Today's conversation is a joint episode between Mountain & Prairie and The River Radius podcast. I'm joined by Sam Carter, the creator and host of The River Radius.

If you're not already familiar with The River Radius, I give it my highest endorsement. It's the most thoughtful and well-crafted show out there about rivers, water, and the people connected to them. Sam has built something genuinely special, and he's someone I consider both a friend and a collaborator. I've learned a great deal from the way he approaches storytelling, curiosity, and place.

For this episode, instead of a traditional interview, this is a two-way conversation in which Sam and I interview each other—one we're both releasing on our podcast feeds. Sam shared it on The River Radius feed earlier in January, and now I'm sharing it here. We talk about how our podcasts came to be, what keeps us curious after hundreds of episodes, and how rivers, landscapes, and long projects shape the way we think about life and work. We also get into writing, responsibility, attention, grief, ambition, and what it actually looks like to build something slowly and with intention. I think you'll enjoy it.

As always, be sure to check the episode notes for detailed timestamps and links to everything we discuss. And I strongly encourage you to find The River Radius on your favorite podcast player, explore the archives, and give it a listen. Enjoy!

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The River Radius podcast
River Radius on Instagram
Episode notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/river-radius

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Mountain & Prairie is listener supported via Patreon, and brought to you with support from the Central Grasslands Roadmap, The Nature Conservancy in Colorado, North Bridger Bison, and the Old Salt Co-op for their generous sponsorship.

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

0:00 - Opening and sponsor highlight
5:46 - Ed introducing himself to Sam Carter and vice versa
9:19 - Why Sam started River Radius
11:49 - People are listening
16:36 - So … what is the Mountain & Prairie podcast?
24:04 - What do Ed's daughters think of his job?
25:30 - How to make a podcast your full-time gig
32:47 - 2025 highlights from Sam
43:11 - Throughlines
48:24 - How Ed's changed the way he looks at the world
51:36 - Ed's 2025 highlights
59:15 - What's the point of fly fishing?
1:03:11 - What's in store for 2026?
1:12:17 - Sam and Ed's production strategies
1:25:42 - Ed's writing a book!
1:30:12 - What is a river for Ed Roberson?
1:33:56 - More questions for Ed from Sam's listeners
1:36:57 - And questions for Sam from Ed
1:42:16 - Parting words

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ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE:

A Joint Episode with The River Radius, featuring Sam Carter