Welcome to The Best Dam Podcast!

Outdoor Adventure Episodes

2
Feb. 19, 2026

Connecting Communities: 34-Miles of Cycling, Hiking, and History on the River Mountains Loop Trail

In this episode of CommunityCast, Howard Fox is joined by Paul Grube, the President of the River Mountains Loop Trail Partnership. Paul shares the fascinating history of this 34-mile paved trail and how it evolved from a "trail to nowhere" into a premier outdoor destination connecting Henderson, Boulder City, and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. From the lighthearted "adult beverage" origins of the trail’s concept in the late 90s to the technical challenges of maintaining a multi-juri...
116
Dec. 9, 2025

Live Your Bold: The Making of Sierra 914 with Will Turner & Ryan Dugger

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, your Host, Jill Lagan, is joined by ultra-endurance athlete Will Turner and filmmaker Ryan Dugger. Will and Ryan break down the making of Sierra 914, an award-winning documentary capturing Will's grueling 914-mile triathlon through the Sierra Nevada mountains. From the extreme mental fortitude required to push through sleep deprivation to the chaotic reality of filming a non-stop moving target, they provide an inspiring look at what it means to "Live Y...
68
April 23, 2024

Casting Wide: Young Anglers Shaping a Community With The Boulder City Bass Club

The Best Dam Podcastwelcomes young anglers from the Boulder City Bass Club. We'll hear from Rylan Garrett, Brandon Kaminski, and Lexi Wendst, who are as skilled with a fishing rod as they are with their youthful wisdom. They'll be casting lines into their experiences with the club, from the catch-and-release satisfaction to the tranquility of the waters they venture. These enthusiastic members not only share their individual stories but also spotlight the importance of community service, club ...
45
June 29, 2023

Izzy Collett: Desert Adventures in the Heart of Southern Nevada

This episode of The Best Dam Podcast features, Izzy Collett: Instructor and CEO at Desert Adventures. Izzy is an ACA trained kayak and canoe instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and Wilderness Medicine instructor. Desert Adventures is a small business in Boulder City, and is a permitted outfitter under the National Park Service, the Hoover Dam, and the City of Boulder City Parks and Recreation. Experiences hosted by Desert Adventures include: Kayaking Stand Up Paddling (SUP) Canoe...
37
May 9, 2023

Mike Gauthier, Superintendent, National Park Service, Lake Mead National Recreation Area

This episode of The Best Dam Podcast features, Mike Gauthier, Superintendent, National Park Service, Lake Mead National Recreation Area WHAT WE CHATTED ABOUT The role of the Superintendent The Partnership between the Park and the Boulder City community. Mike's first volunteer job at a National Park Mike's first permanent job at a National Park The Park Service's work with Caltrans, Brightline West, and the California Department of Fish and Life, to commit to building three wildlife...
35
March 28, 2023

Chad Taylor, Director of Marketing & Guest Experience @ Lake Mead Mohave Adventures

This episode of The Best Dam Podcast features, Chad Taylor, Director of Marketing at Guest Experience, Inc. WHAT WE CHATTED ABOUT Traditional media may tell us that Lake Mead has dried up and now all we see are boat wrecks and dead bodies. We know that is not true and we’ll hear it from the mouth of a concessionaire that is happy to share with all his guests and our listeners about all the great activity happening on Lake Mead and the Colorado River. We’ll learn about the evolution of Fore...
17
July 18, 2022

Ashley Pipkin, Biologist with the National Park Service, Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, and the Basin and Range Dark Sky Cooperative.

Today on the Best Dam Podcast we have the honor of speaking with Ashley Pipkin. Ashley is a Biologist for the National Park Service, Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, and the Basin and Range Dark Sky Cooperative. Ashley is passionate about protecting natural night skies and caring for our nation’s amazing natural resources. She is a federal employee, and her job is to help the American public. Right now she is assisting the City of Boulder City with implementing smart lighting practic...
14
June 3, 2022

Meet David Lusvardi, Vice President of National Park Express, and Chairman of the Board for the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce

Hello, and welcome to The Best Dam Podcast. On today’s show, we have the pleasure of speaking with David Lusvardi, Vice President of National Park Express. National Park Express is an amazing partner of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce and a true asset to tourism in Southern Nevada. David has spent his life working in the tourism industry and has many experiences to share with us today. He enjoys seeing the pleasure on the guests’ faces as they see the Grand Canyon or Antelope Canyon fo...