Imagine taking everything you need for a multi-day backpacking trip in a pack weighing less than 10 pounds. That's ultralight backpacking, and our guest, adventurer Jerry Dugan, is here to share his passion and expertise in this unique outdoor pursuit. With a rich history tracing back to George Sears in the late 1800s and Grandma Gatewood in 1955, ultralight backpacking offers a minimalist approach to exploring the great outdoors. Jerry shares his journey from hammock camping to ultralight backpacking, and provides invaluable advice on what essentials to pack for various trips, all while keeping the load under 10 pounds.

Going solo or in a group, each backpacking trip presents its own challenges and dilemmas. Whether it’s planning for solo trips or managing the dynamics within a group, Jerry imparts his wisdom on these often overlooked aspects of backpacking. He candidly shares stories of wildlife encounters during his solo journeys, and how his ultralight gear enables him to move faster, see more, and have unique experiences off the beaten path. Learn how to adjust your gear based on weather, the importance of knowing your water sources, and crucial safety measures to keep in mind, particularly when camping in wildlife-dense areas.

Taking ultralight backpacking a step further, Jerry also talks about his plans to conquer sections of the Appalachian Trail and shares some of his upcoming trips. Tune in for a compelling exploration of ultralight backpacking and gather invaluable tips for your next outdoor adventure!

Guest Links:
Beyond the Rut Podcast
Set up a Lighter Pack Account to assess your gear weight

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Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Can you imagine a 17-year-old helping his peers navigate the complex world of mental health? Join us as we sit down with the inspiring Filimon Meaza, the creator of The Brief Dive podcast. Filimon shares his personal journey of self-reflection, emotional resilience, and positive self-talk, showing us how he transformed his own mental health and now empowers other teenagers on their journey towards mental well-being.

In this heartfelt conversation, we explore the meditation tools Filimon uses to stay focused, as well as his unique ability to attract an older audience while still focusing on teen mental health. We also discuss his observational skills and script-writing process for his podcast, highlighting the power of open discussions around mental health and the importance of taking breaks to avoid burnout. Join us for this incredibly insightful episode where we delve into personal growth and mental health with a young, passionate, and determined individual.

Guest Links
The Brief Dive on Apple Podcasts
The Brief Dive on Spotify
Follow The Brief Dive on Instagram

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Credits

Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore

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Discover the fascinating world of search and rescue missions in our captivating conversation with Dan Patterson, a founding member of the Mountaineer Area Rescue Group. With over 26 years of experience and participation in more than 300 missions, Dan shares invaluable insights into the immense planning, coordination, and dedication required to save lives in the great outdoors. You won't want to miss his incredible stories of both heart-wrenching and heartwarming outcomes.

Learn about the qualifications and backgrounds of the Mountaineer Area Rescue Group volunteers, as well as the latest technology and processes they use to plan and execute these critical missions. From drones and GPS systems to maps and compasses, the group is dedicated to staying ahead of the game in locating and rescuing missing persons. Hear about the challenges they face in the wilderness, and how they're often called upon to assist with logistics and communications in other emergencies.

Finally, explore the rewarding feeling of reuniting a missing person with their family, and take away some valuable tips for hikers to stay safe on the trails. With Dan's expertise in navigating the rugged outdoors, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the passion and dedication of these search and rescue heroes. Join us for an eye-opening look into the world of wilderness search and rescue, and the incredible volunteers who make it their mission to save lives.

Mountaineer Area Rescue Group Links
MARG Website
EMS Joins Forces with Mountaineer Area Rescue Group (article)
Mountaineer Area Rescue Group in the news (article)
Search and Rescue in the United States

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Credits

Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore

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We were saddened to learn about the passing of a former guest, Jaimie Sherling.  In tribute to the beautiful soul she was, here is her original conversation from April of 2022.

We were deeply honored to have had a conversation with the inspiring Jaimie Sherling before discovering she had passed away from cancer in April of 2023.  This is a remastered version of Jaimie's original episode, "The You Do You Conversation" in honor of Jaimie's beautiful soul and bright light she always managed to shine, even when she didn't feel so shiny on the inside. 

 At the time we sat down with Jaimie she had emerged as a survivor with an incredible story to tell. Through her journey, she created a clothing line called "You Do You Sweets" for women adapting to their new, post double mastectomy bodies and authored the book "From Queen's to Queen's" that captures her unique life experiences with resilience and wit.

We delved into Jamie's life post-double mastectomy, exploring her transition to a new body and the vital support she received from her network of friends, family, and the Madison, Wisconsin drag community. Jamie's creativity shone through as she discussed the conception and development of her clothing line, as well as the writing process for her book. Her strength and determination are a testament to the power of self-acceptance and overcoming adversity.

Lastly, we touched on Jamie's profound connection with the drag queen community and the love and acceptance they extended towards her. Performing as a backup dancer in drag shows and finding solace in the joyous atmosphere, Jamie's spirit remained unbroken.  She was transparent in the difficulty dealing with the lows and embraced the highs, not matter what they were.

We encourage you to pick up her books for inspiration and in honor of the beautiful spirit and light that she was to everyone she met.

From Queens to Queens: How the Madison Drag Community Saved My Life
I'm Tough...and I Cry Alot
You Do You Sweets Clothing

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Credits

Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Have you ever dreamt of turning your hobby into a full-time passion and experiencing the thrill of personal fulfillment? 

Join me, your host Helen, as we explore the challenges and triumphs of these brave individuals, from conquering stage fright to expanding a small hobby into something much more significant.

Starting this August, tune in every other Wednesday for inspiring stories from people daring to follow their dreams. We'll learn about unique hobbies, laugh together, and discover how our guests turned their passions into reality. You never know – you might just find the inspiration you need to embark on your own adventure! Don't miss our upcoming episodes filled with laughter, learning, and a whole lot of inspiration.

Episode Links in order of appearance:
Rua Fay - The Film Blogger Conversation
Keith Normand - The Bee Keeper Conversation
Bill Borkowski - The Blood Donor Conversation
Stephanie Peters - The Stand Up Conversation
John Saccameno - The Vintage Sports Car Racer Conversation
Brian Kintz - The Trivia Game Host Conversation
Bridget Tamilow - The Stitcher Conversation
Glenn Williams - The Scale Model Builder Conversation

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Credits

Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

How do you react when someone pushes your buttons?  This week’s guest, author and coach, Mary Elizabeth Murphy, shares her Reset Your Buttons model to help us identify what is happening and how to respond appropriately in the moment.  

Mary Elizabeth discusses each piece of the RESET model, helps us understand our personal triggers, how we can apply the RESET model and why her mission is to help people develop the introspection to respond in a way that helps us develop stronger personal and professional relationships.

The uncertainty of the last few years may have taken a toll on you, your loved ones and colleagues so don’t miss this episode!

Episode and Guest Link

Reset Your Buttons Home Page

Buy the Reset Your Buttons Book

Join the Star Resources Community to Continue Resetting Your Buttons

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Music and Artwork Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Assorted Conversations Podcast emoji’s designed by OpenMoji 

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Credits

Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

This week’s guest, Brian Anderson, is the only full-time Tick and Lyme Disease Specialist in the US.  After seeing the devastating effects of Lyme disease, Brian has devoted several years to educating outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor workers on how to protect themselves from these little blood-sucking critters.

Brian shares with us how and why he took this path, the life cycle of ticks and what to watch out for, what to do if you get bit, the difference between DEET and Permethrin to ensure you are keeping yourself, your pets and your loved ones safe while enjoying the outdoors.  Brian’s passion for educating people on Lyme disease prevention and tick safety is evident through the stories he shares, the humor he injects into the conversation and clearly represents why he’s known across the country as The Tick Terminator!

Listen in to our lively conversation with Brian and yes, Maureen and Helen itched through the entire discussion!

Episode and Guest Links

The Tick Terminator Website

The Tick Terminator on You Tube

Connect with The Tick Terminator on LinkedIn

Guest Update Links

Ep. 6 - The Graphic Novelist Conversation - Emma Halloran

Ep. 14 - The Film Blogger Conversation - Rua Fay

Ep. 13 - The Ghost Tour Manager Conversation - Christy Parrish

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Credits

Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Have you ever wanted to just pack your bags and go wander around the globe?  This week’s guest, New York Times Best Selling Author and professional traveler, Heather Markel, left the safety and security of her corporate gig and did just that!  

Heather shares how she prepared herself, financially and emotionally, to make the leap into exploring the unknown; what she’s learned about herself and others through her travels and why she advocates for folks over 40 to do the same, even if it's for the short term.  Being a solo, female traveler, Heather also shares safety tips for overseas travel and resources to help ensure travel scams are avoided.

Through her learning process, Heather has now become an inspiration and a resource for others who aspire to live and explore a nomadic lifestyle, whether it's for a short term or a long term adventure.

Episode and Guest Link

Heather Begins Home Page

Follow Heather on FaceBook

Follow Heather on Instagram

Follow Heather on Twitter

Heather Markel - The Inspired Nomads on YouTube

Voices of the 21st Century on Amazon

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Credits

Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Adversity can make you bitter or you can choose to let it make you better.  This week’s guest, Jaimie Shearling, has chosen to make lemonade out of the lemons life has given and she’s added a splash of vodka!

She’s a cancer warrior-turned-entrepreneur helping her sister-breast cancer survivors, she has found acceptance and emotional support through her friends in the Madison Wisconsin drag community and has chronicled her journey of leaning into adversity and coming out stronger with her memoir, “From Queens to Queens:  How the Madison Drag Community Saved My Life”.

Truly an inspiration for anyone handling a rough time, regardless of the circumstances!

Episode and Guest Link

You Do You Sweets Clothing Line

From Queens to Queens: How the Madison Drag Community Saved My Life on Amazon

Folllow Jaime on Instagram

Support Jaimie and her daughter Avery's Walk Team

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Music and Artwork Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

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Credits

Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

Bonnie Jean Kuras, has always had a passion for helping children.  Throughout her career she’s been an educator and school administrator, seeing and experiencing more than what goes on in the classroom and on the playground.  

The behind-the-scenes stressors began to affect her and those around her yet, thanks to a fateful conversation and a hard truth shared by her husband, Bonnie found a path to continue making a difference by helping children and their families deal with and recover from the effects of trauma.

The important work she does as a community educator reaches beyond the children and their families and involves schools, law enforcement, caregivers, coaches, clergy and more.  She educates on the behaviors that are associated with the effects of child abuse and neglect to empower communities to spot and advocate on behalf of the children.

Episode and Guest Link

The Tedi Bear Children's Advocacy Center

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Music and Artwork Credits

Music Credit:  True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com

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Credits

Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com