Wildly Unplug
Escape the Hustle. Wildly Unplug helps you break free from the chaos and reconnect with nature and yourself. Host Lauren Connolly—artist and naturalist—shares inspiring stories and actionable tips for embracing mindfulness, outdoor adventures, and intentional living. Each episode features guests like biologists, adventurers, and creatives, offering unique ways to find balance through art and nature. Tune in discover what develops when you get outside & unplug! Stay Wild!
Episodes
What can the Miami Dolphins’ legendary perfect season teach us about resilience, teamwork, competition—and even life outdoors?
In this episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren Connolly welcomes author Bob Gonzalez back to the podcast to talk about his new book, Pro Football’s Constitution, a humorous and creative celebration of the 1972 Miami Dolphins and the only perfect season in NFL history.
<...
What happens when you deliberately try to get rejected 1,000 times?
Six months ago, I started the 1,000 Rejection Challenge to stop letting fear of rejection make decisions for me. I committed to making 10 asks every week—submitting my art and writing, pitching ideas, entering competitions, applying for opportunities, and deliberately risking hearing “no.”
Now I've made 212 asks and o...
What if some of our greatest teachers aren’t human?
In this episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren Connolly sits down with acclaimed naturalist and bestselling author Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus, How to Be a Good Creature, On Time and Turtles, and dozens of other books exploring the inner lives of animals.
After a lifetime spent studying animals around the world, Sy has been chased by a silverback ...
What happens when a nightmare follows you for five years—and starts stealing the color from your world?
Author Mark Benson returns to Wildly Unplug to talk about his new young adult horror novel, The Scattering, a story inspired by a real nightmare he couldn't forget. The novel follows James, a gifted young painter plagued by the same terrifying dream every night: his family is murdered while he watches helples...
What happens when a challenge about rejection turns into a lesson about monarch butterflies, conservation, burnout, and knowing when to say no?
In this week’s Wildly Rejected: Becoming the Bison, I’m continuing my journey toward 1,000 rejections—but I’m realizing that making 1,000 asks doesn’t mean chasing every opportunity that crosses my path.
After another week of balan...
Seeing the World Through an Octopus’s Eyes with Angelique Allen
What does the world look like through an octopus’s eyes? In this fascinating episode, Lauren talks with marine scientist and science communicator Angelique Allen about octopus vision, cephalopod brains, animal perception, and the science behind how octopuses see and interact with their underwater world.
Angelique studies how octopuses process ...
What if rejection isn’t the end of the story—but part of the transformation?
In this episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren returns to her 1,000 Rejection Challenge, inspired by Gabby Carr’s rejection challenge, and shares what happened after stepping back into the arena and making 10 new asks.
One rejection stung—an artist residency at a Frank Lloyd Wright house. But then an unexpected email arrived...
The Wheeland Brothers have built their signature sound around surf rock, reggae, acoustic music, and a life spent chasing waves, adventure, and a little more time off the grid. In this episode of Wildly Unplug, brothers Travis and Nate “Frog” Wheeland join Lauren Connolly for a conversation about music, surfing, nature, burnout, creativity, and what happens when you step away from the noise long enough t...
Becoming the Bison: Monarch Mistakes, Putting Down Roots & Learning to Be a Beginner Again
What happens when you move to a new ecosystem and realize you don’t know nearly as much as you thought you did?
In this week’s Wildly Rejected: Becoming the Bison, Lauren shares an unexpectedly chaotic lesson involving monarch butterflies, 20 very hungry caterpillars, and one major realization about moving from O...
What happens when rejection collides with grief, an empty nest, and a completely new life?
In this deeply personal Wildly Rejected: Becoming the Bison update, Lauren catches up on weeks 16–19 of her 1,000 Rejection Challenge. She reflects on saying goodbye to her beloved dog Georgie, watching her son leave for college, moving away from Cincinnati, and beginning again as a full-time Key West resident—all w...
Hope everyone is having a good summer so far! Catching up after the holiday! Enjoy!
🔗 Connect with Ryan:
https://www.ryangalway.com
🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here:
https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join
What does it take to chase a lifelong dream in the music industry while staying authentic to yourself? In this episode of the Wildly Unplug podcast, Lauren sits down with musician, songwriter, producer, and founder of Sleepl...
Week 12 of the 1,000 Rejection Challenge brought an unexpected realization: I had four rejections this week... and they weren't the most important thing that happened.
In this episode, I share why that feels like a major milestone, the surprising power of encouragement after last week's troll encounter, and how a few kind messages reminded me that words can build people up just as easily as they can tear them down.
I ...
🔗 Connect with Peter:
Website: https://www.peterdraws.com/
Follow on Instagram: @Peterdraws
Youtube: @peter_draws
🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here:
https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join
What happens when an artist stops overthinking, trusts their gut, and simply starts creating?
In this episode of the Wildly Unplug podcast, Laure...
What happens when a week feels like nothing is moving forward?
In this week's 1,000 Rejection Challenge update, Lauren shares a surprisingly eventful "stagnant" week that included a film festival rejection, an unforgettable encounter with an internet troll, and an unexpected opportunity connected to NASA. Along the way, she explores the difference between criticism from strangers and the negative voice we often carry...
🕊️ In Memory of Melanie
Since recording this episode, Melanie unexpectedly passed away. Her joy for art, storytelling, animals, and life itself shines throughout this conversation. I’m deeply grateful our paths crossed, even briefly, and I hope this episode inspires others to slow down, create, and appreciate the people who leave lasting impressions on our hearts.
Follow Melanie / All My Pieces Art:
Webs...
Week 10 of the 1,000 Rejection Challenge brought an unexpected lesson: not every acceptance is actually a win.
In this episode of Wildly Unplugged, Lauren shares how the excitement of receiving a children's book publishing offer quickly turned into a crash course on vanity publishing, author scams, and the importance of doing your research before signing a contract. After receiving an acceptance for Vinnie the Vultur...
Learn more / book a trip:
Safari experiences: https://www.pamojasafaris.com
What if you could build a life that combines travel, wildlife, and entrepreneurship… and actually make it work?
In this episode of Wildly Unplugged, I sit down with Scott to talk about how he turned a passion for adventure into a career—running safari experiences in Africa, food tours in Japan, and creative fund...
The honeymoon phase is over. Now what?
In this honest episode of Wildly Unplugged, Lauren Connolly shares a raw update from her 1,000 Rejection Challenge, reflecting on burnout, creative resilience, art rejection, and navigating major life transitions. After months of pitching podcasts, submitting artwork, applying for grants, and pursuing opportunities, Lauren reveals the surprising statistics behind her challenge&m...
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