Raise The Flag Podcast

Most of us underestimate the power of community, connection, and outdoor life—and Heather’s Blade Show experience is proof. After a long hiatus, she returns to share how in-person gatherings, wildlife encounters, and creative pursuits reignite her passion and fuel her business in ways she never expected. If you've ever doubted the impact of real-world relationships on growth and motivation, th...

Most people don't push their limits — but Patrick does it for a living. From desert survival classes with Dave Holliday to Alaska trapping trips, he’s constantly chasing adventure in the most extreme environments. In this episode, Patrick shares raw stories of surviving the Sonoran Desert's blistering heat, enduring Yukon winter’s brutal cold, and even losing part of his thumb to a tricky...

Most people don't push their limits — but Patrick does it for a living. From desert survival classes with Dave Holliday to Alaska trapping trips, he’s constantly chasing adventure in the most extreme environments. In this episode, Patrick shares raw stories of surviving the Sonoran Desert's blistering heat, enduring Yukon winter’s brutal cold, and even losing part of his thumb to a tricky...

Most entrepreneurs overlook the power of in-person events—and then regret it. This episode reveals the surprising benefits of showing up, not just selling online. When Tom ditches his booth, he uncovers unexpected opportunities—building real connections, testing products firsthand, and mastering the art of low-cost, high-impact marketing. From miniature shows to knife festivals, they share actiona...

Nick, Heather, and Tom share candid stories about flipping failures into wins, the importance of emotional calluses, and why embracing failure is the key to growth. Discover how to develop quick, decisive judgment calls, manage burnout with humor and pragmatism, and cultivate the mental resilience that separates good leaders from great ones.

Ever feel like your ideas are overflowing but your time is never enough? All three of us struggle with balancing creative sparks and actual production—yet finding that middle ground can make all the difference. From planning dedicated days for new projects to neighborhood relationships that turn strangers into supporters, it’s about working smarter—not harder. Remember: your unique story and genui...

This week the Raise the Flag Team answers the age old question of how many yee's is the maximum amount of yee's! Beyond that we discuss big boy toys, passion, work life balance, following your dreams, and encouraging the young people to do the same...and of course the nonsense!

Keywords PNW Bushcraft, entrepreneurship, small business, consumer awareness, community engagement, young entrepreneurs, product launch, motivation, mindset, collaboration Summary In this episode of the Raise the Flag podcast, hosts Nick Italiano and Heather the Happy discuss various themes surrounding entrepreneurship, consumer awareness, and personal growth. They share experiences related to the...

This Week on Raise The Flag Podcast...It's too cold in the Northeast and Nick and Tom are buried in snow! Tom discusses his foray into making folding knives, Nick talks about putting together his first magazine, and Heather talks about some local networking efforts!

In this engaging conversation, Nick Italiano, Heather the Happy, and special guest Jacks Genega from Wild Card Wilderness discuss the importance of community in outdoor skills, the essence of bushcraft, and the upcoming courses Jax is offering. They reflect on their experiences in teaching and learning, the cultural context of outdoor skills, and the power of passionate teaching. The discussion em...

The Raise The Flag Team have lost their homes! Well not really its just their homes have been filled with supplies and equipment to make their business run! Tune info for big plans, nonsense, and find out what happens if you pet Nuge!

We Are Back and pretty much as awesome as we were before! We have big plans in the works for 2026, so tune in and here all about our accomplishments in 2025 and our goals for 2026!

Hey so we recorded this right after Blade Show West...and because life sometimes happens it didn't go live...but here it is! Listen in to hear all about Heathers experiences at Blade Show and all the other crazy happens in the life and times of the Raise The Flag Crew!

This Week on Raise the Flag...Patrick Diedrich, Senior Editor of RECOIL OFFGRID Magazine joins us to discuss his experiences deep in the jungles of Colombia! This is one episode you won't want to miss!

This week on Raise the Flag...Potato Thieves!!!! For serious though we get into the nitty gritty of how rising costs impact production costs for businesses and the unique challenges small businesses face in this environment...also hat mojo, Death Bunny Society, and other good stuff!

This Week on Raise the Flag...Heather announces her Death Bunny Society Kick Starter! Tom is back and we take on social media "experts", trucks that don't do truck things, and more! Check out the Death Bunny Society Kick Starter! Because it will make Heather happy...seriously, what kind of monster doesn't want heather to be happy? If you have a heart click it, go on do it now! ht...

This Week on Raise the Flag...Patrick Diedrich, Senior Editor of Recoil Offgrid (aka Nick's Boss) joins us for a recap of the Undisclosed training and scenario event that Recoil Offgrid Magazine just hosted. Tom talks about his experiences during an off-grid week in the mountains with some awesome outdoor adventure types, and Heather gets even more whimsical after attending her first Renaissan...

This week on Raise the Flag...Epic Quests or just cool road trips, but epic quests sound more exciting! Heather travels to Mordor ...or Colorado, trains with master crafters of bushes, and Todd made The One Spoon to Rule Them All!

In this episode of the Raise the Flag Podcast, hosts Nick and Heather, along with special guest Todd, explore a variety of topics ranging from personal relationships and humor to outdoor gear and packing strategies. They share insights on the importance of collaboration in the outdoor community, the evolution of Crocs, and the challenges of knife-making. The conversation flows naturally, touching...

This Week on Raise the Flag...Blade Show 2025 Recap of all the awesomeness! So much to cover - the knives, the people, the vibe! What an incredible show and of course the sticker scavenger hunt!

The calm before the storm...more like the chaos before the storm! Tom is back to update us on his Blade Show good and Heather details what she is bringing along with her! Nick discusses his Blade Show classes and don't forget the really cool Blade Show challenge and contest for any listener attending! Tom weighs in on the great marshmallow debate...That's it we need to go pack!

This week on Raise the Flag...Nick discusses his experiences in Wilderness Survival class with Jeff Hatch of Raven Wilderness School and there is a debate about the proper way to prepare marshmallows...and Nick is right! (because I write the captions and there is nothing Heather can do about it bwhaha!) We also talk outdoor clothing and a bunch of other cool stuff so listen to it!

This Week on Raise the Flag...Is bag problem really a problem? We don't think so we need all the bags! Our bags need bags! We also talk about all of our upcoming events, adventures, and classes! We talk a little about bringing more women into survival land and more!

This Week on Raise The Flag...wow we got an episode that it loaded with good stuff! Guest host Joe Flowers of Bushcraft Global joins us for a recap of the Mountain Readiness Expo and a lot of talk about many cool upcoming events that some or all of us will be at! We dive into the importance of situational awareness, explore the complexities of Land Snorkeling, learn about the importance of underst...

Heather is back from CANCON Arizona and she played with a Mini-gun! Listen to hear all about Heather and her transformation in a a jelly bean warrior! We also have some updates for upcoming evens, gear, and more!