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

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

This episode is a little different than normal-- it's me being interviewed on the Off the Couch podcast by my friends Jonathan Ellsworth and Brendan Leonard. Brendan is likely familiar to many of you long-time listeners-- he joined me on the podcast a few years ago to discuss his writing career, his film "How to Run 100 Miles" and his blog Semi-Rad. Jonathan is the creator of Blister, an amazing online resource that includes outdoor gear reviews, a podcast network, and much more. Jonathan will be joining me on this podcast in the coming months. - Jonathan and Brendan were nice enough to invite me on Off the Couch to discuss a somewhat silly challenge that I imposed on myself on my 43rd birthday. Every hour on the hour for 24 hours, I ran a 1.3-mile loop around my neighborhood. In between laps, I did a long list of tasks that I had been putting off, including stacking firewood, cleaning and rearranging my basement, sending a ridiculous number of emails, and other mindless tasks. The whole thing was based on a film by a guy named Beau Miles who did a similar challenge in Australia. I stumbled across the film on Youtube and decided to give it a shot a few days later. I've linked to that film in the episode notes. - That birthday challenge was just one part of what turned out to be a wide-ranging conversation about a ton of fun and funny topics. We discussed the backstory on the Mountain & Prairie, my experiences running 50 and 100-mile races, some scary moments I've had running ultras, why I'm so obsessed with reading books, and some of my favorite books from 2020. There were enough interesting topics that overlap with what we discuss here on Mountain & Prairie, so I thought some of y'all might enjoy it and get a few laughs at my expense. - If you're interested in running and some of the fascinating characters that the sport attracts, I encourage you to check out Off the Couch. You'll recognize a few past Mountain & Prairie guests, including Mike Foote and Joe Grant, but all of the episodes are fun and inspiring. There's a link in the episode notes, so check it out. Enjoy! --- Off the Couch Blister Semi-Rad Beau Miles - “A Mile An Hour” Blister Podcast Network All of Brendan’s Books “How to Run 100 Miles” film --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: Ed’s podcast, Mountain & Prairie (3:32) The Procrastinator’s Punishment 50k (11:49) Ed’s Scary DNF (33:02) Ed’s Gross DNF (39:21) Triathlon community vs the Ultra community (42:11) Ed’s bi-monthly book recommendations (47:20) --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Chris Douglas is a Montana-based photographer and creative director who is one of the most sought-after visual storytellers in the American West. Chris is a go-to photographer for iconic brands such as Filson, Stetson, and Mossy Oak, and his editorial work appears regularly in publications including Modern Huntsman and Men’s Journal. In a world flooded with iPhone photography and armchair creatives, Chris’s work stands out as being artistically stunning and of the highest professional caliber. - When viewing Chris’s work, most people would assume that he’s been laser focused on photography for his entire career. But even though his interest in photography began at age ten, the first half of his career was spent in front of the lens-- first as an international model for brands such as Versace, and then as a successful television actor. But life moving between LA, New York, and Milan was not a fit with his love of the outdoors, so Chris eventually moved to Montana, where he continued his life-long passion for hunting and adventure. Then, as you’ll hear him describe, Chris was severely injured in a horse accident, which became the catalyst that led him to leave acting behind and devote his full energies to photography. - Those of you who are long-time listeners know that I spend a lot of time preparing for each of these interviews, but, as you’ll hear, I was completely surprised by much of Chris’s story. Chris is unbelievably humble and keeps a low profile, so I was honored that he was open to sharing his full journey with me on the podcast. We started out chatting about his upbringing in east Tennessee and his tight-knit, supportive family that he credits with being the foundation for all of his success. Then we discussed his fascinating career trajectory-- from international model to soap opera star to television host to photographer. We had a great conversation about his Native American ancestry and how Native culture has influenced his work and family’s life in Montana. - Chris’s story is both entertaining and instructive-- he is a wonderful example of how life’s unexpected twists and turns can lead people on the most interesting journeys. And how hard work, humility, creativity, and professionalism can result in a one-of-a-kind life and career. Check out the extensive episode notes for links to everything we discuss.  Enjoy! --- Chris Douglas Photography Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/chris-douglas/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 – Where Chris grew up 6:45 – How did Chris become interested in photography? 10:00 – Chris’s other artistic talents 11: 15 – Chris beginning to work with Bruce Weber 16:00 – Chris learning more about photography through observation 18:00 – Social media’s impact on photography from Chris’s perspective 19:00 – Chris pursuing his passion for hunting while modeling 22:45 – Chris reflects on the best and worst parts of his career in front of the camera 24:30 – What pushed Chris to spend time in the outdoors in the middle of a successful modeling/acting career 26:00 – Why Chris decided to move to Montana 28:30 –Chris’s gradual transition to professional photography behind the lens 30:30 – Chris’s run in with an ornery horse 39:30 – Chris reflects on all the jobs that got him to where he is now 42:00 – Chris’s keys to success in business and photography 47:00 – Chris’s Native heritage 50:00 – Chris reflects on learning about his heritage 55:43 – Where Chris thinks his career will go from here 58:15 – Book recommendations 1:01:45 – Parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Monte Burke is a journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and contributing editor at Forbes, Garden & Gun, and The Drake. His most recent book is Lords of the Fly: Madness, Obsession, and the Hunt for the World-Record Tarpon, which was one of the best books I read in 2020. He’s also the author of Saban: The Making of a Coach, which also happens to be one of my all-time favorite books. Whether he’s writing about fly fishing, Colorado conservationists, elk hunting, or football, Monte’s work is always impeccably researched and fun to read. - I loved every page of Lords of the Fly, and both anglers and non-anglers alike will be drawn into the book’s engaging story and wild characters. One of my favorite aspects of the book was how it opened my eyes to the connections between the 1970s Florida fishing scene and modern-day art, poetry, and literature of the American West. Western luminaries who are frequently mentioned on this podcast-- Tom McGuane, Jim Harrison, Richard Brautigan, Russell Chatham, and more-- all created art and chased tarpon together in Florida in the 1970s. They all eventually moved West and became some of the most respected western artists of their time, but were it not for the creative foundation they built in Florida, today’s western literary and art scene would look quite different. - Monte and I had a fun and wide-ranging conversation discussing everything from fly fishing to fatherhood. We started out talking about Lords of the Fly-- we obviously talked about the crew of anglers that included McGuane and Harrison, but we also discussed the full cast of obsessed characters who make up the history of fly fishing for tarpon. Monte explains why this story was so compelling to him, and he discusses some of the headwinds he encountered while trying to get the book published. We discuss Monte’s attraction to writing about intense, obsessed people, whether they happen to be world champion coaches or anglers. We chatted about Monte’s writing and journalism career, as well as some of the routines that allow him to be such a prolific writer. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, authors, films, and he offers up some wise parting words. - If you love fishing and literature, or if you’re an aspiring writer or artist, this episode is chock-full of useful information. Be sure to check out the show notes for links to everything we discuss-- this episode may very well hold the record for most books and authors recommended. Hope you enjoy! --- Monte Burke "Lords of the Fly" by Monte Burke All books by Monte Burke Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/monte-burke/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:50 - Why Monte was drawn into the story of fly fishing for tarpon  8:30 - Early stages of writing the book 14:30 - Jim Harrison, Tom McGuane, and tarpon fishing 20:45 - What McGuane such a unique writer? 23:15 - Monte's decision to include himself in the story 26:45 - His obsession with obsessed people 31:15 - Monte's personal obsessions 35:45 - How having children affected his outlook and career 40:15 - When writing and reading became his focus 42:45 - Getting started in journalism + writing at night 45:45 - The coolest part of writing 48:45 - Writing routine 53:15 - Techniques for convincing people to share their stories 56:15 - Writers that Monte admires 59:45 - Favorite books 1:00:30 - Favorite movie 1:02:15 - Favorite place in the West 1:03:45 - Parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Malcolm Brooks is a Montana-based author best known for his epic novel "Painted Horses," a sweeping, large-scale tale of life in the American West in the 1950s. Published in 2015, Painted Horses has quickly become a classic among those who love Western literary fiction. Even more impressive, "Painted Horses" was Malcolm's first published novel-- a truly remarkable feat when you consider the story's breadth and depth and its characters. - Malcolm's obsession with writing began at age fourteen when a teacher gave him a copy of Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove" during an incredibly formative period of his life. From that point on, Malcolm was laser-focused on becoming an author-- so much so that he completed his first full-length novel when he was only 18 years old. Malcolm continued to consistently write throughout his twenties, experiencing moderate journalism success, but never publishing a novel. When he was in his early thirties, Malcolm finally decided to go all-in on writing his dream novel-- "to go big or go home" as he says-- and he began the five-year process of writing "Painted Horses." It's safe to say that his efforts paid off-- "Painted Horses" has been compared to the works of Cormac McCarthy, Wallace Stegner, and more. - Malcolm and I were introduced by another gifted author and past podcast guest, Chris Dombrowski, and we had a wonderful conversation. If you're interested in the creative process or the ins-and-outs of craftsmanship, you will love this episode. We started out by talking about our mutual love of Lonesome Dove, and Malcolm shares how that book changed the trajectory of his life. We discuss Malcolm's upbringing, formal education, commitment to carpentry, and artistic and literary influences. We obviously discuss "Painted Horses," and he offers a sneak preview of his upcoming novel, "Cloudmaker." Malcolm tells a great story about finding an ancient buffalo skull and offers tons of great book recommendations. And finally, he has some wise parting words that I think you'll find useful and timely. - Thanks to Malcolm for taking the time to chat. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Hope you enjoy! --- "Painted Horses" by Malcolm Brooks "Cloudmaker" by Malcolm Brooks Full episode notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/malcolm-brooks/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:30 - Influence of Lonesome Dove 9:30 – When did Malcolm discover he wanted to be a writer? 10:30 – Malcolm’s foray into carpentry and its overlaps with his writing 11:30 – Malcolm’s first manuscript 14:00 – When did Malcolm first get published? 15:45 – How Malcolm first became interested in Montana 17:45 – Malcolm’s formal education experience 20:30 – Painted Horses 22:30 – Malcolm’s self-critique and artistic influences 25:30 – Malcolm’s writing process 27:30 – Is writing fun for Malcolm? 28:15 – Legends of the Fall 30:30 – The importance of reading to Malcolm 32:00 – The importance of supplementary income for creatives and authors 37:00 – Malcolm’s advice for finishing a project and notes on new projects he is working on 40:30 - Yellowstone and its impact on American Western-focused television 41:30 – What authors does Malcolm admire? 48:00 – Slight teaser for Malcolm’s upcoming book, Cloudmaker 51:45 – What other art has shaped Malcolm’s world view? 53:30 – Malcolm’s most powerful experience in the outdoors 1:00:00 – Words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Mike Foote is a Montana-based professional ultrarunner and ski mountaineer who is best known for his inspiring performances in 100-mile ultramarathons and multiday endurance expeditions through wild landscapes. In 2018, he set the world record for the most vertical feet climbed and skied in 24 hours-- a mind-blowing 61,200 feet. And in addition to his impressive athletic career, Mike is also a committed conservationist, serving on the board of directors of the Five Valleys Land Trust, an innovative conservation organization that serves the five valleys surrounding Missoula. - Mike grew up in Ohio and had never visited the American West until a life-changing college road trip took him to Moab, Utah. He instantly fell in love with the wide-open landscapes of the American West-- so much so that he left college in Ohio and moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. During that first year in Steamboat, Mike became obsessed with the mountains-- skiing, running, and enjoying all aspects of life in a Rocky Mountain ski town. Although the learning curve was steep, Mike loved every minute of his new life in the mountains, and he gradually became more and more obsessed with endurance sports. Fast forward to today, and Mike’s list of endurance accomplishments is astonishing-- he’s earned podium finishes at some of the world’s most notable races, including the Hardrock, UTMB, Big Horn 100, and more. - Despite all of his world-class athletic accomplishments, Mike is an amazingly down-to-earth and humble guy. We had a wonderful conversation and managed to cover a lot in a little over an hour--topics that will be impactful to runners and nonrunners alike. We started by discussing his early years in Ohio and that fateful, life-changing trip out West. We talked about his progression in endurance sports, and his transformation from complete beginner to North Face sponsored athleteto race director of The Rut Mountain Runs. We spend a lot of time talking about mental health, and Mike graciously shares some of the techniques, books, and resources that have helped him manage the inevitable ups and downs in life and sport. We also talk about his hands-on work with the Five Valleys Land Trust, and why he has chosen to be so deeply involved in conservation. And Mike is a voracious reader, so he offers up quite a few excellent recommendations throughout the conversation. - This is an excellent episode, and I can’t thank Mike enough for being so open and thoughtful throughout the entire conversation. I hope you enjoy! --- Mike Foote on Instagram The North Face The Rut Mountain Runs Five Valleys Land Trust Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/mike-foote/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:00 - Where Mike grew up 5:45 - What drew Mike out West 11:50 - What was Mike’s first year out West like 14:25 - When Mike first started running 15:45 When did Mike realize he had a talent for distance running 19:10 - How did Mike end up in Missoula?  21:20 - Mentality shift from ”just going running” (paraphrased) to professional, goal-oriented training?  27:35 - What drives Mike on his runs? 32:00 - Community of ultra-endurance events 35:47 - Mike getting into the race directing business 39:57 - How does Mike deal with the mental struggles when running. 46:20 - Mike’s book recommendations for setting his mind right 49:00 - The importance of having deep conversations about mental health 50:30 - Mike’s commitment to land conservation 59:00 - General book recommendations 1:02:42 - Film recommendations 1:06:00 - Parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

If you’ve listened to the podcast for a while, then you’re probably familiar with each episode’s general format: I have a long-form conversation with an interesting person who is doing important work in the American West. We usually spend about half of the time discussing their work and the other half discussing their personal backstory—a format that I thoroughly enjoy and seems to have struck a chord with a surprisingly large audience of listeners. The episodes are designed to be evergreen—whether you listen to them now or ten years from now, guests offer up timeless lessons you can apply to your own life. - But given our current moment in history and the public health, economic, social, and environmental challenges that have been accelerated by COVID, I’ve decided to periodically experiment with a new episode format, one that I’m calling NEW WEST DISPATCHES.  In each New West Dispatch, I’ll speak with an expert about a very specific, current issue that is creating challenges for a specific sector of the American West. We’ll dig deep into the nitty gritty of the topic, going into more detail than usual, with the goal of gaining a better understanding of time-sensitive issues facing the West. We’ll hear firsthand stories from people on the front lines of their sectors, and discuss solutions to the problems at hand. The vast majority of Mountain & Prairie episodes will continue to follow the tried-and-true interview format, but every so often, as opportunities present themselves, I’ll look forward to getting a little more technical with Dispatches. - My guest for the first New West Dispatch is Matt Skoglund. Matt is an attorney-turned-bison rancher who joined me on the podcast last year for a fun and wide-ranging conversation about his path to founding his business North Bridger Bison. Matt came back to discuss some of the specific COVID-related challenges facing his bison business, specifically the astounding shortage of meat processing facilities throughout the American West. As you may remember, when COVID hit in March, there were endless news stories about meat shortages and breakdowns in supply chains linking producers and consumers. Although it’s not on the front page of the paper anymore, large-scale challenges persist, and Matt is in the middle of it all on a daily basis. So he was kind enough to return to the podcast to share his extensive knowledge on the subject, and to offer some potential solutions toward bolstering the food production system here in the West. - Matt covers a lot of ground in less than an hour, so be sure to check out the episode notes for a list of all the topics we discuss and links to resources. Hope you enjoy! --- North Bridger Bison Matt Skoglund's First Mountain & Prairie Episode Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/matt-skoglund-2/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:00 - Overview of North Bridger Bison 8:30 - COVID’s effects on meatpacking 11:45 - Big outbreaks in packing plants 15:30 - Challenges to regenerative ag because of COVID 17:30 - Cause of the processing backlog 21:00 - Fragility of the US food system 23:30 - What prevents entrepreneurs from opening more processing plants? 26:00 - Appreciation for good meat 29:30 - Grazing as healing for the ecosystem 33:00 - Will more meat processing businesses open? 35:15 - Will meat processing go back to “normal” after post-COVID? 39:00 - Gov. Steve Bullock’s COVID relief 40:30  - Labor shortages 42:00 - The art of butchery 44:00 - Be intentional with impact 49:00 - Externalities of cheap meat 53:00 - Books to read about meat 54:30 - Productive actions to take --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

If you’re a long-time listener, then surely you remember Juanita Vero. Juanita is a fourth-generation Montana rancher, conservationist, community leader, and all-around inspiring woman. She’s also a devoted public servant, serving as a Missoula County Commissioner, where she gets her hands dirty with the critical and often not-so-glamorous work of county government. Juanita’s name will be on the ballot in Missoula County this November, where she is hoping to win a six-year term to continue her service as a Commissioner. - Juanita joined me on the podcast back in 2018, then again on stage at last year’s live podcast in Bozeman, so her personal story is probably familiar. I wanted to have her back on the show as we approach the election because her story serves as an inspiring example of how citizens can push outside of their comfort zones to lead the communities they love. As you’ll hear, Juanita had never considered assuming a public office—but when the opportunity presented itself, and she was encouraged to pursue it by fellow community leaders, she jumped at the chance. Since then, she has gone all-in and has thrived in her role as County Commissioner. - If you’re like me, you are probably overwhelmed with the negative, inflammatory news regarding politics and the upcoming election. But Juanita’s campaign and her desire to serve stands in stark contrast to much of our national discourse—she’s driven by a love of place, humility, a sense of duty, genuine curiosity, and a desire to find common ground. I think it’s important to remember that there are committed public servants in every county and city—good people who are driven not by the desire to accumulate power but by a desire to leave their communities better than they found them. Wherever you live, I hope that Juanita’s example will encourage you to engage with your local elected leaders, truly understand the candidates running for local offices, or maybe even run for office yourself. But at the least, I know you’ll enjoy listening to Juanita’s story, which will hopefully make you feel better about the world during these crazy times! --- Juanita Vero for Missoula County Commissioner Juanita's first M&P podcast episode Full Episide Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/juanita-vero-2/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:30 - Why and how Juanita decided to enter politics 9:30 - Specific experiences that let Juanita know she was ready to be a commissioner 13:30 - Importance of talking to her Grandfather 19:15 - What exactly is a county commissioner? 22:15 - Example of how commissioners can influence development 25:30 - Why she’s running for office 28:30 - Commissioners as true public servants 32:30 - COVID’s impact on Missoula County 34:30 - Positive effects of the “new normal” of COVID 36:00 - Transition from working on the land to an office job 39:20 - Advice for citizens who want to work productively with local government 42:30 - Greatest challenges and opportunities in Missoula County 46:15 - Smaller issues worth considering 48:00 - Climate change & Missoula County solutions 52:00 - Importance of community leadership 53:30 - Favorite books 57:15 - Favorite films 58:30 - Funny and surprising activities 59:30 - 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

Jessica Wahl Turner is the Executive Director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), America's leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and organizations. Currently, the ORR is comprised of 31 national association members that serve more than 100,000 outdoor-related businesses, which is an amazing feat considering that the organization is less than three years old. Jessica and her team bring together all sectors of the outdoor economy to harness the industry's collective power and advance issues related to conservation, outdoor access, public lands infrastructure, and much more. Whether she's in the halls of Congress or the wide-open spaces of the American West, Jessica is a devoted, effective advocate for the outdoor industry. - This conversation is part of the Montana Governor's Office of Outdoor Recreation's "Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit"—a gathering of some of the most notable names in the outdoor recreation sector. Because of COVID, this year's summit has gone virtual, but the need for collaboration and idea-sharing among industry experts has never been greater. The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is a case study in focusing on common goals, putting aside petty differences, and overcoming challenges with new and innovative approaches. So I was thrilled to get a chance to learn exactly how Jessica has gone about leading her organization during these changing times. - Jessica and I connected on Zoom and had a fun, educational, and wide-ranging conversation about all aspects of the outdoor economy. We started by chatting about the history of ORR and precisely what the organization does. We also discussed the Great American Outdoors Act and how this landmark legislation will positively affect the outdoor industry. We talked about COVID's effect on the outdoor economy and how ORR is working to support outdoor businesses during these unprecedented times. We also talked about how the outdoor economy contributes to rural and urban areas and how all aspects of the outdoor economy are interconnected. We also spend some time talking about Jessica's educational and professional backgrounds, and what makes her so uniquely qualified for her current role. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, favorite outdoor adventures, and she offers some wise parting words. - This was a wonderful conversation, and I hope you enjoy. Be sure to check out the "Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit" webpage, as there are many resources, films, and other podcasts that you will find enjoyable and educational. Links to everything are in the episode notes. --- Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Montana Governor's Office of Outdoor Recreation 2020 Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/jessica-turner/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:30 - Outdoor Recreation Roundtable explained 8:00 - Focusing on the commonalities in the outdoor industry 12:00 - Impact of the Great American Outdoors Act 17:30 - How the upcoming election could affect the recreation economy 22:00 - The national interconnectedness of the outdoor economy 26:45 - How COVID has affected the outdoor recreation economy 32:00 - Balancing conservation and increased outdoor activities 36:30 - Future goals and measures of success for the roundtable 40:30 - Jessica’s education and early career 44:15 - Lessoned learned from the Outdoor Industry Association 48:45 - Advice to aspiring industry advocates/lobbyists 53:15 - Heroes and mentors 58:00 - Favorite books 1:01:30 - Favorite place in the outdoors 1:03:00 - Jessica’s 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

Steve Casimiro is the founder and editor of Adventure Journal, an online and quarterly print magazine devoted to outdoor adventure in all its forms. AJ began as Steve's personal blog back in 2008—a project he created on the side while writing for National Geographic Adventure. Steve's unique perspective and devotion to adventure writing struck a chord with the outdoor community, and AJ's audience grew and grew. When National Geographic Adventure closed its doors in 2009, Steve decided to pursue AJ with his full professional focus, building a loyal following who is deeply devoted to AJ online and in print. - Steve grew up on the east coast, and from an early age, he was obsessed with writing, photography, and storytelling. After earning a degree in journalism, he spent his early twenties writing for traditional newspapers, including USA Today. But when presented with the opportunity to meld his passion for the outdoors with his journalism career, he left the newspaper business to join the team at the legendary ski magazine Powder. From there, Steve immersed himself in all aspects of the adventure media world, honing his craft for storytelling and dialing in his voice as a writer and editor. The culmination of these years of hard work is Adventure Journal, which is, in my opinion, one of the most essential voices in the outdoor community. - It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of Adventure Journal. I reference it often in my weekly newsletter and suggest the quarterly print publication in my reading recommendation emails. But what I find most impressive about Steve is how he has built such a loyal community of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts—curious, thoughtful, open-minded readers who enjoy thinking deeply about the outdoors and adventure. In this conversation, Steve shares how he managed to create such a unique community and what drives him to work so hard to continue to build it. We talk about AJ's values as a business, and we discuss his recent commitment to make AJ carbon neutral. We talk about how Steve welcomes ideas and opinions that he may not necessarily agree with, and the unique niche that AJ fills in the outdoor community. Steve also discusses how his his wife Joni, who is the AJ Art Director, has played an invaluable role in the growth of AJ. We talk about the importance of attention, the need to support independent media, what he looks for in writers, the importance of optimism, his ideas on building community, and much more. - Whether you're a writer, photographer, business owner, community builder, or outdoor enthusiast, I can promise you that you'll learn a lot from this conversation. Oh, and keep an eye on my Instagram account, because I'll be doing a giveaway of a few copies of AJ later this week. You can find a link to my Instagram Account in the episode notes. - Thanks to Steve for taking the time to join me. I hope you enjoy! -- Adventure Journal Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/steve-casimiro/ Mountain & Prairie on Instagram (for the AJ giveaway)   -- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:00 - AJ’s decision to be carbon neutral 7:00 - Founding values of AJ 9:45 - Thoughts on the business decision of going carbon neutral 15:00 - Importance of where we focus our attention 20:00 - Influences on Steve’s unique approach to media and AJ 24:30 - AJ’s transition from personal project to full-time gig 26:30 - Thoughts on AJ’s tone, consistency, and content 30:30 - Evolution from traditional journalism to AJ 35:00 - Importance of doing work that is new and innovative 40:45 - Impactful notes and letters from AJ readers 41:30 - Deep feelings brought out by outdoor adventure 43:00 - Important example that pursuing one’s passion can set 46:00 - Pushing through being “stuck” 51:00 - Optimist or Pessimist? 55:45 - What Steve looks for in writers 1:01:30 - Importance of supporting media with your dollars 1:06:00 - Having high expectations of the brands you support 1:09:00 - Favorite books 1:12:00 - 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

Chris Castilian is the Executive Director of Great Outdoors Colorado (also known as GOCO), an organization that has committed more than $1.2 billion toward preserving and enhancing Colorado’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces. Founded in 1992, GOCO is truly a one-of-a-kind conservation funder—the organization invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds into a wide variety of critical projects, with a current emphasis on issues including equitable access and community vitality. GOCO’s impact around Colorado is staggering—its funding has conserved more than 1.2 million acres, added over 47,000 acres to the state park system, protected over 1,000 miles of rivers, and much more. - Chris is a native Coloradan, and all aspects of his professional success and personal passions speak to his deep love of his home state and its wide-open spaces. Chris was formally trained as an attorney, but early is his career, he chose to focus on service rather than billing hours at a fancy law firm. He served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Bill Owens and as Director of the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners. He also had a successful stint in the private sector, honing his business skills which have served him well at GOCO. And, as you’ll hear, his focus manifests itself in his personal life through his commitment to the outdoors and mountain biking—he’s completed the Leadville 100 mountain bike race multiple times. - Since we’re all sticking close to home these days, Chris and I connected via Skype to talk about GOCO, his career, and his thoughts on conservation in Colorado and beyond. We started with a deep dive into the history of GOCO, discussed how the organization has evolved, and talked about its goals and plans for the coming years. We also discussed how GOCO is working to address some of the current public health and social challenges here in Colorado, including equitable access to the outdoors. Chris and I spent a lot of time discussing his personal background—why he chose to pursue a service-based career, his thoughts on leadership, lessons learned from his time in the business world, and what characteristics he looks for in employees. We also discussed his love of mountain biking, the Leadville 100, our shared interest in books and history, and he offered some wise parting words to listeners. - If you care about protecting the West’s open spaces and communities, then this episode is a must-listen.  Enjoy! --- Great Outdoors Colorado Partners in the Outdoors --- This episode is brought to you by Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Partners in the Outdoors program. The Partners in the Outdoors program brings together diverse interests from across the entire spectrum of the outdoors to advance and balance both outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado. The program seeks to foster alignment and trust through three cornerstone initiatives: the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, the Colorado Outdoor Partnership, and the Colorado Outdoor Principles, as well as extensive resource sharing and network building. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 - The history of GOCO 7:30 - Similar programs in other states 8:30 - Why conservation matters during these crazy times 11:15 - GOCO’s new strategic plan 15:30 - A new holistic approach to community and conservation 18:45 - The evolution of GOCO 21:30 - Core values of GOCO 24:45 - Equitable access to the outdoors 28:30 - GOCO’s Equity Principles 34:00 - Inspiring work in Leadville, Colorado 37:45 - Growing up in Denver 38:30 - Life after law school 40:30 - Why pursue mission-based work? 45:00 - Transition into the private sector 47:30 - Changing mindset of the oil and gas industry 50:00 - Benefits of having business experience 56:00 - What Chris looks for when hiring people 58:00 - Favorite books 1:00:45 - Mountain biking, Leadville 100, Breck Epic, and other outdoor activities 1:07:00 - Favorite places in Colorado 1:08:45 - 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

Anna Brones is a freelance journalist, author, artist, and producer who is prolific in all of her creative endeavors—she’s published four books, produced documentary films, is currently publishing a quarterly print journal about food, and much more. One of her most recent projects was the Women’s Wisdom Project, in which she showcased the wisdom of inspiring women by creating 100 papercut portraits. All of Anna’s work is authentic and enlightening, and her personal commitment to cultivating creativity is instructive and inspiring. - Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Anna always had a deep appreciation for nature and community. She has studied, lived, and worked in many different countries and cities, but several years ago decided to return to her hometown in Washington state where she and her husband currently live. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Anna has read and thought deeply on the importance of place, and offers a unique perspective on what it means to be truly connected to a landscape or community. - Anna and I connected via Skype and had a wide-ranging conversation about her creative process, her current and past artistic projects, the importance of wilderness and nature, and much more. We started by discussing her Creative Fuel Challenge email newsletter—an amazing resource that has been very helpful to me during these past few crazy months. We also discussed her Women’s Wisdom Project—how she researched all 100 inspirational women and the process of creating 100 intricate pieces of art. Anna talked about her experience leading kids on a wilderness leadership retreat, as well as how camp and wilderness experiences in her own youth helped to shape her life and career. And as usual, we discussed favorite books and her most powerful outdoor experience, and she also offered some excellent words of wisdom for anyone with creative aspirations. - There are tons of resources mentioned in this episode.  Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything, including a few bonus resources that Anna and I discussed before and after recording the actual episode. Enjoy! --- Anna Brones Women's Wisdom Project Creative Fuel --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:30 - The Creative Fuel Challenge explained 6:30 - Why provide creative prompts? 7:45 - Importance of putting out regular content 9:30 - Time as an artist in residence 12:30 - Process of finding balance in life and creativity 15:30 - Pushing through creative blocks 19:00 - Fighting the reptile brain 20:45 - Using social media productively 23:45 - The Women’s Wisdom Project 27:45 - Process of researching women leaders 32:30 - The myth of having millions of ideas 36:00 - Anna’s early years in Washington state 41:00 - Importance of “place” 45:30 - How Anna came to appreciate the complexities of place 50:30 - Artists that Anna admires 53:30 - Anna’s experience leading wilderness trips 57:45 - How camp experiences benefited Anna 1:02:00 - Favorite books 1:06:30 - Most powerful outdoor experience 1:09:00 - Parting words of wisdom

Carlos Fernandez is the State Director for the Nature Conservancy in Colorado, where he and his team build alliances that advance conservation outcomes both in Colorado and around the world. Building on his formal training as an attorney, Carlos has had a long and successful career in conservation that extends far beyond the American West. He has worked extensively in his home country of Argentina, both as the Nature Conservancy's Southern Andes Conservation Strategies Manager and as the Patagonia Program Manager. Since taking the helm in Colorado in 2015, Carlos and TNC have enjoyed many notable achievements—everything from protecting large swaths of native grasslands to helping to create Colorado's newest state park. - Carlos grew up in Mendoza, Argentina, an agricultural region known for producing some of the world's best beef and exceptional Malbec wine. After a childhood spent hunting and fishing along the base of the Andes Mountains, Carlos trained as an attorney and went on to practice law for large international law firms in Buenos Aires and Washington DC. Several years into his career, Carlos realized that the legal profession was not providing deep fulfillment that he needed from a job—so he made the career switch into conservation and has never looked back. - Carlos and I had a fascinating conversation that I know you'll enjoy. We started by discussing the Nature Conservancy, and specifically what the organization does both globally and here in Colorado. We then chat about several of TNC's recent successes, including the creation of Yampa River Fund and TNC's critical role in acquiring and protecting the 19,200-acre Fisher's Peak property, which will soon be Colorado's newest state park. Carlos talks about the importance of partnerships in conservation, with other land trusts, governmental organizations, and local communities. We then discuss the future of conservation in the West and the challenges and opportunities facing the region in the next 30 years. Carlos and I both have five-year-old daughters, so we talk a bit about fatherhood and the outdoors' role in raising children. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, films, his favorite places in Colorado, and he offers some actionable words of wisdom. - This is an excellent episode, full of optimism, inspiration, and educational resources. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Enjoy! --- The Nature Conservancy Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/carlos-fernandez/ CPW's Partners in the Outdoors --- This episode is brought to you by Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Partners in the Outdoors program. The Partners in the Outdoors program brings together diverse interests from across the entire spectrum of the outdoors to advance and balance both outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado. The program seeks to foster alignment and trust through three cornerstone initiatives: the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, the Colorado Outdoor Partnership, and the Colorado Outdoor Principles, as well as extensive resource sharing and network building. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 - The Nature Conservancy explained 9:30 - TNC’s mission in Colorado 10:30 - Yampa River Fund explained 16:30 - Importance of community in conservation 19:30 - Fishers Peak State Park 26:00 - TNC and equitable access to the outdoors 28:30 - The importance of partnerships 30:45 - Civic duty of partnerships 32:00 - Colorado Outdoor Partnerships 35:00 - Early years in Mendoza, Argentina 38:00 - Transitioning from corporate law into conservation 41:30 - Moving to Colorado 42:30 - Carlos’s unique professional background 46:00 - Conservation in the time of COVID 48:45 - Heroes and mentors 52:00 - Advice for people transitioning from the private sector into non-profits 55:30 - Envisioning the future of conservation 59:30 - Favorite books 1:04:00 - Favorite films 1:05:45 - Carlos’s favorite outdoor activities 1:07:00 - Rediscovering the outdoors through your kids’ eyes 1:08:00 - Favorite location in the West 1:10:30 - Parting words of wisdom

David Gessner is back for his third appearance on the podcast, and this time we are discussing his brand new book "Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt's American Wilderness." Most long-time listeners will remember David's past two episodes-- we discussed everything from Edward Abbey and Wallace Stegner to his daily writing rituals and his hand-built coastal writing shack. If you haven't listened to those first two episodes, I encourage you to do so—they are chock-full of wisdom, good humor, and inspiration to fight to conserve the places you love. But first, take a listen to this episode, as it offers some timely insights into this current moment in history. - In this episode, we spend the full hour discussing his new book and digging into the good, the bad, and the ugly of Theodore Roosevelt's legacy. As many of your know, I've read way-too-many TR books, and "Leave It As It Is" offers the most balanced, clear-eyed examination of the man that I've read to date. It's not a strict biography or historical examination of TR, although there's plenty of both within the pages. Rather, it's David's search to capture the best of TR's conservation ethos, to discard the worst, and to use the balance to build a new, holistic model for conservation and environmental justice. David melds together a confluence of ideals that acknowledges the wrongs of the past and sets an equitable, sustainable course for the future. During this time when we are rightfully reexamining many of our country's revered historical figures, "Leave It As It Is" provides a valuable, well-timed deep dive into the complexities of TR and his influence on conservation in the United States. - Although an hour-long interview is no substitute for reading the book, I believe that this conversation will give you a good taste of the fresh and unique perspective that David brings to the well-worn subject of Theodore Roosevelt. We start by discussing the relevance of studying TR now, in the midst of a global pandemic, economic crisis, and social turmoil. David also explains the series of events that led him to begin writing this book, a multi-year project that took him from Bears Ears to Yosemite with many stops in between. We talk in-depth about TR's unacceptable views and treatment of Native Americans, some of the hypocrisies that defined TR's life, and why David chose to stare these uncomfortable facts in the eye rather than just make excuses, as many biographers do. David discusses how TR's idea of the Strenuous Life has helped define his own life, and how writing this book has encouraged David to become more of an activist for specific causes. We also talk about the removal of the TR statue in New York, the idea of the Confluence of Ideals, and David offers up a long list of further reading on TR. - I loved every minute of this conversation, and I highly encourage you to read "Leave It As It Is." It's an important book that is perfect for this important time in history. Hope you enjoy! --- "Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt's American Wilderness" by David Gessner David Gessner Full Episode Notes and Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/david-gessner-3/ LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW on Apple Podcasts --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 - What is the value of studying TR during this moment in history? 9:00 - The Antiquities Act explained 12:30 - Why read biography? 14:00 - TR's attitude toward Native Americans 17:00 - Importance of open conversation and hypocrisy 18:30 - "Walking the ridge" 20:00 - David's "What would Teddy do?" list 21:00 - Why David had to write this specific book 27:00 - "Confluence of Ideals" 32:00 - Importance of living strenuously 33:30 - Combining books and adventure 37:30 - Focused action 39:30 - Morris and McCullough's TR work 41:30 - Thoughts on the removal of the NYC TR statue 46:00 - TR as an effective, energetic liberal 49:30 - Backstory on the title "Leave It As It Is" 52:30 - Who wins in a TR vs. Trump fight? 55:00 - How did writing this book change David? 58:00 - Activists that David admires 59:30 - Additional recommended books on TR

Becky Edwards is the Executive Director of the Mountain Mamas, an organization whose mission is to amplify women's voices into a movement to ensure that kids grow up in a healthy climate with clean air and access to public lands. Operating out of both Montana and Colorado—and currently expanding throughout the West—the Mountain Mamas harness the power of mothers to advocate to solve some of the West's most pressing conservation and environmental challenges. Whether helping to garner support for the recently passed Great American Outdoors Act or fighting for clean water in our Rocky Mountain rivers, the Mountain Mamas have become a formidable force for good in the West. - Becky grew up in Iowa but moved West to pursue her passion for climbing and mountaineering. After many years of being single-mindedly focused on life in the big mountains, her priorities drastically shifted with her daughter's birth. No longer was she focused on big accents, but instead on making the world a better place for her little girl. And it's worth noting that Becky's early years of motherhood were no walk in the park—she spent many years as a single mother while simultaneously starting several successful businesses as well as the Mountain Mamas. But despite all of the challenges, Becky never gave up and built an impactful movement that is spreading across the West. - We caught up via Skype the day after the House of Representatives passed the Great American Outdoors Act, so we started out talking about that victory and its impacts on conservation and recreation. Becky is very gifted at explaining complicated legislative jargon, so she graciously and entertainingly walks me through many of the details around the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the importance of its permanent funding, and more. We discuss the importance of advocacy work with elected officials, and she offers up practical advice for anyone who wants to become more involved in guiding their elected officials on important issues. We also discuss her journey as a mother, as well as her journey as a woman in the conservation sector. Finally, we talk about the need for more diversity in conservation, and why now is a wonderful opportunity for positive change. - This was such a fun conversation—I think you'll find it equal parts educational, inspiring, and empowering. Hope you enjoy. --- Mountain Mamas Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/becky-edwards/ NEWSLETTER: "Good News from the American West" --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 - Mountain Mamas explained 6:00 - Background of the organization 9:30 - Land and Water Conservation Fund explained 13:00 - What does “fully funding” the LWCF mean? 17:00 - Ability of groups to do conservation rather than fight for $$ 19:00 - Importance of advocacy and discussions with Congress 23:45 - Practical tips for advocating for your cause 27:00 - The vital role of the outdoors during Covid 29:30 - Importance of "finding the area of commonality" 32:00 - Transitioning the Mamas into advocacy work 37:00 - Becky’s journey as a mother 42:30 - Decision to start a business while being a single mother 47:00 - The driving force behind Becky’s career 50:00 - Importance of storytelling 53:30 - Need for increased diversity and inclusion in conservation 58:00 - Opportunities that will arise from this moment in history 59:30 - Heroes 1:01:30 - Favorite books 1:03:30 - Favorite films 1:06:00 - Parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast NEWSLETTER: Good News from the American West Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Ivan McClellan is a professional photographer and the creator of the Eight Seconds Project, a storytelling project with the goal of extending the cowboy icon to include people of color. Ivan started the project back in 2015, after a series of chance encounters led him to an all-black rodeo in Oklahoma. Over the course of photographing the event, he became enamored with the black cowboy way of life and obsessed with documenting this unique subculture. In the years since, the Eight Seconds Project has garnered the attention of iconic western brands such as Stetson and Wrangler, and Ivan's work has helped to tell the story of black cowboys to a nationwide, mainstream audience. - A Kansas City native, Ivan grew up in a tough neighborhood were gangs and violence were the norm. Just after high school, he headed east to New York City, where he studied and worked in the arts for many years. A career transition into the advertising business led him to Portland, where he currently lives with his wife and two children. Ivan juggles many commitments—family, a career in advertising, and his photography projects—but through hard work, mindfulness, and obsession, he somehow manages to keep all the balls in the air and continues to evolve as an artist and storyteller.  - Ivan and I connected via the internet for a wide-ranging and enlightening conversation. We started out talking about the genesis of the Eight Seconds Project and how a random conversation at a party started the entire project. We talk about Black Cowboy culture, how he came to learn about the community's deep roots and its ties to the history of the United States and the West. Ivan shares some thoughts on the importance of having creative control over projects, and how hard work, year after year, allowed him to find his true voice as a storyteller. We also chat about mindfulness and how mindfulness practice has improved Ivan's life and creative output. As usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and Ivan offers some timely words of wisdom. - I loved this conversation, and I felt like it got better and better with each minute. Be sure to check out the episode notes for all of the subjects we covered and links to everything discussed. Hope you enjoy! --- LINKS: Eight Seconds Project Ivan on Instagram NEWSLETTER: Good News from the American West Full episode notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/ivan-mcclellan/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:30 - Background of the Eight Second Project 7:00 - Ivan’s first black rodeo in Oklahoma 9:30 - Publishing his first black rodeo images 11:00 - Working with big brands 15:00 - Ivan’s decision to self-fund the Eight Seconds Project 16:30 - Treating photography as sacred 18:30 - The long road toward creative freedom 23:00 - Ability to pivot into other creative niches 25:00 - Process of becoming a pro photographer 27:30 - Ivan describes his work and process 32:00 - History of Black Rodeo in Oklahoma 35:00 - Why more black riders aren’t in the PBR 39:00 - Shifting into a more equitable “new normal” in rodeo 41:00 - Dealing with the frustration of shifting perspectives 43:30 - Growing up in Kansas City 45:00 - Discovering the need for mindfulness 47:30 - Family’s role in mindfulness 49:00 - Details on Ivan’s meditation practice 52:00 - Mindfulness’s effects on Ivan’s creativity 56:00 - Lessons learned from rodeo riders 59:00 - Favorite books 1:00:30 - Favorite films 1:02:30 - Craziest thing Ivan’s every seen at a rodeo 1:04:30 - Parting words of wisdom ----- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast NEWSLETTER: Good News from the American West Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie  

Gabe Vasquez is the founder of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project and currently serves as a city councilor in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Gabe has devoted his entire career to advocacy and conservation, specifically for the people and places in the border region of New Mexico. He's worked for Senator Martin Heinrich, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, and recently drafted New Mexico's Outdoor Equity Fund legislation, which was the first of its kind in the nation. - Growing up in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Gabe developed a childhood passion for the outdoors while fishing with his father and learning about hunting from his grandfather. The outdoors has remained a focal point of his life, both professionally and personally, whether advising lawmakers on federal land policies or hunting, fishing, and hiking in the Coronado National Forest. But most importantly, Gabe has made it his mission to ensure that people of all socio-economic backgrounds and races can enjoy the outdoors, and hopefully, one day become advocates for protecting our country's wild places. - Gabe was scheduled to be a keynote speaker at Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Partners in the Outdoors Conference, a popular gathering of some of the country's foremost experts in conservation and recreation. But because of the COVID pandemic, the in-person conference was converted into a virtual conference. And instead of an on-stage keynote, Gabe is now appearing on this podcast with me! As you'll hear, Gabe's message of balancing conservation and recreation, while ensuring equitable access to the outdoors, is a perfect fit with the conference's theme of cultivating common ground to ensure a sustainable future for Colorado's outdoors. - This was a fascinating interview, and I left the conversation better informed and inspired by Gabe's leadership and vision. We started out chatting about the formation of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project and talking about the history and mission of the organization. Gabe then discussed lessons learned from his time working with Senator Heinrich, and how a brief stint living and working in Washington DC solidified his love for the West. We discuss New Mexico's Outdoor Equity Fund, and how he played a significant role in creating this historic and cutting-edge, public-private program. We talk in-depth about the importance of getting kids into the outdoors, and the idea of how people need to fall in love with the outdoors before they can advocate for it. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, his favorite place in the West, and Gave offers some timely words of wisdom. - A huge thanks to Gabe for taking the time to chat, and thank you to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for inviting me to be a part of its virtual conference. Visit the episode notes for links to everything we discuss, including the full conference schedule, which will give you access to all presentations from the virtual conference. There's a ton of exciting and informative content. But in the meantime, enjoy this conversation with Gabe Vasquez. --- Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project CPW's Partners in the Outdoors Conference Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/gabe-vasquez/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:00 - Gabe’s family connection to the outdoors 6:00 - Early job with Senator Heinrich 8:30 - Moving to Washington DC 11:30 - Back out West, working for the NWF 14:00 - Formation of Nuestra Tierra 19:00 - Why Gabe chose a service-based career 24:00 - Lessoned learned from working with Senator Martin Heinrich 30:15 - New Mexico’s Outdoor Equity Fund, explained 37:00 - What Outdoor Equity Fund funds 32:30 - Alternative funding sources for recreation 44:00 - Other states’ response to the Outdoor Equity Fund 47:00 - Thoughts on privilege and the outdoors 51:00 - Creating new generations of conservationists 54:00 - Gabe’s role as a City Councilor  1:04:00 - Favorite books 1:10:00 - Favorite place in New Mexico 1:14:00 - 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    

Chris La Tray is a writer, poet, and musician, as well as the author of the award-winning book "One Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large." Chris is also an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe—a Native American tribe that was just recently recognized by the United States government, and prior to the recognition was known as the "landless Indians of Montana." Chris's immense talents as a storyteller combined with his unique personal perspective allow him to offer a fresh approach to understanding the complexities of the modern-day American West. - Chris was born and raised in Frenchtown, Montana, a small blue-collar community located just west of Missoula. Growing up with a deep passion for music, Chris headed to Seattle soon after high school to pursue a career as a professional rock musician, but he eventually made his way back to Frenchtown, where he worked for years in the manufacturing industry. But in 2015, following the death of his father, Chris quit his manufacturing consulting job and went all-in on pursuing his dream of being a full-time storyteller. A few years later, he published One Sentence Journal and has been widely recognized as one of the West's most unique up-and-coming authors. - Chris and I had an interesting and timely conversation about his career, his life as a writer and musician, and his family's heritage as members of the Little Shell Tribe. We start out by discussing the genesis of his idea for "One Sentence Journal," how writing the book has changed his life, and a few stories from his many years as a professional musician. Then, we talk in-depth about the long-overdue federal recognition of his tribe and his thoughts on how the tribe can move forward. We also discuss how the long-term treatment of his tribe gives Chris unique insights into the current national discussions around race and privilege here in the United States. Chris also offers up a long list of excellent books on a wide variety of subjects related to the West and Native Americans that I know you will all find useful. Links to everything are in the episode notes. - Thanks to Chris for taking the time to chat, and I encourage you to check out One Sentence Journal. But in the meantime, enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with Chris La Tray. --- Chris La Tray "One Sentence Journal" by Chris La Tray Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/chris-la-tray/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED 6:30 - Influence of Jim Harrison 8:40 - Writing practice that led to “One Sentence Journal” 11:30 - The amazing community of Montana writers 14:30 - The “practice” of creative output 16:30 - Decision to leave his manufacturing job 19:30 - Early years in Montana and beyond 21:30 - Music’s role in Chris’s life 24:00 - Becoming a “musician” 25:30 - Reading/writing vs music 27:00 - Chris’s Little Shell Tribe heritage 32:30 - Emotional impact of learning family’s history 35:15 - Thoughts on the Little Shell’s federal recognition 38:30 - Ideas for the future of the Little Shell Tribe 40:00 - Specifics of federal recognition 44:00 - How to read to expand knowledge and eliminate blind spots 46:30 - Hope for the future? 54:00 - Fact and Fiction Bookstore 59:00 - Favorite books 1:03:30 - Favorite location in the West 1:05:30 - Parting words of wisdom --- SPECIAL OFFER FOR M&P LISTENERS! Freeflow Institute is a Montana-based organization focused on re-wilding the creative spirit, connecting people to places, and preserving wild spaces. Freeflow eliminates the barrier between your ideas and your environment by bringing emerging and established writers, leaders, artists, and communicators together into wild landscapes.  - The first ten Mountain & Prairie listeners who register for SHIFT or the Gates of Lodore Workshop will get $150 off their tuition. Just mention the Podcast when you register. -- Find out more about all of Freeflow Institute's programs by visiting their website: www.freeflowinstitute.com or shoot them an email at info@freeflowinstitute.com ----- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie  

Rachel VandeVoort is the Director of the Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation, an office that advocates for the outdoor recreation industry and works to leverage its numerous benefits to the state. The office was created in 2016 by Montana Governor Steve Bullock, and he tapped Rachel to be its first director, where she built the office from the ground up. Since then, the office has experienced amazing growth in influence and effectiveness, and it has served as a shining example for other states that have formed similar offices. - A native Montanan, Rachel has a diverse background that makes her uniquely qualified for her role as Director. She grew up working for her family's river guiding business in and around Whitefish, MT and also spent time as a fishing guide. After graduating from the University of Montana, she worked in a wide variety of industries that are closely connected with land and recreation, including organic farming, skiing, and firearms manufacturing. Thanks to her diverse and deep experience in all facets of the outdoor world, Rachel has had great success finding common ground between sometimes-competing stakeholders to harness the collective power of Montana's recreation industry. - Rachel was slated to be a keynote speaker at Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Partners in the Outdoors Conference, an annual gathering that brings together stakeholders from all corners of the conservation and outdoor recreation industries. But because of the COVID pandemic, the in-person conference was transformed into a virtual conference—and Rachel's keynote speech was transformed into this episode of Mountain & Prairie. I was thrilled to have the chance to speak with Rachel, because her work aligns so well with the theme of the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, specifically, how do we find common ground and mutually beneficial solutions for balancing conservation and recreation. - We covered a lot in a little over an hour, including the history of her job and the office, the staggering positive economic impacts of the outdoor industry, and ideas around funding conservation through recreation now and into the future. We also talked a lot about Rachel's eclectic background and how all of her varied experiences make her uniquely qualified for her position. Rachel shares some thoughts on finding common ground among competing stakeholders, the importance of understanding history in the West, and the collaborative nature of the outdoor recreation industry. Be sure the check out the episode notes for a full list of topics discussed. - Big thanks to Rachel for taking the time to chat and to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for partnering with Mountain & Prairie for this series of podcasts. If you have a chance, visit the Partners in the Outdoors website all of the conference content—there's quite a line up of virtual courses and learning opportunities. But in the meantime, enjoy this educational episode with Rachel VandeVoort. --- FULL EPISODE NOTES: https://mountainandprairie.com/rachel/ Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation CPW's Partners in the Outdoors Virtual Conference --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:45 - Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation explained 7:45 - Massive economic impacts of outdoor recreation 10:00 - Economic impacts in Montana specifically 11:30 - Process of creating the office for Montana 12:45 - Outdoor infrastructure in Montana 15:15 - The positivity of the recreational economy 17:45 - Learning from other states' outdoor rec offices 18:45 - How Montana's rec office differs from Colorado's 20:45 - Rachel's eclectic background 22:45 - Desire to stay in Montana 26:00 - First job in organic food 29:30 - Starting her job in the firearms industry 34:00 - Communication lessons learned from a childhood in recreation 37:15 - Techniques for finding common ground between competing stakeholders 39:45 - The false premise of "consumptive" vs "non-consumptive" recreation 46:45 - Thoughts on Pittman-Robertson, Dingell-Johnson, and the future of conservation funding 54:45 - Collaboration between outdoor rec stakeholders 59:35 - Favorite books 1:01:00 - Favorite films 1:02:45 - Rachel's family history in Montana 1:03:45 - 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