Mountain Misfits Podcast

Have you ever watched a species — or a whole habitat — bounce back? In this hike-and-talk along Bass Creek, I revive the Mountain Misfits Podcast with a no-fluff breakdown of what’s happening to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) right now—and why these proposed shifts are a backslide for species, wild places, and recovery.We get grounded and specific: what the ESA actually does, what “threatened” vs “endangered” really means, why critical habitat is the whole game, and how proposals like removing the “blanket rule” can create delays and gaps right when species need protection most. I also dig into why “rewriting” the ESA through technical rule changes can quietly reshape conservation outcomes.If you’re pro-protection, pro-restoration, and tired of watching the natural world get negotiated into smaller and smaller corners—this one’s for you.In this episode Why “policy” is field reality (and why this isn’t abstract)The ESA in plain English (the parts that actually matter)Critical habitat: what it is, how it’s used, and how it can be narrowed The threatened-species “blanket rule” and why removing it mattersHow to leave a strong public comment during the comment periodThe public is encouraged to submit comments during the 30-day comment period beginning November 21 at https://www.regulations.gov by searching the following docket numbers: FWS–HQ–ES–2025–0039 (Section 4)FWS–HQ–ES–2025–0044 (Section 7)FWS–HQ–ES–2025–0029 (Section 4(d))FWS–HQ–ES–2025–0048 (Section 4(b)(2)) If you found this useful, subscribe for weekly podcast episodes, field clips, and science-in-the-wild storytelling—because we protect what we love, and we restore what we’ve damaged.

Join us for an insightful conversation with a true trailblazer in the world of filmmaking, as Andy Laub takes us behind the lens and shares the stories that have shaped his remarkable career. Tune in for a cinematic experience that transcends borders and leaves a lasting impact.

In this episode we chat with Radd’s former geologist professor at the mighty University of Montana - Western. The conversation delves into the geologically unique landscapes of western Montana and the status of STEM education.

Today we are joined by Mat Seidensticker, former NCAA basketball player turner turned moth biologist. He is a founding member of the Northern Rockies Research & Educational Services, Inc., which is dedicated to advancing scientific research, education, and conservation of insects, birds, and other wildlife, and his area of focus is the Montana Moth Project (MMP). With only two full-time staffers (who double as field techs), the MMP team clocked more than 8,000 road miles this summer, traveling the state sampling moths in a diversity of habitats. From tiny, delicately patterned micromoths (often no larger than a rice grain) to bird-sized behemoths like Hyalophora cecropia, the moths of Montana are as compelling as any of the macro mammals for which the state is famous.Mat has recorded and vouchered myriad species previously unknown from (or not yet observed in) Montana, Rhyacionia neomexicana, Evergestis consimilis, and Copablepharon arinotum. 

Imagine waking one morning, putting your running shoes on, and going for a 100-mile run with over 33,000 vertical feet. That’s what ultramarathoner Heather Brooks does. We talk about why she chooses to run races like the Hard Rock 100 and more importantly how she balances life. Spend any time around Heather, and you will spontaneously be inspired to go for a good, long run in the hills.