Run Wild My Child Podcast

Laura Stroup is a mom of 3, nature study creator, author, podcaster, and founder of School of the Wild.  Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Ecology with an emphasis in natural resource education. A former wildlife conservation educator and upper school science teacher, she loves traveling, hiking, and reading. Laura talks with us about her nature school and resources, her new book and podcast, getting teens outside, and so much more! RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildLaura's website: www.fireflynatureschool.comLaura's Instagram: @fireflynatureschoolLaura's book (affil link): Nature SchoolLaura's podcast: WILD Mysteries Digital magazine: WILD MagNature school: School of the WildHow to Use a Pocket Microscope with Kids

Emily Liebel, mom of three, runs an Instagram account called @inclusivelibrary, where she uses books to educate, promote inclusion, understanding, justice, and inspire adventure and creativity. Emily loves showing families how reading and being outdoors can overlap in exciting ways! She currently lives in Utah and explores both mountain and city outdoor spaces weekly with her kids and friends and attends library story times, as well as leads a local story time. Emily’s here to chat with us about how literature and libraries can help busy families get outside in a variety of creative ways. RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildEmily's Instagram: @inclusivelibraryPosts:How Public Libraries Can Help Families Get OutsideSpring & Summer Book & Activity PairingsFall & Winter Book & Activity PairingsEmily's recommendation:Sunday Funday by Katherine Halligan

Amy Bushatz is an outdoor enthusiast and mom to two boys in Anchorage, Alaska. An accomplished reporter and editor, in 2017, Amy redirected her talents to a passion project known as Humans Outside, a movement to spend at least 20 minutes outside, every day. She hosts the Humans Outside podcast, which is all about her personal experiences of spending time outside, as well as travel, adventure, and outdoor living! Amy talks with us about the challenge, what it takes to be an adventurous mom in Alaska, and what getting outside every day has done for her and her family. RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildHumans Outside website: www.humansoutside.com Use the code WILDCHILD for 20% off your purchase! Humans Outside Instagram: @humansoutside Amy's recommendations:Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam

Sara & Michelle chat about the upcoming holiday gift-giving season and share their recommendations for the best gifts for outdoorsy kids. Gift categories include outdoor adventure gear, outdoor games, backyard toys, classic toys, experience gifts, hands-on nature STEM gifts, gifts for older kids and teens, family gifts, memberships and subscription boxes, and so much more! For info on each of the products discussed, links to purchase, and lots more ideas, download our FREE gift guide: https://runwildmychild.com/gift-guide-pdf/Gift Guide 2022Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy KidsOutdoor Toys that Promote Creative PlayExperience Gifts for Outdoor KidsBest Backyard Toys for KidsGifts for Outdoor MomsFavorite Educational Nature Books for KidsBest Balance Bikes for ToddlersFavorite Bike Accessories for KidsWonder Club Explorers - use the code BEMERRY for 30% off your purchaseTeen Gift Guide from Jen @gofamilyadventure 

Elizabeth Newcamp is a Colorado-based homeschooling mom of three boys. She is the co-host of Slate's Parenting Podcast Mom And Dad Are Fighting and author of the expat travel and parenting blog, Dutch Dutch Goose. Elizabeth loves the outdoors and has a passion for engaging her children within the world around them. She’s here with us today to talk about travel, outdoor adventures, parenting advice, and friendship.RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildElizabeth's website: www.dutchdutchgoose.comElizabeth Instagram: @ejdnMom & Dad Are FightingElizabeth's recommendations:The Lost SpellsSlow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature

Meghan Garriott is a Physical Therapy Assistant, photographer, and mom of 3 in rural central Illinois. At nine days old, Meghan's oldest son was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), meaning he was born without an immune system.  Meghan donated her bone marrow and saved his life. In order to protect a compromised immune system, their family turned to nature and began spending a lot of time outdoors, which has been a safe space for the whole family to grow, learn, and thrive. She chats with us about adventuring outdoors with a medically-complex child.RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildMeghan's Instagram: @meghangarriottTips for Getting Outside with Medically-Complex KidsBe The MatchRecommendations:Printable State Parks Posters

Tiana Kubik is a nomadic mom of two, currently residing in Austin, Texas. A city girl through and through, Tiana has not always been thrilled with outdoor adventures. However, after learning the importance of nature and play through earning a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education she’s learning to embrace the outdoors and all that nature has to offer. Tiana and her husband run a photography business, she's a freelance writer, and she homeschools their kids, often while on the road. They spent the last few years traveling in a DIY Converted Sprinter Van across North America. Tiana chats with us about her travels, the shift to homeschooling, exploring new places, and how to embrace the changes and curveballs life throws our way.RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildTiana's Instagram: @usalongthewayEmbracing the Outdoors When You're Not OutdoorsyImportance of Storytelling through PhotographyFinding Urban Nature with Kids{affiliate link}Recommendation: The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired by Daniel J. Siegel MD 

Araceli Gonzalez is a full-time working mom of three. She and her husband have made it a priority to raise their children with a strong bond for the outdoors and a sense of adventure. As working parents, they accomplish this by being weekend warriors. That’s when they take the family on long weekend adventures camping, hiking, crabbing, fishing, beaching, and road-tripping as a family. Araceli talks with us about planning weekend adventures as a working mom, how to make time for travel and adventure around busy family schedules, how a camping challenge started this all, and tips for finding unique destinations for the whole family. RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildAraceli Instagram: @roaminggonzalezCamp Like A Champ - Beginner's Guide to Camping with Kids Digital Guide

Lissy Perna is the go-to resource for all kid-friendly things to do outside on Cape Cod. Any given day, you can usually find info in her Instagram feed and stories about nature discoveries on the beach, in the woods, or on the trails. She loves identifying plants, fungi, insects, and animals, as well as finding sea glass and learning about the history of her area. She's also passionate about local conservation efforts and how we can all make a difference through our actions. We talk to Lissy about how to become more informed about the nature and wildlife in your local area and why sharing the message about conservation efforts is so important.  RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildLissy's Instagram: @getoutsidecapecodLissy's website: www.getoutsidecapecod.comGet Out Guide: Cape CodWhale Watching with KidsRecommendations:A Photographic Guide to Seashore Life in the North Atlantic: Canada to Cape Cod by J. Duane Sept

RyAnn Peverley is a Washington mom of four kids between the ages of 6 and 21. RyAnn works as a youth program instructor for Mountaineers.org,  as well as an outdoor adventure guide for a local army base where she leads army families on outdoor adventures. RyAnn chats with us about raising children and teenagers who love the outdoors, mountaineering, climbing, how to get started backpacking, and more! RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildRyAnn's Instagram: @mountain_mama4RyAnn's blog: www.mountainmama4.comA Mom's Guide to Backpacking with KidsKid-Friendly Hiking SnacksRecommendations:Alastair Humphreys' Great Adventurers 2,000 Miles Together: The Story of the Largest Family to Hike the Appalachian Trail by Ben Crawford

Co-founder of Outdoor School Shop and Minnesota mom of 2, Alyssa Marsh joins us to chat about outdoor schools and outdoor kids gear. We discuss the various types of outdoor education (farm schools, forest schools, nature preschools, etc.), what they teach, how to find an outdoor school near you, and what kids need (gear-wise) to spend so much time outside. Outdoor School Shop is the premier online destination for education materials and gear for outdoor schools, featuring brands like Reima, Bogs, Smartwool, Muddy Puddles, and Polarn O. Pyret. ODSS is also the flagship sponsor for our first annual nationwide Run Wild My Child Treasure Hunt, coming to a city near you on April 2nd. Listen to the episode for more details!Register for the Treasure Hunt: www.runwildmychild.com/treasurehuntRWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildOutdoor School Shop website: www.outdoorschoolshop.comOutdoor School Shop Instagram: @outdoorschoolshopIntroduction to outdoor schoolsOutdoor School Directory

Leslie Alvis is an Ohio homeschooling and homesteading mom of four. Her family recently purchased property in the country and they are beginning the process of building a homestead from the ground up, doing most of the work themselves, along with their children. They're not only building their home with lumber milled from their own property, but raising animals, growing a garden, battling poison ivy, and teaching their children the importance of hard work, family time, and outdoor play. Leslie's also a photographer and freelance writer. She's written numerous posts for the RWMC website (listed below) on animals, outdoor activities, and life on a farm. RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildLeslie's Instagram: @c_l_allofusLeslie's RWMC posts: Wilderness Skills for TeensAnimal SafetyRaising Chickens with KidsOwling with KidsHomemade Apple ButterDealing with Poison Ivy, Mosquitoes & TicksCreating Nature Fairy GardensEco-Friendly Bird FeedersGetting Kids Outside During the School YearPond Nature StudyMaple Syrup with KidsCattle Farm Chores

Somer Pickel is a RN and Tennessee mom of two girls. Her first daughter Avie was born with severe congenital heart defects and spent the majority of her 18 months of life in an ICU. Nature has been a huge part of the grieving and healing process for her and her husband. They found solace in the outdoors by backpacking a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Their second daughter Lyra has become quite the adventure buddy and together, Somer and Lyra have hiked over 2000 miles. Somer chats with us about her motherhood journey, the importance of mental health, the joy of raising toddlers, and the healing power of nature.RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildSomer's Instagram: @somerpickel Recommended reading: How to Raise a Wild Child by Scott D. SampsonSomer's RWMC post: Discovering the Wonders of Salamanders with Kids

We're chatting with Jen Barnes, South Carolina mom of 3 teenagers. Jen specializes in helping parents plan and book adventure travel trips with their teens and tweens. She knows firsthand the importance of giving teenagers the space to take risks, learn important skills and discover themselves through outdoor adventure and travel. Jen gives parents of teens helpful tips on how to choose and implement the perfect vacation for everyone in your family. RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildJen's Instagram: @gofamilyadventureJen's Website: www.thegofamilyadventure.comRecommended reading: How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-HaimsJen's RWMC post: Teaching Map Reading Skills to Kids

Co-hosts Sara McCarty and Michelle Garrett talk to Alabama mom of 3, Zenovia Stephens. Zenovia is founder of the non-profit organization Black Kids Adventures, Inc. an organization that focuses on getting Black and Brown families to spend time together in nature. Zenovia shares her passion behind her mission, how she's using her strengths to inspire families to try new things and redefine what it means to be "outdoorsy." She's also sharing a few of her favorite outdoor adventures around the Huntsville, Alabama area and the story behind how she accidentally fell in love with her state. RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildZenovia's Instragam: @blackadventurecrew Nonprofit: @blackkidsadventuresWebsite: Black Adventure CrewZenovia's RWMC post: Outdoor Movie Night With Kids

We're back and we're chatting with outdoorsy single dad Matthew Marvich. Matthew and his 4-year old son are quite the adventure duo. Together they love hiking, chasing waterfalls, exploring new parks, and playing golf. Matthew is committed to encouraging and inspiring dads everywhere to get their kids involved in what they love to do. On the show, he speaks to the importance of dads planning outdoor adventures with their kids and gives tips on how dads can gain the confidence needed to make those plans a reality. RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildMatthew's Instagram: @matthew_marvichMatthew's post: How to Get Started Golfing with Kids

This week we chat with Kristen Ryan, an Oklahoma photographer, wife, and mother of two. You can usually find her family camping, climbing, hiking, or mountain biking together. They’re working on their goal of visiting all of the Oklahoma state parks and are over halfway there! Kristen is an instructor and mentor at Hello Storyteller and she's currently in her 7th year of doing a 365 project. She loves to use photography to document her family’s outdoor adventures in creative ways. She’s here talking with us about how to incorporate photography into your everyday life and outdoor adventures so you have beautiful visual reminders of all those amazing memories. RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildKristen's Instagram: @kristcxTips for Photographing Family HikesYear in the Life 365 Course

This week we talk to Ashley Greenhalgh a Nevada mom of two about outdoor safety and first aid. Ashley is an RN certified in Advanced Wilderness Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. She’s passionate about outdoor education for parents and kids has written multiple articles for our website about hiking safety and how to teach first aid to kids. She’s here today to talk to us about being safe and prepared when adventuring outdoors with kids and ways you can give your kids first aid skills and know-how to handle sticky situations. RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildAshley's Instagram: @sage.and.summitWebsite posts:Teaching First Aid to KidsHiking Safety & First AidAshley's recommendations:CPR classes

This week we speak with Chelsea Furlong, a Virginia Beach photographer, former teacher, and homeschooling mom of two about raising eco-conscious kids. Chelsea is committed to reducing her carbon footprint and raising kids that care for our planet. Every week they spend a day picking up litter, plastic and cleaning up the beaches in their area. Chelsea talks about how we can raise kids that are good stewards of nature and small things that all of us can do to make a difference.RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildChelsea's Instagram: @dimples.and.the.blondeChelsea's website: www.chelsealyn.photography

This week, we chat with Nichole Holze, an Arkansas mom of 2 and self-proclaimed adventurer! She has been known to take off for multi-day road trips, overnight canoe trips, and other epic adventures at nearly a moment’s notice. Many of these adventures are done solo with her kids. She's passionate about empowering moms to get out and explore safely with their kids. She's here today to talk with us about how moms can safely go on more adventures with their kids and how to be responsibly brave. RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.comRWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychildNichole Blog: Luckey WanderersNichole Instagram: @coleyraehNichole's Recommendations:Big Magic by Elizabeth GilbertAdventuring Together by Greta Eskridge