Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson

Rebecca Jewett is President and CEO of Palmer Land Trust, a conservation organization that works to conserve land and water resources in southeastern Colorado. Palmer Land Trust is one of the twenty largest land trusts in the nation based on acreage conserved, with over 135,000 acres of land protected in perpetuity.  Rebecca has led the organization since 2014, expanding and diversifying its conservation initiatives and building Palmer into a national force in the land conservation sector. If Rebecca and Palmer Land Trust sound familiar, it’s because this is Rebecca’s second time on the podcast and I work at Palmer as a Conservation Director. In the midst of this unprecedented COVID crisis, I thought it would be timely to have Rebecca join me again, this time to discuss how the crisis is affecting conservation and how she sees conservation evolving in its aftermath. Once the all-important work of the first responders has been completed, what role will the conservation of working farms and ranches, as well as public recreational open space, play in our recovery and rebuilding? For those of you who love land and the communities tied to it, this is a must-listen conversation. And if you’re like me and often feel completely overwhelmed with COVID talk, rest assured that this conversation is upbeat and solution-oriented. I imagine you will finish the discussion inspired by the opportunities that our new future holds—and inspiration is something that we can all use more of these days. Rebecca and I cover a lot, including the importance of farming and ranching during this crisis and the role that Palmer plays in supporting agricultural producers. We talk about the need to focus on community building and strong partnerships, as well as the conservation opportunities that could arise post-COVID. Finally, we discuss leadership lessons and how the birth of her daughter has made her a better leader. Obviously, I’m a big fan of Rebecca’s. And I’m sure that after this conversation, you will be, too. Hope you enjoy the episode. --- Complete Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/rebecca-jewett-2/ --- Topics Discussed: 3:45 - Palmer Land Trust explained 6:15 - Land conservation and COVID-19 9:00 - Community as a focus of conservation 13:45 - Importance of agriculture in the face of COVID 18:45 - Win-Win-Wins that are possible in conservation 21:15 - How a diversified “business model” will allow effective conservation post-COVID 26:30 - Importance of strong partnerships during COVID 30:35 - Importance of storytelling in conservation 35:45 - How conservation will evolve in the coming years 40:45 - Thoughts on leadership during challenging times 47:45 - How motherhood has changed her perspective, professionally and personally 53:45 - Importance of optimism in parenting and life 56:15 - Good books on parenting 57:45 - Other good books 58:45 - Favorite podcasts 1:00:45 - Parting words of wisdom ----- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie  

George Hodgin is the founder and CEO of Biopharmaceutical Research Company (BRC), a California-based business with the mission of providing federally legal cannabis for approved researchers in the United States. Prior to starting BRC, George served as a US Navy SEAL officer, leading counterterrorism operations in combat zones such as Afghanistan. And to top it all off, he’s a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and the University of North Carolina, where he was a Morehead-Cain Scholar. With a resume like this, it’s safe to assume that George is a driven, hard-working guy. From a very young age, George knew he wanted to be a Navy SEAL. So after participating in ROTC during his undergraduate years, he began the Navy SEAL training, also known as BUD/S, immediately after graduation.  After nearly seven years in the SEAL teams, George left the military to pursue his MBA at Stanford. During grad school, while helping one of his SEAL teammates seek treatment for combat injuries, George was shocked by the inability of doctors to advise patients on the use of marijuana for therapeutic, healing purposes. Despite being legal in many states, it is still illegal at the federal level, and therefore unable to be studied by federally approved researchers and doctors. George and his company seek to change this status-quo so that cannabis can be better understood and more widely prescribed as an alternative to opioids and other drugs. The state-legal marijuana business has its roots in the American West, so I’ve wanted to speak with a cannabis entrepreneur for some time now. George offers excellent insights into the industry, discussing the challenges, governmental roadblocks, and opportunities for optimistic, innovative entrepreneurs. We also talk about why he decided to become an entrepreneur, and why he has consistently chosen some of the most challenging careers imaginable. We talk a lot about his service in the Navy, including the common traits of SEALs, the lessons learned from service, and the challenges of transitioning from the military into civilian life. Since we recorded this episode a few weeks into the Coronavirus crisis, he offers some hard-earned wisdom on how best to deal with high-stress, potentially dangerous situations like the one we all find ourselves in now. George and I were supposed to record this episode in person, but the Coronavirus had other plans. But we still made it happen-- each of us holed up in our homes and connected via Zoom-- so I hope this episode offers some entertainment and motivation during this challenging time.  Thanks for listening. --- Full episode notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/george-hodgin/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:00 - BRC explained 7:00 - Genesis of the idea for BRC  10:15 - Decision to be an entrepreneur 13:00 - Complexity of the cannabis business 16:00 - What fuels his passion for BRC 18:00 - Early years in NC 21:30 - Morehead-Cain Scholarship explained 24:00 - Early desire to be a SEAL 26:00 - Path from college to BUDs 31:30 - Common trait of successful SEALs 34:30 - Transition from the Navy to civilian life 38:00 - Finding purpose outside of the SEALs 43:00 - Military lessons applied to business 47:30 - Main business challenge facing BRC 53:30 - Thoughts on the Coronavirus 57:45 - Favorite books 1:00:00 - Favorite Films ---- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Kyle Richardson is a Colorado-based professional runner and mountain athlete who is best known for his high-stakes, high-speed endurance feats in the Rocky Mountains. Over the past two years, Kyle has set several Fastest Known Time (“FKT”) records in the Colorado mountains—most notably on Boulder’s First and Third Flatirons, as well as the renowned LA Freeway route that stretches from Longs Peak to Arapahoe Peak. Away from his endurance feats, Kyle is a formally trained musician, and he composes original music for filmmakers and outdoor brands such as Black Diamond and La Sportiva. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Kyle’s youth was defined by time in the outdoors with his family and a deep commitment to music and playing the drums. His love of the West’s wide-open spaces led him to college at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he began to realize his talent for endurance and moving quickly through the mountains. After several years of running and climbing throughout Colorado, he captured the attention of the endurance community with his record-setting time on the LA Freeway, a difficult and exposed route that combines running, scrambling, and rock climbing. Since then, he has earned sponsorships from major outdoor brands that have allowed him to pursue his adventures in the mountains with full focus and intensity. I met up with Kyle in Boulder, where we had a wide-ranging conversation about his passion for the mountains and music. We started by discussing his athletic career and some of the details around his fastest known times on well-known mountain routes. We also discussed Kyle’s love of the process of training—in both athletics and music—and how his commitment to preparation gives him the confidence to pursue challenging and sometimes dangerous goals. We discuss the common skills required to be great in both endurance sports and music, and Kyle talks about some of the mentors and heroes who have shaped his career. Kyle is a voracious reader, so we talk a lot about books, and Kyle reveals a very interesting personal tie to one of my favorite history books, "Empire of the Summer Moon." Kyle is humble and thoughtful, and it was a real pleasure getting to know him. Hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. --- Full episode notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/kyle-richardson/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:00 - How Kyle describes his athletic pursuits 6:00 - Kyle and Fastest Known Times (“FKT”) 10:30 - FKTs in the Boulder’s Flatirons 16:00 - Training routine 18:00 - Growing up in Texas 20:30 - Music and how it informs athletics 22:50 - Film scoring, composing, and music industry 26:30 - Heroes and mentors in the music world 28:00 - Drums, running, and excess energy as a kid 29:30 - When people began to take note of Kyles running 32:30 - Athletic mentors 38:30 - Artistic, cerebral aspects to mountain sports 39:30 - Assessing risk in the mountains 42:30 - Nature making you feel small 46:30 - Kyle’s parent’s support for his career 48:30 - Running goals for 2020 52:00 - Books he’s currently reading 54:15 - Favorite books about the West 56:00 - Limiting screens and social media 57:30 - Favorite location in the West 58:45 - Most powerful outdoor experience 1:00:25 - Parting words of wisdom ---- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie  

Daniela Ibarra-Howell is the CEO and a co-founder of the Savory Institute, an organization whose mission is to regenerate the world’s grasslands through holistic management. By restoring and protecting grasslands-- both in the American West and around the globe-- Daniela and her team at Savory effectively address pressing issues such as climate change, economic well-being, and food and water insecurity. Through inspiring leadership, masterful storytelling, and cutting-edge research, Savory is shifting the paradigm around agriculture’s role as a solution to many of the world’s challenges. Daniela was born and raised in Argentina, and from a very young age, she loved the land, agriculture, and adventure. Her studies of agronomy led her to some of the far reaches of the globe, including New Zealand, where she met her now-husband Jim Howell. After many years managing ranches and working in the trenches of holistic management, they helped to found the Savory Institute in 2009, and Daniela took the reigns as CEO in 2011. Since then, the organization has grown and evolved, and Daniela has become one of the world’s leading voices for Holistic Management. I was thrilled to finally get the chance to chat with Daniela on the podcast because my guests and I have referenced the Savory Institute so many times over the years. We started by discussing the organization-- its mission, goals, structure, and global reach. We then talk about Daniela’s leadership philosophy and how she values thoughtful action, failing fast, and embracing complexity in all aspects of life. We talk about her upbringing in Argentina, her adventurous personality, and her partnership with her husband, Jim. We also talk about motherhood and how she has managed to balance such a high-performing career with raising two impressive and accomplished daughters. Whether you are interested in agriculture, leadership, or parenting, there are many lessons to be learned from Daniela, so I hope you enjoy! -- All Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/daniela-howell/ -- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 - Savory Institute explained 9:30 - Growth and evolution of Savory 14:00 - On taking risks and failing fast 16:00 - "Holistic Management” defined 18:30 - “Regenerative Agriculture” defined 21:00 - Business inertia in agriculture 27:00 - Importance of storytelling (and data!) 31:00 - Will Harris and White Oak Pastures as storytellers 34:45 - Daniela’s upbringing and education in Argentina and beyond 40:30 - Meeting Jim in New Zealand 44:00 - How managing ranches made her a better leader of people 52:00 - Heroes and mentors in business and leadership 56:00 - Balancing action and planning 1:00:30 - Thoughts on motherhood and raising children 1:07:00 - Important books on agriculture 1:12:30 - Parting words of wisdom -- This episode is brought to you by the FREEFLOW INSTITUTE. The first ten Mountain & Prairie listeners who register for a 2020 summer course will get $100 off their tuition. Just mention the Podcast when you register. For more information go to freeflowinstitute.com or shoot them an email at info@freeflowinstitute.com. ---- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie  

Andrew Ramiro Tirado is a Colorado-based artist who is best known for his award-winning large-scale sculptures and paintings of human hands. Using wood, metal, or traditional paint and canvas, Andrew combines his unique artistic eye with decades of experience as a craftsman to create remarkable pieces that are stunning in both their size and presentation. His hand sculptures can exceed ten feet in length and are sometimes displayed hanging from the ceilings of galleries or buildings—when you see Andrew’s work, there is no mistaking who created it! Andrew grew up in Colorado and graduated high school with the intention of studying and pursuing art as a vocation. During college, he landed a job in New York City, working as an assistant for the renowned artist Chuck Close—a coveted position for any budding artist. But soon after leaving New York, Andrew decided to walk away from making art, and he stayed away for 23 years. But in 2012, a serendipitous life-changing event rekindled his interest in making art, and he returned to the art world with full focus and passion. Just four years later, in 2016, Andrew resigned from his job at Colorado College and began pursuing art full time… and has never looked back. We met at Andrew’s brand new Colorado Springs studio, which happens to be just a few blocks from my own house. We had a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from making art to mountain climbing to the realities of life as a full-time artist. We started out by discussing his upbringing in Colorado Springs and how he found his way to art school and eventually, New York City working for the world-famous Chuck Close. Then we discuss his decision to leave the art world, and why—after more than two decades away—he decided to return to making art. We talked about the importance of writing to Andrew’s artistic process, as well as lessons he’s learned from spending time up high in the Colorado mountains. And finally, we talk about artistic heroes, favorite books, favorite films, and Andrew offers wisdom to those who dream of pursuing art as a full-time vocation. Andrew is an amazingly thoughtful and humble guy, and I greatly admire his soft-spoken and wise approach to chasing his dreams. Be sure to check out the episode webpage to see photographs of some of Andrew’s art, but for right now, enjoy this insightful conversation with Andrew Ramiro Tirado. --- Complete Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/andrew-tirado/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:00 - Andrew’s background 6:15 - Studying art in school 8:00 - Working for Chuck Close 11:00 - "Leaning in” to opportunities 12:00 - Lessons learned from Chuck Close 15:30 - The importance of self-imposed limitations 18:00 - Taking a hiatus from art 21:30 - The moment he decided to return to art 25:30 - Making his first-hand art piece 31:00 - Discovering a demand for his art 34:00 - Decision to pursue art full time 36:00 - Chasing the feeling of “peak experiences" 41:00 - Importance of "inflection points” 42:30 - Importance of writing to Andrew’s writing process 47:30 - How time in the mountains has affected his art 50:00 - Andrew’s artistic heroes 52:45 - Favorite books 55:00 - Films 59:00 - Favorite location in the West ---- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Jessica Ilalaole is a New Mexico-based artist who specializes in handcrafted jewelry inspired by the natural world and the landscapes of the American West. Through her online store CobraCult Jewelry, Jessica has built a loyal following of customers and admirers who are drawn to her uniquely stunning designs, as well as her authentic and unconventional lifestyle. Jessica’s personality is a unique mix of confident yet humble, social yet solitary, fiercely independent yet fully devoted to her friends and family-- a special blend of traits that have allowed her to create unique art and one-of-a-kind life. Jessica grew up in Hawaii but now lives on a spectacular property in Northern New Mexico on the western slope of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Her jewelry studio looks out onto the mountains, and she and her partner Cody are in the process of building an adobe cabin from the ground up. But while the views are spectacular, their lives are currently fully focused on hard work-- home construction, jewelry making, and the day-to-day realities of running Jessica’s business. Their vision and work ethic are extremely inspiring, and it was a pleasure to meet and record this episode at the property. We sat down in Jessica’s studio and had a wonderful and wide-ranging conversation. We started by chatting about the property-- how they decided to move there, how they acquired it, and their plans for it. We then talked about Jessica’s journey as an artist, and when and why she decided to make a go of it as a full-time jewelry maker. We discuss the influence of her parents, her artistic influences, her love of motorcycles and tattoos, and how social media has helped her to grow her business. We also discuss her commitment to positivity, the roots of her independent streak, and she offers some excellent advice for other aspiring artists. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, films, the best advice she’s ever received, and more. Be sure to check the episode notes for links to everything. Hope you enjoy! --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:10 - Jessica describes her property 5:40 - Growing up in Hawaii 8:10 - Being considered a haole 10:10 - Source of Jessica’s independent streak 11:10 - Similarity to parents 15:55 - Early years as an artist and jewelry maker 18:00 - Decision to make jewelry making a full-time job 20:00 - Skills learned from taking jewelry classes 22:00 - Deciding to take become a full-time artist 24:10 - Challenges of working solo while being a social person 25:40 - Relationship with Cody and building their cabin 30:10 - Artistic influences 31:10 - Riding motorcycles 37:00 - Jessica’s connection to tattoos  39:40 - Independent streak revisited 42:00 - Daily routines 44:40 - Exciting personal news! 47:30 - Long-term plans 49:10 - Influences or heroes 51:40 - Meaning of CobraCult 54:00 - Instagram’s role in her business and life 59:30 - Favorite books 1:03:00 - Favorite documentary 1:04:00 - Favorite location in the West 1:05:30 - Best advice ever received 1:09:30 - Advice for aspiring artists ---- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Kate Kavanaugh is an entrepreneur and regenerative agriculture advocate who co-owns and operates Western Daughters Butcher Shoppe in Denver, Colorado. Along with her partner Josh Curtiss, Kate sells fresh, local, grass-fed and pasture-raised meats that are all raised and harvested within 150 miles of Denver. Although she has been featured in such notable publications as “The New York Times” and “Forbes,” Kate is most proud of the deep connections she has formed with regenerative ranchers and farmers-- and the positive impact her business has had on the land. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Kate is deeply committed to regenerative agriculture and specifically the role that ruminants play in the health of soil and grasslands in the American West and beyond. She’s also a seasoned businesswoman who has paid her dues and suffered the bumps and bruises that come with any entrepreneurial endeavor. And it is the combination of her passion, toughness, curiosity, and willingness to think outside the box that has made Western Daughters such an inspiring success story. I had a great time chatting with Kate, and I learned a lot from our conversation. We started by talking about the story of Western Daughters--how the business began, challenges of running a brick and mortar store, and specifics around how the company supports local agriculture. We discuss Kate’s upbringing in Colorado and how she felt a deep connection to the land and the environment from an early age. We talk about Kate’s childhood commitment to vegetarianism and why she began eating meat again at age 20. We also chat about Kate and Josh’s exciting recent purchase of a farm in upstate New York, and how they plan to balance Western Daughters with farming their new land. We discuss food’s role in mental health, and Kate graciously shares some of her daily practices that help her manage anxiety and depression. Kate is a voracious reader, so there are tons of good books mentioned-- be sure the check out the episode notes for links to all the books and more. Hope you enjoy! --- More Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/kate-kavanaugh/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:15 - Western Daughters Butcher Shoppe, explained 4:45 - Kate’s early interest in agriculture 6:15 - Kate’s seriousness as a child 8:45 - Ending her run with vegetarianism 10:30 - Authors that helped Kate understand regenerative ag 11:15 - Starting Western Daughters 13:15 - Tribalism around food 15:45 - New York Times article 17:45 - Working with farmers and ranchers 22:45 - The ins and outs of regenerative ag 29:15 - The challenges of explaining regenerative ag to the masses 30:45 - Unexpected challenges of running Western Daughters  34:45 - Economic challenges of regenerative ag 37:45 - Kate and Josh’s new farm! 40:15 - Realities of running a brick and mortar business 45:15 - Thoughts on leaving the West 49:00 - Advice to people who want to farm 53:00 - Heroes and mentors 55:30 - Managing mental health 1:00:45 - Diet’s role in mental health 1:03:45 - Favorite books 1:04:45 - Favorite documentaries 1:06:15 - Favorite location in the West 1:07:15 - Most powerful outdoor experience 1:08:45 - Best advice ever received 1:10:45 - Request of the listeners ---- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Peter Heller is a renowned novelist, as well as an award-winning adventure writer and former contributing editor to "Outside," "Men’s Journal," and "National Geographic Adventure." Since age eleven, Peter has been committed to the craft of writing, and his lifelong love of words and stunning prose are the threads that connect all of his work– from fiction to non-fiction to poetry. His most recent novel, "The River," is the culmination of Peter’s decades of storytelling– the book weaves a masterful tale that combines adventure, deep friendships, wild places, chilling violence, and page-turning suspense. [For those of you who subscribe to my bimonthly book recommendations email, you may remember that I devoured the book in less than two days and absolutely loved it!] Peter was born, raised, and educated on the east coast but headed West soon after college to paddle rivers and immerse himself in the wide-open spaces of the American West. His writing career has taken him to some of the most far-flung corners of the earth. Still, he always returns to the Rockies, where he currently splits his time between Denver and Paonia, a rural community on Colorado’s Western Slope. The people and landscapes of the West play prominent roles in all of Peter’s novels, and his talent for capturing the beauty and complexity of people and wild places is second to none. We met up at Peter’s home in Denver and had a fun, wide-ranging conversation covering everything from his early obsession with writing to his current writing process to our mutual love of surfing. We discuss his first big paddling trip in Colorado, which started his decades-long love affair with the West. We talk about his early days as a professional writer– discussing everything from how he made it work financially to how he dealt with rejection. We dig into the specifics of his daily writing routine, and why he stops writing at 1,000 words, even if he is mid-scene. We also talk about how he avoids thinking when writing novels, his obsession with “finding the flow” in writing and outdoor pursuits, the importance of momentum, and balancing physical exuberance with the writer’s life. If you love Peter’s books, the West, or learning about writers, you will love this episode. And as a special bonus, I’m giving away a copy of "The River" via Instagram. On Friday, January 3, 2020, I’ll post all the details, so head to my Instagram page, give me a follow, and be on the lookout for the giveaway. You can either search by my name- Ed Roberson- or follow this link. "The River" was one of the best books I read in 2019, so I know you’ll enjoy it too. Thanks again to Peter for being so generous with his time and so insightful with his answers. I hope you enjoy! -- More Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/peter-heller/ Instagram Book Giveaway: https://www.instagram.com/mtnprairie/ Bimonthly Book Recommendations Email: http://mountainandprairie.com/reading/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 - Where Peter grew up 6:30 - Deciding to be a writer at 11-years old 10:00 - Specific disciplines to become a writer 10:40 - Peter’s parents’ backgrounds and their influence 13:30 - Peter’s love of writing as a career 14:50 - Childhood adventures 15:40 - Falling in love with the West 18:30 - Starting out as a writer 21:00 - Dealing with early rejections 22:50 - First published story 25:00 - “Not thinking” while writing fiction 29:00 - Starting Dog Stars 31:30 - Peter’s method - 1,000 words per day 36:00 - The inevitability of Peter’s stories 38:30 - Winslow Homer paintings and other real-life influences [Click to see "The Gulf Stream" painting] 41:45 - Importance of confidence and craftsmanship in writing 46:50 - Importance of momentum 49:00 - Love of entering "the zone” through writing, surfing, fishing, and more. 51:30 - Peter’s love for Paonia 55:00 - Surfing! 1:02:15 - Favorite books 1:04:00 - Favorite location in the West 1:05:45 - Best advice ever received ---- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Hal Herring is an award-winning journalist and writer whose work has appeared in such notable publications as the Atlantic, the Economist, and Orion.  He is also a contributing editor at Field and Stream and a regular contributor to High Country News. Most recently, Hal has made a name for himself in the podcast world as the host of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers’ popular podcast, called the Podcast & Blast with Hal Herring. If there’s one common thread that runs through Hal’s prolific and wide-ranging career, it’s a love of the West, its people, and its public lands. I’ve long admired Hal and specifically his refusal to be boxed in by any particular political party or close-minded ideologies. He could be considered progressive on some issues and conservative on others, but his opinions are always the result of a lot of deep thinking, extensive research, and thorough consideration. And as you’ll hear him say in this interview, he’s endlessly curious and always open to having his mind changed-- two characteristics that I personally admire and try my best to emulate, especially when it comes to issues here in the American West. Hal and I covered a lot in a little over an hour, and regular listeners will enjoy his depth and breadth of knowledge, as well as his unbridled passion for the West. We start by discussing his upbringing in Alabama and why he decided to move West. We talk a lot about books, and Hal offers up a massive selection of titles that have influenced his work, most of which have never before been mentioned on this podcast. We discuss the importance of journalism at this specific moment in history, and how he goes about finding the facts in today’s overwhelming deluge of media. We also chat about his work ethic, family, his current home in Augusta, Montana, his climbing and mountaineering adventures, and his recent success in the world of podcasts. There’s a lot to learn and digest in this episode, so be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything. Also, I hope you enjoy the southern accents-- I think Hal really brought mine out in full force. Hope you enjoy! COMPLETE EPISODE NOTES: https://mountainandprairie.com/hal-herring/ TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:05 - Growing up in Alabama 4:15 - Intro to Montana 5:50 - Deep love of Alabama 6:45 - Early years writing & traveling 9:30 - Source of Hal’s early wanderlust 11:35 - When Hal got serious about writing 15:00 - Importance of constraints 18:00 - How Hal’s work on public lands influences his journalism 20:45 - Decision to focus on public lands 22:10 - Need for real journalism 25:00 - Where does Hal get his news? 29:00 - Public land discussion 32:15 - Optimistic or pessimistic for the future of public lands? 36:30 - Mountaineering and climbing 41:15 - Having kids 44:00 - Hal’s foray into podcasting 48:15 - Most important books 50:50 - Connection with Teal Blake 55:30 - Importance of preparation and hard work 57:15 - Hal’s new book 1:00:30 - Favorite films 1:01:50 - Favorite location in the West 1:06:30 - Request of the listeners ---- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Mark Kenyon is a conservationist, outdoorsman, and author of the fantastic new book "That Wild Country: An Epic Journey through the Past, Present, and Future of America's Public Lands." For years, Mark has been well-known and respected in the hunting world, thanks in part to his website, blog, and podcast called Wired to Hunt, which focuses on the finer points of big game hunting. Mark and Wired to Hunt recently joined forces with Steven Rinella's MeatEater brand, which has helped to amplify Mark's impact on the worlds of hunting and conservation. "That Wild Country" is the culmination of many years of Mark's adventures, experiences, and writing, and I expect that Mountain & Prairie listeners will thoroughly enjoy it. From the outside, it appears that Mark is cruising through life, living the dream-- he hunts, writes, creates shows, and generally pursues his passions at full speed on a daily basis. But when you scratch below the surface, you'll see that Mark's professional path has been (and still is) defined by extreme focus and hard work, as well as an insatiable curiosity for everything from whitetail deer to US history to the finer points of public lands legislation. He walked away from an impressive and safe career at Google to merge his vocation and avocation, choosing to bet on himself rather than corporate America. And his bet paid off-- between his podcasts, articles, essays, videos, and, now, a book, Mark's body of work has educated and inspired countless people throughout the world. We started our conversation by discussing "That Wild Country," which is one of the most engaging and "user-friendly" explanations I've read of the history of public lands, as well as the modern-day controversies surrounding public lands. We discuss the conservation legacy of the other Roosevelt-- Franklin D Roosevelt-- and how his presidency revived our nation's commitment to public lands stewardship. We dig into the details of the Pittman-Robertson Act, a historic piece of legislation that all of us who love the outdoors need to understand. We discuss the short and impactful life of Bob Marshall, the famed conservationist who is the namesake of Montana's legendary Bob Marshall Wilderness. We also discuss a lot about Mark's personal backstory-- his decision to leave Google for Wired to Hunt, his recent merger with Meateater, how having a son has changed his perspective, his daily routine for maximum productivity, and much more. And finally, we touch on why Michigan seems to produce so many committed conservationists and outdoor writers. I've admired Mark and his consistent, high-quality work for years, so it was a thrill to finally chat. I encourage you to check out "That Wild Country" and the Wired to Hunt Podcast, but in the meantime, enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with Mark Kenyon. https://mountainandprairie.com/mark-kenyon/ "That Wild Country: An Epic Journey through the Past, Present, and Future of America's Public Lands" by Mark Kenyon TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 - An overview of “That Wild Country” 9:00 - Timeline of writing the book 11:00 - FDR’s influence on the conservation movement 16:30 - Ins and outs of the Pittman-Robertson Act 20:50 - Arguments around a “backpack tax” 21:40 - Who was Bob Marshall? 25:00 - How to write about dry subjects in an entertaining manner 29:00 - The effort of writing a book 29:40 - How having a kid changed Mark’s working style 32:20 - Mark’s morning routine 35:45 - Mark’s unique career path 38:00 - Epiphany moment in Mark’s career 40:30 - Merging with Meateater 42:30 - Secrets to Wired to Hunt’s success 47:00 - Mark’s “Back 40” project 50:00 - Why does Michigan produce so many outdoor leaders? 52:45 - New information learned about Theodore Roosevelt 57:45 - Optimism or pessimism for the future of public lands 1:01:30 - Important non-profits that Mark supports 1:06:45 - Mark’s favorite books ---- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie