The Pacific Northwest is notorious for a slew of adventure sports and a culture that prides itself on craft beer and coffee. Perhaps the most notable aspect of the PNW is the iconic wildlife and enviable bodies of water that allow for these activities to exist. No matter how many adventures in the Pacific Northwest you’ve encountered, there seems to be an endless supply of experiences to discover. Though, not everyone has time for constant rafting, hiking, and exploring the gems of the upper Cascadia, nor time to research every nook and cranny. Luckily, the PNW is home to proud locals wanting to spread awareness through podcasts on how beautiful the local nature is and how to stay safe when interacting with the environment. Pacific Northwest podcasts offer a window into the lush landscape of the mountains and rivers of the upper left. Plug your headphones in, listen to the sounds of the local land, and get inspired for your next roadtrip.
1. Future Ecologies by Mendel Skulski and Adam Huggins
Skulski and Huggins interview experts over the background of the rich soundscape of Vancouver Island. The podcast chronicles the relationship between nature and humans all the while dropping some Pacific Northwest centric stories in the discussions. The podcast includes a wide array of subjects including the intricacies of parasites, west coast fires, and a splash of existentialism that will make you question if nature is even real. The podcast advocates for Indigenous voices and exudes authentic passion for each episode as the two dive deep into each subject.
2. The Nick Zentner Geology Podcast
Nick Zenter is a geology teacher at Central Washington University. He puts his teaching skills to work as he describes landscapes and geographic histories of the Pacific Northwest. Zentner explores local volcanoes, tectonic plates, and the North Cascades with holistic descriptions of location and outdoors. His descriptions are perfect for the Washingtonian hiker, white water rafter, or outdoor adventurer as he unlocks the secrets of the landscapes on PNW trails. The Olympic Mountains you hike on and the San Juan Islands you kayak around will make a lot more sense when listening to this podcast. Zentner also has a Youtube where he provides a more visual path to learning about geology with the same dry sense of humor he brings into the podcast. Listening to this podcast will help you build an appreciation for Washington’s natural curves without getting lost in the science and language of geology.
3. The Wild with Chris Morgan
This NPR podcast focuses on the Pacific Northwest but expands across countries around the world to explore ecosystems and environmental advocacy. A few episodes in the series take a break from information-heavy content and provide for relaxation by immersing listeners in a cacophony of Northwest wilderness sounds. Morgan’s English accent is relaxing yet engaging. Listening to The Wild feels like a slightly more intimate, less scaley version of The Crocodile Hunter with Steve and Terri Irwin. The Wild is a fusion between a nature documentary and a gripping story providing for a podcast that’s educational and interesting.
4. Cascade Hiker Podcast by Rudy Giecek
The Cascade Hiker Podcast begins each episode with a folky tune and a warm welcome into the world of outdoor adventures. Everyone is invited to take part in the hiking world, no matter how much experience you have with the outdoors. This is perhaps the most personal podcast of the list. Geicek shares his own experiences in the Cascade wilderness on the trails with family and friends. He also interviews outdoor enthusiasts that offer different perspectives on the Northwest wilderness. There’s a branch of this podcast called Kids Cascade Hiker where Rudy and his two daughters talk about camping, backpacking, and experiencing the outdoors from a kid’s perspective. The Cascade Hiker Podcast will make you feel like you’re listening to Geicek and fellow outdoorsy friends exchange hiking stories and guidance at a neighborhood campfire.
Honorable Mention:
5. Cascadian Beer Podcast
This podcast isn’t necessarily an outdoors-themed podcast, but it’s definitely worth mentioning if you want a daily dose of the Pacific Northwest. And what’s better than relaxing with a cold brewski in hand after a long day of exploring Cascadia? Each episode focuses on one brewery, highlighting the history of the local area. If you’re a hop head hoping to learn more about the beer culture of the Pacific Northwest, Cascadian Beer Podcast is a must-listen.
All five of these podcasts are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Future Ecologies:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2mh8pts42Iu7HA9nnpFV56?si=fIms11tVRHe8CL0peA34Yg
The Nick Zentner Geology Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/21CA0GzQqRkv1goyer7ZFs?si=py23fWTUTNa71y8qDflP3A
The Wild With Chris Morgan:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2mh8pts42Iu7HA9nnpFV56?si=fIms11tVRHe8CL0peA34Yg
The Cascade Hiker Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6aod8WGZBCnxKRZ4H1xBYi?si=7CX2ZdenRfeeuSohbizKOg
The Cascadian Beer Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1VOw7rRPltt1plCZtVo8wV?si=LVvVmQ3-TRahYerIW7xYEQ
