Episode 60 | Willow Belden of Out There
The extended video version of this podcast episode is available to Unlimited Members.
- The extended video version of this podcast episode is available to Unlimited Members for free as part of their membership. Become an Unlimited Member »
- You must be logged in with your Unlimited Membership account to see the extended video version of this podcast episode here. Login Now »
Stream
Summary
In this episode, Ryan chats with Willow Belden of Out There. Out There is a podcast that tackles big questions through intimate storytelling and is committed to elevating the voices of those traditionally left out of the conversation when it comes to the outdoors.
Also in this episode: a conversation about a new outdoor fabric, updates on some packs we’ve been testing, and the launch of a new Backpacking Light online course – the How to Use Gaia GPS masterclass.
Outline
- 00:00:30 – introduction
- 00:01:20 – Ultra – a pack material that is showing up in cottage brands
- 00:04:30 – Ultra’s long-term performance
- 00:05:23 – updates on the Atom Packs Nanu X25 and Arc’teryx Aerios 45
- 00:08:42 – Willow Belden introduction
- 00:09:57 – start of Willow Belden interview
- 00:10:22 – Willow’s background
- 00:12:45 – how Wild informed Willow’s early exposure to the world of backpacking
- 00:15:30 – how Willow went from no backpacking experience to hiking the Colorado Trail
- 00:17:50 – being female doesn’t factor into Willow’s outdoor experiences
- 00:20:24 – visceral fears vs. actual risks
- 00:23:50 – pee clothes
- 00:25:18 – menstruation cups
- 00:26:30 – mental health
- 00:30:07 – hijacking negative mental health cycles
- 00:33:08 – Out There – geared to a different crowd and designed to explore big questions
- 00:36:00 – connection to nature can be about more than achieving a gigantic goal
- 00:41:33 – the types of stories we tell as outdoor professionals
- 00:42:33 – the challenges of doing a podcast full time
- 00:44:03 – Willow’s biggest victories (highlighting unique voices)
- 00:48:28 – the biggest stories in the outdoor world that Willow is interested in
- 00:50:00 – the single best thing Willow has ever done for herself
- 00:51:52 – end of Willow Belden interview
- 00:54:00 – the way that men talk about women in the outdoors
- 01:00:00 – fixing vs. managing mental health in the outdoors
- 01:04:30 – The backpack trailhead article (see Resources)
- 01:06:30 – new member Q&A
- 01:08:06 – new Masterclass launch! (see Resources)
Resources
- learn more about Ultra fabric here
- Out There podcast
- find Out There on Instagram and Facebook
- Birding While Black – the Out There episode Ryan mentions during the interview
- The Atom Packs Nanu X25
- The Arc’teryx Aerios 45
- Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacks for Backpacking
- Backpacking Light Live Member Q&A – Backpacks vs. Use Case: Load-hauling, Thru-hiking, Fastpacking
- New Masterclass: How to Use Gaia GPS
How to Subscribe
- Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
More Episodes
Credits
- Executive Producer - Backpacking Light; Show Director and Host - Ryan Jordan; Producer - Chase Jordan; Theme music: Look for Me in the Mountains written by Chris Cunningham and Ryan Jordan, performed by Chris Cunningham (acoustic guitar, lead and harmony vocals, harmonica), Chad Langford (upright bass), and Tom Murphy (mandolin), produced by Basecamp Studios in Bozeman, Montana.
Feedback / Tips / Questions
More Backpacking Light
- Sign up for the Newsletter.
- Become a Backpacking Light Member.
- Follow us elsewhere on the web: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook
Disclosure
- Sponsorship Policy: Backpacking Light does not accept compensation or donated/discounted products in exchange for product mentions or placements in editorial coverage, including any podcast episode content not excplicitly identified as sponsored content.
- Some (but not all) of the links in these show notes may be affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and visit one of our affiliate partners (usually a retailer site), and subsequently place an order with that retailer, we receive a commission on your entire order, which varies between 3% and 15% of the purchase price. Affiliate commissions represent less than 15% of Backpacking Light's gross revenue. More than 70% of our revenue comes from Membership Fees. So if you'd really like to support our work, don't buy gear you don't need - support our consumer advocacy work and become a Member instead.
- Learn more about affiliate commissions, influencer marketing, and our consumer advocacy work by reading our article Stop wasting money on gear.
Free Handbook
Get ultralight backpacking skills, gear info, philosophy, news, and more.
Garage Grown Gear 2024 Holiday Sale Nov 25 to Dec 2:
Home › Forums › Episode 60 | Willow Belden of Out There