High Country and Handmade: Stories of the western craft and way of life

Episode 30: Bonnie J Brummett: From Alaska to Alabama: The Furrier Who Turned Bobcat Pelts into a Business

Bonnie of Alaska Spirit Crafts shares her life long journey from living off‑grid in Alaska to settling in Alabama, explaining how she got started and where she is now in her career in fur sewing. She discusses her specialties—mostly hats and mittens—how she sources tanned pelts, and why she stopped tanning herself.
The conversation covers life with dogs, trapping and hunting stories, unusual customer requests, and the work behind making fur pieces, including machines and linings. Bonnie also talks about moving through Arizona and Montana, challenges of rural life, and concerns about changing laws and attitudes toward fur and wildlife.
Listeners can find her—Facebook (Bonnie J. Brummett / Alaska Spirit Crafts), TikTok, her website fursewercom, and her fur‑sewing books on Amazon—and hear her perspective on craftsmanship, pricing, and keeping the craft enjoyable rather than a full‑time job.

Episode 29: Predictive Programming, AI & Survival: Off-Grid Conversations

Jesica Smith joins me again to take a dive into predictive programming, subliminal messaging, and how media may prime public perception—from The Simpsons to conspiracy theories about elites. Their wide-ranging chat touches on AI companionship and manipulation, the effects of social media on mental health, the impact of COVID, and changing cultural norms.
We also discuss prepping, survival skills, and community resilience in an increasingly technological world, closing with personal stories about aging, family, and self-improvement. Enjoy this fun conversation that went off the rails and never did quite cover everything we thought it would but that’s the fun of it. As always like, comment, share and subscribe. 

From Jersey Shore to Nashville: Inside Sean Tobin’s Songwriting Journey

In this episode of High Country and Handmade the I sit down with Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sean Tobin to talk about his move from New Jersey, the realities of life on the road, and the songwriting process behind tracks like the story-driven “0-9 base line wage” and other songs telling of a life well lived and traveled.
We cover side hustles and creativity — from leatherwork (always end up talking about that) to touring merchandise — plus running, trail life, the challenges of pricing art, political conversation, and how slow, steady growth shapes an artist’s career.
Thanks for following along on our journey to meet and talk with amazing guests every week. Please comment, follow and share. 

Episode 27: Travis Chilson: Traps, Coyotes and Politics: A Trapper’s View on Wildlife Management

Travis Chilson shares stories from the trapline, practical gear and dog-handling tips, and his lifelong interest in archaeology and natural history.
We also cover predator control, wildlife policy, and the political battles affecting hunting, trapping, and conservation today. What I thought was going to be a pretty straightforward conversation had more twists and turns then a roller coaster. Just the way we like our conversations. Share with your friends, comment, like and subscribe. Thanks for your support. 

Episode 26: Camellia Cann: Northern Shadows: Crime Fiction, Courtrooms, and Small‑Town Secrets

On the newest episode we have the privilege of interviewing Camellia Cann, a North Idaho criminal defense attorney turned crime novelist. They discuss her two published thrillers and an upcoming summer-set third book, her writing process, self-publishing and editing choices, and the idea of seasonal releases to match a book's atmosphere.
We also discuss my hobbies—hound hunting, dog training, leatherwork—plus the challenges of social media, concerns about AI in creative work, and nostalgic reflections on communication before the digital age. We bounce around and cover just about everything we think of in this enjoyable conversation. Books available on Amazon and at local Coeur d'Alene bookstore. Please comment, like and share and as always, let us know how we did. 

Episdode 25: Bone Maniacs Unleashed: Traps, Bears, and the Fight for Tradition

Join Shane Mowery of Bone Maniacs for a candid conversation about hound hunting, trapping, bobcat and bear encounters, and the pressures facing rural life and wildlife management.
This episode blends field stories, trapline and archery updates, debates on predators and policy, and reflections on self‑reliance and preserving outdoor traditions.

Episode 24: Rusty Kramer: From Trapline to Fur Sale: Behind the Scenes with the Idaho Trappers

Guest Rusty Kramer, president of the Idaho Trappers Association and the National Trappers Association, discusses trapping life in Southern Idaho — the challenges of an odd winter, low catches, and shifting species trends including wolves, bobcats, skunks, porcupines, otter and muskrats.The episode also covers changing fur markets and niche demands, fur sale events and demonstrations, conservation and advocacy work by ITA/NTA, and the community and education efforts to support trappers and newcomers.

Episode 23:From Leatherwork to 1911s: A Candid Talk with Scattered Hamlet’s Adam Jode

Adam Joad of Scattered Hamlet discusses the band’s roots, blending country life with heavy music, the role of TikTok in their growth, and how authenticity shapes their songs and covers.
They also share personal stories about leatherworking, hunting, firearms, and the realities of touring as independent musicians, plus reflections on community, respect, and staying true to where you come from.

Episode 22: Ranch Life Unfiltered: Market Truths, Hunting, and Hard Work on a Southern Colorado Ranch

Turner Kincaid, who runs the Average Hired Man social page, joins to share an honest look at ranch life in southern Colorado — his herd, summer mountain permits, winter feed, and running about 350 mother cows plus replacement heifers and bulls.
The episode covers why locally sold beef costs more than the live cattle market price, the true costs of feed and infrastructure, rising land and horse markets, hunting and dog training, and the value of keeping people connected to where their food comes from. 
https://www.instagram.com/average.hired.man?igsh=dWlyMHV3aXpjZTNn

Episode 21 with Rocking MST Leatherworks Tooling, Timelines, and Tough Choices in Handmade Leather

In this episode Sarah from Rockin MST Leatherworks talks about how she got into leatherworking, running a small handmade business, and balancing family life with custom orders.
Topics include tooling and patterns, pricing and selling (Etsy and craft shows), the time‑consuming nature of hand‑stitching, learning from mentors, and finding customers while living in a rural area.