Best Trail Less Traveled Podcasts (2025)

1
The History of the Bob Marshall with Smoke Elser 45:31

20d ago45:31

45:31

Step into the rugged beauty of Montana's backcountry as wilderness legend Smoke Elser shares his remarkable 60+ year journey through the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Since 1957, Elser has been a guardian of these pristine lands, witnessing their transformation from horse-only trails to a diverse recreational haven. Learn about Bob Marshall himself - an…

1
Episode 344: Ask December You: The Time Travel Trick for Better Decisions 35:35

1d ago35:35

35:35

Checking in on your goals mid-year might feel uncomfortable—especially if you’ve lost track of them or suspect you’re not where you hoped to be. But that discomfort holds valuable clues. In this episode, Stacy Westfall shares why she used to resist mid-year reviews, what finally changed her mind, and how looking honestly at where you are now can re…

1
Episode 343: Why “Almost Right” Will Bring Less Tension 19:49

9d ago19:49

19:49

Striving for precision too early in training often backfires—not because correctness is wrong, but because perfection adds pressure. In this episode, Stacy shares how choosing to leave something slightly off, or “almost right,” can actually lead to greater clarity and softer communication. Using a real-time groundwork session with her mare Luna, St…

1
Off the Clock, On the Trail: Supporting First Responders 37:34

10d ago37:34

37:34

What happens when two first responders trade long shifts for long trails? Meet Mike and Sabrina of Off Duty Overland—a couple who turned their need to disconnect into a mission to reconnect through overlanding. In this episode, they share their story of burnout, the healing power of nature, and how their off-grid adventures became a thriving brand …

1
Pros and Cons of Offseason Travel (and how not to be like the Griswolds visiting Wally World) 9:19

13d ago9:19

9:19

S3 Show Notes Template Will always share the goods and the bads with you. Pros and cons to everything, and I don’t enjoy it when people don’t give me a balanced review of anything. First, what is considered off season or shoulder season depends upon your destination… Pros of Off season Travel Pricing Crowds More comfortable temperatures Avoiding “t…

1
15 Must-Know Phrases for Travelers to Unlock Any Language Abroad 7:24

13d ago7:24

7:24

Managing Language Barriers S1 E4 For purposes of this broadcast, assume you only speak English. Reality: Reality is that English is understood in most major cities Yes, you can use translation software some of the time, but it will get cumbersome, but it can be tedious, time consuming, and you might not have a great signal, your phone might be out …

1
Walking the Thames Path National Trail 9:25

13d ago9:25

9:25

Please note that this podcast description may contain affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission if you purchase an item through my links. There is absolutely no cost to you and it helps me continue the work of the podcast. Also, I am not a paid spokesperson and all opinions are my own. Most people probably know some great solo hikers an…

1
Second Act Travels Trailer 1:09

13d ago1:09

1:09

Second Act Travels is a ten minute podcast providing travel inspiration and information to those in their second act-- whether as an empty nester or retiree. There's still plenty of life within us, so let's get traveling!By Elizabeth @ Overseasandover50

1
Episode 342: Stuck Between Knowing and Doing 22:56

16d ago22:56

22:56

By Stacy Westfall

1
Part 3 Walk the Thames Path- Resources To Use For Hiking the Trail 11:11

17d ago11:11

11:11

In this episode of Second Act Travels, host Elizabeth delves into the resources that will enhance your hike along the Thames Path. She recommends the Trailblazer Guide for its comprehensive coverage, Joyce Mackey’s book for solo female travelers, and the visual narratives from 'Hiking with Dave and Barbara.' Elizabeth also suggests using the Nation…

1
5 Minutes of Why I Started a Second Act Travel Podcast in the First Place 4:00

18d ago4:00

4:00

Before we get into things, I'm taking five minutes to explain why I started Second Act Travels: Unique place in life as an empty nester or retiree-- with a new-found freedom to travel anywhere, anytime. Second act travelers feel like an underrepresented community in the podcast and blogosphere. Podcasts allow me to share a large amount of informati…

1
Save on Travel with Monastery and Convent Stays 10:36

18d ago10:36

10:36

even other places around the world), I always research to see if there are monasteries or convents at which I can stay: Monastery and convent stays include abbeys, religious owned or managed properties.By Elizabeth @ Overseasandover50

1
Part 2: Packing List for Walking the Thames Path 15:03

18d ago15:03

15:03

Podcast Episode Show Notes: What to Pack for Walking the Thames Path National Trail Planning to walk the Thames Path? Whether you're tackling the full 200+ mile route or just a scenic section, packing smart is key to a comfortable and enjoyable journey. In this episode, we break down exactly what to pack—from the right hiking clothes to non-hiking …

1
Episode 341: Forward Is a Direction—And a Trained Skill 24:22

23d ago24:22

24:22

This episode builds on the previous discussion of horses "falling in" on circles by shifting from the problem to the proposed solution: teaching forward as a direction, not just a speed. Stacy explains why forward is often misunderstood and rarely trained as a purposeful, straight-line intention—and how this gap shows up in real riding issues. Key …

1
More Than Miles: Making Trail Running Inclusive with Cowgill Trail Collective 35:38

24d ago35:38

35:38

Aaron and Ellie of Cowgill Trail Collective join this episode of Life in Motion to share how they’re making trail running more inclusive and welcoming for everyone. What started as a simple run turned into a movement that brings people together through community events, shared miles, and open arms. They talk about their personal journeys into the o…

1
Episode 340: Why Your Horse Keeps Falling In—and Leaning on Your Inside Leg 33:55

30d ago33:55

33:55

By Stacy Westfall

1
The Long Way Home: Veterans Reclaiming Their Lives 39:39

1M ago39:39

39:39

The Missoula Housing Authority offers housing assistance to veterans through programs like HUD-VASH, which combines rental assistance with VA case management and supportive services. MHA's Valor House provides 17 one-bedroom units for permanent housing for homeless veterans, featuring communal amenities such as a kitchen, meeting spaces, and laundr…

1
South Pole Summits and Class VI Turkish Whitewater: Adventures with Skip Horner 40:18

1M ago40:18

40:18

Step into the extraordinary world of Skip Horner, a veteran adventure guide whose 50-year career spans over 100 countries and countless epic expeditions. Skip Horner is a legendary American adventure guide, mountaineer, and expedition leader with a career spanning over five decades. He is renowned for being the first guide to lead clients to the su…

1
Episode 339: Training with Energy: Preparing Horses for Real-World Challenges 19:34

1M ago19:34

19:34

Recorded from her truck at a horse show, Stacy Westfall explores the critical but often overlooked concept of energy management between horse and rider. She observes that many riders fail to prepare their horses for the inevitable energy fluctuations they'll encounter in new environments, whether at shows or on trails. Key takeaways: External energ…

1
Walking Forward: Wilderness, Healing, and the Power of Connection 54:18

1M ago54:18

54:18

What if healing meant walking forward—literally and emotionally? In this episode, we sit down with Nate Mitchell of the Anasazi Foundation, a nonprofit that helps young people and families rediscover their true selves through wilderness-based therapy. Nate shares how the rugged terrain of the Arizona desert becomes fertile ground for personal trans…

1
Episode 338: The Mind-Body Connection at Tricky Trail Crossings 16:55

1M ago16:55

16:55

Stacy shares insights from her first off-property trail ride with Ember, revealing a critical moment where riders unknowingly teach their horses problematic behaviors. By identifying the exact instant when most riders make a fundamental mistake at water crossings, Stacy demonstrates how arena training directly transfers to trail success. Key takeaw…

1
Episode 337: Change the Angle, Change the Lesson 42:03

2M ago42:03

42:03

This episode explores how shifting between perspectives reveals critical blind spots in your horsemanship. To illustrate this Stacy shares a 'backward' look at a common problems: a horse that spooks. When you commit to looking from each of these angles, you are more likely to get the full picture, transforming how you interpret and address training…

1
Turning Confusion Into a Superpower with Giovanna Silvestre 49:17

2M ago49:17

49:17

When Giovanna Silvestre hit a wall in her career and personal life, she didn’t hide from her confusion—she embraced it. In this episode, Giovanna shares how hitting rock bottom sparked her transformational journey, leading to her new book Confused Girl: Find Your Peace in the Chaos. From yoga breakthroughs to jumping off literal bridges, Giovanna e…

1
Episode 336: Horsemanship as Art—And the Tension of Teaching It 25:11

2M ago25:11

25:11

Horsemanship is often described as an art—but teaching it requires breaking that art into pieces. In this episode, Stacy reflects on the challenge of translating feel, flow, and intuition into teachable steps—and why both structure and flow must coexist within the art of horsemanship. Key takeaways: Building flow without foundation leads to instabi…

1
The Climate Crisis in Polar Regions with Dr. Jim Halfpenny 46:30

2M ago46:30

46:30

Dr. Jim Halfpenny is a renowned polar ecologist, expedition leader, and expert in cold-climate ecology with decades of experience studying the extreme environments of the Arctic and Antarctic. With a background in wildlife biology and ecology, Dr. Halfpenny has led and participated in numerous scientific expeditions to the polar regions, where he h…

1
Everything Everywhere: A Daily Podcast Born From a Life of Travel 36:28

2M ago36:28

36:28

Gary Arndt has traveled the world, built a successful blog, and captured stunning photography—but when the pandemic hit, he pivoted in a big way. In this episode, we sit down with the host of the wildly popular "Everything Everywhere Daily" podcast to unpack how Gary’s curiosity fueled a 13-year global adventure and led to over 1,700 episodes of bi…

1
Sedona, Arizona: Hiking trails and haunted ghost towns 40:25

2M ago40:25

40:25

S12:E8 – In this final episode of the “Middle of Nowhere” season, Jamin and Hilarie getaway to Sedona, Arizona, which is known for its gorgeous red rock landscape and relaxing vibes. They also make time to travel to a nearby mountain town called Jerome, one of the most haunted towns in America. Hear about the big history behind this creepy little p…

1
Episode 335: The Rider’s Body – When Your Body Tells a Different Story (Part 2) 23:52

2M ago23:52

23:52

Stacy Westfall explores the hidden conversation happening between riders and horses—beyond conscious cues. Using the analogy of learning to float while swimming, she reveals how riders can unintentionally contradict their own instructions through subtle physical signals. In this episode: Discover why your horse reads your tension, breathing pattern…

1
Episode 334: The Rider's Body – Your Cues vs Your Core (part ) 24:45

3M ago24:45

24:45

In this episode, Stacy explores the critical distinction between specific riding aids and your overall body intention. Riders often experience a disconnect between the small cues they apply (leg pressure, rein contact) and the broader message their body position and energy convey to the horse. Key takeaways: – The rider’s body communicates more tha…

1
Backpacking Beyond Limits: Liz Thomas on Thru-Hiking, Trail Life & Transformation 32:26

3M ago32:26

32:26

In this episode we chat with long-distance hiker and gear expert Liz Thomas to talk about her award-winning book, Backpacker Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike. Whether you're dreaming of your first thru-hike or already counting trail miles, this episode offers real-world insight into how to make it happen. Liz shares how the book came…

1
Episode 333: The Rider's Mind - The Critical Balance Between Knowledge and Meaning 24:55

3M ago24:55

24:55

This episode explores the two core elements inside the rider’s mind: the information you rely on and the thoughts that either help or distract you. Stacy unpacks how both missing knowledge and unexamined beliefs can quietly interfere with clear communication and forward progress with your horse. Key takeaways: Gaps in understanding may look like mi…

1
Grand Canyon: Dad, Mom and Dog 👫🐕 29:43

3M ago29:43

29:43

S12:E7 – Whether you’re making it a short pit stop on a road trip or planning an overnight hiking extravaganza, the Grand Canyon always packs a punch. It’s a land of extreme depths, extreme heat and extreme cold. In this episode of Travel FOMO, Jamin and Hilarie bring their dog, Maggie, along for the ride. For more context, check out the video that…

1
Panther Creek State Park: Seven Sinkholes Trail 17:51

3M ago17:51

17:51

In this week's trail snacks episode, we are in Tennessee's Panther Creek State Park and discuss the Seven Sinkholes Trail. This short hike features some of the more interesting rock features we've seen on a trail. The show will be on hiatus for two months while Roy recovers from shoulder surgery. We'll see you in June!…

1
Episode 332: The Horse’s Mind – From Instinct to Intention (Part 2) 25:01

3M ago25:01

25:01

In this episode, Stacy explores how horses experience emotion—and more importantly, how they can learn to regulate it. Through stories, training examples, and thoughtful reflection, she illustrates how emotional elasticity allows horses to pause instead of panic, and process instead of simply react. Listeners will learn how to recognize a horse’s n…

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