We Do This For Fun

Jodi and Lynn speak with a world class inspirer. Bennison Sherrod Lopez shares how following your heart can lead you to paradise (literally). Bennison surfs, plants trees, builds community and parents profoundly (in the jungle no less!). From Houston to Costa Rica to Panama, this bikini clad mama and surfing evangelist encourages us to disconnect, get off the beaten path and kick-back. It’s not self care, it’s medicine.

Follow Bennison’s adventures @zephyrs.treehouse

Check out Bennison’s beloved @greentortoisetravel

Joanne Davis is a teacher, a mom of two and a badass backcountry camping enthusiast. She shares stories from her family trip along the Wonderland Trail last summer - and gets really real about the harsh realities of camping with kiddos. We talk about crying, screaming, swearing and pooping. This is a blast of an episode. Buckle up, folks.

Jodi and Lynn talk Boundary Waters Canoe Area basics for beginners with Matthew Baxley, co-host of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast. They share tips and tricks — including how to squeeze in a BWCA trip at this late stage in the summer season.

Learn more about the WTIP podcast at WTIP.org.

Learn more about Matthew at bearwitnessmedia.com. 

Interest in foraging has skyrocketed- why? Mike Kempenich (a.k.a. The Gentleman Forager ) knew the secret power of foraging long before it became mainstream. Mike creates memorable experiences around foraged food. Guided foraging, mushroom and plant identification, wild food cooking demos and live culinary events featuring local chefs and musicians are just a few of Mike’s offerings. Who knew mushrooms could be so fun! There’s also a serious side to mushrooms- they are healers both to our bodies and planet. From curing disease to sequestering carbon, nature, once again, proves its power.

After some time away, Lynn and Jodi are back. Where they’ve been since the last round of episodes, what they’ve learned and how they plan to spend the summer outdoors.

Andy, Ian and Lynn force Jodi to talk about her recent career achievements, even though she’d rather not be the center of attention. The crew also talks about how the pandemic reframed their definitions of success and what dreams they’re chasing in 2022.

WFR (pronounced “woofer”) = Wilderness First Responder. After 80 hours of training, Ian fulfills a bucket-list item: becoming a certified NOLS Wilderness First Responder. The crew quizzes him on what he learned and his first faux pas.

As the Outdoors Weekend Editor at the Star Tribune, Bob Timmons shares stories about all the ways in which people in the Upper Midwest have fun outside - from FKTs on the Superior Hiking Trail to “Everesting” on the Ohio Street Hill in St. Paul. We talk with him about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted activity in the BWCA and beyond, and how climate change is changing what winter recreation looks like in Minnesota. Plus, what sparked his love of the outdoors and where he likes to spend time in nature today.

Follow him on Twitter at @rltimm or @striboutdoors.

Christian Dalbec is a highly-regarded photographer on Minnesota’s North Shore who dives into the waves of Lake Superior to capture the perfect shot. Christian talks about his passion for the Big Lake, and he offers some tips… and words of caution… for want-to-be Superior swimmers.

If you’re looking for amazing images of Lake Superior, you MUST check out Christian’s website and follow him on Instagram @ChristianDalbecPhoto_Gallery.

Some call it a plunge. Others call it a dip. Molly Leutz and Sally Morgan take a polar dip through the ice on Lake Harriet almost daily during the winter months. The Minneapolis ladies explain why they partake in this ancient Nordic tradition and offer some very practical tips for beginners. After this interview, Jodi tried it… and is now hooked.

Follow Sally Morgan online at www.sallystoryteller.com.

Follow Molly Leutz on Instagram at @msmollyleutz.