Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson

Kate Mannix is a rancher who works alongside her family on the Mannix Ranch in Montana’s Blackfoot Valley. The Mannix family has been ranching and stewarding their family ranch since 1882, back when Timothy Benjamin Mannix purchased the land from the Northern Pacific Railroad. For generations, the Mannix family has served as loyal caretakers of this spectacular landscape, and, over the years, they have evolved their business and land management approaches so as to continuously improve the ranch’s soil, water, flora, and fauna. - Kate was born and raised in California, but moved to Montana for graduate school, where she fell in love with both ranching and the Rocky Mountains. A few years later, she was accepted as an apprentice into the Quivira Coalition’s New Agrarian Program, a unique program that connects aspiring farmers and ranchers with experienced regenerative agriculture practitioners throughout the West. After a stint in New Mexico, she eventually found her way to the Mannix Ranch, where she fell in love with Bryan Mannix, who is now her husband. So today, Kate is officially a Mannix and is an invaluable part of this storied ranching family. - Kate and I connected virtually and chatted about everything from the business of ranching to her favorite books, with a lot of fascinating topics in between. We started out by discussing the history of the Mannix Ranch and how her family has managed to maintain such a successful family business for so many generations. We talk about challenges facing her ranch and the business of ranching, and the importance of land conservation and regenerative practices for the business’s sustainability. We talk about her time with Quivira, her stint as a vegan, her current love of hunting, and her family’s thoughts on her career path. She also shares some inspiring and instructive thoughts on her recent battle with cancer, and some of the lessons she learned from the scary, life-change experience. We discussed a lot, so please check out the episode notes for a full list of everything we covered. - I’ve wanted to have Kate on the podcast for quite some time now, so I greatly appreciate her making the time to chat. This was an educational and inspiring episode, so I hope you enjoy. --- Mannix Family Grass-Finished Beef Full Episode Notes and Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/kate-mannix/ --- This episode is brought to you thanks to the generous support of Ranchlands. Visit www.ranchlands.com to learn more about their top-notch vacations, leather goods and apparel, or to explore their excellent blog, the "Ranchlands Review." THANK YOU, Ranchlands! --- 5:10 - Kate walks us through the family genealogy related to the Mannix Ranch 7:40 - Kate describes the Mannix Ranch operations 9:40 - Kate explains why her family got involved in grass finishing their beef 14:10 - Kate talks about why she thinks the Mannix’s have been so successful in managing a multigenerational family business 18:00 - Kate describes some of the challenges she expects the ranch will face in the coming years 23:00 - Kate directs us to resources about the relationships between grazing, grasslands, and climate change 27:30 - Kate explains how she fell in love with ranching  35:30 - Kate talks about moving from her ranch work with Quivira in New Mexico to Mannix Ranch in Montana 39:00 - Kate discusses what her family thinks about her career path 40:00 - Kate explains why she stopped being a vegan 45:30 - Kate talks about when she started hunting 51:00 - Kate explains her connection with Red Ants Pants, a women’s workwear company 54:30 - Kate discusses cancer and chemotherapy 1:09:30 - Kate’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

Alvin Dedeaux is a renowned Austin-based fly fishing guide who is one of the Lone Star State’s most sought-after experts in the pursuit of everything from Guadelupe Bass in Central Texas to Redfish on the Texas coast. Alvin is an ambassador for well-known brands such as Howler Brothers and Yeti, and he’s twice been a finalist for Orvis’s Guide of the Year award. And on top of all of that, Alvin produces informative and entertaining videos on his popular Youtube channel, where anglers of all experience levels can learn from Alvin’s decades of experience. - Alvin was born and raised in Houston, and he has been a committed fisherman, hunter, and all-around outdoorsman for as long as he can remember. At age 12, he began teaching himself to fly fish, and what started as a hobby quickly became one of the most important aspects of his life– a passion that remains the centerpiece of his personal and professional lives to this day. Alvin’s story has many fascinating chapters, and each one could be its own three-hour podcast episode– he’s owned a construction company, been a singer in a very successful touring band, worked at the world-famous Austin Angler, and is now the head guide and owner All Water Guides. With a background like that, it’s no surprise that Alvin has become one of the most well-known fly guides in the country. - Alvin and I connected virtually and had a fun hour-long conversation about all aspects of his life and career. We started out chatting about his upbringing in Texas, and how fly fishing has been a mainstay in his life throughout all its various stages. We talk about his decision to leave college to pursue life as an entrepreneur, and his path to becoming professionally involved in fishing. We discuss his formative years working at the Austin Angler, and how that particular shop started the careers of some of the country’s most well-respected guides. He offers excellent insights into finding one’s dream job, the importance of conservation in Texas, and how COVID has affected Texas’s valuable fishing resources. We also discuss his popular Youtube channel and why he devotes so much time and energy toward sharing his wisdom. And, as you’d expect, Alvin offers some excellent book and music recommendations. - I loved talking to Alvin, but felt like we only scratched the surface of his wildly unique life. Be sure to check on the episode notes for tons of links to everything we discussed. Hopefully we can do a part 2 at some point in the future, but, until then, enjoy this fun conversation with Alvin Dedeaux. --- Alvin Dedeaux Alvin's Youtube Channel All Water Guides Episode Notes & Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/alvin-dedeaux/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:00 - Alvin’s background and childhood 6:00 - Alvin discusses how fly fishing entered his life 8:00 - Alvin talks about his decision to leave college 16:00 - Alvin talks about his job at the Austin Angler, his first job in the fly fishing industry 23:15 - Alvin discusses how he began guiding in Colorado 27:45 - Alvin talks about how long it took for him to feel like he had a sustainable business going in the fly fishing industry 32:00 - Alvin explains why he became interested in the use of social media for his business 37:00 - Alvin talks about finding the one thing you’d “eat shit all day” for (aka dream jobs) 45:00 - Alvin explains how COVID-19 impacted his business and limited fishery resources 51:00 - Alvin gives advice for anybody to become more conservation-minded 53:45 - Alvin talks about how he got connected with Howler Brothers 57:45 - Alvin’s book and music 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

Riddy Arman is a singer-songwriter who lives in Montana's Mission Valley, a rural agricultural community in the state's northwestern corner. Riddy's self-titled debut album was released in 2021 and has received praise from renowned institutions such as Rolling Stone, as well as from many highly respected fellow musicians, including Colter Wall. Riddy and her music are highly influenced by the wide-open spaces of Montana, and she brings a deep level of authenticity and emotion to all aspects of her craft– from the lyrics, to the melodies, to her live performances. - Born and raised in Ohio, Riddy left home after high school and began a long, winding, and interesting journey that took her to North Carolina for a year of college, to New York City where she worked as a model, and on an extended hitchhiking and train-hopping journey around the United States, just to name a few. She began writing and playing music in earnest while living on a farm in rural Virginia and eventually moved to Montana, a place she had long felt drawn toward. After a lot of hard work, creative experimentation, and determination, Riddy has figured out how to cultivate a successful music career far from the hustle and bustle of Nashville and deeply connected to the Montana landscapes that she loves. - Riddy and I connected earlier this week and had a fascinating conversion about everything from her winding career path to her current success in the music business. We started out talking about her childhood in Ohio and how she unexpectedly ended up in New York City working as a model. We discussed some of her craziest experiences from traveling around the United States and when and why she decided to get serious about music. She talks about her commitment to be authentic, how she manages to stay calm, even when she's extremely nervous, and how she has managed to build a music career so far away from Nashville. We discuss the value of quiet time, mindfulness, the importance of mentors, favorite books, and much more. - Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Hope you enjoy! --- Riddy Arman: https://www.riddyarman.com/ Full episode notes & links: https://mountainandprairie.com/riddy-arman/ --- This episode is brought to you thanks to the generous support of Ranchlands. Visit www.ranchlands.com to learn more about their top-notch vacations, leather goods and apparel, or to explore their excellent blog, the "Ranchlands Review." THANK YOU, Ranchlands! --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:30 - Where Riddy grew up 7:50 - Riddy's connection to agriculture 10:15 - Dropping out of college 12:30 - Moving to New York City and modeling 16:00 - Music and writing while in NYC 17:15 - Decision to leave NYC 19:00 - Traveling, riding trains, hitchhiking 20:30 - Raised to be independent 23:00 - Lessons learned from the adventures of traveling 27:00 - Moving to Virginia, focusing on agriculture 29:00 - Settling down, connecting with the land 32:45 - Finding value in quiet time 34:15 - Sticking with music for good 35:30 - Riddy's writing process 37:45 - Transition to performing 40:45 - Dealing with nervousness 44:00 - Breathing and other ways to calm down 47:15 - Riddy's deep connection with Montana 51:30 - Building a music career from rural Montana 56:30 - Process of being authentic and putting herself out there 58:30 - Artists that Riddy admires 1:01:45 - Advice for creatives 1:03:50 - Favorite 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

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