Tina Welling is a local author who has been living in Jackson for 40 years. In this episode, she shares her journey of moving to Wyoming with her family from Ohio to be closer to nature and to become part of a tight-knit community. Tina talks about her experience running a gift shop in Snow King Resort for 25 years and how the off-seasons provided her with time to focus on her writing.
During the conversation, Tina discusses the sense of community she found in Jackson and how it influenced her writing. She describes her transition from writing novels to nonfiction and specifically mentions her book, ‘Writing Wild,’ which explores the connection between the natural world and personal creativity. Stephan asks Tina about her writing workshops with inmates at the Teton County Jail, and she shares her experiences and the insights she gained from working with them. Tina emphasizes the shared struggles between inmates and those on the outside, highlighting the importance of self-reflection and journaling as tools for self-discovery and personal growth.
The conversation also touches on Tina’s most recent book, ‘Tuesdays In Jail: What I Learned Teaching Journaling to Inmates.’ She explains how journaling can help individuals work through their issues and gain self-knowledge. Tina mentions that while she hasn’t focused much on promoting her book due to personal circumstances, she is grateful for winning the Nautilus Book Award in the memoir and personal journey category.
Boots Allen is a 3rd generation Wyoming fishing guide, writer, fly creator and was born and raised right here in Jackson Hole.
In this episode, Boots shares what drew his grandfather and mother out to Jackson. He talks about what it was like growing up in the Valley and carrying on his family’s legacy of fly fish guiding. Stephan and Boots also discuss the proper handling of fish, fishing in different parts of the world, creating flys, climate change, and the comical story of how his grandfather received the original name of Boots.
Suzanne Boots Knighton is an author, ski instructor, educator, aspiring rollerblader, survivor and a friend. In this episode, Boots and Stephan talk about overcoming tragedy, listening to your body, and looking for the magic and joy in the world.
Boots was inducted into the Heart Warrior club on January 15, 2021, via open-heart surgery for unroofing for a rare congenital heart defect – myocardial bridging. She continues to monitor her other defects which include a bicuspid valve and tortuous arteries. All of this came to light while on a mountain bike ride on in 2020 when she experienced heart attack symptoms at age 42. Thanks to all of this, Boots has been given a priceless perspective on life and wants to spread the gifts of that awareness and joy in knowing we aren’t born perfectly, and that life can still be kick-ass despite imperfect hearts or whatever didn’t quite pan out for us in utero. She is working on her first of three books and publishes weekly on her Substack, Joyful Beat.
Brad Boner is a father, photographer, author, and the Director of Visuals for the Jackson Hole News & Guide. Originally from the Black Hills area of South Dakota, Brad moved out to Wyoming back in 2004.
In this episode, Brad shares the path that led him to the Jackson Hole area. He talks about his family’s western roots and the legacy of the 12 Mile Ranch. Brad then discusses his stunning 2017 photography project that takes a new look at some of William Henry Jackson’s most famous photos of the Yellowstone area. Stephan and Brad also chat about the Jackson Hole News & Guide, what goes on behind the scenes, and some of Brad’s more powerful stories.
Max Ritter is the Digital Content Manager for Teton Gravity Research and Lily Krass is a freelance adventure writer. Together they are the authors of Beyond Skid: A cookbook for ski bums.
In this episode, Max shares what it was like to grow up in a German immigrant family in New York City. He talks about his first experience in the food industry and how it had a big impact on his outlook. Lily discusses how her parents helped instill a passion for the outdoors, even if she didn’t appreciate it at the time. They dive into the creation of the Beyond Skid cookbook and their shared excitement for creating healthy, affordable home cooked meals. Stephan, Max and Lily also talk about their favorite comfort foods and what they like to make for dinner parties.
Tim Sandlin is a father, husband, novelist and screenwriter. You also may have seen him working at one of his 40 entry-level jobs over the past 50+ years. Tim first visited Jackson Hole in the late 50s with his father who worked as a part-time surveyor. He made his escape to Jackson from Oklahoma in 1968 when he took a seasonal job at Signal Mountain Lodge. Tim has published 10 novels and a book of columns. Three of his books have been produced as movies.
In this episode, Tim talks about his writing process and how it has developed over the past 60 years. He dives into his experience with the publishing world and how selling a book differs from movie screenplays. Tim shares his excitement for the Jackson Hole Writers Conference that will be happening in person again this June after a two-year absence. Stephan and Tim also discuss his latest book Somewhat True Tales of Jackson Hole and Tim shares a few stories featured in the book.
Danielle is a writer, editor, journalist, and social justice warrior.
In this episode, Danielle shares how she left the city life in Chicago for the Tetons. She talks about why she pivoted from pursuing a career as a human rights attorney to becoming a freelance journalist. Danielle goes into what it was like to chase stories about human rights all over the world. She then discusses how having a daughter changed her perspective on work and helped her find her way back to Jackson. Stephan and Danielle also talk about the challenging and rewarding work of sharing individuals’ personal stories.
Dr. Roubin is an internationally renowned interventional cardiologist, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and one of the inventors of the coronary stent. Dr. Roubin’s latest life-saving undertaking is Mountain Air Medical, a life flight service based in Jackson which assists in transporting people to facilities where they can get the care they need.
We were so happy to have Dave on for another wonderful conversation. Dave was our guest way back in Episode 8 of The Jackson Hole Connection. He is a grandfather, husband, retired teacher, author, speaker, and a 25-year hospice volunteer. Dave and Stephan sat down on his recent trip to Jackson to see his new grandchildren.
Gordy is a freelance journalist based in Jackson. His work can be found in publications such as Outside Magazine, Men’s Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, WIRED, and SKI. He is also the author of the forthcoming book, “100 Slopes of a Lifetime” which is being published by National Geographic and is due out in October.