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.

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.