Wilderness Edge Podcast

Boundary Waters Connect

For people who are curious about communities on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  Join our host, Lacey Squier, for juicy conversations with area residents and all who have a heart-home “up north.”  We offer dialogue about what gives northeastern Minnesota the edge, as well as some real talk about the sometimes-sharp edges of living in remote and rural locations. 

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Wildfire Management

    Part 2 of our mini series responding to the 2026 July lightning wildfires in the BWCA Wilderness and beyond. We’ll have a conversation with our friend and neighbor Aaron Kania, an expert in wildfire management and former US Forest Service Kawishiwi District Ranger (now in retirement). We’ll discuss how these fires got started, how they’re being fought, the logistics of managing wildfires, and the reality of fire on the landscape.  CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS:  1:49 | Introducing Aaron (an educator at heart) 3:54 | Are we losing our Wilderness? No! The wilderness evolved with fire. 7:19 | But it is true that high intensity fire creates a different shift than low intensity fire. 9:20 | Indigenous burning: The 400 year old tree & Bud Heinselman's core 11:22 | How long until these campsites are usable? (And latrine rescue) 15:11 | There are about 1,000 prescribed fires in the Boundary Waters every single night! 16:37 | What a reframe! Doing fire wise work around our campsites. 17:28 | What are fire wise practices? 19:12 | What are the tactical manuevers being executed to protect us? 25:59 | And are any of these tactics different in a Wilderness context? 27:57 | On the power of delegation 29:07 | Every time our community experiences a fire, we learn from it. 31:33 | The body can't go where the mind hasn't been. 32:40 | How do we pace ourselves for this new reality? 34:00 | This is an abnormal situation, right? 36:43 | A risk deferred 38:00 | Gratitude to the firefighters 38:30 | Weather this started this fire, and weather is going to put it out??? 42:04 | Observer & Dallas's wisdom 44:10 | Again, GRATITUDE TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS! 45:27 | Please give us a 5-star review :) SHOW NOTES:  Ely Community Response  Looking for places to donate to support?  Tuesday Group: Forest Fire Behavior & Tree Mortality Tuesday Group: Pagami Creek Fire Overview  Tuesday Group: Ecological Impacts of Pagami Creek Fire   Pagami Fire Video - Wildland Fire LLC Tuesday Group: In the Face of Fire  Tuesday Group: Forest Fire Fuels Reduction  Boundary Waters Connect Send us a voice message!

    Wildfire Management

  2. 3d ago

    Ely Community Wildfire Response

    Join a conversation with a couple folks with boots on the ground related to the Ely area community’s response to the “July 2026 Lightning Incident," a complex of wildfires in the BWCA Wilderness and beyond that have initiated ready-set-go evacuation protocol for many of our friends and neighbors.   Bria Schurke is an emergency medicine physician assistant who was born and raised in Ely. Her diverse career includes a stints as a wildland firefighter, wilderness guide, and time abroad working in public health.  Megan Wind is the creative content manager for Save the Boundary Waters. She has been creating visual content and translating complex messages clearly across various communication mediums for a decade. She moved to Ely four years ago.  Bria and Megan are two members of a team of people who formed the Ely Community Response as a way to help Ely area residents respond to the wildfires.  Ely Community Response  Looking for places to donate to support?  CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS:  2:05 Introducing Megan Wind 5:55 Introducing Bria Schurke 14:36 What is the origin story of the Ely Community Response effort? 16:16 How / when did the fires start? 18:25 Circling back to the origins of the community wildfire response 21:29 Being smoke ready -- Air quality index, N95 masks, air purifiers, and knowledge is power 30:31 Preparing for the future, contributing to clarity 35:58 How did you choose which communications channels to employ? 38:44 We've rallied other people to come join us, becoming a network to help connect dots 40:54 A strong community response reminds us we have agency and reminds us we are resilient 42:24 We want to help the community be better prepared 43:05 Looking ahead a few days at a time 43:55 Ely is a strong community, people are well connected and willing to take care of each other 45:02 This is a replicable model 48:40 Open for business? Yes, and it's complicated. 52:13 How can people best support Ely? Boundary Waters Connect is the sponsor of the Wilderness Edge Podcast Send us a voice message!

  3. Jul 17

    "Livin' la Vida Ely" with Stony River Band

    Tune into a conversation with members of Stony River, an Ely-based string band. Stony River’s sound is a lively blend of country, soul, and grass; their songs are heartfelt, down-to-earth, and guaranteed to get your heart grooving and your feet moving. Nick Allen, Nick Holtz, Dillon Wilkins, and Zeb Butterfield have been making music together for over a decade. Their performances showcase their proficiency on the strings as well as the joy of playing side by side.  Stony River Album Release Party at Ely’s Historic State Theater on Friday, July 24  Stony River Music website Stony River on Spotify Stony River on Apple Music Stony River on YouTube Finding Zeb part 1 & part 2 -- A Fox21 KQDS Duluth-Superior news production featuring Stony River's frontman, Zeb Butterfield. Aka some of the most delightful 20 minutes you can spend on the internet.  Boundary Waters Connect -- Sponsor organization behind the Wilderness Edge Podcast.  --- CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS:  0:00 | A note about the wildfires and a heads up that we'll offer an episode about them next week 0:44 | We have a strong commitment to gathering, and we aren't going to give that up 4:08 | Introducing Holtzie, Al, Zeb, and Dillon 5:45 | What brought you to Ely? 6:18 | Holtzie: "Next thing you know, I fell into a good little community..." 8:01 | Quick interlude: How did you guys meet? 8:40 | Al: "I went to VCC and stuck around" 10:01 | Zeb: "I came up for a summer job and have been living la vida Ely ever since" 12:13 | Dillon: "If we wanted to start a family Ely seemed like the spot to do it" 13:10 | Stony River -- what's in a name? 16:13 | Zeb, when did you get into writing lyrics? What is your process? 17:12 | Zeb the frontman, the byproduct of growing up in a musical family 18:58 | What does the process of making a new song look like? 20:15 | Have you been playing original music all along? 22:11 | "We made an active decision a couple of years ago to seriously work on our music" 24:00 | Recording 10 Miles of Bad Road 27:43 | Shout out to John Berquist of the Moose Wallow Ramblers 28:15 | How would you describe Stony River's style? What does it mean to be grassy, but loose? 29:50 | What does giving back to the community look like to you? 30:28 | "We want to be recognized as an Ely band" 36:00 | Organizing open mic night at the Boathouse 39:48 | Organizing the Shagawa Shindig at Semers Beach on the Fourth of July 40:50 | The Ely music scene has no age limit, it supposed to an all ages thing 43:29 | Two bands, a baby, and a full time job 44:36 | Nick Allen, anchor of persistence and vision 46:45 | How can the Ely community support Stony River? Listen, show up, purchase merch! 49:03 | Entering the world of entrepreneurship 52:15 | Shout out to the wives, they keep everything on track 52:35 | On playing the Blue Ox Music Festival 56:13 | The Ely community really embraces music 57:22 | Shout out to album release party open Thor Leisman 58:35 | Thank you, listeners! Consider giving this podcast a 5-Star review! 59:53 | Shout out to Boundary Waters Kitchen & Market, album release party caterer 1:01:09 | Ten Miles of Bad Road by Stony River -- Title track of the forthcoming album Send us a voice message!

    "Livin' la Vida Ely" with Stony River Band

  4. Jul 2

    Broadway in the BW & Ely Must-Do’s

    Visiting Ely? Let the folks who live here help you decide what to do while you're in the area! Repertory theater professionals living in Ely for the summer -- Olivia, Dovid, Austin, and Jacob -- talk through the Ely area tourism MUST-DO's as suggested by the Tuesday Group audience.  But, wait... what's Tuesday Group? Tuesday Group is a free, weekly educational forum that takes place over lunch at the Grand Ely Lodge.  If you're in town on a Tuesday, swing by the Grand Ely Lodge between 11:30am and 1:00pm to meet a few people, learn something new, and enjoy lunch.  Eager to get to a specific topic? Here's the breakdown of our conversation:  1:30 | Jacob, Olivia, Dovid, & Austin introduce themselves 9:08 | The Ely audience is passionate and interactive; they go beyond surface level. 11:23 | Word of mouth makes the world go 'round. 13:00 | Discussing themes in NLAA's Oklahoma! What made our local production unique? 20:10 | What should we know about NLAA's forthcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar? 30:01 | Must-Do Activities in Ely: Have a leisurely afternoon on a pontoon 33:02 | International Wolf Center & North American Bear Center 35:07 | Meet the Root Beer Lady at the Dorothy Molter Museum 38:07 | Ely's Historic State Theater -- $7 movies!!! 40:20 | Ely Steam Sauna ("sow-na") 42:48 | Admire the d'Havilland Beavers at the USFS Seaplane Base on Shagawa Lake 44:12 | Semers Park Beach & Adventures on the islands 45:15 | Find a favorite rock, maybe pillow rock?? 46:46 | Ely Winton History Museum at MN North Vermilion Campus 48:24 | Bois Forte Heritage Center & Cultural Museum 48:48 | Find Your Listening Point -- Sigurd Olson's Listening Point 49:13 | Best Hikes in Ely 52:10 | Soudan Underground Mine Tour 54:38 | What do YOU think should be on the Ely-area tourism must-do list?? 56:05 | Take an Ely Folk School Class! (But what even is a folk school?) 59:16 | See a Northern Lakes Arts Association (NLAA) production!! Boundary Waters Connect -- Considering moving to northeast Minnesota? Let us help you! We offer programs and services for new, established, and prospective residents to strengthen our social fabric.  NLAA Presents Newsies, Jr -- Two shows only! Friday, July 3 NLAA Presents Jesus Christ Superstar -- Buy your tickets today! Various shows July 17-26 Northern Lakes Arts Association -- The Northern Lakes Arts Association (NLAA) is a premier arts & cultural nonprofit organization in Ely. NLAA was one of the founding organizations of the Ely Cultural Alliance.  Ely Cultural Alliance -- Offering a summer passport program! Pick up a copy of the Ely Summer Times, and find our passport in the centerfold. Secure stamps from each participating loction to enter a drawing for a prize basket. Attend the Ely Cultural Alliance Toast to the Season event on Sunday, September 13.  Send us a voice message!

  5. Jun 25

    Fibers of Our Being

    Grace Klein joins Lacey Squier in conversation about her mutli-faceted journey to life in Ely, including a background in pattern and paper making. Grace is a fiber artist in all senses of the word. They discuss the positive power of reading, and how that shows up in life on the edge of the Wilderness.  This conversation includes the following highlights:  Introducing Grace -- YMCA Camp Du Nord, Wintergreen Northern Wear, & more.How did Grace become interested in apparel design and fiber arts?"I love sewing and I love creating clothing that feels true to me."Wintergreen Northern Wear is a staple of Ely culture, fashion, and commerce.Foray into paper making & sustainable creative practice.Apparel design becomes book anatomy, paper making, and paper tapestries.I'm at growth and experimental phase of my art career.Gratitude to the Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust."Thus from knickers came literature" -- the humanities & fiber arts collide.Let's talk about the humanities (at the Ely Folk School).What are the humanities?The humanities, handcraft, and AI.As much as we need to preserve a particular craft, we need to preserve the idea of craft.For the love of book club.Playing music with The Chickadee-Dee-Dee's.Entrepreneurship -- "Maybe this will turn in to a business venture.""I have everything here that I've ever wanted." Boundary Waters Connect -- Boundary Waters Connect is the sponsor of the Wilderness Edge Podcast.  Grace Klein Designs -- Grace Klein is a fiber artist living in Ely, MN.  Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust -- This Ely, MN based trust offers grants to local artists and arts organizations. They offer two grand cycles per year.  Chickadee-Dee-Dee music trio -- A cover band that plays music in various locations around Ely, and also offers free community singing programs at the Ely Folk School.  Humanly Possible: Seven Hundred Years of Humanist Freethinking, Inquiry, & Hope by Sarah Bakewell -- A book that dives deep into the history of the humanism and the humanities.  Ely Folk School -- The Ely Folk School recently created a Humanities program area, through which locals and tourists alike can learn about myriad topics.  The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree by Shokoofeh Azar -- The book referred to by Grace and Lacey as the current selection of their friends' book club.  What AI Kant do -- A recommended rumination on the relationship and differences between AI and the humanities.  Send us a voice message!

    Fibers of Our Being

  6. Jun 5

    Making Friends: Trials, Tribulations, & Triumphs

    Let's discuss the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of making friends as adults – particularly as people who recently relocated to a new community.  Join me, Lacey Squier, in conversation with my friends Jess Kulik, Kelsey Lee, and Lucy Soderstrom as we talk about the experiences and resources we drew upon to host an Ely Folk School class on how to make friends.  Boundary Waters Connect -- Hello Neighbor  The Wilderness Edge Podcast is sponsored by Boundary Waters Connect, the economic and community development program of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness. We offer programs and services for new, established, seasonal, and prospective residents to the Ely area.  Boundary Waters Connect – Making Friends  Check out some additional resources on the topic of making friends, particularly as adults.  Ely Folk School  Boundary Waters Connect is proud to sponsor and frequently collaborate with the Ely Folk School, which builds community by offering learning experiences that celebrate the wilderness heritage, art, history, culture, and craft of the people of northern Minnesota.  Potluck Kitchenware  Potluck Kitchenware is a cooking and baking retail store, as well as the presenting sponsor of the Hello Neighbor programs and services facilitated by Boundary Waters Connect. Check out Potluck Kitchenware on the corner of Chapman Street and First Avenue in downtown Ely.  Platonic: The Science of Attachment Can Help You Make – and Keep – Friends This book, written by Dr. Marissa G. Franco, was one of our favorite resources in the process of learning about and teaching a class on how to make friends.  Chapters & Timestamps:  1:39 | Introducing our guests: Kelsey Lee, Lucy Soderstrom, and Jess Kulik. 5:40 | Finding and forging bonus families. 9:31 | Why host a class on how to make friends? 10:08 | To profess the profound importance of unapologetic initiative. 13:11 | We can't do it for you. We offer tools & empowerment to be your own agent of social connection. 17:26 | We wanted to offer clarity to the process and social norms in our community. 20:47 | How do we talk more openly about what's difficult about making friends? 22:00 | What does your attachment style have to do with making friends? 25:00 | Dread is part of the process (and transitions are hard). 30:20 | It's a wonderful life -- seeing and being seen helps! 31:50 | Check out The Art of the Gathering by Priya Parker. 34:13 | Distinguish between your "work" self and your "personal" self. 39:52 | Give yourself permission to be cared for by community. 43:00 | Consider the power of propinquity & the mere exposure effect. 48:23 | Develop rejection tolerance & be friends with yourself first. 51:33 | You can only succeed if you define your friendship goals. 52:17 | Remember: this process takes time. 54:23 | Share your interests widely; our communities are full of inquisitive, eager people. 55:41 | You can have anything, but you might have to make it yourself. 57:34 | On the pros and cons of being known (and wearing your grimiest pajamas at the grocery store). 59:30 | Mind the liking gap -- you're more well liked than you think! Send us a voice message!

    Making Friends: Trials, Tribulations, & Triumphs

  7. May 21

    Dancing on the Edge

    Join a conversation about the similarities and differences between the Grand Marais and Ely communities, as well as the wisdom of moving our bodies with M Baxley. M Baxley is the creative genius Bear Witness Media based out of Grand Marais. They also do media work for Paddle & Portage. Show notes:  Boundary Waters Connect sponsors the Wilderness Edge Podcast.  The Story of Us is a short film about about the joys and challenges of relocating and building community on the edge of the Boundary Waters. M moved from Minneapolis to Grand Marais, and Lacey moved from Saint Paul to Ely. This film explores the convergence of their stories. It is a collaboration between Boundary Waters Connect and Bear Witness Media.   Why We Live Here video series is the original project that introduced Lacey and M to each other. These 4-minute videos each tell the story of an individual or couple who relocated to a town on the edge of the BWCAW -- what compelled them to move and how things are going now that they've relocated.  Bizhiki in Cook County: A Short Film that captures Bizhiki’s residency in Cook County, presented by the North Shore Music Association. Bizhiki is an acclaimed contemporary Ojibwe music and storytelling ensemble that brought their multidisciplinary performance to Cook County in November 2025. The film offers an inside look at the musical artistry, cultural teachings, and the meaningful connections Bizhiki formed with local students and community members. Bear Witness Media on Instagram Cook County YMCA Paddle & Portage offers a unique perspective on the intersection of news, adventure, and storytelling from the Boundary Waters, as well as other paddling destinations across North America. Paddle & Portage offers online content as well as a podcast.  Send us a voice message!

    Dancing on the Edge

  8. May 6

    Love of Gear & Fishing in the Boundary Waters

    Explore the joys and challenges of backcountry fishing, canoe camping, and hunting in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with Eric Glasson. Eric is an avid sportsman who is “obsessed with all things Boundary Waters, Quetico and backcountry fishing and canoe camping.” He loves to share what he has learned and teach others the glory of backcountry canoe travel, camping and fishing via his YouTube channel FarWater.   Show notes:  Boundary Waters Connect sponsors the Wilderness Edge Podcast. Learn more about our guest Eric Glasson by checking out FarWater on YouTube, or following him on Instagram @eric_in_ely.  Read more of what Eric has to say regarding awe, angling, and the boundary waters via Quetico Fishing Trip Becomes Something Much Deeper, published by Paddle & Portage. He also wrote The Challenges (and Joy) of Hunting Whitetail Deer in the BWCA Wilderness.  Ely enthusiasts may recall hearing from Eric when he was in conversation with Lacey and Taylor Ham, talking about the joys of the fishing opener holiday in Ely  when they were guests on the What's Up Ely Podcast, a project that was produced by Visit Ely. You can find that here: What's Up Ely Podcast: Open Water Fishing.  Chapters & Timestamps:  2:36 | What does the word 'sportsman' mean? 4:50 | "I found myself returning to the world of selling things in the outdoors." 6:29 | "As your loving wife I remember those days. We were living in Saint Paul, and..." 8:37 | "It really simplified our life to move up north." 9:57 | "You kind of live vicariously through the gear that you buy." 13:10 | Bioengineered synthetics versus natural fibers 15:42 | What does it look like to prep for a BWCA trip? 17:55 | Factors are always changing (but some things remain constant) 20:10 | Novice, not advanced? Well that's alright! 24:28 | "To shorten the learning curve that was so difficult for me." 29:25 | To keep the memories forever 32:13 | Leveling up the magnitude of challenge in the Boundary Waters 35:30 | Fishing, Foraging, Hunting: You can't shut that off 37:12 | The common thread in my life? Wilderness 40:43 | Pay attention to when you feel alive 43:21 | To go from beginner to intermediate, from intermediate to advanced 44:48 | Ely brought me to Ely 46:38 | Into the woods on a whim 50:28 | What's tough 56:34 | Keeping in shape in the Wilderness 58:06 | Boundary Waters Grand Slam: Bass, Pike, Walleye, Trout 59:30 | Fun facts about Lake Trout (or Armchair biologist) 1:04:42 | Deep dive on Pike & Walleye 1:06:36 | Landing a fish from a canoe 1:09:56 | The radiant joy and pleasure of angling Send us a voice message!

  9. May 6

    The Genius of Juicy Conversation

    What makes for juicy conversation??? Consider that and more with Abby Dare and Johannah Scarlet – two exceptionally talented conversationalists. Abby is a water colorist, community facilitator, and comedian who co-owns The Meadows Gallery & Studios. Johannah (also known as Joh) works in the commercial and film industry, and moonlights as an esoteric leader and tarot reader. You’re going to want to hear what this unique trio has to say about life on the edge [of the Wilderness]!  Show notes:  Boundary Waters Connect sponsors the Wilderness Edge Podcast.   You can join the conversation, too! Consider enrollling in Let's Talk About Talking: Tools for Everyday Communication, an Ely Folk School class taught by Abby Dare.   Learn more about our guest Abby Dare by visiting her personal website, Abby-Dare.com, or the website for the art gallerty and studios she co-owns in downtown Ely, The Meadows Gallery & Studios  Learn more about our guest Johannah Scarlet by visiting her personal website, Sacred Saturdaze Outpost, or her film & commercial production website, johannahscarlet.com.  Ely enthusiasts may recall hearing from Abby and Joh when they were guests on the What's Up Ely Podcast, a project that was produced by Visit Ely. You can find those epidoes here: What’s Up Ely Podcast: Facilitator, Community Builder, Comedian Abby Dare and What’s Up Ely Podcast: Modern Mysticism in Ely with Johannah Scarlet.  Chapters & Timestamps:  2:33 | Introducing Abby 7:14 | Introducing Joh 12:13 | Introducing Lacey, Wilderness Edge Podcast Host 17:03 | What makes for a quality conversation? 22:58 | Start from a quiet place (and more tips for great conversation) 32:20 | Life on the edge as a philosophical experience 36:33 | "Genius" excerpt from David Whyte (abridged) 39:14 | Joh's Northstar Framework Workshop 41:28 | Living a place-based life 43:48 | Discussing our edges 49:56 | Keeping bridges open, finding common ground 55:16 | The positive power of bearing witness 59:45 | Internal edges versus external edges; going forward versus going backward 1:02:44 | The Fool -- It's ok to be a beginner! 1:05:36 | Curiosity is the core of juicy conversation Send us a voice message!

    The Genius of Juicy Conversation

  10. Trailer

    Trailer

    Welcome to the Wilderness Edge Podcast, from Ely, Minnesota! Send us a voice message!

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

For people who are curious about communities on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  Join our host, Lacey Squier, for juicy conversations with area residents and all who have a heart-home “up north.”  We offer dialogue about what gives northeastern Minnesota the edge, as well as some real talk about the sometimes-sharp edges of living in remote and rural locations. 

Information

  • Creator
    Boundary Waters Connect
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Wilderness Edge Podcast
  • Show Website
    Wilderness Edge Podcast

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