Wild Ideas Worth Living

Florence Williams is a science journalist known for examining the relationship between nature and our mental health. A painful divorce prompted Florence to put her research to the test in her new book, Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey. She started to investigate the impact of breakups on the brain and body. Florence conducted self-experiments and interviewed experts to explore the questions — How does heartbreak physiologically affect our bodies? How can going outside help us heal?Episodes to listen to:The Power of Nature with Florence Williams (2021)Wild Ideas Worth Living: Florence Williams (2018)Connect with Florence:WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramResources:Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey 

Erin Parisi is on her way to becoming the first openly trans person to climb the highest mountain on each continent, a series known as the Seven Summits. So far, she’s climbed five of these peaks, and she has just two left to go. Taking on just one of these peaks is a massive ordeal in its own right, but tackling all seven of them takes intense training, logistical prowess and a hefty financial commitment. There are a million reasons to climb a mountain, but for Erin, this journey is about showing the world her authentic self.Connect with Erin:WebsiteFacebookInstagramResources:Merrell Video

When we’re fantasizing about our next outdoor trip, we often conveniently forget about the less-than-glamorous parts. Backpacker Diana Helmuth talks about the realities of getting on the trail in her hilarious book “How to Suffer Outside: A Beginner's Guide to Hiking and Backpacking”. Diana is skilled at making even the most mundane subjects funny, interesting and informative for everyone. In this episode, she talks about how sometimes leggings on the trail aren't the greatest idea (hello, mosquitoes!), the best way to plan your route, her tips on going to the bathroom outside and much more. Connect with Diana:WebsiteTikTokTwitterInstagramResources:How to Suffer Outside: A Beginner's Guide to Hiking and Backpacking

Maria Hines is an award-winning chef and an avid rock climber and adventurer. In 2005 Maria was named one of Food & Wine Magazine’s 10 Best New Chefs, and she’s competed on TV shows like Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America. But when Maria is on the trail for an early morning hike or climb, she doesn’t have time to bring a five course meal. Instead, she’s figured out a way to bring healthy, convenient, and delicious foods with her on her outdoor adventures. Maria shares recipes in her cookbook, Peak Nutrition, and she’s also the star of REI’s Youtube Series, Cook Out with Chef Maria Hines. Connect with Maria:WebsiteYouTubeTwitterInstagramResources:Maria’s Cookbook, Peak NutritionCook Out with Chef Maria Hines on REI's YouTube

You can find new episodes every Tuesday with these guests and others on Wild Ideas Worth Living. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.This month's lineup: March 1st: Chef Maria Hines is a James Beard Award-winner and author of Peak Nutrition, a book all about the food we can use to fuel our bodies for outdoor adventures.March 8th: Diana Helmuth is the author of Outside: A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking and Backpacking. She shares why she deeply loves these activities, even if sometimes she doesn't.March 15th: Erin Parisi is on her way to becoming the first openly Trans person to climb the highest mountain on each continent — a series known as the seven summits.March 22nd: In Florence Williams' newest book, Heartbreak, Williams explores the science of heartbreak after her 25 year marriage suddenly falls apart. She seeks out what happens to our brains and bodies after losing love.March 29th : Lucienne Nicholson, the founder of Inclusive Woods and Us, is helping kids in underserved communities get outside to improve their physical, mental and emotional health. 

Life coach and author Nicol Hodges is a lifelong runner. In high school and college, running track taught her discipline and training techniques. As an adult, running has improved Nicol’s mental health and helped her move through challenging seasons. Now, Nicol is running for justice. ​​After Black healthcare worker Breonna Taylor was murdered by Louisville police in 2020, Nicol printed out a race bib with Breonna’s name on it and wore it during her daily runs. This act of remembrance has turned into a movement. Connect with Nicol:WebsiteTwitterInstagramResources:Unity Runners

Angela Medlin is a legendary outdoor and athletic gear designer, with a resumé boasting positions at the Jordan brand at Nike, Adidas, The North Face, Eddie Bauer and Levi Strauss. During her 25 year career, she was often the only person of color in her design department. It’s a big reason she decided to leave the corporate world — instead of working at these brands herself, she wanted to train and prepare the next generation of designers and creatives. Her new venture FAAS, which stands for Functional Apparel and Accessory Studio, is a design lab, educational institute and more. The program specializes in innovation, applying lessons from athletic apparel to fashion and lifestyle design. FAAS’s upcoming collaboration with REI will introduce young designers to the world of outdoor adventure gear and apparel.Connect with Angela:WebsiteFacebookInstagramResources:House DoggePensole

This spring, Eddie Taylor will be one of the climbers making history on the first all-Black team to attempt to summit Mount Everest. Their trek is called The Full Circle Everest Expedition. By day, Eddie is a high school Chemistry teacher and track coach in Colorado, but before work and on the weekends, he’s out scaling rock faces or ice climbing frozen waterfalls. Now, he is embarking on a new type of adventure — Eddie, eight other Black climbers, and two support staff will start their two month trip to Everest. In this episode, he talks about their preparations and what it takes to climb the tallest mountain in the world. Connect with Eddie & the Full Circle expedition: WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram - Eddie TaylorInstagram - Full Circle Expedition

When facing struggles in his own life, Marcus Bridgewater found solace in the garden. By taking care of plants, he was inspired to take better care of himself. Now, Marcus is sharing his garden-inspired insights with the masses on social media. As one of the nation’s most noteworthy plant influencers or “plantfluencers”, Marcus has gone viral on platforms like TikTok. He shares tips, tricks, and insights on fostering plant growth and self-growth. Known by his social media handle “Garden Marcus”, he's managed to turn his passion for plants and education into his fulltime job.Connect with Marcus Bridgewater:TikTokWebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramResources:Choice ForwardPre-order Marcus’s book, How to Grow: Nurture Your Garden, Nurture Yourself

Adaptive athlete and podcast host Tim Brown is a lifelong outdoor sports enthusiast. But an accident while working ski patrol in 2011 rendered him quadriplegic. After years of therapy and a lot of hard work, Tim made it his mission to get back out into nature, doing the sports he loves. In 2021 he launched a podcast called The Unexpected Journey, where he speaks with other disabled folks about their experiences doing the sports they love, pursuing creative projects, and challenging notions of what they’re capable of.Connect with Tim: InstagramInstagram for Unexpected Journey podcastResources:The Unexpected Journey PodcastKelly Brush FoundationChallenged Athletes FoundationHigh Fives FoundationEmpower Spinal Cord InjuryLife Rolls On