Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series podcast! In today’s episode, we’re heading north to explore the beauty, history, and welcoming spirit of the Carson Valley communities (Genoa, Minden, Gardnerville, and Topaz Lake) in Nevada. We're joined by Keith Lewis, Executive Director of Visit Carson Valley, and Josh Rudelbach, Destination Marketing and Data Strategist, for an insider’s look at the region that sits just 45 miles south of Reno and 15 miles east of Lake Tahoe.

Together, Keith and Josh answer the big question: Why should visitors make Carson Valley a must-stop on their Nevada adventure? Discover four charming communities, unique outdoor activities like hiking, wild horse tours, and world-class glider soaring, plus a vibrant culinary scene rooted in Basque culture. Keith and Josh share how their backgrounds in education, analytics, and marketing help shape Carson Valley’s visitor experience, and give us a tour of their innovative website—packed with planning resources, digital passports, and AI-powered itinerary tools.

Whether you’re a family looking to slow down, an outdoor enthusiast chasing new trails, or a traveler searching for that perfect cup of coffee, this episode is your guide to everything Carson Valley has to offer. So grab your wool sweater (just in case), sit back, and join us for an inspiring journey through Northern Nevada’s hidden gem!

DISCUSSION

00:00 "Exploring Nevada with Visit Carson Valley"

07:53 Historic Nevada Towns & Tourism

12:26 "Engaging Personas for Visitor Marketing"

15:47 "AI-Powered Travel Itinerary Assistance"

18:54 "Tourism Matters: Local Impact"

21:37 "AI Travel Guide: Ask Carson"

25:29 "Travel Nevada Supports Rural Marketing."

29:28 Digital Passports for Visitor Experiences

32:07 "Carson Valley Events Preview."

35:18 Bentley Distillery Revival in Minden

39:08 "Carson Valley Christmas Success."

40:26 "The Valley's Unique Appeal."

LEARN MORE

To learn more about the Carson Valley Region, visit their website at https://visitcarsonvalley.org or on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visitcarsonvalley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visitcarsonvalley/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/VisitCarsonValleyNV

Reno-Tahoe Territory: https://renotahoe.com/

KEYWORDS

Visit Carson Valley, Parade of Lights, Reno-Tahoe Territory, Travel Nevada, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview

#VisitCarsonValley #WhyCV #RenoTahoeTerritory #TravelNevada #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview

My Favorite Podcast Tools:

1. Production by Descript
2. Hosting Buzzsprout
3. Show Notes by Castmagic
4. Website powered by Podpage
5. Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch

Welcome to a special year-end edition of the Outdoor Adventure Series! In this reflective episode, host Howard Fox is joined by fellow outdoor enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and podcasters Emanuel Rose and Rick Saez—all proud members of the Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Together, the trio dives deep into the highs and surprises of their 2023 podcasting journeys, swapping stories about new show launches (including Emanuel Rose’s prolific year of recording over 200 episodes across three podcasts), the power of relationships in the outdoor and podcasting worlds, and smart strategies to book—and vet—the perfect guests. Rick Saez discusses rebranding and evolving his show to capture even more exciting stories from the outdoor and adventure travel community, while Howard Fox unveils his plans to further explore the connections between nature, well-being, and outdoor destinations in future episodes.

This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights into the podcasting life: from the magic of effective guest outreach (with help from AI tools) to the lessons learned from the occasional misstep. You’ll also hear the hosts’ advice for aspiring podcasters, their candid thoughts on whether the podcasting space is truly saturated, and their dreams of hosting “Podcamp” live from the great outdoors.

Whether you’re a longtime listener, a fellow podcaster, or someone passionate about outdoor adventures and authentic conversations, this episode is an inspiring look back at a year full of growth—and an exciting preview of what’s to come. So pour yourself a coffee, settle in, and join Howard, Rick, and Emanuel for a warm, insightful, and often humorous roundtable to ring in the new year.

DISCUSSION

00:00 "Fluent Frame Content Creation Tool"

05:16 "Listening to Fewer Podcasts"

07:23 "Seeking Guests for Show"

13:07 Guest Screening for Better Podcast

17:11 "Podcasting Goals and AI Insights"

20:48 "Coaching, Nature, and Growth"

24:03 "Podcast Perseverance and Gratitude"

28:10 Podcasting: Oversaturation or Opportunity?

30:17 Start Podcasting for Business Growth

32:20 Podcasts: The Ultimate Equalizer

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Emanuel Rose and his work, Google Emanuel Rose Marketing, or visit his website at https://emanuelrose.com.

To learn more about Rick Saez and his work, Google the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast or visit his website at https://ricksaez.com.

NEXT STEPS

Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes. And click here to find me on LinkedIn.

KEYWORDS

Howard Fox, Emanuel Rose, Rick Saez, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview, OWAA, Podmatch

#HowardFox #EmanuelRose #RickSaez #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview, #OWAA #PodMatch

My Favorite Podcast Tools:

1. Production by Descript
2. Hosting Buzzsprout
3. Show Notes by Castmagic
4. Website powered by Podpage
5. Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch

Welcome to another episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series! In this episode, we chat with Scott Dahl, the Director of Visit Springfield Illinois, to explore everything that makes Springfield a legendary destination for adventurers and history buffs alike. With 37 years in tourism and a deep love for his “heart of Illinois” hometown, Scott shares insights into Springfield’s vibrant tourism scene, the city’s rich Abraham Lincoln heritage, and its central role along historic Route 66.

From world-class museums and immersive historical sites to expansive bike trails and beautiful parks, Scott Dahl paints a picture of a community where history comes alive, and the outdoors are waiting to be explored. 2026 promises to be a monumental year for Springfield, with celebrations like the Route 66 Centennial, America’s 250th anniversary, and the grand opening of the new Shield Sports Park.

Howard and Scott dive into local culinary treats (including Springfield’s Signature Horseshoe Sandwich, tips for planning your visit, and the best ways to experience everything this legendary destination has to offer—and why Springfield Illinois should be at the top of your travel list this year and beyond!

DISCUSSION

00:00 "Route 66 and 2026 Highlights"

04:29 International Visitors Flock to historic Lincoln sites

07:47 "Escape to Nature Through Biking"

11:04 "Roving Ambassador of Tourism"

15:55 Preparing Springfield for Tourism Influx

17:17 "Saving the Sunrise Donut Sign"

21:44 "Springfield Tour and Website Insights"

25:35 "Discover Springfield: More Than Expected."

30:02 Tourism Ambassador Training Initiative

36:27 Springfield One-Day Itinerary

37:06 "Exploring Abraham Lincoln's Legacy."

42:06 Passion for Hospitality and Travel

47:22 "Springfield Adventures & America 250."

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Springfield, Illinois, visit their website at https://www.visitspringfieldillinois.com/ or on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisitSpringfield

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visitspringfield

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VisitSpringfield

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/springfield-illinois-convention-&-visitors-bureau/

NEXT STEPS

Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes.

KEYWORDS

Visit Springfield Illinois, Lincoln Home NPS, Route 66, Illinois Destinations Association, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview

#visitspringfield #springfieldil #LincolnHomeNPS #Route66 #IllinoisDestinationsAssociation #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview

My Favorite Podcast Tools:

1. Production by Descript
2. Hosting Buzzsprout
3. Show Notes by Castmagic
4. Website powered by Podpage
5. Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch