Introducing Backcountry Bizarre! An outdoor comedy podcast that dives into the wildest, weirdest, and most unforgettable backcountry stories. For anyone who has spent time in the outdoors, it is a celebration of those moments when things got just a little too bizarre. Tune in and laugh along as we explore the outrageous side of backcountry adventures! Hosted by Zoë Leake, with a new co-host each episode bringing their own stories and fresh perspective to the show! Follow and subscribe for new episodes.
Season 2, Episode 6 - My Humpback Brings all the Boats to the Shore
Join us this week as whales sink sailboats and Kelsey Pfendler rows all the way to Hawaii from California!
Sources for this episode:
Kesley Pfendler’s Instagram!! Check it out, @yourowkelsey!!!
Female American rower completes record-breaking solo journey from California to Hawaii https://www.abc27.com/news/us-world/ap-female-american-rower-completes-record-breaking-solo-journey-from-california-to-hawaii/
“Humpback Whale Strikes Boat and Sinks Vessel, Leaving Family Stranded for Hours Awaiting Rescue” https://people.com/humpback-whale-strikes-boat-sinking-family-vessel-in-glacier-bay-12055674
“Family Survives Night in the Wild After Whale Sinks Their Sailboat” From Gear Junkies email service “the send”
Backcountry Bizarre is hosted by Zoe Leake, co-hosted this week by Thomas Wartenberg.
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at the Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music by The Skurfs, @theskurfs
If you would like to hear your story on the show submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow us on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us stuff at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate, follow and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Join our inner circle at Patreon.com/BackcountryBizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
23 Jun 2026
Season 2, Episode 5 - It’s all bear country!
Join us this week for a 6-week 600-mile canoe trip through the northwest territories of Canada! Featuring a surprise Grizzly bear.
SOURCES for this episode:
The boy from Minnesota worried about capsizing as he canoed through the Canadian Northwest Territories. What he encountered was more terrifying than any white water By Elle Hunt
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/may/23/17-year-old-versus-600lb-grizzly-bear-i-was-going-to-die-alex-messenger-ordeal-wilderness
Wilderness Canoe Trip: Surviving a Grizzly Attack
https://www.bendingbranches.com/blogs/resources/wilderness-canoe-trip-surviving-grizzly-attack
Camp Menogyn website
https://www.ymcanorth.org/adventure/locations/camp_menogyn
ENCOUNTERING A BEAR
https://www.heybear.com/pages/bear-encounters
Backcountry Bizarre is hosted by Zoe Leake, co-hosted this week by Silas Phillips.
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at the Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music by The Skurfs, @theskurfs
If you would like to hear your story on the show submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow us on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us stuff at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate, follow and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Join our inner circle at Patreon.com/BackcountryBizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
9 Jun 2026
Season 2, Episode 4 - Sahara Smackdown
Join us this week for an ultramarathon through the Sahara desert! Athlete Mauro Prosperi ran the Marathon de Sables in 1994 and things did in fact get bizarre. Featuring an extreme crash diet not recommended by healthcare professionals. We are loving extreme landscapes this season!!
SOURCES for this episode:
Alone in the Sahara: The Survival Story of Mauro Prosperi: https://www.offgridweb.com/survival/alone-in-the-sahara-the-survival-story-of-mauro-prosperi/
Here’s How a Runner Survived Nine Days in the Sahara Desert: https://nerdist.com/article/how-runner-survived-nine-days-sahara-desert-mauro-prosperi/
An episode of My Favorite Murder called Show-Off Time: https://www.myfavoritemurder.com/episodes/304-show-off-time?rq=Plane%20crash
How I drank urine and bat blood to survive: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-30046426
Backcountry Bizarre is hosted by Zoe Leake, co-hosted this week by Thomas Wartenberg.
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at the Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music by The Skurfs, @theskurfs
If you would like to hear your story on the show submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow us on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us stuff at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate, follow and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Join our inner circle at Patreon.com/BackcountryBizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
26 May 2026
Season 2, Episode 3 - Wet and Wild in the Winds
Join us this week as a trail crew goes on their first hitch of the season in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. They face raucous storms, high waters and underprepared co-workers.
Backcountry Bizarre is hosted by Zoe Leake. Co-hosted this week by Henry Kelso, @henry_kelson
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at the Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music by The Skurfs, @theskurfs
This was a listener submitted story! If you would like to hear your story on the show submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow us on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us stuff at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate, follow and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Join our inner circle at Patreon.com/BackcountryBizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
12 May 2026
Season 2, Episode 2 - Mushy Business
Join us this week as we go dashing through the snow in the Alaskan backcountry! Lieutenant Leon Crane goes on a surprise vacation when his plane crashes, exploring the wild country along the Charley River.
Sources for this week’s episode:
Article by National Park Service called “A WW II Survival story from the Charley River”: https://www.nps.gov/yuch/learn/historyculture/leon-crane-survival-story.htm
Article by Anchorage Daily News titled “Lost in the wilderness for 81 days: The tortuous tale of Leon Crane’s first Christmas in Alaska”: https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2023/12/24/lost-in-the-wilderness-for-81-days-the-tortuous-tale-of-leon-cranes-first-christmas-in-alaska/
Article by Air and Space Forces Magazine titled “Valor: Alone in the Arctic”: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/valor-alone-in-the-arctic/
Backcountry Bizarre is hosted by Zoe Leake. Co-hosted this week by Jackson Crawford, @jacksondcrawford
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at the Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music by The Skurfs, @theskurfs
If you would like to hear your story on the show submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow us on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us stuff at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate, follow and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Join our inner circle at Patreon.com/BackcountryBizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
28 Apr 2026
Season 2, Episode 1 - The Price of Polar Persistence
Join us for our season 2 premiere! In 2021 British medical officer Preet Chandi completes her first expedition in Antarctica, traveling 700 miles across the landmass to reach the South Pole.
Sources for this story: Episode of Women Who Travel podcast titled “A solo Skiing Expedition Across Antarctica" ; Episode of the podcast Wild Ideas Worth Living titled “Trekking Solo to the North and South Poles with Preet Chandi” ; Article by the Army Benevolent Fund titled “‘Polar Preet’ Chandi”
Backcountry Bizarre is hosted by Zoë Leake. Co-hosted this week by Silas Phillips, @silaswp
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at the Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music by The Skurfs, @theskurfs
If you would like to hear your story on the show submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow us on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us stuff at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate, follow and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Join our inner circle at Patreon.com/BackcountryBizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
13 Mar 2025
Season 1, Episode 10 - Pedal to the Death Metal
Join us this week for our SEASON FINALE as we go bike packing in Utah! This ride doesn’t exactly goes as planned but has a fairy tale ending.
Backcountry Bizarre is produced and hosted by Zoë Leake. Co-hosted this week by Silas Phillips, @silaswp
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at The Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art is by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music is by Jimmy Timbre, @jimmytimbre
If you would like to hear your story on the show you can submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow the show on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us with Questions at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! and join our inner circle at Patreon.com/Backcountry Bizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
6 Mar 2025
Season 1, Episode 9 - Wet and Wild
Join us this week on this special episode as Angie takes us on one of her adventures - an overnight on the Indian River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan! Say yah to da U.P., eh!
Backcountry Bizarre is produced and hosted by Zoë Leake. Co-hosted this week by Angie Loewe, @angshmang
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at The Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art is by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music is by Jimmy Timbre, @jimmytimbre
If you would like to hear your story on the show you can submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow the show on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us with Questions at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! and join our inner circle at Patreon.com/Backcountry Bizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
27 Feb 2025
Season 1, Episode 8 - Ranger Rick and the 8 Ladies
Join us this week as we go backpacking with a big group of ladies in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area!
For more information about Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, check out their website https://gsenm.org/ and on Instagram @grandstaircasepartners!
Backcountry Bizarre is produced and hosted by Zoë Leake. Co-hosted this week by Madeline McGill, @madmcgill.
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at The Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art is by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music is by Jimmy Timbre, @jimmytimbre
If you would like to hear your story on the show you can submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow the show on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us with Questions at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! and join our inner circle at Patreon.com/Backcountry Bizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
20 Feb 2025
Season 1, Episode 7 - Rollercoaster of High Vibes and Whoopsies
Join us this week as we climb the full Exum Ridge on the Grand Teton! Just a few things go a little wonky, but spoiler alert everyone lives. Rope up and get ready for the climb!
Backcountry Bizarre is produced and hosted by Zoë Leake. Co-hosted this week by Harrison Schutt, @patinabuildingllc. You can check out Harrison’s book “A Rock Climber’s Guide to Lolo Pass” at lologuide.com
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at The Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art is by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music is by Jimmy Timbre, @jimmytimbre
If you would like to hear your story on the show you can submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow the show on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us with Questions at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! and join our inner circle at Patreon.com/Backcountry Bizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
13 Feb 2025
Season 1, Episode 6 - Icy Creeks and Hot Disappointment
Join us this week as we venture on a spring backpacking trip into a backcountry hot springs that gets foiled by a snowy trail and an icy creek! A classic case of putting too much faith into shoulder season activities.
Backcountry Bizarre is produced and hosted by Zoë Leake
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at The Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art is by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music is by Jimmy Timbre, @jimmytimbre
If you would like to hear your story on the show you can submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow the show on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us with Questions at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! and join our inner circle at Patreon.com/Backcountry Bizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
4 Feb 2025
Season 1, Episode 5 - Racoons Ate My Backpack
Join us as one racoon becomes intimately involved in a 4th of July impromptu backpacking trip in Illinois (which is evidently cooler than we thought)!
For more information on Marshall Mountain visit their website https://marshallmountain.com/ and on Instagram @marshall_mountain_park!
Backcountry Bizarre is produced and hosted by Zoë Leake. Co-hosted this week by Silas Phillips, @silaswp
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at The Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art is by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music is by Jimmy Timbre, @jimmytimbre
If you would like to hear your story on the show you can submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow the show on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us with Questions at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! and join our inner circle at Patreon.com/Backcountry Bizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
28 Jan 2025
Season 1, Episode 4 - Winter Wisconsin Wolves
Join us this week as we travel to Northern Wisconsin in February for a 10 day military tactical training!
Backcountry Bizarre is produced and hosted by Zoë Leake. Co-hosted this week by Angie Loewe, @angshmang
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at the Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music by Jimmy Timbre, @jimmytimbre
If you would like to hear your story on the show you can submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow us on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us Questions at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! and join our inner circle at Patreon.com/BackcountryBizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
21 Jan 2025
Season 1, Episode 3 - An Elk Camp Legend
Join us this week as we go to Elk Camp in Montana with a group of seasoned vets and a first timer!
Thank you to Corey Hockett (@coreshotphoto) for letting us tell this story! Read the referenced article written by Hockett and published in Outdoor Bozeman here: https://outsidebozeman.com/activities/hunting/big-game-hunting/perfect-storm
We briefly discuss suicide in this episode, please be advised and use discretion.
Backcountry Bizarre is produced and hosted by Zoë Leake. Co-hosted this week by Angie Loewe, @angshmang
Audio is produced and edited by Scott Mathson at The Recording Center in Missoula, Montana
Cover art is by Emma Harrison, @emmharr
Music is by Jimmy Timbre, @jimmytimbre
If you would like to hear your story on the show you can submit it on our website at backcountrybizarre.com
Follow the show on instagram @backcountrybizarre
Email us with Questions at backcountrybizarre@gmail.com
If you love the show please rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! and join our inner circle at Patreon.com/Backcountry Bizarre
Keep it weird out there folks!
14 Jan 2025
Season 1, Episode 2 - Rafts and Roosters
Join us this week as we go on a ten day river trip in Nepal with a large group of incredibly competent folks who end up getting pretty hungry!
7 Jan 2025
Season 1, Episode 1 - War Canoes and Australian Clowns
Join us this week as we journey to the San Juan islands in a giant wooden canoe with middle schoolers and an Australian clown!
21 Dec 2024
TRAILER
Introducing the Backcountry Bizarre Podcast! Co-hosted by Zoë Leake & Angie Loewe. Recorded, mixed, and produced by Scott Mathson, The Recording Center. Cover art by Emma Harrison, Music by Jimmy Timbre. First episodes coming January 2025.
Submit your story at: https://backcountrybizarre.com/
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
16 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
48
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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