Best MTPR Podcasts (2023)

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Field Notes

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Spotted Tussock Moth: The Fuzzy Orange Spot of Fall 4:57

17h ago4:57

4:57

A small spot of orange in the middle of the trail caught my eye. It wasn't a leaf or a berry; it was tiny and moving! As I neared the curious sight, I discovered it was a fuzzy caterpillar.

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The Write Question

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‘Tolstoy Killed Anna Karenina’: Dara Barrois/Dixon on the responsibilities and consequences of art-making 29:02

7d ago29:02

29:02

This week on ‘The Write Question,’ Lauren speaks with poet Dara Barrois/Dixon (née Dara Wier) about the ethics of art-making and how her latest book of poetry, ‘Tolstoy Killed Anna Karenina’ (Wave Poetry), both elucidates and confounds those ethics—particularly as it’s read alongside Barrois/Dixon’s essay titled almost identically, “Why Tolstoy Kil…

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Field Notes

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What Happens After a Wildfire? 5:04

7d ago5:04

5:04

Despite the harsh and stark appearance, all is not lost after a wildfire. In fact, there is much to be found when you look about.

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Montana Wildfire News

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Hungry Horse Reservoir's West Shore Road reopens to the public 0:42

13d ago0:42

0:42

The Flathead National Forest is reopening more of the Hungry Horse Reservoir to the public as recent rains have helped firefighters contain wildfires in the area.By Aaron Bolton

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The Write Question

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Christine Byl’s debut novel ‘Lookout’ centers community, resists western stereotypes 29:02

14d ago29:02

29:02

This week on ‘The Write Question,’ Lauren speaks with Healy, Alaska-based writer Christine Byl about her debut novel, ‘Lookout’ (Deep Vellum Publishing), which tells the story of the Kinzlers, a complex working-class family firmly rooted in northwestern Montana.By Lauren Korn

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The Write Question

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‘This is Wildfire’: Nick Mott and Justin Angle follow award-winning podcast with “first of its kind” guide 29:02

21d ago29:02

29:02

In Lauren’s conversation with podcasters and authors Nick Mott and Justin Angle, the three talk about the nuances of wildfire: ‘This is Wildfire: How to Protect Yourself, Your Home, and Your Community in the Age of Heat’ (Bloomsbury Publishing) “offers everything you need to know about fire in one useful volume.”…

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Field Notes

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Journey to the Bighorn Basin 4:23

22d ago4:23

4:23

Let me take you on a journey. It’s just a few miles, but over that short distance we’ll be transported not only to a dramatically different landscape, but also back through hundreds of millions of years of Earth’s history.

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Field Notes

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Living in Sandhill Crane Country 4:39

23d ago4:39

4:39

The first sound we hear these early summer mornings is the prehistoric, other-worldly call of Sandhill Cranes. It rises deep from their impossibly long necks, climbs into the sky, and stretches for miles across the countryside.

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Montana Wildfire News

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Fire danger remains high as more than 107,000 acres have burned in Montana 0:56

23d ago0:56

0:56

There were 24 active large fire incidents in the state as of Tuesday morning. Multiple regions in the state are using significant firefighting resources as the state remains in level 3 preparedness.By Ellis Juhlin

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The Write Question

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Encore: The many layers of Charmaine Wilkerson’s ‘Black Cake’ 29:00

28d ago29:00

29:00

This week during ‘The Write Question,’ Lauren returns to her 2022 conversation with Charmaine Wilkerson, author of ‘Black Cake,’ the story of a mother, a woman, whose traumas and histories she hid from her children—children who, after her death, are forced to confront their mother’s past, as well as their own identities in light of such shocking re…

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Montana Wildfire News

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River Road East Fire destroys structures near Paradise, MT 0:41

1M ago0:41

0:41

Rain has slowed the spread of the River Road East Fire that has burned down structures and more than 16,000 acres near the town of Paradise.By Corin Cates-Carney, Edward F. O'Brien

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The Write Question

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Encore: ‘On a Benediction of Wind’: The quiet nature of Charles Finn’s poetry 29:00

1M ago29:00

29:00

This week on ‘The Write Question,’ Lauren returns to her conversation with poet Charles Finn about his collaborative collection, ‘On a Benediction of Wind: Poems and Photographs from the American West,’ a collection of free verse and prose poems, paired with a black-and-white landscape photographs from the Pacific Northwest and the American Southwe…

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Montana Wildfire News

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Montana wildfire update for Aug. 16, 2023 1:40

1M ago1:40

1:40

Record setting high temperatures and gusty winds created a dramatic increase in fire activity in western Montana Tuesday. However, much of the increased activity was inside containment lines of existing fires. High water temperatures prompted Montana wildlife officials to implement hoot-owl restrictions on the lower Madison River starting Aug. 16.…

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Montana Wildfire News

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Extreme heat and critical fire conditions forecast through Thursday 1:25

1M ago1:25

1:25

Extreme heat and critical fire conditions are forecast through Thursday. Meteorologists say records could be shattered this week.By Edward F. O'Brien

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The Write Question

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Encore: Romantic pragmatism, pragmatic romanticism: Claire Boyles’ ‘Site Fidelity’ 28:59

1M ago28:59

28:59

What is Claire Boyles’ American West? This week, host Lauren Korn returns to her 2021 conversation with the Colorado-based writer, the author of ‘Site Fidelity’ (W. W. Norton & Company).By Lauren Korn

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Montana Wildfire News

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Evacuations ordered near Elmo; NW Montana will move to Stage 2 fire restrictions 1:26

2M ago1:26

1:26

Residents south of Highway 93 near Elmo are being told to evacuate due to a nearby wildfire. Several areas in Northwest Montana will move to Stage Two fire restrictions Saturday.By Corin Cates-Carney, Hailey Smalley

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Montana Wildfire News

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Montana wildfire update for Aug. 3, 2023 0:57

2M ago0:57

0:57

The 13,000 acre Middle Ridge Fire burning west of Ronan is listed at 25% containment. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ (CSKT) Division of Fire said crews continued mop up efforts Thursday. The almost 14,000 acre Niarada Fire west of Elmo continues actively burning in a mix of timber and brush.…

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The Write Question

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Encore: Walking through ‘Nemerov’s Door’ with Robert Wrigley 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

This week during ‘The Write Question,’ Lauren returns to her 2021 conversation with Idaho-based poet and essayist Robert Wrigley, who talks to trees—and about the difference between poetry and prose, about fatherhood, about music, and more!By Lauren Korn

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Montana Wildfire News

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What you can do to prepare ahead of an evacuation order 2:15

2M ago2:15

2:15

As fire season heats up across Montana, officials say people living in areas prone to wildfires should be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.By Austin Amestoy

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Montana Wildfire News

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'Asbestos forest' burns; Fire prevention work begins around Butte's water supply 3:27

2M ago3:27

3:27

The Tub Gulch Fire is burning within Libby’s ‘asbestos forest’ near the defunct vermiculite mine. Forest Service crews began emergency fire prevention work this week in the area around Butte’s largest municipal water supply.The Flathead County Commission enacted an emergency declaration Tuesday.By Aaron Bolton, John Hooks, Edward F. O'Brien

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Montana Wildfire News

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Montana wildfire update for July 31, 2023 1:24

2M ago1:24

1:24

Bone dry conditions, powerful winds and multiple new wildfire starts kept ground and air firefighting resources busy in recent days. Evacuation orders are in effect northwest of Polson due to the Nirada Fire.By Edward F. O'Brien

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The Write Question

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Encore: Splitting open the sky with Jenny Tinghui Zhang 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

This week on ‘The Write Question,’ Lauren returns to her 2022 conversation with novelist Jenny Tinghui Zhang about her debut novel, ‘Four Treasures of the Sky’ (Flatiron Books), the heartbreaking story of young Daiyu, kidnapped from Zhifu, China, in 1882.By Lauren Korn

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Montana Wildfire News

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Restrictions on fires and fishing are going into effect in northwest Montana 3:13

2M ago3:13

3:13

Fire officials announced Wednesday that Stage 1 fire restrictions will be implemented across most of northwest Montana this weekend. The move comes in advance of anticipated above-normal temperatures and deepening drought conditions.By Edward F. O'Brien

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Montana Wildfire News

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Colt Fire evacuation orders remain in effect near Seeley Lake 1:50

2M ago1:50

1:50

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect due to the Colt Fire, burning northwest of Seeley Lake. Residents near the intersection of Beaver Creek Road and Highway 83 have been ordered to evacuate. A lightning-caused fire is burning roughly 120 acres five miles east of Arlee.By Hailey Smalley

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The Write Question

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Encore: Making shapes from silence: Kaveh Akbar’s ‘Pilgrim Bell’ 29:01

2M ago29:01

29:01

This week on ‘The Write Question,’ Lauren returns to her conversation with poet Kaveh Akbar, whose sophomore poetry collection, ‘Pilgrim Bell’ (Graywolf Press), empties the self of the self—of one’s nation, or nations, of one’s family, of one’s knowledge—leaving only one’s hollowed, and hallowed, body.…

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Montana Wildfire News

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Officials say Montana fire activity could increase in the coming weeks 1:17

2M ago1:17

1:17

MT’s fire season got off to a slow start this year due to persistent rainfall. But fire officials told Gov. Gianforte that a drying and warming trend will change that.By Austin Amestoy

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The Write Question

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Encore: ‘Less’ may be ‘Lost,’ but Andrew Sean Greer knows exactly who he is 28:59

2M ago28:59

28:59

This week on The Write Question, Lauren returns to her conversation with Andrew Sean Greer, or “Andy,” for this encore broadcast; the two chat about the follow-up to his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel ‘Less,’ ‘Less Is Lost’ (Little, Brown and Company).By Lauren Korn

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Montana Wildfire News

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National wildfire activity this year is below normal so far, experts say 1:45

2M ago1:45

1:45

Wildfire activity across the country is below normal this year. As the summer fire season starts to ramp up, experts ask the public to help prevent unnecessary fires.By Edward F. O'Brien

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The Write Question

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Encore: ‘I’ve Had to Think Up a Way to Survive’: Lynn Melnick’s very own “sad banger” 29:00

3M ago29:00

29:00

This week on ‘The Write Question,’ Lauren returns to her conversation with poet Lynn Melnick; the two chat about her debut memoir, ‘I’ve Had to Think Up a Way to Survive: On Trauma, Persistence, and Dolly Parton’ (University of Texas Press).By Lauren Korn

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The Write Question

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John Vaillant’s ‘Fire Weather: A True Story From a Hotter World,’ Pt. 2 29:02

3M ago29:02

29:02

This week on ‘The Write Question,’ in the final half of a two-part conversation, host Lauren Korn speaks with Vancouver, Canada-based journalist John Vaillant, author of ‘Fire Weather: A True Story From a Hotter World’ (Alfred A. Knopf).By Lauren Korn

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Field Notes

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Fungus Flowers 4:39

3M ago4:39

4:39

Most plants conduct photosynthesis and make their own food from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water. Fungus flowers, however, cannot conduct photosynthesis, making them not only look bizarre but function in a bizarre manner.

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The Write Question

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John Vaillant’s ‘Fire Weather: A True Story From a Hotter World,’ Pt. 1 28:59

3M ago28:59

28:59

This week on ‘The Write Question,’ in the first of a two-part conversation, host Lauren Korn speaks with Vancouver, Canada-based journalist John Vaillant, author of ‘Fire Weather: A True Story From a Hotter World’ (Alfred A. Knopf).By Lauren Korn

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Field Notes

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The Dancing Loon: A Close Call 5:03

3M ago5:03

5:03

We continue walking, giving the shoreline a wide berth to avoid scaring any loons that might be around. Now we're on the opposite side of the lake and—we see them. Two adult Common Loons. Oh, they're lovely: streamlined, low-slung bodies, perfect for diving. Sleek black heads, red eyes, and characteristic black-and-white coloration that makes it ea…

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The Write Question

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‘We Hold Our Breath’: Micah Fields approaches debut memoir with “the mind of a historian and the heart of a poet” 28:59

3M ago28:59

28:59

This week on ‘The Write Question,’ host Lauren Korn chats with writer, teacher, and fly-fishing guide Micah Fields, author of ‘We Hold Our Breath: A Journey to Texas Between Storms’ (forthcoming, W. W. Norton & Company).By Lauren Korn

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Field Notes

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Find the Toads, Count the Toads, Save the Toads 4:36

3M ago4:36

4:36

It’s June and I’m in a dreamy meadow deep in the backcountry of Mount Rainier National Park, looking for toads. My mission: find the toads, count the toads, save the toads—in that order.

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The Write Question

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‘The Shining Mountains’: Alix Christie discusses accuracy in historical fiction, family, and the necessity of storytelling 22:05

3M ago22:05

22:05

For this weekend broadcast of ‘The Write Question,’ journalist and novelist Alix Christie discusses her novel, ‘The Shining Mountains’ (High Road Books).By Lauren Korn

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Field Notes

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Crawfish: Camouflaged and Colorful Crustaceans 4:22

4M ago4:22

4:22

Crawdads have specialized cells in their exoskeletons that allow them to change color to adapt to their surroundings. The cells, called chromatophores, work to either concentrate or disperse pigment. Similar cells in chameleons and octopuses allow for a quick color change. But, for crawdads, the process is slower.…

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The Write Question

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“Home is a place that you have to define for yourself”: Vanessa A. Bee’s debut memoir, ‘Home Bound’ 28:59

4M ago28:59

28:59

This week on ‘The Write Question,’ host Lauren Korn speaks with Vanessa A. Bee, author of the memoir ‘Home Bound: An Uprooted Daughter’s Reflections on Belonging’ (Astra House).By Lauren Korn

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The Write Question

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“You don’t have to be perfect to serve the future”: Lisa Wells on ‘Believers: Making a Life at the End of the World’ 28:59

4M ago28:59

28:59

This week on ‘The Write Question,’ host Lauren Korn speaks with poet and essayist Lisa Wells, author of ‘Believers: Making a Life at the End of the World’ (Farrar, Straus & Giroux).By Lauren Korn

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Field Notes

1
Northern Harriers 4:20

4M ago4:20

4:20

Northern Harriers are considered one of the most elusive raptors, and some of the most accomplished wildlife photographers admit how difficult they are to photograph. Male Harriers, with their white underside and opaque gray-back plumage, seem to be even more challenging to photograph than the brown and much larger females. For that reason, many bi…

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Field Notes

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Is That A Moose? 5:22

4M ago5:22

5:22

I was delighted to observe such an unusual visitor, but he had a bigger surprise for me. As I watched him forage through my yard he did something unique I had never seen, heard of, nor even imagined!

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