Open Container: Outdoor culture as a free flowing conversation

Today we open the container with Robert Hanna.Doug begins today's episode with an exploration of the profound cultural shift from outright denial to a pervasive apathy regarding environmental issues. But he also offers a more hopeful narrative, showcasing significant victories in conservation, such as the surge in dam removals across the United States. Doug is then joined by Robert Hanna, a descendant of the renowned environmentalist John Muir. Robert talks about the ongoing struggle for conservation, emphasizing the necessity of collaboration across all communities. Thanks for listening! Open Container is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Let's Get Some!Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to Open Container and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Send your feedback, questions, and comments to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Today Doug opens the container with Ian Yolles.Doug begins the show by invoking the spirit of Henry David Thoreau whose philosophical tenets epitomized the need for individuals to reclaim their connection to nature. Doug also reflects on our experiences held in the wilderness and how they underscore the significant growth of resilience, and introspection. He is then joined by Ian Yolles who has worn many hats in the outdoor industry and community. Ian is one of the authors of the recently released book, Carry the Flame: The Remarkable Story of the Canadian Outward Bound Wilderness School. Through over fifty personal stories from alumni, staff, and founders, the book captures the spirit of the school’s enduring legacy. Together Doug and Ian discuss wilderness not only as a physical space but as a vital component of our humanity.Thanks for listening! Open Container is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to Open Container and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Send your feedback, questions, and comments to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Today Doug opens the container with author and beaver enthusiast Ben Goldfarb.Doug begins the episode discussing our obsession with roads. While there is a lot to love about the highways that take us to amazing places, the world is undoubtedly suffering because we've paved in so much of them. The topic of roads is timely given the Trump administration's rescinding of the roadless rule threatens to open 58 million acres of national forest to road building, posing significant risks to habitats and species. Doug is then joined by author Ben Goldfarb, who has written about road ecology and why beavers matter. Doug & Ben address the underpinnings of conservation, advocating for a shift towards recognizing the right of nature to exist independently. Together they underscore the necessity of preserving roadless areas as essential components of a sustainable future.Thanks for listening! Open Container is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to Open Container and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Send your feedback, questions, and comments to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Today Doug opens the container with Teresa Baker. Doug begins the show by weighing in on the timely and urgent need to protect our public lands, which are currently facing a historical and unprecedented threat. He talks about the implications of a legislative push that could result in the sale of millions of acres of these cherished spaces, highlighting a provision introduced by Senator Mike Lee that jeopardizes the beautiful and wild places that belongs to all Americans. Doug is then joined by Teresa Baker, a passionate advocate for inclusivity within the outdoor community who reinforces the notion that these spaces should be accessible to everyone.Throughout their discussion, Teresa and Doug emphasize the value of these lands and engage in a conversation about the intersection of joy, resistance, and the responsibility to safeguard these environments that define who we are.Thanks for listening! Open Container is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to Open Container and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Send your feedback, questions, and comments to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Today Doug opens the container with outdoor industry media veteran, Drew Simmons.Doug opens the show lamenting the fact that despite the challenges our natural world faces, environmentalist has become a dirty word these days. He goes on to describe the 30 by 30 initiative, which seeks to conserve 30% of the Earth’s ecosystems by the year 2030, and implore Open Container listeners to help protect our planet however they can.Doug is then joined by Drew Simmons who is known for his work in the PR and media world of the outdoor industry. Their conversation navigates the relationship between outdoor recreation and conservation, advocating for a unified approach that recognizes the inherent value of the outdoors beyond human enjoyment. Thanks for listening! Open Container is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to Open Container and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Send your feedback, questions, and comments to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Today Doug opens the container with author Betsy Gaines Quammen.Doug begins the episode reflecting on his first experience moving to the western US where the natural beauty of the outdoors was overwhelming and he encountered an overarching sentiment of distrust and anger towards himself as a newcomer as well as the government authority who was employing him. That same mentality has persisted and is playing a role in the current effort to sell off our public lands.Doug is then joined by Betsy Gaines Quammen who has written multiple books on the culture of the west, and discusses the multifaceted relationship between local narratives, environmental stewardship, and the politics that threaten our shared landscapes. Note: This episode was recorded before the failed republican lead effort to sell off 500,000 acres of public lands in Nevada and Utah.Thanks for listening! Open Container is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to Open Container and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Send your feedback, questions, and comments to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Today Doug opens the container with David Mykel.In his open, Doug talks about fear. The way it arrives, has a tendency to stick around and how a clear head can go a long way in scary situations.Doug is then joined by performance psychologist David Mykel. Through their conversation, Doug and David discuss the intricate relationship between fear and the exhilaration that comes from the wild. They talk about how going outside can foster a sense of vitality and authenticity that is often missing in everyday life. David also recounts his journey from the precipice of despair and how he discovered healing through the natural world.Thanks for listening! Open Container is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to Open Container and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Send your feedback, questions, and comments to myrockfight@gmail.com.

Today Doug opens the container with Mountain Gazette's Mike Rogge.Doug opens the show by talking about the historical role of storytelling. He points out that storytelling is not merely a form of communication but a fundamental aspect of human evolution and something that allows us to connect with one another and understand our place in the cosmos. Storytelling is also a cornerstone of our outdoor community; something that evokes genuine engagement and reflection among its participants.Doug is then joined by Mike Rogge, the owner of Mountain Gazette. Doug & Mike reflect on the modern challenges facing storytelling in a digital age, where brevity often overshadows depth. They both advocate for a return to more profound narratives that resonate with readers. Narratives that foster connection and understanding and also make you want to let it rip when you go outside.Thanks for listening! Open Container is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to Open Container and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Send your feedback, questions, and comments to myrockfight@gmail.com.