Hikes and Mics Podcast
Hikes & Mics is where the trail meets the conversation. Each week, host Ivan Orozco brings together hikers, backpackers, and outdoor adventurers to share the stories, lessons, and inspiration they’ve found in the great outdoors. From life-changing summits to quiet moments on local trails, our guests open up about how nature has shaped their journeys—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Every episode blends thoughtful storytelling with a dash of fun, closing out with our signature This or That: Hiking Edition lightning round. Whether you’re a weekend wanderer, a long-distance thru-hiker, or someone who simply loves the outdoors, this podcast is your campfire circle for connection, community, and adventure. New episodes drop every Monday—plus occasional bonus episodes on Fridays. Lace up your boots, plug in your headphones, and join us on the trail.
Hikes and Mics Podcast
Making Camping Accessible Offline: Lestarya on Building Fridie Outdoors for Everyone
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Courage, Comfort & Connection: Building Fridie Outdoors with Lestarya 🌲📱
Lestarya joins us this episode — founder of Fridie Outdoors, an app built to make camping and outdoor skills accessible anytime, anywhere, even offline. Her relationship with the outdoors began after losing both of her parents by age 11, when hiking became a way to heal while living with family in the Bay Area — and years later, that same instinct to help others through nature became the spark behind Fridie.
Lestarya talks through leaving a career in tech (product and UX work in robotics and natural language processing) to build Fridie full-time, the lessons from her very first camping trip (a yoga mat is not a sleeping pad), and the meaning behind the "Fridie" name, which honors generations of trailblazers on her Black side of the family. We also get into the app's offline-first design, her camp cooking workshops at the Refuge Outdoor Festival, partnerships with REI, Adidas, and Washington State Parks, and a full round of season "this or that" questions — waterfalls or summits, spring wildflowers or fall colors, trail runners or hiking boots.
An inspiring conversation about healing, innovation, and building a more inclusive outdoors.
Episode Links:
Fridie Outdoors Website
Fridie Outdoors on Instagram
Download Fridie Outdooors on iOS
Download Fridie Outdoors on Google Play Store
This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys
Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics
AllTrails+
I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier.
Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership!
Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app)
Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists
Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.
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