Let's Take This Outside

Stephan Kesting is an adventurer, jiu-jitsu practitioner, and firefighter. These activities all require making critical decisions under pressure, which is one of the central themes of his writing.

Stephan has criss-crossed the North for 40 years. He has done many solo trips into the Arctic and has also worked as a canoe and raft guide, safely leading large groups in the remote wilderness.

He completed an honours BSc in Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies from McGill University and an MSc in Arctic Botany with a specialisation in climate change from the University of British...

Tom Peiffer’s skiing has undoubtedly been shaped by the coastal mountains in his backyard surrounding Whistler, BC. Tom has undeniably proven his tenacity in the competition world. Consistently ranked among the best North American athletes, he spent four seasons on the Freeride World Tour, where his aggressive and fall-line skiing stood out. Tom is also no stranger to chasing backcountry objectives at home or remote lines in the corners of the world, from the Himalayas to Argentina. No matter the terrain, Tom will find his way up…and down. In his free time, he stays busy pursuing a care...

About Town of Petawawa:

The Town of Petawawa is a vibrant community in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, known for its strong connection to the outdoors and active lifestyle. Surrounded by forests, rivers, and trails, Petawawa offers year-round opportunities for recreation and adventure. Through its recreation amenities, events, and community programs, the Town encourages people of all ages to get outside, stay active, and connect with nature and each other.

Guest #1: Shallan Dament - Town of Petawawa

Shallan Dament is a Recreation Program Coordinator with the Town of Petawawa who creates programs...

Hey it’s Mary Anne, as paddling season starts to wind down, it felt like the perfect time to revisit this conversation with one of Canada's most beloved canoeists. Here's my chat with Kevin Callan.

Kevin Callan is the author of 18 books, including the best-selling ⁠The Happy Camper ⁠and his incredibly popular series of paddling guides. He’s a notable public speaker and frequent guest on radio and television. Kevin is also a regular contributor, blogger and columnist for explore Magazine and Paddling Magazine, and has won several National Magazine Awards. He was made Patron Paddler for Paddle C...

ABOUT DAVID:

David Webb⁠ is the President & Publisher at Explore Outdoor Media Inc., and host of Explore's "Live the Adventure Podcast." He is an engaging writer with hundreds of bylines to his name, in multiple medias, and on topics ranging from outdoor adventure, to international travel, to local culture, to current events and more. He has been recognized at the National Magazine Awards (7x), Explore Canada Awards of Excellence (3x), Western Magazine Awards, IRMA Awards (6x) and the Canadian Newsstand Marketing Awards (3x).

EXPLORE:

Founded over 45 years ago, Explore™  has grown from a grassroo...

Hey, it’s Mary Anne.

With the Log Driver's Waltz Grand Départ coming up on August 29, it felt like the perfect time to bring this conversation back. Whether you're riding this year or just curious about bikepacking, here's my chat with Jen and Eric. Enjoy.

“Just get out and explore on a bike.”

In 2022 Jen and Eric bikepacked over 7000 km which included Grand Departs on the 4400 km Tour Divide and the 800 km ⁠ Log Driver’s Waltz⁠ (LDW), and a time trial on the North of Seven 770.  

In 2019 they were amongst the first few rid...

Lisa Franks’ world changed at the age of 14 when she became paralyzed from the neck down. She slowly regained the use of her arms and began adapting to life as a wheelchair user. She discovered wheelchair sports and quickly rose through the ranks, competing at three Paralympic Games and bringing home six gold and one silver medal. While balancing competition and training, Lisa graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She worked as a Mechanical Engineer designing commercial buildings.

After a severe shoulder injury ended her competitive sports career, Lisa turned to th...

Hey it’s Mary Anne. With wildfires affecting communities across Canada this summer, this conversation feels more relevant than ever. I wanted to bring this episode back because understanding how climate change is shaping our landscapes, (and the way we experience the outdoors) has never been more important.

Dr. Daniel Scott is a Professor and Research Chair in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo (Canada). He has worked extensively on sustainable tourism for 25 years, with a focus on the transition to a low carbon tourism economy and adaptation to the complex im...

Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson is Métis and grew up in Treaty 8 territory (northern Alberta, Canada). Her family was nîhithawîwin (Woodland Cree/ “N”) speaking. Her Métis relations are the Cardinal (Peeaysis Band) and Laboucane (Laboucane Settlement) families. She currently lives near Rocky Mountain House in Treaty 6 (central Alberta). 

Christianson was formerly a Research Scientist with the Canadian Forest Service (Natural Resources Canada) and an Indigenous Fire Specialist in the National Fire Management Division of Parks Canada.

Christianson works with Indigenous Nations across Canada on fire stewardship practices like cultural burning and collaborates with Indi...

Mark Herbst is an endurance athlete, cycling coach, and world-class ultra-racer who has spent decades pushing the limits of what’s possible on two wheels. A multiple national champion in cycling and triathlon, he’s raced the legendary Race Across America four times (including a record-breaking win in the two-man category) and competed twice at the Hawaii Ironman.

He recently took on his biggest challenge yet: a 30,000-kilometre ride around the globe, attempting to become the oldest person ever to circumnavigate the world by bicycle, all while raising awareness and funds for cancer research in honour of his...

Brooke Mitchell traded the Appalachian hills of Ohio for expeditions across the globe, using her Zoology and Biology degrees to dive headfirst into wildlife conservation through adventure travel. 

Her conservation science podcast Rewildology takes listeners on wild journeys around the world to experience conservation firsthand—including a Patagonia series that was a Jackson Wild Media Awards Finalist. 

Through her innovative three-pillar approach of Listen. Experience. Protect., she's revolutionizing conservation storytelling by combining immersive field experiences with expert conversations to inspire real-world conservation action.

Rewildology Podcast

Lear...

Dr. Alison Criscitiello is an ice core scientist and high-altitude mountaineer. She is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Canadian Ice Core Lab at University of Alberta, and co-founder of Girls on Ice Canada. 

Criscitiello explores the history of climate and sea ice in polar and high-alpine regions using ice core chemistry. This involves long months of living in a tent and drilling ice cores in places like Antarctica, Greenland, the Yukon, and the Canadian high Arctic. Criscitiello's work also focuses on environmental contaminant histories in ice cores from the Canadian high Arctic and the w...

Lindsay Davies is a proud Ontario explorer, storyteller, and creative who’s been thoroughly bit by the travel bug. A graphic designer and social media marketer by trade, Lindsay travels the world while documenting her adventures on her blog I’ve Been Bit!, inspiring others to explore with curiosity, respect, and intention.

Whether she’s chasing waterfalls, exploring backcountry trails, driving ice roads, or uncovering hidden gems close to home, Lindsay believes adventure does not have to be far-flung to be meaningful. She has a deep love for local food, experiences, and accommodations, and is passionate about suppor...

Today, we’re heading to Lanaudière-Mauricie, in the heart of Québec along the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River, perfectly positioned between Montréal and Québec City, and just a few hours from Ottawa. I was lucky enough to spend some time there over the family day long weekend.

This is a region of scale: nearly 50,000 square kilometres of forests, rivers, countryside, and over 30,000 lakes. Two national parks. Dozens of regional parks. Endless space to move (or to slow down). 

In winter, it becomes a true playground for the outdoor lover. Snowsho...

Bernadette McDonald is an award-winning author, speaker, and one of the world’s leading voices in mountain culture.

She has written thirteen books and received many of the highest honours in mountain literature including two Boardman Tasker Prizes, the Banff Mountain Book Festival Grand Prize, Italy’s ITAS Prize, two National Outdoor Book Awards, and India’s Kekoo Naoroji Award. In 2011, the American Alpine Club awarded her its highest literary honour for excellence in mountain literature.

Bernadette was the founding Vice President of Mountain Culture at the Banff Centre and spent 20 years as director of the Ba...

Lee Nordbye is a fine art landscape photographer, speaker, and teacher based in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. Known for his bold and soulful style, Lee captures the intimate details and hidden beauty of the natural world.

A self-described recovering accountant, Lee left a 26-year career in finance to pursue his creative passion full-time. Since then, he’s become an award-winning and published photographer, leading workshops, mentoring other artists, and inspiring people to connect more deeply with nature through his work.

When he’s not exploring wild places on foot with his camera, you’ll find h...

From Swansea to the peaks of Patagonia, Ollie Treviso is redefining what it means to live adventurously. An endurance walker and modern explorer, Ollie became the first person to walk the entire length of the Andes, a 14,000-kilometre journey across seven countries that took nearly 20 months to complete.

In this episode of Let’s Take This Outside, Ollie opens up about losing direction in his twenties, leaving behind a conventional career, and finding purpose through long-distance walking. He shares powerful stories from the road, altitude sickness, moments of isolation, and the unexpected kindness of strangers who carried hi...

Born in Calabria, Italy, and raised in Ottawa after immigrating to Canada in 1959, Angelo Fulco’s life is a powerful reminder that discovery does not have an expiration date. After building long careers in retail, finance, insurance, and real estate, Angelo stepped into retirement and found himself not slowing down, but beginning again.

In his sixties, Angelo took up long-distance running, progressing from 5Ks to half marathons and completing his first full marathon at age 66. Around the same time, he joined the Ottawa Independent Writers, where his storytelling flourished. He has since contributed seven published short stories an...

Today I’m joined by Adam Kourakis: lifelong athlete, race director, and co-owner of Somersault Events. Adam’s been part of Somersault for over 20 years. First as a volunteer, then an athlete, and now as the person leading one of Ontario’s most iconic race series.

We talk about the Winterlude Triathlon, a one-of-a-kind event that could only happen in Ottawa, where athletes skate, ski, and run as part of the city’s Winterlude Festival.

Adam shares how this 40-year-old tradition brings the community together, and what it means to celebrate sport in every season.

BI...

Meet Jeff Douglas, a Canmore-based mountain guide who recently completed a three-year quest to hike every single one of Banff National Park’s 2,000-plus kilometres of trails… all in hopes of seeing the park’s elusive bison herd.

As the owner of Mountain Goat Adventures and a certified guide, Jeff has spent more than 15 years exploring the Bow Valley, Banff, and beyond, turning his passion for the outdoors into a way of life.

From long trail runs in remote corners of the Rockies to technical backcountry ski traverses, Jeff’s story is about curiosity, endurance, and what...

Today we’re exploring how art can become activism through the story of aerial artist and climate advocate Sasha Galitzki. After losing her home in the 2024 Jasper wildfire, Sasha turned grief into purpose, using her breathtaking performances to spotlight the fragility and beauty of our changing planet.

Her new project, Embers, is a powerful visual journey through loss, resilience, and renewal, blending art, science, and environmental storytelling. Featuring voices from glaciologists and wildfire experts, Embers reminds us what it means to find hope amid the ashes.

ABOUT SASHA

Sasha Galitzki is an acclaimed ae...

Dr. Julie Rak is a professor in the Department of English and Film Studies at the University of Alberta, Canada. Her 2021 book False Summit: Gender in Mountaineering Nonfiction (McGill-Queens University Press) is the first book-length study of gender, feminism and mountaineering narratives ever made- and she hopes that it won't be the last.

She has also published on Rockies mountain guide and writer Tex Vernon-Wood, on gender and mountaineering film festivals, about the body of George Mallory and about Sherpa, the autobiography of Ang Tharkay.

Julie was a novice to intermediate general mountaineer and ice-climber...

Melissa Hafting is an ethical, passionate, and respected birder, photographer, and mentor. Her love for birding has helped shape who she is and has helped with her mental health, along with enabling her to cope with the difficult aspects of grief and loss after the death of her mother and father.

Showcasing some of Melissa’s most stunning bird images from the continental United States, Hawaii, and Canada, Dare to Bird explores the joy that birding and photography has brought to her life and how both have allowed her to foster meaningful connections with young birders from di...

Dan Rubinstein is an Ottawa-based writer, editor, and stand-up paddleboarder. His latest book, Water Borne, was published in 2025 and is based on his most recent epic solo paddling journey and also explores the importance of deepening our relationship with water.

Dan is also a National Magazine Award–winning journalist who contributes to publications such as The Walrus, The Globe and Mail, and enRoute, and he’s a former editor at Canadian Geographic magazine. His first book, ⁠Born to Walk,⁠ was a finalist for the Ottawa Book Awards and Kobo Emerging Writer Prize.

About Water Borne:

In...

Marlis Butcher is an environmental conservationist, author, and photographer. She is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and of The Explorers Club, an international organization promoting field exploration.

Marlis is the first visitor to have “bagged” (visited) all 48 of the Canadian national parks, a third of which do not have road access. Her photographs and articles have been published in:

• Canadian Geographic Magazine,

• Explore magazine,

• The Explorers Club’s “Far Afield” magazine,

• CBC News on-line,

• CTV News on-line,

• Canadian Encyclopedia, and

• the travel brochures of...

Julia Weber is a full-time travel blogger and content creator who brings the spirit of travel into everyday life. With a background in marketing and a passion for storytelling, Julia creates compelling photo and video content that resonates with an engaged audience seeking both local discoveries and international adventures.

Julia’s mission is to inspire others to live every day with the spirit of a traveller— whether they’re dining at an international restaurant in their own city or hiking to a hidden lookout on the other side of the world. She believes every destination has something specia...

Hey, it’s Mary Anne Ivison—and right now, I’m doing exactly what I hope you’re doing… playing outside. Let’s Take This Outside is taking a short summer break, but don’t worry—we’ll be back this September with brand new episodes and inspiring conversations.

Coming up: guests like Dan Rubenstein, Marlis Butcher, Melissa Hafting, and Julia Weber, as we explore the powerful ways the outdoors connects us—through nature, conservation, and adventure.

So get out there, enjoy every minute of summer, and we’ll meet you back here in September!

Learn mor...

Shanda Hill is one of the most accomplished ultra endurance athletes on the planet and a proud Canadian from Vernon, British Columbia. She is the only person in the world to have completed three Double Deca Triathlons. Each one includes a 76 kilometre swim, a 3600 kilometre bike ride, and an 844 kilometre run. That is the same as doing 20 full Iron-distance triathlons back to back.

In 2024, Shanda made history by becoming the first woman ever to complete a Triple Deca Triathlon in the continuous format. This extreme event includes a 114 kilometre swim, a 5400 kilometre bike ride, and a 1266 kilometre...

Flow explores diverse women’s narratives in adventure sports in this anthology that challenges stereotypes while promoting unity. It advocates for a transcultural feminism, one offering hope and empowerment to break barriers and live fully.

Flow takes readers on an inspiring journey through the world of women in adventure sports, challenging stereotypes and celebrating the strength, resilience, and unity of women across the globe. This unique collection highlights the powerful, diverse voices of women who are redefining what’s possible in outdoor sports like whitewater kayaking, climbing, mountaineering, and highlining.

With photography and stories from arou...

The winner of numerous writing honours, including a National Magazine Award, Nicola Ross is  the author of 12 books, including the bestselling Loops & Lattes series of hiking guides. Having  sold over 50,000 copies of these self-published guidebooks, Nicola is a fulltime writer and professional hiker. 

Her latest book, published by ECW Press in Toronto in 2024, is entitled 40 Days & 40 Hikes:  Loving the Bruce Trail One Loop at a Time. Part illustrated memoir, part hiking guide and part  good storytelling, it describes her journey along Ontario’s 900-kilometre Bruce Trail from  Queenston Heights on the Niagara Peninsula to Tobermory on the Bruce. 4...

Chris Watson was born and bred in Scotland is the creative force behind the Adventure Diaries, a podcast that delivers authentic stories of adventure, exploration, and the natural world.

Chris spends much of his time outdoors, hiking and paddling in the Scottish highlands and has a passion for the natural world, wild places, and adventures.

Chris brings a unique blend of curiosity and storytelling to every conversation, including a unique format that encourages adventure in everyday life. Through his Call To Adventure & Pay It forward segments listeners will discover new perspectives and adventures from every...

Emma Terrell, also known as The Urban Botanist, is a passionate advocate for sustainable living and eco-conscious design.

After completing a Biology degree at Carleton University in Ottawa, she started her business in 2017 that was created with the intention to connect her community with the natural world around them. With a deep rooted love for nature and over a decade of experience in creating vibrant, green spaces, Emma specializes in blending interior design with sustainable practices and crafting landscapes that honor and restore the environment.

Her unique approach combines innovation and conservation, showcasing how thoughtful...

Gloria Dickie is an award-winning journalist and author of Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future (W.W. Norton, 2023).

She is currently a global climate and environment correspondent at Reuters News Agency. With over a decade of experience reporting on environmental issues, she has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, Wired magazine, and Scientific American magazine, among others. In 2018, she was named a National Geographic Explorer. Eight Bears, was chosen as a best book of 2023 by The New Yorker, The Economist, and Scientific American, shortlisted for the 2023 Banff Centre Mountain Book Awards, and received second...

Brad Sinopoli is a former CFL Wide Receiver and now the owner of Sinopoli Fishing.

Brad played for both the Calgary Stampeders and the Ottawa Redblacks, and was twice named the CFL’s most Outstanding Canadian and has won two Grey Cups.

Brad’s passion for the outdoors has seamlessly carried over into his post-football life, as he has become a successful fishing charter operator. Based in Ottawa, Sinopoli combines his love of nature with his entrepreneurial spirit, offering guided fishing experiences through his company, Sinopoli Fishing. 

Also in this episode is fellow podca...

Frank Wolf is a Canadian adventurer, writer, filmmaker, and environmentalist. He is known for books, feature magazine articles, online columns, and films that document wilderness expeditions around the world, with a focus on the Canadian North.

His expeditions include being the first to canoe across Canada in one season, rowing the Northwest Passage, and circumnavigating both Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island by kayak. In 2020 he was named One of Canada's 'Greatest 90 Explorers of All Time' by Canadian Geographic.

He is a regular feature writer and columnist for Explore Magazine and has written two books on...

Sasha is a Krono Nutrition Athlete, and we’ve teamed up with Krono to giveaway 2 of their discovery boxes on Instagram, including bars, gels and electrolytes. Head to the Let’s Take This Outside Instagram for your chance to win, and also use the promo code outside20 to get 20% off at krononutrition.com until March 31.

Dr. Sasha Gollish is a passionate advocate for gender equity in sport, a Team Canada middle- and long-distance runner, and a dedicated mentor to young athletes. With a career spanning elite athletic competition, coaching, engineering, and research, Sasha combines her...

Use code Outside to get a $20 discount off any two day ride on the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour 2025 at https://ottawabicycleclub.ca/rlct/.

ABOUT RIDEAU LAKES CYCLE TOUR:

The Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour (RLCT) is a two-day cycle tour organised by the Ottawa Bicycle Club that takes its riders from Ottawa (or Perth) to Kingston and back. The first tour took place in 1972, and this year it will be its 51st edition on June 21-22,2025. On Saturday, the tour will take cyclists through the scenic countryside of the Rideau Valley passing many picturesque lakes and...

Judy Kasiama is an athlete, community activist, disruptor, and content creator, and founder of Colour the Trails.

Through her work Judy highlights her experience as a black woman that skis, rides mountain bikes, hikes, camps, climbs, and explores. Colour the Trails focuses on improving access to outdoor activities for BIPoC (including those who lay within the intersection of BIPoC and 2SLGBTQAI+ community) adventurers.

About Colour the Trails

Colour the Trails is a national Black woman owned business, focused on improving access to outdoor activities for BIPoC (including those who lay within the intersection...

Trixie Pacis is an emerging Filipina-Canadian filmmaker based in Kimberley, British Columbia. Her work revolves around documenting unheard personal and environmental stories, including her latest documentaries Wildflowers and Wild Aerial. Building on script development experience at Drive Films, she now works as the Director of Acquisitions and Original Programming at ChimeTV, America’s only Asian American and Pacific Islander cable channel delivered in English. Trixie’s writing and photography have appeared on Mapped, Inside Himalayas and Travel Alberta. You’ll find her climbing, hiking, surfing, or skiing with a camera in hand.

Natalie Gillis's Portfolio

L...

About Gatineau Park:

Gatineau Park is the National Capital Region’s conservation park. The largest green space in the region, the Park occupies an area of more than 361 square kilometres and is a place of rich and unique biodiversity. It is the second-most visited park in Canada, and a destination for outdoor enthusiasts to engage in recreational activities that respect the environment.

Gatineau Park’s vast territory is divided into several sectors, one of which is accessible from downtown Ottawa–Gatineau, and each of which feature various points of interest and historical places. Unlike other nation...