Thuy Nguyen is a poet, writer and speaker on self-empowerment. She came up in a cult-like religious environment. When Thuy was a teen, she was preyed upon by a church leader and, ultimately, shunned by that community. Adam talks with Thuy about

Mahting Putelis, on his Latvian roots in Michigan, his ‘dirtbag’ 20s, realities of adventure photography, emergence of AI & the three things people want

18 days ago 59m

Mahting Putelis grew up in a Latvian community in Kalamazoo, MI. It was extraordinarily formative, and is a source of great pride for Mahting. Adam talks with him about that upbringing and community, and its influences on him.They also talk ab

Jason Marsden, on GARNA, the state of journalism today, being a cocktail party diversion at Harvard, and his friend Matthew Shepard

Apr 23rd, 2024 1h 16m

In this episode of We Are Chaffee’s Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Jason Marsden, executive director of the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA), rights advocate and former newspaper reporter.Adam talks with Ja

Silvana Montero, on traumatic brain injuries, her multicultural upbringing and getting your ‘ride smile on’ with Bicibits

Apr 9th, 2024 59m 15s

In this episode of We Are Chaffee’s Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Silvana Montero. Silvana, a road cyclist, recounts the harrowing experience of when she was hit from behind by a motorist driving more than 45 miles per hou

Jennifer Dempsey, on the value of social circus, Belfast during ‘The Troubles,’ creating resilience through humor and being the world’s worst waitress

Mar 26th, 2024 54m 53s

In this episode of We Are Chaffee’s Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Jennifer Dempsey, founder of the Salida (Colo.) Circus and former director of the Belfast Community Circus in Northern Ireland.They talk about what a social

Shane McNeil, on ‘Guy with the Chevy Tattoo,’ straight-edge punk, three chords and the truth, psilocybin, PMA & living in the gray

Mar 12th, 2024 1h 33m

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Shane McNeil, singer-songwriter-guitarist, auto mechanic and jack-of-all-trades. In this conversation, Adam talks with Shane about tattoos and Shane’s au

Gloria Esparza, on Gen Z, mental health among teens, generational disconnects, optimism for the future, and the best games of ‘cops & robbers’ ever

Feb 27th, 2024 53m 38s

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Gloria Esparza, an 18-year-old high school senior and a youth advisor through Chaffee County (Colo.) Family & Youth Initiatives.Adam talks with Gloria ab

Thordis Simonsen, founder of the Museum of Authenticity, on living a bold, creative & courageous life

Feb 13th, 2024 57m 42s

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Thordis Simonsen, the founding director and curator of the Museum of Authenticity in Salida, Colo. Thordis is a painter, photographer, writer and curator.

Ray Nypaver, nature-based psychotherapist, on ego & identity, fear & love, death & connecting with our true selves

Jan 30th, 2024 1h 36m

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Ray Nypaver. Ray is a nature-based psychotherapist and running coach, essayist and poet whose newest book is "Light & Dark: Reflections on the Human Exper

Zac Baird, keyboardist, on hanging out with rock stars, balancing life as a touring musician and dad, the hardest job he ever had & how he hooked up with Korn

Jan 16th, 2024 1h 39m

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Zac Baird, keyboardist and composer. Zac is known across musical genres for his skills with synthesizers and computers. He has toured the world far and wi

Jed Selby, South Main developer & former pro kayaker, on affordable housing, building the future, his love of live music & what motivates him

Jan 2nd, 2024 1h 26m

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Jed Selby, co-developer of South Main in Buena Vista, Colorado. That includes the Surf Hotel, the bar and restaurant Wesley & Rose, and the concert venues

2023 Review & 2024 Kickoff

Dec 26th, 2023 9m 47s

In this short episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams goes solo. He looks back at the diverse guests on the podcast in 2023. He also gives a heads up to the three guests who will kickoff the biggest month, so far,

Rob Dubin, happiness expert, on gratitude & resilience, employee happiness & ‘quiet quitting', a story of surviving against all odds & learnings from 17 years at sea

Dec 12th, 2023 50m 34s

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Rob Dubin, a former filmmaker who has become an expert and international keynote speaker on happiness and resilience.Rob and his wife, Dee, made national

Alpheus “Alf” Rudd, 10th-generation master blacksmith, on times gone by, the value of old-world skills and self-sufficiency, and ‘Forged in Fire’

Nov 28th, 2023 56m 4s

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Alpheus “Alf” Rudd, a master blacksmith with a family lineage in the trade, dating back to at least the 1600s.Adam and Alf take a ride through history an

Katie Brown, rock climber and memoirist (‘Unraveled’), on navigating hidden trauma and anorexia while publicly being celebrated as the ‘best female climber of the millennium’

Nov 14th, 2023 1h 8m

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Katie Brown, the renowned rock climber that Climbing magazine named the “best female climber of the millennium” in 1999, and the author of ‘Unraveled,’ a

Keith Baker, County Commissioner and retired U.S. Navy Commander, on growing up in a ‘golden era,’ working with Gen. Colin Powell and servant leadership

Oct 31st, 2023 59m 11s

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Keith Baker, Chaffee County (Colo.) Commissioner, retired U.S. Navy Commander, and former owner of The Trailhead (Buena Vista, Colo.), to name just a few

Eddie Sandoval, chef, restaurateur and concert manager, on the visceral nature of music, sharing food as community, and travels in Southeast Asia

Oct 17th, 2023 54m 6s

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Eddie Sandoval. Eddie might be most known as chef and owner of the Asian Palate (Buena Vista, Colo.), along with his wife, Brynn. In recent months, he als

The Fites (Mars & Ashley), on family #vanlife, living dreams now, finding commonality with strangers of all stripes, and authenticity as digital creators

Oct 3rd, 2023 56m 39s

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Mars and Ashley Fite. The Fites are married digital creators who were early to living adventures on the road before #vanlife became a thing on social med

Suzy Kelly, historian & rancher, on capturing & losing stories of the past, Cockeyed Liz, Chief Ouray, post office controversy and change

Sep 19th, 2023 55m 58s

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with historian and rancher Suzy Kelly.Suzy is a local historian and nearly lifelong resident of the Arkansas Valley here in Colorado. She holds a wealth of kn

Laurie Benson, on ‘Leading from the Feminine,’ community, the power of perception, and accepting life with a neutral spirit

Sep 5th, 2023 54m 21s

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with entrepreneur, author, speaker and coach Laurie Benson.Laurie talks with Adam about her experiences working on climate issues around the world. They talk

Kimi Uno, on Riot Grrrl, ‘Howl’, her family’s experience of internment camp during World War II, and the importance of fighting for what’s right

Aug 22nd, 2023 56m 52s

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with entrepreneur and activist Kimi Uno.Kimi shares about the influence of the Riot Grrrl movement on her life when she was coming up in the Pacific Northwest

Joe Parkin, on cycling, doping and race fixing, and his many adventures in ‘search of that thing that so completely enthralls’ the mind and body

Aug 8th, 2023 1h 25m

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Joe Parkin.Joe was a pioneering American professional cyclist in Europe in the 80s and 90s. He also has been a professional and/or highly competitive BMX

Year One Review & Year Two Kickoff

Jul 25th, 2023 7m 54s

In this short episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams goes solo. He looks back at the diverse guests and topical threads of conversations in the first year of the podcast. He also takes a look at the guests’ stori

Rick Bieterman & Katy Welter, of Watershed Ranch, on adventure & leaps of faith, leadership & community, land conservation & historic preservation

Jul 11th, 2023 56m 27s

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Rick Bieterman and Katy Welter.Katy and Rick are married partners in a life of ranching and historic renovation, and other adventures. They met on a 75-d

Eric S. Lee, on growing up in Detroit in the Motown era, practices for inner peace, and restorative justice

Jun 27th, 2023 1h 12m

In this episode of the We Are Chaffee: Looking Upstream podcast, Adam Williams talks with Eric S. Lee, executive director for Full Circle Restorative Justice.Eric has a rich history of entrepreneurship and service to others, including as a che