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

Mountain & Prairie Podcast

Tyler Sharp - The Sportsman Storyteller

Bernice Ende is a horsewoman and adventurer who has ridden over 28,000 miles on horseback throughout the United States. Back in 2005, without any significant experience in long riding, Bernice set out by herself from her home in Trego, Montana and headed south—2,000 miles south, all the way to the Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the following years, her rides became more and more ambitious, and her most recent trip stretched 8,000 miles from Montana to the coast of Maine and back, a journey that took over two and a half years to complete!
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I was surprised to learn that Bernice is relatively new to long riding and never had life-long dreams of making long riding a full-time vocation. She grew up on a Minnesota dairy farm and spent the majority of her adult life teaching ballet in cities such as San Francisco, Minneapolis, and Seattle. In 1992 she moved to Trego, Montana and opened a ballet school in a historic community hall building. After a decade of teaching there in Trego, she made the decision to take her first long ride. Since then, her story has been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers, and even on the Today Show. More importantly, her rides have inspired people of all ages to follow their dreams and pursue lives of adventure.
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Bernice is extremely gifted at telling her her life story, so we had a fun and in-depth conversation. We discussed her background and the decisions that led her to strike out on her own on her first long ride. We talked about the mental challenges of pursuing such ambitious adventures and how she manages the emotional ups and downs of years on the road. She breaks down the specifics of her long rides—how far she rides each day, what she eats, where she sleeps, and all the other details. She also shares some heartwarming stories of people she has met on her rides—stories that will restore your faith in humanity in the midst of our current volatile political climate.
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Thank you again to Bernice for taking the time to chat. I hope you enjoy!
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http://mountainandprairie.com/bernice-ende/
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2:35 - How Bernice describes her work
3:45 - “Long ride” defined
4:15 - Quick summary of all the rides
4:40 - Bernice’s background and family
5:40 - Bernice’s mother and her influence
6:45 - Her attraction to horses
9:00 - Career in ballet
11:50 - Bernice’s family history in Montana
14:30 - The genesis of the idea for her first long ride
17:50 - How Bernice learned to long ride with no experience
19:40 - How to manage the highs and lows of long rides
22:20 - The transition from the life of a teacher to a long rider
25:00 - The technical details of long riding
28:30 - Heartwarming encounters with kind people 
33:00 - Details of the most recent 8,000-mile journey
37:00 - Inspiring women of all ages through her journeys
39:15 - How Bernice has changed since becoming a long rider
42:30 - How Bernice defines conservation
44:45 - The importance of public lands
46:45 - Favorite books
48:30 - Unexpected hobbies
49:30 - A memorable event in the outdoors
50:50 - Biggest challenge and opportunity facing the West
54:00 - Words of wisdom
54:30 - Connect with Bernice online
55:10 - Bernice’s next adventure

Bernice Ende - Equestrian Explorer

Justin Simoni is an ultra-endurance adventurer who is most well known for his self-powered, long-distance tours that combine cycling, mountain running, and climbing. He is currently preparing for the "Highest Hundred” in which he’ll climb Colorado’s 100 highest peaks, accessing them all by bike, in 60 days or less. If he pulls it off (and I’m betting that he will), it will be the first time anyone has linked all of these peaks by bike in a completely self-supported style.
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Most people would assume that Justin has been a hardcore cyclist for his entire life, but he actually started riding relatively late. He studied painting in college and worked full time as a professional artist for years, living in an art gallery in downtown Denver. Frustrated with his car that kept breaking down, Justin purchased a bike and began to ride it as his primary mode of transportation. As his rides became longer and longer, he enjoyed it more and more, and pretty soon he was completely committed to long-distance cycling. What followed was a barrage of impressive solo ultra-distance adventures: cycling the Pacific Coast, racing the Tour Divide mountain bike race twice, and completing the Tour 14er, which involved cycling to all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains and climbing them... in just 34 days.
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Thanks to his athletic accomplishments, artistic perspective, hilarious sense of humor, and infectious enthusiasm, Justin is truly one of a kind. We had a fun and funny conversation that covered a wide range of topics from his adventures to his time as an artist. We chatted about some of the techniques that he uses to stay upbeat during periods of extreme fatigue or fear, and we discussed how he balances his free-wheeling artist’s mentality with the monk-like discipline required to pull off such serious adventures. As usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and Justin shares the best piece of advice he’s ever received.
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I appreciate Justin taking the time to chat during such a hectic period of planning and training. This was a really fun conversation, so I hope you enjoy.
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http://mountainandprairie.com/justin-simoni/
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TOPICS DISCUSSED:
2:40 - How Justin describes his work
4:45 - "Highest Hundred” defined
5:10 - Significance of highest hundred
7:20 - Background of Justin’s self-powered adventures
9:20 - When Justin started seriously riding bikes
10:00 - Growing up in Connecticut
10:45 - His decision to move West
11:50 - Skateboarding and skateboarding advocacy
12:50 - Beginning cycling
14:15 - Pacific Coast bike tour
15:50 - Tour Divide
18:30 - Epic snowfall on the Tour Divide course
20:45 - Justin’s approach to hardcore adventure
21:45 - Positivity versus negativity in ultra-endurance
23:15 - Strategies for overcoming fatigue
24:45 - How he decides when he does need to stop
25:30 - Other techniques for keeping a positive mindset
26:00 - Justin’s ability to invent his own rules and challenges
27:00 - “Everesting” Green Mountain
29:30 - Enjoyment of truly knowing a place
31:30 - Justin’s approach to creating art
32:50 - The hard work involved in athletics and art
35:35 - How much art is a part of Justin’s life currently
36:35 - How adventures changes people
39:00 - Heroes and mentors
42:00 - Overarching goal of sharing these adventures with the public
43:45 - Favorite Books
45:00 - Favorite films
46:50 - Surprising activities
48:40 - Best advice he’s ever received
53:00 - Enlightenment through endurance
56:00 - Most powerful outdoor experience
58:50 - Favorite location in the West
1:01:00 - Justin’s request of the listeners
1:02:00 - Connect with Justin online and follow the adventure!

Justin Simoni - The Ultra-Endurance Artist

Duke Beardsley was well on his way to a career in medicine, when, just before med school, he took a hard turn onto a new path when he decided to pursue art as a full-time vocation. Since then, he has become one of the West’s most revered artists, producing paintings of cowboys, anglers, and the Western way of life in a style that is uniquely his own. His work is big, bold, and completely original, and it continues to grow and evolve in ways that surprise even Duke himself.
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Thanks to a childhood spent between Denver and his family’s eastern Colorado ranch, Duke has been immersed in cowboy culture for as long as he can remember. He has been drawing non-stop since he could hold a crayon, and as a child (sometimes to the dismay of his parents) he demonstrated a proclivity for sketching western scenes on the walls of his family’s home. Duke is also a committed conservationist with a deep devotion to preserving the West’s landscapes and heritage. This eclectic mix of experiences and interests, combined with a formal art education, allows Duke to produce works that are ambitious, inspiring, and engaging.
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I stopped by Duke’s Denver studio earlier this week, where we had a fun and wide-ranging conversation. We chat about his decision to change his career goal from medicine to art, and the value he gleaned from a formal art education.  He explains that life-long obsession with drawing on walls, and he tells some stories about how, as an adult, drawing on walls has led to surprising professional opportunities. We talk about his artistic process, his meditation practice, and how he managed his extroverted personality in the solitary world of creating art. He also discusses why land conservation is an issue that is so near and dear to his heart, and offers up some excellent book recommendations.
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This was a lot of fun and I really appreciate Duke inviting me into his studio. Be sure to check the episode notes for links to everything we discuss, and check out Duke on Instagram, Facebook, and his website.
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http://mountainandprairie.com/duke-beardsley/
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TOPICS DISCUSSED
2:40 - How Duke describes his work
3:30 - Growing up between Denver and eastern Colorado
5:15 - Artistic energy in Duke’s family
6:30 - Duke’s early path toward medicine
8:30 - Transition to art school
9:40 - Biggest lesson learned from art school
12:20 - Focusing his art on horses and the West
14:20 - Life post-art school
15:30 - How Duke’s art is different now from 20 years ago
18:30 - Drawing on the wall
20:20 - Why Duke paints big pieces
21:31 - Story behind Duke’s line ups
24:45 - Getting in “the zone” while painting line ups 
26:40 - Working on multiple pieces at once
27:50 - Working with galleries
29:00 - Process for commissioned paintings
31:45 - Extrovert or Introvert?
34:30 - Duke’s artistic process
38:00 - Duke’s meditation practice
41:00 - Drawing on the wall at Las Pampas Lodge
44:00 - Working with Fishpond
45:50 - Passion for land conservation
49:30 - Favorite books
52:34 - Favorite films
54:00 - Surprising activities
54:45 - Most powerful outdoor experience
57:00 - Favorite place in the West
58:40 - Best peice of advice ever recieved
59:45 - Duke’s request of the listeners
1:00:30 - Connect with Duke online

Duke Beardsley - Art in the Big, Bold American West

Scott Slusher is an Oklahoma native and Texas-based photographer who is best known for his stunning images of cowboys and life on working ranches. After seeing Scott’s work, it is crystal clear that he has a deep understanding of the ranching lifestyle and has invested more than his share of time out in the heat and dust, on horseback or in the branding pen. Given his immersion in the tough, hard-nosed world of ranching, you may be surprised to learn that Scott was trained as a fashion photographer and still works with a variety of big-name companies on their fashion and clothing line spreads.
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So what allows Scott to have success in two worlds as diametrically opposed as ranching and fashion? Well, as you’ll hear in this interview, Scott has a habit of pursuing his interests with a single-minded intensity and curiosity, unafraid of getting in over his head, venturing outside his comfort zone, or working harder than expected. Combine those traits with endless energy and a knack for making friends with everyone he meets, and you’ll understand how Scott has managed to work his way onto iconic ranches, riding alongside and photographing some of the best ranch hands in the business.
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Scott’s enthusiasm and love of people really come through in our conversation, so I know you’ll enjoy it. We talk about his childhood in Oklahoma and how his father’s work as a veterinarian and horse breeder shaped his outlook. We chat about his time as a photography intern and how he chose to dive head first into no-fun chores (like mopping the floor), and how that optimistic, high-energy approach has paid off time and again throughout his career. We also discuss how he broke into photographing cowboys, and how his respectful approach has allowed him to be accepted by ranch hands throughout the West. We cover a ton, so check out the episode notes for a full list of topics and links.
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If you don’t already, be sure to follow Scott on Instagram at @slusherphoto—if you love the West and the ranching lifestyle, I can guarantee you’ll love his work.  Hope you enjoy this episode.
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TOPICS DISCUSSED
2:45 - How Scott describes his work
4:50 - Where Scott grew up
8:30 - Time working at a vet clinic
12:00 - Applying to art school in Dallas
14:00 - Finding focus in art school
18:00 - Work ethic during his first internship
22:30 - First time taking photos of cowboys
26:00 - Making folks feel comfortable during photo shoots
27:20 - How he broke into the cowboy culture
33:00 - Working at the Four 6s Ranch
36:15 - Importance of networking
40:00 - Close calls during ranch photography
44:45 - Close call during a rodeo
49:30 - Importance of social media in Scott’s career
1:04:00 - Important books
1:09:00 - Favorite films
1:14:00 - Words of advice to the listeners
1:15:00 - Connect with Scott online

Scott Slusher - The Cowboys' Cowboy Photographer

Christine Su is an entrepreneur and CEO of PastureMap, a Silicon Valley startup that creates cutting-edge ranch management software. PastureMap helps ranchers plan grazing, track forage, monitor herd performance, manage record keeping, and much more, all with the goal of saving ranchers time and making their operations more profitable. In the business of ranching—one that has not changed much in the past 100 years—PastureMap is a true breakthrough, and Christine’s innovative mindset and infectious enthusiasm are two of the root drivers of the company’s success.
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Christine grew up in an entrepreneurial family, and she has had a lifelong curiosity about agriculture and the importance of food production. After building an impressive resume that includes undergraduate and graduate degrees from Stanford, a stint at McKinsey & Company, and experience in private equity, Christine combined her business expertise with her passion for agriculture to form PastureMap. PastureMap makes active or holistic management a more realistic option for ranchers, creating ripple effects far beyond the ranchers’ bottom lines—healthier grass, increased biodiversity, stronger communities, and continued viable domestic food production.
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As you’ll hear in our conversation, Christine is a truly dynamic person whose passion for agriculture is matched by her intellect and entrepreneurial acumen.  We cover all the details of PastureMap and how she built the business from a simple idea to a successful enterprise. We discuss her personal background and why she initially became so curious about agriculture around the world.  We also chat about the ins and outs of active ranch management, and how a holistic approach to grazing can have far-reaching benefits beyond agriculture. As you’d expect, Christine also has plenty of excellent book recommendations related to agriculture, which I know you will enjoy.
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For all of you ranchers out there, Christine is offering a 10% off coupon for a year’s subscription to PastureMap, and you can claim it by using the code “PRAIRIE” on the PastureMap website.  Check out the episode notes for all the details.  But whether you’re a rancher or not, I hope you’ll enjoy this episode.  Christine is a perfect example of someone who has merged her passion and expertise into a financially successful business that is making the world a better place.  Enjoy!
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https://pasturemap.com
http://mountainandprairie.com/christine-su/
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Topics Discussed:
2:55 - Christine gives an overview of PastureMap
5:10 - How Christine came up with the idea for PastureMap
7:10 - Decision to take a break from business to work on a farm
9:45 - The importance of working ranches for healthy grasslands and a healthy planet
12:50 - Explaining grazing to environmentalists
15:30 - Impactful books about grazing
17:30 - Helping ranchers to see the value of PastureMap
20:20 - PastureMaps success stories
24:00 - How Christine expects PastureMap to evolve in the coming years
28:35 - Christine’s childhood and father’s entrepreneurial ventures
30:20 - Goals when entering Stanford
32:10 - Biggest surprise of entreprenuership
34:45 - Of all sectors, why Christine focused her start up on agriculture
37:55 - Heroes and mentors in the ag world
39:50 - Heroes of the business world
42:10 - Life lessons learned from working with agricultural producers
45:15 - Favorite books
46:15 - Favorite films
47:35 - Christine’s hobbies, including jumping in cold water
50:00 - Most powerful experience in the outdoors
52:10 - Favorite place in the West
52:50 - Best advice she’s ever received
53:20 - Request of the listeners
54:08 - Connect with Christine and PastureMap

Christine Su - The Business of Healthy Grasslands

Brian Calvert is the Editor-in-Chief of the High Country News, a non-profit media organization that covers the defining stories of the American West. Since 1970, High Country News has been fully committed to in-depth journalism that explores complex relationships between the West's communities, business interests, and the natural world. In our current media climate that seems to celebrate surface-level, hastily written news stories, High Country News remains committed to long-form, well-researched, and nuanced explorations of complicated issues.
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Brian is a fourth-generation Wyoming native who grew up in Pinedale at the base of the spectacular Wind River Range. A blue-collar upbringing, a stint in the Army, time working in the oil fields, and years spent overseas as a foreign correspondent have given Brian a unique and valuable perspective into the relationship between people and place. This depth of experience allows Brian to approach Western issues with a curious, patient, and balanced style that is becoming more and more rare in today’s media.
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I was on Colorado’s Western Slope for work and stopped by the High Country News office in Paonia to chat with Brian. We had a fascinating conversation about the history of High Country News and how its commitment to in-depth journalism is more important now than ever. We discussed Brian’s upbringing in Wyoming, and why he chose to pursue journalism as a career.  We talked about his time spent as a foreign correspondent in places like Cambodia, China, and Afghanistan, as well as the lessons he learned from living in such intense and sometimes dangerous environments. And as you’ve come to expect, we discussed his favorite books, authors, and places in the American West.
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There’s a lot to learn in this episode, so please check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Also, please visit the High Country News website or consider ordering a print subscription. Brian and his team are doing important work that deserves support from thoughtful, curious folks like the listeners of this podcast. Enjoy!
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http://mountainandprairie.com/brian-calvert/
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Topics Discussed:
2:35 - How Brian describes his work
3:15 - History of the High Country News
5:30 - Moving HCN to Paonia
7:00 - HCN’s non-profit model
12:15 - Current shifts in modern journalism
15:30 - Challenges of producing in-depth news in the age of Twitter
21:40 - Thoughts on the rawness and plain-spokenness of the West
24:00 - Brian’s early years in Pinedale
26:25 - Joining the Army and National Guard
27:00 - Desire to write and see the world
28:20 - Adventurous childhood
30:45 - From college to foreign correspondent
33:33 - Working in Cambodia
35:20 - Where Brian was on 9/11
36:30 - Moving back to WY and working in the oil fields
40:55 - Scary events overseas
45:00 - Adjusting to US after life in war zones
47:00 - Learning to surf and surfing as a healing process
49:45 - Being selected for the Ted Scripps Fellowship
51:00 - Opportunity at HCN
53:20 - In-depth journalism in the era of “fake news”
55:25 - Importance of high values in unbiased journalism
1:00:00 - Importance of considering all sides of arguments
1:02:15 - Role of HCN in journalism for a diverse readership
1:05:30 - Favorite books about the West
1:07:50 - The American West as an idea
1:11:30 - Interesting and weird hobbies
1:12:25 - Poetry
1:14:20 - Favorite location in the West
1:15:35 - Best advice ever receive
1:16:00 - Request of the listeners
1:17:00 - Connect with Brian

Brian Calvert - In-Depth Journalism in the New West

Hampton Sides is a narrative historian, best-selling author, and editor-at-large for Outside magazine. Mountain & Prairie listeners probably know Hampton best from his book "Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West," but the reality is that Blood and Thunder represents only a fraction of his work. "Hellhound on His Trail," "In the Kingdom of Ice," and "Ghost Soldiers" are a few of his other notable books, not to mention countless articles for Outside, National Geographic, and other well-known magazines. Hampton is originally from Memphis, Tennessee, but now splits his time between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Colorado Springs, where he’s the Journalist in Residence at Colorado College.
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This podcast is a live recording of a conversation that Hampton and I had in front of an audience at the Aspen Institute in Aspen, Colorado. This public event was part of a four-day seminar about the history of the 19th Century American West, which was hosted by the Aspen Institute's Society of Fellows. Since the overall theme of the week was the West, Hampton and I focused our conversation on "Blood and Thunder," and chatted about the many topics presented in the book: the Navajos, the life of Kit Carson, Carson’s obsession with loyalty, Manifest Destiny, historical misconceptions about the time period, Hampton’s process for researching the book, and more. There are also a few minutes of Q&A from the audience toward the end of our talk. The Aspen Institute also filmed the event, so be sure to visit the podcast webpage if you want to watch the video.
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Having the opportunity to speak with one of my all-time favorite authors at such an exceptional, world-renowned institution was a real dream come true. Endless thanks to the Aspen Institute for inviting me, and the same to Hampton for being so engaging, funny, knowledgeable, and down to earth. You’re going to learn a lot from this episode, so I hope you enjoy listening… or watching!  And if you haven’t already, you should order and read Hampton’s books as soon as possible—you won’t be disappointed.
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VIDEO and EPISODE NOTES: http://mountainandprairie.com/hampton/
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TOPICS DISCUSSED:
2:40 - Welcome from the Aspen Institute
4:45 - Ed’s intro
6:30 - Background on Navajos
9:15 - Overview of Kit Carson
13:30 - Polarizing views of Kit Carson
14:45 - Growth of the legend of Kit Carson
20:20 - Carson and John Fremont
24:45 - The downside of Carson’s loyalty
27:45 - How to evaluate historical figures according to their time
32:30 - How Hampton researched the book
35:45 - Modern day societies attempts to right the wrongs
39:30 - Ideas for getting past today’s divisiveness
41:40 - Hampton’s book recommendations
43:50 - Heroes and mentors
47:00 - Audience Q&A
1:08:20 - Closing

Hampton Sides - Live at the Aspen Institute

Anyone who has listened to this podcast surely knows of best-selling author and narrative historian Hampton Sides. I reference his books often and was lucky enough to interview him in August at the Aspen Institute, which I released as a podcast episode. In that conversation, we discussed the history of the 19th-Century American West, and many of you kindly reached out to let me know how much you enjoyed learning from Hampton. So I was thrilled—and I think you will be too—when Hampton generously stopped through Colorado Springs last week in the midst of a busy tour for his amazing new book, "On Desperate Ground: The Marines at the Reservoir, the Korean War’s Greatest Battle."
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As you’d expect, we had a fun conversation that expanded upon our first interview—we dig into his childhood in Memphis, Tennessee, and discuss his life-long desire to be a writer. We talk about his early years in journalism, and how his experiences writing and editing have contributed to his success as an author. We also chat about his years at “Outside" magazine and some of the realities of being a freelance journalist and author. Additionally, he shares some of the ins and outs of his writing process, including the struggle of cranking out a first draft, a process he describes as spending time in the “pain cave.” We also discuss the Grand Canyon, Wallace Stegner’s writing, and much more.
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Finally, we spend some time talking about "On Desperate Ground," which I can’t recommend enough. I knew next to nothing about the Korean War, but as usual, Hampton’s writing was simultaneously educational and entertaining, allowing me to learn a lot while thoroughly enjoying the process. You don’t have to be a war history buff to enjoy this book—his exploration of characters’ personalities, motivations, and egos makes for an engaging story that will appeal to anyone who is fascinated by interesting people. And being a weird guy who loves climbing big, absurdly cold mountains, I especially enjoyed our discussion of North Korea’s brutal winters and how sub-zero temperatures were one of the deadliest forces in this battle.
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Thanks again to Hampton for making time to meet up during such a busy book tour. Be sure to check the episode notes for links to all the authors and books we discuss, as we cover a lot.  This was a fun conversation, and I know you’ll enjoy it.
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Episode Notes: http://mountainandprairie.com/hampton-2/
“On Desperate Ground” by Hampton Sides: http://a.co/d/aZBZFiO
First Episode with Hampton: http://mountainandprairie.com/hampton/
Support the Podcast: http://mountainandprairie.com/support/
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TOPICS DISCUSSED:
3:20 - How Hampton describes his work
7:15 - Hampton’s early years
11:00 - College and history training
13:40 - Importance of discipline in writing
17:00 - The "Pain Cave”
19:00 - Publising his first book
20:20 - First job out of college
22:00 - Working at Outside
24:45 - Learning the art of structure
28:30 - Importance of characters in history
31:40 - General MacArthur
36:00 - The cold as a character in the book
40:45 - US Marines’ retreat from the reservoir
41:50 - Chairman Mao
42:40 - Lessons learned from veterans
47:40 - Favorite books
48:45 - Favorite documentaries
49:40 - Most powerful experience in the outdoors
51:40 - Best advice ever received
52:45 - Connect with Hampton online

Hampton Sides, Part 2 - How to Tell a Damn Good Story

Chandra Brown is an educator, writer, and river guide who has worked on the West’s most iconic rivers, including many seasons below the rim of the Grand Canyon. She’s also the founder of the Freeflow Institute, a unique Montana-based program that offers multi-day river trips for writers and creatives that combine immersion in the natural world with instruction from some of the West’s most well-known, prolific outdoor writers. By combining creativity with adventure in some of the West’s most spectacular landscapes, Freeflow helps to "eliminate the barrier between artist and environment," resulting in creative inspiration and an increased desire to preserve our wild places.
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Growing up in Alaska, Chandra has always had close connections to the land and life in the outdoors. It was during a family trip to Montana during high school that she fell in love with rivers; since then, rivers have played a foundational role in both her personal and professional lives. She attended college in Bozeman, studied in Ecuador as a Fulbright Scholar, and spent extensive time on rivers in both places. Currently she burns the candle at both ends-- teaching high school Spanish during the school year and guiding rivers in the summer, all while working as a freelance writer and building the Freeflow Institute from the ground up.
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Thanks to her love of books, writing, adventure, and conservation, Chandra is a perfect guest for this podcast. We cover a lot in just over an hour, including the genesis of the idea for the Freeflow Institute and how she turned that idea into reality. We discuss some of the well-known writers who teach on Freeflow trips, including Hal Herring, Chris Dombrowski, and past podcast guests Alexis Bonogofsky and Brendan Leonard. We talk about lessons learned from her time in Ecuador, her creative process for writing, and her own writing heroes and mentors. We discuss conservation, adventure, and, of course, favorite books, films, and locations in the West.
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Chandra is an amazing woman who is pursuing her passions with an inspiring amount of focus and determination, and she’s created something very special in the Freeflow Institute. Check out the episode notes for links to everything, including a short film that gives an excellent overview of the project.  Enjoy!
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http://mountainandprairie.com/chandra-brown/
https://freeflowinstitute.com
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TOPICS DISCUSSED:
3:40 - Chandra describes her work
5:00 - Freeflow Institute explained
7:00 - Taking Freeflow from idea to reality
9:15 - Hal Herring
11:30 - Importance of open-mindedness
14:00 - Wilderness breaking down barriers
17:40 - Growing up in Alaska
19:00 - Outdoor experiences as a kid
22:00 - Falling in love with rivers
23:30 - College in Montana
26:30 - Fulbright Scholar in Ecuador
28:00 - Lessons learned from international living
35:40 - Writing as a focus of her life
38:40 - Life in Missoula and teaching
40:50 - The Grand Canyon
42:40 - Lessons from guiding
44:15 - Talent versus hard work in writing
47:30 - Chandra’s writing routine
52:00 - Heroes and mentors
57:30 - Conservation challenges
1:02:30 - Favorite books
1:05:00 - Favorite films
1:06:00 - Hobbies
1:07:50 - Most powerful outdoor experience
1:10:30 - Favorite location in the West
1:11:15 - Best advice ever received
1:12:00 - Request of the listeners
1:13:10 - Connect with Freeflow online

Chandra Brown - Fostering Creativity Through River Adventures

Len Necefer is a scholar, entrepreneur, and outdoor adventurer who is also a proud member of the Navajo Nation. Academically, Len holds a Ph.D. in engineering and public policy, and he is currently a professor of both Indian Studies and public policy at the University of Arizona. In business, he’s the CEO of NativesOutdoors, a cutting-edge outdoor apparel company that uses its platform to advocate for the cultural empowerment indigenous people. And to top it all off, Len is a committed mountaineer, backcountry skier, and rock climber, having ticked off countless impressive adventures throughout the West.
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It is clear that Len has accomplished a lot personally, but what is even more impressive is the positive ripple effect his work is having on the outdoor industry. By melding his professional expertise, personal interests, and cultural heritage, he has become one of the leading voices advocating for Native American representation in outdoor recreation and conservation. His work and personal story have been featured in big-time publications such as Outside and Alpinist, and he’s recently delved into filmmaking with his newest film Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee. As you’ll hear, Len has a unique ability to educate and inspire, and his message is striking a chord with a large, engaged audience.
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As you’d expect from a guy as multifaceted as Len, he offers up a wealth of knowledge in our conversation. We talked about his Navajo heritage and discussed the unique history and culture of the Navajo tribe. We chatted about his recent film and discussed the of impact oil and gas development on Native populations in areas such as Bears Ears and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We chatted about the need for mutual respect between the outdoor industry and indigenous groups, and Len explains two fascinating case studies around rock climbing on sacred Native lands. He gives an excellent overview of his company NativesOutdoors, and he explains why he chose to start a business instead of a non-profit. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and the best advice he ever received.
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Thanks so much to Len for carving out time to chat. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!
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http://mountainandprairie.com/len-necefer/
https://www.natives-outdoors.org
http://mountainandprairie.com/support/
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TOPICS DISCUSSED:
4:10 - How Len describes his work
6:15 - Len’s early years
7:00 - Navajo background
9:00 - History of the Navajo tribe
12:00 - Len’s new film: "Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee”
16:15 - Oil and gas development’s impact on humans
19:40 - Historic native management of landscapes
22:15 - Preservation of people as new phase of conservation
27:15 - NativesOutdoors
33:00 - For-profit versus non-profit
34:00 - Native Americans and the outdoor industry
38:30 - Climbing Case Studies: Devil’s Tower versus Bears Ears
43:00 - How does he accomplish so much?
45:00 - Len’s work ethic
48:15 - Best books about Native American culture
50:45 - Favorite books about the West
52:00 - Favorite films
53:30 - Most powerful outdoor experience
56:15 - Favorite locations in the West
57:00 - Best advice ever received
58:30 - Request of the listeners
59:15 - Connect with Len

Len Necefer - Indigenous Advocate

Interviews with innovators of the American West. Guests include ranchers, writers, athletes, artists, adventurers, conservationists, entrepreneurs—anyone who’s doing inspired work that contributes to the region’s evolving and complex cultural fabric. Through informal yet substantive conversations, conservationist Ed Roberson introduces you to these fascinating characters, giving you a better understanding of their careers, influences, and outlooks, as well as a deeper appreciation for life in the American West.

Chandra Brown - Fostering Creativity Through River Adventures

Mountain & Prairie

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