Forces of Good: W. Kamau Bell Seeks a United America

Outside Podcast

Sports, Wilderness

4.4 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 26 October 2021

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As host of the Emmy Award–winning CNN show United Shades of America, W. Kamau Bell travels across the country to learn about the wide variety of challenges we face—and also to show us how we can begin to talk to one another. Which is why we asked him to be on the cover of Outside’s 2021 Best Towns issue: he helped us present a decidedly new take on dream destinations compared to past editions of this annual bestseller. Because Outsiders want more than just exceptional adventure playgrounds in their hometowns. They want things like affordable housing, investment in green initiatives, and a diverse population that has equitable access to parks and open space. In this kickoff episode to our new Forces of Good series, we hear what Kamau and fellow comedian and activist Baratunde Thurston think about the current divisions in our country—and what we learn when we engage with communities very different than our own. This episode was brought to you by Hydro Flask, a company that believes every adventure starts with two simple words: let’s go! Shop Hydro Flask products for yourself or the outdoor lovers on your holiday list this season at hydroflask.com.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode of The Outside Podcast is brought to you by Hydroflask,
0:04.0	maker of beautifully designed insulated bottles, cups, and coolers.
0:08.5	And a company that believes that every adventure starts with two simple words.
0:13.3	Let's go!
0:14.3	And we are going to do an awesome, awesome hike today.
0:17.8	That's Merna Valerio, ultra runner,
0:20.1	adventurer, and advocate for increasing diversity and body positivity in the outdoors.
0:25.9	I like to lay out my clothing the night before I go out on a hike.
0:29.8	To make sure that everything is ready, so that I'm not rushing in the morning,
0:33.2	and so that I have more time on the actual trail.
0:36.6	As Merna knows well, every successful outing begins with being prepared
0:41.3	for whatever the trail has in store.
0:43.4	What I do is I make sure, first of all, that I don't have any cotton on,
0:47.8	including my underwear.
0:50.9	I always bring with me a rain jacket that will keep me dry.
0:56.6	I always carry my phone with me, and my phone is always, always charged.
1:00.6	And last but not least, I have always two water bottles on me.
1:09.1	It will assure me that I always have something to drink.
1:14.6	Hydroflask wants you to get out there and enjoy yourself, just like Merna,
1:18.9	which is why all of their water bottles, cups, and coolers are designed to keep their
1:23.6	contents at the perfect temperature all day long, whether you're in the mountains at the beach
1:28.9	or just in your backyard. Shop for yourself or the outdoor levers on your list,
	...

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