Jason C. Poole is an American paleontologist, fossil preparator, educator, and paleo-artist currently based in Missoula. Best known for blending scientific accuracy with artistic interpretation, Poole spent 27 years as the Manager of Dinosaur Hall and head fossil preparator at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, where he helped prepare and study major dinosaur discoveries from around the world. 

Educated at the Antonelli Institute of Art and Photography, Poole developed a career that bridges science and visual storytelling. His paleoart and scientific illustrations have appeared in publications including National Geographic, museum collections, documentaries, and academic works. During his field career, he participated in excavations across North and South America, Africa, and Mongolia, and contributed work on dinosaurs new to science, including Paralititan, Dreadnoughtus, and Suuwassea. 

Today, Poole works with the Elevation Science Institute as a field expedition crew chief, fossil preparation specialist, and resident paleo-artist. Based in Missoula, Montana, he regularly teaches drawing, painting, and paleontology workshops through the Montana Natural History Center while preparing Jurassic dinosaur fossils collected in southern Montana. His public programs and artwork emphasize making prehistoric life accessible and engaging for broad audiences. 

Do yourself a favor and check out his art here: https://www.jasoncpoole.com/

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Born in Arizona, John grew up with a profound love of the Grand Canyon, having started hiking adventures there at the age of ten. He graduated from Northern Arizona University and has been boating the “big ditch” since the early 1990s. He’s also enjoyed the thrill of whitewater adventures in Utah and Alaska, where he became enamored with the Alsek River. He lives in Flagstaff, AZ where he raised two amazing daughters with his artist wife. 

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Dan Opalacz is the co-founder and co-owner of Bedrock Sandals, an adventure footwear company he launched in 2011 alongside Nick Pence after the pair met while serving as AmeriCorps conservation workers in Northern California. Inspired by long days restoring rivers and hiking rugged terrain, Opalacz helped transform a handmade minimalist sandal into an award-winning outdoor footwear brand known for its durability, repairability, and innovative design. Based in Missoula, Montana, Bedrock Sandals has grown from a Kickstarter startup into a globally recognized company while remaining committed to environmental stewardship through its partnership with 1% for the Planet. As co-founder, Opalacz continues to lead product innovation, company strategy, and sustainability initiatives, driven by a passion for adventure, thoughtful design, and creating gear built to last.

Show notes:

00:03:45 - From Skiing to Surfing to Barefoot Running

00:07:19 - From Orthotics to Minimalist Footwear Founder

00:12:27 - Ancient Footwear Origins and Timeless Design

00:15:58 - Simplicity and Durability in Sandal Design

00:17:58 - Bedrock Sandals Durability and Grand Canyon Adventures

00:20:00 - Designing Sandals Built to Last Decades

00:22:14 - From Patagonia Repairs to Bedrock Clogs

00:24:47 - Bedrock's Clog Success and Mountain Shoe Innovation

00:27:53 - Advice for Following Through on Your Idea

00:31:16 - Acid Rain: A Growing Environmental Threat

00:36:31 - Humanity's Dominance Threatens Our Own Survival

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Jason C. Poole is an American paleontologist, fossil preparator, educator, and paleo-artist currently based in Missoula. Best known for blending scientific accuracy with artistic interpretation, Poole spent 27 years as the Manager of Dinosaur Hall and head fossil preparator at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, where he helped prepare and study major dinosaur discoveries from around the world. 

Educated at the Antonelli Institute of Art and Photography, Poole developed a career that bridges science and visual storytelling. His paleoart and scientific illustrations have appeared in publications including National Geographic, museum collections, documentaries, and academic works. During his field career, he participated in excavations across North and South America, Africa, and Mongolia, and contributed work on dinosaurs new to science, including Paralititan, Dreadnoughtus, and Suuwassea. 

Today, Poole works with the Elevation Science Institute as a field expedition crew chief, fossil preparation specialist, and resident paleo-artist. Based in Missoula, Montana, he regularly teaches drawing, painting, and paleontology workshops through the Montana Natural History Center while preparing Jurassic dinosaur fossils collected in southern Montana. His public programs and artwork emphasize making prehistoric life accessible and engaging for broad audiences. 

Do yourself a favor and check out his art here: https://www.jasoncpoole.com/

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Kulu (Alec) Banda was born and raised in Livingstone, Zambia, near the mighty Zambezi River and Victoria Falls — known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “The Smoke That Thunders.” In 1981, he began working on the Zambezi as a porter, carrying heavy rafts and expedition gear in and out of the steep basalt gorge below the Falls — demanding work that required exceptional strength, endurance, and knowledge of the river.

After proving himself as a porter, Kulu advanced to the role of “high sider,” a critical position on whitewater rafts where he paddled and moved his body weight to help stabilize the raft on the Zambezi's in order to prevent flips.

In 1984, Kulu began his long and distinguished career as a professional river guide on the Zambezi River, one of the world’s premier whitewater destinations. He worked for Sobek, the legendary adventure company associated with the first commercial descents of the Zambezi River. Through Sobek, Kulu traveled to the United States, where he trained and guided on numerous rivers, expanding his technical expertise and becoming part of an international generation of elite river guides.

oday, he continues to share his knowledge by mentoring young Zambezi river guides and helping preserve the culture and traditions of whitewater rafting on the river he has spent his life navigating. Kulu farms with his family in a village near Livingstone, remaining deeply connected to the land and community that shaped him.

Show notes:

00:02:13 - Building a Farm in Mkune Village

00:04:47 - Growing Fruit Trees and Community Learning

00:08:26 - Finding Peace Beyond Military Life

00:10:12 - Letting Children Choose Their Own Path

00:12:23 - Unity Beyond National Borders

00:14:04 - Open Hearts on the Zambezi River

00:15:37 - From Porter to River Guide on Zambezi

00:17:27 - From High Sider to Rafting Guide

00:19:41 - Learning to Guide on the Zambezi River

00:23:43 - Traveling Changes Life More Than Wealth

00:26:35 - Finding Freedom Through Travel and New Beginnings

00:28:50 - Zambezi River Rapids and Whitewater Guide

00:31:07 - Preserving the Zambezi River Against Dam Construction

00:33:08 - Dam Impact on River Communities and Zambezi Geology

00:35:27 - Experience the Zambezi River Now

00:37:05 - From Rafting Guide to Conservation Advocate

#Zambezi #ZambeziRiver #whitewater #whitewaterrafting #zambia #livingstonzambia #missoula #traillesstraveled #adventure #travel #travelpodcast #storytelling #whitewaterkayaking #africa #rafting #inspiration

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Arnold “Smoke” Elser is a legendary wilderness outfitter, educator, and conservationist whose life’s work is deeply rooted in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness. Since his first trip into the Bob in 1956, Elser has spent nearly seven decades guiding thousands of people—many of them first-time riders—through its rugged terrain, sharing not only the landscape but also his deep reverence for wild places.

After graduating from the University of Montana in 1968 with a degree in range management and secondary education, Elser and his wife Thelma founded Bob Marshall Wilderness Outfitters. They built their business on a philosophy of “interpreting the land,” helping guests connect with the wilderness through storytelling, horsemanship, and a commitment to conservation. Elser has led over 700 trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness and has spent more than 8,030 nights under its stars.

Elser’s influence extends beyond guiding. He has taught horse and mule packing at the University of Montana since 1964, training over 30,000 students, including military personnel and federal land managers. He co-authored the textbook Packin’ In on Mules and Horses and is a certified “Master of No Trace” instructor with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

A passionate advocate for wilderness preservation, Elser played a key role in the creation of the Great Bear Wilderness in 1978 and testified in support of the 1964 Wilderness Act. His efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including the University of Montana’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award and the Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award from The Conservation Roundtable.

Elser’s stories and experiences are captured in the memoir Hush of the Land: A Lifetime in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, co-authored with Eva-Maria Maggi. The book offers a vivid account of his adventures and his enduring commitment to protecting Montana’s wildlands.

Even in his 90s, Smoke Elser remains an active voice in wilderness education and conservation, embodying a lifetime dedicated to stewarding the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Show notes:

00:03:59 - Teaching Guests to Listen to Wilderness

00:06:14 - Wilderness Education for Youth Away from Screens

00:07:48 - Bringing Youth Back to the Wilderness

00:10:02 - Starting Wilderness Camps for Kids

00:11:43 - Montana Elders Teaching Youth Wilderness Skills

00:13:08 - Teaching Wilderness Skills to Young Adults

00:15:08 - Touring the Historic Barn and Saddle Collection

00:16:53 - Historic Saddles and Branding Iron Collection

00:19:44 - Caring for Retired Horses and Mules

00:22:17 - Camping at the Airfield with Horses

00:24:23 - Sleeping with Grizzlies in the Wilderness

00:26:38 - Protecting the Wilderness Through Innovation

00:29:16 - Gore-Tex Innovation and Leave No Trace Camping

00:33:46 - Lightweight Camping and Leave No Trace Practices

00:36:05 - Making Fire Pans and Horse Shoeing Tips

00:37:35 - Biodiversity: Why Every Species Matters

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Virginia (Ginny) Bond is an educator and public health researcher based in Zambia whose work focuses on HIV, stigma reduction, and community health. Trained as a social anthropologist, she collaborates with health programs and research organizations to better understand the social and cultural factors shaping HIV prevention, treatment, and care. Her work emphasizes community engagement, education, and participatory research methods that strengthen public health responses and empower people living with HIV. Through teaching, mentoring, and field research, she contributes to training the next generation of global health practitioners while helping develop strategies that address stigma and improve access to care. 

One scientific curiosity hides behind work like hers: viruses are biological, but epidemics are social phenomena. The virus spreads through bodies, yet stigma, poverty, gender inequality, and access to education often determine whether treatment actually reaches people. That is why community counselors and educators are as critical to the HIV response as laboratories and pharmaceuticals.

Show notes:

00:03:40 - Childhood Memories Across Africa

00:06:43 - From Minority Student to Anthropologist

00:09:34 - A Close Friendship Lost to AIDS

00:11:16 - HIV Origins and Early Community Counseling Work

00:14:38 - HIV Transmission Routes and Biological Factors

00:17:41 - HIV Immune System and Comorbidities in Africa

00:20:25 - Home-Based Care During the AIDS Crisis

00:23:43 - AIDS Stigma and Generational Trauma in Zambia

00:27:03 - HIV Stigma and the Power of Openness

00:30:34 - HIV Treatment Challenges and Social Stigma

00:32:28 - Tackling HIV Stigma in Health Facilities

00:37:41 - Northern Star Project: Global Stigma Reduction Initiative

00:40:37 - Modern HIV Treatment and Ending Stigma

00:42:40 - Protecting Backcountry Trails During Mud Season

#travel

#adventure

#travelpodcast

#adventurepodcast

#podcasting

#storytelling

#inspiration

#wanderlust

#exploremore

#travelstories

#missoula

#missoulamontana

#montana

#hivawareness

#aidsawareness

#endthestigma

#globalhealth

#publichealth

#changetheworld

#humansofearth

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Lisa Bickell is an environmental educator and interpretive planner based in Missoula, Montana, and the current board chair of the Montana Natural History Center. She has been involved with the organization for more than 25 years and previously served as its Education Director, helping shape many of the programs that connect people of all ages to the natural world.

Lisa holds a degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and a Master of Education from Western Washington University. Her career has focused on environmental education, interpretive planning, and helping communities engage more deeply with the landscapes around them.

She is especially interested in Phenology, the study of seasonal changes in plants, animals, and ecosystems. Through field courses, community programs, and decades of observation, Lisa encourages people to slow down, pay attention, and notice how the rhythms of nature are shifting over time.

Show notes:

00:02:37 - Childhood Adventures in Florida Woods

00:04:46 - Childhood Nature Adventures Shape Career Path

00:08:35 - From Environmental Education to Youth Programs

00:10:32 - Visiting Naturalists School Year Program

00:12:27 - Connecting Children with Nature Through Education

00:15:33 - Montana Master Naturalist Program Overview

00:18:13 - Noticing Nature's Seasonal Changes

00:19:51 - Observing Fall Leaves Like a Naturalist

00:22:04 - Mouse Tunnels Under Melting Snow

00:24:03 - Montana's Mountain Valley at Sunset

00:26:21 - Exploring Nature Through Art and Classes

00:28:07 - Exploring Nature Through Art and Creativity

00:31:18 - Montana's Fossil History and Ecosystems

00:35:26 - Life Lessons: Leaving Well and Daily Walks

#travel #adventure #montana #missoula #montananaturalhistorycenter #ecology #naturescience #phenology #travelpodcast #sciencepodcast #adventurepodcast #thetraillesstraveled #traillesstraveled #missoulamt #missoulamontana

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Doug Proctor grew up just outside Cincinnati, Ohio, where his love for rivers was seeded early in life. As a boy he spent years canoeing with his family and through the Boy Scouts on class one rivers across southern Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. At the age of 12 he embarked on his first extended canoe trip—a two-week wilderness journey in Kentucky that helped shape his lifelong passion for river travel and backcountry adventure. 

In 1977 Proctor began his professional guiding career, leading whitewater rafting trips commercially on the New Riverand the Gauley River, two of the eastern United States’ premier whitewater destinations. Over the next 35 years he built extensive experience as an outfitter in West Virginia, guiding trips through challenging Class III and Class IV waters and cultivating deep skills in river stewardship, guest experience, and wilderness logistics. 

His love of rivers and adventure didn’t stop in Appalachia. His guiding has taken him to Grand Canyon, Alaska, Chile, Costa Rica, Idaho, and numerous rivers in both the eastern and western United States. These experiences helped refine his craft as a guide renowned for both technical competence and a commitment to sharing wild rivers with thoughtful guests. 

Today Proctor is co-owner of Selway River Adventures, a wilderness rafting outfitter based in Stanley, Idaho. With his partners he operates under one of the extremely limited commercial permits on the Selway River, a nationally designated Wild and Scenic river flowing through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Trips are typically five to six days long, weaving technical whitewater with solitude and natural beauty few river runners ever get to experience. 

Proctor now lives in Stanley with his wife Cathy and their dogs, drawn to Idaho by the remarkable concentration of great rivers in the region. Guiding river trips for over 40 years, he views sharing his experience with guests and friends as not just a profession but a deep passion—one rooted in the rhythms of wild water and the stories those rivers tell. 

Show notes:

00:03:51 - The Selway River: Permit System and Access

00:05:56 - From Boy Scouts to River Guide Entrepreneur

00:07:56 - Class 6 Rafting Company Origin Story

00:09:59 - Selway River: Protected Wilderness and Rafting History

00:12:24 - Early Spring Wildlife and River Adventure

00:15:41 - Protecting Rivers and Wilderness Areas

00:17:56 - Selway River Adventures Trip Overview

00:19:38 - First-Time River Trips Need Only Willingness

00:21:41 - Wildlife Abundance on the Selway River

00:24:23 - Salmon Extinction Crisis and Dam Removal Solutions

00:26:27 - Selway Lodge History and River Adventures

00:28:21 - Epic River Adventures in Alaska and Beyond

00:30:19 - Doug's Eighth Grade Singing Trauma

00:31:53 - Three Pieces of Life Advice and Conservation

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Sam and Elise Risho are the culinary heart and soul behind The Silk Road Catering & Spice in Missoula, Montana. Their story is rooted in decades of family food tradition and a passion for global flavors. Sam grew up in a restaurant family, learning the love of food and hospitality from his father and brother through years of working in local eateries and mastering fine-dining service and kitchen craft. In 2009 Sam and his brother, along with Elise, opened The Silk Road Restaurant to bring a tapas-style global tasting experience to the community. The restaurant’s success eventually blossomed into a thriving catering business and an artisanal spice line inspired by world cuisines. Elise plays a central role in running the business and shaping its creative vision as co-owner alongside Sam. Today they focus on crafting memorable menus for weddings and special events and sharing unique spice blends that reflect their commitment to exceptional hospitality and globally inspired cuisine.

Show notes:

00:03:49 - From Sheltered to Adventure: Building Community

00:06:05 - Growing Up in a House of Hospitality

00:07:53 - Adventures Before Kids Around the World

00:10:03 - Custom Tailoring in Shanghai's French District

00:12:13 - From Restaurant to Catering Adventures Across Montana

00:14:11 - The Silk Road Inspired Spice Blends

00:17:23 - From Spice Bags to Store Shelves

00:20:54 - Finding Your Favorite Spice Blend

00:23:04 - Adding Sour and Shopping Local

00:25:46 - Community Spirit in Missoula, Montana

00:28:30 - Hiking Adventures with Kids in Missoula

00:30:49 - Keeping Missoula Weird Through Diversity

00:32:56 - Embrace Slow Travel and Community Connection

00:35:06 - Parenting Advice: Encourage Kids to Try New Things

00:37:39 - Clark Fork River and The Wellerman Song

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Aimee McQuilkin is a Missoula entrepreneur and community builder, best known as the owner of Betty’s Divine and the Clark Fork Yacht Club. Through these beloved businesses, she has helped shape Missoula’s social and cultural fabric by creating welcoming spaces rooted in style, hospitality, and connection. Aimee’s work reflects a deep commitment to local economy, creativity, and gathering people together in meaningful ways.

Shane Clouse is a Missoula musician and songwriter whose work blends Americana, folk, and roots traditions with thoughtful storytelling. His music is shaped by Montana landscapes and lived experience, carrying a quiet honesty that resonates both on stage and in more intimate listening spaces. Shane is a steady presence in the local music community, known for craft, collaboration, and authenticity.

Dave Stromeyer is a Missoula County Commissioner focused on infrastructure, public service, and long term regional planning. He is currently working on a passenger railroad project aimed at improving transportation options and connectivity in western Montana. Dave’s work reflects a practical, forward looking approach to governance with an emphasis on public benefit, economic resilience, and sustainable mobility.​

Show notes:

00:03:44 - 1983 Rabbit and Missoula Roots

00:05:53 - Opening Betty's Divine While Pregnant

00:09:34 - Building Community Through Shared Experiences

00:11:56 - Community Heart and Entrepreneurial Joy

00:13:23 - Homeownership Enables Community Business Growth

00:15:39 - How Desmond the Mannequin Found Home

00:18:12 - The Governor of the Hip Strip

00:23:37 - Missoula's Deep History and Indigenous Stewardship

00:27:39 - Gateway to the Rocky Mountains and Home

00:32:15 - Stewardship and Restoring Passenger Rail

00:38:12 - Keeping Missoula Special Through Community Involvement

00:41:16 - Montana's State Song and Pink Grizzly Greenhouse

00:44:10 - From Farm to Pink Grizzly Business

00:46:39 - From Lumber Mills to Community Music

00:50:32 - Historic Irrigation Ditch Sustains Missoula Community

00:53:56 - Hunting and Fishing Fund Conservation

00:58:58 - Montana Matters: A Song of Unity

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