Mountain & Prairie

Conversations & Contemplations from the New American West

Category: Podcast

Heather Hansman, Part 2 – The Fascinating Story of Skiing’s Past, Present & Future

Heather Hansman is a Seattle-based writer and editor, as well as the author of the excellent new book Powder Days: Ski Bums, Ski Towns, and the Future of Chasing Snow. Longtime listeners will remember Heather’s first appearance on the podcast, when we discussed her book Downriver, one of my favorite books about the complicated subject of water in the West. Heather has an uncanny ability to distill complex, sometimes-messy topics into fun-to-read narratives that are equally educational and entertaining. And she’s done it once again with Powder Days— it’s a thoughtful and thorough examination of ski culture, the ski industry, and the myriad of challenges that can accompany life in ski communities.

Heather was born and raised on the east coast, but headed West immediately after college, where she spent many winters living and working in ski towns throughout the Rocky Mountains. She eventually left the ski bum lifestyle behind to pursue a career in journalism but has remained closely connected to skiing and the ski culture for all of her adult life. Given her professional success as a journalist and her personal love of skiing, Heather is uniquely qualified to offer this nuanced, in-depth look at skiing and its impact on the culture, economy, and environment of mountain towns throughout the United States.

Heather and I connected a few days before Powder Days‘ publication date to talk about the book and the many important topics that it addresses. We start out discussing why she chose to write a book about the ski industry, and how the many issues and challenges facing ski communities are representative of broader issues facing the American West. We discuss the history of skiing in the United States and how the industry has grown and transformed over the past 70 years. We discuss income inequality in ski towns, as well as the prevalence of mental health and substance abuse problems that often plague these communities. We discuss the psychological profiles of sensation-seeking skiers, the big business of skiing and ski resorts, equity in outdoor recreation, climate change’s effect on skiing, and much more.

Whether you’re a skier or not, I highly recommend you check out Powder Days. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the economic and social forces shaping the modern-day American West. And for more information on Heather, you can check out our first episode– there’s a link in the episode notes.

Big thanks to Heather for writing yet another wonderful book, and thanks to all of you for listening.  Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Heather Hansman.

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

  • 4:30 – Why Heather chose to write a book about skiing
  • 8:00 – “Ski bum” defined
  • 12:00 – Heather’s time as a ski bum and when she decided to leave that world
  • 15:00 – The psychological profile of obsessed skiers
  • 18:00 – The appeal of seeking adventure in the mountains
  • 19:40 – History of the ski industry in the US
  • 23:00 – Changes in the business of skiing
  • 27:00 – Extreme economic inequality in ski towns
  • 30:30 – What is the future of economic sustainability in ski towns
  • 33:30 -Gini coefficient and more on inequality
  • 38:20 – Climate change and the ski industry
  • 41:30 – Predicting the future of skiing related to climate
  • 43:00 – Feeling that came with revisiting the ski world
  • 45:00 – The need for ski bums to engage in the community
  • 48:30 – Booze and mental health in mountain communities
  • 51:20 – Goals and reasons for writing this book
  • 55:00 – Heather’s current projects
  • 56:00 – Good books

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 Posted on November 11, 2021 by

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Matt Pierson – Finding New Solutions for Food Insecurity
Matt Pierson

Matt Pierson is a fifth-generation Montana rancher who owns and operates Highland Livestock Company alongside his wife and two sons. He’s also the founder and President of the Producer Partnership, a newly formed non-profit organization that brings together farmers and ranchers with the goal of ending hunger in Montana. Since its start in spring of 2020, the Producer Partnership has given away tens of thousands of pounds of beef to Montana food banks and is creating replicable, scalable solutions for fighting hunger throughout the West and beyond.

The idea for the Producer Partnership was born in early 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was roiling communities and economies across the globe. With many Montana residents out of work and food banks struggling to keep up with the unprecedented demand, Matt decided to donate the meat from a cow he was planning to cull to his local food bank. He quickly recognized the direct positive impact that his donation had on the community, so he reached out to friends to drum up more donations. Within a month, he had directed 10,000 pounds of ground beef to area food banks. He kept going, and by the end of 2020, that number had risen to more than 53,000 pounds of beef. Through creativity, hard work, and an unyielding commitment to G.S.D. (“Getting Stuff Done”), Matt and his team at the Producer Partnership have created a new model for solving food insecurity in Montana.

Matt and I connected virtually for a wide-ranging conversation that will be inspiring and educational for anyone interested in impactful, purpose-driven work. We started out discussing his family’s long history in Montana, and then we moved into details of how the Producer Partnership began. We talked about the challenges around processing meat both during the early stages of the pandemic and now, as well as the cutting-edge meat processing facility that the Producer Partnership is currently building. We discussed the scalability and replicability of the Producer Partnership model, and how he expects the organization to evolve in the coming years. Matt discussed the importance of community; why he chooses to volunteer for causes ranging from youth soccer to Trout Unlimited; the future of agriculture; how he defines success in his ranching operation; and much more.

This is an inspiring episode, and I know you’ll enjoy it. Go to producerpartnership.com to learn more about Matt and his work– and donate or buy some gear if you are so inclined. Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of the Producer Partnership

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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:

  • 3:50 – Matt’s family history in Montana
  • 4:50 – The beginnings of the Producer Partnership
  • 8:20 – Logistics during the early days of the Producer Partnership
  • 10:20 – Media begins to pick up the Producer Partnership story
  • 12:00 – “GSD” – Getting Stuff Done
  • 14:00 – First year success
  • 15:50 – Managing the Producer Partnership and the family ranch
  • 18:20 – Executing the idea of building a new processing facility
  • 22:00 – Adding value to all steps of the process
  • 26:20 – Realities of building a first-of-its-kind federally approved processing facility
  • 30:00 – Role for the Producer Partnership post-COVID
  • 32:00 – Potential for replicability
  • 39:00 – The importance of community
  • 43:00 – How Matt judges success in ranching
  • 47:45 – How Matt thinks agriculture will evolve in the coming years
  • 52:00 – The unexpected surprise of creating a non-profit
  • 56:00 – Importance of being a problem solver, thinking independently
  • 57:30 – Favorite books
  • 1:00:30 – Words of wisdom
  • 1:02:30 – Overcoming the labor challenges

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 Posted on November 3, 2021 by

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Ryan Busse – Standing His Ground
Ryan Busse

Ryan Busse is a Montana-based conservationist, public lands advocate, and former top-performing firearms executive. He’s also the author of the new book Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America, which has received advanced praise from everyone from Publishers Weekly to Senator Jon Tester. Ryan is a life-long hunter and angler, as well as a proud gun owner, and he brings a unique, nuanced perspective to our country’s ongoing debate about guns and the Second Amendment. Gunfight is in no way an “anti-gun” book– rather, it’s an insider’s examination of how and why the firearms industry transformed from a sportsman-centered business into a politically driven machine that uses decisiveness and fear to grow profits exponentially. From a broader perspective, Gunfight helped me to understand how we ended up at this bizarre moment in history– a moment defined by anger, misinformation, tribalism, and binary thinking.

Ryan was born in western Kansas and grew up on his family’s ranch, where most of his childhood was centered around hunting, fishing, and a close connection to the land. After college, Ryan focused his energy on building a career in the sporting goods industry, first working for an optics company and then moving into the firearms business. Ryan found his calling as a gun salesman, and, over the course of his career, he helped transform a small firearms company named Kimber into an internationally recognized brand. But as you’ll hear in our conversation, Ryan’s advocacy for public lands and conservation created a rift between him and the firearms industry– a rift that eventually exposed the industry’s authoritarian power structure that does not tolerate independent thinking or deviations from industry dogma. Ryan refused to be bullied or told what to think, and he eventually quit his lucrative job selling guns and decided to tell his story and that of the industry’s transformation. The result is his book Gunfight, which we are discussing here today.

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Gunfight, and I was thrilled to have a chance to discuss it with Ryan. We started out talking about his upbringing on his family’s Kansas ranch and how his father introduced him to the writings of conservation luminaries, including Aldo Leopold and Theodore Roosevelt. We then discussed his life-long love of hunting and guns, and why he chose to pursue a career in the gun industry. We discussed the exact moment when he realized that his personal devotion to public lands was at odds with his industry’s stance and the unraveling that occurred over the course of the following years. We talk about why gun sales soar during Democratic administrations, the industry’s shift from hunting rifles to assault rifles, some very disturbing stories from industry events, Ryan’s public land advocacy, the positive influence of his wife, and much more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation, and I learned a lot. I really appreciate Ryan taking the time to chat, and I hope you find it enlightening. Be sure to check out the episode notes for a complete list of topics and links to everything we discussed. Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Ryan Busse

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

  • 5:00 – Ryan’s background
  • 8:30 – Ryan discusses his father and his impact on Ryan’s conservation ethic
  • 12:45 – Ryan talks about what he was like in high school
  • 15:00 – Ryan discusses when he felt like his role in the firearms/optics industry was a good career path for him
  • 17:00 – Ryan tells the story of the experience that made him second guess his career
  • 22:00 – Following his falling out with the leaders in firearms industry, Ryan explained why he stayed in the industry
  • 26:00 – Ryan describes an uncomfortable moment when he went to an NRA conference
  • 32:30 – Ryan describes a moment where a journalist showed up to an interview armed with an AR-15
  • 37:30 – Ryan discusses the phenomenon that gun ownership/purchases sky rocket during Democratic presidential administrations
  • 41:30 – Ryan explores why gun enthusiasts or industry personnel may disagree with him
  • 45:30 – Ryan talks about his wife
  • 48:00 – Ryan talks about Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and his role with them
  • 1:02:30 – Ryan’s book recommendations
  • 1:05:00 – Ryan’s parting words of wisdom

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 Posted on October 14, 2021 by

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Lesli Allison & Tuda Libby Crews – Durable Conservation in the West… and Beyond
Tuda Libby Crews
Lesli Allison

Lesli Allison and Tuda Libby Crews join me to discuss the critical role of private and working lands in achieving durable conservation outcomes in the United States. Lesli is a founding member and the Executive Director of the Western Landowners Alliance, a nonprofit organization that advances policies and practices that sustain working lands, connected landscapes, and native species. Tuda is a rancher and owner of Ute Creek Cattle Company, a conservation-focused ranching operation in northeastern New Mexico that has been in Tuda’s family for more than 200 years. Whether discussing on-the-ground stewardship practices or the intricacies of federal conservation policy, Lesli and Tuda are uniquely qualified to offer informed and thoughtful perspectives on all aspects of private land in the West.

While ranchers, farmers, and conservation stakeholders have long understood the critical importance of private land stewardship and conservation, the Biden administration’s 30×30 conservation goal has brought the topic to the forefront of American politics and mainstream media. 30×30 has prompted challenging conversations about what it means to conserve land, and it has sparked healthy debates about the government’s role in private land stewardship. 30×30 is a bold initiative and its implications for private landowners, particularly agricultural producers, are enormously complex– we’ll never find sufficient answers in pithy Tweets or surface-level news stories. So, I was excited to have Lesli and Tuda join me for an in-depth, hour-long conversation about 30×30 and private lands’ role in large-scale conservation.

Lesli, Tuda, and I connected via Zoom and enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation, covering everything from Tuda’s family history in New Mexico to the intricacies and realities of the 30×30 initiative. We started out discussing the vital role private lands play in conservation and environmental health here in the United States. Tuda talks about her family’s process of restoring her family’s ranch in New Mexico and the many environmental benefits that they have experienced. We obviously dig into 30×30, discussing its pros and cons and its opportunities and challenges. We talk about the importance of garnering local support for all land-related initiatives, and they each discuss their thoughts on the odds of success for an initiative as ambitious as 30×30. And as usual, they each offer up some excellent book recommendations that I think you’ll enjoy.

Please check out the episode notes for a full list of topics we discuss and links to all of the information we reference. Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of the Salazar Center, Lesli Allison, and Tuda Libby Crews.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Colorado State University’s Salazar Center for North American Conservation.  

On Sept. 28-29, 2021 the Salazar Center will host its third annual International Symposium on Conservation Impact. The virtual event will serve as the first major public convening focused on next steps for the Biden administration’s America the Beautiful initiative, with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland, and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory joining on the second day.

The two-day event will also feature researchers, practitioners, and political leaders from Canada, Mexico, and Indigenous territories, who—along with their U.S. counterparts—will explore the state of progress toward large landscape conservation goals throughout North America, and highlight lessons learned from other national-level efforts, such as Canada’s Pathway to Target One. In this context, the symposium will address critical themes such as transboundary partnerships, Indigenous leadership, and climate impacts, with former Vice President Al Gore providing remarks on the urgency of efforts to mitigate climate change.

Please follow the link in the episode notes to learn more, or go directly to salazarcenter.colostate.edu. Thank you.

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

  • 4:40 – Lesli’s introduction
  • 6:25 – Tuda’s introduction
  • 9:55 – Lesli discusses private lands’ role in conservation
  • 13:25 – Tuda describes her ranch and her family’s conservation work there
  • 19:40 – Lesli talks about performing private land conservation work at scale
  • 24:40 – Tuda describes her process of arriving at creative land stewardship solutions
  • 28:55 – Lesli and Tuda discuss 30 by 30
  • 39:40 – Lesli discusses means of protecting agricultural property from subdivision
  • 44:10 – Nodding towards public land conservation efforts, Leslie and Tuda discuss was to garner public support for private land stewardship efforts
  • 51:40 – Lesli and Tuda talk about how they see our odds for success in these efforts
  • 55:40 – Book recommendations
  • 59:40 – Lesli mentions what WLA is doing from a media perspective

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 Posted on September 20, 2021 by

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Hampton Sides, Part 3 – Tales from a Most Excellent Adventure

Hampton Sides is a historian and New York Times bestselling author who is best known for his engaging works of narrative nonfiction, including the books Blood and Thunder, Ghost Soldiers, On Desperate Ground, and more. His latest project is an ebook and audiobook titled The Exotic: Intrigue and Cultural Ruin in the Age of Imperialism, which details the life and unbelievable adventures of a man named Mai, who was the first Polynesian to set foot on British soil. The Exotic is much shorter than Hampton’s previous books but much longer than a magazine article, giving the reader a chance to enjoy Hampton’s one-of-a-kind historical storytelling in only a few hours of reading.  

Longtime listeners of Mountain & Prairie will remember Hampton’s two previous appearances on the podcast. The first was an in-depth discussion of his book Blood and Thunder and the history of the American West, which was recorded live and on stage at the Aspen Institute. In his second appearance, we focused on his writing and research process, and his career progression from journalist at Outside magazine to becoming a best-selling historian. Today’s conversation takes us far beyond the American West, everywhere from remote islands in the South Pacific to King George’s court in England. So if you’re a fan of adventure, history, and profiles of Indigenous people who have often been overlooked by mainstream history, you’ll love this book.

Hampton and I connected virtually and had a fun conversation about the book and his process for writing it. We talked a lot about Mai’s unbelievable journey from Polynesia to England and back again, as well as the opportunities and challenges of exploring history from an Indigenous perspective. We talked about Hampton’s process for researching the book and how COVID has forced him to adjust his usual approach. Hampton was actually in the South Pacific researching the book in March 2020 when the pandemic hit, which, as you’ll hear, added an extra layer of adventure to an already adventurous trip. And as usual, Hampton offers up some great book recommendations that I think you’ll enjoy.

The Exotic is available exclusively on Scribd, which is an online service that gives you instant access to ebooks, audiobooks, articles, podcasts, and more. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Scribd over the past few weeks, and I’d encourage you to give it a shot. You can access it for free for 30 days by following this link. And I’m not being paid for this endorsement– I’m just a fan of what Scribd is doing and the unique forms of writing that they are bringing to the world.

I hope you enjoy this episode, and I hope you’ll invest a few hours reading The Exotic.  And if you haven’t already, go back and listen to my past episodes with Hampton– they are fun and educational conversations.  Thanks so much.

Hampton’s headshot by Sergio Salvador.

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EPISODE NOTES

Topics Discussed:

  • 4:00 – How Mai got Hampton’s attention
  • 11:45 – Hampton discusses who Mai was
  • 22:00 – Hampton walks us through what Mai did while he was in England
  • 31:30 – Hampton explains what happens when Mai returns home
  • 36:30 – Hampton describes doing his research while COVID-19 took off and discusses how the pandemic affected his writing
  • 43:30 – Hampton talks about Captain Cook
  • 51:15 – Hampton’s book recommendations

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 Posted on September 16, 2021 by

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Luke Smithwick – A Life in High Places

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

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Shane Doyle – Reverence for the Past, Hope for the Future
Shane Doyle

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

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Antonia Malchik – Exploring Culture & Complexity

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

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Nickolas Butler – The Craft of Creativity

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

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Nicole Morgenthau – Curiosity & Creativity

Nicole Morgenthau – Curiosity & Creativity

Nicole Morgenthau

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

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Adam Gall – A Reverence for Wildlife & Wild Places

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

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John Branch – Seeking the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

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

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Matt Barber & Joel Doub, Part 2 – Tales from an Entrepreneurial Adventure

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

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Max Wenerstrom – Timeless Craftsmanship
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

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Dr. David Hewitt – The Science of Wildlife Conservation
Dr. David Hewitt

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.

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 Posted on May 4, 2021 by

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

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

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 Posted on April 13, 2021 by

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Brendan Leonard, Part 2 – On Running, Creating, and Other Irrational Passions
Brendan (and Rowlf) Leonard

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

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 Posted on March 25, 2021 by

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Mitsu Iwasaki – Adventure, Advocacy, & Alpinism

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

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 Posted on March 16, 2021 by

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Jason Gardner – A Life of Purpose & 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

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 Posted on March 9, 2021 by

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Kelsey Johnson – Chasing Her Artistic Ambitions
Kelsey Johnson

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

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 Posted on February 22, 2021 by

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Iris Gardner – Living with Intention
Iris Gardner

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

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 Posted on February 15, 2021 by

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The Ramblings of a “Conquistador of the Useless”

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)

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 Posted on January 29, 2021 by

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Chris Douglas – An Unexpected Artistic Journey
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!

Photo by Chris Douglas
Photo by Chris Douglas

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

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 Posted on January 17, 2021 by

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Monte Burke – Exploring Obsession
Monte Burke

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

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 Posted on December 27, 2020 by

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Malcolm Brooks – Epic Tales from the American West

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

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 Posted on November 29, 2020 by

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Mike Foote – Perfection is in the Process
Mike Foote (photo by Clayton Boyd)

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

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 Posted on November 15, 2020 by

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NEW WEST DISPATCH: Matt Skoglund – Ranching in the Age of COVID

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

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 Posted on November 1, 2020 by

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Juanita Vero, Part 2 – A Deep Desire to Serve

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:

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 Posted on October 16, 2020 by

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Jessica Wahl Turner – Outdoor Recreation & Rural Economies
Jessica Wahl Turner

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

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 Posted on October 13, 2020 by

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Steve Casimiro – Voice of Adventure
Steve Casimiro (Photo: Sinuhe Xavier)

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

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 Posted on October 5, 2020 by

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