In this powerful episode of the Rocky Mountain Channel Podcast, host Claire Molle sits down with two trailblazing content creators—Nelson Holland (@FatBlackandGettinIt) and Alex Haraus—whose passion for the outdoors is matched only by their dedication to protecting it. From going viral on TikTok to speaking at major events like SXSW, Nelson and Alex are redefining what it means to be environmental advocates in the digital age.
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Nature Filmmaker, Nick Mollé, talks about his powerful new PBS documentary, Water: The Sacred Gift, and why he thinks people should rethink their relationship with water and consider the broader implications of climate change on wildlife, ecosystems, and communities. Producer, host, and writer Nick Mollé has spent over 30 years documenting the Rocky Mountains, along with exotic destinations from Alaska to Costa Rica and Australia. His work combines serious purpose with a touch of humor, earning ...
Mar 19, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Professional wildlife, travel and nature photographer, Dawn Wilson, talks with Brett Wilson about adventures, travel, AI and growing up with a camera in her hand. Dawn Wilson is a professional and award-winning nature photographer specializing in images and stories about wildlife of high latitudes and high altitudes of the Rocky Mountains and Alaska. Dawn's text and photography have appeared in more than 800 regional and national publications. In addition to her editorial work, Dawn can be found...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Since 1998, Scott Rashid has spent countless hours researching and rehabilitating birds of prey. He has worked with a variety of bird species from hummingbirds, sparrows, and finches to eagles, hawks, and especially owls. He specializes in an area in the north side of Rocky Mountain National Park. If you’ve ever seen any videos of him rescuing and working with owls and other birds, I’m sure you will agree he leads a fascinating life. He is the Director of (CARRI) the Colorado Avian Research and ...
Apr 11, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Brett Wilson has a fascinating conversation with nature photographer and author, Erik Stensland, about his journey from Europe's Balkan Peninsula to the beauty and solitude of Rocky Mountain National Park. His books and stunning mountain and desert images are breath-taking, reaching deep into the heart and parallel the human soul, tying Nature in with our own humanity. They have won several national awards, including Best Travel Book of the Year, Best Nature and Environment Book of the Year, and...
Dec 21, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 15
We have a very special guest with us today who is definitely no stranger to Estes Park. In fact, perhaps for many folks who visit, he is Estes Park! Raised right here in Estes, this singer, songwriter and guitarist has been playing professionally since he was 15 years old. He specializes in original folk and western music. In 2001, he performed for the president of the United States during his visit to Colorado. In 2008 he performed for the Democratic National Convention in Denver. A year later ...
Sep 21, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Brett talks with Linda Ballou, author of the novel EMBRACE OF THE WILD which was inspired by Equestrian Explorer Isabella Bird. Our guest today has been Blessed with a double dose of genetic wanderlust, and loves to explore. At thirteen her pioneering parents took her to Alaska where she became firmly grounded in nature. Linda’s articles have appeared in American Fitness, Northwest Travel Magazine, and Morning Calm the inflight magazine for Korean Air. She is a regular contributor to Travel Worl...
Aug 09, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Rocky Mountain National Park Public Affairs Officer, Kyle Patterson, talks with Brett about this year's timed entry system and how it can mitigate impact on the environment.
May 21, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Mikaela Fundaun, Curator of Interpretation at the Estes Park Museum, shares stories about some of the remarkable women in Estes Park's history. Three of the women featured in this episode include Eleanor Hondius and the story of her role in the founding of the Estes Park Women's Club, Joephine Hupp who owned and managed four of Estes Park's downtown hotels as well as a popular cafe, and finally pioneering entrepreneur Anna Wolfrom who homesteaded land near Lily Lake that she used to construct an...
Mar 22, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Estes Park local, world-class climber, and climate advocate, Tommy Caldwell, is interviewed. He’s a professional rock climber who made the first ascents of some of the hardest sports routes in the country, including Kryptonite with a grade of 5.14c/d and the world's first 9a+/b route, Flex Luthor, at the Fortress of Solitude, Colorado in 2003. In January 2015, Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson completed the first free climb of the Dawn Wall of El Capitan. At the time, their 19-day ascent was considere...
Feb 09, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 10
How do you manage a wildfire that’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before? In 2020 when the two largest wildfires in Colorado history surrounded the town of Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park’s Fire Management Officer, Mike Lewelling, relied on twenty years of planning and fire treatments in Rocky along with a dream team of multiple fire agencies and our very own Alpine Hotshots crew to help save the town from burning. However, those two things alone wouldn’t have saved Estes Park from the ...
Dec 19, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 9
There are over 360 miles of hiking trails in RMNP, not to mention many more in the surrounding areas of Estes Park and the Roosevelt and Arapaho National forests. That’s more than one mile for every day of the year. Whether you’re an avid hiker or a family with young children and elders to consider, Rocky has something for you. So what kind of hiking adventure do you want to choose? You may not have thought of it before, but when preparing for a high altitude trail adventure it can be helpful to...
Nov 03, 2021•15 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this episode, Brett Wilson sits down with Emmy nominated filmmaker, Nick Molle, to talk about his new PBS documentary, "Nature of the Beasts"! "A Walk in the Park with Nick Mollé: Nature of the Beasts" is a soul searching dive into the effects of climate and crowding in the pristine wilderness of a national park. Starring among others, the lovable Pika, Beasts examines environmental changes in quality and the experience with a concept that may surprise some viewers. As with his previous work,...
Oct 21, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 4
One of the many things that make Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes so special is the variety of options you have when planning your trip. In this episode we give you mountains of helpful tips, hints, and straight-out advice on where to stay and how to book your reservations for staying in Estes Park.
Oct 21, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Brett talks with ecologist and wildlife expert, Delia Malone, who is a passionate advocate for wolves and their future here in Colorado and the rest of the world. In this episode she explains why Colorado needs wolves. The Video Podcast version of this episode is available on the Rocky Mountain Channel Streaming Service. (Available on your favorite device.)
Oct 21, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Brett Wilson talks with Estee Rivera from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Estee Rivera is the Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Estee Rivera Murdock hails from Washington, D.C., where she worked for the National Park Service (NPS) for more than eight years. Estee manages the Rocky Mountain Conservancy as a whole, working with their partners, directing organization goals and priorities and advising managers. She interacts directly with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Board and ...
Oct 21, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 7
