The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast · Heather Legler

214: The Final Episode

December 18, 2018·42 min·2 clips

Heather explains how a $35 Samson GoMic, free Audacity, and a car supported four years of weekly episodes.

1. The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast concludes its four-year run with episode 214, titled "The Final Episode," after weekly outdoor programming for backpackers. 2. Hosts Heather Legler and Josh Legler reflect on producing the show together while managing two moves, a remodel, work, illness, and raising their family. 3. Their central purpose was to help listeners take "that first step" outside, escape everyday pressures, and connect with nature through hiking and backpacking. 4. Heather and Josh describe audience responses ranging from a listener introducing backpacking to four children and a scout troop to another buying a ukulele for trail trips. 5. They propose five future outdoor podcast formats: on-site storytelling, niche subjects such as trail food or gear, a S'more Outdoor Podcast revival, family activities, and child-produced shows. 6. The family-focused idea draws on the Leglers' experience getting children outdoors while living in apartments and subdivisions before moving onto two acres. 7. Their behind-the-scenes production used a $35 Samson GoMic, free Audacity software, a work laptop, $10 headphones, and a ZipShot tripod. 8. Heather says each 30-minute episode required two to four hours of research, about one hour of recording, and roughly four hours of editing. 9. Heather calls the podcast a personal creative outlet and says it blended backpacking with personal responsibility, healthy relationships, family life, and outdoor culture. 10. Backpackers, families, and aspiring outdoor podcasters will find practical ideas and reflective closing thoughts.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast