Blog Archives • Page 7 of 15 • Mountain & Prairie

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

4:00 – Where Becca grew up
6:10 – Decision to study natural resources at University of Kentucky
8:45 – Working in Costa Rica
10:00 – Decision to move West
11:30 – First jobs in Idaho
14:30 – Bravery to move out West on her own
16:30 – Becca’s Buddhist, vegetarian grandmother’s influence
19:30 – Working conditions as a forest ranger
21:00 – Importance of discomfort and fear
25:00 – Starting to work at the Idaho Wildlife Federation
29:15 – Importance of politics
30:00 – Threat to public lands
34:30 – Learning to hunt
38:30 – Hunting lessons learned from year to year
42:45 – Artemis sportswomen
45:20 – Need for diversity in hunting and conservation
47:00 – Advice for novice hunters
49:15 – Becca’s most recent hunting trip
57:00 – Writing
1:00:15 – Favorite books
1:02:30 – Favorite films
1:04:30 – Out-of-the-ordinary hobbies
1:06:00 – Favorite location in the West
1:07:00 – Best advice ever received
1:08:30 – Words of wisdom
1:10:00 – Connect with Becca

Information Referenced:

Idaho Wildlife Federation
Artemis Sportswomen
University of Kentucky
Stanley, Idaho
Frank Church Wilderness
Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow conference
National Wildlife Federation
Coming Into the Country by John McPhee
Encounters with the Archdruid by John McPhee
Draft No. 4 by John McPhee
The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretle Erhlich
The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen
Never Cry Wolf
265 Images of Northern Rocky Mountain Wildflowers by Scott Earle

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Posted on October 17, 2019 by ELR

Conservation, Conservationists, Hunting & Fishing

NEW FILMS: Colorado Conservation Heroes

On October 3rd, Palmer Land Trust hosted the 10th Annual Southern Colorado Conservation Awards, which honored some of Colorado’s greatest conservation heroes. As part of the awards ceremony, we made a short film about each honoree, all of which are below.

I had the pleasure of working with filmmaking whiz and all-around-good-dude Blake Kimmel on the films for Pete McBride, Ranchlands, and Dr. Mike Bartolo, which took us from the base of the Maroon Bells to the irrigated farms of the Lower Arkansas Valley; from the 87,000-acre Chico Basin Ranch to the high desert of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The results of our work is below, along with the fourth film featuring conservationists and lifetime achievement winners Lyda Hill and Nancy Lewis, which was created by Blake and some of my Palmer colleagues.

Please enjoy and share!

Pete McBride

Pete McBride – Champion of Colorado Award

Ranchlands

Ranchlands – Environmental Stewardship Award

Dr. Mike Bartolo

Dr. Mike Bartolo – Innovation in Conservation Award

Lyda Hill & Nancy Lewis

Lyda Hill & Nancy Lewis – Stuart P. Dodge Lifetime Achievement Award

The 20 Most Influential Books I’ve Read in the Past 10 Years

Ten years ago, my wife and I packed our bags and moved to Costa Rica. She had landed a job with an innovative international school, a professional move that built upon her impressive career and education in international development. I was a freshly minted MBA who horrified the career services people when I told them I was moving to Central America to “uhhhmmm…. surf and find a job.”

I’d entered business school at the peak of a white-hot economy, with the single-minded goal of becoming a real estate developer. Full scholarship, heavy coursework in finance, fancy internship at a publicly traded REIT, the works. So it was understandably quite a surprise to my fellow classmates and professors when I abruptly announced that I was going to be “a professional surfer with one sponsor: my wife.”

An abnormal career move for sure, but this was an abnormal time in my life. Just a year earlier, during my fancy internship, I suffered a serious health scare that shocked the shit out of me and upended many of my personal and professional priorities. As I recovered during the ensuing months (fall of ’08), the Great Recession wrecked the economy, tanking the real estate markets and bankrupting many of the wannabe real estate barons whom I’d envied before grad school. Approaching graduation, I was confused and directionless.

Thanks to my wife’s brains and badass job opportunities (and my scholarship and resulting lack of debt), we decided to try our luck in Costa Rica. It’s not like I was missing anything here in the States— the only profitable jobs in real estate involved foreclosing on houses.

I could (and probably will) write a book about that year in Costa Rica and what a formative experience it was for me, our marriage, and my general outlook on life. Of the many personal transformations that occurred during that year, one of the most important was my becoming a fully committed, almost-maniacal reader. I had always enjoyed reading, but in a half-assed, do-it-when-the-mood-strikes kind of way. In Costa Rica, I locked in on books. The lack of distractions, my search for meaning in the aftermath of the health scare, and the uncertainty around my career aspirations created an environment ripe for becoming addicted to big, new, deep ideas—ideas that can only be derived from books, and lots of them.

The books I read during that year in Costa Rica, and in the years since, have immeasurably shaped my career, priorities, friendships, family, work ethic, and ideas about community. Books helped guide me through what was a very uncertain period of my life and allowed me to emerge with a clear set of values and ideals for work, play, and even politics. More concretely, these books led to the creation of the podcast, my obsession with ultra-endurance, and a fulfilling career in conservation—twists and turns in my life’s path that I could’ve never predicted.

Of the hundreds of books that I’ve read during the past ten years, below, in no particular order, are the most influential—the ones that triggered specific changes in my perspective that led to lasting improvements in all aspects of my life. These books—and the habit of reading a lot—has proven to be the second-most important* influence on my vocation, avocations, creativity, relationships, and spiritual pursuits.

I hope you find a few titles below that shake up your thinking, as they did mine. Perhaps some of these ideas will lead you down a new path, toward an exciting and fulfilling destination you don’t even know exists.

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris – The most important book I’ve ever read. TR’s boundless energy and optimism, combined with his laser-focused sense of purpose, showed me what can happen when a person chooses to push beyond the boundaries of what conventional wisdom says is possible.

Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin – This was the first Seth Godin book I read, and I’ve since almost read everything he’s written. Linchpin redefined my approach to work, an approach that flew in the face of what I had been taught throughout my early career and formal business education.

Don’t Bite the Hook: Finding Freedom from Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions by Pema Chodron – Daily mediation has proven to be the most important and impactful practice of my entire life. I’ve read dozens of books on meditation, but Pema’s work is hands-down the best. This is my favorite of all of her life-changing books, and I listen to the audio version repeatedly.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport – Nothing beats old-fashioned concentration, but unfortunately, our ability to focus is being compromised by overwhelming electronic distraction. This book helped me learn to block out the bullshit and get to work.

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield – Pressfield’s idea of “The Resistance” and his thoughts on how to fight it continue to guide me in all of my professional and personal endeavors.

Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West by Hampton Sides – This master class in narrative history kickstarted my obsession with the history of the American West and laid the groundwork for the podcast and its many associated side projects.

What to Do When It’s Your Turn (and It’s Always Your Turn) by Seth Godin – I started my book recommendations email and podcast soon after reading this book, two decisions that were nerve-wracking at the time, but have since led to opportunities that I would’ve never once thought possible.

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin – The book’s basic premise is, “You are responsible for everything, and everything is your fault.” Adopting this mindset has been one of the best perspective shifts of my life.

Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger – I think about this book daily and have given it to countless friends. It woke me up to the importance of purpose and community, and how we humans must have both if we want to thrive.

For the Love of Land: Global Case Studies of Grazing in Nature’s Image by Jim Howell – This book sparked my “ah-ha” moment around the importance of grasslands and the invaluable role that grazing can play in everything from ecosystem biodiversity to carbon sequestration.

Free Will by Sam Harris – Harris makes a damn good argument that there is no such thing as free will, that we are simply the product of our past experiences and genetics. This seemed crazy and depressing to me at first glance but has actually led to my being more compassionate to others and myself.

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall – Like many people, this book piqued my interest in ultrarunning. Even though I’d never run more than 18 miles, I signed up for a 50-miler soon after reading it, which started my obsession with endurance sports and led to some of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

My Green Manifesto: Down the Charles River in Pursuit of a New Environmentalism by David Gessner – One quote in particular has stuck with me for years after reading this book: “It is not my place to offer pep talks, aphorisms, or dictums. But if I had to give one piece of practical advice it would be this: Find something that you love that they’re fucking with and then fight for it. If everyone did that–imagine the difference.”

How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan – Building on my well-established meditation practice, this book introduced me to unfairly maligned tools that allow for a deeper understanding of consciousness and offer a solution for improving mental health.

Theodore Roosevelt’s Letters to His Children by Theodore Roosevelt – I consider this compilation to be the best parenting book ever written. A shining example of how a man can simultaneously be professionally ambitious and hardworking while also being a dedicated and loving father.

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss – Despite its disgustingly cheesy title and horse shit self-help flavor, this book drastically shifted my thinking around how I use my time. It also caused a paradigm shift in my thinking around what I need out of a “job.”

It All Turns on Affection: The Jefferson Lecture and Other Essays by Wendell Berry – The idea of “boomers” and “stickers” caused me to reexamine my professional priorities and goals, and put a specific name to the types of people I don’t and do want to spend time with. It also gave me a deeper appreciation for my family’s multigenerational roots in eastern North Carolina.

Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War by Robert Coram – One of the most influential soldiers in the history of our modern military was impactful because he refused to follow bullshit rules or be distracted by silly conventions. Once again, most innovators are rebellious.

Saltwater Buddha: A Surfer’s Quest to Find Zen on the Sea by Jaimal Yogis – Both surfing and meditation have led to significant transformations in my life—this book combines both. A wonderful read all the way around, but Yogis’ brilliant analogy of paddling and samsara has stuck with me for years.

The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America by Douglas Brinkley – A dense, sometimes challenging read, but my most important takeaway is that there have always been powerful forces trying to ruin our natural places in the name of profit… and there always will be. One person can make a difference in fighting off these economic and political interests and protecting important places.

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*The first-most positive influence is my patient, kind, calm, level-headed, genius wife.

Duke Phillips III (photo by Charles Post)

Duke Phillips III is the founder and CEO of Ranchlands, a Colorado-based, family-owned ranch management company. If Ranchlands sounds familiar, that’s because last week’s episode was with Duke’s son, Duke Phillips IV. You may remember that the younger Duke referenced his father’s philosophies around business and leadership several times, so I thought it would be fun to have the elder Duke on the podcast for an in-depth conversation. And in-depth it was—in a little under an hour we covered a wide range of subjects, everything from the future of ranching to world travels to poetry.

Duke has led a fascinating life, starting with his early years spent growing up on a remote cattle ranch in rural Mexico. His twenties were devoted to traveling and working around the world, including places like Europe, Central America, Australia, and the Bering Sea. Around age thirty he started his first “real job” in ranching, which eventually led to the formation of his company Ranchlands. Since its beginnings over two decades ago, Ranchlands has set a new standard what is possible when ranching, conservation, education, and business are successfully combined. And Ranchlands partnership with Colorado’s State Land Board is a case study in effective, mutually beneficial public-private partnerships.

I caught up with Duke on the phone, where he was gracious enough to take time away from one of his New Mexico operations to chat with me. We started by talking about his childhood in Mexico and the lessons he learned from growing up in such a wild and remote landscape. Then we discussed the series of travels and jobs that led to his founding Ranchlands in his mid-forties. From there, our conversation hits on a variety of subjects, including the joys of working with his kids, Duke III and Tess, the ins-and-outs of the bison ranching business, and his thoughts on the recent popularity of regenerative agriculture. There’s minimal overlap between the topics covered in this conversation and my conversation with young Duke, so be sure to check the episode notes for a full list of all the interesting information discussed.

Palmer Land Trust will be honoring Duke and his family at the 10th Annual Southern Colorado Conservation Awards on October 3rd in Colorado Springs. It’s going to be a fun and inspiring evening, so follow the link in the episode notes for more information and tickets. Hope to see you there!

Enjoy the podcast!

All photos courtesy of Charles Post, who also generously donated his Ranchlands photos to Palmer Land Trust for promotion of the 2019 Southern Colorado Conservation Awards.

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – Where Duke grew up
6:30 – Lessons learned from growing up in Mexico
8:30 – Having patience with those new to ranching
9:45 – Leaving Mexico
11:50 – World travels and adventures in his 20s
14:30 – First “real job”
15:45 – Lead-up to Chico Basin
17:00 – Ranchlands explained
22:00- Ranchlands’ grazing philosophy
26:00 – Joys of working with Tess and Duke IV
27:30 – Keys to running a successful family business
29:30 – Keeping kids humble
31:20 – Importance of positivity in life and business
35:00 – Importance of honesty in business
37:40 – Successful partnerships with Colorado’s State Board and The Nature Conservancy
41:30 – Running a bison ranch
45:00 – Regenerative agriculture
48:30 – Heroes and mentors
52:00 – The future of ranching
54:00 – Favorite books and poetry
56:30 – Most powerful outdoor experience

Information Referenced:

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Posted on September 26, 2019 by ELR

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

Duke Phillips IV (photo by Charles Post)

Duke Phillips IV is the Chief Operating Officer of Ranchlands, a Colorado-based ranching and ranch management company that is widely celebrated for its deep conservation ethic. Duke oversees all operations across Ranchlands’ properties, which include the renowned 87,000-acre Chico Basin Ranch and the 103,000-acre Medano Zapata Ranch. Working closely with his father Duke III and his sister Tess, the Duke and his family share a commitment to long-term land stewardship, and they embody the Ranchlands philosophy of “Working together to live with the land.”

As part of a multi-generational ranching family in southeastern Colorado, Duke grew up with one foot in the ranching culture and the other in a more traditional life of school, sports, and typical childhood activities. After college, he decided to return to the family business, where he began to work his way up through the ranks to his current role of COO. Along the way, he learned lessons in leadership, humility, conservation, stockmanship, and business, many of which he shares with me during this conversation. Duke is one of the more humble and understated people I’ve met, especially when considering all that he’s accomplished so early into his career.

I met Duke out at the Chico where we sat around his kitchen table and chatted– and it was truly a delightful conversation. We talked about the operations at their ranches, delving into some of the details around their breed of cattle, the Beefmaster. We discussed the apprentice and intern programs at Ranchlands, and why he and his family value teaching and educating both the general public and the next generation of land stewards. We discussed Duke’s thoughts on leadership and the importance of being humble and calm in all situations. He also explains Ranchlands open gate policy, and how that philosophy differs from some of the conventional wisdom around access to land in the West. We also discuss books, his heroes and mentors, flying helicopters, lessons learned from living and working internationally, and much more.

Finally, I wanted to note that Ranchlands will be honored at Palmer Land Trust’s 10th Annual Southern Colorado Conservation Awards on October 3rd in Colorado Springs. We’ll be debuting a short film about the Phillips family that highlights some of their innovative conservation work throughout the state. I guarantee it will be an inspiring and fun evening.

There are many important lessons to be learned from this conversation with Duke– check the episode notes below for a full list of everything we discussed. Hope you enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Charles Post, who also generously donated his Ranchlands photos to Palmer Land Trust for promotion of the 2019 Southern Colorado Conservation Awards.

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – Background on Chico Basin
6:00 – Chico Basin’s open gate policy
8:00 – Education and birding programs on the ranch
11:15 – Background on open gate policy
14:00 – Beefmaster cattle breed
19:00 – Ideal characteristics of the Beefmaster breed
22:15 – Good books about grazing and ranching
23:30 – How travel and education have shaped their business
25:00 – Finishing high school and starting college
28:00 – Choice to study liberal arts
30:00 – Internship and apprentice program
34:00 – Traits Duke looks for in employees
40:00 – Duke’s evolution as a leader
42:00 – Importance of good communication
44:00 – Heroes and mentors
49:00 – Importance of being positive
54:00 – Importance of controlling anger
56:30 – Favorite books
59:00 – Flying helicopters and planes
1:01:30 – Using helicopters in ranching
1:03:10 – Most powerful outdoor experience
1:07:30 – Favorite place in the West

Information Referenced:

Ranchlands
Chico Basin Ranch
Medano Zapata Ranch
Colorado State Land Board
The Nature Conservancy
Charlie Russell
Lasater Family
Becca Frucht
The Lasater Philosophy of Raising Cattle by Laurance M Lasater
Endurance by Alfred Lansing
Empire of the Summer Moon by SC Gwynne
Jim Kane by JPS Brown
The Outfit by JPS Brown
Forests of the Knight by JPS Brown
Tribe by Sebastian Junger
10th Annual Southern Colorado Conservation Awards
SCCA Film Trailer

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Posted on September 20, 2019 by ELR

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

Live in Bozeman!

This episode is a special recording from a Mountain & Prairie live podcast in Bozeman, Montana. On August 30th more than 300 folks gathered at the historic Ellen Theatre in downtown Bozeman to watch, listen, and participate in a wide-ranging conversation with four amazing women of the West—hat-maker and farmer Cate Havstad; silversmith and all-around artist Jillian Lukiwski; adventure photographer and writer Becca Skinner; and rancher and county commissioner Juanita Vero. We also held a raffle that benefited the Montana Land Reliance and the critical conservation work it is doing throughout the state of Montana.

The show started out with a hilarious, high-energy welcome from the amazing Becca Frucht, who is one of the funniest and most unique human beings I’ve ever met. Then I spent about an hour and fifteen minutes asking the women questions about their lives, work, and a shared love of western landscapes. After that, we had some excellent questions from the audience, followed by a few words from the Jessie Weisse from the Montana Land Reliance. As you’ll hear, a good bit of our conversation centered around the land, conservation, and agriculture, so it was very fitting that the Montana Land Reliance was such an important part of the evening. My only complaint about the event is that I wish it could’ve been much longer—as you’d expect, we only scratched the surface of all the fascinating topics we could’ve discussed.

A heartfelt thank you to Cate, Jillian, Becca, and Juanita for being so open, thoughtful, and funny with all of their answers—the evening would not have been even a fraction of the success it was without their participation. Thanks to Becca Frucht for her energizing welcome and for figuring out a way to work Road House into her remarks. Thank you to the Montana Land Reliance for all of their important work throughout the state and for being part of the evening. A huge thanks to our sponsors—Chris Dombrowski Fly Fishing, Tom Morgan Rodsmiths, ONDA Wellness, Modern Huntsman, Beargrass Writing Retreat, Heyday, Head West Bozeman, and Big Agnes. And last but definitely not least, thanks to everyone who attended the event—I know we had people travel to Bozeman from many other states and even Canada for the show, so I can’t thank you all enough for being such important members of this podcast community.

It was truly a night to remember, and I’m excited to do more live shows in 2020, so stay tuned for that. But in the meantime, enjoy this audio version of the Mountain & Prairie Podcast, live in Bozeman!

All photos by Jasper Poore

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – Welcome from the great Becca Frucht
8:30 – A few words from Ed
11:30 – Quick intros
13:00 – Update on Cate’s involvement in farming
15:30- Juanita’s entrance into county politics
20:00 – Jillian’s evolving connection to her place
21:00 – Becca’s immersion in private land conservation
27:30 – Juanita’s thoughts on private land conservation
32:00 – Jillian discusses the importance of hard work and adventure in wild places
35:30 – Cate discusses the business realities of farming
44:00 – Jillian and Becca talk about “putting herself out there”
47:30 – Using social media productively
50:00 – Other places the ladies would choose to live
55:30 – Best books read in the past year
1:01:30 – How their husbands/partners bolster them as individuals
1:06:30 – Jillian’s “Big Enough Theory”
1:12:00 – Q&A – Mentors and mentoring
1:17:00 – Q&A – Roots to the past in the women’s trades
1:20:30 – Q&A – Role of horses in the ladies lives
1:28:00 – Q&A – Balancing development and conservation in Montana
1:35:30 – Q&A – How do we connect people with their food
1:40:15 – A few words from the Montana Land Reliance

Information Referenced:

Cate Havstad
Jillian Lukiwski
Becca Skinner
Juanita Vero
Becca Frucht
Montana Land Reliance
Road House clip
Robert Krapfel podcast
Jim Howell podcasts 1 and 2
For the Love of Land by Jim Howell
Montana block management
“Extinction of Experience” by Pyle, explained
Wendell Berry
Palmer Land Trust
The Unsettling of America by Wendell Berry
It All Turns on Affection by Wendell Berry
Dirt by David Montgomery
The Hidden Half of Nature by David Montgomery
Growing a Revolution by David Montgomery
American Serengeti by Dan Flores
Neither Wolf Nor Dog by Kent Nerburn
Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher by Timothy Egan
Lentil Underground by Liz Carlisle
Grain by Grain by Liz Carlisle
Claiming Ground by Laura Bell
The Biggest Little Farm
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Tom Morgan Rodsmiths podcast
Seth Godin
Sarah Wentzel-Fisher podcast
Stacy Townsend (who made the epic Road House poster)

THANKS AGAIN TO OUR SPONSORS!

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Posted on September 8, 2019 by ELR

Blog

William deBuys is a renowned writer and conservationist who is known as one of the most influential thinkers in the modern-day American West. To call Bill prolific would be a blatant understatement—a few of his many books include The Walk, A Great Aridness, River of Traps, and The Last Unicorn. For more than 40 years, Bill has owned and tended a small farm in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico, a property that has heavily influenced his life, work, and appreciation for land. I was fortunate enough to meet Bill at his farm for this interview, which was a thrill and an experience I won’t soon forget.

Bill was born and raised on the east coast but moved to New Mexico after college to take a job as a research assistant with writer Robert Coles. Bill found himself immersed in the arid landscape of the American Southwest and very quickly fell in love with the people, culture, and terrain. From then on, Bill’s life and work centered around the land, whether earning his Ph.D., working for the Nature Conservancy and The Conservation Fund, or pursuing full-time writing. His life serves as an inspiring case study of how to meld on-the-ground conservation work with high-level aspirational writing and journalism.

My biggest challenge with this conversation was figuring out how to fit five hours of questions into a single hour! We start by discussing how Bill ended up in New Mexico, and then chat a good bit about his farm. We discuss lessons learned from his work in land conservation, and techniques he uses to find common ground among competing stakeholders. We talk a lot about his writing process and routine, including Bill’s excellent advice related to the technical and psychological aspects of writing. We also discuss several of his books, and how writing each book has influenced his perspective and appreciation for his beloved New Mexico home. Bill offers up a useful and completely unique technique for summoning gratitude, a practice I believe we all can benefit from. And as usual, we discuss his favorite books, his favorite location in the West, and the best advice he ever received.

It was a dream come true to spend time with Bill at his farm, so I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Be sure the check the episode notes for links to everything we discussed!

Header photo courtesy of Bill deBuys, headshot by Ben Moscona

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

4:30 – El Valle, New Mexico, described
5:45 – How Bill ended up in New Mexico
10:30 – Work with The Nature Conservancy and The Conservation Fund
12:30 – Lessons learned from conservation work
14:30 – Early writing experience
15:25 – Looking back at old work
16:30 – Understanding and appreciating “place”
19:45 – How Bill wrote “The Walk”
22:15 – Dealing with feedback on his writing
23:15 – The writer’s mindset
24:30 – Bill’s writing process
29:00 – Decision to focus mostly on writing
30:15 – Discussion of his book “A Great Aridness”
34:25 – Actionable ideas for dealing with climate change
38:00 – Valles Caldera Trust
42:00 – Techniques for finding common grounds
45:30 – “The Last Unicorn” and other international adventures
46:50 – Influentials writers and thinkers
49:00 – Teaching and its influence on his work
51:00 – Favorite books
53:00 – Practice of writing down all the “aunts and uncles”
55:00 – Most powerful outdoor experience
56:10 – Threats to ANWR and the Rio Grand corridor
59:25 – Favorite location in the West
59:30 – Best advice ever received

Information Referenced:

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Posted on September 4, 2019 by ELR

Books, Conservation, Creativity, History, Writers

Emilene Ostlind is a Wyoming-based journalist and storyteller whose work focuses on the landscapes, natural resources, and communities of the American West. She may be best known for her work studying and documenting the long-distance migration of pronghorn antelope from Grand Teton National Park down into the Green River Valley—a topic that was the basis for her graduate school thesis, as well as her award-winning High Country News cover story about the “Path of the Pronghorn.” Emilene is also the editor of Western Confluence, an amazingly informative, entertaining, and free magazine published by the University of Wyoming’s Ruckelshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources. And if all of that is not enough, she is also working closely on the production of an upcoming documentary called Deer 139, which tells the story of a mule deer’s migration across Wyoming and a researcher’s attempt to follow that same path on foot.

Emilene grew up at the base of the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming, a third-generation Wyomingite from a family closely connected to ranching and the land. After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Wyoming, she landed a job in Washington DC with National Geographic, where she learned first hand the power of storytelling as a means of communicating important, complex issues. She returned to the University of Wyoming for a graduate degree in creative nonfiction writing, with a focus on understanding and documenting pronghorns’ migration patterns throughout her home state. Along with photographer Joe Riis, they explored the mountains of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, shedding light on one of the lower 48’s last remaining big game migration corridors.

If you’ve enjoyed my conversations with folks like Dan Flores and Bryce Andrews, then you’ll love this episode. We dig deep into the specifics of pronghorns and discuss why they are one of the more interesting and impressive North American mammals. We talk about how Emilene initially became interested in pronghorn migrations, and how the project began and played out over several years. We also discuss her work editing Western Confluence and the 2018 book Wild Migrations. As you’d expect, we discuss her upbringing in Wyoming, her career path in storytelling, and she offers some excellent advice for aspiring journalists who’d like to follow a similar path. And of course we discuss favorite books, so be sure to check the episode notes for links to all of those– there are a lot of new titles.

I encourage you to subscribe to Western Confluence—it’s totally free which is quite a deal when you consider just how much you’ll learn from reading it. But in the meantime, enjoy my fun and educational conversation with Emilene Ostlind.

Photos courtesy of Emilene Ostlind

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

4:30 – Emilene’s family history in Wyoming
7:00 – Her life-long interest in storytelling
8:00 – Experience at National Geographic
12:30 – Heading back West from DC
13:30 – Genesis of pronghorn migration idea
15:00 – Applying to grad school
17:00 – “Path of the Pronghorn”
21:50 – Pronghorns explained
26:30 – Reception of migration story by the general public
30:00 – Steps that landowners can take to help animal migrations
35:00 – Wyoming as a last major migration corridor
37:30 – “Deer 139”
41:20 – Storytelling through film
44:45 – Western Confluence
50:00 – Mentors, heroes, and books
53:30 – “Wild Migrations”
56:40 – Advice to aspiring storytellers
59:45 – Favorite books about the West
1:01:00 – Favorite films
1:02:00 – Most powerful outdoor experience
1:03:40 – Favorite location in the West
1:05:00 – Best advice she’s ever received
1:06:15 – Request of the listeners
1:07:40 – Connect with Emilene

Information Referenced:

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Posted on August 19, 2019 by ELR

Adventurers, Conservation, Creativity, Ecology, History

PART 1: Behind the Scenes with Ed – Cutting-Edge Land & Water Conservation in the West

This episode is a little different—this is part one of a two-part series in which I’m the one in the hot seat. It’s a repost of my recent appearance on the Quivira Coalition’s excellent podcast called “Down to Earth – The Planet to Plate Podcast.” They were nice enough to invite me on to discuss some of my conservation work at Palmer Land Trust, particularly around our focus of conserving irrigated farmland in southeastern Colorado. It’s fascinating work that hits on many of the issues we’ve previously discussed here on Mountain & Prairie—water rights, pressures facing agricultural communities, holistic approaches to resource management, balancing the needs of agriculture with that of municipalities, and more. It’s what I spend the vast majority of my time doing, and I hope you’ll find it interesting and informative.

Regardless of whether or not you listen to my episode, I highly encourage you to check out Down to Earth. The host Mary-Charlotte is a journalistic pro who likes to dive deep in the nuances of agriculture and has interviewed some of the most impressive people working in agriculture today (present company excluded). If you’ve enjoyed my past episodes with folks like Jim Howell, Pat O’Toole, Christine Su, and, of course, Quivira Executive Director Sarah Wentzel-Fisher, then I can guarantee you’ll love the Down to Earth podcast. There’s a link to Down to Earth in the episode notes, so be sure to check it out and give them a great iTunes review if you’re so inclined.

Thanks again to Down to Earth for being interested in my work, and thanks to you all for listening. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Hope you enjoy!

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PART 2: Behind the Scenes with Ed – A Never-Boring, Often-Crazy Personal Journey

If you listened to the previous episode above, then you know that I’m mixing things up a bit. This is Part 2 of a two-part series in which I’m the one in the hot seat. This episode is a repost of my recent appearance on the Truth & Dare Podcast, a wonderfully inspiring show that features in-depth conversations about personal growth, risk-taking, and living life to the fullest.

In the first part of this two-part series, you’ll remember it being detailed discussion around my professional interests—land, water, and agriculture. This conversation on Truth & Dare is equally detailed and deep, but focused almost exclusively on my personal life—my journey from North Carolina to the West, my obsession with long-distance running, the crazy way that I met my wife, lessons learned for a semester of NOLS, how my wife and girls’ influence has made me a much better person, and much more. Many of the books and ideas that we’ve discussed on Mountain & Prairie play a big role in my personal evolution from wanna-be real estate developer to conservationist, so I wanted to share this with you all.

As you’ll hear, the host Camden is a curious, kind, and natural conversationalist who likes to talk deeply about subjects of substance—not surface-level nonsense. I was turned on to her podcast when she interviewed my friend—artist, surfer, and family-man Kevin Mirsky—and I was thrilled and a little nervous when she asked me to join her on the show. But we had an instant connection and a great conversation that I hope you’ll enjoy. But regardless of my episode, if you are interested in personal growth and stories of people who have taken unconventional paths, you should definitely give Truth & Dare a listen.

A huge thanks again to Camden for having me on, thanks to you all for listening, and I’ll be back with regular Mountain & Prairie episodes in the next few days.

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Posted on August 7, 2019 by ELR

Adventurers, Agriculture, Conservation, Conservationists, Creativity, History, Mindfulness, Regenerative Ag

Morgan Irons is a Montana-based artist whose captivating oil paintings combine the classic style of late 19th-century painters with her own modern-day interpretation of the West’s people and places. When I first discovered Morgan’s art, I assumed I was looking at the work of a classically trained artist who’d been in the trenches of painting for decades… and I couldn’t have been more wrong. Morgan has only been painting since 2015, with virtually no artistic training prior. Her innate talent is matched only by her work ethic and commitment to the craft—she has built her life around the process of making art, which is inspiring and instructive for anyone with creative aspirations.

Morgan was born in Durango and spent her youth in various parts of the West, including Alaska and Idaho. After college in the flat midwest, she immediately returned to more rugged landscapes, working in Alaska and eventually landing in Bozeman. She tried her hand at a “normal” job but found the corporate world to be uninspiring and frustrating. So rather than wallow and complain, she moved on from that job and soon thereafter, discovered her talent for painting. Since then, she’s gone all-in on her career as an artist, and she is building quite a strong following in the art world.

If you are a person who dreams of pursuing your creative passion full time, then you will love this episode—it’s full of actionable ideas around art and the creative process. We talk about the remote cabin where Morgan lives and paints, and why she needs solitude and open spaces for maximum creative output. We discuss her daily routine and how she primes her artistic mindset through hiking, meditation, and writing. We also discuss how she blocks out distractions and her techniques for using the productive aspects of social media while avoiding the time-wasting traps. We obviously talk about the point when she discovered her talent for painting and how she has honed that talent through workshops and mentorships from top painters. Finally, Morgan tells some great stories about hunting for ghosts with her dad, her favorite books, a bear that broke into her car, and the importance of having no “Plan B.” Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Morgan Irons

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

5:00 – Where Morgan is based
6:00 – Why Morgan likes solitude
8:00 – Balancing technology—productivity vs. distraction
11:00 – Morgan’s younger years
12:00 – Heading to college in St. Louis
14:30 – Family history in Alaska
17:30 – Job in Alaska
22:00 – Lessons learned in Alaska
23:00 – Moving in Bozeman
25:15 – Discovering art
27:00 – Buying paint and starting to make art
30:00 – Feelings during the process of painting
32:30 – Learning from the masters while keeping the originality
35:30 – Formal learning from world-class artists
38:00 – Learning from fellow students as well as professors
40:00 – Daily routines
44:00 – Meditation practice
46:30 – Balancing friendships with her need for solo time
50:00 – How the West shapes her work
53:30 – Mentors and artists Morgan admires
56:00 – A non-painting artist who Morgan admires
58:30 – How her psychology degree has helped her art
1:00:00 – Favorite books
1:04:00 – Ghost hunting!
1:08:30 – Crazy bear encounter
1:12:00 – Words of wisdom
1:14:30 – Connect with Morgan online

Information Referenced:

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Posted on July 22, 2019 by ELR

Artists, Creativity

Heather Hansman is a freelance writer and editor whose work explores the intersection of science, adventure, and culture. Her new book Downriver: Into the Future of Water in the West should be required reading for everyone who enjoys this podcast—it strikes the perfect balance of being entertaining and educational while examining all sides of the many issues facing the West’s water supply. There are few topics in the West as divisive and emotional as water, and in her book, Heather provides a balanced overview of all the issues, delving deep into the substance of water-related arguments, without crossing over into the mind-numbing jargon that defines most water-related writing.

The book follows Heather’s 730-mile float down the length of the Green River, starting at the base of Wyoming’s Wind River mountains and ending at the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers in Utah. Along the way, she meets with a wide range of western water stakeholders—ranchers, farmers, river guides, government employees, scientists, conservationists, and more—and digs into their sometimes competing interests fighting for their shares of water in the West. But the book is far from an academic examination of water law—Heather paddled two-thirds of the river completely alone, so there is also a compelling adventure narrative that runs throughout the book.

To understand most of the challenges facing the West, you need to understand water, and this episode is a perfect place to start. Heather and I start our conversation by laying out some of the basics around water—terminology that you may have heard thrown around but never truly understood. She explains how water in the West is a property right separate from land, and she explains some of the common language used when discussing water. We chat about why the Colorado River is over-allocated, and how transbasin diversions have transformed much of the West into a very large and complex plumbing system. For the second half of the conversation, we discuss Heather’s professional path as a writer, journalist, and former river guide. We talk about why she moved west, her first gig as a professional writer, and some of the tricks of the trade she uses to force herself to write. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and favorite locations in the West.

As a guy who spends much of my day working with water and water rights, I can’t thank Heather enough for writing this book. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Photos courtesy of Heather Hansman

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

4:15 – Events leading to writing the book
7:30 – Overview of the river trip
11:00 – Women pursuing adventure for adventure’s sake
15:00 – Water as a private property right
16:30 – What does “over-allocation” mean?
19:20 – How do we overcome water shortages?
20:30 – Transbasin diversions and the West’s plumbing system
23:00 – Ins-and-outs of dams
26:00 – Importance of being open-minded to all sides of issues in the West
29:40 – “Water flows uphill towards money”
32:00 – True value of water
33:45 – Potential water crisis
35:00 – Reasons for optimism
39:10 – Early years of river guiding
42:30 – Pursuing a career in journalism
44:30 – Benefits of journalism grad school
45:45 – Process of writing and writing the book
48:00 – Mentors
50:50 – Becoming a full-time writer
52:15 – Favorite books
56:30 – Favorite films
57:30 – Scariest event on the Green River trip
1:02:30 – Favorite location in the West
1:05:00 – Request of the podcast listeners
1:06:30 – Connect with Heather online

Information Referenced:

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Posted on July 9, 2019 by ELR

Adventurers, Agriculture, Books, Conservation, Creativity, Ecology, History, Writers

The deeper I dig into regenerative agriculture in the West, the more and more impressed I am by the Quivira Coalition. It’s a nimble and creative organization that receives endless praise from some of the best progressive minds in ag. Also, Quivira’s idea of the “radical center” is one that should be widely adopted throughout the West for a whole host of issues.

I was thrilled when they invited me on their super-educational, inspirational Down to Earth podcast to discuss some of the innovative work we’re doing at Palmer Land Trust around water rights, farmland, and land conservation. If you are interested in learning about scalable, replicable solutions for balancing the water needs of agriculture and municipal growth, give it a listen by following the links below.

And for an in-depth discussion about Quivira and its impactful work throughout the West, check out my past podcast interview with Quivira Executive Director Sarah Wentzel-Fisher. She’s a dynamo!

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Posted on July 3, 2019 by ELR

Blog, The Latest

Buy Tickets!!

In a world that seems to become more divided with each passing minute, the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance is building bridges. Thanks to its focused, diligent efforts for the past 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.

Collaboration is their goal, and AVCA sees to it that all stakeholders—private landowners, ranchers, government entities, conservation non-profits, environmental advocacy groups, and more—all have a seat at the table when it comes to tackling the Valley’s challenges. AVCA’s work is as effective as it is refreshing, and it serves as a model that many other organizations throughout the West can emulate.

I’m thrilled to be speaking at their annual dinner and fundraiser on September 21st at the historic Mountain Oyster Club in Tucson, Arizona, and I sincerely hope you’ll be able to join us. It’s an honor to support AVCA’s work.

To learn more about the AVCA and its work, listen to my fun and educational conversation with AVCA’s Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, Sarah King— a true conservation dynamo!

Buy Tickets!!

Interested in having me speak at your event, discuss conservation in the West, or interview your guest of honor? Send me an email, and let’s make it happen!

All photos courtesy of Sarah King.

Posted on June 25, 2019 by ELR

Blog, The Latest

If you’re a regular Mountain & Prairie listener, then you are undoubtedly familiar with best-selling author David Gessner. He has written several of my all-favorite books, most notably All the Wild That Remains: Edward Abbey, Wallace Stegner, and the American West. He was also a past guest on this podcast almost exactly a year ago—a conversation that continues to receive excellent feedback and ranks as one of my most downloaded episodes. Between his writing, teaching, chairing the Creative Writing department at University of North Carolina Wilmington, and his role as a committed family man, David is a busy guy—so I greatly appreciate his sitting down to record a second episode.

We caught up during his annual trip to Colorado and covered a wide range of fascinating topics, all presented with his signature style of deeply considered insightfulness balanced with a hilarious sense of humor. We chatted about his ongoing work on his new book about public lands and Theodore Roosevelt, as well as a recent research trip in which he flew in a Cessna from Colorado to northwest Montana and many places in between. We discussed his thoughts on Theodore Roosevelt, and how his opinions of the man have evolved throughout this book project. David shares more insights into his writing process and how endurance and team sports have helped build his discipline and work ethic as an author. We spend a good amount of time discussing his book Ultimate Glory, digging into the mindset that allowed David to pursue the sport of Ultimate Frisbee—and writing—with laser-focused obsession. We finish up by chatting about some of the best books he’s read in the past year, as well as one relatively unknown author that everyone who loves the West should read.

This episode will obviously be of great interest to people who love the West, but I highly recommend it to anyone who is focused on a creative pursuit—writing, painting, poetry, sculpture, you name it. Thanks to his decades of daily grinding and obsession, David is a shining example of the discipline and commitment required to be a professional artist, and he’s damn good at explaining it in a way that really sinks in.

If you haven’t already, check out my first conversation with David as well—there’s a link in the episode notes. But right now, enjoy this enlightening and hilarious conversation with David Gessner.

Headshot courtesy of David Gessner, Banner photo by Ed

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

4:00 – The importance of Boulder, Colorado in David’s life and work
9:00 – Endurance feats as a metaphor for writing
11:00 – Importance of having massive goals
12:45 – Importance of ambition
15:00 – Current book project and trip to the West
18:45 – Recent flight around the West
20:00 – Examining TR in a modern context
22:20 – Reluctance to become an activist
25:50 – Changing perspectives on TR
30:00 – Political cartooning
32:00 – David on taking feedback from editors and others
35:15 – Importance of constraints in writing and life
39:50 – Arête
42:15 – Finding camaraderie outside of team sports
46:50 – Teaching the writing mindset
50:50 – Best books David read this year
53:45 – Lesser known authors worth reading

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Posted on June 24, 2019 by ELR

Books, Conservation, Creativity, History, Writers

A Reader’s Guide to the Lifework of Theodore Roosevelt

I’m only half joking when I tell people that Theodore Roosevelt’s time as President was the least interesting aspect of his life.

The reality is that T.R’s presidency was only a small portion of his life’s work—work that spanned the full spectrum of careers, from sedentary, high-brow intellectual pursuits to the action-packed violence of war, with a variety of wide-ranging jobs in between.

Because he was able to fit several lifetimes of work into his 60 years, understanding T.R.’s impact on history requires much more examination than what any single, measly biography can offer.

So, I’m offering up a few of my favorite T.R. books, each delving into a specific facet of his life and work. Whether you read one of them or all of them, I can guarantee that each of these books will give you a much deeper appreciation for the strengths, failings, and lasting influence of this complex man.

Conservationist – The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America by Douglas Brinkley. Many would argue that T.R.’s most enduring legacy is his work in conservation—species protection, public lands, and his absolute contempt for the robber barons’ attempts to pillage the U.S.’s natural resources. This dense, fact-filled tome catalogs all of T.R.’s conservation accomplishments, sometimes in excruciating detail. But there is no better resource out there for understanding just how much T.R. loved wild places and how damn hard he worked to conserve them.

Cattleman – Theodore Roosevelt in the Badlands: A Young Politician’s Quest for Recovery in the American West by Roger L. DiSilvestro. Much is made of T.R.’s time spent as a “cowboy,” and this book gives an in-depth portrayal of his successes and failures as a Dakota rancher. While his time as a cattleman healed and fortified T.R. both physically and emotionally, many people overlook the fact that ranching damn near ruined him financially. If you want to dive deep into understanding all sides of West’s impact on T.R.’s legacy, this is your book.

Scientist – The Naturalist: Theodore Roosevelt, A Lifetime of Exploration, and the Triumph of American Natural History by Darrin Lunde. Before politics entered his life, T.R. was fully committed to pursuing a career in science, as a naturalist. Collecting, cataloging, and preserving birds and animals was his obsession from childhood into young adulthood, and he gained some renown within scientific circles for his contributions. This enlightening book not only details T.R.’s success and talents as a naturalist, but explains the rise of the field of study during the late 19th century.

Hunter – Hunting Trips of a Ranchman & The Wilderness Hunter by Theodore Roosevelt. Much has been written about T.R.’s obsession with hunting—some call him a blood-lusting maniac and others revere him as the savior of big game. To help form your opinion, I recommend going straight to the source and reading these two entertaining, educational, and revealing works by the man himself.

Crime Fighter – Island of Vice: Theodore Roosevelt’s Doomed Quest to Clean Up Sin-Loving New York by Richard Zacks. If any phase of T.R.’s life could be categorized as a failure, it would be his stint as a New York City police commissioner. His unyielding standards and bombastic personality, combined with his high-falutin’ self-righteousness, created a no-win situation for him in morally loose NYC. I’m personally very interested in the failures of successful people, and this is a failure story worth reading.

Soldier – The War Lovers: Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst and the Rush to Empire by Evan Thomas. If there is a single anecdote that I believe summarizes T.R.’s personality, it’s his role in the lead-up to the Spanish-American War. This book will give you valuable insights into the force of his personality, and the relentlessness with which he exerted his will on those within his orbit. There are also plenty of wonderful stories detailing the famed Rough Riders and the Battle of San Juan Hill.**

Explorer – The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. If I could only recommend one T.R. book to the general public, this would be it. Exciting, easy-to-read, and extremely educational, it’s the story of T.R.’s exploration of a tributary of the Amazon River—an expedition that nearly killed him. Even though this book is focused on this one specific adventure, it provides a deep and broad overview of T.R.’s personality and legitimate physical and mental toughness.

Child – Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt by David McCullough. McCullough is a damn genius, and everything he writes is fantastic. So obviously when he turns his attention to exploring T.R.’s family and childhood, you need to read it. I’ve heard many well-respected writers say that this is their favorite T.R. book.

Father – Theodore Roosevelt: Letters to His Children by Theodore Roosevelt. On top of everything, TR was a committed father who loved his family madly. This collection of letters is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming—stories ranging from a ridiculous recounting of a badger running loose in the White House to pointed advice to his children encouraging them to work hard, be honest, and live up to high personal standards. I read this book at least once per year and have started reading portions of it to my oldest daughter, who loves it.

The Whole Enchilada – The Theodore Roosevelt Trilogy by Edmund Morris. I credit this trilogy, particularly the first volume, with drastically changing the trajectory of my life for the better. I happened to read them during a pivotal period of my life, and they redefined my understanding of the importance of approaching all tasks with full enthusiasm, working hard at “work worth doing,” embracing the strenuous life, and much, much more. Committing to read the full 2,400+ total pages is not for the faint of heart, but, trust me, it’s well worth the effort.

Don’t like to read? Well, how the hell did you make it this far? No matter, I’ve got a suggestion for you too: Ken Burns: The Roosevelts – An Intimate History. Nearly 14 hours of all things Roosevelt—Theodore, Eleanor, and Franklin. My suggested viewing strategy is to alternate one episode of The Roosevelts with a full showing of Road House, then repeat for 28 hours straight.

**Since writing this post, I read The Crowded Hour: Theodore Roosevelt, the Rough Riders, and the Dawn of the American Century by Clay Risen. Holy cow it was good! A completely different book than The War Lovers, one deserving of its own category. I’m not going to rewrite the post or add categories, but I highly recommend giving The Crowded Hour a read.

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Mike Phillips is the Director of the Turner Endangered Species Fund (“TESF”), an organization that he co-founded in 1997 with Ted Turner. Mike is also a Montana state senator representing District 31, which encompasses parts of his hometown of Bozeman and the surrounding area. In his work as an ecologist, Mike has spent much of his career studying and implementing the reintroduction of wolves throughout the United States. And in both science and politics, he’s never shied away from taking vocal leadership roles involving a wide range of important issues in southwest Montana and beyond.

Mike is very well known for his work with gray wolves in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and also for his efforts to reintroduce the species into western Colorado. But as you’ll hear in our conversation, wolves are just a small part of his work– his overarching interest is the persistence of many imperiled species, with a particular emphasis on private land’s role in the recovery efforts. Whether considering the fate of monarch butterflies, cutthroat trout, or gray wolves, Mike’s approach is the same– an action-oriented, science-backed strategy toward conserving biological diversity.

No matter where you stand on the issue of gray wolf reintroduction, I encourage you to give this conversation with Mike a very close listen. If you’re like me, you’ll be struck not only by his passion for ecology but by his deep reliance on non-emotional, quantitative scientific data. You’ll also notice his insatiable curiosity and his willingness to change his when presented with compelling new information. And finally, I think you’ll be impressed by his ability to discuss controversial topics such as wolves or politics in a respectful, considered tone that welcomes conversation and input from all sides of the issues.

I can’t thank Mike enough for taking the time out of his busy schedule to chat. This is an important conversation that will make you think, and Mike’s enthusiasm will likely motivate you to dedicate more of your time to a cause that is important to you.

Headshot courtesy of Mike Phillips

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – Beginnings of the Turner Endangered Species Fund
9:30 – Mike’s background in ecology
14:00 – TESF success stories
17:30 – Wolf recovery in Colorado
24:30 – Mike addresses the counterarguments to wolf recovery
35:00 – Mike’s ability to not shy away from conflict—in ecology and politics
39:30 – Decision to enter into politics
43:30 – Importance of being mission and service oriented
44:30 – Lessons learned from baseball
47:30 – Importance of being able to “see around the next corner”
48:30 – Private land’s role in conservation
53:30 – Favorite books
56:00 – Favorite films
58:00 – Favorite location in the West
1:00:00 – Request of the listeners

Information Referenced:

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Posted on June 9, 2019 by ELR

Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, History, Leadership, Service

Ed on Truth & Dare Podcast

A huge thanks to Camden Hoch for having me on her amazing podcast, Truth & Dare. Camden and I wasted no time with surface-level nonsense—we went very deep, very quickly!

We covered a ton: My winding career path from finance and real estate development into western land conservation, the crazy way that I met my wife Kim, my need for painful endurance feats to fuel personal growth, how Kim and my girls’ influence has made me a much better person, life lessons learned from a semester of NOLS, the origins of my podcast, and the importance of hard work and curiosity.

I’m sure we discussed a lot more, but as you’ll hear me admit, I have an intensely weird aversion to listening to myself talk—so I’ll likely never know everything that we covered during our fun, substantive conversation!

If any of this seems interesting, give it a listen. The link is in my profile. Worst case you can ignore my blabbing and learn a thing or two from Camden about how to live your best life. She’s a wonderfully wise woman—a real pro who knows her stuff and truly walks the walk!

Truth & Dare Podcast

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James Decker is a farmer, attorney, and the Mayor of Stamford, TX, a tight-knit agricultural community located about 45 minutes north of Abilene. James grew up in Stamford, left for college and law school, but immediately returned home to begin his career– his love of his hometown and desire to contribute to its success far outweighed any material success that could result from practicing law in a big city. With his service-oriented mindset and natural leadership abilities, James worked his way up from city council to Mayor, all while working as an attorney and growing his family.

Like so many devoted small-town mayors, James is driven by a deep desire to see his community thrive, despite the many forces that seem to be conspiring against small-town America. He approaches local politics with an inspiring amount of focus and determination, and he’s not afraid to seek out new ideas from a variety of sometimes-unexpected sources. His weekly essays are worth a read whether you live in Stamford or not– he explores subjects ranging from the nuts and bolts of economic development to the writings of Wendell Berry to quotations from Theodore Roosevelt.

James is a shining example of the positive impact that one passionate person can have when he or she decides to lead with enthusiasm, optimism, and old-fashioned hard work. We covered a lot in our conversation, starting with his upbringing in Stamford and some of the history of the town. We talk about how he chose to return to Stamford after law school, despite having plenty of other opportunities elsewhere. We discuss the challenges facing rural America and how he chooses to approach economic development with an aggressive, proactive posture. We also talk about his mentors and heroes, and how his love of history and biographies inform his leadership. We obviously talk a lot about Wendell Berry and Theodore Roosevelt, as well as his favorite books and our shared love of the greatest movie of all time, Road House.

The West is full of many small agricultural towns, and many of those communities share the same opportunities and challenges facing Stamford. I think you’ll be inspired by this episode, and be sure to check the notes for links to everything we discuss. Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of James Decker

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

4:15 – How James describes his work
5:00 – Stamford, Texas described
7:00 – Family history
8:30 – Growing up in Stamford
9:30 – Choice to return to Stamford
15:30 – Local heroes and mentors
18:00 – What creates community pride?
22:30 – James’s weekly essays
26:00 – Decision to run for mayor
28:00 – Biggest surprise of being mayor
31:30 – Biggest challenge facing Stamford
35:30 – Economic opportunities in small towns
39:45 – Sources of inspirations, Wendell Berry and TR
45:15 – Seeking out different opinions
47:00 – National and local politics
51:45 – How kids have changed James’s perspective
57:00 – Importance of aggression
1:00:00 – Best Texas history books
1:02:30 – Favorite books
1:08:50 – Favorite films
11:11:30 – Hobbies away from work
1:13:30 – Favorite location in the West
1:15:30 – Best advice ever received
1:16:30 – Request of the listeners
1:18:00 – Connect with James

Information Referenced:

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Posted on May 24, 2019 by ELR

Agriculture, Conservation, History, Leadership, Ranchers, Regenerative Ag, Service

Book Club Selection: “Bad Land” by Jonathan Raban

May-June Book Club Selection: Bad Land by Jonathan Raban

“Nowhere, not even at sea, does a man feel more lonely than when riding over the far-reaching, seemingly never-ending plains; and after a man has lived a little while on or near them, their very vastness and loneliness and their melancholy monotony have a strong fascination for him.” -Theodore Roosevelt

If you’ve spent any amount of time exploring Montana’s eastern plains, then this quote will definitely resonate.

My most recent trip to the area’s “never-ending plains” coincided with some of Montana’s worst wildfires in decades, resulting in a hot, smoky, disorienting three days of rambling around the lonely, vast landscape, confused as to exactly what planet I was actually on.

And if the landscape isn’t fascinating enough, the history of its white settlement is one of the more eye-opening tales of arrogance, shady corporate influence, and complete disregard for the realities of the West’s harsh climate. The crookedness and cluelessness that defined much of the “taming” of the West can be broadly summarized by the settlement of eastern Montana in the early 20th century.

So, do you want to read a book about it? Good! Because the May-June Book Club Selection is:

Bad Land: An American Romance by Jonathan Raban

I absolutely loved the book– it’s substantive history presented in an engaging and sometimes-funny style that made it a breeze to read. As a bonus, Raban is British, so he brings an outsider’s perspective to his analysis, utterly free of the romantic biases that Americans often harbor toward the West.

The lessons and facts gleaned from this book have stuck with me long after reading it, and I find myself often thinking back on it as a significant reference point for my understanding of the West.

If you’d like to participate:

Grab a copy of Bad Land—purchase it from Amazon or your local bookseller, or check it out from your local library. Start reading.
Head over to our Goodreads Group. Create an account, then join in the conversation in the online discussion forum. As you read, give your feedback on the book, pose questions to the group, and share your thoughts as you plow through the adventure.
The only way this works is with lots of participation from lots of people, so the more the better. DON’T BE SHY!

Mountain & Prairie Book Club – Goodreads Group

Logan Maxwell Hagege (*photo credit:* *Jason Frank Rothenberg* *for Best Made Co.*)

If you love the West and you love art, then you are likely already a fan of Logan Maxwell Hagege. He is a renowned painter whose depictions of the people and landscapes of the West have won him acclaim around the globe. His work is as stunning as it is unique, and when you see one of Logan’s pieces, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind as to exactly who painted it. He uses bold colors and striking composition to create a style that is entirely his own– a style that continues to evolve, even after all of his success.

Logan was born and raised in California, and he has been an obsessive artist for as long as he can remember. Whether drawing, playing music, surfing, or painting, Logan has always gone “all in” on his creative pursuits. And as you’ll hear, Logan’s tendency towards obsession is fueled by a tireless work ethic and deep commitment to continuing to grow as an artist– he is always pushing himself and refuses to rest on his laurels. That’s not to say that Logan doesn’t suffer from artistic blocks from time to time. But when he does, rather than wallow, he’s developed hard-nosed, time-tested methods of summoning creativity and continuing to push forward.

I’ve been a fan of Logan’s for many years, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to chat with him. We covered a lot, including his childhood creative obsessions and how his parents nurtured his artistic streak. We talk about his formal art education, and how he made the jump from art student to professional artist. Logan describes the evolution of his work, and how his early paintings are almost unrecognizable when compared to his current style. We chat about how he maintains focus after so many years of professional art, and he describes specific ways that he pushes himself to continue to evolve as an artist. He explains how he knows when a painting is finished, and how having a son has changed his routine and outlook. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and the best advice he’s ever received.

There’s a ton of useful information in this episode so be sure to check the episode notes for links to everything. Enjoy!

“By the Light of Day” by Logan Maxwell Hagege

Photos by Jason Frank Rothenberg for Best Made Co.

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

4:00 – How Logan describes his work
6:30 – Logan’s childhood artistic endeavors
8:15 – Art education
10:00 – Transition from art school to professional artist
12:15 – Old work compared to new work
15:00 – Transition to a new style of painting
16:45 – Source of Logan’s independence
19:15 – Importance of work ethic
20:30 – How he keeps the artistic motivation alive
21:20 – When the southwest became a focus
23:15 – Logan’s daily creative schedule
25:00 – How parenthood affected Logan’s outlook
26:30 – Logan’s studio spaces
28:00 – The inspiration for Logan’s works
29:45 – How to know when a painting is done
32:00 – Thoughts on looking at others’ artwork
35:00 – What Logan listens to while painting
36:30 – The business of art
38:35 – Mentors and heroes
41:00 – Books on creativity
42:30 – Other non-art activities
46:30 – Favorite books
48:30 – Daily rituals and getting to work
51:00 – More favorite books
52:00 – Favorite films
54:30 – Most powerful outdoor experience
58:45 – Best advice ever received
1:03:30 – Request of the listeners

Information Referenced:

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Posted on May 10, 2019 by ELR

Artists, Craftsmanship, Creativity, Native American History

Mary Rondepierre is a fourth-generation Montanan, avid sportswoman, and a public lands advocate who has explored our nation’s wild places from coast to coast. She is also the Marketing and Experiences Manager at Filson, one of the most renowned and respected outdoor apparel brands anywhere. Currently based in Seattle, Mary has managed to combine her personal and professional passions into an exciting and rewarding career that melds together high-performance business with conservation and time in wide-open spaces.

As a child, Mary grew up in a household that respected the outdoors and valued rich experiences over accumulating endless amounts of “stuff.” Her father worked as a commercial fisherman and logger, wearing– you guessed it– Filson gear to his jobs in the often-brutal environments of Alaska and the West. Mary headed to Oregon State for college, and soon after graduation entered the apparel business, eventually landing at Filson. Since then, she’s worn many hats at the company and now works closely with Filson’s partnership with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, helping to produce their “Campfire Stories” events around the country.

If you’re like me, love the outdoors, and own a ridiculously large stash of gear, odds are you’ve dreamed about working at a well-known outdoor apparel company. Mary’s career serves as an excellent case study for anyone interested in pursuing this path, and she reveals how she managed to land such a dream job. We talk about her education and early career, as well as her decision to work retail at Filson to “get her foot in the door.” We discuss the critical lessons she learned from working on the sales floor, and how those retail experiences inform and enhance her current role at Filson. We chat about an epic road trip she took with her husband in which they visited public lands from coast to coast, and we talk about how her upbringing in rural Montana instilled a deep love and respect of public lands. As usual, we discuss favorite books, places in the West, and the best advice she’s ever received. Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Mary Rondepierre

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

4:30 – How Mary describes her work
6:30 – History of Filson
9:40 – Holding high standards
11:45 – Outdoor apparel marketing
13:30 – Partnership with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
18:10 – How Mary began working in outdoor apparel
19:00 – Mary’s dad’s secret camps!
20:00 – Family history in Montana
22:55 – Childhood outdoor adventures
24:00 – Decision to leave Montana
26:30 – First job out of college
28:30 – First job at Filson
30:10 – Experience working retail
33:30 – Filson’s “Unfailing Goods”
35:30 – Humility gained from retail
38:00 – Advice to recent college grads
41:00 – Thoughts on reading business books versus real-world experience
44:10 – Epic public lands roadtrip
49:30 – Proposal story!
42:00 – Lessons learned from the road trip
55:00 – Favorite spots in the PNW
59:30 – Awesome TR side conversation
1:01:45 – Mentors
1:04:30 – Favorite books
1:09:00 – Most powerful outdoor experience
1:12:45 – Favorite location in the West
1:13:30 – Best advice ever received
1:14:30 – Request of the listeners
1:16:00 – Connect with Mary

Information Referenced:

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Posted on May 3, 2019 by ELR

Conservation, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, Hunting & Fishing

Bryce Andrews – People, Predators, and the American West

Bryce Andrews is a Montana-based rancher, conservationist, and author whose unique set of experiences gives him uncommon insights into the relationship between humans and carnivores in the West. Having worked as a ranch hand, ranch manager, and ranch owner, Bryce understands agriculture and the myriad of challenges faced by producers. As Field Director at the non-profit People and Carnivores, he has gained first-hand knowledge of the predicaments facing large predators in the Rockies. And as an author, he has researched and written extensively about all sides of the issue– most notably in his books Badluck Way and his new book Down from the Mountain, which was published earlier this week.

Bryce grew up in Seattle, far removed from ranching, farming, and the arid ruggedness of the Rocky Mountain West. But soon after college, he landed an entry-level job at the 20,000-acre Sun Ranch, located in Montana’s spectacular Upper Madison River Valley. On the Sun Ranch, Bryce received a trial-by-fire education in the sometimes-problematic relationship between agriculture and wild animals, a relationship he has spent much of his professional career exploring. The latest manifestation of this exploration is Down from the Mountain, an educational, entertaining, and sometimes-heartbreaking book that explores specific interactions between grizzly bears and farms in Montana’s Mission Valley. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book and cannot recommend it enough.

If you are familiar with this podcast and the topics that I love to discuss, then you know that Bryce is a perfect guest. He’s smart, funny, insightful, and has a real gift for explaining complex, sometimes controversial topics in an engaging way. We talked a lot about Down from the Mountain, discussing grizzlies, farming, and the unique location and topography of the Mission Valley. We talk about Bryce’s upbringing in Seattle, and what drove him to explore the West after college. We discuss his work with People and Carnivores, and how his background in agriculture helps him to span the divide between his organization and the farming and ranching communities. Bryce also explains his writing and research process and offers some excellent advice for aspiring authors. And as usual, we spend a lot of time discussing books, authors, and his most powerful outdoor experience.

I encourage you to find a copy of Down from the Mountain and give it a read. You will not be disappointed!

Photos courtesy of Bryce Andrews and HMH Publishing

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

4:00 – Bryce describes his work
5:20 – How Bryce started ranching
6:30 – First experiences ranching
7:20 – Heading to the Rockies after college
9:00 – Getting a hand-hold in ranching
10:30 – Culture shock of the West
13:50 – First encounter with carnivores
16:30 – Primal thrill of wildlife encounters
17:30 – Work with People and Carnivores
20:00 – Finding common ground in the carnivore controversies
25:00 – “Down from the Mountain”
29:00 – Mission Valley explained
34:00 – Similarities between humans and Grizzlies
37:30 – Unexpected tension of bears in a cornfield
41:20 – Bryce’s history as a writer
42:50 – Favorite/important writers
46:30 – Bryce’s relationship with writing
50:00 – Writing, the flow state, and fear
52:00 – Intense life events versus the boring “real world”
56:15 – Advice for aspiring writers
59:45 – Favorite books about the West
1:01:50 – Most powerful outdoor experience
1:03:30 – Request of the listeners
1:05:30 – Connect with Bryce

Information Referenced:

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Jessica Lewis is a Montana-based metalsmith who is best known for the beautifully unique jewelry she creates for her online shop, Ruby and Revolver. She is also the mother of a two-year-old daughter, who she is raising with her husband in the home they constructed with their own hands in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley. Thanks to her tireless work ethic and disciplined creativity, Jessica has built an authentic and full life around the things she loves most– her family, her craft, and Western landscapes.

Montana’s rugged mountains and valleys have been a part of Jessica’s life for as long as she can remember, and even though she has traveled widely, she has always returned to Big Sky Country. The Rocky Mountain landscapes inform many aspects of her work, as does her ethic of “doing more with less.” By American standards, she and her family embrace a purposefully minimalist lifestyle which allows Jessica to focus on quality over quantity in both her professional and personal endeavors. In our world of constant connectivity and endless distraction, I’m truly inspired by Jessica’s genuine and mindful approach toward living a simple yet rich and meaningful life.

Jessica was kind enough to take a break from her numerous projects for this fun conversation about her life, creative process, and love of Montana. We chatted about how she got her start making jewelry and how the impending birth of her daughter inspired her to pursue art full time. We talked about how she began making jewelry with the simplest of tools, and how the desire for fancy equipment can distract from the act of making art. We talk a lot about parenthood, and Jessica explains how becoming a mother shifted her perspectives on work and life. We discuss our shared appreciation for Stoic philosophy, and how several specific books have impacted Jessica’s creativity. We talk about the importance of international travel and wisdom gained from spending time abroad. And as usual, we discuss favorite books about the West, the best advice she’s ever received, and several of her unexpected hobbies.

I really loved the conversation and know you will too. Thanks again to Jessica for taking the time to chat. Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Jessica Lewis

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:40 – How Jessica describes her work
5:00 – Jessica’s jewelry described
7:00 – Embracing the rawness of her work
8:50 – Materials used for her jewelry
10:30 – Why she was drawn to metalworking
12:15 – Starting out with simple tools
14:30 – Importance of her studio
17:00 – Making the leap into full-time art
19:45 – The bravery to pursue artistic dreams
22:50 – How kids change parents’ perspectives
23:45 – Creative mentors and influences
25:50 – Books that have influenced creativity
29:30 – Daily routines
30:55 – Importance of exercise
31:50 – Living in the Bitterroot Valley
32:45 – Growing up in Montana
35:30 – International travels*
36:45 – Lessons learned from international travel
39:00 – “Doing more with less”
42:00 – Ed’s weird story about accumulating junk
44:00 – More on parenthood and its effects
46:10 – Advice to new parents
48:30 – Current project of building a new house by hand
52:00 – Jessica’s healthy relationship with technology
57:15 – Advice to aspiring creatives
59:50 – Favorite books
1:03:25 – Favorite films
1:05:30 – Surprising activities
1:07:00 – Favorite location in the West
1:08:30 – Best advice received
1:10:30 – Request of the listeners
1:11:50 – Connect with Jessica online
(*Quick correction – In our discussion around travel, we mistakenly mispoke about Maoist insurgency in Vietnam, which was incorrect. The insurgency was in Nepal, where Jess also worked in the women’s clinic. Apoloigies for any confusion!)

Information Referenced:

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Posted on April 13, 2019 by ELR

Adventurers, Artists, Athletes, Craftsmanship, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, Mindfulness

Len Necefer is a scholar, entrepreneur, and outdoor adventurer who is also a proud member of the Navajo Nation. Academically, Len holds a Ph.D. in engineering and public policy, and he is currently a professor of both Indian Studies and public policy at the University of Arizona. In business, he’s the CEO of NativesOutdoors, a cutting-edge outdoor apparel company that uses its platform to advocate for the cultural empowerment indigenous people. And to top it all off, Len is a committed mountaineer, backcountry skier, and rock climber, having ticked off countless impressive adventures throughout the West.

It is clear that Len has accomplished a lot personally, but what is even more impressive is the positive ripple effect his work is having on the outdoor industry. By melding his professional expertise, personal interests, and cultural heritage, he has become one of the leading voices advocating for Native American representation in outdoor recreation and conservation. His work and personal story have been featured in big-time publications such as Outside and Alpinist, and he’s recently delved into filmmaking with his newest film Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee. As you’ll hear, Len has a unique ability to educate and inspire, and his message is striking a chord with a large, engaged audience.

As you’d expect from a guy as multifaceted as Len, he offers up a wealth of knowledge in our conversation. We talked about his Navajo heritage and discussed the unique history and culture of the Navajo tribe. We chatted about his recent film and discussed the of impact oil and gas development on Native populations in areas such as Bears Ears and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We chatted about the need for mutual respect between the outdoor industry and indigenous groups, and Len explains two fascinating case studies around rock climbing on sacred Native lands. He gives an excellent overview of his company NativesOutdoors, and he explains why he chose to start a business instead of a non-profit. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and the best advice he ever received.

Thanks so much to Len for carving out time to chat. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Photos courtesy of Len Necefer

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

4:10 – How Len describes his work
6:15 – Len’s early years
7:00 – Navajo background
9:00 – History of the Navajo tribe
12:00 – Len’s new film: “Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee”
16:15 – Oil and gas development’s impact on humans
19:40 – Historic native management of landscapes
22:15 – Preservation of people as new phase of conservation
27:15 – NativesOutdoors
33:00 – For-profit versus non-profit
34:00 – Native Americans and the outdoor industry
38:30 – Climbing Case Studies: Devil’s Tower versus Bears Ears
43:00 – How does he accomplish so much?
45:00 – Len’s work ethic
48:15 – Best books about Native American culture
50:45 – Favorite books about the West
52:00 – Favorite films
53:30 – Most powerful outdoor experience
56:15 – Favorite locations in the West
57:00 – Best advice ever received
58:30 – Request of the listeners
59:15 – Connect with Len

Information Referenced:

Posted on March 30, 2019 by ELR

Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S.C. Gwynne

Adventurers, Athletes, Conservation, Entrepreneurs, Leadership, Native American History

Book Club Selection: “Empire of the Summer Moon” by S.C. Gwynne

March-April Book Club Selection: Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne

On the podcast, I’ve spent a fair bit of time chatting with Texans– artists, ranchers, conservationists, and captains, to name a few. But I’ve yet to recommend a book that digs deep into Texas’s rich history…. and the word “rich” is quite an understatement.

Say what you will about Texas, but there’s no denying that the Lone Star State boasts some of our country’s wildest stories, biggest personalities, and most extreme and contradictory points of view. Its history is at times violent, its people are proud, and in many ways, its culture so strong that Texas might as well be a nation unto itself. As a student of history and a lifelong friend to many Texans, I don’t know that there is a more fascinating and polarizing region in the United States.

So, as a nod to my many Texan friends and podcast listeners, the March-April Book Club selection is:

This action-packed book provides a sweeping history of Texas, framed around the legendary Comanche Indian tribe. It’s fun to read, yet packed with enough detailed history to satisfy the most ardent history buffs. It gives vivid descriptions of the brutality that accompanied life on the frontier while paying ample attention to the numerous competing cultures– Native Americans, white settlers, and Mexicans. I was especially amazed by the story of Comanche chief Quanah Parker, a one-of-a-kind leader and warrior whom I knew nothing about prior to reading this book.

If you want a taste of the writing before committing to reading the full 300 pages, you can check out this excerpt printed in the New York Times. The book has been recommended by podcast guests time and again, and I especially enjoyed it, so I hope you’ll give it a read and let me know what you think.

If you’d like to participate:

Grab a copy of Empire of the Summer Moon—purchase it from Amazon or your local bookseller, or check it out from your local library. Start reading.
Head over to our Goodreads Group. Create an account, then join in the conversation in the online discussion forum. As you read, give your feedback on the book, pose questions to the group, and share your thoughts as you plow through the adventure.
The only way this works is with lots of participation from lots of people, so the more the better. DON’T BE SHY!

Mountain & Prairie Book Club – Goodreads Group

Chris Dombrowski – Words, Water & the West

Chris Dombrowski is an author, poet, and fishing guide who lives and works in Missoula, Montana. As a writer, Chris is probably best known for his book Body of Water: A Sage, a Seeker, and the World’s Most Elusive Fish, which is one of the best books I’ve read in years. He has also published several collections of poetry, and his newest volume titled Ragged Anthem will be released this week. When you merge Chris’s decades of experience in the outdoors with his phenomenal skills as a wordsmith and creative, the end product is some of the most engaging writing that any outdoor lover could ever hope to read.

Chris grew up in Michigan and was always drawn to fishing, hunting, and outdoor adventure. During high school, his favorite English teacher gave him a copy of A River Runs Through It—he devoured the book in a day and from that point forward he knew he wanted to be a professional writer living in the American West. Over the following years, he began fish guiding in Montana, attended graduate school in Missoula, and built a solid career as a working writer and poet. Along the way, he formed friendships with such notable western writers as Jim Harrison and David James Duncan, and he established his nonprofit writing workshop, the Beargrass Writing Retreat.

If you are interested in creativity, writing, or the writing process, then you will absolutely love this episode with Chris. We discuss that fateful day when he read A River Runs Through It and exactly how that moment changed his life. We discuss his work as a teacher and a guide, and how those skills inform his writing. We talk about his writing process and his writing studio, the importance of creating art with a disciplined, workman-like approach, and how he deals with any self-doubt that may come with publishing his work. We chat in depth about poetry, and Chris offers some great advice for poetry novices like me who want to better understand the art form. We talk about specific writers Chris particularly admires, including John McFee, James Galvin, Thomas McGuane, David James Duncan, Jim Harrison, and more. He offers a ton of great book recommendations, discusses his favorite rivers in Montana, and shares some excellent words of wisdom to people who love the West.

Thanks again to Chris for this fun conversation—I hope you enjoy it!

Photos courtesy of Chris Dombrowski

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:00 – How Chris describes his work
6:30 – Story behind “Body of Water”
13:00 – How writing poetry helps his nonfiction work
17:00 – Structuring nonfiction like McPhee
19:00 – Experience teaching
21:00 – Reading seriously
23:15 – Teaching as a complement to writing
25:30 – Early experiences in Montana
27:00 – First big trip to the Rockies
27:30 – First time reading “A River Runs Through It”
29:00 – Importance of fishing
31:00 – Importance of passion in work
34:30 – Chris’s writing process
38:00 – Importance of having a writing studio
44:00 – Struggle of staying on task
48:30 – Dealing with self doubt
54:30 – How to read poetry
1:00:30 – Lessons learned from Jim Harrison
1:05:00 – Background on “Ragged Anthem”
1:08:30 – In depth conversation on podcasts
1:12:00 – Favorite books about the West
1:19:00 – Favorite rivers in the West
1:21:00 – Words of wisdom
1:25:15 – Connect with Chris

Information Referenced:

Auden Schendler is Senior Vice President of Sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company, where he focuses on finding large-scale solutions to climate change, specifically through clean energy and activism. Aspen Skiing Company has long been at the forefront of sustainable business practices, and Auden is one of the main forces behind the scenes driving those efforts—efforts that have positively influenced the ski and outdoor industries at large. In addition to his daily work in Aspen, he’s a well-known author and speaker, and he wrote the amazingly impactful book Getting Green Done: Hard Truths from the Front Lines of the Sustainability Revolution.

For a guy who spends his days deep in the trenches fighting the forces of climate change, Auden is surprisingly upbeat, energetic, and funny—as you’ll hear, we spend quite a bit of time laughing. But he’s far from naive or overly idealistic—he is quick to call out “greenwashing” when he sees it and is unapologetically focused on achieving specific, measurable results. Through trial and error and a lot of hard work, Auden has managed to find the balance of the optimism needed to pursue audacious initiatives with the pragmatism required to succeed in a competitive business environment.

From a personal perspective, Auden’s work and writing have been especially impactful on my career—I read his book a few months after earning my MBA, and it provided a much different perspective from the profit-at-all-costs philosophy that was the norm in business school. So it was obviously an honor to meet him, and I appreciate his letting me hassle him with questions for an hour.

We had a wide-ranging and fun conservation, discussing A work at Aspen Skiing Company and how he got his start in sustainability. We talked a lot about reading and books, specifically how the works of Cormac McCarthy and Jack Kerouac affected his outlook and approach to work. We chat about his daily routine and how he manages to fit so much into a single day, as well as how he wraps his head around pursuing a goal as overwhelming as solving climate change. We also talk about his expedition to Denali, how his kids have changed his outlook, and the importance of daily exercise. And as usual, we discuss favorite books about the West, favorite films, and his favorite location in the West.

This is an excellent episode, and I can’t thank Auden enough for making time in his busy schedule to chat. Links to everything are in the episode notes. Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Auden Schendler

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:10 – How Auden began his career in sustainability
4:15 – Transition from theoretical sustainability to the business world
7:10 – Balancing patience with action
8:45 – Work as a practice
11:30 – Understanding the need for big challenges
12:45 – Mentors
16:00 – First visits to the West
17:30 – Republicans and the history of conservation
18:45 – On the Road’s influence on Auden
20:00 – Favorite failures
22:00 – Influence of Pat O’Donnell
24:30 – Publicly traded versus private companies
26:00 – Companies as political levels
29:00 – Dealing with climate change deniers
31:15 – Dealing with criticism
33:00 – Basalt fire and community
35:30 – Why does Auden choose to stay in the trenches?
37:15 – Auden’s daily routine
40:15 – How kids change his perspective
42:20 – Favorite books about the West
45:50 – Favorite films
47:50 – Most powerful outdoor experience
51:00 – Favorite location in the West
52:45 – Best advice he’s ever received
54:40 – Request of the podcast listeners
55:50 – Connect with Auden

Information Referenced:

Posted on March 3, 2019 by ELR

Books, Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, Entrepreneurs, History, Leadership, Service, Writers

The virtual event planned with Russ has is being rescheduled for early-to-mid April. Check back soon for a specific date and time!!

Russ Schnitzer is a Colorado-based conservationist and professional photographer whose love for the landscapes and people of the American West shines through in all aspects of his life. Russ is the Senior Program Officer for Natural Resources at the Gates Family Foundation, one of Colorado’s most effective and generous conservation funders. As a photographer, he’s worked with some of the biggest names in the flyfishing world, including Patagonia, R.L Winston Rod Co., Orvis, The Drake Magazine, The Flyfish Journal, and more. And to top it all off, Russ is a former hotshot wildland firefighter and smokejumper, and, as you’d expect, he has some amazing stories from that period of his life.

Russ grew up in the midwest, but he headed to Idaho for college and has never looked back. During and after college, he fought fires throughout the West, and through that challenging, intense, dangerous work– and at least one devastating tragedy– he learned lessons that he still applies to his life today. Russ’s entire career has focused on protecting Western landscapes, and prior to the Gates Family Foundation, he worked for such notable organizations as Trout Unlimited and the Nature Conservancy. In his current role with Gates, he is laser-focused on finding community-driven conservation solutions for threatened landscapes, and during this episode, we go into great depths discussing his philosophies around effective conservation in the West.

Whether you’re interested in the nitty-gritty details of large-scale land conservation or lessons learned from a life of hardcore adventure, there’s something in this episode for you. Russ and I were on a tight schedule, but we still managed to cover a lot… and left plenty of room for a part two at some point in the future. We discuss the value of private land conservation in the West and the need for community buy-in and ownership for all conservation initiatives. We talk about the importance of agriculture from an ecological and economic standpoint, with some very specific examples from eastern Colorado. Russ also shares some stories from his time as a hotshot and smokejumper– the life-long bonds he formed with his teammates, the impact of these intense experiences on his life, and how he pushed through a terrible tragedy early in his firefighting career.

There is so much wisdom and valuable information in this episode, so listen closely and check the episode notes for links to everything. Thanks again to Russ for taking the time to chat. Hope you enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Russ Schnitzer

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:55 – How Russ describes his work
5:10 – Background in photography
7:00 – Growing up in Minnesota
9:00 – Intersection of photography and conservation
11:00 – Importance of community in conservation
14:40 – Conservation in southeast Colorado
20:30 – Ecological diversity in southeast Colorado
21:30 – Importance of grazing for grassland health
27:00 – Favorite conservation books
29:00 – Importance of aggression in conservation
33:00 – Water in Colorado
38:20 – Greater Sage Grouse discussion
41:10 – Tips for those who want to get into conservation
47:30 – Career as a smokejumper and hotshot
55:00 – Hard work and teamwork in firefighting
56:40 – Enduring tragedy in firefighting
59:00 – Joining the smokejumpers
1:00:15 – Remembering life as a smokejumper
1:03:00 – Lessons learned from firefighting
1:08:00 – Importance of self awareness
1:12:00 – Connect with Russ online

Information Referenced:

Posted on February 21, 2019 by ELR

Agriculture, Artists, Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, Ranchers, Service

Chandra Brown is an educator, writer, and river guide who has worked on the West’s most iconic rivers, including many seasons below the rim of the Grand Canyon. She’s also the founder of the Freeflow Institute, a unique Montana-based program that offers multi-day river trips for writers and creatives that combine immersion in the natural world with instruction from some of the West’s most well-known, prolific outdoor writers. By combining creativity with adventure in some of the West’s most spectacular landscapes, Freeflow helps to “eliminate the barrier between artist and environment,” resulting in creative inspiration and an increased desire to preserve our wild places.

Growing up in Alaska, Chandra has always had close connections to the land and life in the outdoors. It was during a family trip to Montana during high school that she fell in love with rivers; since then, rivers have played a foundational role in both her personal and professional lives. She attended college in Bozeman, studied in Ecuador as a Fulbright Scholar, and spent extensive time on rivers in both places. Currently she burns the candle at both ends– teaching high school Spanish during the school year and guiding rivers in the summer, all while working as a freelance writer and building the Freeflow Institute from the ground up.

Thanks to her love of books, writing, adventure, and conservation, Chandra is a perfect guest for this podcast. We cover a lot in just over an hour, including the genesis of the idea for the Freeflow Institute and how she turned that idea into reality. We discuss some of the well-known writers who teach on Freeflow trips, including Hal Herring, Chris Dombrowski, and past podcast guests Alexis Bonogofsky and Brendan Leonard. We talk about lessons learned from her time in Ecuador, her creative process for writing, and her own writing heroes and mentors. We discuss conservation, adventure, and, of course, favorite books, films, and locations in the West.

Chandra is an amazing woman who is pursuing her passions with an inspiring amount of focus and determination, and she’s created something very special in the Freeflow Institute. Check out the episode notes for links to everything, including a short film below that gives an excellent overview of the project. Enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Chandra Brown

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed:

3:40 – Chandra describes her work
5:00 – Freeflow Institute explained
7:00 – Taking Freeflow from idea to reality
9:15 – Hal Herring
11:30 – Importance of open-mindedness
14:00 – Wilderness breaking down barriers
17:40 – Growing up in Alaska
19:00 – Outdoor experiences as a kid
22:00 – Falling in love with rivers
23:30 – College in Montana
26:30 – Fulbright Scholar in Ecuador
28:00 – Lessons learned from international living
35:40 – Writing as a focus of her life
38:40 – Life in Missoula and teaching
40:50 – The Grand Canyon
42:40 – Lessons from guiding
44:15 – Talent versus hard work in writing
47:30 – Chandra’s writing routine
52:00 – Heroes and mentors
57:30 – Conservation challenges
1:02:30 – Favorite books
1:05:00 – Favorite films
1:06:00 – Hobbies
1:07:50 – Most powerful outdoor experience
1:10:30 – Favorite location in the West
1:11:15 – Best advice ever received
1:12:00 – Request of the listeners
1:13:10 – Connect with Freeflow online

Information Referenced:

Posted on February 7, 2019 by ELR