Sara McCarty, founder of Run Wild My Child, is mixing things up and taking a look back at 2024—celebrating the wins and learning from the challenges. Sara shares the business highs of the year, like launching three issues of the Run Wild My Child magazine in print, some incredible travel adventures, and the honor of winning the People’s Choice for Best Online Publication.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Sara also opens up about the struggles of running a small business—especially with the membership, social media, sales, and balancing screen time with green time. This episode is full of reflections, celebrations, lessons learned, and changes for 2025. Grab a cozy spot and join us as we recap the year that was and look ahead to the adventures to come!

Run Wild My Child Magazine
RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Sara's Instagram: @sara_mccarty

Book recommendations:
The Covenant of Water
Gone with the Wind
The Women
Braiding Sweetgrass
Thursday Murder Club

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of outdoor challenges and how they can inspire families to prioritize time outside. As we head into a new year, it’s the perfect opportunity to set some meaningful goals, and there’s no one better to talk about this than Amy Bushatz, founder of the Humans Outside 365 challenge.

Amy’s challenge—spending at least 20 minutes outside every day, no matter the weather—has not only transformed her life but also served as a model for countless others looking to connect with nature regularly. She’s been going strong for over seven years, and is the perfect person to chat with about setting challenges, overcoming obstacles, and picking the right challenge for your family.

Run Wild My Child Magazine
RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild

Amy's Instagram: @humansoutside
Humans Outside 365 Challenge

Discovering the Joy of Family Challenges

In this solo recap episode, Run Wild My Child founder Sara McCarty dives into her recent experience at the Outdoor Media Summit (OMS) in Missoula, Montana, sharing highlights from the event and the local adventure scene. Activities include llama trekking, hiking, and fly fishing on the Blackfoot River.

Moving into the OMS experience, Sara breaks down the exciting “new gear speed dating” session, spotlighting standout innovations (which would make great gifts) from a few of our favorite top outdoor brands. She also covers hot topics in the outdoor industry, including the resurgence of print media.

The episode concludes with a special announcement of Run Wild My Child’s People's Choice Award win for Best Online Publication of 2023, celebrating the publication’s achievements and community support.

Run Wild My Child Magazine
RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Sara's Instagram: @sara_mccarty

Destination Missoula
Glacier Country Montana
Swan Mountain Outfitters
Double Arrow Lodge
Blackfoot River Outfitters

Outdoor Media Summit
Coast
Yeti
Simms
Patagonia
Nemo
Osprey
Roofspace

In this episode, we cover the good, the bad, and the ugly of youth sports. We chat about the elusive balance between organized sports and outdoor free play, the time and cost commitments of participating in youth sports, tips for juggling busy schedules, and why, despite the madness, we choose to participate at all! Whether you’re currently navigating the complexities of your child’s sports schedules or if you’re just curious about how youth sports work these day, this episode is going to be packed with real-life stories, advice, stuggles, and strategies to help you and your family figure this all out.

For this episode, co-host Michelle Garrett interviews three moms from the Run Wild My Child team, who all have kids involved in youth sports. Run Wild My Child founder and mom of three, Sara McCarty, California working mom of three, Araceli Gonzalez, and homeschooling mom of two, Nichole Holze.

Run Wild My Child Magazine
RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild

Sara's Instagram: @sara_mccarty
Araceli's Instagram: @roaminggonzalez
Nichole's Instagram: @coleyraeh

Wendy Cox is a photographer, gardening instructor, and mom of four. Her family recently moved from San Diego to Virginia. Wendy talks about how she uses nature to ground and connect her children through the changes and transition from moving across the country, how she beautifully captures kids connecting with nature through photography, and how travel can help kids make real-life connections with what they learn in school.

Run Wild My Child Magazine

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Wendy's Instagram: @wendycoxphotography

Recommendation: Go Pro Black 12

Wendy's Posts:
Exploring California Redwoods
Hiking Havasupai with Kids
Outer Banks with Kids

In this episode, we discuss everything parents need to know when planning their first international trip with kids. Co-host Michelle Garrett is planning her first international trip with kids. She speaks with RWMC founder Sara McCarty (who just took her kids to Belize) and Travel Expert Jen Barnes (@gofamilyadventure) about topics such as how to pick an international destination, what documentation you need when traveling internationally with kids, budgeting tips for traveling as a family, choosing outdoor excursions and adventures for the whole family, and more!

Coco Beach Resort - 40% off discount for trip through August 2024
Use the code RUNWILDMYCHILD

RWMC post: Exploring Belize with Kids

Run Wild My Child Magazine
RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Jen's Instagram: @gofamilyadventure
Jen's website: Go Family Adventure

Laura Stroup is a mom of 3, nature study creator, author, podcaster, and founder of School of the Wild. Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Ecology with an emphasis in natural resource education. A former wildlife conservation educator and upper school science teacher, she loves traveling, hiking, and reading. Laura talks with us about her nature school and resources, her new book and podcast, getting teens outside, and so much more!

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Laura's website: www.fireflynatureschool.com
Laura's Instagram: @fireflynatureschool
Laura's book (affil link): Nature School
Laura's podcast: WILD Mysteries
Digital magazine: WILD Mag
Nature school: School of the Wild

How to Use a Pocket Microscope with Kids

Emily Liebel, mom of three, runs an Instagram account called @inclusivelibrary, where she uses books to educate, promote inclusion, understanding, justice, and inspire adventure and creativity. Emily loves showing families how reading and being outdoors can overlap in exciting ways! She currently lives in Utah and explores both mountain and city outdoor spaces weekly with her kids and friends and attends library story times, as well as leads a local story time. Emily’s here to chat with us about how literature and libraries can help busy families get outside in a variety of creative ways.

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Emily's Instagram: @inclusivelibrary

Posts:
How Public Libraries Can Help Families Get Outside
Spring & Summer Book & Activity Pairings
Fall & Winter Book & Activity Pairings

Emily's recommendation:
Sunday Funday by Katherine Halligan