Our first storyteller is Rad Wilkins, who as a wildlife biologist embraced the title of “poop ologist” and carried a pungent, fermented concoction called “the brew” into the backcountry to entice grizzly bears. When the love of his life came to visit his remote camp, he had to quickly learn the true rules of bear country before a romantic proposal turned into a terrifying, close encounter in a story that he calls “Wild Proposals”. A man is standing on stage, smiling, and gesturing with his hands while speaking into a microphone. He is wearing glasses and a button-up shirt. The background has soft blue lighting, creating a relaxed atmosphere for the performance. photo by kmr studios Rad Watkins is a lifelong nature lover and conservationist based in Missoula, Montana. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Missoula Conservation District, where he helps lead efforts to protect local streams, wildlife, and working lands. His career has taken him from the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest studying endangered seabirds, to Glacier National Park collecting grizzly bear DNA, to the Northwoods of Wisconsin tracking wolves and rehabbing bald eagles. Rad also loves personal development, and he’s a certified life coach who does some leadership speaking and training. At home, he, his wife Gretchen, and their kids, Lena and Norris, enjoy doing what Montanans do best: floating rivers, skiing, hiking, and spending time outdoors with their dogs and horses.

You can find Rad on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

In our next story, Bridget Feerick flies thousands of miles to Peru and connects with a mysterious, motorcycling solo traveler. With a language barrier, a gut feeling, and a wild invitation to ride with him to Canada, she must decide if taking a leap of faith is worth the risk of a true-life adventure. Bridget calls her story “My Gut Says WHAT!?…and it was Awesome!” Thanks for listening.

The image features a performer on stage holding a microphone. She has curly hair and is wearing a black outfit with a gray long-sleeve shirt underneath. The background appears to be dark, with soft lighting highlighting the performer. The atmosphere seems focused on her as she engages with the audience. Photo by kmr studios

Bridget Feerick started her journey on this planet being born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. She traveled the world before making her home in Missoula, Montana and has continued to explore this country and the world beyond. Her passion for the outdoors is matched by a deep commitment to community engagement and social justice. Bridget holds people in transitions using her intuitive powers as an organizer, cleaner, birth/postpartum/death doula, yoga instructor, herbalist, reiki and sound healing practitioner, and so on and so forth. Oh, and she likes to get weird whether it’s through her performance art pieces or just trying to be free in a world with too many boxes. She hopes to empower and inspire as many people as she can to tap into their own intuitive powers.

Trying to escape the dark Missoula winter, a staycation house-sitting gig promises a hot tub and mountain views for Marc Moss, and instead, delivers freezing temperatures and the demanding care of a dog, a cat, and eleven chickens. What starts as a simple favor quickly turns into a crisis when a frantic call from Chile reveals an unfortunate fire and a scramble to rehouse the traumatized poultry.

Marc calls his story “The Girls”.

A man is standing on a stage with a microphone in hand. He is wearing a patterned bandana, a white shirt, and a dark vest. The background features soft purple lighting, creating an atmospheric setting for his performance. He appears to be engaging with the audience, raising his hand as he speaks. photo by kmr studios

Marc Moss founded Tell Us Something in 2011 and lives with his life partner, Joyce, and their perpetual kitten, Ziggy on Missoula’s historic Northside.

While trekking deep into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to photograph the monumental Chinese Wall, Brian Christianson finally slows down to appreciate the remote mountain solitude with his partner. When a tiny movement catches their eye, they hold their breath for what could be the wildlife encounter of a lifetime.

Brian calls his story “Ridge Lessons”.