This week on the show, Hayden's friend Dr. Aidan Beers swings by for dinner and a podcast on what it's like to be a wildlife biologist. In particular, they talk about Aidan's early career frequently dealing with large carnivores in some of the most famous areas of their range. Hayden and Aidan chat into the night about:

• The Wolves of Yellowstone
• Wolf Conservation
• The Bears of Katmai National Park
• Fat Bear Week
• Hazing Giant Predators
• Becoming a Biologist

Links Mentioned

• Six Months in Space | Astronaut Loral O’Hara | Ep. 001
• The World's Most Brutal Race: The Barkley Marathons | Laz Lake | Ep. 007
• Grizzly Man Movie
• Bear! Bear! Don't Eat My Kayak!

• Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more
• Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else
• Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch

• Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout.
• Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.

• Featuring Aidan Beers
• Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak
• Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
• Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
• Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill
• Production Assistance by John Stock
• “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA

Fifty years ago, three climbers defied the odds, scaling El Capitan in a single day—a feat that redefined what’s possible in rock climbing. In this special episode, starting at the Yosemite Climbing Museum and ending under the shadow of El Capitan, we sit down with John Long, one of the legendary trio behind that historic 1975 ascent, to relive the adventure and reflect on its legacy. We climb into:

• The bold plan to conquer El Cap in a day, hatched by Jim Bridwell with John Long and Billy Westbay

• How Warren Harding’s grueling 1958 ascent set the stage for El Cap’s epic history

• The rush of climbing 3,000 feet in 15 hours, fueled by honking horns and camp camaraderie

• The evolution of El Cap feats, from Lynn Hill’s free ascent to Alex Honnold’s jaw-dropping free solo

• John’s raw reflections on 50 years of climbing, loss, and staring down “the big stone”

• Stonemasters Pt. 1
• Stonemasters Pt. 2

• Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more
• Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else
• Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch

• Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout.
• Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.

• Featuring John Long
• Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak
• Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
• Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
• Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill
• Production Assistance by John Stock
• “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA

Ever wondered what it’s like to haul lobster pots off the rugged Maine coast? In this episode of The Backcountry Manifesto, we sit down with Jacob Knowles, a fifth-generation lobster fisherman from Maine who’s reeled in a massive online following through his YouTube channel and TikTok videos documenting life on the water.

With the harbor in the background, our conversation dives deep into Jacob’s world. We cover:

• The daily grind of a commercial lobster fisherman

• The evolution of lobster traps—from wooden classics to modern wire designs

• Conservation in action: tail notching, slot limits, and releasing egg-bearing lobsters

• Jacob’s journey from boat deck to internet fame, blending tradition with modern storytelling

• The challenges and joys of fishing, plus a glimpse at the co-op system that keeps it all running

• Hopes for the future: lobster hatcheries, sustainability, and his kids joining the family trade

From the science of soft-shell lobsters to the pride of protecting oversized breeders, Jacob shares stories that connect generations of Mainers to the sea. Whether you’re a seafood lover, a conservation enthusiast, or just curious about life on the water, this episode has something for you.

• Jacob Knowles on Youtube
• Jacob Knowles on Instagram
• Jacob Knowles on TikTok

• Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more
• Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else
• Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch

• Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout.
• Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.

• Featuring Jacob Knowles
• Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak
• Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
• Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
• Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill
• Production Assistance by John Stock
• “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA