Rephonic
Artwork for Common Land
Appalachian Trail
Cherokee Language
Cherokee Nation
Appalachian Mountain Club
Mount Katahdin
Cherokee People
Hiking
Climate Change
Lyme Disease
Timber Rattlesnake
American Chestnut
Harper's Ferry
Trail Culture
Skattacook Reservation
White Mountains
New Hampshire
Lake Of the Clouds Hut
Maine
Wabanaki
Baxter State Park

Follows show producer Matt Podolsky as he attempts to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail with his 65-year-old mom, Candy. Matt and his mom face extreme weather, illness, and injury as they trek 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. Along the way, Matt shares stories of remarkable people, surprising history, and the modern challenges facing the Appalachian Trail — all as the iconic footpath marks its 100... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes38Founded6 years ago
Categories
Natural SciencesWildernessSportsScience

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Common Land

Latest Episodes

What happens when the thru-hike ends? This epilogue to the series explores the connections between mental health and long distance hiking from the perspective of Chop Chop, one of the members of Matt’s trail family. Chop Chop hiked the AT as a strate... more

YouTube

This bonus episode comes from The Broadside, produced by North Carolina public radio. The Broadside explores stories from the American South, focusing on topics that might not be on the front page, but deserve a closer look. This episode is one that ... more

YouTube

Katahdin is the Northern terminus of the AT, and one of the trail’s most iconic mountains. As Matt attempts to reach Katahdin’s summit and finish his thru-hike, we explore some of the controversy surrounding Baxter State Park, where Katahdin is locat... more

YouTube

Matt enters Maine, the last state of his AT journey, and by far the most remote section of the Appalachian Trail. We explore recent plans to protect large swaths of the 100-mile wilderness - but Indigenous leaders from the Wabanaki Alliance have diff... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Hawk Matheny
Vice President of Trail Management at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Episode: Appalachian Trail Episode 7: Climate Change on the Trail
Ben Montgomery
Author of 'Grandma Gatewood's Walk', the inspiring story of the woman who saved the Appalachian Trail
Episode: Appalachian Trail Episode 6: The Trailblazing Grandma Gatewood
Sandy Mara
President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Episode: Appalachian Trail Episode 5: Halfway There
Philip Denier
Author of The Appalachian Trail, a biography
Episode: Appalachian Trail Episode 5: Halfway There
Brittany Levitt
Outdoor educator and guide, CEO of Brown Girls Climb
Brown Girls Climb
Episode: Appalachian Trail Episode 5: Halfway There
Tony Cohen
Historian and expert on the Underground Railroad
Episode: Appalachian Trail Episode 5: Halfway There
Dr. Chris Jenkins
Snake expert and researcher at the Orianne Society
Orianne Society
Episode: Appalachian Trail Episode 3: Fear and the Chestnut Tree
Vasili Lakoba
Director of Research for the American Chestnut Foundation
American Chestnut Foundation
Episode: Appalachian Trail Episode 3: Fear and the Chestnut Tree
Laura Blythe
Director of the Cherokee Historical Association and enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Episode: Appalachian Trail Episode 1: The Journey Begins

Host

Matt Podolsky
Host and Producer of Common Land

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • Don’t waste your time with this one

    Very light on backpacking, very heavy on politics.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Gffhjijigcddd
    United States10 months ago
  • Chop-Chop’s Review

    I had the opportunity to listen to this podcast while thru hiking the Appalachian trail. The podcast was extraordinary. From the storyline, to the music and moderation, everything was very well done. Very interesting storyline that kept me entertained for miles on miles! Great job, Matt! Please keep em coming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chop-Chop 19
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High production quality and compelling guests.
A standout show for thru-hike fans and outdoor history lovers.
Some listeners feel the focus leans more toward politics than backpacking.
Thoughtful storytelling that connects personal journey with broader trail history.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#193
Canada/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#235
Germany/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#19
Poland/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#94
Netherlands/Sports/Wilderness

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BONUS - The Race to Save the Cherokee Language
Q: What were the challenges that you faced while building the language course at Duke University?
Courtney shares that finding fluent teachers and ensuring they remain connected to the community are significant challenges.
BONUS - The Race to Save the Cherokee Language
Q: What are some of the different things that the Snowbird community has been doing to try to hold on to the language and bring it back?
Gil discusses initiatives like summer language camps and establishing an Adult Language Learning Center.
BONUS - The Race to Save the Cherokee Language
Q: Can you please introduce yourself in both Cherokee and English?
Gil Jackson introduces himself in both languages, stating his age and background in the Snowbird community.
Appalachian Trail Episode 1: The Journey Begins
Q: What do you think makes an experience like thru-hiking important for overcoming grief?
Being outdoors allows for self-reflection and dealing with emotions without distractions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Common Land

What is Common Land about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show blends personal storytelling with outdoors culture, wilderness history, and trail advocacy. Episodes center on long-distance hiking along a well-known footpath, weaving moments of endurance and family dynamics with broader conversations about trail management, Indigenous histories, conservation, and the evolving hiking community. The host frequently brings in experts and guests who illuminate environmental policy, cultural preservation, and outdoor education, making it a thoughtful mix of adventure, history, and real-world trail issues that may appeal to listeners who love hiking, nature, and how stories intersect with land use.

A standout trait is the conversational, narrative-driven approach that often ties intimate experiences... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Common Land?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Common Land:

1. Outside/In
2. The Big Dig
3. Sidedoor
4. This American Life
5. The Dirtbag Diaries

How many episodes of Common Land are there?

Common Land launched 6 years ago and published 38 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Common Land?

Recent guests on Common Land include:

1. Hawk Matheny
2. Ben Montgomery
3. Sandy Mara
4. Philip Denier
5. Brittany Levitt
6. Tony Cohen
7. Dr. Chris Jenkins
8. Vasili Lakoba

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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