Papa Bear Hikes
Papa Bear Hikes is a Podcast for Nature Lovers & Outdoor Enthusiasts. Network/Artist: Martin Armitage is the author of Switching Gears: Rediscovering the Meaning of Life, Love, and Happiness While Backpacking Vermont’s Long Trail, and recipient of the WHITNEY YOUNG, JR. AWARD. *Presented By: Buzzsprout* Producer: Wendy A. Lawrence *Host: Martin Armitage *Edited By: Big Bear Studios *Show Notes: Wendy A. Lawrence *For Media Inquiries email: wendy@avalonbusiness.org *The Papa Bear Hikes podcast is a GLOBAL iTunes fan favorite in multiple categories and has a Global Ranking in the top 1%!
Episodes
505 episodes
Jessica Bagnell and a New Journey on the Pacific Crest Trail
Martin welcomes returning guest Jessica Bagnell as she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail with a trail partner, where weather governs tempo and small errors accumulate into consequence. Jessica reflects on the first weeks on trail, when comfort beco...
Blending In on the Trail: Ben “Paladin” Cox on Traveling with Purpose and Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventures
Papa Bear Hikes Podcast with host Martin welcomes returning guest and friend of the show, Ben “Paladin” Cox.A life shaped through hiking, backpacking, and environmental stewardship informs Cox’s perspective, grounded in sustained engagem...
Wilderness as Teacher: Rites of Passage, Purpose, and Leadership with Darren Silver
Martin welcomes Darren Silver to Papa Bear Hikes for a grounded conversation on wilderness as teacher, rites of passage in the modern world, and how nature shapes purpose, resilience, and leadership.Darren Silver, MA is a rite of passage...
Brothers in Motion: Brent and Kyle Pease on Inclusion, Endurance, and Purpose
Papa Bear Hikes welcomes Brent and Kyle Pease, co-founders of The Kyle Pease Foundation and two of the most inspiring endurance athletes in the country. Together they have completed more than one hundred fifty endurance races, raised ten millio...
Wild Adventures on America’s Edge with Rue McKenrick
Martin welcomes back Rue McKenrick back to Papa Bear Hikes. A favorite guest of the show, Rue returns to talk about the latest volume in his American Perimeter Trail series, Volume 1 West: A 14,000 Mile Journey.McKenrick is a professiona...
The Travel Revolution That Gives Back featuring Christopher Hill
Papa Bear Hikes welcomes Christopher Hill, founder of the luxury philanthropic travel companies Hands Up Holidays and Impact Destinations. Christopher joins Martin Hysot to explore how purposeful travel can strengthen families and communities t...
Into the Eastern Sierras with Adam Salinger
Papa Bear Hikes welcomes back guest Adam Salinger, whose long trail history and steady backcountry judgment always elevate the conversation. Martin guides the episode as Adam talks through the eastern Sierras with clear, grounded insight, refle...
Finding Your Way Back: Neil Markey on Healing, Resilience, and Life After Burnout
Guest Neil Markey joins host Martin for a grounded conversation about mental wellbeing, resilience, and the realities of finding calm after high-pressure lives. A former Army Ranger who later entered the corporate world as a McKinsey executive,...
Exploring the Heart of the Shawnee: Hiking with Shawn
Host Martin welcomes Shawn Gossman, founder of Hiking with Shawn, a brand devoted to hiking, biking, and outdoor adventure across the Shawnee National Forest and Southern Illinois. What began as a fun personal project in 2016 has evolved into a...
Rebuilding Strength and Energy After 40 with Ben Brown
In this episode of Papa Bear Hikes, host Martin Armitage introduces Ben Brown, founder of Body Systems and host of
Finding Awe on the Sawtooth Loop
Martin welcomes back friend and returning guest Adam Salinger.In this conversation, Adam shares stories from his recent adventure: the Sawtooth Loop, a demanding route that tested his endurance and rewarded him with unforgettable views. ...
Boundless Horizons: Hillary’s Journey of Bringing People Together Through Travel
Host Martin welcomes Hillary, a marketer from Brooklyn with roots in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. A passionate traveler, Hillary seizes every opportunity to explore, from the energy of bustling city streets to the stillness of the world’s most ...
Surviving the Trail with Dr. Robert Scanlon
Friend of the podcast Dr. Robert Scanlon joins host Martin to talk about preparation as the ultimate survival skill. A physician, backpacker, and author of the upcoming book Surviving the Trail (launching September 2025), Dr. Scanlon shares pra...
Fueling Adventure and Endurance with James Oliver of Atlas Bars
On this episode of the Papa Bear Hikes podcast, host Martin welcomes James Oliver, lifelong hiker and founder of Atlas, a company dedicated to clean, convenient, high-protein nutrition. James shares how his journey on the trail shaped his appro...
Awakening to Soul and Nature’s Wisdom with Rebecca Campbell
On this episode of the Papa Bear Hikes podcast, host Martin welcomes Rebecca Campbell, an internationally bestselling writer, poet, mystic, artist, ritualist, and mother. Her work is devoted to weaving the soul back into everyday life and guidi...
Breaking Limits with Howard Falco: The Mindset of Infinite Potential
On this episode of Papa Bear Hikes, host Martin welcomes Howard Falco, a spiritual teacher and mindset coach who left a successful career in finance after a life-changing awakening. Howard shares powerful insights from his new book, Invinci...
From Wall Street to Wilderness: Ken Posner’s Journey Through the Grid
In this episode, Martin talks with Ken Posner about his shift from Wall Street life to mountain trails, where he took on the brutal and beautiful Catskill "Grid"—a challenge requiring over 400 ascents across every month of the year. What began ...
Wild Rivers and Desert Legends with Jon Barker of Barker River Expeditions
In this episode, Martin welcomes outfitter and river guide Jon Barker for his first appearance on the podcast. Jon is the founder of Barker River Expeditions and has spent over 40 years navigating Idaho’s remote rivers. For the past 25 years, h...
Life Without Limits: Dr. Sean Pastuch on Redefining Wellness
Host Martin Armitage welcomes Dr. Sean Pastuch, founder of Active Life, whose groundbreaking approach is transforming how we think about health, movement, and longevity. Rather than relying on quick fixes or unnecessary medical interventions, D...
Walking the Line: A Return Conversation with Ben “Paladin” Cox
This week on Papa Bear Hikes, host Martin welcomes back listener favorite Ben “Paladin” Cox. A husband, father, hiker, environmentalist, hunter, fisherman, and world traveler, Ben joins us once again to share stories, reflections...
Healthy Trail Snacks on a Dollar Store Budget – Revisited
Aaron returns to the show to share her expert insight as a licensed nutritionist and founder of Backcountry Foodie, focusing on how hikers can fuel their adventures with healthy, ultralight snacks—without overspending. Drawing from her extensiv...
From Carson City to Canada: Audrey "Glowstick" Payne's PCT Adventure
Host Martin welcomes back fan favorite Audrey “Glowstick” Payne, a seasoned thru hiker, blogger, and author, for an inspiring update on her latest long distance journey: trekking from Carson City to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail. Audrey ...
Walking the Camino of California with Backcountry Pilgrim
In this episode of Papa Bear Hikes, host Martin welcomes Doug Beaumont, the California-based adventurer behind the popular YouTube channel, Backcountry Pilgrim. With decades of experience exploring the backcountry, Doug shares insights...
Author, Founder, Trailblazer: A Conversation with Giovanna Silvestre
In this empowering episode of Papa Bear Hikes, host Martin chats with Giovanna Silvestre—📚 author, 🌎 solo traveler, 🧘🏻♀️ and the visionary behind Confused Girl, a trailblazing sportswear line inspired by healing crystals. Fea...
A 5K Morning: Martin Hits the Pavement
In today’s episode, Martin talks about his recent 5K race experience. He shares how it fit into his regular fitness routine, what the event was like, and why staying active off the trail matters. It was a fun, straightforward morning that remin...