The woods don’t shout their lessons; they whisper them through blisters, bandages, and the warm glow of a stove that finally wins against the cold. We open with Gunnar, our chocolate lab, whose paw surgery turns into a candid look at corporate vet practices, realistic costs, and the small rituals that keep him healthy—yes, right down to the toothbrush. From there, we step into the birch stands and unpack what years of ethical chaga harvesting have taught us: how to use the right tools, why le...
A single “kind” release can rewrite a whole ecosystem. We open with hard‑won lessons from a deep bush chaga trip—gear that saved the day, how to improvise repairs miles from a road, and the thrill of spotting brook trout in a stream you could step over—then pivot to what really threatens our waters: invasive species carried by trade and well‑intentioned pet owners. Katie Church, Aquatic Invasive Plant Coordinator at the Invasive Species Centre, joins us to break down the European water chest...
A cold morning, a quiet road, and a plan that starts before the first bootprint—this is how we turn a chaga hunt into a smooth, sustainable system. We map our routes with Starlink-preloaded Google Maps, carry a Garmin as backup, and treat radio specs with skepticism, because terrain always has the last word. When we grid-walk skidder trails, stop for 360 scans, and use binoculars to avoid false marches, we find more chaga with less wandering and far fewer near-misses at dusk. We dig into the...
The roof drums like a metronome while we sort the chaos of a wet northern camp into something that works. We’re counting paper plates, flipping pots to outsmart mice, and finding out the hundred-pound propane tank still has life—thanks to a quick hot-water trick on the steel. Five days of rain can’t stall a Chaga season, so we get practical: clean the carbon off a fouled plug, lean out a smoky two-stroke, and hunt down missing couplers for the old Gifford hand pump. When the seals slip, we sw...
The forest got quiet, the stove finally drew right, and our maps changed overnight. We’re gearing up for a northern chaga harvest and bringing you into the decisions that make or break a trip: who’s coming, what to pack, and how new logging roads, landings, and skidders can open a backcountry maze if you know how to read them. We walk through the trade-offs between staying unplugged and bringing Starlink to keep the crew connected and safe, and we test a drone as a scouting tool to spot birch...
What if your next good night’s sleep, calmer joints, or steadier digestion starts with a mug and a handful of leaves? We dive under the canopy with herbalist Penelope of The Ginkgo Tree to turn everyday plants into practical tools—no mystique, just methods you can trust. Jerry kicks things off by tackling the most common chaga questions—how to brew it in drip coffee, what grind to use, and why harvest timing matters—before we expand into a wider, grounded guide to home herbalism you can start...
Ever wanted to move through the woods with real confidence—no glowing screen, no second-guessing, just clear decisions and steady steps? That’s the energy fueling this week’s journey under the canopy, where we blend a love of seasonal living with the practical art of orienteering and a thoughtful look at chaga’s place in everyday wellness. We kick things off in early-fall Ontario: an off-grid chaga camp to prep, a simple generator humming at night, and a grocery plan for a rotating crew of h...
Jerry Ouellette shares his journey from skepticism to obsession with Chaga, a rare medicinal mushroom found on birch trees that has transformed countless lives with its healing properties. After witnessing remarkable health improvements in friends battling serious conditions like cancer and diabetes, Jerry dedicated himself to researching, harvesting, and sharing this extraordinary natural remedy that indigenous peoples have utilized for thousands of years. • Chaga is a rare conch mushroom t...
What does it really take to break free from the grid and power your life with solar energy? In this illuminating episode, we're joined by Chris, the founder of Xolar, who walks us through the fascinating world of solar power systems with clarity that cuts through the technical fog. The conversation moves beyond the obvious panels to explore the entire ecosystem needed for energy independence. From inverters that transform raw solar power into usable electricity for your home, to the critical...
Jerry Ouellette shares updates from his off-grid cottage work and growing frustrations with corporate veterinary clinics that are changing policies and raising prices. • Dealing with a total fire ban at the cottage while needing to clear brush and fallen trees • Completed major structural work replacing a 22-foot section of 8x8 beam using pony walls • Building new dock cribbing with hemlock lumber due to historically low water levels • Managing his chocolate lab Gunner's hot spots that devel...
Digging deep into the soil of gardening wisdom, this episode unearths precious insights from Master Gardener Bev DeLenardo that will transform how you approach your garden. With over 26 years of experience selling at farmers markets and a wealth of horticultural knowledge, Bev shares secrets that both novice and experienced gardeners will treasure. Ever wondered why some garlic bulbs produce tiny, numerous cloves while others develop just a few magnificent ones? Bev reveals that the size of ...
A torrential downpour transforms into a months-long nightmare when Garrett's Calgary townhouse floods during roof repairs, leaving him battling property managers, mold remediation, and "livable" conditions in a half-wrecked home. But this construction worker's story runs deeper than personal housing woes – it offers a fascinating window into Alberta's explosive building boom. From his vantage point on construction sites across Calgary and Edmonton, Garrett reveals the scale of development re...
Step into the aromatic world of tea with John Snell, a 42-year veteran of the global tea industry whose journey spans from apprentice at UK's Lions Tettley Tea Company to international consultant. What began as an accidental career choice to avoid desk work evolved into a profound passion for tea "from bush to cup," fueled by witnessing firsthand how this humble leaf supports millions of livelihoods worldwide. John unravels the fascinating distinctions between tea varieties, explaining how C...
Host Jerry Ouellette welcomes Angelo Viola, founder of the Outdoor Journal Radio Network, to mark the 100 episode achievement while giving listeners unprecedented access to the world of outdoor media. The conversation begins with Jerry's practical outdoor wisdom—using coffee grounds to repel garden-raiding skunks—before diving into the remarkable journey of creating a podcast network dedicated to all things outdoors. Angelo reveals that fewer than 1% of podcasts survive their first year, mak...
Step into a lush tropical paradise nestled in the heart of southern Ontario as we explore the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory with naturalist Andalyne Tofflemire. This episode takes you behind the scenes of one of Canada's largest butterfly facilities where thousands of exotic butterflies flutter freely among visitors in a meticulously maintained tropical environment. Andalyne reveals the fascinating journey of how 1,500-2,000 butterfly pupae arrive weekly from sustainable farms in Costa Ri...
The hidden dangers lurking along our favorite trails aren't always what you'd expect. In this eye-opening episode, Jerry welcomes Monica from the Invasive Species Centre to shed light on two particularly hazardous plants gaining ground across North America: wild parsnip and giant hogweed. These invasive species might look innocuous—one with yellow flowers resembling Queen Anne's lace, the other a massive plant reaching up to 18 feet tall—but both harbor a sinister secret. Their sap con...
When was the last time you truly disconnected? In a world where screens dominate and demands never cease, finding authentic connection with yourself and the natural world grows increasingly difficult. This episode explores how glamping—that perfect blend of glamour and camping—has emerged as a powerful gateway for women and beginners to discover the transformative effects of outdoor experiences. Our special guest Brittany shares her perspective on why glamping resonates so deeply with women ...
Ever wondered what it takes to build the foundation for our clean energy future? This episode dives deep into the fascinating world of industrial construction with a personal twist as Jerry welcomes his son Garrett home from Alberta for a father-son catchup that reveals surprising insights into tomorrow's energy infrastructure. Garrett, a red seal ironworker specializing in rebar installation, shares his experiences working on Edmonton's groundbreaking net zero hydrogen production facility—o...
The ordinary act of looking up transforms into an extraordinary journey through Doug McRae's eyes. A lifelong birder whose fascination began with a childhood case of stuffed birds, Doug takes us deep into the enchanting world of avian observation that connects people to nature in profound ways. Through our conversation, Doug reveals the essential tools of the trade - from selecting the perfect pair of binoculars (aim for 7-10x magnification and avoid zoom features) to navigating the differen...
Doug McRae, board member with the Northumberland Land Trust, shares his passion for protecting natural spaces in an era of rapid development. The Northumberland Land Trust has preserved over 2,200 acres across 19 properties through land donations and strategic acquisitions, with more conservation areas in the pipeline. Visit nltrust.ca to learn more about the Northumberland Land Trust, upcoming events, and ways to support their conservation work.