On the Dogwatch

Latest Episodes:

38. Shackleton. The Brand that Prepares, Equips, and Inspires, Taking Cues From the Boss Himself Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

On top of the stack of the world’s expedition narratives, survival stories, and inspiring but hard-to-believe-they-are-true adventure books, sits Ernest Shackleton. The tale of the Endurance and Shackleton has become so legendary not only because of what he and his men did, but also because of how they did it: the underlying values they relied on, the character traits they exhibited, and the human feats of leadership and strength they enacted.

Today On the Dogwatch we have the honor to talk with Martin Brooks, who co-founded the Shackleton brand with his partner Ian Holdcroft. In our conversation, Martin holds forth on Shackleton–known as “the Boss” to his men–and describes how they came to create the Shackleton brand, the values that it represents, and the reasons that quality gear is meaningful and essential for expeditions. We also discuss with Martin the various aspects of the Shackleton brand, such as their parkas, sweaters, clothing and platinum prints of Frank Hurley’s photographs, the expedition challenges they offer in such locations as Norway and Antarctica, as well as the newly minted Shackleton Medal that recognizes someone each year who has made a significant contribution to the protection of Earth’s polar regions. And don’t worry, along with looking to the future with the brand, we also look back at Shackleton’s adventures and discuss what we can learn from them.

So pour yourself an extra ration of rum, or your chosen beverage, let your imagination drift to the distant horizon, and let’s get started with what is sure to be a very memorable Dogwatch.

37. Outdoor Style From London to the Lake District, with David Evans of the Grey Fox Blog Jun 19, 2022

Show notes

There is plenty to learn from the British in terms of classic style, especially for those who are interested in the outdoors. On this episode of the Dogwatch, we speak with David Evans, the man behind the Grey Fox Blog, one of the early style blogs and a mainstay of classic British lifestyle commentary. David is frequently featured in the media, and you can see his take on summer style this past week in the UK’s The Daily Telegraph. In our conversation, David talks with us about the roots of classic British outdoor and casual wear, tweed and its production in Britain, as well as dogs and Land Rovers. We also discuss the ways in which we can strive toward a more sustainable approach to clothing and style.

At the time of this recording I asked David about his dog Harry, and anyone who follows the Grey Fox on Instagram will know Harry from his frequent appearances. Just days after our conversation, Harry passed away unexpectedly. This was obviously very difficult for David and his family. Today’s episode of the Dogwatch is dedicated to Harry, and the positive energy and love that dogs can bring to us in this world in the ways that Harry did. So here’s to Harry, and our thoughts go out to David as well.

36. Before Shackleton and the Endurance There Was the Belgica: Madhouse at the End of the Earth, with Julian Sancton Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

Most listeners of this podcast will be familiar with the epic adventure of Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance. However, the Endurance does not have a monopoly on being stuck in Antarctic ice, nor does it have precedence. Before the Endurance, Belgian captain Adrien de Gerlache took the Belgica on a southward expedition with the hopes of reaching the magnetic south pole.

On the Dogwatch today we are fortunate to be joined by Julian Sancton who recently wrote Madhouse at the End of the Earth, a bestselling book that the New York TImes calls “exquisitely researched and deeply engrossing,” in which he tells the incredible tale of the Belgica, how it became lodged in the Antarctic ice, and how its crew, much to their detriment, became the first to endure the dark Antarctic winter. In our conversation, we get to know Julian’s background in journalism and writing, how he came to tell the tale of the Belgica, and learn more about the characters in the book, including Roald Amundson, who became one of most prominent explorers of all time. If that is not enough, I would think that starting the tale in Leavenworth Penitentiary will peak the interest of most Dogwatch listeners.

35. Buckle Up: Timing, Driving, and Scoring Auto Racing with Legend Judy Stropus Jun 01, 2022

Show notes

For a normal shift On the Dogwatch, we proceed at the measured pace of a ship under sail, looking out at the natural world, considering interesting ideas as if we were having a conversation on an evening dogwatch shift. Today, however, we ramp the speed significantly as we learn how to time things that go very fast. We visit with Judy Stropus, who is a legendary timer and scorer in the auto racing world, and has also been involved as a driver as well. She is author of the Stropus Guide to Auto Race Timing and Scoring, is a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame, and is the current Grand Marshal of Concours d’Elegance in Greenwich Connecticut. In our conversation we discuss the ways in which timing and scoring was done before the advent of electronic timers, and how Judy’s career developed both in the pit as a timer and on the track as a driver. We discuss a wide range of perspectives, including how timing and scoring is done, the place for fear on the racetrack (spoiler, there isn’t one), Judy’s friendship with Paul Newman, and her participation in what is casually referred to as the “Cannonball Run,” driving a Cadillac Limousine.

So buckle up, and let’s get to our conversation with Judy Stropus.

34. Zen and the Art: Motorcycles, Maintenance, Pirsig, and Road Trips with Mark Richardson May 18, 2022

Show notes

As we get into the warmer weather of spring, many of us On the Dogwatch will start to think of road trips. One of the many great things about these trips is that they can afford us time to think about our lives. There is no more iconic North American road trip than Robert Pirsig’s travels inZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. On this Dogwatch, we have the pleasure to be joined by Mark Richardson, a longtime motorcycle and automotive writer, now writing for the Globe and Mail in Canada, who retraced Pirsig’s footsteps in Zen and Now: On the Trail of Robert Pirsig and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. In our conversation with Mark, we discuss how he decided to write his book on Pirsig, what he learned along the way, and how he thinks about Pirsig and the book now.

Our feature today is the pump at the Wayside Rest Area where Pirsig stopped on the first leg of his journey on Highway 55 out of Minneapolis. Mark stopped at what seems certain to be the same stop around 2004 and pumped the pump himself. Just several days ago, I made my own trip to this small rest stop. Although the pavilion is still there, the pump has disappeared. So where is Pirsig’s pump? If you have any information about this let us know, as we are on the trail of this important historical object.

33. The Nature and Practice of Bonsai, with Bjorn Bjorholm of Eisei-en Garden May 11, 2022

Show notes

It is rare to have the opportunity to speak with a true expert in the practice of bonsai. In fact, there aren’t very many of them, and most speak Japanese. We have the great fortune on this episode of the Dogwatch to be able to speak with Bjorn Bjorholm, who is one of the rising stars in the practice and study of bonsai. Luckily for us, Bjorn speaks Japanese and English, as he grew up in Knoxville, TN, and now oversees the flourishing Eisei-en Bonsai Garden in Nashville. In our conversation, we learn how Bjorn grew up with a strong interest in bonsai and Japanese culture, hear about his early experiences in Japan and his six-year apprenticeship at Kouka-en bonsai nursery in Osaka, Japan. Bjorn explains the approach of Eisei-en and how it compares to a traditional Japanese bonsai garden, and how bonsai helps us experience nature and get similar benefits if we went further afield.

Our feature today is the forest style of bonsai. This style is one of a number of styles–such as upright, slanting, and cascade–in which five or more trees are used to create a miniature forest. The number and species of trees chosen, their placement relative to one another, and their planting substrate work together to create a unique approximation of a forest scene. Bjorn shares with us that this form is the one that appeals most to people new to bonsai. In our interview, he describes that he made a forest clump when he was 16 , and this is one of the very few plants in his garden that he will never sell.

32. Helm Boots: Making Classic Boots Modern May 03, 2022

Show notes

There is no more important first step when one heads to the field than to put on quality footwear, and many times this means a great pair of boots. In my search for long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing, and comfortable footwear I found Helm Boots, of Austin, Texas. I got to know Brad Day, their CEO, and am grateful that he was willing to join us for a shift On the Dogwatch. In our conversation, Brad and I discuss his background and experiences in footwear, the development of the Helm Boot brand, and aspects of how boots are made. We also discuss how to choose a boot, some of the attributes of Helm’s current offerings, and new styles that are in the pipeline.

Our feature on this episode is the Endurance, which is both one of the core principles of Helm Boots, and the ship that Ernest Shackleton took to Antarctica in 1914 in an attempt to be the first to cross that continent. Despite now lying under 3000 meters of water in the Weddell Sea near Antarctica, the Endurance is a symbol of perseverance, fortitude, and the human spirit, and the expedition that bears its name is certainly one of the best exploring adventures of the modern era. The current location of the Endurance was only recently discovered by the Endurance22 expedition on March 5, 2022.

31. Icebound in the Arctic: Andrea Pitzer Shares the Explorations of William Barents Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

We turn the compass north on this Dogwatch and thankfully are joined by Andrea Pitzer, a person who not only has been on multiple Arctic expeditions, but has also written Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World, a book about one of the early European polar explorers of the region, William Barents. Along with being a writer of books and a freelance journalist, Andrea has a wealth of other experiences that inform her perspectives. In our conversation, we discuss what life was like at the end of the 16th century, what questions Barents and others were trying to answer on their expeditions to the Arctic, and some of how those adventures turned out. Ultimately, Andrea helps us see Barents as someone who made his name not so much for his specific discoveries but for his ability to endure and persist in the face of incredible suffering, which became a template for later polar expeditions. She even points out how Shakespeare included a reference to Barents and his men in Twelfth Night, referring to an “icicle on a Dutchman's beard,” and shows how widely this adventure was known despite the account of the voyages not being published in English at the time.

Given that this episode focuses on the Arctic, our feature is the late James McCarthy, who was a Professor of Biological Oceanography at Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology. H passed away in 2019 at the age of 75. The Harvard Gazette quoted Al Gore:

“Nobody communicated the importance of the climate crisis in the context of the oceans as eloquently and passionately as Jim.”

I definitely looked up to Jim in our interactions, and remember his generosity, passion, and particularly his commitment to understanding and taking action on climate issues. It is now up to us to follow Jim’s lead, to redouble our efforts, and commit each day to take on this challenge.

30. Pilot Watches Take Flight For Women and Everyone Else: A Conversation with Abingdon Co. Watches Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

We take to the skies on this episode of the Dogwatch and speak with Abingdon Mullin, who is a wide-ranging pilot who also started a watch company. When Abingdon became a working pilot, she wanted to reward herself with a pilot’s watch but couldn’t find one that was a good fit for her wrist. So she decided to make one herself. In this conversation we discuss Abingdon’s life as a pilot and her adventures from Alaska to the Caribbean in a host of different aircraft. We then discuss how she came to the idea for Abingdon Co. Watches, their design aesthetic, and the range of their watch offerings from pilot watches to racing watches to dive watches. We also save a bit of time to hear about the efforts of the Abingdon Foundation as well.

Our feature today is Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American to become a civilian pilot. Born into a family of sharecroppers in Texas, Bessie eventually moved to France to complete her pilot’s training. She returned to the US to work in stunt flying until her death in a airplane accident in 1926. Bessie was a true pioneer.

29. Why Is Keeping Time Important to Humans? How Time Relates to Power and Place, with Author and Curator David Rooney Apr 03, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the Dogwatch we visit with horologist, museum curator, and author David Rooney. We have the opportunity to talk with David about how he learned about clocks and watches from his parents, his path to becoming a museum curator at several prestigious institutions in England, and some of the most interesting timekeeping devices he has known. David teaches us not only about specific clocks but also about some of the history of how they have been used in human civilizations and their relationship to people and power. This conversation just begins to touch on the wealth of information and fascinating stories David includes in his recent book About Time: A History of Civilization in Twelve Clocks.

Today we feature the John Harrison clocks, sometimes simply known as “the Harrisons.” These clocks, labeled H1 to H4, were produced by John Harrison in the early 18th century in response to the Longitude Act of 1714, which offered a huge reward for someone who could devise a reliable method for determining longitude at sea. Despite being trained as a carpenter, he started making clocks at the age of 20, and eventually created four of the most important clocks ever built. These clocks, now housed at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, were under the care of our guest while he was curator there.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected