Kiss, Marry or Kill: 10

A book to inspire adventure (big or small), making the most of ChatGPT, the real power of kindness, more work boundary encouragement

This is my weekly series for subscribers only, where I’ll share things that caught my eye this week in a fun and flirty way (kiss), a sustainable way (marry), or a not-so-good way (kill). And yes, this trendy game is technically “f***, marry, or kill” but we run a family-friendly-ish show around here.

Kiss (things I like right now)

Will to Wild by Shelby Stanger

I met Shelby in 2019, when she invited me to appear on the REI podcast Wild Ideas Worth Living. We’ve lightly kept in touch, and she hit me up earlier this year to see if I’d blurb her upcoming book, Will to Wild: Adventures Great and Small to Change Your Life.

I take blurbs very seriously. I have to know you personally, resonate with your content and values, and really like the book. (I read the whole book, too, before I agree to write the endorsement—and I say no often.)

Spoiler: I loved the book, and I said yes to the blurb. Will to Wild is full of wildly entertaining stories, Shelby’s own experiences, and actionable advice meant to inspire and empower you to add more adventure to your life, whatever that looks like. What I love most is that though Shelby has done some badass things as an adventure journalist, her philosophy is for everyone, no matter your age, athleticism, or experience level.

The blurb I sent to Shelby was this:

Whether your "call to the wild" is a solo hike, a new hobby, a career change, or a radical overhaul of your whole damn life, Will to Wild will help you spot the signs, show you what is possible, and give you the confidence to take the first step.

Her publishers took the word “damn” out of the official blurb, but I wanted you to know it’s there. I’ll be speaking with Shelby next week at the Outdoor Retailer convention in Salt Lake City (our title: Why Adventure is Good For Business). I look forward to finally meeting her in person and thanking her for helping me discover the “trail signs” that will point me to my next adventure.