Defend Your Ground

I wanted to like Defend Your Ground. I really did. As someone who believes in stewardship, self-reliance, and our God-given responsibility to protect the land for future generations, I was hoping this podcast would champion true conservative values. Instead, what I found was a group that talks a big game about “public lands” but seems more interested in stirring outrage than actually upholding the legacy of men like Teddy Roosevelt—men who understood that conservation isn’t about locking people out, but about ensuring our children and grandchildren inherit a land worth defending. Roosevelt was a hunter, a rancher, a man of action—he didn’t waste his time whining about “big government” while cozying up to special interests that would strip the land bare and leave us nothing but dust. He knew that wise use meant something more than just access for the sake of access—it meant responsibility. It meant balance. What I hear on Defend Your Ground isn’t that spirit—it’s grievance politics dressed up in cowboy boots. I also can’t shake the feeling that there’s something deeper at play here. They claim they’re fighting for the little guy, but which little guy? The rancher trying to keep water in his well? The outfitter who needs healthy herds to make a living? The family that just wants to take their kids hunting without finding a wasteland where a forest used to be? Or is this really about deregulating things so a handful of folks can cash in while the rest of us deal with the consequences? Any good Latter-day Saint knows we’re called to be wise stewards of the earth (D&C 104:13-15, if you need a reminder). That means standing against waste, against greed, and against short-sighted thinking. If you want a podcast that makes you feel angry about the BLM and the Forest Service, I guess this one’s for you. But if you actually care about keeping our public lands public—about the kind of rugged, self-sufficient conservation that built this country—then you might want to look elsewhere. Teddy would have.

I gave Defend Your Ground by the Blue Ribbon Coalition a listen, hoping for a well-informed discussion on public land use and access issues. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The host and guests often come across as unprepared and misinformed, relying more on emotional arguments than factual analysis. Instead of presenting well-researched perspectives, the discussions frequently veer into speculation and oversimplification of complex land management policies. There’s a noticeable lack of depth in their conversations, and at times, it feels like they’re more interested in pushing an agenda than engaging in a meaningful, fact-based dialogue. If you’re looking for an insightful and balanced take on these issues, you’d be better off finding a podcast with hosts who take the time to understand the nuances of public land policies rather than just repeating talking points.