Breaking Trail

Jul 04 2022 1

Breaking Trail Podcast artwork

Breaking Trail. Every other week, Lisa Gerber talks to people who are working to make the world more habitable, more humane, and more loving. In the words of author and environmentalist David Orr, they are the “peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of every kind” that this world needs so desperately. Through their stories, we cover themes of hope, courage, and action. This is a show for people who want to contribute to the world rather than take from it. We are living life on our own terms, defining our own version of success. We are breaking trail. Interested in being a guest? Learn more here. http://bigleapcreative.com/pitch-the-breaking-trail-podcast/ Let me know if you have questions!

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Mary Kerrigan: Transformation through Conversation

Jul 04 2022 53 mins

“Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid.” This quote is often attributed to Goethe but it appears to be really credited to Basil King, a Canadian clergyman. As I chatted with today’s guest, Mary Kerrigan, this quote came to mind. To make a big change, you have to be bold. You have to start somewhere and when you start, “mighty forces” will come to your aid. In M

Katie Harris: Turning Frustration into Opportunity

Jun 20 2022 47 mins

In his book Ecological Literacy, David Orr said we need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. He said we need people who live well in their places. People of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. These are the people who are redefining success in today’s terms and this podcast is for the peacemaker

Robin Hall: A Story about Finding Purpose and Adapting

Jun 06 2022 42 mins

Things rarely go as planned and that is very much the case for Robin Hall who had a big fat wrench thrown into her and her family’s life plan. The outdoor brand she was working for relocated and she had to make some decisions. This is a story about finding purpose and adapting. It’s a story about sitting at home and deciding to take matters into your own hands. And why not, whi

Kevin Belanger: The Great American Rail-Trail

May 23 2022 37 mins

Before joining the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy team in 2016 as a trail planner, Kevin Belanger spent many years in the active-transportation world. He received master’s degrees in both Environmental Studies and Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon, where he wrote his thesis on walking and biking habits in suburban multifamily housing. After completing his

Alexis Biddle: Housing Policy and Climate Change

May 09 2022 36 mins

Alexis Biddle is the Great Communities Program Director for 1000 Friends of Oregon who’s mission is to work with Oregonians to enhance our quality of life by building livable urban and rural communities, protecting family farms and forests, and conserving natural areas. Alexis works on issues like housing, transportation, infrastructure, and more, in towns and cities outside of t

Josh Lasky: Every Step is a Gift

Apr 25 2022 45 mins

Today, I have a beautiful story for you about fatherhood, endurance, and sustainability. Josh Lasky is a father, husband, son, amateur endurance athlete, social impact professional, and author. He serves as Director of the Office of Sustainability at The George Washington University, leading the institution’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and fulfill other ambitiou

Jeremy Grimm: Loving Our Open Spaces to Death

Apr 11 2022 44 mins

I asked Jeremy Grimm to join the conversation about conservation because he has a great deal of experience from the public and private side, leading planning and development initiatives in small towns across the Intermountain West. For nearly a decade, he served as the planning and community development director for the City of Sandpoint, where he worked to spur economic developmen

Their Story is Our Story – Liz Jevtic-Somlai

Mar 28 2022 57 mins

Today’s story comes from Elizabeta Jevtic-Somlai. Originally from Serbia, now living in Phoenix, Arizona. Liz knows what it’s like to flee a country she loved and to find new roots, a new way in a strange and unwelcoming country. I have the privilege of working with her at Their Story is Our Story, where we are working to tell the stories of refugees to change the perception, r

Scot Chisholm on Saving Farmland

Mar 14 2022 45 mins

Converting Caring to Action I invited Scot to be a guest when I saw he was working to save farmland in Whitefish, Montana. In fact, he founded a nonprofit of that name. But first, some critical background about Scott. He is the cofounder of Classy, a San Diego-based social enterprise and software company that creates fundraising tools for nonprofit organizations. They grew the comp

Pam Bond: Fixing the Trail

Feb 28 2022 41 mins

Today I have a lovely conversation with Pam Bond whose story I just love. (Actually, stories are kind of like cheese. There are very few stories I don’t like. Just the stinky ones.) Anyway, Pam’s story is a classic full circle one. She was a very shy young adult who now empowers young women through women-only trail work weekends. Pam Bond is a GIS Analyst in Boise, Idaho but fo