Why We Hike

Melanie Stone is an actor, film producer, rock and roll goddess and passionate nature lover. In this episode Mel talks about her recent backpacking trip to Paria Canyon in Southern Utah which at one point caused her to seriously wonder if she might actually die in that Canyon. We have an incredible conversation about the benefits of being humbled by nature and whole bunch of other stuff.

I played in Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera with Mel for nearly 10 years. Listen to the end of the episode to hear a lil' snippet of Mel killing it at a live Deep Love performance.

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Bob Donoho is an incredible human lifeform. He has had all kinds of wild experiences in the backcountry as a wilderness therapy guide for many years. He is an, in my opinion, expert woodworker and crafter of all kinds of things from nature. But beyond all those things, Bob has a golden heart and the wisdom of an ancient Greek philosopher. And he really likes bengal spice tea. 

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@My.Dog.Pancho

Lauren "Lala" Pedersen has the unique perspective of experiencing wilderness therapy as a struggling teen client not only once but TWICE (a combined 4 months), AND she has been a backcountry wilderness therapy guide on and off for the last 6 years with the Anasazi Foundation. This is a ultra unique perspective I had been wanting to dive into for many moons!

Over the course of this interview Lauren also makes the most delicious biscuits and chili I have ever eaten in my life. Someday I hope to hire her as my personal chef.

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@lala_pedersen

Paul Bird is a fan favorite. Maybe THE fan favorite. I had Paul on the podcast earlier in 2022 right before he was about to leave on his first through hike on the Arizona Trail, an 800ish mile wilderness trail spanning from the Mexican border to Utah. 

So on this episode we talk about how he survived being all alone for so long as an extremely extroverted person as well as his change of heart toward "spiritual journeys." All hail Paul Bird!

Want a shirt/coffee mug/shower curtain with Paul Bird's face on it? 

https://fordthunder.threadless.com/

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This episode is an excerpt from a live talk I recently gave at church. I talk about ways I believe I have seen God working with me and others in the wilderness.

I recognize that a lot of you may have had difficult experiences with religion and I don't want this podcast to be a specifically religious or Christian podcast at all. I just want to hear about all people's meaningful experiences in the outdoors, however they interpret them.

I just hope that these experiences I share in this episode do not offend or trigger anyone, and if they do I am very sorry.

I love you all!