Episode Details

“In the Hong Kongs and New Yorks and Londons of the world you need to find ways to get outside, because it can be depressing to be in a great world city and be trapped in an 800-square-foot space.”  –Rolf Potts

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Rueben discuss what it’s like to come home after a life-changing journey, sharing the story with others, exploring one’s own hometown on foot (2:00); the wisdom captured in quotes, and the power of poetry (22:00); the notion of what is possible in less-expensive cities and neighborhoods, avoiding consumerist living, and spending money locally (35:00); the excuses people make to postpone taking their dream trips, and how friends and family can keep you accountable (45:30).

Reuben Dreiblatt is the host of “The A.T. With You & Me,” a podcast about through-hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Notable Links:

• Van Life before #VanLife (Deviate episode)
• Long-distance hiking at home (Deviate episode)
• Friluftsliv (Norwegian ethos of being outdoors)
• The World Beneath Your Feet (documentary)
• Matt Green interview (Deviate episode)
• Souvenir, by Rolf Potts (book)
• Lower East Side Tenement Museum (NYC museum)
• What narrative therapy is (Deviate episode)
• Commonplace book (journal method)
• Wanderlust, by Rebecca Solnit (book about walking)
• Walt Whitman (American poet)
• Standing on the shoulders of giants (metaphor)
• Ed Buryn interview (Deviate episode)
• Asheville (city in North Carolina)
• 52 Places to Visit in 2022 (New York Times article)
• Gary Snyder (American poet)

The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.

Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.