Hosted by two friends who share a passion for public lands and a fascination with what can go wrong there, each week hosts Danielle and Cassie explore the darker side of our National Parks. But it isn’t always chills and thrills. By sharing inspiring tales and their desire for protecting our planet’s wild places, they hope listeners will be inspired to take a walk into the wild and create meaningful adventures of their own.
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
In June of 1996 two women, Julie Williams and Lollie Winans, were found brutally murdered in Shenandoah National Park. Their murderer (or murderers) were never found and the case has remained unsolved - until now. On June 20, 2024 the FBI announced that the assailant has been identified as Walter Leo Jackson Sr. Today we sit down for the second time, with Kathryn Miles, author and investigative journalist who has dedicated years of her life researching this case and uncovering faults in the inve...
Today we dive into the history of National Parks and how America's best idea almost died. Instead of talking about their landscapes, we take a deep dive into the history of their beautiful historic hotels and the ghostly encounters people have experienced within them. From Tennessee to Washington there are plenty tales to tell. Our Merch Shop is open today! For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us ...
Today’s stories include stargazing gods, being naked and afraid, Holocaust surviving mountain climbers, Grand canyon voyeurs, knotty women, finding beauty in the mountains and ghost tricksters. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sharks have swum the world’s waters for millennia – there is a reason they are referred to as living dinosaurs. Their presence globally is not new, but their comeback in certain parts of the world is not celebrated by everyone. In September of 2018, Arthur Medici was killed while recreating in the waters off Cape Cod after sustaining a white shark bite. His death, the first shark related death in state history since 1936, has sparked an intense debate about the sharks, seals and people who live,...
This episode recounts the incredible 81-day survival story of Lieutenant Leon Crane, who was the sole survivor of a B-24 plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness during World War II. Stranded in sub-zero temperatures with limited supplies, Crane battled frostbite, starvation, and treacherous conditions, eventually finding an abandoned cabin with critical provisions. His remarkable journey highlights both human resilience and a series of lucky breaks in an unforgiving environment.
Today we sit down for a conversation with Jean Muenchrath. We touch upon her tragic fall off Mount Whitney, but really focused on her story after the accident. Jean brings us through her recovery, her travels and how transforming her mindset changed her life just as much as the incident in the Sierra’s. Jean also sheds light on the importance of mental fortitude and how sharing stories of personal struggle is a strength. All proceeds of Jean’s book are donated to charity - pick up a copy of If I...
This episode recounts Jean Muenchrath's incredible 1982 Trans-Sierra ski expedition, meticulously planned over years, that culminates in a tragic fall from Mount Whitney. After sustaining severe injuries and making a life-changing vow, Jean and her fiancé Ken endure a grueling self-evacuation. The story highlights Jean's resilience, her challenging recovery, and how this near-death experience ultimately propelled her towards a new life, inspiring her future adventures.
It was a normal shift for Ranger Paul Fugate, when he left to patrol a trail and never returned. The investigation into his disappearance unveiled feuds with the National Park Service and his complicated romantic relationships. His past has had investigators questioning - was this an act of foul play? Or did he disappear intentionally? If you have information that can help, please contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch (ISB) in any of the following ways. Your identity will remain confiden...
Today’s stories include scared ceremonies, being petrified in the petrified forest, ghost cowboys, airline premonitions, shadow people, bear sleepovers and embarrassing moments. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Pa...
Delving into one of Arkansas's deadliest natural disasters, this episode explores the tragic 2010 flash flood at Albert Pike Recreation Area. It details the close-knit families who regularly visited the beloved campground, the rapid onset of the unprecedented flood, and the heroic but often futile rescue efforts. The narrative critically examines the ignored safety warnings and the subsequent fight for justice and improved warning systems, highlighting the profound impact on survivors and the community.
This week we do things a bit different - today we both share a story, with little to nothing to do with the outdoors! Danielle brings us to Egypt where we discuss the story of Dorothy Eady and her supposed reincarnation, while Cassie brings us to Florida to describe what may (or may not) be the discovery of an extraterrestrial artifact. For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com an...
Today we are joined by Derek Abbey, Project Recover’s President and CEO to speak about the organization - a collaborative effort to enlist 21st century science and technology in a quest to find and repatriate the nearly 81,000 Americans missing in action since World War II. He lets us in on the important work the project does around the world, and the impact it has on countless families. He also touches on “Angel Taps” and spooky encounters he’s experienced on missions and agrees that sometimes ...
Today we visit one of the bloodiest battle sites in WWII and tell the stories of the men who lost their lives there. When Pat Scannon discovered many of them were never found or brought home, he began a search to find them. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more...
Hundreds of people go missing in US National Parks every year. While many of those cases eventually find resolve, some people, like Joe Halpern, remain missing as the seasons change and the decades pass. Despite the passing of time, loved ones never forget their people who wandered into the woods and were swallowed by the trees - and they’ll do everything it takes to find them. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instag...
Today’s stories include life saving butterflies, bobcat guardians, hotdog man rescues, baby trail snacks, puke curses, angel friends, madness at Mesa Verde and shitty situations. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on P...
Today we are joined by Mike and Joe, hosts of the Locations Unknown Podcast, as we dive into one of Utah's greatest enduring mysteries. Everett Ruess was a poet, artist, and writer who had dreams of leaving modern society behind to live in and explore the American West. When his family stopped receiving letters from him, and no one heard from or had contact with Everett for months - concern mounted. Search parties scoured high and low, but were left with more questions than answers after what th...
Today’s stories include hooting in the wrong places, being at the right place at the right time, being Bigfoot, seeing Bigfoot, hot springs horror, ghost relatives and honestly, probably too much poop talk. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part...
Today we talk all things dinosaurs! We discuss an ongoing case of poaching over 1 million dollars worth of dinosaur fossils, discuss why some are so valuable, roast the celebrities with private fossil collections and honor the National Parks that preserve them. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad ...
Hugh Glass is best known for his incredible survival story. After being mauled by a grizzly, being left for dead and dragging himself nearly 250 miles across the country - his story, or at least a version of it, has been immortalized in the film The Revenant. But Hugh’s life goes beyond his encounter with the bear - what came before and after are just as wild as a ride, and are worth movies of their own. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast....
Today’s stories include an Oregon disappearance, tuck and rolling, tiger eyes, solo cougars, mystery lights, accidental bear selfies, haunted castles and being at the right place at the right time. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our O...
Bessie Coleman was the first woman to get her international pilots license. She was also the first African American woman to become a stunt pilot and perform around the country. When her rising stardom and unyielding attitude towards racism and segregation leads to her questionable death, outrage sparks across the country. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkaft...
In the midst of the worst economic disaster in US History hope was being carried through the rural communities tucked amongst the rugged mountains of eastern Kentucky. The Pack Horse Library Project sent women on horseback through the most remote regions of the Cumberland Mountains to deliver reading materials to isolated homes and communities. The project gave hundreds of women their first taste of independence and purpose, and provided thousands of Appalachians their first glimpses into the wo...
Today’s episode is a very special one - all about signs, synchronicities and loved ones showing their love no matter how far away they seem. Learn more about Danielle’s grief retreat here :) We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episod...
This episode recounts the harrowing 1985 lightning strike on Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, where five hikers were caught in a summer storm. Two lost their lives, and three were critically injured, prompting an intense nighttime helicopter rescue. The hosts delve into the science of lightning, the group's fateful decisions to ignore numerous warnings, and the long-term impacts on the survivors, offering vital lessons in outdoor safety and the perils of underestimating nature.
In July 1939 12-year-old Donn Fendler was separated from his group while hiking Mount Katahdin. What ensued was one of the largest search operations in Maine state history and became a legendary story of one little boy’s will to survive. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus co...
Today we are joined by Rob Edward and Dr. Joanna Lambert of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project to discuss the recent wolf re-introduction in Colorado. They give us insight into the project’s beginnings, triumphs and its future goals. We have insightful discussions about the challenges wolves face throughout the American West, their ecological role and why they belong. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ natio...
Today we are joined by Maeve Rodgers, wolf predation and research technician, to answer your questions about wolves! Maeve is a wolf researcher who has had experience working with wolves in both Yellowstone and Voyageurs National Park and is the perfect person to discuss everything Canis lupus. Enjoy! For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkafterdark Support the sho...
This episode recounts the tragic story of Air Florida Flight 90, which crashed into the 14th Street Bridge and the icy Potomac River amidst a severe D.C. snowstorm in 1982. It details the pre-flight errors, the harrowing rescue efforts, and the unprecedented live national television coverage of the disaster. The discussion also covers the subsequent aviation safety reforms and the profound, lasting impact on the survivors and first responders.
Today’s stories include the sisterhood of the frothing pants, powerful manifestors, surprise allergies, stubborn guide dogs, hiking back in time, tooth & claw induced fear, Grand Canyon gaslighting and raccoon terror.. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to N...
On a crisp September day Trevor Janz and Patricia Van Tighem’s lives are changed forever when they encounter a grizzly on their weekend hike. Patricia later writes of their journey of healing, both physical and emotional, with refreshing candor and an open heart. Help is out there: Call 988 or text 741741 For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkafterdark Support the...
