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The My Outdoorsy Mom Podcast is your go-to space for real-life motherhood, nature play, outdoor parenting, and raising confident kids through everyday adventures.
I’m your host, Julianne Nienberg—a mom of three, backyard adventure enthusiast, and your go-to gal for helping you get outside and make meaningful memories with your kids.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to be a “perfect” parent, this show is for you.
Here, we ditch the guilt and lean into the kind of simple, soul-filling time outdoors that works for busy, real-life families—no Pinterest-worthy nature crafts required.
Each week, I’ll bring you conversations about motherhood, nature play, travel, entrepreneurship, and all the messy, magical moments in between.
You’ll hear from fellow moms, outdoor educators, small business owners, and everyday women who are building a life connected to the rhythms of the seasons and the joy of unstructured outdoor time.
Expect practical tips, honest stories, and encouragement that feels like chatting with your outdoorsy best friend over coffee—because that’s what this space is all about.
Whether you’re raising wild little explorers, growing a business during nap time, or just trying to survive dinner hour without losing your mind—I see you.
And I’m here to remind you that getting outside doesn’t have to be complicated. Nature meets you wherever your feet are.
So grab your coffee, toss some snacks in your bag, and let’s make some memories together.
This is The My Outdoorsy Mom Podcast—and I’m so glad you’re here.
31 Episodes
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To close out Season 2, Julianne welcomes licensed psychotherapist and parent coach Nicole Runyon to discuss her powerful new book, Free to Fly. This isn’t just another parenting book—it’s a manifesto calling out the powerful forces that are sabotaging childhood. Nicole shares how big tech, big food, and big pharma prey on kids and parents, and what we can do to reclaim our families' health, rhythms, and relationships. From early childhood development to the dangers of overstimulation, retaine...
What if your child’s best classroom isn’t a room at all? In this episode, Patrick Whalen, Marine Corps veteran and founder of Iliad Athletics, shares why physical movement, especially outdoors, is essential for kids’ character development, cognitive growth, and lifelong health. Patrick shares how his time in the military, the classroom, and as a boarding school founder led him to launch a company rooted in the belief that the body is an untapped source of learning. He explains the...
Ray Tiller is a wildlife filmmaker, Brave Wilderness host, and the creative force behind the YouTube channel Fintastic Films. In this episode, Ray shares how childhood wonder, media, and Midwest bike rides led him to a dream job working alongside his idol-turned-mentor, Coyote Peterson. We chat about how parents can foster curiosity for nature, use media as a tool for learning (not just zoning out), and help kids fall in love with “scary” animals like snakes and sharks. Plus, Ray ...
This week’s solo episode is short, sweet, and off-the-cuff. With two sick kids and a full plate, Julianne brings back one of your favorite formats — the monthly R.E.P.O.R.T. — where she shares what she’s been Reading, Eating, Playing, Obsessing over, Recommending, and Treating herself to lately. Mentioned in this episode: The Great Alone by Kristin HannahFree to Fly by Nicole RunyonPeter Thomas Roth Brightening Eye PatchesOmnilux LED MaskHue (Hu) Dark ChocolateWalking pad Forrest Frank m...
Today’s guest is someone who changed the way I view childhood development. Angela Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist, the founder of TimberNook, and the author of one of my favorite parenting books, Balanced and Barefoot. In this episode, Angela and I dive deep into the neuroscience behind nature play, how over-structured environments are hurting our kids, and why kids need boredom, movement, risk—and dirt. If you’ve ever questioned why your child fidgets, climbs trees, or me...
There’s a romance to the idea of life on the road — the freedom, the spontaneity, the cozy camper mornings. But if you’ve ever thought, “That looks fun… for a weekend,” this episode is for you. In this solo episode, I’m sharing stories from our family RV trips — the magical moments and the mishaps — plus some surprisingly encouraging statistics about why renting an RV might be the sweet spot for adventure-loving families like mine (and maybe yours, too). If you’ve ever fantasized about ...
This week on The My Outdoorsy Mom Podcast, I’m joined by Shaniece King — solo mom, outdoor adventurer, and creator behind Kay Lashae Adventures. Her story is powerful, honest, and deeply encouraging for any mom who’s wondered, “Can I really do this?” In this conversation, we talk about: How hiking helped Shaniece heal during a painful season of her lifeWhy beginner adventures matter (and how to start small)Her cross-country trip with her daughter to Sequoia, Yosemite, and King’s CanyonHow nat...
In this episode, Julianne sits down with Dr. Maureen Kuhta, pediatric orthodontist and founder of Aligned House of Orthodontics in Metro Detroit. But this conversation goes far beyond teeth. We dive into airway-centered orthodontics, the connection between breathing and brain development, and how jaw structure affects sleep, behavior, and growth. Dr. Kuhta shares her holistic approach to treating children, including the role of tongue ties, mouth breathing, and posture in lifelong welln...
I had a totally different episode planned for today—but with everything going on in the world, I just couldn’t hit publish on a lighthearted topic. Instead, this short solo episode is a heart-to-heart about what I’m holding onto in a heavy season. I share how my faith grounds me, what I’m choosing to consume (and not), and the kind of space I want to cultivate moving forward—online and offline. If you’re feeling the weight of the world lately, this one’s for you. Where you can find me:&...
In this heartfelt and deeply insightful conversation, host Julianne Nienberg sits down with Kim Wilson, pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Nature’s Path OT. They dive into the world of sensory needs, emotional regulation, trauma-informed parenting, and how outdoor-based occupational therapy can transform your relationship with your child. Kim shares her personal story of starting a nature-based OT practice in Colorado after years in traditional therapy settings and how taking the...
What happens when a mom of three little kids decides to wing it on a last-minute solo hotel trip while her husband is away on business? A little chaos, a lot of snacks, and some unforgettable lessons. In this solo episode, I’m sharing the story of my first-ever solo trip with my kids (then ages 5, 4, and 2!)—from packing the car to surviving the hotel breakfast buffet to learning how capable I actually am. Whether you’ve dreamed of solo travel with your little ones or have zero desire t...
In this season 2 premiere, I’m joined by Russell York, founder and CEO of Cosmo, a family-first tech company helping parents nurture more outdoor independence and connection in the digital age. As a 90s kid turned new dad, Russell grew up biking the neighborhood until the streetlights came on—and now he’s on a mission to bring that kind of childhood back with tools like the Cosmo JrTrack 5 smartwatch. We talk about how connection positivity (aka satellite parenting) empowers families to say “...
In the season 1 finale, Julianne sits down with Sara Ernst — award-winning children's author, singer-songwriter, and the voice behind Wild Pickle Press — to explore how music and rhyme can bring nature to life, no matter where you live. From writing her first song to teach kids how to respect bears, to accidentally becoming a children’s music artist, Sara shares how her creative journey unfolded and why it’s so important to nurture a sense of wonder in kids — even if all you’ve got is a...
We’re officially in the messy middle of summer—sun-kissed skin, later bedtimes, sticky fingers, and yes… “I’m boooored” has come out a few times. But what if boredom wasn’t a problem to fix? What if it’s actually good for our kids? In this episode, I’m flipping the script on boredom and walking you through 10 powerful, research-backed reasons why letting your kids be bored this summer is one of the best things you can do for them. You’ll hear about how boredom builds creativity, i...
Episode 14 of The My Outdoorsy Mom Podcast features Morgan Bergstrom, mom of three, outdoor enthusiast, and founder of the new app Basecamped—a digital hub designed to help families connect locally, find community co-ops, enrichment classes, and nature-based education resources. From corporate burnout to co-op dreaming, Morgan shares her journey from high-level recruiter to homeschool-curious mom, and how one dinner conversation with her parents sparked the idea for Basecamped. We talk about:...
Holly shares how a deeply rural upbringing and personal health crisis led her to a holistic, nature‑aligned lifestyle. Together with her husband, she co‑founded Elderwise Organics—an organic superfoods company born from her experience making DIY elderberry syrup for her family and local parents. What We Discuss: The impact of a farm‑based childhood on parenting and healthKeeping a nature‑centered lifestyle across two climates (Minnesota & Florida)Simple outdoor routines that nourish body ...
This week’s episode is a peek inside our first full week of summer with all three kids home — what’s working, what’s not, and why I’m leaning into rhythm instead of a rigid routine. From snack baskets and swim team wins to my latest trick for managing screen time (hint: it involves a pantry lock and a lanyard), I’m sharing the real-life systems that are helping our summer flow. I also open up about parenting an anxious child through new transitions, including how we navigated our middle...
How do you make family travel doable, fun, and affordable—without the pressure of perfection? Today’s guest is Kristen Keeler, mom of three and the creator behind @midwesttravelmama, where she shares simple, budget-friendly travel ideas and outdoor adventures for real families. Kristen joins me to chat about embracing local travel, the power of road trips, tips for getting kids hiking, and why good enough adventures often become the best memories. We also dive into why you don’t need fancy ge...
Today’s episode is for anyone dreaming about a trip to Mackinac Island but dreading the cost. Between ferry tickets, bike rentals, meals, and fudge shop stops, it can feel like you’re spending before you even arrive. But good news: it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, I’m walking you through how we’ve planned and enjoyed a magical day on Mackinac Island without blowing the budget. From bringing your own bike to knowing where to grab lunch with a view, this episode is packed with f...
What happens when you hit pause on the 9–5 and take your family around the world for a year? Jess Pawl, founder of Kid-Friendly Stays, joins me to share how she and her husband left their corporate jobs to slow travel with their toddler and baby. We talk about why traveling with young kids doesn’t have to be terrifying, how international cultures often embrace families more than the U.S., and how to actually enjoy travel without burning out. Jess shares practical strategies for finding ...
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