Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson

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

Brendan Leonard is a prolific writer and artist who is best known as the creator of Semi-Rad.com. He’s also the author of a brand new book titled “I Hate Running and You Can Too: How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational Passion.” The book offers motivation and witty insights into the sometimes-crazy pastime of running. And Brendan knows a thing or two about running irrational distances-- he’s completed multiple 100-mile ultramarathons, ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks, directed the film How to Run 100 Miles, and co-hosts the Off The Couch Podcast, which features interviews with runners of all stripes. - Through his books, filmmaking, and writing on Semi-Rad.com, Brendan offers a unique perspective into the world of outdoor recreation and adventure. Rather than focusing on the mind-blowing feats of super-elite athletes, Brendan’s work highlights the passion and determination of regular people who enjoy pushing themselves hard in the outdoors. Brendan has also perfected the ability to draw larger life lessons from these outdoor adventures-- lessons that can be applied to creative endeavors of any kind. You don’t have to be a runner or mountain athlete to glean actionable wisdom from Brendan’s work, and I personally credit Brendan’s influence with helping me to grow and evolve Mountain & Prairie. - Brendan and I connected a few days before the release of his new book and had a fun and wide-ranging conversation about everything from running to reading, from Ted Lasso to Matthew McConaughey. We started out by discussing his new book I Hate Running and You Can Too-- how the book came to be, the process of writing it, and how its lessons can be applied to writing or other creative pursuits. We then discussed some of his own running achievements, including running 52 marathons over the course of 52 weeks and the life lessons he learned from that year-long commitment. We talked about the fallacy of looking for hacks in running or life, some of Brendan’s creative heroes, the importance of vulnerability, the process of finding his creative voice, recent good books, and much more. - If you’re the type of person who likes to push yourself creatively or physically, this episode is full of wisdom and insight that you can put to use immediately. I’d also encourage you to check out Brendan’s new book, and really all of his work-- check out the links in the episode notes or just head to Semi-Rad.com.  Huge thanks to Brendan, and I hope you enjoy. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 6:00 – Brendan discusses his latest book, I Hate Running and You Can Too 10:00 – Brendan discusses his progression as a runner 18:15 – Brendan talks about his experience running 52 marathons in 52 weeks 27:00 – The lessons Brendan learned from 52 marathon challenge 33:00 – Brendan explains how becoming a runner influenced other areas of his life 36:30 – Brendan discusses his claim that “there are no hacks” in running (or life) 42:00 – Who Brendan looks up to 50:30 – Brendan explores the process of finding his voice 55:30 – Brendan discusses vulnerability and the process of sharing his own experiences in his writing 1:02:30 – Brendan’s book recommendations 1:07:30 – Brendan’s parting words of wisdom --- Semi-Rad.com "I Hate Running and You Can Too" by Brendan Leonard "How to Run 100 Miles" All of Brendan's Books Brendan's first M&P episode Full Episode Notes and Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/brendan-leonard-2/ --- SPECIAL OFFER for Mountain & Prairie listeners: Freeflow Institute is a Montana-based organization that builds opportunities for creativity, space, and access to wild places for writers, artists, and leaders of all backgrounds. Freeflow eliminates the barrier between you, your ideas, and your environment by bringing emerging and established writers, leaders, artists, and communicators together into wild landscapes. The first ten Mountain & Prairie listeners who register for a 2021 Freeflow program will get $100 off their tuition. Just mention the Podcast when you register. https://freeflowinstitute.com --- 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

Mitsu Iwasaki is the CEO of the American Alpine Club (AAC), a historic and storied organization whose mission is to "share and support our passion for climbing and respect for the places we climb." Founded in 1902, the AAC began as a social club for east coast elites who shared a passion for climbing, adventure, and conservation. But over the past 119 years, the AAC has evolved into an open and equitable organization, which provides "knowledge and inspiration, conservation and advocacy, and logistical support for the climbing community." Mitsu took the helm of the AAC in the summer of 2020, ushering in a new phase for the Club's growth and focus. - Mitsu was born in Japan but immigrated to Seattle with his family when he was six years old. In high school, at the urging of his father, Mitsu began spending his summers working on commercial fishing boats in Alaska, experiences that he credits as the genesis of his lifelong pursuit of adventure. He attended college in Washington State at the foot of the Cascade Mountains, then spent years as an Outward Bound instructor-- successfully merging his love of climbing, skiing, and adventure with his career. A graduate degree in nonprofit management propelled Mitsu into leadership positions with several outdoor recreation organizations, which led him to his new role at the AAC. - For anyone interested in melding personal passions with lofty career aspirations, Mitsu's life story will be both inspiring and instructional. We had a fascinating conservation covering everything from his days as a climber living out of his van to his current focus of creating more equitable access in the climbing community. We started by discussing the AAC-- its history, goals, and evolution over nearly 120 years. We then talked about Mitsu's personal background-- moving to the US as a child, adjusting to life in the US while maintaining close connections to his Japanese heritage, lessons learned from working in commercial fishing, and experiences as an outdoor educator. We talk about his vision for the AAC, and he explains AAC's exciting new equity initiative known as Climb United. We also discuss his mentors, favorite books, the best advice he's ever received, and Mitsu offers some useful parting words of wisdom. - Be sure to check the episode note for a complete list of topics and links to everything we covered. Hope you enjoy. --- American Alpine Club American Alpine Journal All AAC Publications Join the AAC! Full episode notes & links: https://mountainandprairie.com/mitsu-iwasaki/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:40 – Mitsu explains the history of the American Alpine Club (AAC) 6:40 – Mitsu discusses programs and projects of AAC 9:25 – Mitsu discusses his role as CEO of AAC 12:10 – Mitsu explains some of his goals to adapt the AAC 14:10 – Mitsu discusses AAC’s work in the arena of climate change 19:10 –Mitsu discusses his early life and how he became interested in the outdoors, including his time spent on an Alaskan fishing boat 28:10 – Mitsu discusses his prior career with Outward Bound and his thoughts on experiential education  33:40 – Mitsu discusses his transition from outdoor enthusiast to executive 37:25 – Mitsu talks about his mentor, Brendan Leonard 41:25 – Mitsu talks about the AAC program, Climb United, and equity in the sport of climbing 48:55 – Mitsu’s book recommendations 52:25 – The best piece of advice Mitsu ever received 53:40 – Mitsu’s parting advice --- 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  

Jason Gardner is a father, homesteader, leadership instructor, and regenerative agriculture devotee who lives with his family on a remote property in the mountains of northeastern Washington State. Jason is also a retired Navy SEAL Master Chief who spent nearly thirty years in the SEAL teams and is a recipient of the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and numerous other awards. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Jason applies the lessons learned from his years of service toward building a meaningful life for his family in the wilds of Washington-- a life lived with purpose and intention, built on a deep respect for the land. - If Jason sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the husband to Iris Gardner, who was a guest on the podcast just a few weeks ago. Given all of the wisdom that Iris shared regarding parenting and intentional living, and how fondly she spoke of Jason as a father and husband, I thought it would be fun to have Jason join me for a conversation. It was fascinating to hear Jason discuss many of the same topics that Iris and I covered, as he provided a complementary perspective on subjects including parenting, marriage, and thriving as a family in such a remote, wild region of the West. - This was a fantastic conversation, and I can’t thank Jason enough for taking the time to share his wisdom with me. We talked a lot about his military service-- from his decision as a high-schooler to join the SEALs to his long and diverse career as a SEAL leader. We also discuss his life-long love of wild, mountainous places, and why he and Iris have chosen to raise their family in northeastern Washington. We talked about how to find purpose in work, no matter what your chosen career. We discuss the idea of having a warrior’s mentality and how he applies that idea to parenting and his current career as a leadership consultant. Jason explains the dichotomy of being an elite special forces operator and gentle father and husband. And we also talk about regenerative agriculture, the many life lessons he’s learned from training horses, influential music, his favorite books, the best advice he’s ever received, and much more. - There are so many insights and resources packed into this episode, so don’t forget to reference the episode notes for a full list of topics and links to everything we discussed. And if you’d like more insights into Jason and Iris’s life in Washington, you can check out their Youtube channel, which I’ve linked to in the notes. Thanks again to Jason, and I hope you enjoy. --- Jason Gardner on Instagram Jason's Motivational Battle Speech "To My Daughter" Echelon Front Iris Gardner Episode Iris's YouTube Channel Full episode notes with links: https://mountainandprairie.com/jason-gardner/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:50 – Where Jason grew up 5:50 – How Jason developed a love of wild places 6:10 – When Jason first started considering military service and the SEALS  10:05 – How music helped frame Jason’s mindset 12:50 – Jason explores the dichotomy of his military and personal life 17:50 – What makes Jason so good at his job 19:20 – How Jason knew it was time to retire 23:20 – Jason explores the intentionality that enabled he and Iris to live the life they do 24:35 – How Jason’s approach to parenting has changed since retiring from the SEALS 28:20 – How did Jason come up with the points of To My Daughter 32:20 – What being a warrior means to Jason 34:35 – Jason explores how marriage works between two strong-willed individuals 37:50 – Jason discusses his recent work with horses and its impact on himself 43:50 – Jason’s advice on finding purpose, told through the lens of sniper training and “the stalk” 52:05 – Jason discusses his current role as a leadership coach 56:35 – Jason discusses books that have been important to him 58:05 – Jason discusses regenerative agriculture 1:01:05 – What Jason does for fun 1:02:50 – The best piece of advice Jason ever received 1:06:20 – Jason’s parting words of wisdom --- 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

Kelsey Johnson is a Bozeman-based artist whose work highlights the epic wildlife, people, and landscapes of the American West. Using graphite pencils and oil paints, Kelsey creates stunning, life-like artwork-- works that you would assume were created by a full-time artist with decades of experience. But in reality, Kelsey is new to professional art-- she balances her artistic endeavors with a full-time job, and she actually started her art business only a few years ago, back in 2018. While Kelsey’s artistic career will undoubtedly continue to grow and flourish in the coming years, I am inspired by the commitment and work ethic she exhibits on a daily basis to turn her creative passions into a self-sustaining business. - Growing up in Pennsylvania, Kelsey was always artistic, but she put art aside and earned her undergraduate degree in agricultural business and agronomy. After graduation, she began a career with a large corporation where she sold corn and soybean seeds across the United States. While the job was safe and steady with plenty of upward mobility, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was not completely fulfilled by her work. So, as you’ll hear her describe, a series of events came together that prompted her to pack up and move to Montana, where she rededicated herself to her artistic inclinations. - I greatly admire Kelsey and the way she has created a life and career here in the West. I also feel that she serves as a perfect example of how to balance professional, practical obligations with the pursuit of artistic goals. If you’ve got creative ambitions but struggle to fit them in between the other demands of life, you’ll find Kelsey’s story inspirational. We had a wide-ranging conversation, discussing everything from her childhood on the east coast to her eventual move to Montana. We talked about her evolution as an artist, some of her artistic breakthroughs, and her creative influences. She talks a lot about juggling professional and artistic commitments, and she also offers up some excellent book, music, and film recommendations. - And as you’ll hear in the episode, Kelsey and I will be doing a giveaway of a print of her newest painting, titled “Land of the Desert Poppy,” which I’ve linked to in the notes. If you want to enter to win, follow me on Instagram and look for a post about the giveaway later this week, the week of February 22, 2021. - Thanks so much to Kelsey for taking the time to chat. Hope you enjoy this conversation. --- Kelsey Johnson "Land of the Desert Poppy" Ed on Instagram (for print giveaway) Full Episode Notes & Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/kelsey-johnson/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:45 – Where Kelsey grew up 4:45 – How Kelsey initially got into agriculture 6:30 – When did Kelsey realize that agriculture was not the path for her 8:45 – How did Kelsey come to set her eyes on Montana 12:15 – What did Kelsey have to do to move to Bozeman 14:45 – Kelsey’s art 18:30 – How the art community in Southwest Montana influenced Kelsey’s art 20:45 – The first time Kelsey sold art 23:45 – Kelsey’s experience balancing her art with the rest of her life 25:45 – Kelsey’s biggest surprise in setting up her art business 26:45 – Kelsey discusses “big break” moments that helped get her work in front of more people 30:30 – Kelsey’s role models in the creative community of the American West 33:45 –Kelsey discusses how she knows she’s finished with a piece and explores those moments when a piece just “doesn’t work out” 37:15 – Kelsey’s advice for those getting started in creative pursuits 35:30 – Kelsey’s most recently finished piece (ft. information on a print giveaway!) 42:30 – Kelsey’s adventures in hunting 45:45 – What Kelsey does for fun 46:30 – Kelsey’s favorite books 50:00 – Kelsey’s favorite musicians 53:00 – Kelsey’s favorite movies 55:30 – Parting words of wisdom --- 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  

Iris Gardner is a writer, horse wrangler, mother, and former organic farmer who lives with her family on a homestead in northeastern Washington State. After many years of living and farming in southern California, Iris, her husband Jason, and their two children moved to their current home-- a rural property located close to the Canadian border and more than two hours from the nearest city. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Iris and Jason have chosen to live and raise their children deliberately, with intention, and close to nature-- in a beautiful landscape far removed from many of the so-called conveniences of modern life. - Iris grew up off the grid in rural Washington, in an area so remote that her home did not have electricity. During her childhood, she developed a deep love of reading, horses, and wild landscapes-- all passions that are still of great importance to her and her family today. Iris’s husband Jason is a retired, highly decorated Navy SEAL who shares her devotion to intentional living and parenthood. Working as a team, Iris and Jason are building a meaningful and unique life for their family in the wilds of eastern Washington-- a life that I have found both inspiring and instructional. - Iris and I have been following each other online for years, so it was wonderful to finally get the opportunity to have a conversion. We spent a lot of time discussing parenting-- how she is raising her children to be both tough and compassionate, and how she balances managing risk with letting her kids learn from their own mistakes. We discuss her marriage with Jason and how they have grown as a couple through the various phases of their lives and careers. Iris is an enormously talented writer, and she is currently finishing up her first book, so we discuss her writing process, and she offers some excellent advice for people interested in pursuing creative endeavors. We also discuss the power of positivity, our shared love of reading, Iris’s heroes and mentors, and Iris offers some valuable words of wisdom. - If you want to learn even more about Iris’s journey, I’d encourage you to watch or listen to her conversation with retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink on the Jocko Podcast. I’ve linked to it in the episode notes. You’ll hear us reference Jocko often in our conversation, and that podcast episode is one of the most powerful conversations I’ve ever heard in my life, no exaggeration. - Iris is an inspiring, strong, tough, talented, and thoughtful woman, and I know you’ll enjoy our conversation. Thanks for listening.  --- Iris Gardner on Instagram Watch Iris on Jocko Podcast Listen to Iris on Jocko Podcast Jason Gardner on Instagram Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/iris-gardner/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED 3:40 - Iris describes her homestead 7:10 – Iris discusses parenting 12:40 – Iris describes raising kids “tough” 20:40 – Iris shares whether she always planned on being a mother 21:55 – How Iris and her husband, Jason, met 24:10 – Iris discusses the transition in her husband’s work (from SEAL to leadership consultant) and building independence within a marriage 26:55 – Iris talks about learning from each other in a marriage 29:55 – Iris discusses her memoir 31:40 – Iris discusses the relationship between reading and writing in her life 34:10 – Iris discusses her relationship with social media 39:10 – Iris’s advice for people with creative impulses/aspirations 43:55 – who are Iris’s heroes/mentors 46:25 – Why Iris feels positivity is important in the face of challenges 51:40 – How Iris uses the outdoors for introspection 53:10 – How Iris sets examples and encourages introspection, communication, and connection with her kids 1:00:40 – How having kids has impacted Ed and Iris 1:02:00 – Iris’s book recommendations 1:10:25 – Words of wisdom --- 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

This episode is a little different than normal-- it's me being interviewed on the Off the Couch podcast by my friends Jonathan Ellsworth and Brendan Leonard. Brendan is likely familiar to many of you long-time listeners-- he joined me on the podcast a few years ago to discuss his writing career, his film "How to Run 100 Miles" and his blog Semi-Rad. Jonathan is the creator of Blister, an amazing online resource that includes outdoor gear reviews, a podcast network, and much more. Jonathan will be joining me on this podcast in the coming months. - Jonathan and Brendan were nice enough to invite me on Off the Couch to discuss a somewhat silly challenge that I imposed on myself on my 43rd birthday. Every hour on the hour for 24 hours, I ran a 1.3-mile loop around my neighborhood. In between laps, I did a long list of tasks that I had been putting off, including stacking firewood, cleaning and rearranging my basement, sending a ridiculous number of emails, and other mindless tasks. The whole thing was based on a film by a guy named Beau Miles who did a similar challenge in Australia. I stumbled across the film on Youtube and decided to give it a shot a few days later. I've linked to that film in the episode notes. - That birthday challenge was just one part of what turned out to be a wide-ranging conversation about a ton of fun and funny topics. We discussed the backstory on the Mountain & Prairie, my experiences running 50 and 100-mile races, some scary moments I've had running ultras, why I'm so obsessed with reading books, and some of my favorite books from 2020. There were enough interesting topics that overlap with what we discuss here on Mountain & Prairie, so I thought some of y'all might enjoy it and get a few laughs at my expense. - If you're interested in running and some of the fascinating characters that the sport attracts, I encourage you to check out Off the Couch. You'll recognize a few past Mountain & Prairie guests, including Mike Foote and Joe Grant, but all of the episodes are fun and inspiring. There's a link in the episode notes, so check it out. Enjoy! --- Off the Couch Blister Semi-Rad Beau Miles - “A Mile An Hour” Blister Podcast Network All of Brendan’s Books “How to Run 100 Miles” film --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: Ed’s podcast, Mountain & Prairie (3:32) The Procrastinator’s Punishment 50k (11:49) Ed’s Scary DNF (33:02) Ed’s Gross DNF (39:21) Triathlon community vs the Ultra community (42:11) Ed’s bi-monthly book recommendations (47:20) --- 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 Douglas is a Montana-based photographer and creative director who is one of the most sought-after visual storytellers in the American West. Chris is a go-to photographer for iconic brands such as Filson, Stetson, and Mossy Oak, and his editorial work appears regularly in publications including Modern Huntsman and Men’s Journal. In a world flooded with iPhone photography and armchair creatives, Chris’s work stands out as being artistically stunning and of the highest professional caliber. - When viewing Chris’s work, most people would assume that he’s been laser focused on photography for his entire career. But even though his interest in photography began at age ten, the first half of his career was spent in front of the lens-- first as an international model for brands such as Versace, and then as a successful television actor. But life moving between LA, New York, and Milan was not a fit with his love of the outdoors, so Chris eventually moved to Montana, where he continued his life-long passion for hunting and adventure. Then, as you’ll hear him describe, Chris was severely injured in a horse accident, which became the catalyst that led him to leave acting behind and devote his full energies to photography. - Those of you who are long-time listeners know that I spend a lot of time preparing for each of these interviews, but, as you’ll hear, I was completely surprised by much of Chris’s story. Chris is unbelievably humble and keeps a low profile, so I was honored that he was open to sharing his full journey with me on the podcast. We started out chatting about his upbringing in east Tennessee and his tight-knit, supportive family that he credits with being the foundation for all of his success. Then we discussed his fascinating career trajectory-- from international model to soap opera star to television host to photographer. We had a great conversation about his Native American ancestry and how Native culture has influenced his work and family’s life in Montana. - Chris’s story is both entertaining and instructive-- he is a wonderful example of how life’s unexpected twists and turns can lead people on the most interesting journeys. And how hard work, humility, creativity, and professionalism can result in a one-of-a-kind life and career. Check out the extensive episode notes for links to everything we discuss.  Enjoy! --- Chris Douglas Photography Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/chris-douglas/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 – Where Chris grew up 6:45 – How did Chris become interested in photography? 10:00 – Chris’s other artistic talents 11: 15 – Chris beginning to work with Bruce Weber 16:00 – Chris learning more about photography through observation 18:00 – Social media’s impact on photography from Chris’s perspective 19:00 – Chris pursuing his passion for hunting while modeling 22:45 – Chris reflects on the best and worst parts of his career in front of the camera 24:30 – What pushed Chris to spend time in the outdoors in the middle of a successful modeling/acting career 26:00 – Why Chris decided to move to Montana 28:30 –Chris’s gradual transition to professional photography behind the lens 30:30 – Chris’s run in with an ornery horse 39:30 – Chris reflects on all the jobs that got him to where he is now 42:00 – Chris’s keys to success in business and photography 47:00 – Chris’s Native heritage 50:00 – Chris reflects on learning about his heritage 55:43 – Where Chris thinks his career will go from here 58:15 – Book recommendations 1:01:45 – Parting words of wisdom --- 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