"It’s no longer getting healthy because I should. It’s getting healthy because I’m trying to become fit for fatherhood—physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally."

In this heartfelt catch-up, I sat down with my dear friend and brother, Scott Hanson — a man whose life story reminds me (and all of us) what happens when you listen to your gut, surrender to change, and build a life of intentional service and community.

Scott and I rewinded the tape all the way back to where it began: the mountains of Nepal eight years ago, swinging hammers, sharing tea, and learning the quiet power of living and working in true community. From there, our paths kept crossing: weddings, big moves, late-night conversations, and, on this day, a milestone moment — we recorded this just after his baby shower for twins (!) in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2023.

This episode celebrates a friendship rooted in adventure, honesty, and mutual witness; the tender power of becoming a father — and how it pushes a man to grow up again and again; Scott’s reflections on leaving behind old habits, building new ones (think: haikus); the sacred role of community, especially in the western world where isolation can feel all too normal; his commitment to raising kids in a world with more connection, care, and good mischief.

We laughed, we teared up, we time-traveled through Scott’s memories — from engineering "empty buildings" in the California Bay Area to building schools & community in Nepal, and now a family rooted in ancestral soil.

I have witnessed Scott become the man, husband, and father he had journaled about.

Look for him under Scout Rockwell on Spotify and other platforms — half of the Wilderness Within soundtrack has his fingerprints all over them. And, @scout.rockwell on Insta.

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Wilderness Within (WW) is made possible due to the ongoing financial support of patreon supporters. We are big fans of the value-driven, pay-it-forward model, and the reason why you won't hear razor subscriptions or VPN discounts offered is thanks to the supporters who pitch in each month. Besides becoming a patron, some of the best ways to support this podcast is to share this episode or show with a friend, and to rate WW on Spotify, Apple, or your favourite listening platform. Whatever you are able to do, thank you!

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Scott Hanson - Becoming the Man, Husband, and Father He Had Journaled About (WW 06)

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