Doug Proctor grew up just outside Cincinnati, Ohio, where his love for rivers was seeded early in life. As a boy he spent years canoeing with his family and through the Boy Scouts on class one rivers across southern Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. At the age of 12 he embarked on his first extended canoe trip—a two-week wilderness journey in Kentucky that helped shape his lifelong passion for river travel and backcountry adventure.

In 1977 Proctor began his professional guiding career, leading whitewater rafting trips commercially on the New Riverand the Gauley River, two of the eastern United States’ premier whitewater destinations. Over the next 35 years he built extensive experience as an outfitter in West Virginia, guiding trips through challenging Class III and Class IV waters and cultivating deep skills in river stewardship, guest experience, and wilderness logistics.

His love of rivers and adventure didn’t stop in Appalachia. His guiding has taken him to Grand Canyon, Alaska, Chile, Costa Rica, Idaho, and numerous rivers in both the eastern and western United States. These experiences helped refine his craft as a guide renowned for both technical competence and a commitment to sharing wild rivers with thoughtful guests.

Today Proctor is co-owner of Selway River Adventures, a wilderness rafting outfitter based in Stanley, Idaho. With his partners he operates under one of the extremely limited commercial permits on the Selway River, a nationally designated Wild and Scenic river flowing through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Trips are typically five to six days long, weaving technical whitewater with solitude and natural beauty few river runners ever get to experience.

Proctor now lives in Stanley with his wife Cathy and their dogs, drawn to Idaho by the remarkable concentration of great rivers in the region. Guiding river trips for over 40 years, he views sharing his experience with guests and friends as not just a profession but a deep passion—one rooted in the rhythms of wild water and the stories those rivers tell.

Show notes:

00:03:51 - The Selway River: Permit System and Access

00:05:56 - From Boy Scouts to River Guide Entrepreneur

00:07:56 - Class 6 Rafting Company Origin Story

00:09:59 - Selway River: Protected Wilderness and Rafting History

00:12:24 - Early Spring Wildlife and River Adventure

00:15:41 - Protecting Rivers and Wilderness Areas

00:17:56 - Selway River Adventures Trip Overview

00:19:38 - First-Time River Trips Need Only Willingness

00:21:41 - Wildlife Abundance on the Selway River

00:24:23 - Salmon Extinction Crisis and Dam Removal Solutions

00:26:27 - Selway Lodge History and River Adventures

00:28:21 - Epic River Adventures in Alaska and Beyond

00:30:19 - Doug's Eighth Grade Singing Trauma

00:31:53 - Three Pieces of Life Advice and Conservation

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Sam and Elise Risho are the culinary heart and soul behind The Silk Road Catering & Spice in Missoula, Montana. Their story is rooted in decades of family food tradition and a passion for global flavors. Sam grew up in a restaurant family, learning the love of food and hospitality from his father and brother through years of working in local eateries and mastering fine-dining service and kitchen craft. In 2009 Sam and his brother, along with Elise, opened The Silk Road Restaurant to bring a tapas-style global tasting experience to the community. The restaurant’s success eventually blossomed into a thriving catering business and an artisanal spice line inspired by world cuisines. Elise plays a central role in running the business and shaping its creative vision as co-owner alongside Sam. Today they focus on crafting memorable menus for weddings and special events and sharing unique spice blends that reflect their commitment to exceptional hospitality and globally inspired cuisine.

Show notes:

00:03:49 - From Sheltered to Adventure: Building Community

00:06:05 - Growing Up in a House of Hospitality

00:07:53 - Adventures Before Kids Around the World

00:10:03 - Custom Tailoring in Shanghai's French District

00:12:13 - From Restaurant to Catering Adventures Across Montana

00:14:11 - The Silk Road Inspired Spice Blends

00:17:23 - From Spice Bags to Store Shelves

00:20:54 - Finding Your Favorite Spice Blend

00:23:04 - Adding Sour and Shopping Local

00:25:46 - Community Spirit in Missoula, Montana

00:28:30 - Hiking Adventures with Kids in Missoula

00:30:49 - Keeping Missoula Weird Through Diversity

00:32:56 - Embrace Slow Travel and Community Connection

00:35:06 - Parenting Advice: Encourage Kids to Try New Things

00:37:39 - Clark Fork River and The Wellerman Song

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Aimee McQuilkin is a Missoula entrepreneur and community builder, best known as the owner of Betty’s Divine and the Clark Fork Yacht Club. Through these beloved businesses, she has helped shape Missoula’s social and cultural fabric by creating welcoming spaces rooted in style, hospitality, and connection. Aimee’s work reflects a deep commitment to local economy, creativity, and gathering people together in meaningful ways.

Shane Clouse is a Missoula musician and songwriter whose work blends Americana, folk, and roots traditions with thoughtful storytelling. His music is shaped by Montana landscapes and lived experience, carrying a quiet honesty that resonates both on stage and in more intimate listening spaces. Shane is a steady presence in the local music community, known for craft, collaboration, and authenticity.

Dave Stromeyer is a Missoula County Commissioner focused on infrastructure, public service, and long term regional planning. He is currently working on a passenger railroad project aimed at improving transportation options and connectivity in western Montana. Dave’s work reflects a practical, forward looking approach to governance with an emphasis on public benefit, economic resilience, and sustainable mobility.​

Show notes:

00:03:44 - 1983 Rabbit and Missoula Roots

00:05:53 - Opening Betty's Divine While Pregnant

00:09:34 - Building Community Through Shared Experiences

00:11:56 - Community Heart and Entrepreneurial Joy

00:13:23 - Homeownership Enables Community Business Growth

00:15:39 - How Desmond the Mannequin Found Home

00:18:12 - The Governor of the Hip Strip

00:23:37 - Missoula's Deep History and Indigenous Stewardship

00:27:39 - Gateway to the Rocky Mountains and Home

00:32:15 - Stewardship and Restoring Passenger Rail

00:38:12 - Keeping Missoula Special Through Community Involvement

00:41:16 - Montana's State Song and Pink Grizzly Greenhouse

00:44:10 - From Farm to Pink Grizzly Business

00:46:39 - From Lumber Mills to Community Music

00:50:32 - Historic Irrigation Ditch Sustains Missoula Community

00:53:56 - Hunting and Fishing Fund Conservation

00:58:58 - Montana Matters: A Song of Unity

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