
Wild Ideas Worth Living
High-impact interviews for those who love adventure and the outdoors. Host and journalist Shelby Stanger interviews world-class explorers, athletes, authors, scientists, health experts and entrepreneurs about how they’ve taken their own wild ideas and made them a reality, so you can too. Some of the wildest ideas can lead to the most rewarding adventures.
Latest episodes

Feb 9, 2021 • 36min
Running the AT and PCT with Karel Sabbe
In 2016, Karel beat the record for the fastest known time to complete the Pacific Crest Trail. Then in 2018, he ran the Appalachian trail and broke the fastest known time record by four days! Karel started running as a hobby so that he could get some exercise after work. Now, just a few years later, he’s running some of the longest wilderness trails on earth. Episodes to listen to: Chris McDougallConnect with guest: WebsiteFacebook YouTubeInstagram Resources:Out There MovieBarkley MarathonsBorn to Run by Chris McDougallEpisode Sponsor:On Running

7 snips
Jan 26, 2021 • 37min
For the Love of Birding with Corina Newsome
When you think of exciting outdoor activities, bird watching probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But in the words of today’s guest Corina Newsome, it’s like a treasure hunt. There is exhilaration in looking for movement through binoculars or listening for specific bird calls. There's also a sense of achievement that comes with identifying a specific bird and crossing it off your list. Corina isn’t your stereotypical birder. She’s a 27 year old Black woman from Philadelphia with a Master’s degree in Ornithology (the study of birds). Corina was one of the primary organizers behind Black Birders Week, a virtual event that took place in summer of 2020. In this episode, Corina tells us about how she fell in love with birds, the circumstances that inspired Black Birders Week and what it’s like being a Black woman in the outdoors. Read more about how she's helping more birders find their place. Connect with Corina:WebsiteTwitterInstagramResources:Black AF in STEMGeorgia AudubonNational Audubon SocietyMerlin Bird ID AppAudubon AppEpisode Sponsor:Danner

Jan 12, 2021 • 30min
Learning Something New with Dylan Efron
Trying a new sport or skill for the first time can be scary. Nobody wants to look like an awkward newbie in front of the pros, but Dylan Efron is learning to embrace the thrill of being a beginner. In fact, he’s inspiring others to do the same with his new YouTube series called Flow State. The goal of the show is to invite professional athletes to do an outdoor sport that they’ve never tried before, from spearfishing to speed flying, and see what happens. On this episode, Dylan tells us about some of the most impactful Flow State episodes, what it’s like working with his brother Zac Efron, and how he’s built a lifestyle doing what he loves most.Connect with Dylan Efron:TwitterInstagramYouTubeResources:Flow StateFirestone Walker Brewing CompanyEpisode Sponsor:Danner's Mountain Pass Arctic Night bootMade in our Portland, Oregon factory and inspired by the original Mountain Light, the Mountain Pass Winter was created to handle cold days and icy city streets. A breathable GORE-TEX lining and Thinsulate™ insulation keep feet warm and dry in slush and snow. An updated construction method allows us to significantly reduce weight and create out-of-the-box comfort that doesn't come standard for most classic hiking boots. The Vibram® Arctic Grip outsole was designed to keep your footing secure on wet ice, frozen ground or whatever else the colder months have in store.

Dec 22, 2020 • 15min
A Look Back at 2020
2020 has been quite a year. We had a plan for what this season of Wild Ideas Worth Living would look like, but a few months in we had to change course, just as everyone in the world did. So while our first few episodes focused on adventurers who traveled all over the world and broke barriers, we spent the rest of the year learning from guests who taught us how to find peace and a sense of adventure in our own homes. Thank you to all of our guests for sharing your stories and wild ideas with us. And thank you especially to you, the listeners, for tuning in, writing reviews, and sending us notes about your own wild ideas. We’ll be back with new episodes in January, so be sure to subscribe or follow wherever you listen to podcasts. Happy holidays and happy new year.Episodes to listen to:Mike PosnerJames NestorEric WolfingerLatoya Shauntay Snell - Running Fat Chef + Redefining RoutingJoe GraySeason Sponsor:SubaruEpisode Sponsor:Danner

Dec 8, 2020 • 37min
Backcountry Skiing with Noah Howell
Noah Howell is one of the greatest backcountry skiers to date, and he has been named one of the “50 Icons of Backcountry Skiing” by Backcountry Magazine. He was also the second person to ski all 90 lines of what author Andrew McLean deemed the steepest ski lines in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. Noah feels free skiing rarely traveled slopes, and for him, that freedom is also reflected in his everyday life. When he’s not skiing, Noah continues to buck the norms and do what he loves, even when it is difficult to keep pathing his own way.Connect with Noah:WebsiteInstagramVimeoResources:Black Diamond profile (Noah is sponsored by Black Diamond)The Chuting Gallery: A Guide to Steep Skiing in the Wasatch Mountains by Andrew McLeanSeason sponsor:SubaruEpisode sponsor:Ikon Pass

Nov 20, 2020 • 35min
Ally Coucke: A Girl and Her Dog
When Ally Coucke adopted her white German Shepherd, Bailey, she had no idea what she was getting herself into. Ally was just a kid looking for a big, protective dog to run with her in the early mornings, and what she got became the most important relationship of her life. Now, Bailey and his adoptive brother, “Loki the Wolfdog” are Internet sensations. But Bailey has been battling cancer for the last couple of years, and last week he lost the fight. Back in August, Ally was preparing to face the deepest grief she’s ever experienced, she found that Bailey had a lot to teach her about herself and her community. Connect with Ally: WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramResources: Wild TogetherSeason SponsorSubaruEpisode SponsorIkon Pass

Nov 10, 2020 • 31min
The Dark Divide with Tom Putnam
Tom Putnam is a filmmaker known for writing and directing documentaries and short films. After reading Robert Pyle’s book, Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide, he felt compelled to turn Pyle’s story into a movie. After 10 years of writing and re-writing the script, Tom brought the entire cast and crew for The Dark Divide film into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Oregon. They shot the film on-location in just 22 days, and it was quite the wild adventure. In this episode, Tom talks about his career as a director, what it was like to write and direct The Dark Divide, the stories and hiccups they faced while shooting the film, and more. You can now rent or buy The Dark Divide now on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play and On Demand everywhere. To learn more about the movie and where you can watch it, visit darkdividefilm.com. Learn more about the film:WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramResources:Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide by Robert PyleSeason Sponsor:SubaruEpisode Sponsor:Danner

Oct 27, 2020 • 40min
Running for a Cause with Clare Gallagher
Clare Gallagher is an accomplished trail and ultra runner who made history when she won the Leadville 100 in 2016, a notorious 100-mile trek through the Rocky Mountains. Soon after she started her career, Clare realized that she had a unique platform as an outdoor athlete to become a dedicated environmental advocate. For Clare, working for a healthy planet is a no-brainer, and she argues that it is not such a wild idea to fight pollution and climate change. In this episode, Clare shares her story and useful tips on easy ways to get involved in the issues that you care about.Connect with Clare:WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramResources:CommonCauseLeah ThomasIntersectional Environmentalist Leadville Race SeriesEarthraging with EnglishSeason Sponsor:SubaruEpisode Sponsor:DannerIkon Pass

Oct 13, 2020 • 26min
Building Products to Last with Christiane Dolva
Now that Christiane is Head of Sustainability at Fjallraven, she wears “the grandma jacket” regularly as a reminder of the brand’s mission to make timeless clothing that lasts. In this episode, Christiane shares how heritage and longevity inform how Fjallraven designs and manufactures their products.Connect with Fjallraven & Christiane: WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

Sep 29, 2020 • 31min
Designing Gear for Women with Edita Hadravska
Historically, outdoor apparel and clothing brands have shrunk the same designs that they use in their mens’ lines and dyed them a supposed "girly" color (aka: purple and pink) to create outdoor gear for women. However, Edita Hadravska, Design Director at Arc’teryx Equipment, takes a different approach. She designs outdoor equipment and gear for women that take into account how women’s bodies are actually shaped, the way they move, and the elements that they encounter in the outdoors. Edita’s designs are challenging industry trends and helping women look stylish and perform their best as outdoor athletes.