What happens when young adults choose a path that doesn’t come with a roadmap?

In this episode of the ThriveIN Podcast, Adam sits down with Erin McGouldrick and Owen Stakeman — two young adults who graduated from local high schools and chose unconventional journeys in search of purpose, growth, and perspective.

Erin shares her experience thru-hiking the entire Appalachian Trail and the lessons learned living simply, embracing uncertainty, and pushing through physical and mental challenges. She also reflects on her work helping clean rivers and waterways in North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Helene and how that experience reshaped her understanding of service and community.

Owen discusses spending nearly three years walking across the United States — covering roughly 5,000 miles before ending his journey near Manhattan Beach, California. Along the way, he encountered countless strangers, big cities, small towns, hardships, generosity, and moments that changed how he views both America and himself.

Together, the conversation explores:

Why some young adults feel drawn to a different path
What solitude and movement can teach us
The kindness of strangers and the importance of community
What it means to feel “lost” versus truly exploring
How these experiences changed their definition of success
Advice for young adults still trying to figure out what comes next

This episode is about more than hiking or walking long distances — it's a thoughtful conversation about adventure, resilience, purpose, and the courage to take the long way forward. It’s about searching for meaning, embracing uncertainty, and discovering who you become when you step outside your comfort zone.

If today’s episode inspired you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and download future episodes of the ThriveIN Wabash County Podcast. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments and upcoming stories.

A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.

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