Hi, I'm Willow Belden, and you're listening to Out There, the podcast that explores big questions through intimate stories in the Great Outdoors.

Before we get started, I'm so happy to announce that the show has a new team member.

Alex Eggersking just came on board as the marketing and business development director.

This means I can put my focus onto the content of

the show, which is what I really love doing, and someone with expertise in marketing and business

can take charge of those aspects. I'll have an interview with Alex at the end of the show,

so you can get to know her a bit, but in the meantime, I just wanted to say that I'm absolutely

thrilled to be working with her, so thank you for joining me, Alex.

One of the things I love about nature is that it treats everyone equally.

Mountains and rivers and forests don't care if you're gay or straight, Hindu or Muslim, male or female, white or black.

Nature treats everyone the same.

Or, so I like to think.

But then again, I'm white, and so are most of the people who recreate outdoors, at least in the U.S.

On this episode, producer Jackie Sajiko brings us a story about a man who doesn't fit the description of a traditional outdoorsman.

It's a story about trying to do something you love when you don't look the part.

And it asks whether nature really is colorblind.

I'll let Jackie take it from here.

When I go camping or hiking, I don't really have to think about it.

I just pack up and go.

But that's not something everyone can do.

About a year ago, I saw this video called The Rules for the Black Bird Watcher.

I'm not sure how I found it because I am not a birdwatcher, but I really liked it.

...