Who Runs This Park

Danielle LaRock and Cassie Yahnian, hosts of the National Park After Dark podcast, join us on the pod today. This was a big moment for me as a longtime fan of NPAD—I was definitely having a fangirl moment! For those who don’t know, National Park After Dark is a podcast for the morbid outdoor enthusiast, sharing stories from our national parks and other public lands that showcase their darker or spookier sides. Danielle and Cassie, both former vet techs, have created a thriving community of morbid outdoor enthusiasts and have hosted countless trips with their audience through TrovaTrip (my dream!). In our conversation, we go behind the scenes of National Park After Dark, hearing about everything that goes into making the show, their wildest outdoor experiences, their most memorable or favorite Trail Tale, the books they've loved while researching episodes, how they prepare for each episode, and the why behind each of their favorite national parks. If you’re an NPAD fan, you won’t want to miss it.

Joe Erato and Mike Van de Bogert, hosts of the Locations Unknown podcast, join us for a lively, laughter-filled conversation. Locations Unknown is a podcast that delves into unexplained and unsolved disappearances in America's wilderness, highlighting some of the eerie circumstances that often accompany these cases, such as search and rescue efforts being hampered by storms and missing individuals being found in semi-conscious states with no memory of their disappearance. In our conversation, we get a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into Locations Unknown, the cases that stay with Mike and Joe the most, and whether the stories they uncover have changed how they spend time outdoors. They also share some of their wildest wilderness tales—including camping overnight with armed park rangers searching for an aggressive grizzly in Glacier National Park—and even some stories that I, Maddie, "haven't told listeners yet." It’s a fun, unforgettable chat that left me grinning ear to ear long after our interview. Tune in to hear from the iconic hosts of Locations Unknown! 

This episode features Haleakalā National Park on the island of Maui, Hawaii, from the perspective of its superintendent, Natalie Gates. Haleakalā National Park is home to the dormant Haleakalā Volcano, whose peak rises to 10,023 feet. Known for its breathtaking sunrise—described by Mark Twain as "the most sublime spectacle"—and excursions into the volcano's crater, the park is both a stunning natural wonder and a deeply sacred place for Native Hawaiians.

Natalie, who has served as superintendent since 2013, offers insights into the innovative Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) used to protect Hawaiian forest birds, her monthly 13-mile hike into the crater, and her unique path from veterinarian to National Park Service leader. She also shares her thoughts on the sacred Kīpahulu District, a window into Old Hawaii, and the unparalleled sunrise experience at Haleakalā.

Sponsors:

Adam Ruggiero, Editor-in-Chief and Podcast Host at GearJunkie, joins me for a riveting and wide-ranging conversation. From media trips gone wrong to how we should think about AI from a journalism standpoint, this discussion is engaging and exciting. GearJunkie is an online hub for outdoor adventure, offering expert gear reviews, the latest outdoor trends, and inspiring stories for adventurers. Adam shares his experience living and working on a coffee farm in Hawaii, makes a case for journalism school, and gives a behind-the-scenes look at how to grab an editor’s attention if you're looking to get your product tested. My favorite quote from the episode: “Don't underestimate your ability to figure out more than you think you know when you embark on [the journey of quitting your job and taking a chance].”