Friend of the podcast Dr. Robert Scanlon joins host Martin to talk about preparation as the ultimate survival skill. A physician, backpacker, and author of the upcoming book Surviving the Trail (launching September 2025), Dr. Scanlon shares practical safety tips and insights for anyone looking to thrive on the trail. Pre-order Surviving the Trail and get ready to make every outdoor adventure safer and more rewarding.🌲🥾📚🏕️🗻🚶‍♂️🔥🧭🏞️🌄

Ready to master the trail? Pre-order Surviving the Trail: Five Essential Skills to Prepare Every Hiker for Adventure’s Most Common Perils by Dr. Rob Scanlon today and start your next outdoor journey with confidence. Get your copy here.

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Get outside, have fun and be safe!
Martin Armitage,
Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcast
https://www.papabearhikes.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746
https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

On this episode of the Papa Bear Hikes podcast, host Martin welcomes James Oliver, lifelong hiker and founder of Atlas, a company dedicated to clean, convenient, high-protein nutrition. James shares how his journey on the trail shaped his approach to endurance, wellness, and the importance of fueling with intention. Today, through Atlas, he’s helping others push their limits and thrive with nutrition designed for adventure.

Explore Atlas flavors including Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and other delicious varieties: atlasbars.com

Follow Atlas:
 TikTok: @atlasbars
Facebook: Atlas Bars
Instagram: @atlasbars

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Get outside, have fun and be safe!
Martin Armitage,
Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcast
https://www.papabearhikes.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746
https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

On this episode of the Papa Bear Hikes podcast, host Martin welcomes Rebecca Campbell, an internationally bestselling writer, poet, mystic, artist, ritualist, and mother. Her work is devoted to weaving the soul back into everyday life and guiding people to live in alignment with their spirit.

Born in Australia and now living in Glastonbury, UK, Rebecca has been working with the rose and other plants since 2010 and has experienced several initiatory awakenings. Before sharing her visions through books and oracle decks, she was an award-winning creative director.

She is the author of Rise Sister Rise, Letters to a Starseed, Light Is The New Black, and the oracle decks The Work Your Light Oracle, The Rose Oracle, and The Starseed Oracle. Her work has been featured in Oprah.com, Vogue, Psychologies Magazine, Kindred Spirit, and more.

Connect with Rebecca:
 www.rebeccacampbell.me
Instagram
Facebook

Discover Rebecca Campbell’s powerful new book Your Soul Had a Dream, Your Life Is It: How to Be Held by Life When It Feels Like Everything Is Falling Apart. This soulful guide will help you find meaning, strength, and connection through life’s most challenging seasons.

Get your copy today: Your Soul Had a Dream, Your Life Is It 🌿✨

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Get outside, have fun and be safe!
Martin Armitage,
Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcast
https://www.papabearhikes.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746
https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

On this episode of Papa Bear Hikes, host Martin welcomes Howard Falco, a spiritual teacher and mindset coach who left a successful career in finance after a life-changing awakening. Howard shares powerful insights from his new book, Invincible: The Mindset of Infinite Potential and the Secret to Inevitable Success, offering practical guidance on breaking through self-imposed limits and tapping into extraordinary inner strength. Drawing on years of coaching both elite athletes and everyday seekers, he reveals how shifting your mindset can unlock your highest potential.

Discover the tools to break through your limits and achieve extraordinary inner strength. Get your copy of Invincible: The Mindset of Infinite Potential and the Secret to Inevitable Success today: https://a.co/d/g8GUIUT

Follow https://www.instagram.com/howardfalco for powerful insights on mindset, personal growth, and unlocking your true potential. Visit https://howardfalco.com to start your journey today. 

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Get outside, have fun and be safe!
Martin Armitage,
Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcast
https://www.papabearhikes.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746
https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

In this episode, Martin talks with Ken Posner about his shift from Wall Street life to mountain trails, where he took on the brutal and beautiful Catskill "Grid"—a challenge requiring over 400 ascents across every month of the year. What began as a pursuit of a record evolved into something far deeper.

Ken shares how stripping away gear, comfort, and convention helped him reconnect with nature on its terms. Barefoot, minimalist, and often alone, he found purpose in the mud, snow, and silence. This is more than a story about running—it's about transformation, obsession, and discovering what it means to move through the world with intention.

Ken Posner’s story continues in Chasing the Grid: An Ultrarunner's Physical and Spiritual Journey in Pursuit of the Ultimate Mountain Challenge.

Pre-order now and experience the mountains through the eyes of a man who left behind convention to find meaning in every ascent.

📘 Order on Amazon

Want to learn more about Ken Posner’s journey, philosophy, and barefoot adventures?

Visit barefootken.com and follow him on Instagram @long_brown_path for insights, stories, and updates from the trail.

#ChasingTheGrid #KenPosner #Ultrarunning #MountainChallenge #TrailRunner #NewBook #AdventureReads #PapaBearHikes

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Get outside, have fun and be safe!
Martin Armitage,
Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcast
https://www.papabearhikes.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746
https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

In this episode, Martin welcomes outfitter and river guide Jon Barker for his first appearance on the podcast. Jon is the founder of Barker River Expeditions and has spent over 40 years navigating Idaho’s remote rivers. For the past 25 years, he’s specialized in desert river trips on the Jarbidge, Bruneau, and Owyhee Rivers.

Jon shares stories from his decades guiding clients through some of the most rugged and beautiful terrain in the American West, including supported hikes through slot canyons and hunts for record-setting Bighorn sheep. His knowledge, experience, and connection to the land run deep.

Martin recently returned from a guided trip on the Bruneau River in Idaho with his son, giving him a fresh appreciation for the craft and commitment of professional guides like Jon. This conversation is a celebration of wild places, expert guidance, and the lasting memories made on the river.

Barker River Expeditions is proud to be the only desert outfitter featured in 3100 Miles, a new YouTube series from the Idaho Department of Commerce and Fisher Creative. The series explores Idaho’s 3,100 miles of whitewater through stunning rapids, canyons, and stories.

Watch the beautifully filmed Bruneau River segment here:
 visitidaho.org/3100-whitewater-adventures/series/bruneau-river

To learn more about Jon and Barker River Expeditions, visit barkerriver.com/about-us.

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Get outside, have fun and be safe!
Martin Armitage,
Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcast
https://www.papabearhikes.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746
https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Host Martin Armitage welcomes Dr. Sean Pastuch, founder of Active Life, whose groundbreaking approach is transforming how we think about health, movement, and longevity. Rather than relying on quick fixes or unnecessary medical interventions, Dr. Pastuch empowers individuals to reclaim their active lives through smart, sustainable fitness solutions. With a background in coaching elite athletes and a passion for helping everyday people live pain free and purpose driven lives, Sean shares practical tools and powerful insights that align perfectly with the values of the Papa Bear Hikes community.

Tune in for a conversation that could change the way you move through life.

Follow and subscribe to learn more about Dr. Sean Pastuch’s mission to help you live life without limits. Discover resources, programs, and powerful insights at drseanpastuch.com 💪🌿

#PapaBearHikes #ActiveLifeRx #WellnessWithoutLimits #LiveFully #MovementIsMedicine #SeanPastuch #HikingHealth #InjuryFreeLiving #FitnessForLife

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Get outside, have fun and be safe!
Martin Armitage,
Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcast
https://www.papabearhikes.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746
https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

 This week on Papa Bear Hikes, host Martin welcomes back listener favorite Ben “Paladin” Cox. A husband, father, hiker, environmentalist, hunter, fisherman, and world traveler, Ben joins us once again to share stories, reflections, and a few new perspectives since his last visit.

Together, Martin and Ben dive into the experiences that have shaped him over the past year from time spent outdoors to moments that brought him closer to home. Whether you’re an adventurer, a dreamer, or someone seeking a deeper connection with the world around you, this episode offers something to take with you on your own path.

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Get outside, have fun and be safe!
Martin Armitage,
Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcast
https://www.papabearhikes.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746
https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Aaron returns to the show to share her expert insight as a licensed nutritionist and founder of Backcountry Foodie, focusing on how hikers can fuel their adventures with healthy, ultralight snacks—without overspending. Drawing from her extensive experience creating trail-tested meal plans, she offers smart, affordable picks from dollar stores and discount chains that deliver real nutritional value and stand up to the demands of the backcountry. 

This episode was inspired by a suggestion from one of our show followers—proof that the Papa Bear Hikes community keeps us hiking smarter!

In this episode, Martin and Aaron discuss:

• Budget-friendly high-protein and energy-boosting snack ideas
• What to look for in packaged foods on a hiker’s budget
• Tips to balance weight, calories, and cost
• Updates on her own trail snack staples

Aaron proves that good nutrition and ultralight packing can go hand-in-hand—even on a tight budget.

🎧 Listen now and take the guesswork out of snack planning!

👉 Follow Aaron on Instagram: @backcountry_foodie

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Get outside, have fun and be safe!
Martin Armitage,
Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcast
https://www.papabearhikes.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746
https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Host Martin welcomes back fan favorite Audrey “Glowstick” Payne, a seasoned thru hiker, blogger, and author, for an inspiring update on her latest long distance journey: trekking from Carson City to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail. Audrey shares vivid stories of dusty switchbacks, high desert ridgelines, and the ever changing terrain that defines the northern stretch of the PCT. She also dishes on the quirky, welcoming small towns she stops in along the way, places full of character, kindness, and the occasional unexpected trail magic.

We dive into her motivations, her trail tested gear, and how her Appalachian Trail memoir continues to inspire a growing community of hikers.

Follow Audrey’s journey and explore more of her writing and adventures
 🌐 Website: sunstrucksite.wordpress.com
📸 Instagram: @audipayne

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Support the show

Get outside, have fun and be safe!
Martin Armitage,
Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcast
https://www.papabearhikes.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746
https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/