Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast
Melissa Goodwin
Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast features interviews with adventurous women, plus trail tips and hiking advice for those who want to disconnect from the daily grind. Host Melissa “Click” Goodwin, is an outdoor guide, photographer, and the founder of Girl Gotta Hike. Girl Gotta Hike, connects women with nature, confidence and camaraderie with guided hikes and backpacking trips from New York City to The Catskills and beyond. Visit girlgottahike.com for more info, including hiking and event schedules.
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Top 10 Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
17. Slackpack Series - with Sprout, Woodchuck, NoSeeUm and Click!
Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast
09/07/21 • 55 min
Whoo-hoo! Episode 17 (aka the first of the Slackpack Series) is an entire episode dedicated to doling out some down and dirty of advice from four female thru-hikers, who love nothing more than discovering the joys of getting deeper into the backcountry. During an impromptu trek through Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York, GGH host Melissa “Click” Goodwin, and her semi-regular podcast guests and trail besties, Emma “Sprout” Hileman, Lauren “Woodchuck” de la Vega and Kelley “NoSeeUm” Blosser, all discuss some of the finer (and funnier) points of what comes up on a long-distance backpacking trip.
To keep the conversation from going totally of the rails, a 10-minute timer per topic was set as the ladies took off toward Melissa’s apartment. As it goes with any good on-trail conversation with friends, their topics did ebb and flow a bit, but they still managed to cover a lot of ground on our short walk including descriptions of some on-trail lingo, recalling some special seasonal moments on our adventures, tips for trip planning and must haves for meals-- and all with a ton of laughs.
Slackpacking: Hiking a day’s worth of mileage (or more) on a long-distance trail pursuit, but without the burden of a fully loaded backpack. Heavy gear can be left in the custody of others, in order for the thru-hiker’s body to have a bit of a break from the usual grind. In the podcast sense – a fun and lighthearted episode with friends!
SHOWNOTES / USEFUL LINKS:
Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for 15% off your first purchase at GossamerGear.com
Link here to check out GG’s Gorilla 50 ultralight backpack!
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20. Juliana Chauncey, Author, Podcast Host + Long-distance Backpacker
Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast
02/01/22 • 72 min
Guess what y’all? This is the 20th episode of Girl Gotta Hike the Podcast, whoop – whoop! It seems like with every new episode and every new interview, this podcast actually inspires me to want to get outside and adventure more, and I hope that it’s been doing the same for you!
On this landmark episode, I go for a day hike in Denver with long-distance backpacker, author, fellow podcaster, and fellow New York State native, Juliana Chauncey, trail name, Chaunce. Many of you may recognize Juliana’s voice as the co-host of Backpacker Radio, the crème-de-la-crème of backpacking podcasts. Juliana’s been hosting BPR alongside my long-time trail buddy, Zack “Badger” Davis, ever since its inception, 4 years ago. But she’s been a part of the greater theTrek.co family for even longer, when, in 2017, she became the popular backpacking website’s first vlogging contributor during her Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike.
Post PCT, Juliana’s gone on to traverse the Appalachian Trail, the Colorado Trail, and the John Muir Trail, among others, and has kept herself busy in non-hiking-seasons by editing videos, writing a guidebook, raising Harper, (her cutie-pie Australian Shepherd), and oh yeah, keeping down a 9 to 5.
Throughout the episode, we talk about how she got interested in the outdoors to begin with, what brought her to Denver, how she wrote her book, “Hiking From Home: A Long Distance Hiking Guide for Family and Friends,” at a Starbucks in just one month, and a new podcast project she’s got coming our way, which, let me tell you, sounds like it’s going to be nothing short of amazing!
Useful links:
Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for 15% off your first purchase at GossamerGear.com
Link here to check out GG’s Vagabond Jet Backpack
@juliana_chauncey on Instagram
@juliana_chauncey on TikTok
Hiking From Home: A Long Distance Hiking Guide for Family and Friends on Amazon
William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain, Lakewood, CO
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07. Brooke Mellen, Forest Therapy Guide & Founder of Cultured Forest
Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast
05/05/20 • 60 min
In part one of a two-part special, Melissa talks with Brooke Mellen, a Forest Therapy guide and founder of Cultured Forest, an Art and Nature connection company here in New York City. Brooke promotes wellness in the outdoors by leading guided mindfulness walks where she introduces participants to the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, also known as Forest Bathing, where participants take in forest atmosphere. Forest Bathing requires that you slow down and focus in on connecting with nature, not just pass through it as a means to get to a destination. We talk about the disconnect us city-dwellers often feel from nature, and how travel escapes and art have helped her mitigate that. Brooke initially found herself drawn to shinrin-yoku in part as a way to escape the rigors of a high stress corporate job, but found the health benefits that resulted were so significant, she was compelled to travel to Japan and around the world in order to learn from other Forest Bathing practitioners. She created Cultured Forest in order to teach other overwhelmed New Yorkers about the healing powers of nature.
In the next episode,(#8), you’ll get to hear what it’s like to actually be on a shinrin-yoku walk with Brooke. Back in early March of 2020, just before New York City went into social isolation mode to help combat the spread of Covid-19, Brooke took Melissa on a guided mindfulness walk on The High Line and she brought along her field recorder. For those who are unfamiliar, The High Line is a 1.4 mile long elevated greenway built on a former railway on the west side of Manhattan and which has been transformed into one of NYC’s most popular public outdoor destinations.
Major thanks to Brooke for sharing her story of building a company as a way to combat stress and connect deeper with nature, with art, and with like-minded souls. It certainly makes for some crowded streets, but it’s the connection between people that is one of my favorite things about living amongst the masses in New York City.
If you want to find out more about the Cultured Forest community, or bathe in the forest with Brooke yourself, head over to her website at culturedforest.com, or check out her Instagram @culturedforest.
Show Notes / Useful links:
Cultured Forest events page
The High Line in NYC
Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Li
The Achemist’s Kitchen in NYC
Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest
Oivallusvaara in Finland
INFTA - International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance in Australia
The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
“Immerse Yourself in a Forest for Better Health” New York State DEC
Episode 13 - Talkin' Trail with Woodchuck, NoSeeUm & Click!
Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast
01/31/21 • 197 min
18. Kate Rhodes, Adirondack Guide, FKT Record Holder and Ultra-Runner Extraordinaire
Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast
11/10/21 • 91 min
Melissa first met Kate Rhodes, a fellow backpacker and NYS Licensed Outdoor Guide, where she’s met so many other amazing women – out on trail! They both happened to be camping out at the same lean-to on the same night along the Northville Placid Trail in the Adirondacks when Melissa first heard word of but a few of Kate’s many amazing outdoor endeavors — but she’s so humble, it was her hiking companions who were the ones to hype her up!
At the time, Kate was training for an upcoming attempt at snagging the unsupported record for the Fastest Known Time for traversing all 46 of the Adirondack peaks over 4,000 feet in one fell swoop — and in this episode you’ll get to hear all about the planning logistics and training for that, as well as her subsequent FKT pursuits. But that’s just the tip of her awesomeness iceberg!
Kate’s an Adirondack 46’er, President of Adirondack Mountain Rescue, a non-profit Wilderness Search and Rescue team, an Outdoor Guide working with multiple Adirondack-based guiding services, and co-owner of the gluten, dairy, soy & refined sugar-free TogaNola Snack Company -- all while holding down a 9 to 5 as an Industrial Hygienist, and is absolutely crushing it at her latest pursuit - ultra-running.
You’ll get to hear all about Kate’s journey from growing up as an inside kid to becoming an outdoor badass, how inspiring other women and young girls helps to keep her going, and about the important role the outdoors play in her own mental health and well-being.
A brief note to listeners – around an hour and 9 minutes into this episode, there is talk about the suicide of a close family member of Kate’s. That event is one of the driving forces behind her current endeavors and the reason she helps raise money for organizations such as 46 Climbs and The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.
If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741.
Shownotes and Useful Links:
Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for 15% off your first purchase at GossamerGear.com
Link here to check out GG’s The One and The Two ultralight backpacking tents!
Kate Rhodes – Instagram
TogaNola Snack Company – Instagram
TogaNola Snack Company – Web
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Hennig Preserve, Saratoga County, New York
09. Alexandra Kenin, Founder Urban Hiker SF
Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast
07/01/20 • 82 min
On episode 9, Melissa takes you with her to San Francisco, California where she goes for a hike inside the city with West Coast hiking guide and kindred spirit, Alexandra Kenin, founder of Urban Hiker SF, an urban hiking tour company and author of two incredible guidebooks, Urban Trails San Francisco and Urban Trails East Bay. Since 2012, Alexandra has been helping visitors and locals alike explore the stairways, hills and hiking trails of beautiful San Francisco.
Melissa caught up with Alexandra at a coffee shop in the Glen Park neighborhood of San Francisco and from there they went on a hike up Glen Canyon Park, over Twin Peaks and down to the Mission. You’ll hear them ooh and ahh over some iconic and inspiring views and when Melissa’s not gasping for air on the uphills, you’ll learn all about some San Francisco history, find out what led Alexandra to her love of hiking, what it takes to write a guide book, and what it’s like to be a tour guide. If you like learning about how others are pursuing their passions, if you’re a fan of San Fran or even if you’d like to just visit there one day, then you’ll love this episode.
Whether you live on the east coast, the west, or somewhere in between, hyper-local hiking is where it’s at right now! As travel restrictions remain in effect across many regions of the world due to the omnipresence of Coronavirus, take some tips from Alexandra and go for a hike right in your own city! But the next time you find yourself in San Francisco, I cannot recommend going on a hike with Alexandra and Urban Hiker SF enough! In the interim, I encourage you to live vicariously through her Instagram feed @urbanhikersf, which is full of cityscapes, secret stairway views, and beautiful California wildflowers. You can even plan those Bay Area hikes ahead of time, by picking up a copy of one or both her books, Urban Trails San Francisco and Urban Trails East Bay.
Useful links:
Urban Hiker SF website
Urban Hiker SF Instagram
Urban Trails San Francisco: Coastal Bluffs/ The Presidio/ Hilltop Parks & Stairways book by Alexandra Kenin
Urban Trails East Bay: Oakland/ Berkeley / Fremont / Richmond book by Alexandra Kenin
“A 17-Mile Hike to Unite San Francisco” by Nellie Bowles, The New York Times, November 18th, 2019 – article about the Crosstown Trail and Bob Siegel
Charles Sowers, artist “Solar Totems”
21. Jasmine Guadalupe, The Hood Hikers
Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast
03/24/22 • 46 min
On today’s episode I head up to East Harlem for a chat with Jasmine Guadalupe, founder of The Hood Hikers, a hiking and outdoor adventure company based right here in NYC! The Hood Hikers creates a safe space in nature for all Black and Brown folks, regardless of gender, income bracket or any other divider. While everyone is welcome on her hikes, the Black and Brown experience is at the core, allowing participants to enjoy the outdoors on their own terms.
A self-described “Bronx-bred, 80s baby of Puerto Rican descent,” Jasmine was blessed with being able to escape the bustle of the big city as a kid, spending many summers upstate, exploring the woods of her grandparent’s property in central New York. Fast forward through law school and a demanding schedule as a litigation attorney, she was re-introduced to her love of hiking in April 2020, during the early days of the pandemic. Those first outdoor adventures were so therapeutic for her, she knew she needed to help her fellow city-dwellers overcome the obstacles of getting out into nature too, so she got her Guide License and boom, The Hood Hikers was born.
Through the magic of social media (and having some hikers in common), we’d been following each other for a while, but this was Jasmine and my first meeting IRL! And while we were gonna go out for a walk together, the weather proved inhospitable, so we simply switched gears and recorded at Jasmine’s apartment instead. Thankfully, one thing us New York based guides know how to do well is pivot!
Useful links:
Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for 15% off your first purchase at GossamerGear.com
Link here to check out GG’s Vagabond Jet Backpack
The Hood Hikers - website
@thehoodhikers on Instagram
@thehoodhikers on TikTok
@thehoodhikers on Twitter
@thehoodhikers on Facebook
@thehoodhikers on YouTube
The Hood Hikers video / Timberland All For Nature Nature For All
19. Liz Forkel, Fitness Coach + Future Thru-Hiker
Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast
12/19/21 • 60 min
Melissa recently had the absolute honor of guiding Liz Forkel on a 5-day backpacking trip. Liz is a personal trainer, fitness coach and owner of LizFit, a fitness center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Nearly seven days a week, she helps her clients find their way to a fitter and healthier lifestyle by leading them in small group classes, personal training sessions and nutrition consultations. She works side by side with them to help raise their confidence and reach their fitness goals, but like many small business owners and busy entrepreneurs, it’s rare for her to be able to take some time out for herself.
Liz has had thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail as an item on her bucket list for nearly 30 years now, and with a milestone birthday approaching next June, she has decided that 2022 is her time to attempt it! But setting aside your actual business and only form of income for a 6-month trip on trail isn’t a decision made lightly. While she is starting with a base fitness level that is unparalleled, and has every intent on success, she’d done no actual backpacking up until a few weeks ago, so she knew she needed to seek out a trusted source to help show her the ropes. A google search gratefully brought her to Girl Gotta Hike, and after a couple of zoom planning sessions, Melissa was stoked that Liz decided to choose GGH to be her guide. We spent 5 days and 52-miles together from New York to Massachusetts, hiking the entire Connecticut section of the Appalachian Trail.
What follows is their post-hike convo. They started recording just after they reached the Mass border in order to catch her in the moment – feeling accomplished and proud but not too far removed from their 5 days and 4 nights, (some of them rainy and cold), out there. Liz is super insightful about her time on trail, and at almost 60 years old, proves that there’s no time like the present to fufill a dream!
SHOWNOTES AND USEFUL LINKS:
Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for 15% off your first purchase at GossamerGear.com
Link here to check out GG’s Vagabond Jet Backpack
LizFit – Instagram
LizFit - Website
AMC - Connecticut Chapter
23. Melissa "Click" Goodwin, Photographer + Founder of Girl Gotta Hike
Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast
07/05/22 • 54 min
Hello and welcome to Episode 23!
This episode sounds a bit different than usual, because I’m the one who’s answering questions, while guest host Alexandra Kenin is the one asking them! Alexandra is the founder of Urban Hiker SF, an urban hiking tour company in San Francisco and author of two guidebooks, Urban Trails: San Francisco, and Urban Trails: East Bay. She is super passionate about getting out and exploring cities by foot, and she also happens to be a big fan of Girl Gotta Hike!
Well I’m a big fan of hers too – in fact I interviewed her back on Episode 9 of this podcast – so when she proposed the idea of interviewing me during a recent visit to Brooklyn, though I was a bit nervous, I just couldn’t say no!
When I started this podcast, I assumed that my listeners would mostly consist of those who get to come out for a hike with me in person. On trail, I’m often answering questions about how I got into guiding and sharing snippets of my thru-hiking adventures, so my podcast goal was to talk less about me and highlight other women who are rockin’ their outdoor passions instead!
But it turns out that so many of you listeners, and especially those that are new, come from locations that are much further afield than my New York City-based circle, and until Alexandra pointed it out to me, it hadn’t really occurred to me that you might want to learn some of the history and details about how I got into the outdoors too!
So many thanks to her for the invite, and I hope you enjoy our walk and talk together in Prospect Park!
Useful links:
Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for 15% off your first purchase at GossamerGear.com
Check out GG’s amazing pack lineup here:
Mariposa (60-Liter)
Gorilla (50-Liter)
G4-20 (42-Liter)
Kumo 36 (36-Liter)
Melissa "Click" Goodwin can be found at:
Girl Gotta Hike - Website
@girlgottahike - Instagram
Facebook - @GirlGottaHike
Guest Host Alexandra Kenin can be found at:
@urbanhikersf - Instagram
Urban Hiker SF - Website
Facebook - @UrbanHikerSF
Twitter - @UrbanHikerSF
Trip Advisor - Urban Hiker SF - Day Tours
Urban Trails: San Francisco - guidebook to the trails of San Francisco
Urban Trails: East Bay - guidebook to the trails of Oakland, Berkeley, Freemont, & more!
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FAQ
How many episodes does Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast have?
Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast currently has 30 episodes available.
What topics does Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast cover?
The podcast is about Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Women, Empowerment, Backpacking, Camping, Friendship, Adventure, Nature, Outdoors, Podcasts, Hiking, Sports, Female, Wilderness and Confidence.
What is the most popular episode on Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast?
The episode title '17. Slackpack Series - with Sprout, Woodchuck, NoSeeUm and Click!' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast?
The average episode length on Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast is 74 minutes.
How often are episodes of Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast released?
Episodes of Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast are typically released every 42 days, 15 hours.
When was the first episode of Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast?
The first episode of Girl Gotta Hike The Podcast was released on Nov 1, 2019.
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