Podcast Archives • Page 4 of 8 • Mountain & Prairie

Luke Smithwick is a professional alpinist, ski mountaineer, and mountain guide best known for his cutting-edge climbs and descents in the world’s wildest mountain ranges. Luke is based in Victor, Idaho, in the shadow of the legendary Teton Range, but he spends large portions of each year deep in the Himalayas, guiding clients on remote peaks or pursuing personal climbing and skiing objectives on 7-8,000-meter peaks. He is currently hard at work on a multi-year skiing project called The Himalaya 500, which is his personal quest to ski 500 aesthetic ski lines throughout the greater Himalayan Range.

Luke was born and raised in North Carolina, and he moved to Colorado for college, where he attended CU Boulder and studied environmental biology and cultural anthropology. When not in class, Luke immersed himself in outdoor sports and soon began working as a guide– first a river guide on Colorado’s Upper Arkansas River and then a climbing guide. After graduation, Luke completely committed himself to the mountains, and his adventures have since taken him everywhere from the Alaska Range to his current work in the Himalayas. His company, Himalaya Alpine Guides, focuses on trips to some of the lesser-known (and less crowded) peaks in the Himalayan Range, where his clients can enjoy completely unique climbing and cultural experiences that cannot be found on more mainstream, well-known mountains.

Luke and I went to high school together back in the mid-1990s, and I was a couple of grades ahead of him. After graduation, we lost touch but have reconnected during the past few years thanks to shared interests and common friends. I was so happy that he joined me on the podcast, because I had lots of questions about how a guy from small-town North Carolina has become one of the world’s most accomplished Himalayan skiers. We had a wonderful conversation, discussing everything from his career trajectory to this season’s climbing objectives. We talked about how he picks ski lines, how climate change is affecting the Himalayas, the unique nature of his guiding company, how he trains, why he has made his home in the American West, and his deep respect for the people, history, and cultures of the Himalayas.

I loved catching up with my old friend Luke. I was blown away by all he has accomplished in the past 20 years, and I have the utmost respect for his understated, humble approach to life, learning, and adventure. Be sure to check the episode notes for links to everything we discussed. Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Luke Smithwick.

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

4:00 – Luke walks us through his trajectory post high school and how he became a professional outdoor guide
7:30 – Luke talks about his work and his guide company in the Himalayas
9:45 – Luke explains why he focuses on a deep understanding of mountain ranges instead of just the principle summits of a range
13:15 – Luke discusses how he finds his clientele
15:30 – Luke explains the importance of local relationships for his business
17:45 – Luke discusses his project, the Himalaya 500
21:15 – Luke explains how he picks his ski lines
23:00 – Luke talks about the information age and its impact on the availability of “secret spots”
25:00 – Luke talks about the people he has met in his travels around the Himalaya
27:45 – Luke talks about how current action in Afghanistan may affect his work
28:45 – Luke discusses the impacts of climate change that he sees in his work
32:00 – Luke explains how he trains for his work and play in the mountains in order to make it a sustainable lifestyle
36:00 – Luke talks about his current 8,000 meter peak goal
39:00 – Luke discusses how he balances humility and the need for self-promotion in his field
44:45 – Luke talks about training for alpine trips in his forties
48:00 – Luke talks about his family
49:15 – Luke discusses his hometown and the significance of Boy Scouts in his upbringing
51:30 – Luke’s book recommendations
53:30 – Luke’s film recommendations
54:30 – Luke talks about the most powerful experience in his life
56:45 – Luke’s parting words of wisdom

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Posted on September 9, 2021 by ELR

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Adventurers, Athletes, Entrepreneurs

Shane Doyle is a Montana-based scholar, teacher, and community advocate whose work focuses on the history and heritage of Native American tribes of the Northern Great Plains. Shane is an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke Nation (also known as the Crow Tribe), and he holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Montana State University. His unique personal and professional experiences, combined with his deep curiosity and seemingly endless energy, have made Shane a well-known leader in many fields, including education, land use advocacy, and the arts.

Shane grew up in Crow Agency, Montana, and he did not have an interest in history until college, when a road trip with a professor opened his eyes to Montana’s rich Native American past. From that moment onward, Shane’s curiosity has continued to grow, and he has built his career around making Native American history a cultural mainstay in everything from Montana’s educational system to governmental land management decisions. Whether designing educational curriculums, making films, or singing Northern Plains tribal music, Shane is always focused on serving his community.

Whether you’re a long-time listener or this is your first episode, I know you’ll enjoy getting to know Shane. We started out discussing his youth on the Crow reservation, and he talks about that fateful road trip when he fell in love with history. We talk about his family and the important life lessons that he learned from his grandmother. We discuss the history of the Apsáalooke, and the importance of the Crazy Mountains from a cultural and historical perspective. We also discuss his consulting business Native Nexus, some of his film projects, and his plans for the future. And Shane obviously has plenty of excellent book recommendations, so be sure to check out the episode notes for links to all of those.

As you’ll hear in this conversation, Shane is doing so much excellent work and has many more projects in the pipeline. I’ll look forward to a part 2 with Shane in the future so we can hear updates on everything that he’s working on. Hope you enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Shane Doyle.

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This episode is brought to you by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and its Montana-based AMB West Philanthropies, both of which embody the values-based approach to philanthropy and business of their Chairman Arthur M. Blank

EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:15 – Shane’s childhood and how he pursued Indigenous history in his youth
7:45 – Shane describes how he engaged in studying the Indigenous history of Montana
10:30 – Shane discusses Asaalooke Nation history
14:30 – Shane discusses his thoughts regarding a history of broken treaties
18:15 – Shane talks about the service element of his work
21:00 – Shane discusses the significance of the Crazy Mountain Range, including his own experience fasting in that mountain range
27:15 – Shane explains regularity of his meditation ceremonies
30:15 – Shane mentions some resources for people interested in Northern Plains Indigenous culture
34:00 – Shane discusses the book he is writing, Messages from Medicine Wheel Country
38:00 – Shane talks about his film regarding the Crazy Mountains
41:45 – Shane explains how folks can get involved in the protection of the Crazy Mountains
43:30 – Shane discusses his business, Native Nexus
47:15 – Shane talks about where he thinks his career is going next
51:45 – Shane’s book recommendations
55:45 – Shane’s film recommendations, as well as some films he feels less enthusiastic about
1:01:30 – Shane’s parting words of wisdom

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Posted on August 31, 2021 by ELR

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Artists, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, History, Native American History, Service

Antonia Malchik is a Montana-based writer and essayist, and she’s also the author of the book A Walking Life: Reclaiming Our Health and Freedom One Step at a Time. She has written for publications including The Atlantic and High Country News, she also writes a regular Substack newsletter titled On the Commons, which I highly recommend. Antonia thinks deeply about a wide range of topics, including community, conservation, the environment, private property, the West, books, and more. She has a true talent for writing about complex subjects in an engaging, in-depth manner that both educates and challenges the reader.

Antonia grew up in northwest Montana– her mother was a multigenerational Montanan and her father was a first-generation immigrant from the former Soviet Union. Her family heritage combined with her innate curiosity gave Antonia a unique perspective on the world that informs all of her work. She has lived in Moscow, Vienna, Australia, and other far-flung regions, but she has always been drawn back to the landscapes of her home state of Montana, where she currently lives with her husband and two children.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Antonia’s work, so it was a pleasure to finally have her join me on the podcast. Just as her work covers a broad range of topics, so does this conversation– we discuss everything from Russian history to her Montana ancestors to her long-standing commitment to the craft of writing. We talk about why she has chosen to not participate in social media, and how she manages to consume online news and media without becoming overwhelmed. We talk a lot about her writing process, her thoughts on publishing her work, and her approach to exploring and writing about potentially controversial ideas. We obviously talk about her book A Walking Life, as well as how the act of walking can contribute to strong communities, mental health, and physical well-being. And finally, Antonia is known for her excellent book recommendations, and she offers up some great ones– be sure to check the episode notes for links to all the books and authors she mentions.

I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and can’t thank Antonia enough for all of her hard work. Hope you enjoy.

Header photo of Antonia Malchik by Lindsey Jane Photography.

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

5:00 – Antonia explains why she was left on the streets of Moscow and told not to get lost.
8:45 – Antonia reflects on moving to a completely different culture during a time when international relations were tense.
14:15 – Antonia recommends resources for understanding Russian history.
18:15 – Antonia reflects on the Montana side of her family and on the idea of pioneering.
23:00 – Antonia explains how and why she chooses to write.
27:45 – Antonia explores how she puts potentially controversial ideas out into the digital commons as well as explains when she decides to engage with people who disagree with her and comment on her writing.
31:30 – Despite anxiety regarding putting her work out for public viewership, Antonia reflects on why she still writes.
35:30 – Antonia and Ed discuss creating for the sake of continuing to create and the merits of not waiting for permission to create.
43:15 – Antonia explains, as a curious person, how she controls the constant influx of information that can occur through social and informational media.
49:00 – Antonia discusses her book, A Walking Life.
55:15 – Antonia talks about walking as it relates to mental health.
1:07:45 – Antonia’s favorite books about the West.
1:15:30 – Antonia’s parting words of wisdom.

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Posted on August 18, 2021 by ELR

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Books, Conservation, Creativity, History, Writers

Nickolas Butler is an award-winning writer and novelist who has published five books, one of which is the wildly popular, award-winning Shotgun Love Songs. His most recent novel is titled Godspeed— a fast-paced, thriller of a book that is set in and around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While the novel has all of the components that make for a great story– action, suspense, wild landscapes, complex characters– it also touches on many of the challenges facing the modern-day West, including income inequality and rural gentrification. From the first page of Godspeed, I was hooked, and I stayed up way too late for several nights in a row finishing the book.

For all of Nick’s accomplishments as a novelist, his path to becoming a full-time writer was not an easy one, nor was he an overnight success. He spent many years working a variety of jobs, including as a telemarketer, meatpacker, and Burger King maintenance man. And as you’ll hear him discuss in this conversation, it was during his stint working as a liquor store clerk that he decided to fully commit to the craft and profession of writing. Fast forward to today, and his focus, commitment, and hard work have paid off– not only is he a successful full-time writer, but also a devoted husband and father of two.

Nick and I recorded this conversation just a few days after the publication of Godspeed. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of the book prior to our conversation, and I can’t say enough great things about it. So we obviously talked a lot about the book– his process for writing it, how the book highlights present-day challenges facing the West, and how he went about developing the plot and the characters. We discussed his journey as a writer and artist– how and why he views writing as a craft, the importance of hard work, and how he keeps his competitive fire burning, even after experiencing so much success. We also talk a lot about family and community, which are two subjects that Nick and I are both very passionate about. And finally, Nick offers up a ton of excellent book and author recommendations, as well as some wise parting words.

Big thanks to the great writer, angler, and past podcast guest Chris Dombrowski for introducing me to Nick. Check the episode notes for the full list of everything we discuss and links to all of the books and authors that nick mentions. And I encourage you to pick up a copy of Godspeed— you’ll love it.

Photos courtesy of Nickolas Butler

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

4:00 – Nickolas compares his most recent book release with his first release.
9:30 – Nickolas discusses how he handles reviews of his work
13:45 – Nickolas explains how he balances creating art with treating writing as a job, like a craftmaker
16:00 – Nickolas discusses his most recent novel, Godspeed, and how the story came to him
21:00 – Nickolas talks about the process of a story gathering in his mind, and generally how long it takes.
22:30 – Nickolas discusses how he comes to know a place to write about it so well.
25:45 – Nickolas reads a passage from Godspeed and explores the challenges surrounding housing in the West and beyond.
32:00 – Nickolas explores the way he crafts stories in his writing, and how it leads to empathy in his most recent novel.
36:45 – Nickolas describes the role of meth and addiction in Godspeed.
38:30 – Nickolas talks through the pace and process of writing Godspeed.
41:15 – Nickolas discusses some of his current projects.
42:45 – Nickolas looks back on his career before being a writer.
49:30 – Nickolas discusses his transition from early career to writing career.
52:15 – Nickolas talks about how he keeps his “fire going” in his career.
55:00 – Nickolas talks about teaching work ethic to his children.
58:00 – Nickolas identifies his literary icons.
1:00:45 – Nickolas’s favorite books about the West.
1:03:00 – Nickolas’s parting words of wisdom.

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Posted on August 5, 2021 by ELR

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Artists, Books, Craftsmanship, Creativity, Writers

Nicole Morgenthau – Curiosity & Creativity

Nicole Morgenthau is a Utah-based professional photographer whose work depicts the people and places of the American West in a completely unique, one-of-a-kind style. While she has been involved in many aspects of the photography business throughout her career, Nicole may be best known for her portraits of a wide range of western characters– from cowgirls to mountain men, from professional athletes to mountain-town ski bums. And her creative pursuits don’t stop with photography– Nicole is also the owner of Sandstone Sky Jewelry, a business in which she makes and curates a variety of stunning jewelry, much of which has its creative roots in Native American culture.

Nicole was born and raised on the east coast, just outside of New York City. As a kid, she loved western movies and dreamed of moving out of the humid New Jersey suburbs and into wide-open, arid landscapes of the American West. After high school, she made the move West for college, first in Colorado and then to Montana State, where she studied photography. And immediately after graduating, she dove headfirst into the photography business, first as an assistant to several commercial photographers and then as her own boss. Since then, her work has been featured by well-known brands such as Patagonia, Outside, Men’s Journal, the New York Times, and more.

Nicole and I connected a few weeks ago and had an insightful discussion about everything from the photography business to jewelry making to overcoming creative blocks. We started out by discussing her childhood in New Jersey, her desire to move West, and how she decided to take that leap. We then talked about her journey as a professional photographer– the ups and downs, the evolution of the business, and how she found her voice as a portrait photographer. We talked about her jewelry business and how it compliments photography, both creatively and financially. And toward the end, she offers up some excellent music recommendations, wise parting words, and an inspiring quote from Anthony Bourdain that I think you’ll appreciate.

Be sure the check the episode notes for links to all the people and places Nicole mentions. This was a fun chat, and I hope you enjoy.

All photos by Nicole Morgenthau

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – Growing up in New Jersey
5:30 – First trip to the West
7:30 – Decision to attend college in the West
9:00 – Childhood beginnings in art and creativity
10:45 – Nicoles first years in professional photography
12:30 – Working as an assistant
14:00 – Going out on her own
18:00 – Importance of toughness
19:00 – Finding her “voice” as a photographer
24:00 – What’s the key to good portrait photography
26:30 – Photography influences
28:45 – The evolution of her photography
31:30 – Nicole’s jewelry business, Sandstone Sky Jewelry
37:00 – Inspiring interactions while making jewelry
39:30 – Techniques for remaining calm despite being Type A
42:000 – Musical influences
45:00 – Advice to aspiring creatives
50:00 – Upside of education and workshops
54:00 – Parting words of wisdom
59:30 – Parting quote

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Posted on July 15, 2021 by ELR

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Artists, Craftsmanship, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, Native American History

Adam Gall is a hunting guide and owner of Timber to Table Guide Service, a guiding company focused on helping hunters of all skill levels put wild, healthy, and delicious meat on their tables. Based out of the small town of Hotchkiss on Colorado’s Western Slope, Timber to Table offers multi-day hunts on both public and private lands, offering top-notch instruction on everything from the intricacies of elk hunting to the technical skills needed to properly and efficiently process the meat. Adam is highly regarded by many of my friends and past podcast guests and praised as an outside-the-box thinker, so I’m thrilled to finally have him join me for a conversation.

Adam’s professional background gives him a unique perspective on wildlife, land management, and wild places in the American West– he worked as a wildland firefighter, a wolf biologist, and a high school science teacher before devoting himself to full-time guiding. He has also been involved in a variety of volunteer initiatives, ranging from leadership positions with groups like Backcountry Hunters and Anglers to advisory roles on issues such as the wolf reintroduction in Colorado. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Adam thinks deeply and independently on a wide range of land and wildlife issues, and he offers his ideas respectfully and thoughtfully– something we could all use a little more of these days.

I connected with Adam while he was on a family vacation in rural Montana, and we had a wide-ranging conversation that we probably could’ve continued for hours. We started out chatting about his upbringing in Michigan and how he fell in love with hunting despite coming from a family of non-hunters. We talked about Timber to Table– how the guide service came to be, the challenges of running his own business, and his commitment to ethical hunting practices. We talked a lot about wolves and the wolf reintroduction in Colorado, and Adam offered some new thoughts that differ from some of my past podcast guests. He also describes the skills needed to be a great hunter, recommends some of his favorite books, and offers some wise parting words.

This was a thought-provoking conversation that provided a new perspective for me on several important topics, so I hope you enjoy it.

Photo courtesy of Adam Gall

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – Adam talks about where he grew up
9:45 – Adam explains how hunting became a part of his life
12:30 – Adam describes his guide service, Timber to Table Guided Service, which provides an educational and holistic hunting and butchering experience
19:30 – Adam talks about balancing his work and home life
23:30 – Adam talks about how he got into wolf biology prior to his guiding work and dives into the controversy that surrounds them
39:15 – Adam discusses his role in the Stakeholder Advisory Group as a part of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s wolf reintroduction work
44:30 – Adam’s resources for learning more about wolves
47:00 – Adam gives advice on how to get started in hunting
52:45 – Adam discusses what makes an excellent hunter
57:15 – Adam’s book recommendations
1:02:30 – Adam’s parting words of wisdom

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Posted on June 29, 2021 by ELR

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Adventurers, Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, Entrepreneurs, Hunting & Fishing

John Branch is a Pulitzer-prize-winning journalist with the New York Times and the author of the brand new book Sidecountry: Tales of Death and Life from the Back Roads of Sports. He is also the author of The Last Cowboys: A Pioneer Family in the New West, which is one of my favorite books about the modern-day challenges facing ranching families in the American West. Whether he’s reporting on the historic ascent of the Dawn Wall on Yosemite’s El Capitan, reconstructing a deadly avalanche in the Washington backcountry, or describing the financial realities of the cattle ranching business, John’s has one of the most unique and engaging voices you’ll find anywhere in print.

Growing up in Colorado, John never had serious childhood dreams about a career in writing or journalism. He studied business at CU Boulder and graduated fully focused on pursuing jobs in the business world. But after several years of building a successful career with retail-focused companies, John found himself dreaming of a career as a writer. So, in the mid-1990s, with minimal writing experience under his belt, he applied to graduate school, was accepted, and officially began his journey as a journalist. Fast forward to 2013, and John won the Pulitzer Prize for his New York Times article titled Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek.

In our modern-day, frenetic world that is overflowing with articles and information, I’ve found that John’s work rises above the fray and sticks with me for many years after my first reading. While he has reported on many well-known sports figures such as Tommy Caldwell or even Kobe Bryant, John says he enjoys finding meaning in less-flashy tales, telling the stories of “ordinary people tangled up in something extraordinary.” So in this conversation, we talk about his commitment to uncovering these little-known stories– from his on-the-ground reporting to his process of sitting down at the keyboard to write. We also dig into some of his favorite outdoor-related stories, his new book Sidecountry and his older book The Last Cowboys, and his unconventional path into journalism. We talk about reporting from the top of El Capitan, his process of writing Snow Fall, his heroes and mentors, and much more. Finally, John offers up some great book and music recommendations, and well as timely advice for aspiring creatives.

I’ve been a fan of John’s for many years, so I can’t thank him enough for taking the time to chat with me. I encourage you to find copies of Sidecountry and The Last Cowboys, and keep an eye out for everything he writes for the Times. Check the notes for links to everything we discuss. Hope you enjoy!

Photo courtesy of John Branch

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

4:30 – John discusses his childhood, education, and career shift from business to journalism
10:00 – John discusses his family’s reaction to his change in career
11:15 – John explains how he ended up in Colorado Springs
12:00 – John describes his climb through the journalism world
14:30 – John explains how he caught the attention of the New York Times
16:30 – John explains why he feels his career transition worked
19:00 – John describes the kind of stories he looks to tell in his writing and how he knows when there is a story in front of him worth digging into
25:00 – John explains how he builds trust with the subjects of his stories
27:00 – John describes his most recent book, Side County
32:15 – John describes his writing process
38:30 – John describes his editing process and explains how he still gets nervous about submitting his work
43:15 – John talks about the importance of journalism now more than ever
46:15 – John talks about how he manages the constant influx of information in his job
48:45 – John talks about his ideal writing environment
50:00 – John identifies several of his writing heroes/role models
53:00 – John talks about how he differentiates between which stories should be told in articles and which should be told in books
56:15 – John discusses his musical tastes
59:00 – John’s parting words of wisdom

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Posted on June 9, 2021 by ELR

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Adventurers, Athletes, Books, Creativity, History, Writers

Matt Barber and Joel Doub are the owners of Tom Morgan Rodsmiths, one of the West’s most renowned custom fly rod companies. I was introduced to Matt and Joel nearly three and half years ago and was quickly fascinated by their entrepreneurial journey and Tom Morgan Rodsmiths’ storied history in the fly fishing world. As longtime listeners may remember, I recorded a podcast with Matt and Joel in January of 2018, about a year after they had purchased the company from Tom and Gerri Morgan. In that conversation we talked in-depth about the history of the company, Matt and Joel’s unconventional backgrounds, and their plans for the future of TMR– it was a fun conversation that led to a great friendship between all of us.

But in the more than three years since I published that episode, Tom Morgan Rodsmiths has grown in size and scope, and Matt and Joel have continued to evolve as business owners. They’ve enjoyed highs that include being featured in the New York Times and steadily growing their sales year over year. But they’ve also faced unexpected challenges, most notably a global pandemic and its far-reaching supply chain and economic effects. But thanks to their creativity, planning, complementary skill sets, and unwavering commitment to the values of the founders Tom and Gerri Morgan, Matt and Joel have thrived as entrepreneurs and built wonderful lives for their families in Montana.

A quick, one-time snapshot of any entrepreneurial venture can never provide the full, vivid story of a company and its owners, so I wanted to bring Matt and Joel back on the podcast to give us an update and share some of their hard-earned wisdom and lessons learned. We talked a bit about the specifics of the fly fishing business, but most of the topics we discussed were around resilience, teamwork, marketing, managing complex work, and maintaining a positive attitude– actionable advice that almost anyone could put to use in business or creative endeavors. You don’t need to listen to our first episode to glean value from this one, but it’s worth a listen too, so there’s a link in the notes to access that episode if you’d like.

Be sure to check out the Tom Morgan Rodsmiths website and follow them on social media– links to everything are in the notes. They will be celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary in the coming weeks and offering some special, one-of-a-kind products that will be of interest to anglers and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. Thanks to Matt and Joel for the inspiring conversation, and I hope you enjoy.

Header photo by Paolo Marchesi

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

4:30 – Introduction to Matt and Joel
11:30 – Update on the progress of Tom Morgan Rodsmiths
16:15 – Matt and Joel discuss the benefits and challenges of co-owning a business
12:15 – Matt and Joel discuss how they navigate owning Tom Morgan Rodsmiths while respecting the legacy of its founders
27:45 – Matt and Joel talk about the coverage they received from the New York Times
31:45 – Matt and Joel explain their thoughts and practice of marketing their products
38:15 – How Matt and Joel stay organized to manage the many, many challenges of running a business
49:30 – Matt and Joel discuss generosity in their work and lives
53:15 – Matt and Joel talk about living in Montana, having recently moved there
56:15 – Matt and Joel’s book recommendations
58:45 – Matt and Joel’s parting words of wisdom

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Posted on May 27, 2021 by ELR

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Craftsmanship, Entrepreneurs, Hunting & Fishing, Mindfulness

**Max Wenerstrom** (*Photo by Claudia Landreville*, *courtesy of Ranchlands*)

Max Wenerstrom is a blacksmith and craftsman best known for creating hand-forged knives that balance a beautiful aesthetic with practical durability. Max started blacksmithing at the age of 15, became obsessed with the craft, and quickly demonstrated an elite talent for creating one-of-a-kind knives. His passion led him to study under a 17th-generation Japanese bladesmith, who began teaching Max the art of forging knives in the Japanese tradition– a labor-intensive, time-honored method of creating some of the world’s sharpest and most durable knives.

I was introduced to Max by my friends at Ranchlands, one of the West’s most respected ranch management companies. Max was participating in a residency at Ranchlands’ 87,000-acre Chico Basin Ranch, where he was offering blacksmithing demonstrations and forging a specific model of knife developed in partnership with Ranchlands. It’s a knife created specifically for ranchers– designed to be used on horseback for everyday work and high-stakes situations. So when the folks at Ranchlands told me about Max, I drove out, and we sat down for an inspiring conversation.

Max is only 21 years old, and as you’ll hear in the interview, I was blown away by his maturity, work ethic, and commitment to quality. But aside from my endless amazement with his age, we covered a ton of interesting topics. We chatted about his beginnings in the craft, and what led him to study with world-famous Japanese bladesmith Murray Carter. We discussed his dedication to creating the highest quality products, how he pushes himself to constantly improve his craft, and the hard work involved in both. We discuss how he started building his business during high school and how it has grown and evolved in recent years. We talked about his partnership with Ranchlands, the process of making a knife, his deep love of the West, and advice for anyone seeking to begin a deliberate practice of craftsmanship.

I really loved this conversation and appreciated Max taking the time to chat. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to Max’s website and to the specific Ranchlands-inspired knife that we discussed. I hope you enjoy!

Photos by Claudia Landreville, courtesy of Ranchlands

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:15 – When Max started forging knives
11:35 – Why Max start smithing at such a young age
13:45 – When Max realized he had a talent for bladesmithing
16:30 – How Max ended up using his bladesmithing at Ranchlands
23:30 – Max discusses his mentality in bladesmithing, why he values quality in his knives, and how he pushes himself to improve his craft
26:00 – Max walks us through the process of making a knife
29:15 – Max talks about what you need if you are interested in starting bladesmithing
32:30 – Max discusses what made his teacher, Murray Carter, such a good teacher
34:15 – Max highlights other craft-makers he admires
37:30 – Max discusses his plans for the future of his craft
43:00 – Max discusses knife sharpening, care, and styles of knives
53:15 – Max identifies the West as a source of inspiration
1:00:45 – Max’s parting advice

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Posted on May 20, 2021 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Artists, Craftsmanship, Creativity, Entrepreneurs

Dr. David Hewitt is the Executive Director of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, an organization widely recognized as the leading wildlife research organization in Texas. The Institute is located on the campus of Texas A&M – Kingsville, and its mission is to provide science-based information for enhancing the conservation and management of Texas wildlife. Dave and his team at the Institute are focused on applied science– research that is useful, actionable, and tightly focused on helping land managers meet their goals.

Dave was born and raised in Colorado and followed in his grandfather’s footsteps to become a wildlife biologist. After earning his undergraduate degree from Colorado State, his education and research took him to many different corners of the United States, and in 1996 he landed at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. For the past 25 years, Dave has been fully focused on the flora and fauna of Texas, and many of his projects have positive ripple effects on land management throughout the American West and beyond. Whether discussing the management of ocelot, restoration of native grasslands, or the history of the Institute, Dave’s enthusiasm for the natural world is palpable and inspiring.

Dave and I had a fun discussion about the Institute’s past, present, and future, as well as his fascinating career path. We started out discussing the Institute’s namesake, Caesar Kleberg, and why Caesar is known as the father of Texas wildlife conservation. We then discussed why the huge proportion of private land in Texas makes the state so unique from a land and wildlife management perspective. We also dug into several of the Institute’s success stories, including its work with ocelots and native grasses throughout the state. Then we chatted about Dave’s personal background– his impressive educational journey, his love of teaching, and his vision for the future of the Institute.

If you enjoy learning about wildlife, native plants, and the people who have devoted their lives to protecting them, then you’ll love this episode with Dave. There’s a ton of fascinating information in this conversation, so be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Enjoy!

Ocelot photo by Ben Masters. Headshot courtesy of David Hewitt.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with EXPLORE RANCHES

Explore Ranches was born out of a desire to share some of the most wild and scenic places in the world with others. We offer authentic outdoor experiences and access to charming ranch homes on some of the world’s least explored private lands. In return for enabling access to these natural treasures, we are making new connections between our guests and land owning partners. In the process, we are all contributing to a network of open space that not only benefits wildlife but the very food we eat, water we drink and air we breathe. Whether you are one of our guests, a ranch partner or one of our guides, at Explore Ranches we are all on an endless journey to find our place in the wild.

www.exploreranches.com

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

5:00—Dave discusses the story of Caesar Kleberg.
14:00—Dave explains the differences between land management in Texas and states Colorado or Montana.
16:30—Dave explains the type of research that goes on at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute.
19:30—Dave discusses victories during his tenure with CKWRI.
22:30—Dave discusses building trust with private landowners in wildlife conservation.
24:45—Dave dives deeper into the CCWRI Ocelot Program.
32:00—Dave discusses the varied opinions regarding the Endangered Species Act.
37:45—Dave discusses the CKWRI Grasslands program.
47:00—Dave walks us through his career path.
53:30—Dave explains how he balances his research with his teaching.
57:00—Dave projects where he thinks the CKWRI is headed in the future.
1:00:30—Dave’s book recommendations.
1:03:00—Dave’s parting words of wisdom.

Information Referenced:

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Posted on May 4, 2021 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, History, Leadership, Service

Marci McLean and Cora Neumann are joining me for another episode of my ongoing series called New West Dispatches. In each New West Dispatch, I break from the normal Mountain & Prairie format of discussing a guest’s personal experiences, influences, and life story, and instead we spend the hour diving deep into a specific, timely issue that is creating challenges in the American West. The goal of these episodes is to offer a clear-eyed examination of a pressing issue, then to highlight the people and ideas that are helping to solve these sometimes-overwhelming problems. These episodes are meant to educate and provide actionable information, while also offering hope and optimism in the face of challenges.

In today’s New West Dispatch, we’ll be discussing COVID’s impact on Native communities in Montana and throughout the American West. Marci and Cora are uniquely qualified to discuss this topic, as they have been on the front lines of Montana’s public health response to the devastating effects of COVID across tribal lands. Marci grew up on the Blackfeet Nation and currently serves as Executive Director of Montana Native Vote, an organization with the mission of building leaders in Montana’s Indian County. Cora Nuemann is a PhD-level public health expert and the founder of We Are Montana, an organization that supports public health leadership across rural and Native Montana. In early 2020, when it became clear that COVID was a true threat, Marci and Cora teamed up and took action, offering much-needed education, funding, and support to combat the virus in Native communities.

We had an enlightening and educational conversation, and I am so grateful to Marci and Cora for joining me to share their experiences and wisdom. We start out by discussing both Marci and Cora’s backgrounds, and how they decided to take action as the pandemic descended on Montana. We talk about the specific factors that made this pandemic so devastating to Native communities and why Native Americans suffered the highest death rates of any community in the United States. We discuss the Native response to the pandemic– what worked, what didn’t, and some specific success stories. And we also talk about vaccine rollout and how Marci and Cora see the next year playing out. Finally, they both offer up some excellent book recommendations on Native American history, culture, and current events.

The notes for this episode are even more robust than usual, so be sure to check them out for links to articles, resources, and further information on everything we cover. Thanks again to Marci and Cora for their hard work and focus on this important issue. I hope you enjoy and learn as much as I did!

Photos courtesy of Marci and Cora.

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

4:00 – Introductions
13: 15 – When did Cora and Marci know when COVID was going to be a big impact on their communities
20:45 – What worked in communicating public health in Cora and Marci’s community
24:00 – Reflections on how Indigenous communities responded to information coming from the Trump administration regarding COVID
27:15 – Why Indigenous communities are so vulnerable in pandemic scenarios like COVID
33:45 – Cora and Marci discuss the extensive work they have done in and around Indigenous communities in Montana regarding public health and COVID.
40:30 – The vaccine rollout progress in and around Indigenous Montana communities
42:00 – How do we get to the new normal
43:30 – How can people help in these efforts
47:45 – Book recommendations
51:15 – Parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

COVID impacts on Indigenous Americans
COVID impacts on Indigenous people in Montana
Coverage of Cora and Marci’s work
- The 19th feature: As Montana’s tribal nations are threatened by COVID, women health leaders have stepped up
- Great Falls Tribune: Montana COVID-19 relief: Organizations help tribal communities
- Mansfield Center panel: Montana tribal leaders discuss fighting the pandemic | Local News | missoulian.com
- Intercept feature: Montana Tribes Hard-Hit by Covid-19 Brace for Republican Takeover Miranda Green
- Indian Country Today: Montana responds to local advocacy groups and adds American Indians in Phase 1B vaccine rollout
- Notes From The Field – COVID Local Blog – supporting Tribal leaders (this is work with the former White House pandemic team – who are now back in the White House!)
- New nonprofit aimed at tackling COVID-19 in Native, rural communities
Social Media
- Instagram
- Facebook
- LinkedIn
  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/coraneumann/
Vaccine rollout information:
- DPHHS report March 16th: Native Americans make up about 7% of Montana’s population, but represent 18% of reported COVID-19 related deaths in the state. COVID-19 was the 3rd leading cause of death in 2020.
- Blackfeet Nation is currently reporting 95% of eligible enrolled members are vaccinated—7,600 of 9,778
- More than 30% of the Crow Tribe’s eligible population had received at least one vaccine as of March 18.
- In Great Falls as of March 12, more than 75% of Indian Family Health Clinic (IFHC, an IHS-funded urban Indian organization) eligible patients had received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 60% were fully immunized.
- Each week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allocates COVID-19 vaccines to IHS, which then distributes them across their areas. IHS’ Billings-area location, which includes eleven Montana facilities, receives, on average, 1,200 Moderna doses, 1,170 Pfizer doses and 100 Johnson & Johnson doses each week. In the first eight weeks of distribution, every IHS site in Montana had a 100% vaccination rate, meaning no shots were wasted. So far, the IHS facilities across Montana have administered at least one dose to 29% of the eligible population, and 21% of the eligible IHS population is fully immunized.
Blackfeet (Niitsitapi or Siksikaitsitapi)
Medicaid expansion
Two-spirit
Montana Native Vote
We Are Montana
Indigenous Movements Interchange
Elizabeth Cameron
Crow Nation (Apsáalooke)
Ember Singer
CSKT Tribal Health
Incident Command Center
Food Sovereignty
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
- Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States
Percy Bullchild, Woody Kipp
- The Sun Came Down
Sherman Alexie
Joy Harjo
- When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through
Louise Erdrich
- The Night Watchman
David Treuer
- The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee
Chris La Tray
- One-Sentence Journal
- Becoming Little Shell (upcoming)
Nick Estes
- Our History is the Future
- Red Nation Rising (Melanie K. Yazzie, Jennifer Nez Denetdale, and David Correia)
Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Braiding Sweetgrass
Ruth Lister
- Poverty
Jesmyn Ward
- Men We Reaped
Geoffrey Rose
- Rose’s Strategy of Preventative Medicine
Paul Offit
- Vaccinated
- Deadly Choices

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Posted on April 13, 2021 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

History, Leadership, Native American History, Public Health, Service

Brendan Leonard is a prolific writer and artist who is best known as the creator of Semi-Rad.com. He’s also the author of a brand new book titled I Hate Running and You Can Too: How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational Passion. The book offers motivation and witty insights into the sometimes-crazy pastime of running. And Brendan knows a thing or two about running irrational distances– he’s completed multiple 100-mile ultramarathons, ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks, directed the film How to Run 100 Miles, and co-hosts the Off The Couch Podcast, which features interviews with runners of all stripes.

Through his books, filmmaking, and writing on Semi-Rad.com, Brendan offers a unique perspective into the world of outdoor recreation and adventure. Rather than focusing on the mind-blowing feats of super-elite athletes, Brendan’s work highlights the passion and determination of regular people who enjoy pushing themselves hard in the outdoors. Brendan has also perfected the ability to draw larger life lessons from these outdoor adventures– lessons that can be applied to creative endeavors of any kind. You don’t have to be a runner or mountain athlete to glean actionable wisdom from Brendan’s work, and I personally credit Brendan’s influence with helping me to grow and evolve Mountain & Prairie.

Brendan and I connected a few days before the release of his new book and had a fun and wide-ranging conversation about everything from running to reading, from Ted Lasso to Matthew McConaughey. We started out by discussing his new book I Hate Running and You Can Too— how the book came to be, the process of writing it, and how its lessons can be applied to writing or other creative pursuits. We then discussed some of his own running achievements, including running 52 marathons over the course of 52 weeks and the life lessons he learned from that year-long commitment. We talked about the fallacy of looking for hacks in running or life, some of Brendan’s creative heroes, the importance of vulnerability, the process of finding his creative voice, recent good books, and much more.

If you’re the type of person who likes to push yourself creatively or physically, this episode is full of wisdom and insight that you can put to use immediately. I’d also encourage you to check out Brendan’s new book, and really all of his work– check out the links in the episode notes or just head to Semi-Rad.com. Huge thanks to Brendan, and I hope you enjoy.

Header image by Mile90 Photography; photo of Brendan and Rowlf courtesy of Brendan.

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

6:00 – Brendan discusses his latest book, I Hate Running and You Can Too
10:00 – Brendan discusses his progression as a runner
18:15 – Brendan talks about his experience running 52 marathons in 52 weeks
27:00 – The lessons Brendan learned from 52 marathon challenge
33:00 – Brendan explains how becoming a runner influenced other areas of his life
36:30 – Brendan discusses his claim that “there are no hacks” in running (or life)
42:00 – Who Brendan looks up to
50:30 – Brendan explores the process of finding his voice
55:30 – Brendan discusses vulnerability and the process of sharing his own experiences in his writing
1:02:30 – Brendan’s book recommendations
1:07:30 – Brendan’s parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

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Posted on March 25, 2021 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Adventurers, Artists, Athletes, Books, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, Writers

Mitsu Iwasaki is the CEO of the American Alpine Club (AAC), a historic and storied organization whose mission is to “share and support our passion for climbing and respect for the places we climb.” Founded in 1902, the AAC began as a social club for east coast elites who shared a passion for climbing, adventure, and conservation. But over the past 119 years, the AAC has evolved into an open and equitable organization, which provides “knowledge and inspiration, conservation and advocacy, and logistical support for the climbing community.” Mitsu took the helm of the AAC in the summer of 2020, ushering in a new phase for the Club’s growth and focus.

Mitsu was born in Japan but immigrated to Seattle with his family when he was six years old. In high school, at the urging of his father, Mitsu began spending his summers working on commercial fishing boats in Alaska, experiences that he credits as the genesis of his lifelong pursuit of adventure. He attended college in Washington State at the foot of the Cascade Mountains, then spent years as an Outward Bound instructor– successfully merging his love of climbing, skiing, and adventure with his career. A graduate degree in nonprofit management propelled Mitsu into leadership positions with several outdoor recreation organizations, which led him to his new role at the AAC.

For anyone interested in melding personal passions with lofty career aspirations, Mitsu’s life story will be both inspiring and instructional. We had a fascinating conservation covering everything from his days as a climber living out of his van to his current focus of creating more equitable access in the climbing community. We started by discussing the AAC– its history, goals, and evolution over nearly 120 years. We then talked about Mitsu’s personal background– moving to the US as a child, adjusting to life in the US while maintaining close connections to his Japanese heritage, lessons learned from working in commercial fishing, and experiences as an outdoor educator. We talk about his vision for the AAC, and he explains AAC’s exciting new equity initiative known as Climb United. We also discuss his mentors, favorite books, the best advice he’s ever received, and Mitsu offers some useful parting words of wisdom.

Be sure to check the episode note for a complete list of topics and links to everything we covered. Hope you enjoy.

Images courtesy of Mitsu Iwasaki

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:40 – Mitsu explains the history of American Alpine Club (AAC)
6:40 – Mitsu discusses programs and projects of AAC
9:25 – Mitsu discusses his role as CEO of AAC
12:10 – Mitsu explains some of his goals to adapt the AAC
14:10 – Mitsu discusses AAC’s work in the arena of climate change
19:10 –Mitsu discusses his early life and how he became interested in the outdoors, including his time spent on an Alaskan fishing boat
28:10 – Mitsu discusses his prior career with Outward Bound and his thoughts on experiential education
33:40 – Mitsu discusses his transition from outdoor enthusiast to executive
37:25 – Mitsu talks about his mentor, Brendan Leonard
41:25 – Mitsu talks about the AAC program, Climb United, and equity in the sport of climbing
48:55 – Mitsu’s book recommendations
52:25 – The best piece of advice Mitsu ever received
53:40 – Mitsu’s parting advice

Information Referenced:

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Posted on March 16, 2021 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Adventurers, Athletes, Conservation, Conservationists, Leadership, Service

Jason Gardner is a father, homesteader, leadership instructor, and regenerative agriculture devotee who lives with his family on a remote property in the mountains of northeastern Washington State. Jason is also a retired Navy SEAL Master Chief who spent nearly thirty years in the SEAL teams and is a recipient of the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and numerous other awards. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Jason applies the lessons learned from his years of service toward building a meaningful life for his family in the wilds of Washington– a life lived with purpose and intention, built on a deep respect for the land.

If Jason sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the husband to Iris Gardner, who was a guest on the podcast just a few weeks ago. Given all of the wisdom that Iris shared regarding parenting and intentional living, and how fondly she spoke of Jason as a father and husband, I thought it would be fun to have Jason join me for a conversation. It was fascinating to hear Jason discuss many of the same topics that Iris and I covered, as he provided a complementary perspective on subjects including parenting, marriage, and thriving as a family in such a remote, wild region of the West.

This was a fantastic conversation, and I can’t thank Jason enough for taking the time to share his wisdom with me. We talked a lot about his military service– from his decision as a high-schooler to join the SEALs to his long and diverse career as a SEAL leader. We also discuss his life-long love of wild, mountainous places, and why he and Iris have chosen to raise their family in northeastern Washington. We talked about how to find purpose in work, no matter what your chosen career. We discuss the idea of having a warrior’s mentality and how he applies that idea to parenting and his current career as a leadership consultant. Jason explains the dichotomy of being an elite special forces operator and gentle father and husband. And we also talk about regenerative agriculture, the many life lessons he’s learned from training horses, influential music, his favorite books, the best advice he’s ever received, and much more.

There are so many insights and resources packed into this episode, so don’t forget to reference the episode notes for a full list of topics and links to everything we discussed. And if you’d like more insights into Jason and Iris’s life in Washington, you can check out their Youtube channel, which I’ve linked to in the notes. Thanks again to Jason, and I hope you enjoy.

Images courtesy of Jason Gardner

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:50 – Where Jason grew up
5:50 – How Jason developed a love of wild places
6:10 – When Jason first started considering military service and the SEALS
10:05 – How music helped frame Jason’s mindset
12:50 – Jason explores the dichotomy of his military and personal life
17:50 – What makes Jason so good at his job
19:20 – How Jason knew it was time to retire
23:20 – Jason explores the intentionality that enabled he and Iris to live the life they do
24:35 – How Jason’s approach to parenting has changed since retiring from the SEALS
28:20 – How did Jason come up with the points of To My Daughter
32:20 – What being a warrior means to Jason
34:35 – Jason explores how marriage works between two strong-willed individuals
37:50 – Jason discusses his recent work with horses and its impact on himself
43:50 – Jason’s advice on finding purpose, told through the lens of sniper training and “the stalk”
52:05 – Jason discusses his current role as a leadership coach
56:35 – Jason discusses books that have been important to him
58:05 – Jason discusses regenerative agriculture
1:01:05 – What Jason does for fun
1:02:50 – The best piece of advice Jason ever received
1:06:20 – Jason’s parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

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Posted on March 9, 2021 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Adventurers, Agriculture, Conservation, Leadership, Mindfulness, Regenerative Ag, Service

Kelsey Johnson is a Bozeman-based artist whose work highlights the epic wildlife, people, and landscapes of the American West. Using graphite pencils and oil paints, Kelsey creates stunning, life-like artwork– works that you would assume were created by a full-time artist with decades of experience. But in reality, Kelsey is new to professional art– she balances her artistic endeavors with a full-time job, and she actually started her art business only a few years ago, back in 2018. While Kelsey’s artistic career will undoubtedly continue to grow and flourish in the coming years, I am inspired by the commitment and work ethic she exhibits on a daily basis to turn her creative passions into a self-sustaining business.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Kelsey was always artistic, but she put art aside and earned her undergraduate degree in agricultural business and agronomy. After graduation, she began a career with a large corporation where she sold corn and soybean seeds across the United States. While the job was safe and steady with plenty of upward mobility, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was not completely fulfilled by her work. So, as you’ll hear her describe, a series of events came together that prompted her to pack up and move to Montana, where she rededicated herself to her artistic inclinations.

I greatly admire Kelsey and the way she has created a life and career here in the West. I also feel that she serves as a perfect example of how to balance professional, practical obligations with the pursuit of artistic goals. If you’ve got creative ambitions but struggle to fit them in between the other demands of life, you’ll find Kelsey’s story inspirational. We had a wide-ranging conversation, discussing everything from her childhood on the east coast to her eventual move to Montana. We talked about her evolution as an artist, some of her artistic breakthroughs, and her creative influences. She talks a lot about juggling professional and artistic commitments, and she also offers up some excellent book, music, and film recommendations.

And as you’ll hear in the episode, Kelsey and I will be doing a giveaway of a print of her newest painting, titled “Land of the Desert Poppy.” If you want to enter to win, follow me on Instagram and look for a post about the giveaway later this week, the week of February 22, 2021.

Thanks so much to Kelsey for taking the time to chat. Hope you enjoy this conversation.

Images courtesy of Kelsey Johnson

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:45 – Where Kelsey grew up
4:45 – How Kelsey initially got into agriculture
6:30 – When did Kelsey realize that agriculture was not the path for her
8:45 – How did Kelsey come to set her eyes on Montana
12:15 – What did Kelsey have to do to move to Bozeman
14:45 – Kelsey’s art
18:30 – How the art community in Southwest Montana influenced Kelsey’s art
20:45 – The first time Kelsey sold art
23:45 – Kelsey’s experience balancing her art with the rest of her life
25:45 – Kelsey’s biggest surprise in setting up her art business
26:45 – Kelsey discusses “big break” moments that helped get her work in front of more people
30:30 – Kelsey’s role models in the creative community of the American West
33:45 –Kelsey discusses how she knows she’s finished with a piece and explores those moments when a piece just “doesn’t work out”
37:15 – Kelsey’s advice for those getting started in creative pursuits
35:30 – Kelsey’s most recently finished piece (ft. information on a print giveaway!)
42:30 – Kelsey’s adventures in hunting
45:45 – What Kelsey does for fun
46:30 – Kelsey’s favorite books
50:00 – Kelsey’s favorite musicians
53:00 – Kelsey’s favorite movies
55:30 – Parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

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Posted on February 22, 2021 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Artists, Craftsmanship, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, Hunting & Fishing

Iris Gardner is a writer, horse wrangler, mother, and former organic farmer who lives with her family on a homestead in northeastern Washington State. After many years of living and farming in southern California, Iris, her husband Jason, and their two children moved to their current home– a rural property located close to the Canadian border and more than two hours from the nearest city. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Iris and Jason have chosen to live and raise their children deliberately, with intention, and close to nature– in a beautiful landscape far removed from many of the so-called conveniences of modern life.

Iris grew up off the grid in rural Washington, in an area so remote that her home did not have electricity. During her childhood, she developed a deep love of reading, horses, and wild landscapes– all passions that are still of great importance to her and her family today. Iris’s husband Jason is a retired, highly decorated Navy SEAL who shares her devotion to intentional living and parenthood. Working as a team, Iris and Jason are building a meaningful and unique life for their family in the wilds of eastern Washington– a life that I have found both inspiring and instructional.

Iris and I have been following each other online for years, so it was wonderful to finally get the opportunity to have a conversion. We spent a lot of time discussing parenting– how she is raising her children to be both tough and compassionate, and how she balances managing risk with letting her kids learn from their own mistakes. We discuss her marriage with Jason and how they have grown as a couple through the various phases of their lives and careers. Iris is an enormously talented writer, and she is currently finishing up her first book, so we discuss her writing process, and she offers some excellent advice for people interested in pursuing creative endeavors. We also discuss the power of positivity, our shared love of reading, Iris’s heroes and mentors, and Iris offers some valuable words of wisdom.

If you want to learn even more about Iris’s journey, I’d encourage you to watch or listen to her conversation with retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink on the Jocko Podcast. You’ll hear us reference Jocko often in our conversation, and that podcast episode is one of the most powerful conversations I’ve ever heard in my life, no exaggeration.

Iris is an inspiring, strong, tough, talented, and thoughtful woman, and I know you’ll enjoy our conversation. Thanks for listening.

Photos courtesy of Iris Gardner

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:40 – Iris describes her homestead
7:10 – Iris discusses parenting
12:40 – Iris describes raising kids tough
20:40 – Iris shares whether she always planned on being a mother
21:55 – How Iris and her husband, Jason, met
24:10 – Iris discusses the transition in her husband’s work (from SEAL to leadership consultant) and building independence within a marriage
26:55 – Iris talks about learning from each other in a marriage
29:55 – Iris discusses her memoir
31:40 – Iris discusses the relationship between reading and writing in her life
34:10 – Iris discusses her relationship with social media
39:10 – Iris’s advice for people with creative impulses/aspirations
43:55 – who are Iris’s heroes/mentors
46:25 – Why Iris feels positivity is important in the face of challenges
51:40 – How Iris uses the outdoors for introspection
53:10 – How Iris sets examples and encourages introspection, communication, and connection with her kids
1:00:40 – How having kids has impacted Ed and Iris
1:02:00 – Iris’s book recommendations
1:10:25 – Words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

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Posted on February 15, 2021 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Agriculture, Artists, Conservation, Creativity, Mindfulness, Writers

This episode is a little different than normal– it’s me being interviewed on the Off the Couch podcast by my friends Jonathan Ellsworth and Brendan Leonard. Brendan is likely familiar to many of you long-time listeners– he joined me on the podcast a few years ago to discuss his writing career, his film “How to Run 100 Miles” and his blog Semi-Rad. Jonathan is the creator of Blister, an amazing online resource that includes outdoor gear reviews, a podcast network, and much more. Jonathan will be joining me on this podcast in the coming months.

Jonathan and Brendan were nice enough to invite me on Off the Couch to discuss a somewhat silly challenge that I imposed on myself on my 43rd birthday. Every hour on the hour for 24 hours, I ran a 1.3-mile loop around my neighborhood. In between laps, I did a long list of tasks that I had been putting off, including stacking firewood, cleaning and rearranging my basement, sending a ridiculous number of emails, and other mindless tasks. The whole thing was based on a film by a guy named Beau Miles who did a similar challenge in Australia. I stumbled across the film on Youtube and decided to give it a shot a few days later. I’ve linked to that film in the episode notes.

That birthday challenge was just one part of what turned out to be a wide-ranging conversation about a ton of fun and funny topics. We discussed the backstory on the Mountain & Prairie, my experiences running 50 and 100-mile races, some scary moments I’ve had running ultras, why I’m so obsessed with reading books, and some of my favorite books from 2020. There were enough interesting topics that overlap with what we discuss here on Mountain & Prairie, so I thought some of y’all might enjoy it and get a few laughs at my expense.

If you’re interested in running and some of the fascinating characters that the sport attracts, I encourage you to check out Off the Couch. You’ll recognize a few past Mountain & Prairie guests, including Mike Foote and Joe Grant, but all of the episodes are fun and inspiring. There’s a link in the episode notes, so check it out. Enjoy!

Top photo by Ed, from the top of Gothic Mountain outside Crested Butte

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

Ed’s podcast, Mountain & Prairie (3:32)
The Procrastinator’s Punishment 50k (11:49)
Ed’s Scary DNF (33:02)
Ed’s Gross DNF (39:21)
Triathlon community vs the Ultra community (42:11)
Ed’s bi-monthly book recommendations (47:20)

Information Referenced:

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Posted on January 29, 2021 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Adventurers, Athletes, Books, Writers

Chris Douglas on horseback (photo by Paul King)

Chris Douglas is a Montana-based photographer and creative director who is one of the most sought-after visual storytellers in the American West. Chris is a go-to photographer for iconic brands such as Filson, Stetson, and Mossy Oak, and his editorial work appears regularly in publications including Modern Huntsman and Men’s Journal. In a world flooded with iPhone photography and armchair creatives, Chris’s work stands out as being artistically stunning and of the highest professional caliber.

When viewing Chris’s work, most people would assume that he’s been laser focused on photography for his entire career. But even though his interest in photography began at age ten, the first half of his career was spent in front of the lens– first as an international model for brands such as Versace, and then as a successful television actor. But life moving between LA, New York, and Milan was not a fit with his love of the outdoors, so Chris eventually moved to Montana, where he continued his life-long passion for hunting and adventure. Then, as you’ll hear him describe, Chris was severely injured in a horse accident, which became the catalyst that led him to leave acting behind and devote his full energies to photography.

Those of you who are long-time listeners know that I spend a lot of time preparing for each of these interviews, but, as you’ll hear, I was completely surprised by much of Chris’s story. Chris is unbelievably humble and keeps a low profile, so I was honored that he was open to sharing his full journey with me on the podcast. We started out chatting about his upbringing in east Tennessee and his tight-knit, supportive family that he credits with being the foundation for all of his success. Then we discussed his fascinating career trajectory– from international model to soap opera star to television host to photographer. We had a great conversation about his Native American ancestry and how Native culture has influenced his work and family’s life in Montana.

Chris’s story is both entertaining and instructive– he is a wonderful example of how life’s unexpected twists and turns can lead people on the most interesting journeys. And how hard work, humility, creativity, and professionalism can result in a one-of-a-kind life and career. Check out the extensive episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Chris Douglas, top photos of Chris by Paul King

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

5:00 – Where Chris grew up
6:45 – How did Chris become interested in photography?
10:00 – Chris’s other artistic talents
11: 15 – Chris beginning to work with Bruce Weber
16:00 – Chris learning more about photography through observation
18:00 – Social media’s impact on photography from Chris’s perspective
19:00 – Chris pursuing his passion for hunting while modeling
22:45 – Chris reflects on the best and worst parts of his career in front of the camera
24:30 – What pushed Chris to spend time in the outdoors in the middle of a successful modeling/acting career
26:00 – Why Chris decided to move to Montana
28:30 –Chris’s gradual transition to professional photography behind the lens
30:30 – Chris’s horse accident
39:30 – Chris reflects on all the jobs that got him to where he is now
42:00 – Chris’s keys to success in business and photography
47:00 – Chris’s Native heritage
50:00 – Chris reflects on learning about his heritage
55:43 – Where Chris thinks his career will go from here
58:15 – Book recommendations
1:01:45 – Parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

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Posted on January 17, 2021 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Adventurers, Artists, Craftsmanship, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, Native American History

Monte Burke is a journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and contributing editor at Forbes, Garden & Gun, and The Drake. His most recent book is Lords of the Fly: Madness, Obsession, and the Hunt for the World-Record Tarpon, which was one of the best books I read in 2020. He’s also the author of Saban: The Making of a Coach, which also happens to be one of my all-time favorite books. Whether he’s writing about fly fishing, Colorado conservationists, elk hunting, or football, Monte’s work is always impeccably researched and fun to read.

I loved every page of Lords of the Fly, and both anglers and non-anglers alike will be drawn into the book’s engaging story and wild characters. One of my favorite aspects of the book was how it opened my eyes to the connections between the 1970s Florida fishing scene and modern-day art, poetry, and literature of the American West. Western luminaries who are frequently mentioned on this podcast– Tom McGuane, Jim Harrison, Richard Brautigan, Russell Chatham, and more– all created art and chased tarpon together in Florida in the 1970s. They all eventually moved West and became some of the most respected western artists of their time, but were it not for the creative foundation they built in Florida, today’s western literary and art scene would look quite different.

Monte and I had a fun and wide-ranging conversation discussing everything from fly fishing to fatherhood. We started out talking about Lords of the Fly— we obviously talked about the crew of anglers that included McGuane and Harrison, but we also discussed the full cast of obsessed characters who make up the history of fly fishing for tarpon. Monte explains why this story was so compelling to him, and he discusses some of the headwinds he encountered while trying to get the book published. We discuss Monte’s attraction to writing about intense, obsessed people, whether they happen to be world champion coaches or anglers. We chatted about Monte’s writing and journalism career, as well as some of the routines that allow him to be such a prolific writer. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, authors, films, and he offers up some wise parting words.

If you love fishing and literature, or if you’re an aspiring writer or artist, this episode is chock-full of useful information. Be sure to check out the show notes for links to everything we discuss– this episode may very well hold the record for most books and authors recommended! Hope you enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Monte Burke

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:50 – Why Monte was drawn into the story of fly fishing for tarpon
8:30 – Early stages of writing the book
14:30 – Jim Harrison, Tom McGuane, and tarpon fishing
20:45 – What McGuane such a unique writer?
23:15 – Monte’s decision to include himself in the story
26:45 – His obsession with obsessed people
31:15 – Monte’s personal obsessions
35:45 – How having children affected his outlook and career
40:15 – When writing and reading became his focus
42:45 – Getting started in journalism + writing at night
45:45 – The coolest part of writing
48:45 – Writing routine
53:15 – Techniques for convincing people to share their stories
56:15 – Writers that Monte admires
59:45 – Favorite books
1:00:30 – Favorite movie
1:02:15 – Favorite place in the West
1:03:45 – Parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

Monte Burke
Lords of the Fly by Monte Burke
Pegasus Books
Saban by Monte Burke
All books by Monte Burke
Garden & Gun magazine
Forbes magazine
Steve Huff profile by Monte
Carl Hiaasen profile by Monte
Thomas McGuane
Jim Harrison
Russell Chatham
Richard Brautigan
Hunter S Thompson
Rinella – McGuane podcast
Ninety-Two in the Shade by Thomas McGuane
Richard Ford
Pappyland by Wright Thompson
The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean
Valley Uprising
The Last Dance
John McPhee
Michael Lewis
Ian Frazier
Emily St John Mandel
James Salter
Wallace Stegner
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt
The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
Light Years by James Salter
Trading Places
Ketchum, ID
Henry’s Fork
Howler Brothers

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Posted on December 27, 2020 by ELR

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Adventurers, Books, Conservation, Craftsmanship, History, Hunting & Fishing, Writers

Malcolm Brooks is a Montana-based author best known for his epic novel Painted Horses, a sweeping, large-scale tale of life in the American West in the 1950s. Published in 2015, Painted Horses has quickly become a classic among those who love Western literary fiction. Even more impressive, Painted Horses was Malcolm’s first published novel– a truly remarkable feat when you consider the story’s breadth and depth and its characters.

Malcolm’s obsession with writing began at age fourteen when a teacher gave him a copy of Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove during an incredibly formative period of his life. From that point on, Malcolm was laser-focused on becoming an author– so much so that he completed his first full-length novel when he was only 18 years old. Malcolm continued to consistently write throughout his twenties, experiencing moderate success in journalism, but never publishing a novel. When he was in his early thirties, Malcolm decided to go all-in on writing his dream novel– “to go big or go home” as he says– and he began the five-year process of writing Painted Horses. It’s safe to say that his efforts paid off– Painted Horses has been compared to the works of Cormac McCarthy, Wallace Stegner, and more.

Malcolm and I were introduced by another gifted author and past podcast guest, Chris Dombrowski, and we had a wonderful conversation. If you’re interested in the creative process or the ins-and-outs of craftsmanship, you will love this episode. We started out by talking about our mutual love of Lonesome Dove, and Malcolm shares how that book changed the trajectory of his life. We discuss Malcolm’s upbringing, formal education, commitment to carpentry, and artistic and literary influences. We obviously discuss Painted Horses, and he offers a sneak preview of his upcoming novel, Cloudmaker. Malcolm tells a great story about finding an ancient buffalo skull and offers tons of great book recommendations. And finally, he has some wise parting words that I think you’ll find useful and timely.

Thanks to Malcolm for taking the time to chat. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Hope you enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Malcolm Brooks

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – Influence of Lonesome Dove
9:30 – When did Malcolm discover he wanted to be a writer?
10:30 – Malcolm’s foray into carpentry and its overlaps with his writing
- 11:30 – Malcolm’s first manuscript
14:00 – When did Malcolm first get published?
15:45 – How Malcolm first became interested in Montana
17:45 – Malcolm’s formal education experience
20:30 – Painted Horses
22:30 – Malcolm’s self-critique and artistic influences
25:30 – Malcolm’s writing process
- 27:30 – Is writing fun for Malcolm?
- 28:15 – Legends of the Fall
30:30 – The importance of reading to Malcolm
32:00 – The importance of supplementary income for creatives and authors
37:00 – Malcolm’s advice for finishing a project and notes on new projects he is working on
40:30 – Yellowstone and its impact on American Western-focused television
41:30 – What authors does Malcolm admire?
48:00 – Slight teaser for Malcolm’s upcoming book, Cloudmaker
51:45 – What other art has shaped Malcolm’s world view?
53:30 – Malcolm’s most powerful experience in the outdoors
1:00:00 – Words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

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Posted on November 29, 2020 by ELR

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Artists, Books, Craftsmanship, Creativity, History, Writers

Mike Foote is a Montana-based professional ultrarunner and ski mountaineer who is best known for his inspiring performances in 100-mile ultramarathons and multiday endurance expeditions through wild landscapes. In 2018, he set the world record for the most vertical feet climbed and skied in 24 hours– a mind-blowing 61,200 feet. And in addition to his impressive athletic career, Mike is also a committed conservationist, serving on the board of directors of the Five Valleys Land Trust, an innovative conservation organization that serves the five valleys surrounding Missoula.

Mike grew up in Ohio and had never visited the American West until a life-changing college road trip took him to Moab, Utah. He instantly fell in love with the wide-open landscapes of the American West– so much so that he left college in Ohio and moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. During that first year in Steamboat, Mike became obsessed with the mountains– skiing, running, and enjoying all aspects of life in a Rocky Mountain ski town. Although the learning curve was steep, Mike loved every minute of his new life in the mountains, and he gradually became more and more obsessed with endurance sports. Fast forward to today, and Mike’s list of endurance accomplishments is astonishing– he’s earned podium finishes at some of the world’s most notable races, including the Hardrock, UTMB, Big Horn 100, and more.

Despite all of his world-class athletic accomplishments, Mike is an amazingly down-to-earth and humble guy. We had a wonderful conversation and managed to cover a lot in a little over an hour– topics that will be impactful to runners and nonrunners alike. We started by discussing his early years in Ohio and that fateful, life-changing trip out West. We talked about his progression in endurance sports, and his transformation from complete beginner to North Face sponsored athlete to race director of The Rut Mountain Runs. We spend a lot of time talking about mental health, and Mike graciously shares some of the techniques, books, and resources that have helped him manage the inevitable ups and downs in life and sport. We also talk about his hands-on work with the Five Valleys Land Trust, and why he has chosen to be so deeply involved in conservation. And Mike is a voracious reader, so he offers up quite a few excellent recommendations throughout the conversation.

This is an excellent episode, and I can’t thank Mike enough for being so open and thoughtful throughout the entire conversation. I hope you enjoy!

Header photo by Steven Gnam, headshot by Clayton Boyd

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

4:00 – Where Mike grew up
5:45 – What drew Mike out West
11:50 – What was Mike’s first year out West like
14:25 – When Mike first started running
15:45 When did Mike realize he had a talent for distance running
19:10 – How did Mike end up in Missoula?
21:20 – Mentality shift from ”just going running” (paraphrased) to professional, goal-oriented training?
27:35 – What drives Mike on his runs?
32:00 – Community of ultra-endurance events
35:47 – Mike getting into the race directing business
39:57 – How does Mike deal with the mental struggles when running.
46:20 – Mike’s book recommendations for setting his mind right
49:00 – The importance of having deep conversations about mental health
50:30 – Mike’s commitment to land conservation
59:00 – General book recommendations
1:02:42 – Film recommendations
1:06:00 – Parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

Mike Foote Instagram
Catalina Marathon
The North Face
Wasatch 100
Hardrock 100
UTMB
VIDEO: Mike Foote breaks world record for most vertical feet skied in 24 hours
Ben Parsons
The Rut Mountain Runs
Mountain & Prairie: Live in Bozeman
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Tim Ferriss
Daring Greatly, Brene Brown
Wendell Berry
Mary Oliver
Hafiz
Wherever You Go, There You Are, Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD
Pema Chodron
Land Trust Alliance
Outdoor Retailer (“OR”)
Five Valleys Land Trust
Collapse by Jared Diamond
Ed’s book recommendations
Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
The Brothers K, David James Duncan
Hamilton

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Posted on November 15, 2020 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Adventurers, Athletes, Conservation, Conservationists, Mindfulness, Service

If you’ve listened to the podcast for a while, then you’re probably familiar with each episode’s general format: I have a long-form conversation with an interesting person who is doing important work in the American West. We usually spend about half of the time discussing their work and the other half discussing their personal backstory—a format that I thoroughly enjoy and seems to have struck a chord with a surprisingly large audience of listeners. The episodes are designed to be evergreen—whether you listen to them now or ten years from now, guests offer up timeless lessons you can apply to your own life.

But given our current moment in history and the public health, economic, social, and environmental challenges that have been accelerated by COVID, I’ve decided to periodically experiment with a new episode format, one that I’m calling New West Dispatches. In each New West Dispatch, I’ll speak with an expert about a very specific, current issue that is creating challenges for a specific sector of the American West. We’ll dig deep into the nitty gritty of the topic, going into more detail than usual, with the goal of gaining a better understanding of time-sensitive issues facing the West. We’ll hear firsthand stories from people on the front lines of their sectors, and discuss solutions to the problems at hand. The vast majority of Mountain & Prairie episodes will continue to follow the tried-and-true interview format, but every so often, as opportunities present themselves, I’ll look forward to getting a little more technical with Dispatches.

My guest for the first New West Dispatch is Matt Skoglund. Matt is an attorney-turned-bison rancher who joined me on the podcast last year for a fun and wide-ranging conversation about his path to founding his business North Bridger Bison. Matt came back to discuss some of the specific COVID-related challenges facing his bison business, specifically the astounding shortage of meat processing facilities throughout the American West. As you may remember, when COVID hit in March, there were endless news stories about meat shortages and breakdowns in supply chains linking producers and consumers. Although it’s not on the front page of the paper anymore, large-scale challenges persist, and Matt is in the middle of it all on a daily basis. So he was kind enough to return to the podcast to share his extensive knowledge on the subject, and to offer some potential solutions toward bolstering the food production system here in the West.

Matt covers a lot of ground in less than an hour, so be sure to check out the episode notes for a list of all the topics we discuss and links to resources. Hope you enjoy!

The Skoglund Family (photo by Chris Douglas for Boot Barn)

All photos by Chris Douglas for Boot Barn

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

4:00 – Overview of North Bridger Bison
8:30 – COVID’s effects on meatpacking
11:45 – Big outbreaks in packing plants
15:30 – Challenges to regenerative ag because of COVID
17:30 – Cause of the processing backlog
21:00 – Fragility of the US food system
23:30 – What prevents entrepreneurs from opening more processing plants?
26:00 – Appreciation for good meat
29:30 – Grazing as healing for the ecosystem
33:00 – Will more meat processing businesses open?
35:15 – Will meat processing go back to “normal” after post-COVID?
39:00 – Gov. Steve Bullock’s COVID relief
40:30 – Labor shortages
42:00 – The art of butchery
44:00 – Be intentional with impact
49:00 – Externalities of cheap meat
53:00 – Books to read about meat
54:30 – Productive actions to take

Information Referenced:

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Posted on November 1, 2020 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Agriculture, Conservation, Conservationists, Entrepreneurs, History, Public Health, Ranchers, Regenerative Ag

If you’re a long-time listener, then surely you remember Juanita Vero. Juanita is a fourth-generation Montana rancher, conservationist, community leader, and all-around inspiring woman. She’s also a devoted public servant, serving as a Missoula County Commissioner, where she gets her hands dirty with the critical and often not-so-glamorous work of county government. Juanita’s name will be on the ballot in Missoula County this November, where she is hoping to win a six-year term to continue her service as a Commissioner.

Juanita joined me on the podcast back in 2018, then again on stage at last year’s live podcast in Bozeman, so her personal story is probably familiar. I wanted to have her back on the show as we approach the election because her story serves as an inspiring example of how citizens can push outside of their comfort zones to lead the communities they love. As you’ll hear, Juanita had never considered assuming a public office—but when the opportunity presented itself, and she was encouraged to pursue it by fellow community leaders, she jumped at the chance. Since then, she has gone all-in and has thrived in her role as County Commissioner.

If you’re like me, you are probably overwhelmed with the negative, inflammatory news regarding politics and the upcoming election. But Juanita’s campaign and her desire to serve stands in stark contrast to much of our national discourse—she’s driven by a love of place, humility, a sense of duty, genuine curiosity, and a desire to find common ground. I think it’s important to remember that there are committed public servants in every county and city—good people who are driven not by the desire to accumulate power but by a desire to leave their communities better than they found them. Wherever you live, I hope that Juanita’s example will encourage you to engage with your local elected leaders, truly understand the candidates running for local offices, or maybe even run for office yourself. But at the least, I know you’ll enjoy listening to Juanita’s story, which will hopefully make you feel better about the world during these crazy times!

Photos courtesy of Juanita Vero

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – Why and how Juanita decided to enter politics
9:30 – Specific experiences that let Juanita know she was ready to be a commissioner
13:30 – Importance of talking to her Grandfather
19:15 – What exactly is a county commissioner?
22:15 – Example of how commissioners can influence development
25:30 – Why she’s running for office
28:30 – Commissioners as true public servants
32:30 – COVID’s impact on Missoula County
34:30 – Positive effects of the “new normal” of COVID
36:00 – Transition from working on the land to an office job
39:20 – Advice for citizens who want to work productively with local government
42:30 – Greatest challenges and opportunities in Missoula County
46:15 – Smaller issues worth considering
48:00 – Climate change & Missoula County solutions
52:00 – Importance of community leadership
53:30 – Favorite books
57:15 – Favorite films
58:30 – Funny and surprising activities
59:30 – Parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

Juanita Vero for Missoula County Commissioner
Juanita Vero episodes – Part 1 and Live in Bozeman
Missoula County
Missoula County Commissioners
Jim Howell episodes 1 and 2
Will Laverack
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
The Heart of Everything That Is by Bob Drury
One Sentence Journal by Chris La Tray
Chris La Tray episode
Woman: An Intimate Geography by Natalie Angier
Public Trust documentary
Hal Herring episode
Victor Frankl

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Posted on October 16, 2020 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Conservationists, Entrepreneurs, Leadership, Ranchers, Service

Jessica Wahl Turner is the Executive Director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), America’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and organizations. Currently, ORR is comprised of 31 national association members that serve more than 100,000 outdoor-related businesses, which is an amazing feat considering that the organization is less than three years old. Jessica and her team bring together all sectors of the outdoor economy to harness the industry’s collective power and advance issues related to conservation, outdoor access, public lands infrastructure, and much more. Whether she’s in the halls of Congress or the wide-open spaces of the American West, Jessica is a devoted, effective advocate for the outdoor industry.

This conversation is part of the Montana Governor’s Office of Outdoor Recreation’s “Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit“—a gathering of some of the most notable names in the outdoor recreation sector. Because of COVID, this year’s summit has gone virtual, but the need for collaboration and idea-sharing among industry experts has never been greater. The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is a case study in focusing on common goals, putting aside petty differences, and overcoming challenges with new and innovative approaches. So I was thrilled to get a chance to learn exactly how Jessica has gone about leading her organization during these changing times.

Jessica and I connected on Zoom and had a fun, educational, and wide-ranging conversation about all aspects of the outdoor economy. We started by chatting about the history of ORR and precisely what the organization does. We also discussed the Great American Outdoors Act and how this landmark legislation will positively affect the outdoor industry. We talked about COVID’s effect on the outdoor economy and how ORR is working to support outdoor businesses during these unprecedented times. We also talked about how the outdoor economy contributes to rural and urban areas and how all aspects of the outdoor economy are interconnected. We also spend some time talking about Jessica’s educational and professional backgrounds, and what makes her so uniquely qualified for her current role. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, favorite outdoor adventures, and she offers some wise parting words.

This was a wonderful conversation, and I hope you enjoy. Be sure to check out the “Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit” webpage, as there are many resources, films, and other podcasts that you will find enjoyable and educational. Links to everything are in the episode notes.

Photos courtesy of Jessica Wahl Turner

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – Outdoor Recreation Roundtable explained
8:00 – Focusing on the commonalities in the outdoor industry
12:00 – Impact of the Great American Outdoors Act
17:30 – How the upcoming election could affect the recreation economy
22:00 – The national interconnectedness of the outdoor economy
26:45 – How COVID has affected the outdoor recreation economy
32:00 – Balancing conservation and increased outdoor activities
36:30 – Future goals and measures of success for the roundtable
40:30 – Jessica’s education and early career
44:15 – Lessoned learned from the Outdoor Industry Association
48:45 – Advice to aspiring industry advocates/lobbyists
53:15 – Heroes and mentors
58:00 – Favorite books
1:01:30 – Favorite place in the outdoors
1:03:00 – Jessica’s parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

Montana Governor’s Office of Outdoor Recreation
Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit
Jessica Wahl Turner on LinkedIn
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR)
Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)
Patagonia
Harley Davidson
Great American Outdoors Act
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Leave No Trace
US Department of Interior (DOI)
US Forest Service (USFS)
Ken Salazar
Sally Jewell
Anne Krcik
The North Face
Camber Outdoors
New York Times
Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean
Bowling Alone by Robert B Putnam
Tribe by Sebastian Junger
Adirondacks Park
Adirondack 46er
Colorado’s 14ers
Dare to Prepare by Ronald Shapiro

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Posted on October 13, 2020 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Conservation, Entrepreneurs, Hunting & Fishing, Leadership, Service

Steve Casimiro is the founder and editor of Adventure Journal, an online and quarterly print magazine devoted to outdoor adventure in all its forms. AJ began as Steve’s personal blog back in 2008—a project he created on the side while writing for National Geographic Adventure. Steve’s unique perspective and devotion to adventure writing struck a chord with the outdoor community, and AJ’s audience grew and grew. When National Geographic Adventure closed its doors, Steve decided to pursue AJ with his full professional focus, building a loyal following who is deeply devoted to AJ online and in print.

Steve grew up on the east coast, and from an early age, he was obsessed with writing, photography, and storytelling. After earning a degree in journalism, he spent his early twenties writing for traditional newspapers, including USA Today. But when presented with the opportunity to meld his passion for the outdoors with his journalism career, he left the newspaper business to join the team at the legendary ski magazine Powder. From there, Steve immersed himself in all aspects of the adventure media world, honing his craft for storytelling and dialing in his voice as a writer and editor. The culmination of these years of hard work is Adventure Journal, which is, in my opinion, one of the most essential voices in the outdoor community.

It’s no secret that I’m a massive fan of Adventure Journal. I reference it often in my weekly newsletter and suggest the quarterly print publication in my reading recommendation emails. But what I find most impressive about Steve is how he has built such a loyal community of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts—curious, thoughtful, open-minded readers who enjoy thinking deeply about the outdoors and adventure. In this conversation, Steve shares how he managed to create such a unique community and what drives him to work so hard to continue to build it. We talk about AJ’s values as a business, and we discuss his recent commitment to make AJ carbon neutral. We talk about how Steve welcomes ideas and opinions that he may not necessarily agree with, and the unique niche that AJ fills in the outdoor community. Steve also discusses how his his wife Joni, who is the AJ Art Director, has played an invaluable role in the growth of AJ. We talk about the importance of attention, the need to support independent media, what he looks for in writers, the importance of optimism, his ideas on building community, and much more.

Whether you’re a writer, photographer, business owner, community builder, or outdoor enthusiast, I can promise you that you’ll learn a lot from this conversation. And please keep an eye on my Instagram account, because I’ll be doing a giveaway of a few copies of AJ later this week. You can find a link to my Instagram Account in the episode notes.

Thanks to Steve for taking the time to join me. I hope you enjoy!

Photos by Sinuhe Xavier

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

4:00 – AJ’s decision to be carbon neutral
7:00 – Founding values of AJ
9:45 – Thoughts on the business decision of going carbon neutral
15:00 – Importance of where we focus our attention
20:00 – Influences on Steve’s unique approach to media and AJ
24:30 – AJ’s transition from personal project to full-time gig
26:30 – Thoughts on AJ’s tone, consistency, and content
30:30 – Evolution from traditional journalism to AJ
35:00 – Importance of doing work that is new and innovative
40:45 – Impactful notes and letters from AJ readers
41:30 – Deep feelings brought out by outdoor adventure
43:00 – Important example that pursuing one’s passion can set
46:00 – Pushing through being “stuck”
51:00 – Optimist or Pessimist?
55:45 – What Steve looks for in writers
1:01:30 – Importance of supporting media with your dollars
1:06:00 – Having high expectations of the brands you support
1:09:00 – Favorite books
1:12:00 – Parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

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Posted on October 5, 2020 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Adventurers, Books, Conservation, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, History, Writers

Chris Castilian is the Executive Director of Great Outdoors Colorado (also known as GOCO), an organization that has committed more than $1.2 billion toward preserving and enhancing Colorado’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces. Founded in 1992, GOCO is truly a one-of-a-kind conservation funder—the organization invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds into a wide variety of critical projects, with a current emphasis on issues including equitable access and community vitality. GOCO’s impact around Colorado is staggering—its funding has conserved more than 1.2 million acres, added over 47,000 acres to the state park system, protected over 1,000 miles of rivers, and much more.

Chris is a native Coloradan, and all aspects of his professional success and personal passions speak to his deep love of his home state and its wide-open spaces. Chris was formally trained as an attorney, but early is his career, he chose to focus on service rather than billing hours at a fancy law firm. He served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Bill Owens and as Director of the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners. He also had a successful stint in the private sector, honing his business skills which have served him well at GOCO. And, as you’ll hear, his focus manifests itself in his personal life through his commitment to the outdoors and mountain biking—he’s completed the Leadville 100 mountain bike race multiple times.

Since we’re all sticking close to home these days, Chris and I connected via Skype to talk about GOCO, his career, and his thoughts on conservation in Colorado and beyond. We started with a deep dive into the history of GOCO, discussed how the organization has evolved, and talked about its goals and plans for the coming years. We also discussed how GOCO is working to address some of the current public health and social challenges here in Colorado, including equitable access to the outdoors. Chris and I spent a lot of time discussing his personal background—why he chose to pursue a service-based career, his thoughts on leadership, lessons learned from his time in the business world, and what characteristics he looks for in employees. We also discussed his love of mountain biking, the Leadville 100, our shared interest in books and history, and he offered some wise parting words to listeners.

If you care about protecting the West’s open spaces and communities, then this episode is a must listen. Enjoy!

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This episode is brought to you by Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Partners in the Outdoors program. The Partners in the Outdoors program brings together diverse interests from across the entire spectrum of the outdoors to advance and balance both outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado. The program seeks to foster alignment and trust through three cornerstone initiatives: the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, the Colorado Outdoor Partnership, and the Colorado Outdoor Principles, as well as extensive resource sharing and network building.

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

5:00 – The history of GOCO
7:30 – Similar programs in other states
8:30 – Why conservation matters during these crazy times
11:15 – GOCO’s new strategic plan
15:30 – A new holistic approach to community and conservation
18:45 – The evolution of GOCO
21:30 – Core values of GOCO
24:45 – Equitable access to the outdoors
28:30 – GOCO’s Equity Principles
34:00 – Inspiring work in Leadville, Colorado
37:45 – Growing up in Denver
38:30 – Life after law school
40:30 – Why pursue mission-based work?
45:00 – Transition into the private sector
47:30 – Changing mindset of the oil and gas industry
50:00 – Benefits of having business experience
56:00 – What Chris looks for when hiring people
58:00 – Favorite books
1:00:45 – Mountain biking, Leadville 100, Breck Epic, and other outdoor activities
1:07:00 – Favorite places in Colorado
1:08:45 – Parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

Great Outdoor Colorado
Governor Romer
Governor Owens
Ken Salazar
GOCO’s new strategic plan
GOCO’s Values
Dr. Nita Mosby Tyler
Get Outdoors Leadville
Colorado Mountain College
Steve Farber
Anadarko
Russ Schnitzer episode
Generation Wild program
GOCO Staff
Hampton Sides episodes 1 and 2
Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides
In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides
Nothing in the World Like It by Stephen Ambrose
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan
The Principled Politician by Adam Schrager
Leadville 100
Breck Epic
Ken Chlouber
Gates Family Foundation
Palmer Land Trust
Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust

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Posted on September 20, 2020 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Agriculture, Athletes, Conservation, Conservationists, Leadership, Service

Anna Brones is a freelance journalist, author, artist, and producer who is prolific in all of her creative endeavors– she’s published four books, produced documentary films, is currently publishing a quarterly print journal about food, and much more. One of her most recent projects was the Women’s Wisdom Project, in which she showcased the wisdom of inspiring women by creating 100 papercut portraits. All of Anna’s work is authentic and enlightening, and her personal commitment to cultivating creativity is instructive and inspiring.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Anna always had a deep appreciation for nature and community. She has studied, lived, and worked in many different countries and cities, but several years ago decided to return to her hometown in Washington state where she and her husband currently live. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Anna has read and thought deeply on the importance of place, and offers a unique perspective on what it means to be truly connected to a landscape or community.

Anna and I connected via Skype and had a wide-ranging conversation about her creative process, her current and past artistic projects, the importance of wilderness and nature, and much more. We started by discussing her Creative Fuel Challenge email newsletter– an amazing resource that has been very helpful to me during these past few crazy months. We also discussed her Women’s Wisdom Project–how she researched all 100 inspirational women and the process of creating 100 intricate pieces of art. Anna talked about her experience leading kids on a wilderness leadership retreat, as well as how camp and wilderness experiences in her own youth helped to shape her life and career. And as usual, we discussed favorite books and her most powerful outdoor experience, and she also offered some excellent words of wisdom for anyone with creative aspirations.

There are tons of resources mentioned in this episode. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything, including a few bonus resources that Anna and I discussed before and after recording the actual episode. Enjoy!

Photo of Anna outdoors is by Julie Hotz, others courtesy of Anna Brones

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

3:30 – The Creative Fuel Challenge explained
6:30 – Why provide creative prompts?
7:45 – Importance of putting out regular content
9:30 – Time as an artist in residence
12:30 – Process of finding balance in life and creativity
15:30 – Pushing through creative blocks
19:00 – Fighting the reptile brain
20:45 – Using social media productively
23:45 – The Women’s Wisdom Project
27:45 – Process of researching women leaders
32:30 – The myth of having millions of ideas
36:00 – Anna’s early years in Washington state
41:00 – Importance of “place”
45:30 – How Anna came to appreciate the complexities of place
50:30 – Artists that Anna admires
53:30 – Anna’s experience leading wilderness trips
57:45 – How camp experiences benefited Anna
1:02:00 – Favorite books
1:06:30 – Most powerful outdoor experience
1:09:00 – Parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

Anna Brones
Creative Fuel Challenge
Creative Fuel
Women’s Wisdom Project
Brendan Leonard episode
Brendan Leonard creative prompt
The Nature Fix by Florence Williams
Blue Mind by Wallace J Nichols
Wendell Berry
Afghan Cycles
Lisa Congdon
Hilma af Klint
Beyond the Visible
The Overstory by Richard Powers
Daily Rituals by Mason Currey
Daily Rituals: Women at Work by Mason Currey
How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell
Deep Work by Cal Newport
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
IndieBound
NOLS
Outward Bound
Nikki McClure
Hannah Viano
Wasteland
Story of Plastic

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Posted on September 18, 2020 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Artists, Books, Craftsmanship, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, Writers

Carlos Fernandez

Carlos Fernández is the State Director for the Nature Conservancy in Colorado, where he and his team build alliances that advance conservation outcomes both in Colorado and around the world. Building on his formal training as an attorney, Carlos has had a long and successful career in conservation that extends far beyond the American West. He has worked extensively in his home country of Argentina, both as the Nature Conservancy’s Southern Andes Conservation Strategies Manager and as the Patagonia Program Manager. Since taking the helm in Colorado in 2015, Carlos and TNC have enjoyed many notable achievements—everything from protecting large swaths of native grasslands to helping to create Colorado’s newest state park.

Carlos grew up in Mendoza, Argentina, an agricultural region known for producing some of the world’s best beef and exceptional Malbec wine. After a childhood spent hunting and fishing along the base of the Andes Mountains, Carlos trained as an attorney and went on to practice law for large international law firms in Buenos Aires and Washington DC. Several years into his career, Carlos realized that the legal profession was not providing deep fulfillment that he needed from a job—so he made the career switch into conservation and has never looked back.

Carlos and I had a fascinating conversation that I know you’ll enjoy. We started by discussing the Nature Conservancy, and specifically what the organization does both globally and here in Colorado. We then chat about several of TNC’s recent successes, including the creation of Yampa River Fund and TNC’s critical role in acquiring and protecting the 19,200-acre Fisher’s Peak property, which will soon be Colorado’s newest state park. Carlos talks about the importance of partnerships in conservation, with other land trusts, governmental organizations, and local communities. We then discuss the future of conservation in the West and the challenges and opportunities facing the region in the next 30 years. Carlos and I both have five-year-old daughters, so we talk a bit about fatherhood and the outdoors’ role in raising children. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, films, his favorite places in Colorado, and he offers some actionable words of wisdom.

This is an excellent episode, full of optimism, inspiration, and educational resources. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Enjoy!

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This episode is brought to you by Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Partners in the Outdoors program. The Partners in the Outdoors program brings together diverse interests from across the entire spectrum of the outdoors to advance and balance both outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado. The program seeks to foster alignment and trust through three cornerstone initiatives: the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, the Colorado Outdoor Partnership, and the Colorado Outdoor Principles, as well as extensive resource sharing and network building.

EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

5:00 – The Nature Conservancy explained
9:30 – TNC’s mission in Colorado
10:30 – Yampa River Fund explained
16:30 – Importance of community in conservation
19:30 – Fishers Peak State Park
26:00 – TNC and equitable access to the outdoors
28:30 – The importance of partnerships
30:45 – Civic duty of partnerships
32:00 – Colorado Outdoor Partnerships
35:00 – Early years in Mendoza, Argentina
38:00 – Transitioning from corporate law into conservation
41:30 – Moving to Colorado
42:30 – Carlos’s unique professional background
46:00 – Conservation in the time of COVID
48:45 – Heroes and mentors
52:00 – Advice for people transitioning from the private sector into non-profits
55:30 – Envisioning the future of conservation
59:30 – Favorite books
1:04:00 – Favorite films
1:05:45 – Carlos’s favorite outdoor activities
1:07:00 – Rediscovering the outdoors through your kids’ eyes
1:08:00 – Favorite location in the West
1:10:30 – Parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

Carlos Fernandez
The Nature Conservancy
Sydney Macy
Ken Salazar
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)
Great Sand Dunes National Park
TNC 13ers Young Professionals Group
Yampa River Fund in the news
The Carpenter Ranch
Big Agnes
Fishers Peak project
Trust for Public Land
Governor Jared Polis
Gabe Vasquez episode
Keep it Colorado
Rebecca Jewett episode
Colorado Outdoor Partnership
SHIFT
Mendoza, Argentina
Gandhi: An Autobiography
Governor Bill Ritter
Ed’s book recommendations email
Where the Water Goes by David Owen
Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner
The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko
Team of Teams by Stanley McChrystal
The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres
Designing Climate Solutions by Hal Harvey
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Planet Earth II
Delta Dawn by Pete McBride
Pete McBride episode

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Posted on August 23, 2020 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Agriculture, Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, Leadership, Service, The Nature Conservancy

David Gessner is back for his third appearance on the podcast, and this time we are discussing his brand new book Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt’s American Wilderness. Most long-time listeners will remember David’s past two episodes– we discussed everything from Edward Abbey and Wallace Stegner to his daily writing rituals and his hand-built coastal writing shack. If you haven’t listened to those first two episodes, I encourage you to do so—they are chock-full of wisdom, good humor, and inspiration to fight to conserve the places you love. But first, take a listen to this episode, as it offers some timely insights into this current moment in history.

In this episode, we spend the full hour discussing his new book and digging into the good, the bad, and the ugly of Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy. As many of your know, I’ve read way-too-many TR books, and Leave It As It Is offers the most balanced, clear-eyed examination of the man that I’ve read to date. It’s not a strict biography or historical examination of TR, although there’s plenty of both within the pages. Rather, it’s David’s search to capture the best of TR’s conservation ethos, to discard the worst, and to use the balance to build a new, holistic model for conservation and environmental justice. David melds together a “confluence of ideals” that acknowledges the wrongs of the past and sets an equitable, sustainable course for the future. During this time when we are rightfully reexamining many of our country’s revered historical figures, Leave It As It Is provides a valuable, well-timed deep dive into the complexities of TR and his influence on conservation in the United States.

Although an hour-long interview is no substitute for reading the book, I believe that this conversation will give you a good taste of the fresh and unique perspective that David brings to the well-worn subject of Theodore Roosevelt. We start by discussing the relevance of studying TR now, in the midst of a global pandemic, economic crisis, and social turmoil. David also explains the series of events that led him to begin writing this book, a multi-year project that took him from Bears Ears to Yosemite with many stops in between. We talk in-depth about TR’s unacceptable views and treatment of Native Americans, some of the hypocrisies that defined TR’s life, and why David chose to stare these uncomfortable facts in the eye rather than just make excuses, as many biographers do. David discusses how TR’s idea of the Strenuous Life has helped define his own life, and how writing this book has encouraged David to become more of an activist for specific causes. We also talk about the removal of the TR statue in New York, the idea of the Confluence of Ideals, and David offers up a long list of further reading on TR.

I loved every minute of this conversation, and I highly encourage you to read Leave It As It Is. It’s an important book that is perfect for this important time in history. Hope you enjoy!

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

5:00 – What is the value of studying TR during this moment in history?
9:00 – The Antiquities Act explained
12:30 – Why read biography?
14:00 – TR’s attitude toward Native Americans
17:00 – Importance of open conversation and hypocrisy
18:30 – “Walking the ridge”
20:00 – David’s “What would Teddy do?” list
21:00 – Why David had to write this specific book
27:00 – “Confluence of Ideals”
32:00 – Importance of living strenuously
33:30 – Combining books and adventure
37:30 – Focused action
39:30 – Morris and McCullagh’s TR work
41:30 – Thoughts on the removal of the NYC TR statue
46:00 – TR as an effective, energetic liberal
49:30 – Backstory on the title “Leave It As It Is”
52:30 – Who wins in a TR vs. Trump fight?
55:00 – How did writing this book change David?
58:00 – Activists that David admires
59:30 – Additional recommended books on TR

Information Referenced:

Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt’s American Wilderness by David Gessner
David Gessner
All of David’s previous books
David’s First and Second Mountain & Prairie episodes
Washington Post John Muir article
Red Rock Testimony book
Edmund Morris
Brad Watson
Brad Watson obituary, written by David
Bob Richardson
John Muir
Removal of the TR statue
Pulling Down Our Monuments by Jason Mark
Sunrise Movement
Bill McKibben
Rick Bass
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough
Theodore Roosevelt: A Strenuous Life by Kathleen Dalton
The Crowded Hour by Clay Risen
TR: Preacher of Righteousness by Joshua David Holly
Red Rock Stories edited by Stephanie Trimble
Edge of Morning edited by Jacqueline Keeler
Ceremony by Lesley Silco
The Western Paradox by Bernard DeVoto
House Made of Dawn by Scott Momaday
Beyond the Hundredth Meridian by Wallace Stegner
The Professor’s House by Willa
Books by Theodore Roosevelt

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Posted on August 9, 2020 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Books, Conservation, Creativity, History, Writers

Becky Edwards is the Executive Director of the Mountain Mamas, an organization whose mission is to amplify women’s voices into a movement to ensure that kids grow up in a healthy climate with clean air and access to public lands. Operating out of both Montana and Colorado—and currently expanding throughout the West—the Mountain Mamas harness the power of mothers to advocate to solve some of the West’s most pressing conservation and environmental challenges. Whether helping to garner support for the recently passed Great American Outdoors Act or fighting for clean water in our Rocky Mountain rivers, the Mountain Mamas have become a formidable force for good in the West.

Becky grew up in Iowa but moved West to pursue her passion for climbing and mountaineering. After many years of being single-mindedly focused on life in the big mountains, her priorities drastically shifted with her daughter’s birth. No longer was she focused on big accents, but instead on making the world a better place for her little girl. And it’s worth noting that Becky’s early years of motherhood were no walk in the park—she spent many years as a single mother while simultaneously starting several successful businesses as well as the Mountain Mamas. But despite all of the challenges, Becky never gave up and built an impactful movement that is spreading across the West.

We caught up via Skype the day after the House of Representatives passed the Great American Outdoors Act, so we started out talking about that victory and its impacts on conservation and recreation. Becky is very gifted at explaining complicated legislative jargon, so she graciously and entertainingly walks me through many of the details around the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the importance of its permanent funding, and more. We discuss the importance of advocacy work with elected officials, and she offers up practical advice for anyone who wants to become more involved in guiding their elected officials on important issues. We also discuss her journey as a mother, as well as her journey as a woman in the conservation sector. Finally, we talk about the need for more diversity in conservation, and why now is a wonderful opportunity for positive change.

This was such a fun conversation—I think you’ll find it equal parts educational, inspiring, and empowering. Hope you enjoy.

Photos courtesy of Becky Edwards

EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

5:00 – Mountain Mamas explained
6:00 – Background of the organization
9:30 – Land and Water Conservation Fund explained
13:00 – What does “fully funding” the LWCF mean?
17:00 – Ability of groups to do conservation rather than fight for $$
19:00 – Importance of advocacy and discussions with Congress
23:45 – Practical tips for advocating for your cause
27:00 – The vital role of the outdoors during Covid
29:30 – Importance of “finding the area of commonality”
32:00 – Transitioning the Mamas into advocacy work
37:00 – Becky’s journey as a mother
42:30 – Decision to start a business while being a single mother
47:00 – The driving force behind Becky’s career
50:00 – Importance of storytelling
53:30 – Need for increased diversity and inclusion in conservation
58:00 – Opportunities that will arise from this moment in history
59:30 – Heroes
1:01:30 – Favorite books
1:03:30 – Favorite films
1:06:00 – Parting words of wisdom

Information Referenced:

Becky Edwards
Mountain Mamas
Mountain Mamas on Instagram
Great American Outdoors Act
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Conservation Easements
John Dingell Act
Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Hurari
Sally Jewell
Senator Jon Tester
Winnie the Poo by AA Milne
Charlotte’s Web by EB White
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gameinhart
Brendan Leonard episode
How to Run 100 Miles film
Run Rabbit Run 100 miler

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Posted on July 29, 2020 by ELR

Blog, Podcast, The Latest

Adventurers, Athletes, Conservation, History, Leadership, Service

Category: Podcast

Luke Smithwick – A Life in High Places

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with EXPLORE RANCHES

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NEW WEST DISPATCH – Marci McLean & Cora Neumann on COVID’s Impact on Native Communities

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