Trail Therapy: What's a Podcast?

Twitter.  Tumblr.  Instagram.  Snapchat.  Social media has come a very long way in an incredibly short amount of time.  It's intimidating to say the least and equally as difficult to stay up-to-date.  As part of the original class of Facebook (as it's entering it's 10 year anniversary) I'm happy to say that I've caught up with technology.  Being only 27 it was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be.  But as I pave the way into making a dent in the social media scene, I've discovered a technological marvel that, I feel, has been sadly overlooked.

With the same time stamp as Facebook, podcasts are an extraordinary social estuary of knowledge and entertainment.  Similar to talk radio, podcasts are recorded broadcasts of conversations, interviews, and musical selections, just to name a few.  Since I've begun listening to several of these amazing podcasts, I've started feeling more connected to the adventure society.  If you're into podcasts of the outdoor nature, you've probably already heard of The Dirtbag Diaries produced by Patagonia, one of the most popular out there.  Profoundly philosophical and exciting, these detailed vocal illustrations provide a wonderful drive to live as an adventurer and pursue the most fulfilling and soul-defining life possible.

One such podcast I recently began following is All Who Wander, a hiking/backpacking/camping podcast about the Appalachian Trail.  The first two podcasts followed a meet-and-greet session with growing AT legend and adventurer, Jennifer Pharr Davis, who holds the speed record on the trail.  She reads an except from her book, Becoming Oydessa.  Her profound message?  Just get out.  Sounds like what I say all the time. She states that one of the reasons she decided on a speed record attempt was to get her name out there.  Because she wanted to show children the amazing experiences of being on the trail and she didn't think she could make as big of an impact without an extraordinary title to back it up.  Well she got her wish and she's reaching larger audiences more than ever.

But this isn't a shout out for Davis, although I was inspired to buy and read her book.  This is about podcasts.  When you read an interview or an article, you aren't hearing the voices.  You aren't hearing the inflections, the jokes, the sarcasm as they were delivered.  We get to hear the truth in the words and by constantly checking Twitter, reading small articles suggested to us on internet searches, and exploring the world as fast as possible through minimized descriptions, we're losing integrity of the spoken voice.  Podcasts are a way of slowing down, realizing that the world holds a deeper meaning for our lives.  Take the time to listen to something profound and really live by the words you hear.  So check out this forgotten art of social media and let it open new doors for you, as it did for me.

Some of my favorite podcasts:  The Dirtbag Diaries, All Who Wander, The Backwoods Adventure, and Backpacking Light.