Common Land

About Common Land

Follows show producer Matt Podolsky as he attempts to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail with his 65-year-old mom, Candy. Matt and his mom face extreme weather, illness, and injury as they trek 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. Along the way, Matt shares stories of remarkable people, surprising history, and the modern challenges facing the Appalachian Trail — all as the iconic footpath marks its 100th anniversary. Season two of Common Land was produced by The Wild Lens Collective, in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio.

Publisher

The Wild Lens Collective

Category

government · history · news · science · society & culture · sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Dec 2019

Latest episode

25 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 38 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   25 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Appalachian Trail Episode 13: The Trail Provides

   Host Matt interviews Chop Chop about how the Appalachian Trail provided a powerful strategy for managing anxiety and depression, exploring post-trail challenges and the enduring benefits of nature.

2. 

   8 Oct 2025

   BONUS - The Race to Save the Cherokee Language

   This bonus episode comes from The Broadside, produced by North Carolina public radio. The Broadside explores stories from the American South, focusing on topics that might not be on the front page, but deserve a closer look. This episode is one that I think will be of particular interest to listeners of Common Land. “The race to save the Cherokee language”, features the work of a small group of Cherokee language teachers. One of those teachers is Gil Jackson, also known as Doyi, who thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and was featured as a guest in episode two of Common Land’s second season. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands (https://redcircle.com/brands)

3. 

   17 Sept 2025

   Appalachian Trail Episode 12: Journey's End?

   Katahdin is the Northern terminus of the AT, and one of the trail’s most iconic mountains. As Matt attempts to reach Katahdin’s summit and finish his thru-hike, we explore some of the controversy surrounding Baxter State Park, where Katahdin is located. Park leadership has clashed with both Indigenous governments and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy over the past few decades, and some say that the AT might need to find a new Northern terminus. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands (https://redcircle.com/brands)

Inside a recent episode

Appalachian Trail Episode 13: The Trail Provides

Published 25 Jun 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] For some, the end of a thru-hike is about re-acclimating to old routines. But for others, it's about finding a new approach to living life. For Chop Chop, the Appalachian Trail represented a mental reset, and he was intent on finding a new balance. You know, that was the one thing I told myself is, you know, you're not going back to old Kev. This is Common Land. And in this episode, we explore what happens when a through hike ends and how people are using the Appalachian Trail to treat mental illness. I had a great family upbringing. I mean, I was, you know, privileged and blessed. Chop Chop, who goes by Kevin Remillard back in the real world, had a pretty typical childhood. […]

Who has been a guest on Common Land

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Chop Chop
• thru-hiker
• Rowan's parent
• Tribal leaders

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

36 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

17

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

85