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2 episodes with ken ilgunas
Ken Ilgunas, author of 3 books including “Walden On Wheels,” has been called many things: a wanderer, pro-hitchhiker, journalist, and Alaskan back country ranger. Now, he's taken on new titles like “husband” and “dad.” This leads us to ask: What happens to the most adventurous of our society when we enter a phase that calls for settling down, growing roots, and re-entering institutions? It's a life transition that can feel tricky and hard to navigate. Luckily, Ken candidly shares what he's learned while walking down this uncertain road that comes with no playbook. In this episode he takes us into the company of strangers by telling stories made of hitchhike magic, ex-cons, and religious hallucinations while thumbing his way thousands of miles across the US. He then pulls us behind the scenes of the writing process where he transforms these gritty life experiences into something worthy of being page-bound. Listen in as we ponder the sacredness of books; how writers risk damaging relationships in the name of creating good art; and how writing changes the narrative about our own lives. “I think to be a good artist, a small percentage of you has to be a sociopath. You have to be willing to sacrifice something in the name of the art.” Ken's Substack: https://kenilgunas.substack.com/ Second Gear / Podcast Sponsor: https://secondgearwnc.com *Let them know the Unruly Podcast sent you for 10% off! - Unruly Travel & Living Blog: wanderwoman.online - Unruly email newsletter: buff.ly/4a1bPwT - Join the Unruly Podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/unrulytravel - Donate to the podcast: SoundCloud - @unrulystories, Venmo - @unruytravel - Contact: calenotto@gmail.com - Unruly Instagram: www.instagram.com/unruly_traveller
Ken Ilgunas may be the coolest writer you haven't heard of yet. Sarah worked with him at Salon, where he wrote personal essays about: living in a van while attending Duke University; camping in the rain at Occupy Wall Street; and hiking the XL Pipeline. He's since written memoirs about discovering the natural world and himself, including Walden on Wheels. He's lived in Alaska and now lives in Scotland, but as a boy, he never went hiking, never went hunting, knew nothing of the natural world outside his small upstate New York town. Recently, he wrote in his newsletter about the profound effect podcasts had on him, and we're here for it. Where else are you gonna get a primer on oral health, a disquisition on Jordan Peterson, and a plug for JIF peanut butter?Also discussed:* How to make a nasal strip look sexy* Ken will fly to Dallas and bang on the door if Sarah tries to date Tucker Carlson* Cardinal podcast sin = slow starts (#guilty)* Chronic dreams about grizzly bears* Studying journalism as journalism circles the drain* Liberal arts education: Yay or nay?* Van life before #vanlife* “Can we make this podcast sponsored by peanut butter?”* Radiolab and chill* Great moments in IDW* Bibliotherapy* Would you rather wake up to an hour of bird sounds or an hour of Twitter?* “A battering-ram kind of schlong”* That time Ken was a wet blanket in The New YorkerPlus, the first podcasts we remember listening to, the YouTube video that Sarah has watched 100 times, Ken chooses a hot box especially for each of the hostess (did it just get warm in here?) and much more.We have a Facebook now too! Give it a follow.No paywalls on this episode so feel free to share it.Freedom's just another word for becoming a paid subscriber.Episode Notes:“I live in a van down by Duke University" by Ken Ilgunas (Salon)Ken Ilgunas' websiteMore Ken Ilgunas stories at SalonWalden on Wheels: On The Open Road from Debt to Freedom by Ken IlgunasColumbia University faces calls for tuition refunds as school moves to hybrid classes for rest of term in wake of anti-Israel protestsMorning After the Revolution: Dispatches from the Wrong Side of History by Nellie BowlesWhat's in your hot box?Ken, for Sarah:Ken, for Nancy:Sarah: Black Water, by Joyce Carol OatesNancy: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne FadimanKen picks the outro (great song) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smokeempodcast.substack.com/subscribe
Matt talks with Ken Ilgunas, author of 'This Land is Our Land' and 'Trespassihg Across America.'
Hello and welcome to a special episode of The Rough Draft! Join Nate as he talks with author, journalist, and activist Ken Ilgunas. Learn more about Ken's 1,700 mile trek along the Keystone Pipeline, his journey as a writer, and his advocacy concerning the right to roam. As always please like, subscribe, and leave a comment. Visit Ken's website at https://www.kenilgunas.com/ Also checkout some of Ken's books: Trespassing Across America: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781504690898 This Land is Our Land: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780735217843?aff=penguinrandom
This week has a distinctive Wigtown theme as we feature Astrid Jaekel and Ken Ilgunas, a married couple who met at the Festival and who have both featured prominently over the past few years. Astrid Jaekel is an artist and illustrator. Her project to wallpaper the buildings of Wigtown, 'If These Walls Could Talk', which celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Book Town, was the winner of the 2019 AOI World Illustration Awards. We are celebrating her contribution to the Festival with a retrospective of her many works with us over the years. Ken Ilgunas first came to Wigtown to present his fabulous Walden on Wheels and has returned many times to discuss his passion for land rights and the freedom to roam. His latest book is This Land is Our Land. We talked to him about the essay he wrote to us about his experience in America during lockdown, "Letter from the Heartland" which you can read on our website: https://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/blog/essay-ken-ilgunas
The right to roam is something many American's may not be aware of, yet it is a calling that dwells within the human heart. It is an inheritance which has been stolen, but we can get it back. Listen to find out how.Portrait by Cadence Chinle Cook LINKS:Ken IlgunasThis Land is Our Land, How We Lost the Right to Roam and How to Take it Back (Book)***Wild Roots is not interested in advertising dollars and is supported by patrons. To donate to this podcast use this link: DONATE TO THIS PODCASTDID YOU KNOW?In a recent report released on public land access, results revealed that across 13 U.S. western states, over 9.52 million acres (an area larger than New Hampshire and Connecticut combined) is currently landlocked. With over 3 million acres in Wyoming, 2 million in Nevada and 1.5 million in Montana. If these are all of our lands, then why can't we access them?
This week Hadley interviews Ken Ilgunas, author of "This Land Is Our Land: How We Lost the Right to Roam and How to Take It Back."
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, Smiles and I sit down with author Ken Ilgunas. To put it simply, Ken is a guy who marches to the beat of his own drum. We talk at length about his time hiking the length of the Keystone XL Pipeline both where it was developed and supposed to be developed, where had to not only trespass for much of this hike, but knock on complete strangers doors for help on many occasions. He shares his take on public vs. private land, why we should have hiking access on private land, the threats to public land, and how this is handled in other countries. Ken also shares about his time living out of his van, before #vanlife was even a thing. We close out the show with a new thru-hiker of the week, some Trek propaganda, and a new segment, two lies and a truth. This is another juicy show. So strap in. Subjects discussed in the episode include: Recorded at Wayfinder in Denver Gossamer Gear Anniversary Video Use code "TREK15" at GossamerGear.com to save 15% Gossamer Gear The One Gossamer Gear GorillaVasque Boots Sawyer's International Website Sawyer Squeeze vs. Sawyer Micro Squeeze Use code "thetrek" at us.foursigmatic.com (our link) to save 15% Interview with Ken Ilgunas His second hike ever was in the Brooks Range in Alaska Hiking the Keystone XL Trespassing Across America (Ken's book about this hike) The Montana Posse Why he didn't take on a more traditional long trail such as the Appalachian Trail or Continental Divide Trail The Right to Roam This Land Is Our Land: How We Lost the Right to Roam and How to Take It Back (Ken's most recent book) His Gear Deuter 65L Backpack Black Diamond Z-Lite Poles TarpTent Walden on Wheels (Ken's book about his time living out of his van in college) Thru-Hikers of the Week Trevor Pyke (@crunchmaster_hikes) and Aaron Johnson (@lismic). Read the story here. Planning a Thru-Hike as a Member of the PCT’s 1.6% by Sam Cooper Apply to be a Blogger / Vlogger for The Trek Two Lies and a Truth Story of Michael Guerette Danny Devito Song: Walking Slow by Animal Years Check out Trail Correspondents! Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio? Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Download this podcast. Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Michael W Hinkley, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Travis Smith A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner and Peter Leven Follow Ken Ilgunas, The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Ken Ilgunas, The Trek, Backpacker Radio, and Chaunce on Facebook. Follow The Trek on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter. Intro music via.
Author, journalist and sometime park ranger Ken Ilgunas has written an argument in favor a “right to roam.” This concept, unfamiliar to most Americans, is one of an ability to traverse public and private property for purposes of enjoying nature. In This Land is Our Land: How We Lost the Right to Roam and How to Take It Back (Plume, 2018), Ilgunas compares U.S. property laws with the traditions and laws of England, Scotland and Scandinavian countries. In these nations a right to roam has been recognized and, Ilgunas argues, has been a boon to citizens’ enjoyment of their nations’ lands, while also protecting the property rights of private owners. Ilgunas addresses owners’ concerns about the use and enjoyment of their land and makes the case that a “right to roam” would be beneficial to owners and members of the public alike. Yet, Ilgunas also acknowledges the obstacles to creating such a right in the United States: popular understandings of the sacredness of private property, fears of lawsuits, the existence of public lands as alternative venues, and the federal and state systems of land management. Ilgunas also concedes that a “right to roam” is not merely a legal problem but a problem regarding long-held perceptions of the moral rightness of private property and the ability to exclude others from using one’s land. Ian J. Drake is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Law at Montclair State University. His scholarly interests include American legal and constitutional history and political theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Author, journalist and sometime park ranger Ken Ilgunas has written an argument in favor a “right to roam.” This concept, unfamiliar to most Americans, is one of an ability to traverse public and private property for purposes of enjoying nature. In This Land is Our Land: How We Lost the Right to Roam and How to Take It Back (Plume, 2018), Ilgunas compares U.S. property laws with the traditions and laws of England, Scotland and Scandinavian countries. In these nations a right to roam has been recognized and, Ilgunas argues, has been a boon to citizens’ enjoyment of their nations’ lands, while also protecting the property rights of private owners. Ilgunas addresses owners’ concerns about the use and enjoyment of their land and makes the case that a “right to roam” would be beneficial to owners and members of the public alike. Yet, Ilgunas also acknowledges the obstacles to creating such a right in the United States: popular understandings of the sacredness of private property, fears of lawsuits, the existence of public lands as alternative venues, and the federal and state systems of land management. Ilgunas also concedes that a “right to roam” is not merely a legal problem but a problem regarding long-held perceptions of the moral rightness of private property and the ability to exclude others from using one’s land. Ian J. Drake is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Law at Montclair State University. His scholarly interests include American legal and constitutional history and political theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Author, journalist and sometime park ranger Ken Ilgunas has written an argument in favor a “right to roam.” This concept, unfamiliar to most Americans, is one of an ability to traverse public and private property for purposes of enjoying nature. In This Land is Our Land: How We Lost the Right to Roam and How to Take It Back (Plume, 2018), Ilgunas compares U.S. property laws with the traditions and laws of England, Scotland and Scandinavian countries. In these nations a right to roam has been recognized and, Ilgunas argues, has been a boon to citizens’ enjoyment of their nations’ lands, while also protecting the property rights of private owners. Ilgunas addresses owners’ concerns about the use and enjoyment of their land and makes the case that a “right to roam” would be beneficial to owners and members of the public alike. Yet, Ilgunas also acknowledges the obstacles to creating such a right in the United States: popular understandings of the sacredness of private property, fears of lawsuits, the existence of public lands as alternative venues, and the federal and state systems of land management. Ilgunas also concedes that a “right to roam” is not merely a legal problem but a problem regarding long-held perceptions of the moral rightness of private property and the ability to exclude others from using one’s land. Ian J. Drake is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Law at Montclair State University. His scholarly interests include American legal and constitutional history and political theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Author, journalist and sometime park ranger Ken Ilgunas has written an argument in favor a “right to roam.” This concept, unfamiliar to most Americans, is one of an ability to traverse public and private property for purposes of enjoying nature. In This Land is Our Land: How We Lost the Right to Roam and How to Take It Back (Plume, 2018), Ilgunas compares U.S. property laws with the traditions and laws of England, Scotland and Scandinavian countries. In these nations a right to roam has been recognized and, Ilgunas argues, has been a boon to citizens’ enjoyment of their nations’ lands, while also protecting the property rights of private owners. Ilgunas addresses owners’ concerns about the use and enjoyment of their land and makes the case that a “right to roam” would be beneficial to owners and members of the public alike. Yet, Ilgunas also acknowledges the obstacles to creating such a right in the United States: popular understandings of the sacredness of private property, fears of lawsuits, the existence of public lands as alternative venues, and the federal and state systems of land management. Ilgunas also concedes that a “right to roam” is not merely a legal problem but a problem regarding long-held perceptions of the moral rightness of private property and the ability to exclude others from using one’s land. Ian J. Drake is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Law at Montclair State University. His scholarly interests include American legal and constitutional history and political theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Author, journalist and sometime park ranger Ken Ilgunas has written an argument in favor a “right to roam.” This concept, unfamiliar to most Americans, is one of an ability to traverse public and private property for purposes of enjoying nature. In This Land is Our Land: How We Lost the Right to Roam and How to Take It Back (Plume, 2018), Ilgunas compares U.S. property laws with the traditions and laws of England, Scotland and Scandinavian countries. In these nations a right to roam has been recognized and, Ilgunas argues, has been a boon to citizens’ enjoyment of their nations’ lands, while also protecting the property rights of private owners. Ilgunas addresses owners’ concerns about the use and enjoyment of their land and makes the case that a “right to roam” would be beneficial to owners and members of the public alike. Yet, Ilgunas also acknowledges the obstacles to creating such a right in the United States: popular understandings of the sacredness of private property, fears of lawsuits, the existence of public lands as alternative venues, and the federal and state systems of land management. Ilgunas also concedes that a “right to roam” is not merely a legal problem but a problem regarding long-held perceptions of the moral rightness of private property and the ability to exclude others from using one’s land. Ian J. Drake is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Law at Montclair State University. His scholarly interests include American legal and constitutional history and political theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ken Ilgunas, author of This Land is Our Land, comes on the show to talk about our right to roam by foot across the country. He takes an interesting, bold position: that we should really rethink how we view both private and public property, with an eye towards opening them up to more freedom. We also talk visiting ancestral homelands, trespassing across America, how few people own most of the land, wildness vs. wilderness, Trump despair, setting out to create ideas that will outlive you, The Long Now Foundation, Present Shock, Out of the Wreckage, allemansrätten, and we close out with some fun talks about forest baths, moose chases, cactus injuries, and why Oklahoma was the scariest state to walk across. Ken's website This Land is Our Land Sign up for the JDO / Broken River newsletter HERE Make sure to subscribe to the show for more fun interviews!
Cody is joined by comedian, podcaster, and dark poet of the plains Zach Peterson to GET IT DONE AND SUCH! *airhorn/finger guns* You can find your copy of the book online and if you drive around Kentucky long enough. ‘Git-R-Done’ by Larry the Cable Guy Git-R-Done is chock-full of fart jokes and straight talk about America. I sat down one day and said to myself, “Larry, you’ve done it all. You’ve got three gold records, a successful DVD, a hit TV show, a picture of Shania Twain givin’ ya the finger, and most important, the high score on Frogger. What more could you possibly do?” Then I started thinking about writing a book. I wanted mostly to write Git-R-Done for all those good Americans who just wanna laugh like I do. Come on inside and hear me make fun of Janet Reno, Rosie O’Donnell, and my fat sister, who caused a twelve-tray pileup in front of the caramel nut rolls at the country buffet. I’m gonna tell you why Dick Trickle is my hero, why we need to get back to good ol’ common sense, and why I prefer a picture of the Last Supper with NASCAR drivers as the disciples over just about anything. Lord, I apologize! The book will go down in history as one of America’s most important events since the breakup of Aldo Nova. Even my mom liked the book—here’s what she said: “There’s really not much I can say here except for I apologize to everyone ahead of time for the crap you are about to read.” Git-R-Done is just plain funny, I don’t care who ya are! Also available as an eBook. Show Notes: Previous Episode: 94. 'What Makes Me Amish?' w/ Elizabeth O'Neill & Zach Peterson Currently Reading: ‘Communion’ by Whitley Strieber ‘Keeper of the Clown’ by John Cherry ‘Walden on Wheels’ by Ken Ilgunas Topics: Ernest P Worrell, just… so much… so… much, shopping carts are WEIRD. Follow TOMEFOOLERY for information about upcoming episodes & books: @Tomefoolery and Facebook.com/Tomefoolery. Please rate and review on iTunes! WEBSITE: http://Tomefoolery.com STORE: http://squareup.com/market/CodyMelcherEsq PATREON: http://patreon.com/CodyMelcherEsq FAN GROUP: http://www.facebook.com/groups/Tomefoolery
The author of Frommer's Orlando guidebook returns with ideas for enjoying central Florida beyond the big theme parks. Then Tampa Bay Times reporter Craig Pittman discusses what makes his home state one of a kind — and much more than the target of punch lines. Plus, writer and trespasser extraordinaire Ken Ilgunas describes his hike from the tar sands of Alberta to the Gulf Coast of Texas. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.
Two Americans who've made their living in Cuba shed light on the influence Americans have there, then author Ken Ilgunas describes the 1700-mile trek he made on foot from Alberta to Texas in hopes of getting a local perspective on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.
Ken Ilgunas has hitchhiked 10,000 miles across North America, traveled 1,000 miles across Ontario, Canada in a birch bark canoe, and worked as a backcountry ranger at the Gates of the Arctic National Park in northern Alaska. He’s written for the New York Times and Time, and his adventures and book have been featured on The Continue Reading…
Ken Ilgunas, author of the frank and witty memoir about living in a van to save costs while attending grad school Walden on Wheels, reads from and discusses his new personal adventure story Trespassing Across America: One Man’s Epic, Never-Done-Before (and Sort of Illegal) Hike Across the Heartland. Told with sincerity, humor, and wit, Trespassing […]
This week's guest on What Doesn't Kill You hiked 1,700 miles along the proposed Keystone XL route. Yes, actually! Ken Ilgunas started in Denver, hitchhiked across the Canadian border, took a flight over the Tar Sands of Alberta, and commenced his walk in Hardisty, AB, the northern terminus of the soon-to-be pipeline. The journey was documented in the recently published "Trespassing Across America: One Man's Epic, Never-Done-Before (and Sort of Illegal) Hike Across the Heartland". He and Katy chat about the long journey, the trials and tribulations Ken experienced along the way and the realities facing the areas along this route.
This week's guest on What Doesn't Kill You hiked 1,700 miles along the proposed Keystone XL route. Yes, actually! Ken Ilgunas started in Denver, hitchhiked across the Canadian border, took a flight over the Tar Sands of Alberta, and commenced his walk in Hardisty, AB, the northern terminus of the soon-to-be pipeline. The journey was documented in the recently published "Trespassing Across America: One Man's Epic, Never-Done-Before (and Sort of Illegal) Hike Across the Heartland". He and Katy chat about the long journey, the trials and tribulations Ken experienced along the way and the realities facing the areas along this route.
The story of what happens with Ken Ilgunas decides to walk from Alberta to Texas, following the path of what would be the Keyston XL oil pipeline. The book's whole title is TRESPASSING ACROSS AMERICA: ONE MAN'S EPIC NEVER-DONE-BEFORE (AND SORT OF ILLEGAL) HIKE ACROSS THE HEARTLAND.
My guest on today’s program is Ken Ilgunas, author of Walden on Wheels. Ken paid off a “crushing $32,000 of student debt” from his undergraduate education by working odd jobs all across the country and vowed not to go into debt again. While pursing his graduate degree, Ken gained a bit of national notoriety when […]
Starting in September of 2012, Ken Ilgunas spent 5 months walking 1,700 miles from Hardisty, Alberta Canada to Port Arthur, Texas – the proposed route of the Keystone XL Pipeline. He thought he might be the last person to see and document the area before it is developed. While hiking he experienced the simple joys of camping, interactions with strangers, run-ins with law enforcement, violent dogs, and the sweet anticipation of not knowing what lies behind the next bend in the road. You can learn more about his adventure at kenilgunas.com. Ken Ilgunas, welcome to The Pursuit Zone.
Ken Ilgunas is the author of "Walden on Wheels: On the Open Road from Debt to Freedom." He tells us how he was able to pay his graduate education at Duke University while secretly living in a van on Duke's campus. He also explains whether a degree is required for many of the jobs that young people work. Ken Ilgunas was born in Ontario, Canada and raised in Wheatfield—a small town in western New York where his family still lives. He just finished walking the entire 1,700-mile length of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline. Find out more about Ken Ilgunas by visiting www.kenilgunas.com.
I’m gonna leave New York, go to remote Alaska, live in a dorm, and work a job that pays about $9 an hour. Then I’ll hitchhike home and live in a van while attending grad school … in order to pay off and avoid more student loans. You’ll hear this powerful story … on this edition of Frank Relationships. … Read more about this episode...
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