Wild Ideas Worth Living

Davis Smith is an outdoor adventurer and mission-driven entrepreneur. That’s why he founded Cotopaxi in 2014. Best known for their bright colors, Cotopaxi doesn’t just make good gear, they make gear for good. The brand is committed to minimizing their impact on the planet, and maximizing the benefit for the people who live here. Davis spent a lot of his childhood in Latin America, and his parents were committed to serving others and getting outside, values that he still carries with him today. For him, Cotopaxi is a perfect way to honor his upbringing and the places that mean a lot to him.Episodes to listen to:Cotopaxi ambassador, Nicole Ver KuilenConnect with guests:WebsiteTwitterInstagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At 10 years old, Nicole Ver Kuilen was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, that led to the amputation of her lower left leg. Nicole has always been an athlete, but the prosthesis supplied by her insurance was holding her back. In 2017 Nicole completed an ultra triathlon down the western coast of the United States, walking, biking, and running over 1,500 miles to raise awareness about the lack of access to prostheses. Based on that journey, she founded a nonprofit organization called Forrest Stump to fight for better equipment for amputees. Show artwork photo: Adam Wells (@ajwells)Connect with Nicole:WebsiteFacebookInstagramResources:Forrest StumpCotopaxi Do Good AmbassadorsROMP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Max Lowe is an adventure filmmaker whose award-winning films have screened at festivals like Cannes and Tribeca. He’s also the son of the famous mountaineer, Alex Lowe. Late last year, Max came out with his biggest documentary yet, a personal story called Torn. It tells the story of his iconic father’s death and how it has impacted his family.Connect with Max Lowe:WebsiteFacebookVimeoInstagramResources:Learn more about TornShow art photo credit to Elliot Ross.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lucienne Nicholson is passionate about the inherent human right to spend time in nature. Lucienne discovered her love of the outdoors during her childhood in Haiti, where she spent summers on her grandmother’s farm. After immigrating to the United States in the 1970s, she was greeted with the harsh reality of segregation — nature became inaccessible. Lucienne vowed to fight against this lack of access. She founded the nonprofit Inclusive Woods and Us to help get more kids outside in Rochester, NY.Connect with Lucienne: WebsiteFacebookInstagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.