Joe Anderson might just be the most interesting man on earth, and the conversation we had on this episode of A New Angle is that sort that gives you hope in our society’s ability to solve seemingly intractable problems. After a long and varied career in both law and rock & roll, Joe returned to his native Montana and landed with Reflex Protect, the creators of a non-lethal self-defense spray. Their amazing product can both save lives and get people engaged in a conversation about safety and self-defense that they were previously unwilling to entertain.
Scott Jurek is an ultramarathon legend and arguably one of the greatest runners of all time. Mired in semi-retirement from professional racing and late career stagnation, he set his sights on the Appalachian Trail speed record in 2015. Scott and his wife Jenny approached this project as relative novices and their collaborative narrative account, North, tells the amazing story of their 46-day, 2,189-mile AT adventure. The book is about so much more than running, and in this conversation we interrogate some of those larger topics – relationships, communication, loss, triumph and community
The Max S. Baucus Institute at the University of Montana’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law is a one of a kind public service institution offering a one of a kind student experience. In this episode Professor of Law and Institute Director Sam Panarella and Professor and Director UM’s Masters in Public Administration program Sara Rinfret are joined by Montana’s legendary Max Baucus, former US Senator and Ambassador to China. We discuss why the Baucus Institute is uniquely positioned to create transformative learning experiences focused on public service.
Jeremy Smith’s recent book “Breaking & Entering: The Extraordinary Story of a Hacker Called Alien” is a riveting narrative account of a dark world that touches us all. This is Jeremy’s third book and his writing has also appeared in The Atlantic, Discover, and, The New York Times. He lives in Missoula and is a graduate of the UM Masters of Fine Arts program.
Winona LaDuke is an economist, environmentalist, tribal leader, and two-time vice-presidential candidate. Although she resists the term activist, Winona spends her life fighting “stupid ideas.” In this conversation, she explains how unsustainable economic systems provide an excellent opportunity to build something greener, more community-oriented, more successful, and maybe even happier. Her prescription: “Make a living, not a killing.”
Winona visited the University of Montana earlier this year to give the Presidential Lecture Series address.
Emily Graslie (2011 UM College of the Arts and Media graduate) is creator and host of the hugely successful Brain Scoop youtube channel and the Chief Curiosity Correspondent at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History. Emily recently visited UM to be honored at this year’s Odyssey of the Stars and was kind enough to stop by Studio 49. We talk about her experience in digital media, her time as an unpaid intern, and her confrontation of gender inequities in both entertainment and education.UMontanaUmontanabizANewAngleBrainScoop
