The Outdoors Is Not Separate From Us

About this episode

The episode explores the deep connection between humanity and nature through a conversation with outdoor journalist Shawnté Salabert.

Today we open the container with Gear Abby herself, outdoor journalist and author, Shawnté Salabert. Doug begins the episode looking at the interconnectedness of humanity and nature noting that the outdoors is not a separate entity but an integral part of our existence. Doug is then joined by writer, podcaster, and educator Shawnté Salabert to talk about what it really means to “be outdoors”? From feral kid neighborhood adventures to life changing miles on the PCT, Shawnté brings heart, humor, and a sharp perspective on: Hiking as meditation (and why two nights outside changes everything) The culture of sharing on long trails Rethinking outdoor history through Indigenous names and stewardship Finding wildness in LA, New York, and beyond Launching her new podcast Gear Abby right here on the Rock Fight Podcast network! Thanks for listening! Open Container is a production of Rock Fight , LLC. Let's Get Some! Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT , Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List. Please follow and subscribe to Open Container and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts. Send your…

People in this episode

Host: Doug

Guest: Shawnté Salabert

Topics covered

• interconnectedness of humanity and nature
• hiking as meditation
• outdoor history
• Indigenous names and stewardship
• finding wildness in urban areas
• outdoor culture

Keywords

• outdoors
• hiking
• meditation
• Indigenous stewardship
• urban wildness
• outdoor culture
• Gear Abby

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Rock Fight, LLC

Books & works: Gear Abby

Places: LA, New York

More episodes of Open Container: Outdoor culture as a free flowing conversation

• Because It’s Beautiful: The Meaning Behind Kilian Jornet’s States of Elevation · October 28, 2025 · 32 min
• The Best Day Ever: Mountain Biking Without Barriers · October 21, 2025 · 31 min
• Vermejo, Ted Turner & Nature’s Second Chances · September 30, 2025 · 37 min
• Who Owns America's Wild Places? Public Lands and the Fight for Truth · September 23, 2025 · 43 min
• Highlighting Humanity In Ukraine · September 16, 2025 · 55 min
• What We Lose If We Drill In Alaska · September 9, 2025 · 47 min