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In the first instalment of our Frontier miniseries, we explore one of the most iconic symbols in American history: the Oregon Trail. For decades, thousands of Americans packed their lives into wooden wagons and set out for the West. They crossed sun-scorched plains without shade, climbed mountains without roads, and forded rivers that could turn deadly in an instant. Along the way, many buried loved ones beside the trail and pressed on.What compelled ordinary people to leave everything behind and walk nearly two thousand miles into uncertainty? How much did they truly understand about the dangers ahead? And what was daily life really like - day after exhausting day - on the trail?Our guest today is Stephen Aron, Calvin and Marilyn Gross Director and President & CEO of the Autry Museum of the American West. Stephen is Professor of History, Emeritus at the University of California, Los Angeles. His works include ‘The American West: A Very Short Introduction,' and most recently ‘Peace and Friendship: An Alternative History of the American West.'Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Tomos Delargy. Senior Producer was Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.American History Hit is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
David Guterson's latest novel ‘Evelyn in Transit' is a spare luminous meditation on what it means to live an examined life. At its heart is Evelyn, a restless midwestern misfit, who hits the road hitchhiking across the American West in search of truth and purpose. Parallel to her journey is a story of a Tibetan boy raised as a Buddhist monk whose lives seem worlds apart but is mysteriously linked, especially when a trio of llamas arrives to proclaim Evelyn's young son the reincarnation of a great llama.
Deadwood: Gold, Guns, and Greed in the American West (Knopf, 2025) is the latest book by this award-winning author and editor of nineteen books on the American Civil War and the American West. A retired Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Department of State, Cozzens also served as a captain in the U. S. Army. His previous book, The Earth Is Weeping: The Epic Story of the Indian Wars for the American West, received the 2017 Gilder Lehrman Prize for the best military history work in the English language. In December 2024, The Economist selected it as one of the seven greatest military history books ever written. In 2002, Cozzens received the American Foreign Service Association's highest award, given annually to one Foreign Service Officer for exemplary moral courage, integrity, and creative dissent. Fellow biographer and BIO member John A. Farrell interviewed Peter Cozzens.
Episode 165 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – February 26, 2026 Imagine a summer where the camper van becomes home, and the hatch chart dictates where you sleep? Our destination is the American West with John and Karen Kreft, of Riverkeeper Flies, who share their hatch-driven philosophy, their top-producing dry fly patterns, and what they've learned from life on the road — designing flies and chasing trout throughout the American West from the Green River to the Madison, the Upper Columbia, and beyond. With host Steve Haigh. Be the first to know about new episodes. Become a subscriber Contact John and Karen Kreft: https://www.johnkreft.com/ | riverkeeperflies@gmail.com Instagram @riverkeeperflies Destination Angler Podcast: Website YouTube Instagram & Facebook @DestinationAnglerPodcast Please check out our Sponsors: TroutRoutes The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers. Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today. Get 1 Month Free Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes Got Fishing Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget. Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet. Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com Facebook @highndryfishingproducts Instagram @highndryfishing Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose. Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks. A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers. Facebook @ReddsFlies Instagram @ReddsFlies Comments & Suggestions: host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Dec 18, 2025
This Day in Legal History: Grand Teton National ParkOn February 26, 1929, Congress officially established Grand Teton National Park, preserving one of the most striking mountain landscapes in the American West. While today the park is known for its natural beauty and wildlife, its creation was rooted in significant legal and political conflict. The legislation reflected a growing national commitment to conservation during the early twentieth century. At the same time, it sparked fierce opposition from local ranchers and residents who feared federal control over land they had long used for grazing and settlement. Many critics argued that expanding federal ownership infringed upon traditional property rights and state authority.The controversy centered on Congress's constitutional power to regulate and manage federal lands under the Property Clause. Supporters of the park maintained that the federal government had clear authority to preserve land for public use and environmental protection. Opponents viewed the move as an overreach that disrupted local economies and private land expectations. The debate highlighted tensions between national conservation goals and regional economic interests. It also illustrated how public land policy can serve as a testing ground for broader constitutional principles.Ultimately, the establishment of the park signaled an expanding federal role in environmental stewardship. It marked a shift toward long-term preservation over short-term private development. The legal battles surrounding the park foreshadowed future disputes over land use, resource management, and federal regulatory power. February 26, 1929, thus stands as a reminder that conservation law has often advanced through conflict as much as consensus.The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the University of California system, alleging that Jewish and Israeli employees at UCLA were subjected to an antisemitic hostile work environment. The complaint, brought by the Justice Department in Los Angeles, claims UCLA failed to respond adequately to discrimination complaints following the October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. Federal officials argue that the university ignored or even enabled antisemitic conduct during a period marked by intense campus protests over the war in Gaza. The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring UCLA to investigate the allegations, improve anti-discrimination training, and pay unspecified damages to two professors who say they experienced antisemitism.This legal action is part of a broader effort by President Trump to challenge universities over pro-Palestinian protests, diversity programs, and other policies. The administration previously attempted to freeze significant federal funding for UCLA, though a judge ordered that funding restored. UCLA has responded by pointing to institutional reforms, including restructuring its civil rights office and launching initiatives aimed at combating antisemitism. Large demonstrations took place on campus in 2024, with protesters calling for divestment from companies linked to Israel and an end to U.S. support for the war in Gaza. Some demonstrators, including Jewish groups, have argued that criticism of Israeli policy is being wrongly labeled as antisemitism.The University of California system receives more than $17 billion annually in federal funding, heightening the stakes of the dispute. The administration has reached financial settlements in similar investigations involving other universities, prompting concerns among academic experts about the impact on academic freedom. Notably, the administration has not pursued comparable investigations into allegations of Islamophobia or anti-Palestinian discrimination.Trump administration alleges antisemitic work environment at UCLA | ReutersAttorneys general from 11 Republican-led states have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to closely examine Netflix's proposed $82.7 billion acquisition of studio and streaming assets from Warner Bros. The state officials argue that the deal could harm competition and weaken the United States' leadership in the film industry. In a letter to federal regulators, they urged careful scrutiny of how the merger might affect streaming subscribers and the theatrical movie market.Warner Bros. has accepted Netflix's offer, but its board is also weighing a competing proposal from Paramount Skydance, which has suggested that Netflix's bid may face greater antitrust challenges. The state attorneys general contend that combining the companies' assets could lead to excessive market concentration. They warn that reduced competition might result in higher prices, diminished service quality, and fewer innovative offerings for consumers.The officials emphasize that the entertainment industry is a significant part of the American economy and cultural influence, making regulatory oversight especially important. Their request signals potential legal and political resistance to the transaction as federal antitrust authorities evaluate the proposed merger.11 US States urge DOJ to thoroughly probe Netflix-Warner Bros. deal | ReutersSpain's competition regulator has determined that Apple and Amazon failed to promptly remove anti-competitive clauses from their distribution agreements, despite being ordered to do so. The watchdog, known as the CNMC, had fined the companies 194 million euros in 2023 and instructed them to immediately eliminate contract terms that limited the number of Apple resellers on Amazon's Spanish platform. Regulators said those provisions unfairly restricted competition and affected how rival products were promoted on the site.According to the CNMC, the companies did not fully comply with the cease-and-desist order until May 2025, well after the directive was issued. This delay could expose them to additional penalties. The regulator had also alleged that the agreements reduced advertising space for competing brands and blocked marketing efforts targeting Apple customers with alternative products.Both companies dispute the findings. Apple stated that it respects the regulator but disagrees with the ruling and maintains it has followed official instructions, emphasizing efforts to protect customers from counterfeit goods. Amazon likewise rejected the regulator's conclusions and said it plans to appeal, arguing that its business model depends on supporting third-party sellers, many of whom are small and medium-sized businesses. The original 2023 fine remains suspended while the case is under review by Spain's High Court.Apple and Amazon took too long to remove anti-competitive clauses, Spanish watchdog says | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
Send a textA county can be born without a single shot fired. We travel back to February 26, 1867, when lawmakers in Topeka drew the first boundaries of Ford County and set a quiet revolution in motion. Out on the wind-cut Kansas prairie, the scene looked unchanged—buffalo grass, open sky, no fences—but a pen stroke had already begun to rearrange lives, routes, and destinies.We unpack why the county took the name of Colonel James H. Ford, a 2nd Colorado Cavalry veteran whose influence stretched beyond the Civil War. The story pivots on Fort Dodge, the hard-won foothold guarding the Santa Fe Trail. That fort didn't just symbolize order; it created the conditions for settlement, trade, and a sense of safety that maps alone could not provide. For years, Ford County existed in a strange in-between—boundaries on paper, no functioning local government—until growth and grit pushed the region toward structure.Everything changes in 1873 when Governor Thomas Osborne formally organizes the county and Dodge City becomes the seat. Overnight, a rough hunting camp begins its transformation into an administrative and judicial hub. We explore how that shift redefined power from rifles and rumors to records and rulings—and how lines drawn in quiet rooms can ripple into courthouses, classrooms, and communities. Along the way, we reflect on the hidden engines of the American West: boundary-making, fort-building, and the steady work of turning space into a place.If stories like this spark your curiosity, subscribe, share the show with a history-loving friend, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find our deep dives into Ford County's past.Support the showIf you'd like to buy one or more of our fully illustrated dime novel publications, you can click the link I've included.
An avalanche has claimed the lives of a group of skiers, Nancy Guthrie is still missing, a group of frat bros gets caught with their pants down, and anti-tipping culture picks up steam in this week's Sacktap Live with Mike Montone. Full Video Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5CnVa5w73A
Grazing has long played a vital role in sustaining the landscapes of the American West. Thoughtfully managed, livestock grazing supports healthy rangelands by reducing invasive species, managing fuel loads that can contribute to catastrophic wildfire, and helping maintain open, working landscapes that support wildlife habitat and rural communities.This work doesn't happen only on private lands. Millions of acres of public lands across the West are grazed under federal permits, forming a critical link in the stewardship of vast, connected ecosystems—and the ranchers who steward them play an important role in keeping them resilient and productive.In this episode, host and CEO of the Rangeland Trust, Michael Delbar, is joined by Kaitlynn Glover, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council, to explore the realities of grazing on public lands. Together, they discuss the role of the Council, the challenges ranchers face, opportunities within federal grazing permits, and how producers are working to care for the land while supporting rural communities. Kaitlynn also addresses common misconceptions about grazing and explains why producer voices remain essential in shaping the future of public lands stewardship.Want to learn more? Chat with us!Support the showLearn more about the work the Rangeland Trust does by following us on social media @rangelandtrust!
In this episode of Big Blend Radio, award-winning journalist and bestselling author Linda Stasi discusses her powerful new historical novel The Descendant, arriving March 10, 2026 and available now for pre-order. Inspired by real family history, the book uncovers a sweeping Italian immigrant saga that stretches from Sicily to the coal mines and ranchlands of the American West. Linda shares how deep journalistic research led her to shocking discoveries about labor exploitation, early Mafia networks, and the overlooked role of immigrant women in shaping the West. The conversation explores the tragic legacy of the Ludlow Massacre, the roots of cultural stereotypes, and why stories of resilience and reinvention still matter today. From rebellious cowgirls to bootlegging empires, The Descendant challenges the myth of the “John Wayne West” and re-centers the multicultural reality of American history.
Send a textIn this episode of the podcast, we dive deep into Train Dreams, the long-awaited adaptation of the acclaimed novella by Denis Johnson. Set against the rugged backdrop of the early 20th-century American West, this haunting and intimate story follows a solitary laborer navigating love, loss, and the sweeping changes of a transforming nation.We break down the film's performances, direction, cinematography, and how faithfully it captures the quiet emotional power of Johnson's original work. Does Train Dreams live up to its literary roots? And how does it stand on its own as a cinematic experience?
Join the Ranch Managers Guild: https://wla.social/guild Today we're sharing an episode from our friends at the Land Investor Podcast featuring Justin Howe—President of Gates Family Ranches, which is a family-owned cattle, hospitality, and conservation operation spanning the Colorado–Wyoming border. Alongside his wife, Lissa, Justin has co-managed the A Bar A Guest Ranch since 2008. Justin is also a Western Landowners Alliance board member and advisor to our Ranch Managers Guild—a network built to support the people stewarding working lands every day. The Guild offers connection, practical tools, and professional development for managers of family ranches, cattle operations, and conservation properties alike. In this episode, hosts Matt and Ryan sit down with Justin for an in-depth conversation about modern ranch management in the American West. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, Justin shares how today's ranch leaders balance cattle operations, guest services, conservation goals, technology, and landowner priorities—all while keeping large, complex landscapes healthy and productive for the long haul. Show notes: https://onland.westernlandowners.org/2026/podcast/modern-ranch-management-at-scale-with-justin-howe/
Send a textAs Long As Rivers Run is a tale of lore, wisdom, and wonder; a story of hardship and healing in a rugged wilderness full of challenges and rewards. Protagonist Tom Dunagan was thrown into the role of a surgeon during the Civil War under conditions that yielded more sadness than success. The weight of the war is a cloak he struggles to shed. After the war, he and his 13 year-old daughter, Brooke, cross the Continental Divide and stumble upon a Ute father and son in their own tragic situation. Tom's heroic effort to save the Ute man's life after an intense encounter with a grizzly bear gives passage for Tom and his daughter to enter the mystic world of an Ute family band. They learn that the circle of the seasons is driven by the circle of water that drives the circle of life—a profound truth in a harsh land where water is not merely a resource, but the single, sacred thread that binds existence. The novel reiterates a lesson in survival that rings true to this day: the preciousness of water must never be forgotten.Taking place in a time when great riches for our Native Americans was measured in the number and quality of their horse herd, a time of strike-it-rich dreams in a rock's golden vein. While the story touches on greed, jealousy and violence common of that time, we also find moments of kindness, understanding and love, all cradled in the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains.Pick it up hereAbout the author, Larry Ray Rather:Larry Ray Rather is a rancher by day, and a weaver of words by night. A true 'Buddhist Cowboy,' Rather's deep connection to the land and the wisdom gleaned from a life spent outdoors resonate with his spiritual principles. Rather finds peace in the saddle and inspiration in the quiet contemplation of the mountains. His blend of Western heritage with the Eastern philosophies of Buddhism creates a unique perspective, one that emphasizes mindful observation, respect for all living things, and a deep appreciation for the present moment.A lifelong learner, Rather's curiosity extends beyond the written word. He is an avid student of history, archaeology, and the natural sciences, constantly seeking to understand the intricate web of life that surrounds us. Whether he's exploring the ancient ruins of the American West or simply observing the intricate dance of a hawk in the sky, Larry finds inspiration in every corner of the world.When he is not writing, he is often found with his horses and mules. Whether preparing for a day trip in the aspen-covered forests, or a weeks-long trip through rugged mountain terrain, you can expect him to return with documentation of arrowheads, wolf tracks, and things of that sort. Support the show
How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigley follows two sisters who plot to kill their uncle in the summer of 1986. Nina joined us live at B&N Upper West Side to talk about story adaptation, the mythology of the American West, biracial characters, Wyoming, extraction, colonialism and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigley Cowboys and East Indians by Nina McConigley Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf Ulysses by James Joyce In the Distance by Hernan Diaz Stoner by John Williams Butcher's Crossing by John Williams A Passage to India by E.M. Forster Folktales from India by A.K. Ramanujan On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Native Americans have worked hard for decades to counter the stereotypes perpetuated in old movies and television shows about the American West. Now a new generation of Native technology experts worry that artificial intelligence is eroding that work. Scores of AI-generated images and videos are flooding people's social media For You pages. The creations are within easy reach of anyone typing a prompt into any AI generator that scrapes information from millions of sources. Often posted by anonymous creators, the products of those prompts present vaguely Native visual and audio characteristics with little to no authentic cultural connections. Along the way they generate hundreds of thousands of admirers. We'll talk about the work to counter the looming onslaught of AI cultural appropriation. GUESTS Dr. Angelo Baca (Diné and Hopi), professor of history, philosophy, and social sciences at the Rhode Island School of Design Trevor Reed (Hopi), professor of law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law and an associate justice for the Hopi Tribe Court of Appeals Dr. Tamika Worrell (Gamilaroi), senior lecturer of critical Indigenous studies at Macquarie University Break 1 Music: Obsidian (song) Red-209 (artist) Break 2 Music: Digital Winter (song) Ya Tseen (artist) Stand On My Shoulders (album)
In today's episode of **Is It Worth It?**, Logan dives deep into the atmospheric and emotionally heavy world of *Train Dreams*, adapted from the novella by Train Dreams. Set against the rugged backdrop of the early 20th-century American West, this story follows day laborer Robert Grainier as he endures love, loss, isolation, and the unstoppable force of modernization sweeping through the frontier.In this review, we explore…✨ How the film interprets Grainier's quiet but devastating journey✨ Themes of loneliness, grief, and the mythic American landscape✨ The power of minimal storytelling✨ Whether the adaptation captures the spirit of the original work✨ And of course… Is it worth watching?If you're a fan of slow-burn frontier stories, emotional character studies, or unique indie adaptations, this review breaks down everything you need to know before hitting play.
Cheatgrass has quietly become one of the biggest threats to western rangelands, crowding out native forage, increasing wildfire risk, and costing ranchers valuable time, grass, and money. But there's reason for hope.This week, Haley sits down with Jaycie Arndt of IMAGINE (Institute for Managing Annual Grasses Invading Natural Ecosystems) to unpack the good, the bad, and the ugly of this fast-spreading invasive. From its origins and aggressive growth habits to practical management strategies and emerging research, Jaycie shares real-world solutions landowners can put to work today.If you care about protecting sagebrush country and the future of the American West, tune in for Part 1 of our cheatgrass deep dive, with Part 2 coming soon.Topics[0:00] Intro with Jaycie Arndt[1:05] What cheatgrass is and how it got to the West[6:40] How it spreads: livestock, equipment, disturbance, and fire[9:05] Can grazing actually help control cheatgrass?[14:00] Treatment costs + grants and agency funding options[16:30] The biggest mistake landowners make[19:00] Cheatgrass, wildfire cycles, and losing sagebrush country[24:30] Workshops, webinars, and where to find resources[27:10] Key takeaways + what landowners can do nextLinksIMAGINECheatgrass HandbookNeed professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us: Mirr Ranch Group 901 Acoma Street Denver, CO 80204 Phone: (303) 623-4545 https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/
Cactus, sunshine, and desert drama: this is the episode where we go all in on the most iconic plant of the American West. Saguaro National Park is bursting with towering giants and incredible stories of survival, and we're digging into all of it! In this episode, we cover: Why the saguaro cactus is an American icon (and possibly a giant green lightsaber) What makes saguaros so tough, and why they only grow in certain parts of the desert The mind-blowing slow growth of a baby saguaro, and how nurse trees help them survive The park's wild history of cactus rustling and near collapse How the saguaro population is finally bouncing back Your task for today: Visit Saguaro National Park's Facebook or Instagram and thank a ranger! Their work protects plants that won't even reach full height in their lifetimes, and it's incredible. Don't miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-incredible-fun-facts-about-arizonas-saguaro-national-park/ Planning your own Saguaro National Park adventure? Episode 136: Exploring Saguaro National Park: Best Tips + Activities: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/136-exploring-saguaro-national-park-best-tips-activities/ 5 Things You Can't Miss on Your First Visit to Saguaro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-things-cant-miss-first-visit-saguaro/ 8 Day Spring Break National Parks Road Trip!: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/8-day-spring-break-national-parks-road-trip/ Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/ National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/
This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater. In this episode, Zach covers the latest digital river mapping tools for permit winners, shares critical advice for aspiring rafting outfitters, and dives into the challenges of search and rescue in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. Episode Summary The show kicks off with a sobering update on a missing boater in the Illinois River area. Zach discusses the immense challenges of search and rescue in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, highlighting how the rugged terrain, overgrown brush, and poison oak make travel incredibly difficult even for experienced hikers. He also highlights a successful boat recovery by Nature Nicole, who utilized a flip line after completing a rescue instructor course with Zach. For those who recently scored a Middle Fork of the Salmon permit, Zach advocates for the digital river maps available through GoRafting.com. Used via the Far Out app, these maps allow boaters to see their exact mileage, upcoming camps, and real-time rapid updates—a significant advantage over traditional paper maps that can't be updated on the fly. The core of the episode focuses on the business of guiding. Zach shares a key lesson from his mentor, Dick Linford of Echo River Trips: in outfitting, sales and marketing are everything. He explains that while many enter the industry to be on the river, owning a company is more about being a salesperson, cleaning groovers, and managing logistics than it is about daily guiding. Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode Digital River Maps: GoRafting.com and the Far Out App. Safety Spotlight: Boat recovery techniques and the Illinois River search efforts. Business Advice: The reality of starting and running a professional guiding company. Some of the Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section of this episode Topic: Search and Rescue. "Do you know any details of progress on the search for the missing boat around the Illinois?" Topic: River Gear. "Did you see Nature Nicole's video using your flip line for a boat recovery?" Topic: River Navigation. "Are digital maps better than paper maps for the Middle Fork Salmon?" Topic: Professional Growth. "Any advice for me starting a fresh guiding business?" Zach's Key Business Takeaways Sales First: Without sales, you have a name and some boats, but you don't have a company. Diversity of Experience: To run truly special trips, you must see a variety of rivers and how different companies operate. Problem Solving: Most outfitting issues—broken trucks, closed roads—can be solved with money, which only comes if you are filling your trips. Connect with Zach Instagram YouTube Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.
Amidst a sudden return to winter with 5 to 8 feet of new snow after a 5 week dry spell, on this two-part episode, in the first half the boys cover the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics, seeing a Lake Tahoe Knight Monsters hockey game and field some listener calls on the COR LORD hotline. With big avalanches a near certainty, Pow Bot advises people to be smart during this stormy period, give the snowpack time to heal and abide the F.A.C.E.T.S. snow safety acronym. The second half is a discussion with Christopher Brown and Rick Reed of Sky Tavern, talking about the history of the largest and longest-running community non-profit ski program in America, why the operation recently implemented a no uphill access policy and some exciting news coming for the 2026 mountain bike season. 2:50 – PB drives to Santa Barbara for a surf/mountain bike trip, TW goes to Santa Cruz.5:50 – Hasn't snowed in a month but a huge storm is incoming.7:30 – Skiing on dirt across the American West – one of the worst winters ever on record.9:30 – Recording at Sky Tavern – discussing uphill policy – no uphill ski access currently.11:30 – Going to see the Lake Tahoe Knight Monsters in South Lake Tahoe.13:50 – Going roller skating in Santa Cruz.15:00 – The 2026 Winter Olympics are underway in Milano Cortina.16:12 – Ryan Wedding – Parallel Giant Slalom Olympian who turns Mexican drug cartel kingpin.19:40 – Breezy Johnson got checkers in the downhill and Lindsey Vonn went wreckers.20:40 – Czech Republic is now known as Czechia.21:15 – Nordic skier wins bronze in Nordic skiing then confesses to cheating on his girlfriend.22:00 – Weinergate – Olympic long jumpers injecting their dongs with fluid for more surface area.24:30 – Downhill Phil is angry about the ICE CREAM MAN!26:40 – Boyerman calls in with a report about wolves, localism, volunteering and the Olympics.29:00 – Localism and giving back to the community – a true requirement of a local.29:50 – Confirmed report of a gray wolf spotted in Truckee.32:20 – Gordo talks about localism and people who brag about how local they are.35:50 – Gordo calls in again – buy Indy Pass or buy the Mt Rose Double Down pass.39:25 – On a Musical Note – PB recommends songwriter Josh Ritter and Royal City Band.41:15 – PSA – 17 people have died in avalanches in Europe this season. Slow down and be careful during this next incoming storm cycle.45:05 – Human factors with avalanches, abide the acronym FACETS – Familiarity, Acceptance, Commitment, Expert Halo, Tracks, Social Proof.50:00 – Chatting with Christopher “Toph” Brown and Rick Reed about Sky Tavern.50:45 – Toph grew up skiing Brian Head ski resort in Utah.53:50 – New man-made snowmaking systems implemented in the last year.55:45 – Sky Tavern Learn to Ski and Ride Program – longest running youth ski program in the country.58:55 – Working to get more people involved, reduce costs for members and offer more programs.59:30 – Is there a season pass that adults can purchase to ski at Sky Tavern?1:06:35 – Why there is currently no uphill ski access allowed at Sky Tavern.1:16:45 – Operational season at Sky Tavern is mid-December to mid-March.1:18:25 – Is there avalanche terrain at Sky Tavern?1:23:50 – What's coming up for the summer mountain bike program at Sky Tavern.
In this episode, we explore the remarkable experiences of Terry, a Navajo woman and longtime seasonal national park worker who has spent much of her life in some of the most remote landscapes of the American West. Raised on the Navajo Nation and later working across national parks and wilderness areas, Terry shares a series of encounters and stories that span decades and vast geography.From time spent harvesting pine nuts in isolated mountain terrain to moments along quiet roads near the Grand Canyon, Terry describes experiences that left lasting impressions and raised profound questions. She also recounts stories passed through family and community, along with observations made while living and working in places few people ever see after dark. Her perspective is shaped by cultural understanding, deep respect for the land, and years of firsthand exposure to the natural world.This conversation weaves together personal encounters, regional history, and reflections on what it means to share space with something intelligent and elusive. Terry's account offers listeners a grounded, thoughtful look at Sasquatch as more than a fleeting mystery, rooted in place, memory, and lived experience. Join us as we listen closely to a voice shaped by the land and the stories it carries.
John talks about a Senate vote failing as the clock continues to tick down on DHS funding. A partial shutdown looms unless Republicans can meet the Dem demands. He also discusses Thom Homan who says the immigration crackdown on Minnesota is over, for now, and he and his goons believe they have left the place whiter than they found it. Then, he interviews Dan Flores who is the A. B. Hammond Professor Emeritus of Western History at the University of Montana and the author of eleven books on aspects of American history. They discuss his new book Coyote America which traces both the five-million-year-long biological story of coyotes, as well as their cultural evolution from preeminence in Native American religions to haplessness before the Road Runner. A deeply American tale, the story of the coyote in the American West and then across the entire country is a sort of Manifest Destiny in reverse, with a pioneering hero whose career holds up an uncanny mirror to the successes and failures of American expansionism. Then, John welcomes Stuart Delony. He is a writer and podcaster whose work examines faith, power, and the cultural consequences of certainty. A former pastor, he is the host of the Snarky Faith podcast and a columnist focused on American Christianity, politics, and end-times theology. John discusses his new book The Tribulation Survival Guide is for exvangelicals, spiritual misfits, and connoisseurs of dark humor. This isn't your typical devotional—it's a survivalist satire for anyone who's ever questioned faith, feared the Beast, or accidentally attended a prophecy conference. Delivered with the solemnity of a Cold War safety pamphlet and the wit of a burned-out prophet, this deadpan, government-grade field manual offers step-by-step guidance for navigating the world's most awkward apocalypse. Whether you've been left behind by the Rapture—or just by organized religion—you'll find something disturbingly familiar in its pages. From decoding Antichrist branding strategies to surviving plagues, televangelists, and HOA-controlled hellscapes, this guide blends biting satire with faux-instructional sincerity. Inside you'll find checklists, diagnostic quizzes, heavenly bureaucracy hacks, and DIY hell décor tips (lava optional)—all designed to help you stay alive, or at least mildly amused, through the end of all things.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
After an extended stretch of dry, record-warm weather, California is finally seeing cooler, wetter conditions—a rapid swing the state is increasingly facing. Image credit: NASA Worldview Snapshots. California is lurching between extremes—from record-breaking heat and low mountain snowpack to torrential atmospheric river events and catastrophic wildfire. In this episode of Terra Verde, host and producer Hannah Wilton speaks with climate scientist Dr. Daniel Swain about the phenomenon of “hydroclimate whiplash” and what it reveals about the future of the American West. Dr. Swain unpacks how atmospheric dynamics are being amplified by climate change, what we learned from Los Angeles's devastating fires last year, and why rapidly shifting wet-to-dry cycles are challenging water management and disaster preparedness across the state. The conversation also explores what's at stake for American science as institutions like the National Center for Atmospheric Research face potential dismantling—and why California may have an opportunity to lead in rebuilding climate research capacity. You can follow Dr. Swain's work through his widely-read Weather West blog, where he offers real-time perspectives on California weather and climate, as well as on X, Bluesky, and YouTube. The post California's Climate Whiplash appeared first on KPFA.
In this episode, Shelby Clement sits down with Jessie Jarvis, third-generation rancher, entrepreneur, personal brand powerhouse, and founder of Of The West, to talk about building a business rooted in faith, grit, and purpose.Jessie shares her incredible journey from leaving her small-town ranch to pursue a biology degree and pre-med path… only to realize six weeks in that it wasn't the life she was meant to live. What followed was a full-circle return home to her family's ranch in Southern Idaho, where she stepped back into the agriculture industry but this time with a fresh perspective, marketing experience, and entrepreneurial vision.She opens up about launching Of The West, a job platform dedicated to serving the agriculture and Western industries, and how building a strong personal brand long before she needed it became the foundation for her success. From magazine covers to national media features, Jessie proves that showing up consistently and authentically creates opportunities you could never plan for.In this conversation, they dive into:Surrendering your plans and trusting God's timingWhy work ethic is built through doing hard thingsThe danger of tunnel vision when chasing goalsBuilding a business in rural AmericaThe true power of personal branding and social mediaRaising kids with grit, discipline, and responsibilityStaying grounded while chasing big dreamsJessie's story is a reminder that you don't have to be extraordinary to build something extraordinary, you just have to be willing to show up, stay disciplined, and keep going when things feel uncertain.If you're navigating entrepreneurship, motherhood, faith, or chasing your God-given calling, this episode will encourage you to trust the process, embrace the hard seasons, and stay the course.Because sometimes the path you tried to leave behind is exactly where your purpose is waiting.Connect with our guest:Website: www.ofthewest.coPersonal Website: www.jessiejarvis.comInstagram: instagram.com/mrsjjarvBrand Instagram: instagram.com/ofthewest.coJessie Jarvis is a wife, mom, third-generation cattle rancher, podcast host, and Founder & CEO of Of The West a job platform connecting people, purpose, and opportunity within the agriculture and western industries.Born and raised on her family's cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, Jessie grew up with a deep respect for hard work, land stewardship, and the close-knit communities that define the American West.Through Of The West and her podcast, Leaders Of The West, she shares real stories, highlights innovative leaders, and creates honest conversations around work, family, and building a meaningful life rooted in purpose. She is passionate about preserving western values while helping the industry grow and evolve for the next generation.When she's not working, Jessie is spending time with her family, enjoying the outdoors, and advocating for the people and traditions that make the West what it...
Send a textLong before Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ever thundered through Frontierland, Disney Imagineers had planned something far more massive — an entire frontier land built around one ambitious attraction known as the Western River Expedition.Designed as a sweeping indoor boat adventure through the American West, this project would have taken guests through mining towns, Native American villages, desert landscapes, outlaw hideouts, runaway trains, waterfalls, and a full-scale frontier show building that rivaled Pirates of the Caribbean. Ghost ExecutionersMerchandise! https://www.teepublic.com/user/thehorrificnetwork?utm_source=designer&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=horrificnetwork Follow All Things Horrific Network Here https://linktr.ee/thehorrificnetwork Get Your Sinister Creature Con Tickets Here https://www.sinistercreaturecon.com/thecon
In this episode of Shepherds of the Wild, filmmaker Tom Opre sits down with Garrett Budds, Chief Conservation Officer of American Prairie, for a direct and wide-ranging conversation about one of the most ambitious conservation projects in North America. Budds explains American Prairie's vision to assemble a large, functioning prairie ecosystem in north-central Montana and addresses hard questions around land acquisition, grazing allotments, bison reintroduction, predator expansion, water rights, public access, and hunting. This episode explores what "rewilding" really means on the ground—and how conservation, agriculture, wildlife management, and rural communities collide in the modern American West.
The Pacific Northwest is set to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Quintard Taylor Jr., a distinguished historian and the founder of BlackPast.org, during a special Celebration of Life and Black History in Kent this Saturday. Dr. Taylor, who passed away in September, was renowned for his mentorship, visionary leadership, and unwavering dedication to the preservation of Black history, with a focus on the American West. LaNesha McCoy, Executive Director of BlackPast.org, discusses Dr. Taylor's enduring impact and the ongoing influence of his vision on the organization's mission nearly two decades after its inception on this episode of the Seattle Medium's Rhythm & News Podcast. Interview by Chris B. Bennett.
This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater. Episode Summary First out of the gate, Zach highlights a game-changer for river navigation: the digital river maps from GoRafting.com. These maps integrate with the Far Out app, allowing boaters to track their exact location on the river in real-time. Zach specifically recommends the "Whitewater Classics" bundle, noting that the ability to see photos of upcoming campsites and track distance to the take-out is well worth the investment. The discussion then moves to gear, specifically the NYCE (NICE) inflatable kayaks. Zach describes these as a "mid-market" alternative to high-end models like the Sotar ATV or the Wing Jimbo. With a wider 38-inch stance and high weight capacity, these IKs are framed as a great option for bigger paddlers or those looking to pack heavy for multi-day self-support trips without breaking the bank. The episode wraps with a deep dive into professional development. In response to a viewer asking how to grow in the outdoor industry, Zach argues that outdoor leadership is simply "leadership practiced outdoors." He shares his essential reading list, ranging from Navy captain memoirs to basketball coaching philosophies, including It's Your Ship by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff and Eleven Rings by Phil Jackson. He also emphasizes the critical role of risk management in becoming a top-tier guide. Some of the Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section of this episode Topic: River Navigation. "Are the GoRafting maps worth it if I already have a guidebook?" Topic: Inflatable Kayaks. "What is a good IK for a bigger person that can handle overnight gear?" Topic: Professional Growth. "What books should I read to grow as a leader in the outdoor industry?" Topic: Leadership. "Is there a difference between managing people in an office versus on a river?" Zach's Recommended Reading List It's Your Ship by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff (Leadership) Eleven Rings by Phil Jackson (Team Dynamics) The Guide's Guide by Bill McGinnis (The "Bible" of river guiding) Authors to follow: Tom Peters (Management) and Simon Sinek(Purpose-driven leadership) Connect with Zach Instagram YouTube Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.
What really caused the gunfight at the OK Corral? Most people chalk it up to a simple showdown between good and evil, with Wyatt Earp, his brothers, and Doc Holliday on one side and the Clantons and McLaury brothers on the other. Thirty seconds, roughly thirty shots fired at point-blank range, and three men left dead in the street. But contrary to popular belief, the violence in Tombstone didn't just materialize out of thin air. Months earlier, a botched stage robbery near Benson set off a chain reaction of rumors, arrests, and broken trust. Doc Holliday found himself accused of crimes he likely had nothing to do with. At the same time, Wyatt Earp quietly negotiated with Cochise County Cowboys who were willing to betray their own for reward money. When those secrets began to leak, threats followed. Today, we'll examine the long fuse behind the famous gunfight and how mounting tensions and fear finally erupted into the most legendary shootout in all of the American West. Merch! https://wildwestextramerch.com/ Buy Me A Coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/wildwest Check out the website! https://www.wildwestextra.com/ Email me! https://www.wildwestextra.com/contact/ Free Newsletter! https://wildwestjosh.substack.com/ Join Patreon for ad-free bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/wildwestextra Doc Holliday Part 1 - https://www.wildwestextra.com/doc-holliday-the-early-years-part-1/ Doc Holliday Part 2 - https://www.wildwestextra.com/doc-holliday-the-road-to-tombstone-part-2/ Shane Derden - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZEzUX8LOI00rhYMbQblOP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
One of the most exciting parts of traveling today? The ability to disconnect. On this episode—ripped from the pages of our upcoming spring print issue—Dan speaks with Tess Leach of Ranchlands, a massive land management business in the American West that includes the remote Paintrock Canyon Ranch in Wyoming that offers experiences for travelers of all stripes. The pair speak about what it's like to visit this incredible corner of the country, the community surrounding it, and the luxury of being totally disconnected from the modern world (with great food, of course). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Major General Brook Leonard delves into the evolving role of space in military strategy and its implications for global security. The conversations highlight Leonard's experiences in operationalizing space within the U.S. military, emphasizing the transition of space from a supportive to a warfighting domain. Leonard discusses the strategic importance of integrating air and space capabilities, the challenges of operating in a congested space environment, and the necessity of international cooperation to establish norms for space safety and security.The discussions also explore the strategic mindsets of adversaries like China and Russia, noting their differing approaches to space warfare. Leonard emphasizes the need for the U.S. to adapt its strategies to these threats, highlighting the importance of understanding space as a critical enabler and potential vulnerability. The conversations conclude with Leonard's wishes for greater public awareness of space's importance, improved U.S. strategic innovation, and easier access to space, drawing parallels to historical expansions like the railroads in the American West.Socials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org
Keith shares how a recent trip to Colorado Springs and a changing commission landscape reveal what really matters for real estate investors now From there, the show dives into the three levers investors truly control—leverage, operations, and relationships—before welcoming lender Caeli Ridge to break down the major mortgage options for investors. You'll hear how different loan types fit different strategies: from your first conventional "golden ticket" loans, to DSCR loans based on property income, to short-term fix-and-flip and bridge loans that prioritize speed and flexibility. The episode then moves into how more advanced investors can scale beyond 10 doors, navigate debt-to-income and tax strategy, and even approach financing for short-term rentals—all while highlighting why having the right lending partner and long-term plan can make a big difference to your results. Episode Page: GetRichEducation.com/591 For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching: GREinvestmentcoach.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments. For predictable 10-12% quarterly returns, visit FreedomFamilyInvestments.com/GRE or text 1-937-795-8989 to speak with a freedom coach Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search "how to leave an Apple Podcasts review" For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— GREletter.com Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript: Keith Weinhold 0:01 Welcome to GRE. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold with new ways to think about your life through goals momentum in the real estate market. Then learn about various mortgage loan types, conventional DSCR, fix and flip, bridge loans, short term rental loans and more. Knowing which loans to use can save you millions and learn the fatal mortgage mistakes you must avoid today on get rich education. Corey Coates 0:29 since 2014 the powerful get rich education podcast has created more passive income for people than nearly any other show in the world. This show teaches you how to earn strong returns from passive real estate investing in the best markets without losing your time being a flipper or landlord. Show Host Keith Weinhold writes for both Forbes and Rich Dad advisors and delivers a new show every week since 2014 there's been millions of listener downloads and 188 world nations. He has a list show guests include top selling personal finance author Robert Kiyosaki. Get rich education can be heard on every podcast platform, plus it has its own dedicated Apple and Android listener phone apps build wealth on the go with the get rich education podcast. Sign up now for the get rich education podcast or visit get rich education.com Speaker 1 1:14 You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education. Keith Weinhold 1:30 Welcome to GRE from Winnebago, Minnesota to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and across 188 nations worldwide. I'm Keith Weinhold, and you're listening to get rich education, the voice of real estate investing since 2014 before we get into the mortgage discussion, where we'll discuss five or 10 different investor loan types and their various pros and cons, which could save you millions over the course of your life. I shared with you that I traveled to Colorado A couple weeks ago, for a goals retreat hosted by the real estate guys, top notch event, I spent extra time there in Colorado Springs, because I find it really livable, and I spent five hours with a local realtor there, one day out and about visiting properties in the area I'm potentially looking for a home or a second home. And by the way, how is this for a price range? The realtor wanted to know what my Buy Box is, and since I'm just learning the Colorado Springs market, I told him I'm willing to spend between 400k and 1.2 million on the property, yeah, pretty wide range, a mile wide. Fortunately, my other Buy Box criteria are more narrow and specific, and I have got to say, I'm surprised at how low the area's home prices are. I thought they'd be higher. Interestingly, before touring homes, my buyer agent wanted me to sign a six month exclusive representation agreement. Fair enough, that's standard stuff. It was on the agreement, though, that I as the buyer pay a 3% commission up on the purchase, and the seller would presumably pay the other 3% to make up that total 6% commission for the agent compensation. Well, historically, the seller paid the entire 6% and this, of course, goes back to the NAR settlement, and that ruling that became effective in August of 2024 you probably remember this, and I talked about it on the show back then, and how it's not really that big of a deal, especially to investors like us, because at GRE marketplace and with our GRE investment coaching, it's a direct model. There's zero commission on either side, and then you, in turn, get some of those savings, but out in the larger world and in the owner occupant world. Well, that rule change that started a year and a half ago. It means that sellers are no longer required to pay the buyer's agent. Instead, the fee is now negotiable between buyers and their agent. The other change is that property listings no longer display the buyer agent's commission offer. But here's what's interesting in practice, and what really ends up happening in the end, in most cases, is that the seller still pays the full commission and compensates both agents that full 6% sometimes it's 5% instead of six buyers and buyer agents, they still operate under the seller pays. And that's largely because that has just been the norm. It's what's seemingly always been done. It's what buyers are used to. And the reason that that often persists. Is because the seller is the party in the transaction that has that thick equity in the property, deep equity, and buyers are the ones often just trying to scrape together whatever they can for a down payment and closing costs. Buyers are not going to be able to come up with another 15k for an agent commission when they're buying a 500k property, that's 3% especially today, this is true because American homeowners the seller then still have record equity positions of about 300k an all time high. Nearly half of mortgaged homes are considered equity rich. What does equity rich mean? It means that the loan balance is less than half of the home's value, yeah, the seller has the means to pay the full commission. So the point is, in practice, the seller, yeah, still pays that full five to 6% commission in the overwhelming majority of cases, and the buyer pays nothing. And if that does change, it's going to take a long time. You know, a lot of these evanescent real estate stories that people think are going to have some seismic impact. It rarely does, like this erstwhile NAR ruling or the 50 year mortgage proposal or banning big institutions for buying more single family rentals. You know, this stuff is like one little baseball sized asteroid striking an entire planet. I mean, it's like a barely discernible impact. Real estate is anchored in one place like Jabba the Hut. It is solid. These stories are interesting, but they're not impactful. Keith Weinhold 6:52 Instead, I've mentioned it before. What are three things you control in real estate that really matter. And these are evergreen things. First, it's, how many dollars are you leveraging? That's where your wealth is going to come from. In fact, we're going to discuss that today with mortgage loan types. Second, what's the efficiency of operations on your existing properties? And thirdly, what is the quality of your relationships? And actually, we're addressing the third one today too, talking to a lender that you could make part of your team. You can control these three things. They're unyielding, they're evergreen, they're long term, and they all have gratitas and impact those three things, leverage operations and relationships. Now my agent drops me off and picks me up from my hotel here at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. This was also the event hotel for the goals retreat. I just extended my stay to hang out in the area. Look at real estate, do some climbing on Pikes Peak. Pro tip for you on hotel room rates, talk to a human being before I booked my stay, I called the front desk and asked them if they could extend the attractive event room rate to more nights on my extended stay. And they agreed. You might have heard of the Broadmoor. It is well known. It's been here for more than 100 years, and it is such a fine place to stay. Let me tell you about this special piece of real estate. In fact, I've thought it through, and I will now hereby proclaim that it is the finest us hotel experience that I've ever had in my life. I say us because I stayed at an amazing place in Dubai. But what makes the Broadmoor stand alone? It's the details and the service. A lot of hotels are nice, but this is on a different level. And I don't say this to brag, and this is because you probably can afford to stay here, yeah, like I have. You might have paid more elsewhere in your life for a lesser hotel, although I am here in the low seasons. Okay, now, sure, you've got views of the Rockies and a man made lake and waterfall and even a beautiful chandelier in my hotel room. The thing that sets it apart, though, is you have this service that feels old world and not corporate. That's what makes the difference. The Broadmoor is horse themed, since horses are a symbol of the American West. There are about 800 rooms here. It's kind of like a self contained adult Disneyland championship golf courses, a world class spa, even an outdoor lap swimming pool like that has lanes that I swam in one morning for. Fine dining, casual dining, access to hiking, fly fishing, even falconry, zip lines, tennis, pickleball pools. Take the cog railway to the Pikes Peak, Summit. Okay. Now, other nice hotels have attractions that are sort of like that, but when I rave about the service, it's the little things they are knocking on my door before 10am to come in and clean the room. And you know how so commonly, when you first check into your hotel room and you look in the closet, there are not enough clothing hangers, and they're all like stupidly mismatched. These all match. They're all nice wood, and there are plenty of them. So I'm talking about these details. I'm telling you. I had dinner at one of the broadmoor's restaurants the other night. I just happened to take a close look at the tag on the napkin. Sure enough, it is made in Italy. I mean, jeez, no detail is overlooked at this stellar place. In fact, here's what I'll do. You know, I'll just completely stop my Colorado Springs home search right now. Instead, I'm going to stop down by the Broadmoor front desk, tell him to give me some moving boxes, because I'm moving into the Broadmoor and I'll be here for the next decade. Start forwarding my mail here and everything. And hey, at least I was courteous enough to give them notice. I can't stay here too long, or my standards will be rising faster than my net worth. Yeah, yeah. Can't go to sleep with a mint on your pillow every night, I suppose. Keith Weinhold 11:38 Now, the reason I came here now is to attend that aforementioned goals retreat, and let me take all the time and all the resources that I put into being here and distill them into just a few of the most salient takeaways for you. Goals should be smart, strategic, measurable, actionable, relevant and time based, they must be written down. Now, how would you describe yourself to somebody else that didn't know who you were? Write that down next. What do you think your reputation is? How would others describe you? Write that down now that you can see how you describe yourself and how others describe you, you can see that there's a gap there. That gap is what you need to work on. I learned that goal should be written in the present tense, not the future tense. I did not know that before. For example, say it is January 1, 2035, and I own $5 million in rental property. That's an example of how you would do that. So take future events and write them in the present tense. Other questions at the goals retreat that got really introspective are, what are you really going to do with your life? And write down that answer. Sheesh, that is tough. And if you think that's a hard question for you to ask of yourself, the next one is even harder. It's simply why? Why is that where you're going with your life? And then write that down? I mean, would you answer questions like this for yourself? And you really think about it, that can occupy a new segment of your entire headspace. It is a big cognitive load, and a last one to leave you with is to dream not just big, but gigantic. Get it out there, write down a dream that interests you, but it's so grandiose that you're actually embarrassed to tell someone about this stretch dream, for example, for me, it's the first person to walk on another planet. No human has ever done that, and this would most likely happen on Mars. See, this is so grand that is sort of embarrassing for me to even share that with you. It almost makes you sound Loony, like I would have to learn so many new skills to travel to and walk on Mars. But you should write down a bunch of other goals too. You're sort of brainstorming on goals, attainable goals. Recall that is the A in the SMART goals acronym, you want to write down a bunch of attainable ones, not just that stretch one. So for attainable ones, one of them is for me to become the highest man on earth. To give you an example. And I attempted that goal two years ago, and I failed. I told you about that at that time. But see now, compared to my embarrassing stretch goal of walking on Mars, the highest man on earth feels attainable, I know what it takes to achieve it, and it's worth doing, ah, but it's a grind to get there, yet it would be worth it. Those are some quick take. Ways from the real estate guys goals retreat while on stage the event host Robert helms he took a minute respite from the goals material, and he recognized the fact that, as he calls it, the four OG real estate podcasters are all in the same room. One of them is helms himself, and now I feel like the other three are all older and doing it longer than me. I was one of the four that he mentioned. But you know, there is only one podcast that was mentioned from stage, and that is that Robert helms told the audience that they should be listening to the get rich education podcast. That was a nice thing to say, and he is always a gracious giver. Keith Weinhold 15:45 Next, we're talking about four major loan types, conventional DSCR, fix and flip and then bridge loans. When we discuss the first two parts of it could sound repetitive, but you'll see why we do this, because then you'll be able to compare it to nichey loan types that we discuss, for example, the speed of a bridge loan, where you can get funded in just one week, compared to a slower conventional loan. The mortgage landscape changes. I still remember how in 2012 we had still somewhat freshly emerged from the global financial crisis, and back then, you could only get four conventional loans, four rental properties, not 10 like you can today, 20 married. So get your loans while you can, you probably won't always be able to get 10 loans. We'll start with loan types that are more for beginners, and then we'll get to advanced material. Let's welcome back one of our favorite recurring guests. Keith Weinhold 16:54 You can make millions more throughout your life by understanding mortgage loans. This is key, and today it's the return of the woman that's created more financial freedom through real estate than any other lender in the entire nation, because she's the president of ridge lender group. Hey, it's time for a big welcome back to the incomparable, yet somehow still so approachable Chaley Ridge Caeli Ridge 17:16 my Keith, thank you for having me. I love being here. I love what you're doing. It's my pleasure, sir. Keith Weinhold 17:23 And our followers, our listeners, have been approaching you since 2015 you're one of the longest running guests, truly one of the OGS around here at GRE and now Caeli, before we discuss loan types. You know, we don't really talk politics on this show rather policies, and we're in the midst of a presidential administration that often, in the name of the word affordability, is trying to supremely shake things up in the housing market. Help us dissect what matters and what won't. Caeli Ridge 17:58 I have found that at least as it relates to current administration, whoever that might be, I wait for the buzzwords or the taglines to become the actual policy. Like you said, That's a good point in this case. You know, you've got things floating around, like the 50 year mortgage cutting off the hedge fund guys and that kind of thing. Whether or not, those things come to fruition. I'm happy to give my opinion on them. I do not think that it's going to move the needle much for the people that you and I serve with regard to I mean, just taking them one at a time, I don't think that the 50 year is going to come to fruition. Just first and foremost, if it did do, I think it would be a good idea for a homeowner, probably not, but for an investor, maybe if there's some way that we can keep our payment lower, given the maturity date of a mortgage for an investment property is usually about five years. I mean, I know that this is a 30 year fixed mortgage, but statistically speaking, the average shelf life of a non owner occupied mortgage is about five years. So getting a 50 year amortization, if that were going to reduce the payment, I don't think is a bad thing for an investor, however, and this may get a little bit technical for the listeners, so I apologize in advance if we were to go to a 50 Year am the adjustments, something called, and you and I have talked about this before, something called an llpa, that stands for loan level price adjustment, I think would be such that it could end up defeating the purpose of having the longer term amortization, because I think the interest rates would be higher and I think they may offset so that was a long way to say. One, I don't think it's going to happen. I don't think it's actually going to get to its final resting place. And two, would it be a good idea for investors, yeah, I think it would be worth considering if it kept the payment lower. Okay, that's that as the other piece to cutting off the hedge funds, the big, you know, BlackRock, some of the big players, and giving them access to the residential housing and first right of infusion or etc, because they've got such deep pockets. You. It's such a small amount to what our individual investors are going to have access to that I don't think that that moves the needle either. So I don't know if I'm answering the question, except to say anything that they're going to tout, I would wait for it to actually become written in stone and pass by the rest of the powers that be before I would get excited about or concerned about any of it. Keith Weinhold 20:21 This is pretty parallel with what I've been telling our listeners. All these things seem to make splashy news, but I haven't seen anything that's going to make a deep impact yet, whether it's the 50 year mortgage, which probably won't even come to fruition, or if it's doing these mortgage bond buy downs in order to bring more liquidity into the market and bring rates down, or if it sees any of these other things being discussed with these institutional investors, since they already own such a smaller proportion of the housing market than a lot of people think, we'll discuss seasoned real estate investors and their loans shortly, but first for newer real estate investors, you Know, chili, I kind of think of four or more loan types that a beginner should be familiar with. I think of conventional loans, dscrs, fix and flips and then bridge loans, the first one with conventional loans. What are the basics that someone should know? Caeli Ridge 21:17 So first of all, you should know that there are 10 of these. We call them the golden tickets. I'm pretty sure I coined this, okay, 100 years ago, the golden ticket. We call the conventional aka Fannie Freddie, aka agency. They go by different names, but they all mean the same thing. We call them the golden tickets because it's the highest leverage and typically at the lowest interest rate you can find. Now I do have a hook in our conversation today about that. I'll get we'll get to it. There are 10 of these per qualified individual. So one of the first things that I would tell somebody is, is that if they are a partnership or a husband and wife team, you want to make sure to keep the debt obligation separate, because if you want to maximize these golden tickets, let's just say it's a husband and wife team. You each have, per qualification access to 10, and that includes a primary residence. In fact, let me just take a quick second and define what counts in the 10, because some people get this wrong. So the 10 golden tickets are counted by any residential property, single family, up to four Plex that has a loan on it, where the loan is in the individual name or personally guaranteed by the individual. That's where people get tied up. So if they went out and got a kind of more of a commercial type loan, that was in an LLC name, for example, but they signed a personal guarantee, per Fannie Freddie guidelines, that particular mortgage is going to count against the 10. So those would be some of the first pieces of news or detail I would give them about conventional Keith Weinhold 22:40 for married couples, don't take ownership in both the husband and wife's name, either the husband or the wife. That way, you can get to 20 rather than 10. And yes, you do have to be mindful that your primary residence does count in that 10 or 20, whatever it might be. Anything else quickly with conventional loans, LTVs so on, Caeli Ridge 23:01 yeah, LTV can go to 85% loan to value. So you get a little bit extra than you're going to get in some of the other loan product types. It will have PMI, private mortgage insurance, anything over 80% LTV will always have PMI on a more conforming, conventional basis. So keep that in mind. But the factor is pretty low. I would encourage people that are looking to stretch the almighty dollar. Do the math. Look at the 85 with PMI against, say, an 80% and see what are you giving up versus what you're getting. And then qualification stuff, you guys, my dumb joke, it's Keith's favorite. I'm sure vials of blood and DNA samples are sort of required for the Fannie Freddie loans. So just be prepared to supply or submit us the tax returns and pay stubs and bank statements and and all that stuff, Keith Weinhold 23:44 you'll feel like you're getting fingerprinted almost for a conventional loan qualification. And the second one that I brought up DSCR loans, that's short for debt service coverage ratio. And these mortgages are pretty standard for rental properties. They're underwritten based on a property's income potential. So you know, the way I think of dscrs Chaley from the lender's perspective, is that sustainable cash flow is what matters. The rent has got to support the property's monthly mortgage payments. So we talked to us more about dscrs. Caeli Ridge 24:15 Yeah, I love this product, and this is for somebody that either can't fit into the conventional Fannie Freddie box, or maybe they've exhausted their golden tickets and they're graduating and moving on. This is a great option that will reduce the amount of vials of blood and DNA samples that you're going to have to submit. It still provides for a 30 year fixed mortgage. The leverage is roughly the same, 80% in most cases, on a purchase. And to your point, the gross income divided by the principal, interest, taxes, insurance and Hoa, if it's applicable, is the simple formula, the easy method I'll give people, just to kind of solidify that math, is that if the gross rents were $1,000 a month, and if the PI TI was $1,000 a month, when you divide that, your debt service is 1.0 Now you can go as low, believe it or not, as low as a point seven, five, DSCR, they have those available be ready for the interest rate to get a little hair on it. Okay, it's going to be higher than what the 1.0 and above is going to be. But you can go as low as point seven, five, those are going to be for the investors that have found a property, maybe in distress, and they cannot show the current market value rent, perhaps, and it's on the low end. So you can still get that done at point seven, five, just be ready for a higher interest rate. Keith Weinhold 25:30 So the DSCR loan an alternative for you, which might be especially useful, like Chaley touched on, if you've already exhausted your 10 golden ticket. Fannie Freddie loans, a DSCR of 1.2 for example, means that your rent income needs to exceed your principal, interest, taxes and insurance payment by 20% or more. That's what we're talking about here. And then Chile, those were more of loans for the buy and hold type of investor. Tell us about fix and flip loans. Caeli Ridge 26:03 Yeah. So these are shorter term loan that will allow you to include not just the purchase of the property, but also some renovation or rehab money if you need that. And we're going to be looking at an ARV after repair value. So you've got a purchase price, you've got your renovation or scope of work budget. And then we're looking for an ARV with the ARV to be somewhere around 75% so what that means, if you've not heard of this before, you're going to take, let's say, $100,000 value. And if we want the ARV to be at 75% we're going to lend 75,000 is kind of the mix there. Those are quicker loans. You're going to be paying much higher rates on those. You know, between nine and 13% depending on the deal. The points are also going to be a little bit higher, but a great option for that quick turn and burn where you know your deal has enough skin in it and you can recapture all your capital and make a good tidy profit on it. Keith Weinhold 26:53 We're talking about basically fixer upper loans here with Chaley Ridge, the president of ridge lending group, yes, these are jalopies that rarely qualify for traditional bank financing. And oftentimes, when I think about these fix and flip loans, I'm thinking that often there is interest only flexibility with regard to those higher interest rates that you need to pay. And I think of it as, you know, a shorter term loan that you've got during your renovation period, oftentimes 12 to 18 months. Does that sound about right? Caeli Ridge 27:24 Yeah, 6,18, even 24 months. And to your point, yes, all of these are going to be interest only. And one of the cool things is about these loans is, is that, if there's enough room in the deal, right, based on what you need to borrow and what we think the ARV is expected to be, you don't even actually have to be making those interest payments. You can build it into the final payout when we go to refinance you out of this short term loan, or you simply sell the property and pay off that loan. So for example, let's say that your interest only payment is $1,000 a month, okay? And the value of the property is going to be $200,000 and you only took 120 okay, we're going to be well within that 75% ARV. You can build in that $1,000 say, for 12 months, there's $12,000 and just add it to the outstanding balance that you started by owing, and not have to be making those payments on an ongoing basis. It's not rented, right? So it might be nice to be able to factor that in to the actual payoff when you go to refinance that if it's a fix and hold versus go to sell it on a fix and flip. Keith Weinhold 28:31 Now, long term, we know that the big gains for real estate investors really come from that leveraged appreciation getting that loan. But sometimes there are situations where we might want to act as a cash buyer. And that brings up this fourth of four loan types that I brought up, the bridge loan, short term loans that can temporarily finance a property purchase while you're waiting for a longer term loan to come through. The bridge loan, so I think of it as a pretty speedy loan, if you sort of want to act like you're an all cash buyer. Caeli Ridge 29:04 Yeah, I like this, and in many ways it's similar to a fix and flip interest only. Obviously the term is going to be shorter, six months, 12 months, up to 24 months, and based on largely relationship, the bridge loan for the purpose that you described, really comes into play for an investor that we know and we're comfortable with, we can fund those inside a week, for somebody that we've done several of these loans for. So for those that need that really quick turn, once you've established yourself as a seasoned, experienced investor in that space, those are pretty slick and easy to get through. Keith Weinhold 29:39 Why would someone use a bridge loan, rather than a fix and flip loan. Caeli Ridge 29:43 So if they're in a very competitive market, that might be another option, because those are going to be faster. The bridge loan is going to be faster where they need to say that they're an all cash buyer and they only need seven days to close, or whatever it is. It depends on the municipality in the state. But what if you're at the courthouse steps? And you need cash quickly. Sometimes it needs to be immediate. So that might not be applicable in this case, but if you put the bid in, and you win the bid, and you've got, you know, three days to perform, usually we can get those done. So it's circumstantial. Those would be two variables or two scenarios that that would apply to Keith Weinhold 30:17 the bridge loan gives you the advantage of speed, but that speed can come at a cost. Caeli Ridge 30:22 Oh yeah, yeah, you're going to be paying probably three points, maybe four points, and it's short term interest, 13, 14% Keith Weinhold 30:30 so with these four loan types that we've discussed, conventional DSCR, fix and flip and bridge loans, you can kind of see that there is a loan for most every investment scenario, and there's no reason to rely on only one type, a flipper. Might start with a short term fix and flip loan or a bridge loan and then later refinance to a DSCR or a conventional loan. So consider mixing and matching based on your needs. You're listening to get rich education. We're talking with Ridge leninger, President Taylor Ridge, more when we come back, including steps for more advanced investors, I'm your host. Keith Weinhold Keith Weinhold 31:06 mid south homebuyers with over two decades as the nation's highest rated turnkey provider, their empathetic property managers use your return on investment as their North Star. It's no wonder smart investors line up to get their completely renovated income properties like it's the newest iPhone, headquartered in Memphis, with their globally attractive cash flows, mid south has an A plus rating with a better business bureau and 4000 houses renovated. There is zero markup on maintenance. Let that sink in, and they average a 98.9% occupancy rate with an industry leading three and a half year average renter term. Every home they offer you will have brand new components, a bumper to bumper, one year warranty, new 30 year roofs. And wait for it, a high quality renter in an astounding price range, 100 to 150k GET TO KNOW Mid South. Enjoy cash flow from day one at mid southhomebuyers.com that's mid southhomebuyers.com Keith Weinhold 32:08 you know, most people think they're playing it safe with their liquid money, but they're actually losing savings accounts and bonds. Don't keep up when true inflation eats six or 7% of your wealth. Every single year I invest my liquidity with FFI freedom family investments in their flagship program. Why fixed 10 to 12% returns have been predictable and paid quarterly. There's real world security backed by needs based real estate like affordable housing, Senior Living and health care. Ask about the freedom flagship program when you speak to a freedom coach there, and that's just one part of their family of products, they've got workshops, webinars and seminars designed to educate you before you invest, start with as little as 25k and finally, get your money working as hard as you do. Get started at Freedom family investments.com/gre or GRE, or send a text now it's 1-937-795-8989, yep, text their freedom coach, directly again. 1-937-795-8989, Keith Weinhold 33:19 the same place where I get my own mortgage loans is where you can get yours. Ridge lending group and MLS, 42056, they provided our listeners with more loans than anyone because they specialize in income properties. They help you build a long term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage, start your pre qual and even chat with President chailey Ridge personally, while it's on your mind, start at Ridge lending group.com that's Ridge lending group.com Blair Singer 33:53 this is Rich Dad, sales advisor, Blair singer. Listen to get rich education with Keith Weinhold. And above all, don't quit your Daydream. Keith Weinhold 34:09 Welcome back to get rich education chili when we go beyond this beginner stage that we've been discussing, how about for an investor just trying to scale to 10 doors worth of one to four unit properties. Now, are there any strategies there or more of a loan order that you would recommend in getting up to your first 10 you know Caeli Ridge 34:29 I think the strategy starts with calling your lender, ideally Ridge lending group, and having that deep strategy call that, that discovery call, so that we can really understand and plant some seeds that say, Okay, Mr. Jones, these are your qualifications today. This is where you want to be in a year or 10 years. These are the steps that are going to be important that we are mindful of and we take to accomplish and reach those milestones. It's really important to have that baseline understanding of what is your debt to income ratio on day one, what are your assets? Sets. What is your credit? Where do you want to be in a year or 10 years? Right? Do you want 10 properties in a year's time? It's going to be a very different conversation than if you're going to slow roll this and want to establish 10 purchases or 10 investment properties over 10 years. So identifying those details is going to be part one, and then next, in terms of order, I would say, largely the higher price point properties, typically, I would say, put those in one through six. And the reason that I'm saying that is is that the underwriting guidelines under conventional financing, they will change based on how many finance properties you have. So of all of the inner working guidelines and things that go into securing a conventional mortgage loan, the three top most heavily weighted are going to be debt to income ratio, credit score and assets. Okay? And within each one of those, the marker or the qualification guideline changes as you evolve and acquire more property. So the higher up the ring you go, or the rung that you go to 10, the more restrictive the guidelines are going to be. So I would typically say, get the higher price point properties go into maybe one to four, one to six, if that's part of your strategy and your diversification of portfolio ownership. Then after you've established having two or three or four properties and that higher price point it as it gets harder to qualify, potentially, if your debt to income ratio is a little bit tight, you've got the smaller loan sizes that might be less impactful in debt to income ratio. All of this is very subjective to the individual's qualifications and needs, of course, but that might be one rule of thumb that I would take Keith Weinhold 36:39 gosh, this This is absolute gold in helping you structure the architecture of a growing income property portfolio. And we're coming up on this Super Bowl, and whatever mortgage lender advertises for the Super Bowl or has some big, splashy campaign nationally, you know they are not the ones that are going to have conversations like this for you, they might be fine for buying a primary residence, but this is why you want to have a long term strategy and work with a lender that's aligned with you on exactly that sort of thing. And Chaley, is there a specific way in which one can avoid hitting the Fannie Freddie loan ceilings too early if you haven't already touched on it. Caeli Ridge 37:22 Yeah, very good question. You know, I think that this is going to come down to a debt to income ratio conversation. It's easy enough to ensure that we contain assets and credit. Those are easier conversations. The debt to income ratio is the piece that's more complicated and can get away from an investor without them even knowing it. You don't know what you don't know, right? So I would say that debt to income ratio and making sure that your lender again, hopefully Ridge lending, because we know this like we know our own faces, making sure they know how to structure and provide feedback and consult on that schedule E, part of the beauty of real estate investing is the tax deductions. Right? Many people get into real estate investing, not for the cash flow, not even for the appreciation, but for that tax strategy, because they're high wage earners, or whatever it may be, and they're sick of paying x in taxes. So the debt to income ratio is key in scaling and making sure you can continue to qualify for those loans. The conversations that we have with our clients really go deep about where we can maximize our deductions to ensure that we get the tax benefit without precluding our qualification on a conventional underwriting basis in the DTI category. Keith Weinhold 38:35 Now, during my growth as an investor, when I got above 10 doors, one gets above 20 doors. When one gets to 216 doors, I began where I needed to qualify more on a DSCR basis, where the lender is looking at the properties qualification, more so than me. So are there any other thoughts with regard to how one can set themselves up for success in really going big and well beyond 10 doors Caeli Ridge 39:03 absolutely so once we've exhausted the Fannie Freddie, and I think one of the real value adds about Ridge is that we are not a one size fits all, and we are extremely holistic versus transactional. So having that first conversation and understanding what those goals are, so that we can pivot as we need to maximize the golden tickets, whether that be 10 to 20, right? If you're in a marriage or a partnership or whatever, and then setting up for the DSCR loans when the time comes, and taking advantage of those, there is no limit to how many DSCR loans we can get for one individual. We have yet to file an individual that we've had to say no, and we've done quite a few of the high, high acquisition investors, so I don't expect that to be an issue, but yeah, I think it's about planning, planting those seeds, creating roadmaps together and have those smart discovery conversations. Keith Weinhold 39:50 Now, as you grow, one way you might diversify is to have perhaps at least a part of your portfolio in short term rentals. So what I. Comes to getting loans for sort of Airbnb or VRBO type properties. What does one look for there? How much does the landscape change versus the longer term rentals that we've mostly been talking about here? Caeli Ridge 40:10 Yeah, I think that the differences are going to be about purchase versus refinance. If we're just talking about purchases, let's kind of try to keep it in one lane. If we're talking about purchasing a short term rental, you may be limited on leverage. You might lose a little bit of leverage, 5% let's say you could get to 75% and maybe on a short term they're going to back it off to 70% LTV, so there may be reduction in that loan to value. And the way in which we're going to quantify the income is absolutely important to share with your listeners on a purchase transaction, we have access to things like an appraisal. An appraisal is going to give us some median rental income, whether it be long term or short term, that we will use to offset a new mortgage payment if that's needed for the individual's debt to income ratio qualification. Now, if they don't need the rental income to qualify, then it's a non issue. But if they do, like most of us, need that rental income to absorb this new mortgage payment that we are securing for them, how that's going to quantify is important. So if it's not in a short term rental area, let's just say it's kind of off the beaten path, and there may not be enough data points to support the income that you need. It's important to know that up front versus way down the rabbit hole, when you paid for appraisals and you're all the way through the transaction and earnest money might be off the table if you had to cancel that kind of thing. So really important to understand the numbers in advance, I would say, when we talk about short term rentals and how the income is going to be quantified from an underwriting perspective, Keith Weinhold 41:43 why does a borrower often need to make a higher down payment on a short term rental than they do a long term rental? Caeli Ridge 41:49 You know, I think that in secondary markets, as we talk about mortgage backed securities and things like that, it's looked at as a higher risk. A short term rental is going to be a higher risk than just the stable long term, long burn tenant is going to be there and they've got their lease for a year, two years or whatever, at a time, the short term rental is more volatile and it's seasonal. It can be I mean, there's all those different factors, so higher risk means more skin in the game for the investor. Keith Weinhold 42:13 That makes a lot of sense. Does that higher risk also translate into a higher mortgage rate for short term rentals than long term rentals? Caeli Ridge 42:18 Fannie Freddie versus DSCR The answer is no. On the Fannie Freddie side, the interest rate's not going to change on a DSCR loan. Yes, it can be slightly higher, usually about about a quarter of a percentage point on a short term versus a long term. Keith Weinhold 42:33 Now, are there any particular markets that lenders want to avoid with short term rental loans? Caeli Ridge 42:39 No, as long as the property is habitable, and all the other metrics fit Qualifications and Credit and assets and all that stuff. No, there isn't a market that we're going to have any issues with now. We do get the notifications for natural disaster areas, and as that relates to the appraisal and things like that, if it's in a natural disaster area or zone, we may have to hold funding until after the disaster is over, and then we can go and take more pictures and make sure it's still standing and there's no major issues. But otherwise, aside from that, as long as it's habitable, no, there is no market restriction. Keith Weinhold 43:12 Yes, with that variability of income for short term rentals, you can understand how a lender would be more careful in making a loan, and would want you, the borrower, to put more skin in the game for a short term rental. Well, Caeli, overall, what should an investor do in the next 24 hours to make themselves more lendable before contacting someone like you? Caeli Ridge 43:36 I would say the answer is sticky, but call rich lending group. That's how you're going to make yourself more lendable. And the reason that I can say that is is that everybody's qualifications and needs and goals are inherently different. So calling someone that understands this landscape and can navigate the battleship in the creek like I like to say, that's the visual aid for those of you that need the visual is the first key. And with that conversation, we're going to be able to identify for you specifically what you would need to do to become more lendable. And it may be nothing Keith Weinhold 44:07 well over there, Chaley, you're growing. You do loans in almost all 50 states. The GRE podcast has more than 5.8 million listener downloads, and you have helped countless GRE listeners acquire smart investor loans for fully a decade now. Just amazing. So talk to us about all of the loan types that you offer investors there at ridge. Caeli Ridge 44:30 My gosh. Okay, so I think one of the real value adds for us is that we have such a diverse menu of loan products. We touched on a few of them already. So we've got the conventional Fannie Mae Freddie, Mac stuff. We've got our DSCR loans. We have bank statement loans, asset depletion loans. I can touch on those if you want. Keith, we have our short term bridge fix and flip. We have our All In One my favorite, first lien, HELOC we have second lien HELOCs. We have commercial loan products, and commercial can apply to residential and commercial property. A cross collateralization, commercial for residential properties. That just means, if you're putting 10 single families into one blanket loan, that would be cross collateralization, or if you're buying a storage unit that's straight commercial, and probably even more than that, ground up construction, there's really not a limit to the loan products that we offer, specifically for investors. The only thing we don't have, I would say in our arsenal is bare land loans. Those are hard to come by Keith Weinhold 45:24 It sounds like you recommend a call in order to get some of that back and forth, to learn how you can best help that investor. But tell us about all the ways that someone Caeli Ridge 45:32 can get a hold of you. Yes, there's a few ways. Of course, our website, ridgeline group.com, you can call us toll free at 855-747434385, 747-434-3855, 74, Ridge. Or feel free to email us info at Ridge lending group.com Keith Weinhold 45:49 and you might get lucky. Hey, spin the wheel. Chaele does get on the phone and talk to individual investors herself too. So Chaley, it's been valuable as always to cover all these different loan types for beginners, and then what one does when they advance beyond that. It's been great having you back on the show. Caeli Ridge 46:09 Thank you, Keith. I appreciate you. Keith Weinhold 46:16 Oh yeah, a lot to learn from Chaley today. You've got mortgage rates three quarters to 1% lower than they were a year ago. At this time, in fact, last month, they ticked below 6% for the first time in years, and their lowest level in over three years. But when you introduce geopolitical uncertainty, well, that tends to make rates tick up again. Now, just what does happen when you have a lower overall rate trend like we have? Well, in this cycle, it's already spurred an increase in housing sales volume. It surged to 4.3 5 million in the latest reporting month, and that is the hottest annualized pace in nearly three years. Some of the same people who said, wait until rates fall, they're about to realize that prices didn't wait. Demand comes back fast. Inventory doesn't if mortgage rates take another leg lower, we could see quite a refinance wave in balanced markets or in supply constrained markets, bidding wars could follow. Now I've shared with you before that I totally do not predict interest rates. I don't know if anyone should. It is a great way to be fantastically wrong and supremely waste a lot of people's time. Instead, I think it's more efficacious for you to be able to interpret the signs that can trigger a further rate drop. Those signs are a weak jobs report that tends to bring lower rates because the labor market needs the help. So does softening wage growth, GDP below expectations, inflation continuing to cool, or a pickup in US Treasury demand. These are all signs that can lead to even lower rates. In fact, right now, with already lower rates and higher wages, real estate is more affordable than it's been in about three years, but overall, longer term, yeah, income properties still feel somewhat less affordable. It's less affordable than it was in pre pandemic times. That's for real for US investors, though, affordability is less about the price of the property, it's about whether the property pays for itself and grows your net worth while inflation does the heavy lifting for you, that's why it still works for us as investors. Higher prices don't kill investors inaction during inflation does you're not so much buying a say, 350k property. You're controlling it with 70k while your tenant and inflation do the rest. We don't rely on hope or appreciation. We start with inflation, tax benefits and debt pay down, and then appreciation typically happens too. A lot of times, the question for us goes beyond whether or not a property is affordable. The question is whether owning an investment property is better than inflation compounding against us, which is an investor mindset for this era, Ridge landing gear. President Chaley Ridge is a regular guest here because the mortgage space is so dynamic and things change a lot. For that reason, we expect to have her with us every few months this year, I'll see you next week. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, don't quit your Daydream. Speaker 2 50:01 Nothing on this show should be considered specific, personal or professional advice. Please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get rich Education LLC, exclusively Keith Weinhold 50:30 The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth building, getricheducation.com
In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins talks with author Linda Stasi about her historical novel, The Descendant, inspired by her own Italian-American family history. Stasi traces her ancestors' journey from Sicily to the Colorado mining camps, revealing the brutal realities faced by immigrant laborers in the American West. The conversation explores the violent labor struggles surrounding the Ludlow Massacre and the role of powerful figures like John D. Rockefeller, as well as the diverse immigrant communities that shaped Colorado's mining towns. Stasi challenges stereotypes about Italians in America, highlighting their roles as workers, ranchers, and community builders—not just mobsters. Jenkins and Stasi also discuss Prohibition-era bootlegging and the early roots of organized crime in places like Pueblo, weaving together documented history with deeply personal family stories of survival, violence, and resilience. Drawing on her background as a journalist, Stasi reflects on loss, perseverance, and the immigrant pursuit of the American dream, making The Descendants both a historical narrative and an emotional family legacy. Click here to find the Descendant. 0:04 Introduction to Linda Stasi 3:12 The Role of Women in History 7:05 Bootlegging and the Mafia’s Rise 9:31 Discovering Family Connections 14:59 Immigrant Struggles and Success 19:02 Childhood Stories of Resilience 24:04 Serendipity in New York 26:19 Linda’s Journey as a Journalist Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” Subscribe to the website for weekly notifications about updates and other Mob information. To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent ‘Brothers against Brothers’ or ‘Gangland Wire,’ the documentaries click here. To purchase one of my books, click here. [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, glad to be back here in studio, Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, and I have an interview for you. This is going to be a historical fiction author. This is going to be a historical fiction book by a writer whose family lived the life of, whose family, This is going to be a real issue. This book is going to, we’re going to talk about a book. We’re going to talk with an author about the book. We’re going to talk with the author, Linda Stasi. We’re going to talk with the author, Linda Stasi, about her book, The Descendants. Now, she wrote a historical fiction, but it’s based on her actual family’s history. [0:50] From Sicily to New York to California. The wild west of colorado now get that you never heard of many italians out west in colorado but she’s going to tell us a lot more about that and how they were actually ended up being part of the pueblo colorado mafia the corvino family and then got involved in bootlegging and and then later were involved in ranching and different things like that so it’s uh it’s a little different take on the mob in the United States that we usually get, but I like to do things that are a little bit different. So welcome, Linda Stasey. Historical fiction, how much of it is true? Is it from family stories? All the stories are true. I’ll ask you that here in a little bit. Okay, all the stories are true. All right. All the stories are true. [1:41] It’s based on not only stories that were told to me by my mother and her sisters and my uncles and so forth, But it’s also based on a lot of actual events that took place while they were living in Colorado. And it’s based on the fact that, you know, people don’t know this. We watch all these movies and we think everybody who settled the West talk like John Wayne. There were 30 different languages spoken right in the minds of Colorado. So my uncles rode the range and they were, drovers and they were Italian. I mean, they were first generation. They were born in Italy and they made their way with all these other guys who were speaking Greek and Mexican and you name it. It wasn’t a lot of people talking like, hey, how are you doing, partner? How are you doing, bard? Talking like I do. Right. [2:46] But it took a long time for you you can blame the movies for that and the dominant uh uh caucasian culture for that right and you know there was that what was the movie the the martin scorsese movie killers of the flower moon oh yeah all the uh native americans spoke like they were from like movie set in color and oklahoma so he was like what. [3:13] Yeah, well, it’s the movies, I guess. [3:25] Unlike any women that I would have thought would have been around at that time. They were rebellious, and they did what they wanted, and they had a terrible, mean father. And I also wanted to tell this story. That’s what I started out telling. But I ended up telling the story of the resilience of the immigrants who came to this country. For example, with the Italians and the Sicilians, there had been earthquakes and tsunamis and droughts. So Rockefeller sent these men that he called padrones to the poorest sections of Sicily, the most drought-affected section, looking for young bucks to come and work. And he promised them, he’d say, oh, the president of America wants to give you land, he wants to give you this. Well, they found themselves taken in the most horrific of conditions and brought to Ellis Island, where they were herded onto cattle cars and taken to the mines of Colorado, where they worked 20-hour days. They were paid in company script, so they couldn’t even buy anything. Their families followed them. They were told that their families were coming for free, and they were coming for free, but they weren’t. They had to pay for their passage, which could never be paid for because it was just company script. [4:55] And then in 1914, the United Mine Workers came in, and there were all these immigrants, Greeks and mostly Italians, and they struck, and Rockefeller fired everyone who struck. So the United Mine Workers set up a tent city in Ludlow. [5:14] And at night, Rockefeller would send his goons in who were—he actually paid the National Guard and a detective agency called Baldwin Feltz to come in. And they had a turret-mounted machine gun that they called the Death Squad Special, and they’d just start spraying. So the miners, the striking miners, built trenches under their tents for their women and children to hide. when the bullets started flying. And then at some point, Rockefeller said, you’re not being effective enough. They haven’t gone back to work. Do what you have to do. So these goons went in and they poured oil on top of the tents. And they set them on fire. [6:00] And they burnt dozens of women and children to death. They went in. The government claimed it was 21 people, but there was a female reporter who counted 60-something. and they were cutting the heads and the hands off of people, the children and women, so they couldn’t be identified. It all ended very badly and none of Rockefeller’s people or Rockefeller got in trouble. They went before Congress and Rockefeller basically said they had no right to strike. And that was that. So here are all these men and women now living wild in the mountains of Colorado, not speaking the language, not. Being literate, not able to read and write. [6:44] And living in shacks on mountains in the hurricane, I mean, in the blizzards and whatnot. And then it’s so odd. In 1916, Colorado declared prohibition, which was four years before the rest of the country. [7:00] So these guys said, well, we need to make booze. We need to make wine. What do you mean you can’t have booze and wine? So that’s how bootlegging started in Colorado. And that’s how the mafia began in the West. with these guys. [7:18] It’s kind of interesting. As I was looking down through your book, I did a story on the more modern mafia. This started during bootlegging times in Pueblo, and I noticed in your book, I refer to Pueblo, this was the Corvino brothers. So did you study that? Is that some of the background that you used to make, you know, use a story? You used real stories as well as, you know, the real stories from your family, real stories from history. Well, the Carlinos are my family. Oh, you’re related to the Carlinos. Well, what happened was I didn’t know that. And my cousin Karen came across this photo of the man who was her son. [7:59] Grandfather that she never met because he was killed in the longest gunfight in Colorado history when she was 10 days old. And he was Charlie Carlino. So she came across it and we met, we ended up meeting the family. Sam Carlino is my cousin and he owns like this big barbecue joint in san jose california and uh we’ve become very friendly so i i said i look i’m looking at this and i think wait a minute vito carlino is the father he has three sons and one daughter the youngest son charlie who was the the handsome man about town cowboy, they had a rival family called the dannas in bootlegging and charlie carlino and his bodyguard were riding across the baxter street bridge driving in one direction and the dannas were coming in the other direction and the dannas got out and and killed them and it’s exactly what I’m thinking to myself, Vito Corleone, three sons, Charlie gets killed on the bridge while the two cars are… I thought, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. I mean. [9:26] It can’t be that coincidental, right? No. No, it can’t be. Even the bridge. Somebody was doing their research. [9:46] And had baby Charlotte, who was only 10 days old at the time. So all these stories are true, and it started other gunfights and so forth and so on. But I thought, holy shit. That’s my family. I had no idea. I mean, I knew my aunt was married to a guy whose name was Charlie Carlino, And I should show you the picture because he looks like the missing link from the village people. He’s got big fur chaps on and a cowboy hat. I mean, he’s got his holsters on and he’s got his long gun over his shoulder. It’s like, wow. Yeah, so that story is true. And my mom was a little girl when the Pueblo flood happened. And she always recalled the story to me about watching in horror as the cows and the horses and people were floating away, dead. [10:54] So now the name of your book is A Descendant, which is you, of course. And you kind of use the situations that you just described and the real life people in this book. So then how does this book progress and what other situation do you use? Well, I used many of the acts. I used the Ludlow massacre, the flood, the bootlegging, the prohibition. I also uncovered that the governor of Colorado said. [11:30] Assigned all these guys to become prohibition agents, but they were all KKK. Yeah. So they actually had license to kill the immigrants, just saying they had a still. They had a still. And they were wholesale killing people. So there’s that story. There’s the story of the congressional hearing of Rockefeller after that. And um the the book ends up with my mother um beating my father um who was not in colorado she met him at my aunt’s wedding and avoided him and avoided him and they finally got together and it ends up the book ends up at the start of world war ii and my father was drafted into the air Force, or the Army Air Corps, as it was called that time, and his was assigned to a bomber. He was a co-pilot or a bombardier or something, I forgot. And my grandfather on my father’s side said, well, wait a minute, where are you going to do this? And he said, well, we’re going to Italy. And he said, you’re going to bomb this? Your own country? And my father said, no, no, Bob, this is my country. [12:47] So the book comes full circle. Yeah, really. You know, I, uh, uh, sometimes I start my, I’ll do a program here for different groups or for the library once in a while. And I always like to start it with, you know, first of all, folks, remember, uh. [13:03] Italians came here after, you know, really horrible conditions in southern Italy and Sicily and they came here and they’re just looking for a little slice of American pie the American that’s all they want is a some of the American dream and you know they were taking advantage of they had they were they were darker they had a different language so they didn’t fit it they couldn’t like the Irish and the Germans were already here they had all the good jobs they had the businesses and so now the Italians they’re they’re kind of uh sucking high and tit as we used to say on the farm they’re they’re uh you know picking up the scraps as they can and form businesses. And so it sounds like, you know, and they also went into the, I know they went in the lead mines down here in South Missouri, because there’s a whole immigrant population, Sicilians in a small town called Frontenac. And it also sounds like they went out to the mines in Denver, Colorado. So it’s based on that diaspora, if you will, of people from Southern Italy. And they’re strapping, trying to get their piece of the American pie. Right. And I think that I also wanted very much to change the same old, same old narrative that we’ve all come to believe, that, you know, Italians came here, they went to New York, they killed everybody, they were ignorant slobs. And my family had a ranch! They were ranchers! They had herds of cattle! It’s like, that’s just been dismissed as though none of this existed because. [14:30] Yes, they were darker, because they had curly hair. [14:34] There’s a passage in my book that’s taken actually from the New York Times, where they say that Southern Italians are. [14:43] Greasy, kinky-haired criminals whose children should never be allowed in public schools with white children. Yeah. They used to print stuff like that. I’ve done some research in old newspapers, and not only about Italians, but a lot of other minorities, they print some [14:57] horrible, horrible, horrible things. Well, every minority goes through this, I guess. Everyone. I think so. Part of it’s a language problem. You hear people say, well, why don’t they learn our language? Well, what I say is, you know, ever try to learn a foreign language? It’s hard. It is really, really hard. I’ve tried. It is really hard. I got fired by my Spanish teacher. Exactly. You know how hard it is. I said, no, wait, I’m paying you. You can’t fire me. She said, you can’t learn. You just can’t learn. My grandkids love to say she got fired by her Spanish teacher. [15:36] But it’s such a barrier any kind of success you know not having the language is such a barrier to any kind of success into the you know american business community and that kind of a thing so it’s uh it’s tough for people and you got these people young guys who are bold and, they want they want to they end up having to feel like they have to take theirs they have to take it because ain’t nobody giving it up back in those days and so that sounds like your family they had to take however they took it they they had to take what they got how did that go down for them, start out with a small piece of land or and build up from there how did that go out well from what i understand um. [16:21] They first had a small plot, and then that they didn’t own. They just took it. And then as the bootlegging business got bigger, they started buying cattle and sheep. And they just started buying more and more land. But my grandfather was wanted because he killed some federal agent in the Ludlow Massacre. So he was wanted. So it was all in my grandmother’s name anyway. So she became, in my mind and in my book, she becomes the real head of the family. And my grandfather had a drinking problem, and she made the business successful and so forth. And then I do remember a story that my mother told me that—. [17:16] Al Capone came to the ranch at some point, and all the kids were like, who’s this man in the big car? There was other big cars. And then they moved to New York shortly after that, although they were allowed to keep the ranch with some of my aunts running it. I think there was a range war between the Dana family and the Carlinos and the Barberas, and they were told, get out of town, and they got out of town. And then they made a life in Brooklyn. And then my mom went back to Colorado and then came back to Brooklyn. [17:54] You think about how these immigrants, how in the hell, even the ones who come here now, how in the hell do you survive? I don’t know. Don’t speak the language. You don’t have the money. How do you survive? I don’t know. I truly don’t know. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t either. I couldn’t either. I don’t even want to go to another country where I don’t speak the language unless I can hire somebody to do stuff for me, you know, try to scuffle around and get a job, work off the books. You know, you got to work off the books, so to speak, and take the lowest, hardest jobs that they are, that there are. I don’t know. It’s crazy. I don’t really understand. Yeah. But, uh, so this, uh, it’s really interesting this, uh, the whole thing with the ranches and, and building up the ranches out there. I know we spoke, talk about Al Capone. Well, his brother, I think it was, it was not Ralph. There was another Capone brother. Which one? Well, another Capone brother who became, came a revenuer and I’ve seen some pictures of him and he looks like a cowboy with a hat and everything. He was in Nebraska or something. [19:02] It’s so funny. And I just, when I was growing up and I would tell people that my mom rode her donkey and then her horse to school, and they’d always say to me, but aren’t you Italian? [19:19] That’s Italian. Italian. Yeah, it’s interesting. Now, of course, your mom was, I noticed something in there about being in Los Animas in that area. Yes. Was there some family connection to that? And I say that because my wife’s grandfather lived there his whole life in Los Animas. Well, Los Animas County takes in Pueblo, I believe. Oh, okay. That’s the northern, that’s the far northern edge of Pueblo. The whole big area. I didn’t realize it was that close to Pueblo. I think my mom’s birth certificate actually says Los Animas County. Uh-huh. Something like that, yeah. Okay, all right. I didn’t realize Los Andemos was that close. I think. I might be wrong. Oh, it could be. It had those big counties out west, a great big county, so it would probably do. [20:10] So let’s see. Tell us a couple other stories out of that book that you remember. Well, there’s a story of my mother and her sister, Clara. Clara was a year what do they call Irish twins you know Italian twins she was like 14 months younger than my mom and um, When my mom had to start school, she was very close to my Aunt Clara, and they refused to go to school without each other. So my grandmother lied and said they were twins. And the teacher said, I don’t think they’re twins. This one’s much littler than the other, and I’m going to send the sheriff to that guinea father of yours and make sure. Well, unfortunately, the town hall burnt down with all the records that night. So they were never able to prove that Aunt Clara was a year younger. [21:14] Interesting. And also there’s a story of how they were in school when the flood hit. And my mother did have a pet wolf who was probably part wolf, part dog, but it was her pet named Blue. They got caught in the flood because they were bad and they had detention after school. And um had they left earlier they would have um so the dog came and dragged them was screaming and barking and making them leave and the teacher got scared because of the wolf and so they left and the wolf was taking them to higher and higher ground and had they stayed in that schoolhouse they would have been killed the teacher was killed everybody was washed away Wow. Yeah, those animals, they got more of a sense of what’s going on in nature than people do, that’s for sure. But she had always told me about her dog wolf named Blue. When they went back to New York City, did they fall in with any mob people back there? They go back to Red Hook. They had connections that were told, they were told, you know, you can, like Meyer Lansky and a couple of other people who would help them, um. [22:33] But my mom—so here’s an absolutely true story, and I think I have it as an epilogue in the book. So a few years ago, several years ago, my daughter had gotten a job in the summer during college as a slave on a movie set that was being filmed in Brooklyn. And she got the job because she, A, had a car, and B, she could speak Italian. And the actress was Italian. So every night she’d work till like 12 o’clock and I’d be panicked that she’d been kidnapped or something. So she’d drive her car home. But then every night she was coming home later and later and I said, what’s going on? She said, you know, I found this little restaurant and right now we’re in Red Hook where the, and it wasn’t called Red Hook. It was called, they have another fancy name for it now. [23:32] And she said and I just got to know the owner and he’s really nice and I told him that when I graduated from college if I had enough money could I rent one of the apartments upstairs and he said yes and she said we’ve got to take grandma there we’ve got to take grandma there she’ll love the place she’ll love the place and so my mother got sick and just came home from college, and she was laying in the bed with my mother, and she said, Grandma, you’re going to get better, and then we’re going to take you to this restaurant, [24:03] and I promise you, you’re going to love it. So my mother, thank God, did get better, and we took her to the restaurant. [24:12] The man comes over, and it’s a little tiny Italian restaurant, and the man comes over, and he says, Jessica, my favorite, let me make you my favorite Pennelli’s. And my mother said, do you make Pennelli’s? And he said, yes. She said, oh, when we first came to New York, the man who owned the restaurant made us Pennelli’s every day and would give it to us before we went to school. And he said, really, what was his name? And she said, Don, whatever. And he said, well, that’s my grandfather. She said, well, what do you mean? He said, well, this is, she said, where are we? And he said. [24:53] They called it Carroll Gardens. And he said, well, it’s Carroll Gardens. She said, well, I grew up in Red Hook. He said, well, it is Red Hook. She said, well, what’s the address here? And he said, 151 Carroll Street. And she said, my mother died in this building. [25:09] My daughter would have rented the apartment where her great-grandmother died. What’s the chances of that of the 50 million apartments in New York City? No, I don’t know. And the restaurant only seats like 30 people. So… My mother went and took a picture off the wall, and she said, this is my mother’s apartment. And there were like 30 people in the restaurants, a real rough and tumble place, and truck drivers and everything. And everybody started crying. The whole place is now crying. All these big long men are crying. Isn’t that some story? Full circle, man. That’s something. Yeah, that is. Especially in the city. It’s even more amazing in a city like New York City. I know. That huge. That frigging huge. That exact apartment. Oh, that is great. So that restaurant plays a big part in the book as well, in the family. Okay. All right. All right. Guys, the book is The Descendant, Yellowstone Meets the Godfather, huh? This is Linda Stasi. Did I pronounce that right, Stasi? Stacey, actually. This is Linda Stasi. And Linda, I didn’t really ask you about yourself. [26:17] Tell the guys a little bit about yourself before we stop here. Well, I am a journalist. I’ve been a columnist for New York Newsday, the New York Daily News, and the New York Post. I’ve written 10 books, three of which are novels. [26:34] And I’ve won several awards for journalism. And I teach a class for the Newswomen’s Club of New York to journalists on how to write novels, because it’s the totally opposite thing. It’s like teaching a dancer to sing, you know? It’s totally opposite. One of my mentors was Nelson DeMille, my dear late friend Nelson DeMille, and I called him up one night after I wrote my first novel, and I said, I think I made a terrible mistake. He said, what? I said, I think I gave the wrong name of the city or something. He said, oh, for God’s sakes, it’s fiction. You can write whatever you want. [27:17] But when you’re a journalist, if you make a mistake like that, you’re ruined. Yeah, exactly. So I have. We never let the facts get in the way of a good story. Go ahead. I’m sorry. I said I have a daughter and three grandsons. My daughter is the only female CEO of a games company. She was on the cover of Forbes. And my husband just died recently, and he was quite the character. He got a full-page obit in the New York Times. He’s such a typical, wonderful New York character. So I’m in this strange place right now where I’m mourning one thing and celebrating my book. On the other hand, it’s a very odd place to be. I can imagine. I can only imagine. Life goes on, as we say, back home. It just keeps going. All right. Linda Stacey, I really appreciate you coming on the show. Oh, thank you. I appreciate you talking to me. You’re so much an interesting guy. All right. Well, thank you.
I had the best time chatting with Tim Bishop about his book, The Road Unveiled. If you want to learn about the phobia that I never knew I had, listen in. I mean, there's a great story you won't want to miss learning about as well. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. I loved Tim's heart for people, cycling, and the Lord as we chatted about his books, his later-in-life marriage, and their own long cycling trips! And I'm really glad my husband likes to cycle alone! Far away from tunnels. The Road Unveiled by Tim Bishop Two wounded hearts. Long, winding roads. And second chances neither saw coming. Lauren Baumgartner pedals toward Yellowstone National Park, anticipating a grand celebration when she reaches the Atlantic Ocean. But when her wedding plans collapse, old wounds resurface—and a haunting secret still holds her heart hostage. Traveling alone with bear spray and a one-woman tent, she shares the highway with motorcyclists bound for a massive rally, including gang members who eye her as theirs for the taking. Doug Zimmer, another lone cyclist, is grappling with loss and wondering if anyone will be alongside him when he figures out what's next. He isn't the only one drawn to Lauren's vitality and spirit. But Lauren may already be in too deep. What she faces on the Golden Prairie Indian Reservation tests her courage—and her faith—more than anything she encountered as a missionary in Uganda. A woman with a secret and a man healing from loss pedal the rugged roads of the American West on a quest for love and purpose that leads to unexpected horizons. Visit Tim's online store HERE and put in code: FRIEND for 25% off your order! Learn more about Tim on his WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!
In this episode of Red Meat Nation, hosts Alx and Julie sit down with rancher, entrepreneur, and community builder Jessie Jarvis to unpack what beef really represents in the American West.Raised on a multi-generational cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, Jessie offers a grounded, first-hand perspective on ranching not as myth, but as daily labor—shaped by land, weather, responsibility, and care. Together, they explore how beef has come to symbolize strength and masculinity in American culture, and how those narratives both support and strain the people who live within them.The conversation moves beyond consumption to examine visibility, emotional labor, and the growing distance between rural food producers and urban eaters. Jessie also shares the vision behind Of The West, her platform dedicated to connecting people to opportunity and purpose within agriculture and Western industries.This episode asks listeners to reconsider beef not as an abstraction or a political talking point, but as a story—one rooted in people, place, and the evolving identity of the nation itself.https://ofthewest.co/
When Cole Burgett was young, he loved Star Wars. He wanted to live on Tattoine like Luke Skywalker. But as he grew, Cole realized there were threads running between that galaxy far away and the dusty frontier towns of the American West he read about in Louis L'Amour novels. What does the moral imagination of these genres tell us about ourselves, our longings, and God? Find out on Chris Fabry Live. Featured resource:Article: Where the Frontier Meets the Galaxy: The Western Genre and the Moral Imagination of Star Wars by Cole Burgett January thank you gift:How Should Christians Think About Israel? by Michael Rydelnik Chris Fabry Live is listener-supported. To support the program, click here.Become a Back Fence Partner: https://moodyradio.org/donateto/chrisfabrylive/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stu Landesberg is Co-founder and CEO of Seneca, a company developing autonomous aerial systems to detect and suppress wildfires before they grow out of control. Designed for rapid initial response, Seneca's technology deploys robotic aircraft that launch within minutes, helping protect homes, infrastructure, and communities in fire-prone regions.In this episode of Inevitable, Landesberg shares why he left Grove—his first company focused on sustainable consumer goods—to tackle what he sees as a civilization-level challenge: early wildfire intervention. The conversation explores how climate conditions, outdated fire cycles, and insurance market failures have converged to threaten life in the American West. Landesberg walks through Seneca's approach to changing that trajectory: distributed strike teams of large autonomous suppression copters, built in the U.S., designed to reach fires faster than any existing response method. He also unpacks the product's potential for mop-up operations, prescribed burns, and utility asset protection.In this episode, we cover:(2:40) Wildfire as a threat to housing and the economy(10:07) The urgent need for faster fire response(15:12) Why helicopters aren't a scalable solution(20:03) New use cases beyond initial attack(28:25) What autonomy looks like in practice(33:11) Why Seneca isn't just another drone company(38:21) Wildfire as a climate and national security risk(46:18) Seneca's first deployments and what's nextLinks:Stuart Landesberg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartlandesbergSeneca: https://seneca.com/ Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant
There is probably no historian working today more influential in shaping how we think about the way in which humans and animals engage with each other and the environment than Dan Flores. Today, Dan joins in to talk about his epic work, Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History, on the eve of its 10th anniversary release, along with discussions on wolf reintroduction, bison on the plains, the American Serengeti, and his relationship with Steven Rinella and the crew over at Meateater. About our guest:New York Times best-selling author Dan Flores is one of America's most celebrated historians, renowned for his deep explorations of the country's landscapes and the remarkable figures who shaped them. While he has 11 acclaimed books to his name, Flores is first and foremost a teacher. He served as Professor Emeritus of Western History at the University of Montana. This year, Flores brings a lifetime of expertise and storytelling to the MeatEater Podcast Network with his new podcast, The American West with Dan Flores.
Who was the worst American army general of all time? We round off our month of military history by looking at the leaders who standout for all the wrong reasons. Don's guest is the wonderful Cecily Zander author of the upcoming 'Abraham Lincoln and the American West', and 'The Army Under Fire: Antimilitarism in the Civil War Era'. Edited by Aidan Lonergan, produced by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer was Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.American History Hit is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As a dirty high pressure ridge sits over the West, sending all the cold and snow to the east coast, the boys recount the past month and how it feels like an entire ski season has transpired. A grab bag of topics is covered this week including a Downieville mountain biker somehow getting lost on an out-and-back, the dying dream of the ski bum and instead take up wind sports in Florida, I-80 from San Francisco to Nevada ranking as the 8th most deadly highway in America and the ski patrol strike in Telluride ending with a whimper. Pow Bot asks, how long do you have to live somewhere to be considered a local? Core lords call in with some finders keepers stories and aggro locals in the lift line. A few DOPE or DERPs including drop bars on mountain bikes, Leadville 100, driving to the trailhead in ski boots, waxing your split board in one piece and poaching backcountry freshies at Sky Tavern. Also, Pow Bot pays tribute to the passing of Bobby Weir with the story of his very first Grateful Dead show at 16 years old. 3:00 – The last 25 days feels like the entirety of a full winter ski season, base build, pow, corn, melting and thinking about bikes again.5:30 – Colorado off to its worst winter snowpack in recorded history. Crazy dry across the American West.7:30 – Lack of Colorado River runoff could be devastating to the Southwest. Lake Powell and Lake Mead could go below minimum power pool, aka dead pool.11:45 – Mountain biker in Downieville gets lost riding and has to get helicopter rescued by CHP.13:00 – Pow Bot gets lost on an epic mountain bike ride in Montana.15:30 – Search and Rescue is getting overwhelmed by ill-prepared people who get lost.17:25 – Pow Bot's Florida Man adventure – don't move to an expensive ski town, move to an affordable place like Florida and get into wind sports.22:00 – The ski bum dream is dying, and season ski passes have become DERP.24:25 – Sugar Bowl mid-mountain lodge catches on fire.25:35 – Telluride ski patrol strike is over and patrollers did not get what they wanted.29:05 – Interstate 80 from San Francisco to Nevada is 8th most deadly highway in America.31:30 – Forest Service in Lake Tahoe legalizes 110-miles of non-motorized trail for Class 1 ebikes.32:50 – Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead passes. Tom tells his first Grateful Dead show story.45:45 – Core Lord Call-ins – Lee recommends Bridger Watches – Tom recommends OutMap.50:22 – More Finders Keepers in the backcountry.54:30 – Aggro local yelling at people in the lift line at Heavenly.57:00 – How long do you have to live in a place before you are considered a local?1:02:15 – Fritz comments on Sugar Bowl.1:06:20 – DOPE OR DERP – a packable backcountry rescue sled the size of a camping hammock.1:12:20 – DOPE OR DERP – waxing your split board in one piece.1:19:15 – DOPE OR DERP – driving to the trailhead in ski boots or snowboard boots.1:23:40 – DOPE OR DERP – poaching backcountry freshies at Sky Tavern.1:28:30 – DOPE OR DERP – drop bars on mountain bikes.1:36:30 – Making sure your feet are dialed in your ski boots on big hut trips.1:38:00 – How to set up a split board special mini-episode coming next week.
This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOOnce a notorious hub of vice, violence, and wild entertainment, the Birdcage Theatre has earned a reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the American West. Opened in 1881, the Birdcage served as a saloon, theater, gambling hall, and brothel—hosting countless tragedies, illicit dealings, and untimely deaths.In this episode of The Grave Talks, we're joined by paranormal investigator and author Steven Blackwell to explore the history and hauntings that still define the Birdcage Theatre today. Reports of shadow figures, phantom voices, unexplained touches, and lingering presences suggest that not everyone who entered the Birdcage ever truly left.Are the spirits said to haunt the Birdcage Theatre dark and malicious—or simply souls trapped by unfinished stories and violent history? Together, we examine why this iconic Wild West landmark continues to draw both investigators and the unexplained, more than a century after its doors first opened.#TheGraveTalks #BirdcageTheatre #HauntedTombstone #WildWestHauntings #HistoricHauntings #ParanormalPodcast #HauntedLocations #GhostsOfTheWest #UnexplainedEncounters #ParanormalInvestigationsLove real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:
This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!Once a notorious hub of vice, violence, and wild entertainment, the Birdcage Theatre has earned a reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the American West. Opened in 1881, the Birdcage served as a saloon, theater, gambling hall, and brothel—hosting countless tragedies, illicit dealings, and untimely deaths.In this episode of The Grave Talks, we're joined by paranormal investigator and author Steven Blackwell to explore the history and hauntings that still define the Birdcage Theatre today. Reports of shadow figures, phantom voices, unexplained touches, and lingering presences suggest that not everyone who entered the Birdcage ever truly left.Are the spirits said to haunt the Birdcage Theatre dark and malicious—or simply souls trapped by unfinished stories and violent history? Together, we examine why this iconic Wild West landmark continues to draw both investigators and the unexplained, more than a century after its doors first opened.#TheGraveTalks #BirdcageTheatre #HauntedTombstone #WildWestHauntings #HistoricHauntings #ParanormalPodcast #HauntedLocations #GhostsOfTheWest #UnexplainedEncounters #ParanormalInvestigationsLove real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:
At 20,000 feet, running feels like moving through molasses… but Erin Ton has found that climbing Colorado's highest peaks in stilettos actually makes her a more thoughtful athlete.Erin was born and raised in Colorado. After graduating from Cornell University in 2020, she moved back to Colorado to pursue professional mountain running. Her primary focus is on Fastest Known Time (FKT) speed records, specializing on steep, technical terrain at high altitude. She currently resides in her van and can be found chasing records all across the American West and all across the world. Jon chats with Erin about:High altitude running challenges and trainingFKT (Fastest Known Time) pursuitsfourteeners climbed in high heelsprofessional athlete sponsorship journeygoal of climbing all Colorado 13ersupcoming Aconcagua speed record attemptStay connected:Follow Erin:https://www.instagram.com/erin_ton7/Erin's Strava:“Erin Ton”This episode is supported by:AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at http://bit.ly/4ojbflT and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.Rocket Money Take control of your spending. Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reduce the rest with Rocket Money: RocketMoney.com/GORUN
At the end of the 1930s, the West was in peril. A cultural and economic backwater, the Great Depression had all-but wiped out the extractive industries which had fueled the region's economy for decades. What catapulted the West into the global twentieth century was mobilization for World War II. In The Mobilized American West: 1940-2000 (U Nebraska Press, 2023), University of Washington emeritus professor John Findlay argues that once began, that mobilization never really ended, and continues to define the West to this day. As the latest entry in Nebraska's lauded History of the American West series, Findlay uses the latest scholarship to offer a synthetic look at the recent history of the West, a period that often gets short shrift in Western historiography. Findlay also takes new approaches, looking at the West through the lenses of family history and political culture, to make the case that the region is still distinct and worthy of study as a unique place. Findlay's West is a place of violence, democracy, competing interests, and of beauty, and is a grand confirmation that there are still rich veins to be mined in regional Western histories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history
Dive into gripping real-life stories from the front lines of law enforcement in this powerful episode of Things Police See Podcast with host Steve Gould (Ole Gingerface). Guest Cameron Pavlicek, an active Montana narcotics investigator, Afghanistan war veteran, former president of the Montana Narcotics Officers Association, and founder of Yellowstone Narcotics training company, shares intense, bizarre, and eye-opening experiences. Hear about a chilling first homicide call in freezing Montana conditions, using a baby as collateral in a meth deal gone wild, a 36-hour armed standoff ending in tragedy, creative undercover social media operations catfishing drug dealers online (posing as women to bust perps), bizarre encounters with a schizophrenic man carrying a stolen 100-pound welded California sculpture, and much more. Perfect for fans of true police stories, narcotics investigations, undercover ops, body cam breakdowns, and rural policing in the American West. Don't miss these raw, unfiltered cop tales from the Big Sky State! Yellowstone Narcotics https://yellowstonenarcotics.com/ Contact Steve - steve@thingspolicesee.com Support the TPS show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055 Sergeant Steve - Bodycam Breakdowns https://www.youtube.com/@UCuobtuGxJny9V5lX5a1ieuw
In a new biography, the historian Max Perry Mueller argues that Wakara, a Timpanogos Ute leader, should be considered one of the founding figures of the American West.
Wild horses have been roaming public lands in the American West for over a century but their population numbers are far greater than what is considered an appropriate management level. This is causing ecological damage and strains on natural resources, in addition to concerns about the horses' health. This has become a deeply contentious and emotive issue. We head out into the desert, driving 100s of miles across the mountains and plains of Nevada and California, to witness first hand how different stakeholders are putting their differences aside and coming together to find innovative solutions.
In front of an audience at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, the Australian actor/writer/director reflects on how he wound up in George Lucas' second 'Star Wars' trilogy, his memorable turns in art house standouts like 'Warrior' and Loving,' and the challenges and rewards of giving a largely dialogue-free performance in Clint Bentley's adaptation of Denis Johnson's 2011 novella about a laborer in the early 20th-century American West. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you are listening, go to YouTube and watch the video version of this for visuals and subscribe while you are there! At minimum, go to Instagram to see the wild before and after photo from me when i was over weight. enjoy!Join me on my outdoor adventures on public lands across the American West and beyond. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here:https://www.youtube.com/@thehuntersquest Check out The Hunter's Quest Podcast here:https://open.spotify.com/show/1bvtyKal41T76jLgPTXp10 Follow along on Instagram:@TheHuntersQuest My Favorite Eberlestock Gear! – www.eberlestock.com/quest or use code QUEST save 10% www.browning.com Browning Firearms & Ammunition – The Best There Is. www.canisathlete.com - use code: QUEST and save on Tactical Hunting Apparel__________________________________________________________________________ OnX Maps – use code: QUEST and save 20% when you join / support the show Seek Outside Shelters – use code: QUEST and save 10% on shelters, stoves, etc.____________________________________________________________________________ FENIX Lighting – www.fenixlighting.com Leupold Optics – www.leupold.com___________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGVP4F5g3SiOookJK01Jy5w Follow me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thehuntersquest/ and @huntermcwaters____________________________________________________________________________ www.thehuntersquest.com
New weapons, new opponents, new technology - as warfare evolves, armies need generals able to evolve with it. In this episode, Don is joined by Cecily Zander to discuss the most innovative generals in American History. Whether it's the use of tanks, total war or local scouts, these mean have changed the world we live in.Cecily is the author of the upcoming 'Abraham Lincoln and the American West', and 'The Army Under Fire: Antimilitarism in the Civil War Era'. Edited by Aidan Lonergan, produced by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer was Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.American History Hit is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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