Julie Mack: Dedicated to Protecting This Canyon

Julie Mack: Dedicated to Protecting This Canyon

Anyone who has visited the Sundance area is familiar with this land’s stunning natural beauty, but they may not be aware of the team of people working to preserve it. Foremost on that team is Julie Mack, executive director of the Sundance Nature Alliance. For the past three decades Julie has been a leader in protecting and restoring the land’s natural ecosystem. She joins Chad to discuss her commitment to the natural environment of this canyon.

Dr. Stephen Minton: The Doctor of the Mountain

Our guest today Dr. Stephen Minton is one of the longest-standing residents of Sundance. Dr. Minton has had an extraordinary medical career, delivering tens of thousands of newborns (almost all of whom were human babies!). He is a beloved neighbor on the mountain whose expertise has come in handy on many occasions over the decades, and he shares some of those great stories on today’s episode.

Stewart Olsen: Six Generations of Stewardship

Have you ever wondered where all the canyon's wild turkeys came from? At seven years old, Stewart protected his uncle's turkeys from canyon wildlife. Today, he continues to give back as a longtime board member of the North Fork Special Service District. As a sixth-generation steward of the land and professional land surveryor, Stew's roots run deep, and so does his knowledge. He shares stories of early cabin sites, the beginnings of skiing in the area, spring water sources that still sustain the canyon, the shift in land stewardship from his family to Robert Redford, and the ecological changes he's witnessed over a lifetime.

Michelle Satter: Sundance Institute & Film Festival

“Yeah, sure, call me when you get there.” These were Robert Redford's words to Michelle Satter, Founding Senior Director of Sundance Institute's Artist Programs, who offered to open an LA office for the Institute after attending a Film Lab at Sundance Resort in 1981. She has been with the Institute ever since. As all things Sundance were ultimately born from the spiritual home at Sundance Resort in Utah, Michelle shares stories from the early days of Labs at the resort, and how the Screening Room and Rehearsal Hall played integral roles in shaping films and the lives of the artists and filmmakers behind them. Tune in next season for Part II, which will chronicle the recent history of the Institute and Festival.

Brian Wimmer: Back Mountains, Trophy Fish and TV Shows

How did the Redfinger ski run get its name? Longtime local and first-time podcast guest Brian Wimmer shares some possible answers, along with stories of growing up at Sundance, cutting the first ski runs on the “back mountain,” and how being a part of Sundance Resort launched a career in Hollywood. His time in front of the camera ultimately led him back to Sundance, where he has guided thousands of guests fly fishing on the blue ribbon water of the Provo River, and a love for fixed-grip lifts that deliver uncrowded powder.