279: The Everyday Adventure That Changes Everything with Jessica DeAngelo

This week on the Casual Space Podcast, I'm joined by my friend, adventurer, and all-around visionary Jessica DeAngelo — founder of Hike to Become®, author of the international bestseller The Wild Advantage, and the leader behind a movement that encourages us to step outside (literally) to find the clarity, creativity, and calm we keep trying to chase indoors.

Jessica works with leaders from companies like Amazon, Nike, and Uber to help them break out of the boardroom mindset and reconnect with the part of themselves that already knows the answer. Her 31-day outdoor awareness challenge and executive nature-based retreats have helped hundreds of professionals solve complex problems, unlock breakthrough ideas, and return to their work with purpose (and joy!).

In our conversation, we talk about:

Why your brain actually works better outdoors (and what the science says about it)

How movement, nature, and curiosity come together to unlock new thinking

The surprising truth behind burnout — and why "working harder" is the opposite of the solution

What happens when you finally make space to hear your own ideas again

The magic that comes from small steps (or walks) taken consistently

This isn't just a conversation about hiking.

It's about learning to reclaim the part of ourselves that thrives in wonder, exploration, and stillness — whether that's on a trail, in your neighborhood, or simply stepping away from the demands that never seem to end.

As someone who has hiked with Jessica, learned from her, and taken the Hike to Become challenge myself, I can tell you this:

The shift is real. And powerful.