Outside Podcast

In and around his home of Bozeman, Montana, Ranga Perera is highly sought after as a fly fishing pal and even more highly sought after as a personal chef. There’s nothing unusual about that combination, until you learn that his family came to the States in 1991 from Sri Lanka after a happy childhood was disrupted by a violent civil war. Less than a year after emigrating, Ranga’s father passed away and the event haunted him until his own brush with death years later. And yet Ranga lives life without a trace of cynicism or resentment, but rather with childlike wonder and excitement. How does he do it? Through fishing and cooking.

Mirna Valerio, known as The Mirnavator, is an athlete, writer, and educator who encourages others to embrace the outdoors. In this conversation, she discusses her journey into outdoor sports like skiing and ultramarathons, highlighting the concept of 'adult beginnerism.' Mirna shares humorous stories of her early skiing mishaps and the emotional growth that accompanies stepping outside one's comfort zone. She emphasizes mindfulness in learning, overcoming self-doubt, and the joy of taking risks, all while inspiring others to embark on their own adventures.

You probably know Katie Burrell from Instagram, where she’s built a sizeable following by skewering outdoor stereotypes and having World Cup race ski-sharp takes on how relationships live and die on trails of all sorts. But she’s also a seasoned standup comedian who wrote and starred in 2023’s homage to 80s ski comedies, “Weak Layers,” all of which is why you’ll find her at the Outside Festival’s Ideas stage, talking all things funny outdoors. So you’d think talking with her would be a nonstop train of giggles, but Katie takes her craft pretty seriously, as evidenced by her latest leap: starring in the dramatic short film “Bardo”. This kind of range requires a lot of emotional intelligence, and it turns out there’s no better place to develop that than on skis and mountain bikes.

Minnesota is not always top of mind when it comes to outdoor adventure, but it should be. Just ask lifelong “Land of 10,000 Lakes” local Dave Simonett, lead singer of Trampled By Turtles. Dave grew up in Mankato and spent his youth exploring its rolling woods. And when he formed Trampled in Duluth in 2003, something surprising happened. His love of fishing, hiking, skiing, and hunting combined with his musical influences to create a songwriting career based on a deep connection to the outdoors. And today, when Dave isn’t headlining hootenannys like The Outside Festival, he works diligently to protect beloved Minnesotan locales, like the Boundary Waters. Turns out, Minnesota’s woods and water are as integral to Dave’s life and music as a guitar pick.

Ben Ayers, a seasoned journalist and non-profit founder in Nepal, shares his unique perspective on Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayas. He discusses the cultural significance of Everest to the Nepali people, contrasting it with its commercial image. Ben reflects on the ethics of climbing, highlighting the responsibility that comes with such ambition. Through his experiences, he emphasizes resilience, community, and the transformative power of adventure while preparing for an eventful Everest climbing season.

We all do it, zip as fast as we can around our favorite trails and rides. Maybe it’s because we feel a pull to get to the next thing, want to rush through the hard part to get to the fun part, or only have a brief window in our overbooked day. Whatever the reason, moving fast often results in missing out on the moment. But what would our time outside feel like if we adopted a slow, measured movement? Skier and scientist Ellen Bradly loves answering this question. Inspired by research in the Hoh Rain Forest on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Ellen adopted a mentality for her adventures that prioritizes a deep attention to the details of her surroundings. And what started as a way to appreciate the beauty around her evolved into an ability to learn and hear things that her Indigenous ancestors were trying to teach her. Sometimes, the best way home isn’t necessarily the fastest one.

Selema Masekela, a renowned television host and sports commentator, shares his lifelong journey at the intersection of sports and culture. He recounts a spiritual awakening through surfing that transformed his perspective on life. The conversation dives into the complex relationships with parents and the pursuit of passion over conventional paths, revealing deep emotional truths. Selema reflects on personal legacy, emphasizing the importance of connections over material wealth, and offers a light-hearted take on outdoor gear and snacks in sports culture.

Mikah Meyer, an endurance athlete and LGBTQ+ advocate, shares his captivating journey of visiting all 419 National Parks. He opens up about the heavy burden of shame he carried and how a transformative river trip helped him confront that pain. Through personal stories, he discusses navigating his identity as a gay man within outdoor spaces. Mikah emphasizes the power of mentorship, community support, and self-acceptance, blending humor and heartwarming anecdotes to inspire listeners to embrace their authentic selves.

In this engaging conversation, professional snowboarder Kimmy Fasani shares her powerful journey through motherhood, loss, and surviving cancer. She draws fascinating parallels between her snowboarding adventures and life's challenges, highlighting resilience and emotional honesty. Kimmy emphasizes the importance of fostering independence in children while processing grief. Her advocacy for inclusive maternity policies showcases how personal challenges can shape systemic change in sports. With humor and heart, she illustrates how passion can serve as a source of strength during difficult times.

An interesting thing happened when Scott Losse started poking fun at snowboarders and mountain bikers in his Instagram posts: He went from being sort of known around Seattle as a stand up comedian to blowing up across social media as the guy saying all the things a lot of us think when we’re at the mountain, on the trails, or in the bike park. Losse’s observational humor about the outdoors has transformed his trajectory as a comic; more importantly, it helps ensure our often painfully self-serious social feeds, filled with inspiring-but-totally-unrelatable accomplishments, get a little more silly.The Outside Podcast is made possible by our Outside Plus members. Learn more about all the benefits of membership at outsideonline.com/podplus.