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! --- Native Nexus Shane's film: Awaxaawippíia: The Crow Nation’s Sacred Ties Full episode note and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/shane-doyle/ --- 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 the 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 --- 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

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. --- Antonia Malchik On The Commons "A Walking Life" by Antonia Malchik Full episode notes with links: https://mountainandprairie.com/antonia-malchik/ --- Freeflow Institute - Special M&P Offer: https://freeflowinstitute.com Bill deBuys episode --- 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. --- 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

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. --- Nickolas Butler "Godspeed" by Nickolas Butler Full episode notes & links: https://mountainandprairie.com/nickolas-butler/ --- 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 craftsman 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. --- 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  

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. --- Nicole Morgenthau Sandstone Sky Jewelry --- 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 --- 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

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. --- Timber to Table Guide Service Timber to Table on Instagram Full Episode Notes and Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/adam-gall/ --- 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 --- 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

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. --- John Branch Sidecountry: Tales of Death and Life from the Back Roads of Sports The Last Cowboys: A Pioneer Family in the New West Full Episode Notes & Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/john-branch/ --- 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 --- 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 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! --- Full Episode Notes and Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/tmr-2/ https://tommorganrodsmiths.com TMR on Instagram TMR on Facebook Matt & Joel's First M&P Episode David Gessner Virtual Event --- 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 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 --- 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  

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! --- Max Wenerstrom Wenerstrom Forge Ranchlands-Inspired Remuda Knife Full episode notes with links: https://mountainandprairie.com/max-wenerstrom/ --- 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 --- 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  

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! --- Dr. David Hewitt Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute CKWRI Film Full Episodes Notes and Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/david-hewitt/ --- 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 --- 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. --- 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

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! --- Full Notes & Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/marci-cora/ Montana Native Vote We Are Montana @coralneumann @mcleanpollock @we.are.montana @westernnativevoiceofficial @indigenousvote --- 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 --- 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