Worth the Schlep

Send a textWe are BACK! You know you missed it. After a summer hiatus, Brandon and Tess talk about trying to fit racing into life as parents, the schlep that is children at a bike race, and how college club sports might be a great training ground for herding your own family around at a race years later. Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textJoin Tess & Brandon King around the campfire for the tales of a PNW adventure of toddler proportion. Hikes with kids change once they're not just loaded into a pack. Once they want to walk on their own, you end up doing your hiking homework as a family to make sure it stays fun now so *hopefully* they want to keep doing it with you later. (We hope?)Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textA solo mom episode for a solo mom snow adventure before the season turned to spring. We roll the dice when we plan a big day, and sometimes we win big too. Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textA year after Vacation Urgent Care, The King Fam got a chance to refresh some memories of a winter family vacation! Back in Mt. Bachelor, there was snowshoeing, pulking (is that a verb?), sledding, and the very first time skiing for this brave 3 year old. If you've ever tried holding your skis, kid skis, and a toddler all while walking up a snow hill, this one is for you. Listen through the end for live takes from the mountain from Pep herself. Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textYou know your family vacation is going well when you're visiting urgent care as much time as you're skiing. Lessons learned? Never leave home without children's Tylenol.Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textWTS is back! After a little holiday break (someone's got to make the Christmas magic over here), we're bringing you our 2024 wrap up episode after the year has fully closed. Join Brandon and Tess rehashing the chaos, joy, and hindsight hilarity of adjusting to life and adventure as a family of 4 this past year. If you and your family worked through any transitions this year, you just might relate! Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textA little winter adventure coming your way! On the way to a snowy weekend in Mt. Rainier with the goal of just making snow fun for their baby and two year old, Brandon and Tess ask themselves something likely all parents can relate to..."How are we not there yet?" The answers always seem to be many. (But seriously, why is leaving the house always so hard?)Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textPlanning even the simplest of outdoor adventures as a parent is a project, whether your kids are in tow or you're on your own. In this solo episode, Tess talks about the tug of war on time, wanting to both share every moment with her kids and to have space for her own pursuits, and trusting that being a model for chasing what lights you up matters just as much as sharing what lights you up. But anyone out there who has figured out this thing called "balance" in parenthood, please send your wisdom our way!Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textAnother throwback episode! Tess and her friend and fellow mom, Lauren, got lucky with overlapping maternity leave last year. They share about helping each other get out for postpartum hikes and the healthy mix of chaos and joy that comes along with that. Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textNo one likes starting the weekend in a bad headspace. Rough weather, bad energy, injuries, arguments...whatever the reason, it can be hard to overcome negative expectations. But sometimes, those expectations might not pan out. And maybe it's still worth a try to get out there anyway. Tess and Brandon talk through a recent weekend when "expectations were a bit bleak" to start, but just a few sweet moments with their kids on some rainy hike and bike days were enough to reset their own energy and soak in the family adventures.Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textTess interviews her first guest, her very own mom! While her mom may not consider herself an outdoor adventurer, she certainly guided many family trips that fostered an early love for exploring new places, National Parks, and forced family time in the car. Tess gets her mom's take on the cross country road trips of her childhood, and they reminisce the navigation plans, backseat entertainment, and photo memories that were all so very 90s. Share this episode with a family member who inspired your love for adventure!Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textLet's face it, those early baby days can be filled with a healthy mix of joy and chaos. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, alone, and hopeless that you would ever be able to get out for big adventures again while your life feels like it has been turned upside down. Even small outings can feel like a struggle! Tess reflects on some of her own moments of chaos in those early baby days, and reminds friends and listeners in the thick of pregnancy or newborn life, "I have been there, and you are doing great!"Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textSometimes plans for a family adventure just can't get off the ground. For one or many reasons, you just can't make it happen. Forget the adventure being WORTH the schlep, you can't even GET to the schlep! Tess and Brandon reminisce on an elusive weekend adventure to the Olympic Coast that never came to pass, and realize that when kids are involved, they're just not as flexible as they used to be when plans go awry. Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textSeason 1, Episode 1 of Worth the Schlep is here!  Join for the very first episode to meet your host, Tess King, and her husband, co-parent, adventure partner, and likely recurring podcast guest, Brandon King. Long time outdoor adventurers, Tess & Brandon have realized that getting outside now with their kids is no small feat and not as easy as social media makes it look. Sometimes it's super fun and everyone has a grand time...other times, the meltdowns or urgent care visits leave you wondering why you even bothered. But finding a way to laugh at the moments it gets hard might just make it easier to get back out there! Follow along to remember you're not alone when parenting starts to feel like too much Type 3 fun.  As referenced: REI's take on the Fun Scale - https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/fun-scale.  Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textSeason 1 of Worth the Schlep is finally here!  I am finally getting my act together and releasing. this. podcast.  If you're a parent, maybe you can relate to thinking about something you want to do for a long time, but not finding the mental (and physical) time to actually do it. But here it is, I'm going for it! I'm excited to share stories about trying to adventure as a family, and laugh at the moments when it just doesn't go as planned. If you're reading this, thanks for being here. Now follow along and share this with another adventurous friend!  Trailhead Season, coming your way!  Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/

Send a textWelcome to Worth the Schlep!  Season 1: The Trailhead is coming soon! Get excited, check out our trailer, and be sure to follow the show to get each new episode.  Connect with us: Instagram: @worththeschleppodcast Email: [email protected] Music by Drew Martin: https://drewmartinmusic.bandcamp.com/