🌲🎙️Episode # 13

How Claiming Heritage and Healing Through Adventure Shapes a Wild Life

The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!

Today's Guest: Paris Iha

Paris Iha is a mental health counselor, coach, and clinical herbalist with training in adventure-based counseling. Inspired by place-based and more-than-human relationships, as well as her Indigenous Ryukyuan heritage, Paris' passion is to co-facilitate healing that centers our sense of belonging to nature. She integrates somatic, nature-based, canine-assisted, and neurobiology-informed approaches into her work.

In this episode of the Go Wildly Podcast, we dive deep with Paris Iha into the wild world of adventure therapy — what it looks like, how it heals, and the role her dog Cap Joe plays as a four-legged co-therapist. 🌲🐕✨

We explore Paris’s journey of reclaiming her Ryukyuan/Japanese heritage, navigating intergenerational trauma, and connecting with ancestral practices that have shaped her healing work. From conversations about blood quantum and cultural identity to stories of her and her sister rediscovering ancestral traditions, this episode is as raw as it is inspiring.

Paris also shares powerful, vulnerable stories from her time in nature — encounters that cracked her wide open, moments where carrying protection gave her confidence outdoors, and a breathtaking experience in Alaska where a single flower made her feel at home miles away from her roots. 🌸

We just skimmed the surface of her work in herbalism (definitely a part two coming), but even the glimpse we got showed how plants and the natural world can become allies in belonging and healing.

This episode is about adventure, ancestry, resilience, and the medicine of the wild.

Connect with Paris

• Instagram: @paris.rae.iha

Email: [email protected]

Filmed on Location: Rafting- Rogue River; Indian Mary to Ennis

Let's Go Wildly Together:-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com-

Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, Rafting, whitewater, rogue river, traveling, goats, dogs, animals, artist, murals, boarding school, crazy stories, creative, floating, river, wild and scenic, canyon, river canyon, therapeutic, haritage, ancestors, healing, trauma, herbalism, nature, travel, protection, plants

🌲🎙️🐐🎨Episode # 12

How a Rebel Artist Built a Life Around Adventure with a Goat Named Frankie & Corn Dog

The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!

Today's Guest: Cate Battles

Cate Battles is an East Coast native whose passion for art began in childhood and has taken many forms over the years…from painting murals across Southern Oregon to capturing the wild through her photography. Now based in the region, she’s also a social media pro behind some of its most prominent travel pages and the creator of the travel blog Argosy Odyssey.

Cate’s life blends creativity and exploration…whether she’s camping in the Pacific Northwest, traveling the world, or spending time with her goat Frankie and dog Corn Dog. Her unique bond with Frankie was featured on the Discovery+ series The Bond. Through her murals, photography, and storytelling, Cate celebrates the beauty of wild places and the adventures that shape them.

In this episode, Cate Battles takes us from her wild boarding school years to life on the road in a renovated Airstream with her goat Frankie and dog Corn Dog. We talk about how that chapter began, the adventures and challenges along the way, and how those experiences shaped the art and murals she’s known for today. Cate also shares what life looks like now—rooted in Southern Oregon but still fueled by travel, creativity, and a love for the outdoors.

Connect with Cate www.argosyodyssey.com or on Instagram & Facebook @argosyodyssey or @catebattles

Filmed on Location: Rafting- Rogue River; Hogs Creek to Indian Mary

Let's Go Wildly Together:-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly -Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com-

Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, Rafting, whitewater, rogue river, traveling, goats, dogs, animals, artist, murals, boarding school, crazy stories, creative, floating, river, wild and scenic, canyon, river canyon, rebel, bad kid, childhood, growth, tiny house.

🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 11

How To Build a Life As a River Guide -- Even If You Didn't Grow Up Outdoorsy

"I had to find a job where I could share the outside with people"

The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

Together let’s GO WILDLY!

Today's Guest: Michael Hughes

Michael Hughes didn’t grow up outdoorsy. No family camping trips, no rafting childhood summers. But somewhere along the way, he said yes to the river — and it changed everything.

Now he’s the manager of Northwest Rafting Company, a career river guide, ultra runner, and the guy leading trips from the Rogue River all the way to Bhutan. In this episode, we talk about what life’s really like as a guide, the magic of the Northwest guide house, international rafting culture, and what it takes to build a life around adventure, even if you started far from it.

He also drops some real advice for anyone dreaming of a life outside: how to get started, how to stay grounded, and why it’s never too late to choose a different path.

This one’s for the explorers, the late bloomers, and the ones who keep showing up ...even if the episode’s a little late.

Let’s go wildly.

Northwest Rafting Company https://www.nwrafting.com/

also check out... https://www.whitewaterguidebook.com/

Filmed on Location: Ferry Road Boat Ramp

Let's Go Wildly Together:-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly-Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com-Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, rafting, whitewater, river, river guide, guiding rivers, outdoor guide, Bhutan, international travel

🌲🎙️🚲🪏Episode # 10

The Singletrack Mind: How a Childhood Obsession with Bikes Built a Life of Adventure & Purpose

"Morality for me is carrying a saw and clearing trail "

The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.Together let’s GO WILDLY!

Today's Guest: Larry Sussman

Lawrence (aka Larry) Sussman, is the Executive Director of the Southern Oregon Trail Alliance—a lifelong mountain biker, trail steward, and all-around adventure junkie with a singletrack mind that’s guided his entire life.

Larry grew up in Nevada City, California—one of the best places in the world to fall in love with mountain biking. From the moment he first swung a leg over a bike at 12 years old, two wheels became the common thread through every season of his life. He even brought his bike with him when he moved to Costa Rica as a preteen!

From racing cross-country and downhill in high school and college, to learning the mechanics that landed him his first job, to leading a trail alliance today—Larry’s story is a wild ride of passion, purpose, and community.

In this episode, we talk about the unexpected power of childhood obsessions, how early passions shape our adult lives, and the beauty of giving back to the places we play. We get into his journey of mountain bike racing, his obsession with machines (including dirt bikes and cars), and how he’s now channeling all of that energy into trail stewardship and building community here in Southern Oregon.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn what you love into a life of purpose—or how the little things you nurture as a kid can shape who you become—this one’s for you.

Connect with Larry@southernoregontrailalliance on Instagram & Facebook

Filmed on Location:Dollar Mountain Trail System in Grants Pass Oregon

Let's Go Wildly Together:-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly-Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode-Leave us a review — it helps so much!-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com-Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, trail worker, trail stewardship, mountain biking, mtbing, biking, mountain bike racing, dirt bike, cross country mountain biking, costa rica, pura vida, fun, funny, southern oregon trail alliance, mule mountain, saw, cleaning, racing bikes, bike team, volunteer

🌲🎙️🥾🌀Episode # 9

WILDLY US: Emily - Drowning Lessons I Never Asked For

"The river provides a metaphor for everything in life"

The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.

We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

Together let’s GO WILDLY!

WILDLY US:

Emily Berlant is a passionate storyteller, community advocate, and co-host of the Go Wildly Podcast. Rooted in Southern Oregon, she brings a deep love for nature, authentic conversation, and creative connection to everything she does. Through her work, Emily inspires others to explore the outdoors, embrace vulnerability, and build a more sustainable, compassionate world.

Her professional background spans the whitewater rafting and tourism industry, renewable energy and community engagement, small-town government, nonprofit management, and hospitality. Today, she curates a life rich with joyful activities and supportive communities that help her live her best life. Learn more about Emily each week on Go Wildly.

In Episode 9 of the Go Wildly podcast, we turn the mic inward for a special storytelling session with me, Emily, your co-host. I open up about some of the most impactful—and, honestly, traumatic—experiences I had in the wild as a young person, and how they shaped the way I learned to navigate the world - not from a place of fear, but with respect and humility.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How the river humbles Emily 

• The importance of a safe community, especially on the river

• How everything can change in an instant

• A powerful perspective shift on the fragility of life

Connect with Emily

Here!!! on the Go Wildly Podcast or Through DM or Email @ [email protected]

Instagram:

Emily.gowildly

Filmed on Location:

Griffin Park, Grants Pass Oregon

Let's Go Wildly Together:

-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

-Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

-Leave us a review — it helps so much!

-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

-Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, wilderville, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, gay, pride month, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, happy, joy, near death experience, near death stories, drowning stories, Salmon River, Middle fork of the salmon river, main salmon river Idaho, river trip, rafting guide, rafting outfitter, raft guide, whitewater, swift water, swift water rescue, lifejacket, pfd, kayak, rapid, rogue river, childhood stories, childhood trauma, camping

🌲🎙️🥾🪏Episode # 8

The Wild TRUTH About Public Lands: They're Being Threatened- But Not By Who You Think

"Public Lands Are The Last Common Ground"

The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.

We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

Together let’s GO WILDLY!

Today's Guest: Gabriel Howe

Gabriel Howe is the executive director and trailblazing force behind the Siskiyou Mountain Club, a nonprofit born in 2010 to protect and restore the wild soul of southwest Oregon and northwest California. Raised in the suburban sprawl east of Portland, Gabriel cut his teeth exploring the underbelly of Mt. Hood National Forest, where the less-traveled paths sparked a lifelong obsession with wilderness. By 2005, his compass shifted south to the rugged, untamed Siskiyou Mountains, a place that captured his soul and never let go. These days, Gabriel calls Ashland home, where he and his wife, Jill, are raising two little explorers of their own under the shadow of the peaks they love.

In this episode, we follow the thread of Gabe Howe's journey—from his wild childhood to his deep-rooted passion for making trails usable and public lands accessible. Along the way, you’ll hear a few unforgettable stories, a fired-up rant about why people are disconnected from the land (and how we fix it), and some bold ideas for getting folks back outside. We also dive into public lands as the last true frontier—and maybe the only common ground left between political sides. It’s thoughtful, fiery, and full of purpose. Let’s go there.

Connect with Gabriel Howe

@siskiyou.mountain.club on Instagram

106 Talent Ave SUITE 3, Talent, OR 97540

https://siskiyoumountainclub.org/

(458) 254 -0657

Filmed on Location:

Middle Fork Trail of The Applegate River California

Let's Go Wildly Together:

-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

-Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

-Leave us a review — it helps so much!

-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

-Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, public land, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, park, keep public land public, nonprofit, club, siskiyou mountain club, chetco river, red butte wilderness, backcountry, national forest, rogue river wilderness, applegate river, northern California, trail worker

🌲🎙️🥾🌈Episode # 7

The House Lesbian's Survival Guide: How to be Queer in the Middle of Nowhere. An Origin Story

A Wilderville-raised forest kid turned queer botanical icon shares backwoods childhood stories, forest-born wisdom and chaotic banter in this gloriously feral Pride Month special.

"There's always an opportunity to make in Gay"

The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common thread that led them to make the outdoors more than just a hobby, but a calling.

We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

Together let’s GO WILDLY!

Today's Guest: Asia Stehnike

We’re joined by Asia, known affectionately as Emily’s House Lesbian and her housemate. Asia is a born-and-raised Oregonian from Grants Pass, and a lover of all things beautiful, forageable, and delicious. By day, she tends to plants and people on a botanical herb farm. By night, she crafts nourishing meals as a private chef and micro-caterer, blending intuition, seasonality, and a deep reverence for whole foods. Rooted in the rhythms of the natural world, Asia’s life and work are shaped by the wild landscapes she calls home.

In this Pride Month special, we talk about growing up in a forest setting, the quiet wisdom passed down from her grandpa, and what it felt like to leave Wilderville for the suburbs — and then feel the pull to return home. Asia shares what it looked like to reconnect to herself while navigating a more urban lifestyle, and the powerful moment she had on the John Day River that reawakened her inner child.

We also dive into her identity, community, queerness, and all the hilarious chaos that comes with recording a podcast between close friends. It’s real, it’s raw, it’s full of tangents, heart, and as much gay joy as we could possibly pack into one episode.

Press play for a beautifully wild ride through memory, meaning, and coming home to yourself.

Connect with Asia Stehnike

@asiastinky (personal)

@eats_n_greens (business/cooking)

Filmed on Location:

Her Family Property in Wilderville, OR

Let's Go Wildly Together:

-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

-Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

-Leave us a review — it helps so much!

-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

-Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount code (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

Keywords: go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, oregon, wilderness, wilderville, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, gay, pride month, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change, friends, lesbian, funny, comical, happy, joy, inner child, climbing trees, john day oregon, herbs, private chef

🌲🎙️🥾🦅Episode #6 | Part 2

⛰️🦉🐁The Owl, The Mountain, The Mouse

"You Can't Come Out Of This Without Being In The Cult"

The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies and decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common tread that lend them to make the outdoors more then just a hobby but a calling.

We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

Together let’s GO WILDLY!

Today's Guest: Christy Chow

In this episode, Emily sits down with Christy Chow—environmental consultant, triple-degree holder, and longtime friend—for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from career pivots to climate grief.

In this episode, Christy Chow takes us deep into the wild heart of her childhood; where owls were friends, the backyard was sacred, and wonder came easy. She shares the story of the spotted owl who swooped down for a mouse off her head (yes, really), and the moment that changed everything. We follow her from those early outdoor roots to an unforgettable mountain trek in rural China, where she ditched the gondola for the deer path and things got… intense. It’s a story of connection, chaos, family, and finding yourself somewhere between the treetops and the trail.

Connect with Christy

Please email [email protected] & we will personally connect you.

Filmed on Location:

Green Spring Mountain Loop Trail

Let's Go Wildly Together:

-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

-Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

-Leave us a review — it helps so much!

-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

-Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount codes (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

Keywords: , go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, ashland oregon, wilderness, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, wildfire prevention, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, green springs mountain trail, trail talk, sustainability, recycling, environmentalist, reduce, reuse, climate work, covid, urban wildfire, single use plastics, longtime friend, conversations, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change,

🌲🎙️🥾🦅Episode #6 | Part 1

♻️Sorting Trash, Spotting Ravens & Spilling Life Tea

"Humanity is Highly Combustible..."

The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies and decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common tread that lend them to make the outdoors more then just a hobby but a calling.

We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

Together let’s GO WILDLY!

Today's Guest: Christy Chow

In this episode, Emily sits down with Christy Chow—environmental consultant, triple-degree holder, and longtime friend—for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from career pivots to climate grief.

The two talk through Christy’s academic journey, finishing her master’s during COVID, and the realities of working in environmental policy today. They unpack the aftermath of the Southern Oregon wildfires, the complicated relationship between zero waste and disaster response, and how COVID shifted the culture around single-use items. Plus, personal reflections on navigating adulthood, stepping away from social media, manifesting big changes, and the ways friendship can grow through it all.

🌎What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔥What the Talent and Phoenix wildfires revealed about community and resilience
♻️How COVID flipped the zero waste movement on its head
🤸🏽The behind-the-scenes chaos of working in sustainability during a global crisis

Connect with Christy

Please email [email protected] & we will personally connect you.

Filmed on Location:

Green Spring Mountain Loop Trail

Let's Go Wildly Together:

-Follow us on Instagram: @gowildlypodcast

-Tag us on your hikes or adventures using #gowildly

-Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode

-Leave us a review — it helps so much!

-Get inspired: www.gowildlypodcast.com

-Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Visit gowildlypodcast.com & sign-up for our newsletter & never miss an event, group hike, discount codes (when those start), digital guides to the outdoors, and more behind the scenes content.

Keywords: , go wildly podcast, adventure podcast, southern oregon, oregon, pnw, hiking, ashland oregon, wilderness, wilderness stories, outdoor stories, pacific northwest adventures, grants pass oregon, trail conversations, hiking podcast, wildfire prevention, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, green springs mountain trail, trail talk, sustainability, recycling, environmentalist, reduce, reuse, climate work, covid, urban wildfire, single use plastics, longtime friend, conversations, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health, change, climate change,

🌲🎙️🥾🔥Episode #5

🔥Wildfire Season Special: Grit, Chainsaws, and the American Dream

"Don't be a Dickbag, listen to Smokey Bear, Put out your fires..."

The Go Wildly Podcast is what happens when two childhood friends & dirtbag adventure junkies and decide to bring a mic into the wilderness. We’re Emily & Heather...equal parts heart and chaos...pulling stories out of people like snacks from the bottom of a backpack. We hike. We float. We talk. And somehow, in between all the laughs and mosquito bites, something real always surfaces.

We take outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds into the woods & find out the common tread that lend them to make the outdoors more then just a hobby but a calling.

We're goofy. We’re deep. We’re a little unhinged. And we somehow bring that out in our guests too. Think campfire vibes meets podcast energy...with just enough weird to keep things interesting.

Together let’s GO WILDLY!

Today's Guest: Miguel Narvaez; Federal Hotshot Wildland Fire Fighter

In Episode 6, we hike straight into fire season with Miguel Narvaez— a Type 1 federal hotshot firefighter, sawyer, and living proof of what it means to chase the American dream with grit, guts, and a whole lot of smoke. Born in Mexico City, raised across the U.S., and now rooted in Southern Oregon, Miguel’s story is anything but ordinary.

From college athletics to cutting firelines with a chainsaw, Miguel walks us through the journey that led him west with $200 in his pocket and into the world of wildland fire. We talk about how he earned his citizenship, what it takes to become a hotshot, and why the fireline feels like home. He opens up about the physical and emotional toll of the job, the tight-knit crew culture, and what it’s like navigating this chapter of life as a seasoned firefighter.

This episode is a tribute to the people behind the flames — the ones holding the line, packing the saw, and finding purpose in the chaos.

🔥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🪓 Miguel’s road from Mexico City to the frontlines of wildfire

🇺🇸 How he earned his citizenship to follow his calling

🧭 The in-and-outs of wildland fire culture and what it really takes

🚒 The grind, grit, and purpose behind being a Type 1 Hotshot

🌲 The chapter of life Miguel’s navigating right now

🎒 Gear Rec from Miguel:

Logger Suspenders — A must for the wildland folks in your life. Rugged, local, and fireline-approved.

🔥 Shoutouts & Resources:

• Grassroots Wildland Firefighters — Advocating for better pay, classification, and well-being for federal wildland firefighters.

• Wildland Firefighter Foundation — Supporting firefighters and their families when tragedy strikes.

• Watch: Hotshot (Amazon Prime) — A solid documentary if you’re curious about what this world really looks like. (Fire Country… not so much, but yes, Miguel has watched every episode for the laugh.)

Connect With Miguel & Follow his journey

Instagram: @100migs

Filmed on Location:

Rogue River-Siskyou National Forest

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