Silver On the Sage

In 1972 Kathy Leach and Nancy Wells became the first two female Rangers on staff at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Kathy shares her reflections of the experience, how it was both a moment of apprehensive change for Philmont and the Boy Scouts of America as well as positive empowerment for her. Kathy also co-led the first Kit Carson Women's trek - today known as Rayado Women - in August of 1973.  Kath...

Little did she know, when Karyl Yeston's mom filled out an application for her daughter to work at Philmont Scout Ranch, that she would end up being the first female manager of the Trading Post - today known as the Tooth of Time Traders.  In this episode we chat about generational differences and the humble pioneering that Karyl was a part of for women at Philmont.  Karyl credits the leadersh...

Dawn Chandler - Philmont's first ever female Camp Director and first Executive Director of the Philmont Staff Association, joins the show.  With humble reflection and the passionate heart of a true creator, Dawn credits her rich Philmont experiences to family, peers, and her art.  From the rewarding struggles of a Rayado participant to the successes of a full-time artist, Dawn is relatable, w...

Kicking off our first ever mini-series, Women of Philmont, Katrina Moon joins the show!  Katrina was the first female Ranger from the Naval Academy to work at Philmont.  Although she was only there for a short time, Katrina praises Philmont for it's leadership style and ability to challenge participants and staff to grow in unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations.  Today Katrina lives in Nort...

A man of many names and many incredible stories - Karl J.P. Smith, Karl Sparks, Doctor Sparks - joins the show!  Karl draws a direct connection between his storytelling days at Philmont campfires to what he does today - working as a traveling professional storyteller .  From accidental and somewhat haphazard vison quests and backcountry  musical performances, to moments of humble reflection and gr...

At 10,000+ downloads and 30 episodes - this is a quick celebratory episode with some fun stats and facts about how the podcast as grown, info about what's to come, and how you can support the podcast!  A big thank you to the listeners and interviewees for making the podcast possible. Ways to support Silver On the Sage Podcast: To support via a one-time contribution, please click the link belo...

As a previous seasonal and full-time Maintenance employee, Bryan Spink discusses the learning and teaching aspects of the Camping Headquarters Maintenance Department at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Bryan also shares his love for the spirit of Philmont friendships and stories of the "good old days."  Thanks Bryan!  Philmont Experience: 2011- Camping Headquarters (CHQ) Maintenance  2011 Fall- CH...

From an enthusiastic to-be assigned seasonal staff hire to a full-time employee at Philmont Scout Ranch, Eric Martinez joins the show to share stories and insights.  Eric was a co-creator and active facilitator of the PASS (Philmont Advisor Skills School) and PAW (Philmont Advisor Workshop) programs, and also played an integral role in improving the Ranger hiring process and enhancing the Winter A...

An episode where tangents and tall tales are always welcome.  Jada "Day" McGirt, a loving extrovert, avid rock climber, passionate servant leader, and relationship builder joins the show.  Jada embraces tough love and the many challenges that Philmont allows us to grow from.  Today she and her Philmont mate, Michael Serio, are farmers in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Philmont Experience 20...

Author of the inspirational and Philmont famous song, "I Don't Mind," Peter Bingen joins the show to discuss his summers on staff.  Today Peter is a professional luthier in Minneapolis, MN - http://www.bingenviolin.com/ Philmont Experience 1989 - Trek Participant 1990 - Rayado Participant 1993 - Ranger 1997 - Conservationist at Thunder Ridge Notable Mentions (Spellings may be incorr...

Bear encounter expert and professional ski industry guru, Kevin joins the show to discuss an array of topics to include how to stay true to yourself while on your professional career path, to stories of the 2002 Ponil complex fire and more.  Thanks Kevin! Philmont Experience 1993, 1995, 1997 - Participant on trek 2000 - Logistics 2001 - CD Clark's Fork 2002 - CD Miranda 2003 - Backcountry Man...

A life-long "Scout Kid," and one of Philmont's first female "Lumber-Jills," Maggie joins the show today to share her stories about growing up at Philmont.  Maggie also highlights the Cimarron community and the amazing people who come together to make the town and school prosper each and every day.  A SPAM lover, aspiring artist, and nomadic soul, Maggie lights up when talk...

Kicking off Season 2 of Silver On the Sage podcast, current full-time Director of Conservation, Lee Hughes joins the show. With humor and wisdom, Lee shares stories and highlights the positive impact that seasonal Philmont staff have on youth participants.  As one  of the first Backcountry Managers alongside the late Unit 41, Gene Schnell, Lee discusses how the ranch has evolved and improved throu...

Campfire of all Campfires - Season 1 Finale Ellyn Washburne - Rich Cabins Memories Slim Uribe-Goertz , Jessica Seifert, Rod Taylor - Night Rider's Lament Tucker Baker and 2014 Metcalf Staff - Campfire Stories and John Henry Dan Edwards - Rollin in my Sweet Baby’s arms Kira Redzinak - Wayfaring Stranger, Abigail Belle of Kilronan Sam Anderson - Gold Miner’s Daughter, Fire On the Mountain Josh...

Jimmy Lowe wraps up season one discussing his influential time as a participant on OATC and as a seasonal staff member.  Synthesizing his memories for the first time in a while, Jimmy recalls how exposure to Philmont mines and mining history influenced his higher education, career path, and passions. This is the final interview episode of season one of the podcast!  Thanks Jimmy!  Philmont Experie...

Wally Wolanin, tenured Philmont Training Center staff member, shares a lively interview that begins with a young man’s disbelief that such a place as Philmont Scout Ranch could really be that cool. Turns out it was that cool, and so much more. Wally walks us through the inner workings of a summer experience at the Philmont Training Center (PTC). Discussing that although sometimes thought of as an...

From participant, to seasonal staffer, to current full-time resident of Cimarron/Ute Park - Meghan Herman joins the show to share the insight she gained while working seasonally in the Health Lodge and in the Backcountry.  Florida native, Meghan trained for two-years in preparation to trek at Philmont as a youth.  On the plane ride home, she cried, wishing she could stay forever.  Turns out, with...

New Mexico native and passionate career Forster, Mary Stuever, joins us to discuss land management, forest fires, and conservation of Philmont’s precious and beautiful landscape.  Mary initially pursued a Philmont staff experience for two reasons: to summit Baldy and to prepare to hike the Continental Divide. Like many of us, Mary’s passion for Philmont grew, and she returned for many seasons, spe...

From a very young age, Bucko Cowden was free to roam at Philmont Scout Ranch. As a “Chaplain’s kid” Bucko shares stories of undercover excursions to Ponil, ping-pong tournaments, and numerous Rayado-like Mountain Treks. Returning in 2004 as a young adult on staff, Bucko became “Rock star adjacent” storytelling legend and an integral player in the birth of mountain ball (not to be confused with log...

Join in on this care-free episode as Zac “Moose” Tuggle discusses all things Logger Camps. From humble beginnings working in the Services department at base camp, to recruiting his buddies to form the ultimate logger staff in 2007 at Crater Lake, Zac embodied the backcountry interpretive energy and spirit of fun. Discussing backcountry traditions and larger than life legends, Zac reminds us of tho...

Devyn Hanselmann - Coming at ya from “the arm” of Massachusetts aka Provincetown!  Devyn, with her laughter that glows, discusses her initial apprehension about applying to work at “some Boy Scout camp” in the mountains of New Mexico. Of course, the magic of Philmont Scout Ranch crept in, and Devyn excelled for a total of three summers on staff. From the dust and wildflowers of Ponil, to the logis...

Todd’s passion to teach and pursue a career in education, was significantly influenced by his seasonal staff experience in the conservation department. Feeling restricted by the limitations of the formal classroom, Todd aspired to an education of higher purpose, hence he set out to become a Jewish Rabbi. Returning for four summers as a Jewish Chaplain at Philmont Scout Ranch, Todd discusses the Mi...

On a particularly fateful day - May 17, 2006 to be exact - Elizabeth “Slim” Uribe-Goertz was hired to work at the Villa, and the rest is history. Today (as I type this to be exact) she is driving to Cimarron, NM - where the Rockies meet the Plains - for good.  In this episode Slim shares the many impacts that Philmont had on her life, which ultimately lead her to pursue and accept a full-time HR p...

There is a good chance you know and admire Sarah Burgess, and if you don’t, this episode will catch you up to speed. Sarah Burgess, also known as “Sustaina-Burgess,” has improved and spearheaded several positive changes at Philmont - namely the STEM program and Sustainability efforts done via the Philmont Conservation Department. Sarah credits her brother (also a Philmont alumni) Paul Burgess, as...

Recounting the profound, yet tiny moments and details of everyday life in the backcountry, Justin joins us to discuss his time at Philmont Scout Ranch. As a participant and on staff, Justin spent a decade growing and giving in the High Country. Justin shares how he aspired to leadership positions in order to give back and share what he had learned in previous summers. On the tough days, Justin rem...