{"podcast":{"title":"Dirtbag Rich","slug":"dirtbag-rich-7077841","podcast_index_feed_id":7077841,"rss_url":"https://media.rss.com/dirtbag-rich/feed.xml","website_url":"https://dirtbagrich.com","image_url":"https://media.rss.com/dirtbag-rich/20241031_091017_c40e9888b384066270fc1cd3710de960.jpg","author":"Blake Boles","episode_count":49,"summary":"How do you build a life of freedom, travel, nature, and meaningful work? Join author Blake Boles ( blakeboles.com ) as he dives deep with working adults who have managed to strike that elusive balance of time, money, and purpose—without giving up on their wildest dreams. These vulnerable and provocative conversations reveal how everyday people create lives filled with wilderness adventure, creative expression, frequent exploration, and financial stability—no trust fund required. Each guest shares their unique flavor of \"dirtbag rich\": a way of living that prioritizes time wealth, personal relationships, and transformative experiences over luxury, comfort, and excess security. (\"Dirtbag\" is a badge of honor in climbing and hiking communities, describing someone so devoted to their passion that they trade conventional success for the chance to do what they love, full-time.) Visit dirtbagrich.com for full transcripts and updates on Blake's forthcoming book, Dirtbag Rich: Low Income, High Freedom, Deep Purpose .","last_synced_at":"2026-09-13T20:20:27.634349+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/dirtbag-rich-7077841"},"episode":{"title":"Luke Mehall: climber, writer, publisher, podcaster","slug":"luke-mehall-climber-writer-publisher-podcaster","published_at":"2025-04-27T04:14:12+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/dirtbag-rich-7077841/luke-mehall-climber-writer-publisher-podcaster","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/dirtbag-rich-7077841","url":"https://rss.com/podcasts/dirtbag-rich/2002558","audio_url":"https://content.rss.com/episodes/298082/2002558/dirtbag-rich/2025_04_26_04_36_07_8111282f-3dc2-4f1c-a414-5e571a8251fa.mp3","summary":"Luke Mehall is a 46-year-old climber, writer, and self-described dirtbag who turned a one-time zine into a print publishing business and podcast. ( climbingzine.com / @lukemehall_writer ) After escaping a Midwest upbringing and mental health struggles in his early twenties, Luke found stability through poetry, climbing, and the encouragement of writing professors at a small liberal arts college. He spent a few years dirtbagging full-time—living under rocks, washing dishes, and following the ethos of Jack Kerouac and the Grateful Dead—before settling into a more balanced life. Today, Luke lives between Durango (Colorado) and Potrero Chico (Mexico). He runs The Climbing Zine , hosts the Dirtbag State of Mind podcast, and writes books. He supports himself through selling print subscriptions, ads, and merchandise. For Luke, climbing is still central, but now it fits into a sustainable routine that includes weightlifting, rest, and solid friendships. We talk about the modern flavors of dirtbagging, the myth of the four-hour work week, what purpose looks like without kids, and how exercise—not medication—became his lifeline. We also get into the logistics of running a niche print publication in a digital world, and why handing someone a printed zine still matters more than a Substack link. Luke also reflects on what it means to grow older in a lifestyle built for youth. He’s seen what happens when people cling to the dirtbag dream too long—loneliness, stagnation, the slow unraveling of purpose. For him, the goal was always evolution: building a life that still honors climbing and creative freedom, but with enough structure to stay grounded. He doesn’t envy tech workers or trust the illusion of job security, but he does believe in balance, community, and the kind of autonomy…","meta_description":"Luke Mehall is a 46-year-old climber, writer, and self-described dirtbag who turned a one-time zine into a print publishing business and podcast. ( climbi…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3684,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/dirtbag-rich-7077841/episodes/luke-mehall-climber-writer-publisher-podcaster/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/dirtbag-rich-7077841/luke-mehall-climber-writer-publisher-podcaster.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}