Kenzie Smith, Christian Outdoor Content Creator, Retreat Host, and Podcast Creator, joins Maddie Pellman, host of Who Runs This Park, Park Enthusiasts. Kenzie is the creative force behind My Valley His Victory, a podcast exploring faith, outdoor adventures, and building authentic community. A self-taught outdoorswoman, Kenzie is passionate about showing that it's never too late to learn outdoor skills—whether that's backpacking, skiing, or overlanding—and proving that adventure can be a pathway to connection and spiritual growth.

In this episode, Kenzie shares how being laid off turned out to be a blessing, sparking her journey into content creation and her mission to build a faith-centered outdoor community. From working in Alaska after college to hosting transformative women’s retreats in Colorado, Kenzie’s story is one of resilience and passion. We dive into her recent completion of the iconic John Muir Trail, her favorite annual event, The Highlander, and her experience as a former college athlete finding solace and purpose in the outdoors.

Kenzie’s Instagram community is a testament to her belief in the power of shared adventures. You’ll leave this episode inspired to pursue your own outdoor journey, embrace new challenges, and maybe even plan your next big hike. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just starting out, Kenzie’s story will resonate with anyone longing to find their place in the wild. 

You can follow Who Runs This Park on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, can email us at [email protected] or check us out online at whorunsthispark.com. 

Sign up for the Who Runs This Park’s newsletter at linktr.ee/whorunsthispark. 

Who Runs This Park is produced by Maddie Pellman with music by Danielle Bees.

Erin Sprague, CEO of Protect Our Winters (POW), joins Maddie Pellman, host of Who Runs This Park, Park Enthusiasts. POW is the outdoor movement driving climate action, fueled by the world’s most influential athletes, artists, and brands. With Erin at the helm—an intelligent, passionate, and adventurous leader—POW is tackling the climate crisis through transformative policy solutions and grassroots advocacy.

In this episode, we dive into the heart of POW and the remarkable journey of Erin herself. For Erin, national parks laid the foundation for her love of the outdoors—she even got married in Yosemite. Her career is a testament to bold pivots: from finance to the outdoor industry to climate advocacy, she has embraced a life of purpose and adventure. From completing a four-month bike race in Africa to being the youngest woman to run a marathon on every continent, Erin now pursues her goal of running a marathon in all 50 states.

We geek out over Erin’s experiences at Specialized and Aspen Skiing Company, including Aspen’s legendary powder day policy. And as we unpack POW’s work, Erin explains why imperfect advocacy is key to tackling the climate crisis, how the athlete ambassador model is driving impact, and why disrupting the status quo is POW’s biggest challenge.

This episode will leave you inspired to join the movement, better informed about the climate crisis, and ready to channel your love of the outdoors into meaningful action.You can follow Who Runs This Park on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, can email us at [email protected] or check us out online at whorunsthispark.com. 

Sign up for the Who Runs This Park’s newsletter at linktr.ee/whorunsthispark. 

Who Runs This Park is produced by Maddie Pellman with music by Danielle Bees.

A special in-person episode, recorded at the National Park Friends Alliance Fall Meeting, featuring Yosemite Conservancy President & CEO Frank Dean and Yosemite National Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon. Frank and Cicely provide a unique moment for Who Runs This Park by showcasing the incredible partnership between Yosemite and the Yosemite Conservancy, offering insights into the vital relationships between national parks and their friends groups.

This fun and laughter-filled conversation takes you behind the scenes of some fascinating stories, including the origins of the Starbucks in Yosemite Valley. We discuss the evolving and improving relationship between Yosemite and climbers (timely, as it's Rocktober!), the challenges and rewards of managing a park with over 800 miles of trails—including the iconic John Muir Trail (JMT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)—and the significance of Yosemite as the birthplace of the conservation movement, where "it all began" for the National Park Service.

We also explore the power of leading with empathy and humor, reflect on Cicely's 40 years of service with the Park Service, and reminisce about Frank and Cicely’s friendship, which began nearly 35 years ago during the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Alaska.

You can follow Who Runs This Park on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube, email us at [email protected], or check us out online at whorunsthispark.com.

Sign up for the Who Runs This Park newsletter at linktr.ee/whorunsthispark.Who Runs This Park is hosted and produced by Maddie Pellman, with music by Danielle Bees.

Sandy Colhoun, National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) President, joins Maddie Pellman, host of Who Runs This Park, Park Enthusiasts. NOLS, built on the vision that wilderness is the great equalizer, stands as THE leader in outdoor education—a nonprofit Maddie has been captivated by since taking her first Wilderness First Aid Course in 2022, followed by an unforgettable backcountry skiing adventure in Japan on a NOLS alumni course. You can tell in the interview, Maddie is beyond excited to be talking with Sandy.  In this episode, Sandy shares his own life adventures, from biking through the Himalayas to ski patrolling in Park City, while diving deeper into the mission and vision of NOLS. He reflects on the idea that life happens at the crux of opportunity and preparation, emphasizing the power of taking leaps of faith and embracing learning. Sandy also touches on the unique role NOLS plays in training programs for both the Navy and astronauts, highlights the concept of Expedition Behavior, and discusses how national parks and public lands have shaped NOLS and his own life. This is not an episode you’ll want to miss!
You can follow Who Runs This Park on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, can email us at [email protected] or check us out online at whorunsthispark.com. 
Sign up for the Who Runs This Park’s newsletter at linktr.ee/whorunsthispark. 
Who Runs This Park is produced by Maddie Pellman with music by Danielle Bees.

This episode spotlights Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, Missouri, through the eyes of its superintendent, Jeremy Sweat. Known for its iconic 630-foot monument, Gateway Arch National Park commemorates America’s westward expansion and serves as a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of its creators. Visitors can explore the story of the Arch's construction—one that took more than three decades to secure funding for—and the complex history of the surrounding area, including the St. Louis interstate history and the historic Old Courthouse.
Jeremy shares his journey to becoming superintendent, something he uniquely set his mind on at a young age. Learn about the largest public-private partnership in national park history, fascinating tidbits about the Arch's tram system, and even the mock trials that take place in the park’s Old Courthouse. Plus, hear about the thrill of throwing out a first pitch at a Cardinals game and how security has become a top priority in managing this national treasure.
You can follow Who Runs This Park on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube, email us at [email protected], or check us out online at whorunsthispark.com.
Sign up for the Who Runs This Park newsletter at linktr.ee/whorunsthispark.
Who Runs This Park is hosted and produced by Maddie Pellman, with music by Danielle Bees.

Collyn “Doc” Nielsen, host of Hiker Trash Radio podcast, joins Maddie Pellman, host of Who Runs This Park for a unique episode. Together they highlight noteworthy moments from each of their podcasts. Maddie highlights conversations with the Grand Teton National Park Superintendent, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve Superintendent, and the Kobuk Valley National Park Superintendent and why these have been some of her favorite conversations thus far. Doc covers an exceptional expeditionist, an unbelievably thrilling finish to the world’s toughest race, and an epic cyclist. You don’t want to miss this episode. 
You can follow Who Runs This Park on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, can email us at [email protected] or check us out online at whorunsthispark.com. 
Sign up for the Who Runs This Park’s newsletter at linktr.ee/whorunsthispark. 
Who Runs This Park is produced by Maddie Pellman with music by Danielle Bees.

This episode highlights Congaree National Park in South Carolina through the perspective of its superintendent, Greg Hauburger. Known for preserving the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States, Congaree National Park boasts a rich array of biodiversity. Visitors will find towering trees—some of the tallest in the eastern U.S.—and a variety of wildlife, including river otters, bobcats, and alligators. The Congaree River flows through the park, and a scenic boardwalk trail winds through its swamp-like environment for visitors to enjoy. Greg, who has served as superintendent since 2022, offers listeners an iconic 24-hour itinerary in Congaree, dispels myths about the park, discusses the unique floodplain ecosystem, and shares about restoration efforts to reintroduce the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker. He even provides insight into the fun South Carolina Pimento Cheese Passport. You can follow Who Runs This Park on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, can email us at [email protected] or check us out online at whorunsthispark.com.  Sign up for the Who Runs This Park’s newsletter at linktr.ee/whorunsthispark.  Who Runs This Park, presented by ExpertVoice, is hosted and produced by Maddie Pellman, with music by Danielle Bees.

Danielle LaRock and Cassie Yahnian, hosts of the National Park After Dark podcast, join us on the pod today. This was a big moment for me as a longtime fan of NPAD—I was definitely having a fangirl moment! For those who don’t know, National Park After Dark is a podcast for the morbid outdoor enthusiast, sharing stories from our national parks and other public lands that showcase their darker or spookier sides. Danielle and Cassie, both former vet techs, have created a thriving community of morbid outdoor enthusiasts and have hosted countless trips with their audience through TrovaTrip (my dream!). In our conversation, we go behind the scenes of National Park After Dark, hearing about everything that goes into making the show, their wildest outdoor experiences, their most memorable or favorite Trail Tale, the books they've loved while researching episodes, how they prepare for each episode, and the why behind each of their favorite national parks. If you’re an NPAD fan, you won’t want to miss it.
You can follow Who Runs This Park on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, can email us at [email protected] or check us out online at whorunsthispark.com. 
Sign up for the Who Runs This Park’s newsletter at linktr.ee/whorunsthispark. 
Who Runs This Park is produced by Maddie Pellman with music by Danielle Bees.

Joe Erato and Mike Van de Bogert, hosts of the Locations Unknown podcast, join us for a lively, laughter-filled conversation. Locations Unknown is a podcast that delves into unexplained and unsolved disappearances in America's wilderness, highlighting some of the eerie circumstances that often accompany these cases, such as search and rescue efforts being hampered by storms and missing individuals being found in semi-conscious states with no memory of their disappearance. In our conversation, we get a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into Locations Unknown, the cases that stay with Mike and Joe the most, and whether the stories they uncover have changed how they spend time outdoors. They also share some of their wildest wilderness tales—including camping overnight with armed park rangers searching for an aggressive grizzly in Glacier National Park—and even some stories that I, Maddie, "haven't told listeners yet." It’s a fun, unforgettable chat that left me grinning ear to ear long after our interview. Tune in to hear from the iconic hosts of Locations Unknown! 
You can follow Who Runs This Park on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, can email us at [email protected] or check us out online at whorunsthispark.com. 
Sign up for the Who Runs This Park’s newsletter at linktr.ee/whorunsthispark. 
Who Runs This Park is produced by Maddie Pellman with music by Danielle Bees.

This episode features Haleakalā National Park on the island of Maui, Hawaii, from the perspective of its superintendent, Natalie Gates. Haleakalā National Park is home to the dormant Haleakalā Volcano, whose peak rises to 10,023 feet. Known for its breathtaking sunrise—described by Mark Twain as "the most sublime spectacle"—and excursions into the volcano's crater, the park is both a stunning natural wonder and a deeply sacred place for Native Hawaiians.
Natalie, who has served as superintendent since 2013, offers insights into the innovative Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) used to protect Hawaiian forest birds, her monthly 13-mile hike into the crater, and her unique path from veterinarian to National Park Service leader. She also shares her thoughts on the sacred Kīpahulu District, a window into Old Hawaii, and the unparalleled sunrise experience at Haleakalā.
Sponsors:

• Who Runs This Park is presented by ExpertVoice: Outdoor brands like Big Agnes, Mammut, La Sportiva, Chaco and more offer discounts on ExpertVoice of up to 60% off for industry experts like you. And you can join ExpertVoice for free today and see what brands you qualify for. So whatever the next adventure calls for, make sure you are prepared with expertvoice.com/parks and gear up for adventure.

You can follow Who Runs This Park on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, can email us at [email protected] or check us out online at whorunsthispark.com. 
Sign up for the Who Runs This Park’s newsletter at linktr.ee/whorunsthispark. 
Who Runs This Park, presented by ExpertVoice, is hosted and produced by Maddie Pellman, with music by Danielle Bees.