Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson

Mike Reilly is the Veterans Program Coordinator at Heroes and Horses, a Montana-based nonprofit that uses expedition-style horse pack trips through wild landscapes to help veterans overcome the challenges of life after the military. Prior to his work with Heroes and Horses, Mike was a Navy SEAL and served as a member of SEAL Team 1 in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. As he was transitioning out of the military, he heard about Heroes and Horses and signed on as a student. The program offered a perfect blend of service, teaching, helping others, and adventure that spoke to Mike's strengths and interests; after completing the program, he was hired to stay on a full-time member of the team. • Heroes and Horses is not a vacation. It's a rigorous and hardcore three-phase process that takes veterans with no prior horseback experience and, in the course of a summer, turns them into expert horsemen and wilderness travelers. Through the hard work and focus required to make it through the program, veterans are able to forge lasting bonds and discover a renewed sense of purpose—which gives them the skills and confidence to thrive in the civilian life as they begin their post-military lives. Amazingly, this program is offered at no cost to veterans. • Mike was nice enough to take a break from a morning of training wild mustangs to chat with me about the program and his personal story. We discussed how he initially connected with Heroes and Horses and how it helped him through some of the challenges of post-deployment life. Mike explained the organization's upcoming 500 Miles Project, in which they are training horses from the BLM's Wild Mustang Program and planning to take them on a 500-mile ride later this summer. He also talks about his military career, and how a collegiate baseball injury was the catalyst that led him to pursue his dream of becoming a SEAL. • Mike is a humble guy with a deeply ingrained passion for serving and helping others, so I know you'll enjoy this episode. I encourage you to check out the Heroes and Horses website, visit their GoFundMe page, and consider supporting their important work. ••• http://mountainandprairie.com/mike-reilly/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:20 - How Mike describes his work 4:00- Heroes and Horses explained 7:45 - Importance of the bond between the veterans and horses 9:10 - Why H&H so effective compared to "traditional" PTSD therapy 11:15 - The circumstances that led Mike to H&H 13:30 - Why Mike chose H&H over traditional channels of help 15:25 - Mike reaches out to H&H founder and E.D. Micah Fink 16:00 - Personal powerful moment during Mike's student stint at H&H 18:30 - Mike's attraction to the military 20:00 - From enlisting to trying out for the SEAL teams 22:40 - Why teaching suits Mike's personality 24:00 - Personal mentors and heroes 25:00 - Importance of purpose and community 27:55 - Ensuring that H&H lessons stick when the students return to civilian life 31:00 - Success stories from H&H 32:35 - Val from Unbranded 33:55 - The 500 Miles Project 36:30 - The BLM's Wild Mustang Program 39:35 - Training wild horses 42:25 - How Mike defines the word "conservation" 45:40 - Favorite books 46:55 - Favorite movies 49:10 - Favorite place in the West 50:50 - Mike's request of the listeners

AD Maddox is an accomplished artist who creates some of the most spectacular and memorable paintings of trout that I've ever seen. Using bright colors and unique perspectives, AD depicts trout and the fly fishing lifestyle in a way that is completely original, yet so authentic you'd be hard-pressed to find an angler who doesn't love her work. Her art has been featured widely throughout the fishing world, including on the cover of Gray's Sporting Journal, Patagonia apparel, and even StealthCraft drift boats. • I first encountered AD's work when I moved to Jackson Hole in the mid-2000s. I'm not an art connoisseur, but I was instantly taken away with how she managed to capture the beauty and realistic details of trout with a contemporary and unconventional style. And just like her work, AD is a one-of-a-kind original—she spent years as a super-competitive athlete, studied exercise physiology in college, taught herself to paint without any formal art education, and rips around backroads on a Ducati motorcycle. Despite a fun-loving and easygoing exterior, she approaches her work with discipline and rigor that seem more fitting for a professional soldier than a professional artist. • Thanks to AD's outgoing and hilarious personality, we had a very fun and wide-ranging conversation. We chatted about her many years living in Jackson Hole and how the people, landscapes, and natural beauty of that valley influenced her art. We discussed her upbringing and her parents' role in giving her the confidence to pursue art as a full-time career. She also talks in detail about the importance of facing challenges (both in work and life) head-on and proactively, with a positive attitude and relentless work ethic. Whether you're an artist or not, there are many wise lessons in the conversation that anyone could apply to their work and life. • Thanks to AD for taking the time to chat. So much fun! Hope you enjoy. ••• http://mountainandprairie.com/ad-maddox/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:45 - How AD describes her work 4:30 - Why AD focused on fly fishing as a primary subject 5:50 - Selling her first piece of art 7:20 - Using photos to learn to paint trout 8:45 - How her art has changed over the years 10:30 - Knowing when a painting is truly finished 12:15 - How AD learned the technical aspects of art 14:00 - AD's artistic influences and mentors 16:00 - Lessons learned from painting mistakes 17:15 - Advantages of not waiting for permission 19:00 - AD's optimistic attitude 21:00 - The constant quest to reinvent her art 24:00 - Writers/Artist's block? 26:40 - AD's early years in athletics 29:00 - Parent's influence on her confidence 31:20 - Haters: the sign of success 34:00 - How living Jackson Hole shaped her art 35:50 - Importance of schedule, routine, and discipline 41:00 - Discipline versus inspiration 42:20 - Riding motorcycles 43:40 - How motorcycles helped her overcome personal challenges 46:00 - How personal challenges affected her art 50:00 - Favorite books 52:31 - Craziest outdoor experience 54:54 - Favorite place in the West 1:02:13 - Connect with AD online

Jeff Lee is the co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Land Library, a residential library located on a historic ranch in one of Colorado's most beautiful and dramatic high country grassland basins. The Buffalo Peaks Ranch, as it is known, will eventually house a collection of over 35,000 books related to natural history, conservation, and the American West. These books will be dispersed throughout ranch in houses and agricultural structures that have been preserved and restored by a growing team of enthusiastic volunteers. The ranch will become a place where individuals can immerse themselves in a natural setting, surrounded by books, for days at a time to read, write, and work on projects related to the West's unique landscapes. • The idea for the Land Library came to Jeff and his wife Ann (the library's other co-founder) when they visited a residential library in Europe during the mid-1990s. Given their deep love of books and land, Jeff and Ann immediately saw the potential for a similar concept in Colorado that centered around the history and landscapes of the American West. More than 20 years and tens of thousands of books later, their vision has become a reality—the Rocky Mountain Land Library is open for business and continuing to grow and evolve. • For anyone who has listened to this podcast, you know that the Land Library is my dream come true—it combines ranches, conservation, nature, and books—so I was obviously extremely excited to chat with Jeff. In a little over an hour, we covered a ton of interesting information, including the project's backstory, the history of the ranch, and Jeff and Ann's long term vision for the Land Library. Of course, we discuss books, and Jeff has many excellent recommendations that were brand new to me. It's worth noting that the Land Library is in the midst of the a fundraising campaign, so I encourage you to visit their KickStarter page, watch the video, and donate to the cause... I just did, so you definitely should too! Links to everything are in the episode notes. • If you love the West, love books, and love the land, I can guarantee you will love the Land Library and this episode. Enjoy! ••• http://mountainandprairie.com/jeff-lee/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:40 - How Jeff describes his work 3:45 - Backstory on the Land Library 4:40 - Jeff's introduction to the West 7:00 - Lake Powell, water, and differences between the East and West 7:55 - The early beginnings of Jeff's book collection 10:55 - The initial idea for the Land Library 13:50 - Challenges of storing tens of thousands of books 17:00 - South Park, Colorado described 19:30 - Early search for a Land Library site 23:45 - Unique experience on a ranch versus pristine wilderness 25:45 - Current state of the Land Library 28:10 - Cook's House restoration - Kickstarter Campaign 29:40 - History of Buffalo Peaks Ranch 34:10 - How Jeff defines "conservation" 35:30 - Interesting people and groups who have visited and volunteered at the ranch 40:00 - How Jeff and Ann were able to take the Land Library from an idea to reality 42:20 - Jeff's recommended books about the West 44:45 - Recommended biographies 51:00 - The interconnectedness of historical figures 52:25 - Purchase these books at your LOCAL bookstore!! 53:20 - Books that Jeff has gifted or recommended 57:40 - Jeff's most powerful outdoor experience 1:00:10 - Favorite location in the West 1:03:30 - Jeff's request of the listeners 1:04:40 - Connect with the Land Library online

Christian Beckwith is the executive director of SHIFT, a Jackson Hole-based non-profit that is building a powerful coalition to protect our nation's public lands. By bringing together climbers, skiers, hunters, anglers, land managers, and countless other stakeholders, SHIFT is finding common ground and harnessing these groups' collective power to ensure that public lands—our birthright as Americans—remain safe during this tenuous time in political history. • After a distinguished career in the publishing world which included editing the American Alpine Journal and co-founding Alpinist Magazine, Christian experienced a profound change in priorities when one of his close friends was killed by an avalanche in the Teton backcountry. At that point, Christian decided to focus his resources and energy exclusively on work that makes a "substantive difference in the world." From there he founded the Center for Jackson Hole, SHIFT, and, most recently, the Emerging Leaders Program which brings together a diverse group of early career leaders in conservation. • Christian's career is inspiring in many ways, but I especially admire his willingness to set audacious goals, put himself on the line, and not wait around for permission to make things happen. We dig into all of these topics in our hour-long conversation, and he shares some interesting insights into his career and the future of conservation. We also discuss Christian's early childhood experiences that led him to a career focused on adventure and the outdoors, and he talks about his relationship with Yvon Chiounard and how Chiounard has influenced him both personally and professionally. We chat about Christian's favorite books, documentaries, and how fatherhood has focused his thinking on the importance of conservation. There's a full list of the topics we discuss in the episode notes. • Given the current fights surrounding our public lands, this is a timely and powerful episode. I hope this conversation spurs you to continue educating yourself on threats to our public lands and to take appropriate action to protect them. ••• http://mountainandprairie.com/christian-beckwith/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:40 - How Christian describes his work 5:10 - Changing demographics in conservation 8:30 - Genesis of the idea for SHIFT 13:00 - Avalanche in Apocalypse Couloir 15:20 - Christian's decision to shift from publishing to conservation 18:00 - Evolution of SHIFT 20:30 - Importance of encouraging people to fall in love with wild places 21:40 - Overview of the current public land debate 25:40 - How becoming a father changed Christian's mindset 28:20 - Collaborating with non-traditional partners of recreation 31:20 - Defining the word "conservation" 31:50 - Conservation heroes and Yvon Chouinard 35:50 - The importance of Chouinard's internal compass 40:45 - Childhood experiences that led to a career centered around the outdoors 43:10 - First experiences climbing 45:40 - Advice to his younger self 49:30 - Favorite books 51:30 - Favorite documentaries 52:30 - Unexpected activities 54:00 - Christian's most powerful outdoor experience 58:00 - Christian's request of the listeners 59:00 - Connect with Christian and SHIFT online

Tyler Sharp is an adventurer, sportsman, conservationist, and world traveler with a gift for telling stories through images and words. While he may be best known for his photography focusing on Americana and Western lifestyle, travel, and adventure, Tyler has built a substantial resume that includes filmmaking, directing, writing, and creative strategy. His work has taken him to some of the most spectacular and far-flung regions of the globe, with an emphasis on East Africa, Montana, and his home state of Texas. • As a devoted hunter and fisherman, Tyler has chased game in some of the world's wildest regions, giving him a global perspective on the importance of natural resources, game management, and sustainable hunting practices. As you'll hear in our conversation, Tyler has thought deeply about the practical and ethical implications of hunting and fishing both abroad and here in the American West. His sincere devotion to conservation and adventure shines through in his work and has made him the go-to photographer for iconic brands such as Filson, Cabelas, and Stetson, to name a few. • Tyler and I met up in Estes Park, Colorado, just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, for a fun conversation that could have gone on for hours. We discussed his beginnings as a professional photographer, which began in earnest when he moved to East Africa just out of college—he's got some intense stories from his travels that include run-ins with lions and leopards. We covered his thoughts on conservation, and how his time traveling abroad has given him a clearer understanding of conservation issues facing the American West. Then the conversation took an unexpected but interesting turn when we chatted about his commitment to Kung Fu (yes, Kung Fu!), meditation, and eastern philosophy. • Be sure to check out the episode notes for the full list of topics covered, because we touch on a lot. This is a wide-ranging conversation that takes many surprising twists and turns. Hope you enjoy! ••• http://mountainandprairie.com/tyler-sharp/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:40 - How Tyler describes his work 3:40 - Tyler's niche in the creative world 4:25 - Tyler's background 5:35 - Heading to Los Angeles from Texas for college 7:00 - Post college adventures in Africa 8:10 - The shock of moving to Tanzania from LA 10:30 - Learning how to "grease the wheels" in Africa 11:25 - How time in Africa changed Tyler 13:20 - Threat of people versus wildlife 14:10 - Craziest experience in Africa (spoiler alert - it involves a lion!) 20:40 - Showdown with a leopard 22:20 - Transition from Africa to American West 24:15 - His choice to focus in on his passion 26:30 - Specific actions that have allowed Tyler to separate himself from the competition 31:10 - Tyler's personal brand 32:00 - Tyler's conservation ethic 35:00 - Discussion about conservation and hunting 39:00 - Hunters and others coming together to save public lands 40:00 - Details on The Modern Huntsman 41:55 - Blowback from posting hunting photos online 44:35 - Importance of having conversations versus fighting 46:30 - Tyler's definition of "conservation" 50:00 - Kung Fu and other martial arts 52:50 - Physical and mental benefits of Kung Fu 56:00 - Favorite books 1:00:50 - Advice to take better landscape photos 1:03:50 - Favorite place in the West 1:05:30 - Tyler's request of the listeners 1:09:50 - Connect with Tyler online

Connor Coleman is the founder of Resiliency Lands, a progressive, conservation-minded land management and advisory group committed to promoting ecological and resource resiliency. Prior to starting Resiliency Lands, he held a variety of positions closely connected to the land, jobs that would be on the wish-list of anyone who loves adventure and the American West—wildland firefighter, cowboy, bison manager, and conservationist, just to name a few. Connor is currently based in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley, and he resides on a spectacular ranch just outside of Carbondale. • You may be surprised to learn that Connor was not born and raised in the West or on ranches. On the contrary, he grew up in Ohio, went to college in North Carolina, and after paying his dues in east coast conservation and earning two master's degrees from Duke, he headed West to focus his energy on western landscapes. Thanks to an insatiable curiosity, a rock-solid work ethic, a service mindset, and a willingness to insert himself into new and uncomfortable situations, Connor has carved out a professional niche for himself in Colorado doing rewarding, exciting, and important work. • Connor's education and unconventional career path can serve as a great blueprint for anyone who loves the American West and wants a life centered around land, conservation, and natural resources. When I was in my early twenties, I would've loved to meet a guy like Connor who could point me in the right direction. So in this episode, we talk in depth about his career and his ability to "put himself out there" to create exciting professional opportunities. We dig deep into his thoughts on conservation in the West, as well as issues related to forest fires throughout the country. Connor loves to read and learn, so he also has tons of great book and film recommendations. • We cover a ridiculous amount of information, so be sure to check out the episode notes for the full list of topics we discuss. Enjoy! ••• http://mountainandprairie.com/connor-coleman/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED 2:32 - How Connor describes his work 3:55 - Importance of conserving working ranches 7:55 - Grazing as an important part of conservation 13:40 - Examples of some of Resiliency Land's projects 16:35 - Where did Connor grow up? 18:50 - Connor's decision to make conservation a career 22:45 - Brief history of NC barbecue 25:00 - Early career in conservation 29:10 - Grad school at Duke 30:30 - Difference between conservation in NC versus CO 32:20 - How easterners misunderstand public lands in the west 33:30 - Time as a wildland firefighter 36:30 - Fire policy in the east versus west 40:00 - Longleaf pine book recommendations 41:15 - Adventures at Camp Lejeune 42:20 - Moving out west to work on ranches 45:40 - Challenges of adjusting to the demands of ranch work 48:30 - Working with bison on the Zapata Ranch 49:50 - Bison and bison book recommendations 55:20 - Transition to the Aspen Valley Land Trust 59:20 - Lesson learned working in conservation in different parts of country 1:01:20 - Thoughts on service and giving back to the community 1:06:15 - Favorite books about the American West 1:10:15 - Favorite films 1:12:50 - Surprising activities 1:14:35 - Craziest experience in the outdoors 1:18:45 - Favorite place in the West 1:20:20 - Biggest challenge facing the West 1:23:00 - Connor's request of the listeners 1:25:15 - Connect with Connor online 1:25:55 - Bonus book recommendations!

Taylor Keen is a teacher, community builder, and Native American thought leader based out of Omaha, Nebraska. His back story is as diverse as it is impressive—he's a member of both the Omaha Tribe and the Cherokee Nation, attended Dartmouth College (BA) and Harvard University (Masters of Public Policy, MBA), and enjoyed a successful stint in corporate America before returning to Nebraska to teach entrepreneurship and management at Creighton University. His most recent undertaking is Sacred Seed, a project with the goal of preserving Native American heritage and history through collecting, growing, and spreading the seeds of corn and other traditional Native American foods. • The writer Wallace Stegner theorized that people generally fit into one of two categories—"Boomers" or "Stickers." Boomers are "those who pillage and run" and want "to make a killing and end up on Easy Street." Stickers are just the opposite—they are "motivated by affection, by such a love for place and its life that they want to preserve it and remain in it." Taylor is the walking embodiment of a Sticker. Given his drive, intelligence, and education, he could've followed the path of the Boomer and pursued any number of careers. But a deep love of his Native American heritage and his community called him back home to teach, lead, and live a life devoted to service of others. It's an inspiring story. • I could've talked to Taylor for hours and I only asked about a third of the questions I had prepared, but we still managed to dig into a wide variety of fascinating topics. We discussed the history and mission of Sacred Seed and where he sees the project going in the future. We talked about his path from the West to the Ivy League, the decisions that led him to transition from corporate America to higher education, and some very interesting Native American history. One of my favorite parts of our conversation was Taylor's recounting the advice he received from his grandfather soon after graduating from Harvard Business School. • This was a very enlightening conversation for me, and I greatly appreciate Taylor taking the time to chat. I encourage you to visit the Sacred Seed website and watch the video—you can find links to everything we discuss in the episode notes on the webpage. Enjoy! ••• http://mountainandprairie.com/taylor-keen/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED 2:55 - How Taylor describes his work 4:00 - Sacred Seed Project 5:35 - Early beginnings of Sacred Seed 9:00 - Discovering the importance of seed banking 10:00 - Threats to native seeds from large corporations 11:45 - Difference between Omahas and Cherokees 13:50 - How Taylor found his first ancient seeds 15:55 - How the plants compliment each other, Four Sisters 20:45 - How Sacred Seed has changed Taylor 22:40 - The link between elders and the ancient ways of planting 25:30 - Fall festival 26:45 - Future plans for Sacred Seed 29:20 - Taylor's changing approach to the project—MBA to Holistic thinking 33:45 - Similarities between Sacred Seed and the reintroduction of bison 36:45 - The fight for sustainable agriculture 37:10 - Meaning of Omaha 38:10 - Where Taylor grew up 39:00 - Taylor's journey to the Ivy League 41:15 - Biggest surprise when moving east 43:55 - Harvard graduate school and corporate America 45:35 - Taylor's grandfather's wise advice 49:25 - Discussing Sebastian Junger's Tribe 51:00 - Taylor's thoughts on the importance of tribes 53:50 - Best books for learning about Native American culture 56:45 - Taylor's advice to his younger self 58:00 - Other favorite books 1:02:50 - Taylor's request of the audience 1:06:00 - Connect with Taylor online

Camrin Dengel is a professional lifestyle photographer who lives and works on the quiet side of the Teton Mountain Range in Teton Valley, Idaho. Her work focuses on a broad range of subjects, with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture, hunting, fishing, and life in and around her mountain community. In her work and leisure, Camrin is a devoted proponent of slow living, and she strives to approach her profession and life in a manner that is intentional, simple, meaningful, and positive. • Growing up in Valdez, Alaska gave Camrin a unique perspective and toughness (she calls it "stubbornness") that have allowed her to pursue her passion for art full time, while staying true to her ideals and enjoying a slow-living lifestyle. She attended college on a running scholarship with the intention of becoming an engineer, but decided midway through that art and photography were her true calling. After graduation, she moved straight to Teton Valley where she has built a life and business centered around documenting the people and places that make the American West such a special place to live. • I've spent a lot of time in Teton Valley and can honestly say that Camrin's work captures the landscapes and lifestyle more authentically than any artist I've ever seen. She is obviously a talented photographer, but she is also a super-interesting person who has managed to sidestep a good deal of the "busyness" and distractions that dominate many of our lives. In our conversation, we discuss her career trajectory, and also her love for the community of Teton Valley. We dig deep into the idea of slow living, and she offers some thoughts on ways for people to adopt a slower, more intentional lifestyle. As usual, we discuss favorite books, documentaries, and challenges and opportunities facing the American West. • This is a really fun episode full of lots of great info. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Hope you enjoy! ••• http://mountainandprairie.com/camrin-dengel/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:30 - How Camrin describes her work 3:50 - Good example of Camrin's work 5:30 - Teton Valley explained 7:25 - How she ended up in Teton Valley 8:30 - Transition from adventure photography to lifestyle 9:50 - Thoughts on slow living 10:45 - Ways to live slowly as effortlessly as possible 13:25 - Being intentional with social media 14:20 - Advice for adopting a slower lifestyle 15:30 - Growing up in Alaska 16:35 - Unique aspects of growing up in Alaska 18:50 - How Alaska shaped Camrin's perspective 20:05 - College years in California 21:15 - From engineer student to artist 23:15 - Time with the Alaska Marine Conservation Council 24:35 - Similarities between fisherman, ranchers, and farmers 27:10 - Camrin's definition of conservation 28:00 - Thoughts on fishing and hunting 31:45 - How Camrin developed the confidence to follow her passion 33:15 - Role models and mentors 35:10 - Other possible career paths 36:45 - Advice to aspiring photographers 39:00 - Photography advice 40:30 - Book recomendations 41:20 - Slow living resources 42:45 - Favorite documentaries 44:20 - Surprising activities 48:00 - Favorite place 49:20 - Ideas for off the beaten path experiences in Alaska 51:00 - The insanity of the Mt. Marathon 55:15 - Biggest challenge facing the American West 57:30 - Request of the listeners 58:50 - Connect with Camrin online

Jason Schlarb is a champion ultrarunner whose notable achievements include winning the Hardrock 100 (2016) and Run Rabbit Run 100 (2013 & 2015), as well as finishing as the top American in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (4th place, 2014). He is also an accomplished adventurer who, among other things, has skied the entire Hardrock 100 course in winter and explored remote regions of Patagonia and New Zealand, all while filming his exploits and then creating engaging, authentic films though his company Schlarb-Wolf Productions. Most impressively, Jason is a veteran who served for 10 years as an officer in the United States Air Force, which included a five-month deployment to Iraq and his earning the rank of Major. • A competitive soccer player for most of his youth, Jason made the switch to running relatively late in the game when he joined the cross country team as a high school senior. But his natural talent for endurance combined with a relentless competitive streak allowed him to walk on to a Division I cross country team, where he excelled throughout his college career. After years of focusing exclusively on road races ranging from 10Ks to marathons, he made the switch to trail running and has never looked back. Jason, his wife Maggie, and son Felix have shaped their lives around the pursuit of a purpose-driven, rewarding, and adventurous lifestyle, and they currently reside on the southern end of Colorado's San Juan Mountains, just outside of Durango. • Jason is a fascinating guy with an infectiously positive attitude, which made for a fun and in-depth conversation. We cover a broad range of topics, including his athletic background, his journey to ultrarunning, and some of his adventures around the world. We discuss his time in the military and how those 10 years of service affect his outlook and approach to sports and life. We chat about his thoughts on competition, mental toughness, and the benefits of positive thinking. Whether you're an athlete or not, there are huge amounts of wisdom to be gleaned from Jason's experiences and perspective. • This was a fun conversation and I really appreciate Jason taking the time to chat. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! ••• http://mountainandprairie.com/jason-schlarb/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:48 - How Jason describes his work 4:05 - The Hardrock 100 6:30 - Hardrock 100 course and the San Juan Mountains 10:00 - Jason's early life, growing up as an athlete 12:30 - Transition from soccer to running 13:45 - Balancing competition against others with competition against himself 15:24 - College running career 18:00 - Benefits of a tough college coach 18:35 - Transition from college to the US Air Force 20:00 - Motivations for joining the military 21:10 - Experiences in the military 21:50 - Deployment in Iraq 22:40 - Life post-military 23:30 - Transition to trail running 25:45 - Biggest surprise during Jason's first ultra 27:00 - Military lessons applied to running 30:20 - Mental aspects of running 100 milers 34:35 - Jason's transition to a positive, smiling mental approach 38:20 - Maggie Schlarb's influence on Jason's training 39:50 - Coaching a positive mindset 41:40 - The appeal of endurance sports 42:45 - Jason's annual adventures and films—Skiing the Hardrock, New Zealand, etc. 48:45 - Thoughts on conservation 53:00 - Favorite books 55:00 - Favorite films 57:20 - "Fight Club" and thoughts on the origins of Jason's lifestyle 1:01:20 - Most powerful outdoor experiences 1:05:30 - Jason's request of the listeners 1:07:50 - Connect with Jason online

Larry Yaw is a renowned architect based in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley whose work connects people with nature using contemporary, sustainable, conservation-focused designs. Growing up in rural Montana gave Larry a deep appreciation for the utilitarian character of ranch homes and their thoughtful integration into the landscape, aspects that form the foundation of much of his work today. Through his design, Larry has demonstrated a unique ability to pay homage to the past while boldly pushing beyond preconceived notions of architecture in the American West. • If I had to use one word to describe Larry it would probably be "adventurous"—a quest for adventure seems to guide all aspects of his professional and personal lives. As you'll hear in our conversation, Larry has traveled the world many times over, sometimes with his full family in tow, seeking out enriching experiences everywhere from the South Pacific to the Swiss Alps. He is also intellectually adventurous, as evidenced by his deep knowledge of history, conservation, Native Americans, and many other subjects related to the West and beyond. Physical adventures are a daily occurrence for Larry, whether it's pedaling single track, stalking trout with his fly rod, hiking in the high mountains around Aspen, or shooting birds on the Montana prairies. All of these experiences provide the fuel that keeps Larry's creative engine firing at turbo speed, decade after decade. • This was a super-fun conversation, and I came away from it inspired and enlightened. We discussed a broad range of topics including Larry's architecture, his creative process, and how he has managed to stay consistently creative for so long. We chatted about his early years in Montana, some of his adventures around the world, and his thoughts on conservation in the American West. Larry is a true student of the West, so he had plenty of book recommendations. There is a lot of great information in this interview, so don't forget to check the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. ••• http://mountainandprairie.com/larry-yaw/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:45 - How Larry describes his work 3:40 - Larry describes his architecture 5:00 - Montana's influence on Larry's work 7:20 - Early years in Montana and Florida 9:00 - College years and path to graduate school 13:25 - Post-grad school early career 15:15 - Decision to move back West 16:30 - Origins of Larry's adventurous outlook 22:00 - International travel's influence on his work 23:55 - Around the world family trip 25:05 - Adventures on Aconcagua 26:22 - Cultural influences of travel 27:10 - Rugged individualism versus community 29:00 - Design for an active, mountain-inspired lifestyle 30:20 - Process versus goals 32:45 - His creative process 34:40 - Evolution of Larry's work 36:30 - Thoughts on conservation 38:30 - Interactions with Native Americans 41:00 - Sustainability and design 42:30 - Interactions with the Blackfeet Tribe 46:30 - "Once Proud" painting series 48:30 - Recommended books on Native Americans 51:15 - Larry's favorite books 55:20 - Favorite documentaries 56:50 - Favorite outdoor and artistic activities 1:01:25 - Craziest outdoor experience 1:04:00 - Favorite location in the West 1:06:45 - Biggest challenge/opportunity facing the West 1:08:55 - Advice to his younger self 1:12:10 - Larry's request to the listeners 1:13:50 - Connect with Larry online