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PODCAST

The Global Grit Experience

The Global Grit Experience is about caring for nature, wildlife and each other by sharing stories of people making a difference in small and big ways. Real people, doing the work, who we can learn from, find some inspiration, and gather our grit to step up for the protection of our natural world. Erika Gilsdorf is an international, award-winning video producer and uses this podcast to be able to dive a bit deeper into a variety of environmental topics that are relevant, authentic and inspiring in

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All Episodes

26:08

Lessons Learned on a Winter Hike in the Colorado...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/05/23

Sawyer Gilsdorf learned a few lessons on his snowy New Year's Day hike in the Colorado Rockies.

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19:17

Building Nests to Help Loons

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/05/19

With declining natural shorelines from development, loon numbers have been hurting. People like my guest Mark Backes on Big Fish Lake in Minnesota are building loon nests to help them out. Hear what goes into making a loon nest, the success they're having, and some fun loon facts along the way.The loon calls you'll hear are recorded on Gull Lake from a friend of mine and Minnesota's 'Loon Lady', Sheila Johnston.

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24:02

The Environmental Fight to Save Public and Sacred...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/05/12

We are at a critical time when many of our public and sacred lands across the U.S. are being threatened.Political decisions, like the recent, totally disgusting vote passed to undo protections that block copper mining in the Boundary Water’s watershed, are at risk of setting precedents for other wilderness areas, like Utah's Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument. We need to stand together, across state lines for wilderness protection.Today’s Guest is Chris Riccardo, the Midwest organizer with

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11:51

Saturday Adventure Short - A Very Special Mother's...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/05/09

This was a Mother's Day of divine intervention.

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45:04

Managing Kids' Screen Time with Author Erin Walsh

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/05/06

Today’s episode on the challenge of balancing technology or screen time for the kids in our lives I think is really relatable to so many of us. But, how is this related to the Global Grit Experience that's about nature and the outdoors? Well, when kids and teenagers would rather be looking at a screen inside than doing something outside, we’re losing that important connection to nature and the outdoors in our kids.My guest today is FABULOUS to give us some info and tips (without shame) on how to

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29:10

The Boundary Waters Takes a Blow. What's next and...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/04/29

Yowza that was a real blow with the recent Senate’s vote to overturn a 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters. Argh! That vote from the House and then the Senate means voiding the protection of 225,000 acres in the Superior National Forest allowing the advancement to Twin Metals sulfide-ore copper mining upstream of the Boundary Waters wilderness near Ely, MN. This isn’t just about the Boundary Waters. These kinds of votes can set a precedent for other protected areas as well in the U.S.

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06:38

Saturday Short - A Strange, Rando Thing that...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/04/25

I love adventure stories! If you have one, message me to be a guest on my podcast @theglobalgritexperience.This one's about a strange thing that happened on a film shoot in Honduras.Hugs!

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39:03

I'm So Angry I Could Scream! Channeling Anger into...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/04/21

Today’s guest is Hallie Pond from Pine River, MN. I asked her to be a guest because I don’t know about you, but I can get so damn angry and frustrated with things going on in the world….and with our fellow human beings, who some, I’m confident we can all agree, are real shits.But, anger builds conflict and conflict can start to break down communication. And, what we need now more than ever is clear, honest, bold communication.Hallie Pond is the founder of Truespace Consulting. She helps people

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28:32

Scott Gives Wildlife Space to Breathe on His Restored...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/04/17

Scott is SO INSPIRING! Man, he in his signature black cowboy hat has been making serious headway for nature in southwest Minnesota.I’ve been to his land, got to walk among his restored prairie and soak in the quiet, see all sorts of wild flowers and watch more fireflies at night than I’ve seen since I was a kid.Scott Rall runs his own business by day and is a conservationist every other second of his life. He’s a 30-year volunteer for Pheasants Forever, was awarded the Hero of Conservation Award by

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19:16

Spring Migration is Here and Whoop, it's Beautifully...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/04/13

Kelly Blackledge knows her birds! She's so much fun to talk with, especially this time of year during spring migration as the woods, wetlands, lakes and bird feeders start getting busy baby. And, beautifully noisy! It's SO much fun hearing the first sandhill crane of the year, or the loon, or so many other birds we all love.Kelly has over 30 years' experience as an Interpretive Park Ranger and a degree in Animal Ecology. She helps coordinate her local Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds, is a

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05:27

Saturday Story- I was Drowning!

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/04/11

A scuba debacle with my little brother.If you have an adventure story, message me on FB or IG! It would be fun to share it.Thanks for being a part of the Global Grit Experience!

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12:43

A High Schooler's Perspective on Climate Action

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/04/07

Today’s guest is another kick ass and inspiring person I wanted to share with you. I recorded this episode before I even had a podcast. I love her grit and wanted to share her perspective as a teenager on climate action.Myiesha Antoni is an 18 year-old dual enrollment senior in high school and getting her associates degree. Dang girl. She’s from Henning Minnesota and lobbied for climate action in Washington, DC with Citizens Climate Lobby. Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan,

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18:24

It's the Poop Talk! Jim Makes Humanure Compost. What?!

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/04/02

My guest today is Jim Etzel from Hackensack, Minnesota. He’s the owner of Earth is Our Home Environmental Solutions. He’s all about having healthy soils to have healthy food and a healthy world. I met Jim at a recent community event through West Central Initiative and learned about his passion for composting….but not your typical composting. Yep, today, we’re having what he calls, the poop talk. "It's like baking cookies. You gotta get the recipe right. You gotta get the ingredients right. It

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20:14

Does it Really Matter Trying to Make Your Voice Heard?

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/03/29

We're asked to make calls, write letters, sign petitions, protest…to make our voices heard to the higher ups in congress. But does it matter? Do our efforts actually ever make it up the food chain to make a difference?I invited Ben Anderson to give us a little insight into this. Ben has worked for three members of congress from Minnesota, the US House Committee on Agriculture, and at the US Department of Agriculture. He shares what he thinks works, matters, and is most effective.

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25:07

Staying Grounded & Centered When You're Going Off the...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/03/25

There'snobettertimethanNOWtofreshenupourskillsonbeinggrounded,centeredandlivingourauthenticlives,especiallywheneverythingiscray-crayandsomeofusareabouttogoofftherails(ifwehaven'talready).Ifeel'ya.I’mbigintomentalhealthandI’msuperexcitedaboutmyguest,TessaWolden,whosegoingtogiveussomegoodtipsonhowtomanagetoday'srollercoaster(s)andtapintonatureandtheoutdoorstohelp.TessaisaBoardCertifiedArtTherapistandLicensedProfessionalClinicalCounselorwithover13yearsofexperience.She’srecentlylaunchedherownprivatepract

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19:28

What's Populism, It's Current Rise, and Why Critical...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/03/23

This was kind of a deep dive that I absolutely loved. I learned so much from Dennis in this episode. Dennis Jacobs is a retired physics professor, pilot, and aeronautical engineer. He’s the author of multiple books including The Search for Science and From McEnergy to EcoEnergy, America’s Transition to Sustainable Energy, cowritten with Sociology Professor and wife, Dr. Karen Branden (also a prior podcast guest). He and Karen built and live in an environmentally friendly house in Northern

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06:42

There was this Crevice...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/03/21

Adventures with dad.

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21:08

Building a Net Zero Energy Home Was Easier Than They...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/03/17

Van and his wife Sue built a net-zero energy home 12 miles out of Alexandria, MN. As much as I wanted to know how they did it, it was why they did it that intrigued me. Dr. Van Gooch is a retired professor of Biology from the University of Minnesota at Morris, where he taught for 35 years. After retirement, he and Sue set themselves to this challenge.And, even if building a net-zero home isn’t in your cards, Van has good tips on what we can each do to save energy and money in where we live.... and

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22:18

It's Not Always About Playing Nicey-Nice

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/03/16

I find it interesting why we do the things we do. And, why we feel compelled to play nicey-nice when it comes to talking about the environment and climate action. I get it. No one, including myself, wants to be beaten over the head with anything, especially 'shoulds', 'coulds' or major ass guilt trips. But yet, we want to take action and action can sometimes be SO damn overwhelming and frustrating as 'f'. Especially when we don't see the results we want fast enough or even sometimes, at all.Today’s

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17:28

Dominion Over or Dominion Among - A Refreshing...

The Global Grit Experience ·

2026/03/12

Today, we’re talking with Pastor Beth Monke. I wanted to talk with Beth to hear about climate action from a religious or spiritual perspective. Beth is a Pastor at the Grove Lake Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota AND she’s a climate activist! Whoop! Whoop! Beth is the Citizen's Climate Lobby (CCL) co-leader for the Fergus Falls, MN chapter. Beth has a lot of depth and wisdom you'll love to hear.Citizen's Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan organization that empowers every day people (like

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43 results

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