The Lookout Podcast

It was an honor to have one the living legend Leif Haugen on the show! Leif has 32 years in service as a Lookout and has been keeping watch over our national forests and firefighters. We had a great conversation, tune in to hear the full conversation and please like and subscribe to support the channel.

Flathead Hotshot Superintendent The Great Shawn Borgen! In this episode Borg reflects on his decision to retire after 33 years in firefighting, with 28 years on the Flathead Hotshot crew. - 60th Anniversary: This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the Flathead Hotshot crew, a significant milestone for Borgen who has been present for the 30th, 40th, and 50th anniversaries as well! I hope you e...

I am joined by Outdoorsman Cody Kuebler. Cody grew up in Northern Illinois fishing, hunting, and recreating. Tune in to hear all about his experiences and our gratitude for family and being together on Thanksgiving.

Kevin Roach joined the podcast to talk about Fire season, family, Big Sky Football, Fitness, and much more. Tune in to hear the full conversation. Please like subscribe and share with a friend.

Host Luke Barrett travels to John Crawfords wood shop to talk with him about Lookouts, Lewis and Clark, the many books he's written, and building lookout towers. To contact John about his books, email him at Lookoutjohn51@gmail.com

I am joined by my older brother Kaleb Barrett who is a long time PRCA & PBR Bullfighter and outdoorsman. Tune in to hear all about the great community of rodeo and some of the similarities to Wildland Firefighting.

Zoe Savage returned to the podcast to talk about her Wild Fire progression from working on a district, to Type 1 crew, to a Helitack crew. We also discussed the great Wildland Firefighter fun known as Type 2 fun. Tune in to hear the full episode.

The Wild Fire Legend Bill Miller joined the podcast to talk about his incredible Fire career. Bill became a Smokejumper in his second season. Tune in to hear about his incredible jump career. Rene returned to co host this episode.

It was an honor to have Chief Chad Costa join the podcast via the inter web. Chief talked about the many layers of fire service that work together to Fight Wild Fires. It takes all of us and the best thing we can do is leave our ego at home and remember we are all fighting the same fight and here to help each other. Tune in to hear Chief Costa discuss that topic and more in this incredible episode...

The Incredible Mariel Leslie joined the podcast to talk shop about Public land, Fisheries, Wildland Firefighting, fishing in Belize, and much more! Watch the full episode to hear more.

Sam Vaughn joined me in the Airstream to talk shop about lookout life, wild fire, and much more. Check out the full episode.

Smokejumper Walt Wasser a living legend joined the podcast during the 85th Smokejumper reunion. Walt Wasser is the current record holder for the most fire jumps, 395 fire jumps! That number would have been higher if he wasn't forced into retirement at the age of 57. 57 is the age limit for federal Wildland Firefighters.

I was joined by John Spencer during the 85th Smokejumper Reunion. John was 37 years old in 1998 when he completed Smokejumper rookie training, which goes to show John is built a little tougher than most. John went on to have an incredible jump career completing at least one fire jump from all currently active Smokejumper Bases. Learn more about Johns great story in this episode. Thanks for tuning...

Living Legend George Cross honored me with his presence to tell his story of World War 2 and Smokejumping. George talked about his experience of parachuting into Normandy the day before the D-Day Invasion. It was truly an honor to sit down with George Cross. Tune in to the podcast to hear more of this Great mans story.

I was joined by the Great Tom Butler. I man who has lived through a lot in his life and was kind enough to stop by the Airstream to share a small piece of his story. Tom was a Smokejumper before he was shipped over to Vietnam where he was a cargo kicker contractor for the CIA.

I was joined by Wildland Firefighter and Campfire Safety educator Brennan Williams. In this episode we discussed Wildland Fire, working with kids, and the great outdoors. Watch this episode to learn more.

I was joined by the Incredible Travis Hall! Travis works for Field & Stream and is a massive proponent of Public Lands. We had a great conversation discussing the importance and value of preserving our Public Lands. Tune in to hear more about this great countries public lands why this is a cause every US citizen should be fighting for.

Late night podcast after the Putt n Pull fundraiser with 3 Legends Benji, Dave, and Laura. We discussed managing large fire and how to do it with no support, how firefighters mind sets change as the career goes on, and family dynamics during fire season.

If you can stop a Train, you can stop a Puck! I am joined by Wildland Firefighter and Glacier Hockey League Goalie, Cousin Roy! On this episode Cousin Roy shared how the train wreck occurred and the recovery process he went through to get back to playing goalie and fighting fire.

The Great CJ joined me in the Airstream to talk about 3 incredible fundraisers for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. One of those incredible fundraisers is happening Saturday April 26th. Tune in to hear more about these fundraisers and the tremendous impact they have on Wildland Firefighters and their families.

Rene Eustace is entering his 50th season fighting Wild Fires. Rene got his start in fire as a lookout staffing Medicine Point Lookout of the Sula Ranger District and it's been an exciting and fun adventure ever since. Tune in to this episode to hear more about what 50 years in Firefighting is like.

The incredible Grace Schwenk joined me in the Airstream to talk about her first year as a Lookout, running career, writing a book or 2, and much more. Tune in to hear this great podcast with Lookout Grace!

Arnold "Smoke" Elser began outfitting and guiding in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in 1964. Since then, he's taught conservation ethic and the art of horse/mule packing to more than 3,000 students at the University of Montana in Missoula. Elser uses castor oil on his saddles. Smoke was also a Lookout on the Helena National Forest and later on a Smokejumper at the Missoula Smokejumper Base.

I am joined by Foresters' Ball Chief Push Koson & Publicity Officer Katee to spread the word about the 106th Foresters' Ball! This is the Best Ball you will ever attend! This years theme is Tankers Droppin & Crews a Jumpin. Tune in to hear more about this Great event.

I am joined by Brett and Rogue to talk about the great charity hockey game between the Forest Service Wildland Firefighters and the City of Missoula Firefighters. Tune in to hear more about this great event and come out on Friday January 31st to cheer on your local firefighters and help raise money for charity.