Rephonic
Artwork for Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Steve Adams
Appalachian Trail
Hiking
Camino De Santiago
Trail Magic
Mental Health
Long-Distance Hiking
Katahdin
Continental Divide Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
South West Coast Path
Community
Thru-Hiking
Outdoor Recreation
Hurricane Helene
Covid-19
Personal Growth
Nature
Nomadic Lifestyle
Outdoor Adventure
Hiking Community

An overweight, 61-year-old retiree, with zero hiking experience, decided to hike the entire 2,185.3 mile length of the Appalachian Trail in 2014. What could possibly go wrong? As his brother, Mike, commented, "It's a bit like taking up boxing and fighting Mike Tyson in your first bout." Join Steve and his guests as they discuss all aspects of the trail, from gear to Lyme Disease, then back to trai... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes534Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
WildernessSports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Latest Episodes

These last three days started with the vast, glittering openness of the balds in the Roan Highlands, then sent me back into the forest for a night camping by myself and a new hostel discovery. This is such a diverse trail.

Also, I was lucky enough ... more

Miraculously, the weather continues to cooperate as yet another four days pass without a minute walking in the rain! I'm in the Roan Highlands and coping well with both uphills and downhills; long may my body cooperate on this trail.

This week, I a... more

I'm starting to manage aspects of my hike in a way I hadn't done so before now. Everything seems to have its own place, and each thing that arises during the day is another piece of the hike to be managed.

My pace is starting to increase, as is my ... more

Into month two with the miles increasing, I'm truly living in the woods now. Life seems to have become more feral, and the simplicity of my life agrees with my temperament right now.

My loneliness seems to have gone away as I'm spending more time w... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Emily Lillard
Author of Trek Through Depression, fellow hiker
Self-published author; speaker at Trail Days
Episode: Episode #542 - Days 35-37 Appalachian Trail 2026
Bruce Mattson
Organizer of Woods Hole Weekend on the AT
Woods Hole Hostel
Episode: Episode #542 - Days 35-37 Appalachian Trail 2026
Megan Bright Spot
Nurse featured in interview segment
Trail community member
Episode: Episode #541 - Days 31-34 Appalachian Trail 2026
Doug Moore
Warrior Expeditions participant, real name Doug Moore
Warrior Expeditions
Episode: Episode #538 - Days 21-23 Appalachian Trail 2026
Laura Burmeister
Candy Corn on the trail
Episode: Episode #538 - Days 21-23 Appalachian Trail 2026
Henry Southall
Hot Tang on the trail
Episode: Episode #537 - Days 17-20 Appalachian Trail 2026
Sue Powell
Sweet Tears on the trail
Episode: Episode #537 - Days 17-20 Appalachian Trail 2026
Jen Beck-Seymour
Chica; co-host of Chica and Sunsets hiker hostel turned Airbnb
Chica & Sunsets
Episode: Episode #536 - Days 14-16 Appalachian Trail 2026
Open Heart
Hiker previously named Butterfly Man; uses Zen Bivvy system; heart surgery survivor
Appalachian Trail community
Episode: Episode #535 - Days 10-13 Appalachian Trail 2026

Host

Steve Adams
Host of Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail, known for his engaging storytelling and connection with both guests and listeners. His background as a hiker provides a relatable platform for sharing hiking experiences and personal journeys on the Appalachian Trail.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 678 ratings
  • OBO the Show!

    I found this podcast in March of this year at a time when I was dreaming of the great outdoors and wanting to “get away”. This show has transported me to the Appalachian Trail and beyond. I started with the first shows and have worked my way up to #205. But, I also want to know what’s going on currently, so I listen to the new releases as well #477 - #508! Hopefully, my listening flip flop (or OBO as Steve prefers) will meet in the middle before I step on the trail for my own through hike (O... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hoppy on the Trail
    United States7 months ago
  • Too long

    The podcast is still too long. Keep it to 30 or 60 minutes or less. And the woman’s voice at the intro is painful to listen to. Otherwise, the guests are interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sarita7981
    United Statesa year ago
  • First time listening

    Been trying to find a podcast “ P1” and find this show fits the bill.

    The host is way cool. Funny. Respectful. Wry as a sonofagun.

    Up until last year only dreamed of hiking again. Glad I found this podcast as I have been training to hike the CO Trail but the At holds a fond piece of my heart. I live 3 hours from the start of the AT and this podcast has me driving to the trailhead tomorrow and my son is gonna drop me off on Monday. I am gonna give it a go. I am 67. You inspired me today. Thanks... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    3 for 10
    United Statesa year ago
  • Too long

    The podcast is still too long. Keep it to 30 or 60 minutes less. And the woman’s voice at the intro is painful to listen to. Otherwise, the guests are interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sarita7981
    United Statesa year ago
  • Hiking podcast!

    Thank you so much for doing this podcast! I love hiking and plan to do more and longer hikes in my retirement. This is great information to help me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kenhagen
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critiques mention episodes tend to be longer than desired, suggesting potential listeners should be prepared for extended content, though the depth makes for an enriching experience.
The host is described as relatable and charming, fostering a warm community vibe that appeals to both hikers and non-hikers alike.
The stories shared by guests are noted for their authenticity, particularly regarding struggles with mental health and personal growth through hiking.
Listeners find the podcast highly inspirational, pulling at both the heartstrings and comedic senses with engaging anecdotes.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode #542 - Days 35-37 Appalachian Trail 2026
Q: You're speaking at Trail Days about depression. How has your perspective changed, and what can readers expect from the new book?
Emily says the book is a concise, 100-page snippet of her story, focused on practical coping strategies and the realization that depression is real. She emphasizes professional help in the past, but highlights how hiking provided a path to personal growth and helping others.
Episode #542 - Days 35-37 Appalachian Trail 2026
Q: So talk to us a little bit about that, the Trek Through Depression. Is this something that came as a result of the hiking or just in your life generally?
Emily explains that depression emerged during and after hiking experiences, catalyzed by solitude and reflection in nature. She describes how the first through-hike revealed issues she wasn't aware of, led to a new sense of self during hiking, and how casual life afterward didn't resolve it. The book distills those lessons and offers coping strategies for others.
Episode #530 - Tim Bennett (Porkie)
Q: What made you want to write publicly about your trek, rather than keeping it private?
I started following stories on the trek and signed up to be a blogger; the process of writing made me more introspective and connected me with the daily moments on the trail.
Episode #529 - Michael Neiman (Sharkbait)
Q: What was it like right up there?
It was always on the West Coast, Glacier National Park, the Rocky Mountains.
Episode #527 - Savannah Schuring (Snazzy Cat)
Q: What are your thoughts on resilience while hiking?
Resilience is often relational; support from fellow hikers can be crucial.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the transformative experiences of hiking, this show highlights individuals confronted by personal challenges as they embark on the Appalachian Trail. Episodes can cover a range of issues, including mental health, community support, and the physical demands of long-distance hiking. Many guests share their motivational stories, emphasizing themes of resilience, reflection, and personal growth as they navigate the ups and downs of trail life. The engaging conversations inspire both seasoned hikers and newcomers alike by fostering a sense of community around mutual challenges and triumphs in nature.

Where can I find podcast stats for this podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to this podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does this podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for this podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for this podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for this podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does this podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers this podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Backpacker Radio
2. The Dirtbag Diaries
3. Wild Ideas Worth Living
4. Exploring the National Parks
5. Outside Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 10 years ago and published 534 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact this podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for this podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for this podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for this podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of this podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Emily Lillard
2. Bruce Mattson
3. Megan Bright Spot
4. Doug Moore
5. Laura Burmeister
6. Henry Southall
7. Sue Powell
8. Jen Beck-Seymour

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days