Podcasts about bpr

We start the show by asking listeners about a weekend of demonstrations, including 'No King' rallies and the military parade. Anand Giridharadas, political commentator, discusses the shut-down of protests Saturday in LA, Trump's military parade and the political violence in Minnesota.Lucy Wightman discusses her new memoir "Princess Cheyenne: My Life as Boston's Most Famous Stripper."Lisa Thurau and Kristen Wheeler of Strategies for Youth, a Cambridge-based nonprofit, discuss the increase in pretrial detention for youths last year that are the result of law enforcement's decision to arrest young people for misdemeanors. The Revs Irene Monroe and Emmett Price join for All Rev'd Up x BPR, discussing the clergy who played a pivotal role 250 years ago in the American Revolution and how they are navigating us through political turbulence today.

Nuacht Mhall. Príomhscéalta na seachtaine, léite go mall.*Inniu an t-aonú lá is tríocha de mhí na Bealtaine. Is mise Gwyneth Nic Aidicín Ní Loingsigh.Leanann an t-uafás sa Phalaistín agus brú ar rialtais an domhain ag fás gach lá chun smachtbhannaí a chur ar Iosrael. Níl aon bhia ná cúnamh ag dul isteach go Gaza fós. Tá plean sos cogaidh ó Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá faoi bhreithniú faoi láthair, den chéad uair ón sos cogaidh ar theip air i mí an Mhárta. Ghlac Iosraelleis an bplean agus tá freagra foirmiúil fós le teacht ó Hamas ach dúirt urlabhraí nach ngeallann an beart sos cogaidh buan ná go leor soláthar cúnaimh. Sa Ríocht Aontaithe scríobh 828 saineolaí dlí litir chuig an  bPríomh-Aire Keir Starmer ag lua go bhfuil cinedhíothú ag tarlú agus ag cur brú ar an rialtas úsáid abhaint as gach acmhainn atá ar fáil chun stop a chur leis. In Éirinn, cáineadh an rialtas as an easpa gníomh dleathúil i gcoinne Iosrael. Chuaigh bean as Gaillimh, Sophie Ní Choimín ar stailc ocrais le brú a chur orthu an Bille Críoch FaoiFhorghabháil a hachtú. I rith na seachtaine fuarthas ceadú sa Dáil cosc a chur ar iompórtáil ón Iosrael, ach baineann sé seo le táirgí amháin agus níl seirbhisí san áireamh, cé gurb iadsan a dhéanann an chuid is mó d'iomportáil ó Iosrael go hÉirinn.Tháinig rialú ón gCúirt um Thrádáil Idirnáisiúnta sna Stáit Aontaithe Dé Céadaoin, ina ndúradh go bhfuil an chuid is mó de na táillí atá an tUachtarán Trump ag achtú neamhdhleathach. Ghlac an Chúirt Achomhairc Fheidearálaigh le hiarracht ó riarachán Trump sos sealadach a chur ar an rialú seo, agusleanfaidh siad ag bailiú cánach don am seo. Tá sos curtha ar roinnt dualgas an riaracháin agus idirbheartaíocht trádála ar siúl, agus beidh an chéad éisteacht eile ar siúl ar an 5ú Meitheamh. Ceaptar go rachfaidh an cás go dtí an Chúirt Uachtarach. Dúirt Peter Navarro, comhairleoir trádála Trump, “fiú má chaillfimid (sa chúirt), déanfaimid iad (na táillí) i slí éígin eile.”Tá chuid den sráidbhaile Blatten san Eilvéis scriosta tar éis intitim oighearshrutha Dé Céadaoin. Bhi 300 duine ina gcónaí sa sráidbhaile agus tharla aslonnú ar an 19ú lá de mhí na Bealtaine, bunaithe ar rabhadh geolaí faoi chobhsaíocht an oighearshrutha. Tá duine amháin ar iarraidh agus tá an-chuid tithe scriosta. Tá tacaíocht ó rialtas na hEilvéise, ag cinntiú go mbeidh daoine in ann filleadh ar a mbaile, nó an ceantar ara laghad. Toradh athrú aeráide an tubaiste seo, agus teochtaí ag ardú tá na oighearshruthanna agus talamh síorshioctha sa cheantar ag leá. Dúradh sa tuarascáil is déanaí ar shláinte na oighearshruthanna san Eilvéis go mbeidh siad go léir imithe laistigh de chéad bliain, mura gcoimeádfar ardú teocht domhanda laistigh de 1.5 céim, sprioc atá caillte cheana féin, dar le saineolaithe.*Léirithe ag Conradh na Gaeilge i Londain. Tá an script ar fáil i d'aip phodchraolta.*GLUAISsoláthar cúnaimh - provision of aidstailc ocrais - hunger strikeag bailiú cánach - collecting taxidirbheartaíocht trádála - trade negotiationintitim oighearshrutha - glacier collapsetalamh síorshioctha - permafrost

Margery and Jim have the day off. BPR regulars Andrea Cabral and Shirley Leung take over the mics.It's Live Music Friday with Grammy-nominated violinist Christina Day Martinson and filmmaker Nathaniel Hansen. Martinson is a Grammy-nominated violinist with Handel and Hyden and Boston Baroque, and the focus of Hansen's documentary A Second Movement.Molly Baldwin leads the community violence reduction nonprofit Roca and Jenna Leschuk is Senior Director of Development at 826 Boston. They join to discuss resisting federal pressure even as they continue to embrace DEI.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses HHS secretary RFK Jr. rolling back vaccine recommendations and the primary care physician shortage in Massachusetts.  It's "Press Play" with GBH's Callie Crossley and The Bay State Banner's Ron Mitchell, who discuss a rise in local news nonprofits, NPR's lawsuit against the Trump administration, and more.

D'fhoilsigh an Oifig Ghnóthaí Baile sa mBreatain an páipéar bán inné inar leagadh amach polasaithe lena chinntiú go dtiocfaidh titim shuntasach, dar leis an bPríomh-Aire Sir Keir Starmer, sa mhéid inimirceach a thagann go dtí an Bhreatain.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.bonnerprivateresearch.comTuesday, May 6th, 2025Laramie, WyomingWell this is awkward. Yesterday, on short-notice, I had a 45-minute Private Briefing with BPR stalwart Rick Rule. It was, by popular demand, almost entirely about silver (we did talk about the gold/oil ratio at the very end). Why awkward?Because Barron's published an article this morning on the very first question I…

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are bringing you yet another edition of beginner backpacking mistakes. Today's panel includes the debut of Jess Stone, 2024 AT and LT thru-hiker, and The Trek's Community and Marketing Manager. We bring you 9 brand new thru-hiking pitfalls to avoid, including tips on sending mail drops, how to avoid letting small problems turn into big problems, dealing with toxic off-trail relationships before departing, hydration tips, why you shouldn't invite friends and family on your trip, and much more. We wrap the show with a call out to some Trek bloggers, the definitively correct orientation for silverware in the dishwasher, the triple crown of good horse names, and what not to eat before mailing important letters. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  Burgeon Outdoors: Use code “BACKPACKER15” for 15% off at burgeonoutdoor.com. Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 35% off at shadyrays.com. [divider] Panel with Zach, Chaunce, and Jess Jess's Instagram Referenced episodes BPR #112 | Beginner Backpacking Mistakes BPR #160 | Beginner Backpacking Mistakes 2.0 BPR #97 | Ben Lawhon of Leave No Trace Time stamps & Questions 00:06:20 - Reminders: Say hi to us at Trail Days, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, apply to blog for the Trek! 00:14:03 - Introducing Jess 00:17:32 - Zach's Mistake #1: Overplanning, especially maildrops and daily mileage 00:24:00 - Chaunce's Mistake #1: Not looking up LNT principles before your hike 00:29:00 - Jess's Mistake #1: Not drinking enough water 00:32:20 - Zach's Mistake #2: Letting small problems become big problems  00:41:15 - Chaunce's Mistake #2: If you don't like who you're dating at home, consider dumping them 00:47:20 - Jess's Mistake #2: Inviting your friends/family to hike with you when you've been out for months 00:54:40 - Zach's Mistake #3: Not considering the weight/space of everything 01:00:40 - Chaunce's Mistake #3: Not taking photos of your stuff 01:08:45 - Jess's Mistake #3: Marrying your trail family 01:23:15 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking? 01:28:20 - How was the AT? Segments Trek Propaganda: 20 Trek Bloggers You Should Be Following in 2025 by Jess QOTD:  Silverware up or down in the dishwasher? Hiker Trash Thing of the Week Triple Crown of good horse names Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Eathan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Alsop, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason “The Snail” Snailer, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

Nuacht Mhall. Príomhscéalta na seachtaine, léite go mall.*Inniu an tríú lá de mhí na Bealtaine. Is mise Liam Ó Brádaigh. Sa Spáinn, leantar le himscrúduithe ar cad ba chúis le gearradh cumhachta tubaisteach an tseachtain seo, ceann de na bristeacha leictreachais is mó san Eoraip riamh. De réir anailísithe, thit an mhinicíocht ar eangach leictreachais na Spáinne go tobann, rud a chuir tús le múchadh go leor stáisiún cumhachta. Tá sé ráite ag Príomh-aire na Spáinne, Pedro Sánchez, go bhfuil an rialtas ag fiosrú gach cúis fhéideartha. Mar sin féin, tá polaiteoirí an fhreasúra ag cur an mhilleáin ar spleáchas na Spáinne ar fhuinneamh in-athnuaite. Fágadh thart ar 55 milliún duine sa Spáinn, sa Phortaingéil agus in áiteanna eile i ndeisceart na Fraince gan leictreachas Dé Luain. I measc na ngnéithe den saol ar cuireadh isteach orthu bhí comharthaí soghluaiste, soilse tráchta agus baincéireacht dhigiteach.Tá an grúpa rapcheoil ó Bhéal Feirste Kneecap á fhiosrú ag póilíní frithsceimhlitheoireachta sa Ríocht Aontaithe tar éis físeáin a tháinig chun cinn ina dtaispeántar an banna, de réir líomhaintí, ag iarraidh básanna Feisirí de chuid an Pháirtí Choimeádaigh agus ag béicíl "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah". D'eisigh Kneecap ráiteas ag rá nach nglacann siad leis an bhforéigean agus nach dtacaíonn siad le Hamas ná Hezbollah, ach gur cuireadh feachtas smearaidh orthu mar gheall ar a dtacaíocht leanúnach don Phalaistín agus ar a gcáineadh ar Iosrael. Tá litir oscailte sínithe ag na scórtha de cheoltóirí as Éirinn agus an Ríocht Aontaithe araon ag tacú leis an triúr agus ag rá go raibh “iarracht shoiléir, chomhbheartaithe idir lámha chun cinsireacht a dhéanamh ar an mbanna agus ar deireadh thiar iad a chur ó ardán”.Sna Toghcháin do Theach na dTeachtaí i gCeanada tá téarma eile i gcumhacht faighte ag an bPáirtí Liobrálach. Tá na Liobrálaithe i gcumhacht ó bhí 2015 ann ach seo é an chéad bhua ag an bpáirtí faoin bPríomh-Aire Mark Carney. Oíche Dé Luain labhair Mark Carney faoi theannas leanúnach taidhleoireachta agus eacnamaíoch le Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá agus a n-uachtarán, ag rá, “Tá an tUachtarán Trump ag iarraidh sinn a bhriseadh ionas go mbeimid i seilbh Mheiriceá. Ní dhéanfaidh sé sin - ní tharlóidh sé sin choíche.”*Léirithe ag Conradh na Gaeilge i Londain. Tá an script ar fáil i d'aip phodchraolta.*GLUAISgearradh cumhachta - power cutfuinneamh in-athnuaite - renewable energypóilíní frithsceimhlitheoireachta - anti-terrorism policefeachtas smearaidh - smear campaigna chur ó ardán - to deplatformseilbh - possession

jQuery(document).ready(function(){ cab.clickify(); }); Original Podcast with clickable words https://tinyurl.com/26r9gjxz Contact: irishlingos@gmail.com The number of pharmaceutical products exported from Ireland is increasing. An líon táirgí cógaisíochta a easpórtáltar as Éirinn ag méadú. The value of pharmaceutical products exported from this country in February this year was €15.6 billion, compared with €9.2 billion in February last year, according to preliminary figures from the Central Statistics Office. Luach €15.6 billiún a bhí sna táirgí cógaisíochta a heaspórtáladh as an tír seo i mí Feabhra i mbliana, i gcomórtas le €9.2 billiún i mí Feabhra anuraidh, de réir réamhfhigiúirí ón bPríomh-Oifig Staidrimh. This was an increase of 145.7% over the year and a share of 63.2% of the total number of goods exported from Ireland in February 2025. B'in méadú de 145.7 faoin gcéad in imeacht bliana agus sciar 63.2 faoin gcéad den líon iomlán earraí a heaspórtáladh as Éirinn i mí Feabhra 2025. It is also a testament to the importance of the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland and the harm that tariffs would cause to that sector and the economy as a whole. Is solaoid é freisin ar thábhacht na hearnála cógaisíochta in Éirinn agus ar an dochar a dhéanfadh taraifí don earnáil sin agus don gheilleagar trí chéile. The preliminary figures also show that the value of goods purchased by the United States from this country in February this year was €12.9 billion, compared to €4.2 billion in February last year, an increase of 210.5% over the course of a year. Léiríonn na réamhfhigiúirí chomh maith go raibh luach €12.9 billiún sna hearraí a cheannaigh na Stáit Aontaithe ón tír seo i mí Feabhra i mbliana, i gcomórtas le €4.2 billiún i mí Feabhra anuraidh, ar méadú de 210.5 faoin gcéad é sin in imeacht bliana. It accounted for 52.5% of the total number of goods exported from Ireland in February 2025, compared to 26.1% in the same month last year. Ba sciar 52.5 faoin gcéad é den líon iomlán earraí a heaspórtáladh as Éirinn i mí Feabhra 2025, le hais 26.1 faoin gcéad sa mhí chéanna anuraidh. Economists have often said, however, that we in Ireland are overly reliant on corporate tax from multinational companies such as pharmaceutical companies. Is minic é ráite ag eacnamaithe, áfach, go bhfuilimidne in Éirinn ag brath an iomarca ar cháin chorparáideach ó chomhlachtaí ilnáisiúnta fearacht na gcomhlachtaí cógaisíochta. They say that there is always a risk that the Exchequer will be unexpectedly undermined because of this unequal dependence. Deir siad go bhfuil an baol ann i gcónaí go mbainfear an bonn den Státchiste gan choinne mar gheall ar an spleáchas éagothrom sin. With Trump's tariffs looming, there are now concerns that the prophecy will come true. Agus taraifí Trump os ár gcionn, táthar imníoch anois go dtiocfaidh an tuar faoin tairngreacht. RTÉ News and Current Affairs Nuacht agus Cúrsaí Reatha RTÉ

jQuery(document).ready(function(){ cab.clickify(); }); Original Podcast with clickable words https://tinyurl.com/2xrcctvg Contact: irishlingos@gmail.com The number of pharmaceutical products exported from Ireland is increasing. An líon táirgí cógaisíochta a easpórtáltar as Éirinn ag méadú. The value of pharmaceutical products exported from this country in February this year was €15.6 billion, compared with €9.2 billion in February last year, according to preliminary figures from the Central Statistics Office. Luach €15.6 billiún a bhí sna táirgí cógaisíochta a heaspórtáladh as an tír seo i mí Feabhra i mbliana, i gcomórtas le €9.2 billiún i mí Feabhra anuraidh, de réir réamhfhigiúirí ón bPríomh-Oifig Staidrimh. This was an increase of 145.7% over the year and a share of 63.2% of the total number of goods exported from Ireland in February 2025. B'in méadú de 145.7 faoin gcéad in imeacht bliana agus sciar 63.2 faoin gcéad den líon iomlán earraí a heaspórtáladh as Éirinn i mí Feabhra 2025. It is also a testament to the importance of the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland and the harm that tariffs would cause to that sector and the economy as a whole. Is solaoid é freisin ar thábhacht na hearnála cógaisíochta in Éirinn agus ar an dochar a dhéanfadh taraifí don earnáil sin agus don gheilleagar trí chéile. The preliminary figures also show that the value of goods purchased by the United States from this country in February this year was €12.9 billion, compared to €4.2 billion in February last year, an increase of 210.5% over the course of a year. Léiríonn na réamhfhigiúirí chomh maith go raibh luach €12.9 billiún sna hearraí a cheannaigh na Stáit Aontaithe ón tír seo i mí Feabhra i mbliana, i gcomórtas le €4.2 billiún i mí Feabhra anuraidh, ar méadú de 210.5 faoin gcéad é sin in imeacht bliana. It accounted for 52.5% of the total number of goods exported from Ireland in February 2025, compared to 26.1% in the same month last year. Ba sciar 52.5 faoin gcéad é den líon iomlán earraí a heaspórtáladh as Éirinn i mí Feabhra 2025, le hais 26.1 faoin gcéad sa mhí chéanna anuraidh. Economists have often said, however, that we in Ireland are overly reliant on corporate tax from multinational companies such as pharmaceutical companies. Is minic é ráite ag eacnamaithe, áfach, go bhfuilimidne in Éirinn ag brath an iomarca ar cháin chorparáideach ó chomhlachtaí ilnáisiúnta fearacht na gcomhlachtaí cógaisíochta. They say that there is always a risk that the Exchequer will be unexpectedly undermined because of this unequal dependence. Deir siad go bhfuil an baol ann i gcónaí go mbainfear an bonn den Státchiste gan choinne mar gheall ar an spleáchas éagothrom sin. With Trump's tariffs looming, there are now concerns that the prophecy will come true. Agus taraifí Trump os ár gcionn, táthar imníoch anois go dtiocfaidh an tuar faoin tairngreacht. RTÉ News and Current Affairs Nuacht agus Cúrsaí Reatha RTÉ

jQuery(document).ready(function(){ cab.clickify(); }); Original Podcast with clickable words https://tinyurl.com/2y36cydr Contact: irishlingos@gmail.com Man (61) charged with €10.6m worth of cocaine. Fear (61) cúisithe faoi luach €10.6m cócaon. A 61-year-old man has been remanded in custody and charged with possession of €10.6m worth of cocaine seized last Tuesday. Tá fear 61 bliain d'aois curtha siar faoi choinneáil agus é cúisithe i leith luach €10.6m den druga cócaon a gabhadh Dé Máirt seo caite. Michael Murphy was brought before Gorey District Court in Co Wexford this morning. Tugadh Michael Murphy os comhair Chúirt Dúiche Ghuaire i gCo Loch Garman ar maidin. He has an address - which has not been permitted to be published at the request of his lawyer - on the border between Kilkenny and Waterford. Tá seoladh aige - nach bhfuil ceadaithe a fhoilsiú ar iarratas óna dhlíodóir - ar an teorainn idir Cill Chainnigh agus Port Láirge. Detective Sergeant Seán Lane of Waterford Garda Barracks gave evidence that at 11.02 last night he arrested Michael Murphy, and that Mr Murphy replied "I understand the reason for this". Thug an Bleachtaire Seán Lane as Beairic na nGardaí i bPort Láirge fianaise gur ag 11.02 aréir a ghabh sé Michael Murphy, agus gur fhreagair an tUasal Murphy "tuigim an chúis atá imo leith". The Gardaí asked that he not be granted bail, which was confirmed by Judge Kevin Staunton. D'iarr na Gardaí nach mbronnfaí bannaí air, rud a dhearbhaigh an Breitheamh Kevin Staunton. Lawyer Chris Hogan asked that Michael Murphy be sent to Cork Prison - and not to Cloverhill Prison - "as there are well-founded concerns that his life would be in danger". D'iarr an dlíodóir Chris Hogan go gcuirfí Michael Murphy go Príosún Chorcaí - agus ní go Príosún Chnoc na Seamar - "mar go bhfuil imní a bhfuil bunús leis go mbeadh a bheatha i mbaol". Judge Staunton granted that request and issued a request not to publish it. Cheadaigh an Breitheamh Staunton an t-iarratas sin agus iarratas nach bhfoilseofaí a sheoladh. Michael Murphy has been remanded in custody in Cork Prison until a week from tomorrow, when he is due to appear in court again via video link. Cuireadh Michael Murphy siar faoi choinneáil i bPríosún Chorcaí go dtí seachtain ó amárach, nuair a bheidh sé le bheith os comhair na cúirte arís ar nasc-físe. A week and a half ago, Gardaí stopped a lorry on the M9 in Co Kilkenny, at around 10am this morning. Seachtain is an lá amárach a tháinig na Gardaí roimh leoraí ar an M9 i gCo Chill Chainnigh, thart ar a 10 a chlog ar maidin. The lorry was taken to Dublin Port for an X-ray examination. Tugadh an leoraí go Calafort Átha Cliath le scrúdú X-gha a dhéanamh uirthi. Then the Gardaí and the Customs Service came across 152kg of cocaine - worth €10.6m they say. Ansin a tháinig na Gardaí agus an tSeirbhís Custaim ar 152kg cócaon - luach €10.6m a deir siad. A search was subsequently carried out at a residence and 2 business premises in Waterford. Ina dhiaidh sin tugadh faoi chuardach ar theach cónaithe agus ar 2 áitreabh gnó i bPort Láirge. Michael Murphy after the court hearing in Gorey Michael Murphy tar éis na héisteachta cúirte i nGuaire

Send us a text-Son of Porsche race car driver Edgar Barth-Two Apprenticeships with Porsche starting at 16 years old.-1977 Le Mans winner, 1980 1000km Nurburgring winner, 1993 GT Class Le Mans winner.-Started BPR racing series.-In charge of the archives, homologation and taking care of the private race teams at Porsche.In this episode we talk about: -Politics in racing. -Loopholes Porsche used in racing. -924-BPRSend questions and suggestions to porschepatterpod@gmail.com https://www.circuitsixfour.com/https://www.instagram.com/circuit6four/https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox

Mark Morton takes a look at the current position on changes to APR and BPR. Communicate essential tax rates to your clients this spring with Mercia.Order personalised Tax Cards for your firm now.For more information on this topic and more, please visit www.mercia-group.com for further details.

Send us a text-Son of Porsche race car driver Edgar Barth-Two Apprenticeships with Porsche starting at 16 years old.-1977 Le Mans winner, 1980 1000km Nurburgring winner, 1993 GT Class Le Mans winner.-Started BPR racing series.-In charge of the archives, homologation and taking care of the private race teams at Porsche.In this episode we talk about: -Jurgen's preferences on racing, such as favorite race car, favorite race, favorite track, favorite co-driver. -Differences in racing today vs in the past. Send questions and suggestions to porschepatterpod@gmail.com https://www.circuitsixfour.com/https://www.instagram.com/circuit6four/https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek and brought to you by LMNT, Chaunce and Badger are serving up tips for this year's class of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. We're covering everything from social dynamics and budgeting to mental prep, diet, why you should document your hike, some listener submission tips, and much more. We also give a rundown of advice from previous episodes in case you want to dig even deeper into getting ready for the Appalachian Trail. Whether you're hitting the AT this year, planning for a future trek, or know someone who is, this episode is for you. Or for them.  We wrap the show with the latest on the mass layoffs hitting National Park and Forest Service employees, an update from our friends at Rebuild Hot Springs Area on how the funds raised through the Badger Sponsorship are helping with recovery efforts (plus ways you can still get involved), what our trail names would be if they had to be food-centric, and the Triple Crown of Backpacker Radio starter-pack episodes. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  Ombraz: Use code “BACKPACKER30” for $30 off at ombraz.com/discount/backpacker30. Timeline: Get 33% off your first order at timeline.com/backpacker33. [divider] Panel with Zach and Chaunce Time stamps & Questions 00:09:50 - Reminders: Join us for our live show in Austin, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to blog for the Trek! Sign up for the Trek's newsletter 00:13:30 - Introducing Zach and Chaunce 00:18:00 - Tips from past AT episodes, #138 and #140 00:30:30 - Chaunce's Tip #1: Don't rush to find your trail family 00:35:15 - Zach's Tip #1: Document your hike 00:40:35 - Listener Submission #1: Your shit will dry 00:41:28 - Chaunce's Tip #2: Don't take things too seriously 00:43:33 - Zach's Tip #2: Electrolytes 00:48:55 - Listener Submission #2: Don't overplan and don't rush 00:51:47 - Chaunce's Tip #3: Add ⅓ to ½ over your estimated budget 01:03:20 - Zach's Tip #3: Mentally prepare for your thru-hike 01:12:25 - Chaunce's Honorable Mention: Train for downhills 01:17:00 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking? Segments Trek Propaganda:  Mass Layoffs of National Park and Forest Workers Threaten the Future of America's Trails by Katie Jackson Rebuild Hot Springs QOTD: If your trail name had to be a food, what would it be and how would you earn it? Triple Crown of BPR starter pack episodes #112: Beginner Backpacking Mistakes #246: Girl Stuff 3.0: Hiking as a New Mom, Pink Blazing, and Fearmongering #14: Data, Chaunce Gets Covered in Poo, and the LWCF #4: The Real Hiking Viking Pt II, Scariest Moments from the Trail, and Thru-Hiking Nutrition #35: Weezer on Hiking Sober, Processing Grief, and Metamorphosis on the Pacific Crest Trail #205: Warren Doyle: Appalachian Trail Legend on His Record 18 Completed AT Traverses #1: The Real Hiking Viking #49: Matt “Pretzel” Mason on Shaking Down New Thru-Hikers, Gear Advice, Wildland Firefighting, and Also Everything #260: John Mackey, Whole Foods Co-Founder, on His Thru-Hiking Experience, Co-Owning Gossamer Gear, and Entrepreneurship #55: Kevin Nealon #43: Clay Bonnyman Evans on AT Cults, Trail Murder Statistics, and YouTube Vlogger Scam Artists #132: Jack “Quadzilla” Jones #17: Thru-Hiking Injury Prevention and Recovery Tips with Dr. Emily Kelly #69: Will “Akuna” Robinson Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Ben Love, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Mud Tom, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Chris Pyle, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Katharine Rudzitis, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

Visit our website ➡️➡️➡️ https://www.majesticproduction.com/Folks, this is the podcast you've been waiting for. Absolutely HUGE! Nobody does pro wrestling like we do—nobody! This week, we're talking about the biggest, most tremendous moments in wrestling, and let me tell you, we cover it all.First, the drama—oh, the drama! The shock of John Cena's heel turn at Elimination Chamber—bigger than Hogan in ‘96, folks! Absolutely historic. Then, AEW embarrasses itself again when Christopher Daniels was literally caught punching himself (yes, folks, you can't make this up), and then pretended MJF attacked him—fake news wrestling at its finest! And speaking of fake news, our old friend Dave Meltzer is at it again, lying through his teeth, manipulating numbers, showing his blatant bias between AEW and NXT. It's a disgrace! And let's not forget Ibou getting absolutely demolished on Twitter by FadeAwayMedia—just an incredible week for wrestling drama!Now, onto the business, because I know business, believe me. We break down WWE's Year-End Financial Report—it's beautiful, it's majestic, it's making wrestling great again! Plus, TKO (WWE, UFC, and BPR's parent company) is rolling out something big—starting in April, they're taking over entire cities for events. Wrestling, MMA, boxing—all in one weekend! Absolutely brilliant! Meanwhile, Thunder Rosa finally explains that ridiculous chair spot on Dynamite (another AEW disaster), and so much more!We also deep dive into some of the forgotten pro wrestling families—ones that deserve more respect! Peanut Gallery and Tigerhite always bring the knowledge, and folks, it's incredible!And you won't believe the absolute disaster that was James Storm vs. Chris Harris at Lockdown 2007—a blindfold match where the blindfolds just would not stay on! You can't make this up!Then, the real show—WWE Elimination Chamber 2025! The matches were huge, the moments were massive, and we break it all down—the good, the bad, and the ugly. John Cena, Logan Paul, CM Punk, Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes—this was a BIG ONE! And what about The Rock's little “Corporate Champion” offer? Did Cody sell out? We've got all the answers!So buckle up, folks, because this is the best, most tremendous wrestling podcast in the world. No fake news, just MAJESTIC takes. Let's MAKE PRO WRESTLING GREAT AGAIN!Watch our full podcast here ➡️➡️➡️ anchor.fm/majestic-production

Tuesday, February 18th, 2025Laramie, WyomingEarlier today I hosted a live call with Matt Smith from Doug Casey's Crisis Investing. During the chat, the gold price made an intra-day high of over $2,950/oz. Later in the chat, Matt made the case for why gold could go as high as $21k/oz.Why? How? When? What should you do next?All good questions!You can click on the video above to watch (I'm having a transcript made as well, but wanted to send you this as soon as possible). Here's a breakdown of the key topics we covered, with timestamps so you can jump to what matters most to you.Timestamps & Major Topics[00:00:00] Kicking things off – Matt and I set the stage for the conversation.[00:01:00] A little about Matt – If you don't know his background, here's a quick rundown: entrepreneur-turned-regenerative cattle farmer in Uruguay, working with Doug Casey, and a big believer in getting geographically unlinked from centralized systems.[00:02:00] What is regenerative farming? – How Matt runs 250 head of cattle with zero external inputs, and why this model matters in today's world.[00:04:00] The Mar-a-Lago Accords – Trump's team has a real plan to reset the monetary system. It's not just talk. We break down what's coming and what it means for you.[00:07:00] Why they want to devalue the dollar – Trump's people think the dollar is way too strong, making U.S. exports uncompetitive. Their solution? Drive it lower. Here's how they're doing it.[00:11:00] Will this actually work? – Whether they pull it off or not, the fact that they're even trying is a game-changer.[00:13:00] Gold's role in the reset – Trump's team isn't stupid. They know gold is key to restoring faith in the financial system. We go deep into how they might use it.[00:16:00] What's really in Fort Knox? – Elon Musk and Rand Paul want an audit of U.S. gold reserves. If it turns out the gold isn't there (or if there's way more than expected), what happens next?[00:18:00] Gold's breakout – Is this rally the start of something huge, or just another head fake? Spoiler: this one looks real.[00:21:00] Infrastructure & energy – Trump wants to rip out the regulatory roadblocks and supercharge energy and AI. This could be the biggest infrastructure buildout since the 1950s.[00:26:00] Mining stocks – They've been dirt cheap and ignored for years. That's starting to change. Here's why it's a massive opportunity.[00:28:00] The final gold bull market? – Doug Casey has called this the last great gold boom before gold gets re-monetized. If he's right, this is your last chance to play it.[00:33:00] The risks no one talks about – Even if Trump's team pulls this off, does it just lead to an even bigger, more centralized government? We dig into it.[00:38:00] Redeemability – Will this new system actually let people redeem dollars for gold, or is it just another illusion?[00:41:00] The China model? – Trump's approach has a lot in common with China's industrial strategy. Is that where we're heading?[00:45:00] Wrapping up – Everything's about to change. Are you ready for it?Bottom LineGold's on the move. There are reasons why. But there are a lot of dots to connect. And the picture they make isn't entirely clear. This call with Matt helped us understand some of what's happening, what to expect next, and most importantly, what you should do with your money now. Enjoy!DanPS Matt and Doug Casey collaborate on Crisis Investing. As a courtesy to Bonner Private Research subscribers—and because Bill and Doug go way back as friends—they've set up a special offer for BPR readers who want to subscribe. You can do so here. And if you enjoyed the video, let me know. We'll do more in the future. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.bonnerprivateresearch.com/subscribe

Today:Axios business editor Dan Primack discusses Trump's new tariffs on steel & aluminum: How they work and what they mean for U.S industry. Amy Carnevale of Mass GOP and Steve Kerrigan of Mass Dems debate the state's true-blue future, and discuss Governor Maura Healey announcing on BPR that she will run for re-election. 

BPR 1/20: The Inauguration & MLK Day Special

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Vince and Georgie Strawbridge, one-third of the six-person thru-hiking family. We last caught up with the Strawbridges in early 2020, when they were freshly off their hike of the PCT. Since, they've conquered both the CDT and the AT, completing the Triple Crown as a full family.  We dive into the high and lowlights of these treks from the perspectives of Vince (dad) and Georgie (the youngest in the family). They share insights on navigating the CDT during COVID, overcoming multiple bouts of hypothermia, how one Strawbridge daughter managed to hike the CDT despite being severely anemic, why the AT ranked as their least favorite of the Triple Crown trails, hiking the AT as a group of seven (adding another kiddo for this one), some especially serendipitous instances of trail magic, and Vince's unconventional—and hilarious—efforts to convince his wife, Monica, to take on another thru-hike, including a group therapy session with their friends.  We wrap the show with new of a job opening at Backpacker Radio, we ponder how far from a star you should be before it's safe to stare, a FMK of places to get wet, a breakdown of how much more expensive it is to hike the AT these days, and the Triple Crown of human names that sound like they could double as state names. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKWINTER15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  [divider] Interview with Vince & Georgie Strawbridge Strawbridge Instagram Strawbridge Youtube Pretty Good at Walking by Vince Strawbridge Time stamps & Questions 00:05:34 - Reminders: Apply to join the BPR team or vlog for the Trek, get tickets to our live show in Austin on April 17, and support us on Patreon! 00:11:20 - Introducing Vince & Georgie Strawbridge 00:12:12 - How did Georgie break her leg? 00:13:18 - How old are all the kids now? 00:15:00 - How has your interest in hiking changed since you were last on the podcast? 00:16:06 - How do you feel about hiking as a kid? 00:18:49 - How did you find time to write the book? 00:25:25 - What did you learn through writing the book? 00:28:20 - Did Zach & Chaunce find parallels between hiking and writing? 00:32:20 - Now that you're older, have you noticed hiking feeling different? 00:33:50 - How did you decide on the CDT next? 00:39:27 - How should Zach get his kids to like hiking? 00:43:40 - What was the result of the group referee sessions? 00:45:45 - What are some highlights of the first part of the trail? 00:48:35 - How did you manage the logistics after the first 400 miles? 00:51:00 - What was your dog encounter? 00:52:50 - How did you manage schooling on trail? 00:54:53 - What were some cool stories that overlapped with the trail? 00:59:40 - How does your homeschooling curriculum interact with applying to college? 01:03:10 - What do you want to do when you grow up? 01:04:10 - Tell us about the time you took too much Benadryl 01:07:35 - What was the tent breakup on the CDT? 01:09:22 - What was your level of enjoyment on the CDT? 01:10:30 - Did you notice your own growth between the trails? 01:11:27 - What's the dynamic between you and your siblings? 01:14:20 - Tell us about the September storm 01:20:20 - Do you ever have meetings without Vince? 01:24:00 - Discussion about finding out June was anemic 01:26:50 - Were you hesitant to have June join you on the AT? 01:27:52 - How did you decide to go northbound on the AT? 01:29:17 - What was it like going from the CDT during covid to the AT northbound? 01:34:00 - How did you weigh the pros and cons of hiking as a large group? 01:38:20 - Did you get any negative comments online? 01:43:26 - Did it feel like you were in easy mode on the AT? 01:47:30 - Story about running out of food 01:49:50 - What was it like getting your first real trail magic experience? 01:54:40 - Did someone get trench foot on this hike? 01:55:30 - What was it like to reach the sign on Katahdin? 01:57:45 - How has the Triple Crown experience changed your kids? 02:01:30 - Would you want to be homeschooled again? 02:04:45 - Give us the highlights of the Great Divide Trail 02:08:15 - Who handles cold water better? 02:09:13 - What was it like navigating the fire season? 02:13:18 - Is the hitching culture different in Canada? 02:14:10 - Tell us about your plans for 2025? 02:16:39 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance enhancing hack? Segments Trek Propaganda Is It Getting More Expensive To Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail? by Kelly Floro Thru-Hiking With Eczema (and How My Body Surprised Me Along the Way) by Amanda Campbell QOTD: How far from a star must you be to be safe to stare? Triple Crown of (human) names that sound like they could be names of states Fuck Marry Kill: Places to get wet Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Mud Tom, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett A, Chris Pyle, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Katharine Rudzitis, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

Today's podcast starts with hour two of BPR. The first part of the show was dedicated to live broadcast of former President Jimmy Carter's memorial service.Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral on Attorney General Merrick Garland's plans to release the final Jack Smith report about Trump's 2020 election subversion. She'll also talk about Trump asking for a delay in his hush-money sentencing, violent crime at Mass. shelters, and a state program that recruits and trains formerly incarcerated people to drive trucks.Former secretary of education Paul Reville reflects on Elon Musk's threats to cut the Department of Education through his DOGE program. He'll also talk about BPS recommending several school closures, state community colleges struggling with an influx of students and other education headlinesFor our text segment: People in positions of power who choose to close ranks when faced with public scrutiny. How much are we owed as members of the public? Do you assume, if they don't offer an explanation, they're guilty as charged? Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung talks about former Harvard president Claudine Gay and the future of DEI in higher ed. Plus, the latest on White Stadium and the SJC ruling against Milton.For Am I the A-hole day: what's the appropriate amount of time before someone can eat leftovers in the fridge? 

Enter to win a copy of Michael Bungay Stanier book: How to Work with (Almost) Anyonehttps://chainoflearning.com/34Why do 70-90% of change initiatives fail?That's a staggering statistic. In many cases, new leadership comes in, economic pressures rise, or the next "flavor of the month" initiative takes over. What's happening and what can you do to counteract this trend?And if you are a change leader, lean practitioner, or continuous improvement coach, how do you avoid this becoming a career limiting move?To help us answer this, I invited Michael Bungay Stanier, leadership expert and bestselling author of six books, including The Coaching Habit and How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, to share his insights on leading personal and organizational change. Success in leading change comes not only from making structural shifts, but also from fostering curiosity and building strong human relationships.It's time to shift the failure rate to a success rate for your vision. Focus your energy on amplifying your influence and getting the buy-in needed from key people to create meaningful transformation.YOU'LL LEARN: How to reverse the trend of failed change initiativesWhat to do when others don't align with your vision for changeHow to create agency in the people you want to influenceTips on how to stay curious longer to make a strong impactThe importance of linking process improvement and people for lasting changeABOUT MY GUEST:Michael Bungay Stanier is at the forefront of shaping how organizations and leaders around the world succeed through focusing on curiosity and human relationships. He's the author of six books, which between them have sold more than a million copies, and is best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of this century.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/34Connect with Michael Bungay Stanier: linkedin.com/in/michaelbungaystanier Check out my website for resources and working together: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonSign up for Michael's newsletter and podcasts: MBS.worksDownload my FREE KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment : kbjanderson.com/katalyst TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE: 01:04 Reasons why change initiatives fail 04:56 Two foundational challenges for leading change07:38 The link between process improvement and integrating the people component13:23 Two strategies to stay curious longer and create lasting impact16:26 Tips to reverse the trend of failed change initiatives 20:20 Steps to embrace your influence and create the impact you want when leading change 22:31 Defining A and B list relationships24:04 Improving the quality of working relationships24:45 How to build BPR (best possible relationships) and keystone conversations to discuss how to best work together before diving into the work26:13 Addressing challenging conversations to clarify roles and expectations upfront29:55 One way to increase influence and build human connection for impactful conversations31:11 Michael's new project in launching a new podcast Enter to win a copy of Michael Bungay Stanier book:How to Work with (Almost) Anyonehttps://chainoflearning.com/34

South Boston Senator Nick Collins discusses the demise of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's proposed tax shift plan that would have helped Boston homeowners.ABC News just agreed to give $15 million to Donald Trump's presidential library fund to settle a lawsuit. We open the phone lines to get your thoughts on whether legacy media can be trusted to hold "Truth to Trump" in his second term. Terri Gerstein of NYU Wagner Labor Initiative and Paul Sonn of the National Employment Law Project share what states can do before Jan. 20 to ensure labor protections under another Trump era.Ilan Stavans of Amherst College discusses the very-much-alive Yiddish language and what Democrats always miss about immigration. Plus, a few Hanukkah recipes from his book "Sabor Judio."Charlie Sennott of the GroundTruth Project gives a round-up of the world news: France's government crisis, the rebel government in Syria, South Korea's impeachment and Ukraine's plea to Donald Trump.We ask listeners what tattoo Jim should get, now that he's decided 70-something is the perfect age get inked for the first time.Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther discusses the holidays in Iceland and a magical airport in Singapore.We finish with another BPR moldy chestnut: holiday tipping. Yea or nay?

In today's episode, we dive deep into the intersection of metrics and narratives in college basketball, focusing on UConn's recent climb back into the AP Top 25 and their marquee matchup against Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden. We explore why metrics like EvanMiya's BPR and KenPom tell a more complete story of UConn's potential and how the AP poll reflects their resilience after a rocky start in Maui. We'll also dissect Gonzaga's metrics, why they're ranked No. 1 on EvanMiya.com, and what UConn needs to do to secure a statement win. This is about more than just rankings—it's about proving who's built for March. Segment 1: Metrics, Narratives, and the AP PollThe AP poll is often dismissed as irrelevant come March, but right now, it's a fair reflection of UConn's progress. Sitting at No. 18 after a gritty win over Texas and a victory over Baylor, UConn is proving they're more than their Maui struggles. The narrative, however, remains inconsistent, with pundits cherry-picking metrics to suit their biases. We dive into the Big East's standing as the fourth-ranked conference and why the Huskies' climb back is as much about grit as it is about numbers. Segment 2: Disrespect or Motivation? UConn as a 6-SeedBracketology whispers of UConn being a 6-seed are fueling the Huskies' fire. Despite a resume supported by KenPom and NET rankings, the media loves to downplay the Big East. We break down why the Big East is alive and well, outpacing a declining ACC, and why the Huskies are primed to outplay their doubters. This segment explores how this underdog treatment plays into UConn's identity and how they've thrived in these moments before. Segment 3: UConn vs. Gonzaga—The Analytics BreakdownThis matchup isn't just about rankings; it's a chess match of metrics and styles. Gonzaga boasts the top spot in EvanMiya's BPR rankings, led by Ryan Nembhard's elite offensive and defensive contributions. We break down what BPR is, why it matters, and how fans can use tools like EvanMiya and KenPom to analyze matchups. For UConn, Alex Karaban and Liam McNeeley are keys to the game, but can they slow down Gonzaga's interior dominance and force them into low-percentage threes? The Garden will be rocking, and this game is a chance for UConn to validate their resurgence—or give critics more fuel. Ad Copy FanDuel:Get ready to tackle the NFL action with FanDuel, America's No. 1 sportsbook! Right now, new customers can bet just FIVE DOLLARS and get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in bonus bets if you win! The FanDuel Sportsbook app gives you everything you need to place live bets, check the latest stats, and more—all in one place. Visit FANDUEL.COM today and make every moment more with FanDuel, the official sportsbook partner of the NFL. Omaha Steaks:Nothing delivers comfort and joy like Omaha Steaks! Right now, save 50% sitewide at OmahaSteaks.com. Plus, score an extra $30 off your order with promo code COLLEGE. From world-class steaks to mouthwatering desserts, Omaha Steaks makes the perfect holiday gift. Visit OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code COLLEGE today. Minimum purchase may apply. Closing NotesUConn's climb back into relevance isn't just about wins—it's about defining their identity. Whether it's proving the AP poll right or silencing doubters ahead of March, this season is about growth, resilience, and taking the narrative into their own hands. Stay locked on for more updates, and as always, Go Huskies!

Vótáil feisirí parlaiminte ar son rúin mímhuiníne i bPríomh Aire na Fraince Michel Barnier aréir. Labhróidh Uachtarán na Fraince Emmanuel Macron leis an tír ar an teilifís anocht.

Huge thanks to all the farmers who took part in producing this episode. Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. About Ben and  RuralPod MediaBen Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. Follow us on social mediaInstagram @mtf_podcastTwitter @mtf_podcastWatch us on Youtube here

Fuair Siobhán Cleary, ón gCuaisín, Baile Móir bás céad bliain a dtaca seo. Bhí Siobhán ar a coimeád i bPríosún Chill Mhaighneáin ar feadh cheithre mhí i 1923 as ucht a cuid gníomhaíochta le Cumann na mBan. Chaith sí tréimhse ar stailc ocrais sa phríosún a fhág go dteip a sláinte uirthi.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Jabba and Lt Cookoo for another BPR classic. This one, in expected fashion, is all over the map. We start by getting a brief update of what Cookoo has been up to since his last appearance on the show followed by a more detailed update from Jabba, primarily about a once-in-a-lifetime bikepacking trip through Iceland, a trip that nearly robbed his soul in the best and worst way possible. We then dive into a QA format, including the top advice they'd give to themselves before their first backpacking trip, their favorite treks that take one month or less, the best stories from the trails they've hiked together, the inevitable point at which they butt heads and much more. The boys stick around for segments, which is also predictably weird. We provide our wiping techniques in alarming detail, the triple crown of things a dentist can say but not a gynecologist, and Viking gives Chaunce wedding advice.  Topo Athletic: Use code “THETREK15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.  Duer: Get 20% off your first purchase at shopduer.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Jabba & Lt. Cookoo Bird Jabba's Instagram Cookoo's Instagram Backpacker Radio #194 | Bruce “Lt. Cookoo Bird” Lynn on the Sierra High Route, Wind River High Route, Hayduke, Biking Across the Country, and More Time stamps & Questions 00:04:45 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content, join us in Denver on December 7th and apply to be a 2025 blogger! 00:07:47 - Introducing Jabba & Lt. Cookoo Bird 00:09:30 - Is Jabba still sober? 00:11:35 - Zach & Jabba's fantasy football punishments 00:14:50 - What adventures has Cookoo done in 2024? 00:18:50 - Cookoo's self-arresting technique 00:20:15 - Cuckoo on the Teton Crest Trail 00:21:54 - Cookoo's mountaineering 00:23:19 - What adventures has Jabba done in 2024? 00:28:20 - Why don't comfier bike seats exist? 00:33:30 - Jabba hiking the other half of the CDT 00:39:01 - Jabba's Ragbrai trip 00:47:20 - Jabba's Iceland trip introduction 00:50:30 - Iceland route description 00:52:54 - Jabba's (lack of) trip preparation 00:59:00 - How did you get your bike to Iceland? 01:00:00 - Iceland's singletrack trail difficulty 01:04:00 - Jabba's mindset while biking 01:06:15 - End of Day 1 01:08:55 - Day 2 01:12:38 - How much were you walking your bike versus riding your bike? 01:16:07 - Is it Type 2 fun? 01:19:45 - End of Day 2 01:24:20 - Discussion about hiking in sand 01:31:05 - Going back to get the AirPods 01:34:35 - Day 3 01:42:49 - What would you do differently if you did this trip again? 01:45:00 - Getting to the end location of Day 3 01:49:35 - Day 5 01:58:24 - End of Day 5 02:02:50 - Have you been in contact with Chris since the trip? 02:04:30 - What's the best one month or shorter hike you've ever done? 02:13:31 - If you could go back in time to your first thru-hike, what would you do differently? 02:16:46 - How do you figure out footwear faster? 02:22:16 - What is your best story about the other story? Segments Trek Propaganda: “I Just Had To Skip So Many Miles”: How 2024 PCT Thru-Hikers Are Adapting to Fires and Trail Closures by James Townsend QOTD:  Does your butt stay on the toilet seat when you wipe? Triple Crown of things a dentist can say, but not a gynecologist Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Ben Love, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Old Man Murph's Coffee Roasters, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Chris Pyle, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Katharine Rudzitis, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.

Bhí titim de 3% ar líon an n-áaon chónaithe a tógadh sa gcéad trí ráithe den bhliain seo, i gcomparáid leis an tréimhse chéanna anuraidh, de réir fhigiúirí on bPríomh-Oifig Staidrimh.

Today:Roxana Rivera, co-chair of the Yes on 3 coalition and Assistant to the President at 32BJ SEIU, joins to discuss Ballot Question 3 - which would allow rideshare drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft to collectively bargain for better working conditions. Mass Fiscal Alliance wrote the opposition memo for this ballot question in the Secretary of State's voter guidebook, but no group formally launched an opposition to it. Mass Fiscal declined BPR's request to debate the issue.

Today on the podcast: BPR hosts its first of five ballot question debates, starting with Question 5 - to eliminate the tipped minimum wage, and bring tipped workers up to the state minimum wage, currently $15 an hour. Alex Galimberti, organizer for One Fair Wage Massachusetts and a former restaurant worker, argues in favor of eliminating the tipped wage. Opposite Alex, is Doug Bacon, local restaurateur aligned with the Committee to Protect Tips, against changing the tipped wage model.

Radvan Markus, Léachtóir in Ollscoil Charles i bPrág ag labhairt faoi na tuillte i bPoblacht na Seice agus in Oirthear na hEorpa.

Is our country in a civics education crisis? We got your thoughts. Fabiola Mendez & Elsa Mosquera are our guests for Live Music Friday this week, ahead of the free Fiesta en la Plaza taking place throughout Latinx Heritage Month in Boston. Ela is the co-founder of Agora Cultural Architects, who organized the festival. Fabiola is an award-winning cuatro player.Boston Globe reporters Jessica Bartlett & Mark Arsenault talk about their latest Spotlight reporting on Ralph de la Torre and the collapse of Steward Health Care.Transportation secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt joins for her first-ever interview on BPR. She talks about ongoing projects for MassDOT like the East-West Coast Rail, Cape Cod Bridges, the Allston Multimodal project and more. Then we read your texts on the court case between an estranged couple fighting over who gets to keep the $70,000 diamond engagement ring. Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner joins us from her "she-shed" in the woods and reacts to new GOP efforts to block mail-in ballots in swing states, a New York appeals court rejecting two new attempts by Trump to lift his gag order in his hush money case. And, she has thoughts on the engagement ring case. Then we opened the phone lines to debate the merits and pitfalls of kids getting cut during sport tryouts. 

Dúirt an grúpa míleata Hamas gur maraíodh a gceannaire Ismail Haniyeh i bPríomhchathair na hIaráine, Tehran. Dúradh i ráiteas ón ghrúpa gur maraíodh é i ruathar a thug forsaí Israel ar a theach sa gcathair.

Sean Mac Suibhne, Garda Príosúin & Seamus Ó Scanláin, craoltóir ag labhairt faoi cheolchoirim Nathan Carter i bPríosún an Chaisleán Raibhaigh.

On episode 262 of ABR, we are joined by Spencer Nix, the owner and chief researcher of Behavior & Performance Research. Spencer talks about his journey in the fitness industry that spans over two decades. He shares his experience of being a CrossFit Affiliate owner for more than ten years and his transition to creating BPR, which combines behavior and identity coaching with fitness and performance. Due to many similarities in their approach, a connection was bound to happen between Spencer and the team at BPR. Spencer's wealth of knowledge, heart, passion and authenticity impressed and inspired the Airey Bros. This episode is packed with valuable insights, and the conversation was so engaging that the hardest part was finishing it.Stay Connected Spencer NixBPR Instutite BPR Field ManualBPR Instagram

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are once again joined by Bethany “Fidgit” Hughes. Fidget has hiked, paddled, and cycled more than 22,000 miles across 25 countries as one half of the Her Odyssey Expedition, a human-powered endeavor to connect the Americas following the longest chain of mountains in the world while telling the story of the land and its inhabitants, a journey she completed in August 2022.  Bethany was last on the podcast more than 5 years ago, when she had completed the South American leg of this wild expedition, she catches us up with her and her partner's journey through Central and North America. We go deep on how she navigates the more unsafe sections of this journey, especially through Central America and Mexico and navigating the cartel, dodging crocodiles, canoeing the 3,000+ mile Arctic Drainage to reach the Arctic Ocean, and much, much more. This one is full of engaging stories, you will not be disappointed. We wrap the show with news of the first woman to complete the Barkley Marathons, a deadly mountain lion attack in California, and the triple crown of breakfasts. Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.  Jenna Davis: Email jenna@firstsummitrealty.com or call 303-946-9476 to get a free consultation. Appalachian Gear Company: Use code “BPRADIO20” for 20% off at appalachiangearcompany.com. Shady Rays: Use code “TREK20” for $20 off polarized sunglasses at shadyrays.com. Outdoor Vitals: Get 17% off the Ventus plus a free backpacking pillow at outdoorvitals.com/thetrek. [divider] Interview with Bethany “Fidgit” Hughes Her Odyssey Website Her Odyssey Instagram Her Odyssey Youtube Backpacker Radio Episode 25: Bethany “Fidgit” Hughes on Trekking the Length of the Americas Time stamps & Questions 00:04:08 - Reminders: We will be at Trail Days! And…subscribe to us on Youtube! 00:05:07 - (Re)introducing Bethany 00:06:23 - Tell us about your recent 10 day silent retreat 00:16:25 - Did you have moments where you wanted to speak? 00:18:30 - Give us the summary of what part of the odyssey you'd completed the last time you were on the podcast 00:23:00 - What was the timeline of going across Central America? 00:25:58 - How would you describe your appreciation for bikepacking? 00:28:24 - Do you find that elitism is more prevalent in bikepacking than thru-hiking? 00:33:10 - If someone wanted to do a similar route, what advice would you offer? 00:37:26 - How many scenarios felt unsafe during the Central American portion? 00:42:08 - Did you find the State Department's advisories helpful? 00:43:28 - Are there extra safety precautions for solo female travelers? 00:47:38 - What other safety methods do you recommend? 00:50:45 - What were some of the highlights of the Central American portion of your route? 00:53:33 - Is there a crocodile protocol? 00:57:50 - Where did you go after kayaking in Panama? 01:00:25 - How safe did you feel in Mexico? 01:05:50 - How did you learn these trends and strategies? 01:08:23 - Is it easy to spot a gangster? 01:10:44 - Tell us about jumping over to the Baja California Peninsula 01:13:20 - Did you have any weird encounters along the US-Mexico border? 01:20:00 - Discussion about the evolution of trail magic and entitlement 01:22:36 - How do you recommend people participate in a gift-giving culture? 01:28:07 - Tell us any standout stories from hiking the CDT 01:33:20 - Do you think Her Odyssey has made you more adaptable as a thru-hiker? 01:40:22 - Tell us about the Great Divide Trail 01:46:25 - What are Treaty Days? 01:48:38 - Discussion about climate change along the route 01:51:05 - Discussion about the paddling trip to the Arctic Ocean 01:59:00 - How did you develop paddling skills? 02:01:16 - Did your caloric needs increase on the paddling portion of the odyssey? 02:02:18 - Bethany's hot take on umbrellas 02:05:40 - Where can people learn more about you? Segments Trek Propaganda 1 Killed, 1 Injured in California Mountain Lion Attack by Kelly Floro Jasmin Paris Becomes First Woman Ever To Complete Barkley Marathons by Kelly Floro QOTD: How excited are we to have Elise back on BPR? Triple Crown of breakfasts Listener Voicemail Plug Me Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Hailey Buckingham, Jason “Snail” Snailer barely know her, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Joann Menzer, Katharine Rudzitis, Keith Dobie Jr, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.

Best of BPR 4/24: Learning Love from Birds & Animal Sentience

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are chatting all things Colorado Trail. Rachel, who filled in for Zach, and Chaunce are joined by David Fanning, who has seven complete hikes of the Colorado Trail, which is tied for the record we think. Topics covered today include the pros and cons of hiking the CT both east and westbound, the best weather windows, transportation to the trail, recommended gear, information about the campsites, water availability, the best towns, resupply strategy, preparation strategies, how to navigate the trail, wildlife, comparing the Collegiate East and West, and more. We wrap the show with the official details of our upcoming LIVE podcast in Denver, how to cook corn, and the triple crown of bread. Gossamer Gear: Use code “DINGLEBERRY” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  Danner: Use code “TREK15” for 15% off Mountain 600 boots at danner.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Shady Rays: Use code “TREK20” for $20 off polarized sunglasses at shadyrays.com. [divider] Panel with David Fanning David's Website Time stamps & Questions 00:06:14 - Reminders: Come attend BPR live in Denver on April 23! Apply to be a Trek blogger or Ambassador and suggest a potential Trail Days guest for BPR! 00:07:37 - Introducing the Colorado Trail panel 00:08:54 - Introducing David Fanning 00:12:04 - How did you go from the PCT to CT? 00:14:20 - When was the first year you hiked the Colorado Trail? 00:15:52 - Do you think having that conversation with the doctor turned out to be a blessing? 00:20:25 - Colorado Trail basics 00:22:40 - Hiking season and weather 00:30:10 - What crazy weather have you seen across 7 hikes? 00:31:45 - Discussion about keeping gear dry and rain gear 00:36:42 - What experience have you had with snow on the trail? 00:39:14 - Have you had any sketchy experiences with lightning? (NOLS lightning resources) 00:41:56 - Discussion about dead tree fall 00:43:15 - Hiking NOBO or SOBO 00:49:08 - Trail termini 00:51:00 - Discussion about taking the train from Grand Junction to Denver 00:52:12 - Resupplies and towns 00:53:18 - Discussion about hitching 00:59:50 - Trail towns: Bailey, Conifer, Jefferson, and Fairplay (See The Colorado Trail Guide: Resupply and Towns on the Colorado Trail) 01:04:04 - Trail towns: Breckenridge, Frisco, and Copper 01:05:45 - Sending resupply boxes 01:06:53 - Trail towns: Leadville 01:09:54 - Trail towns: Twin Lakes 01:10:35 - Collegiate East vs West 01:17:05 - Trail towns: Buena Vista and Salida 01:19:05 - The Cochetopa section 01:24:10 - Trail towns: Gunnison, Lake City 01:31:56 - Discussion about sheepdogs 01:34:06 - Trail towns: Silverton and the scenic train 01:38:40 - Discussion about the section between Lake City and Silverton 01:40:20 - Discussion about wildlife encounters 01:48:00 - Food storage on the CT 01:50:04 - Shelter considerations on the CT 01:54:15 - Discussion about campsites and Chaunce's scary story 01:58:45 - Navigation on the CT 02:00:48 - Dogs and bikes on the CT (Backpacker Radio #214 | Tisha McCombs, Executive Director at the Colorado Trail Foundation) 02:03:30 - What has changed the most over your many hikes? 02:07:00 - Section hiking versus thru-hiking 02:14:02 - What's your elevator pitch for the Colorado Trail? 02:17:04 - Physical preparation on the CT 02:21:25 - Discussion about food and appetite 02:21:55 - Tell us about Voices of the Colorado Trail Segments Trek Propaganda Tisha McCombs is Leaving the Colorado Trail Foundation Best Trekking Poles for Backpacking in 2024 by Katie Kommer QOTD: How do you cook corn? Triple Crown of bread Plug Me: Old Man Murph's Coffee Roasters Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Hailey Buckingham, Jason “Snail” Snailer barely know her, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Katharine Rudzitis, Keith Dobie Jr, merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by The Trek's Managing Editor, Kelly “Ibex” Floro. We learn all about what it's like to have Zach as a boss, Kelly's top tips for how to afford a thru-hike, and she shares insights from her own thru-hiking adventures including the AT, Wind River High Route, and we dive especially deep into Kelly's most recent thru-hike of the Pyrenean Haute Route through the Pyrenees, straddling the border between Spain and France. Kelly gives us an in-depth run-through of this epic route, including when to hike, which direction, navigation challenges, resupply strategy, the various geographic highlights, the culture surrounding the trail, and much more. We wrap the show with useful smartphone apps for your next thru-hike, how Zach got concussed recording a podcast, and the triple crown of short off-season thru-hikes. Mountainsmith: Use code “TREKZERK24” for 40% off at mountainsmith.com. Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. Appalachian Gear Company: Use code “BPRADIO20” for 20% off at appalachiangearcompany.com. [divider] Interview with Kelly Floro Kelly's Trek bio Time stamps & Questions 00:05:15 - Reminders: Get your tickets for a live BPR podcast in Denver on April 23, support us on Patreon, and suggest a potential guest who will be at Trail Days this year! 00:09:15 - Introducing Kelly 00:12:27 - How do you like working for Zach? 00:17:55 - How did you start thru-hiking? 00:19:52 - At what point did you consider yourself a good writer? 00:20:30 - Do you have tips for someone who wants to blog their hike? 00:25:45 - Was the AT your first backpacking trip? 00:27:12 - What did you learn on that hike? 00:29:45 - What were you thinking about career wise when you hiked the AT? 00:32:40 - When did you realize you wanted to do more thru-hikes? 00:33:15 - What surprised you despite all the preparation you did? 00:36:20 - Tell us about dealing with poison ivy on the AT 00:41:27 - Discussion about flip flopping the AT 00:45:24 - Do you have tips for someone considering a flip flop hike on the AT? 00:51:00 - Would you recommend flip flopping the AT? 00:55:20 - Tell us about hiking the Colorado Trail 00:57:22 - Tell us about the Wind River High Route 00:59:23 - What are the differences between the two route options? 01:02:55 - What's the most challenging part of the Adventure Alan route? 01:05:45 - What tips would you give to someone who wants to try backcountry navigation? 01:09:20 - What navigational resources were available for the route? 01:11:14 - How much did you enjoy this style of hiking? 01:12:38 - Any non obvious advice for the Wind River High Route? 01:15:00 - Tell us about the Pyrenean Haute Route 01:20:00 - Discussion about the refuges on the HRP 01:21:48 - How and why did you choose this route? 01:24:55 - Which direction do you hike? 01:27:11 - What were the standout towns? 01:32:09 - How crowded was the trail? 01:35:14 - What do the resupplies look like? 01:40:40 - Tell us about the wine you had along the HRP 01:41:42 - Are there any ‘must zero' places? 01:43:27 - Can you describe the Pyrenean mountains? 01:45:53 - Tell us the story about throwing your phone off a cliff 01:48:22 - How did you manage the rest of your gear for your Europe trip? 01:50:20 - Tell us about Bulgaria 01:53:05 - Have you heard of the Peaks of the Balkans trail? 01:54:49 - What do you have for health insurance in Europe? 01:56:18 - What have you learned while traveling in Europe? 01:57:25 - What are your current big 5 gear items? 01:59:20 - What gear has surprised you recently? 02:00:20 - What goes into a standout gear review? 02:01:40 - What stands out to you about thru-hiking affordably? 02:04:27 - What are some of your favorite hidden gems in Olympic National Park? Segments Trek Propaganda: 13 Useful Smartphone Apps for Your Next Thru-Hike by Danielle Krolewicz QOTD: What's the longest: a microwave minute, a hangover minute, or a treadmill minute? Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of short thru-hikes you can do in the offseason Plug Me: Brew Davis's Website Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Hailey Buckingham, Jason “Snail” Snailer barely know her, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, Chaunce hiked the Foothills Trail! With Chaunce being just a few days removed from this 76-mile gem of a hike, the trail is fresh on her mind, and she provides us a detailed rundown of her experience and standout stories, the trail's many highlights, how it was doing this trek with Harper, a full overview of her gear, an encounter with a zombie ghost, and all the nitty gritty logistics one could dream of having heading into this waterfally, bridgey hike in the Carolinas. We wrap the show with what our old person traits are, a triple crown of non-toilet paper items to wipe your bung with on trail, 36 east coast trails you can hike, and some details about an upcoming live podcast. Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. Jenna Davis: Email jenna@firstsummitrealty.com or call 303-946-9476 to get a free consultation. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Appalachian Gear Company: Use code “BPRADIO20” for 20% off at appalachiangearcompany.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code “DINGLEBERRY” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  [divider] Interview with Chaunce! Time stamps & Questions 00:04:05 - Reminders: Mark your calendars for a BPR live podcast in Denver on April 23, leave a 5 star review on Apple and email us to get a BPR sticker, and recommend a guest who will be at Trail Days! 00:08:50 - Why did Chaunce hike the Foothills Trail? 00:12:00 - How was the weather? 00:14:55 - What's the background of the Foothills Trail? 00:16:48 - How did you get to the trail, logistically? 00:19:35 - Discussion about the costs of the trail 00:25:00 - Discussion about getting to the trail 00:27:33 - Which direction did you hike? 00:32:42 - What was the terrain like? 00:34:20 - Can you camp wherever? 00:35:30 - Discussion about expectations versus reality for the hiking difficulty 00:37:22 - Discussion about day 2 of hiking 00:38:18 - Any notable highlights from the first couple days of trail? 00:41:00 - Discussion about wildlife 00:46:45 - Discussion about the bridges and stairs 00:51:23 - Discussion about Chaunce's massage 00:53:15 - Why didn't you bring a rain jacket? 00:54:30 - Tell us about hiking with Harper 00:57:10 - How crowded was the trail? 01:02:08 - What was the resupply situation like? 01:05:05 - Who would you recommend the Foothills Trail to? 01:07:38 - Discussion about the road walks 01:08:34 - Discussion about waterfalls 01:11:30 - Discussion about how challenging the hike was 01:14:50 - Any good poop stories? 01:15:50 - What were your favorite waterfalls and bridges? 01:16:40 - Would you describe the Foothills Trail as flat? 01:17:20 - Discussion about the gear Chaunce carried 01:33:18 - Discussion about Harper's gear Segments Trek Propaganda: 36 East Coast Trails That Aren't the Appalachian Trail by Diane Duffard QOTD: What's your old person trait? Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of items to wipe your bung with Plug Me Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Jason “Snail” Snailer barely know her, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Hailey Buckingham, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined by Kevin Koski, known on trail as “The Animal.” Kevin is the man behind the Four Corners Loop, a new 2,300 mile route circling the four corners region across Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. We learn all about this route and Kevin's hike, including how he mapped it, his favorite stretches of trail, his favorite towns- which he saw as a standout feature of the trek, some very entertaining stories, and Kevin's vision for this one day becoming a national scenic trail. Kevin is an engaging storyteller, you think you'll really enjoy this one. We wrap the show by teasing some news about a live podcast we'll be putting on in Denver this spring, words we think would make pretty baby names if not for the meaning already attached to it, the triple crown of tips to improve sleep on trail, and a new cinnamon court on whether a listeners method of cleaning their hands with spitwater is sanitary. Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code “DINGLEBERRY” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  [divider] Interview with Kevin “the Animal” Koski Four Corners Loop Association Website Four Corners Loop Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:04:17 - Reminders: Live podcast in Denver is in the works, the hair wall launches TODAY, get exclusive content on Patreon, and sign up for BPR's email list to get a free sticker! 00:08:04 - Introducing Kevin 00:10:27 - What's your background in the outdoors? 00:14:26 - Tell us about your CDT hike in 2004 00:17:06 - What's the story behind your trail name? 00:18:51 - What's the most luxurious thing in your pack? 00:20:04 - What was the CDT like in 2004? 00:23:20 - What accounted for the big gap between the CDT and PCT? 00:26:08 - Tell us what made the PCT a “walking party”? 00:29:25 - How did you transition from the main trails to doing more isolated ones? 00:32:42 - How did you plan the specific Four Corners Loop route? 00:37:40 - Did you plan it to be a trail others could replicate? 00:39:30 - Tell us more details about the route 00:44:40 - Discussion about the Arizona portion of the route 00:46:00 - Discussion about the Utah portion of the route 00:48:30 - Discussion about the trail magic along the route 00:51:18 - What was the typical length of your water carries? 00:54:00 - Continuation of the Utah portion of the route 00:58:58 - Discussion about resupplies and pacing along the route 01:02:20 - Discussion about hiking into Colorado 01:05:10 - Story about almost falling off a cliff and rerouting the trail 01:06:30 - Discussion about the Colorado portion of the route 01:10:50 - Discussion about hiking from Salida to New Mexico 01:14:04 - How much of the trail was road walking? 01:14:30 - Discussion about the New Mexico portion of the route 01:17:33 - What was your typical water source in the dry sections? 01:20:17 - What's the optimal weather window for this trail? 01:22:15 - Discussion about cell service along the route 01:23:20 - What was your favorite trail town in each state? 01:24:16 - Is the route well outlined enough for someone else to follow? 01:25:44 - What are some of your standout stories from hiking? 01:29:03 - What one week stretch of this trail would you relive or eliminate? 01:32:10 - Do you have tips for someone getting into route finding? 01:33:30 - How much of this route is on no trail at all? 01:34:24 - Tell us your best poop story 01:35:41 - Where can people go to keep up with you? Segments Trek Propaganda: Top Tents and Shelters on the Appalachian Trail: 2023 Thru-Hiker Survey by Kate Richard QOTD: Which word do you think would make a pretty baby name if it didn't mean what it meant? Triple Crown of things that improve your sleep on trail Cinnamon Court 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Jason “Snail” Snailer, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Hailey Buckingham, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are once again loving love. That's right, it's the 4th edition of our Valentine's Day-themed show. Today we catch up with Wesley and Marie Black, known on trail as Yeti Legs and Basecamp. Less than two years after meeting, they were not only married but together taking on a thru-hike of the PCT. Wesley and Marie pull no punches in sharing the nitty-gritty of making a relationship work during a thru-hike and are especially candid about their on-trail sex life including their hygiene practices, foreplay, what they use for lubrication, best positions in a tent, and more. This one is entertaining, enlightening, and slightly erotic. Strap in. We wrap the show with what we would do if we could be our significant other for a day, the triple crown of petty fights we have with our partners, Marie shares a plastic melting shit story, and Chaunce has a very dumb stupid thing of the week. Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. Gossamer Gear: Use code “DINGLEBERRY” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  [divider] Interview with Wes & Marie Wes & Marie's Instagram Wes & Marie's Linktree Time stamps & Questions 00:04:55 - Reminders: Last call to apply for the BPR internship, Tyvek wall goes on sale next week, and the Badger Sponsorship launched today! 00:09:35 - Introducing Wes & Marie 00:11:40 - Story of how Wes & Marie met 00:14:30 - When did you get engaged? 00:19:42 - Did you have any concerns about getting engaged so quickly? 00:24:00 - Did you have any doubts in the first six months? 00:26:01 - Do you have baby fever? 00:28:53 - What led to deciding to thru-hike together? 00:32:05 - What outdoor experience did you have before meeting each other? 00:35:30 - How did you transition from running to hiking? 00:38:16 - When did you realize you had a lot of heavy gear? 00:40:30 - What was it like hiking in a high snow year? 00:43:28 - How did your mileage change between the desert and the Sierras? 00:44:50 - What did you learn about each other on the PCT you didn't know before? 00:50:40 - How did you handle the time stress? 00:56:20 - Tell us about your career in film 01:01:25 - What were your best fights on trail? 01:13:20 - What other tips do you have for couples on trail? 01:15:12 - What's your sex life like on trail? 01:18:32 - What are your tips for having great sex on trail? 01:24:27 - Did you bring any toys? 01:26:00 - Why didn't you have sex during the day? 01:27:23 - Did you take any of your PCT lessons into the Tour du Mont Blanc or the CT? 01:29:24 - Raise the shoe game! 01:47:44 - Tell us about the Colorado Trail hike 01:52:50 - Fuck Marry Kill: PCT, TMB, CT 01:54:40 - Will you share one of your favorite hidden gem hikes? 01:56:11 - Tell us about your podcast 01:58:35 - Tell us about how you met Dirt Diva Segments Trek Propaganda: The Ultimate Guide to Thru-Hiking Electronics by Alex “GPS” Brown QOTD: If you could wake up and be your significant other for a day, what would you do that day? Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of petty fights you have with your partner Gross or Not Gross Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Jason “Snail” Snailer, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Hailey Buckingham, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Bailey “PseudoSloth” Bremner. In addition to hikes of the CDT, Great Divide Trail, Pinhoti, and Benton Mackaye, we do a deep dive on a pair of custom routes that Bailey mapped out herself. The Columbine Route, which crosses the full length of Colorado, and another custom route extending all the way from Canada to Mexico, both of which she completed with her two dogs by her side. We learn all about the specifics of these routes, the tools and strategies she used to design them, the various geographical high and lowlights, her favorite stories from these hikes, and how she manages this unconventional style of trekking alongside her pair of pups. We wrap the show with a follow-up on the technical glitches iPhone users experienced with FarOut's app this year, the number of owls we'd have to see in a day before we knew something was wrong, and the triple crown of words we will never be able to spell correctly. Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. Gossamer Gear: Use code “DINGLEBERRY” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Bailey “PseudoSloth” Bremner Bailey's Instagram Bailey's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:03:50 - Reminders: Apply to be a BPR intern or a Trek blogger! 00:06:40 - Introducing Bailey 00:09:20 - What's your background? 00:10:42 - Tell us about your dogs! 00:12:11 - How important is cleaning their teeth? 00:13:07 - How do you accommodate your hiking for your smaller dog? 00:15:05 - What does your daily mileage look like? 00:17:40 - What do you do for their feet during your hikes? 00:19:14 - What changes did you make to your dogs' gear and food? 00:23:05 - How much weight are you typically carrying? 00:25:43 - What type of treats and toys do you bring for the dogs? 00:28:00 - Tell us your trail resume 00:29:22 - How did you decide to hike the Great Divide Trail after the Colorado Trail? 00:31:27 - Can you give us a brief overview of the Great Divide Trail? 00:33:18 - Did you have any points where you felt in over your head? 00:36:15 - What do you like about less conventional hikes? 00:39:04 - What advice does an orienteering class include? 00:41:52 - Discussion about creating routes using Gaia 00:42:52 - Tell us about hiking your custom 750-mile loop 00:48:15 - How did you come up with the Columbine Route's name? 00:49:08 - What takeaways from your first custom route did you bring to the Columbine Route? 00:50:20 - How do your dogs handle blowdowns? 00:51:16 - Give us an overview of the Columbine Route 00:57:30 - How much of the trail is trail, roads, or bushwacking? 01:00:41 - Have you thought about tweaking the route at all? 01:02:24 - Do the dogs get any special town treats? 01:03:08 - Any parting thoughts about the Columbine Route and general route finding? 01:05:00 - What section of the Columbine Route would you want to relive? 01:08:12 - Discussion about pace and timing 01:11:54 - Tell us about the inspiration and planning for your custom Mexico to Canada route 01:17:22 - What percent of the route was on road? 01:19:25 - Do you have any scary road stories? 01:20:35 - Did you do the Arizona Trail besides the Grand Canyon section? 01:23:39 - Do you have any good wildlife or spooky stories? 01:27:35 - Tell us the bat story! 01:33:04 - Any other standout stories? Segments Trek Propaganda How FarOut's 2023 Glitches Highlight the Drawbacks of Backcountry Tech Reliance by Maggie Slepian The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2023 Thru-Hiker Survey by Kate Richard QOTD: How many owls would you have to see in a singular day before you knew something was wrong? Triple Crown of words you will never be able to spell correctly Mail Bag 5 Star [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Jason “Snail” Snailer barely know her, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Hailey Buckingham, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by someone you are likely already following on Instagram, Matt Lyons known on trail as "Schmutz". Schmutz is a thru-hiker, social media comedian and celebrity. He gives us an overview on his process for making short comedic skits, how life has changed during his rise to fame, and all that's gone into growing his Instagram and TikTok to nearly a half million followers. We also learn about Matt's backpacking journey, including the time he had to tearfully chase a fellow thru-hiker who was carrying his tent in the wrong direction. Schmutz also gives us a preview of his forthcoming documentary about southbound thru-hiking the PCT. We wrap the show opining on why there aren't wild chickens, the triple crown of things that have made us question our own IQs, and some details about how you can get your hands on Backpacker Radio's infamous hair wall. Sawyer Products: Check out Sawyer's Permethrin Pump at REI. Gossamer Gear: Use code “TAKELESSTREKMORE” for 15% off at gossamergear.com.  Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. Badger + Chaunce Signed Book Package: Use code “LITTLEDONKEYGIRL” for $5 off and get a BPR sticker at store.thetrek.co. [divider] Interview with Matt “Schmutz” Lyons Matt's Instagram Matt's Merch Time stamps & Questions 00:03:48 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for bonus content, subscribe to the Trek's newsletter to hear when the Tyvek wall is available, and apply to be a 2024 blogger! 00:06:45 - Introducing Matt 00:07:35 - How long do you spend planning out the names in your videos? 00:09:20 - Do you have a background in comedy? 00:11:33 - Have you been told your voice is good for audio? 00:12:38 - Does your girlfriend think you're funny? 00:14:32 - What's your background in the outdoors? 00:16:30 - How many of your videos involve making fun of yourself? 00:19:26 - Have you ever made too much fun of a group or activity? 00:23:48 - How would you describe your skits? 00:25:55 - Was there a turning point when your comedy became more professional? 00:27:20 - What's it like to make social content while teaching middle schoolers? 00:32:54 - Tell us the story of you forgetting your tent in Stehekin 00:37:30 - Tell us about getting a boat hitch 00:39:30 - Tell us about starting the AT in 2019 00:42:36 - Would you describe yourself as an extrovert? 00:44:00 - What were your biggest fuckups and standout stories on the AT? 00:47:17 - How did you get your trail name? 00:50:08 - What's your most embarrassing moment from trail? 00:51:01 - What years did you hike the PCT? 00:53:25 - What was your social experience like on the PCT? 00:57:30 - What was your motivation for thru-hiking? 00:58:20 - Have you ever shit your pants? 01:00:40 - Discussion about Schmutz's diet off and on trail 01:02:40 - What are some other firm beliefs you have? 01:03:35 - Have you built up your dream gear? 01:07:18 - Do you have a next trail on the bucket list? 01:08:20 - Tell us about the documentary 01:13:20 - Will the documentary be comedic? 01:15:14 - Is it hard to pass off footage to other people? 01:17:20 - How did you manage your knee? 01:19:10 - Tell us about Frontcountry Apparel 01:21:00 - Which videos did better than you expected? 01:23:05 - Are thru-hiking videos too niche for your audience now? 01:25:00 - Discussion about Matt's video making process 01:29:01 - How often do people recognize you? 01:30:27 - How do you handle working with brands? Segments Trek Propaganda: How Fast is too Fast? 6 Lessons from a Sub-80 Day Thru-Hike by Isabel Koran QOTD: Why aren't there wild chickens? Triple Crown of things that have made you question your own IQ Mail Bag [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Jason “Snail” Snailer, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Hailey Buckingham, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by the very highly requested Kyle O'Grady, known in the world of YouTube as Kyle Hates Hiking. Kyle is an experienced backpacker, having hiked the Long Trail, Appalachian Trail, Northville Placid Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Ouachita Trail, amongst many others. In addition to learning about his many trail tales, we dive deep into his passion for video creation especially on the subjects of true crime and trail mysteries. From humble beginnings as a Writer for AppalachianTrials.com to having more than 300,000 subscribers on YouTube, this is an entertaining detailing of Kyle's rise in the world of backpacking media. We wrap the show with some details about the impending sale of Backpacker Radio's famous hair wall, what we would do with an elephant, and the triple crown of social media hiking stereotypes. Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. Appalachian Gear Company: Use code “BPRADIO20” for 20% off at appalachiangearcompany.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code “TAKELESSTREKMORE” for 15% off at gossamergear.com.  Feathered Friends: Use code “BACKPACKER” for 10% off at featheredfriends.com. Badger + Chaunce Signed Book Package: Use code “LITTLEDONKEYGIRL” for $5 off and get a BPR sticker at store.thetrek.co. [divider] Interview with Kyle O'Grady Kyle's Instagram Kyle's Youtube Trail Tales Podcast Time stamps & Questions 00:05:14 - Reminders: Support our editor, Pauly, and his coffee roastery, subscribe to the Trek's newsletter, and apply to be a Trek blogger! 00:08:50 - Introducing Kyle 00:11:10 - Discussion about Kyle writing for Appalachian Trials 00:14:20 - Do people know you more from podcasting or Youtube? 00:15:15 - Give us a rundown on your Youtube 00:18:00 - What's the process of writing and recording a trail mystery? 00:22:35 - How did you decide to pursue trail mystery stories? 00:26:00 - Give us the overview of the Scott Lilly story 00:27:51 - Give us the overview of the Bismarck story 00:32:00 - Discussion about the perception of the trail as dangerous 00:35:35 - Fuck Marry Kill: True crime, gear breakdowns, general thru-hiking advice 00:37:57 - Discussion about clickbait 00:40:02 - How do you decide how to portray your videos? 00:41:30 - Are you a gear nerd? 00:44:11 - Where do you get your footage? 00:45:45 - What sort of marketing education do you have? 00:49:48 - How do you maintain motivation despite negative comments? 00:52:37 - How did you transition to full time? 00:56:40 - Do you get anxious when a video doesn't do as well as you expected? 00:59:08 - How much of a video's success is due to the content versus the algorithm? 01:03:40 - Tell us about your podcast titles 01:06:45 - Discussion about asking AI questions about thru-hiking 01:08:50 - What's the origin of the name Kyle Hates Hiking? 01:15:40 - What's the latest thru-hiking social media gossip? 01:19:52 - Are you doing a lot of hiking in Hawaii? 01:23:57 - What's your hot take about tramilies? 01:26:04 - Why should someone hike the Northville Placid Trail? 01:30:00 - Discussion about the Lone Star Trail 01:33:38 - Tell us about your podcast 01:36:07 - What are the primary differences between making a good video versus a good podcast? 01:41:26 - Story about Zach and Kyle's near miss interaction 01:50:55 - Story about a bad fan interaction 01:55:25 - What's the hiker scene like in Burlington? 01:58:00 - Is there an underrated Long Trail mystery? 02:06:20 - Discussion about Kyle writing for the Trek 02:08:30 - What's next for you? Segments Trek Propaganda: The Best Thru-Hiking Tents of 2024 by the Editors QOTD: You've been given an elephant. You can't give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant? Triple Crown of social media hiking stereotypes 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Hailey Buckingham, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Nicole “ShotGun” Kulovitz. Nicole only recently began long distance backpacking, but in just the last few years, has thru-hiked the CDT, Arizona Trail, Florida Trail, Hayduke, Pacific Northwest Trail, Oregon Desert Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Long Trail, Timberline Trail, Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, and the Low to High Trail. In other words, she somehow has packed a lifetime of miles into a four year span. We learn all about her instant infatuation with backpacking, learning lessons from a failed thru-hike attempt, how she financially is able to make long distance backpacking a lifestyle, her experiences as a wildland firefighter, some epic stories of degeneracy, and more. This is a fun chat, good news for the sort of person who's into fun. We wrap the show with some standout winter thru-hikes for those who hate snow, our go-to Taco Bell orders, a triple crown of undesirable camp chores, and a fun pee story courtesy of a listener. Appalachian Gear Company: Use code “BPRADIO20” for 20% off at appalachiangearcompany.com. Sawyer Products: Check out Sawyer's Permethrin Pump at REI. Feathered Friends: Use code “BACKPACKER” for 10% off at featheredfriends.com. Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. Gossamer Gear: Use code “TAKELESSTREKMORE” for 15% off at gossamergear.com.  [divider] Interview with Nicole “ShotGun” Kulovitz Nicole's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:07:12 - Reminders: Apply to be a blogger or a BPR intern and support us on Patreon for exclusive content! 00:12:20 - Introducing Nicole 00:15:09 - What's your trail name origin story? 00:18:07 - Tell us about being a wildland firefighter 00:21:57 - How does the end of a day as a firefighter compare to the end of a day hiking? 00:23:05 - How did you become a wildland firefighter? 00:25:33 - Discussion about firefighting tasks, housing, and scheduling 00:29:04 - Is there a high burnout rate for firefighters? 00:31:49 - Do you look at trees differently now? 00:33:17 - How is the pay and what is your cost of living like? 00:38:40 - At what point did backpacking become your lifestyle? 00:41:27 - Tell us about hiking the PCT in a high snow year 00:47:30 - What's the drama in Kennedy Meadows? 00:51:14 - Which portion of the trail did you hike last year? 00:51:35 - Why do you hate California? 00:53:08 - Take us from there to your first successful thru-hike 00:58:16 - How did you transition from the desert trails to the Long Trail? 01:00:37 - What were your best fun activities on trail? 01:07:41 - What does your average drinking night look like? 01:11:16 - Tell us about hiking the Long Trail 01:14:14 - What kind of hiking schedule do you keep? 01:18:00 - Discussion about rain gear 01:20:05 - How does the AZT compare to the Long Trail in difficulty? 01:23:35 - How many miles have you gotten out of your shoes? 01:25:43 - Tell us about the Hayduke 01:29:55 - How did you develop routefinding skills? 01:34:01 - How many miles do you do on average per day? 01:38:32 - Was the Florida Trail boring compared to the Hayduke? 01:41:54 - Did the dogs make you want to skip the road walks? 01:42:50 - Tell us about the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail 01:48:46 - Tell us about the Pacific Northwest Trail 01:52:45 - How did routefinding on the PNT compare to the Hayduke? 01:54:10 - Did you have any standout experiences on the Oregon Desert Trail? 01:56:23 - Would you recommend the Oregon Desert Trail to newer thru-hikers? 01:57:14 - Tell us about the Grand Enchantment Trail 01:59:02 - What are some of Brett Tucker's other routes? 02:01:00 - Discussion about optimal trail lengths 02:02:55 - What do you do to make ends meet during the off season? 02:13:10 - How did you like the CDT if you normally prefer shorter trails? 02:20:28 - Where can people follow you? Segments Trek Propaganda: 10 Awesome Snow-Free Winter Thru-Hikes by Diane Duffard QOTD: What is your Taco Bell order? Triple Crown of camp chores you hate Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Hailey Buckingham, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Liz Thomas, known on trail as “Snorkel.” Liz has backpacked more than 20,000 miles, including an FKT on the AT, many trails internationally, and is likely the most experienced “urban hiker” on earth. We learn Snorkel's top advice on how to pull big miles, her current gear favorites, what she considers to be the hardest hike in the US, how she advises to backpack often while keeping a desk job, and more. We also dive deep on Snorkel's many urban hikes, which essentially amount to long-distance treks through some of the biggest cities in the US, including how she chooses her routes, which hikes have been her favorites, elements to avoid, and more. We wrap the show Badger drinking Chaunce's toe juice, and yes that's likely as gross as it sounds, how to stay safe in a lightning storm while in the backcountry, the Christmas gift we were most excited to receive or gift this year, the triple crown of holiday traditions, and an epic listener email. Badger + Chaunce Signed Book Package: Use code “LITTLEDONKEYGIRL” for $5 off and get a BPR sticker at store.thetrek.co. Vargo Outdoors: Use code “BACKPACKERRADIO” for 20% off at vargooutdoors.com. CTUG: Use code “BPR15” for 15% off at chickentrampergear.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Liz “Snorkel” Thomas Snorkel's Instagram Snorkel's Website Treeline Review Time stamps & Questions 00:05:12 - Reminders: Watch us on YouTube, support us on Patreon, and suggest a guest through our form! 00:08:10 - Introducing Liz 00:09:30 - What's your go to Big Three? 00:10:34 - How did you get your trail name? 00:12:40 - What was your first long hike? 00:17:17 - What work did you do at a field station outside Yosemite? 00:18:58 - What was going to an Ivy League school like? 00:21:30 - What was the process for getting a grant to hike the PCT? 00:24:20 - Do you have advice for someone who wants to hike a long trail during college? 00:26:00 - How do you backpack and keep your desk job? 00:33:50 - What is the hardest hike in the US? 00:35:56 - What's your best pitch for urban hiking? 00:41:35 - What does camping in a city look like? 00:43:00 - What urban hikes have you done? 00:49:00 - Discussion about finding urban staircases and creating urban routes 00:53:00 - What was your favorite urban hiking experience? 00:54:58 - How do you go to the bathroom on an urban hike? 00:59:00 - Discussion about pee keeping your body warm 01:01:55 - Are there other notable themes you've designed urban hikes around? 01:03:15 - What are some standout moments you've had along urban hikes? 01:06:18 - What's the list of urban hikes you've done? 01:09:14 - Tell us about your AT FKT in 2011 01:10:57 - What are your tips for someone who wants to increase their mileage? 01:13:25 - Is it hard to get excited for an urban hike with all your backcountry experience? 01:15:02 - What do you do as a solo hiker to keep your mind entertained? 01:17:41 - What midlayers stand out to you? 01:19:30 - If you had to get rid of a piece of gear, what would you cut? 01:22:50 - Any other gear item you're especially excited about? 01:26:04 - What are the biggest lessons learned from gear reviews? 01:29:49 - What's a gear item from another sport that's underrated in thru-hiking? 01:31:09 - What do you like about alpaca over merino? 01:34:40 - What's the most underrated trail in the US? 01:35:48 - Tell us about your close encounter with a grizzly 01:41:30 - Are there other conservation lessons learned? 01:42:29 - Do you foresee bear cans becoming required on the AT? 01:45:33 - What international trails have you done? 01:49:20 - Are there any tech gear items you're excited about? 01:51:24 - Tell us more about the hiking you've done in Japan 01:58:35 - What gear category has the most room for improvement? 01:59:45 - What is your triple crown of hot takes? Segments Trek Propaganda: The Ultimate Guide to Lightning Safety for Thru-Hiking: Tips & Resources by Arielle Nardizzi QOTD: What Christmas gift are you most excited to receive or gift this year? Triple Crown of holiday traditions Listener Voicemails Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Hailey Buckingham, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Nick Fowler. Nick went from 1-2 mile day hikes in 2019 to setting the self supported PCT FKT in 2023, with many learning lessons, mistakes, and miles in the four year span in between. We learn all about his experiences on the Hayduke, Pacific Northwest trail (which was another FKT hike for him), the Arizona Trail, and of course go deep on his PCT hike from this year. We also learn about how Nick is able to financially swing being basically full-time hiker trash, outlining how some specific entrepreneurial decisions and savings strategies enable him to dirtbag around the clock. Even if FKTs aren't your jam, we think you'll really enjoy this conversation, as we feel it does a good job of normalizing this extreme style of trekking. We wrap the show with how Zach endangered his family with a black widow, news of the removal of an iconic AT shelter, things that are normal at 3pm but terrifying at 3am, and the triple crown of drunk regrets. Badger + Chaunce Signed Book Package: Use code “LITTLEDONKEYGIRL” for $5 off and get a BPR sticker at store.thetrek.co. Vargo Outdoors: Use code “BACKPACKERRADIO” for 20% off at vargooutdoors.com. CTUG: Use code “BPR15” for 15% off at chickentrampergear.com. Interview with Nick “DJ” Fowler Nick's Instagram Nick's PNT book Time stamps & Questions 00:05:47 - Reminders: Get Zach and Chaunce's signed book bundle by January 15th, support us on Patreon, and check out our new website! 00:08:05 - Introducing Nick 00:08:49 - Tell us your poop stories 00:15:20 - Discussion about shower frequency 00:19:20 - How did you go from a clean cut corporate guy to setting an FKT? 00:22:40 - What was the first big animal you encountered? 00:25:40 - What would you say to people who think FKT hikers are missing the point? 00:30:04 - What does a day of hiking look like emotionally? 00:34:00 - Tell us about peeing red 00:39:58 - What was the biggest breakdown you had on trail? 00:45:35 - Has not quitting been a theme across your life? 00:47:12 - What did you learn on the PNT that helped you on the PCT? 00:49:27 - What packing mistakes did you correct on the PNT? 00:52:40 - What's your footwear system? 00:54:50 - Discussion about road walks and bushwacking on the PNT 00:55:50 - What do you commonly lose? 01:00:17 - Discussion about dealing with Tropical Storm Hilary 01:11:38 - What was your sketchiest moment of the Hayduke? 01:16:35 - How did you get your trail name? 01:18:20 - Discussion about footwear 01:26:50 - What type of pain did you deal with on a daily basis on the PCT? 01:30:30 - What are your strongest food cravings? 01:41:00 - Discussion about diet and food 01:42:45 - How much time did you have off between hikes and before the PCT? 01:43:40 - How did you transition from a regular job to full time hiking? 01:47:45 - What do you do for passive income? 01:51:28 - What steps did you take to feel confident enough to make these moves? 01:54:20 - What tips do you have for someone who's interested in this topic? 01:59:10 - What ventures would you recommend people get into? 02:01:33 - What mental tools are you using to stay determined? 02:04:45 - Discussion about the classifications of FKTs 02:11:11 - When would you say enough is enough? 02:13:30 - Tell us about your book, Itch Segments Trek Propaganda: Appalachian Trail Landmark, Overmountain Shelter, to be Removed by Diane Duffard QOTD: What's normal at 3pm but terrifying at 3am? Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of drunk regrets 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Hailey Buckingham, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Bennett Lee, an avid caver, backpacker, and photographer. This year Bennett attempted the calendar year triple crown, completing half of it, which he dubbed the Calendar Year Half Triple Crown. In typical backpacker radio fashion however, we swerve, spending much of our time chatting about the wacky world that is caving. We go deep, learning what draws someone into caving, why people in his community don't call it spelunking, the nude calendars he's shot in caves, some harrowing stories from situations gone awry (including a time where the search party had already begun the process of looking for his body), another time where he was caught in a collapsing cave next to a rattlesnake, an assortment of fun cave facts, including how someone's sleep schedule changes when doing multi-day caving trips, and much more. You will leave this conversation delighted, entertained, and possibly at times, a bit disturbed - in the best way possible. We wrap the show with our very own Rachel giving a hilarious rundown on her Colorado Trail thru-hike / honeymoon, an unveiling of some new merch, just in time for the holidays, life tips for those who've recently finished a thru-hike, some things we wish were never invented, a triple crown of modern day luxuries that are tight, and a shoutout to one of our Patreon supporters who recently completed the CDT. Zoleo: Use code “BACKPACKERRADIO” for free device activation.  Badger + Chaunce Signed Book Package: Use code “LITTLEDONKEYGIRL” for $5 off and get a BPR sticker at store.thetrek.co. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. [divider] Interview with Bennett “Tight Squeeze” Lee Bennett's Website Bennett's Instagram Bennett's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:07:10 - Reminders: Check out our Stay Feral shirts, our new website, and our application for the Trek's editorial internship! 00:09:55 - Introducing Bennett 00:11:14 - What knot would you use for the rest of your life and why? 00:12:23 - How did you get started with caving? 00:15:50 - What's the difference between caving and spelunking? 00:17:05 - What are the steps to exploring a cave? 00:18:25 - What does a cave rescue process look like? 00:20:10 - How do people find and explore new caves? 00:25:28 - What are the Leave No Trace aspects to caving? 00:29:21 - Story about discovering a new cave 00:35:54 - How do you keep continuing new passages in the cave? 00:46:21 - Discussion about free diving in caves 00:50:20 - How do you know when you reach the end of a cave? 00:51:40 - Is there any scanning technology that works in caves? 00:53:15 - Do you enjoy the adrenaline rush and dangers involved with cave exploration? 00:55:05 - Does backpacking seem easy or boring compared to caving? 00:56:55 - How do you fund caving? 00:58:45 - How do you regulate your circadian rhythm when you're in a cave for long periods? 00:59:54 - Have you ever found human remains in a cave? 01:04:25 - Is it beneficial to have a smaller stature for caving? 01:05:15 - What's the longest known cave in the US and can you hike through caves? 01:06:30 - How often do you see bats in caves? 01:08:52 - Tell us about being trapped in a tight cave with a rattlesnake 01:15:35 - Tell us about the nude caving calendar 01:19:14 - How did you get into backpacking? 01:21:40 - How much does the gear overlap between backpacking and caving? 01:23:02 - Tell us about your expedition in Alaska 01:32:55 - Tell us the Love Poop story (and submit your own!) 01:37:20 - Tell us the 50 miles for 50th birthday 01:41:08 - How has having Asperger's interfaced with your hiking? 01:42:50 - Do you have a triple crown of social situations you would consider the worst? 01:45:23 - Tell us about your Calendar Year “Half” Triple Crown 01:52:22 - Tell us about the Porcupine World War 01:58:10 - Discussion about Bennett's shoes 02:00:00 - What's next for you? Segments Rachel's Colorado Trail Hike Trek Propaganda: Finished Your Thru-Hike. Now What? 9 Tips for Regaining Your Humanity by Danielle Krolewicz QOTD: What's something you wish was never invented? Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of modern day luxuries that are tight Plug Me 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Hailey Buckingham, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Brady Geilenfeldt. Brady, known on trail as Undies, thru-hiked the Colorado Trail this year. What makes Undies story especially interesting is that he is deaf. We learn all about Brady's inspiring story, the incredible technology that is cochlear implants, what challenges a deaf hiker has to overcome, Brady's highlights from the CT, some of the non-obvious benefits of being a deaf hiker, Brady's future trail ambitions, and much more. Brady is an inspiring young man and we think you'll really enjoy this chat. We wrap the show with things we're convinced people pretend to enjoy, a triple crown of things that are the new black, some new poop news, and we finally have the details for our Denver holiday hiker meetup, and you are invited. Vargo Outdoors: Use code “BACKPACKERRADIO” for 20% off at vargooutdoors.com. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. Darn Tough: Use code “DTLOVE-BACKPACKERRADIO” for 10% off plus free shipping at darntough.com. Katabatic Gear: Use code “BPR15” for 15% off at katabaticgear.com. [divider] Interview with Brady Geilenfeldt Brady's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:04:52 - Reminders: Join us at Improper City for the Hiker Meetup on December 1st! Apply to be a blogger or the Trek's editorial intern. Check out our merch and support us on Patreon! 00:08:32 - Introducing Brady 00:12:40 - Tell us about your experience with deafness 00:15:10 - How did your mom get CMV? 00:16:50 - Were your parents on high alert knowing your mom had CMV? 00:17:55 - Would you trade being deaf for anything? 00:18:57 - How well does a cochlear implant approximate human hearing? 00:21:04 - How do the implants work? 00:24:10 - Did you ever learn American Sign Language? 00:26:00 - Are your other senses enhanced to make up for the loss of hearing? 00:27:10 - Does it help you sleep at night while backpacking? 00:28:14 - Are the implants comfortable to wear? 00:29:40 - Can you customize the volume based on different environments? 00:31:20 - Is it a satisfying feeling to take them off? 00:32:28 - Do the implants make hiking more interesting? 00:35:32 - What's your hiking background and what made you decide to hike the CT? 00:37:18 - What was your longest backpacking trip prior to the Colorado Trail? 00:37:40 - What do you have to consider when planning for the CT? 00:40:28 - Is it disorienting to have only one implant in? 00:44:14 - Did you have any role models that inspired you beforehand? 00:46:20 - Do you have tips for making hiking more stimulating or being comfortable with yourself? 00:49:10 - Do you have to be concerned about the implants getting wet? 00:52:00 - Discussion about technological features or upgrades 00:53:40 - Do people ever use cochlear implants that aren't deaf? 00:55:05 - Does the implant need to be replaced? 00:57:17 - Did deafness or CMV cause you to be immunocompromised? 00:58:30 - Discussion about losing balance and other impacts of deafness 01:01:18 - How did you handle the weather on the Colorado Trail? 01:04:38 - Did you have to be more careful when navigating while hiking? 01:07:00 - Do you want to do future hikes with a trail family? 01:08:03 - Do you have any standout stories from the CT? 01:10:09 - What's the origin of your trail name? 01:14:54 - Would you do other things differently to prepare for a future hike? 01:17:50 - What ratio of rechargeable to disposable batteries did you use? 01:18:57 - How bad is it if you were to lose or break them? 01:21:22 - How did you handle health insurance? 01:23:55 - Have you had other people reach out since your hike? 01:25:00 - How does playing music interface with your deafness? 01:27:50 - Is there something to be done to make the outdoors more accessible for someone with implants? 01:30:41 - Are some insurance plans better than others? 01:32:33 - Is there an actionable step the listeners can take to improve the situation? 01:38:00 - Harvest General Store 01:40:15 - Brady's parting words Segments Trek Propaganda: Broken on the AT: Gear That Breaks At 2,000 miles (And The Gear That Doesn't) by Abby Evans QOTD: What are you convinced people are pretending to enjoy? Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of things that are the new black Poop News Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S. [divider] Transcript: In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we are joined by Brady Geilenfeld. Brady, known on trail as Undies, through-hiked the Colorado Trail this year. What makes Undies' story especially interesting is that he's deaf. We learn all about Brady's inspiring story, the incredible technology that his cochlear implants, what challenges a deaf hiker has to overcome, Brady's highlights from the CT, some of the non-obvious benefits of being a deaf hiker, including a great night of sleep, future trail ambitions, and much more. Brady is an inspiring young man, and we think you'll really enjoy this chat. We wrap the show with things we're convinced people pretend to enjoy, a triple crown of things that are the new black, some new hoop news, and we finally have the details for our Denver Holiday Hiker Meetup, and you are invited. But first, I am thrilled to introduce our next sponsor, which is a brand that has been a part of my pack and through hikes, dating back to 2017. Vargo creates lightweight titanium backpacking gear that is simple, innovative, and functional. The Vargo Bot 700 was with me every step of the way during my through hike of the PCT and every backpacking trip since. The Vargo Bot is extremely lightweight, weighing less than 5 ounces, and transfers heat quickly and evenly, making it the perfect pot for your cookware setup. But this just scratches the surface for why the Bot kicks so much eff… butt. Because the Bot features a screw top lid, it's the ideal option for the cold soakers of this world. Dump your dehydrated meal and the appropriate amount of water into the Bot, screw the lid closed, insert time, and voila, dinner is ready. Also, I can't count all the times I've benefited from having an additional 700ml of emergency water storage when encountering an unexpected dry spell. In other words, this piece is incredibly versatile and may very well be the last pot you ever buy. The Bot comes in a variety of sizes, including the brand new Bot XL, which is designed to perfectly fit a full-size canister inside with extra room for a stove. I'm also a user and fan of Vargo's utensils, titanium long-handle spoon for the win, and their titanium stakes. You simply can't beat titanium's combination of strength and being lightweight, and no one does it better than Vargo. Discount time, backpacker radio listeners, head to vargooutdoors.com and use coupon code backpackerradio at checkout to score a 20% discount. Again, the code is backpackerradio, all one word, at vargooutdoors.com. This is a limited time deal, so do not wait. Whether it's a car camping trip, a bout of trail magic, or the summer road trip, a quality cooler and drinkware is essential. That's why we're thrilled to introduce our next sponsor, Artic Outdoors. Artic Outdoors makes products engineered for two things, performance and durability. And unlike other coolers on the market, Artic's high-quality coolers and tumblers won't cost you an arm and a leg. Artic's 52-quart ultralight hard cooler made the trip from backpacker radio's headquarters in Golden, Colorado, to Trail A's in Damascus, Virginia, keeping our spin drifts, root beers, and blue ribbons perfectly chilled. As the name would imply, the ultralight cooler is 30% lighter compared to other premium hard-sided coolers, which means you can be the group's beverage hero without developing a hernia in the process. And compromising on weight doesn't mean you're compromising on insulation. With up to three inches of post-self-roam insulation, your ice will remain as ice for days. For more portable adventures, Artic Outdoors soft pack coolers are the ticket. These are lightweight, durable, and ready to travel with you, keeping your drinks cold for up to 24 hours while avoiding the mess thanks to two inches of closed-cell foam and puncture and tear-resistant lining. Lastly, Artic's drinkware keeps your blue ribbons cold or your morning coffee hot for the long haul, utilizing double-wall vacuum insulation. The BPR team rocked Artic tumblers throughout the muggy afternoons of southern Appalachia, enjoying refreshingly cold beverages along the way. Head to ArticOutdoors.com to get your premium coolers and insulated drinkware at a fraction of the price of the competition today. Welcome to Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek. Today is November 13th, World Kindness Day. Aww, that's nice. I am your co-host Zach Badger-Davis, sitting to my right is... Hi, I'm Juliana Chauncey, aka Chauncey... Reminders, yes. We have the deets, finally, for our Hiker Holiday Meetup Extravaganza Palooza Supreme. A-thon. Yes. This will take place, whatever I said previously, disregard that because I think a lot of the details have changed. You guys don't care about the reasons why. But this is going down on December 1st at Improper City in Denver, in Denver, not Golden, from 530 to 8 p.m. This will be co-hosted by Backpacker Radio slash The Trek and the CDTC, which means it'll be a fundraiser for them. We're going to have some sweet raffles, or as they say, door prizes. I had to look that up. Apparently, that's the vernacular for raffle prizes nowadays. Good hangs, solid vibes, memes. What else? Carnival barking. Carnival barking, yes. Sounds like there will be some of that happening. Give at least four drinks a chance and she will stand on a chair and yell at you. I haven't stood on a chair and yelled at Improper City yet, which is something that I'm excited to do. Yeah, let's see if they welcome us back after December 1st at 530 p.m. A couple other things quickly. One is if you're through hiking in 2024 and you want your journey featured on The Trek, we are currently accepting blogger applications. I did a link in the show notes. Lastly, this is the time of the year where we will likely be adding a new editorial intern to the team. This is a highly coveted position. We get lots of people reaching out for this, so if you're listening to this and you've got some serious editorial chops and you like long distance backpacking, head to the link in the show notes. Oh, also we are still selling our awesome vintage backpacker radio tees. We've gotten some nice compliments on them. Yes, we have. They look like Saved by the Bell goes outdoors. Yeah, or if you're slightly older, Miami Vice, if you're my age, both are sufficient. Yeah, I also think if you saw the Barbie movie, this would be like that in the form of a shirt and blue. There is pink hints. There's flavors of pink in there, but it's it's I could see it being worn as like a Ken costume. Yeah, I saw a couple people recommend or ask for us to turn these into sun hoodies, which I got to figure out. Where do we find a manufacturer? That's a good question, but maybe someday. OK, well, if you manufacture sun hoodies and you're listening to this slide in our DMS. Yes. Last thing is if you want to support the show and you want some additional backpacker radio content, head on over to our Patreon page, patreon.com slash backpacker radio, where we release a new episode the first Wednesday of every month. This current month's episode was a gift guide. We went through big ticket and small ticket items that you can either gift or be gifted in the holiday season, things that we've loved having as hikers and regular humans and as well as things that we wouldn't want or like, you know, some things to avoid if you want to give that thoughtful gift to a hiker, but also don't want to give them something that they're going to smile and say thank you for and then actually never use. Yes. To the non-backpacking gift recommendations, I tried my hardest to not make it too dad-centric and I think I failed. This will be a great one for anyone who wants to gift something to a hiker or who really likes being in the kitchen. Yes. Leave it at that. Or is training to be the all-time dad. Yeah. OK, we'll leave it at that. No more beating around the bush. Let's get right to today's interview with Brady Gielenfeldt. We'll figure out how badly I butchered that pretty soon. We are joined by today's guest, Brady Gielenfeldt, which I nailed the first time, I'm pretty sure. I'm sure the tape will say otherwise, who hiked the Colorado Trail this year in part to inspire people who are deaf or hard of hearing, that they are not limited by their abilities. Brady, thank you so much for joining us here on Backpacker Radio. Hey, it's great to be here. Yeah. Can we swing the mic a little bit closer your way? There we go. About that far from your mouth. How does that sound? Good. That sounds awesome. The closer the better. You can't be too close. Yeah. I would move yourself closer rather than close. Yeah. Typically, we do all this stuff before we hit record, but we're winging it here today. He brought us food. We got distracted and we brought him food. Yeah. It was a food exchange. Let's start there. Let's give a plug to this is your folks place, the Harvest General Store in Iowa, right? Yes, in Iowa. Yeah, they just do trade shows and stuff right now and they have a Facebook page. But I mean, really, yeah, they just go around doing those trade shows. They love it. Yeah. So we're about to bust open. There was a wide variety of goodies in this box. Chonce went with her top option, currently stabbing it open with the edge of her glasses. What do we have here, Chonce? This seemed the most on-brand for us, and this is freeze-dried gummy worms. I personally have been getting a lot of algorithm on socials showing me people freeze-drying skittles, gummies, things like that. And so this is right up my current algorithm. Yeah. They look like Cheetos. It looks unique. And I was unaware of freeze-drying candy up until about 10 minutes ago. So very excited to learn about this wild world. I will say the best part about this is seeing people's reaction, eating this for the first time. ASMR. Flavors. It tastes like, texture aside, it tastes just like a gummy worm. Tastes like jello. This is very interesting. Push it against the top of your mouth. Like, I don't like chewing these things. I like pushing them against the top of my mouth and letting them melt. If you just push it with your tongue against the top of your mouth, it does taste a little bit like jello. This is requiring a lot of unlearning because I'm expecting candy, but. All right. Take the red and push it against the roof of your mouth. I still got this. It's red jello. This is fantastic. Let me try the blue side now. I think I'm liking it more with each bite. The first one was a little bit of an exploration for me. I will say out of all the options, the gummy worms are not my favorite. What's your go-to? My go-to is definitely the skittles. They do the wild berry skittles and those ones are really good. The smoothie ones are awesome. Maybe we'll bust those out halfway through. Yeah, we could do that. I don't hate this. I feel like this. Setting myself up here. I'll just follow through. It kind of reminds me of corn dogs. Corn dogs? This is important. When I take a bite of a corn dog, I don't know if I want to continue that journey, but then after it sits there for a moment, I'm like, I need another bite. After you've sat there and you're like, where's that taste? I want that taste back. I feel like I can get a lot of miles out of these. It's the perfect intersection between candy and chips. It has a hearty chip texture to it. Very crunchy, as you could hear through the mics, but still tastes exactly like the flavor is exactly what you'd expect from a gummy worm. It's very interesting. I've never even had anything approximate to what I just put in my mouth. That's what she said. I feel like these would be good in shots. Oh, sure. You want to get the party started? Me saying shots are out for the last segment. Cool. These are fun. Okay. Let's talk about some backpacking stuff. The intro is short because that is essentially what we know about your journey. I'm assuming the bulk of the conversation for today. Give us the background because we've been chatting here for the last 10, 15 minutes or so. The conversation has been very easy. I wouldn't expect that you were hard of hearing. Give us your level or introduce your level of deafness and maybe any tech that's involved. I guess just give us the full background. Yeah, I can give you the full rundown. I was born with CMV. That's a congenital men-something virus. It's a very long word. I always butcher it. I was born with that. That basically meant that I could have been deaf, could have been blind, could have been anything. It could have been missing a leg. It turns out that I was just deaf. My mom, they knew what to look for since they had tested for CMV when my mom was pregnant with me. She was a nurse and she got pregnant. Well, she didn't get pregnant by one of her patients. She got CMV from one of her patients. She just kept on doing what she was doing. They knew what to look for. I was born and I passed a newborn hearing screen. At the time, the newborn hearing screen was just you look at the baby and you scream at it and see if it reacts. Any baby's going to pass a newborn hearing screen. Is that because the volume is loud enough that even if they are hard of hearing, it's still reaching a decibel that they can perceive? Yeah, that they register it basically. That's what they were basing it off of at the time. I was born in 2000. It was not that long ago. I slept through my first fireworks and my parents were like, well, no newborn baby is going to sleep through fireworks. They brought me home and sat me down in the living room and banged a bunch of pots and pans in front of my face. I didn't do anything. Didn't react. They were like, yeah, we have a deaf baby. They brought me back. Were they that calm about it? No. Guaranteed not. I know my mom. They probably sprinted to the hospital. Sure. They did that and then I did a couple of hearing screens and I would pass them again, but then they finally did a sedated one where I was hooked up to a machine and then that showed that I was fully deaf. I got my first cochlear implant when I was 13 months old and my second one when I was five years old. Before you go too far, because I'm going to have questions, cover my questions. I just know it. How did your mom get CMV? How does it get transmitted? Just through contact. She was working on a patient. She's an ER nurse and yeah, I think it was just through contact of, I think it was bodily fluids. So basically, if you're pregnant and you get CMV, then it just goes directly to the child. So she was pregnant when she got it? Yeah. It's not like she could get it and then she goes deaf? Yeah. That can happen? No, no, no. Oh, it can? Okay. Thank God. Yeah, no, that would not be the case. So it just, it went directly to me basically and she didn't see any of the repercussions of CMV. And so I still have it and I still live with it, but I can't transmit it to anybody. And so it's dormant, I guess. How did she know at the time that she contracted CMV? She didn't know right away because the doctor came in and was like, hey, this patient has CMV. And my mom was like, well, I guarantee I already have it now since I've already been working with the patient. So. How could the patient give it to your mom, but you can't give it to someone else? That's a good question. I think it's because it really develops predominantly when you're in the womb versus like, you know, you get it in the womb and it's in that development stages. I'm not a doctor, so, but that's my interpretation of it, I guess. And so, yeah, it just, that means I'm, you know, immunocompromised. I, everything else that comes along with being deaf, I can get into that in a second. But yeah, that's about it with CMV. Were your parents on the lookout for, were they on high alert knowing that she had contracted CMV when she was pregnant, thinking that there was a high likelihood that something could have gone awry? Yeah. I mean, they, the doctors literally had like percentages of the different types of disabilities that I could have. And so they had no idea. And so when I was born and I was just, you know, looked normal, you know, they were like, wow, that's amazing. That's a miracle. And so that was a really cool experience for them to go through. And then also, you know, in a way, it was kind of one of the best of the worst situations. Let me know if this sounds insensitive, because for me, it's purely curious, but I could see how this might not come out how I want it to knowing the array of different things that could have happened. Are you, would you trade being deaf for a different option? Or do you think that like, it's a really manageable, like, I don't know, like, would you trade it? I don't think so. I actually don't think I would trade it for anything. Because for one, I take them out when I sleep, you know, like nothing wakes me up noise wise, you know, I mean, I guess I'm sensitive to vibrations. That's actually how I wake up every day is my bed shakes and it connects to my alarm. And yeah, when I have a headache, I can just take them out, don't have to deal with anything, don't have to listen to anything. So I mean, there are some perks of it. I wouldn't change it now. Have you ever taken them out in a relationship when someone's mad at you? That didn't go over very well. That's amazing. That's the ultimate talk to the hand. Notting along. Yeah. So you mentioned that you wake up to an alarm that vibrates. Is this like an alarm specifically for people, for deaf people? Yeah. Yeah. Actually there's, I've had friends buy it just because they're heavy sleepers. I am ahead. You caught my interest when you said the bed vibrates. Yeah. It's just like a little toggle thing. I don't know. It's probably like three and a half, four inches in diameter. And like, you just put it underneath your mattress and it's just like, it's a sonic vibrator. Yeah. It's like a good April Fool's joke for Garrett. I don't know how to phrase this question. So you got the, your first cochlear implant when you said when you were 13 months old. Yes. And then the second one when you were five. Yes. Do you know how well the implant approximates normal human hearing? Like are you functioning at a hundred percent of what the average person functions at? Is it 75%? Can you, like, what is that, what is it supposed to approximate? Yeah. I mean, they basically say that I hear 15,000 tones and you guys hear 30,000 tones. So I guess that's more on a tonal level, but I don't even know. What does that mean? Like just in terms of different arrays of frequencies. Yeah. If you're listening to music, are you hearing half as much of the range as somebody else? Kind of, it's more like along the lines of, you know, I can't hear like white noise or like the, I guess it's the range of frequencies that I can hear. Okay. So like if it's super deep or like a whale call, that's probably not in my range to be able to hear. Got it. Or if it's like a dog whistle, I know most people can't hear that, but something along those high frequencies, I can't hear. Got it. So there's like that specific range. We used to make that our cell phone ring tone in I would say ninth grade because there was a dog whistle. It was a high pitched frequency because the age that your teachers are, like you start to not be able to hear those high sounds, but when you're super young, you can. I thought you were going to say you knew that the phone was ringing because the dogs were barking. No, no, no. People would set their phones to it because the teachers couldn't hear it. That's funny. Yeah. Okay. So, okay. So you hear at half the frequencies of the average human hearing, but for like this conversation, are you hearing everything perfectly normal? I mean, as normal as I can tell. I was going to say, because like I said, I haven't missed a beat. The conversation hasn't missed a beat since you walked in here. And I didn't know what to expect. And to see that your hearing functions at such a high level is just such a pat on the back to what we're able to achieve with Western medicine and all the technology and everything. If you take out the implants, can you like not hear at all? Zip, nothing. How do they make that work? I know you're not a doctor. We've established this, but how do they make that work? Like how do they just create something where there's nothing? I know that people listening can't actually see this, but so, I mean, what I have here is it's a cochlear implant. So I took my left side off. And so right now I can't hear anything on my left side. And so this part that kind of twists off, that's the battery. And so there's a processor that basically takes sound and it's basically like a camera microphone. And so you know how, when you take a video and you like hear the wind, like it's like, and it's annoying, right? I hear that. And so it's basically kind of like just a camera mic, but then this processor basically transfers those sound waves into electrodes, which are just little electrical pulses. And that goes through a magnet that's actually inside my head. And that magnet has a coil that runs through the cochlea. And so since my deafness comes from like not being able to hear, right? So basically what I'm getting at is I don't have the actual like hairs in the cochlea that stimulate the auditory nerve like you guys do. And so that coil that runs through the cochlea like stimulates it with those electrodes, like it would for you guys with those hairs. Two part question. One, based on what you just said, if I were to put that on, it wouldn't, like I wouldn't hear anything crazy because I don't have the part inside, right? Yeah, nothing would happen. Do you watch Harry Potter? Oh, I love it. The second time I've done this, Zach's out of this conversation. Is this like Fred's like extendable ears? Like could you take the implant and put it under like a door somewhere and go away and it would still go to the part in your head and you could hear really good? Like, can you eavesdrop on people with it? Yeah, actually, if I click on my phone, it connects to my phone and I can turn on live listen and then it just like connects right to my CIs and whatever's going through the microphone on the phone goes directly to my CI. So I could set my phone on this table, go to the other room and I'd hear everything you guys are saying. I feel like this is a superpower. Like this is like CIA shit. Yeah, I do think that's a feature you could do with your phone as well. And that's not as cool. I'm not hearing it in my head. True. You have to use the air pod. So yeah, I guess being able to disguise it, but I am blown away by the tech of that. Just hearing your explanation of it and the fact that you're able to function totally normally with it is amazing. Like, do you feel very blessed that this technology? Because how long has this been around? I mean, there were people who were getting implanted, you know, in the 80s and 90s, but you know, the technology just wasn't there. You know, I was one of the youngest in Iowa to be implanted. And so this was it was basically right when the FDA approved it. Like my mom was on the gun. She went for it. Yeah. Well, she sounds like she's on top of her stuff based on the testing and everything alone. Yeah. And the dehydrated candy. And the dehydrated candy. Wow. So did you ever have to learn ASL or was it just, I'm good with these? Yeah, I did ASL for a little bit. I did it until, I don't know, probably I was roughly kindergarten age and I stopped because I did auditory verbal therapy. And they actually went to the level to where like my audiologist, my auditory verbal therapist, I guess, would make me sit on my hands so that like I wouldn't use my hands to talk. And I just wanted to talk anyway. Like I just stopped using sign language. And my parents were like, well, why are we going to invest the time in learning sign language when he just wants to talk? Yeah. You know, so. So the videos that everyone has seen via social media, always a tearjerker when deaf people get an operation where they can hear like their spouse or their parent or whatever it might be for the first time, is that the operation that they're getting the cochlear implant? Yeah, most of the time. Yeah. So cochlear implant is that like cochlear is a brand. There can be other brands that they do. So there's like Advanced Bionic and that's another popular one. A few other ones that aren't as popular, but cochlear is definitely like the main brand. If someone can't hear and they mainly communicate using ASL, are they someone who hasn't tried a cochlear implant yet or do they not work on certain types of deafness? Yeah, it depends on how you become deaf. That's kind of why I stuttered there for a second when I said, you know, my deafness comes from CMB because if you have damage of the auditory nerve, then the cochlear implant is not going to work at all because that auditory nerve has to be able to sense that there's stuff in the cochlea. And so there's, there are people who have damaged auditory nerves and they're just kind of out of luck. So I don't know, I assume this is true, but this is something that I'm citing as an internet fact that when somebody loses a sense or doesn't have a sense to start with, that the other senses are enhanced. Is that one, an accurate description and two, do you feel like that's true for you? Like, do you have a superior sense of smell or because that you've had the cochlear implant at such a young age, do you feel like you haven't missed out in that capacity? Yeah, that's a great question. I get that one a lot, actually. You know, I do have glasses. I never wear them, but, and I don't think my sense of smell is supersonic or anything. You know, yeah, I don't think my senses are really all that great, to be honest. But yeah, I think it has something to do with the fact that I had my cochlear implants at such a young age. And so I did mention earlier that I was like really sensitive to vibrations when I'm sleeping. So that might be part of the sense that I'm gaining from losing my deafness. Yeah. So, but other than that, yeah, I mean, I don't think I really do. Okay. Does it pivot into backpacking quick? We're going to probably go on a lot of side tracks here, but does it help you sleep at night when you're on trail to be able to take them out? Because then you can't hear like the eerie sounds of nature, or does it make it worse because then you can't hear the eerie sounds of nature? A little bit of both. What I mean by that is because, you know, sometimes, okay, I'll be camping by myself. I do a lot of that and I just take them out and, you know, it just makes me not even think about it because, you know, if there's a bear outside my tent, he just jumps on by. I'm not going to care unless he comes into my tent. That's the other thing that kind of scares me is, you know, I'm in my tent and then a bear comes on in. I'm not going to know until it's on top of me. So, yeah. I think at that point, you're just like, well, God wanted me to go. Yeah, I'd rather not know at that point, I think. Yeah. So I think I lean more on the side of like it helps because then I'm just not thinking about it. Yeah. I don't even like using earplugs because I'm so sensitive to having the feeling of something in my ears, especially when I'm laying down on something. Do you actually feel like, are the implants uncomfortable for you or have you been using them for so long that it just feels second nature? Yeah, it kind of feels second nature. You know, like when I don't wear them, I almost feel naked, to be honest. It's like it's kind of the same concept of glasses. Because I'd imagine it would be so nice to have the option to just turn off all, especially on a windy night. It's not even necessarily the animal sounds, just like the constant inconsistent, almost white noise. That's kept me up so many nights to have the option to opt out of that. It sounds actually pretty sweet. Well, when I camp, like a lot of the times at night, if I can't fall asleep, I'll put in my earplugs and I'll just put them on noise canceling. Like I'm not even listening to music. I just use the noise canceling to try to help with like the twig crack sounds. Yeah. You know, I had people tell me multiple times that they loved camping next to me because then they could just roll around all they wanted in their tent and didn't have to worry about waking anyone else up. That's a good point. Yeah. I will say I can't, on the AT, I hiked for about 600 miles with someone who was deaf and it was hilarious. Like we had a great time. A lot of times it was kind of that where it was like, I know I'm not bothering you, but some of it was just like funny. Like he had a really great sense of humor and I think it just added like an extra element for us. Do you ever like go to a concert and turn the volume up? Because I'm getting to the age now where concerts are too loud for me to be able to control that. You're taking the baby headphones off the twins. To be able to control the volume at a concert, to be like, yeah, turn this racket down a little bit. Is that something that you ever do? I imagine you're controlling the volume on a regular basis. Actually, there's a different settings I can use for different like actual environments. So like when I'm on at a concert, there's a music setting that I can set it to. Wow. And then like if I'm, is that just turning the volume down or what other changes? Yeah. It's just kind of like changing the EQ a little bit to like optimize for music, I guess. Yeah. My audiologist loves it, but I will say the most tragic thing to happen for me at a concert is they die. Oh no. Has that happened? Yeah. Multiple times. Yeah. What concerts? There was a Def Leppard concert I went to in high school. That's a bad one to have. And so you haven't gotten to like the best songs yet because they're not closing and you can see it happen. Oh no. Yeah. At that point you're just people watching, huh? Yeah. Just people watching and then like you're just standing there like, well, this is fun. Do you keep like a set of spare batteries? Like can you, is that a thing? Yeah. I typically bring a spare set, but those of course are the times that I forgot. Yeah. Oh my God. How does one charge get you? Typically it'll get me like 15 hours. Okay. So it's just like, you know, if it's just been a long day, it'll be towards the end of the day that they'll die. Yeah. Is it like, like, let's say you go home. Is it like taking your bra? I know you don't probably take your bra off when you get home, but is it like taking your bra off to take them off? And like, I would imagine probably speak ASL to the people like in your home life to be able to not have to use them for a while. Or is it not like that kind of like, feeling that I'm attributing to taking a bra off? I will say that is something that I would do a lot towards like the first two weeks of school. So like, because if you think about it throughout the summer, you're not really intently listening. You're kind of just doing your own thing. You're having fun, right? And so when you write, when you go back to school, you have to like spend eight hours a day, like really trying to listen. And like for me to actually listen to things and hear things, it takes a lot more effort because I have to like differentiate between different sounds because a lot of the stuff comes in at the same volume. So my brain is kind of adjusted to just kind of focusing in on what I wanted to focus in on. By that, you mean like every background noise. Like if somebody shuffles their chair or you can hear the wind or whatever, a fan blowing, like all that's coming in at the same volume. So it's, you have to be able to discern what you're actually paying attention to. Yeah, kind of. Yeah. I mean, more what I'm getting at is like, you know, fluorescent lights. If it's like above me and it's like buzzing, this one's fine. But, and like someone's trying to talk to me right here and they're both coming in at the same volume. It doesn't, my brain doesn't differentiate it. Yeah, that makes perfect sense. So does this make hiking like the Colorado trail or any trail, does this make just like what might be a mundane making miles part of the hike, like just super wild for you? Cause I imagine being able to hear the leaf cracks, the like tree breeze, like every little thing at the same volume. I just watched all the twilights this past weekend and when Bella got turned to a vampire, she was going through the woods and she was seeing everything super hyper-focused and that was wild. Would it be like that where you're just like hiking and you're just like, whoa, to everything? Cause it's all coming in louder. Or is that just in my head? You know, I think that is, when I was younger, that was a thing. Because then I was like experiencing things for the first time, you know, and being able to like hear different sounds of nature when I was a lot younger was, you know, it was an experience, you know, I wish I could do that again, you know, but yeah, I don't really think so anymore. Just because, you know, I've had these for so long and I've been accustomed to it. It's just, it's just my normal life now. Is there an auditory setting for something like being in the wilderness? Like you mentioned how there's like a music setting. Is there something for being outdoors? I could make a setting. Yeah, probably good. Just basically turn the, you know, higher frequencies down a little bit on my phone and yeah, basically I could. I never have, I usually typically just stay with my everyday setting just because I'm used to it and that's basically the only reason. If you know the first thing about hiking socks, then you are already aware of our next sponsor. Darn Tough is the most trusted sock in hiking and the number one hike sock in the USA. Family owned and made in Vermont, Darn Tough offers the most durable socks guaranteed. In fact, their warranty is famous with hikers because they're unconditionally guaranteed for life. 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Again that code is dtlove-backpackerradioatdarntough.com to get 10% off plus free shipping. This deal is only good for a very limited time so do not wait. Okay let's talk hiking. Oh yeah. So when did the Colorado trail get put on your map? How long have you been hiking? Give us the full like outdoors background. Yeah I've just grown up being outdoors and my mom has taken me out on little day hikes when I was younger and growing up camping. My dad always took me camping a lot when I was growing up and yeah I've always enjoyed it and then I went to college and my buddies and I would go to the boundary waters every summer for a canoe fishing trip and that was always really fun. Did you go to school in Iowa, Minnesota? Yeah I went to school at Iowa State University. Go clones. They've had some good running backs and you weren't there during the Brice Hall years were you? Yes I was. Yeah he's killing it in the Jets. Yeah he's great. I'm watching the 49ers with Brock Purdy right now. Iowa State as well? Yeah. Oh I didn't know that. Yeah that's why. Yeah 49ers have a bad night yesterday or the day before. They've lost a couple games but they're still really good. Just making myself feel better. It was not a good game yesterday. Anyway sorry. Okay so boundary waters in college and then when did the CT get put on your map? Oh yeah so I had a buddy I was just work so I'll back up a second here so I was working in Iowa and I was just I was right after I had graduated college and I had a couple buddies who just went off and you know took like a gap year or I even what really inspired me was I had a buddy who did the PCT and I was like man yeah I really want to do something like that and that really is what inspired me and so I was just like I just googled places in Colorado to go hiking and that's literally all it was and then the Colorado trail came up. Colorado trails. Yeah so what was your longest backpacking trip prior to this? Actual backpacking trip prior to that one would have been like a week in the boundary waters but that was canoeing so I wouldn't even consider that backpacking. Sure. I'd say it was probably just a weekend trip. Okay. Like one or two weekend trips. So what considerations did you have to make for the Colorado trail that maybe someone who didn't have deafness wouldn't have to consider? Like what was it like for you to plan for this trip that set it apart from canoeing or anything different? Yeah I think it was really the battery situation. Trying to figure out how I'm going to keep these things charged because yeah because when I was in the boundary waters I had them dug out because it was so cold and like I forgot to sleep with them. That was a rookie mistake. Always sleep with your batteries. That's very important. Yeah. So is it like your phone where if you are in like my phone it'll do it when I'm at too high of an elevation and it's like exposed and there's cold the phone will just die even if it's fully charged. Yeah. Is it like that with your batteries because they're not really protected much from the elements in your ears. Yeah no that's totally that same thing. Yeah that same concept like I was talking more on like my disposable batteries. The ones I have on right now are my rechargeable batteries. Oh. And so I had a little fob that I could like connect to the portable battery charger and that's what I predominantly used but it broke on me and so I had to use the actual batteries and they dutted out in the boundary waters because it was so cold and that was one big thing that I was really worried about for planning and then yeah it actually happened to me again on the Colorado Trail and I just ended up having another resupply box that had extra batteries in it and so it worked out but I almost went a week without being able to hear on trail. So it gets so cold that the battery just breaks like it's not you can't warm it back up and recharge it. Yeah the so they're like zinc air batteries is what they're called and like when they're exposed to a certain temperature then it just like duds out. Hmm. Yeah it's super weird. When you're talking about disposable batteries are you talking about just like our standard AAAs or are there like how you just unclicked that battery from it? Is it that but you just toss it after each use? Yeah it's kind of like that so there's like a little sheath that comes out and then it holds you know those little like little little batteries. Yeah like the watch ones? Yeah kind of like those that's basically what they're used. So the disposable parts that little circle battery. Yeah. Got it. Yep. So what was it like you said it was a were you a week without proper battery for the? I almost was a week without it but then. It happened to happen at the your resupply. Yeah then I happened to find them at the bottom of my resupply box. Got it. Like thank you. Yeah so did you go imagine something like a half day from the time that it broke to get to town to actually get your resupply? Yeah actually one of them died and all the other so I had my right one which is my favorite one because I had it first and so I favor that side more and so I had that one working and then no more batteries left and then my left one was dead so I'm like well crap I know I have half a day before I can't hear at all. Is it really disorienting for it to only work in one ear because uh you know Apple AirPods sometimes the like the old ones like one of them just won't charge even if it's sitting in the dock so I've been at the gym before where I'm listening to music through one AirPod and for me it's really distracting like I feel like my workout sucks just because I'm so thrown off by having the inconsistent audio is that I imagine for you it's significantly worse. Is it pretty distracting for it only to be registering audio on one side? You know for like the first second it is and then it kind of just goes back to just all right well I know that that's the only side that sounds coming from so I got to tilt my head a little more that way and just kind of unconsciously adjust but yeah I mean other than that yeah I mean it's it just really does suck when that happens in inconvenient times like a concert. How do you handle that when it's on trail because there's a quote I was trying to look it up quick enough but there's a quote from a book I've mentioned on here countless times Spark the Revolutionary New Science Between Exercise and the Brain I highly recommend it still great book but they talk about people that are I think it was in this book they talked about it people that are left alone like to their own thoughts and how a percentage that's higher than I would have expected of these people would rather be like subjected to mild electric shocks than left alone with their own thoughts and like no other noise for you know a day longer you know it was 15 minutes I think is what the study was it was super small and it basically was just going to like back this evidence that like people aren't comfortable spending time with themselves like in their own thoughts that sort of thing to to lose hearing on a trail and to have to go like a day two days even when you were talking about the canoeing trip however long that was before getting it back how is your mental like overall wellness adjusting to I mean I assume in these settings where they're doing these studies they have the choice like I can quit the study I can leave the room I can go hear things and I've seen people on trail where they haven't talked to anyone in like five days and they look different how how do you see that happen and take something like that that happens to you on trail and a what does it do to you mentally and b how do you combat not being able to flip that back on yeah it's a really interesting thing because you know there's weekends that I'll go camping and I'll just not have messy eyes on and for me it's a place that I can really just think things through and be by myself and so I actually do enjoy that time and I you know I'm an introvert I'm an extrovert you know I guess I'm a little more of an introvert now just since COVID and everything else you know I do like being on my own now and just kind of taking them off and being in my own little world because that's really what it is I'm in my own little world and so I guess like on a trail sense you know it does get a little scary at first because then you're like when the first time that it happened where like they died on trail and I was just like almost a day without being able to hear outside I was just constantly like panning my surroundings just constantly because you know I don't know if there's another hiker coming along I don't know if there's you know I'm gonna run come up on something that might not be very friendly so yeah there's definitely times that it is a little scary but I've become accustomed to it. To that question did you have anyone that you could reach out to as a resource prior to the CT who was deaf that you could ask these questions to? I had nobody I just kind of figured it out figured out as I went nobody I knew who was deaf had ever done anything like this I guess and so I just I'm a big fan of just going for it. It's a good attitude. Is there any sort of community Facebook group whatever platform it might be where you have access to other people where you could ask this question and you're like hey has anyone done long-distance backpacking and everyone's just crickets? Yeah I mean there's actually a couple different Facebook groups where there's you know families who have cochlear implants they can like the parents can talk on there and I actually grew up attending a cochlear implant family camp and so I met a lot of people from all over the United States who also had cochlear implants because you know growing up in Iowa small town Iowa you're not going to have anybody in a 100 mile radius who's also deaf. You mentioned before we hit record that your graduating class was 23 people? 28. 28. No short you those five people yeah so you get a small town. What was the population of your town? Oh probably like a thousand people okay yeah it's small yeah it's pretty small I mean it was literally yeah like 30 minutes away from Des Moines. Are there any trail specific groups like Facebook groups that are long-distance focused for people that have like hearing disabilities? No not that I know of that's a good idea though I might do that tonight. Well I mean I hiked with Mr Perfect and he was deaf and then he had a friend that we spoke to several times that wasn't hiking but she came to trail day so I had met her too and I know there's a few others that have like come across the radar but I think that would be a great resource for like you guys to have with each other. Just before we move too far off the your your implants die while hiking how do you handle that topic? A lot of things that you'll hear when people aren't thriving at a long-distance hike like a lot of it comes down to all the alone time right like there's so much time with your own mind there's so much time where you're not stimulated by other things and I think when we're just constantly fed just like social feeds to scroll through content here and there a tv on in the background that's where like you start to see people like I mentioned the one who hadn't talked to someone for five days where they just seem unwell right like they're not doing good and I know that can bring a lot of people off trail as someone who will go weekends where you just take them out and actually enjoy it do you have tips for people for hiking without sounds to keep them stimulated while hiking or to make it seem less jarring for them like are there things they can do that make it better if they're not one that usually thrives in that setting? Yeah I mean I would say first off you gotta like your inner monologue you know you gotta be best friends with your inner monologue because otherwise it's gonna be a battle you know because if you aren't best friends with your inner monologue then you're gonna be just you know fighting each other and really what it comes down to is are you comfortable by yourself and if you're kind of uncomfortable in those settings and you know you just kind of gotta go back to you know why does it make you uncomfortable because there's probably a reason and there's probably something deeper that stems from that. How did you get comfortable with yourself? I assume based on my this is based on me but I assume not everyone's born comfortable with themselves I assume it takes effort assuming you're not just naturally comfortable with yourself how do you get there? Oh man that's a tough one. That's a deep question. That's very deep. Now you have to give us therapy. Making it easy for Zach's follow-up. I don't know it just seems like you're doing really well with it. Yeah well I appreciate it I appreciate it yeah I mean I um what I kind of did was I just you know took it step by step you know because I first day that happened to me and I just kind of you know I couldn't do anything about it you know I didn't have my garment yet and so you know that would happen a lot growing up you know I'd be at school and they would die and I wouldn't have batteries I have to go the rest of the day without being able to hear and so I guess just that those little moments of exposure of you know have being forced to be by yourself in your own little world that kind of culminated to an extended period of time that can happen. So like doing a shakedown hike but like a quiet yeah shakedown like a yeah like do do little shakedown hikes basically where you like maybe first day you go by yourself and then the second day you have a friend that comes out and meets you um that's that'd be a good way to do it or vice versa where you go out with two people and then you just you stay an extra day by yourself. I was thinking even smaller like just sitting on the couch without using my you know like before you even go outside just sit there and don't touch the phone for an hour you know yeah yeah yeah definitely don't touch the phone. Do you have to worry about them getting wet like is it a concern if it's raining outside? Oh yeah yeah yeah it's like they're more water resistant now but yeah back in the day like you had to take them off like it was super sensitive to water and one thing I'll say about that camp that I grew up going to is they had a pool party every year and if you imagine this scenario where you put a bunch of deaf people into a pool and they don't have waterproof stuff yet the lifeguards are gonna love you because they're blowing their whistles they're doing all that they can and you no one in the pool is even listening to you they can't hear you and so I mean like it's just crazy to see how technology has advanced because you know when you go to that camp now everyone has their waterproof stuff on and so like yeah now it's a little more waterproof or resistant than it was. What areas would you like to see improvement with the tech like you mentioned that it's advanced from like a waterproofness standpoint what areas do you see it could potentially still have room for improvement? Oh yeah I mean it's improving every year there's another upgrade that I could get and so basically what they're doing with their new upgrade now is you can go to an airport and it'll automatically connect to the bluetooth there and they'll tell you like when you're boarding and all that and you can connect to any bluetooth device basically. Can someone hack your mind then? I hope not. Can I just like how the airport would bluetooth to your sounds can I bluetooth to it and be like I'm in your head you know like is that a possibility? I'm not saying it's crazy I'm saying it's scary. I feel like that's very possible. Yeah yeah that's definitely possible I don't know I hope not but uh that'd be scary. Are you excited about those advancements or is that kind of like freaky because that kind of freaks me out a bit? Yeah I mean I'm excited because I mean they're doing it in the right mind I hope so. Yeah it seems out of kindness. Yeah I mean out of kindness I hope but yeah I mean other than that I mean I don't know because like it seems like each model that they make it gets smaller and smaller and they actually have one now where it's without the actual processor that goes on your head but the magnet and it's just the little magnet it's like that big. That's interesting because I'm thinking of this from the standpoint of like just getting you to the point where you can hear like the normal person the person with normal hearing but what you're describing are enhancements that are even beyond what somebody with that level of hearing has. I guess it opens up a whole train of ideas for ways that it could you could be enhanced beyond you mentioned being able to know when you're boarding but there's probably infinite possibilities in that standpoint. Yeah tons I mean like it would be really cool to just have like a little like basically you don't even have to wear your processor every day but it's like all internal then you like wear your processor to charge it kind of like air charge or like you know you have your little pod that you set your phone on and it automatically charges without having to plug in like that'd be kind of cool. Yeah because I remember for a while sorry to cut you off Jones but you're probably more relevant than mine. For a while the buzzword was augmented reality and we're seeing this now with like Google Glass and now Apple's got this too about like the way that you visually interface with the world and it giving you more context than you would otherwise have. From an auditory standpoint thinking of hiking like if you heard like a bird call and that's what I was saying about nature being wild. Yeah being able to have the implant be like oh that is the blue-footed booby. Oh that'd be so cool. That's that goes back to your Tony Stark stuff where you wanted the Iron Man suit. Totally. That's a feature the Iron Man suit. Well I was gonna ask on the same realm of wild like if there's any upgrades that have been made yet where it can hear different languages and it still transmits English to you. No there hasn't been one of those but there has been one I actually really don't like this setting. I currently have it but I don't have it turned on and what it does is it's called like zoom and so if there's like a crowd of people around me and I face this one person that I want to listen to it'll like zoom in on that person that I want to listen to and it'll kind of cut everyone else out but yeah it doesn't really work when you're like in a basement and like your mom or whoever screams from the first floor then because then it's like well it's listening to the air conditioner but then it doesn't quite know if that other sound coming from somewhere else. It doesn't know what to focus in on. Yeah then it just kind of screws it up. Right. This is going to be probably my dumbest question of the night. Yeah. I don't know it's hard to ever tell. The night is young. We got time. Do people ever use these that don't need them like if you're not hard of hearing is because I feel like some of the stuff you're saying sounds really like I'm kind of not like not jealous obviously I'm very grateful for the hearing I have but it sounds really cool to be able to zoom in on certain things and make things louder like I struggle when there's a lot of noises going on at once. Yeah. Are there people that use these things that don't need them because it's just like like really cool or strategic? I don't know. I just feel like that's it sounds like a superpower to me. It is you know I mean to an extent yeah it is a superpower. I mean with technology the way it is now if you told someone in the 1800s what I could do they'd be like what planet are you from? Yeah. So it's insane to think about but um no I haven't really known anyone just because the fact that insurance is such a battle um especially back in the day like when I first got them my mom was she's the rock star like she wrote letters on letters on letters just to get insurance approval. How much do they cost? I mean we were paying oh shoot I mean they're probably I probably have like I don't know half a million dollars in my head. Shut up. No. Just the part that's inside? Oh all of it like external internal surgery everything yeah. Wow. Does the implant itself I'm thinking like fake joints they have a lifespan of 20 years is this something that has to be refreshed on a on a bait on a consistent basis? Yeah the they gave the internal stuff like 18 years okay and I'm well past that I'm 23 um and so it's kind of like any day now I asked my audiologist like what she thought would be kind of when I'd need to be re-implanted um and she's just like you know it could be 10 years from now could be you know five years from now it could be next year. Is the only consideration that the sound part stops is it not like the the stuff that makes it like deteriorates the grades gets absorbed by brain goo? Yeah. I don't know how I don't know how a lot of things work. Oh it's all good it's all good yeah I mean it's just really like the lifespan of the technology if it is able to last that long um internally um because those internal devices don't get touched you know because you have surgery to get them put it in and then that's it. When you switch to a new one is it going to be like getting the same thing like you leave the same person as you entered or is it like upgrading like your you know 97 Toyota Camry to the newest Range Rover? It'll be like upgrading kind of like to a Range Rover because it'll be different technology there'll be because nowadays it's just an outpatient there like procedure when I got them like I had to stay in the hospital for a couple days and I had this big old bandage around me and like it was it did not look pretty I had like these big scars and now you know it's just a little slit behind the ear and then they slide the little magnet in and they're able to do everything with the cochlea all within an outpatient procedure. Can you feel it? Yeah I mean can I touch it? Yeah. So is that where the cochlea is like that far above the actual ear or is it I thought the cochlea was inside the ear? I don't feel it because it's right there yeah so it's it's it's like a slight little bump there but um yeah so that's how it's held on to my head is a magnet. Wow. Yeah you mentioned at the top of the interview that there were other um ramifications I'm not sure of being deaf or you say CMV was the yeah can you look that up yeah yeah it's bothering me so much. Cytomegalovirus? Yes that's it yes. Okay okay you mentioned that like um that your immune system is compromised because of is that because of the deafness or because of the virus itself? I'd say that one was because of the virus itself okay um and so like growing up like I would brush my teeth twice a day like every other kid right but I would get cavities on cavities yes I had to convince people growing up that I brushed my teeth twice a day and floss every day because I would just keep getting cavities and you know it just yeah so they think that has something to do with CMV like a weak um enamel basically um and then like the part that comes with the deafness is I don't have balance so I don't have the liquid in the semicircular canals that give people balance and so like how does that play out I'm very clumsy well there's some like steep I mean there's not like I don't like steep things there's not scary stuff on the Colorado trail but there's some there are some ridges yeah does that like screw you up well definitely um there was actually when we got to the high point of the Colorado trail we did an alpine start um and that was actually my first 30 mile day that was that was awesome my trail family is awesome for pushing me to do that but anyway so we woke up at like 2 30 in the morning and started hiking and it was complete darkness you know but the stars were out and that was kind of helpful but I had to have my headlamp on like the brightest it could go and even with that I was using my trekking poles side to side basically holding myself up walking on basically four legs just to stay up with the rest of the trail family yeah are there other so you mentioned the battery's dying you mentioned uh balance being a challenge are there other things that are not obvious that would be make something like this more challenging um yeah I think it would just be really the clumsiness um that's a really big thing and another one that a lot of people don't think about is swimming s