School of the Wild: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/walker-school-of-the-wild.html
Subscribe to The Wild Lab
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TzHzFi8lkaxIqyJDwoAet?si=33d247444d3d4042
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-lab/id1816620068
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stepintoyourwild
Please like, share, and follow:
If this episode stirred something in you, send it to a friend. Help spread the medicine.

Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 8min
Exploring the Healing Power of Plants with Remi Delaune
In this enlightening conversation, I speak with Remi Delaune, a curandero and former Greek Orthodox monk, about his transformative journey from France to the Yucatan Peninsula. We explore themes of spirituality, the importance of rites of passage, and the healing power of plants. Remi shares insights from his time in the monastery, his experiences with psychedelics, and the significance of master plant diets. The discussion delves into the differences between religious practices and plant medicine, the nature of identity, and the importance of connecting with nature and the spirit world. Remi emphasizes the need for personal growth, facing fears, and integrating lessons from ceremonial experiences into everyday life.
To learn more about Remi, Ashley, and Kumankaya, you can check them out on IG @kumankaya or on their website https://www.kumankaya.com/
Stay Connected
Instagram: @stepintoyourwild
Walker School of the Wild: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/walker-school-of-the-wild.html
Subscribe to The Wild Lab
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TzHzFi8lkaxIqyJDwoAet?si=33d247444d3d4042
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-lab/id1816620068
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stepintoyourwild
Please like, share, and follow:
If this episode stirred something in you, send it to a friend. Help spread the medicine.

Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 1min
Grief and the Wildness of Being with Jane Edberg
In this conversation, Jane Edberg and I explore the profound themes of grief, healing, and creativity. Jane shares her personal journey through the loss of her son and how she utilized art, nature, and ritual to navigate her grief. We discuss the importance of embracing wildness in both art and life, the transformative power of grief, and the necessity of creating space for healing. The conversation emphasizes that grief is not a linear process but a unique journey that requires self-discovery and the courage to explore one's emotions fully.
Follow Jane at @thefineartofgrieving and @Janeedbergwriter
Buy her book: https://www.thefineartofgrieving.com
Stay Connected
Instagram: @stepintoyourwild
Walker School of the Wild: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/walker-school-of-the-wild.html
Subscribe to The Wild Lab
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TzHzFi8lkaxIqyJDwoAet?si=33d247444d3d4042
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-lab/id1816620068
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stepintoyourwild
Share this episode:
If this episode stirred something in you, send it to a friend. Help spread the medicine.

Jul 25, 2025 • 18min
Tracking Bears, Dopamine, and Creating the Lives We Want
In this solo episode, I emphasize the significance of celebrating small wins as a means to enhance mental health, foster personal growth, and create the lives we want. I share a personal anecdote about tracking a bear that illustrates the negative outcomes from not celebrating small wins.
Stay Connected
Instagram: @stepintoyourwild
Primal Connected Coaching: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/coaching.html
Walker School of the Wild: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/walker-school-of-the-wild.html
Subscribe to The Wild Lab
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TzHzFi8lkaxIqyJDwoAet?si=33d247444d3d4042
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-lab/id1816620068
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stepintoyourwild
Share this episode:
If this episode stirred something in you, please like, share, and follow along for more

Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 9min
Presence Over Performance: The Wildness of Sex with Ian Hawks
In this conversation, Ian Hawks and I explore the concept of embodied sexuality, emphasizing the integration of primal and sacred energies. We discuss the importance of the heart in sexual experiences, the balance of masculine and feminine energies, and the connection with nature. We talk about the importance of breathwork and the nervous system's role in sexual function.
Connect with Ian on IG @hawksofferings
Or visit his men's sexual mastery program: @mens.sexual.mastery
Stay Connected
Instagram: @stepintoyourwild
Primal Connected Coaching: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/coaching.html
Walker School of the Wild: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/walker-school-of-the-wild.html
Subscribe to The Wild Lab
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TzHzFi8lkaxIqyJDwoAet?si=33d247444d3d4042
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-lab/id1816620068
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stepintoyourwild
Share this episode:
If this episode stirred something in you, please like, share, and follow along for more

Jul 16, 2025 • 12min
What Bear Hunting Can Teach Us about Relationships
In this solo episode, I explore the theme of choice, particularly in the context of manhood and relationships. I reflect on the struggle many men face in making decisions, often driven by societal expectations rather than personal truth. Through a personal hunting story, I illustrate the importance of pausing to listen to one's inner voice before acting. I emphasize the need for integrity and reverence in both hunting and life, proposing a set of wild ethics that guide men towards living with purpose and connection.
Stay Connected
Instagram: @stepintoyourwild
1:1 Coaching: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/coaching.html
Walker School of the Wild: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/walker-school-of-the-wild.html
The Fly Fishing Academy: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/fly-fishing-academy.html
Primal Hunt Academy: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/primal-hunt-academy.html
Subscribe to The Wild Lab
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TzHzFi8lkaxIqyJDwoAet?si=33d247444d3d4042
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-lab/id1816620068
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stepintoyourwild
Share this episode:
If this episode stirred something in you, send it to a friend. Help spread the medicine.

Jul 14, 2025 • 54min
Remembering Who We Are with Super G
In this conversation, Graeme Ford (Super G) and I explore the themes of wildness, vulnerability, and the importance of connecting with our deeper selves. We discuss how societal expectations can suppress our true nature and the significance of embracing our wildness for personal growth. Graeme shares insights on intuition, the inner child, and the role of dreams in understanding ourselves. The conversation emphasizes the need for connection, both with ourselves and others, and the idea that life is a ceremony that requires us to remember who we truly are.
Connect with Man Aligned and Super G on IG: @manaligned
Or their website: Man Aligned
Stay Connected
Instagram: @stepintoyourwild
Website & offerings: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com
1:1 Coaching: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/coaching.html
Walker School of the Wild: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/walker-school-of-the-wild.html
The Fly Fishing Academy: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/fly-fishing-academy.html
Primal Hunt Academy: https://www.stepintoyourwild.com/primal-hunt-academy.html
Subscribe to The Wild Lab
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TzHzFi8lkaxIqyJDwoAet?si=33d247444d3d4042
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-lab/id1816620068
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@stepintoyourwild
Share this episode:
If this episode stirred something in you, send it to a friend. Help spread the medicine.