This is your brain on shopping: When you see something new-to-you, your brain gives you a small pulse of the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine. This reward system was great for the prehistoric era—new berry patch: good; saber-tooth tiger: bad—but today, it’s contributing to an overconsumption problem that’s deepening our climate crisis.

"Why Do We Keep Buying New Stuff?” read and written by Archana Ram.

This episode of Patagonia Stories was produced by Patagonia and Cosmic Standard. See more at https://pat.ag/PataStories.

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While teaching his teenage daughter to surf, author Dan Duane rediscovers the pure, unadulterated joy of doing something for the first time.

“The Joy of Junky Windslop” read and written by Dan Duane. This episode of Patagonia Stories was produced by Patagonia and Cosmic Standard. See more at https://pat.ag/PataStories.

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After years of going fast and pushing hard on Yosemite’s big walls, Rhiannon Williams and Alexa Flower attempt a route in Peru, embracing a “no pressure to summit” mentality.

"No Pressure" read and written by Alexa Flower. This episode of Patagonia Stories was produced by Patagonia and Cosmic Standard. See more at https://pat.ag/PataStories.

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The Dixie Fire revealed a whole spectrum of potential uses for the Lost Sierra’s trails: a firefighting tool during the blaze, protection against fires in the future, and a means for wildlife to travel between fragmented habitats and escape threats. Hear our story about fire, mountain biking, and resilience.

“Remember to Breathe” read by MaiLee Hung and written by Greg Williams. This episode of Patagonia Stories was produced by Patagonia and Cosmic Standard. See more at https://pat.ag/PataStories.

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Field testing guru Kelly Cordes takes us on a journey through the extremes of Patagonia's field testing program and possibly to the brink of hypothermia. We promise, we take this work – if not always ourselves - seriously.

“Crash Test Dummy” read by and written by Kelly Cordes. This episode of Patagonia Stories was produced by Patagonia and Cosmic Standard. See more at https://pat.ag/PataStories.

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Hidetoshi Matsubara lives a solitary life in the mountains of Tōhoku, Japan, where he is the last remaining tajako, or hawk master, in the area. Now 71 years old, Matsubara has lived in the snow-capped mountains of his home for the past 50 years, walking and hunting in harmony with his hawks. 

“The Last Takajo” read by Kosuke Fujikura and written by Hironori Taniyama. This episode of Patagonia Stories was produced by Patagonia and Cosmic Standard. See more at https://pat.ag/PataStories.

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After 195 miles and 34 mountain passes, traversed mostly alone, with the exception of a few days spent with photographer Ken Etzel eating mostly fish she caught along the way, Jenn Shelton completed the Sierra High Route. Listen to her story about her Fastest Fish Fourteener Known Time, her FFFKT.

“FFFKT (Fastest Fish Fourteener Known Time)” read by Meaghen Brown and written by Jenn Shelton. This episode of Patagonia Stories was produced by Patagonia and Cosmic Standard. See more at https://pat.ag/PataStories.

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When Patagonia Ambassador Katie Lamb started climbing and sewing at age seven, she was just mirroring her family. But as she got older, she found surprising common ground between bouldering and mending.

“Make it Last” read and and written by Katie Lamb. This episode of Patagonia Stories was produced by Patagonia and Cosmic Standard. See more at https://pat.ag/PataStories.

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After successfully holding back an open pit coal mine expansion for two years, climate activists were forcefully removed from the village of Lützerath. Like many activists before them, their demands weren’t met, but it’s impossible to know the full consequences of action in the long run, because living out ideals and beliefs can instill hope and courage in others.

"In Solidarity with the Future" read and written by Rebecca Solnit. This episode of Patagonia Stories was produced by Patagonia and Cosmic Standard. See more at https://pat.ag/PataStories.

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50 years of business unusual has taught us a lot. Vincent Stanley, Patagonia’s director of philosophy, and co-author of The Future of the Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned from Patagonia’s First 50 Years, talks with managing editor Archana Ram about the new edition of the book. 

This episode of Patagonia Stories was produced by Patagonia and Cosmic Standard. See more at https://pat.ag/PataStories.

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