Welcome to the

Run Wild My Child
Podcast

MEET THE HOSTS

Sara McCarty
Attorney & Founder of RWMC
Mom of 3
St. Louis, MO

Michelle Garrett
Civic Leader & Entrepreneur
Mom of 1
Santa Rosa, FL

PODCAST EPISODES

Episode 27: Managing Youth Sports as an Outdoor Family

We chat about the elusive balance between organized sports and outdoor free play, the time and cost commitments of participating in youth sports, tips for juggling busy schedules, and why, despite the madness, we choose to participate at all! Whether you’re currently navigating the complexities of your child’s sports schedules or if you’re just curious about how youth sports work these day, this episode is going to be packed with real-life stories, advice, stuggles, and strategies to help you and your family figure this all out. 

Episode 26: Connecting Through Change, Travel, & Photography

Wendy Cox is a photographer, gardening instructor, and mom of four. Her family recently moved from San Diego to Virginia. Wendy talks about how she uses nature to ground and connect her children through the changes and transition from moving across the country, how she beautifully captures kids connecting with nature through photography, and how travel can help kids make real-life connections with what they learn in school. 

Episode 25: First Time International Travel with Kids

Everything parents need to know when planning their first international trip with kids. Michelle is planning her first international trip with kids. She speaks with RWMC founder Sara McCarty (who just took her kids to Belize) and Travel Expert Jen Barnes about topics such as how to pick an international destination, what documentation you need when traveling internationally with kids, budgeting tips for traveling as a family, choosing outdoor excursions and adventures for the whole family, and more!

Episode 24: Nature School & WILD Magazine

Laura Stroup is a mom of 3, nature study creator, author, podcaster, and founder of School of the Wild (@fireflynatureschool).  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!

Episode 23: Literary Outdoor Adventures

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 with her kids and friends. She even leads a local story time. Emily’s here to chat with us about how books and libraries can help busy families get outside!

Episode 22: Humans Outside Challenge

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 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.

Episode 21: Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Kids

Sara & Michelle chat about their favorite recommendations for gifts for outdoorsy kids from our new Gift Guide. Categories of gifts include adventure gear, outdoor games, backyard toys, hands-on nature STEM activities, family gifts, toddler gifts, gifts for older kids, nature books (for kids and parents), classic toys, arts & crafts, and so much more! Download your free guide today!

Episode 20: Importance of Nature, Wonder & Friendships

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 chats with us about travel, homeschooling, planning outdoor adventures, giving parenting advice, and the importance friendship.

Episode 19: Adventuring with Medically-Complex Kids

Meghan Garriott is a PT 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. Their family turned to nature and began spending a lot of time outdoors, which has been a safe space for the whole family. She chats with us about adventuring outdoors with a medically-complex child.

Episode 18: Embracing Change

Tiana Kubik is a nomadic mom of two. A city girl through and through, Tiana has not always been thrilled with outdoor adventures. However, after learning the importance of nature and play she’s embracing the outdoors and all that nature has to offer. Tiana and family 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.

Episode 17: Being a Weekend Warrior

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. Araceli talks with us about planning weekend adventures, how to make time for travel and adventure around busy family schedules, and tips for finding unique destinations for the whole family.

Episode 16: Local Nature & Conservation

Lissy Perna is the go-to resource for all kid-friendly things to do outside on Cape Cod. She loves identifying plants, fungi, insects, and animals, as well as finding sea glass and learning about the history of her area. She's passionate about local conservation efforts and making a difference through action. 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.

Episode 15: Mountaineering & Backpacking

RyAnn Peverley is a Washington mom of four kids between the ages of 6 and 21. RyAnn works in the PNW 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, her career in mountaineering, a love of climbing, how to get started backpacking, and more!

Episode 14: Outdoor Schools & Gear for Kids

Alyssa Marsh, co-founder of Outdoor School Shop and Minnesota mom of 2, 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 related to and gear for outdoor schools.

Episode 13: Family Homesteading & Hard Work

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 they are also raising animals, growing a garden, battling poison ivy, and teaching their children the importance of hard work, family time, and outdoor play.

Episode 12: Overcoming Grief with Natue

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. Her second daughter Lyra has become quite the adventure buddy and together they've 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.

Episode 11: Adventures with Teens & Tweens

We chat 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, based on their interests and full of adventure. She knows firsthand the importance of giving teenagers the space to take risks, learn important skills and discover themselves through outdoor activities and travel. Jen has practical advice for parents of teens on how to keep them engaged in the outdoor and adventuring with the family.

Episode 10: New Adventures & Nonprofits

Zenovia is founder of the nonprofit 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 in Alabama and the story behind how she accidentally fell in love with her state.

Episode 9: Getting Outdoors with Dads

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 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.

Episode 8: Outdoor Adventures & Photography

We chat with Kristen Ryan, an Oklahoma photographer and mom about how to incorporate photography into your everyday life and outdoor adventures. Kristen is an instructor at Hello Storyteller and she's in her 7th year of doing a 365 project. She uses photography to document her family’s outdoor adventures in creative ways. We chat about fun ways to find adventure close to home and the best ways to improve your photography.

Episode 7: Outdoor Safety & First Aid

Ashley Greenhalgh, an RN and Nevada mom of two, talks to us about outdoor safety and first aid. Ashley is 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 gives great advice about being safe and prepared when adventuring outdoors with kids.

Episode 6: Raising
Eco-Conscious Kids

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.

Episode 5: How to be an Adventure Mom

Nichole Holze, Arkansas mom of 2 shares her tips on how to become confident, self-sufficient, and safe when adventuring solo with your kids. Nichole's known for her epic adventures, including cross-country road trips and overnight canoeing campouts. But she didn't start out that way. Learn how (and why) she started solo adventuring with her kids, hear about the misadventures, and get safety tips for traveling with kids.

Episode 4: Exploring Outdoors in the City

Desiree Macke, Los Angeles (and now Kansas City) mom of 2, speaks about the challenges of getting outside and into nature when you live in a city. Desiree provides creative ways to find green places in cities and fun outdoor activities for city kids. We also discuss how to find local gems when you're new to a city and her son's favorite activity, geocaching.

Episode 3: Mental Health & Nature

Tiffany Griffin, Texas photographer and homeschooling mom of four, speaks with us about the importance of taking care of your kids' mental health and how you can do that with nature. And it's not just kids that benefit from spending time outside, it's good for moms too! Plus, we chat about postpartum self-care and tips for getting outdoors with a baby.

Episode 2: Working Mom Balance

Michelle Garrett, full-time working mom, and entrepreneur, talks about how to balance outdoor time with kids while working outside the home. Her job as a civic leader inspired her to create a company called Wonder Club Explorers, which helps inspire wonder and curiosity in little kids by allowing them to earn merit patches and pennants for outdoor activities.

Episode 1: RV Life & Roadschooling

Katie Fox, a full-time roadschooling mom of two about her travels and outdoor adventures. Katie gives us a sneak peek into life on the road in a tiny home on wheels, her favorite destinations so far and future travel plans. Plus, she gives us a glimpse into her new state-specific travel guides, designed to get kids informed and excited about visiting new states.

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