

National Park After Dark
National Park After Dark
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 15min
The Conservation President and the Adventure That Almost Killed Him (Part 1)
The podcast dives into Theodore Roosevelt's captivating legacy as a conservationist, exploring his adventurous spirit and personal struggles after a political defeat. Listeners learn about his dramatic Amazon expedition, filled with danger and the complexities of cultural encounters. The discussion also tackles the ethical dilemmas of hunting, while revealing Roosevelt's resilience through nature. With tales of exploration and wellness, the narrative highlights the unpredictability of the wilderness and the bonds formed among the expedition members.

Mar 31, 2025 • 1h 4min
The River Ladies: Grand Canyon National Park
Botanists Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter changed the stereotype of women in botany when they found a love for not the delicate flowers, but the cacti with thorns and the vegetation that thrived in the most inhospitable environments. They set out to do something that had never been done before, to be the first women to boat the entirety of the Colorado River and map out the flora of the Grand Canyon. If successful, they would be the first women to ever survive the trip.For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodesListen to Watch Her Cook on Apple and Spotify! For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials:Instagram: @nationalparkafterdarkTikTok: @nationalparkafterdarkSupport the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!Thank you to this week’s partners!BetterHelp: National Park After Dark is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off.Smalls: For 50% off your first order, head to Smalls.com and use code NPAD.Blueland: Use our link to get 15% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 17, 2025 • 1h 16min
Oh, the Places You Won’t Go: Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park
Discover the thrilling tale of a 1897 balloon expedition aimed at reaching the North Pole. Explore the fierce competition of early Arctic explorers and the daring choices they made. Delve into the challenges faced during their ascent, from unpredictable weather to survival dilemmas. Unravel the mystery of their disappearance and the emotional weight carried by those left behind. Plus, enjoy a fun discussion about polar plunges and the rejuvenating power of sauna relaxation.

Mar 13, 2025 • 57min
Trail Tales 66
Today’s stories include slapping the bag, a mother’s intuition, geocaching gone wrong, being saved by spirits, synchronicities and sibling pranks. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers!For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at:Instagram: @nationalparkafterdarkTikTok: @nationalparkafterdarkSupport the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!Thank you to the week’s partners!Graza: Take your food to the next level with Graza Olive Oil. Visit https://graza.co/NPAD and use promo code NPAD today for 10% off your first order.Ollie: Use NPAD to get 60% off your first box of meals when you subscribe today.iRestore: For a limited time only, our listeners get $625 off their iRestore Elite when you use code NPAD at iRestorelaser.comThe Box of Oddities: Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 10, 2025 • 55min
Peak Danger ft. Cecilie Skog
In today's episode we had the incredible opportunity to speak with Cecilie Skog. Cecilie has cemented her place in the world of extreme adventure sports as being the first person in the world to have skied across both the North and the South Poles and to have climbed all of The Seven Summits. She completed the first unassisted and unsupported trek across the continent of Antarctica and has made several treks across Greenland. Cecilie was also among the 31 climbers who were on K2 on its deadliest day in August 2008. She survived one of the worst tragedies in Himalayan history, witnessed her husband lose his life on the mountain - and has persevered. Listen to Extreme: Peak Danger HEREFor the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials:Instagram: @nationalparkafterdarkTikTok: @nationalparkafterdarkSupport the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!Thank you to this week’s partners!BetterHelp: National Park After Dark is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off.Lume Deodorant: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with@lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code NPAD at LumeDeodorant.com! #lumepodQuince: Use our link to get free shipping and 365-day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 3, 2025 • 2h
A Love Worth Fighting For: Speaking Up For Our Public Lands
On Valentine’s Day 2025 4,400 Public Land workers were abruptly and illegally terminated from their positions and since then, news of executive orders threatening to exploit our public lands for their natural resources have been flooding headlines.To better understand the gravity of this situation and to hear straight from those most directly effected we are joined by Yosemite and Devils Postpile Ranger Alex Wild, Liz Crandall a field ranger in Deschutes National Forest, and Morgan Smith a Biological Science Technician for the US Forest Service. All three were recently terminated from their jobs due to the recent federal budget cuts.They share their love of the outdoors, explain the importance of their jobs, and speak to the dangerous repercussions our public lands will experience as a result of these terminations and extreme staffing shortages.PROTECT OUR PARKS MERCH! - 100% of our proceeds will be donated to and evenly allocated between The National Park Foundation and The National Forest Foundation.Sign petitions and write to your reps!
Tell Congress to Protect National Park Service Staff
Tell Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to protect national monuments from oil, gas, and mining
Tell Congress national parks are worth fighting for
Tell Congress to fund historic and cultural sites nationwide
Tell Congress to protect wildlife in national parks
Whitehouse resources:Unleashing American EnergyUnleashing Alaska’s Resource PotentialImmediate Expansion of Logging Timber (including BLM land, National Forests, and National Parks)For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials:Instagram: @nationalparkafterdarkTikTok: @nationalparkafterdarkSupport the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!Thank you to this week’s partners!IQBAR: Text PARK to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products and free shipping.AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/npad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 27, 2025 • 56min
Trail Tales 65
Today’s stories include dumpster lemons, haunted marathons, national park first dates, night hippos, hero dads and being saved by science. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers!For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at:Instagram: @nationalparkafterdarkTwitter/X: @npadpodcastTikTok: @nationalparkafterdarkSupport the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!Thank you to the week’s partners!SelectQuote: Use our link to get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 24, 2025 • 1h 11min
The Year Without a Summer: Mount Tambora National Park
Explore the explosive history of Mount Tambora and its chilling aftermath, leading to the notorious Year Without a Summer. Delve into how volcanic eruptions can reshape climate, agriculture, and culture, influencing even gothic literature like 'Frankenstein.' Hear captivating anecdotes that blend humor with the tragic, highlighting humanity's resilience amidst disaster. The discussion also emphasizes environmental challenges today, urging collective action against climate change and the ongoing need for sustainable practices.

Feb 17, 2025 • 54min
The Port Chicago Disaster: Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion at a munitions base near San Francisco claimed 320 lives and sparked the largest mutiny trial in U.S. Naval history. The disaster highlighted systemic racial injustices and dangerous working conditions faced by predominantly Black sailors. The aftermath led to ethical dilemmas as survivors refused to work under unsafe conditions, while the wrongful convictions of the Port Chicago 50 shed light on the struggle for justice. Their fight endures, reflecting a critical moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

Feb 13, 2025 • 1h 6min
Trail Tales 64
Today’s stories include check ins from the other side, underwater close calls, man ghosts, cases of mistaken identity, cursed Airbnb’s and bodies in the woods. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers!For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at:Instagram: @nationalparkafterdarkTwitter/X: @npadpodcastTikTok: @nationalparkafterdarkSupport the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!Thank you to the week’s partners! iRestore: For a limited time only, our listeners get $625 off their iRestore Elite when you use code NPAD at iRestorelaser.comFactor: Use our link and code npad50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping.Graza: Take your food to the next level with Graza Olive Oil. Visit https://graza.co/NPAD and use promo code NPAD today for 10% off your first order.Astonishing Legends: Astonishing Legends is available wherever you like to listen to podcasts.For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes
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