Welcome, fellow explorers. My name is Christian Alexandersen and I’m the host of Hemlocks to Hellbenders, a podcast highlighting Pennsylvania’s parks, forests and great outdoors.

Season four of Hemlocks to Hellbenders is shaping up to be our most exciting yet and I can’t wait to take you along for the journey in 2026. We’ll be exploring some of Pennsylvania’s most incredible parks and forests with the people who know them best: park and forest managers, outdoor educators, historians, authors, conservationists and volunteers who are deeply passionate about this place we call home.

This season, conversations will range from outdoor recreation and backpacking to conservation, wildlife and plant management, Indigenous history, volunteerism, and the stories of the people who shaped Pennsylvania’s landscapes.

If exploring wild places, learning their stories, and planning your next adventure excites you, you’re in the right place. Together, we’ll dig into hidden gems and help you experience Pennsylvania’s public lands in a deeper, more meaningful way.

I launched Hemlocks to Hellbenders in 2023 to inspire people to spend more time in Pennsylvania’s parks and forests, to stand up for their protection, and to help make the outdoors a more welcoming place for everyone. I hope you’ll join us in that mission.

I’m excited to be bringing back four advertisers for the 2026 season; the Keystone Trails Association, Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, Purple Lizard Maps and Sisters' Sunflowers. And I’m thrilled to announce two new supporters of the podcast, Discover Clarion County and Go Laurel Highlands. 

Our fourth season kicks off on Jan. 7 with an episode on the Native American rock carvings found in Safe Harbor on the Susquehanna River. I look forward to sharing our new guests and episodes with you in 2026.

Support the show

Visit our website to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram and Meta to stay connected.

Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen
Music: Jon Sauer
Graphics: Matt Davis