Will Deacy is the Large Mammal Ecologist at Rocky Mountain National Park, where he plays a key role in managing some of the park’s most iconic wildlife. With a background that includes grizzly bear research on Kodiak Island in Alaska, Will brings a wealth of experience to his work with Rocky’s booming elk and moose populations—species that have flourished in the absence of natural predators. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of large mammals at Rocky Mountain National Park. Wil...
Aug 08, 2025•49 min
In this episode, we sit down with Mike Lukens, who has dedicated over 15 years to Rocky Mountain National Park and currently serves as the Climbing and Wilderness Program Supervisor. Mike oversees critical aspects of the park's operations, including Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts, ensuring visitor safety across its vast wilderness. Beyond his administrative role, Mike is an accomplished climber. In 2016, alongside Quinn Brett and Max Barlerin, he completed the first ascent of the "Colorado Rout...
Aug 01, 2025•58 min
Kyle Patterson is the Public Affairs Officer at Rocky Mountain National Park. For the past 23 years, she’s served as a Park Ranger, dedicating her career to community engagement and media relations. In this episode, Kyle and I dive into what makes Rocky Mountain one of America’s most iconic national parks. We explore the park’s rich history, how visitors experience its vast landscape, and the unique challenges and joys of protecting such a beloved place. Kyle’s passion for Rocky Mountain is unde...
Jul 25, 2025•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, I’m joined by Carole Graham and Laura Brumbaugh, two archaeologists from Mesa Verde National Park. We explore their roles within the park, what makes the Mesa Verde region such a culturally rich and significant place, and the deep, continuous human history that has unfolded here over thousands of years. I'm incredibly grateful to have had both Carole and Laura on the podcast. Their knowledge and passion for archaeology—and for sharing the stories of the people who lived in this ...
Jul 18, 2025•48 min
Satchel Martin is an Indigenous Ranger Intern at Mesa Verde National Park. Satchel is a part of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona and shares with us his special and personal perspective of the ancestral history and significance of Mesa Verde. I am so thankful for this conversation with Satchel. His personal stories and experiences are so special to listen to. His insight will help lead people towards a more connected and respectful experience when they're visiting Mesa Verde National Park. _____________...
Jul 11, 2025•48 min
Dalton Dorrell is a Supervisory Park Ranger that focuses on Education, Community Outreach, and Interpretation at Mesa Verde National Park. In our conversation together, Ranger Dalton and I chatted through Mesa Verde's incredible history, tips and tricks for visitors, important safety rules and a whole lot more. Dalton is from south-western Colorado and has dreamed of working at Mesa Verde since he was a little kid. He even chased his dreams as a 12-year-old volunteering with the US Forest Servic...
Jul 04, 2025•53 min
Brinnen Carter is the Chief of Resources at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In this episode, Ranger Brinnen and I chat all about the incredible natural and cultural resources of the Black Canyon. From traditional hunting grounds for ancient tribes to learning all about the individuals that make up the resource team, Brinnen shares fascinating information throughout this podcast. I had a blast getting to sit down with Park Ranger Brinnen, he's an incredible land manager with an amazin...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Lori Rome is the Chief of Interpretation at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. She's had an incredible career with the National Park Service, working at some of the premier parks in the United States. In this episode, Lori and I chat all about the Black Canyon - from Geology to wildlife and a whole lot more. Lori also shares tips for visitors that are looking to do some of the top hikes and those that dare to scramble down to the bottom of the canyon. ______________ Follow us on social!...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Ree Rodgers is the first and only archeologist at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. She is deeply passionate about her work and the human stories that make up our history. In this episode, Ree and I chat all about archeology, it's purpose, and the human stories that tell the story of the Great Sand Dunes. I really appreciate Ree, her storytelling and her work. Grateful to have had her on the podcast! ______________ Follow us on social! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safetravel...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Fred Bunch is the Chief of Resources at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Fred is a native of Alamosa, Colorado, and has been working at Great Sand Dunes for nearly 40 years. Fred has a very important role in the park, tasked with protecting and preserving the park's natural and cultural resources. In this podcast, we chat about what those resources are and what it means to Fred to be such a critical piece in protecting such a special area and park. Fred Bunch has such a wonderful, ...
Jun 11, 2025•44 min
Sierra Willoughby is the Chief of Interpretation at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Sierra has served at 11 different National Park Service sites and is the definition of a park steward. In this podcast, Sierra and I discuss Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, from park rules to ways visitors recreate. Sierra is a wonderful guest who cares deeply about our national parks and wild places. ______________ Follow us on social! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safetravel...
Jun 06, 2025•55 min
Dewane Mosher is a Park Ranger and Wildlife Biologist at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Dewane has had an interesting, and special, journey to the park service after spending two decades in the Army as a mechanic. In this episode, Dewane and I chatted about the incredible fish restoration story that has taken place in the waters that surround the Great Sand Dunes. We also discuss how to fish responsibly at the park, ways you can access the fish and much more! I loved having Dewane ...
May 30, 2025•53 min
Andrew Valdez is a Physical Scientist and is the first, and only, geologist at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. He is a native of Alamosa, Colorado - which is the gateway city to the Great Sand Dunes. Valdez was hired full-time with the NPS in 1994 and his work as a geologist helped lead the Great Sand Dunes to national park status. In this conversation, Andrew and I chatted all about the geology and hydrology of this magnificent landscape. It was such an honor to have Andrew join th...
May 23, 2025•47 min
Mak Regan is an ultrarunner based out of Colorado. Mak has an amazing running resume, including competing in multiple 100-mile races. In addition to running, Mak is a chemical engineer and has a passion for thru-hiking and the great outdoors. Soon, she will be taking off to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a trail that spans 2,650 miles from the southern border in California to the northern border in Washington state. In our conversation together, Mak and I talk about her preparation for...
May 16, 2025•56 min
John Waller is a Park Ranger and Wildlife Biologist at Glacier National Park. He has spent over 20-years at the park and has accomplished many incredible feats during his tenure with the National Park Service. In this conversation, John and I go in-depth on grizzly bears and the carnivores that roam Glacier National Park. We cover grizzly behavior, share stories about John's incredible wildlife encounters, visitor and carnivore safety, plus a whole lot more. Big thanks to John for joining me on ...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 22 min
Park Ranger Diane Sine is a fixture at Glacier National Park. She's been recreating and working at the park for 45 summers and is currently the Lead Interpreter at Many Glacier. In this podcast, Diane and I chatted about her journey with the National Park Service, the geology of Glacier National Park, park history and general information surrounding trip planning to this majestic setting. Diane is an incredible human whose dedicated her life to telling the stories of one of America's most iconic...
May 02, 2025•46 min
Scott Niedermayer is a four-time NHL Stanley Cup Champion, two-time Olympic Hockey Gold Medalist as the captain for team Canada and is a Hockey Hall of Famer. Scott is widely considered to be one of the best defensemen in NHL history and the greatest winner of his generation. In addition to his illustrious professional hockey career, Niedermayer is a conservationist with a deep passion for the outdoors. Scott's love for nature developed throughout his childhood while being raised in beautiful Cr...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Kenan Chan is one of the 1,000 NPS Park Rangers that were recently wrongfully terminated. Kenan was a Biological Science Technician at Channel Islands National Park that focused on long term monitoring of kelp forests and intertidal ecosystems. Kenan's work with the NPS was incredibly impactful for visitors and the ecosystems within the park. In our podcast together, Kenan and I chatted about his journey, the current challenges that the National Park Service is facing, how rangers were terminate...
Mar 14, 2025•55 min
Dr. Cameron Hummels is an astrophysicist and research scientist at Caltech focused on the formation and evolution of galaxies. Cameron and I recorded this episode at Death Valley National Park during their Dark Sky Festival. In this podcast, Dr. Hummels discussed the formation and evolution of galaxies, supercomputers, his journey through Death Valley, Occupy Mars, and much more! It was an honor getting to chat with Dr. Hummels, I had an absolute blast meeting him. I left the Dark Sky Festival a...
Feb 28, 2025•56 min
We're back among the redwoods! This time, we're at the mouth of the Smith River at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in Northern California. We were very lucky to be joined by the Chairperson of Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation, Jeri Lynn Thompson. Jeri and I chatted about Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation and their history, their relationship with the National Park Service today, the cultural significance of the redwood tree and much more. Chairperson Jeri Lynn Thompson is incredible. The story of the Tolowa Dee-ni'...
Feb 14, 2025•28 min
We've arrived at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona! In episode one from Saguaro, we're joined by Lucas Hetherington who is a biologist at the park. In our conversation, Lucas and I chatted about the geology of the Rincon and Tucson mountains, the biology of the Saguaro Cactus and the many interactions that the keystone species has with the Sonoran Desert. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Lucas and I am so thankful for all of their work in the park. You can watch this podcast on YouTube: ...
Jan 31, 2025•43 min
There's an incredible story unfolding at Redwood National & State Parks. Redwood National Park Superintendent, Steve Mietz, joined the podcast to discuss the amazing restoration efforts that are happening with the redwood forests in Northern California. The parks are focused on restoration as opposed to preservation. In addition to restoring old-growth redwood forests, Superintendent Mietz also discussed the reintroduction of the California Condor. One huge side effect of the current restora...
Jan 17, 2025•44 min
In our second episode from Redwood National & State Parks we sat down with the Burn Boss and Forest Ecologist, Lathrop Leonard. Lathrop has been studying and restoring the redwood forest for nearly 20 years, his passion and love for these trees shone through in this episode as we chatted about the biology and ecology of the redwood tree. Additionally, we also talked about prescribed fire and how this burning methods can help promote a healthy ecosystem. I hope you enjoy this episode! I thoro...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr 12 min
We've arrived at beautiful Redwood National & State Parks in Northern California! In episode one from the redwoods, we are joined by Redwood National Park Ranger Patrick Taylor and California State Parks Interpretive Ranger Karla Jovel. In this episode, we explore a high-level overview of the redwood trees, popular areas of the park, wildlife and feature a general overview of the history and goals of Redwood National and State Parks. In our next few episodes from this incredible place, we wi...
Jan 03, 2025•47 min
We're back with another episode from Capitol Reef National Park in Utah! This time, our focus is on the historic orchards that are in the Fruita District at the park. Park Ranger and Horticulturist Fritz Maslan joined us to talk about how he maintains the orchards, the history of the area, how visitors can interact with the fruit trees and much more! Fritz is incredible! I had such a blast chatting with him. If you have the opportunity to check out Capitol Reef, I highly encourage you to spend a...
Dec 27, 2024•45 min
We're at beautiful Capitol Reef National Park in south-central Utah! Visitor Services Program Manager and Park Ranger Shauna Cotrell joined the podcast to chat about geology, human history and wildlife at Capitol Reef. Near the end of the podcast, we also quiz Shauna with some national park trivia cards. Shauna and I sat in the middle of a beautiful orchard meadow at the park as we recorded our conversation. Special thanks to Park Rangers B Shafer and Katie Johnston for their contributions to th...
Dec 20, 2024•43 min
Darrin Gobble is a Park Ranger and Vegetation Program Manager at Zion National Park. He is the 'voice' for the plants when the park makes critical decisions that could impact the vegetation in the national park. In this episode, we chat about botany, the special endemic plants that live at Zion and the invasive plants that are disrupting the ecosystem. I learned so much in my conversation with Darrin, I hope you do too. Watch the full podcast here: https://youtu.be/vMK007Ady0U ___ Follow us on s...
Dec 14, 2024•42 min
I had a blast getting to chat with Park Ranger Charlie Reed! Zion National Park is one of my favorite places on earth, it's always a joy getting to explore and chat about this gem in southwestern Utah. In this episode we chat about the parks geology, specifically the sandstone cliffs and the Virgin River, wildlife and a lot about the dark skies that surround this park. Charlie even shares some tips on how you can see and interact with the night sky next time you're at the park. Watch the full po...
Dec 06, 2024•32 min
In our final episode from Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, we are joined by Physical Scientist and Park Ranger Armin Howell. Armin joined the NPS in 2024 and is primarily focused on research around water flow, water quality and air quality within the four parks associated with the Southeast Utah Group (SEUG). In this podcast we chat about climate change, how the park is researching and learning about the changing climate and the different ways that Arches and Canyonlands are both being aff...
Nov 30, 2024•24 min
Arches and Canyonlands park ranger, Karen Henker, joined the podcast to chat about the geology and formation of Arches and different environmental factors that are at play at Arches National Park. Karen has been a park ranger for nearly 20 years and has spent most of her time in Utah at Canyonlands and Arches. Her knowledge, humor and passion for this area is so infectious. You can watch the full podcast here: https://youtu.be/nJAP_tZ7kbs Upcoming Podcasts: Canyonlands and Arches National Parks:...
Nov 22, 2024•39 min
