Yemi Mobolade is an entrepreneur, public servant, and community leader who devotes his seemingly limitless energy toward the betterment of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Born and raised in Nigeria, Yemi immigrated to the United States for college and eventually landed in Colorado Springs, where he has fully devoted himself to serving the community. He’s a co-founder and partner in two wildly successful restaurants, he’s served in various capacities within the city’s government and economic development arms, and he’s deeply involved in numerous non-profit organizations. On top of all of that, he’s a devoted husband and father of three beautiful children. - Yemi and I are neighbors, and our kids have been classmates and buddies for several years– so I’ve had the opportunity to personally interact with him in a variety of settings over a long period of time. Ever since first meeting Yemi, I have been extremely impressed with his positivity, leadership skills, and deep commitment to our community. Whether he’s touting the economic upside of doing business in Colorado Springs or figuring out creative solutions for his restaurants to thrive in the pandemic, I’ve always been intrigued by Yemi– everything from his personal backstory to why he is so obsessed with community building. So I was happy to finally sit down with him to discuss all of this. - We met up at his office on a Sunday afternoon for an inspiring conversation about everything from his early days in Nigeria to his upcoming plans to run for mayor of Colorado Springs. We start out discussing his move to the United States from Nigeria, and he talks about his perceptions of America from the outside looking in. We talk about his education, his commitment to his faith, and how he spent parts of his early career starting churches in various parts of the United States. We discuss his deep love for the city of Colorado Springs, and why he has decided to throw his hat in the ring for mayor. We discuss his heroes, his favorite books on leadership, and how his wife and children positively influence his desire to serve. - I really appreciate Yemi taking the time to chat, and I greatly appreciate his commitment to serving our community. There are lots of important lessons to be learned from Yemi, so I hope you enjoy. --- Yemi Mobolade New M&P Podcast Page Full episodes notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/yemi-mobolade/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:45 – Yemi’s childhood in Nigeria 11:45 – What it was like when Yemi came to the US. 13:15 – Yemi’s journey of self-discovery 18:15 – How Yemi ended up in Colorado Springs 13:30 – Why Yemi appreciates and builds community 25:30 – Yemi’s political plans 31:45 – How Yemi plans to maintain his ideals within politics 35:00 – Yemi’s goals for the growth of Colorado Springs 39:00 – The impact of Yemi’s children on his life 44:15 – Leaders that Yemi admires 56:30 – Yemi’s book recommendations --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Chris Burkard is a prolific photographer, filmmaker, and author who is known for diving headfirst into epic adventures, documenting them with his camera, and producing one-of-kind stories that resonate deeply with millions of people around the world. He’s bikepacked across Iceland in winter, scouted cold-water surf breaks in British Columbia, and explored some of the lesser-known corners of the American West—just to name a few. In all his work, Chris combines his abundant positive energy with curiosity and authenticity, which has earned him the admiration of fellow accomplished artists, well-known brands, and nearly four million Instagram followers. - Earlier this week, Chris released his newest book titled "Wayward"– a collection of some of his best and never-before-seen photographs from some of the wildest places on earth. "Wayward" also features extensive written stories that detail his fascinating career path and the challenges, mistakes, and adventures that made him the artist he is today. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of the book, and I read it in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. The photographs are obviously stunning, but what I really appreciated was Chris’s willingness to share the many lessons he’s learned along his professional journey– lessons that I (and maybe you) can apply to your own creative endeavors. - If you’ve been listening to Mountain & Prairie for the past few years, then you surely remember my first conversation with Chris during the first few weeks of the pandemic. I was thrilled to have Chris join me again, this time for an inspiring conversation about "Wayward," creativity, adventure, fatherhood, and more. We talked about what he’s learned during the pandemic, the process of writing "Wayward," and why, in this high-tech world, he remains committed to publishing physical books. We discuss the importance of being yourself, how he overcomes self-doubt, and who he trusts to give him honest feedback. Chris also talks about how he evaluates risk, discusses how working with Patagonia helped him to find his voice as a photographer, explains his passion for sharing his experiences with others, and much more. Be sure to check the episode notes for a full list of everything we discuss and links to all the information. - A huge thanks to Chris for making the time to chat with me again, especially during such a busy travel schedule. And whether you’re interested in beautiful photos or learning lessons from an accomplished creative, I encourage you to check out "Wayward."  - Thanks for listening. Hope you enjoy! --- Chris Burkard "Wayward" by Chris Burkard Full Episode Notes & Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/chris-burkard-2/ Chris' first M&P episode All books by Chris Burkard Ed's Strenuous Life Retreat --- TOPICS DISCUSSED 5:00 - How the pandemic has been for Chris and his family 9:25 - Process of writing the book 14:00 - Thoughts when looking back at his early work 17:30 - Early challenges and localism 23:45 - Patagonia's role in Chris's artistic evolution 27:40 - Importance of having the confidence to be yourself 31:30 - Overcoming self-doubt 33:45 - People Chris trusts to give honest opinions 36:45 - How Chris transitions from hardcore adventures back into "real life" 40:30 - Reevaluation of risk as he gets older 42:40 - Lessons from suffering 44:00 - Why Chris continues to focus his creative energy on books 54:00 - Importance of sharing the experiences with others 58:30 - Projects in the works --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Longtime Mountain & Prairie listeners will remember Adam Gall– he’s a Colorado-based hunting guide who, along with his wife Ana, owns Timber to Table Guide Service. Adam is a highly regarded expert in the pursuit of elk and mule deer, and he offers a variety of outfitting services ranging from public land hunts for experienced hunters to private land hunts for beginners. In my first episode with Adam, we discussed his career path to guiding, which included stints as a wolf biologist and science teacher, as well as his advocacy for public lands and wildlife conservation. - In early January, I had the pleasure of joining Adam for my first-ever elk hunt, and this episode is a discussion about that extremely powerful experience. I had wanted to hunt elk ever since moving to the Rocky Mountains back in 2005, but I never took the necessary steps to learn how to do it. While I do have limited experience with bird hunting, I had zero experience hunting with a rifle. The idea of starting big game hunting from scratch was intimidating and overwhelming– plus, I have way-too-many other hobbies that fill my time– so elk hunting has been on the back burner for more than 16 years. But after getting to know Adam, learning about his skills as a teacher, and admiring his calm demeanor and reverence for wildlife, I decided that he was just the person to introduce me to the sport of elk hunting. - To be completely transparent, I was very nervous about all aspects of the hunt– my shooting proficiency, my ability to kill the elk quickly, quartering the animal, and processing the meat. I have the utmost respect for the skills required to be a responsible and effective big game hunter, so I was intent on approaching the entire endeavor with a high level of seriousness and focus. From the moment I arrived in Hotchkiss until we had processed the last pound of meat, Adam and Ana were exceptional teachers–we had a successful hunt and I left Hotchkiss with a newfound, life-changing appreciation for everything that is required to procure meat for my family. - The purpose of this episode is to provide instruction and insight for people like me– individuals who are interested in big game hunting and procuring meat but have no idea where or how to start. Even if you’ve never shot a gun, there will be useful information in this episode. Adam and I discuss all aspects of the hunt–from shooting practice at the gun range on the first day all the way to processing the meat into burger, steaks, and roasts four days later. I discuss the overwhelming emotions I felt after killing such a majestic animal, and the eye-opening experience of learning about specific cuts of meat with Ana. We discuss how Adam’s experience as a teacher makes him such an effective guide, and the importance of approaching hunting with respect, reverence, and curiosity. We talk about game management, food systems, private lands’ role in wildlife health, and much more. - I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Hopefully, it will give you the encouragement to pursue hunting if it is of interest to you. Hunting is obviously not for everyone, but as a person who eats and enjoys meat, I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in all the tasks that are required to put clean, healthy meat on my family’s table. - Thanks again to Adam and Ana for the once-in-a-lifetime experience, and thanks to you for listening. Enjoy! --- Timber to Table: https://timbertotableguideservice.com/ Adam's first M&P episode: https://mountainandprairie.com/adam-gall/ Full episode notes & links: https://mountainandprairie.com/elk-hunt/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:45 - Thanks to Adam 6:15 - Why Adam enjoys teaching first-time hunters 8:15 - Adam's background as a teacher 10:30 - Balancing fun and seriousness 16:15 - Details of the private land "meat hunt" 21:45 - Importance of game management on private lands 23:45 - Hunt preparation 32:15 - Morning of the hunt 34:45 - The kill 37:45 - Respect for the taking a life 44:45 - Quartering the animal and processing the meat 54:45 - A foundational shift in perspective 58:00 - Cooking resources and ideas 59:45 - Closing thoughts --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Elliott Woods is a Montana-based veteran and multimedia journalist who has reported for publications including Outside, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and many more. His most recent project is a podcast called THIRD SQUAD, which tells the powerful story of "one journalist, 12 Marines and two decades of war." Back in 2011, Elliott was an embedded journalist with a group of Marines who were positioned deep in one of Afghanistan's most dangerous regions. Nearly a decade later, Elliott embarked on a cross-country road trip to reunite with the surviving members of the team and discuss how that violent deployment impacted their lives. Third Squad tells the stories of these Marines, offering raw insights into the impact of war on individual soldiers, both on the battlefield and back at home. - Elliott was born and raised on the east coast, and as a kid, he never had strong ambitions to join the military. However, after an unsuccessful stint in college left him lacking purpose and low on options, he decided to join the National Guard. Elliott was eventually deployed to Iraq, where he served for a year as an Army combat engineer. When Elliott had finished serving and returned to college at the University of Virginia, he approached his education with a new focus and purpose, and it was there that he discovered writing and journalism. As a journalist, Elliott has traveled everywhere from war-torn regions of the globe to well-known conflicts in the American West-- from the Gaza Strip to the front lines of the Keystone XL Pipeline protests. Whether reporting on public lands, outdoor adventure, or war, Elliott brings focus and intensity to all of his projects. - Elliott and I met years ago, so it was great to reconnect and have an in-depth conversation about his life and career. We started out by discussing his upbringing in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and how he developed a love of the outdoors at an early age. We discuss his education, his failed first attempt at college, and his path to the military. We discuss his time in Iraq, his career as a journalist, and the origins of the Third Squad podcast. We talk about the current state of journalism, and Elliott discusses why he feels the need to cover stories that involve dangerous people and places. We talk about hero culture, the importance of having a purpose, how the natural world has been a healing force in his life, and Elliott offers up some excellent book recommendations. - I encourage all of you to check out Third Squad, as well as Elliott's 2016 TED Talk that I reference in the conversation. There are links to everything in the episode notes. Thanks to Elliott for all of his hard work and for joining me for such an important conversation. Enjoy! --- Elliott Woods Third Squad Episode Notes & Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/elliott-woods/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:00 – Elliott’s childhood and how he got into the military 12:00 – Elliott discusses what it was like having joined the military weeks before 9/11/2001 15:00 – Elliott talks about reintegrating to normal life as a student after his deployment in Iraq 22:30 – Elliott discusses the importance of having a mission in his life 29:00 – Elliott talks about why he disagrees with “hero culture” in the US 34:30 – Elliott talks about his mentality when writing about powerful or dangerous people 43:00 – Elliott talks about “solution journalism” and the need to highlight problems in journalism 53:45 – Elliott discusses the impact Montana and nature has had on him 58:15 – Elliott’s book recommendations 1:04:00 – Elliott’s parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

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! --- Heather Hansman "Powder Days" by Heather Hansman Heather's first M&P episode Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/heather-hansman-2/ --- 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 --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts  

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 www.producerpartnership.com to learn more about Matt and his work-- and donate or buy some gear if you are so inclined. Enjoy! --- Producer Partnership DONATE to the Producer Partnership Producer Partnership Merch Full episode Notes with Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/matt-pierson/ --- 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 --- 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. --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts  

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! --- Ryan Busse "Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America" - Bookshop & Amazon Episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/ryan-busse/ --- 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 --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

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 30x30 conservation goal has brought the topic to the forefront of American politics and mainstream media. 30x30 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. 30x30 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 hour-long conversation about 30x30 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 some of the intricacies of the 30x30 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 30x30, 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 30x30. 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! --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with Colorado State University’s Salazar Center for North American Conservation. https://salazarcenter.colostate.edu/ --- Western Landowners Alliance Ute Creek Cattle Company 2021 International Symposium on Conservation Impact Full episode notes with links: https://mountainandprairie.com/lesli-tuda/ --- 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 --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

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 the link in the episode notes or on this episode’s webpage. 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. --- “The Exotic” by Hampton Sides 30-day free trial of Scribd Hampton’s first and second M&P episodes Episode notes with links: https://mountainandprairie.com/hampton-sides-3/ --- 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 --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

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! --- Luke Smithwick Himalaya Alpine Guides The Himalaya 500 Episode Notes with Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/luke-smithwick/ --- 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 --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts