Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast
Adventures in the U.S. National Parks and public lands with Matt and Karen Smith.
About the show
In Dear Bob and Sue, authors Matt and Karen Smith share stories of their travels to all of the U.S. National Park as well as other spectacular public lands. From adventures gone awry to memorable moments and Q&As from readers, get to know the couple behind the books and get inspired to go on some adventures of your own.
What fans say about the podcast
Thank you
I love your books and now your podcast! As always you all inspire me to do more. I can’t wait to go out and get into nature.
— upsey via Apple PodcastsExactly what you hope it will be
Half of the genius behind Matt & Karen’s books is that they are so clearly REAL - so to have that chemistry, fun, and joking in a ‘live’ format is even better! The first two episodes have had me giggling at my desk and longing for summer so I can get out and have some adventures of my own. Can’t wait to hear what else they have in store!
— MI Jen via Apple PodcastsLove Matt and Karen!
I have read every book Matt and Karen Smith have wrote. Actually, I haven’t finished one of them because I don’t want it to be over. This is how much I love their stories and the podcast is no different. They are exactly what I would expect after reading their books. If you love nature, National Parks, or just good stories give Dear Bob and Sue a listen!
— Jellybean407 via Apple PodcastsAwesome Adventure Podcast!
I loved reading Matt and Karen’s books and following along on Instagram, I’m so excited they now have a podcast! It’s fun listening to them tell stories about their adventures as well as interact with each other. Thank you Matt and Karen!
— AnneB93 via Apple PodcastsAuthentically entertaining
These two are the cutest. Matt and Karen are great story tellers with witty and charming banter. Fantastic augmentation to the amazing books. We will be tuning in to hear more and are inspired to move a few national parks to the top of our travel itinerary.
— CoolCOfriends via Apple PodcastsDear Bob and Sue
After reading all their books, I was just as entertained by listening to their podcast. Very professional in quality, and the humor and irreverence shine through! Totally enjoyable!
— jen godwin via Apple PodcastsAbout the Host
Matt and Karen Smith
Hosts
After raising a family and building careers, Matt and Karen took a two-year break to visit all of the U.S. national parks. What started as a quest to check off items on their bucket list, turned into a journey of a lifetime. Dear Bob and Sue is the title of their humorous and irreverent bestselling book about their park experiences, and the inspiration for this podcast. Since completing their first book, they’ve continued to visit our country’s magnificent public lands and have written several sequels. Matt and Karen met at the University of Kansas—Go Jayhawks!--and married in 1982. They live in the Pacific Northwest in Washington State.
Start with these episodes
16 The Wave in Northern Arizona
We had all but given up on ever getting a permit to hike to one of the most sought-after sites in the American Southwest: The Wave in Northern Arizona. But in the fall of 2019, an email …
Bonus Episode: How much it costs to visit all 62 national parks
It is by far the most frequent question we get from readers and listeners: How much did it cost you to visit all 62 national parks? This bonus episode is essentially a detailed mail bag …
How you can listen to this podcast
You can listen to episodes right here on the website, or if you prefer, in a podcast app. Listening in an app makes it easier to keep track of what you’ve already heard, listen without using your data plan and many other conveniences.