Podcasts about PCT

Brian is: Managing Director, GlassRatner LinkedIn bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbuss I am Rolf Claessen and my co-host Ken Suzan and I are welcoming you to episode 170 of our podcast IP Fridays! We also want to wish you a happy holiday season and a successful year 2026! Today's interview guest is Brian Buss. He is the managing director of GlassRatner and my co-host Ken Suzan talks with him about the valuation of intellectual property rights and damages in infringement cases. But before we jump into the interview, I have news for you! A US start-up called Operation Bluebird is trying to take over the “Twitter” trademark. It has asked the USPTO to cancel Twitter word marks, arguing that Elon Musk's company X no longer uses them after the rebrand. Led by a former Twitter trademark lawyer, Operation Bluebird also filed its own “Twitter” trademark application. Commentators note that X could face challenges defending the legacy marks if they are truly no longer in use. In parallel, the US debate on patent quality and review procedures is intensifying. The USPTO proposed controversial rule changes that would restrict Inter Partes Review (IPR). The proposal triggered substantial backlash, with more than 11,000 public comments submitted—over 4,000 of them via the civil liberties group EFF. In the EU, a major trademark reform will take effect on 1 January 2026. It aims to simplify procedures, recognize new types of marks (including hologram, multimedia, and motion marks), and make fees more SME-friendly (e.g., lower base fees for the first class and discounts for timely renewals). Opposition procedures will be further harmonized across the EU, including a mandatory “cooling-off” period, so mid-sized brand owners should adjust filing and monitoring strategies accordingly. The Unified Patent Court (UPC) continues to see strong uptake, especially in Germany. In the first 18 months since its launch on 1 June 2023, well over 900 cases were filed, with German local divisions (Munich, Düsseldorf, Mannheim, Hamburg) leading in patent actions. While many early cases were filed in German, English now dominates as the main language of proceedings. The court has largely met its timelines, with oral hearings typically held within 12 months of filing. China has reached a milestone in its patent system: for the first time, a country has surpassed 5 million active invention patents. CNIPA emphasizes a strategic shift from “quantity to quality,” citing growth in “high-value” patents and higher commercialization rates for university inventions. China has also led global PCT filings for six consecutive years—signals of rapid technological progress relevant to IP planning for German SMEs. On 4 December 2025, the USPTO issued new guidance on “Subject Matter Eligibility Declarations.” These declarations allow applicants to submit additional evidence to support patent eligibility for emerging technologies such as AI systems and medical diagnostics, aiming to reduce the risk that breakthrough inventions are excluded from protection under strict eligibility case law. In December, the European Patent Office (EPO) introduced new patent-quality measures. Third parties can now submit observations on published applications or granted patents via a simplified online form. These Third-Party Observations—supported by evidence and even filed anonymously—go directly to examination teams to flag potential obstacles early. The Interview with Brian Buss: Ken Suzan interviews Brian Buss, a valuation and damages expert who describes his work as “financial detective” work: identifying what intellectual property and other intangible assets are worth and how they translate into measurable economic benefits such as sales, profit, earnings, or cash flow. Buss emphasizes that “IP” should be understood broadly, not only as formal rights (patents, trademarks, copyrights), but also as brands, technology portfolios, internet and social media assets, know-how, and other business intangibles that help generate economic value. A central point is that IP is often a company's most valuable resource but is rarely measured well. Buss cites a “value gap” he observed in middle-market public companies: market capitalization often exceeds the asset values shown on balance sheets, and much of the gap is explained by intangible assets and IP. He argues that valuation helps companies understand ROI on IP spend (prosecution, protection, enforcement) and supports better strategic decision-making. He outlines common scenarios that trigger IP valuation: internal management needs (understanding performance drivers), disputes about resource allocation (e.g., technology vs. marketing), external events (M&A, licensing, partnerships, franchising, divestitures), and pricing strategy (how exclusivity supported by IP should affect product/service pricing). On “how” valuation is performed, Buss summarizes the three standard approaches—cost (replacement/replication cost), market (comparable transactions), and income (present value of future benefits). He adds that strong IP valuation requires integrating three dimensions of analysis: financial factors (performance data and projections), behavioral factors (customer demand drivers, perceptions, brand recall, feature importance), and legal factors (registration/enforcement history and competitive IP landscape). For practical readiness, he advises companies to improve data discipline: maintain solid books and records; develop credible budgets, forecasts, and business plans; document marketing activities; and actively collect/monitor website and social analytics (e.g., traffic sources, engagement). He stresses that these datasets inform valuation even for technology assets like patents, because they reveal whether protected features are actually marketed and valued by customers. A concrete example is domain names, which he frames as “virtual real estate.” In due diligence for a domain sale, he would focus on analytics showing whether the domain itself drives traffic (direct type-ins, branded search terms, bookmarks) versus traffic driven by other marketing efforts. The key question is whether the address is known and used as a pathway to the business. In closing, Buss argues that while gathering the necessary information requires effort, the investment typically pays off through greater awareness of the most valuable assets, better strategic decisions, and stronger support for growth opportunities. He presents IP valuation as a virtuous cycle of information, insight, and improved decision-making—summed up in his recurring theme: knowledge of IP value is “power” to increase business profitability and enterprise value. Here is the full transcript: Ken Suzan: Our guest today on the IP Fridays podcast is Brian Buss. Brian is a managing director with Glass-Rattner Advisory and Capital Group. Brian provides financial analysis, corporate finance, and expert testimony around the world. Ken Suzan: Mr. Buss provides strategic advice for owners of intellectual property portfolios, transactional services such as acquisition due diligence and purchase price allocation, and valuation services for trademarks, patents, copyrights, brand assets, trade secrets, technology assets, and intangibles. Ken Suzan: During his career, Mr. Buss has provided valuation opinions and financial analysis in business disputes and in transactions, and he has been retained as a testifying expert and consulting expert in federal court, state courts, and arbitration proceedings. Ken Suzan: As an expert, Mr. Buss has provided over 100 expert opinions, served as an expert witness at trial and deposition, and has been published in numerous journals and publications. He is also a participant in the International Task Force on Intellectual Property Reporting for Brands. Ken Suzan: Brian holds an MBA from San Diego State University and a bachelor's degree from Claremont McKenna College. Welcome, Brian, to the IP Fridays podcast. Brian Buss: Thank you, Ken, for having me. I appreciate the opportunity. Ken Suzan: Excellent, Brian. Can you tell our listeners a little bit about your professional background and what you do in the world of IP? Brian Buss: Sure. I'm a valuation professional and an economic damages expert. Most of my work involves valuing intellectual property and intangible assets and, in litigation contexts, assessing economic damages—often related to IP disputes. My role is frequently to translate legal or technical issues into financial outcomes. Ken Suzan: When people hear “IP,” they often think patents, trademarks, and copyrights. In your work, how broadly do you define intellectual property and intangible assets? Brian Buss: I define it very broadly. Of course, there are the formal rights—patents, trademarks, copyrights—but there are many other intangible assets that drive value: brand reputation, customer relationships, proprietary know-how, trade secrets, data, software, domain names, social media assets, and the systems and processes a business builds over time. All of those can create economic value, even if they're not always captured well on a balance sheet. Ken Suzan: Why is IP valuation important for companies—especially mid-sized businesses that may not have a large in-house legal or finance team? Brian Buss: Because IP and intangible assets can be a large portion—sometimes the largest portion—of what makes a business valuable, yet they're often not measured or managed with the same discipline as tangible assets. Valuation can help companies understand what is actually driving revenue, profit, and enterprise value. It can also help them justify investment in IP creation, protection, and enforcement, and it can support strategic decisions like licensing, partnerships, acquisitions, or pricing. Ken Suzan: You've talked elsewhere about a “value gap” between what's on the balance sheet and what the market thinks a company is worth. Can you explain that concept? Brian Buss: Sure. If you look at many companies—particularly in the middle market—you'll often see that market capitalization exceeds the asset values recorded on the balance sheet. A significant portion of that difference is attributable to intangible assets and IP that accounting rules don't fully recognize unless there's an acquisition. That “gap” is essentially the market saying, “There is value here beyond tangible assets,” and much of it comes from intangibles. Ken Suzan: What are the most common situations where a company needs an IP valuation? Brian Buss: There are a few big categories. One is transactions—M&A, due diligence, purchase price allocation, and financing. Another is licensing and partnerships—setting royalty rates, structuring deals, or evaluating whether a proposed license makes economic sense. A third is internal management: understanding ROI on R&D, marketing, or IP spend, or resolving internal debates about what is really driving business performance. And of course, litigation—damages, reasonable royalties, lost profits, and other economic remedies tied to IP. Ken Suzan: In practical terms, how do you value IP? What methods do you use? Brian Buss: The valuation profession generally relies on three approaches: the cost approach, the market approach, and the income approach. The cost approach looks at what it would cost to recreate or replace the asset. The market approach looks at comparable transactions—if you can find good comparables. The income approach is often the most relevant for IP: it looks at the present value of future economic benefits attributable to the IP, based on cash flows, risk, and time. Ken Suzan: In addition to the financial methods, what other factors matter? For example, legal strength or market perception? Brian Buss: Exactly. A strong valuation integrates financial, behavioral, and legal analysis. Financial is obvious—historic results, projections, margins, pricing. Behavioral is about demand drivers—what customers value, how they perceive the brand, how features influence purchasing decisions, and what drives loyalty or switching. Legal involves the nature of the IP rights, scope, enforceability, registration and maintenance history, and the competitive landscape. IP exists at the intersection of all three. Ken Suzan: What kind of information should a company have ready if they want to do an IP valuation? Brian Buss: Good books and records are essential—reliable financial statements, product-level revenue and cost data if possible, and credible budgets and forecasts. They should also document marketing activities, product positioning, and the role of IP in commercialization. For digital and brand assets, analytics matter—website traffic sources, conversion data, engagement metrics, and social media statistics. The more you can connect the IP or intangible asset to measurable economic outcomes, the stronger the valuation. Ken Suzan: That's interesting—people might not think that marketing analytics matter for patents. Can you explain how those link up? Brian Buss: Sure. A patent might cover a particular feature or technology, but the key economic question is: does that feature drive demand? If customers value it and it supports pricing power, adoption, or market share, that's important. Marketing materials, customer communications, sales training, and analytics can help show what the company emphasizes and what resonates with customers. It helps tie the legal right to real-world economic value. Ken Suzan: You mentioned domain names earlier. Many people underestimate them. How do you think about domain names as an asset? Brian Buss: I often describe domain names as virtual real estate. The question is whether the domain is a meaningful pathway to the business. In a valuation context, you'd look at the domain's role in generating traffic—direct navigation, branded search, bookmarks, and repeat visits. You'd also look at how much traffic is attributable to the domain itself versus paid marketing. If the domain is known and drives organic traffic and credibility, it can be quite valuable. Ken Suzan: So, if you're doing due diligence on a domain sale, what would you look for? Brian Buss: I'd look closely at analytics: traffic volume over time, sources of traffic, geographic distribution, conversion rates, and the relationship between marketing spend and traffic. If traffic is mostly paid and disappears when marketing stops, that's different than sustained direct navigation. I'd also look at brand alignment, risk factors, and whether there are disputes or competing rights. Ken Suzan: For a mid-sized company listening to this, what are the biggest “misses” you see—things companies do that reduce the value they can capture from IP? Brian Buss: A big one is not collecting and organizing information that demonstrates value. Another is not aligning IP strategy with business strategy—filing patents or trademarks without a clear plan for how they support products, markets, and revenue. Some companies also underinvest in documenting commercialization and customer impact, which becomes important in transactions and disputes. And sometimes they simply don't revisit their portfolios to understand what is still relevant and what is not. Ken Suzan: How should companies think about ROI on IP spend—both the costs of prosecution and the costs of enforcement? Brian Buss: They should start by identifying the economic role of the IP: is it supporting pricing power, is it protecting market share, is it enabling licensing revenue, is it reducing competitive entry? Then they can compare the costs—filing, maintenance, monitoring, enforcement—against the value it protects or creates. Valuation can provide a framework for that, and it can also help prioritize where to spend resources. Ken Suzan: When valuation is used in litigation, what are the typical types of damages analysis you're asked to perform? Brian Buss: Commonly, reasonable royalty analysis, lost profits, unjust enrichment, and sometimes disgorgement depending on the jurisdiction and the claims. The specifics depend on the legal framework, but the core is the same: quantify the economic harm and connect it causally to the alleged infringement or misappropriation, using financial data, market evidence, and assumptions that can be tested. Ken Suzan: Are there misconceptions about valuation that you'd like to correct for our audience? Brian Buss: One misconception is that valuation is purely subjective or that it's just an “opinion.” A good valuation is grounded in data, established methodologies, and transparent assumptions. Another is that intangibles can't be measured. They can be measured—often through the economic benefits they create and through evidence of customer behavior and market dynamics. It takes work, but it's doable. Ken Suzan: If a company wants to prepare for a future transaction—say a sale or a major partnership—what are some practical steps they can take now to make their IP story stronger? Brian Buss: Maintain clean records, develop credible forecasts, and document the link between IP and business results. Make sure registrations and maintenance are up to date. Track how IP supports products and competitive differentiation. Collect evidence of brand strength and customer loyalty. And if possible, structure internal reporting so you can see performance by product line or offering. That helps in due diligence and helps buyers or partners understand what they're paying for. Ken Suzan: Any final thoughts or advice for owners of intellectual property portfolios, transactional professionals, or executives listening to this? Brian Buss: I'd emphasize that the investment in gathering the information needed for evaluation typically pays off. It creates awareness of the most valuable assets, supports better strategic decisions, and makes it easier to pursue growth opportunities. IP valuation is a virtuous cycle of information gathering, analysis, deeper understanding, and then decision-making. Knowledge is power, and knowledge of the value of your IP is the power to increase the profitability and value of your business. IP valuation is a key element of the management toolkit. Ken Suzan: Brian, well said, and thank you so much for taking time today to be on the IP Fridays podcast. Brian Buss: Thank you, Ken. I really appreciate the opportunity.

#198 - A story of wild trails, darker nights, and a love that wouldn't let go. I sat down with author and long-distance hiker Wing Williams to unpack his “howling twenties,” the constant motion that took him across 49 states, and the quiet rituals that hid a growing addiction. From Mount Washington to the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, Wing explains how the woods taught him endurance and community while alcohol promised relief from an unseen torment he now names as spiritual warfare.What follows is a candid look at rock bottom: seizures, medical detox, and the moment pride finally broke into surrender. Wing shares why asking for help is the bravest first step, how family showed up when it counted, and why spiritual and medical support must work together when alcohol has become a lifeline and a trap. We also explore the stark difference between hiking with a bottle and living strong in sobriety, the loneliness of being misunderstood, and the humble daily practices that keep recovery honest.Cinereal, Wing's new memoir, threads these pieces into a story about addiction, faith, and redemption that is both gritty and life-giving. You'll hear practical insights on recognizing early warning signs of dependency, how long trails like the AT and PCT become blueprints for resilience, and what it means to rebuild identity on purpose instead of performance. If you've ever felt lost in the silence after the summit, this conversation offers a handhold: hope is real, healing is possible, and you don't have to walk alone.If this episode moved you, tap follow, leave a quick review to help others find the show, and share it with a friend who needs to hear that redemption is still on the table.To learn more about Wing and his book check out wingwilliams.com and give him a follow on Instagram @cinerealememoir.Want to be a guest on Journey with Jake? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Visit LandPirate.com to get your gear that has you, the adventurer, in mind. Use the code "Journey with Jake" to get an additional 15% off at check out. Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

On this episode, I'm joined by San Diego based trekker, outdoor creator, Snow Peak ambassador, camp connoisseur, co-founder of the Camp Homies collective, and founder of Campthropology — Rolland Tizuela.We dove into Rolland's earliest hiking and camping memories, the origin story behind Campthropology, and his transformative 100-mile journey on the PCT as a McNair Scholar. We also talk about his viral “epic poo view” TikTok content, his top camping destinations in California, favorite San Diego trails, and the community-driven spirit behind the Camp Homies collective.Rolland shares episode recommendations from the Campthropology podcast, breaks down American vs. Japanese camping styles, and unpacks the cultural ethos of Snow Peak. He also offers tips for new campers, reflects on the importance of discovering magic in your local outdoor spaces, and reveals the one outdoor experience he would relive all over again. At his core, Rolland is on a mission to make camping — and the great outdoors — more accessible to everyone.Follow Rolland on http://instagram.com/campthropologyFollow Rolland on http://instagram.com/camp.homiesShop Campthropology Merch on https://campthropology.com/Listen to the Campthropology Podcast on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/9kp7f98vFollow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/just.trekShop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠justtrekofficial@gmail.com⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

Rev, thank you, truly! Your content found me at the right time, not because it was flashy, but because it was honest. You've always shared hiking in a way that's real, human, and grounded.Having you on the podcast meant a lot to me. These conversations weren't just episodes; they were reminders of why we step onto the trail in the first place. Your openness about pausing the AT, redefining success, and reflecting on legacy takes real courage, and I know those words will land with people who need them.Thank you for trusting me and the Trailblazing Texas Podcast with your story, and for everything you give to our community.— Jason Episode Description:In the final chapter of our three-part episode with The Hiking Rev, we kick-off this episode for a deeply honest and reflective discussion about what it means to pause a thru-hike, redefine success, and begin letting go of the biggest miles behind you.Rev opens up about the moment he made the difficult decision to step off the Appalachian Trail, not as a failure, but as a conscious pause. We talk about the emotions that come with that realization: the mix of relief, disappointment, clarity, and growth that only the trail can deliver. Even without a finish, the trail still gave lessons, perspective, and a reshaping of what success really means.Looking back on both the AT and the Pacific Crest Trail, Rev shares what those miles taught him about himself, along with unforgettable wildlife encounters, weather challenges, and moments that only happen when you commit to long-distance hiking. He also speaks directly to those standing on the edge of their own thru-hike dreams, scared, uncertain, but curious offering reassurance and wisdom earned the hard way.We also celebrate a meaningful milestone: the five-year anniversary of Rev's PCT journey. What started it all, how that experience has aged with time, and what still resonates today become part of a broader reflection on legacy, aging, and the evolving relationship between body, mind, and trail.In a powerful section titled What's Left in the Tank and Letting Go, we explore how hikers process the idea that the biggest adventures may be behind them and why that doesn't mean the trail is done giving. Rev reflects on slowing down, soaking more in, redefining identity beyond mileage, and what “the end of the trail” truly means (if it even exists).We close with a thoughtful wrap-up: essential gear advice, critical safety wisdom, and one final message Rev would leave for his family, his supporters, and the hiking community if this were his last word on the trail.This episode isn't about endings. It's about pauses, perspective, and honoring the miles that shaped you even when you don't walk them all.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, I'm sitting this one out because it's the fourth edition of Girl's Stuff. Chaunce is joined by former guest Christine Reed and BPR first-timer Maggie Schoemann. The three cover hiking with a partner, where to get a vag wax on trail, birth control, weird body changes, including managing a beard on trail as a woman, eating disorders and how thru-hiking can trigger or resurface disordered eating (trigger warning), and much more. These are Chaunce's notes, so I'm just going to assume they're all accurate.  We wrap the show with Chaunce's take on the new Diddy doc and the triple crown of the worst parts of the holidays. Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.  [divider] Panel with Chaunce, Maggie, and Christine Maggie's Instagram Christine's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:03:50 - Reminders: Apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, apply to be a Trail Correspondent, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:08:45 - Introducing Maggie and Christine 00:13:26 - What is it like to do your first thru-hike while your partner finishes their Triple Crown? 00:22:30 - Discussion about making friends while thru-hiking in a couple 00:26:00 - What type of reaction did you get on the PCT? 00:32:14 - How was the Long Trail? 00:34:44 - What's it like to hike a trail that sucks with a platonic friend? 00:43:30 - Tell us about your chronic illness 00:48:30 - What specific foods did you mail yourself on the Long Trail? 00:52:35 - Discussion about PCOS 01:01:10 - Discussion about period cycles 01:09:40 - Discussion about nutrition and PCOS 01:20:00 - Discussion about PCOS and weight 01:29:50 - Trigger warning: disordered eating and body image 01:37:00 - Discussion about how thru-hiking intersects with disordered eating 02:18:20 - End trigger warning: discussion about getting waxed on trail 02:30:00 - Who determines what's cool on trail? 02:35:00 - Discussion about the evolution of women on trail 02:45:00 - Discussion about influencers on trail 02:54:00 - Recommend names of female influencers Segments Trek Propaganda This Simple Backpacking Mistake Almost Cost Me My Whole Hike by Kelly Floro QOTD: Have you seen the Diddy documentary? Triple Crown of the worst parts of the holidays Listener Voicemail Mail Bag [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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award (2024 and 2025), is joined by Andrew McHattie, editor of the Investment Trusts Newsletter. This discussion was recorded on Friday 19 December 2025. We would like to wish all of our listeners a very merry Christmas. Thank you for listening in 2025 and we hope you join us throughout 2026 as we continue to report on developments in the investment trusts sector. *** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook *** Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358 The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City's best-kept secret, or the connoisseur's choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector. *** Section Timestamps: 0:00:24 - The investment trusts sector in 2025 0:02:44 - The FCA announcement on cost disclosure 0:07:05 - SpaceX developments 0:12:45 - Saba Capital and an EWI-USA merger 0:16:38 - Saba and Renewables 0:25:27 - A short break 0:26:33 - Chrysalis (CHRY) 0:31:26 - Private equity in general 0:36:25 - RTW Biotech Opportunities (RTW) 0:39:18 - Japanese investment trusts 0:44:04 - Three select results (PCT, FCSS, TEM) 0:48:00 - Looking towards 2026 0:49:14 - Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 0:50:32 - Close If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year. This week, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Ashoka WhiteOak Emerging Markets (AWEM). Our new expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector. For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle. Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our more than 310 podcasts since launch. You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk. Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we're highlighting the stories that impacted your practices this year, and the main takeaways from each story. We discuss: The proposed changes to the HIPAA Security Rule Common sense security updates to incorporate into your practice The proliferation of AI and ways therapists can differentiate themselves from AI The proliferation of platforms offering practice management as a service How group practices can stand out from these practice management platforms  Clinician burnout and clinicians returning to their clinical roots Progression of cross-jurisdictional practice mobility The uncertainty around the Medicare telehealth cliff  Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/ For more, visit our website. PCT Resources The relevant episodes of our podcast as mentioned: On Practice Management companies On the Medicare cliff On proposed HIPAA changes Free handout resource: Clinician Conversation Starters: Bringing Client AI Use Into the Therapy Room Practical prompts and responses to help clinicians talk with clients about AI use in ways that are safe, constructive, and clinically grounded. Free handout resource: Clinical Leadership Checklist: Guiding Teams in Addressing Client AI Use A step-by-step guide for clinical supervisors and directors to make client AI use considerations an intentional part of practice culture, including team awareness, policy updates, and supervision strategies. On-Demand CE course: Law & Ethics of the Clinical Use of Artificial Intelligence: Implications in Clinical Practice This 3 CE credit training with attorney and mental health counselor Eric Ström, JD, PhD, LMHC explores the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence in behavioral health. Learn how AI tools are being applied in clinical practice, what legal and ethical standards apply, and how to confidently evaluate whether and how to integrate new technologies. Participants gain practical strategies for aligning AI use with HIPAA, professional ethics codes, and client care standards—empowering you to implement AI tools responsibly and effectively in your practice. **Useful for all clinicians and practice leadership** Group Practice Care Premium weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours — including monthly session with therapist attorney Eric Ström, JD PhD LMHC + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices — care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You'll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Jessica Guo known on trail as Stitches. This year, Stitches became the first woman on record to connect both the Continental Divide Trail and Great Divide Trail northbound in one calendar year. We talk all about this logistically and physically impressive feat, hiking through the Sierra during a record snow year, how she earned her trail name the hard way, her unconventional relationship with pain, how 10 her day silent meditations better prepare her for thru-hiking and gives us a sample 2 minute meditation, what it was like becoming social media famous this year- going from less than 2K followers to 50K, and much more.   We wrap the show with a call for Trek Vloggers, a breakdown of how hard the Long Trail is as measured by Katie's steps per mile, apparently some people can smell ants, and the triple crown of peanut butter combinations. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.  Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Jessica "Stitches" Guo Stitches' Instagram Stitches' Trek Author Page Stitches' Substack Time stamps & Questions 00:05:00 - Reminders: Apply to VLOG for the Trek, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:11:47 - Introducing Stitches 00:14:15 - What is your background? 00:20:00 - Scenario: If Zach & Chaunce are fighting, how would you help them work through it? 00:22:25 - How did you get into the outdoors? 00:30:15 - Were you an athlete when you were younger? 00:31:35 - How did you like the Teton Crest Trail? 00:32:40 - Tell us about getting started on the PCT and your injury 00:40:20 - What did it feel like to walk on your injured leg after 8 days? 00:48:35 - What does your meditation practice look like? 00:55:50 - What does a silent meditation retreat look like? 00:58:05 - Are there purists in the meditation world? 01:03:00 - Stitches leads a guided meditation 01:08:20 - Tell us about your second injury on the PCT 01:20:55 - Was the Sierra Type 1 fun for you? 01:21:30 - Tell us your fun story from the Colorado Trail 01:26:20 - Where did the idea come from for the CDT + GDT? 01:32:50 - Why can it be nice to have a detailed itinerary and plan? 01:38:10 - If someone's interested in the GDT, what advice would you give? 01:40:20 - What were the differences between your three itineraries? 01:42:10 - Would a silent retreat be a good way to mentally train for a thru-hike? 01:44:15 - What are some standout moments from the CDT? 01:47:38 - What are you afraid of? 01:51:10 - How did your experience change when you got a ton of followers? 01:55:55 - Tell us more about making videos on trail 01:59:00 - Discussion about evidence of climate change on trail 02:00:05 - Tell us about how you interacted with your ethnicity on trail 02:08:22 - Tell us about your post on women in the outdoors 02:14:20 - Tell us about your friction video 02:16:00 - What were the highlights of the GDT? 02:19:00 - Did you have any practices for when you felt mentally low? 02:22:45 - Tell us about the birds you saw 02:27:15 - What are your Big 5 for gear? 02:34:15 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking? 02:39:30 - Where can people go to keep up with you? Segments Trek Propaganda How Hard Is the Long Trail, and Is It Worth It? The Stats From My Thru-Hike Reveal the Answers by Katie Jackson Rescuers Say a Hiker Died on Mount Whitney Over the Weekend by Anna McKinney Smith QOTD:  Can you smell ants? Infection Thing of the Week Triple Crown of peanut butter combos 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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

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Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we chat with Ben Cutler, CEO of Hushmail, about how a secure email service can be a crucial part of your practice's tech stack.  We discuss: How secure email can complement the communication features of your EHR Communication gaps in EHRs that can impact your security circle Pairing secure forms with secure email to optimize the intake process Secure communications as a marketing asset Creating more efficient streamlined services for clients and providers Addressing burnout via efficient business systems Using Hushmail to customize forms and coordinate care Misconceptions around non-secure communications The difference between HIPAA friendly and HIPAA secure  Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/ For more, visit our website. Resources Free Trial of Hushmail! Hushmail provides HIPAA-compliant secure email and encrypted online forms designed specifically for behavioral health professionals. It fills the critical gaps your EHR can't cover—especially during first contact, referrals, and communication with people outside your EHR's closed messaging system. With encrypted email, customizable secure forms, legally binding e-signatures, and ready-to-use templates, Hushmail helps therapists protect client information from the very first inquiry through the entire clinical journey. Clinicians can securely manage intake, collect sensitive documents, send referrals, and maintain compliant records—even during practice transitions or retirement. Hushmail's behavioral-health-specific plans include a signed BAA, automatic archiving to support HIPAA compliance, and access to a customer care team deeply familiar with the needs of therapy practices. Exclusive for listeners: Try Hushmail for Healthcare free for 14 days and explore secure email and forms tailored for your practice. PCT Resources PCT CE course: Smooth and Secure Use of Phone, Text, Email, and Video to Meet Modern Clients Where They Are: Legal-Ethical and Real-World Considerations (3 legal-ethical CE credit hours) PCT Podcast Episode: Episode 317: [Compliance] Can Clients Waive the Need for HIPAA Compliance? PCT's  Sample Request for Non-Secure Communications Form

In this episode of the SHEA Podcast, host Dr. Jonathan Ryder moderates a lively pro/con debate on one of the most discussed biomarkers in infectious diseases: procalcitonin. Joining the conversation are two experts with distinct perspectives: Dr. Michael Mansour, Clinician Investigator and Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Sheetal Kandiah, Senior Physician and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University; Director of the Antibiotic Stewardship Program at Grady Hospital. Together, they explore where PCT may (or may not) add value in antimicrobial stewardship programs. Tune in for an insightful exchange that will help stewards, clinicians, and ID professionals better understand where PCT fits into today's rapidly evolving diagnostic landscape.

旅道具と人 ホウホウのPodcast「HouHou.fm」エピソード54のゲストは、ドスコイさんとヤビロンさんです。2025年 PCTをスルーハイクして、帰って来るなり行橋別府100キロウォークに参加した岡山のハイカー、ドスコイさん。PCTと100キロウォークのゴールのお祝いにホウホウ店主夫婦の友人ヤビロン宅で乾杯＆食事しながらの収録。ヤビロンが作ってくれたダルバートを食べながら、話題はなんてことない内容からPCTや100キロウォークの話へ。のんびりだらだら喋っているとなんと収録時間は3時間半超え！(笑)ほぼノーカットのトーク、勝手に前編後編に区切ったり、ロングドライブのお供や、長距離ランニングのお供にどうぞ。〜〜〜〜ドスコイさんヤビロン宅へ、ライブクッキング、PCTと100キロウォーク、大陸冷麺、目の色、ドスコイの由来、トレイルネーム、ヤビヘッズ、バスケ部、睡眠とジョグ歩、今回の100キロウォークのハイライト、ヤビめし、PCTになぜ行ったの？、ヤビ家の水漏れ、しましまのパジャマ、ウォンバット、Doskoi Pee、PCT DAYS、一番好きな食べ物、ヤビちゃんのダルバート、PCTのこと、渡邉夫婦への質問、ホテルヤビロン、ベストドスコイフォト、PCTで出会った動物、おかわりと手食、おすすめのなにか、ロングトレイルのこと、あるもんで教、について話しました。〜〜〜〜▼ドスコイさん Instagram@doskoi_1548▼ヤビロンさん Instagram@yabiron1130

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Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech. In our latest episode, we answer a frequently asked question: whether therapy practices actually need cybersecurity insurance. We discuss: The benefits and considerations of obtaining a cybersecurity insurance policy PCT's stance on cybersecurity insurance for solo and group practices How cyber insurance relates to your full HIPAA compliance program Common reasons for claim denials The six major areas where cyber policies differ, and how to choose your policy How a PCT risk analysis can help you determine what level of insurance makes sense for your practice Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/ For more, visit our website. PCT Resources Handout: Cybersecurity Insurance for Your Practice — What to Consider (and How to Talk With Your Agent) This episode's companion handout breaks down the six key areas to evaluate when reviewing or selecting a cybersecurity insurance policy for your mental health practice. HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You'll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health practice, and a prioritized mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks. (**Currently on sale!!**)  PCT's Comprehensive HIPAA Security Compliance Program (discounted) bundles: For Group Practices For Solo Practitioners Comprehensive HIPAA Security Policies & Procedures Forms & Logs for documenting implementation and maintenance of Policies & Procedures in practice Device & Workspace Security Suites Direct Support & Consultation from PCT team + therapist attorney Eric Ström, JD PhD LMHC (live & recorded + searchable library) Includes the Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service + tool HIPAA Security & Privacy Ethics training

Spy is joined by Globalworming, and we talk about quality as a system, PCT hike statistics, and narrative fiction.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we're joined by Gabe Vasquez, known on trail as "Wing It." Gabe is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, long-distance kayaker and cyclist, and the first known Mexican-American to complete the Triple Crown.  Gabe opens up about his time in the Marines and the challenges that followed- PTSD, becoming addicted to prescription meds to manage the PTSD in addition to anxiety and depression, losing friends to suicide after their service, and night terrors. In his efforts to heal, Gabe turned to adventure. He began by paddling the Mississippi with a friend, then took on a PCT thru-hike, followed by eight consecutive years of long-distance backpacking, paddling, and cycling. Gabe shares how that time in nature helped him reclaim his peace, and why he's happier today than he's ever been. Worth noting- this episode includes graphic descriptions of PTSD and suicide. If these topics are sensitive or triggering for you, please take care while listening. We wrap the show with news of a pair of fatal bear attacks near the Ozark Highlands Trail, a partially blind grandmother who thru-hiked the PCT- averaging nearly 40 miles a day in the process, the definitive etiquette around holding doors for strangers, and the triple crown of the worst phrases and expressions. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.  [divider] Interview with Gabe "Wing It" Vasquez Gabe's Instagram Tommy Corey's Video with Gabe Semper Fi Fundraiser Time stamps & Questions 00:05:20 - Reminders: Apply to blog for the Trek, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:12:45 - Introducing Gabe 00:16:10 - What was it like to join the Marines? 00:22:45 - What was your specific job like in the Marines? 00:23:30 - Tell us about your deployments 00:29:20 - What was the vibe like in that sort of environment? 00:33:37 - Did you know you were actively pushing things down at the time? 00:35:06 - What was the comedown like when returning from a deployment? 00:36:40 - At what point did you seek professional help? 00:38:30 - How did the PTSD show up for you? 00:42:35 - How did you know you needed to get off the meds? 00:49:30 - How did you transition from experiencing these symptoms to advocating for others? 00:56:04 - How did you decide to kayak the Mississippi River? 00:59:20 - Did you feel a sense of accomplishment after the kayak trip? 01:09:20 - Did you go into the PCT excited to hike it? 01:13:20 - At what point did being in nature start to click for you? 01:14:45 - Knowing what you know now, would you still have joined the Marines? 01:17:22 - At what point did the nightmares subside or improve? 01:20:00 - Have you met other veterans on trail? 01:22:40 - Do you have a lot of people reaching out to you? 01:25:00 - Is the period between adventures extra tough for you? 01:26:30 - Are you trying to do all Seven Summits? 01:27:55 - Was it weird with the PCT being so white? 01:36:15 - Do you have favorite summit music? 01:37:26 - What are some of your favorite trail angel stories? 01:40:00 - What's a typical MRE meal like? 01:41:30 - What drew you to the bike after the PCT? 01:46:30 - What are the pros and cons of long distance cycling over thru-hiking? 01:50:50 - Fuck Marry Kill: cycling, paddling, and hiking 01:54:10 - What did it feel like to complete the Triple Crown? 01:58:00 - Discussion about LNT 01:59:20 - What other hot takes do you have? 02:05:20 - What other gear do you like? 02:10:16 - Tell us about almost getting arrested in Egypt 02:19:05 - Do you worry that drugs could trigger PTSD? 02:26:00 - What's your favorite trail or trail story? 02:28:35 - Do unrealistic war movies bother you? 02:30:55 - Stay Salty Question: What's one piece of advice you'd like to give? Segments Trek Propaganda 2 Fatal Bear Attacks in Past 6 Weeks Near Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas by JT Simmons Partially Blind Grandmother Thru-Hikes PCT in Under 70 Days by Katie Jackson QOTD: What's the proper distance to hold a door for someone? Triple Crown of the worst expressions/phrases Mail Bag [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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

This is a Thanksgiving special episode of the Free Outside Podcast, a mix of long-run thoughts, unpopular opinions, and one of the most meaningful adventures of my life, the Great Western Loop.I talk about why I think we are historically illiterate, why it is okay to chase goals even if they feel pointless to other people, whether turkey trots have gotten too serious, and my very important theory on whether drones killed the blimp. I also get into why self-supported FKTs matter so much to me and why I think they deserve more respect than they get.Then I rewind eight years to finishing the Great Western Loop on Thanksgiving. I break down what the Loop actually is, how I planned the massive cross-country connector from the Grand Canyon back to the PCT, why self-supported style creates better adventure, and some of the wildest moments from the entire 7,000-mile journey. From cowbell mornings on the Pacific Northwest Trail, to getting all the bikers in Yaak, Montana in trouble for cooking 20 pounds of bacon, to freezing on the CDT, navigating by map and compass on the Grand Enchantment Trail, sleeping in the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and finishing on Thanksgiving near Parker, Arizona.This adventure changed the entire direction of my life and planted the seed for every FKT that followed.This episode is brought to you by Janji at janji.com. Use code FREEOUTSIDE for 10 percent off. Also brought to you by CS Instant Coffee at csinstant.coffee and Garage Grown Gear at garagegrowngear.comSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comChapters00:00 Thanksgiving Intro02:15 Historically Illiterate03:50 Turkey Trot Travelers04:35 Did Drones Kill Blimps06:10 Supported vs Self-Supported08:30 What Is the Great Western Loop10:45 Planning the Unknown13:55 Prescribed Burn Detour15:45 Cowbells and Solitude16:55 Yak, Montana and the Bacon Incident18:25 Snow on the CDT19:20 Grand Enchantment Navigation20:40 First View of the Grand Canyon22:15 Nolan's 14 Detour24:10 Thanksgiving Van Build Camp25:40 Finishing the Loop26:50 Full Circle ReflectionSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we're joined by Kristy and Annette Burns—better known as the Wander Women.  About seven years ago, Kristy and Annette ditched the home with the white picket fence, retired, moved into an RV, and shifted their focus to a life centered on freedom and adventure. Since then, they've taken on the AT, PCT, CDT, Arizona Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, the O Circuit, plus a slew of cycling and packrafting trips. We get into what it takes to keep your body ready for thru-hikes at retirement age, why downsizing has made them so much happier, the community they've found on trail, and a whole lot more.  We wrap the show with what to wear when hiking in the desert, how to dry the inside of your water bladder, and the triple crown of chairs. Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.  [divider] Interview with Kristy and Annette Burns Wander Women Instagram Wander Women Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:02:45 - Reminders: Take the Triple Crowner Survey, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:05:06 - Introducing the Wander Women 00:07:00 - How did each of you get into the outdoors? 00:09:44 - How did you two meet? 00:12:20 - How did you go from the sweat lodge to thru-hiking? 00:16:50 - Did you have physical fitness top of mind before getting into thru-hiking? 00:19:05 - How far prior to retirement did you plan to hike? 00:22:55 - What specifically would you do differently, financially? 00:26:25 - What was it like downsizing? 00:31:30 - What physical activity do you do in the RV? 00:36:04 - Do you ever get sick of each other? 00:38:55 - How do you handle difficulties in your relationship? 00:41:00 - Did you know there'd be other retired folks on the AT? 00:45:17 - How have you expanded your social networks in retirement? 00:48:35 - What are some of the common questions you get? 00:50:03 - How do you slowly ramp up your mileage when hiking? 00:51:52 - Describe your gear to us 00:57:40 - Was it easy to transition between RVing and thru-hiking? 01:01:15 - Do you feel like time has slowed down since you retired? 01:10:45 - At what point did you reach this mindset? 01:12:40 - Are you particular with your nutrition? 01:16:20 - Standout stories from the AT? 01:19:35 - At what point did you know you were going to Triple Crown? 01:23:35 - Did you know what you were getting into with the CDT? 01:30:11 - How many other CDT hikers did you encounter? 01:34:50 - Tell us about flip flopping the PCT 01:38:46 - What were your spookiest or scariest moments on trail? 01:49:23 - When did you start getting the Youtube fanfare? 01:50:30 - What's the best trail magic you've gotten? 01:53:10 - Tell us about the adventures outside of thru-hiking 01:57:14 - Tell us about your rafting trip in Alaska 02:02:50 - Tell us about your encounter with a grizzly bear 02:10:30 - How did you decide where to camp? 02:13:00 - What were the biggest gear differences for this trip? 02:16:15 - What adventures does the future hold? Segments Trek Propaganda: Desert Hiking Clothing: The Backpacker's Guide by Katie Jackson QOTD:  How does one dry out the inside of their water bladder when you're done using it? Triple Crown of chairs Mail Bag [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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

We meet a young New Hampshire guy today who had never hiked in New Hampshire prior to his Appalachian Trail thru-hike this year. Galloway Johnson had dreamed about the AT for five years and made it a reality this year. He didn't enjoy those early days, finding it tougher than he had imagined and carrying on almost to spite the trail!! But he made it to the end and came on the show to share his story, telling me that despite vowing never to hike again, he is considering the PCT next year. We have another report on my own progress in my accountability blog. I'm afraid it isn't as positive as I had hoped, though I am resolved to keep going and keep preparing for my upcoming third AT thru-hike. I used my hike last year on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I've been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting Hike with Steve - Empowering Parents, One Step at a Time | Parenting Matters %. I hope you want to support this critical mission. Don't forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at Woods Hole Weekend - Trailer There, you'll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out. I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, "I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell." You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. Come on the show! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at Hiking Radio Network . Additionally, you can join our membership at Steve (Mighty Blue) Adams. It's worth checking out what is on offer for you there. If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, 3821 Milflores Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. Any support is gratefully received. Additionally, you can "Zelle" me a donation to steve@hikingradionetwork.com. Or "Venmo" me at @‌Steve-Adams-105. They both work! If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Casey Huffman, known on trail as Vegas. Vegas has been mentioned a couple of times on this podcast in the past, as "the guy whose chest we signed" in 2023, and more recently, "the guy whose ass we signed". As we learn in today's episode, "signed ass guy" is also a real good hang.  We chat about how Vegas' mental health struggles ultimately lead him to the trail, how the hiking community and culture gave him the space to reinvent himself, and he shares quite possibly the most entertaining trail name origin story we've ever heard- we'll just say that this one is for adults only.  We wrap the show with discussing the merits of a sleeping bag liner, Chaunce is pissed about the cost of fountain soda, we do the triple crown of donuts, and Rachel once again lands a perfectly apropos listener mail bag. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.  Zpacks: Use code BPR50 for $50 off any tent at zpacks.com.   Ka'Chava: Use code BACKPACKER for 15% off at kachava.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Casey "Vegas" Huffman Vegas's Instagram Vegas's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:00 - Reminders: Take the Triple Crowner Survey, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:07:15 - Introducing Vegas 00:09:30 - How did you get into the outdoors? 00:16:01 - What was inpatient treatment like? 00:19:30 - What was life like after you left inpatient? 00:21:00 - What led to you getting on medication as a child? 00:22:45 - Tell us the story about your tattoos 00:24:25 - Walk us through the first part of the AT 00:28:40 - Tell us your trail name origin story 00:47:00 - Discussion about Vegas' reputation on trail 00:47:45 - How was getting off the trail for you? 00:53:15 - What was it about thru-hiking that let you shift your mind into a better place? 00:58:43 - Did you feel like it was a struggle to get to Katahdin? 01:00:00 - What did you know your future life would look like at the end of the trail? 01:07:30 - Tell us about running into a cult 01:12:45 - What did you do after the AT? 01:18:30 - Tell us about your expedition in Alaska 01:28:06 - Tell us about the Sheltowee Trace 01:32:45 - Tell us about the Ozark Highlands Trail 01:41:20 - At what point did you know you were going to hike the PCT? 01:55:20 - Discussion about hiking in the Sierra 01:58:40 - Vegas's story about hiking on acid 02:10:30 - Tell us about hiking the Long Trail after the PCT 02:17:20 - Vegas's subsequent sex worker stories 02:21:10 - What are your favorite next plans? 02:21:54 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hot take in the world of backpacking? Segments Trek Propaganda 19 Breathtaking Appalachian Trail Tattoos You Need To See by Anna McKinney Smith Do You Need a Sleeping Bag Liner for Backpacking? By Katie Jackson QOTD: Since when is fountain soda no longer free refills?  Triple Crown of donuts Mail Bag  [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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Amy Hunsucker. On trail, Amy is known as "Slider" because she hikes with a trombone- something she's done for the entire triple crown. We of course learn all about this fun quirk, including which animals were most appreciative of her on-trail concerts, which parts of trail provided the best acoustics, the reactions she'd get from other hikers and the broader trail community, and her go-to on-trail trombone jams. Slider also gives us the low down on getting her sawyer certification, her trail maintenance work with the Carolina Mountain Club, hiking South Dakota's Centennial Trail, and life as a hiking guide in North Carolina. We wrap the show with the pieces of thru-hiking advice we wish we'd never given, Chaunce gives her take of whether she'd rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear, we do the triple crown of freezer foods, I give a one-minute gear review of my current rain jacket, and a listener lectures us on how we dropped the ball on our interview with Liz Kidder. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKWINTER15" at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.  [divider] Interview with Amy Hunsucker Amy's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:04:50 - QOTD: What's more upsetting, the Bills' loss or losing your ceremony footage? 00:06:40 - Reminders: Take the AT Thru-Hiker Survey, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:11:00 - Introducing Amy 00:11:34 - How did you get your trail name? 00:12:12 - How do you find an ultralight trombone? 00:14:40 - Give us the background on playing the trombone 00:18:55 - Did you learn new songs as you hiked? 00:22:40 - Have you ever used your trombone for anything other than music? 00:24:30 - How did you get into backpacking? 00:27:50 - What was starting the AT like? 00:30:54 - Why don't you think your trombone is a luxury item? 00:31:48 - Is there a GOAT of the trombone world? 00:36:10 - Tell us about getting onto the CDT 00:37:30 - What's your hot take on the PCT? 00:42:50 - Why'd you decide to go southbound on the CDT? 00:45:15 - Why'd you decide to flip flop the PCT? 00:52:15 - How did you keep up your mindset during the flip flop? 00:53:55 - What was your best day on trail? 00:56:10 - What was your worst day on trail? 00:57:40 - What was your scariest day on trail? 01:00:02 - What was your stupidest day on trail? 01:02:45 - Tell us about working for Blue Ridge Hiking Company 01:10:40 - What was being in Asheville like during the hurricane? 01:17:12 - Tell us about getting your Sawyer certification 01:20:30 - What's chainsaw 101? 01:23:20 - Tell us about the South Dakota Centennial Trail 01:28:05 - Would this be a good trail to do using PTO? 01:30:54 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance-enhancing hack? Segments Trek Propaganda: 6 Pieces of Thru-Hiking Advice I Wish I'd Never Given by Katie Jackson QOTD:  Would you rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear? Triple Crown of freezer foods One-Minute Gear Review Mail Bag  [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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

Send us a textCrossing into Washington state when you're on the northbound Pacific Crest Trail, or NOBO, is a milestone–a damn smile-stone. Crossing the Bridge of the Gods with no proper pedestrian path is akin to Frogger. But once across, you might have the urge to fling your arms up to the sky and shout a victory hoot. After replenishing your supplies in town you hit the trail again, and that's when Washington hits, and hits hard. The conditions and terrain change fast. Just when you're ready to call it quits, the next peak comes into view, coaxing you north. Alone in your tent? You wonder if you'll survive the cold that night, kicking yourself for not setting out a month earlier. You fall asleep imagining your trail family is camped out in tents beside yours. But some of them pulled the pin on the trail days earlier. And you're left missing them like a phantom limb.Let's get into it.Washington's nickname is the Evergreen State. Doesn't that sound inviting? Cozy even? Sweet, like a week at summer camp? Well, Washington is no laughing matter.Washington has serious weather, active volcanoes, not to mention creepy lore about UFOs, Bigfoot, globs raining down on towns, teen vampires and werewolves and the all-too-real-serial killers. This is where all that subreddit-binging catches up with you. What seemed entertaining in the safety of your bedroom, funny even, alone on the trail, far removed from population center, those stories flood your imagination. Add a little fog, the cries of an owl, not spotting another hiker for a few miles, and the trail can feel brutal and endless.  Show Sources and MaterialsI just hiked 90 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail on McDoubles, GorillaTaco, YouTubePacific Crest Trail Horror Stories 2024, HalfwayAnywhere.comDiscovering the Spooky Side of Washington: Haunted Hikes in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Adventure ClubA 'haunted hike' brings a Washington disaster to life, Courtney Flatt, Northwest Public BroadcastingI don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website.Curious Cat Crew on Socials:Curious Cat on Twitter (X)Curious Cat on InstagramCurious Cat on TikTokArt Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

We've got a family of three on the show today, with Mike, Molli, and Kayla McCarthy sharing their own hiking story. I met Molli and Kayla on my 2014 thru-hike, and found them to be charming company. Mike had started with them but had to get off trail due to an injury, supporting them the rest of the way. For Kayla, it wasn't the end of her long-distance hiking, with an aborted attempt through injury on the PCT the following year. She still hikes but is concentrating on her career right now. Molli and Mike also successfully completed the Camino this year, albeit a few months prior to my hike, while Mike intends to complete his own AT hike next year. We may even be hiking in the same vicinity, as he'll be back in Maine in August or September. With my 2026 thru-hike attempt just over four months away, I've started an accountability blog that shares the physical preparations and gear changes I'll be making in the coming months. This week, I focus on the plan a personal trainer has given me to follow. I'm currently on day three of week one, so watch this space!! I used my hike last year on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I've been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting https://parentingmattersfl.org/eventer/hike-with-steve-empowering-parents-one-step-at-a-time/edate/2024-04-15/. I hope you want to support this critical mission. Don't forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA8ImK4qpNc&list=PLu8u88nsJtgWZxT8DLwEW2yXcz4gT6HXs There, you'll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out. I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, "I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell." You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/mighty-blue-on-the-appalachian-trail-the-ultimate-mid-life-c/guests/intake/ If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com . Additionally, you can join our membership at http://buymeacoffee.com/mightyblue. It's worth checking out what is on offer for you there. If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, 3821 Milflores Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. Any support is gratefully received. Additionally, you can "Zelle" me a donation to steve@hikingradionetwork.com. Or "Venmo" me at @‌Steve-Adams-105. They both work! If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

We've got practical advice on how much to save for unexpected life events, where to keep the money, and why it matters far beyond simple budgeting. Today's Stocks & Topics: Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA), Market Wrap, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. (DKS), SSR Mining Inc. (SSRM), Emergency Savings: More Than Just a Cushion, Relative Strength, Lumen Technologies, Inc. (LUMN), Best Market Performance, Bitcoin, PureCycle Technologies, Inc. (PCT), Sentiment.Our Sponsors:* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/investtalk* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code INVEST for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we're joined by Jeff Vonvai, known on trail as Long Strides. This conversation will put life's problems into perspective—because for the past seven years, Long Strides has been thru-hiking with stage 4 colon cancer, despite being given just a 3–6 month prognosis. Jeff shares what it's like to balance intense rounds of chemo and surgery between hikes, the challenges of rebuilding his trail legs each time he returns to the trail, and how cancer has transformed his outlook on life—saying he's happier now than he was before his diagnosis. Be ready to feel inspired. We wrap the show with the news that the Continental Divide Trail's southern terminus now requires U.S. citizenship and an Army-issued permit, how to hike the Colorado Trail on less than $800, what crime Chaunce committed to wind up in prison, and  the triple crown of things that make us cringe. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.  Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Jeff "Long Strides" Vonvai Jeff's Instagram Jeff's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:00 - Reminders: Take the AT Thru-Hiker Survey, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:07:15 - Introducing Long Strides 00:09:41 - How did you go from Arizona to thru-hiking? 00:12:10 - Describe what it was like to get your diagnosis 00:19:50 - How do you maintain your mindset? 00:22:10 - What do your doctors think about your thru-hiking? 00:24:50 - When does poop start smelling like poop? 00:28:21 - What is the main goal of the surgery? 00:30:25 - Walk us through the timespan between surgery and your next hike 00:34:00 - Tell us about starting the AT a couple weeks after finishing chemo 00:37:25 - Did things get easier after that internal dialogue? 00:40:10 - Is it possible hiking makes anything worse? 00:41:45 - Discussion about hiking the PCT and getting surgery before the CDT 00:45:00 - Are you sharing things with your tramilies? 00:48:35 - Do you have any practices you maintain while hiking? 00:51:20 - How has your mindset changed since your diagnosis 00:53:05 - Discussion about going between the PCT and CDT 00:55:45 - Why did you decide to go southbound on the CDT? 00:56:55 - What's the buzz on the trail with the southern terminus? 01:02:04 - How has the CDT compared to the other two for you? 01:09:30 - Fuck Marry Kill: AT, PCT, CDT 01:11:30 - Discussion about Long Strides' future plans 01:15:35 - Have people met up with you along the trails? 01:16:30 - Tell us about seeing moose 01:18:02 - Are you looking forward to New Mexico? 01:18:55 - What do you have planned between 2025 and 2028? 01:21:05 - Do you have any advice for someone who's gotten a recent diagnosis? 01:23:05 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors? 01:25:10 - How'd you get your trail name? Segments Trek Propaganda: CDT Hikers: US Citizenship, Army Permit Now Required to Access Southern Terminus by Katie Jackson QOTD:  If I got arrested, what crime would you assume I committed? Crisis Thing of the Week Triple Crown of things that make you cringe 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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

CONDOR GRUPPE Farewell to the Last Man on The Moon 6:49 Interplanetary Travels 2018 Farmacia Julee 4:52 PCT 17 – Ellas 2025 Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan Solid Foundations 3:38 Appendix I 2025 jakub kasperkiewicz burning sky 7:41 sunflowers 2025 Matt Berry Rainbow 2:38 Television Themes 2025 GoGo Penguin Silence Speaks 3:01 Necessary Fictions 2025 […]

Send us a textHappy Halloween! Landing on a Friday, if you have kids in school, their day probably included some tricks and treats, I hope, and maybe an emergency run to school to drop off an extra dozen orange cupcakes. I have such nice memories of helping the kids' classes have a fun party, often heading up an art project, or making a quiet corner for kids that aren't into the party thing with a basket of Halloween books and Legos.I got curious about the true origins of Halloween. And how the holiday came to the United States. I'd heard conflicting accounts and you know me, I did some digging. Don't worry though, it wasn't grave digging. Though I did dye my hair platinum, so maybe now I'll fit in with the cool graveyard kids.Oh, and I haven't forgotten our northbound journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. If you take a day off to rest on the PCT, it's called a Zero Day. That's what we're takin. Next week, I'll bring us back to the PCT where we'll cross into Washington state. I hope we get their before snow starts to fall in the Cascades. But back to Halloween in the United States...Let's get into itThis episode covers: Halloween's Worldwide OriginsHalloween comes to the United StatesTrick or TreatingAbout those treats...and yes, the history of candy cornCostumes (their history and evolution)Halloween todayA spooky Halloween track by an independent artist at the show closeAbout that song after the close...Caves of Dawn by Guilherme Bernardes (support his work with the link here) Sources:Library of Congress article about Halloween originsTrick or Treat History, 1031 Consortium.comHistory of Halloween Costumes in America, CNN100 Years of Halloween Costumes: An Ultimate Fashion History, The Ultimate Fashion History, YouTubeI don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website.Curious Cat Crew on Socials:Curious Cat on Twitter (X)Curious Cat on InstagramCurious Cat on TikTokArt Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

Send us a textLast week we set out on the Pacific Crest Trail, trekking up California, reaching Mount Shasta, where a little boy and a grandmother had a strange experience. I shared the Eternal Trail tribute written by a grieving father, and you learned about the best PCT resource out there, Halfway Anywhere.This week, we pick up the trail in Oregon, home to some of the best and worst the PCT has to offer. There are mysteries on this stretch of water-logged forest. But up first? The story of an adult daughter connecting with her father on the PCT.Let's get into it. This episode covers:A father and daughter reconnect on Oregon's PCTAn overview of the PCTUnsettling stories of the Oregon PCTBenson Plateau earned its own shoutoutHow NOT to go missingA preview of the next two weeksShow Sources and MaterialsPacific Crest Trail Horror Stories 2024, HalfwayAnywhere.comFive Days on Oregon's Pacific Crest Trail, Jess McComb, Bend MagazinePacific Crest Trail Mystery, Strange OutdoorsBenson Plateau, Creepily Beautiful or Beautifully Creepy? It's both!, OregonHikers.orgHeather Cyrus Shares Her PCT Experience, HeatherCyrus.comThe Horrifying Reasons Hikers Vanish from PCT, Mina Elwell, Islands.comI don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website.Curious Cat Crew on Socials:Curious Cat on Twitter (X)Curious Cat on InstagramCurious Cat on TikTokArt Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we're joined by Mary “Fireweed” Kwart. Fireweed is a thru-hiker, a Deadhead, and a pioneering figure in wildland firefighting with a career spanning more than 30 years. We dive into the challenges of being one of the first women to join the elite Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots, the culture shock of entering a male-dominated field, and some of the most memorable stories from her decades on the fire line.  Fireweed also reflects on how long-distance hiking has evolved since the 1970s, her tradition of tackling a new long trail every year since retiring, and her deep love and advocacy for California's Bigfoot Trail. We wrap the show with the best backpacking trails in the Midwest, the thru-hiking advice we wish we'd never given, a debate over whether robotic legs should count as mechanical transport under the Wilderness Act, and the Triple Crown of parts of society we'd turn the clock back for. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKFALL15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.  Ka'Chava: Use code “BACKPACKER” for 15% off at kachava.com. [divider] Interview with Mary “Fireweed” Kwart Mary's Instagram Mary's Blog Bigfoot Trail Alliance Time stamps & Questions 00:04:55 - Apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:07:00 - Introducing Fireweed 00:08:30 - Why were you a nontraditional college graduate? 00:11:40 - What was your inspiration for aligning with the feminist movement? 00:13:30 - Discussion about being the only woman in male-dominated spaces 00:16:46 - Tell us about hiking a section of the PCT in the 70s 00:18:20 - What was it like working in Yosemite in the 70s 00:23:50 - Discussion about being a Deadhead 00:25:50 - How were women being treated in general? 00:30:45 - How did you pass the heartbeat challenge? 00:32:45 - Discussion about gear differences between now and then 00:36:50 - At what point did you discover the hard-ass aspect of your personality? 00:43:25 - How did you keep spirits high while working as a firefighter? 00:46:55 - What was the culture of firefighters like? 00:52:00 - Do you have advice for women who want to get into firefighting? 00:54:34 - What was your best day on the job? 00:58:40 - Discussion about the rest of Fireweed's firefighting career 01:00:45 - What kind of schooling would you recommend for someone interested in this career? 01:02:35 - What's your take on the current situation in the Forest Service? 01:10:40 - Discussion about the state of wildfires today 01:15:30 - Tell us about your thru-hikes since retiring 01:20:30 - Discussion about getting shingles and recovering 01:23:50 - Do you have any other tips for older hikers? 01:28:50 - Tell us about the Bigfoot Trail 01:33:30 - Do you have tips for identifying trees along the Bigfoot Trail? 01:37:00 - What was your Bigfoot encounter? 01:40:02 - Do you believe in Bigfoot? 01:44:00 - Tell us about getting attacked by a bear dog 01:48:45 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda: The Best Backpacking Trails in Every Midwestern State by Katie Jackson 6 Pieces of Thru-Hiking Advice I Wish I'd Never Given by Katie Jackson QOTD:  Would robotic legs count as mechanical transport through the wilderness? Triple Crown of parts of society we would turn the clock back on 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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

After a mid-October Tahoe snowstorm, the boys catch up on life for the first time since August, recapping the incredible Fall season so far, rich with brilliant colors and hero dirt. Featuring an intro by the eponymous Snack Man, topics of banter include wing foiling, the earliest fall day PowBot ever skied pow in Tahoe, favorite snack they eat in the track, fire lookout tower trails, DOPE or DERPs including the new Class 3 mode on the Gen 4 Specialized Turbo Levo, front disc brake rotor covers, Palisades Tahoe releasing the ‘Black Pass' and the concept of Finders Keepers. The boys shout out Truckee River Public Waters for defending the rights of wrongfully accused fishermen, Sydney Martinez and her awesome new book “Finding Nevada Wild”, all about the most misunderstood state in the American West, and Trail Whisperer references recent news about the U.S. Department of Agriculture rescinding the Roadless Rule, and his opinion on why it might not actually be a bad thing.3:30 – What's your favorite track snack?6:55 – PowBot is a bona-fide wing foiling fool, 3-4 days a week for a month.11:45 – One of the most beautiful Fall seasons ever in Tahoe. What makes a beautiful Fall?17:00 – What's the earliest date you've ever skied in Tahoe? October pow days.23:20 – Trail Whisperer's new story in Tahoe Quarterly about fire lookout towers and trails descending from them – “Points of High Interest”.29:50 – Finding Nevada Wild by Sydney Martinez – 300 pages of amazing photography, storytelling and adventure information about Nevada.34:20 – Core Lord Call-Ins – GORDO after hiking the PCT, Religious Exemptions and Big D is a big fan of Moab and disagrees with Trail Whisperer's hate for Moab.45:13 – DOPE OR DERP – Class 3 mode on the new Specialized Turbo Levo Gen 4.50:05 – Carl H. thinks tailgate pads are DERP.53:10 – Shout out to Truckee River Public Waters – two fishermen shot at by a landowner in Mogul.56:40 – DOPE OR DERP – Front disc brake rotor cover for your mountain bike.1:00:55 – DOPE OR DERP – Finders Keepers.1:09:25 – DOPE OR DERP – Palisades Tahoe released the Black Pass – a $20,000 pass so you would be able to cut the lift line.1:18:20 – A bit about the US Forest Service Roadless Rule being rescinded. Is the Roadless Rule good or bad?1:36:00 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE – Stick Figure “Free Flow” album drops in mid-November. Dope Lemon – Angus Stone – indie rock, psychedelic rock. Steely Dead at CBC – Steely Dan/Grateful Dead mashup band.1:42:30 – Uncle Coz interview at Gold Lake, Foiling and Florida Man for Tom, digging trail and making a trip to Ely, NV for Kurt.1:45:55 – Downieville has shaped the evolution of the sport of mountain biking.

Send us a textThere's a trail that runs from the Mexico-U.S. border north through California, Oregon and Washington, ending at the Canadian border. A grueling test of grit and endurance, it's no surprise those that attempt some or parts of the Pacific Crest Trail are changed. Long after blisters heal over, hammies stop aching, shins come back to normal, the stories of the trail linger in the minds of hikers. Is it the hours alone? Or the silence? Or the senses that become sharper watching for shifts in weather and wildlife? Or something else, like a hitchhiking ghost, that stays with them after leaving the PCT? The west coast of the United States is one I know well, like the back of my hand. But as I've been learning about trail angels, trail pirates, hitchhiking, and uncovered the people that have gone missing on this stretch of trail? It's become a place I don't recognize, that fascinates and scares me.Grab a Bobo bar and a glass of water!  Let's get into it!This episode covers:Pacific Crest Trail 101Hiker Horror StoriesHiker Cautionary TalesCascadia High StrangenessHalfway Anywhere's PCT Hiker Survey InformationA Tribute by a Father Who Lost His Son on the PCTAbout that song at the end...Quiet Storm by Alana Jordan Show Sources and MaterialsHalfway Anywhere's Patreon (sign up for FANTASTIC outdoors content - so good in fact that Outdoors Inc. and others have been stealing his work and taking credit)Pacific Crest Trail Horror Stories 2024, HalfwayAnywhere.comThe Cult That Lived Next Door, Jack Neath, Medium.comCreepy Pacific Crest Trail Stories, Ranker.comAnza Borrego's Haunted Desert, DesertUSA.comTrevor's Eternal Trail, Doug Laher, thetrek.coI don't accept sponsors and paid advertisers. I choose people, podcasts and authors I believe in to highlight in the ad segment. That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website.Curious Cat Crew on Socials:Curious Cat on Twitter (X)Curious Cat on InstagramCurious Cat on TikTokArt Director, Nora, has a handmade, ethically-sourced jewelry company!

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by thru-hiking power couple who've hiked more than 11,000 miles together Chris and Sara, known on trail as Endless and QB. “What haven't they hiked?” is a fair question, because it's been a lot, including the AT, the PCT (twice), CDT, CT (twice), Arizona Trail, Manaslu Circuit, Hayduke, Long Trail, Cohos Trail, Loowit Trail, Wonderland Trail, Ruby Crest Trail, Why-wash, (ahl-pah-MY-oh) / Santa Cruz Trek, the GR20, and more, believe it or not. They share the story of how they met, offer tips for making a marriage work both on trail and off, discuss how they befriended Mac from Halfway Anywhere and Viking during their many trail adventures, and explain why rafting the Grand Canyon stands out as the most epic adventure of them all. We wrap the show with news of the asshat who vandalized the Katahdin sign, the triple crown of seafoods, and definitively answer the age old question of window vs. aisle.  LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.  Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Chris & Sara aka Endless & QB Chris's Instagram Chris's Website Sara's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:05:00 - Apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:09:10 - Introducing Endless & QB 00:15:55 - We Love Love: Where did you meet? 00:21:20 - Tell us about getting together on the CDT 00:23:55 - What's it like to be a firefighter? 00:29:11 - What are some standout firefighter stories? 00:32:15 - Would you recommend being a firefighter to others? 00:35:35 - Is it difficult to align both of your schedules? 00:36:30 - When did you know you wanted to hike more trails together? 00:37:50 - When did you meet Jabba? 00:39:50 - How did you meet Twinkle and Grace? 00:43:36 - Any stories from the AZT? 00:45:40 - Tell us about Nepal 00:51:36 - Tell us about getting married at a pool party 00:56:10 - Tell us about your road trip in 2018 00:58:00 - Discussion about their speed of hiking 01:02:15 - How many miles have each of you hiked? 01:03:40 - What do you disagree about on trail? 01:05:15 - Was it hard to transition to an off-trail relationship? 01:10:50 - Discussion about knee surgery 01:11:56 - Tell us about your honeymoon roadtrip 01:14:55 - Tell us about hiking in the Sawtooths 01:16:50 - Tell us about the Loowit Trail 01:19:20 - Discussion about trail running and transitioning from thru-hiking 01:24:15 - Tell us about backpacking in the Wallowa Mountains 01:25:40 - How do you divvy up tasks in the backcountry? 01:28:30 - Tell us about the rest of the 2020 road trip 01:32:50 - How did you decide to hike the PCT a second time? 01:34:20 - Tell us about rafting the Grand Canyon 01:43:45 - Tell us about your hikes in Peru 01:46:40 - Why'd you get off the Oregon Desert Trail? 01:48:40 - Tell us about your hiking in Europe 01:59:15 - Did you dirtbag the whole time in Europe? 02:01:10 - Are you looking to do more international hiking? 02:01:45 - What's your top 5 travel bucket list? 02:04:00 - Are you thinking about having kids? 02:05:30 - How was your recent hike of the CT? 02:06:45 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors? Segments Trek Propaganda: Someone Vandalized the Katahdin Sign — Rangers Are Asking for Your Help by Kelly Floro QOTD: Window or aisle? Triple Crown of seafoods 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, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Go Bills, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

Carrie and Molly begin the day with energy, as they enjoy swapping stories with a PCT hiker. The describe the vast beauty of the terrain east of Glacier Peak and provide ideas to explore there yourself. Have you seen Helmet Butte? Check out social media channels to see if you can spot the iconic butte! The sisters provide details on the scenery awaiting those who climb along Liberty Cap. Molly's old fear of heights resurfaces. A concerning event happens while crossing a boulder field. The sisters climb a steep snow field and gain High Pass!

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Spencer “Boiler” Dunn. Boiler, is a self-described “pro-yapper”, improv leader, former employee of Parks Canada, pie enthusiast, and of course, a backpacker.  Spencer takes us through his long trail adventures across Canada, including the Bruce Trail, West Coast Trail, North Coast Trail, and Nootka Island Trail—journeys that brought him face-to-face with some incredible wildlife, from bears to whales to the elusive sea wolf.  We also dive into his recent hike on the PCT—how he broke the record for pies per mile, the notoriety that earned him on trail, navigating people's perceptions as a plus-sized hiker, how his trek deepened his connection to his queer identity, and, of course, his unapologetic hatred for gear talk (which I make him do). We wrap the show with news on New Zealand's most famous thru-hike getting a whole lot pricier, tackle the age-old question of which liquids we'd want to dispense from our fingers, we do the  Triple Crown of tummy aches, and hear a listener's compelling pitch for taking this circus to the Pacific Northwest. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.  Ombraz: Use code “BACKPACKER30” for $30 off at ombraz.com/discount/backpacker30. [divider] Interview with Spencer “Boiler” Dunn Spencer's Instagram Spencer's Youtube Spencer's Substack Time stamps & Questions 00:03:00 - Apply to blog for the Trek, take the 2025 AT Thru-Hiker survey, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:06:25 - Introducing Boiler 00:08:50 - How did you get your trail name? 00:10:20 - What's your outdoors origin story? 00:12:30 - What is Parks Canada? 00:15:40 - What's the difference between national parks in the US and Canada? 00:17:10 - What is the outdoors culture like in Canada? 00:20:15 - Is there a community around the Bruce Trail? 00:23:10 - Do you think there's a hunger for more long trails in Canada? 00:25:00 - How did you end up on the PCT? 00:26:00 - What gear did you start with? 00:32:00 - Discussion about Boiler's PCT hike 00:32:53 - Tell us about making pies on the PCT 00:41:55 - What was your favorite town? 00:43:20 - More pie talk 00:45:38 - Discussion about being a fatter hiker 00:56:50 - Do you have any advice for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps? 00:58:45 - Discussion about differences between men and women on the trail 01:01:10 - Did you have any uncomfortable situations on trail? 01:06:50 - Do you feel more or less of a stigma in Canada? 01:09:12 - Life on trail as a BNOT 01:12:01 - Did you ever put yourself in a situation for the story? 01:14:17 - Discussion about being a BNOT 01:15:30 - Tell us about your hiking on Vancouver Island 01:24:55 - Discussion about campsites on Vancouver Island 01:26:45 - Tell us about seeing wolves 01:32:40 - Fuck Marry Kill: The West Coast Trail, North Coast Trail, and Nootka Trail 01:35:05 - How do the 3 trails compare to each other? 01:40:25 - Differences between Americans and Canadians 02:04:00 - Where can people keep up with you? Segments Trek Propaganda: The Hardest Thru Hike in the World is About to Get a Lot More Expensive by Lisa Slutsken QOTD:  If you could dispense different liquids from each finger on one hand, which liquids would you choose? Triple Crown of tummy aches 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, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Go Bills, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

In this episode, Siavash Taravati, an IPM advisor in Southern California, shares his expertise on managing structural pests, including termites, ants, and cockroaches. He discusses the challenges of pest management, the value of integrated pest management (IPM), and the unique behaviors of pests such as the dark rover ant. Siavash also highlights his research on detecting termites with microwave technology and explores potential regulatory changes that could impact fumigation practices. The conversation underscores the complexity of pest control and why flexible, informed approaches are essential for effectively managing different pest species. Resources and Links Visit Dr. Taravati's blog, Urban IPM So Cal, for details on the research projects and publications mentioned in this episode. Learn more about detecting drywood termites using microwave technology in PCT or Journal of Economic Entomology (JEE). Read about sampling red imported fire ants by volume in Entomology Today or JEE. Arthro-Pod Get the show through Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcatching app! If you can spare a moment, we appreciate when you subscribe to the show on those apps or when you take time to leave a review!   Older episodes can be accessed through Archive.org.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Wesley Tils, known on trail as Megaman. Buckle in because oh boy does Megaman have an origin story. After growing up in the Mormon church, leaving the church to become a pro boxer, quitting boxing to give the church another shot and going on a missionary trip as his trial of faith, and ultimately leaving the church for good during this missionary trip, escaping onto the PCT with several church members essentially chasing him in pursuit, Megaman's path to thru-hiking was not exactly conventional. Since hitting the trails, Megaman hasn't stopped hiking, accumulating more than 15,000 miles across 18 long trails in 9 years. We learn about all his adventures, including hikes of the Maah Daah Hey Trail, River to River Trail, his self-made Mexico to Canada Trail called “the fourth crown route, and a goosebump inducing story about an aggressive encounter with a grizzly bear on the CDT. We wrap up the show with our one-minute elevator pitch to convince aliens that humanity deserves to survive, the triple crown of cable channels, share the news of Tara Dower's latest FKT, and deliver a five-minute one-minute gear review of a new free-standing tent from Hyperlite Mountain Gear. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKFALL15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.  Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Wesley “Megaman” Tils Wesley's Instagram Wesley's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:35 - Reminders: Apply to blog for the Trek, take the 2025 AT Thru-Hiker survey, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:07:30 - Introducing Megaman 00:08:20 - Tell us about your religious upbringing 00:11:30 - Do you ever experience anger while boxing? 00:12:40 - Why did you decide to leave the church? 00:15:25 - How did people react when you left the church? 00:18:02 - What was your mission like? 00:26:00 - How did your family feel about your decision? 00:27:30 - What did your kit look like for your first 200 miles on the PCT? 00:28:29 - How did you go from the PCT to the AT? 00:32:40 - What's your relationship with spirituality and religion now? 00:35:25 - What's your trail name origin story? 00:36:45 - Discussion about Megaman's time on the trail 00:38:30 - When did you know you'd keep thru-hiking? 00:40:20 - How was hiking through the Sierra in a high snow year? 00:45:00 - How was the CDT in 2018? 00:52:20 - Do you remember feeling an adrenaline rush? 00:54:35 - Tell us about the Black Hills/Great Plains Route 00:56:25 - You did the Triple O? 00:57:50 - Tell us about the Maah Daah Hey Trail 01:00:30 - Tell us about the evolution of your gear 01:02:45 - Tell us about your Fourth Crown Route 01:06:00 - What was the most difficult part of the route for you? 01:10:50 - What is the whole route like? 01:17:20 - Is it jarring to come back to society after the Fourth Crown Route? 01:18:10 - What's the coolest thing you've found as an archeologist? 01:20:21 - How do you make your hikes work financially? 01:23:00 - What is the River to River Trail like? 01:24:15 - Tell us about the Ruby Crest Trail 01:25:15 - Tell us about the Mojave-Sonoran Trail 01:26:00 - How was the Hayduke? 01:27:35 - How do you recommend thru-hiking cheaply? 01:29:28 - Trail Superlatives 01:32:20 - What's your hiking plan for 2026? 01:35:05 - What's your plan to document your hike? 01:37:30 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda: Tara Dower Smashes Overall Fastest Known Time on the Long Trail by Katie Jackson QOTD:  Aliens give you 60 seconds to convince them humanity deserves to be saved and you can only show them two items - what would they be? Triple Crown of cable channels One-Minute Gear Reviews 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, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Go Bills, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

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India beat Pakistan in the Super 4 after outclassing them in Dubai. BP boys share their thoughts on the game and much more.Use code "BP15" for an exclusive 15% off your purchase at Yashi Sports: https://www.yashisports.com

In this episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Chad Louk, founder of Prodigy Pest Solutions in Florida. Chad launched his company in 2018 at just 21 years old, starting as a one-man operation and scaling it into three thriving branches with a fourth on the way.Chad shares his journey from grinding it out on the doors to leading a PCT 100 company and why he believes ethical door-to-door sales can elevate the entire pest control industry. Allan and Chad dive into:The real cost of door-to-door teams and what makes them worth it.Whether to grow through acquisitions or door-to-door.How to find (and keep) quality technicians while scaling fast.Why most reps struggle financially and how Chad helps his people think long-term.The shelf life of a door-to-door career, and what reps should do with their money now.Packed with candid stories and hard-won insights, this episode is a must-listen for pest control entrepreneurs, sales leaders, and anyone curious about what it really takes to grow from nothing into a powerhouse.

Carrie and Molly continue their trek through the Glacier Peak Wilderness, taking a pit stop at one of their favorite spots along the Pacific Crest trail. They make a decision on carrying water and descend through thickets and blow down on their way to Milk Creek. They encounter hiker who finds himself in a complex situation. They discuss PCT trail conditions this season in the Glacier Peak wilderness. Carrie reveals her “crazy girl delulu dream.” The sisters make an exciting discovery at camp.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek brought to you by LMNT, we're joined by Jeff Oliver, better known on trail and online as IBTAT. In addition to building a large following on YouTube and Instagram, IBTAT will be a familiar voice to long-time Backpacker Radio listeners, as he was part of our first season of Trail Correspondents. We dive into IBTAT's story, including his journey to 12 years of sobriety — going from drinking two fifths of liquor a day to cutting alcohol cold turkey overnight, and the dangerous side effects that followed. We also cover his more than 11,000 miles of trekking over the past seven years, including hikes of the Triple Crown trails, the Scottish National Trail, the C&O Canal Towpath, and Sweden's Kungsleden Trail. Lastly, being a talented photographer and videographer, IBTAT shares expert advice on choosing the right camera and capturing quality photos and video during your hikes. Sassafras, Double Dip and I wrap the show with a call for this year's AT thru-hikers to take the 2025 Appalachian Trail Survey, we opine on what the AT will look like in 2035 (and look back at how it's changed over the past decade), we find the precise point at which a walk becomes a hike, Sass and Katie share how they got started in the Outdoor Industry (providing advice and inspiration for those who want to follow in their tracks), and we do the Triple Crown of cooking tips and hacks. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. Ombraz: Use code “BACKPACKER30” for $30 off at ombraz.com/discount/backpacker30. [divider] Interview with Jeff “IBTAT” Oliver IBTAT's Youtube IBTAT's Instagram IBTAT's Website Time stamps & Questions 00:06:00 - Reminders: Apply to blog for the Trek, take the 2025 AT Thru-Hiker survey, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:08:05 - Introducing IBTAT 00:11:15 - When did you start partying? 00:12:25 - Discussion about getting sober 00:16:35 - What was your outdoors experience prior to the AT? 00:19:15 - When did you start videography and photography? 00:22:15 - Are there differences in your audience across different mediums? 00:25:00 - At what point did thru-hiking click for you? 00:27:18 - How did you take to the AT community? 00:29:09 - How was hiking the AT with your dog? 00:31:32 - Any standout stories from the AT? 00:33:16 - When did you decide to get on the PCT? 00:34:51 - What's the most common dinner you eat on trail? 00:36:55  How was the PCT in a high snow year? 00:46:45 - Have you seen a culture change on the PCT? 00:49:05 - Tell us about the Art Loeb Trail 00:51:35 - What was your experience on the CDT? 00:55:05 - What was the most emotional moment you've captured on video on trail? 00:57:35 - How has your videography style changed over time? 00:59:25 - Tell us more about the crowds you've seen on the PCT this year 01:00:35 - Tell us about the Scottish National Trail 01:04:17 - What's been your favorite trail to photograph versus hike? 01:07:35 - Walk us through camera lenses for new photographers 01:12:35 - What's in your photography kit? 01:15:25 - Tell us about the C&O Canal Towpath 01:16:52 - Tell us about the Kungsleden Trail 01:21:31 - What's the next international trail on your bucket list? 01:22:22 - How do you like repeating the PCT? 01:23:38 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking? Segments Trek Propaganda: What Will the Appalachian Trail Look Like in 2035? by Katie Jackson The Day I finished the Appalachian Trail (ECT 210) by Steve Hoekwater QOTD:  When does a walk become a hike? Advice Thing of the Week Triple Crown of cooking tips / hacks 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, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Go Bills, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by social media and YouTube sensation, Liz “Handstand” Kidder. Liz is a thru-hiker, vlogger, dreadlock artist, former skydiving fanatic, and a handstand-expert. Liz gives us her full story, including the events that lead to her becoming sober in 2014, how she nearly died in a horrifying skydive gone wrong, how the internet got way too much into her biz almost immediately into her thru-hiking journey, the time she donated a kidney, and we make her choose which trail reigns supreme between the AT and PCT- for which she does not hesitate to pick a winner. We wrap the show with why you shouldn't wear underwear on a thru-hike, a call for 2026 Blogger applications, which is better- hiking steep and short and long and steady, I offer a REPEAT stupid thing of the week, and we do the triple crown of things we'd step in barefoot.  Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKFALL15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.  Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Liz “Handstand” Kidder Liz's Instagram Liz's Youtube Liz Kidder Studio Time stamps & Questions 00:05:15 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:08:40 - Introducing Liz 00:12:50 - Where's the most epic place you've done a handstand? 00:15:10 - Do you have tips for someone who wants to get better at handstands? 00:17:10 - What was your introduction to the world of backpacking? 00:21:05 - What is the New Hampshire uniform? 00:22:00 - Tell us about skydiving 00:31:00 - How as the first week on trail? 00:32:40 - Had you done any social media prior to the AT? 00:34:50 - What was the drama? 00:36:35 - At what point were you hooked by the AT? 00:38:24 - Why did you end the AT in a more sour mindset than the JMT? 00:39:40 - How did the trail change you? 00:43:24 - Tell us about donating your kidney 00:52:10 - Tell us about your career 00:55:35 - How do you create dread locs? 00:57:20 - Do you get a lot of business through hiking? 01:00:10 - Tell us about the Annapurna Circuit 01:04:35 - How did the Annapurna Circuit compare to your other hikes? 01:06:45 - Tell us about the Colorado Trail 01:07:45 - How has the PCT experience compared to the Colorado Trail? 01:12:00 - Tell us about the scary moments in the Sierra 01:22:24 - Tell us about the Tehachapi challenge 01:30:20 - Tell us about spraining your ankle 01:38:30 - How did you feel about going home during trail? 01:40:51 - Are you still on a continuous footpath? 01:45:00 - Did you capture either of the sprains on camera? 01:47:45 - Do you like the PCT or the AT first? 01:50:11 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda Day 93: The Katahdhin Stream Campground Miracle Arrives by Anniversary and the Historian Why You Shouldn't Wear Underwear on Your Thru-Hike by Kelly Floro QOTD:  Would you rather hike 2 miles uphill with no switchbacks, steep grade, or 5 miles uphill with switchbacks, moderate grade? Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of things you'd step on/in barefoot 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, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clever Innuendo, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Go Bills, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined once again by Dan Durston. Dan is the man behind Durston Gear, a backpacking gear brand that has exploded in popularity amongst long-distance backpackers over the last handful of years.  Dan gives us the rundown on how his business and life have changed since he was last on the show, when another company was exclusively selling his designs via a third-party manufacturer, including taking a second mortgage out on his house, quitting his job as a biologist, and going all in on slinging packs, tents, and poles to his loyal cult-like following. Dan shares some insights on why he thinks he's developed such a loyal following amongst this community, the struggle of trying to strike a healthy work/life balance, and the challenge of balancing scaling his company while maintaining the hands-on customer service experience his customers have come to expect. Chaunce and I unveil a new segment with Dan- Piranha Pool- where we pitch some of burning backpacking innovations and Dan is forced to invest in either of our ideas on the spot. Sassafras and I wrap the show with the best section hikes on the PCT, we break down our weekend at Cascade Locks for PCT Trail Days, the triple crown of jobs we definitely couldn't do, Sass previews a Trek blog post that angered a lot of the Internet (and why she loved it and agreed with it) and a listener gives us some very important grocery store history. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.  Ombraz: Use code “BACKPACKER30” for $30 off at ombraz.com/discount/backpacker30. [divider] Interview with Dan Durston Durston Gear Durston Gear Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:05:55 - Recap of PCT Days 00:24:20 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:25:15 - Introducing Dan 00:27:30 - Tell us about your evolution since 2020 00:32:30 - How do you get past fear and decide to take big risks? 00:35:43 - How did the first day of orders go? 00:41:20 - When did you know that you had to quit your full time office job? 00:42:45 - What is it about customer service that's so important to you? 00:49:20 - Why do you think you've developed such a cult following? 00:53:50 - How do you balance your following with scaling bigger? 00:56:05 - Are you concerned about burnout? 01:01:00 - What are your sleeping bag thoughts? 01:04:50 - How are your products innovative compared to the competition? 01:15:25 - Can you say something nice about Gossamer Gear? 01:17:00 - Pitch us on ultralight trekking poles 01:22:00 - What would you consider to be a standard lifespan of a trekking pole? 01:24:45 - What's the dumbest way you've ever broken a piece of gear? 01:28:20 - Piranha Pool: If you had a million dollars to invest in Zach & Chaunce's gear ideas, how would you divvy up the money? 01:42:17 - What are the main differences between your backpack and the competition? 01:50:15 - Stay Salty Question: What is your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors at large? 01:53:40 - How do you feel when you see people's terrible tent pitches? 01:54:38 - How will you maintain customer service as your company grows? 01:55:45 - Do you feel like there's some flattering imitation of your gear happening? 01:58:22 - What's been your favorite part of the interview you're currently in? Segments Trek Propaganda The 12 Best Weekend Section Hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail by Kelsey Nannini Men in their 50s Talking to Women in their 20s by To-Go QOTD:  Pick 2 for sleep: perfect pillow, perfect air temp, perfect mattress Triple Crown of jobs you couldn't do 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, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clever Innuendo, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Go Bills, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

 Growing up as identical twins in England, Poppy and Thea Wardley were practically attached at the hip. Their lives finally diverged when Poppy enrolled in medical school and Thea attended university a few hours away. After a few years of burnout from the unrelenting pace of school, Poppy pitches Thea on a bold adventure thousands of miles away to reconnect their twinship– hiking the PCT.  Support comes from Oboz  Terns Use code DIRTBAG to save 25% off your first order  Washington Discover Pass: Get your Pass at discoverpass.wa.gov Kuat Racks  Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

Maestro Renken 10 PCT 74 Part 1“Maestro” Renken planned the U.S. air war against ISIS from inside the CAOC, then led his F-15E squadron into combat in Syria. In this gripping interview, he reveals how fast-moving threats, fragile coalitions, brutal targeting dilemmas, and hostile Russian fighters shaped the air campaign—and how the lessons from that war are shaping today's fight.0:00 intro teaser - “money shot”1:48 Welcome Maestro3:17 Safe on Deck endorsement!3:55 Maestro's intro/career summary 10:30 CAOC experience - ROE complications - aiding decision making 21:55 campaign planning as a weapons school grad in an asymmetric war29:28 channel ad 29:56 disseminating the FRAG, defining tasking and CSAR considerations 36:20 crazy vehicles, low quality fuel - Hyundais and the evolution of targeting 39:25 micro/macro problem solving/targeting 41:54 “money shot” story 45:47 depth of services integration and cooperation at CAOC level (intel/SPECOPS)49:52 “smoking” cash and old tactics made new again 56:14 “slippery fish” and “theatre”1:02:10 Targeting cycle and improvising extra intel 1:08:55 technological and weapon challenges 1:16:04 does this go back to the weapons school?1:17:05 ensuring correct targets are hit vs the legal element 1:29:05 taking command and leading in theatre. Challenges and anecdotes1:46:05 view on the Russian aspect and thoughts on the threat1:55:05 kill is kill? and further ramifications 1:58:15 “keeping stuff secret”?2:00:45 psychological aftershocks from commanders perspective 2:18:50 defining less than optimal deconfliction, the sanctity of the debrief and reviewing “errors”2:24:10 Strike Eagle community today (Iranian drone swarm)2:29:19 Are manned fighters still relevant and the democratisation of air power

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we're joined by Juliette Kerven, known on trail as Scorpion Queen. Juliette is a Michelin-trained chef, former yacht crew member, full-time nomad, and a thru-hiker of both the PCT and AT, and we caught her during her CDT thru-hike attempt for this conversation.  This is a solo interview led by Chaunce, and it ventures into some uncharted emotional terrain for this podcast as Scorpion Queen openly wrestles with whether or not to continue her hike, and she ultimately comes to a decision during the interview.  We also talk about what it's like hiking in the U.S. as an international hiker (Juliette is from England), hear about her experience working on yachts, and learn how her Michelin-level culinary skills translate to the backcountry. All that and much more. We wrap the show with the most common injuries to AT thru-hikers, small things that make our days better, the triple crown of gingers (fictional characters edition), and the definitive guide to the sluttiest fonts. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKFALL15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.  Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 35% off sunglasses at shadyrays.com. Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek. Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Juliette “Scorpion Queen” Kerven SQ's Trek Author Page SQ's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:04:56 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:10:30 - Introducing SQ 00:12:30 - How did you get your trail name? 00:15:05 - Why did you hate nature as a kid? 00:17:50 - When did you become fully nomadic? 00:21:07 - How did you decide to hike the PCT? 00:23:45 - What's it like to work as a chef? 00:28:15 - What are your go-to dishes to make? 00:30:40 - When did you actually get on the PCT? 00:36:00 - Discussion about visas 00:37:30 - What are your crazy stories from working on super yachts? 00:39:00 - What grew your love for the PCT so much? 00:43:40 - What was your favorite trail town? 00:44:40 - What would you change about doing the PCT as an international hiker? 00:45:45 - What was your bad luck along the PCT? 00:52:30 - What's your perfect shoe? 00:54:05 - How did being on the PCT affect your depression? 00:55:55 - Tell us about tearing your ACL 01:01:16 - Tell us about hiking the AT in 2024 01:03:50 - How did the AT impact your fibromyalgia? 01:06:35 - What was it like to start the AT so early? 01:09:50 - Discussion about SQ's AT injury and bad luck 01:17:40 - We Love Love: Tell us about your AT romance 01:20:20 - What did you feel at the end of the AT? 01:23:20 - What did you do between the AT and CDT? 01:25:00 - What has your journey on the CDT been like so far? 01:47:20 - Why do you think you've decided to quit the CDT? 01:49:30 - Chaunce and SQ discuss quitting the CDT 02:02:25 - Why do you feel like a fraud if you quit? 02:07:00 - What would you do next if you quit? 02:15:50 - What scenario would make you want to keep hiking? 02:20:20 - Could you become less of a purist? 02:23:05 - What if you're afraid to finish the CDT? 02:25:15 - Did you feel pressure to start the CDT too soon? 02:36:45 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda: These Are the Most Common Injuries Reported by Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers (Plus Injury Prevention Tips) by Katie Jackson QOTD:  What's something small that makes your day better? Sick Thing of the Week Triple Crown of Gingers (Round 2: Fictional Characters) 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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clever Innuendo, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

Guess what: your million-dollar idea isn't safe. Not unless you know the difference between a patent, a trademark, and a trade secret.  In this episode, Matt and Lou sit down with IP attorney Austin Bonderer to reveal the legal toolbox small businesses and startups need to protect what matters most: your ideas, brand, and secret sauce. They dive into patent basics, trademark headaches, global filing strategies, AI risks, and trade secrets worth their weight in gold. Here's what you'll learn: ✅ Patents = a government‑granted monopoly (the why and how) ✅ The three must-have criteria: useful, novel, unobvious ✅ Design patents cover looks; utility covers functionality ✅ Trademarks aren't just logos; they protect consumers by preventing confusion ✅ Patent trolls explained; intellectual property as investment ✅ Global patents via PCT; 30-month deadline to enter country filings ✅ Trade secrets = your unregistered secret sauce (think Coca‑Cola recipe) ✅ AI disclosures can kill your patent (think twice before feeding it secret ideas) ✅ Public domain explosion: patents expire after ~20 years; copyrights ~90 years + life Who is Austin? Austin Bonderer is the founder of the Law Offices of Austin Bonderer, dedicated solely to intellectual property. A former patent examiner and stalwart lawyer, his passion is helping entrepreneurs actually protect their work without draining their budgets.  

Today on this replay of Episode 496 I'm talking with Mattias Jansson from the National Pilgrim Center in Trondheim, Norway. I recently had the opportunity to hike the Pilgrim Path along Olag's Way, and if you get the chance, do it. Not only is the walk beautiful, but the history is quite interesting as well. Today, on Episode 496, I'm talking with Mattias Jansson from the National Pilgrim Center in Trondheim, Norway. I recently had the opportunity to hike the Pilgrim Path along Olav's Way, and if you get the chance, do it. Not only is the walk beautiful, but the history is quite interesting as well. Facebook   Twitter   Instagram Love the show? Subscribe,  rate, review, and share! Sign up for my Newsletter  HERE I'd love to hear your feedback about the show! You can contact me here:  rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com What Happened I've done my fair share of hiking. From the John Muir Trail to the PCT, I thought I had a pretty solid handle on what makes an adventure worthwhile. But then I found myself in Norway, walking the Pilgrim Path to Nidaros Cathedral, and something shifted. It wasn't just the landscapes—though, let me tell you, those were next level. One day, we were trekking through misty mountains. The next, we were passing through sleepy villages, exchanging nods with locals who've seen hikers like us for centuries. And then there was that one wild day—the rain poured, the wind howled, and instead of hurrying through it, we stopped to make coffee by a quiet pond. No rush, no race, just being in the moment. That's when it hit me: This wasn't just a hike. It was something deeper. Something that had been calling to people for over a thousand years. It made me wonder: Why do we chase adventure? What are we really searching for? Principle Here's the truth: Many people think adventure is about ticking off trails, collecting miles, or conquering nature. But the best adventures? They change you. A pilgrimage isn't just about getting from point A to B. It's about stripping away the layers of everyday life—the distractions, the to-do lists, the noise—until all that's left is you, the trail, and whatever you're meant to discover along the way. Transition Many people don't realize it, but they're searching for more than just adventure. They're searching for meaning. And yet, so many never find it—not because they're not looking, but because they don't know where to look. And … That's Why… That's why, in this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, we sat down with Mattias Jansson, a modern-day guide of these ancient trails. We talk about the Viking roots of the Pilgrim Path, the deep connection between adventure and self-discovery, and why people from all over the world are drawn to this experience today. Call to Action If you've ever felt stuck—like your adventures aren't quite scratching that itch anymore—this episode is for you. Because adventure isn't just about new places. It's about new perspectives.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Kevin “Sunshine” Silvernale. Originally a commercial pilot from Seattle, Kevin thru-hiked the PCT in 2016 and immediately fell in love with the Hiker Trash lifestyle. That passion led him to put his flying career on hold to hike the AT, Colorado Trail, much of the CDT, and most recently, to begin creating a brand-new long trail route, the Northern Colorado Trail.  We chat about his life as a pilot, including when Chaunce coaxed him into sharing a story about how he joined the mile high club, and how thru-hiking ultimately pulled him away from aviation.  We go deep into the Northern Colorado Trail (or the NoCo Trail as he calls it), a 300-mile route he's developing, covering what goes into designing and rerouting a trail, working with public lands agencies, the best time of year to hike it, standout sections (including a hair-raising traverse of the Devil's Causeway), the wildlife, its growing popularity, resupply and town stops, how to access both terminuses, what he envisions for the trail's future- and much more. We wrap the show with the sad news of the drowning death of a 2025 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, Chaunce talks in depth about how she's pooing liquid, the triple crown of bodies of water, Chaunce's car getting broken into of the week, how I voluntarily stepped into a patch of poison ivy, and the best listener email of all time. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKSPRING15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.  Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 35% off sunglasses at shadyrays.com. Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Kevin “Sunshine” Silvernale Northern Colorado Trail Website Northern Colorado Trail Instagram Kevin's Instagram Kevin's Blog Kevin's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:16 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:08:22 - Introducing Sunshine 00:09:30 - Tell us about being a commercial pilot 00:12:55 - Are you part of the mile high club? 00:14:08 - What are some quirks of pilot culture? 00:15:55 - What's a go-to pilot movie? 00:18:05 - How accurate are flight simulators? 00:18:55 - What would you tell someone about the safety of flying? 00:25:36 - On average, how many hours per week would a commercial pilot fly? 00:26:40 - How did the PCT fall on your radar? 00:29:27 - Was there anything acutely dissatisfying about working as a pilot? 00:32:00 - What is a pilot lounge like? 00:33:30 - When you're hiking, do you track planes you see overhead? 00:34:50 - Any standout moments from the PCT? 00:40:20 - What'd you do after the PCT? 00:41:25 - What was your impression of the AT after doing the PCT first? 00:43:55 - Were you able to enjoy the CDT given how isolated it is? 00:45:50 - When did the NoCo Trail idea come to you? 00:47:15 - Tell us the basics of the NoCo Trail 00:52:24 - How much of the trail is on roads? 00:54:30 - How do you get permission to hike across private land? 00:56:30 - How would you recommend section hiking the trail? 01:00:05 - What would a typical day of hiking look like? 01:01:27 - What are the highlights of the trail? 01:04:30 - How many people have hiked this trail? 01:07:00 - Did the route change as you thru-hiked it? 01:10:40 - Which alternate would you want to become the de facto trail? 01:11:50 - Are there 14ers along the way? 01:13:08 - What's the water situation like along the trail? 01:16:42 - Would you recommend this as a first thru-hike? 01:18:10 - What's the process of creating waypoints for navigation? 01:19:47 - What's the camping situation like? 01:21:00 - How did you store your food? 01:22:30 - Which direction is best? 01:24:25 - Would you ever want this trail to connect to the Colorado Trail? 01:26:00 - How do you decide on a priority structure for continuing to develop the trail? 01:29:25 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda: Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Drowns in Virginia by Katie Jackson QOTD:  How many days until my bowels remember what a solid is? Car Getting Broken Into of the Week Triple Crown of bodies of water 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, Bill Jensen, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clever Innuendo, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Minty Hikes Studio, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Leah Harman, known on trail as Twig. Although Twig is relatively new to the world of thru-hiking, with less than 10 years of experience, she's hit the ground running, accruing well over 10,000 miles in the process. In addition to all the usual suspects, triple crown trails, Colorado Trail, TA, Arizona Trail…Twig has also completed a number of lesser known trails, including the Mogollon Rim Trail, Bigfoot Trail, and a Desert Winter Thru-Hike from Tucson to San Diego. We of course learn all about these treks, why cows are the most dangerous animal on trail, and how she makes her perpetual hiker trash lifestyle work. Leah also recounts her past life living and working aboard ships, confirming that all the stereotypes about drunk and horny sailors are, in fact, hilariously accurate, complete with some entertaining hazing stories. We wrap the show with news of a group who trusted ChatGPT to plan their hike, and how that went terribly wrong, Chaunce details the stress associated with planning a wedding, and the triple crown of movie/tv shows that broke us. 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: Send a DM on Instagram or to support@ombraz.com for $30 off at ombraz.com. Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Leah “Twig” Harman Twig's Blog Twig's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:05:30 - Reminders: Take our survey, sign up for the Trek's newsletter, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, reach out if you'll be at Trail Days, and apply to blog for the Trek or to run Trail Correspondents!  00:12:45 - Introducing Twig 00:15:30 - What's your take on the current state of public lands? 00:20:46 - What should you do if you get charged by a burro or cow? 00:23:00 - Tell us about your career before backpacking 00:26:40 - What are your crazy stories from living on a boat? 00:35:30 - What was the wildest storm you encountered at sea? 00:43:20 - Story about rescuing another ship 00:44:45 - Tell us about working on fishing boats 00:45:34 - What's the coolest marine animal? 00:47:00 - What marine animals would you steer clear of? 00:55:00 - How did you go from living on boats to living on trail? 00:57:30 - What are the biggest similarities and differences between living on a boat and trail? 01:03:30 - How'd you end up on the Trans Catalina Trail? 01:05:00 - Did your career make you more risk tolerant? 01:06:10 - Tell us about going from the TA to the PCT 01:08:45 - Did you feel under pressure on the PCT? 01:12:20 - When did you adopt some more trail technology? 01:13:30 - Tell us about hiking the CDT 01:15:30 - What are your top 3 trails of all that you've done? 01:19:50 - How was the Hayduke in a high snow year? 01:21:30 - Refresh us on the Grand Enchantment Trail 01:28:00 - Discussion about mountain top geography 01:30:57 - What novice tips do you have for being more aware of your surroundings on a trail? 01:34:30 - Any standout stories from the AT? 01:40:30 - Tell us about the Mogollon Rim Trail 01:45:00 - How much was on trail vs route-finding? 01:47:40 - Tell us about your Pacific Coast Bigfoot Crest Rim Trail 01:55:00 - Animal noises 01:57:00 - Tell us about rafting in the Grand Canyon 01:59:10 - How are you funding all your hikes? 02:04:10 - Tell us about your 2024 hikes 02:07:40 - Tell us about your Desert Winter Thru-Hike 02:11:30 - How was the navigation? 02:15:30 - Discussion about Twig's footwear 02:16:18 - What was the timeline and weather like? 02:20:30 - What are a few pieces of gear you feel strongly about? 02:28:10 - Stay Salty Question: What is the hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors at large? Segments Trek Propaganda:  They Trusted ChatGPT To Plan Their Hike — And Ended Up Calling for Rescue by Katie Jackson Cause of Death Revealed for 1 of 2 Hikers Found Dead on Katahdin by Kelly Floro QOTD: What's the hardest part of wedding planning? Mexico Weather of the Week Triple Crown of movies and TV shows that broke us 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, Bill Jensen, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clever Innuendo, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Minty Hikes Studio, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.