Deep in the Woods

Send us Fan MailAt Amicalola Falls, the trailhead feels like a threshold. Our guest, Leo the Leave No Trace Bear (or Chris "Ranger" Enders), describes an “archway” that separates the real world from the trail world, and that image lands because it names a feeling many hikers have but rarely say out loud. This episode explores connection as both a personal practice and a community ethic: connection to North Georgia land, to other hikers, and to the deeper self that shows up once phones quiet down. Along the Appalachian Trail, even a short walk can become a reset from modern “box to box” living, and the simple act of stepping outside becomes the first move toward a new story.Connection also shows up through stewardship. Leo explains how hiking can feel like consuming a place unless we understand the volunteer fabric holding it together. Groups like the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club quietly maintain tread, protect resources, welcome newcomers, and keep the experience possible for thru hikers, section hikers, and day hikers alike. That behind the scenes work is a major theme: trail maintenance, community support, and the responsibility to give back to the land that gives us so much. If you want to get into hiking in Georgia, this is a practical starting point because it highlights the easiest on ramp: join a local club, meet people who care, and let shared purpose reduce the friction of going alone.One of the most memorable moments is the “wishing stone,” a physical landmark that turns intention into ritual. Leo frames it as a transition tool: pause, say a wish or prayer, and begin, or use it at the end to release the trail while keeping the memories. Rituals like this matter for outdoor mental health because they create meaning, and meaning helps us follow through when the miles get hard. For hikers aiming at a thru hike, these symbols also connect the start at Amicalola Falls and Springer Mountain to the long arc that ends at Katahdin. The episode treats the journey like opening and closing chapters, reminding us that adventure is not only distance but also the way we mark change.Leave No Trace sits at the center of that change. Leo connects bear safety and proper food storage to respect: use a bear canister when needed, store food correctly, and treat campsites as shared spaces. The seven Leave No Trace principles are not a scold; they are a path to a better trail culture where wildlife stays wild and hikers feel welcome. The conversation closes with a direct message for anyone stuck indoors: it takes courage to step outside, but you are not alone. Community makes the leap easier, and documenting your hike through notes, a blog, or audio preserves the transformation and may inspire someone you will never meet.

Send us Fan MailA friend dies suddenly right in front of you, and the question stops being “someday” and becomes “what am I doing with my life today?” That’s the moment Andrew “Metro” Miller takes us back to, and it’s why this walk in the woods turns into a bigger conversation about health, grief, and choosing a different path before it’s too late. We meet Metro at the AT Gateways event at Amicalola Falls State Park and head onto the AT Approach Trail while he unpacks what drove him to thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail northbound. The word he brings is "consistency," and he treats it like a real trail tool, not a slogan. We talk daily mileage, why small goals matter on a 2,197.4-mile journey, and how the first stretch of a thru-hike can feel like a mental tug-of-war with everything you left at home. His answer is simple and hard: let go, focus on what’s in front of you, and keep stacking days. Metro also shares what changes when you document the experience for a YouTube audience. Filming becomes part of the routine: breaking camp, walking, logging footage at night, uploading in town, and planning ahead in a way that supports Leave No Trace and long-term endurance. If you’re searching for Appalachian Trail advice, thru-hiking mindset, hiking motivation, or a practical way to build healthy habits outdoors, this story lands with both hope and realism. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a nudge to start, and leave a review so more hikers and future hikers can find the show.Also, check out Metro's YouTube Channel, "Metro on the Move" by clicking the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@MetroOnTheMove

Send us Fan MailA single word can change the way we move through the world.On the AT Approach Trail at Amicalola Falls, I take a walk with Grandma Gatewood—brought to life by storyteller Anne Van Curen—and trace how grit, faith, and the quiet power of nature helped transform a life marked by hardship into one guided by purpose.What begins with a dog-eared 1949 National Geographic becomes a 2,050-mile act of courage across the Appalachian Trail, stitched together by starry nights, pink lady’s slippers, and the kindness of strangers who appear when the road looks longest.We talk about the moment that set everything in motion: a choice to leave an abusive marriage and step into the woods with nothing certain except the next mile. Gatewood explains why grit mattered most on lonely ridgelines, how Georgia’s mountains humbled her legs and strengthened her will, and why the cathedral of a clear night sky felt like medicine for the soul.In 1955, at age 67, Emma “Grandma” Gatewood became the first woman to solo thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail, walking more than 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine with little more than a homemade sack, a blanket, and a fierce determination to keep going. Her journey not only inspired generations of hikers but also helped bring national attention to the Appalachian Trail itself. Along the way, the myth of the lone hiker gives way to something deeper—trail community. Free shoes offered in small towns, hot meals shared at kitchen tables, and the quiet generosity of people who helped carry her forward one mile at a time.This story isn’t about breaking records. It’s about reclaiming a life, one step at a time.We explore resilience, the healing power of time outdoors, and the way the Appalachian Trail invites honesty: no noise, no hurry, just the steady practice of putting one foot in front of the other.If you’ve ever wondered whether a walk could change your story, Gatewood’s voice is a compass pointing toward the nearest trailhead.Join us as we take one word, one walk, deep in the woods.This conversation was recorded during the AT Gateways event at Amicalola Falls State Park. Grandma Gatewood was portrayed by storyteller Anne Van Curen, whose historical programs bring the life and legacy of Gatewood to audiences across the country.www.mountainstorytelling.com

Send us Fan MailA single word can open a whole landscape, and today that word is return. We set out along the Pigeon Hill Trail—where this show first began—to see how cycles in nature, story, and daily life shape who we become when we come back. What looks like a loop is actually a spiral: the place may seem familiar, but your eyes are not the same.We dig into the tension between awakening and routine. Mindfulness is powerful, but it isn’t a finish line to live on forever; it’s a practice that keeps us from sleepwalking through our days. Thomas Merton’s guidance—that reflection should ripple into action—nudges us to bring insight back into ordinary choices, conversations, and commitments. Along the way, we reexamine the Prodigal Son. The father’s love never changes; the son’s capacity to recognize it does. That shift reframes "return" as a moment of seeing rather than a moral about never leaving, while the older brother’s quiet constancy reveals a different kind of growth that rarely gets a party.We widen the lens with the Odyssey. Hero myths celebrate departure and homecoming, but they also carry the cost of return—the risks, losses, and hard tradeoffs. The lotus eaters tempt us to forget, yet meaning requires friction. We talk about ruts, low seasons, and why resistance is the raw material of growth. Parenting brings it close to home: letting our kids risk, fail, and return is an act of love, not negligence. Nature keeps the score honestly. Forests, seasons, and soil show that decay feeds renewal, and that coming back is less about sameness and more about regeneration.Walk with us through boulders, stories, and memory to consider where you’re being called to return—and how you might see it differently this time. If this conversation sparked something for you, follow us on Instagram for episode clips, then rate and review the show to help more people find the trail. Subscribe, share with a friend, and tell us: what are you ready to return to now?

Send us Fan MailWhat happens to our minds when we step away from constant connection? In this immersive conversation with Eric Graves, Executive Director of the Len Foote Hike Inn, we discover the profound mental health benefits that emerge when we disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature and each other.Walking through the Chattahoochee National Forest near Amicalola Falls, Eric reveals how the backcountry lodge he oversees has become more than just a destination—it's a sanctuary for mental well-being. For 23 years, he's witnessed thousands of guests transform as they complete the five-mile hike to this rustic retreat where cell phones stay in pockets and strangers become friends around the dinner table.The conversation takes us beyond mere digital detox philosophy into the tangible reality of what happens when people truly unplug. We explore how face-to-face communication has startlingly become a skill rather than a given, especially for younger generations raised on screens. Eric shares observations about his own daughters—one raised before smartphones dominated, the other fully immersed in digital culture—and the stark differences in their ability to connect with others in person.Perhaps most compelling is the discussion about how technology is reshaping our problem-solving abilities. Eric notes how younger staff members approach challenges differently, often seeking pre-packaged solutions rather than working through problems with critical thinking. At the hike-in, where situations rarely have cookie-cutter answers, this generational shift becomes particularly evident.What emerges isn't a wholesale rejection of technology—Eric himself uses bird identification apps and fitness trackers—but rather a call for intentional balance. The hike-in represents a model where technology serves as a tool rather than a master, where the process of experiencing nature matters as much as capturing the perfect sunset photo.Whether you're feeling mentally drained from constant connectivity or simply curious about how nature affects our psychological well-being, this episode offers both scientific insights and practical wisdom. Join us for this thoughtful exploration of what it means to be healthy in mind and spirit in our increasingly digital world.Check out the Len Foote Hike Inn by exploring their website at www.hike-inn.com.  You can make reservations to stay directly from this site!

Send us Fan MailThe humble mushroom might be the most misunderstood organism on our planet. Walking Arabia Mountain with mycology expert Darling Ngoh reveals a hidden world of intelligence networks pulsing beneath our feet—without a single brain cell in sight.Mushrooms are reshaping how we understand intelligence itself. While exploring the unique granite landscape of this Georgia landmark, we discover that fungal networks operate with startling efficiency, solving complex problems that baffle human engineers. Scientists in Japan and the UK have found that slime molds—relatives of fungi—can design transportation networks more efficiently than urban planners. These organisms, despite having no central nervous system, showcase problem-solving abilities that challenge our understanding of cognition.The conversation winds through unexpected territory as we explore how 80-90% of trees worldwide connect through underground fungal networks in cooperative relationships. Trees actually lower their cellular defenses to invite mycelium inside their roots—a partnership that has sustained forest ecosystems for millions of years. This natural cooperation model raises profound questions about human systems that prioritize competition over collaboration.Ranger Darling's own journey bridges two seemingly disconnected worlds: data science and forest ecology. Through his organization Hikes of Georgia, he's creating innovative conservation strategies while teaching beginners how to safely identify mushrooms. The beautiful granite outcrops of Arabia Mountain, with their endangered plant species growing in solution pits formed over centuries, provide the perfect backdrop for contemplating how we might better align human innovation with nature's proven success strategies.Join us to discover why fungi might hold solutions to our most pressing challenges—from healthcare to climate change to technological advancement. Follow Hikes of Georgia on social media or visit Arabia Mountain on weekends for a chance to meet Ranger Darling in person and explore this hidden gem just outside Atlanta.Hikes of Georgia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikesofgeorgia/?hl=enDeep in the Woods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_deep_in_the_woods/

Send us Fan MailWhat if history isn’t just something we remember, but something we carry, share, and keep alive through stories?  Walking through Austin, Texas's Zilker Park with award-winning Chickasaw storyteller Amy Bluemel transforms a conversation about history into a profound exploration of human connection, cultural preservation, and the universal language of storytelling.Amy immediately challenges our modern assumptions by revealing how storytellers functioned as historians before written language existed. "We kept the history of battles or illnesses, or moons and years and where people went and where they came from," she explains, highlighting how oral traditions preserved essential community knowledge across generations. Science confirms this approach works—our brains retain information more effectively through stories.Amy shares the Chickasaw migration story, featuring divine twins, a sacred pole that pointed their direction, and a protective white dog who eventually became the Milky Way. These narratives aren't just entertaining—they're sophisticated vehicles for cultural knowledge, spiritual wisdom, and ancestral connections that have survived despite systematic attempts to silence Native voices.Amy then provides a timeline of cultural suppression: "It was illegal for Native Americans to practice their religion until 1978," she reveals. "I was 12." This places modern Native American cultural revitalization in proper context—not as ancient history but as ongoing resistance against very recent oppression. As we witness current political movements attempting to remove uncomfortable historical narratives from museums and educational spaces, Amy's insights become even more urgent.The episode culminates with Amy sharing a traditional trickster tale about Rabbit trying to convince Creator to give him more brains—a story that perfectly demonstrates how Native American storytelling incorporates humor, moral lessons, and cultural values simultaneously. As she explains, these stories adapt with each telling while preserving essential truths, much like cultures themselves must adapt while maintaining their core identities.Ready to experience storytelling that bridges cultures and centuries? Subscribe now to join our journey exploring the powerful stories that connect us all, and follow Amy's work at https://amybluemelstoryteller.com/

Send us Fan MailDr. Rick Diamond joins me on a sunlit morning walk around Austin's beautiful Mueller Lake Park to explore a concept that fundamentally changes how we move through the world: Awakening."We are really asleep a lot of the time," Rick shares as we begin our conversation, explaining how most of us operate from "scripts" we've inherited or created without ever questioning their validity. As a Story Healer, Rick works with individuals and organizations to examine the narratives that drive their lives and find healing through greater self-awareness.The power of our discussion lies in Rick's accessible approach to awakening—not as some mystical achievement requiring mountain-top meditation, but as simple moments of clarity that happen when we're willing to pause and look inward. He shares a touching example of helping a client transform anger toward his father into compassion through one simple question: "What do you think your father was struggling with?"Our conversation weaves through the distinction between experiencing emotions versus identifying with them. "We have all these feelings that are in response to our experience, but we're not our feelings," Rick emphasizes. This shift in perspective—from "I am angry" to "I am experiencing anger"—creates liberating space between ourselves and our momentary feelings.We discuss how modern life's constant stimulation makes this inner work challenging, yet even more essential. The metaphor of "repairing a roller coaster while riding it" perfectly captures the difficulty of examining our programming while still living our busy lives.Whether you're curious about personal growth, struggling with recurring patterns, or simply feeling there must be more to life than running on autopilot, this conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking to live more consciously. Listen now to discover what might be possible when you recognize yourself as what Rick beautifully describes as "an eternal soul having a human experience."Check out the Instagram page: @_deep_in_the_woods

Send us Fan MailWalking through a cemetery in Marietta, Georgia creates the perfect backdrop for contemplating time – that elusive concept we all experience yet struggle to understand. What happens when we recognize that our past and future exist only as stories we tell ourselves?During this solitary walk among thousands of gravestones, I share a recent dream where I met both past and future versions of myself, sparking profound questions about how we perceive time. Drawing from philosophers like Alan Watts, I explore how time functions as a relative concept – much like musical notes that only make sense in relation to other notes. The cemetery itself becomes a powerful metaphor, with each gravestone representing someone whose eternal present moments have ended, while ours continue.The revelation that emerges from this cemetery walk is both simple and transformative: the stories we create about our past experiences and future expectations dictate nearly every present decision we make. But in any given moment, we possess the remarkable power to change these narratives. When we become aware of the eternal nature of the present moment, we can observe our thoughts, recognize how our self-created stories influence us, and consciously choose which narratives truly serve us.This episode marks the beginning of a new season exploring how our individual stories connect to something larger – like waves in an ocean crashing against the same shore. While perfect presence may elude us, those moments when we can step back and observe our thoughts with clarity offer us freedom from the limitations of stories we no longer need to believe.Follow the podcast on Instagram for shorter clips about words and join me on these walks where we take one word and go deep into its meaning and connections to our lives.

Send us Fan MailDeep in the Woods Season 3, Episode 1: FreedomWelcome to Deep in the Woods with Andrew McEntyre, where storytelling meets the mysteries of life. Season 3 begins with a powerful episode on freedom, exploring personal and political liberties through the firsthand experiences of Tessie Peace.Walking through Swift Cantrell Park in Kennesaw, Georgia, Tessie recounts her time living in Iran during the Islamic Revolution, a period that reshaped an entire nation overnight. She shares deeply personal insights into what happens when human rights, free speech, and womenâs rights are stripped away under an authoritarian regime. Her words serve as a stark reminder of how fragile freedom can be:🔹 “I have seen freedom taken away, and I know how serious it is.â€ðŸ”¹ “You had to be very careful about what you said in public because they would put you in prison—or worse.â€ðŸ”¹ “Freedom isn’t just a word. It’s something we must protect.â€Through compelling stories of Iranian culture, from the hospitality of its people to the richness of its food and Persian rugs, Tessie contrasts the beauty of a nation with the dark reality of government control, religious oppression, and the loss of personal autonomy.This episode is a must-listen for those interested in history, global politics, human rights, and the ongoing fight for democracy. It also draws parallels to current discussions about religious influence in government, personal freedoms in the U.S., and the importance of civic engagement.As the conversation unfolds, we ask: What does freedom mean in today’s world? How can we protect it? And are we, like the proverbial frog in boiling water, ignoring the warning signs of its erosion?Join us on this walk as we explore these crucial questions. If you’re passionate about freedom, democracy, civil rights, and the power of storytelling, this episode will challenge you to think deeper.🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on the words that define our lives.