Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Debby became a Girl Scout leader when her daughter was young, and found herself learning all the camping and backpacking skills so that she could take her troop out. What started as a fun thing to do soon became a passion as she jumped into year after year of adventuring on the Appalachian Trail. She had no grand plans of doing the whole thing, and…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

As we head deeper into March the hoops talk continues on the Independent as Matt & Pete are joined by Irish head Women’s Basketball Coach Niele Ivey. Coach Ivey talks about the ACC tournament win as well as what to expect from Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament as the team hosts the first two rounds. Plus, Spring Practice rolls onward as Marcus Free…

Dr. Karen Lord Rutter is a retired teacher and administrator with over 30 years in education whose work with students ranged from preschool through high school. Dr. Rutter has a passion for travel, children, animals, and perpetual learning. Her first novel was inspired when her son, David, thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail with the family dog, Coppe…

The Irish were back on the field for the first time ahead of the 2024 season as Spring Practice as begun in South Bend. Tune in for thoughts from Matt & Pete on the new faces for Marcus Freeman’s team, where players were lining up while practicing out of pads and find out their first impression of the 2024 squad. Plus, thoughts on if the wide out g…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

This week, Matt & Pete get ready for Notre Dame Spring Football as the first open practice of the year is on the horizon plus they are joined by first year Notre Dame Head Basketball Coach Micah Shrewsberry. The conversation also turns to the ever changing College Football landscape and how the playoff changes impact Notre Dame and what all this wi…

Bio- Christine discovered long distance backpacking while surfing the internet at work. She decided that day to attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Her Rugged Outdoors Woman persona started as a joke, a nod to the outdoor adventurer that she wished to be. One adventure led to another and since then she has hiked the Wonderland Trail, the Co…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Bio- Kara Hardman is the Chief Fun Officer of Thicket Adventure and a curvy adventurer living in Colorado. Her favorite adventures include hiking with her adorable dog and kayaking. Kara has been in a plus size body for many years and understands the thought work it takes to love yourself exactly as you are. In March 2019, Kara climbed Kilimanjaro …

Matt & Pete return to share their takeaways from their conversations with Notre Dame players prior to winter conditioning beginning. Find out their takeaways from their first conversations with Riley Leonard as well as CJ Carr plus what new Director of Football Performance Loren Landow. Also, thoughts on the college football coaching era in NIL and…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Bio- Bonnie Nork lives in Southern Oregon with her husband, Mike, and daughter, Elaina. Her son, Ryan, is in college. Being active in the outdoors has always been a big part of Bonnie’s life. With adventurous parents, she was always out and about as a child, either hiking, backpacking, river rafting, on horseback rides, on canoe pack trips, and mor…

Bio- Aaron is a registered dietitian and backpacker with over twenty years of experience in the field of nutrition and in the backcountry. In 2017, she left her clinical dietitian career with dreams of thru-hiking the PCT and starting a business focused on backpacking nutrition. Seven years later, Backcountry Foodie is a thriving business serving t…

Matt & Pete return to look back at the season that was for the Irish as well as discuss some of the sport altering news around Nick Saban retiring and the ensuing coach and player shuffle. Kalen DeBoer taking the Alabama job created the domino effect that spared Notre Dame but will other coaching moves impact the team. Plus, tune in for thoughts on…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Bio- Born on a dairy and tobacco farm, one of my chores was bringing in the cows for milking. I enjoyed walking over our 100 acres to get the cows, or just to be out in Nature. I had never heard of hiking trails…I followed the cow paths. After graduating from High School in 1963, I attended three different universities to achieve my BA in teaching,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

The Irish closed out a 10-3 season with a 40-8 victory over Oregon State to take home the Sun Bowl title and earn Marcus Freeman a Frosted Flakes bath. Steve Angeli threw for three touchdowns in his Notre Dame debut and the defense remained stout in the win. Jordan Faison earn MVP honors with 115 yards receiving and a score. The 10-3 season sets up…

Matt & Pete preview the Irish bowl game against Oregon State from El Paso where Pete has the latest from Notre Dame before tomorrow’s matchup. Tune in for thoughts on how the bowl will go and how it will setup Marcus Freeman’s team for the 2024 campaign.Από τον The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

Bio- I was born and raised in Alaska, where I still call home today. I was a two-time NCAA National Champion in women's rowing and was voted CRCA/Pocock All-American my senior year. I still consider myself an athlete and love everything from CrossFit to weight training to long walks in the woods. At Western Washington University I earned a degree i…

Join Matt & Pete as they discuss the hiring of Mike Denbrock as Notre Dame's offensive coordinator to replace Gerad Parker. How does this impact the Irish for next season and what will this mean for Marcus Freeman's staff.Από τον The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

For the third consecutive year the Irish will have a new offensive coordinator under Marcus Freeman. Join Matt & Pete as they discuss the departure of Gerad Parker and what it means for the staff and Notre Dame’s prospects in 2024. Plus, updates from the transfer portal and thoughts on how the bowl game will be impacted by this turnover on the staf…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

For the second straight year the Irish bring in a highly sought after transfer portal QB in Riley Leonard from Duke. Matt & Pete discuss Leonard joining Marcus Freeman’s team and how he will fit in with this offense as well as how he compares to Sam Hartman. Plus, more news out of the portal as well as Sun Bowl opt outs and what other offseason new…

Bio- Lindsay Wenndt is a nationally certified health coach and fitness instructor, with specialty certifications in weight management and orthopedic health (a.k.a. joint pain). She’s the founder of Break Free Fitness, a curvy women’s health and fitness company that reserves 10% of its membership and coaching packages as scholarships for low-income …

Katie Rhodes is a mountain ultra runner, hiker, Wilderness Education Instructor and NYS Licensed Guide based out of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. She's currently pursuing a Masters in Conservation Biology with a focus in alpine ecology and also works as an Industrial Hygienist in the semiconductor industry. You can usually find her me…

The Irish found out their bowl destination on Sunday night as they will be headed to El Paso, Texas to face Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. Join Matt & Pete for first thoughts on the bowl selection as well as reactions to the matchup with the Beavers. Plus, news from the transfer portal who is on the move and who could the Irish pickup for the 2024 s…

Joshua jumps in an escape pod from the Earned 5-Star mothership to have a quiet chat about Notre Dame Football and the transfer portal. In this episode: The new normal. The wide receiver situation. The futility of breaking news and people doing their worst Pete Thamel impersonation. Explanations that most people won't like. A different way to look …

On this week’s episode of the Independent, Matt & Pete talk about the news that Notre Dame has parted ways with wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey. Plus, thoughts on transfer portal options for the Irish as well as who has decided to depart the roster for the portal and will Riley Leonard be the new man under center for Marcus Freeman?…

Brendan and Jude hotwire the pod machine to talk about the end of the Notre Dame Football season. There are no show notes today, but even without Joshua you still get over 2 hours of fantastic podding. You're just going to have to listen carefully this time around. Please RATE and REVIEW! All reviews left on Apple Podcasts will be read on the next …

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

In the final game of the regular season the Irish defeated Stanford 56-23 behind a career day for Auric Estimé. Estimé had four touchdowns and ran for a career high of 238 yards as Notre Dame improved to 9-3 on the season. Matt & Pete discuss the game against the Cardinal as well as what bowl season and the offseason holds for the Irish. What steps…

Joshua, Jude, and Brendan stiff-armed another cozy fall evening with their families to talk about Notre Dame's recent win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, and to preview the final regular season game for the Irish - the Stanford Cardinal. In this episode: HELLO! Joshua is late to a funeral. Let's talk about the Michigan Wolverines for a while be…

Matt & Pete return for a pre-Thanksgiving show to discuss the upcoming matchup with Stanford to close out the regular season on Saturday. Plus, Father Nate Wills joins the show to talk about his role as the team chaplain and share his take on the program. Will Marcus Freeman’s team close out the year with a victory and what are the bowl possibiliti…

Anna, aka Mud Butt, is the host of the Trail Dames podcast, the founder of Trail Dames, Inc, and the owner of Huthmaker Fine Violins in Atlanta, GA. And she has been bitten by the advocacy bug!! Guest Links- AHS Hike the Hill - https://americanhiking.org/advocacy/#hike-the-hill State Environmental Tracking Website - https://www.ncsl.org/environment…

Sam Hartman poured it on against his former team on Saturday, throwing for four touchdowns and 277 yards in Notre Dame’s win against Wake Forest. Rico Flores Jr. had 102 yards receiving and Marcus Freeman’s team improved to 8-3 on the season heading into their final game of the regular season against Stanford. Matt & Pete give their postgame though…

Joshua, Jude, and Brendan are back to preview Senior Day for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as they take on ACC foe, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. In this episode: Hello. We appreciate hearing back from you. Candy war victory. Let's talk about hipsters. Attractive actresses. The pac12 Network and the joy of Periscope. Stop shaving your facial hair …

Matt & Pete return from the bye week to preview the final home game of the season for the Irish as they face off against Wake Forest. Plus, former Notre Dame linebacker Joe Schmidt stops by to discuss his thoughts on this season so far and what remains for Marcus Freeman’s team.Από τον The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Joshua, Jude, and Brendan are here to recap the bye week we just had for Notre Dame Football. This was supposed to be a massive Q&A episode, but Joshua absolutely dropped the ball - so sorry about that. In this episode: HELLO! Just a tip if you live in the Fort Wayne area - or ever have a date night with the wife in any normal American city. Thanks…

Joshua and Brendan team up to pod about Notre Dame's loss to the Clemson Tigers and the overall aftermath of that harsh reality. Jude lucks out by being off for the week. In this episode: HELLO! Ohio gets on the level of Michigan and New York. REVIEWS! Fighting the weight of expectations. How bad is it really? Kentucky geography. The disappointment…

This week Matt & Pete talk aftermath of the Clemson loss with Eric Mac Lain of the ACC Network as well as what does Notre Dame need to do to take the next step under Marcus Freeman. Plus, Mac Lain shares his perspective on what separates coaches in his eyes and what the Irish will need this offseason to compete at the highest level.…

Bio- Suzanne Roberts is the author of the lyrical essay collection Animal Bodies: On Death, Desire, and Other Difficulties (Longlisted for the 2023 PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay),​ the award-winning travel memoir in essays Bad Tourist: Misadventures in Love and Travel (2020), and the memoir Almost Somewhere: Twenty-Eight…

The Irish offense struggled throughout the day and Sam Hartman was 12-25 with 146 yards & two interceptions as Notre Dame lost to Clemson 31-23. Matt & Pete give their thoughts on the loss and where this leaves Marcus Freeman’s team heading into the final two games of the season. With the end of the regular season already in sight and a New Year’s …

Joshua, Jude, and Brendan are well rested after Notre Dame's cheeseburger bye week (part 1) and the 58-7 stomping of Pat Narduzzi and the Pittsburgh Panthers. Next up for the Irish is Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers, and we're here to talk about it (among other things). In this episode: HELLO! Should Joshua join a cult? REVIEWS! We go in about …

Heading into a very different Notre Dame - Clemson matchup than years past, Matt & Pete return discuss the Irish with former ND defensive lineman Ian Williams. Tune in for predictions as well as reaction to the latest from Dabo Swinney before Saturday’s game.Από τον The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast