Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/blazing-trails Blazing Trail is a special-edition podcast created by WTIP and the Superior Hiking Trail Association. The first full episode will launch on January 8, 2026. For four decades, the Superior Hiking Trail has been more than a 300-mile footpath — it’s been a living link between people, place, and purpose. The eight-episode series will explore the trail through stories about the early days, the work of trail builders and volunteers, and the voices of hikers and adventurers whose lives have been transformed by the trail. To honor 40 years on the trail, the Superior Hiking Trail Association celebrates the spirit of exploration, stewardship, and belonging that has guided generations along the SHT. Together, we’re blazing new paths toward a more connected future. WTIP, 2026 87b66faf-5afa-5e88-b443-69fc6d3d071a yes en Mon, 25 May 2026 06:40:41 -0700 Mon, 25 May 2026 06:41:05 -0700 https://wtip.org/podcasts/blazing-trail-40-years-on-the-superior-hiking-trail/ https://img.transistorcdn.com/GMnpV__pilFPkHvo5mfKAB7iKqDuu_wX5WhGKiXdImI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9kMGEz/YzZkN2NiMzFjMzQx/ZTJiNmJhODI0ZmM1/NTUzZC5qcGc.jpg https://wtip.org/podcasts/blazing-trail-40-years-on-the-superior-hiking-trail/ episodic Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP Blazing Trail is a special-edition podcast created by WTIP and the Superior Hiking Trail Association. The first full episode will launch on January 8, 2026. For four decades, the Superior Hiking Trail has been more than a 300-mile footpath — it’s been a living link between people, place, and purpose. The eight-episode series will explore the trail through stories about the early days, the work of trail builders and volunteers, and the voices of hikers and adventurers whose lives have been transformed by the trail. To honor 40 years on the trail, the Superior Hiking Trail Association celebrates the spirit of exploration, stewardship, and belonging that has guided generations along the SHT. Together, we’re blazing new paths toward a more connected future. Blazing Trail is a special-edition podcast created by WTIP and the Superior Hiking Trail Association. hiking, Superior Hiking Trail, Lake Superior, adventure sterling@wtip.org No No 4 4 Making Family Memories on the Superior Hiking Trail full e69a7a53-3c87-42fc-a42d-87726f3738b2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/72135295 The Superior Hiking Trail provides great opportunities to connect people of all ages with wild spaces. In Episode 4 we meet Jody Nonnemacher, a North Shore grandmother who has established the tradition of hiking with each of her grandchildren when they turn five-years-old. She talks about how to prepare for a hike with young children, and the importance of creating healthy habits related to walking in the woods together.
In the second half we talk to Henry Downing and Erin Soderberg Downing, a mother and son who tackled 100 miles of the SHT while Erin was doing research for her middle-grade novel "Just Keep Walking." The hike inspired the storyline for the book and deepened the real-life connection between the two of them, proving that families can do hard things and that connections made on the trail sometimes last a lifetime.

]]> The Superior Hiking Trail provides great opportunities to connect people of all ages with wild spaces. In Episode 4 we meet Jody Nonnemacher, a North Shore grandmother who has established the tradition of hiking with each of her grandchildren when they turn five-years-old. She talks about how to prepare for a hike with young children, and the importance of creating healthy habits related to walking in the woods together.
In the second half we talk to Henry Downing and Erin Soderberg Downing, a mother and son who tackled 100 miles of the SHT while Erin was doing research for her middle-grade novel "Just Keep Walking." The hike inspired the storyline for the book and deepened the real-life connection between the two of them, proving that families can do hard things and that connections made on the trail sometimes last a lifetime.

]]> Mon, 25 May 2026 06:40:36 -0700 Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP 3541 The Superior Hiking Trail provides great opportunities to connect people of all ages with wild spaces. In Episode 4 we meet Jody Nonnemacher, a North Shore grandmother who has established the tradition of hiking with each of her grandchildren when they turn five-years-old. She talks about how to prepare for a hike with young children, and the importance of creating healthy habits related to walking in the woods together.
In the second half we talk to Henry Downing and Erin Soderberg Downing, a mother and son who tackled 100 miles of the SHT while Erin was doing research for her middle-grade novel "Just Keep Walking." The hike inspired the storyline for the book and deepened the real-life connection between the two of them, proving that families can do hard things and that connections made on the trail sometimes last a lifetime.

]]> hiking, Superior Hiking Trail, Lake Superior, adventure No 3 3 Blazing Trail Ep. 3 Teaser - Volunteers! bonus 3c2ca32a-1165-4b90-9a95-a83f2c0a5452 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3038847d Episode three of Blazing Trail, is all about volunteers! In this teaser, we meet Steph Hoff, a competitive trail runner and volunteer crew leader for the SHTA, Monica Shoberg, founder of Unruly Women, an all-femme organization that partners with the SHTA on group trail projects, and Barbara Budd, volunteer coordinator for the SHTA.

]]> Episode three of Blazing Trail, is all about volunteers! In this teaser, we meet Steph Hoff, a competitive trail runner and volunteer crew leader for the SHTA, Monica Shoberg, founder of Unruly Women, an all-femme organization that partners with the SHTA on group trail projects, and Barbara Budd, volunteer coordinator for the SHTA.

]]> Thu, 21 May 2026 09:52:37 -0700 Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP 331 Episode three of Blazing Trail, is all about volunteers! In this teaser, we meet Steph Hoff, a competitive trail runner and volunteer crew leader for the SHTA, Monica Shoberg, founder of Unruly Women, an all-femme organization that partners with the SHTA on group trail projects, and Barbara Budd, volunteer coordinator for the SHTA.

]]> hiking, Superior Hiking Trail, Lake Superior, adventure No 4 4 Blazing Trail Ep. 4 Teaser - Family Connections on the SHT bonus 2105845e-a40b-48e7-8aa0-ce50b55243e3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4fd8e974 In Episode 4 of Blazing Trail: 40 Years on the Superior Hiking Trail, we talk with Jody Nonnemacher, a North Shore grandmother who established the family tradition of taking each of her eight grandchildren on a SHT hike when they turned five years old, with more hikes planned.
We also had a nice conversation with Minnesota author Erin Soderberg Downing and her son Henry Downing about a 100-mile hike on the SHT they tackled while Erin gathered research for her book "Just Keep Walking," a middle-grade novel published in 2024. 
The full episode will be available on May 25th!

]]> In Episode 4 of Blazing Trail: 40 Years on the Superior Hiking Trail, we talk with Jody Nonnemacher, a North Shore grandmother who established the family tradition of taking each of her eight grandchildren on a SHT hike when they turned five years old, with more hikes planned.
We also had a nice conversation with Minnesota author Erin Soderberg Downing and her son Henry Downing about a 100-mile hike on the SHT they tackled while Erin gathered research for her book "Just Keep Walking," a middle-grade novel published in 2024. 
The full episode will be available on May 25th!

]]> Thu, 21 May 2026 09:47:36 -0700 Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP 417 In Episode 4 of Blazing Trail: 40 Years on the Superior Hiking Trail, we talk with Jody Nonnemacher, a North Shore grandmother who established the family tradition of taking each of her eight grandchildren on a SHT hike when they turned five years old, with more hikes planned.
We also had a nice conversation with Minnesota author Erin Soderberg Downing and her son Henry Downing about a 100-mile hike on the SHT they tackled while Erin gathered research for her book "Just Keep Walking," a middle-grade novel published in 2024. 
The full episode will be available on May 25th!

]]> hiking, Superior Hiking Trail, Lake Superior, adventure No 3 3 Episode 3: Volunteers, and Finding Your Inner Wild full d7e5ce9d-34d2-488b-8fdf-874ee2212104 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9a5f7144 Episode three of Blazing Trail, is all about volunteers! We meet Steph Hoff, a competitive trail runner and volunteer crew leader for the SHTA. After that, we discuss "finding your inner wild," with Monica Shoberg, founder of Unruly Women, an all-femme organization that partners with the SHTA on group trail projects. And, to close out the episode, we speak with SHTA Volunteer & Education Coordinator Barbara Budd, who shares news about upcoming volunteer opportunities, and reflects on the role of volunteers, as we near the 40th Anniversary of the Superior Hiking Trail. (Photo courtesy of Monica Shoberg)
More information at:  superiorhiking.org
or unrulywomen.org

]]> Episode three of Blazing Trail, is all about volunteers! We meet Steph Hoff, a competitive trail runner and volunteer crew leader for the SHTA. After that, we discuss "finding your inner wild," with Monica Shoberg, founder of Unruly Women, an all-femme organization that partners with the SHTA on group trail projects. And, to close out the episode, we speak with SHTA Volunteer & Education Coordinator Barbara Budd, who shares news about upcoming volunteer opportunities, and reflects on the role of volunteers, as we near the 40th Anniversary of the Superior Hiking Trail. (Photo courtesy of Monica Shoberg)
More information at:  superiorhiking.org
or unrulywomen.org

]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:26:38 -0700 Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP 3481 Episode three of Blazing Trail, is all about volunteers! We meet Steph Hoff, a competitive trail runner and volunteer crew leader for the SHTA. After that, we discuss "finding your inner wild," with Monica Shoberg, founder of Unruly Women, an all-femme organization that partners with the SHTA on group trail projects. And, to close out the episode, we speak with SHTA Volunteer & Education Coordinator Barbara Budd, who shares news about upcoming volunteer opportunities, and reflects on the role of volunteers, as we near the 40th Anniversary of the Superior Hiking Trail. (Photo courtesy of Monica Shoberg)
More information at:  superiorhiking.org
or unrulywomen.org

]]> hiking, Superior Hiking Trail, Lake Superior, adventure No 2 2 Blazing Trail Ep. 2 - Finding Love in its Many Forms on the SHT full 5ed098db-b2c0-404c-9cc0-68cf7716068e https://share.transistor.fm/s/541f8c9c This episode is all about finding love in its many forms on the Superior Hiking Trail. We meet Beth Kaszynski and George Dahm, a couple fell in love while volunteering for a trail rehabilitation project near Lutsen. We also hear from Katie and Josh Belanger, who planned a thru-hike on the SHT for their first wedding anniversary. The trip itinerary didn’t go as planned, but the hike still serves as a formative part of their relationship with each other, and with the SHT. Finally, sisters Lynn, Krista and Cheryl planned a hike together during the COVID 19 pandemic. After an injury on the trail set them back, the three sisters tried for a second time, reaffirming sisterly love, pride in each other, and a love for the trail, after the loss of their father.

]]> This episode is all about finding love in its many forms on the Superior Hiking Trail. We meet Beth Kaszynski and George Dahm, a couple fell in love while volunteering for a trail rehabilitation project near Lutsen. We also hear from Katie and Josh Belanger, who planned a thru-hike on the SHT for their first wedding anniversary. The trip itinerary didn’t go as planned, but the hike still serves as a formative part of their relationship with each other, and with the SHT. Finally, sisters Lynn, Krista and Cheryl planned a hike together during the COVID 19 pandemic. After an injury on the trail set them back, the three sisters tried for a second time, reaffirming sisterly love, pride in each other, and a love for the trail, after the loss of their father.

]]> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:45:04 -0800 Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP 3581 This episode is all about finding love in its many forms on the Superior Hiking Trail. We meet Beth Kaszynski and George Dahm, a couple fell in love while volunteering for a trail rehabilitation project near Lutsen. We also hear from Katie and Josh Belanger, who planned a thru-hike on the SHT for their first wedding anniversary. The trip itinerary didn’t go as planned, but the hike still serves as a formative part of their relationship with each other, and with the SHT. Finally, sisters Lynn, Krista and Cheryl planned a hike together during the COVID 19 pandemic. After an injury on the trail set them back, the three sisters tried for a second time, reaffirming sisterly love, pride in each other, and a love for the trail, after the loss of their father.

]]> hiking, Superior Hiking Trail, Lake Superior, adventure No 2 2 Episode 2 Teaser: Love in its Many Forms on the Superior Hiking Trail bonus fe885fc3-0913-43e1-bc74-b03f561d1d9e https://share.transistor.fm/s/a492109b The February episode is all about finding love in its many forms on the Superior Hiking Trail. In this Episode 2 teaser we meet Beth and George, a couple fell in love after volunteering for a trail rehabilitation project near Lutsen. We also hear from Katie and Josh Belanger, who planned a thru-hike on the SHT for their first wedding anniversary. The trip itinerary didn't go as planned, but the hike still serves as a formative part of their relationship with each other, and with the SHT. Finally, sisters Lynn, Krista and Cheryl set out on a hike during the COVID 19 pandemic. After an injury on the trail set them back, the three sisters tried again, reaffirming sisterly love and a love for the trail, after the loss of their father. 

]]> The February episode is all about finding love in its many forms on the Superior Hiking Trail. In this Episode 2 teaser we meet Beth and George, a couple fell in love after volunteering for a trail rehabilitation project near Lutsen. We also hear from Katie and Josh Belanger, who planned a thru-hike on the SHT for their first wedding anniversary. The trip itinerary didn't go as planned, but the hike still serves as a formative part of their relationship with each other, and with the SHT. Finally, sisters Lynn, Krista and Cheryl set out on a hike during the COVID 19 pandemic. After an injury on the trail set them back, the three sisters tried again, reaffirming sisterly love and a love for the trail, after the loss of their father. 

]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 09:43:57 -0800 Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP 471 The February episode is all about finding love in its many forms on the Superior Hiking Trail. In this Episode 2 teaser we meet Beth and George, a couple fell in love after volunteering for a trail rehabilitation project near Lutsen. We also hear from Katie and Josh Belanger, who planned a thru-hike on the SHT for their first wedding anniversary. The trip itinerary didn't go as planned, but the hike still serves as a formative part of their relationship with each other, and with the SHT. Finally, sisters Lynn, Krista and Cheryl set out on a hike during the COVID 19 pandemic. After an injury on the trail set them back, the three sisters tried again, reaffirming sisterly love and a love for the trail, after the loss of their father. 

]]> hiking, Superior Hiking Trail, Lake Superior, adventure No 1 1 40 Years Ago: What was the North Shore like before the Superior Hiking Trail? full ff585230-8322-440b-87a1-c5366c913ed0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f310aae3 Welcome to Blazing Trail: 40 Years on the Superior Hiking Trail! In Episode One of this limited-series podcast we meet some of the early trail blazers including Jim Shinners, Denny Caneff, Dennis Rhysdahl, Jo Swanson and others, including a few stories from Tom Peterson (pictured), an SHT pioneer who helped plan and build many beloved sections of the Trail. 
Podcast producer Staci Drouillard explores what outdoor recreation on the North Shore looked like before the SHT existed, and how the trail has become part of the North Shore experience for residents and visitors over the past 40 years.

]]> Welcome to Blazing Trail: 40 Years on the Superior Hiking Trail! In Episode One of this limited-series podcast we meet some of the early trail blazers including Jim Shinners, Denny Caneff, Dennis Rhysdahl, Jo Swanson and others, including a few stories from Tom Peterson (pictured), an SHT pioneer who helped plan and build many beloved sections of the Trail. 
Podcast producer Staci Drouillard explores what outdoor recreation on the North Shore looked like before the SHT existed, and how the trail has become part of the North Shore experience for residents and visitors over the past 40 years.

]]> Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:32:56 -0800 Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP 2581 Welcome to Blazing Trail: 40 Years on the Superior Hiking Trail! In Episode One of this limited-series podcast we meet some of the early trail blazers including Jim Shinners, Denny Caneff, Dennis Rhysdahl, Jo Swanson and others, including a few stories from Tom Peterson (pictured), an SHT pioneer who helped plan and build many beloved sections of the Trail. 
Podcast producer Staci Drouillard explores what outdoor recreation on the North Shore looked like before the SHT existed, and how the trail has become part of the North Shore experience for residents and visitors over the past 40 years.

]]> hiking, Superior Hiking Trail, Lake Superior, adventure No 1 1 Podcast Preview with Lisa Luokkala, SHTA director bonus 9b044970-f0ca-428a-8592-4f8c19dff115 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f22ca5f4 The Superior Hiking Trail Association and WTIP Community Radio are teaming up for a new podcast called Blazing Trail: 40 Years on the Superior Hiking Trail. In this preview, SHTA Director Lisa Luokkala talks with podcast producer Staci Drouillard about what listeners can expect when the podcast launches in January of 2026. 

]]> The Superior Hiking Trail Association and WTIP Community Radio are teaming up for a new podcast called Blazing Trail: 40 Years on the Superior Hiking Trail. In this preview, SHTA Director Lisa Luokkala talks with podcast producer Staci Drouillard about what listeners can expect when the podcast launches in January of 2026. 

]]> Mon, 22 Dec 2025 08:40:40 -0800 Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP Superior Hiking Trail Association, WTIP 571 The Superior Hiking Trail Association and WTIP Community Radio are teaming up for a new podcast called Blazing Trail: 40 Years on the Superior Hiking Trail. In this preview, SHTA Director Lisa Luokkala talks with podcast producer Staci Drouillard about what listeners can expect when the podcast launches in January of 2026. 

]]> Superior Hiking Trail, Lake Superior, WTIP, SHTA, hiking, adventure, Minnesota No