Bringing you the voices of folks making our outdoor spaces welcoming for all and protecting them for future generations through interview-based storytelling. We explore overcoming challenges, finding new paths, and sparking change in big and small ways. From local action-takers to global change-makers, we celebrate the journey from individual first steps to community impact, taking a closer look at how each of us, with our unique skills, can enjoy and help preserve the natural outdoor world we all share. Hosted by Madelaine and Mark Anderson.
https://www.thewildweshare.com
episode 4: Unearthing Urban Wilderness: Fostering City Connections to the Outdoors with Kay Rodriguez
How do you address a need for people to connect with others through the outdoors in urban areas? Kay Rodriguez, the Founder & CEO of Outerly is building an app that sits at the intersection of nature, community, and mental health - all with the aim of making the outdoors a social space.
Outerly is currently in beta and is operating in the Washington, DC market with plans to expand to 15-20 major cities by the end of 2024.
In our conversation, we dive into why Kay started Outerly and why it’s important.
Show Highlights:
0:37 - Introduce what Outerly is about
1:51 - Introduction to Kay and why she started Outerly
7:47 - The mental health benefits of getting outdoors.
14:55 - How Outerly is preventative mental health
16:00 - Kay gives some advice on how to start small in incorporating outdoor time into your life.
20:43 - What is the grand vision for Outerly? What’s next?
23:20 - Kay shares some insightful stats on how people currently experience the outdoors
26:36 - Kay shares an inspiring story of someone who has been impacted by the work Outerly is doing
31:50 - What do we need to give people to enable them to experience the mental health benefits of the outdoors?
33:20 - How listeners can support Outerly
Connect With Kay
Outerly Website - (currently live in Washington DC but can join a waitlist for other major metros)
Kay's LinkedIn
Outerly's LinkedIn
letsgetouterly - on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
Thanks for joining us for this episode and discovering the wonders of the urban outdoors with us.
Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review The Wild We Share, and stay tuned for more conversations on connecting with nature and each other, right here on The Wild We Share.