Benny Braden catches up with Lori and gives listeners some insight into his Benton MacKaye thru hike, how he got involved with Save Our Smokies - a non-profit focused on cleaning up the Great Smoky Mountains and promoting the Leave No Trace principles, and his upcoming project with Chris Smead and Outmersive Films that's taking him to Alaska this summer. 

Benny is a Great Smoky Mountains 900 miler (former fastest known time holder), long distance thru hiker and is using his experiences with the outdoors to educate others on recreating responsibly. He also was featured in the movie "Highline" that was released by Outmersive Films in 2020.

If you want to hear more of Benny's backstory, he was a featured guest in Season 1, episode 3.  You can listen to him talk about his Smokies FKT, his struggles with PTSD and the healing power of hiking by revisiting our conversation here.

Listen to Benny's Season 2 episode that features more about his Highline filming experience here.


Connect with Benny/Plug-it In:
Instagram: @plugitinhikes, @saveoursmokies
Website: Plug It In Hikes
Facebook: Save Our Smokies, Plug-it In


Check out info on the Highline Film

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Special thank you to Tim, Leisel, Greg, Julie, Colin, and Aaron for being patrons! 

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]