Miles & Mountains

He’s not trying to look perfect online. He’s trying to tell the truth about the road. We sit down with Andrew, a traveling rodeo photographer and videographer who’s built a reputation for showing the whole story. That means early mornings, midnight edits, flat tires, long drives, and the unglamorous reality behind the “one great shot.” We talk about what the job actually demands, why communication...

Eight seconds is the easy part to talk about. The hard part is what happens when the rider comes off wrong, the bull turns back, and a bullfighter has to choose a gap with no guarantee he’s walking out clean. That’s where Riley Riddle lives, and he joins us to explain what real preparation looks like in professional rodeo bullfighting.  We get into the daily work most people never see: training fi...

Barrel racing looks like a blur of speed, three tight turns, and a clock that doesn’t care how far you hauled to get there. The truth is messier and more interesting. Arley Hughes joins us to talk about what it really costs to compete in rodeo, why so many athletes do it anyway, and how a “hobby” can turn into a lifestyle built around horses, hauling, and grit. We get honest about the overhead mos...

A city background does not prepare you for a morning that starts with milking a cow, scanning for rattlesnakes, and measuring your day in half-day chunks because there are no shortcuts. We sit down with the co-owner of SISU Farms, to talk about how she went from urban convenience to a full-on homesteading experiment on remote land, and why she believes you can change your entire life faster than y...

The crowd sees the run. We live everything wrapped around it: the midnight departures, the feed stops, the horse-first priorities, and the mental snap from exhausted to locked in when it’s finally time to compete. From Centralia to Port Angeles to the next town, we talk through what a real rodeo weekend looks like when you’re hauling, swapping slack, sleeping in fragments, and still expected to pe...

A fifteen-year-old stock show competitor opens up about life in FFA, why she chose pigs over sports, and how caring for animals builds real discipline. She shares the feed plans, show prep, and family support that keep her moving toward a future in nursing. • moving from 4‑H to FFA and finding a better fit • what FFA teaches about livestock, routine, and responsibility • choosing pigs, training me...

A metal kid grows up on thrash and stadium riffs, then finds himself writing country songs on a beat-up acoustic. That’s where our conversation with Jared Graham begins—somewhere between distortion and dust, showmanship and bare-boned truth—and it doesn’t let up until the last chord rings. We trade stories about the albums that rewired our ears—early Metallica, the maligned but meaningful Saint An...

What does it take to aim your life at 89 mph and keep your head still while the world blurs? We sit with Andy Whittier, a Team USA skeleton hopeful on the cusp of Cortina 2026 and pull back the curtain on a sport that pairs sprint speed with steel nerves and brutal precision. From a small Idaho town and Division I football to a niche winter discipline, he explains why size and weight caps push som...

A headlamp slicing the dark. A kid who’d rather be grinding levels than hiking switchbacks. A flash of fear on the roadside that turns into something like courage. Eliot Peper joins us to share Ensorcelled, his compact 90-minute novel about a boy named Tim whose attention is split between the glowing pull of video games and the raw, unscripted wonder of the Sierra backcountry. We dig into why this...

Step into the world of rodeo media with Clay Noel Harper, the 26-year-old Editor-in-Chief of Rodeo Life magazine who's reshaping how Western stories are told. Born into what many consider "rodeo royalty," Clay Noel shares her unique journey from college rodeo competitor to becoming a respected voice in rodeo journalism. With remarkable humility, Clay Noel opens up about growing up i...

What drives someone to run 200 miles through rugged mountain terrain? Just three years after her first ultra marathon, Michaela Trenidad conquered the infamous Bigfoot 200, completing the punishing course around Mount St. Helens in 74 hours.  Michaela pulls back the curtain on what she calls "the stretch of carnage" - a seven-mile section where exhausted runners collapsed alongside the t...

Professional bullfighter Trevor Wells returns to discuss his journey through recovery after a career-threatening knee injury and his decision to retire from bullfighting after his upcoming final three rodeos. • Suffered tears to ACL, LCL, MCL and fractured kneecap during a rodeo in May 2024 • Underwent surgery in September 2024 and has regained 85-90% mobility • Found the mental challenge of watch...

What drives someone to bike 631 miles across Idaho for charity, swim five miles through frigid waters with their 70-year-old grandmother, or keep pursuing extreme physical challenges after surviving a rocket attack in Syria?  Meet Melisa Creek, an ultra-endurance athlete and military veteran whose extraordinary journey blends adventure with purpose. In this raw, captivating conversation, Melisa ta...

What happens when you combine a 20-year passion for video editing with a deep love for rodeo and Western culture? In just eight short months, Troy and his son have created Outlaw Echos, a rodeo promotion powerhouse that's amassed over 125,000 genuine followers and is revolutionizing how rodeo content is presented to the world. Unlike typical rodeo coverage, Outlaw Echos brings ESPN-quality pr...

Some journeys are measured not in miles but in memories created along the way. When I invited my middle daughter Zoe Jane to accompany me on a cross-country drive to Indiana, neither of us fully understood the adventure that awaited. What began as a practical mission to collect my late father's belongings from storage transformed into a 4,500-mile expedition through America's heartland –...

What drives a father to commit the unthinkable? When Travis Decker allegedly killed his three young daughters and disappeared into the wilderness, media coverage quickly blamed "system failures" – but is that the whole story? Three veterans dive deep into this heartbreaking case, challenging simplified narratives that potentially harm the veteran community. They untangle the critical dis...

When your running routes become maps of heartbreak, how do you find your way forward? Ultra runner John Calabrese takes us through his raw, emotional journey of rediscovery after losing both his relationship and running partnership in one devastating blow. John's story begins with a dream scenario for many runners—falling for a fellow ultra athlete who shared his passion, crewed his races, an...

Rodeo athlete Payton Pierce takes us through his journey from high school bull rider to a Yeti Junior World Final Qualifier in just six months of bareback competition. With raw honesty and the distinctive grit that defines him, Pierce recounts the moment that changed everything—when bareback riding legend Kaycee Feild slapped him in the face before a ride and told him to remember he was "a ba...

This episode dives deep into the numerous ways that running becomes a platform for connection and healing. Our guest, Tiffany Eldefonso, shares her journey leading up to the 2025 Badger Mountain Challenge.  Through heartfelt conversations, we explore how running can be a transformative journey, one that not only tests our physical endurance but serves as a medium to raise awareness about crucial i...

After leaving the comfort of a corporate job and venturing into the entrepreneurial world of rodeo apparel, Nicholas Reynolds has a story that promises to inspire. Our guest, Nicholas, alongside his partner Josh Gershom, has built 8 Seconds Strong—a brand that’s more than just clothing; it's a mission grounded in faith, family, and community. The narrative deepens as we explore tales of perso...

Wyatt Davis, a young bull rider with a heart as big as his ambition. Despite a severe injury in April 2023 that could have sidelined him for a year, Wyatt's sheer determination and the support of his family saw him back in the saddle much sooner. He shares his incredible journey of resilience, recounting the grit it took to overcome both physical and mental hurdles. Wyatt talks about graduati...

Episode is released as a guest appearance on James Lauriello’s The Steep Stuff Podcast. Go listen to the episode on his podcast  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-steep-stuff-podcast/id1736139061?i=1000691423168 Give him a follow:  Instagram: @steepstuff_pod https://www.instagram.com/steepstuff_pod?igsh=NG5icWtka3Q1amRz Thank you James. I am honored to be on your podcast. Thank you for the...

Welcome our guest, Emma Folz, a rodeo photographer who began her journey in early 2023. Emma’s stories about the vibrant rodeo communities she's encountered are both inspiring and captivating, as she shares how her lens has captured more than just the action—it’s captured friendships and a sense of belonging. Emma takes us on her photographic journey, revealing both the thrill and the challen...

What happens when a journey of personal transformation collides with the breathtaking beauty of the outdoors? Steve Emory, celebrating nearly 15 years of sobriety, shares his powerful story of recovery, resilience, and the simple joys of waking up without regrets. Steve’s love for nature shines through his passion for trail running, photography, and cherishing memories with his father. Discover ho...

What happens when a rodeo queen and a rodeo clown team up in life and love? Jessi and Roy Jackson join us as they share the heartwarming and humorous tales of their journey through the rodeo scene, from their summer escapades to the song that perfectly encapsulates their relationship. Celebrate alongside us as we reflect on Roy's impressive growth in the rodeo arena and the mutual support tha...