Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson

Latest Episodes:

George Hodgin - Mission-Driven Entrepreneur Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

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.

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Full episode notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/george-hodgin/

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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

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Kyle Richardson - Mountains & Music Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

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.

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Full episode notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/kyle-richardson/

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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

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Daniela Ibarra-Howell - Healing the Land Holistically Mar 12, 2020

Show notes

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.

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Andrew Ramiro Tirado - Stoking His Artistic Fire Feb 19, 2020

Show notes

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.

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Complete Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/andrew-tirado/

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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

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Jessica Ilalaole - Creating Home in the High Desert Jan 29, 2020

Show notes

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!

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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

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Kate Kavanaugh - Regeneration & Restoration Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

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!

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More Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/kate-kavanaugh/

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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

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Peter Heller - Chasing the Flow Dec 31, 2019

Show notes

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/

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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

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Hal Herring - A Man of Words & Wild Places Dec 16, 2019

Show notes

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

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Mark Kenyon - A Passion for Public Lands Dec 06, 2019

Show notes

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

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Matt Skoglund - Adventures in Bison Ranching Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

Matt Skoglund and his wife Sarah are bison ranchers and the owners of the North Bridger Bison Ranch, which is located in Montana's iconic Shields Valley. The Skoglund's bison operation is deeply rooted in Holistic Management and Regenerative Agriculture principles, and their goal is to produce healthy and delicious meat, while simultaneously improving the land, helping the environment, and contributing to Montana's economy. Through hard work and genuine curiosity, Matt has found his life's true calling in bison ranching—a challenging yet deeply rewarding business that combines so many of Matt's passions into one dream job.

By now, you may be assuming that Matt comes from a western ranching family or perhaps holds agriculture degrees from a land-grant university. But the reality is that Matt grew up in the Chicago area, attended college in the northeast, then law school, then began a career as an attorney in the litigation department of a large Chicago law firm. After several years of practicing law, he and Sarah could no longer resist the desire to move West, so they took a leap of faith and moved to Bozeman. Matt found a job with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), where he worked for nearly ten years, digging deep into many conservation issues that affect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including bison. Finally, in 2018, after several years of dreaming and planning, they pulled the trigger, bought some land, and started their adventure in bison ranching.

Matt and Sarah's story is inspiring and instructive, especially for those who have dreams of pursuing lives and careers in the West. Instead of jumping all over the place like I normally do, this conversation is pretty much split into two main sections. The first half covers all the details about North Bridger Bison, how they acquired the ranch, their process of field harvesting the meat, who their customers are, and some of the biggest surprises of running their own business. The second half covers some broader personal topics, such as how being a father has affected Matt's outlook, why he was able to walk away from a lucrative career in law, and the life lessons learned from being a college hockey player. Whether you are strictly interested in agriculture or only interested in people's personal evolutions, there are aspects of the Skoglund's journey that will be fascinating to both groups.

Be sure the check the episode notes for a list of everything we discussed. Hope you enjoy!

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https://mountainandprairie.com/matt-skoglund/

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TOPICS DISCUSSED: