The Mountain Side

Blayne Smith - West Point graduate and former Army Special Forces officer who has transitioned into a highly effective business and social impact leader. He is a cofounder and principal at Applied Leadership Partners and the director for health and well-being at the George W. Bush Institute. Blayne also serves on the board of the Armed Services Arts Partnership and as an advisory board member of GORUCK. Previously, Blayne was the first executive director of Team Red, White, and Blue, a veterans’ nonprofit that has grown into one of the most trusted and effective organizations in the space. During his time in the military, Blayne led combat units in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a Draper Leadership Award recipient, the Distinguished Honor Graduate of the Army’s Ranger School, and was awarded three Bronze Stars, including one for valor. Blayne holds an MBA from the University of Florida and currently lives in Maine with his wife and three children.

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WE ARE WITH YOU.

Seven days ago, 9/10/25 at 12:24pm (MST), Evergreen was shaken by the tragedy of another school shooting—the 47th in the United States this year. This is unacceptable, and no community should ever have to endure such pain. While this episode is not about the event itself, it focuses on recovery and the difficult journey that follows such trauma.

Joining the conversation are Brandon and Elliot Young, a father and daughter who experienced the 2019 STEM School shooting in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Elliot was in one of the affected classrooms. Rather than retelling the details of that day, this episode explores what comes after—the ongoing path of healing, navigating PTSD, and finding strength to move forward as a family.

Brandon Young is a principal at Applied Leadership Partners, an author, former U.S. Army Ranger, and combat veteran who has built his life around leadership and resilience. His daughter, Elliot Young, a survivor of the STEM School shooting, is now a CU Boulder graduate and marketing professional, pursuing her MBA at Northern Colorado. Together, they share their perspective on life after violence, offering hope, honesty, and the tools to keep going.

This conversation is hosted by Bobby Marshall, Evergreen High School class of 1998 and host of The Mountain Side. Bobby is deeply committed to supporting his community and raising awareness of the families across the United States who are impacted by the epidemic of school shootings and unacceptable acts of mass violence.

This episode is about healing, resilience, and the power of moving forward—even after the darkest moments.

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Support EVERGREEN Here: https://evergreenstrong.wedecoit.com

Art Credits to: Zuin Sign

Show Links

https://www.appliedleadershippartners.com/blog/stemstrong-part-1-of-3

https://www.appliedleadershippartners.com/blog/stemstrong-part-2-of-3-where-we-are-today-but-not-for-tomorrow

https://www.appliedleadershippartners.com/blog/stemstrong-part-3-of-3-when-things-fall-apart-put-them-back-together

D.D. Finder is a former Flight and ICU Nurse, EMT-Basic, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and author with more than 20 years of healthcare experience. Throughout his career, he has earned multiple awards for excellence in patient care, both in-flight and in the hospital. Finder lives in Colorado with his wife and continues to serve as an RN. He is the author of Ready Left, Ready Right, a powerful novel that explores resilience and courage in the world of helicopter EMS. His deep respect for first responders and nurses fuels his writing, where he highlights their intelligence, dedication, sacrifice, and compassion. A dedicated medical professional, and returned Peace Corps volunteer, Finder has built his life around service and the pursuit of human potential. Beyond medicine, he is a challenge seeker who has participated in a world record attempt and recently hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in a single day. He has lived in underserved and remote communities throughout Central and South America, working on the front lines in some of the most isolated areas. His mission is to inspire and support first responders and nurses by sharing hard-earned lessons and giving back to a profession that has both shaped and tested him.

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Robbie Kroger - founder of The Orgins Foundation (formerly Blood Origins), a non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife conservation and promoting the heritage of hunting. With a Ph.D. in biology and a passion for the outdoors, Kroger has focused his career on educating people about the importance of hunting as a conservation tool. As an award-winning filmmaker and director, Kroger uses storytelling to shed light on the deep connections between hunters and nature, often sharing the untold stories of conservation efforts worldwide. Through Blood Origins, he highlights the positive impacts hunters have on ecosystems, dispelling misconceptions about the hunting community. His work is a testament to the value of responsible stewardship of the environment and wildlife preservation. Kroger’s passion for wildlife and ethical hunting has earned him recognition as a key advocate for bridging the gap between hunters and non-hunters, fostering understanding and collaboration for global conservation efforts. Robbie Kroger joins Bobby Marshall in Studio to discuss, Conservation, Wildlife, Biology, Politics, Advocacy, Hunting, Archery, Trudistion, Outdoor life & much more. Please subscribe or like us on social media platforms for updates on shows, events, and episode drops.

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www.theoriginsfoundation.org

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Colonel John R. “Buck” Buckingham (Ret.), call sign “BUCK,” is a legendary U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, former Vice Wing Commander at Buckley Air Force Base, and a true American patriot. With over 34 years of distinguished military service and more than 6,000 flight hours in fighter jets Buck’s career is a testament to skill, leadership, and unwavering dedication to country. Buck’s aviation journey began in the F-4E Phantom, followed by time as an elite AT-38 instructor and A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot. He later joined the Colorado Air National Guard, where he flew the A-7D Corsair II before commanding the skies in the F-16 Fighting Falcon for the final 17 years of his career. With multiple deployments to active combat zones in Iraq & Afghanistan. Buck decorations speak for themselves. In the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Buck was the first fighter pilot scrambled to protect American airspace—playing a critical role in Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) and the rapid transformation of U.S. homeland defense. As Vice Wing Commander at Buckley AFB, Buck led with precision and integrity, overseeing key operations, training initiatives, and mission readiness across one of the country’s most strategic Air Force installations. Even in retirement, “Buck” continues to soar. He still flies a variety of private aircraft, remains active in the aviation community, and embraces life as a proud family man and passionate upland bird hunter. He made his podcast debut on The Mountain Side, where he shared his incredible story—from Cold War missions to post-9/11 homeland defense—offering listeners a rare glimpse into the life of a true American Fighter Pilot

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Brandon Young - is a former US Army Ranger with four rotations to Afghanistan, principal at Applied Leadership Partners, and coauthor of Perseverance > Endurance. For over 25 years, he has built and led teams in the military, corporate healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. Brandon placed 3rd in the 2006 Best Ranger Competition, assessed, mentored, and trained over 1,000 Ranger leaders at the 75th Ranger Regiment, is a Quest Diagnostics Regional Excellence Awardee for Commercial Leadership, holds a master of divinity in leadership from Denver Seminary, and serves on the board of directors for GallantFew. In this episode, Brandon Young joins Bobby Marshall in the studio for an in-depth conversation about leadership, warfighters, writing, life in Colorado, metal music, Metallic, M72 world tour, helping others, Rangers, his personal journey with life pre and post-combat, and combat experience. Tune in for valuable insights and stories from a seasoned expert who embodies the spirit of adventure and resilience. Be sure to subscribe and follow us on social media for updates on new episodes, upcoming events, and exclusive content.

www.TheMountainSidePodcast.com

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www.UNCHARTEDSUPPLYCO.com

Mountain Side listeners use Discount code TMS10 to receive 10%off UNCHARTED SUPPLY products! 

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Jason Lee – Underground Fighter | K.O.T.S. Champion | Professional Mixed Martial Artist

Jason Lee is a fierce competitor born from hardship and shaped by resilience. Raised in a turbulent family environment, Jason’s early life took him through the rough neighborhoods of Charlestown and Lawrence, Massachusetts—places where struggle was part of the daily routine. Despite the chaos around him, Jason stood out as a gifted athlete, driven by a mantra he still lives by: “Ignore the pain, make the play.” At age 12, tragedy struck when he lost his older brother in a motorcycle accident. The loss shattered him, sending his life into a downward spiral that eventually led to a hard eight-year sentence in Colorado’s state prison system—an experience he refers to as “gladiator school.” But prison didn’t break Jason—it forged him. Upon release, he emerged as a changed man, both mentally and physically, committed to leaving his past behind. The one thing he carried with him was his passion for combat. Recognizing his natural talent and the discipline he’d developed behind bars, Jason redirected his energy into something positive: mixed martial arts. Jason then took fighting to the next level as a 2 Colorado State Champ Amateur, Sparta Undefeated Light Heavyweight World Champion, 2010 Colorado Fighter of the Year, 2015 Colorado Muay Thai Fighter of the Year, In 2024 Jason was inducted in the Sparta Sports and ENT Hall of Fame. Now a known force in the underground fighting circuit and a standout in King of the Streets (K.O.T.S.), Jason “The Dragon” Lee channels his past into every fight—fueled by grit, sharpened by pain, and driven by purpose. Tune in as Jason Lee joins Bobby Marshall in studio to discuss K.O.T.S. (King of The Streets), underground fighting, MMA, bare knuckle fighting, kickboxing, prison, parenting, street smarts, wildlife, Colorado, and much more. Please subscribe or like us on social media platforms for updates on shows, events, and episode drops.

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Mountain Side listeners use Discount code TMS10 to receive 10%off UNCHARTED SUPPLY products! 

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Jason Nauert aka “Jason The Butcher “- Owner & operator of the Rocky Mountain Institute of Meat, Jason, widely known as Jason the Butcher, is a master of his craft with over 45 years of experience as a hunter, outdoorsman, and wild game processing expert. Born and raised in Woodland Park, Colorado, Jason's deep connection to the land and mountains began in early childhood. His upbringing in the rugged terrain of Colorado instilled in him a profound respect for nature, self-sufficiency, and ethical harvesting, which would go on to shape his life’s work. From elk and deer to wild boar and bison, Jason’s extensive knowledge of wildlife and responsible field-to-table practices has earned him recognition across the country. As the founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute of Meat, Jason has trained hundreds of professionals, chefs, military personnel, and civilians in proper butchery, meat science, and sustainable processing methods. One of the hallmarks of his career is his development and instruction of the Combat Sustainability Course—a specialized program created for military personnel that teaches field butchery, survival food processing, and resource utilization under austere conditions. His dedication to teaching practical, hands-on skills that blend traditional methods with modern techniques has made him a sought-after instructor and consultant for both government and private sector initiatives. Jason’s approach goes far beyond the knife. He is a fierce advocate for food security, wild game education, and reconnecting people to where their food comes from. Whether he's guiding a hunt in the backcountry, teaching a course, or appearing on television and podcasts, Jason continues to inspire a new generation to honor the animal, respect the harvest, and carry forward a legacy of craftsmanship rooted in the wilderness of Colorado. Jason Nauert joins Bobby Marshall in studio to discuss butchering, Colorado, hunting, wild game, US Military Special Operations, cooking, outdoor life & much more. Please subscribe or like us on social media platforms for updates on shows, events, and episode drops.

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www.jtbmeat.com

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Whitney Johns - Entrepreneur and Renowned Fitness Icon. Whitney has carved her path in the health and wellness industry with determination and passion. With a relentless commitment to fitness, she has inspired countless individuals worldwide through her transformative workouts, nutritional expertise, and motivational content. As a savvy entrepreneur, Whitney has leveraged her influence to build a thriving fitness empire, empowering others to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Her dedication, innovation, and unwavering drive continue to propel her as a leading figure in the fitness community, inspiring others to chase their dreams and achieve their fitness goals. Tune in as Whitney Johns joins Bobby Marshall in studio to discuss fitness, nutrition, fighting, M72 World Tour, Metallica, Pantara, live music, personal values, family, mountain living, boxing and so much more. Please subscribe or like us on social media platforms for updates on shows, events, and episode drops. 

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www.whitneyjohns.com

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Jeremy Myers - Philadelphia native, Colorado resident, Porsche enthusiast and BMX bike guru, and Mount Side Podcast counterpart and returning guest. This is the 225th episode of The Mountain Side Podcast which Jeremy has co-produced since the start of The Mountain Side Podcast. Bobby is joined by Jeremy to discuss, podcast episodes America, Philadelphia, National Park, Boston, Colorado, Ferrari's, Metallica, family, friends, outdoor life, and much more. Please subscribe or like us on social media platforms for updates on shows, events, and episode

drops.

www.TheMountainSidePodcast.com

Affiliates Links

Sponsor Links

www.UNCHARTEDSUPPLYCO.com

Mountain Side listeners use Discount code TMS10 to receive 10%off UNCHARTED SUPPLY products! 

www.SABObroadheads.com

Mountain Side listeners receive $10 off & Free Shipping on all SABO Broadheads!