SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - When the pandemic restrictions began in 2020, Sonia Weaver of Citrus Heights decided to start a podcast that she calls Discover the ‘Burbs.  “The original idea was . . . to let people know about the people who were suffering in their own communities, and hopefully encourage them to patronize local shops.”  Her more recent podcasts have evolved to chronicle the outdoor activities available in the suburbs of Sacramento.  “Everyone wants to get out and be physical and find things to do,” Sonia said, “but they sometimes just don’t know where to go or what to do.”

Sonia came up with an initial list of 58 locales, hikes, kayaking sites and activities to be enjoyed within a 50 mile radius of Sacramento.  “I just keep adding to the list when I talk to people about the podcast,” Sonia said.  “They tell me about places . . . and the list just keeps getting longer.” 

The April 5 episode features pickleball, and for April 19, Sonia will be kayaking to Lake Natoma Island. Past episodes include hikes to Old Salmon Falls Bridge near El Dorado Hills, and Middleridge Trail near Fair Oaks.  Currently the episodes come out every other week.  “I enjoy so much getting out in nature,” Sonia said. “It gives me a reason to go explore new places, and so for me this is a perfect project . . . One of my favorite things is taking along friends that I haven’t normally hiked and gone on adventures with.”  She went to the Old Salmon Falls hike with the Bartletts – Jake, Shamay and three of their five children. In addition, Discover the ‘Burbs podcast helps people know what to expect and how to prepare.  “I would love if people want to suggest places that they love to visit, that they would like to share,” Sonia said.  To make suggestions, just e-mail [email protected]

Sonia’s husband Richard Weaver, who is an avid runner, said that Sonia always needs something to do.  “This is a really great project for her,” Richard said.  “I’ve listened to them all . . . but the people that are just talking about their lives, those are the ones I like best.” Sonia’s podcast of January 18, 2021, titled “Creating Your Own Limits” features Richard.

Sonia is a longtime resident of the Sacramento area and teaches Spanish at Bella Vista High School.  She is a world traveler as well, having visited Nicaragua a couple of times, where she helped establish a program to teach English to children at an orphanage.  “If they begin to learn English,” Sonia said, “they can get a job in the tourism industry, which is much more lucrative than most other things they can do.”  She has also traveled to Italy and Spain, and in Central America to Honduras, Belize, and Mexico.  She lived a year and a half in Argentina.

To listen on an iPhone people can use Apple podcast, Spotify, or other apps, and for Android, Google Play; also people download apps like iHeartradio or Stitcher.  It is on the Web at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1247372.

Originally the purpose of the podcast was to promote getting to know those that live around you, to foster love and understanding.  The current subject of hikes and activities near Sacramento fits into that purpose quite well, as families go outside and bring their friends and neighbors.  Sonia felt that one reason there is such a lack of love in the world is that people just don’t know each other.  “I was hoping that if people could just get to know those that live around them, they would see that we share lots in common,” Sonia said.  “We are all passing through the same things, and it would encourage people to reach out to people around them as well.”