Welcome to another episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series! We're chatting with Belinda Coker—a seasoned hiker, writer, educator, and global house sitter who currently calls Scotland home. After taking early retirement and leaving the corporate world, Belinda embarked on a global journey to embrace adventure, build confidence, and inspire others through responsible travel. In this episode, Belinda shares how she curated a life of genuine freedom and stability, combining her love of hiking with an innovative approach to house-sitting.

From the mountains of New Zealand to the trails of Greenland and Europe, Belinda’s story is an inspiring testament to reinvention, discovery, and finding joy in the simple things. Whether you’re dreaming of your own adventure or looking for practical tips to travel the world and house sit along the way, this episode is packed with insights and encouragement for anyone eager to live life beyond the ordinary.

DISCUSSION

00:00 Choosing a Northern hemisphere base

04:05 Taking a gap year in Asia

09:04 Challenges of Nomadic Living

11:53 Planning hiking trips year-round

15:20 House sitting experiences abroad

18:30 Finding the perfect travel accommodation

22:15 Discussing retirement plans and house sitting

23:30 Gaining trust through house sitting

28:17 Snakebite differences in Australia vs. the USA

33:07 Benefits of house sitting for pets

35:09 Reflecting on the outdoor website journey

39:36 Starting a YouTube journey

42:51 Spending quality time with kids

45:00 House sitting and travel resources

Connect with Belinda:

• https://soultreader.com
• https://housesittingcollective.com
• Instagram & Facebook (Hiking): SoulTreader
• Instagram & Facebook (House Sitting): House Sitting 101

NEXT STEPS

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

KEYWORDS

Belinda Coker, Soul Treader, House Sitting Collective, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview, Podmatch

#SoulTreader #HouseSittingCollective #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview #Podmatch

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Sam Teicher, co-founder and Chief Reef Officer of Coral Vita, a pioneering U.S.-based company on a mission to restore our planet’s degraded coral reefs, joins us on the Outdoor Adventure Series today. Coral Vita employs scalable, land-based coral farming and climate-resilient techniques to rebuild vital ecosystems that sustain marine life, coastal economies, and local cultures. Sam shares his journey from nature enthusiast to global leader in coral restoration, and the science and technology behind modern coral farming.

DISCUSSION

Background

• Early career and connection to nature and the outdoors
• Academic path
• Early coral farming experience in Mauritius

Founding and Evolution of Coral Vita

• Partnership with Gator Halpern
• Frustrations with traditional conservation and limitations of traditional coral farming models

Scaling and Business Model Innovation

• Reforestation and coral cuttings for restoration
• Need for scalable, sustainable solutions
• Use of advanced techniques and bringing in leading advisors

Fundraising and Site Selection

• Fundraising journey
• Partnerships with the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the Bahamian government

Impact and Community Engagement

• Role of coral reefs for local economies: tourism, fisheries, cultural heritage
• Community-focused model

Farm Operations and Timelines

• Phases of setting up a coral farm
• Techniques for accelerating coral growth
• Measuring success

Restoration Practices and Species Considerations

• Coral species diversity and native restoration
• Legal, ecological, and ethical requirements

Evolution of Technology in Coral Restoration

• Move from DIY approaches to technology advances
• Operational efficiencies (inventory in an hour vs. weeks)

Education & Outreach

• Coral Vita as a tourism and education destination
• Partnerships with brands and companies

Advice for Future Conservationists and Environmental Careers

• Spending time in nature and forging connections with ecosystems

LEARN MORE

Website: https://coralvita.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoralVitaReefs/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coralvitareefs/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coral-vita-reefs/

World Ocean Day: June 8, 2026

NEXT STEPS

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

KEYWORDS

Sam Teicher, Coral Vita, Reef Restoration, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview

#SamTeicher #CoralVita #Reef Restoration #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview

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2. Hosting Buzzsprout
3. Show Notes by Castmagic
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5. Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch
6. Banner Customization by Nano Banana & Canva

Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series! In this episode, Howard Fox sits down with Emily Louina Cook—author, artist, and environmental educator—to celebrate the launch of her new illustrated children’s book, "Is That an Åga?"

Emily shares her passion for environmental education, her unique journey from growing up on a conservation tree farm in Maine to fieldwork in the Mariana Islands, and the story behind the critically endangered Mariana Crow (Åga). Whether you’re an aspiring naturalist, a lover of wildlife, or a fan of children’s literature, you won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation!

DISCUSSION

Emily's Background and Education

• Growing up on a tree farm in Maine, and an educational trajectory
• Pursuing a Career in Environmental Education
• The Importance of Protected Area Work

Experiences in the Mariana Islands

• The Marianas as a U.S. Territory/Commonwealth

Pre-arrival Knowledge and Work in the Marianas

• Early awareness of the Marianas via David Quammen’s "Song of the Dodo"
• Work and adaptation to life on Rota/Luta

Discovery and Study of the Åga

• Difficulty among residents in identifying the Åga
• Similarity to other birds on the island; lack of local recognition
• Distinguishing the bird for conservation and research

The Uniqueness and Importance of the Åga

• Charisma and personality of the Åga
• Endangered status and lack of awareness

Threats and Conservation Challenges for the Åga

• Historical range
• Brown tree snake introduction & Habitat loss
• Conservation actions

Motivation and Creation of "Is that an Åga?" Children’s Book

• Incorporating storytelling in environmental education curricula
• Lack of representation in children's picture books
• Observations on local curricula and the need for place-based materials

Website Tour

• Pre-order promotion: first 40 pre-orders receive greeting cards; additional giveaways for International Crow and Raven Appreciation Day

LEARN MORE

Website: https://emilylouina.com/
Pre-order, Is That an Åga? - https://uogpress.com/products/is-that-an-aga
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmilyLouina
Typhoon Sinlaku Relief: https://give.uog.edu/campaigns/sinlaku-relief/

CREDITS

Åga Photos: Rachael Kaiser

Illustration: Joanne F. Almajose (JoyAlma)

Dive Shop: Blue Palms Dive Service

NEXT STEPS

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

KEYWORDS

Emily Louina Cook, Is That an Åga, Outdoor Adventure Series, OWAA, Podcast Interview

#EmilyLouinaCook #IsThatAnÅga #OutdoorAdventureSeries #OWAA #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
6. Banner Customization by Nano Banana & Canva