Jack Mountain Bushcraft Podcast

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The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Podcast is about the woods life; guiding, bushcraft, expedition leadership, nature, survival and more. Join Registered Master Maine Guide Tim Smith in the studio and in the field.

Tim Smith


    • Nov 20, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 120 EPISODES

    4.8 from 56 ratings Listeners of Jack Mountain Bushcraft Podcast that love the show mention: tim, informative, real, thanks, great podcast, always, bushcraft.



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    Latest episodes from Jack Mountain Bushcraft Podcast

    End Of The 2023 Field School Season | JMB Podcast 119

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2023


    Recorded on November 20, 2023. We just wrapped up the field school season, and in this episode I look back and reflect on the experiments we ran during 2023. I discuss the Expedition Instructor (XI) as a continuous 6-month, residential program, moving the Wilderness Canoe Expedition Semester back to May and the high waters of […]

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    Professional Training Vs. Personal Enrichment | JMB Podcast 118

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 13:54


    Recorded on June 26th, 2023, this is a stab at a new format for the JMB Podcast; doing it solo. The topic for the day is differentiating between professional training and personal enrichment. We embrace both styles of program, but they are definitely not the same thing. The student has to decide what they want […]

    Wild Pooping | JMB Podcast 117

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2023 32:02


    Recorded on June 3rd, 2023 at the headquarters of Full Tang Outfitters in Tracy, New Brunswick, Canada. Tim and returning guest Blake Towsley discuss scheming for winter trips, dishonesty in marketing knives from people who have been on the tv show “Solo, By Myself, Without Clothes”, and the currently trending topic of Wild Pooping, or […]

    Making Hard Decisions | JMB Podcast 116

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 16:48


    Recorded on May 25th, 2023 in the Guide Shack, with an outside temperature of 43 degrees F, Tessa and Tim talk about the spring, 2023 Wilderness Canoe Expedition Semester and making hard decisions. It has been a long month and we were both tired while recording this, and we’re still looking forward to the weather […]

    Don’t Believe The Hype | JMB Podcast 115

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 27:21


    We’re back on the grid for two days in the middle of the spring, 2023 Wilderness Canoe Expedition Semester. In this episode we discuss our recent canoe expedition and the challenges we have been facing on the course. We also discuss not believing the hype about rankings and which school or outfit belongs on the […]

    Getting Ready For Expeditions | JMB Podcast 114

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2023 29:17


    Spring finally showed up at the field school at the end of week 1 of the Wilderness Canoe Expedition Semester. We had a day of sun and made it our first day on the water. On this episode of the podcast, we discuss the arrival of spring and the skills necessary to get our people […]

    Long Break, We’re Back | JMB Podcast 113

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2023 19:47


    It’s been a long break, but we’re back. Introducing instructor Tessa Storey and recorded in the Guide Shack, we discuss current events, our upcoming programs and the best beer of 2022. Here are two photos of that beer on the East Branch of the Penobscot that we talked about on the podcast. PHOTOS:Tessa and Tim […]

    Simplifying Fly Fishing with Paul Sveum, Part 2 | JMB Podcast 112

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2022 59:30


    Part 2 of my discussion with Paul Sveum about simplifying fly fishing. We discuss #6-10 of the top ten things Paul wishes someone would have told him when he was getting started in fly fishing. PHOTO: A Y-stern canoe on the Bonaventure River in Quebec, headed upriver to fish for Atlantic Salmon. Show Notes: JMB […]

    Simplifying Fly Fishing For Beginners with Paul Sveum, Part 1 | JMB Podcast 111

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2022 54:25


    This episode featuring Paul Sveum began as a blog post, but we decided to have a conversation about the top ten things to keep in mind when getting into fly fishing. This is part 1, where we discuss points 1-5. PHOTO: Paul fishing an Aroostook County stream. Show Notes: JMB Podcast Episode 111 | Simplifying […]

    No Days Off With Matthew Rhode | JMB Podcast 110

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2021 27:28


    Matthew Rhode just successfully completed the Journeyman Certification on the fall Wilderness Bushcraft Semester. We welcomed him into the studio to discuss the course, his approach to time management, the usefulness of a table, and how to be successful on our program. PHOTO: Early morning during solos, looking east. Show Notes: JMB Podcast Episode 110 […]

    Solos, End Of The Fall Semester | JMB Podcast 109

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2021 39:51


    We’re nearing the end of the fall, 2021 Wilderness Bushcraft Semester. We just finished a 48 hour primitive living experience and are headed out on solos tomorrow. In this episode of the JMB Podcast we discuss these experiences, as for listener input on the next step for our online network at BushcraftSchool.com and ask for […]

    Training For Resiliency | JMB Podcast 108

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2021 38:23


    We’re back after a long hiatus to talk about resiliency, the need to balance stress with recovery, sleeping out in the cold with no sleeping bag in front of a fire, and the need to prepare your hands for a robust outdoor life. We just finished week 6 (of 9) on the fall Wilderness Bushcraft […]

    Nurturing Vs. Accountability As A Coach | JMB Podcast 107

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2021 27:58


    End of the spring semester. Back from our final trip, the spring 2021 Wilderness Guide Training Semester is finished. In this episode of the podcast Christopher and I discuss two aspects of coaching people and how they differ. First is nurturing them to build their confidence, and second is focusing on accountability and what needs […]

    Everglades Wilderness Waterway Canoe Trip | JMB Podcast 106

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 46:44


    The fourth and final installment in our multi-episode reading of On The Trail; Selected Canoe And Snowshoe Trip Journals. This time I read the journal of a 2001 trip on the wilderness waterway through Everglades National Park in Florida. You can download a free copy of On The Trail from the downloads section of BushcraftSchool.com. […]

    Spring Fly Fishing In Maine | JMB Podcast 105

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 31:42


    “Fly fishing is beautifully regional.” – Paul Sveum Christoper and I welcomed our old friend and Registered Master Maine Guide Paul Sveum into the studio to discuss spring fly fishing in northern Maine. We discuss flies, fly fishing, temperatures that trout like, and a wide variety of other topics. Paul is teaching our Introduction To […]

    Winter Camping With No Sleeping Bag, Allagash Stream & Big Black | JMB Podcast 104

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2021 25:05


    The third installment in our multi-episode reading of On The Trail; Selected Canoe And Snowshoe Trip Journals. This time I read the journals from a solo canoe trip on Allagash Lake, a canoe trip on the Big Black River, and a ten-day winter camping trip on the Quebec border with no sleeping bag. You can […]

    Teacher, Guide, Mentor, Coach | JMB Podcast 103

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2021 29:24


    The four main jobs of the Jack Mountain Bushcraft School semester instructor are teacher, guide, mentor and coach. Christopher and I discuss this, and how the relationship changes and grows during a long course, in this episode of the podcast. You’ll also hear about the new bird neighbors who have built their nest in a […]

    guide teacher mentor coach jack mountain bushcraft school
    Allagash & St. John Trip Journals | JMB Podcast 102

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2021 25:02


    The second installment in our multi-episode reading of On The Trail; Selected Canoe And Snowshoe Trip Journals. This time I read the journals from a 1999 Allagash Wilderness Waterway canoe trip and a 2001 St. John River canoe trip, both in Maine. I’ve run a lot of trips on these rivers in the 20+ years […]

    Swan Lake Canoe Route, Alaskan Trip Journal | JMB Podcast Episode 101

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2021 20:19


    I’m trying something new – creating an audiobook. For episode 101 of the JMB Podcast I read a chapter from my book On The Trail. The chapter is a journal from a June, 2000 canoe trip on the Swan Lake Canoe Route on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. The plan is to work through the book so […]

    Tangible Education | JMB Podcast Episode 100

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 32:49


    Recorded at the beginning of week 2 of the spring 2021 semester, we discuss the value of a tangible approach to education as contrasted with an abstract approach. Also we discuss a variety of current events and the genuine surprise felt at making it to 100 episodes. PHOTO: Building a hoop house shelter. Show Notes: […]

    Spring 2021 Semester Begins | JMB Podcast Episode 99

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2021 24:24


    Welcome back to the JMB Podcast. After a winter break, we’re back at the field school and beginning the spring 2021 Wilderness Guide Training semester today. For episode 99, we discuss what we did over the winter, which includes catching Covid 19, working to get healthy, working with birds at a museum, and a few […]

    Wilderness Instructor Development Process | JMB Podcast Episode 98

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2020 35:41


    For episode 98 of the JMB podcast, we discuss the process of developing wilderness instructors and guides. We outline the following steps to the process: Take a course and get the Journeyman certification Take a medical class, first aid or wilderness first responder Take and pass the test to become a Registered Maine Guide Go […]

    The Student’s Perspective | JMB Podcast Episode 97

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2020 26:20


    It’s near the end of the fall semester, so we invited some of the current Wilderness Bushcraft Semester students into the Guide Shack so you could hear directly from them about their thoughts about the course. Listen in as they describe their experience and answer a few questions about it. PHOTO: Spring semester students at […]

    Differentiating Professional Training Programs | JMB Podcast Episode 96

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2020 33:46


    We offer several different types of programs, and in this episode of the podcast we describe and define what they are and who they’re for. Two weeks to go in the fall, 2020 Wilderness Bushcraft Semester. PHOTO: Big breakfast in camp. Show Notes: JMB Podcast Episode 96 | Differentiating Professional Training Programs Kid-Friendly? Kid friendly, […]

    Minimalism In The Wild | JMB Podcast Episode 95

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2020 33:40


    Minimalism in the wild. In episode 95 of the JMB Podcast Christopher and I discuss the idea of minimalism as compared and contrasted with ultralight in the backcountry. We often discuss our traditional approach to camping, characterized by heavy gear and lots of it. But we also enjoy going light with improvised gear. Going light […]

    Transference Or Lateral Thinking | JMB Podcast Episode 94

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020 27:01


    In episode 94 of the JMB Podcast Christopher and I discuss the concept of transference; where lessons learned in one space are applied in a different space, in a different way. Sometimes called lateral thinking, it’s about developing deep knowledge. It’s also about developing deep knowledge of problems to be solved. PHOTO: Frost on the […]

    The Advanced Skills Are The Basics Mastered | JMB Podcast Episode 93

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2020 21:57


    In episode 93 we get listeners caught up with current events, then discuss how in bushcraft (and many other aspects of life), the advanced skills are the basics mastered; there is not a separate set of skills for advanced practitioners. It’s all about depth of knowledge. PHOTO: Canoeing on a northern Maine lake Show Notes: […]

    Ryan Holt | JMB Podcast Episode 92

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2020 25:53


    We welcomed Ryan Holt into the studio for episode 92. Ryan is a Jack Mountain Bushcraft School alum and has completed 4 challenges on the television show Naked & Afraid. He is the owner of the Human-Nature Hostel in Roxbury, Maine. We talk about his time on tv, his work running a hostel for Appalachian […]

    afraid maine naked appalachian roxbury ryan holt jack mountain bushcraft school
    10-Day Allagash Solo Trip | JMB Podcast Episode 91

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2020 37:03


    Recorded on September 8th at the new Jack Mountain Bushcraft School hq studio, episode 90 features Tim Smith and Colin Clifford talking about Colin’s recent 10-day Allagash solo canoe trip. PHOTO: Tim Cole coming into Round Pond on the Allagash from a few years back. Show Notes: JMB Podcast Episode 91 | 10-Day Allagash Solo […]

    tim smith allagash solo trip jack mountain bushcraft school
    Spring Semester Wrap-Up | JMB Podcast Episode 90

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2020 30:26


    Recorded on July 2nd by a very tired Tim Smith and Christopher Russell, episode 90 is about the challenges faced in participating in, as well as running, our semester courses. It was hot and buggy and we were tired from a long semester, but we talked about events that were current and prognosticated on some […]

    Friluftsliv Philosophy & Bushcraft | JMB Podcast Episode 89

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2020 25:08


    In episode 89 Christopher and I discuss the philosophy of friluftsliv, a traditional Scandinavian approach to the natural world. Loosely translated, it means “open air life”. It’s different than how most people see nature in the USA, and is the basis for the part-time, yearlong immersion program we’re currently developing, to be run in southern […]

    Allagash Canoe Trip Medical Evacuation | JMB Podcast Episode 88

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2020 31:11


    We just wrapped up week 7 of the Wilderness Guide Training Semester. Weeks 6 and 7 were spent on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, and it’s appropriate that during a guide training semester we had to do some guide stuff. Specifically, we had to medically evacuate a participant on the trip. For the story, listen to […]

    The Friluftsliv Forest Program | JMB Podcast Episode 87

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2020 32:06


    In episode 87 we discuss the new part-time, yearlong immersion program we’re currently developing, to be run in southern Vermont. We also catch up with current events at the field school. PHOTO: Turtle on the Aroostook River. Kid-Friendly? Kid-friendly, no profanity. Links: The Friluftsliv Forest Program JMBS Master Calendar   iTunes Link | Play, Download […]

    The YouTube Effect | JMB Podcast Episode 86

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2020 29:40


    In episode 86 of the JMB podcast Christopher and I discuss the effect the coronavirus has had on each of our lives, I rant about national canoe certifications and how they’re meaningless to me after getting burned by them a few times, I explain how we’re creating our own standalone canoe certifications, and then we […]

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    New School Of The Forest Podcast | JMB Podcast Episode 85

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2020 10:52


    Back from a long hiatus, for episode 85 Christopher and I discuss his new project: The School Of The Forest Podcast. He’s interviewing people who are not directly in the bushcraft business, but their work can help us learn more about our world. Want to learn more? Listen to the episode. PHOTO: SOTF Podcast Page. […]

    Seth Walton, Mid-Coast Outdoor Leadership Program | JMB Podcast Episode 84

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2020 33:07


    For episode 84 of the JMB Podcast I sat down with Seth Walton from the Mid-Coast School Of Technology’s Outdoor Leadership Program in Rockland, Maine. We talked about his work with the program, which is currently in year one. We discuss the challenges of logistics in outdoor programming, how the realities of the job match […]

    College Credit Updates | JMB Podcast Episode 83

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 32:43


    For episode 83 I was joined by Christopher Russell for a discussion of upcoming programs, changes to the way students can receive college credit for their time with us, and how short shorts are making a comeback. PHOTO: Pack and axe hanging in an axe. Kid-Friendly? Yes, no profanity. Links: Jack Mountain credit through UMPI […]

    Ron Waline, Wilderness And Wellness Podcast | JMB Podcast Episode 82

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2020 57:41


    For episode 82 of the podcast I spoke with Ron Waline. Ron runs the Wilderness And Wellness Podcast and the Coyote’s Path website. We have a rambling discussion about education, the importance of experience, and how life is busy. Ron will be releasing this episode on his podcast as well. If you’re interested in the […]

    Legend Of The Iron Spoon | JMB Podcast Episode 81

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2020 13:23


    Episode 81, the legend of the Iron Spoon. A true story about the legendary heros of the Iron Spoon challenge and how they helped a country get its mojo back. The Quick Stop 2 in Ashland, Maine, has some big ice creams. So large that people on Jack Mountain courses have made it a contest […]

    Interview With Jack Mountain Bushcraft School Founder | JMB Podcast Episode 80

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2020 35:10


    Episode 80 is an interview I did with a student at the end of the fall semester as part of her independent study for college credit. The audio levels are low so you’ll have to turn it up, but I think we covered some interesting topics that make it worthwhile. We discuss the origin of […]

    founders jack mountain bushcraft school
    Niche Audiences | JMB Podcast Episode 79

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2020 22:15


    In episode 79, we celebrate our friend and mentor Mors Kochanski who recently passed away. We also get caught up with current events then talk about how our business plan is with a niche audience, not a mass audience. We’re looking to make a deep connection with a handful of people, not a superficial connection […]

    Challenge Is Good | JMB Podcast Episode 78

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2019 25:34


    In a world that values comfort, embracing challenge and doing hard things is rare. In this episode of the podcast we discuss the challenges inherent in the spring, 2020 Wilderness Guide Training Semester. We also discuss current events and upcoming programs. PHOTO: Loading canoes at a remote camp on the fall, 2019 semester. Kid-Friendly? There […]

    Trapping, Crafting & Week 3 Of The Semester | JMB Podcast Episode 77

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2019 29:58


    It’s week 3 of the fall Wilderness Bushcraft Semester, and for episode 77 of the podcast we spoke with students on the course. We learned about their first impressions of life in the woods, discussed the trapping class we took as a group and the role that trapping plays in studying mammals, and checked in […]

    Mammal Tracking | JMB Podcast Episode 76

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2019 38:09


    Tracking mammals is the topic for episode 76 of the JMB Podcast. We discuss how we approach teaching tracking, the three types of tracking (clear print, pattern, sign), the three tasks of the tracker (locate, identify, interpret), and why jumping to conclusions is bad, but jumping to exclusions is good. Also covered is why bother […]

    What Is Your Baseline? | JMB Podcast Episode 75

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2019 22:16


    Episode 75 starts with a government conspiracy (to us, anyway) regarding whether the whoopie pie is the official state dessert or just the state treat of Maine, then we discuss how a hornet’s nest has stopped us from being able to print anything at the field school for a few days. Next we discuss the […]

    Information Vs. Education | JMB Podcast Episode 74

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2019 29:11


    There are three jobs that go with running a school: presenting information, having students do something useful with that information, and assessing the student to see where they are on the continuum of experience. However, most outdoor schools are simply venues for information to be presented. Information is not the same as education. In fact, […]

    Traditional Canoe Skills & Why They Matter | JMB Podcast Episode 73

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2019 28:26


    Episode 73 of the Jack Mountain Bushcraft podcast was recorded in the Guide Shack on Saturday, July 27th immediately following the Riverman canoe expedition skills course. I was joined by Brian Manning, Darrin Baird and Blake Towsley, and we discussed the course, learning traditional canoe skills and why they matter in the modern world. PHOTO: […]

    skills traditional canoe riverman brian manning jack mountain bushcraft

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