Go Wildly Podcast

In this Season 2 opener of Go Wildly Podcast, hosts Heather and Emily sit down by the river to reflect on the first season, share what the off-season looked like, and talk about what’s ahead for the podcast.

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Go Wildly has grown, lessons learned from Season 1, and how time spent outside continues to shape the direction of the show. Heather and Emily also share personal updates, outdoor moments from the off-season, and the intention behind focusing Season 2 on deeper storytelling and connection around the people who call Southern Oregon "home".

Go Wildly is an outdoor storytelling podcast recorded outside, exploring the moments in nature that shape who we are—without scripts, studios, or flash.

🎙️ Recorded outdoors in Southern Oregon🌲 Unscripted, story-driven conversations📍 New episodes released regularly

Timestamps00:00 Intro – Welcome to Go Wildly Podcast03:20 Who is Go Wildly Podcast08:58 Reflections on Season One16:08 Favorite Episodes from Season One23:29 Recap on the Off Season39:17 Loving Proud Moment39:46 What to Expect for Season Two43:30 How To Get Involved45:40 Final Words🎧 Listen to Go Wildly PodcastSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcastApple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/applegowildlypodcastAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/amazonmusicgowildlypodcast📺 Watch Full Episodes on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@gowildlypodcast🌿 Follow Along & ConnectInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowildlypodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@GoWildlyPodcast Website: https://www.gowildlypodcast.com🤝 Collaborations & InquiriesFor guest suggestions, partnerships, or sponsorships:[email protected]🔎 About This PodcastGo Wildly is an outdoor podcast focused on storytelling, freedom, outdoor lifestyles, and the moments outside that shape who we are.

Topics: outdoor podcast, outdoor storytelling, nature connection, Southern Oregon outdoors, creative projects, life outside, independent podcast, freedom

🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 18

On The Water & In The Wild: Zac Kauffman's Journey from Hippie Roots to Sawyer Paddles & Oars

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: Zac Kauffman

Zac Kauffman is the co-owner and CEO of Sawyer Paddles & Oars, a heritage Oregon brand crafting world-class paddles and oars right on the banks of the Rogue River. He’s also the host of the Sawyer on Water podcast, where he documents the stories and spirit of the river community that shaped him.

In this episode, we talk about Zac’s roots growing up in Takilma, Oregon — from living for a time on a commune in a circus tent to helping his family build the five-bedroom log home they still live in today. He shares how a college rafting program in Ashland sparked his lifelong connection to the river and led him into the world of paddlecraft and outdoor business.

We dive into the legacy of Sawyer, the importance of preserving river history, and the community that rises up in times of challenge — from the Phoenix-Talent fires to the everyday teamwork that defines life on the water. Zac shares a handful of memorable stories from his time on the river — the moments that shaped his love for whitewater and the people who call it home.

It’s a story of craft, current, and community — proof that sometimes the wild calls you home in the most unexpected way.

Get in touch with Sawyer Paddles & Oars

📍 Retail Store (Sawyer Station)

404 2nd Avenue, Gold Hill, OR 97525  

📬 Mailing Address: PO Box 389, Gold Hill, OR 97525  

📞 Phone: (541) 228-9645  

📧 Email: [email protected]  

Factory / Headquarters (Dealers & B2B inquiries)

📍 299 Rogue River Parkway, Talent, OR 97540  

📞 Phone: (541) 535-3606  

📧 Email: [email protected]  

Listen to the Sawyer on Water Podcast

Tune in on your favorite podcast platform for river-stories, craft-talk, community deep-dives and more with Sawyer founder Zac Kauffman.

Sawyer Paddles & Oars (business)

• Instagram: @sawyeroars  

• Website: paddlesandoars.com  

Sawyer On-Water Podcast

• Spotify: “Sawyer On-Water Podcast” on Spotify  

• Apple Podcasts: “Sawyer On-Water Podcast” on Apple Podcasts  

• YouTube @ Sawyer On Water Podcast

• Filmed on Location: Rogue River

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, , hiking podcast, trail building, explore oregon, close encounters, outdoor storytelling, go wildly, passion, purpose, mountain trail, trail talk, chitchat, yap, yapping, diet, health,, friends, trail maintenance, youth outdoor advocate, kids outside, national land, blm, federal land, national parks, rafting, whitewater, Sawyer paddle and Oars, wild and scenic

🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 17

Inside the PCT: What It's Really Like to Hike the Pacific Crest Trail...Twice

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: Hunter Voris

In this episode, we sit down with our longtime friend and fellow adventure junkie, Hunter Voris — a two-time Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker who’s walked the spine of the West Coast not once, but twice.

We rewind all the way back to childhood — from muddy backyard missions and growing up in a BIG family to the hiking trip that started it all and moments that sparked his lifelong pull toward the outdoors. He gives us the rundown on trail life: the unspoken etiquette, the gear that gets him through, the community that forms along the way, and what it really takes to walk from Mexico to Canada on foot.

• Filmed on Location: Reinhart 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, 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, PCT, through hiker, hiker, trail magic, pacific crest trail, dirtbag, mountaineering, rock climbing

🌲🎙️🌊🌞Episode # 16

Wildly Us: How to Have a Summer So Feral it Needs a Debrief Episode

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!

In this first-ever Wildly Us episode, we’re debriefing a summer that felt like a full-on life bootcamp — one filled with career pivots, river rapids, late-night shifts, and real-time personal growth.

Emily shares reflections from her season guiding with First Descents, a nonprofit that provides outdoor adventure for young adults impacted by cancer — including the emotional weight of losing a participant and the many moments of purpose, presence, and transformation she experienced on the water. Meanwhile, Heather dives into what it’s looked like juggling a brand new real estate career and two serving jobs — from the chaos of busy schedules to the unexpected therapy of staying in motion. We talk about the evolution of the pod, what’s next creatively, current life dynamics (including shifts at home and TikTok experiments), and the beauty of staying grounded even when life feels anything but.

This is a cozy, candid check-in for anyone navigating a season of change and trying to do it with heart.

• Filmed on Location: Rafting- Rogue River

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, cancer, baseball, athlete, collage athlete, surfing, mountain biking,career , transformation , building, growth, river guide, tiktok

🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 15

From Cancer to Comeback: Lessons on Resilience & Outdoor Healing

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: Emilio Semas "Hot Pants"

Meet Emilio “Hot Pants” Semas — a former college baseball player, cancer survivor, and outdoor adventure athlete. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Emilio rebuilt his life through kayaking, surfing, climbing, mountain biking, and baseball. Now he shares how the outdoors became his path to resilience, recovery, and purpose.

In this episode of the Go Wildly Podcast, we explore lessons from sports and adventure, overcoming cancer, building community outside, and the importance of mindset, self-care, and learning from failure. From near “oh-shit” river moments to hydration hacks, snow days in Texas, and the origin of his nickname “Hot Pants,” Emilio proves that the outdoors is the ultimate teacher.

If you’re searching for inspiration on resilience, outdoor lifestyle, adventure sports, or finding healing in nature, this conversation delivers.

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, cancer, baseball, athlete, collage athlete, surfing, mountain biking

🌲🎙️🌊Episode # 14

How the River Unlocks Courage: Grief, Growth, Purpose & Cool Nicknames

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: Julia Conrad (Hammer)

Julia “Hammer” Conrad is an outdoor educator, expedition leader, and recreation professional with over 20 years of experience guiding people into transformative experiences on rivers, mountains, and wild spaces. She leads courses in outdoor leadership, whitewater kayaking, and group facilitation, and she coordinates recreation programs that have dramatically increased student success and engagement.

Julia is also a Lead Staff with First Descents, facilitating life-changing kayaking, climbing, and surfing programs for young adults impacted by cancer and MS. She, along with her husband, owns Stout Creek Outfitters, offering whitewater and outdoor wellness programs in Central Oregon. With a background spanning river management, wilderness therapy, ski patrol, and adaptive recreation, she brings a rare mix of grit, vision, and heart to every adventure she leads.

This episode flows through the comforts of the backcountry and the lessons the river has to teach. Listeners will learn what to wear on the water, essential river safety takeaways, and even how to R1 and paddle with confidence. We explore the power of first descents, river nicknames, and the role of adventure-based education in empowering people to conquer fear—unlocking courage that carries into every part of life. Along the way, we dive deep into grief, healing through adventure, and how the river becomes a space for growth, connection, and resilience. With plenty of river instruction, relationship dynamics, and live conversations from the water, this episode is equal parts practical guide and soulful journey.

This episode is about adventure, river safety, backcountry experiences, First Descents (the non-profit), Grief & Healing, Empowerment of others and self.

Connect with Julia

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,

🌲🎙️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.

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