Colorado Grit: From Green Beret to Mountain Guide

Colorado Grit: From Green Beret to Mountain Guide

In this episode of The Last Easy Mile, Josh sits down with Devin, better known online as @OutdoorDevin — a third-generation Coloradan, retired U.S. Army Green Beret, and outdoor educator who’s turning his decades of field experience into practical lessons for everyday adventurers. From a late-night Army recruitment call that changed his life to twenty years in Special Forces, Devin’s story moves from combat zones to Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks — with a powerful message about purpose, preparation, and finding peace in the mountains. Together, Josh and Devin dig into: * How military training shaped his mindset for the outdoors * What every new hiker should master before hitting the trail * The truth about bear spray, maps, and ultralight culture * Lessons from close wildlife encounters and solo summits * Why the outdoors heals — and how to share it with your kids Whether you’re planning your first hike, chasing Colorado 14ers, or rebuilding life after big transitions, this one’s for you. Devin on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.devin/] Mentioned: * HIMALI [https://www.himali.com] — technical mountain apparel * 14ers.com [https://www.14ers.com] — Colorado 14er route and condition reports * AllTrails, OnX, Gaia GPS – trail research and offline maps

Radio Made Easy: Off-Grid Communication for the Real World

What if your voice could reach your loved ones—without cell service, Wi-Fi, or infrastructure? In this powerful and practical conversation, Josh sits down with Evan Dixon, founder of Radio Made Easy, to explore how two-way radios—yes, radios—are one of the most underutilized tools for modern men and families who value self-reliance, preparedness, and connection. This episode isn’t just for “preppers.” It’s for anyone who camps, overlands, hikes, has kids, lives in wildfire zones, or simply wants to be able to communicate when systems fail. Evan breaks down everything from walkie-talkies to HAM radios, repeaters to antennas, licensing myths to real-world application. You’ll leave this conversation with a clear understanding of what you need, why it matters, and how to actually use radio as a lifestyle—not just a last resort. But this episode is also about courage, reinvention, and building something from nothing. Evan shares his winding path—from a Southern Baptist kid in North Carolina, to mission work in Nicaragua, to counseling men through heartbreak, to launching a radio company that’s now helping thousands of people stay connected off-grid. Whether you’ve never touched a radio or you’re just “radio-curious,” this episode is a masterclass in why simple, analog tools still matter in a digital world—and how one man turned that insight into a mission-driven business. * Why radios still matter in 2025 (and how they outperform phones when it counts) * The real difference between HAM, GMRS, commercial radios, and walkie-talkies * How to outfit your family with everyday-use radios that work for hiking, driving, camping, and home use * The difference between “line of sight” and “skywave” (and how radios bounce off the atmosphere!) * Why “licensing” scares people away—but shouldn’t * How Evan programs radios so kids can only hear you, not strangers * How to get your own FCC-approved frequencies (with no test) * Why daily use matters more than emergency use (hint: practice makes prepared) * How radio can be a game-changer for fathers, homesteaders, off-roaders, and families 1. RadioMadeEasy.com [https://radiomadeeasy.com/] – Evan’s shop, classes, custom radios, and blog 2. Training Schedule [https://radiomadeeasy.com/improved-home/training/] – Find an in-person class or request one in your city 3. @RadioMadeEasy [https://www.instagram.com/_radiomadeeasy/?hl=en] on Instagram – Where Evan shares tips, gear drops, and behind-the-scenes education 4. YouTube: Radio Made Easy [https://www.youtube.com/@_RadioMadeEasy] 🔗 Follow The Last Easy Mile: * 🎧 Subscribe on YouTube [https://tinyurl.com/TLEM-YoutubeSubcribe] * 📸 Instagram @thelasteasymilepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thelasteasymilepodcast] * 🐦 Twitter / X [https://x.com/thelasteasymile] * 🌐 Website [https://www.thelasteasymilepodcast.com]

The Debrief: Episodes 1–9

This isn’t just a recap — it’s a challenge. After nine episodes exploring fatherhood, adventure, survival, digital safety, spiritual growth, food, and masculinity, Josh steps back to reveal the bigger mission behind The Last Easy Mile. This episode is both a call to action and a field guide — an invitation to act, learn, and live more intentionally. 🎯 What You’ll Get in This Episode: * Why The Last Easy Mile exists * Josh’s personal story: rural roots, urban grit, and midlife reckoning * Behind-the-scenes lessons from each of the first 9 episodes * Action steps, gear, books, and mindset shifts from every guest * How to get started with hunting, stargazing, real food, off-roading, and digital parenting * What’s coming next (spirituality, psychedelics, big ideas…) * How to join the community 🧭 Resources + Mentions by Episode: (Full links + guides available in the newsletter) Ep 1 – Josh Kirchner: Learn to hunt as an adult, recommended gear + mindset Ep 2 – Fraser Cain: Stargazing with your kids, meteor shower maps, beginner telescopes Ep 3 – Kute Blackson: Surrender, letting go, emotional growth, book recs Ep 4 – John Barklow: Cold weather survival, preparedness mindset, “possibilities pouch” Ep 5 – Nick Melillo: The ritual of cigars, building a creative life, Foundation Cigars Ep 6 – Dr. Bill Schindler: Eat like a human, ancestral food, raw milk, food chain awareness Ep 7 – Keenan Campbell: Overlanding with intention, gear, dispersed camping, healing through nature Ep 8 – Chris McKenna: Digital safety for kids, router security, app filters, real tools for dads Ep 9 – Matt Beaudreau: Raising strong kids, redefining education, masculinity through action 🧠 Follow-Up Actions: → Join the newsletter: thelasteasymilepodcast.com [https://www.thelasteasymilepodcast.com] → Rate + review the podcast if you got value → Send the episode to someone who’s stuck in routine → DM Josh with your personal action from this episode

Outwitting Mediocrity: Rethinking School, Fatherhood & Masculinity with Matt Beaudreau

In this episode of The Last Easy Mile, Josh sits down with Matt Beaudreau—father, entrepreneur, educator, and founder of Apogee Strong [https://apogeestrong.com]—to unpack what’s gone wrong with modern education, masculinity, and fatherhood… and how to fix it. Drawing from his experience as a former public school teacher, private school administrator, Stanford University staff member, and now leader of a national mentorship and educational movement, Matt shares how Apogee Strong is helping families reclaim their values, design their own educational paths, and raise young men and women who are emotionally strong, physically capable, financially literate, and spiritually grounded. They dive deep into topics like the failure of conveyor-belt schooling, the dangers of mediocrity and digital distractions, and why strong, present fathers are the cornerstone of a thriving society. Matt also shares insights on rites of passage, legacy-building, and how to raise children who are prepared for real life—not just to pass tests. This is a wide-ranging, deeply honest conversation about building resilient families, rethinking what it means to be educated, and leading a life rooted in values, not fear. Topics Covered: * Why traditional schooling is broken—and what Matt saw inside California public schools * The power of homeschooling, co-ops, and alternative education * What Apogee Strong really is: mentorship, campuses, and full-life family education * Meta-skills your kids actually need to thrive in the future (hint: it’s not algebra) * Masculinity redefined: not alpha posturing, but sovereign leadership and service * How to raise self-aware, spiritually grounded, physically capable young men * Why rites of passage and family traditions are essential—and how to build your own * Real stories from the front lines: Stanford, school systems, and starting over * How fathers and sons can learn together—and why most men need a community too * Book recommendations and challenges that transform lives, not just check boxes * Building resilient families that lead with values in an upside-down world Books Mentioned: * Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill * Atomic Habits by James Clear * The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman Resources: 👉 Learn more: www.apogeestrong.com [https://apogeestrong.com] 👉 Follow Matt on Instagram: @mattbeaudreau [https://www.instagram.com/mattbeaudreau/] 👉 Check out the Apogee Men’s & Father-Son Mentorships

Protect Young Eyes: The Toxic Trio, The Digital Pyramid, and The Parenting Fight of Our Time

The digital world isn’t waiting for our kids to grow up. It’s coming for them now. In this episode, Josh is joined by Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes [https://protectyoungeyes.com], to uncover the hidden risks kids face online—and the habits every parent needs to put in place to protect what Chris calls “this one precious childhood.” Chris’s story is powerful. Trained as a CPA, he thought he’d spend his life in business. Instead, his journey led him from accounting to youth ministry, where he saw first-hand what happened when smartphones landed in the hands of middle schoolers. In 2015, long before most parents realized the dangers, Chris launched Protect Young Eyes to shine light on how devices, apps, and algorithms are reshaping childhood—and what we can do about it. Together, Josh and Chris dig into: * How smartphones changed childhood overnight—and why the iPhone 5 marked a cultural turning point. * The Five Habits of Digital Parenting: modeling, connecting, encouraging work & play, delaying addictive tech, and preventing harm. * The Pyramid of Protection: five layers every parent must know—relationships, routers, devices, locations, and apps. * The Toxic Trio: why bedrooms, boredom, and darkness are the perfect storm for temptation and digital harm. * Why video games can be both a danger and a surprising opportunity for father–child connection. * How predators, porn, and algorithms exploit curiosity and dopamine—and why most apps are far riskier than they appear. * Why schools, churches, policies, and parents must all take responsibility in this fight. Chris also shares practical, step-by-step strategies: how to set up your router to prevent early exposure, how to “test drive” apps with the seven-day rule, and how to model calm connection when—not if—your child makes a digital mistake. As Josh points out, this is the parenting challenge of our generation. And Chris doesn’t leave dads and moms with fear—he gives them a playbook. His message is clear: we can’t eliminate every risk, but with the right layers, habits, and conversations, we can raise kids who thrive in the digital world without being crushed by it. 👉 Explore more resources, guides, and practical tools at ProtectYoungEyes.com [https://www.protectyoungeyes.com/]. The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Routers [https://www.protectyoungeyes.com/devices/the-ultimate-guide-to-understanding-routers] 👉 Follow Protect Young Eyes on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/protectyoungeyes/] and Protect Young Eyes on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/protectyoungeyes] for ongoing updates and tips. Because our kids only get one childhood. It’s worth protecting.