Busted Knees & Pretty Trees
If your idea of a good day includes a worn-out trail, a quiet campsite, or a paddle cutting through still water, then you've found your podcast!
Welcome to Busted Knees & Pretty Trees, a podcast dedicated to the outdoors, conservation, and the adventures that keep us coming back to nature.
Join me as I explore hiking, backpacking, kayaking, camping, outdoor gear, conservation issues, public lands, and the wild places that make life better. Some episodes are trail stories and lessons learned from time spent outside. Others dive into gear, outdoor skills, conservation challenges, and the people working to protect the landscapes we love.
Along the way, I'll occasionally sit down with guests from across the conservation and outdoor recreation community to bring new perspectives and experiences to the conversation.
Whether you're planning your next backpacking trip, researching gear, looking for conservation news, or simply daydreaming about your next adventure, there's something here for you.
Available on all major platforms. Subscribe now and join us on the trail.
Episodes
99 episodes
Ep. 97 - Big Miles, Big Mountains, Big Damn Achievements
On this episode of Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we’re diving into the wild, impressive, strange, and sometimes downright ridiculous achievements from the world of thru-hiking. From record-setting mileage and incredible endurance to the oldest...
Ep. 96 - Leave No Trace: On the Road with Jeanelle Soland & Rob Pelton
This week on the Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we're hitting the trail with Jeanelle Soland and Rob Pelton from the Leave No Trace/Subaru Traveling Team! We talk all things Leave No Trace, life on the road, connecting with outdoor communities,...
Ep. 95 - Brad Goes to the Carolinas, Hal Coffel Strikes Again & Other Things!
Brad is back from a Carolina adventure, bringing stories from his trip through North and South Carolina! Then Travey cracked open the Bird Gospel of Hal Coffel for another wild find and a whole of a lot more!Another episode of Busted Knees ...
Under Construction... We'll Be Back Next Week!
We weren’t able to put out a full episode this week because we’ve got some exciting improvements happening behind the scenes. We know—no episode?! We’re disappointed too.But don’t worry, the fellowship isn’t going anywhere. We’ll be back ne...
Ep. 94 - Third Time's the Trail: Chaddy Fitzpaddy's Family Adventure Out West
He's back! For the third time, our good friend Chad Fitzpatrick joins us in the dungeon studio, and this time he's bringing stories from an unforgettable family road trip across the American West.From long miles on the road to unforgettable...
Ep. 93 - Protecting America's Treasures: Bill Wade and the Future of Our National Parks
America's National Parks don't protect themselves—and neither does the idea behind them.In this powerful episode, we sit down with Bill Wade, Executive Director of the Association of National Park Rangers (ANPR), for a candid discussion ...
Ep: 92 - The Dirty Truth About Staying Clean Outdoors
In this episode, we're talking about the realities of backcountry hygiene: where to pee, how to poop responsibly, staying clean on the trail, and the little comforts that can make a big difference after a long day outdoors. From Leave No Trace ...
Ep. 91 - A Beautiful Conversation w/ Normal Guy & Avid Outdoorsman Jared Jones
This week, we sat down with Bradley’s longtime friend Jared Jones from St. Louis. Some might say he's just a down-to-earth, normal guy with a lifelong passion for the outdoors!From hunting and fishing since he was old enough to tag along...
Ep. 90 - The Last Campfire of Season 9
Another season is officially in the books, and there's only one way to celebrate... put our memories to the test.This week, the Fellowship goes head-to-head in the annual Season 9 Trivia Challenge, reliving our favorite interviews, biggest ...
Ep. 89 - Two in the Bush w/ Brad and Travis
This week on the Busted Knees and Pretty Trees Podcast, Brad and Travis keep each other company in studio while Patrick is on a family adventure in a distant land. To cope with the absence, the guys have a chat about their early summer adventur...
Ep. 88 - The People Behind the Path w/ Chris Bradley and the Hoosier Hikers Council
This week on Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we sit down with Chris Bradley of the Hoosier Hikers Council to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to keep our trails alive. From boots-on-the-ground maintenance to protecting wild places f...
Ep. 87 - Survival of the Smartest: Trivia Night with Kearstin Whitcomb!
After what feels like years of waiting, our beloved Kearstin Whitcomb finally made her way into the dungeon studio for recording night—and it was totally worth it.This week, Bradley R steps in as quizmaster, putting the fellowship of the pi...
Ep. 86 - Good News from the Wild: Conservation & Colonel Lieber
In this episode, we spotlight real stories of nature bouncing back—from species saved to ecosystems restored. These aren’t theories or “what-ifs”… they’re proof that conservation works.We share three powerful stories that show what happe...
Ep. 85 - Sharing Space with Nature: A Conversation with Urban Wildlife Biologist Jessica Merkling
This week on Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we sit down with urban wildlife biologist Jessica Merkling to pull back the curtain on a job most people never think about until there's an animal causing trouble. We talk nuisance wildlife, human-wil...
Ep. 84 - Migration Season Unpacked: B.W.I.A.B, Indiana Dunes and More!
Spring migration is here! Join Bradley and Paddy as they dive deep into the spectacle of migrating birds, break down the excitement around BWIAB, and preview everything happening at the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival. From warbler fallout to bi...
Ep. 83 - Memories Over Miles: There's No Prize For First
Backpacking used to be about dirt under your nails, bad coffee at sunrise, and sitting on a rock long enough to feel small again. Now it feels like it’s all spreadsheets, split times, and humblebrags about 30-mile days.Somewhere along the w...
Ep. 82 - Let's Take A Ride On The Magic School Bus w/ Mr. Burnworth
This week on Busted Knees & Pretty Trees, we sit down with the man, the myth, the legend — Paddy’s old biology teacher, Jabin Burnworth — and trust us… this one is special. You know that teacher who made science feel like an adventure...
Ep. 81 - Pack It or Whack It: Strange, Bizarre or Totally Normal Gear in 2026
In this episode of Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we dive headfirst into the wildest, weirdest, and most head-scratching gear of 2026. From “who asked for this?” gadgets to surprisingly brilliant oddities, we’re breaking down what’s innovative,...
Ep. 80 - Busted Brains & Pretty Tough Questions: Season 8 Recap Trivia
In this special recap showdown, the Busted Knees and Pretty Trees crew puts memory, pride, and podcast credibility on the line in a no-holds-barred Season 8 trivia gauntlet. From layin logs in Brad's kayak to unexpected wildlife encounters, no ...
Ep. 79 - Jungles, Volcanoes, and Sloths: Brad and Sarahs Adventure Across Costa Rica’s Wild Places
This week on Busted Knees & Pretty Trees, we sit down with Brad and Sarah to unpack their wild trip to Costa Rica — from trekking through Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (yes, the one shaped like a whale’s tail) to hiking deep into Refugio N...
Ep. 78 - Paddy’s Lowcountry Adventure: Bulls Island, Congaree & Fort Sumter with the Family
This week on Busted Knees & Pretty Trees, Paddy loads up the family and heads south for a full-blown Lowcountry adventure! From wild shores on Bulls Island to the towering old-growth forest of Congaree National Park, and the living history ...
Ep. 77 - Studying Plants Where They Fight To Grow with Dr. Jordan Marshall
This week on Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we’re throwing on the boots and heading straight into the undergrowth.Dr. Jordan Marshall takes us beyond the classroom and into the field! We talk educating generations of biologists, the future ...
Ep. 76 - Hammocks Here! We Talkin Hammocks Here!
This week on Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, we’re hanging out… literally.We’re diving headfirst into the world of hammocks — gathered ends, bridge hammocks, straps, underquilts, bug nets, tarp setups, and all the comfort (or chaos) that com...
Ep. 75 - Part Deux! The Official Trail Trivia Boardgame Adventure Challenge Prototype
Travy J is back… and it all comes down to this.The board is set, the questions are tougher, and the stakes have never been higher as we dive into Part 2 of the Official Trail Trivia Boardgame Adventure Challenge! Who’s been paying atten...
Ep. 74 - The Official Trail Trivia Boardgame Adventure Challenge Prototype!
It’s round one of a two round game night on Busted Knees and Pretty Trees, and your host Travey J is leading us deep into the wild with something brand new: the official Trail Trivia Boardgame Adventure Challenge prototype. Yeah… it’s a mouthfu...
