Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson

Our 10 Favorite Adventure Books, with Mark Kenyon

Mark Kenyon is no stranger to Mountain & Prairie listeners—he's the author of That Wild Country, host of the Wired to Hunt podcast, and the newly minted Director of Conservation at MeatEater. He's also one of the most voracious readers I know. Every few years, Mark and I record a special episode where we discuss our top 10 favorite books in a particular category. The first one was our top 10 conservation books, then we explored our top 10 books about the American West—you can find links to both of those episodes in the show notes. For this episode, we decided to discuss our top 10 adventure books—a category that both Mark and I love and have spent decades reading. We each brought five books that have stayed with us. Some are classics. Some are newer. Some are brutal. Some are unexpectedly funny. All of them reveal something about the human drive to embrace discomfort and move toward the unknown rather than away from it. Yes, Mark and I love reading adventure books for entertainment and enjoyment, but we also both try to extract lessons from these wild stories that can be applied to our own lives. Whether we're thinking about family, assessing risk, leadership, attitude, or simply not taking ourselves too seriously, there are important lessons to be learned from even the most outlandish adventures. So this conversation goes much deeper than a simple "Read this book because it's good"—we discuss how these books have shaped us and how they continue to influence our thinking. And if you like book recommendations, be sure to sign up for my bimonthly book recommendations email. For more than ten years, I've been sending one email every other month featuring books I recently read and highly recommend. The topics and genres are all over the place—and can admittedly be a little weird—but people seem to enjoy them, so I keep sending them. I just published my recommendations for January and February 2026, so you can find a link in the show notes and sign up if you're interested. Thanks so much for listening! --- Mark Kenyon on Instagram Ed and Mark's 10 Conservation Books Ed and Mark's 10 Books about the American West Ed's Bimonthly Book Recommendations Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/adventure-books --- THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Mountain & Prairie is listener-supported via Patreon, and brought to you with support from the Central Grasslands Roadmap, The Nature Conservancy in Colorado, North Bridger Bison, and the Old Salt Co-op for their generous sponsorship. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 0:00 - Introducing Mark Kenyon and highlighting North Bridger Bison 6:05 - Mark's new role at MeatEater 13:03 - Mark's next book timeline 18:28 - A new MeatEater podcast 21:43 - Getting into the books, starting with a Doug Peacock classic 28:17 - The first TR book Ed ever read 35:30 - The layers of Teddy Roosevelt 37:59 - Mark's next pick, a more recent option 42:21 - Ed's up, with a cliche? 47:55 - Bonus rec from Mark 50:33 - American Buffalo 1:03:03 - Navigating risk outdoors 1:07:48 - Pivoting to lighter adventure books 1:12:53 - An adventure book by a woman 1:17:57 - Mark's last choice and a caribou conversation 1:26:35 - And Ed's last choice, connecting with mountaineering 1:34:45 - Wrapping up --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Stella Maria Baer – Moons, Horses, and New Mexico Light

Stella Maria Baer is a Santa Fe–based painter whose work is deeply rooted in land, light, and place. Known for her luminous depictions of moons, desert skies, horses, and wide-open Southwestern landscapes, Stella often makes her own pigments by hand—grinding rocks, dirt, and minerals into paint that quite literally contains the places she portrays. In addition to her studio practice, she teaches intimate workshops on natural pigment painting for land-based artists on her New Mexico property, creating space for people to reconnect with their creativity, their hands, and the earth itself. Stella grew up in New Mexico in a family of artists—her mother was a weaver, her grandfather a photographer, her grandmother a sculptor—and spent summers on a Wyoming ranch that shaped her lifelong love of horses and open country. Though art was always around her, she initially pursued religion and philosophy, studying questions of desire, goodness, and the inherent value of land. Painting began not as a career move but as a private, prayerful practice—drawing birds in journals to quiet a busy mind. Over time, that contemplative discipline evolved into a full-time vocation, one that ultimately drew her back home to New Mexico after years on the East Coast, where she had found herself painting the desert from memory and longing. In this conversation, we talk about that journey—from philosophy classrooms and sacred poetry to moon paintings and hand-ground pigments. Stella shares how critique shaped her work in unexpected ways, how motherhood has influenced both her art and her priorities, and the powerful story behind rescuing her horses from kill pens—animals that now carry deep personal meaning connected to her late mother. We also discuss the importance of play, silence, and being a beginner in a screen-saturated world. Stella rarely does interviews, so I'm especially grateful for her willingness to sit down and speak so thoughtfully and authentically about her life and work. It's a reflective conversation about creativity, land, faith, and following one's unique artistic curiosity. I feel like Stella and I only scratched the surface of her curiosity, land ethic, and artistic journey, so I'll look forward to having her back for another conversation in the future. But for now, I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. --- Stella Maria Baer Moon Horse Ranch Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/stella --- THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Mountain & Prairie is listener supported via Patreon, and brought to you with support from the Central Grasslands Roadmap, The Nature Conservancy in Colorado, North Bridger Bison, and the Old Salt Co-op for their generous sponsorship. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 0:00 - Intro and sponsor highlight 7:50 - Stella's origin story 12:00 - Art in Stella's childhood 14:35 - Zoning in and drawing birds 19:39 - Religion and philosophy degrees 21:58 - Wendell Berry and the Bible 25:07 - Responding to critiques 27:42 - New Mexico love 33:01 - Why moons? 36:07 - Importance of play 44:12 - How having kids changed things 50:54 - Stella's horses 55:28 - Stella's workshops 1:02:08 - Book recs 1:06:00 - Wrapping up --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

A Joint Episode with The River Radius, featuring Sam Carter

Today's conversation is a joint episode between Mountain & Prairie and The River Radius podcast. I'm joined by Sam Carter, the creator and host of The River Radius. If you're not already familiar with The River Radius, I give it my highest endorsement. It's the most thoughtful and well-crafted show out there about rivers, water, and the people connected to them. Sam has built something genuinely special, and he's someone I consider both a friend and a collaborator. I've learned a great deal from the way he approaches storytelling, curiosity, and place. For this episode, instead of a traditional interview, this is a two-way conversation in which Sam and I interview each other—one we're both releasing on our podcast feeds. Sam shared it on The River Radius feed earlier in January, and now I'm sharing it here. We talk about how our podcasts came to be, what keeps us curious after hundreds of episodes, and how rivers, landscapes, and long projects shape the way we think about life and work. We also get into writing, responsibility, attention, grief, ambition, and what it actually looks like to build something slowly and with intention. I think you'll enjoy it. As always, be sure to check the episode notes for detailed timestamps and links to everything we discuss. And I strongly encourage you to find The River Radius on your favorite podcast player, explore the archives, and give it a listen. Enjoy! --- The River Radius podcast River Radius on Instagram Episode notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/river-radius --- THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Mountain & Prairie is listener supported via Patreon, and brought to you with support from the Central Grasslands Roadmap, The Nature Conservancy in Colorado, North Bridger Bison, and the Old Salt Co-op for their generous sponsorship. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 0:00 - Opening and sponsor highlight 5:46 - Ed introducing himself to Sam Carter and vice versa 9:19 - Why Sam started River Radius 11:49 - People are listening 16:36 - So … what is the Mountain & Prairie podcast? 24:04 - What do Ed's daughters think of his job? 25:30 - How to make a podcast your full-time gig 32:47 - 2025 highlights from Sam 43:11 - Throughlines 48:24 - How Ed's changed the way he looks at the world 51:36 - Ed's 2025 highlights 59:15 - What's the point of fly fishing? 1:03:11 - What's in store for 2026? 1:12:17 - Sam and Ed's production strategies 1:25:42 - Ed's writing a book! 1:30:12 - What is a river for Ed Roberson? 1:33:56 - More questions for Ed from Sam's listeners 1:36:57 - And questions for Sam from Ed 1:42:16 - Parting words --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Kelsey Morris Returns – Going All In on Art

My guest today is Kelsey Morris, and this is her second time on the podcast—which feels long-overdue, because a lot has happened since we last talked. When Kelsey first joined me nearly five years ago, she was balancing a full-time job while building her art career on the side. Shortly after that conversation, she did something many creative people dream about and very few actually do: she quit her job, changed her phone number, and went all-in on her work as an artist. Since then, she's built a deeply recognizable visual style, taken on major commissions, and quietly carved out a career that sits at the intersection of Western art, wildlife, and the modern outdoor world. In this conversation, we pick up right where we left off—talking about what it actually takes to make the leap into full-time creative work, how Kelsey thinks about balancing artistic curiosity with financial reality, and how discipline, professionalism, and showing up every day matter just as much as inspiration. We also talk about her evolving style, the pressure of deadlines, why some days the work just doesn't click, and how she's learned when to push through—and when to walk away. We also get into some big life changes: closing her gallery, preparing for motherhood, spending time at her off-grid cabin in Alaska, and a major upcoming milestone—being selected to paint the 2026 covers of Field & Stream, one of the most iconic names in outdoor media. Kelsey is thoughtful, grounded, funny, and refreshingly honest about the realities of creative work. This is a conversation about art, ambition, patience, and building a life that actually fits the work you want to do. I really loved catching up with her, and I think you will too. Enjoy! --- Kelsey Morris Kelsey on Instagram Episode notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/kelsey-morris/ --- THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Mountain & Prairie is listener supported via Patreon, and brought to you with support from the Central Grasslands Roadmap, The Nature Conservancy in Colorado, North Bridger Bison, and the Old Salt Co-op for their generous sponsorship. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 0:00 - Introducing Kelsey Morris and sponsor information 5:55 - Intro and going all in on art 10:42 - Marketing oneself 13:06 - Space to explore 15:57 - Individuality 20:05 - How to pay the bills 23:02 - Attention to detail 26:22 - Deadline torture 27:50 - The days when it's not easy 32:40 - Milestones 37:04 - Who Kelsey looks up to 42:00 - The gallery 45:02 - Parenting 49:16 - The Alaska house 55:13 - Field & Stream exclusive 59:13 - Book recs 1:02:45 - Wrapping up 1:03:45 - Ed's goodbye and thank yous --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Jason Gardner Returns – Fire, Leadership, and What Really Matters

Jason Gardner is a retired Navy SEAL who now works as a top-level leadership instructor with Echelon Front. Over his thirty-year career in the SEAL teams, he served in combat operations in Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, later becoming Command Master Chief of SEAL Team Five and Training Detachment. Since retiring from the Navy, Jason has worked with hundreds of organizations as a leadership instructor and strategic advisor, helping teams apply high-stakes leadership principles to business and life. He now lives in a remote corner of northeastern Washington with his wife, Iris, and their two children, where he spends his time working on their homestead and staying closely connected to the land. This is Jason's second time on the podcast, and I'd strongly recommend going back and listening to our first conversation from 2021, along with the episode I recorded with Iris. Those earlier interviews dig deeper into Jason's career, his transition out of the military, and the longer arc of their family's journey—context that adds real depth to what we talk about here. This conversation unfolds in two parts. The first half hour or so is a firsthand account of the Hope Fire, a fast-moving wildfire that came dangerously close to destroying Jason and Iris's property and home last summer. Jason walks through the experience in detail—what it's like to prepare for evacuation, to work through exhaustion and uncertainty, and to rely on firefighters, neighbors, and community when the stakes are painfully real. In the second part, we widen the lens. Jason reflects on the lessons that emerged from the fire—about leadership, humility, and responsibility—and connects them to his own personal evolution over the last several years. We talk about PTSD, quitting drinking, the role psychedelic-assisted therapy played in his healing, and how practices like mindfulness, curiosity, kindness, and gratitude have reshaped how he approaches both life and leadership. It's an honest, grounded conversation about resilience, growth, and what it actually means to lead… starting with yourself. As always, be sure to check out the episode notes for a full list of everything we discussed, with timestamps for everything. There are also links to all of the books and resources that Jason mentions. --- Jason Gardner Jason on Instagram Echelon Front --- THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Mountain & Prairie is listener-supported via Patreon, and brought to you with support from the Central Grasslands Roadmap, The Nature Conservancy, North Bridger Bison, and the Old Salt Co-op for their generous sponsorship. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: WILDFIRE 7:01 – Intro, Jason's brush with a wildfire 11:45 – Fire jumping ridgelines 14:05 – Enter USAA 16:36 – Community power 20:34 – Enter the brush hog 25:26 – Day three mental state 31:53 – A big damn deal 35:09 – A sense of deep pride LESSONS 40:59 – Applying on-the-line lessons to the business world 45:20 – The most important leadership trait 50:47 – Challenge coins 55:05 – A changed perspective 1:01:24 – Dealing with cockiness 1:05:30 – Jason's mental health journey 1:11:43 – Quitting drinking 1:19:52 – Self-reflection 1:21:34 – Echelon Front Muster 1:27:06 – Book recs and wrapping up --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts