Podcasts about national parks

In the last year and a half, President Donald Trump has put his name, image, or both, on a whole host of things — federal buildings, passports, the resident National Park pass, the administration's child savings accounts, the under construction border wall, and of course, the Kennedy Center. But why? Why is Trump so obsessed with seeing his name on pretty much everything that isn't nailed down (and a lot that is)? To find out, we spoke with Alex Wagner, host of Crooked Media's Runaway Country.And in headlines, the Iran war hits the six-month mark, Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh suggests the central bank may have to raise interest rates, Trump announces a U.S. Space Academy, and Trump plans to send Vice President JD Vance to Ground Zero for the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

In this episode, Phil and Janelle talk about Idaho, Aaron and Matt, National Parks, hiking, cruises, Spider-man, vacation pants, Toy Story, Ben Hunt, and more.

This week, RedHanded is joined by Cassie and Danielle from National Park After Dark for an exploration of the myths, outlaws and bloody history of Louisiana.First up: legendary “land pirate” John Murrell, the mysterious Leather Britches Smith, and the stories lurking along Louisiana's Myths and Legends Byway.Then: between 1910 and 1912, several entire families were slaughtered with axes across Louisiana and Texas. Police blamed Clementine Barnabet, a Black teenager who they claimed was the high priestess of a murderous voodoo cult. If guilty, she would easily rank as the worst female serial killer in history.But looking back on the changing confessions, questionable police work, and some impossible crimes – and almost nothing is as it seems...--Patreon - Ad-free & Bonus EpisodesYouTube - Full-length Video EpisodesTikTok / Instagram

This week we are teaming up with the UK Queens of True Crime - Hannah and Suruthi of Red Handed! Today's theme is Louisiana, and we all come with stories from the Bayou State that cover axe murderers, infamous outlaws, and pickled heads. Be sure to check out Red Handed where ever you listen to podcasts! Come see us on tour! For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @‌nationalparkafterdarkTikTok: @‌nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page! Thank you to this week's partners! Keeper: Get 60% off personal and family plans at http://Keepersecurity.com/npadBlueland: Get 15% off your first order at blueland.com/NPADIM8: Go to IM8health.com/npad and use code npad for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week in national parks and public lands news: • What's actually happening with the proposed border security project at Big Bend • A second barrier going up at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument • 11 hikers rescued after flash flooding at Bryce Canyon • The search for a missing 71-year-old hiker at Canyonlands • New National Park Service rules for electric scooters, hoverboards, Segways, and other micromobility devices • A historic Sierra National Forest cabin reopens • Vandals cause extensive damage at several Oregon state parks • The National Park Service celebrates its 110th birthday • A new NPS partnership with Google Arts & Culture brings virtual national park tours online Get 20% off Liquified at https://liquifiedrv.com with code RVMILES Tickets for HOMECOMING are on sale! Learn more at: https://RVMiles.com/homecoming ****************************** Connect with RV Miles:  RV Miles Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvmiles Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/rvmiles RV Miles Mailing List: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers 00:00 Intro 00:28 Sponsor Message 01:16 NP News Format Returns 05:11 Big Bend Border Review 09:34 Organ Pipe Second Wall 10:34 Bryce Canyon Flood Rescue 11:43 Canyonlands Missing Hiker 13:06 New E-Scooter Rules 14:54 Oregon Parks Vandalism 15:45 NPS Turns 110 17:45 Wrap Up and Thanks

Dani and Bill are the Squirrel protectors of the National Parks, and they've got a job to do.   Check out the images and write up for this Escape Room below to follow along, or play yourself! https://www.consumethismedia.com/s19katherine    For everything Escape This Podcast, head to https://www.consumethismedia.com/escape-this-podcast   Purchase access to our standalone bonus series here: https://www.consumethismedia.com/bonus-series  Or you can support the show on Patreon for blog posts, bonus audio, videos, trivia, and the chance to appear as a character in one of Dani's rooms. To hang out with us and other fans, join our discord here: https://discord.gg/AH9MZqM  Check out our second podcast, Solve This Murder! Website || iTunes || RSS Have questions, comments, puzzles, or anything else? Send us an email! (escapethispod@gmail.com)

The news to know for Tuesday, August 25, 2026! We'll tell you about a new Supreme Court decision that could change how mail-in ballots are handled — just ahead of the midterms. Also, how the trade war with Canada is escalating again. And the Trump Administration's plan to take away the visas of as many as 200,000 people. Plus, why police are investigating another bizarre manhole video in New York City, how to visit a National Park for free today, and the tennis legends returning to the court for some high-profile matches. Those stories and even more news to know in about 15 minutes!    Join us every Mon-Fri for more daily news roundups!  See sources: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/shownotes Become an INSIDER to get AD-FREE episodes here: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/insider Get The NewsWorthy MERCH here: https://thenewsworthy.dashery.com/ Sponsors: Find Whatnot in the app store to download and signup today. Plus, you can get $20 off your first purchase! Join the millions of customers who trust HomeServe. For 50% less your first year, go to HomeServe.com/newsworthy To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to ad-sales@libsyn.com  

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at:⁠ ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the Pod Directly: https://troymeadows.substack.com/subscribe⁠Check Out MPP Merch ⁠Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out ⁠Troy's Coaching Page ⁠STOKED TO PARTNER WITH  KILA - $50 off your order⁠GO BREWING⁠ - 20% off your first orderUSE MIDPACKER TO GET THAT DISCOUNT FRIENDSRENDEZVU.CO - Check out the Gear I love your purchases support me directly"I don't think I'm a different person. I'm just a more expanded person."What happens when your passions stop competing with one another and start working together?In this episode, Troy Meadows sits down with artist, entrepreneur, trail runner, and new mom Abigail West. Abigail shares how an unlikely start in competitive rowing eventually led her to trail and ultrarunning, where she found the perfect blend of adventure, competition, and creativity.The conversation goes far beyond racing. Abigail talks about balancing motherhood with a return to training, what pregnancy and postpartum taught her about patience, and why she believes being an artist and an endurance athlete require many of the same qualities. She also shares how trail running transformed her artwork, why Southern Appalachia continues to inspire both her running and printmaking, and how she and her husband have built a life around creativity, entrepreneurship, and taking calculated risks.Whether she's preparing for another attempt at the Bartram Trail FKT, creating artwork inspired by the places she runs, or embracing life with a new baby while spending the summer in Italy, Abigail offers an honest perspective on building a life that reflects your values instead of someone else's expectations.In This EpisodeDiscovering endurance sports through competitive rowingFalling in love with trail running in the Southern AppalachiansWhy ultrarunning feels more like solving puzzles than simply running fastBalancing motherhood, training, and entrepreneurshipReturning to running after pregnancy and postpartumThe mindset behind "careful but not afraid"Building an art business inspired by adventure and wild placesHow creativity and trail running fuel one anotherPreparing for another Bartram Trail FKT attemptWhy having "no Plan B" became a source of freedomAbigail's LinksIG: @upinthewoodsWebsite: Abigail West StudioRelevant LinksBartram TrailPartner Links: KILA - https://kilarun.comRun Longer In Custom InsolesUse MIDPACKER for $50 off your order⁠Go Brewing⁠ - ⁠https://gobrewing.com/discount/MIDPACKER⁠NA Beers for people that enjoy brews that taste great and are better for you.Less alcohol, fewer calories, and more productive tomorrows.Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first orderRendezvu.Co - https://www.rendezvu.co/troy-meadowsCheck out the Gear I love our purchases support me directly⁠Vacation Races⁠ - ⁠https://www.vacationraces.com⁠Epic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest⁠⁠Run Trail Life⁠⁠ - ⁠https://runtraillife.com⁠Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠⁠Freetrail⁠⁠ - ⁠https://freetrail.com⁠Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.Abigail West, MidPacker Pod, trail running, ultrarunning, artist-athlete, printmaking, entrepreneurship, motherhood, postpartum running, Bartram Trail, Bartram Trail FKT, Southern Appalachians, Athens Georgia, Tuscany, Italy, University of Georgia, Cortona, creativity, endurance sports, trail art, running community, Megan RocheIn This Episode

On March 1st, 1976 William Bradford Bishop Jr. bludgeoned his mother, wife, and three young sons to death in their Bethesda, Maryland home. He drove their bodies to North Carolina, where he dumped them a shallow grave and lit them on fire before driving to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There, he ditched his car, walked into the woods and vanished - or did he? Come see us on tour! Grab your Thuja :) For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @‌nationalparkafterdarkTikTok: @‌nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page! Thank you to this week's partners! AquaOmega: One of the highest-dose omega-3 supplements per serving, no fish burps, and for every bottle sold, removes 1 lb. of plastic and debris from the ocean and coastlines. Usecode NPAD for 20% off at myaquaomega.com/NPAD DeleteMe: Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to http://joindeleteme.com/ NPAD and use promocode NPAD at checkout Quince: Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to quince.com/npad. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. WhatNot: Download Whatnot today and get $20 off your first purchase. Search Whatnot, W H A T N O T, in the app store, sign up, and start finding the best deals on the products you love with $20 off your first purchase. Bellessa: EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE Rose suction toy with their order! https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/nationalparkafterdark- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the remote Alaska community of McCarthy, winter means isolation—and one day in March 1983, that isolation became deadly. Louis D. Hastings had come to Alaska searching for pristine wilderness, but his growing obsession with development, environmental destruction, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System led him to devise a horrific plan. When the weekly mail plane arrived in McCarthy, Hastings launched a deadly attack that left six people dead and two wounded. In this episode of Crime Off the Grid, we travel to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve to uncover the McCarthy murders, Hastings' chilling plan, and the remote Alaskan community that survived one of the state's most shocking mass killings.Support the show!For bonus content join our Patreon!patreon.com/CrimeOfftheGridFor a one time donation:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cotgFor more information about the podcast, check outhttps://crimeoffthegrid.com/Check out our Merch!!  https://in-wild-places.square.site/s/shopFollow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/crimeoffthegridpodcast/ and  (1) Facebook

Get the facts, without the spin. UNBIASED offers a clear, impartial recap of US news, including politics, elections, legal news, and more. Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, each episode provides a recap of current political events plus breakdowns of complex concepts—like constitutional rights, recent Supreme Court rulings, and new legislation—in an easy-to-understand way. No personal opinions, just the facts you need to stay informed on the daily news that matters. If you miss how journalism used to be, you're in the right place. In today's episode: Minnesota Sues Texas Gov. Abbott Over ICE Extradition Request (0:42) U.S. Officials Detail How Oil Is Being Transported Out of Strait of Hormuz (8:43) Trump Nominates Dr. Heidi Overton to Lead FDA (12:40) CBP Commissioner Pauses Border-Security Construction in Big Bend National Park Amid Backlash (~19:05) National Debt Hits $40 Trillion (~24:53) Judge Removed From Karmelo Anthony Case; New Judge Will Decide New Trial Request (~30:23) Latest Meta Trial Over Child Safety and Mental Health Gets Underway (~37:45) Quick Hitters (~44:02) Critical Thinking Segment (~46:24) ⁠Watch⁠ this episode on YouTube. Follow Jordan on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠. All sources for this episode can be found ⁠here.⁠  Scammers are everywhere! But they can't harm you, if they can't find you! Use code JORDAN at https://incogni.com/jordan and get 60% off an annual plan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the best things about exploring the United States has to be visiting the National Parks! And there are some that are better during certain times of year than others! And some really just shine during certain months. From the Smoky Mountains in the fall to Yellowstone National Park in winter, these are the best national parks to visit by season!   Relevant Links (may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission-at no additional cost to you!): -Amanda From a Dangerous Business Substack on Moving to Scotland: https://dangerousbiz.substack.com/ -Romantic Things to Do in Joshua Tree: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/romantic-things-to-do-in-joshua-tree/ -3 Days in the Smoky Mountains: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/3-day-great-smoky-mountains-itinerary/ -Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/things-to-do-in-shenandoah-national-park/ -1 Week in Glacier National Park: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/itinerary-for-glacier-national-park/   Want to support our work? You can buy us a coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/worldwidehoneymoon    Need help planning your trip to France? Check out my trip consulting page: https://francevoyager.com/france-travel-consulting-custom-itineraries/    Traveling to France? Check out our Facebook Group called France Travel Tips to ask/answer questions and learn more! https://www.facebook.com/groups/francevoyager/   Don't forget to follow along! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldwidehoneymoon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldwidehoneymoon TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@worldwidehoneymoon World Wide Honeymoon Blog: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com France Voyager Blog: https://francevoyager.com Subscribe to the World Wide Honeymoon blog here for monthly updates and tips + get our FREE trip planning guide: https://www.subscribepage.com/o4e5c2

Summer is in full swing, but Pete and Sebastian are already running out of patience. Pete kicks things off by officially enacting a strict ban on listening to anyone under the age of 20, while Sebastian wrestles with the terrifying realization that he might actually be an "elder." The guys then dive into the absolute absurdity of summer travel. Sebastian vents about his kids' severely underwhelming reaction to a lake day and goes on an epic rant against the entire concept of going away. Have travel agencies just tricked us into leaving our perfectly good, spacious homes to pay to sleep in a smaller place without any of our stuff? Have the guys finally reached an age where they can just confidently say "no" to everything? Pete tries to convince Sebastian that it's time to embrace nature and proposes they take a buddy vacation together to the National Parks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A recent news story about the untimely death of Jason Arday, an ex-Cambridge professor who was involved with a plagiarism scandal, has Breitbart News Daily's Mike Slater thinking about the state of the education system in the western world in 2026. Why is it so bad? How do we raise the standards? Slater talks about all of this and more in one fiery opener! Following that, Mike speaks with Randy Clark, Breitbart Border Reporter, about a recent border wall-related controversy between President Trump and Big Bend National Park and why it's not as big of a problem as the lamestream media would have you believe! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 569 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses upcoming National Park Week celebrations from August 22-30 and the Trump administration pausing a barrier wall construction at Big Bend National Park. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESNational Park WeekCBP Statement on Big Bend National ParkIllegal border crossings in Big Bend Sector fall significantly in FY 2025

Kevin Grange, an award-winning author, firefighter/paramedic, and an all-hazards writer who brings a boots-on-the-ground truth to stories involving EMS, firefighting, search & rescue, helicopter EMS, along with urban and rural medicine joins us in this Ranger Tales episode.Kevin has been a ranger paramedic in 3 of the most iconic National Parks, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Teton.  The experiences that he had working in these iconic places inspired his book, Wild Rescues: A Paramedic's Extreme Adventures in Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. Kevin's latest book, Grizzly Confidential,  is all about bears, but also the inspiring people who look after them, and we touch on that book at the end. We hope to have him back to discuss Grizzly Confidential in more detail!Support the show!For bonus content join our Patreon!patreon.com/CrimeOfftheGridFor a one time donation:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cotgFor more information about the podcast, check outhttps://crimeoffthegrid.com/Check out our Merch!!  https://in-wild-places.square.site/s/shopFollow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/crimeoffthegridpodcast/ and  (1) Facebook

It has been a week or two since we last saw Jordana and she is back and shares the travel experiences she had while touring America's National Parks with her listener trip and we discuss further why we can appreciate and accept history and still view things as an American differently!

In this free-for-all-Friday Trent reveals how careless errors lead to death in America's most famous national parks.

August 12, 2026Two Trump-endorsed candidates have lost their primary races as Trump's approval ratings continue to slide, Former Vice President Dick Cheney's cardiologist has written that the White House needs to address concerns over Trump's apparently compromised health, Trump's power, internationally, has been weakened by his inability to end his war on Iran, As his popularity slips, Trump appears to be collapsing his circle to a few people who are close to him personally, He left Marco Rubio on the decoy plane when he left Türkiye, Conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln have deteriorated to the point that sailors have taken to self harm, Spending on White House renovations and vanity projects has skyrocketed, taking funds away from needed maintenance to the National Parks, Mining conglomerate Energy Fuels, with close ties to the Trump administration, is being accused of insider trading, Mike Lindell is refusing to concede his loss in the primary election in Minnesota.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

Tyler and Jimmy did a lot of camping this weekend. Tyler went camping at the southern campground on Loon Lake and was extremely surprised by how great the campground was. Jimmy and family went to King Canyon and Sequoia National Park. Jimmy talks about the General Sherman Giant Sequoia tree and how massive it is. He also gives many fun facts on the parks. Solve Function Wolfbox: https://solvefunction.com/shop/ols/products/wolfbox-cord-coverDiscount Code: WolfSnail GROUP BUY: Its time to buy your Wolfbox for their G900Tripro. We have sent out the codes and have the information on the Discord. We have till the end of August to use the discount code. This deal ends September 1st. SnailTrail4x4 Discord: https://discord.gg/yFyFFkQbuyCome hang out with us on the SnailTrail4x4 Discord — it’s the easiest way to connect with Tyler and Jimmy directly, chat with fellow offroad enthusiasts, and get first access to Group Buys and Treasure Hunt token drops. MORRFlate Giveaway at 900 Reviews on Apple Podcast. But our next giveaway is when we reach 800 reviews; we are giving away an OnX Elite Membership. We will also give away an OnX Elite membership when we get to 850. However, when we reach 900 Reviews, we are teaming up with MORRFlate for a $1000 MF Product Giveaway. Go over to Apple Podcasts to leave your review now and become eligible to win. Congratulations to A13XMONT, who won a set of tires from Yokohama Tire! Call us and leave us a VOICEMAIL!!! We want to hear from you even more!!! You can call and say whatever you like! Ask a question, leave feedback, correct some information about welding, say how much you hate your Jeep, and wish you had a Toyota! We will air them all, live, on the podcast! +01-916-345-4744. If you have any negative feedback, you can call our negative feedback hotline, 408-800-5169. 4Wheel Underground has all the suspension parts you need to take your off-road rig from leaf springs to a performance suspension system. We just ordered our kits for Kermit and Samantha and are looking forward to getting them. The ordering process was quite simple, and after answering the questionnaire, we ensured we got the correct and best-fitting kits for our vehicles. If you want to level up your suspension game, check out 4Wheel Underground. SnailTrail4x4 Podcast is brought to you by all of our peeps over at irate4x4! Make sure to stop by and see all of the great perks you get for supporting SnailTrail4x4! Discount Codes, Monthly Give-Always, Gift Boxes, the SnailTrail4x4 Community, and the ST4x4 Treasure Hunt! Thank you to all of those who support us! We couldn’t do it without you guys (and gals!)! SnailSquad Monthly Giveaway August giveaway is with our good friends over at GEARWRENCH Tools. GEARWRENCH has a new line of tools with Hi-Viz. These have one side of the wrench painted and easy to read, where the other side is still etched into the wrench, but the etching is filled with orange paint. We are giving away one set of Standard and Metric Wrenches, and a set of Standard and Metric sockets to a lucky winner. If you want a chance to win, make sure you sign up for the giveaway tier on either Irate4x4 or the SnailTrail4x4 Discord. Congratulations to Josh Taylor for winning this month’s giveaway with Wolfbox. They are giving away one G900Tripro to a lucky winner. This is the same three-camera rearview mirror setup that they received during TrailHeroX. If you want a chance to win this system from Wolfbox make sure you sign up for the giveaway tier on either Irate4x4 or the SnailTrail4x4 Discord. Massive Congratulations to Liz Sandstorm for winning the Iceco Freezers. We are excited to work with and share their exciting new releases. One lucky winner has a chance to win an ALP20 Fridge. Big thanks to Iceco for sponsoring this month’s giveaway. If you want a chance to win, sign up for the Giveaway Tier on Irate4x4 Listener Discount Codes: SnailTrail4x4 –SnailTrail15 for 15% off SnailTrail4x4 MerchMORRFlate – snailtraill4x4 to get 10% off MORRFlate Multi Tire Inflation Deflation™ Kits4WheelUnderground – snailtrail 10% offIceco – SnailTrail 12% offRUSOH Fire Extinguishers – RusohCrawlers discount code gets you 12% offDevos Outdoor – snailtrail12 gets you 12% off sitewideIronman 4×4 – snailtrail20 to get 20% off all Ironman 4×4 branded equipment!Sidetracked Offroad – snailtrail4x4 (lowercase) to get 15% off lights and recovery gearSpartan Rope – snailtrail4x4 to get 10% off sitewideShock Surplus – SNAILTRAIL4x4 to get $25 off any order!Mob Armor – SNAILTRAIL4X4 for 15% offSummerShine Supply – ST4x4 for 10% offBackpacker’s Pantry – Affiliate LinkLaminx Protective Films – Use the Link to get 20% off all products (Affiliate Link) Show Music: Midroll Music – ComaStudio Outroll Music – Meizong Kumbang

What happens when a finance guy who's never heard of lithium takes a job in a small North Carolina town because it's near where his favorite author lived?Joe Lowry is the founder of Global Lithium LLC, host of the Global Lithium Podcast (239 episodes and counting), and author of the new memoir Lithium Confidential: Confessions of a Corporate Misfit. He spent 35 years in the industry — including years in Japan and China — and for a stretch in the 1990s he personally controlled essentially all of the lithium supply going into the world's first commercial lithium-ion batteries.This is a longer, less traditional episode for us, and it's worth every minute. Joe walks through the entire lithium cycle from rock to cathode, explains why the industry started as a hydrogen bomb program, and gives an unusually blunt read on where the industry is headed — including his line that there's no Smackover lithium without direct lithium extraction, and why he thinks the first real success there lands around 2029.There's also plenty here for students and early-career geologists: Joe's argument that you should learn the industry, not just deploy your geology skills, and his advice on what actually makes a career durable.Some things we get into:Why lithium was in Post-it Notes, blue jeans, and grease long before batteriesThe full flow sheet: spodumene → calcine → lithium sulfate → carbonate → hydroxide, and why the "midstream" means cathode, not chemicalsHard rock vs. Atacama brine vs. sedimentary (Thacker Pass) vs. Smackover oilfield brineWhy grade matters: 600 ppm Smackover vs. sub-100 ppm produced water (sorry, Marcellus)How the market went from 300,000 tonnes LCE in 2020 to nearly 2 million todayThe 2022 spike to $80,000/t and what happened afterWhy Joe called BS on the high-nickel/hydroxide narrative and was right about LFPSodium-ion: real use cases, or a CATL press release every time lithium ticks up?What "crappy brine" means, and the fraud problem in African spodumeneCommodity or specialty chemical? Why fungibility is the whole argumentGetting fired as the best thing that ever happened to himTimestamps00:00 – Intro01:30 – Welcome, and the strange experience of being recognized by voice03:10 – How Joe got into lithium: oil, corporate raiders, a gold mine, and a small town near Asheville06:00 – Lithium before batteries: glass, grease, and the dye in Post-it Notes08:30 – Japan, China, and being the only person who thought batteries would matter12:30 – What the "midstream" actually is, and why battery plants without cathode plants don't solve anything13:30 – The hydrogen bomb origin story: DOE, Lithium Corp of America, Foote Mineral14:20 – Hard rock processing, start to finish15:45 – Enter brine: Silver Peak, then the Atacama17:20 – Sodium sulfate, the glass industry, and putting the blue in blue jeans18:50 – SQM arrives and the price goes from $2/lb to 68 cents21:20 – Greenbushes: a tantalum mine that happened to have lithium23:00 – China's assets, lepidolite, and how CATL became a third of the market25:20 – 300,000 tonnes to 2 million: "what's grown that fast that's not software?"26:40 – Thacker Pass: wrong flow sheet, right rock, and a $2.3B DOE loan29:40 – "Soft rock," the McDermitt caldera, and Tom Benson30:20 – The Smackover, bromine wells, and why you can't build ponds in Arkansas31:30 – DLE: what counts, what's actually working, and what's still a declared victory33:15 – What makes a brine "crappy"33:40 – Grades, produced water, and why Pennsylvania shouldn't get too excited34:20 – Arkansas is all-in; Exxon is slow-walking it37:50 – Garbage spodumene, African supply, and lithium that showed up in China with no lithium in it38:50 – The four-minute mile: why 2029 is the year to watch40:40 – Recycling and the circular economy reality check42:50 – Is it still the lithium decade?43:20 – China controls processing — and depends on everyone else for supply44:40 – LFP vs. NMC/NCA, and the call Joe got right46:30 – What's actually in your iPhone48:00 – Sodium-ion: niches, not a replacement50:00 – BESS, aging grids, and a prediction Joe made in 201051:55 – Advice for students and young geologists entering lithium53:40 – On AI, and bulletproofing what you do54:00 – Starting the Global Lithium Podcast: Tim Ferriss, a LinkedIn post, and a studio in Buenos Aires55:20 – Downloaded in every country on Earth except Bhutan57:10 – The Korean listeners who finally explained themselves1:00:10 – The real value of a podcast is what's said before and after the record button1:02:30 – Australia 34%, US 30%, and why resource economies listen1:05:10 – Which lithium conference should a student actually go to?1:09:00 – Writing Lithium Confidential: five life goals from January 1, 1982, and a granddaughter1:11:30 – Why the book has exactly 100 chapters1:16:20 – Commodity or specialty chemical? The fungibility argument1:18:20 – Specs, secret sauce, and selling the same product twice1:20:00 – The freedom that comes with getting fired1:20:25 – Joe's best day in the lithium business1:23:30 – Best deposits he's ever visited: Pilgangoora's vision, Liontown's buildLinksLithium Confidential: Confessions of a Corporate Misfit — available in print and Kindlegloballithium.netThe Global Lithium Podcast — wherever you get podcastsJoe on LinkedIn: Joe Lowry | On X/Twitter: @GlobalLithium (note the handle — not the Australian company)CampGeo mobile app — pegmatites, mineral basics, and all our back catalogplanetgeocast.com | @planetgeocastDownload the CampGeo app now at this link. On the app you can get tons of free content, exclusive images, and access to our Geology of National Parks series. You can also learn the basics of geology at the college level in our FREE CampGeo content series - get learning now!Like, Subscribe, and leave us a Rating!——————————————————Instagram: @planetgeocastTwitter: @planetgeocastFacebook: @planetgeocastSupport us: https://planetgeocast.com/support-usEmail: planetgeocast@gmail.comWebsite: https://planetgeocast.com/

Strange Disappearances from National Parks Volume #23Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/missing-persons-mysteries--5624803/support.

Late Night Stream - National Park Mysteries Compilation #1 with Steve StocktonBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/missing-persons-mysteries--5624803/support.

It's not your imagination. Booking popular experiences in our national parks can feel impossible if you're a mere mortal. Going for a permit to backpack The Enchantments or a campsite on Diablo Lake is kind of like buying a lottery ticket these days. The reason our parks are starting to feel like the Hunger Games arena comes down to bots, artificial intelligence, and the government's top cyber security contractor. On today's episode, is there anything we humans can do to take back our public lands from the bots? GUEST: Heather Hansman, freelance writer and editor. She recently wrote a piece for the nonprofit newsroom RE:PUBLIC and Wired titled, "The US Built a Site to Ensure Fair Access to Public Lands, Then Everything Went Wrong." Do you have a story idea for us? Give us a call at (206) 221-7158 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at booming@kuow.org. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes.Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.Support the show: https://kuow.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we'll travel to Redwood State and National Parks, a world heritage site in the United States with the tallest trees on Earth. Come learn about the history and why this national park needs to be on your travel bucket list. Travel Charger: https://amzn.to/4tvXP9v  ESim: https://drimsim.tpk.mx/7T27eEcf  Barvita (Code ABIGAILVACCA gets you 15% off your first order): https://barvita.co/?ref=ABIGAILVACCA Follow Global Treasures on Social Media and check out my blog: Blog: Globaltreasurestravel.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?tid=100093258132336 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltreasurespodcast     *I may receive compensation for anything booked at no additional cost to you

In this episode, we share our experience flying from Anchorage to Lake Clark, landing on remote beaches, seeing bears up close, and exploring Chinitna Bay and Silver Salmon Creek. Plus, we break down how to visit Lake Clark, the best time to go, flightseeing and bear-viewing options, where to stay, what to pack, and everything you need to know to plan your own Lake Clark adventure.You can download this itinerary in PDF form with details on the route, time allocation & more here: Lake Clark National Park Summer Itinerary or we combine this trip with Kenai Fords and Lake Clark for a 6 Day Alaska National Park Itinerary.Recommendations for Anchorage:​SpringHill Suites by Marriott Midtown​Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport​Hyatt Place Anchorage MidtownFind a great flight deal to Anchorage with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year. —---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Tracy Spiridakos, who became a household name playing Detective Hailey Upton on Chicago P.D. Now, she’s trading the city for the wilderness, taking on the role of Anna Pigeon in USA Network’s Anna Pigeon, based on the bestselling novels. Anna is a law enforcement park ranger who solves dark mysteries and murders in the wilderness of Glacier National Park, all while trying to outrun her own past. Today, Tracy opens up about what she misses most about playing Hailey Upton, what she’s most proud of when it comes to the character, and the grieving process of saying goodbye to a role she loved so much. She reveals whether any of Hailey’s personality traits have stayed with her, if she was surprised that Hailey and Jay became one of the most beloved relationships in the One Chicago universe, and whether she would really do a spinoff with Jesse Lee Soffer. Tracy also shares why she knew she had to say yes to Anna Pigeon, what went into creating an entirely new character after playing Hailey for so long, and what she believes Anna is truly searching for in the wilderness. She opens up about how navigating her own grief helped her understand Anna on a deeper level, what her personal journey with grief has looked like, and the self-care practice that helped her through some incredibly stressful moments. Tracy also gets candid about rejection and why even the lowest moments of her career never made her want to quit acting. And don’t miss Tracy’s mini rapid-fire “Hot Takes & Hangouts” interview, dropping Thursday, August 13th! Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before. Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane Follow us on socials! Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBeforeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disappearances and Mysteries - Joshua Tree National ParkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/missing-persons-mysteries--5624803/support.

From conservation assistants, celebrities, protectors, and public educators - dogs have done it all in National Parks. Today we honor the stories of incredible canines who have ties to places like Yosemite, Denali, Great Smoky Mountains and more. Good boys and girls who have scaled mountains, crossed continents, navigated glaciers and braved rivers for their people - and would do it all again. COME SEE US ON TOUR! US BARK Rangers Sled Dog's in the White Mountains For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @‌nationalparkafterdarkTikTok: @‌nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page! Thank you to this week's partners! Avocado Green: Find an Avocado near you or shop online at Avocado Green Mattress and check out their mattress and bedding sale!Betterhelp: See the reviews, see what stands out, and see if BetterHelp is right for you. Visit betterhelp.com/npadButcherbox: Go to http://ButcherBox.com/NPAD to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ground beef for life, or free chicken thighs or top sirloins in every box for a year with free shipping.Nutrafol: Get $10 off your first month's subscription and freeshipping when you visit Nutrafol.com promo code NPADPaka: To grab your PAKA hoodie, go to www.pakaapparel.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is officially an RV buyer's market. New RV sales are falling, dealer inventories remain high, and manufacturers are cutting forecasts. For RV shoppers, that means something we have not seen in quite a while: real negotiating leverage.But a buyer's market does not automatically mean every RV is a good deal.In this week's RV Podcast News Edition, we dig into what is happening at RV dealerships, why so many 2026 models remain unsold, what buyers should be paying attention to with financing, and how to make sure a huge advertised discount really is a bargain. We also look at why the arrival of the new 2027 models could put even more pressure on dealers to move older inventory.Also this week:America's Largest RV Show is coming to Hershey, with the new 2027 RVs arriving while dealers are still trying to clear unsold 2026 inventory.Wildfire danger is growing across the West, bringing campground closures, campfire bans and some important evacuation lessons for RV travelers.The Farmers' Almanac has issued its 2026-27 winter forecast. We take a somewhat skeptical look at just how much RV travelers should trust it.Quicksand in a National Park? A 22-year-old hiker sank shoulder-deep into glacial mud at Glacier National Park and needed four friends to pull her out.If you are shopping for an RV, traveling through wildfire country, planning a trip to Hershey, or just trying to stay on top of what's happening in the RV lifestyle, we've got a lot to talk about this week.And remember: We source our news stories. You'll find links to the original reporting and additional information on the show notes page at RVPodcast.com. Look for the Transcript tab and scroll to the bottom.Subscribe and join us every Monday for the RV Podcast News Edition, and every Wednesday when Jennifer joins me for Stories from the Road, with RV tips, questions, advice and conversations about the RV lifestyle.REMINDER: There are just two days left to save 20% on our new ebook, The Complete Guide to RVing in Retirement. The early-bird discount ends Wednesday, August 12. Get it at https://RVLifestyle.com/RetirementGuide

Ranger Keith is the sole ranger on shift in all of Yellowstone National Park in the wee hours of the morning when he encounters very dangerous fugitives who were on a crosscountry crime spree.  His quick thinking, and expertise saved his life, and the lives of other would be victims.  If you heard this a long time ago, it's definitely worth another listen.  We had already forgotten how crazy this story is and happy to listen again!!Support the show!For bonus content join our Patreon!patreon.com/CrimeOfftheGridFor a one time donation:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cotgFor more information about the podcast, check outhttps://crimeoffthegrid.com/Check out our Merch!!  https://in-wild-places.square.site/s/shopFollow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/crimeoffthegridpodcast/ and  (1) Facebook

Kelsey is recapping her family of five's attraction-packed summer getaway to Chicago with kids in July 2026!In just three nights, they squeezed in SO much from Lollapalooza and a Cubs game at Wrigley Field to the American Girl Store, Millennium Park and The Bean, TILT at 360 CHICAGO, the Museum of Illusions, Navy Pier and Flyover Chicago.But this trip was about more than checking off Chicago attractions. Kelsey and Joe lived in Chicago for 10 years after college, so bringing their three kids back to explore their old neighborhoods, favorite spots and some of their sweetest memories made this quick summer getaway extra special.Kelsey's link to download the Symphony savings app: https://join.symphony.io/kelseyThis episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygravesIf you'd like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.comBuy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Mentioned in this episode:- Lollapalooza Chicago- American Girl Store Chicago- Hyatt House West Loop- Piccolo Sogno- Millenium Park: The Bean (Cloud Gate), Maggie Daley Park- Nancy's Pizza (West Loop)- Chicago Cubs- Stolen Saddle in Wrigleyville- Original Pancake House Chicago- Museum of Illusions- Top of the Hancock Building for Chicago 360 and TILT- Navy Pier: Flyover Chicago rideTrip Tales is a travel podcast sharing real vacation stories and trip itineraries for family travel, couples getaways, cruises, and all-inclusive resorts. Popular episodes feature destinations like Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with kids, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Park City ski trips, Aruba, Italy, Ireland, Portugal's Azores, New York City, Alaska cruises, and U.S. National Parks. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

The Police Federation calls for a U-turn as its public petition reaches 829,000. Lyse Doucet joins us from Kabul five years on from its takeover by the Taliban. We visit one of the country's oldest petrol stations, which will trial pre-payment at the pump to foil fuel thieves. We meet our listener who's walked all fifteen National Parks and swap tips on the hosepipe ban. And Chris Moss shares his untrodden alternatives to the UK's tourist traps. Our reviewers are Simon Calder Travel Guru, Hannah Betts from the Times and barrister Jasvir Singh.

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at:⁠ ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Become a paid member: https://troymeadows.substack.com/subscribe⁠Check Out MPP Merch ⁠Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out ⁠Troy's Coaching Page ⁠STOKED TO PARTNER WITH  KILA - $50 off your order⁠GO BREWING⁠ - 20% off your first orderUSE MIDPACKER TO GET THAT DISCOUNT FRIENDSRENDEZVU.CO - Check out the Gear I love your purchases support me directly"In search of finding who I am and what I want to do and who I want to be. That's how trail running happened."Ekta Basu didn't set out to become a 200-mile ultrarunner. She simply wanted to become a healthier, happier version of herself. What started with a pair of running shoes and a marathon six months later evolved into a journey of self-discovery that ultimately led her to the finish line of the Tahoe 200.In this episode, Ekta shares how trail running became her place of freedom and how years of showing up without a structured plan eventually gave way to purposeful training, strength work, and coaching. She talks candidly about balancing running with raising a family, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you, and why finishing Tahoe 200 wasn't just about endurance. It was about becoming the person she was searching for all along.The conversation also takes listeners behind the scenes of preparing for a 200-mile race, from building drop bags and learning to use poles to dealing with blisters, brain fog, and the mental recovery that comes after crossing the finish line. It's an honest conversation about growth, community, and why sometimes the biggest victories happen long before race day.In this episodeFinding trail running through a search for identityGoing from a first marathon to Tahoe 200Why quality training matters more than junk milesBalancing motherhood, family, and ultrarunningThe value of coaches, mentors, and a strong support systemTraining for Tahoe 200 with Havelina 100 and Quicksilver 50KLessons learned from first-time 200-mile racingFoot care, recovery, and the reality of post-race brain fogWhy becoming a better person matters more than becoming a faster runnerEkta's LinksIG: @ekta_runs Strava: Ekta BasuRelevant LinksTahoe 200 by Destination TrailJavelina Jundred by Aravaipa RunningAravaipa RunningPartner Links: KILA - https://kilarun.comRun Longer In Custom InsolesUse MIDPACKER for $50 off your order⁠Go Brewing⁠ - ⁠https://gobrewing.com/discount/MIDPACKER⁠NA Beers for people that enjoy brews that taste great and are better for you.Less alcohol, fewer calories, and more productive tomorrows.Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first orderRendezvu.Co - https://www.rendezvu.co/troy-meadowsCheck out the Gear I love our purchases support me directly⁠Vacation Races⁠ - ⁠https://www.vacationraces.com⁠Epic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest⁠⁠Run Trail Life⁠⁠ - ⁠https://runtraillife.com⁠Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠⁠Freetrail⁠⁠ - ⁠https://freetrail.com⁠Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.Ekta Basu, Tahoe 200, trail running, ultrarunning, 200 miler, Destination Trail, Candice Burt, Javelina 100, Quicksilver 50K, American River 50 Mile, Rio Del Lago, Brazen Racing, Inside Trail Racing, Coastal Trail Runs, Bay Area trail running, strength training, mobility, coaching, motherhood, family, support system, resilience, personal growth, endurance, recovery, brain fog, ultramarathon

A park ranger horror story and terrifying first-person account of a search and rescue mission for a child who went missing in sector four. If you love national park missing person stories, deep woods survival stories, and genuinely scary podcasts to sleep to, this anthology horror story is for you.By- gamalfrank#scarystories #creepypasta #truescarystories #deepwoods #parkrangerstories #parkranger #nationalpark #slenderman #cryptidencounters

In this episode, we recap our adventures in Kenai Fjords, Glacier Bay, Wrangell-St. Elias, and Lake Clark National Parks, sharing our favorite hikes, glacier cruises, bear viewing experiences, wildlife encounters, and travel tips.We also reveal our plans for visiting Alaska's remaining national parks: Denali, Katmai, Kobuk Valley, and Gates of the Arctic. From watching brown bears catch salmon at Brooks Falls to camping above the Arctic Circle and exploring one of the most remote wilderness areas in America, we're sharing exactly how we hope to experience these bucket-list destinations.In this episode:Kenai Fjords National Park travel tipsGlacier Bay National Park cruise experienceWrangell-St. Elias flightseeing & glacier hikingLake Clark bear viewing adventureOur Denali National Park itinerary plansKatmai National Park & Brooks Falls bear viewingVisiting Kobuk Valley National ParkExploring Gates of the Arctic National ParkTips for planning an Alaska National Parks road trip and fly-in adventureKenai Fjords:Hotels: Harbor 360 Hotel  or Breeze InnEpisode: Kenai Fjords National Park in 2 Days by Land & Sea Viator Shop: Kenai Fjords Viator ExperiencesItinerary: 2 Day Kenai Fjords National Park Itinerary Glacier Bay: Episode: 2 Day Glacier Bay National Park AdventureItinerary: 2 Day Glacier Bay ItineraryWrangell - St. Elias: Hotels: Kennicott Glacier Lodge or Blackburn CabinItinerary: 3 Day Wrangell - St. Elias National Park Summer Itinerary Find a great flight deal to Anchorage with Thrifty Traveler Premium's flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.—---------------------------------------Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

The federal government has declared foreign-made power inverters a national security threat — and the new restrictions could eventually affect some of the biggest names in RV solar and portable power. Plus, Battle Born's parent company has purchased competitor Dakota Lithium at a pretty interesting moment for the brand. Ram is making some major changes to its trucks, including more payload for the 2500 and the end of automatic stop/start on the Hemi. We've also got an RV toilet conversion that lets you basically abandon your black tank, an all-electric furnace that can run through your existing ductwork, and one of the old-school satellite internet companies that RVers used before Starlink has filed for bankruptcy. And somehow, none of that is the craziest story this week — because a Montana hiker impaled himself completely through the torso with a trekking pole…and then hiked ten miles out of the mountains with the pole still sticking out of him. Get a free quote for an RV extended warranty at https://wholesalewarranties.com *Support RV Miles and the weekly news videos: https://RVMiles.com/milemarkers *Get the latest news, National Park updates, happenings around RV Miles, and more when you sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://RVMiles.com/mailinglist *It's our only in-person event this year! Join us at HOMECOMING October 7 - 11 in Amana, IA. Seminars, a Rig Crawl, Trivia, Giveaways, Nightly catered meals, time to explore historic Amana, and so much more! https://RVMiles.com/HOMECOMING 00:00 Headlines Preview 01:01 FCC Inverter Crackdown 04:10 Battle Born Owner Buys Rival 05:53 Impaled Hiker Survival 07:25 Sponsor Break 08:14 Ram Recall and Upgrades 10:47 GM CarPlay Reversal 12:26 Membership Pitch 12:53 Electric Furnace Upgrade 14:37 Dry Flush Toilet Kit 16:27 HughesNet Bankruptcy 17:35 Camping History Documentary 18:46 Homecoming Rally and Farewell

Brad Ryan has traveled to all 63 U.S National Parks. But he's not done it alone. He traveled with his grandmother, who was in her mid-80s when they first started. Now, he's got a book out all about it titled Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing One National Park at A Time.  Plus, we'd like to hear from you. Tell us your stories about visiting the U.S National Parks. Which ones have you been to? Which ones are you looking forward to? Did everything go as planned? Did anything surprising happen? Tell us all about it. Give us a call at 315-992-7902 and leave a message with your story and your name. You can also record a voice memo and email it to us at Hello@AtlasObscura.com.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park — it's one of those national parks that doesn't quite get the recognition it deserves. But today, we're fixing that!  As the show title suggests, we're taking you around the churned-up, colorful labyrinth of buttes in the quiet North Dakota prairie to share some of our favorite fun facts about Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  In this episode, we cover: Why Theodore Roosevelt National Park was the only unit ever designated a "National Memorial Park" The real story behind how the teddy bear got its name (yes, it has everything to do with Teddy Roosevelt!) How glaciers, ancient volcanoes, and the Little Missouri River spent 65 million years carving North Dakota's Badlands The devastating winter of 1886 that wiped out Roosevelt's cattle herd and changed the direction of his life Why Roosevelt called this land "the romance of my life" and how it helped him grieve and heal The last-minute "Midnight Forests" scramble that protected 16 million acres of land before Congress could stop him Just how much land Roosevelt protected by the end of his presidency Your task for today: In the episode, we talked about the full list of lands Roosevelt protected through executive action. See if a forest, monument, or refuge near you made the cut, and tell us about it over on the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page! 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-fascinating-fun-facts-about-theodore-roosevelt-national-park/ Planning Your Own Theodore Roosevelt National Park Adventure? 8 Things You Can't Miss On Your First Visit to Theodore Roosevelt: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/8-things-cant-miss-first-visit-theodore-roosevelt-national-park/  Episode 149: Exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Best Tips + Activites: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-theodore-roosevelt-national-park-best-tips-activities/ Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/  National Parks Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/  Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

From the National Parks to the Rails Picking up where last week left off, Ryan and his family leave Moab, Utah on the 4th of July — and board the Canyon Spirit for what he calls the crown jewel of the entire trip. If you've ever seen those glass-domed luxury trains in a magazine or travel commercial and wondered what it's actually like, this episode answers that question in detail.What Is Canyon Spirit, and What's Included? Canyon Spirit grew out of Rocky Mountaineer — the famous Canadian Rockies train experience — and operates its own route through the American Southwest between Salt Lake City and Denver. Guests can book two days, three days, or a full six-day back-and-forth journey, mixing and matching their itinerary as they go. Nearly everything is included: all meals on board, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day, hotel nights before and after each leg, baggage handling, and all transfers between train and hotel. Coffee comes from a Denver roastery, desserts from a local bakery, and wines and beers are sourced from Utah and Colorado — a regional focus that will feel familiar to river cruise fans.What's It Like On Board? Think first-class airline seats, panoramic wall windows, angled ceiling panels for sky views, and a dedicated host team for each car who handle everything from drinks to destination commentary. Ryan's group lucked into an overflow car with just 13 passengers, giving them the run of the space — but even at capacity, the cars are designed to be comfortable. Guests can step out to the open vestibule for fresh air and unobstructed views. A signature (standard) and premium level are available; the main premium upgrade is a lounge car, a bar, and a larger outdoor viewing area.Day One: Moab to Glenwood Springs Picked up by shuttle from the Hoodoo Hotel, Ryan's group boarded around 11 AM, settled in, toasted their hosts, and sat down to a plated lunch as the red rocks of Utah gradually gave way to the Rockies. Five hours later, they pulled into Glenwood Springs — a charming Colorado River town that happened to be buzzing with 4th of July festivities. Evening was relaxed: a walk around town and, naturally, ice cream.Day Two: Glenwood Springs to Denver Boarding again at 9 AM from a beautifully restored historic train station, day two was all Rockies and Colorado River. Fishermen, rafters, rushing rapids, the occasional Colorado salute from river floaters — and then Gore Canyon, which Ryan called jaw-droppingly beautiful. After lunch, one tunnel later, Denver appeared stretched across the plains below, and the train snaked its way down over the next hour. Their hotel — the Limelight — was literally next door to Union Station. Bags already there. Dinner out. Perfect end to the trip.Who Is This Trip Right For? Ryan's picks: nature lovers, multi-generational families, anyone with mobility considerations, and river cruise fans who want something similar on land. It's not for people who want to be active at every stop — this is a see-it-from-the-window, glass-in-hand kind of journey. His pro tips: build in time before the train to adjust to time zones and altitude, and save the train for last. Do the active stuff first, then finish with the most relaxing leg of the trip.What Would He Add Next Time? A few extra days in Colorado, or doing the full Salt Lake City leg to catch the scenery in fall foliage. And yes, the Canadian Rockies version — Rocky Mountaineer — is very much on the list.Where in the World?

The TMG Hospitality Trailblazers welcomes the latest addition to the series, Kim Wootteon, Sr. VP of Commercial Strategy at Kampgrounds of America, Inc. to discuss the outdoor hospitality landscape and how artificial intelligence and technology are playing a key role in connecting different generations of travelers to the KOA vast portfolio of properties. Ryan Embree: Welcome to Suite Spot, where hoteliers check in and we check out what’s trending in hotel marketing. I’m your host, Ryan Embree. Hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of The Suite Spot. This is your co-host, Ryan Embry. Cassady Quintana: And I’m your co-host, Cassady Quintana. Ryan Embree: We’re excited to have you here with us for another edition of our TMG Hospitality Trailblazers series. We’ve been running this series for quite a while, paving those management companies, individuals that are paving a way into the future for hospitality, which feels like is changing on a weekly basis. I’ve been really looking forward to this episode. A familiar face and voice with us. It’s the first time you’re joining us virtually. Kim Wootteon, Senior Vice President, Commercial Strategies at Kampgrounds of America. Kim, thank you so much for joining us back on The Suite Spot. Kim Wootteon: Yes, it’s great to see you both. Thanks for having me today. Ryan Embree: Yeah, we’re gonna have a super fun conversation. You have an incredible brand. We can’t wait to jump in. But before we start talking about Kampgrounds of America and KOA, I wanna start because we missed it when we were in Arlington at the Digital Transformation Summit of getting a little bit about your hospitality background and journey that led you to such a cool position at KOA. Kim Wootteon: My kind of career path has been quite interesting. It’s really led to the role I have today. So the first 12 years of my career was spent in retail. And for all of you millennials, I started with PacSun. I was an OG, skate and surf lifestyle fanatic. And I worked in retail for 12 years and really learned operations, marketing, and quite frankly, leadership. PacSun was a really great people-centric company. And it’s really where I got my foundation for leadership and my drive for results. And then I transitioned for retail into the more traditional hospitality sector and worked for four years with Marshall Hotels and Resorts, leading sales, marketing, and diving into revenue management. And then was recruited by a company called Bluewater Development, who was really pioneers within the outdoor hospitality industry and very traditional owners in the indoor hospitality industry. So great experience. I was introduced to KOA with them and the entire glamping and camping sector of hospitality, which was super exciting. And then also got to work with some really great brands such as Marriott and Hilton and IHG and independent properties, independent campgrounds. It was quite an eclectic mix of properties, that I got to support in sales, marketing, and revenue. And I joined KOA about five years ago, leading marketing at the local level. And in 2022, we established the commercial strategy team at KOA, and, I now oversee revenue management, local marketing or field marketing, retail, distribution, and sales across the entire KOA portfolio, both our owned assets and our franchise locations, and support for KOA, Inc. as well. Ryan Embree: So this is why I love this question so much, because we get such an eclectic melting pot of backgrounds of hospitality professionals, maybe starting in retail. I hear F&B a lot recently. And then you go from the brands, you go, outdoor hospitality, and you get this big melting pot, and it kinda defines who you are as an industry professional, but also gives you, I think, an appreciation of some of those other places that you’ve been or even properties which can span from the giant resorts that we’ve seen all the way to, maybe it is a campsite where it’s a lot more local and kinda community and, and tight-knit feeling. Kim Wootteon: Absolutely. Absolutely. I’ve enjoyed my journey. It allows me to bring perspective to the work we do every day that is unique. And we’ve done a really great job at KOA of hiring a team of leaders and a team of people, in the field with really diverse backgrounds, which I think is a great compliment to the diversity across our portfolio. Cassady Quintana: Yeah, I think it’s interesting because you talk about this new team that you guys have created at KOA and the things that you’re developing and introducing into this outdoor hospitality. But for our listeners who may not know too much about KOA, we have a lot of hotel listeners. So if you can just give us a little bit of background about the brand and how it’s found its way to becoming one of the number one outdoor hospitality leaders. Kim Wootteon: So KOA was founded in 1962 by Dave Drumm in Billings, Montana. He saw this surge of travelers heading to the world’s fair in Seattle, and he opened the Billings Campgrounds, on his property along the Yellowstone River. And today, Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of privately owned campgrounds across the US and Canada with over 500 locations. We have 50 locations that are owned and operated by KOA, and 450 plus locations that are franchised. It’s a really interesting segment or vertical within the hospitality industry. Incredibly diverse portfolio, incredibly diverse guests. And we’re really fortunate to be the leader within this segment of the industry. Ryan Embree: And we mentioned at the top of this episode, this is our TMG Hospitality Trailblazer series. Now, I don’t think there is a much more fitting brand than KOA as far as being a trailblazer when you, when you think about that term, but I’ve been surprised to learn from getting to know you and the KOA brand of the different modern way that we kind of talk about trailblazers in our industry. And so, Kim, you and your team have been doing some incredible work. We’re gonna mention it in this episode, but what do you think makes the Kampgrounds of America brand a true embodiment of trailblazers and trailblazing in our industry right now? Kim Wootteon: It starts really with our vision at KOA. And our vision is to be the world leader in defining and advancing the business and experience of outdoor hospitality. And that’s been a focus for our company for years. We have taken a really unique approach to, I’d say, the traditional hospitality industry. We understand camping, we understand hospitality, and we are really committed to being the leader within not just the outdoor hospitality space, but the overall hospitality space in general. And it really starts with knowing our guest. And we are fortunate. We have tons of first-party guest data. We have years and years of history. And we’re known in our segment of the industry for the research we do to really better understand our guest and how our guest changes and what they expect. So it’s a really unique advantage. And the research we provide is not just for KOA and our franchisees, but it’s for the entire industry. And trailblazing shows up in a variety of ways, almost every decision that we make as a brand. So from the guest experience standpoint, we’re launching a new koa.com website that’s really powered by AI and focused on personalization and trip planning and flexible cancellation policies and the guest’s ability to manage reservations. So some of the more traditional things that you would see in the hospitality industry, but with some unique features that are custom to how guests like to camp. From an organizational structure standpoint, we have a commercial strategy team, which we really are the only one in the industry that has a full commercial strategy arm. And we have an AI team. We built our AI department at the beginning of this year, and that team continues to grow and really focus both internally and externally on how we can use AI to enhance the employee experience and the guest experience. And then within outdoor hospitality, technology has kind of always been a little bit of an opportunity. We don’t necessarily follow some of the mainstream tech choices that you see in indoor hospitality. So our focus has really been how do we align with what works well within indoor hospitality? We’ve been exploring OTA integrations and an RMS integration and enhanced text messaging capabilities and housekeeping modules to help operations be more efficient. It’s about really how can we be the first in the outdoor space to align most closely with what works in indoor hospitality, and then try to address the points of friction where we can that are really unique to outdoor hospitality. Cassady Quintana: I love that you mentioned this balance of outdoor hospitality and what that means to people, but also finding those opportunities for technology because that is the trend these days, right? Is AI this, AI that, and how can we bring in that technology? And we know that KOA has built such a recognizable brand in outdoor hospitality. So how do you guys find that you’re balancing and maintaining what Dave built back in the ’60s, that trusted legacy of what KOA is with continuing to try and attract a younger generation or maybe people that have never been camping before? Kim Wootteon: It is a really fine balance that is not easy. We truly work at it every day and we’re really, really fortunate to have such a legacy brand and such a trusted brand. And so it’s really this balance of how do we stay rooted in our core values and our mission with connecting people to the outdoors and each other while meeting guest expectations for who the camper is today? And so, we see participation in camping across all generations, which is really fascinating. In 2025, participation among adults, 65 or older, reached its highest level in eight years. So we’re seeing this rebound in the boomer population. 25% of all new campers in 2025 were boomers. And at the same time, younger generations, particularly millennials, continue to make camping a really meaningful share of their leisure travel. So it’s this ongoing challenge of how do we attract and retain campers? It’s the same challenge everybody has in our industry. And then keeping existing campers and getting new ones to come back. It’s really that frequency question. We’ve seen some shifts in frequency over the past several years. Our more legacy campers used to take two, three, four trips a year. And we’re seeing that frequency diminish slightly. New campers come and experience it. And maybe don’t, maybe don’t camp again in the same year. It may take one camping trip a year. So that’s a unique challenge our industry is navigating. But we do a lot of research to understand what inspires each generation to camp, and we work really hard to deliver memorable experiences to keep them coming back. But I think the thing that is consistent across all generations and what really matters most to campers, whether they’re new or they’re legacy campers, there’s some core foundational items that we really pride ourselves in across the KOA system. So safety and security is one, cleanliness and quality. We have a really rigorous quality assurance program, and we visit every single campground every single year to ensure each campground is meeting quality assurance standards. And we’re okay to say goodbye to those campgrounds that maybe aren’t meeting our standards. Campers are looking for some self-guided recreation. So if they want to be in the outdoors and really utilize their time as they see fit, the amenities and the recreation continue to play a critical role in that decision-making process. Pet friendliness is really critical and so many people in outdoors love to camp with their pets. And so it’s vital that all of our properties be really pet-friendly. And we have pet-friendly accommodations, pet walks, and camp canine parks. Pets are, are really an extension of our guest base, truly. And then basics like clean laundry, clean restroom facilities, clean laundry facilities, all the essentials that are needed for a great camping experience. Ryan Embree: You definitely have the advantage of a memorable experience on your end, right? I think that has been the knock on the indoor hospitality space, is that sometimes it’s your hotel stay or experience there might not be the most memorable part of a trip versus camping feels like something, if done right, and the quality is there, that is a memory that’s not just gonna stick with you for a year that you might just tell a couple people about, but maybe decades. Maybe it becomes a family tradition, and I’m sure you have some incredible stories to share there. But as I mentioned at the top of this episode, Kim, we had the pleasure of meeting you in Arlington, Texas at the Digital Transformation Summit and Hospitality and Hotels. And again, from what I knew about Kampgrounds of America then and what I know now, it was like kind of one of those spaces where I was like, “Well, I wonder, I wonder what KOA is doing in this space.” And then I got to hear your keynote and I was blown away. But it was also one of the most fascinating conversations I had at that event because of the relationship with technology where some of your guests might be looking for an escape from that technology while others kind of see it as this is the baseline and maybe WiFi isn’t a tech- technology to them. Maybe that’s just a standard for them. So it’s so interesting. It’s fascinating. I’m sure it’s that balance what you’re talking about, Kim, but you also have to balance between the guest and you also have 450 franchisees out there, right? And you’re an owner yourself of 50 properties. So I wanna get into both of those kinda spectrums. One is, what are you seeing the guests, their relationship with technology when it comes to KOA? And then maybe you can speak to the owner side of it, of are you hearing owners wanting to implement more technology or are they kind of resisting that when you’re saying, “Hey, let’s start to look at these new kind of maybe fancy technological updates.” I know there’s a packed question there, so. Kim Wootteon: Yeah, no. And lots to unpack within that question. So let’s start with the guest first and really the unique expectations that come from our campers. And while historically, camping has been a way of a form of leisure travel where you can kind of disconnect from everything that’s going on in daily life and really spend time in the outdoors, nearly half of all campers, about 47% site wifi as very important. So we have learned over the years that wifi is a utility. It is not an amenity anymore. It is a price of admission expectation for campers. Technology and remote work is still shaping camping behavior. And then Gen Z is the most likely to work while camping. So, we cater our experiences to every generation. And so Wi-Fi becomes a critical, critical component. While we’ve seen a slight decline in work camping, with people going back to the office and those just individual changes, it’s still really important. And it, what’s really unique is new campers, and again, kind of new campers, 25% of all new campers last year were boomers. So when we think about new campers, they are more likely than experienced campers to prioritize connectivity. So about 50% of new campers versus 43% of experienced campers. So access to technology directly influences length of stay and the experience. So we have focused heavily on tech and not just wifi at the campground, but how technology is used throughout the guest journey. Have we made it really easy for them to book and find the campground that meets their experience expectations? What’s the communication with the guests look like pre and post, or pre-during, quite honestly, and posts say through text messaging or, or other forms of technology? How easy can they find their site? Just all of those simple things where tech is a really great way to create efficiencies in operations, still have really, really connected touchpoints, relationship-wise, because I think that is, one of the most critical pieces of outdoor hospitality is the relationship our owners build with their campers. And then can they connect while they’re on site? And for those who don’t want to connect and really wanna disconnect during their stay, have we effectively marketed those sites that are best for them to stay in? Have we created connectivity zones where if they do choose to connect, there’s a place on the campground that is best for that, and the rest of the park could be more of a disconnection zone. So really thinking about how a camper is using the space. On the flip side, our owners, this has been an interesting challenge and journey. Just like our campers, our owners are incredibly diverse as well. We’re really blessed. And I think this kind of lends to the success of our legacy brand. We have legacy owners within the KOA brand. We have franchisees that have been in the system for 50 and 60 years. They’ve been here since the beginning, and that ownership has passed down through generations, which is really rare to find across our industry today. We have a lot of individual owner operators that, they gave up their careers as nurses and as architects, and they follow their passion for the outdoors, and they built and own, decide to buy a campground and and be entrepreneurs. And then we have a lot of investors coming into our space, that are diversifying their portfolio. They have hotels, like that public storage and outdoor hospitality is just a natural transition in their portfolio diversification. So the diversity amongst our owners is a unique challenge when it comes to technology. And then across multiple, age demographics as well. So from a wifi standpoint, we make it a requirement. It is now part of our quality assurance. We incentivize our owners to deliver really great wifi. We have a wifi royalty incentive program, and they can receive reduced royalties for a select period of time if their wifi meets certain standards. We believe it’s that important to the guest experience. And then really from tech adoption, I think that’s where we see some of the larger pieces of friction as our industry evolves and we’re constantly trying to balance the expectations of the guests with the needs of our owners and operators. Things like a couple years ago, we were getting ready to launch online reservation management. Okay, I can, I can book, I can change, I can cancel my reservation all on my phone through the app or otherwise. And then was faced with quite a bit of resistance because it was different and it was new and it took some of the control out of the hands of the owner. And so different components of that have kind of made it out to the public, and then there are some key components that have not quite made it out yet. So it’s really that balance of how do we meet guest expectations and owner expectations? But at the end of the day, we do have the responsibility to ensure our brand stays profitable and our owners are profitable. And so sometimes we do have to make those decisions that may not be as favorable to our owners, but are truly the best decision for the business. And it comes down a lot to training and education and really making sure they understand. So we have a great learning and development team, great communications team, a great project team that really ensures all of these initiatives come to fruition in the way they need to be successful. Ryan Embree: Well, and you also have, like you said, 50 properties that you own and manage, which I’m sure is a great kind of sandbox that you can play before you roll something out across the entire brand. But to put this in perspective for our listeners, you just mentioned that maybe there was some resistance to the online bookings that you were talking about, all the way to the owner that you were talking to me. I had to bring this up again, that there was drones bringing firewood to campsites at your property, right? So, I mean, that is the spectrum that you’re talking about. And I think that also is on the guest side. And that’s why probably, you and your team do such a great job of keeping your ear to the ground with these guests and constantly staying. I thought it was a fascinating stat that you talked about, Kim, where you’re saying that the first time campers are expecting more tech than maybe your returning campers or campers that have done that before. And I think that is a, it’s a telling statistic of, “Hey, we’re gonna try this for the first time. We’re gonna go camping.” And they’re coming to the camping site and being like, “All right, well, where’s the plugs and where’s the, the wifi and all that stuff?” Versus the campers that have been there have been like, “Oh, you, you’re camping. What are you talking about?” So interesting. Kim Wootteon: It’s a fun challenge. Cassady Quintana: I’m glad you mentioned that because when I think about it from a marketing perspective, you’ve talked about the different types of guests. You also have diverse owners, but you have diverse guests. When you think about hotels in the hotel industry, a lot of them have their niche and what they expect their demographic to look like when they come visit them. And so they can kind of cater that marketing a little bit better. But you have people ranging from children all the way up until boomers, and so they’re all expecting something different and they all want it to be exactly what they want. So when I think about it, I’m Gen Z, and this outdoor hospitality thing has really started to become a big thing for us. Like, whether it is because we wanna fully disconnect everything is too technologically advanced now, or I want a little bit of the best of both worlds. I wanna feel like I’m in nature, but also I can check my Instagram later if I really need to. So when you guys think about that from a marketing perspective, what do you think is driving that Gen Z interest, but also how do you develop a marketing strategy so that you can connect with those new campers and that, that younger generation? Kim Wootteon: Oh, my gosh. It’s a nonstop kind of everyday challenge that our teams work through at both the national level. How do we really connect the brand to people? I mean it’s so much of the success of our brand, and really camping and outdoor hospitality in general is built off of some, like, this emotional connection to nature and this desire to be outdoors. And how do we be part of that journey? And how can we be a catalyst to creating that experience for people, whether it’s their hundredth time camping or their first time camping? And there’s so many different tactics and strategies, within the marketing space that are available to us now. And it’s constantly evaluated with AI. We are traditionally rooted in SEO, and now we’ve got GEO to adapt to. But the Gen Z population within our camper mix is about 13% of all of our campers, as of 2025, and had been up to about 25% of our camper mix in 2022. So a really significant portion of all of those people that are participating in camping are in that Gen Z demographic. And it really comes down to doing a lot of research and understanding, what motivates people to connect to a brand, what’s important to them, whether it’s sustainability or looking at the health benefits from being outdoors, whether it’s the thrill of trying something new and really adventure-seeking, whether it’s we camped with our parents as kids, and we wanna try it again as adults. And the value proposition for, especially Gen Z is not to that point in life where you’re fully invested and you have a ton of disposable income. And so camping has always been a really affordable way to travel and leisure travel and experience and see things. So it’s this balance of how do we connect with each generation on the right channel? Social media plays a really critical role in our marketing strategy, having a presence across multiple platforms, Facebook, which tends to cater to a little bit more of our Gen X and baby boomer population, TikTok, Instagram, other channels for Gen Z. So social media plays a really key role, and we’ve seen a huge insurgence of social media conversions in our marketing strategy over the past several years. And then the technology piece of some of our generations like to pick up the phone and call and ask questions about their stay. And then others really just wanna be 100% booked online, make all of their change, and make all of their choices without any human connectivity. So finding that balance. But the, the Gen Z demographic is really fascinating. And I love watching how they use campgrounds. We see a lot of Gen Zers use campgrounds as that hub for all of their outdoor adventures, really wanting to spend time in nature and are utilizing a campground to facilitate that experience. Ryan Embree: This question is certainly resonating with me. I’m a little bit older millennial. I have a two and a five-year-old. And I remember camping as a kid. I wanna take my kids, but I also do not want to just maybe stay in a tent and not have any sort of. So, I want, I want that, that nice little balance of, yes, we are camping, but we might be going into a nice air-conditioned cabin or lodge, and we might be able to still watch a little TV. But I think it’s fascinating what we’re talking about, because that’s exactly it. And Gen Z, they’re great storytellers. Let me tell you about marketing. They’ll do most of your marketing for you if you put them in the right position, especially on Instagram and TikTok. Kim Wootteon: I’m really fortunate on my team. We have a really diverse team as well. And I have, I have kind of boomers and I have a ton of Gen Zers on my team. And so it’s great just to watch those generations meld and figure out how we, how we best connect to our owners and our audience. We spend a lot of time in the outdoors just as a team, when we have meetings and stuff like that. And I just love what comes from it. And then we take those best practices and really implement them with our guests because it’s, it’s the same. We all camp. Most of us in our team, we love spending time in the outdoors. So it’s like what’s gonna be attractive to us? We are our own demographics, right? Ryan Embree: There you go. Well, I wanna shift gears and congratulate you and your team, the entire KOA team, recognized as one of the top 50 most profitable franchises by Franchisee Business Review. What do you think Kim, I mean, obviously, when we talk about franchises and we look at the ROI, but I think there’s probably a different type of reward that comes with having a KOA franchise, being obviously we look for that, that financial one, but also from kinda to build something meaningful. You talked about the legacy of some of your franchisees and that being a family business. We’ve talked about the close connection and memories that you get from camping. Well, first of all, congratulations, but what do you think you and your team did to kinda make that list? Kim Wootteon: Thank you. We’re really, really proud of this recognition. And I think it speaks to just the uniqueness of the brand. So we have a unique mix of brand standards and entrepreneurial spirit. KOA is a franchisor unlike no other, you know? And I’ve worked with a lot of the big franchisors, especially in our industry. I’ve worked with the Marriott brand and Hilton and IHG and Jellystone and Sun Outdoors. But what I think I love most about KOA, which makes it such an attractive business opportunity, is, we’re hyper-focused on quality. We’re hyper-focused on our brand position consistency. We have three brand positions within the KOA brand. We have the KOA journey, the KOA Holiday, and the KOA Resort to really help campers identify and connect with the experience they’re looking for. But what I love the most about our franchise that is different from a lot of others is that each location is truly unique to space and place, which fuels the creativity and the pride of our owners. So there are certain things that you will find very standard across the KOA portfolio, and there, there’s an expectation campers have with KOA, but every single location is unique. And that’s what makes the system of campgrounds truly special. You’re not gonna get the same overall experience at any two locations. And our owners take an immense amount of pride in understanding the market that they’re in, understanding their campers, and building an experience that drives them to come back and stay with the KOA brand and book again, and at the same time, is quite profitable. So that unique blend of uniqueness and standards is what really sets us apart. And I will say to you, I remember this, if I didn’t shout out just the incredible support that KOA offers its franchisees. Again, I’ve kind of worked with many franchisors, but the support that KOA offers is quite unique. I’m very, very proud to be part of that. We have an amazing field operations team, franchise operations team. We have a team of just passionate, dedicated franchise business coaches that are working with our owners every single day to help them truly grow their business and optimize their investment in the KOA brand and then their campground. We have a whole coaching team within commercial strategy focused on marketing and revenue, and how to maximize revenue and optimize profitability. And then multiple other departments across the organization that really, their customer is the franchisee. And so I think this is a really adequate representation of the hard work our team puts in to support our owners on a daily basis. Ryan Embree: Yeah. I mean, with a, such a complex ecosystem that we kind of talked about throughout this episode, it’s a true testament to the work you and your team are putting in to be recognized. So again, congratulations to you and your team on that. We’re gonna shift gears. This is the rapid fire portion of our episode. I love doing this and I was looking forward to your portfolio specifically. You’re no stranger to travel, Kim, you’ve already mentioned. So we’re gonna get to list a series or a series of questions to get to know you and the KOA portfolio a little bit better. So let’s start with favorite view at one of your properties. Kim Wootteon: Yeah. So, and just for the record, so I have been to well over 100, almost 200 KOAs across our systems. I’ve been really fortunate to see a lot of our portfolio with some amazing, amazing properties and experiences. But I was just recently at the campground in Fredericksburg, Texas, which is under construction. We are building it and it’ll be introduced to the KOA system this fall. But the view from The Overlook, which is sort of our main building in the back part of the campground with all of our food and beverage and our meeting space and our pool and our lazy river, the view is absolutely spectacular overlooking the entire campground. The sunsets are great, and it was just, it was a really magical moment. Cassady Quintana: Awesome. Ryan, write that down. We gotta take a look at when that one opens up. Ryan Embree: Yeah, for sure. Kim Wootteon: You’ve gotta come experience it. And, and Ryan, we do have some amazing glamping accommodations, so you’ll get all of the amenities of home and a really cool outdoor setting. Ryan Embree: Love it. Best both worlds, for sure. Cassady Quintana: All right, Kim, favorite fun fact about one of your properties? Kim Wootteon: Oh my gosh. There’s so many options because we have such a diverse portfolio. But one of the things we learned as we were prepping for America 250 and just kind of learning our history is the Mystic KOA campground in Connecticut has a house on property that wasn’t built in the United States. It actually existed before the United States existed. It was brought over as settlers have founded that area. And it’s still standing on our campground today. And there’s a lot of history with that property. Ryan Embree: So it’s one of my favorite questions to ask, just because you get to learn these, these stories that you would have no idea about. Very, very cool. What about favorite guest experience or amenities at one of your properties, Kim? Kim Wootteon: So, the Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch has a rodeo, like a full-on rodeo. So that’s a crazy thing to experience. The campground in South Padre Island is right near SpaceX, and we just built these beautiful, RV sites, along this peninsula on the water, so you can see the SpaceX launches. And then there’s simple things like blueberry picking in covert and just amazing hiking near some of our National Park properties. Cassady Quintana: Awesome. Something for everybody. There’s something for everybody at every different property. Yeah. So kind of with that in mind, what’s one of your favorite locations of your properties? Kim Wootteon: So it’s funny. So I am a camper myself and I love to spend time outdoors. And I have kind of this unique mix of properties that I love to visit because, every time I camp, I look for a different experience. So I love, like, Lake Placid, KOA, it’s just that, like, quintessential camping experience, really, really wooded and nature-driven. If I’m looking for just incredible beauty with really, really amiditized recreation, I love the Astoria KOA on the Oregon Coast. If I want a tropical resort retreat, I go to Sugarloaf KOA or Fort Myers KOA. So it’s just, it’s. I don’t know. I can’t pick one. I love too many of them, which is my problem and why I’m always on the road and traveling. . Cassady Quintana: It’s a good problem to have. Kim Wootteon: Exactly. I know, right? Ryan Embree: That’s what I was gonna say. . Well, we appreciate you playing along with us. As we wrap up today, we always have kind of a tradition to, especially, with some of our industry leaders that we get the opportunity to speak to multiple times. You teased back in March, you had working on that revamped website that we talked about you formed a new AI team. What’s the status of those projects? And then maybe just looking into the future, what’s your vision for, for KOA as we wrap. Can’t believe I’m saying this. Wrap up 2026 and go into 2027. Kim Wootteon: Oh, my gosh. Yes. We, we are really hyper-focused on 2027 right now as a leadership team, which is crazy. I’m like, we’re all happy through 2026. But yeah, we ha – we’ve had a ton of really large projects this year as a brand, and really in, in that vein of trying to modernize our brand to meet the guest expectation, the owner expectations, and stay that, brand of choice. Both of our projects, the development of our AR team and the rebuild, redesign, and launch of our new website, as well as campground landing pages and a new content management system are going incredibly well. We are on track to launch in Q4 with a slew of continued enhancements throughout 2027. A lot of really AI-focused efforts for koa.com, specifically in trip planning and just communication on a site, as well as personalization. We know that that’s so important. How does a guest land on the site and how is everything really customized and tailored to what they’re looking for and what their needs are and how they’ve came to before? So those two teams have been really, really critical in, in the rollout of this project. And selfishly for me, the AI team does a, a lot of work with our internal teams, and how do we impl – improve the employee experience? So the work they’ve been doing just, I mean, so many efficiencies for my role and so many other roles across the organization around really quick access to data within our KOA ecosystem. Like every bit of data I could ever want to access is available through our AI platform. I am able to ask questions quickly, research things quicker, and really get to an end result, which makes the analysis of our business so much easier in identifying trends and opportunities. So those two pieces are just really game changers, not only for our brand, but in the industry right now. And 2077 is stacking up to be a pretty, pretty insane year as well, with just really double down focusing on how do we continue to attract guests, retain guests, really strong focus on that short-term leisure RV camper, and kind of that mash of how do we take all of our legacy campers and all of these new campers and really just exceed expectations to grow the business next year. Ryan Embree: Wel like I said, a true embodiment, a brand that is truly trailblazing in hospitality. So wish you luck with all of those projects. We’ll have to keep a close eye on which campgrounds we’ll do an onsite. I still haven’t given up on that dream of doing – Kim Wootteon: No, we’re, we’re gonna get you outdoors, Ryan. Ryan Embree: Let’s do it. I’m, I’m looking forward to it. I can’t, I can’t wait. So, Kim, we know you’re busy. Thank you so much for taking the time to join me and Cassady here on The Suite Spot. Kim Wootteon: Yes, thank you both. It’s a pleasure. Cassady Quintana: Thanks, Kim. Ryan Embree: All right. Thanks, everyone. And thank you for listening to Suite Spot. We’ll talk to you next time. To join our loyalty program, be sure to subscribe and give us a five-star rating on iTunes. Suite Spot is produced by Travel Media Group. Our editor is Brandon Bell with cover art by Bary Gordon. I’m your host, Ryan Embree, and we hope you enjoyed your stay.

Show Notes

Text the Bookcast and say "hi"!Welcome to Chapter 86! This month, I'm joined by Rebecca Lemke. Rebecca is a multi-genre, no spice author based in Oklahoma. She enjoys a wide variety of hobbies (too many, really, she says)  including reading, baking, traveling, crochet, cosplay, music, and more. She collects pins (usually of National Parks) and pretty paperbacks that she may or may not get around to reading. In our conversation, we talk about Rebecca's writing journey, including her transition from writing YA dystopian to sweet romances and back again. We also talk about the development of her Lainey Ross altar ego, the challenge of marketing in two different worlds, and the role of cosplay in her author persona.Connect with Rebecca: substack | IG | LinktreeConnect with Lainey: substack | IG | LinktreeHelp us celebrate 4 years of Your Next Great ReadCheck out the Read LOKal NewsletterMentioned on the show:Wings of Fire - Tui T. SutherlandHarry Potter - J.K. RowlingChronicles of Narnia - C.S. LewisHunger Games - Suzanne CollinsMaze Runner - James DashnerI Am the Messenger - Marcus ZuzakSo Not Happening - Jenny B. JonesColleen CobleThe Vanishing at Castle Moreau - Jamie Jo WrightFamous for  Living - Melisa FergusonDenise HunterThe Wrath & the Dawn - Renee AhdiehConnect with J: website | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram | FacebookShop the Bookcast on Bookshop.orgMusic by JuliusH

In 2003, Aron Ralston became trapped beneath an 800-pound boulder in Utah's Blue John Canyon after setting out alone without telling anyone where he was going. After 127 hours with no hope of rescue, he faced an unimaginable choice: die in the canyon or amputate his own arm to survive. COME SEE US ON TOUR! For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @‌nationalparkafterdarkTikTok: @‌nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page! Thank you to this week's partners! KA'CHAVA: Go to https://kachava.com and use code NPAD for 15% off your first order. ALLOY HEATH: Try the original estrogen-powered M4 skincare from Alloy. Visit Online Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) | Menopause Treatment - Alloy and use code NPAD for $20 off your first order! IQ BAR: Text PARK to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. ECOEXPLORERCO: Order now at EcoExplorerCo.com and use code NPAD during check out for a discount. Stay curious, Eco Explorers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The continued study of the human-nature connection and the role of Nature in our mental, physical, and even spiritual health could prove the need for conservation, expansion, and creation of more public green spaces - from National Parks to tree-lined urban streets Read more: "Why Is Nature Good for Us?" by Katarina Zimmer https://share.google/5piu6Xg8pBfQfbSgo Learn more about Personal Rewilding online at www.rhnaturereconnect.com Join the Personal Rewilding with Robert Hensley community on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cw/roberthensleynaturereconnectBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/truth-be-told-with-tony-sweet-paranormal-ufos-unexplained-mysteries--3589860/support.

Summer is peak season for America's National Parks, but it's also when parks experience their biggest crowds, busiest trailheads, and greatest impacts on the landscapes we all love.On this episode of Without Compromise, we're joined by John Ribes, Impact Program Manager at AllTrails, to discuss how outdoor enthusiasts can make the most of every adventure while helping protect the places they love. From avoiding crowds with data-driven planning to discovering underrated destinations and practicing better trail etiquette, John shares practical advice for making every trip more enjoyable and more sustainable.We also explore how outdoor recreation has evolved in recent years, what AllTrails is learning from millions of trail users, and why partnerships like Athletic Brewing's Two For The Trails initiative are helping transform outdoor recreation into meaningful conservation.Whether you're planning a bucket-list National Park trip or simply looking for your next great hike, this conversation offers practical tips for exploring with intention.

The Missing 411 phenomenon centres upon a series of unexplained deaths and disappearances that have occurred within the boundaries of America's National Parks. Those who study these cases have proposed a number of possible explanations. Yet no single theory is capable of accounting for every incident. There is, however, a small group of cases that some believe may point towards one particular culprit. In this episode, we will be exploring several disappearances in which it has been suggested that the victims fell prey to Sasquatch.   Head to https://forkfulmeals.com/bedtime for 50% off your first order today!   MUSIC Tracks used by kind permission of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0   Tracks used by kind permission of CO.AG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we look at Nahanni National Park in Canada! The history and legends in this park are as awesome as the untouched wilderness SponsorForkful Meals – ForkfulMeals.com/GRAVE (Code: GRAVE)To get 50% off your First OrderCheck out our sources below for more info and to continue learning!Please Rate & Review us wherever you get your Podcasts! Mail us something: GYT PodcastPO Box 542762Grand Prairie, TX 75054Leave us a Voicemail or shoot us a text!430-558-1304Our WebsiteWWW.GraveYardPodcast.comPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/GraveYardTalesYoutube: Youtube.com/c/GraveYardTalesRumble – GraveYard Tales PodcastDo you want GraveYard Merch?!?!Go to https://graveyardtales.dashery.com/ to get you some! Thank You Darron for our Logo!! You can get in touch with Darron for artwork by searching Darron DuBose on Facebook or Emailing him at art_injector@yahoo.comThank you to Brandon Adams for our music tracks!! If you want to hear more from Brandon check him out at:Soundcloud.com/brandonadamsjYoutube.com/brandonadams93Or to get in touch with him for compositions email him at Brandon_adams@earthlink.netOur ContactsWWW.GraveYardPodcast.comEmail us at: GraveYardTalesPodcast@gmail.comFind us on social media:X(Twitter): @GrveYrdPodcastFacebook: @GraveYardTalesPodcastInstagram: @GraveYardTalesPodcastSourceshttps://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/nahanni/info/plan-2021https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/nahanni/naturehttps://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/nahanni/culturehttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/nahanni-national-park-reserve-northwest-territorieshttps://spectacularnwt.com/story/the-fabled-history-of-nahanni-national-park-reserve/https://www.pew.org/en/about/news-room/press-releases-and-statements/2009/06/09/canadaand39s-nahanni-the-worldand39s-first-world-heritage-site-gets-sixfold-expansionhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/311315778_The_Many_Landscapes_of_South_Nahanni_National_Park?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.cntraveler.com/story/traveling-through-time-on-the-nahanni-river-in-canadahttps://whc.unesco.org/en/list/24/https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/nahanni-national-parkhttps://uphere.ca/articles/secrets-nahannihttps://world-heritage-datasheets.unep-wcmc.org/datasheet/output/site/nahanni-national-parkhttps://mysteriesofcanada.com/nwt/legends-of-the-nahanni-valley/https://mysteriesofcanada.com/nwt/the-headless-men-of-the-nahanni/https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/nahanni-national-park-reservehttps://www.legendsofamerica.com/nahanni-valley-headless-men/https://www.singularfortean.com/news/2021/5/20/the-mysteries-of-canadas-nahanni-valleyhttps://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/nahanni-valleyhttps://www.pararational.com/nahanni-valley-headless-men/https://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/topic/nahanni-valley/https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Waheelahttps://cryptidarchives.fandom.com/wiki/Waheelahttps://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/the-waheelahttps://www.atlasobscura.com/places/nahanni-national-park-reservehttps://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/nahanni-valley-001249https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north

July 21, 2026The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has made the deepest cuts to SNAP in its history, leaving hundreds of thousands of Americans without benefits, The administration claims it is cleaning out fraud, but there is little fraudulent use of SNAP services, The government is withholding Medicaid funding from California and Minnesota, again claiming fraud, The National Parks are suffering from cuts, and the losses wlll take years - if not decades - to repair, The government is privatizing systems that it had managed, including airport screening, exposing the public to dangerous vulnerabilities, The Pentagon is asking for $67 billion to tide it over to the end of the fiscal year, In Senate hearings, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would not answer questions about the truthfulness of his statements on the Iran war, Senator Andy Kim has introduced a proposal to expand Medicaid to all American children, with legislation that has been endorsed by a range of organizations with an interest in the health of America's families.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

Two friends go camping in a California national forest, but only one returns alive. A wildfire, confusing accounts, and buried evidence nearly stand between authorities and the truth…but despite a young man's best efforts to conceal his actions, justice prevails. View source material and photos for this episode at: parkpredators.com/the-duo Did you know you can listen to Park Predators ad-free? Join the Crime Junkie Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/fanclub/ to view the current membership options and policies. Park Predators is an Audiochuck production.  Connect with us on social media: Instagram: @parkpredators | @audiochuck Twitter: @ParkPredators | @audiochuck Facebook: /ParkPredators  | /audiochuckllc TikTok: @audiochuck Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.