Enter The Unknown

What happens when you walk away from a successful corporate career, sell everything you own, pack your family of five into a disaster-survival tent, and eventually build a beachfront paragliding hotel in South America? In this episode of Enter the Unknown, host Hayden Thomas sits down with Chris Hunlow, a Utah real estate agent, mortgage strategist, and "adventure entrepreneur" who built a life of radical freedom.

From his early days as a mortgage strategist to his escape to Nepal to paraglide full-time, Chris has lived a life of constant pivots. The duo dives deep into the realities of balancing high-consequence risk with family life, the historic flight off the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and how Chris is transitioning into an empty-nest beach lifestyle at his beachfront property, the Coconut Beach Hotel in Canoa, Ecuador.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED:

• The Corporate Escape & Nepal: How having a baby forced Chris into a mortgage job at a bank, and why he ultimately sold everything to move his family to Nepal to fly gliders.
• The Maui Tent Experiment: Surviving monsoon season living in a heavy-duty survival tent with three kids under ten on Hayden's organic farm.
• The Coconut Beach Hotel: The story of how a late-night poker game in Canoa led to Chris buying and restoring a rundown beachfront paradise.
• Wings Over Kilimanjaro: Summiting the 19,341-foot peak and watching his 18-year-old son launch a solo glider into the clouds.
• Real Estate & Lifestyle Investing: How Chris now blends his real estate and lending background to help others design lives with more freedom.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Action Over Perfection: You will never be 100% prepared; the real secret to adventure is staying ready to pivot when opportunity strikes.
• The Power of Partnership: Chris attributes his wild journey to his wife, Trista, who said "yes" to every crazy adventure.
• Hosting the Dance: Moving from being the "performance monkey" to creating the perfect beach environment for others to experience true freedom.

CONNECT WITH CHRIS HUNLOW:

• Instagram: @contodo.canoa
• Hotel Website: Coconut Beach Hotel
• Real Estate Website: Hunlow Homes

CONNECT WITH HAYDEN:

• Instagram: @entertheunknown.hayden
• TikTok: @entertheunknown1
• X: @ETUwithHaydenT
• YouTube: Enter The Unknown Channel
• Spotify: Show Link
• Stokes Picks: Stokes Picks Website (Use promo code Entertheunknown for 20% off!)

If this episode inspired you to unplug and find your own flow, please follow, rate, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!

What happens when you trade modern chaos for the silent discipline of the woods? Host Hayden Thomas sits down lakeside with Maine filmmaker, guide trainee, and creator of The Pursuit Hunt, Jake Haskell.

From his content creation at Origin USA to introducing youth to the outdoors, Jake has built a brand on one mantra: the pursuit never ends. The duo breaks down marathon training, the editing flow state, and the deep conservation and spiritual side of free flight and backcountry hunting.

MAIN TOPICS:

• The Pursuit Hunt: Jake's shift from a basic camcorder to a prominent outdoor lifestyle brand.

• Origin USA: Fast-tracking filmmaking and media skills alongside Jocko Fuel.

• Heater Hunts vs. Backcountry: Why tracking wilderness animals on foot beats driving logging roads.

• Mother's Day Turkey Hunt: A beautiful morning frost story where a clean miss was still a total victory.

• True Conservation: The biological necessity of hunting and population dynamics for herd health.

• 52-Inch Moose: Quartering a massive bull tag harvest in freezing rain with ten headlamps.

• The Pain Cave: How training for the Sugarloaf Marathon builds elite mental clarity and discipline.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Journey Wins: Magic lies in hours of silent focus, presence, and self-reflection, not just the harvest.

• Food Connection: Cultivating and sharing wild game repairs our disconnect with where meat originates.

• The Woods as Church: Deep wilderness provides a grounded, systemic connection to a higher power.

• Value in Failure: Cold mornings and clean misses are what give final success its ultimate transformation.

CONNECT WITH JAKE HASKELL:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepursuithunt/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepursuithunt

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepursuithunt/

• Website: https://thepursuithunt.com/

CONNECT WITH HAYDEN:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1

• X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT

• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Bjw9Hp4ouw3w6Hqqfbyoz

• Stokes Picks: https://stokespicks.com/ (Code: Entertheunknown for 20% off!)

Please follow, rate, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!

Welcome to an open, free-form edition of Weekends Live at Morningside!

In this episode of Enter the Unknown, host Hayden Thomas sits down with student pilots Randall Sanderson and Angus (Gus) Reid, along with Morningside assistant manager Judy Eloe. Together, they dive into the pure essence of freeflight, the mechanics of fluid dynamics, and what it truly feels like to chase the elusive flow state.

The conversation covers the stark contrast between commercial aviation and the pure, unadulterated nature of freeflight. From Gus's early days flying a DHV 2 Freaks Flare glider in 97 Scotland to Judy's epic three and a half hour top-landing flight at the Point of the Mountain in Draper, Utah, this episode breaks down what happens to the human mind once you leave the ground. The crew also shares wild stories of survival, including a high-stakes free diving incident on the Great Barrier Reef and the breathtaking multi-ecosystem experience of paragliding from the 10,000 foot summit of Haleakala in Maui down to the ocean.

• The Poetry of Soaring: Unpacking the beauty behind the idea that if flight is a language, then soaring is its poetry.
• Gus's Journey Across Aviation: From pulling handles on sailplanes, ultralights, and Cessnas to his early paragliding days in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
• Flow State Across Disciplines: Parallels between the high-stakes presence required in urban cycling, extreme big wall rock climbing, mathematics, and aircraft execution.
• Judy's 3-Hour Marathon Flight: A deep dive into an unforgettable ridge soaring day in Utah, battling numb legs, warm winters, and the triumph of a first top-landing.
• Visualizing the Invisible: The art of reading fluid dynamics in the atmosphere, tracking micro-thermals, and hunting down cloud streets at high altitudes.
• The High Altitude Sandbox: Managing oxygen systems when flying above 14,000 feet in places like Colorado and the extreme bivouac flights in the Karakoram range.
• The Scuba to Sky Hazard: Explaining the severe physiological dangers and pressure changes associated with mixing deep scuba diving and high-altitude paragliding.

• The Sunk Cost of the Cockpit: Why general aviation and big steel boxes can sometimes feel like driving a truck, while freeflight offers an unmatched sensory connection to nature.
• Microcosms in the Air: Understanding that springtime thermals can be sharp, steep laser beams narrower than the wing itself, demanding quick execution.
• A Transformed Worldview: How becoming a pilot permanently shifts your perception of the landscape, turning everyday mountains and circling birds into dynamic thermal triggers.
• Ending on a High Note: The golden rule of flight training, choosing to pack up after a perfect landing rather than letting ego push for one risky flight too many.

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1
• X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT
• Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas

Premium flavored nicotine toothpicks: https://stokespicks.com/
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If this conversation helped you visualize the invisible or inspired you to check your ego at the launch site, please follow, like, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!

What drives a pilot to leave the city pavement behind and push the absolute limits of mountain flight? In this episode of Weekends Live at Morningside, host Hayden Thomas catches up with Doug Dillon, a Brooklyn-based pilot who began his journey right at Morningside Flight Park. Doug has experienced an exceptionally rapid evolution in the freeflight community, ascending from a new student to the 2024 Tater Hill Open Champion. Fresh off an intensive training trip to Annecy, France—a mecca of the paragliding world—Doug breaks down his progression, testing uncertified lightweight wing prototypes, and an unexpected late-afternoon cross-country (XC) sprint that took him right to the edge of the Chamonix Valley with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc.

Driven by an obsession with "type 2 fun" and earning his flights through movement and exploration, Doug opens up about his growing collaboration with Czech manufacturer Mac Para. He also discusses his preparation for the upcoming 2026 X-Lost and X-Red Rocks hike-and-fly competitions, and how a serious accident following his Tater Hill victory completely reshaped his perspective on flight safety. Whether you are an advanced pilot chasing lines through the Alps or a student refining your wing control, Doug’s insights offer a masterclass in modern paragliding.

Main Topics Covered

• The Meccas of Freeflight: Deep-diving into Annecy, France, and undertaking SIV safety training in rowdy Alpine conditions over the lake with flight instructor Fabian.

• Mac Para Prototype Testing: Flight-testing an uncertified, high-aspect-ratio ($>7$), 3.2 kg lightweight wing prototype before its load certification in Italy.

• The "Coyote in the Sky": Family dynamics in the air, coaching a fearless brother (Ben), and how a 34m² solo wing accommodates their father's 120 kg flying weight.

• The Chamonix Sprint: A breakdown of a late-April evening flight from Plaine Joux, catching an 1,800m climb to cloud base (2,700m), and navigating past the Teeth of Lanfon to Passy, France.

• From Winner to the Deck: Winning the 2024 Tater Hill Open on a Triple Seven Rook 4, followed by a humbling misjudged glide in 2025 resulting in mild spinal compression fractures.

• Absorbing the Literature: How studying elite pilots via Gavin McClurg's Cloudbase Mayhem podcast and Advanced Paragliding book paved the path to competitive hike-and-fly events.

Key Takeaways

• A Timid Pilot is a Dangerous Pilot: Peak safety requires a strict mental architecture; every single flight demands predefined choices and a coherent routing strategy.

• The Evolution of the "Two-Liner": Navigating performance jumps safely—Doug skipped EN-C gliders entirely, transitioning quickly from high-end B wings to two-liner EN-D class wings.

• Springtime Alpine Rowdiness: Flying in the Alps during April means navigating active, thermal-packed systems over frozen terrain, where 4m/s climbs fire as late as 6:30 PM.

• The Humbling Nature of Flight: Paragliding offers an instant reality check; a pilot can be at the top of their game and still get caught by a basic environmental misreading.

• Optional Launch, Mandatory Landing: Recognizing that every choice to set foot in the sky can be delayed if local cycles look sketchy or pilots are getting unexpectedly plucked at launch.

Connect with the Guest

• Douglas Dillon: Hike-and-fly and cross-country paraglider pilot.

• Instagram: @dougydillon

Connect with Hayden

• Instagram: @entertheunknown.hayden

• TikTok: @entertheunknown1

• X: @ETUwithHaydenT

• YouTube: @EnterTheUnknownwithHT

• Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas

• Nicotine Toothpicks: Stokes Picks (Use code Entertheunknown for 20% off!)

If this episode inspired you, please follow, like, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!

In an era of political apathy and shifting goalposts, what does it take to step into the arena of "blood sport" politics? In this episode, Hayden Thomas sits down with David Jones, a long-time real estate executive and Republican gubernatorial candidate for the great state of Maine. David shares his journey from a 2005 primary run to founding the first-ever presidential Super PAC in Maine’s history. This conversation cuts through the noise, tackling the tough issues facing Mainers today: skyrocketing electric bills, property tax burdens on primary residences, and the ideological shifts in the public school system. Whether you are a lifelong voter or someone who has tuned out of the system, David’s grassroots message of "freedom and opportunity" is a wake-up call to participate in the process.

Main Topics Covered

• The Blood Sport of Politics: Why David returned to the political arena after 20 years and his "it's a calling, not a career" philosophy.

• DOGE (David’s Office of Government Efficiency): Identifying over $1.5 billion in estimated wasteful state spending and returning it to the taxpayers.

• Economic Relief: David’s proposal to eliminate property taxes on primary physical residences and raise the homestead exemption to $500,000.

• Energy Independence: A critique of current "alternative energy" mandates and a bold plan to bring small modular nuclear reactors to Maine.

• Education & Parental Rights: Restoring patriotism, civics, and traditional academics while removing political activism from the classroom.

• Election Integrity: The push for paper ballots, voter ID, and the elimination of rank-choice voting in favor of "one man, one vote."

• Defending the Constitution: David's history of suing the state over COVID-19 mandates and his current federal court battle against red-flag laws.

Key Takeaways

• "Can't" Doesn't Exist: A lifelong family motto that David believes is the key to restoring Maine’s economy and individual success.

• Fight Like Hell: Standing for principles shouldn't be confused with violence; it’s about having the conviction to stand firm in the face of bad policy.

• Majority Rules: Why unenrolled voters—the largest voting bloc in Maine—hold the power to change the state’s direction if they show up to the polls.

• The "Back Nine" Dedication: Why David is willing to sacrifice 4–8 years of his retirement to ensure a better future for his eight grandkids.

• Business Experience Over Politics: How 50 years of building companies and revitalizing towns provides a better blueprint for governance than a career in the "DC swamp."

Connect with the Guest

David Jones is a Maine real estate executive, constitutional fighter, and Republican running for Governor to deliver lower taxes, safer communities, and greater economic opportunity for every Mainer. A businessman and job creator — not a career politician — David has spent over 50 years building companies, revitalizing towns, and helping grow Maine’s economy through real-world experience.

• Website: jones2026.com

• Instagram: @jones4governor

• TikTok: @jones4governor

• Facebook: David Jones for Governor

Connect with Hayden

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1

• X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT

• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT

• Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas

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If this conversation lit a fire in your belly, please follow, like, and share Enter The Unknown! Remember, the future of the state is in your hands—get out and vote!

What happens when you spend a decade in the shadows of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones? In this gripping episode, Hayden Thomas sits down with one of his oldest friends, Jason Gumz, a former Air Force veteran and Blackwater private contractor. Jason opens up about the reality of high-stakes protective services in Iraq and Afghanistan, from the haunting mental toll of documenting judicial killings in Baghdad to the massive VBIED explosions that rattled his base. This conversation isn't just about war stories; it’s a deep dive into the transition from a "feast or famine" mercenary lifestyle to the serenity of Himalayan mountaineering. Discover how a failed trip to Nepal and a standoff with the NYPD at LaGuardia became the essential catalysts for Jason’s growth and his embodiment of the Stoic philosophy: "The Obstacle is the Way."

 Main Topics Covered

• The Reality of Blackwater: Demystifying the private security industry and the high-stakes world of protecting dignitaries in armored motorcades.

• War Stories from the Front: First-hand accounts of FOB Salerno, Chapman, and the massive "Hiroshima-style" mushroom cloud of a van bomb breach.

• Documenting the Dark: Jason's mentally taxing role photographing over 250 judicial killings during the Shia-Sunni conflict in Baghdad.

• The Military-to-Contracting Pivot: Why lucrative private contracts and the freedom of the "beard and smart car" lifestyle draw veterans back to the sandbox.

• Himalayan Expeditions: Prep climbs on Island Peak and Lobuche, and a harrowing account of altitude sickness and a long-line helicopter rescue on Ama Dablam.

• Climbing Conspiracy: A look into the rumored fraud scams where guides may intentionally weaken climbers to trigger insurance-payout rescues.

• Stoicism in Action: How a failed trip to Nepal (and an NYPD standoff at LaGuardia) lit the fire to begin a serious mountaineering career.

• The Transition to Cyber Security: What it’s like for a battle-hardened veteran to work a "normal person" office job at age 42.

Key Takeaways

• The Obstacle is the Way: Drawing from Marcus Aurelius, Jason explains how the hardest moments and failures of his life were the essential catalysts for his greatest growth.

• Choose Your Hard: Life is difficult whether you are sitting on a couch or climbing a mountain; the secret is choosing the struggle that leads to strength rather than decay.

• The Weight of Equilibrium: High-altitude mountaineering is as much a mental game as a physical one; once your equilibrium and energy are gone, even a simple repel becomes life-threatening.

• De-escalation Skills: Lessons from the military on why kitted-out tactical gear is sometimes the most effective de-escalation tool.

• The Value of Mentorship: The importance of having friends who push your boundaries and introduce you to "ambition, drive, and commitment."

Connect with Hayden

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1

• X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT

• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT

• Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas

• Get Stokes Picks! Premium flavored nicotine toothpicks: https://stokespicks.com/

• Use promo code: Entertheunknown for a 20% discount!

If this episode gave you a new perspective on resilience and the power of the journey, please follow, like, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!

What drives a marketing professional for one of the world's leading ski brands to jump off mountains in his spare time? In this episode, Hayden Thomas chats with Christian Eaton about the evolution of a paragliding pilot and the maturity required to fly "conservatively." Christian shares how his background in multi-pitch rock climbing and backcountry skiing shaped his approach to free flight, emphasizing the magical simplicity of a 9:00 a.m. "boat sledder" off Cannon Mountain. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the psychology of risk, the "Dunning-Krueger" effect in adventure sports, and the importance of checking your ego before you clip into your wing.

Main Topics Covered

• The Inspiration of Birds: How watching vultures soar while stuck on a climbing crux at Cannon Mountain sparked Christian's desire to fly.

• Hike-and-Fly Magic: The unique appeal of earning your flight through hiking and the tranquility of early morning launches.

• The Conservative Pilot: Why Christian is intentionally choosing to progress slower to develop a reputation for safety rather than boldness.

• Adventure Sport Cross-Training: Comparing the variable management of rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and paragliding.

• Heuristic Traps: Navigating the "comparison trap" and why following the crowd can lead to dangerous aeronautical decisions.

• The Dunning-Kruger Curve: Assessing where pilots land on the curve of competence versus confidence and the dangers of the "Intermediate Syndrome."

• Personal Risk Assessment: Balancing a passion for flight with family responsibilities and the upcoming birth of a niece or nephew.

Key Takeaways

• Stay Scared, Stay Alive: Embracing a healthy level of fear prevents the complacency that often leads to accidents in adventure sports.

• Fly Your Own Flight: External motivations—like trying to keep up with more aggressive peers—are a leading cause of unnecessary risk-taking.

• Optional Launch, Mandatory Landing: Every time you choose to fly, you are accepting a set of risks; the power lies in knowing when to keep the wing in the bag.

• The "Easy" Trap: Paragliding is deceptively easy to learn at a basic level, which often leads high-aptitude students into "air" they aren't mentally prepared for yet.

• Harmony over Balance: Success in flight and life requires constant self-monitoring of stressors, sleep, and mental headspace before engaging in high-stakes activities.

Connect with Hayden

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1

• X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT

• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT

• Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas

• Get Stokes Picks! Premium flavored nicotine toothpicks: https://stokespicks.com/

• Use promo code: Entertheunknown for a 20% discount!

If this episode helped you re-evaluate your own risk-reward ratio, please follow, like, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!

What do world-record juggling and high-altitude paragliding have in common? In this episode, Hayden Thomas sits down with Arash Farhang, a doctorate holder in optics and a world-record-holding juggler, to explore the discipline of mastery. Arash shares how he transitioned from the structured world of site-swap notation and competitive juggling to pioneering new "hike-and-fly" routes in the Wasatch Mountains and the towering Karakoram range of Pakistan. Whether you’re curious about the "poor man’s helicopter," the mechanics of thermalling to 24,000 feet without oxygen, or the delicate harmony of balancing high-risk adventures with family life, this conversation is a fascinating look into the mind of a modern polymath.

Main Topics Covered

• The Physics of Juggling: Understanding "site-swap notation," world records in 180-degree spins, and the discipline required to practice four hours a day.

• Paragliding as a "Poor Man’s Helicopter": Using a wing to summit peaks for backcountry skiing and speed riding.

• Cross-Country (XC) Exploits: Breaking records for "fully closed" flat triangles in Utah and the mental game of nine-hour flights.

• The Karakoram Experience: Flying in Pakistan, camping at 14,000 feet, and soaring past 7,000-meter giants like Rakaposhi.

• Risk Assessment & Family: How becoming a father shifted Arash's risk tolerance and his strategy for maintaining "harmony" with his wife.

• The Iranian Connection: A personal look at Arash's heritage, the current political climate in Iran, and the underground paragliding community there.

• Survival in the Sky: A harrowing account of throwing a reserve parachute over the Utah wilderness and steering to safety.

Key Takeaways

• Structured Mastery: Whether it's juggling or flying, high-level skill is achieved through rigorous, drill-based practice rather than just "playing around."

• The 5% Rule: In competitive paragliding, a flight is only "closed" if you return to within 5% of your starting distance—a feat of both skill and meteorological luck.

• Altitude Adaptation: "Vol-biv" (fly-and-camp) allows pilots to acclimate to extreme heights, enabling flights at 24,000 feet without the immediate need for oxygen.

• Honesty vs. Peace: In adventure sports, being "too honest" about potential risks can sometimes cause more stress at home; finding the right level of transparency is key to family harmony.

• Redemption Flights: Even after a "bomb-out" or a scary incident, getting back in the air the next day is often the best cure for the psychological weight of a mistake.

Connect with the Guest

Arash Farhang on X-Contest: Track Arash's Flights

World Juggling Federation (WJF): Juggling Competitions & TutorialsConnect with Hayden

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1

• X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT

• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT

• Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas

Get Stokes Picks! 

Premium flavored nicotine toothpicks: https://stokespicks.com/

Use promo code: Entertheunknown for a 20% discount!

If this episode helped you find the rhythm in your own "juggling act," please follow, like, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!

What does it mean to be a "ghost" in a world that is increasingly loud? In this episode, Hayden Thomas pulls back the "wizard curtain" with Chip Hopper, known as the BookJEDI, to reveal the fascinating world of celebrity ghostwriting. Chip is the founder of Disrupt Normal LLC, a personal evolution company focused on improving the way we live and love by helping people write their "JEDI Stories." From the ethics of AI in literature to the philosophy of "harmony over balance," this conversation explores how storytelling defines our reality. Whether you’re an aspiring author, a tech futurist, or someone looking to step into the "uncomfortable" to find your next breakthrough, Chip’s insights on "quantum surprises" will challenge you to write a better chapter for your own life.

Main Topics Covered

• The Life of a Ghostwriter: Transitioning from a corporate executive to writing memoirs for celebrities and athletes under strict NDAs.
• The AI Frontier: How LLMs are changing the value of knowledge and why "human-connected" writing still wins over algorithms.
• Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Using AI as a research tool versus a creative engine, and the danger of the "summary of summaries" echo chamber.
• The Intelligence of Nature: Why plants are more "aware" than we realize, and how to find a true flow state through forest bathing.
• The Comfort of Discomfort: Why we must make the unfamiliar familiar and intentionally seek out "quantum surprises" to trigger growth.
• Harmony vs. Balance: A paradigm shift on life management—why taking a step always puts you out of balance but keeps you in harmony with your goals.
• Rewriting the Past: How our present lens determines our history, and the power of shifting your narrative to become the hero.

Key Takeaways

• You Are Only One Away: One relationship, one moment, or one story can completely pivot your trajectory toward your best life.
• Knowledge Trends Toward Zero: In an AI-driven world, pure information is cheap; original human experience and intellectual property are the new high-value currencies.
• Suck to Soar: No one starts as an expert. Action must precede the feeling of being "ready" to avoid the trap of analysis paralysis.
• Witnessed by Nature: Spending time in the forest is a spiritual experience of being "seen" by a complex, living system.
• Additive Bias: Humans often try to solve problems by adding more. Frequently, the breakthrough lies in subtraction and simplification.

Connect with the GuestWebsite: chiphopper.com

Social Media: @chiphopper on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok

Connect with HaydenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1

X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT

Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas

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Use promo code ENTERTHEUNKNOWN for a 20% discount!

If this episode inspired you to rewrite your story, please follow, like, and share Enter the Unknown on your favorite platform!

What started as an 11-year-old’s experiment with a shoelace and a Harbor Freight machete has evolved into a premier American knife company. In this episode, Hayden Thomas sits down with Jacob Dodd, the Founder of Jagged Mountain Knives, and artisan Dallan Jacobson to discuss the grit and artistry behind their handcrafted blades. Jacob shares how he turned a backyard hobby into a world-class operation after studying entrepreneurship at BYU, while Dallan, a former river guide with a background in product design, explains how they bridge the gap between rugged utility and refined aesthetics. Discover why staying true to the "one maker, one knife" philosophy is the key to building a 100-year legacy brand, the secrets of heat-treating high-carbon steel, and why every Jagged Mountain Knives blade carries the unique mark of the specific person who built it.

Main Topics Covered

• The Garage Origin Story: Turning a childhood hobby into a thriving business through local mentorship.
• Jagged Mountain Knives Production Standards: The anatomy of the Nomad and Scout blades and sourcing 1095 carbon steel.
• The Insignia of the Maker: Why every knife includes a maker’s mark and a bio of the specific artisan.
• Scaling Artistry: Growing a high-revenue business without resorting to assembly-line manufacturing.
• Sheath Innovation: Combining traditional leatherwork with modern, thermomolded Kydex designs.
• Field Testing: How these knives are pushed to their limits in the Alaska and Utah wilderness.
• The Heirloom Philosophy: Creating tools meant to be passed down through generations.

Key Takeaways

• One Maker, One Blade: Quality is maintained by ensuring one person handles the entire process from start to finish.
• The Value of American-Made: Keeping production domestic in Springville, Utah, preserves the soul of the tool.
• Material Matters: Using materials like moose antler and cedar burl creates a connection to the environment.
• Patina over Rust: Essential professional tips on caring for high-carbon steel blades to ensure longevity.

Connect with the Guests

Website: www.jaggedmountainknives.com

YouTube: @jaggedmountainknives

Instagram: @jaggedmountainknives

Facebook: facebook.com/customknivesJMK

Personal Handles: @jacob_pdodd | @dallan_jacobson

Connect with Hayden

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1

X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT

Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas

Get Stokes Picks! Premium flavored nicotine toothpicks: https://stokespicks.com/

Use promo code: Entertheunknown for a 20% discount!

If this episode sharpened your perspective on American craftsmanship, please follow, like, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!