***Apologies for the background noise on this episode. Chewing and typing sounds may occur.***

In 1996, Bill Bryson was one among many thousands of hikers who attempted to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. Joined by an old friend, Katz, the two amateur hikers set out to walk the over 2,000-mile journey and see what they learn along the way.

This was a very different kind of nature memoir for Michelle. Rather than healing past wounds or conquering a mighty unknown, the two hikers learn far more about how to appreciate hamburgers and exactly what time is quitting time (spoiler alert: it's sooner than you'd think!) Kicking off Season 3 of Circle Time, your hosts found appreciation for Bryson's mellow and accessible outlook on nature and outdoor adventure.

Special guest (and dear friend) Michaela Eckler brings us this historical fiction novel to inspire conversation about what certain words truly mean, who gets to define them, and how to fight the "good fight" no matter who you are. This is a "slow-burn" novel; it doesn't quite suck you in, but its impact creeps up slowly, and leaves you thinking about it for weeks after reading.

Yoga, meditation, astrology, good diet, high self-esteem; where does it all come from and who gets to have it? In this episode, we take a close look at the wellness industry through the lens of anti-colonialism and Róisín's personal experience. The responsibility the author puts on yoga teachers hits close to home for Michelle. Olivia wonders how technology and Instagram play into "real" wellness. Lauren wonders how to truly connect to intuition. Listen, and find out what wellness means to you!