Among the world’s harrowing marine survival stories, the strangest might be a crew’s escape from one of the earliest submarines. It was 1851, and the 26-foot-long sub, designed and captained by a Prussian carpenter, was powered by a couple sailors spinning treadwheels. When the vessel floundered during a trial run and began sinking to the bottom of a German harbor, there was only one very frightening way to get out alive—which is why the crew got into what was almost certainly the first-ever underwater fistfight. Please tell us what you think about the show and how we can make it better. Fill out a brief survey at outsideonline.com/podsurvey. The Outside Podcast is made possible by Outside+ subscribers. Learn about the many benefits of a subscription and sign up now at outsideonline.com/podplus.

You don’t have to be an astrology buff to believe that the moon and stars have a special kind of power in our lives. Talk to almost anyone who’s spent time in the wilderness, and they’ll tell you that there’s a connection between celestial bodies and our own. In this episode, an astrology skeptic explores how our adventures can sync us up with otherworldly cycles and forces in ways that we don’t yet understand. Please tell us what you think about the show and how we can make it better. Fill out a brief survey at outsideonline.com/podsurvey. The Outside Podcast is made possible by Outside+ subscribers. Learn about the many benefits of a subscription and sign up now at outsideonline.com/podplus.

When the largest tornado ever recorded touched down in central Oklahoma, amateur storm chasers, professional meteorologists, and thrill seekers were expecting a show. What they got was a deadly lesson in the unpredictable power of nature. On May 31, 2013, forecasters warned that the approaching system posed extreme danger, but that didn’t do much to scare away anyone willing to risk it all to get close to a Category 5 tornado. For them, the fact that science couldn’t fully explain how a twister is formed or how it might behave was a big part of the appeal. Please tell us what you think about the show and how we can make it better. Fill out a brief survey at outsideonline.com/podsurvey The Outside Podcast is made possible by Outside+ subscribers. Learn about the many benefits of a subscription and sign up now at outsideonline.com/podplus.

How have these indoor spaces have become hubs for the outdoor community? Over the last four decades, climbing has gone from a countercultural activity that took place entirely on natural rock walls to a highly competitive sport that, for the most part, happens inside. And yet, the scene a climbing gym very different than what you find in a yoga studio or spinning class. There’s something special about roping up, even if there’s a ceiling over your head. We dispatched our intrepid producer, Maren Larsen, to spend 16 hours straight in a popular Denver climbing gym to understands what exactly keeps people coming back. Please tell us what you think about the show and how we can make it better. Fill out a brief survey at outsideonline.com/podsurvey. The Outside Podcast is made possible by Outside+ subscribers. Learn about the many benefits of a subscription and sign up now at outsideonline.com/podplus.

When a BASE jumper slammed into a red-rock tower and his parachute snagged on a ledge, there was only one way to save his life: go up and get him. That’s how climber River Barry ended up getting suddenly pulled into a daring rescue operation in Utah. In this episode from the team at the Out Alive podcast, we hear how Barry snapped into action and took charge during a perilous moment. With no formal rescue training, she had to improvise—and put all her skills to the test. Please tell us what you think about the show and how we can make it better. Fill out a brief survey at outsideonline.com/podsurvey The Outside Podcast is made possible by Outside+ subscribers. Learn about the many benefits of a subscription and sign up now at outsideonline.com/podplus.