BONUS EPISODE: There are over 400 National Park Sites outside of the 63 National Parks. This episode invites us deeper into the heart of the National Park Service where Eric Leonard, Superintendent of the High Plains Group (four National Park Sites across Colorado & New Mexico with a narrative arc tying them all together) shares his extensive experience across a wide array of national parks, historic sites, national monuments, etc. This episode is unique in that it doesn’t focus on a specific park but highlights riveting stories and fascinating new information -- this episode may take the cake in regards to one I learned the most in, and I am confident you will feel that way too.

“Preservation of public land, an act known round the world” -- Yellowstone hails as America’s first National Park, coining what is widely known as America’s Best Idea, the National Park Service. In this episode, we are chatting with the big kahuna, Cam Sholly, Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. From heroically navigating a historic flood in 2022 (an 100% increase in cubic ft/s in the river since the last recorded flood), to both recognizing progress from a conservation perspective (as compared to the 1950-60s with folks lining up to feed bears out of garbage cans & the extirpation of the whole wolf population) and continuing to push for better protection and management of Yellowstone, to setting the standard for employee housing across the park service, Cam’s insight, leadership and experience captivates any listener.

Cueing us into the ins-and-outs of desert parks, Jane Rodgers shares priceless tidbits on Joshua Tree, including how Minerva Hoyt, a marketing genius, promoted the establishment of Joshua Tree National Park, emphasizes that no park can operate as an island (highlighting the wide array of partnerships Joshua Tree has) and shares how they are working to achieve sustainable tourism amidst increased visitors and more people moving to surrounding communities.

Unveiling the wonders of Alaska’s wilderness, Susanne shares her experiences as managing one of America’s most remote national parks: commuting via plane over awe-inspiring landscapes, experiencing hair-raising encounters with coastal brown bears and navigating the challenges and preparation involved in fieldwork within Lake Clark.

Standing waist deep in the Everglades amongst bellowing alligators, mesmerized at the end of the ice road by aurora borealis and a blanket of stars, and inspired by the opportunity to work for an agency with such an outstanding mission are just a few of the experiences Bob DeGross, Superintendent of Voyageurs National Park, invites us into in this episode -- you don’t want to miss learning about his experiences across the park service and his unique insight into Voyageurs National Park. Bob shares how implementing wisdom from the Voyageurs (French-Canadian Fur Traders) & Ojibwe tribe can reduce Search & Rescue incidents within the park, reminds us that preservation is much less expensive than restoration and discusses the challenges with the “accomplishment mindset” folks have today.

Sue Fritzke, former Superintendent of Capitol Reef National Park, takes us on a riveting journey of her career, starting in the Peace Corps in Ecuador, meandering through stints at some of our country's gems, including Mount Rainier, Yellowstone and Yosemite, all the way to her final position before retirement as Superintendent of Capitol Reef National Park. ⁠from the Peace Corps in Ecuador to various positions. Not only does she take us through her career but invites us into some of the joys and hardships along the way. This was the second episode I (Maddie) recorded so you'll learn a lot of National Park Service terminology, including what a deputy superintendent is, what a detail is and many other things.

Paul Labovitz, former Superintendent of Indiana Dunes National Park, walks us through his career and his time in the National Park Service up until his final position before retirement at Indiana Dunes. Paul is a self-proclaimed city kid whose transformational experience outdoors changed his life and charted his course to work in the outdoors. In his interview, he surprises us with a career change to the National Park Service due to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, shares insights about "sister parks" where National Parks partner with other National Parks internationally (learn about Costa Rica & Poland) and shares his appreciation for the accessibility of Indiana Dunes to the Greater Chicago Area.

David Smith, Superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, takes us on a riveting journey of his career, from working in border patrol, working in the House of Representatives as a part of the Bevinetto Fellowship, giving a TED talk on the importance of community engagement in national parks, being superintendent for almost 10 years at Joshua Tree all the way to his new posting at GGNRA, since January of 2023. In this conversation, he shares his excitement in exploring the amazing GGNRA sites, his incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge from his office in Fort Mason, his pride in the amazing programs at GGNRA, such as the Lifeguard training program, and his awe at the way the community cares for and supports this NPS site.

Laura A. Miller, Superintendent of Hot Springs National Park dives deep into the National Park Service's presence and history in Arkansas. She gives us a behind the scenes look at how National Park Sites are set up and created (namely Little Rock Central High School and President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home), talks about the unique aspects of Hot Springs National Park, with thermal water at 140 degrees and a history as a medicinal "treatment" facility, highlights all the exciting ways for people to recreate at Buffalo River and shares a little of her heart on why Hot Springs means so much to her.

Don Striker, Superintendent of North Cascades National Park, goes into detail on his time in the National Park Service, sharing the ways nature brings people to tears (from Mount Rushmore to Denali), laughing about the hair-raising encounters with wildlife (including a humorous yet tense squirrel episode), reminiscing on people who took a chance on him and were willing to promote a less conventional path, highlighting unique challenges such as reintroducing wolves into Yellowstone in the 1990s and sharing some unique insights into what makes North Cascades such a special place, and in some regards, an undiscovered gem.