Blog Archives • Page 10 of 15 • Mountain & Prairie

Sarah King is a rancher, conservationist, wife, and mother of two who lives and works on her family’s 55,000-acre cattle ranch in southern Arizona’s Altar Valley. The King’s Anvil Ranch was established in 1895 and has operated successfully within their family for generations, setting an example of how to run a financially viable agricultural business, while simultaneously protecting the long-term ecological health of their vast desert ranch. The Kings understand that in order for their business to thrive, the land must thrive, and they are leaders in pursuing a variety of outside-the-box land stewardship techniques, including the focused use of prescribed fires.

The King family spearheaded the creation of the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance, a cutting-edge land conservation organization that collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including private landowners, ranchers, government entities, conservation non-profits, and environmental advocacy groups. Thanks to focused, diligent efforts over the course of two decades, the AVCA has managed to bring together groups that have historically been at odds, allowing them to focus on shared goals and creative solutions to complicated challenges, rather than dwelling on their differences. As you’ll hear Sarah explain, AVCA understands that open, honest, face-to-face communication has been the key to tackling the Altar Valley’s complex challenges, and their success gives me hope that other organizations throughout the West can adopt their approach and enjoy the same success.

This was a very enlightening episode for me, because I personally just don’t know enough about the landscapes and heritage of the deep southwest. We dig into many of the details of the King’s Anvil Ranch and its operation, including the unique climate and ecology of the Arizona desert. Sarah explains how the AVCA came to be, and offers some insights into exactly what they do and how they’ve managed to have such success. We discuss Sarah’s personal background, specifically how an east coast native ended up on an expansive cattle ranch in Arizona. We talk about the benefits of raising children on a ranch, and the lessons she hopes to impart as they grow up closely connected to the land. Given that the ranch is located less than 40 miles from the Mexico border, we discuss how illegal border crossings have a significant effect on the ranch’s operations. And, of course, we discuss favorite books and documentaries, with links to everything in the episode notes.

I had such a great time chatting with Sarah, and I walked away from the conversation with a much deeper understanding of ranching, conservation, and life in the American southwest. She and her colleagues at AVCA are doing important, groundbreaking conservation work, so I encourage you to follow them and learn from their efforts. Also, be sure to follow Sarah on Instagram—on top of everything else, she’s a talented photographer, too. Enjoy!

Header photo courtesy of Sarah King, other courtesy of Roni Ziemba

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – How Sarah describes her work
4:10 – King’s Anvil Ranch
5:20 – History of the ranch
7:10 – Details on the ranching operation
10:30 – History of Altar Valley Conservation Alliance
13:15 – Events leading to the Alliance’s formation
16:30 – Importance of fire in the Altar Valley
20:00 – Examples of AVCA collaborative projects
25:20 – Why has AVCA been able to be successful where others have not?
28:45 – Specific reasons for AVCA’s success
31:15 – The importance of private land in the West
35:30 – How Sarah ended up in the west, working in ranching
39:00 – Sarah’s college thesis on women dude ranchers
41:15 – Realities of moving West from the east coast
42:30 – Benefits of raising children on a ranch
45:30 – Sarah’s photography
47:15 – Illegal immigration and its effects on the King’s ranch
55:50 – Favorite books
57:55 – Favorite documentaries
59:35 – Surprising activities
1:00:30 – Most powerful experience in the outdoors
1:03:30 – Best advice ever received
1:05:00 – Sarah’s request of the listeners
1:06:00 – Connect with Sarah online

Information Referenced

Posted on December 15, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Agriculture, Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, Entrepreneurs, History, Leadership, Mindfulness, Ranchers, Regenerative Ag, Service

Charles Post (Photo Credit: Rachel Pohl)

Charles Post is an academically trained ecologist with a gift for communicating complex and sometimes emotionally charged issues in a thoughtful manner to diverse audiences. Whether he’s discussing the intricacies of ranch management, the ecological implications of ethical hunting, or controversies surrounding the BLM’s wild mustang program, Charles has honed his ability to consider all sides of issues, then educate the public in a style that is positive, comprehensive, and intellectually honest. His academic credentials, combined with his photography, writing, filmmaking, and popular social media channels have made Charles a rising star in the world of conservation.

Born and raised in northern California, Charles has enjoyed a deep connection with Western landscapes for as long as he can remember. He grew up hunting, fishing, and exploring the seascapes and mountain ranges of the West Coast, then earned both a Bachelors and Masters in ecology from UC Berkeley. After considering pursuing a PhD followed by a career in academia, Charles changed course and pursued a less traditional track that melded his two passions of science and storytelling. Since then, he has settled in Bozeman, Montana where he works on a wide range of projects that all tie back into conservation and stewardship in the American West.

Charles and I talked for well over an hour, and could’ve easily continued for several more. We discuss his recent work for Filson covering Ranchlands, a progressive, forward-thinking ranching operation in southern Colorado. We also chat about the ecological importance of ranching for Western landscapes and the progress that Charles has made trying to change some of the unfounded negative impressions of ranching and livestock. We talk about his recent elk hunt, and how that adventure was one of the richest, most meaningful experiences of his life. Charles speaks fondly about his relationship with Ben Masters, who helped him break into the filmmaking world. It also turns out that we have a shared love of the American Dipper (which is a bird, for those of you out of the loop), and we nerd out on that subject for a few minutes. As usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and the best advice he’s ever received.

If you’re a long-time listener, you will love this episode… and if you’re brand new, I hope you will, too! Be sure to check out Charles on Instagram at @charles_post and check the episode notes for everything we discuss. Enjoy!

All images courtesy of Rachel Pohl

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:00 – Charles’s intro to Ben Masters
5:10 – How Charles describes his work
6:30 – Why Charles identifies as an ecologist
8:50 – Science versus communicating to the mainstream
10:30 – Charles experience with Ranchlands and thoughts on ranching
17:45 – How Charles tells the ranching story
20:45 – Resources for learning more about ranching
21:55 – Discussion about wolves’ effects on Yellowstone
24:35 – Where Charles grew up
25:50 – Charles’ connection to Gifford Pinchot
29:40 – Hunting from a conservation perspective
32:25 – Modern Huntsman
35:15 – Interplay between public and private land
41:40 – How science shaped his ability to be objective
43:40 – His approach to social media
49:45 – The importance of Charles’s sponsors and supporters
54:30 – Charles’s personal history with hunting
1:01:40 – Favorite books
1:08:10 – Weird habits and quirks
1:09:30 – American Dipper nerd-fest
1:12:20 – Most powerful experience in the outdoors
1:16:00 – Best advice he’s ever received
1:19:25 – Charles’s request of the listeners
1:20:50 – Connect with Charles online

Information Referenced

Posted on November 21, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Agriculture, Conservation, Ecology, Hunting & Fishing

Mark Maggiori has taken the western art scene by storm with his dramatically realistic paintings of cowboys, horses, landscapes, and scenes from the American West. But painting is only a small part of Mark’s journey as a professional artist—he is also an accomplished director, filmmaker, drawer, photographer, and musician, working for companies like Disney as an illustrator and fronting a major-record-label rock band. To make his story even more interesting, Mark was born and raised in France, and is a relative newcomer to the western United States.

When he was 15, Mark took a road trip across America with his adventurous uncle, igniting his passion for Western landscapes and planting the seed of his western art career that would flourish two decades later. Between then and now, he has demonstrated an uncanny ability to dive headfirst into a wide array of artistic endeavors with single-minded focus and work ethic, enjoying success at every level. At little over three years ago, at age 36, all of Mark’s talents and experiences melded together when he decided to try and paint his first cowboy. In what he describes as an epiphany, Mark immediately knew he had found his true identity as an artist.

Mark and I had a fun conversation. We talk about all the stages of his prolific career as an artist, and how he has approached each one with a laser-like focus and uncompromising work ethic. Mark explains how he discovered his talent for drawing—a talent that he had no idea he possessed until after he had enrolled in art school. We also chat about how being new to America has afforded him a fresh perspective on the people and landscapes of the American West, a perspective that shines through in his paintings. He gives details on his workman-like approach to painting and ensuring the historical accuracy of his work, and how exercise helps to fuel his creativity and work ethic. As usual, we cover favorite books, documentaries, and the craziest thing that’s ever happened to him in the outdoors, which is a ridiculous and pretty damn scary story!

Be sure to check out the webpage for links to all of Mark’s work, his upcoming solo show, and everything we discuss in this episode. Hope you enjoy!

All images courtesy of Mark Maggiori

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:00 – How Mark describes his work
5:11 – Growing up in France
6:30 – Road trip across America
11:20 – Mark’s interests as a teenager
12:40 – The attraction to art school
15:40 – Discovering his talent for art
18:45 – Learning work ethic
20:30 – Working for Disney
22:45 – Working in music videos
23:45 – Performing music and creating art
24:30 – Mark’s time with Pleymo
27:25 – Leaving music
32:00 – Coming to America to make a film
35:40 – Demolition derbies and rodeos
36:50 – Starting to paint cowboys
41:00 – Building his following through Instagram and networking
44:00 – Expanding to new galleries
45:00 – Secret of painting clouds
47:55 – Keeping his work accurate
50:00 – Starting to paint Native Americans
54:30 – Mark’s daily routine
58:45 – Favorite books
1:01:00 – Favorite documentaries
1:02:30 – Favorite place in the West
1:03:50 – Most powerful experience in the outdoors
1:05:30 – Getting chased by crazy people in Louisiana
1:10:15 – Mark’s request of the listeners
1:12:50 – Connect with Mark online and learn about his upcoming art show

Information Referenced

Mark Maggiori – Website & Instagram
“Lonesome Souls” — Mark’s upcoming solo show
Fontainebleau, France
Maxwell Alexander Gallery
Gerald Peters Gallery
Trailside Galleries
Pleymo
Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
An American Idea by Kim Heacox
Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko
Lassoing the Sun by Mark Woods
Unbranded
Duke Beardsley interview
Stephen Smith interview

Posted on November 8, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Craftsmanship, Creativity, History, Native American History

Tyler Sharp, Part II – Modern Huntsman

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, then surely you’ll remember Tyler Sharp. He’s the creative director, photographer, and writer who has explored everywhere from east Africa to Montana’s Paradise Valley and has the stories and images to prove it. He currently works with some of the biggest brands in the outdoor industry, such as Filson and Yeti, helping them to tell authentic and engaging stories. Tyler’s first podcast episode has been one of my most popular—we went deep, covering everything from big-game hunting to kung fu to conservation—so I wanted to have him back to continue the conversation and discuss his latest project, Modern Huntsman.

Modern Huntsman is a biannual publication and online forum for conservationists, creatives, and outdoor enthusiasts. If you enjoy this podcast and my guests’ depth of thinking on topics related to the natural world, then you’re going to love Modern Huntsman. Through thoughtful writing, captivating photography, and elegant design, Tyler and his all-star team intend to improve the perception of hunting in our society by highlighting its thoughtful and conservation-focused aspects, which are often ignored by established media.

I like to hunt, although I’m not obsessed with it like I am with endurance sports. But my work in conservation and deep reading of natural history have given me a firsthand appreciation for the importance of hunting, and the vital role it plays in conserving landscapes and species around the world. Without the efforts of visionary hunters like Theodore Roosevelt, the healthy wildlife populations we enjoy here in the American West would be a mere fraction of what they are today, if they existed at all. Thanks to their deep respect for wildlife born from their love of the sport of hunting, TR and his contemporaries set in motion a conservation ethic that continues to grow and evolve. Now, over 100 years later, Modern Huntsman will carry that ethic forward.

Once again, Tyler and I had a wonderful conversation, and I was incredibly impressed with his ability to discuss complex, sometimes emotionally charged issues in a respectful, intelligent, and non-arrogant tone. Of course we discussed the details of Modern Huntsman, its origins, and why there is a need for such a publication. We chatted about Modern Huntsman’s current Kickstarter campaign, which I highly recommend you support—links are in the notes. We also talked in depth about some of the misconceptions around hunting and specifics about why hunting is so important for conservation throughout the world. And just like last time, Tyler had some excellent book recommendations.

This was a fun and enlightening conversation, so I hope you enjoy. Check out the episode notes for links to everything, and be sure the check out the Modern Huntsman Kickstarter page, watch the film, and support the project.

All images courtesy of Tyler Sharp & Modern Huntsman

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – How Tyler describes his work

6:10 – Modern Huntsman overview

8:40 – Improving hunting’s image

10:00 – Modern Huntsman as “new media”

12:00 – Tyler’s relationship with Simon Roosevelt

14:30 – Modern Huntsman’s target audience

16:30 – Misunderstandings surrounding hunting

20:30 – Modern Huntsman’s strategy for telling the correct story

22:00 – Importance of having a woman’s perspective

23:20 – Engaging with non-hunters

26:15 – Esthetics of the magazine

31:00 – List of the editors and contributors

34:50 – History of hunting and conservation

39:00 – Tools for connecting conservation and hunting

43:00 – How safari companies contribute to conservation in Africa

47:50 – The Kickstarter film

50:15 – Tyler’s favorite hunting books

58:10 – Best advice Tyler’s ever received

59:30 – Connect with Modern Huntsman online

Information Referenced

Posted on October 16, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Books, Conservation, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, Hunting & Fishing, Writers

Scott Slusher – The Cowboys’ Cowboy Photographer

Scott Slusher is an Oklahoma native and Texas-based photographer who is best known for his stunning images of cowboys and life on working ranches. After seeing Scott’s work, it is crystal clear that he has a deep understanding of the ranching lifestyle and has invested more than his share of time out in the heat and dust, on horseback or in the branding pen. Given his immersion in the tough, hard-nosed world of ranching, you may be surprised to learn that Scott was trained as a fashion photographer and still works with a variety of big-name companies on their fashion and clothing line spreads.

So what allows Scott to have success in two worlds as diametrically opposed as ranching and fashion? Well, as you’ll hear in this interview, Scott has a habit of pursuing his interests with a single-minded intensity and curiosity, unafraid of getting in over his head, venturing outside his comfort zone, or working harder than expected. Combine those traits with endless energy and a knack for making friends with everyone he meets, and you’ll understand how Scott has managed to work his way onto iconic ranches, riding alongside and photographing some of the best ranch hands in the business.

Scott’s enthusiasm and love of people really come through in our conversation, so I know you’ll enjoy it. We talk about his childhood in Oklahoma and how his father’s work as a veterinarian and horse breeder shaped his outlook. We chat about his time as a photography intern and how he chose to dive head first into no-fun chores (like mopping the floor), and how that optimistic, high-energy approach has paid off time and again throughout his career. We also discuss how he broke into photographing cowboys, and how his respectful approach has allowed him to be accepted by ranch hands throughout the West. We cover a ton, so check out the episode notes for a full list of topics and links.

If you don’t already, be sure to follow Scott on Instagram at @slusherphoto—if you love the West and the ranching lifestyle, I can guarantee you’ll love his work. Hope you enjoy this episode.

All images courtesy of Scott Slusher

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:
2:45 – How Scott describes his work
4:50 – Where Scott grew up
8:30 – Time working at a vet clinic
12:00 – Applying to art school in Dallas
14:00 – Finding focus in art school
18:00 – Work ethic during his first internship
22:30 – First time taking photos of cowboys
26:00 – Making folks feel comfortable during photo shoots
27:20 – How he broke into the cowboy culture
33:00 – Working at the Four 6s Ranch
36:15 – Importance of networking
40:00 – Close calls during ranch photography
44:45 – Close call during a rodeo
49:30 – Importance of social media in Scott’s career
1:04:00 – Important books
1:09:00 – Favorite films
1:14:00 – Words of advice to the listeners
1:15:00 – Connect with Scott online

Information Referenced

Posted on October 5, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, Ranchers

Duke Beardsley – Art in the Big, Bold American West

Duke Beardsley was well on his way to a career in medicine, when, just before med school, he took a hard turn onto a new path when he decided to pursue art as a full-time vocation. Since then, he has become one of the West’s most revered artists, producing paintings of cowboys, anglers, and the Western way of life in a style that is uniquely his own. His work is big, bold, and completely original, and it continues to grow and evolve in ways that surprise even Duke himself.

Thanks to a childhood spent between Denver and his family’s eastern Colorado ranch, Duke has been immersed in cowboy culture for as long as he can remember. He has been drawing non-stop since he could hold a crayon, and as a child (sometimes to the dismay of his parents) he demonstrated a proclivity for sketching western scenes on the walls of his family’s home. Duke is also a committed conservationist with a deep devotion to preserving the West’s landscapes and heritage. This eclectic mix of experiences and interests, combined with a formal art education, allows Duke to produce works that are ambitious, inspiring, and engaging.

I stopped by Duke’s Denver studio earlier this week, where we had a fun and wide-ranging conversation. We chat about his decision to change his career goal from medicine to art, and the value he gleaned from a formal art education. He explains that life-long obsession with drawing on walls, and he tells some stories about how, as an adult, drawing on walls has led to surprising professional opportunities. We talk about his artistic process, his meditation practice, and how he managed his extroverted personality in the solitary world of creating art. He also discusses why land conservation is an issue that is so near and dear to his heart, and offers up some excellent book recommendations.

This was a lot of fun and I really appreciate Duke inviting me into his studio. Be sure to check the episode notes for links to everything we discuss, and check out Duke on Instagram, Facebook, and his website.

All images courtesy of Duke Beardsley

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

2:40 – How Duke describes his work
3:30 – Growing up between Denver and eastern Colorado
5:15 – Artistic energy in Duke’s family
6:30 – Duke’s early path toward medicine
8:30 – Transition to art school
9:40 – Biggest lesson learned from art school
12:20 – Focusing his art on horses and the West
14:20 – Life post-art school
15:30 – How Duke’s art is different now from 20 years ago
18:30 – Drawing on the wall
20:20 – Why Duke paints big pieces
21:31 – Story behind Duke’s line ups
24:45 – Getting in “the zone” while painting line ups
26:40 – Working on multiple pieces at once
27:50 – Working with galleries
29:00 – Process for commissioned paintings
31:45 – Extrovert or Introvert?
34:30 – Duke’s artistic process
38:00 – Duke’s meditation practice
41:00 – Drawing on the wall at Las Pampas Lodge
44:00 – Working with Fishpond
45:50 – Passion for land conservation
49:30 – Favorite books
52:34 – Favorite films
54:00 – Surprising activities
54:45 – Most powerful outdoor experience
57:00 – Favorite place in the West
58:40 – Best peice of advice ever recieved
59:45 – Duke’s request of the listeners
1:00:30 – Connect with Duke online

Information Referenced

Duke Beardsley
Duke on Instagram and Facebook
Dartmouth College
The Claremont Colleges
ArtCenter College of Design
Altamira Fine Art
Virginia Diaz Saiki
Las Pampas Lodge
Patagonia Fly Fishing
Fishpond
Woody Beardsley
Cadillac Desert by Mark Reisner
Beyond the 100th Meridian by Wallace Stegner
Legacy of Conquest by Patricia Limerick
Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
The River Why by David James Duncan
Empire of the Summer Moon by SC Gwynne
The Heart of Everything That Is by Drury and Clavin
The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko (Duke accidentally said “Miracle Mile”)
Cormac McCarthy
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Chinatown
Blackthorn
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
Ain’t in It for My Health – A Film About Levon Helm
Yahtzee
Thatcher School
Ray Turner

Posted on September 20, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Conservation, Craftsmanship, Creativity, History, Ranchers

Innovators of the American West Book List

Over the years, I’ve interviewed dozens of innovators who are shaping the future of the American West—writers and ranchers, athletes and artists, conservationists and entrepreneurs, to name a few. While their vocations and backgrounds vary widely, they’re all connected by a shared love of books. All of my guests read widely and deeply, and they credit books with shaping their outlooks, work, and lives.

On each episode’s webpage, the exhaustive “episode notes” link to all books, authors, and other pertinent information discussed in the interview. So in an effort to consolidate all of this valuable information in one easy-to-access location, I compiled every book mentioned by each of my guests into this single comprehensive super-mega-list—the Innovators of the American West Book List. I’ve tried my best to organize them into logical categories, taking into account that many of the books span several genres.

As you’ll see, the books are as diverse as the guests, with topics ranging from the obvious western history and biographies, to more esoteric subjects such as military history, religion, and philosophy. Each book has played an important role in at least one of my guests’ fascinating lives, so it’s safe to say these books have been vetted and come highly recommended. For curious readers who love the American West, this list is a treasure trove.

I will continue to update this list after episodes (last update: 3-13-19), adding newly mentioned books or authors to their respective categories. I hope this list directs you to some books that you would not have otherwise discovered and that you will continue to check back as the list grows. Enjoy!

Western History

Biographies & Memoirs

Western Issues

Adventure

Native American History

Land Management & Agriculture

History & Natural History

Athletics

Personal & Creative Development

Fiction

Philosophy & Essays

Specifically Mentioned Authors

Still need more books? Sign up for Ed’s Bimonthly Book Recommendations!

Posted on September 7, 2017 by ELR

Blog

Dan Flores is a writer, historian, and former professor whose work explores the connections between people and the natural world in the American West. His most recent books—Coyote America and American Serengeti—are two of the most enlightening and informative books on the West’s natural history that I have ever read. The former is a biography of the coyote, a surprisingly fascinating animal with a rich and severely misunderstood history. The latter explores the last big mammals of the great plains—pronghorn, coyotes, horses, grizzlies, bison, and wolves—and also gives a great overview of North American big history.

It’s clear that Dan was a wonderful professor, because as you’ll hear in this episode, he has a real knack for explaining complicated subjects in a way that’s understandable, engaging, and exciting. This conversation gave me a glimpse into what it must have been like to be a student in Dan’s class at the University of Montana—I walked away from it full of new knowledge, and it whet my appetite to dig deeper into the many subjects we covered.

I could’ve asked Dan questions for hours and hours, but in our relatively short time together we managed to cover a lot. We start by discussing the coyote—how and why the animal has been so misunderstood, its similarities to humans, how it has managed to thrive despite efforts to totally eradicate the species, and the varying pronunciations of the word coyote. Then we discuss horses—the misconception that they are a non-native species in North America, their evolutionary history around the world, and some modern-day challenges facing the West’s few remaining wild horses. We also talk about Dan’s childhood in Louisiana, his current home in New Mexico, his favorite books on the American West, and much, much more.

This is an excellent episode and I’m excited for you to listen. If you haven’t already, buy Coyote America and American Serengeti—I can promise you’ll love them both.

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

3:00 – How Dan describes his work
4:10 – History of the pronunciation of “coyote”
7:30 – Coyote’s historical reputation
11:00 – Coyote’s status in Native American lore
12:30 – Mark Twain’s influence on the coyotes’ image
14:05 – Coyotes as humans’ avatars
16:15 – Fission and fusion in coyotes
18:00 – Coyotes’ ability to control their reproduction
22:20 – Dan’s thoughts on the current attempted Federal Land grab
28:45 – Misconception that horses are non-native
34:30 – Current issues with horses in the United States
37:55 – Dan’s thoughts on the BLM Wild Mustang Program
40:15 – Dan’s early years in Louisiana
43:00 – First trip to Carlsbad Caverns
45:20 – Dan’s passionate love of desert
48:55 – Living in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley
51:00 – Changes in Montana during Dan’s time there
55:00 – “In Defense of the Ranchette” article
1:01:45 – Favorite books about the American West
1:08:00 – Most powerful experience outdoors
1:09:20 – Favorite place in the West
1:11:30 – Dan’s request of the listeners
1:15:45 – Connect with Dan

Information Referenced

Posted on September 1, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Books, Conservation, Ecology, History, Native American History, Writers

Noel Durant is the new Executive Director of the Crested Butte Land Trust, a conservation organization that protects and stewards the ranches, trails, open space, and wildlife habit of Colorado’s Gunnison Valley. Noel took the helm of the land trust in early 2017, and he brings a wide variety of conservation experience with him into this new role. He’s worked as a member of the Interagency Hotshot Crew, fighting fires across the American West. He has also worked for regional and national conservation organizations, doing everything from managing large swaths of rural land to developing urban trail systems.

Noel’s resume speaks for itself, but what is even more impressive is his intense curiosity and deep knowledge around all things conservation. Whether discussing the history of the Gunnison Valley or the ideas of Wendell Berry, it’s clear that Noel has a true passion for his work and a vision for the future of conservation in Colorado and beyond. His practical experience combined with abundant enthusiasm is what will allow him to continue and expand the work of Crested Butte Land Trust into the future.

As listeners of the podcast know, Crested Butte in one of my favorite places in the American West. Its ranching heritage, world-class recreation, and genuine community make it a unique and rare place in today’s American West. In our conversation, Noel explains what makes Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley so special, and how the Land Trust must balance the goals of such a wide range of various stakeholders. He talks about the history of conservation in the Valley and where he sees conservation going in the future. We also discuss his time fighting fires throughout the West, how his early life and parents shaped his love of the outdoors, and lessons learned from his various roles in conservation.

This is an excellent episode with lots of interesting information, so be sure the check the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. I’m sure you’ll agree that Crested Butte Land Trust is in great hands under the leadership of Noel. Enjoy!

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Click Here to Download on Stitcher

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:35 – How Noel describes his work
2:55 – Crested Butte and the Crested Butte Land Trust
5:00 – Crested Butte compared to other mountain towns
7:00 – History of conservation in Crested Butte
11:00 – Variety of stakeholders and methods of conservation
16:30 – Overlap between ranchers and recreational users
19:00 – The community of the Gunnison Valley
20:15 – Early years in Tennessee
22:00 – Semester in western NC
23:50 – College at Clemson
27:00 – Time with the Interagency Hotshot Crew
29:00 – Details of a hotshot crew
33:00 – Community and purpose of the fighting fires
35:00 – Tragedies and challenges from the fire fighting world
39:45 – Moving on from fires to land conservation
43:00 – Time at Trust for Public Land
45:20 – Importance of open space in urban area
47:00 – Lessons learned from jobs in conservation
51:45 – Future of land conservation locally and nationally
56:45 – Favorite books
58:50 – Favorite documentaries
59:20 – Favorite location in the West
1:01:34 – Favorite hike in Crested Butte
1:03:00 – Best piece of advice he’s ever received
1:04:45 – Request of the listeners
1:05:45 – Connect with Noel and Crested Butte Land Trust

Information Referenced

Posted on August 25, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, Leadership

Teal Blake – At work, outside the studio

If you love art and the American West, chances are you’re already a fan of Teal Blake. His paintings of bucking horses, working cowboys, and the Western ranching lifestyle are some of the most authentic and creative around. Teal’s art is authentically Western because he’s so authentically Western—he has worked on ranches for all of his life, has ridden rodeo on the professional level, and has been making art since before he can remember. These unique life experiences, combined with a deep-seated drive to create original and striking art, meld together to make him one of the most genuine and fresh faces in Western art today.

Teal grew up in Augusta, Montana, the son of two creative parents who allowed him to roam free—fishing, hunting, and exploring the wilderness out his backdoor. During high school, he discovered his talent for bull riding and rodeo, and he pursued that passion for years, eventually competing on the professional circuit. Throughout all of his various adventures and life stages, Teal was continuously sketching and painting, and after several impressive showings at western art shows, he decided to make a go of it as a professional artist. Since then he hasn’t looked back, and his stature in the Western art world continues to grow.

We had an in-depth conversation in which we discussed Teal’s upbringing in Montana and Idaho, and how his artistic parents influenced his life and work. We chatted about his experience at art school, which ended with him flunking out, yet being the only one from his class to actually make it as a professional artist. We discuss his background in ranching and rodeo, and his process of transitioning into life as a professional artist. We also talk about the important role that external validation can play in a solitary creative endeavor such as painting. As usual, we discuss favorite books, favorite films, and his favorite place in the American West. We cover a lot in this episode, so be sure to check out the episode notes for all the topics and links to everything we discuss.

Images courtesy of Teal Blake

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:45 – How Teal describes his work
3:33 – Process of becoming a professional artist
5:00 – Teal’s childhood in Montana
7:55 – Teal’s parents and their influence on him
9:35 – Early artistic influences
11:20 – Early artistic endeavors
12:00 – Move to Idaho and rodeo beginnings
14:55 – Decision to stop riding bulls
17:40 – Teal’s experience at college art school
21:30 – Transition from rodeo to full-time artist
24:00 – Teal’s first art show
28:00 – Teal’s daily routine and artistic phases
31:05 – Ranch work and its influence on Teal’s work
35:25 – Teal’s attraction to bucking animals — painting and riding them
38:20 – Biggest changes in Teal’s art over the past 10 years
40:33 – Challenge of creating new and original work
43:00 – Thoughts on the business of professional art
48:20 – Favorite books
52:10 – Importance of being humbled
53:10 – Raising kids in the internet age
56:50 – Favorite films
58:40 – Surprising hobbies
1:01:00 – Great advice Teal has received
1:02:15 – Favorite place in the West
1:05:50 – Teal’s advice to the listeners
1:07:45 – Connect with Teal online
1:08:10 – Chappin’!!

Information Referenced

Posted on August 10, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Craftsmanship, Creativity, History, Ranchers

Justin Simoni (photo credit: Justin Simoni)

Justin Simoni is an ultra-endurance adventurer who is most well known for his self-powered, long-distance tours that combine cycling, mountain running, and climbing. He is currently preparing for the “Highest Hundred” in which he’ll climb Colorado’s 100 highest peaks, accessing them all by bike, in 60 days or less. If he pulls it off (and I’m betting that he will), it will be the first time anyone has linked all of these peaks by bike in a completely self-supported style.

Most people would assume that Justin has been a hardcore cyclist for his entire life, but he actually started riding relatively late. He studied painting in college and worked full time as a professional artist for years, living in an art gallery in downtown Denver. Frustrated with his car that kept breaking down, Justin purchased a bike and began to ride it as his primary mode of transportation. As his rides became longer and longer, he enjoyed it more and more, and pretty soon he was completely committed to long-distance cycling. What followed was a barrage of impressive solo ultra-distance adventures: cycling the Pacific Coast, racing the Tour Divide mountain bike race twice, and completing the Tour 14er, which involved cycling to all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains and climbing them… in just 34 days.

Thanks to his athletic accomplishments, artistic perspective, hilarious sense of humor, and infectious enthusiasm, Justin is truly one of a kind. We had a fun and funny conversation that covered a wide range of topics from his adventures to his time as an artist. We chatted about some of the techniques that he uses to stay upbeat during periods of extreme fatigue or fear, and we discussed how he balances his free-wheeling artist’s mentality with the monk-like discipline required to pull off such serious adventures. As usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and Justin shares the best piece of advice he’s ever received.

I appreciate Justin taking the time to chat during such a hectic period of planning and training. Also, thanks to the sponsors who are helping to make the Highest Hundred possible: Ultimate Direction, Surly Bikes, Colorado Mountain Club, OR, Sierra Designs, and La Sportiva.

This was a really fun conversation, so I hope you enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Justin Simoni

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:40 – How Justin describes his work

4:45 – “Highest Hundred” defined

5:10 – Significance of highest hundred

7:20 – Background of Justin’s self-powered adventures

9:20 – When Justin started seriously riding bikes

10:00 – Growing up in Connecticut

10:45 – His decision to move West

11:50 – Skateboarding and skateboarding advocacy

12:50 – Beginning cycling

14:15 – Pacific Coast bike tour

15:50 – Tour Divide

18:30 – Epic snowfall on the Tour Divide course

20:45 – Justin’s approach to hardcore adventure

21:45 – Positivity versus negativity in ultra-endurance

23:15 – Strategies for overcoming fatigue

24:45 – How he decides when he does need to stop

25:30 – Other techniques for keeping a positive mindset

26:00 – Justin’s ability to invent his own rules and challenges

27:00 – “Everesting” Green Mountain

29:30 – Enjoyment of truly knowing a place

31:30 – Justin’s approach to creating art

32:50 – The hard work involved in athletics and art

35:35 – How much art is a part of Justin’s life currently

36:35 – How adventures changes people

39:00 – Heroes and mentors

42:00 – Overarching goal of sharing these adventures with the public

43:45 – Favorite Books

45:00 – Favorite films

46:50 – Surprising activities

48:40 – Best advice he’s ever received

53:00 – Enlightenment through endurance

56:00 – Most powerful outdoor experience

58:50 – Favorite location in the West

1:01:00 – Justin’s request of the listeners

1:02:00 – Connect with Justin online and follow the adventure!

Information Referenced

Posted on June 14, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Athletes, Creativity

Bryan Martin and Elizabeth Williams work at Big City Mountaineers, a Colorado-based nonprofit that transforms the lives of underserved youth through wilderness mentoring expeditions. Through partnerships with community youth programs around the United States, Big City Mountaineers exposes close to 1,000 youth per year to outdoor adventures in some of our country’s most spectacular public lands. Not only do these young people learn outdoor skills, but more importantly, they learn critical life skills while also improving their self-confidence, communication skills, and leadership abilities.

Prior to assuming his role as executive director at BCM, Bryan enjoyed great success with a wide variety of conservation and outdoor-related organizations including the Nature Conservancy, Continental Divide Trail Alliance, Colorado Mountain Club, and the Land Trust Alliance. Elizabeth was a teacher in India and Nepal before joining BCM as a marketing intern—10 years and a lot of hard work later, she has risen through the ranks and is now the Director of Programs. Bryan and Elizabeth share a deep enthusiasm for the outdoors and a belief that outdoor experiences can be transformative. Their passion for the work and BCM’s mission is palpable, so I know you’ll enjoy getting to know them.

I met Bryan and Elizabeth at the BCM offices in the American Mountaineering Center in Golden, Colorado, where we discussed BCM’s mission, the details of their wilderness expeditions, and why outdoor adventures can be such life-changing experiences. We chat about Bryan and Elizabeth’s professional backgrounds and learn what drew them to careers centered around the outdoors and service. They also tell a heart-warming success story in which a student overcomes her initial fears to thrive on a weeklong wilderness trip.

Thanks to Bryan and Elizabeth for taking the time to chat. Hope you enjoy!

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

3:30 – Details of Elizabeth and Bryan’s roles at BCM

5:00 – Building teamwork through outdoor experiences

7:45 – Details of the wilderness expeditions

9:10 – Areas in which BCM operates

10:00 – Teaching students with no outdoor experience about wilderness travel

14:00 – BCM’s focus on personal development and critical life skills

15:50 – Ensuring the lessons stick when the students return home

17:00 – How BCM measures success

20:00 – Evolution of BCM’s measurements of success

22:45 – How BCM selects its mentors

25:00 – Areas where the expeditions take place

26:45 – Thoughts on public lands

29:00 – Elizabeth and Bryan’s personal backgrounds

34:30 – Bryan’s biggest surprise since becoming BCM’s E.D.

36:30 – Overarching lessons learned from their careers

40:40 – “Summit for Someone” program

44:45 – A recent BCM success story

49:00 – Favorite books

52:50 – Favorite documentaries

53:50 – Craziest/most powerful outdoor experiences

59:10 – Request of the listeners

1:00:40 – Connect with BCM online

Information Referenced

Posted on May 11, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Leadership, Mindfulness, Service

John Dunaway – Life and Times of a Merchant Mariner

John Dunaway is a Texas-based merchant mariner who spends six months each year traveling the world as the captain of large cargo ships. Whether cruising the calm, warm waters of Central America or avoiding Somali pirates off the coast of Africa, John’s goal is the same: deliver the cargo efficiently while ensuring the safety of his crew—quite the responsibility for a 32-year-old. When not at sea, John is an avid bird hunter, surfer, and all-around adventurer who uses his downtime to explore everywhere from Jackson Hole to Canyonlands to Antelope Island with his wife and young daughter. Thanks to a talent for photography and writing, John has gained a huge following on Instagram, where he documents his exploits on his account, AbstractConformity.

So you might be asking, what does a ship captain have to do with mountains and/or prairies? Although John may spend most of his time on the high seas, far away from the American West, you’ll notice that his optimistic perspective, focused sense of purpose, and thirst for adventure parallel the attitudes and outlooks of many of my previous podcast guests. Also like other guests, he is well read, a deep thinker, and has a genuine conservation ethic thanks to his close connection to the natural world. Although the objects of our affections may be different, our underlying values and priorities are surprisingly similar.

After almost a year of recording this podcast, I was excited to switch it up a little with this in-depth conversation with John about a subject that was fairly new to me. We start by covering the basics of his job—how one becomes a ship captain, particulars on the size of the ships, and details of day-to-day life on a 90-day ocean voyage. Then we dig deeper into some of his thoughts on leadership, his rituals and superstitions, how fatherhood has changed his outlook, and how he manages the pressure that comes along with being responsible for a massive ship, his crew, and the cargo. He also tells a few crazy stories from Africa and India, and he shares some insights from his recent trips around the American West. As usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and thoughts on conservation.

I found this to be a fascinating conversation, and I’d love to hear what you think. If you have a moment, please shoot me an email and let me know your thoughts. As always, thanks for taking the time to listen; hope you enjoy.

Photos courtesy of John Dunaway

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

3:00 – How John describes his work

4:20 – Details on the ships

5:40 – Length of the typical ocean voyage

8:35 – How John became a ship captain

10:25 – A typical day on an ocean voyage

12:40 – John’s morning routine

19:00 – Superstitions on the ship

21:00 – Details on the crew and boat

22:15 – How John leads his crew

25:20 – Comparing leadership methods of old-timers and younger captains

27:20 – Ernest Shackleton

28:40 – Common misconceptions

30:35 – Most dangerous areas John has visited

31:00 – Adventures with Somali pirates

33:50 – Robberies at port

36:15 – Getting a gun shoved in his chest in Mumbai

38:40 – John’s early years in Brazil and Texas

39:10 – Family ties to ships and the ocean

41:00 – John’s decision to pursue ships as a career

41:55 – John’s advice to young students at the Merchant Marine Academy

43:45 – How fatherhood has changed his perspective

49:30 – How John became a well-known photographer

54:45 – Background on John’s ability as a writer

58:00 – John’s recent adventures in the American West

1:03:30 – What was most striking about the American West

1:07:30 – Favorite books

1:10:15 – Favorite documentaries

1:11:00 – Best piece of advice he’s ever received

1:12:30 – Biggest challenge facing the oceans today

1:15:00 – John’s request to the listeners

1:15:40 – Connect with John online

Information Referenced

Posted on April 19, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Creativity, Leadership, Mindfulness, Service, Writers

Bernice Ende is a horsewoman and adventurer who has ridden over 28,000 miles on horseback throughout the United States. Back in 2005, without any significant experience in long riding, Bernice set out by herself from her home in Trego, Montana and headed south—2,000 miles south, all the way to the Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the following years, her rides became more and more ambitious, and her most recent trip stretched 8,000 miles from Montana to the coast of Maine and back, a journey that took over two and a half years to complete!

I was surprised to learn that Bernice is relatively new to long riding and never had life-long dreams of making long riding a full-time vocation. She grew up on a Minnesota dairy farm and spent the majority of her adult life teaching ballet in cities such as San Francisco, Minneapolis, and Seattle. In 1992 she moved to Trego, Montana and opened a ballet school in a historic community hall building. After a decade of teaching there in Trego, she made the decision to take her first long ride. Since then, her story has been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers, and even on the Today Show. More importantly, her rides have inspired people of all ages to follow their dreams and pursue lives of adventure.

Bernice is extremely gifted at telling her her life story, so we had a fun and in-depth conversation. We discussed her background and the decisions that led her to strike out on her own on her first long ride. We talked about the mental challenges of pursuing such ambitious adventures and how she manages the emotional ups and downs of years on the road. She breaks down the specifics of her long rides—how far she rides each day, what she eats, where she sleeps, and all the other details. She also shares some heartwarming stories of people she has met on her rides—stories that will restore your faith in humanity in the midst of our current volatile political climate.

Thank you again to Bernice for taking the time to chat. I hope you enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Bernice Ende

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:35 – How Bernice describes her work

3:45 – “Long ride” defined

4:15 – Quick summary of all the rides

4:40 – Bernice’s background and family

5:40 – Bernice’s mother and her influence

6:45 – Her attraction to horses

9:00 – Career in ballet

11:50 – Bernice’s family history in Montana

14:30 – The genesis of the idea for her first long ride

17:50 – How Bernice learned to Long Ride with no experience

19:40 – How to manage the highs and lows of long rides

22:20 – The transition from the life of a teacher to a long rider

25:00 – The technical details of long riding

28:30 – Heartwarming encounters with kind people

33:00 – Details of the most recent 8,000-mile journey

37:00 – Inspiring women of all ages through her journeys

39:15 – How Bernice has changed since becoming a long rider

42:30 – How Bernice defines conservation

44:45 – The importance of public lands

46:45 – Favorite books

48:30 – Unexpected hobbies

49:30 – A memorable event in the outdoors

50:50 – Biggest challenge and opportunity facing the West

54:00 – Words of wisdom

54:30 – Connect with Bernice online

55:10 – Bernice’s next adventure!

Information Referenced

Posted on March 29, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Mindfulness, Writers

Mike Reilly is the Veterans Program Coordinator at Heroes and Horses, a Montana-based nonprofit that uses expedition-style horse pack trips through wild landscapes to help veterans overcome the challenges of life after the military. Prior to his work with Heroes and Horses, Mike was a Navy SEAL and served as a member of SEAL Team 1 in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. As he was transitioning out of the military, he heard about Heroes and Horses and signed on as a student. The program offered a perfect blend of service, teaching, helping others, and adventure that spoke to Mike’s strengths and interests; after completing the program, he was hired as a full-time member of the team.

Heroes and Horses is not a vacation. It’s a rigorous and hardcore three-phase process that takes veterans with no prior horseback experience and, in the course of a summer, turns them into expert horsemen and wilderness travelers. Through the hard work and focus required to make it through the program, veterans are able to forge lasting bonds and discover a renewed sense of purpose—which gives them the skills and confidence to thrive in the civilian life as they begin their post-military lives. Amazingly, this program is offered at no cost to veterans.

Mike hard at work (Photo: Chris Douglas)

Mike was nice enough to take a break from a morning of training wild mustangs to chat with me about the program and his personal story. We discussed how he initially connected with Heroes and Horses and how it helped him through some of the challenges of post-deployment life. Mike explained the organization’s upcoming 500 Miles Project, in which they are training horses from the BLM’s Wild Mustang Program and planning to take them on a 500-mile ride later this summer. He also talks about his military career, and how a collegiate baseball injury was the catalyst that led him to pursue his dream of becoming a SEAL.

Mike is a humble guy with a deeply ingrained passion for serving and helping others, so I know you’ll enjoy this episode. I encourage you to check out the Heroes and Horses website, visit their GoFundMe page, and consider supporting their important work.

Photos courtesy of Chris Douglas

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

3:20 – How Mike describes his work

4:00- Heroes and Horses explained

7:45 – Importance of the bond between the veterans and horses

9:10 – Why H&H so effective compared to “traditional” PTSD therapy

11:15 – The circumstances that led Mike to H&H

13:30 – Why Mike chose H&H over traditional channels of help

15:25 – Mike reaches out to H&H founder and E.D. Micah Fink

16:00 – Personal powerful moment during Mike’s student stint at H&H

18:30 – Mike’s attraction to the military

20:00 – From enlisting to trying out for the SEAL teams

22:40 – Why teaching suits Mike’s personality

24:00 – Personal mentors and heroes

25:00 – Importance of purpose and community

27:55 – Ensuring that H&H lessons stick when the students return to “real life”

31:00 – Success stories from H&H

32:35 – Val from Unbranded

33:55 – The 500 Miles Project

36:30 – The BLM’s Wild Mustang Program

39:35 – Training wild horses

42:25 – How Mike defines the word “conservation”

45:40 – Favorite books

46:55 – Favorite movies

49:10 – Favorite place in the West

50:50 – Mike’s request of the listeners

Information Referenced

Posted on March 17, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Entrepreneurs, Leadership, Mindfulness, Service

AD Maddox is an accomplished artist who creates some of the most spectacular and memorable paintings of trout that I’ve ever seen. Using bright colors and unique perspectives, AD depicts trout and the fly fishing lifestyle in a way that is completely original, yet so authentic you’d be hard-pressed to find an angler who doesn’t love her work. Her art has been featured widely throughout the fishing world, including on the cover of Gray’s Sporting Journal, Patagonia apparel, and even StealthCraft drift boats.

I first encountered AD’s work when I moved to Jackson Hole in the mid-2000s. I’m not an art connoisseur, but I was instantly taken away with how she managed to capture the beauty and realistic details of trout with a contemporary and unconventional style. And just like her work, AD is a one-of-a-kind original—she spent years as a super-competitive athlete, studied exercise physiology in college, taught herself to paint without any formal art education, and rips around backroads on a Ducati motorcycle. Despite a fun-loving and easygoing exterior, she approaches her work with discipline and rigor that seem more fitting for a professional soldier than a professional artist.

Thanks to AD’s outgoing and hilarious personality, we had a very fun and wide-ranging conversation. We chatted about her many years living in Jackson Hole and how the people, landscapes, and natural beauty of that valley influenced her art. We discussed her upbringing and her parents’ role in giving her the confidence to pursue art as a full-time career. She also talks in detail about the importance of facing challenges (both in work and life) head-on and proactively, with a positive attitude and relentless work ethic. Whether you’re an artist or not, there are many wise lessons in the conversation that anyone could apply to their work and life.

SIBERIAN_RIVER_BOW — “Siberian River Bow” by AD Maddox

hopper-snack — “Hopper Snack” by AD Maddox

Photo and images courtesy of AD Maddox

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:45 – How AD describes her work

4:30 – Why AD focused on fly fishing as a primary subject

5:50 – Selling her first piece of art

7:20 – Using photos to learn to paint trout

8:45 – How her art has changed over the years

10:30 – Knowing when a painting is truly finished

12:15 – How AD learned the technical aspects of art

14:00 – AD’s artistic influences and mentors

16:00 – Lessons learned from painting mistakes

17:15 – Advantages of not waiting for permission

19:00 – AD’s optimistic attitude

21:00 – The constant quest to reinvent her art

24:00 – Writers/Artist’s block?

26:40 – AD’s early years in athletics

29:00 – Parent’s influence on her confidence

31:20 – Haters: the sign of success

34:00 – How living Jackson Hole shaped her art

35:50 – Importance of schedule, routine, and discipline

41:00 – Discipline versus inspiration

42:20 – Riding motorcycles

43:40 – How motorcycles helped her overcome personal challenges

46:00 – How personal challenges affected her art

50:00 – Favorite books

52:31 – Craziest outdoor experience

54:54 – Favorite place in the West

1:02:13 – Connect with AD online

Information Referenced

Posted on March 9, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, Hunting & Fishing, Mindfulness

Jeff Lee is the co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Land Library, a residential library located on a historic ranch in one of Colorado’s most beautiful and dramatic high country grassland basins. The Buffalo Peaks Ranch, as it is known, will eventually house a collection of over 35,000 books related to natural history, conservation, and the American West. These books will be dispersed throughout ranch in houses and agricultural structures that have been preserved and restored by a growing team of enthusiastic volunteers. The ranch will become a place where individuals can immerse themselves in a natural setting, surrounded by books, for days at a time to read, write, and work on projects related to the West’s unique landscapes.

The idea for the Land Library came to Jeff and his wife Ann (the library’s other co-founder) when they visited a residential library in Europe during the mid-1990s. Given their deep love of books and land, Jeff and Ann immediately saw the potential for a similar concept in Colorado that centered around the history and landscapes of the American West. More than 20 years and tens of thousands of books later, their vision has become a reality—the Rocky Mountain Land Library is open for business and continuing to grow and evolve.

For anyone who has listened to this podcast, you know that the Land Library is my dream come true—it combines ranches, conservation, nature, and books—so I was obviously extremely excited to chat with Jeff. In a little over an hour, we covered a ton of interesting information, including the project’s backstory, the history of the ranch, and Jeff and Ann’s long term vision for the Land Library. Of course, we discuss books, and Jeff has many excellent recommendations that were brand new to me. It’s worth noting that the Land Library is in the midst of the a fundraising campaign, so I encourage you to visit their KickStarter page, watch the video, and donate to the cause… I just did, so you definitely should too! Links to everything are in the episode notes.

If you love the West, love books, and love the land, I can guarantee you will love the Land Library and this episode. Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Land Library

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:40 – How Jeff describes his work

3:45 – Back story on the Land Library

4:40 – Jeff’s introduction to the West

7:00 – Lake Powell, water, and differences between the East and West

7:55 – The early beginnings of Jeff’s book collection

10:55 – The initial idea for the Land Library

13:50 – Challenges of storing tens of thousands of books

17:00 – South Park, Colorado described

19:30 – Early search for a Land Library site

23:45 – Unique experience on a ranch versus pristine wilderness

25:45 – Current state of the Land Library

28:10 – Cook’s House restoration – Kickstarter Campaign

29:40 – History of Buffalo Peaks Ranch

34:10 – How Jeff defines “conservation”

35:30 – Interesting people and groups who have visited and volunteered at the ranch

40:00 – How Jeff and Ann were able to take the Land Library from an idea to reality

42:20 – Jeff’s recommended books about the West

44:45 – Recommended biographies

51:00 – The interconnectedness of historical figures

52:25 – Purchase these books at your LOCAL bookstore!!!

53:20 – Books that Jeff has gifted or recommended

57:40 – Jeff’s most powerful outdoor experience

1:00:10 – Favorite location in the West

1:03:30 – Jeff’s request of the listeners

1:04:40 – Connect with the Land Library online

Information Referenced

* Please buy these books at your local bookseller!!!

Posted on March 3, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Books, Conservation, Creativity, History, Leadership, Writers

CREDIT: David J Swift — Christian Beckwith (photo credit: David J Swift)

Christian Beckwith is the director of SHIFT, a Jackson Hole-based non-profit that is building a powerful coalition to protect our nation’s public lands. By bringing together climbers, skiers, hunters, anglers, land managers, and countless other stakeholders, SHIFT is finding common ground and harnessing these groups’ collective power to ensure that public lands—our birthright as Americans—remain safe during this tenuous time in political history.

After a distinguished career in the publishing world which included editing the American Alpine Journal and co-founding Alpinist Magazine, Christian experienced a profound change in priorities when one of his close friends was killed in an avalanche in the Teton backcountry. At that point, Christian decided to focus his resources and energy exclusively on work that makes a “substantive difference in the world.” From there he founded the Center for Jackson Hole, SHIFT, and, most recently, the Emerging Leaders Program which brings together a diverse group of early career leaders in conservation.

Christian’s career is inspiring in many ways, but I especially admire his willingness to set audacious goals, put himself on the line, and not wait around for permission to make things happen. We dig into all of these topics in our hour-long conversation, and he shares some interesting insights into his career and the future of conservation. We also discuss Christian’s early childhood experiences that led him to a career focused on adventure and the outdoors, and he talks about his relationship with Yvon Chiounard and how Chiounard has influenced him both personally and professionally. We chat about Christian’s favorite books, documentaries, and how fatherhood has focused his thinking on the importance of conservation. There’s a full list of the topics we discuss in the episode notes.

Given the current fights surrounding our public lands, this is a timely and powerful episode. I hope this conversation spurs you to continue educating yourself on threats to our public lands and to take appropriate action to protect them.

Photos courtesy of Christian Beckwith

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:40 – How Christian describes his work

5:10 – Changing demographics in conservation

8:30 – Genesis of the idea for SHIFT

13:00 – Avalanche in Apocalypse Couloir

15:20 – Christian’s decision to shift from publishing to conservation

18:00 – Evolution of SHIFT

20:30 – Importance of encouraging people to fall in love with wild places

21:40 – Overview of the current public land debate

25:40 – How becoming a father changed Christian’s mindset

28:20 – Collaborating with non-traditional partners of recreation

31:20 – Defining the word “conservation”

31:50 – Conservation heroes and Yvon Chouinard

35:50 – The importance of Chouinard’s internal compass

40:45 – Childhood experiences that led to a career centered around the outdoors

43:10 – First experiences climbing

45:40 – Advice to his younger self

49:30 – Favorite books

51:30 – Favorite documentaries

52:30 – Unexpected activities

54:00 – Christian’s most powerful outdoor experience

58:00 – Christian’s request of the listeners

59:00 – Connect with Christian and SHIFT online

Information Referenced

Posted on February 14, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Athletes, Conservation, Entrepreneurs, Leadership, Service, Writers

Tyler Sharp is an adventurer, sportsman, conservationist, and world traveler with a gift for telling stories through images and the written word. While he may be best known for his photography focusing on Americana and Western lifestyle, travel, and adventure, Tyler has built an impressive resume that includes filmmaking, directing, writing, and creative strategy. His work has taken him to some of the most spectacular and far-flung regions of the globe, with an emphasis on East Africa, Montana, and his home state of Texas.

As a devoted hunter and fisherman, Tyler has chased game in some of the world’s wildest regions, giving him a global perspective on the importance of natural resources, game management, and sustainable hunting practices. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Tyler has thought deeply about the practical and ethical implications of hunting and fishing both abroad and here in the American West. His sincere devotion to conservation and adventure shines through in his work and has made him the go-to photographer for iconic brands such as Filson, Cabelas, and Stetson, to name a few.

MT_August_2016_2116 — Photo by Tyler Sharp

Tyler and I met up in Estes Park, Colorado, just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, for a fun conversation that could have gone on for hours. We discussed his beginnings as a professional photographer, which started in earnest when he moved to East Africa just out of college—he’s got some intense stories from his travels that include run-ins with lions and leopards. We covered his thoughts on conservation, and how his time traveling abroad has given him a clearer understanding of conservation issues facing the American West. Then the conversation took an unexpected but interesting turn when we chatted about his commitment to Kung Fu (yes, Kung Fu!), meditation, and eastern philosophy.

Be sure to check out the episode notes for the full list of topics covered, because we touch on a lot. This is a wide-ranging conversation that takes many surprising twists and turns. Hope you enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Tyler Sharp

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:40 – How Tyler describes his work

3:40 – Tyler’s niche in the creative world

4:25 – Tyler’s background

5:35 – Heading to Los Angeles from Texas for college

7:00 – Post college adventures in Africa

8:10 – The shock of moving to Tanzania from LA

10:30 – Learning how to “grease the wheels” in Africa

11:25 – How time in Africa changed Tyler

13:20 – Threat of people versus wildlife

14:10 – Craziest experience in Africa (spoiler alert – it involves a lion!)

20:40 – Showdown with a leopard

22:20 – Transition from Africa to American West

24:15 – His choice to focus in on his passion

26:30 – Specific actions that have allowed Tyler to separate himself from the competition

31:10 – Tyler’s personal brand

32:00 – Tyler’s conservation ethic

35:00 – Discussion about conservation and hunting

39:00 – Hunters and others coming together to save public lands

40:00 – Details on The Modern Huntsman

41:55 – Blowback from posting hunting photos online

44:35 – Importance of having conversations versus fighting

46:30 – Tyler’s definition of “conservation”

50:00 – Kung Fu and other martial arts

52:50 – Physical and mental benefits of Kung Fu

56:00 – Favorite books

1:00:50 – Advice to take better landscape photos

1:03:50 – Favorite place in the West

1:05:30 – Tyler’s request of the listeners

1:09:50 – Connect with Tyler online

Information Referenced

Posted on February 7, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Conservation, Creativity, Ecology, Hunting & Fishing, Mindfulness, Writers

A comprehensive list of every book I recommended in 2016, taken directly from my bimonthly book recommendations email.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari – If you’ve ever wondered how we humans managed to transform ourselves from fancy monkeys who roamed the plains eating berries and raw meat into fancier monkeys who fly rocketships to the moon, then this is the book for you. Harari crams an unbelievable amount of interesting information into 464 pages, covering all aspects of Homo Sapiens’ rise to power – agriculture, religion, government, empires, corporations, and science, just to name a few. In a sometimes funny and surprisingly easy-to-read style, he boils down the last 70,000 years into fascinating (and probably highly controversial to some) narrative of our species’ relatively short existence on earth.

Encounters with the Archdruid by John McPhee – What happens when you take a passionate (some would say militant) environmentalist and send him on three separate close-quartered trips with a mining-obsessed geologist, a loudmouth resort developer, and a brash former Secretary of the Interior who loves to dam up rivers? Read this book and you’ll find out. In it, John McPhee follows David Brower (former head of the Sierra Club) on each of these trips, and McPhee gives unbiased, fully detailed accounts of the conversations and interactions between the men. The book is a great reminder that environmental and conservation issues are extremely complex, and no matter which side of the spectrum you are on, there is no “right” answer. If the answers were that easy, the problems would’ve been fixed generations ago. A thought-provoking read by one of our most talented living authors.

Being Nixon: A Man Divided by Evan Thomas – I think a better title would be “Being Nixon: A Weirdo.” I knew almost nothing of substance about Nixon when I picked up this book, and now I can’t stop thinking about him. What an oddball! Nixon was a walking contradiction— he was an introverted, socially awkward man who devoted his life to politics, one of the most extroverted careers imaginable. He fancied himself a tough guy, yet he was terrified of face-to-face confrontation (and cried a lot, too). He claimed to hate Ivy Leaguers, yet he filled his cabinet with them and constantly sought their approval. He positioned himself as a champion of the downtrodden “silent majority,” yet he was disgustingly racist. The list goes on and on. As weird as he was, I came away thinking that there’s something strangely admirable about a man who could push himself so hard to reach the pinnacle of a career in which he had no natural talent. It’s like if I somehow willed my way into becoming the MVP of the NBA. I learned about the book from Conan O’Brien, who periodically does serious, non-comedy interviews with authors and other intriguing people. Here’s the one for Being Nixon, but they are all great. (Also worth reading by Evan Thomas – The War Lovers: Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst, and the Rush to Empire, 1898)

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard – President James Garfield has one of the more impressive life stories of any U.S. President, yet few people know about him because he was assassinated just months into his presidency. Alas, when people now hear the name Garfield, they just think of that fat lasagna-eating cat. Anyway, Garfield was shot in 1881, just as medicine was rounding the corner from being one step above voodoo into becoming an actual science with a focus on sterilization and controlling infection. Unfortunately for Garfield, his doctors had not yet accepted all the new-fangled inventions like, say, hand washing. Within minutes of being shot, while lying on the filthy train station floor, Garfield’s doctors were jamming their nasty fingers into the wound, trying in vain to extract the bullet. The doctors did, however, start a fatal infection that dragged out for almost three months until Garfield finally died. Worst case, this book will make you appreciate just how far our medical technology has progressed in less than 150 years. (Also by Millard is River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey, one of my favorite books of all time.)

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing – My good buddy and Denali tentmate recommended this book to me. Since he and I get a peculiar enjoyment from freezing our faces off in ridiculously cold places, he thought I’d love the book… and I did. It follows Ernest’s Shackleton’s ill-fated overland expedition across Antartica and consists of three brutal survival tales—shipwrecked on a floating ice flow for over a year, open boat sailing through the roughest seas on earth, and traversing an uncharted, glaciated, arctic island on foot with no climbing gear. When taken as one massive adventure, it is hard to understand how not a single life was lost. Endurance is the ultimate example of rock-solid leadership, the limits of human toughness, and the power of optimism. I actually got chills on my neck when reading the last two pages, which I don’t recall ever happening before. It’s one of the best true adventure stories of all time.

It All Turns on Affection: The Jefferson Lecture and Other Essays by Wendell Berry – In my circle of friends involved in land conservation and agriculture, Wendell Berry is a living legend. A Stanford-educated writer and poet who studied under Wallace Stegner, Berry choose to return home to his family farm in rural Kentucky to live, farm, and write, all while deeply immersed in a place that he loves. The first essay in this book is a reflection on the importance of truly knowing a place, having deep affection for it, and developing the obligation to protect and care for it. I imagine that I’ll read this essay at least once a year, as it is one of those dense, meaningful, beautifully written works that will take on a different significance depending on my current stage of life.

Four Fish – The Future of the Last Wild Food by Paul Greenberg – Despite the fact that there are thousands of species of fish on earth, consumers focus primarily on four species: salmon, sea bass, cod, and tuna. Why? Well, it’s a complicated and fascinating story that takes 304 pages to explain. Greenberg travels around the world learning from the fishermen, scientists, geneticists, conservationists, and other characters who’ve played a role in making these four species the mainstays of the seafood industry. It’s also a cautionary tale of the irreversible global damage that unchecked commercial fishing is causing, and it will make you think twice next time you see those massive slabs of pink salmon at your local Costco. [Are you a weirdo like me who likes fish biographies? Then check out Cod: A Biography of a Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky. It’s even better than Four Fish.]

The Men Who Stare at Goats by Jon Ronson – If this book were fiction, it would be too ridiculous to believe, and I’d promptly throw it in the trash. But it is true, which makes it really hard to put down. It’s the story of a secret U.S. military division that was created during the 1960s with the goal of using psychic and metaphysical powers to fight evil around the world. The book describes American generals who are convinced they can walk through walls, “warrior monks” who claim the ability to become invisible on command, and, of course, psychic military contractors who can allegedly kill goats by staring at them. It’s easy to shrug off some of this nonsense when thinking of it in the context of the hippied-out 60s, but you’ll be surprised to know that the U.S. government has been employing some of these wacky techniques as recently as the post-9/11 Iraq and Afghanistan wars. A perfect example of truth being stranger than fiction.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport – The author is a 34-year old professor of computer science at Georgetown who has published over 70 academic papers, four books, and countless blog posts, all while having a family and rarely working after 6PM. How does he do it? His answer is “Deep Work”—disciplined, lengthy stretches of undistracted, highly focused work. Newport’s theory is that many knowledge-based workers have lost the ability to focus thanks to endless technological distractions such as email, social media, and smartphones. He also believes that professionals with the ability to cultivate focus and deep thinking will have a huge advantage over the distracted masses. Anyone who spends a majority of their workday in front of a computer needs to read this book. I took tons of notes on this book and have already referred back to them multiple times. [Two other related books that I recommend are Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work by Matthew B. Crawford and Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence by Daniel Goldman.]

Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II by Robert Kurson – Prior to reading this book, I thought that scuba diving was a pastime for portly Carnival Cruise patrons who enjoy staring at starfish and conch shells while flailing around in tropical waters. Well, I stand corrected. The book follows a group of tough, competitive, risk-loving deep water shipwreck divers who discover a wrecked Nazi submarine off the coast of New Jersey, which leads them on a six-year adventure that ends with them rewriting the history books. The book goes into great detail about the complexities and dangers of deep water diving, and makes it crystal clear that this “sport” is not for the faint of heart. The mentality of these guys (as evidenced by several team members who die on the bottom of the ocean) is very similar to many world-class high-altitude mountaineers—absolutely obsessed with a goal and willing to do anything to achieve it.

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin – I really need to lay off the Navy SEAL books, because every time I read one, I feel like a weak, lazy, undisciplined lunk. But after listening to an interview with one of this book’s authors, I knew I needed to check it out. Willink and Babin are retired SEALs who now run a leadership consulting business, trying their best to impart some of their battlefield wisdom to corporate America. The book alternates between true war stories and case studies of how those battlefield lessons can be applied to the business world. Interestingly, many of the war stories describe times that the authors made mistakes, then they deconstruct how they adjusted course, fixed the situations, and learned valuable lessons—it’s an unexpected and humble method of conveying their wisdom. I gleaned a lot of value from this book, even though I basically work alone. I’d imagine professionals who lead teams would find the advice all the more valuable.

The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch by Jonathan Gottschall – Gottschall was an out-of-shape English professor at a small liberal arts college who was feeling weak and sloppy (perhaps he was reading too many Navy SEAL books?), so he decided to join a mixed martial arts (MMA) gym. The book follows his 2+ year journey as he goes from complete novice to skilled and tough enough to compete in a sanctioned MMA fight. Layered on top of the author’s personal adventure is a very interesting discussion around why men have always been focused on demonstrating strength, dominance, and mental toughness, and how that tendency plays out in sports, business, or just plain ol’ brawling. [Years ago I read A Fighter’s Heart: One Man’s Journey Through the World of Fighting by Sam Sheridan and LOVED it. I still think about it all the time, so I highly recommended it as well.]

The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko – This book hits on many of the subjects I love: adventure, history, conservation, the West, water, and crazy people. The title sums up the primary storyline, but the book covers many ancillary topics including Coronado’s 14th-century expedition to the Grand Canyon, John Wesley Powell’s first descent of the Colorado, a history of the US’s river-damming efforts (and ensuing protests from Edward Abbey et. al.), and the culture of river guiding in the West. If you enjoy exciting adventure stories and want an overview of the history of Western water issues, this book is an excellent choice. [If you’re looking for a straight-up river adventure book, check out Hell or High Water: Surviving Tibet’s Tsangpo River by Peter Heller. If you’re looking for an in-depth conversation about Western water policy, check out my interview with former river guide and current water innovator Spencer Williams.]

Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi – I never really played tennis and I’m not an avid fan of the sport, but I found this book to be unbelievably interesting. It digs deep into an idea that I find endlessly fascinating: that people’s best characteristics can also be their worst. Most of the aspects of Agassi’s life that drove him to be a champion—a relentless competitive streak, high-strung personality, an overbearing father—were also the causes of much of his personal misery and anguish. Agassi reveals some astonishingly private details of his life (e.g. his frosted mullet was partly a wig, humiliating specifics of his father’s bullying, his use of meth, etc.), details that made me much more sympathetic toward him and his brash, attention-grabbing antics as a youngster, including his acid-washed jorts. The book was a good reminder to me that most people—from elite athletes to everyday Joes—are fighting some sort of internal battle, and that if I knew their full story, I’d probably be more compassionate and patient with them. [For more insights into the idea that a person’s best characteristics can also be their worst, I highly recommend The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert.]

On Immunity: An Inoculation by Eula Biss – A year or so ago, you may remember endless media coverage around a measles outbreak that originated in Disneyland (I would’ve guessed Carnival Cruise Lines was somehow responsible), which devolved into arguments regarding the nuances of immunology from the likes of Jenny McCarthy and other washed-up celebrities. In the midst of the hubbub, I read an article by Bill Gates in which he recommended this book as a solid, well-reasoned overview of the subject. If it’s good enough for Gates, it’s good enough for me, and I’m very glad I read it. Biss efficiently covers everything from broad immunization theory down to the scientific details, which gave me a useful foundation of knowledge that I’m happy to have, especially as a new parent.

Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life by Winifred Gallagher – In my last email, I recommended Deep Work by Cal Newport, which I absolutely loved. Throughout the book Newport references Rapt, so I decided to give it a read. Gallagher’s main premise is that your life is the creation of what you do (and do not) focus on, and that one’s ability to choose their focus can play a big role in their happiness. A lot of this book details the science of attention, which I find very interesting. It also gave me a deeper understanding of Newport’s book. But unless you are a science nerd, I’d recommend reading Deep Work first; then, if you like it, delve deeper with this one. [Another great book on focus, which is referenced by both Gallagher and Newport is Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Yes, that is his real name.]

Churchill by Paul Johnson – For years I’ve wanted to learn more about Winston Churchill, but I haven’t been willing to devote the time required for most of his 600+ page biographies. When I came across this short biography, it seemed like the perfect way to sample the goods. It was a fun read that piqued my interest in the man, and I plan to read more books about him in the coming years. Churchill, like my hero Theodore Roosevelt, squeezed every last drop out of his life, and enjoyed tremendous success across a wide spectrum of disciplines. At the end of the book, Johnson details the five character traits that led to Churchill’s success, which are interestingly the same five characteristics I’d argue are the main reasons for TR’s success. [Did somebody say TR? Then check out the greatest book of all time, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris.]

Getting Stoned with Savages: A Trip Through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu by J. Maarten Troost – I almost never reread books, but I enjoyed this one even more the second time. This book and its predecessor The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific follow the misadventures of a hilarious guy who moves from Washington, DC to the South Pacific thanks to his wife’s job in international development. Both of these books were truly life changing for me—I read them while living and working in DC, and they planted the then-ridiculous idea to pack up and move to Central America thanks to my wife’s job in international development. If I ever write a book, I hope it can be a fraction as funny as these two—It is worth the book’s $12.23 price tag just to read Troost’s description of the DC subway and a haughty businessman whom he describes as a “smug little puffin [who] came to represent all that I found odious about Washington.” [Troost’s third book Lost on Planet China: One Man’s Attempt to Understand the World’s Most Mystifying Nation is also hilarious and worth reading.]

The Naturalist: Theodore Roosevelt, A Lifetime of Exploration, and the Triumph of American Natural History by Darrin Lunde – NEW T.R. BOOK ALERT! Just when I think I’ve maxed out my T.R. knowledge, The Naturalist is published! This book focuses exclusively on T.R.’s work in natural history, starting with his early childhood bird obsession and culminating with his yearlong, post-presidency African hunting/scientific expedition. The book also digs deep into the growth of natural history in the United States, discussing the rise of natural history museums and profiling the era’s pioneering naturalists. The author does a great job explaining how T.R. could be such a devoted conservationist and nature lover, while also being an enthusiastic big game and bird hunter. I’ve always said that his 7.5 years as President were the least interesting part of T.R.’s life, and this book presents strong evidence for my claim. [For a sometimes too-detailed history of T.R.’s conservation work, check out Douglas Brinkley’s Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America. For a non-T.R. history of America’s naturalist/conservation movement, check out Last Stand: George Bird Grinnell, the Battle to Save the Buffalo, and the Birth of the New West by Michael Punke.]

Denali’s Howl: The Deadliest Climbing Disaster on America’s Wildest Peak by Andy Hall – I haven’t come across many good books about Denali, but this one seemed promising. It details a 1967 expedition in which 12 climbers started up the mountain, and only five made it down. The cause of disaster was not so much incompetence (although there was a little of that) as it was a massive superstorm that hammered the mountain for days on end. I’ve spent over 45 days on Denali and have experienced firsthand how a storm with just a quarter of the power of this storm can wreck the most high-tech, 21st-century gear and tents (as well as the climbers in those tents!). It is a stern reminder that, in the end, humans and all our fancy gear are simply no match for nature. I’d only recommend this book to people with a specific interest in Denali—it’s a rather meticulous, point-by-point retelling of this particular expedition, and I can see how it might be boring for folks without an interest in the subject. [If you’re looking for a solid collection of mountaineering stories suitable for most audiences, I highly recommend Jon Krakauer’s Eiger Dreams: Ventures Among Men and Mountains.]

Saban: The Making of a Coach by Monte Burke – I’m not a huge fan of college football, but I am a huge fan of fascinating characters, so I’ve always been intrigued by Alabama head coach Nick Saban. A consistent winner, perpetually grumpy, and off-the-charts competitive, I was excited for some insight into what makes him tick. Predictably, a lot of his success can be chalked up to simply outworking the competition—both the quantity and uber-focused quality of his work are super-human. Less predictably, Saban does not focus on motivation, rather he focuses on “The Process,” which involves breaking the game down into its simplest parts. The book digs deep into his entire life, from growing up poor in coal-mining country, to his early career when he never held a position for much more than a year, to some of his NFL flameouts. Solid portrait of an interesting guy, with many lessons that can be applied to almost any business or hobby.

Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger – After decades of writing about wars and profiling soldiers, Junger noticed that even though America’s military conflicts have become less and less deadly for U.S. soldiers, there has been a staggering rise in the prevalence of PTSD. Even soldiers who never see direct combat report PTSD-like symptoms after leaving the military. In the book, Junger theorizes that long-term, persistent PTSD is more the result of societal aspects of life in the U.S. than traumatic war experiences. After leaving the military, soldiers are forced to try and find a new purpose larger than themselves, while simultaneously being thrust into a society severely lacking in community. Junger then explores humans’ evolutionary need for purpose and community, and how our modern-day lives can be startlingly devoid of both. There are lessons for everyone in this book, whether you served in the military or not. It’s one of the most throught-provoking books I’ve read in the last year, and I highly recommend it. [For more on humans’ evolutionary heritage, check out Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. Equally thought-provoking.]

Braving It: A Father, a Daughter, and an Unforgettable Journey into the Alaskan Wild by James Campbell – Even though my daughter is barely a year old, I already daydream about some of the fun adventures that we’ll have together in wild places. This book presents an excellent blueprint for hardcore father-daughter Alaska expeditions. The author and his teenage daughter take a series of three trips above the Arctic Circle—two of which involve living and working with trappers in their remote Alaskan outpost. The third trip is an unsupported backpacking and canoeing trip down a remote, grizzly-infested valley. The book is very well written, and I could easily relate to both the father and daughter. The book is also heavy on travel and adventure narrative and light on sappy father-daughter emotional nonsense, which I appreciated. A great book, especially for dads of little girls.

Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday – I loved Ryan Holiday’s previous book The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph. It was one of those books that I covered with underlines and notes, and, now two years later, it still sits on my bedside table for quick reference. In Obstacle, Holiday discusses methods—many based on lessons learned from Stoic philosophy or specific historical figures—for dealing with the challenges brought about by external forces in our lives. In Ego in the Enemy, he examines the powerful internal force of ego, and how it can affect different stages of life—early career, hard-won success, and inevitable failure. Using real-world examples ranging from Howard Hughes to Benjamin Franklin to Malcolm X and many more, Holiday provides concrete case studies of ways that ego can either assist or sabotage the pursuit of our goals. Now covered in notes, this book will remain within close reach for years to come.

One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits by Adam Skolnick – Did you know there are people who can inhale one massive breath, dive 300+ feet below the ocean’s surface, then swim back to the top, mostly unscathed? I didn’t, and I’m usually in the know when it comes to such oddballs. One Breath is an overview of the sport of freediving, and it explores the activity from every angle—its history, physiology, training techniques, mental aspects, and current competitive landscape. While the book focuses primarily on Nick Mevoli, a freediving prodigy who ultimately pushes beyond his limits, it also profiles many of the sport’s top competitors, an intriguing and diverse cast of characters. As an interesting side note, I started messing around with some of the breathing techniques described in this book and easily held my breath for 3:15! Crazy stuff that I will continue to explore. [For more ocean adventure, I’ll re-recommend this book from the March/April 2016 email: Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II by Robert Kurson]

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance – Growing up in eastern NC and spending plenty of time in Appalachia (as well as one particularly memorable stint deep in the Louisiana bayou), I’m very familiar with the demographic profiled in this book. But having the plight of poverty-stricken white people so intimately described by one of their own was eye-opening and disturbing even to me—I can only imagine how shocked people less familiar with this culture (e.g. many of my neighbors here in Boulder, CO) would be. The author grew up in one of the poorest parts of Appalachia, with an opioid-addicted mother and no father, yet he managed to claw his way out, eventually graduating from Yale law school. This would be a fascinating story at any time, but it’s especially important at this juncture in our country’s history. Check out this WSJ book review for a more detailed analysis by a person who actually knows how to recommend books. [People may think I’m joking, but the cult classic documentary The Dancing Outlaw also gives a surprisingly accurate portrayal of life in the “holler.”]

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan – No exaggeration, this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s part memoir and part adventure travel narrative, and it is written in a style so beautiful and engaging that I found myself re-reading pages and passages multiple times—I never do that, nor do I use the word “beautiful” to describe anything. The author is a war reporter and staff writer for The New Yorker who has lived a fascinating, adventurous life. From his childhood in California and Hawaii, a multi-year, around-the-world surf trip, teaching English in apartheid-oppressed South Africa, and his early career in San Francisco, surfing has been the common thread that connects all aspects of his life. He describes surfing and the ocean in ways that are amazing, artistic, and accurate, yet he somehow never goes overboard with flowery or pompous language—unexpected for anyone from The New Yorker. Even if you have no interest in surfing, you’ll love this book. It’s long with small print, but I never once found my attention drifting. I just wanted a fun surf adventure story, and I ended up with a Pulitzer Prize-winning work of art. It’s amazing. BUY IT! [My two other favorite surf books are In Search of Captain Zero: A Surfer’s Road Trip Beyond the End of the Road by Allan Weisbecker and Saltwater Buddha: A Surfer’s Quest to Find Zen on the Sea by Jaimal Yogis.]

Home Ground: A Guide to the American Landscape edited by Barry Lopez and Debra GwartneyAfter nearly a decade of struggling to figure out original ways to accurately describe ranches, rivers, and western landscapes, this book was a godsend. More of a reference book than prose, it’s a comprehensive catalog of over 850 terms that describe America’s natural features. Even better, the terms’ original definitions were composed by some of our best contemporary writers, folks like Jon Krakauer, Charles Frazier, and many more. I’ve caught myself looking up one word, and then continuing to read, page after page, because it’s all just so interesting. Highly recommended for anyone like me who thrashes through the writing process. [I was turned on to the book by Stephen Rinella, one of the modern-day masters when it comes to describing the natural world. His book American Buffalo: The Search for a Lost Icon is one of my all-time favorites.]

End of Plenty: The Race to Feed a Crowded World by Joel K Bourne Jr. – The author is from my hometown and has had a distinguished career writing for National Geographic—most notably, he warned of New Orleans’ hurricane vulnerability in 2004, just 10 months prior to Katrina’s wrath. In the End of Plenty, he lays out a balanced history of industrial agriculture, then goes on to scare the bejesus out of the reader with numerous examples of how the world is going to run alarmingly short on food if we remain on our present (population, political, technological) trajectory. Thankfully, the second half of the book is a series of optimistic, hopeful stories of individuals and companies altering the doomsday trajectory through innovative and sustainable agriculture that can be applied on a global scale. It’s dense, well researched, and thought provoking, but written in a fun style that you’d expect from a National Geographic reporter.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo – I don’t know that I’d call it “life-changing” and it’s certainly not “magic,” but after reading this book, I went absolutely nuts decluttering. My wife and daughter were out of town for the weekend, so I spent two full days ridding myself of accumulated junk—I gave a pile to Goodwill, recycled at least 100 pounds of paper, and organized everything else into what seems to be a sustainable system. Keep in mind, I’m no pack rat and purposefully don’t have a lot of junk, so I was amazed at how much I was able to eliminate using Kondo’s system. There are plenty of weird/silly ideas in the book (she seems to think socks are alive), but it convinced me to spend a weekend cleaning instead of having fun in the mountains, so I have to recommend it.

Buffalo for the Broken Heart: Restoring Life to a Black Hills Ranch by Dan O’Brien – This book combines many of the subjects I find fascinating: ranching, natural history, bison, conservation, the American West, and regenerative agriculture. It follows the author’s journey to convert his South Dakota ranch from a traditional cattle operation to a 100% grassfed and finished bison operation, which, as it turns out, is not an easy task. I had the pleasure of meeting the author a year ago, and he’s equal parts tough-guy rancher and soft-hearted intellectual—he seems just as likely to write a verse of poetry as he is to finish a bar fight. The book thoroughly explains the economic and emotional challenges facing ranchers throughout the West, while digging deep into the historical and ecological aspects of flora and fauna, particularly buffalo, in the shortgrass prairie ecosystem. But if you’re looking for a brief overview of O’Brien’s work without all the words and stuff, check out the short, free film Unbroken Ground. [If you like this book, I’d also suggest O’Brien’s most recent title: Wild Idea: Buffalo and Family in a Difficult Land.]

Natural Born Heroes: Mastering the Lost Secrets of Strength and Endurance by Christopher McDougall – Several friends who run ultras recommended this book, so I was excited to check it out. It’s basically two books rolled into one: a historical account of a little-known WWII battle on the island of Crete and the author’s personal adventure to discover how Cretans were able to run farther and lift more than average humans using only natural and timeless training methods. While the WWII stories are interesting, I enjoyed the second part of the book the most, which involves the author ripping to shreds the U.S. government’s food-pyramid-based diet, gyms that encourage the use of weight machines, and the “sports nutrition” industry. Contrary to popular belief, true fitness and lifelong health do not require a membership to Gold’s Gym or chugging gallons of gatorade. Reading tip: If you get bogged down in the WWII history details, just skim ahead a few pages and it will pick up. [I also highly recommend McDougall’s other well-known book Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen.]

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg – I’m always looking for tips on how to easily break bad habits and form good ones. (For a friend. Not for me, of course.) This books answers those questions with detailed scientific research and well-documented case studies, all presented in an engaging and entertaining style. The author, a New York Times investigative reporter, does an excellent job presenting a ridiculous amount of data in a way that is fun to read and memorable. It consists of three sections: habits of individuals, organizations, and societies. I found the habits of individuals section to be the most useful, but folks who work at larger companies or manage teams of people may get more out of the other two sections than I did. If you’re the type to set New Year’s resolutions, this book might give you a fighting chance of sticking with them past January 15th.

Islam and the Future of Tolerance: A Dialogue by Sam Harris and Maajid Nawaz – An outspoken atheist neuroscientist (Harris) sits down with a former radical Islamic extremist (Nawaz) to discuss religion… what could possibly go wrong? Surprisingly, nothing. In fact, I’d say everything goes right—they have a respectful, in-depth, wide-ranging conversation in which they both come away better understanding each other’s opinions. This short book is basically their conversation transcribed into print, and it provided me with new insights into Islam and the controversies surrounding the religion. Given our current political climate, it’s very refreshing to observe two smart, well-informed people with opposite belief systems have a civil and substantive conversation. If more people like these authors were on TV, I probably wouldn’t have canceled my cable! [I also highly recommend Sam Harris’s Lying, another short book that argues that no one should tell a lie of any kind, “white lie” or otherwise, ever.]

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight – The only things I knew about the early days of Nike were that founder Phil Knight paid an art student a few bucks to design the famous “swoosh” logo and something about his using a waffle iron to create prototype shoe soles. Turns out there’s more to the story than that. I LOVED this book, and it’s one of the best business memoirs I’ve ever read. It’s an extremely revealing and exciting firsthand account of Knight’s journey from writing a business plan during grad school to eventually taking Nike public. He seems to be very honest in his telling of the story—he’s upfront about his self-doubt and open about how the company was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy for well over a decade. He makes it crystal clear just how damn hard it was to survive, much less thrive as a company. This was my favorite book on this list, highly recommended. [One of my other favorite business memoirs is Call Me Ted by Ted Turner. Ted’s on the polar opposite end of the personality spectrum than Knight, but many of his struggles and lessons learned are similar.]

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman – This is the third book by Ryan Holiday that I’ve recommended. It’s what I call a “bedside table book”—one that I keep close at hand to page through before bed or first thing in the morning. This one is 366 quotes by Stoic philosophers, each followed by a brief discussion of how the idea can be applied to our daily lives. I was forced to take standard philosophy in college and found it infuriatingly worthless, but my experience with Stoicism has been the exact opposite—the ideas are amazingly relevant and useful in my day-to-day life. The basic gist of Stoicism is that you can’t control what happens to you, only how you react, and guys like Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and Epictetus have some pretty solid thoughts on the subject. Think of this book as a compilation album of the Stoics’ greatest hits. [One of my other favorite bedside table books is the National Outdoor Leadership School’s Wilderness Wisdom.]

Running Man: A Memoir by Charlie Engle – To call the author’s life “interesting” would be a comical understatement. Charlie Engle grew up an excellent athlete and solid student, but then his life veered into the abyss of drug and alcohol abuse, culminating in a multi-year addiction to crack. Miraculously, he pulled himself out of the death spiral and focused his addictive energy on ultra-endurance challenges such as 100-mile runs, adventure races, and a ridiculously long run across the Sahara Desert. But after getting his addictions under control and life in seemingly good order, he was busted for mortgage fraud and spent 16 months in federal prison. Now he’s out of the ol’ gray bar motel and back at his endurance feats… and apparently trying to scrape together some dough by selling this book (sorry, Charlie, I borrowed it from the library). I read this book as more of a cautionary tale than an inspirational one, which I don’t believe was its intended purpose. Trouble and conflict seem to follow this guy wherever he goes, and, other than his physical gift for endurance, there’s not much about him that I’d like to emulate. Entertaining book, nonetheless. [For a more uplifting addict-turned-athlete story, I recommended Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself by Rich Roll.]

Posted on December 31, 2016 by ELR

Blog

speaking-to-colorado-rocky-mountain-school-high-school-students-about-river-restoration — Connor Coleman

Connor Coleman is the founder of Resiliency Lands, a progressive, conservation-minded land management and advisory group committed to promoting ecological and resource resiliency. Prior to starting Resiliency Lands, he held a variety of positions closely connected to the land, jobs that would be on the wish-list of anyone who loves adventure and the American West—wildland firefighter, cowboy, bison manager, and conservationist, just to name a few. Connor is currently based in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, and he resides on a spectacular ranch just outside of Carbondale.

You may be surprised to learn that Connor was not born and raised in the West or on ranches. On the contrary, he grew up in Ohio, went to college in North Carolina, and after paying his dues in east coast conservation and earning two master’s degrees from Duke University, he headed West to focus his energy on western landscapes. Thanks to an insatiable curiosity, a rock-solid work ethic, a service mindset, and a willingness to insert himself into new and uncomfortable situations, Connor has carved out a professional niche for himself in Colorado doing rewarding, exciting, and important work.

lighting-a-prescribed-fire-in-nc-on-right — Connor during his firefighter days.

Connor’s education and unconventional career path can serve as a great blueprint for anyone who loves the American West and wants a life centered around land, conservation, and natural resources. When I was in my early twenties, I would’ve loved to meet a guy like Connor who could point me in the right direction. So in this episode, we talk in depth about his career and his ability to “put himself out there” to create exciting professional opportunities. We dig deep into his thoughts on conservation in the West, as well as issues related to forest fires throughout the country. Connor loves to read and learn, so he also has tons of great book and film recommendations.

connor-fly-fishing-grand-mesa — Connor enjoying evening fly fishing

We cover a ridiculous amount of information, so be sure to check out the episode notes below for the full list of topics we discuss. Enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Connor Coleman

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:32 – How Connor describes his work

3:55 – Importance of conserving working ranches

7:55 – Grazing as an vital part of conservation

13:40 – Examples of some of Resiliency Land’s projects

16:35 – Where did Connor grow up?

18:50 – Connor’s decision to make conservation a career

22:45 – Brief history of NC barbecue

25:00 – Early career in conservation

29:10 – Grad school at Duke

30:30 – Difference between conservation in NC versus CO

32:20 – How easterners misunderstand public lands in the west

33:30 – Time as a wildland firefighter

36:30 – Fire policy in the east versus west

40:00 – Longleaf pine book recommendations

41:15 – Adventures at Camp Lejeune

42:20 – Moving out west to work on ranches

45:40 – Challenges of adjusting to the demands of ranch work

48:30 – Working with bison on the Zapata Ranch

49:50 – Bison and bison book recommendations

55:20 – Transition to the Aspen Valley Land Trust

59:20 – Lesson learned working in conservation in different parts of country

1:01:20 – Thoughts on service and giving back to the community

1:06:15 – Favorite books about the American West

1:10:15 – Favorite films

1:12:50 – Surprising activities

1:14:35 – Craziest experience in the outdoors

1:18:45 – Favorite place in the West

1:20:20 – Biggest challenge facing the West

1:23:00 – Connor’s request of the listeners

1:25:15 – Connect with Connor online

1:25:55 – Bonus book recommendations!

Information Referenced

Connor Coleman – LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram
Catawba College
Duke University
Aspen Valley Land Trust
Nature Conservancy
Chico Basin Ranch
Zapata Ranch
Land Trust for Central North Carolina
Jim Howell podcast interview
For the Love of Land by Jim Howell
Allen Savory ’s TED talk
5 Point Film Festival
Longleaf Pine

Connor’s Book Recommendations

Connor’s Film Recommendations

Posted on December 21, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Agriculture, Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, Entrepreneurs, History, Regenerative Ag

Taylor Keen, just before an Omaha tribal war dance

Taylor Keen is a teacher, community builder, and Native American thought leader based out of Omaha, Nebraska. His back story is as diverse as it is impressive—he’s a member of both the Omaha Tribe and the Cherokee Nation, attended Dartmouth College (BA) and Harvard University (Masters of Public Policy, MBA), and enjoyed a successful stint in corporate America before returning to Nebraska to teach entrepreneurship and management at Creighton University. His most recent undertaking is Sacred Seed, a project with the goal of preserving Native American heritage and history through collecting, growing, and spreading the seeds of corn and other traditional Native American foods.

The writer Wallace Stegner theorized that people generally fit into one of two categories—“Boomers” or “Stickers.” Boomers are “those who pillage and run” and want “to make a killing and end up on Easy Street.” Stickers are just the opposite—they are “motivated by affection, by such a love for place and its life that they want to preserve it and remain in it.”¹ Taylor is the walking embodiment of a Sticker. Given his drive, intelligence, and education, he could’ve followed the path of the Boomer and pursued any number of careers. But a deep love of his Native American heritage and his community called him back home to teach, lead, and live a life devoted to service of others. It’s an inspiring story.

I could’ve talked to Taylor for hours and I only asked about a third of the questions I had prepared, but we still managed to dig into a wide variety of fascinating topics. We discussed the history and mission of Sacred Seed and where he sees the project going in the future. We talked about his path from the West to the Ivy League, the decisions that led him to transition from corporate America to higher education, and some very interesting Native American history. One of my favorite parts of our conversation was Taylor’s recounting the advice he received from his grandfather soon after graduating from Harvard Business School.

This was a very enlightening conversation for me, and I greatly appreciate Taylor taking the time to chat. I encourage you to visit the Sacred Seed website and watch the video—you can find links to everything we discuss in the episode notes on the webpage. Enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Taylor Keen

¹ Wendell Berry, It All Turns on Affection (2012)

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:55 – How Taylor describes his work

4:00 – Sacred Seed Project

5:35 – Early beginnings of Sacred Seed

9:00 – Discovering the importance of seed banking

10:00 – Threats to native seeds from large corporations

11:45 – Difference between Omahas and Cherokees

13:50 – How Taylor found his first ancient seeds

15:55 – How the plants compliment each other, Four Sisters

20:45 – How Sacred Seed has changed Taylor

22:40 – The link between elders and the ancient ways of planting

25:30 – Fall festival

26:45 – Future plans for Sacred Seed

29:20 – Taylor’s changing approach to the project—MBA to Holistic thinking

33:45 – Similarities between Sacred Seed and the reintroduction of bison

36:45 – The fight for sustainable agriculture

37:10 – Meaning of Omaha

38:10 – Where Taylor grew up

39:00 – Taylor’s journey to the Ivy League

41:15 – Biggest surprise when moving east

43:55 – Harvard graduate school and corporate America

45:35 – Taylor’s grandfather’s wise advice

49:25 – Discussing Sebastian Junger’s Tribe

51:00 – Taylor’s thoughts on the importance of tribes

53:50 – Best books for learning about Native American culture

56:45 – Taylor’s advice to his younger self

58:00 – Other favorite books

1:02:50 – Taylor’s request of the audience

1:06:00 – Connect with Taylor online

Information Referenced

Posted on December 16, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Agriculture, Conservation, Ecology, Entrepreneurs, History, Leadership, Native American History, Service

My 10 Favorite Books of 2016

As you may know, I send out a brief bimonthly email in which I recommend some of the best books I’ve recently read. This year, I recommended 37 books, which is an admittedly ridiculous amount of reading. In an effort to distill it down to a more user-friendly level, here are my top ten favorite books that I read in 2016. The subject matters vary widely, but I wholeheartedly recommend them all.

I kept the descriptions as brief as possible, so click on the monthly list link to view the original email with my full review. To sign up for the future book recommendation emails, follow this link or just send me an email.

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan – One of my favorite books of all time, and you don’t need to be a surfer to fully appreciate it. A true work of art. (Sep/Oct list)

Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger – I think about this book on almost a daily basis, and I believe Junger’s ideas on community and purpose explain many of the societal challenges facing the U.S. today. (Jul/Aug list)

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport – This book reshaped the way I approach my professional and personal projects, and it made me even more skeptical of social media than I had been. (Mar/Apr list)

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight – The best business memoir I’ve ever read. (Nov/Dec list)

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari – Extremely interesting theories on the evolution of humans, and it actually pairs well with Tribe mentioned above. (Jan/Feb list)

The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko – Part history of the American West and part western water policy primer, all layered on top of a wild, exciting adventure narrative. (May/Jun list)

The Naturalist: Theodore Roosevelt, A Lifetime of Exploration, and the Triumph of American Natural History by Darrin Lunde – I’ve read an absurd number of TR books, so my standards are high—this one not only explores a little known (but super-interesting) part of TR’s life, but it also details the rise of America’s natural history movement. (Jul/Aug list)

Being Nixon: A Man Divided by Evan Thomas – Richard Nixon was a strange, strange, strange man. (Jan/Feb list)

Buffalo for the Broken Heart: Restoring Life to a Black Hills Ranch by Dan O’Brien – Conservation, bison, ranching, regenerative agriculture, emotional memoir, and a natural history lesson all rolled into one book. (Nov/Dec list)

End of Plenty: The Race to Feed a Crowded World by Joel K Bourne Jr. – A cautionary examination of what lies ahead if the we can’t figure out a solution to the coming global food crisis, followed hopeful examples of innovators who are attacking the challenge head on. (Sep/Oct list)

Posted on December 2, 2016 by ELR

Blog

Camrin Dengel – Slow Living in the American West

Camrin Dengel is a professional lifestyle photographer who lives and works on the quiet side of the Teton Mountain Range in Teton Valley, Idaho. Her work focuses on a broad range of subjects, with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture, hunting, fishing, and life in and around her mountain community. In her work and leisure, Camrin is a devoted proponent of slow living, and she strives to approach her profession and life in a manner that is intentional, simple, meaningful, and positive.

Growing up in Valdez, Alaska gave Camrin a unique perspective and toughness (she calls it “stubbornness”) that have allowed her to pursue her passion for art full time, while staying true to her ideals and enjoying a slow-living lifestyle. She attended college on a running scholarship with the intention of becoming an engineer, but decided midway through that art and photography were her true calling. After graduation, she moved straight to Teton Valley where she has built a life and business centered around documenting the people and places that make the American West such a special place to live.

20161014-_dsc7316 — Photo: Camrin Dengel

I’ve spent a lot of time in Teton Valley and can honestly say that Camrin’s work captures the landscapes and lifestyle more authentically than any artist I’ve ever seen. She is obviously a talented photographer, but she is also a super-interesting person who has managed to sidestep a good deal of the “busyness” and distractions that dominate many of our lives. In our conversation, we discuss her career trajectory, and also her love for the community of Teton Valley. We dig deep into the idea of slow living, and she offers some thoughts on ways for people to adopt a slower, more intentional lifestyle. As usual, we discuss favorite books, documentaries, and challenges and opportunities facing the American West.

20160920-_dsc3709 — Photo: Camrin Dengel

This is a really fun episode full of lots of great info. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Hope you enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Camrin Dengel

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:30 – How Camrin describes her work

3:50 – Good example of Camrin’s work

5:30 – Teton Valley explained

7:25 – How she ended up in Teton Valley

8:30 – Transition from adventure photography to lifestyle

9:50 – Thoughts on slow living

10:45 – Ways to live slowly as effortlessly as possible

13:25 – Being intentional with social media

14:20 – Advice for adopting a slower lifestyle

15:30 – Growing up in Alaska

16:35 – Unique aspects of growing up in Alaska

18:50 – How Alaska shaped Camrin’s perspective

20:05 – College years in California

21:15 – From engineer student to artist

23:15 – Time with the Alaska Marine Conservation Council

24:35 – Similarities between fisherman, ranchers, and farmers

27:10 – Camrin’s definition of conservation

28:00 – Thoughts on fishing and hunting

31:45 – How Camrin developed the confidence to follow her passion

33:15 – Role models and mentors

35:10 – Other possible career paths

36:45 – Advice to aspiring photographers

39:00 – Photography advice

40:30 – Book recomendations

41:20 – Slow living resources

42:45 – Favorite documentaries

44:20 – Surprising activities

48:00 – Favorite place

49:20 – Ideas for off the beaten path experiences in Alaska

51:00 – The insanity of the Mt. Marathon

55:15 – Biggest challenge facing the American West

57:30 – Request of the listeners

58:50 – Connect with Camrin online

Information Referenced

Posted on November 23, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Craftsmanship, Creativity

Jason Schlarb is a champion ultrarunner whose notable achievements include winning the Hardrock 100 (2016) and Run Rabbit Run 100 (2013 & 2015), as well as finishing as the top American in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (4th place, 2014). He is also an accomplished adventurer who, among other things, has skied the entire Hardrock 100 course in winter and explored remote regions of Patagonia and New Zealand, all while filming his exploits and then creating engaging, authentic films though his company Schlarb-Wolf Productions. Most impressively, Jason is a veteran who served for 10 years as an officer in the United States Air Force, which included a five-month deployment to Iraq and his earning the rank of Major.

A competitive soccer player for most of his youth, Jason made the switch to running relatively late in the game when he joined the cross country team as a high school senior. But his natural talent for endurance combined with a relentless competitive streak allowed him to walk on to a Division I cross country team, where he excelled throughout his college career. After years of focusing exclusively on road races ranging from 10Ks to marathons, he made the switch to trail running and has never looked back. Jason, his wife Maggie, and son Felix have shaped their lives around the pursuit of a purpose-driven, rewarding, and adventurous lifestyle, and they currently reside on the southern end of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, just outside of Durango.

Jason is a fascinating guy with an infectiously positive attitude, which made for a fun and in-depth conversation. We cover a broad range of topics, including his athletic background, his journey to ultrarunning, and some of his adventures around the world. We discuss his time in the military and how those 10 years of service affect his outlook and approach to sports and life. We chat about his thoughts on competition, mental toughness, and the benefits of positive thinking. Whether you’re an athlete or not, there are huge amounts of wisdom to be gleaned from Jason’s experiences and perspective.

This was a fun conversation and I really appreciate Jason taking the time to chat. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Photo courtesy of Jason Schlarb – Top photo by Eduardo Castro

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:48 – How Jason describes his work

4:05 – The Hardrock 100

6:30 – Hardrock 100 course and the San Juan Mountains

10:00 – Jason’s early life, growing up as an athlete

12:30 – Transition from soccer to running

13:45 – Balancing competition against others with competition against himself

15:24 – College running career

18:00 – Benefits of a tough college coach

18:35 – Transition from college to the US Air Force

20:00 – Motivations for joining the military

21:10 – Experiences in the military

21:50 – Deployment in Iraq

22:40 – Life post-military

23:30 – Transition to trail running

25:45 – Biggest surprise during Jason’s first ultra

27:00 – Military lessons applied to running

30:20 – Mental aspects of running 100 milers

34:35 – Jason’s transition to a positive, smiling mental approach

38:20 – Maggie Schlarb’s influence on Jason’s training

39:50 – Coaching a positive mindset

41:40 – The appeal of endurance sports

42:45 – Jason’s annual adventures and films—Skiing the Hardrock, New Zealand, etc.

48:45 – Thoughts on conservation

53:00 – Favorite books

55:00 – Favorite films

57:20 – Fight Club and thoughts on the origins of Jason’s lifestyle

1:01:20 – Most powerful outdoor experiences

1:05:30 – Jason’s request of the listeners

1:07:50 – Connect with Jason online

Information Referenced

Posted on November 17, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Athletes, Mindfulness, Service

Larry Yaw is a renowned architect based in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley whose work connects people with nature using contemporary, sustainable, conservation-focused designs. Growing up in rural Montana gave Larry a deep appreciation for the utilitarian character of ranch homes and their thoughtful integration into the landscape, aspects that form the foundation of much of his work today. Through his design, Larry has demonstrated a unique ability to pay homage to the past while boldly pushing beyond preconceived notions of architecture in the American West.

If I had to use one word to describe Larry it would probably be “adventurous”—a quest for adventure seems to guide all aspects of his professional and personal lives. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Larry has traveled the world many times over, sometimes with his full family in tow, seeking out enriching experiences everywhere from the South Pacific to the Swiss Alps. He is also intellectually adventurous, as evidenced by his deep knowledge of history, conservation, Native Americans, and many other subjects related to the West and beyond. Physical adventures are a daily occurrence for Larry, whether it’s pedaling single track, stalking trout with his fly rod, hiking in the high mountains around Aspen, or shooting birds on the Montana prairies. All of these experiences provide the fuel that keeps Larry’s professional creative engine firing at turbo speed, decade after decade.

This was a super-fun conversation, and I came away from it inspired and enlightened. We discussed a broad range of topics including Larry’s architecture, his creative process, and how he has managed to stay consistently creative for so long. We chatted about his early years in Montana, some of his adventures around the world, and his thoughts on conservation in the American West. Larry is a true student of the West, so he had plenty of book recommendations. There is a lot of great information in this interview, so don’t forget to check the episode notes for links to everything we discuss.

Photo courtesy of Larry Yaw

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:45 – How Larry describes his work

3:40 – Larry describes his architecture

5:00 – Montana’s influence on Larry’s work

7:20 – Early years in Montana and Florida

9:00 – College years and path to graduate school

13:25 – Post-grad school early career

15:15 – Decision to move back West

16:30 – Origins of Larry’s adventurous outlook

22:00 – International travel’s influence on his work

23:55 – Around the world family trip

25:05 – Adventures on Aconcagua

26:22 – Cultural influences of travel

27:10 – Rugged individualism versus community

29:00 – Design for an active, mountain-inspired lifestyle

30:20 – Process versus goals

32:45 – His creative process

34:40 – Evolution of Larry’s work

36:30 – Thoughts on conservation

38:30 – Interactions with Native Americans

41:00 – Sustainability and design

42:30 – Interactions with the Blackfeet Tribe

46:30 – “Once Proud” painting series

48:30 – Recommended books on Native Americans

51:15 – Larry’s favorite books

55:20 – Favorite documentaries

56:50 – Favorite outdoor and artistic activities

1:01:25 – Craziest outdoor experience

1:04:00 – Favorite location in the West

1:06:45 – Biggest challenge/opportunity facing the West

1:08:55 – Advice to his younger self

1:12:10 – Larry’s request to the listeners

1:13:50 – Connect with Larry online

Information Referenced

Posted on November 2, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Conservation, Craftsmanship, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, History

Pat O’Toole is a rancher who, along with his family, owns and operates the Ladder Ranch, a large-scale cattle and sheep operation that straddles the Colorado-Wyoming border. Pat’s wife Sharon’s family established the ranch in the Little Snake River Valley back in 1881, and now, six generations later, the family’s hard work, thoughtful vision, and a deep respect for the land have made the Ladder Ranch a shining example of the combined effect of productive agriculture and land conservation.

Pat’s background is far outside of the norm for many multi-generational ranchers—he grew up in south Florida, majored in philosophy in college, and just before he and his wife enrolled in law school, they decided to return to her family’s land to continue in the family business of ranching. Since then, the O’Tooles have not only run a financially successful operation, but they have simultaneously improved wildlife, bird, and fish habitat throughout the ranch. By thinking outside the box and partnering with both non-profit and governmental organizations, the Ladder Ranch has set a new standard for conservation, creative problem solving, and sustainable land stewardship.

We had a fun, in-depth conversation that covered a wide variety of topics that will be of interest to anyone who loves the West, whether you’re involved in ranching or not. We discuss Pat’s thoughts on cooperation between ranchers and environmentalists, and how the relationship between the two groups is getting stronger and more positive every year. We chat about water in the West, and why it is important to keep water on ranches rather than being sold off to municipalities. We also dig into Pat’s unconventional background, his thoughts on the future of land conservation, and of course, favorite books, history, and his favorite location in the West.

Pat is an interesting guy who has thought very deeply on issues related to the American West, including conservation, water, and agriculture. There’s a lot of great information in this interview, so I hope you enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Pat O’Toole

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:59 – How Pat describes his work

3:41 – History of the Ladder Ranch

4:45 – Discussion of the Homestead Act’s effect on settlement

9:07 – Cooperation between ranchers and environmentalists

9:55 – Benefits of grazing cattle and sheep

11:00 – Rotational grazing on the Ladder Ranch

11:55 – Importance of not breaking up ranches

13:00 – “Hopefuls” and “Hatefuls”

14:28 – The “Era of Limits”

19:00 – Pat’s personal background

21:55 – TR’s creation of Forest Service

23:28 – Amazing feats of past generations

26:00 – Ingraining the conservation ethic in children

28:10 – Pat’s role models

30:36 – The Ladder Ranch’s community of conservationists

33:00 – Importance of keeping water on ranches

37:00 – Flood irrigation explained

41:25 – Importance of keeping water our current water law in tact

42:30 – Leopold Conservation Award

44:00 – Endangered Species Act

46:50 – Favorite books

49:42 – Ferry Carpenter’s ranch library

50:15 – Favorite movies

53:40 – Craziest experience in the outdoors

54:50 – Favorite location in the West

55:22 – History of Battle Creek

57:40 – Pat’s request of the listeners

58:50 – Connect with the Ladder Ranch online

Information Referenced

Posted on October 26, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Agriculture, Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, History, Ranchers, Regenerative Ag

Click over to the Mirr Ranch Group blog for my most recent post about some of the ambitious conservation projects taking place around Crested Butte, Colorado, as well as information on one of the most attractive remaining investment and conservation properties in the valley.

Investment and Conservation Opportunity in Crested Butte

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Posted on October 10, 2016 by ELR

Blog

Joe Grant is a highly accomplished professional ultra-runner and all-around endurance athlete who has completed some of the endurace world’s most challenging events—several Hardrock 100s, UTMB 100, Western States 100, and Bighorn 100, as well as the Arizona Trail Race (750 miles on mountain bike), Iditarod Trail Invitational 350, and many, many more. He most recently completed the “Tour de 14ers,” a solo, self-supported and self-powered link-up of all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains, by bicycle and on foot. For those of you counting, that’s climbing 57 fourteeners, accessed all by bike, in 31 days.

But Joe’s career as a professional athlete makes up only a small portion of his personal identity. He is a talented writer and photographer, as well as a voracious reader. He was born in England and grew up in France, so he has a global perspective that gives him a unique point of view. He is obviously driven to pursue challenging goals, yet he has always been focused more on the process than the end result. Joe’s athletic achievements seem to combine his desire for continued personal growth with a genuine love of wild places and a strong conservation ethic.

Because he has such a depth of knowledge on so many interesting subjects, talking with Joe solely about running would only begin to scratch the surface. So after a rundown of his recent 14er adventure, we went deep into his thoughts on adventure, endurance, and pushing one’s personal boundaries. He talked about his upbringing and how family and friends have helped shape his outlook on life, giving him the confidence to pursue an unconvential, yet extremely fulfilling lifestyle. We of course talked a lot about books, as well as goal setting, daily practices, and his thoughts on conservation.

joe-bike — Joe during the Arizona Trail Race

I’m obviously biased, but I loved this conversation and really appreciate Joe taking the time to chat. I encourage you to check him out on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), and read some of his columns. If you like people who are passionate, humble, deep-thinking, and all-around interesting, you’ll enjoy getting to know Joe. Enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Joe Grant

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Click Here to Download on Stitcher

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

3:00 – How Joe describes his work

5:00 – Tour de 14ers

7:30 – Thoughts on choosing to travel by bike

8:20 – Self supported bike-packing ethic explained

10:00 – High points of the trip

11:08 – Thoughts on expedition preparation

12:45 – First days of the Tour de 14ers

15:45 – Various challenges during the trip

17:33 – Low point of the trip

20:30 – Techniques for digging out of fatigue-enduced “dark places”

21:25 – Arizona Trail Race

22:45 – More on pushing through fatigue

24:25 – Parallels between mediation and endurance sports

26:41 – Benefits of observing your mind and body from an outside perspective

28:25 – Personal growth through endurance sports

30:20 – Goal oriented versus process/moment oriented

32:40 – Comfort versus happiness

36:30 – Joe’s early years in Europe

37:15 – How living internationally shaped Joe’s perspective

39:10 – Benefits of gap year travel

43:10 – Lessons learned from international living

44:10 – Story behind Joe’s mother running a 100-miler

46:40 – Mentors and role models

48:40 – Joe’s reading recommendations

52:15 – Joe’s definition of conservation

55:00 – Favorite books about the American West

56:55 – A personal interest that would surprise listeners

57:37 – Craziest outdoor experience

59:50 – Joe’s favorite piece of gear

1:01:10 – Favorite spot(s) in the American West

1:02:00 – Biggest challenge facing the American West

1:03:45 – Joe’s request of listeners

1:04:40 – Connect with Joe online

Information Referenced

Posted on September 21, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Athletes, Creativity, Mindfulness, Writers

Ben Masters is a filmmaker and conservationist whose work explores some of the most important conservation challenges facing the American West today. He was the mastermind behind the award-winning documentary Unbranded, which tells the story of Ben and his three buddies who ride wild mustangs from Mexico to Canada as part of an epic five month-adventure. The film also examines the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse Program, a well-intentioned, but now controversial, government program created to protect the wild horses that roam the western U.S. For those who love the American West, Unbranded is one of the best documentaries in recent memory—it combines hardcore adventure with important conservation issues, all while accurately capturing the true beauty of the American West.

Conservation is the common theme running through all of Ben’s work, and his passion is fortified with a deep knowledge of natural history, public lands, and policy issues related to the American West. His expertise recently earned him a spot on the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, the group tasked with solving the challenging issues surrounding the program he profiled in Unbranded. His most recent film, Pronghorn Revival, is the story of Texas wildlife biologists capturing and relocating a struggling herd of pronghorns (i.e. antelopes). Not one to rest on his laurels, Ben is working hard on more conservation projects to be revealed in the coming months.

When we recorded this episode, Ben was less than a day away from leaving on a multi-week guiding trip to the area around Yellowstone National Park, so I really appreciated him making the time to chat. In just under an hour, we managed to cover a wide range of conservation-related topics: the BLM’s Wild Horse Program, invasive species in the American West, thoughts on hunting, as well as Ben’s personal background, favorite books, favorite documentaries, and a crazy horse stampede story… with plenty of other intesting subjects thrown in.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Unbranded. You’ll love it. In the meantime, enjoy my conversation with Ben Masters.

All photos courtesy of Ben Masters

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Click Here to Download on Stitcher

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Episode Notes

Topics Covered

3:05 – How Ben describes his work

3:35 – Ben’s upcoming adventures

5:40 – Overview of Unbranded documentary

7:45 – Genesis for the idea for Unbranded

9:45 – Overview of the BLM Wild Horse Program

10:15 – Natural history of horses in North America

14:20 – Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act

17:16 – Ben’s thoughts solving the wild horse challenge

21:10 – Political challenges surrounding wild horses

23:45 – More North American natural history

24:55 – What “conservation” means to Ben

26:00 – Ben’s personal connection to conservation

27:40 – Resources for understanding the history of conservation

29:00 – Conservation challenges facing the West in the next 20 years

32:10 – Ben’s thoughts on hunting and conservation

33:45 – Cautionary tale of Texas Screwworms

36:30 – Overview of Pronghorn Revival

38:35 – Favorite books

40:20 – Favorite documentary

41:30 – Ben’s work with veterans

42:23 – Hobbies that Ben enjoys

43:48 – How Ben learned the art of filmmaking

45:00 – Craziest outdoor experience

47:50 – Ben’s favorite place in the West

48:40 – Ben’s request of the listeners

51:30 – Connect with Ben online

Information Referenced

Posted on August 26, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Conservation, Conservationists, Creativity, Ecology

Category: Blog

Sarah King – Collaborative Conservation in the American Southwest

Episode Notes

Charles Post – Stewardship, Science & Storytelling

Episode Notes

Mark Maggiori – A Fresh View of the American West

Episode Notes

Tyler Sharp, Part II – Modern Huntsman

Tyler Sharp, Part II – Modern Huntsman

Episode Notes

Scott Slusher – The Cowboys’ Cowboy Photographer

Scott Slusher – The Cowboys’ Cowboy Photographer

Episode Notes

Duke Beardsley – Art in the Big, Bold American West

Duke Beardsley – Art in the Big, Bold American West

Episode Notes

Innovators of the American West Book List

Innovators of the American West Book List

Western History

Biographies & Memoirs

Western Issues

Adventure

Native American History

Land Management & Agriculture

History & Natural History

Athletics

Personal & Creative Development

Fiction

Philosophy & Essays

Specifically Mentioned Authors

Dan Flores – Chronicling the West’s Rich Natural History

Episode Notes

Noel Durant – Conservation & Community in the Gunnison Valley

Episode Notes

Teal Blake – On Being Authentic & Original

Episode Notes

Justin Simoni – The Ultra-Endurance Artist

Episode Notes

Bryan Martin & Elizabeth Williams – Life Skills Through Wilderness Adventure

Episode Notes

John Dunaway – The Life and Times of a Merchant Mariner

John Dunaway – Life and Times of a Merchant Mariner

Episode Notes

Bernice Ende – Equestrian Explorer

Episode Notes

Mike Reilly – Helping Combat Veterans Rediscover Purpose

Episode Notes

AD Maddox – The Art of Trout and Fly Fishing

Episode Notes

Jeff Lee – Creating a Literary Home on the Range

Episode Notes

Christian Beckwith – Building a Conservation Coalition

Episode Notes

Tyler Sharp – The Sportsman Storyteller

Episode Notes

2016 Reads

Connor Coleman – How to Build a Meaningful Life in the West

Episode Notes

Taylor Keen – Tribal Truth Seeker

Episode Notes

My 10 Favorite Books of 2016

My 10 Favorite Books of 2016

Camrin Dengel – Slow Living in the American West

Camrin Dengel – Slow Living in the American West

Episode Notes

Jason Schlarb – Service, Adventure, and Ultra-Endurance

Episode Notes

Larry Yaw – Creating a Sense of Place in the New West

Episode Notes

Pat O’Toole – Six Generations of Balanced Ranch Stewardship

Episode Notes

Investment and Conservation in Crested Butte

Joe Grant – Self-Powered Alpine Adventurer

Episode Notes

Ben Masters – Conservation Through Innovative Filmmaking

Episode Notes

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