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. 

  1. 5h ago

    Your Strengths Make Your Community Strong

    Join Lacey for a quick chat with Potluck Kitchenware owner, Kelsey Lee, about why she uses the Clifton StrengthsFinder tool, how it’s helped her at work and in her collaborations, and why they both think adopting a strengths-mindset is beneficial to individuals, teams, and communities.  Continue the conversation by listening to a companion episode featuring Abby Dare, who has a different take on why the use of the strengths tool is beneficial.  Boundary Waters Connect  Ely for Ely Leadership Workshop Registration Link  Potluck Kitchenware  Do you have an opinion about the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment? Or perhaps a question about the workshop? Follow the link to leave us a message, and send us your thoughts.  Send us a voice message!

    Your Strengths Make Your Community Strong

  2. 2d ago

    Navigating Change with Resilience

    Join Lacey in a quick chat with The Meadows Gallery & Studios owner, Abby Dare, about why she uses the Clifton StrengthsFinder tool – how it’s helped her at work and in her friendships, and why they both think Wilderness-edge communities should adopt a strengths mindset.  Show notes:  Boundary Waters Connect  Ely for Ely Leadership Workshop Registration Link  The Meadows Gallery & Studios  Do you have an opinion about the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment? Or perhaps a question about the workshop? Follow the link to leave us a message, and send us your thoughts.  Send us a voice message!

    Navigating Change with Resilience

  3. Oct 26

    Orr-Round the World & the West Side of the Wilderness

    Leah Rogne, a life-long agent of social change, joins Lacey in conversation about the communities on the western edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness – those that neighbor Voyageurs National Park, Kabetogama Lake, and the Ash River Trail. Settle in and join us the discussion on the profound importance of so-called third spaces for authentic community connections and more! Show notes:  Boundary Waters Connect  Voyageurs National Park International People’s College - An International Danish Folk High School   On the topic of Third Spaces  Send us a voice message!

  4. Oct 8

    Yoga at the End of the Road

    Join Lacey in conversation with Erika Peterson as they discuss Erika's experiences living in Ely, what her yoga practice has meant for her, and what she’s looking forward to about her big move to Grand Marais.  Erika has been practicing, teaching, and a student of yoga since 2011. In all of her classes at End of the Road Yoga Erika has emphasized breath and body connection. Show notes:  End of the Road Yoga Studio in Ely, MN  Insula Restaurant  Mayhem Mending M Baxley on Wilderness Edge  M Baxley on Wilderness Edge again  Boundary Waters Connect  Send us a voice message!

  5. Sep 18

    WELY & the Positive Power of Local Radio

    Join Terri Pylka, general manager of WELY Radio, and Lacey as they talk about the positive power of local media, the joys of living in a tourist town, and how to look forward to the forthcoming winter (spoiler: it’s all about settling in early and the soft clothes).  Terri is a third-generation Ely area resident – born, and raised in the Northwoods she still calls home. Passionate about local radio and the power of connection, Terri loves using WELY's airwaves to celebrate the people, businesses, stories, and spirit that makes this region special. Whether she's behind the microphone, working with local businesses, or championing a community cause, Terri believes local radio is about more than what comes through the speakers - it's about bringing people together.  Wilderness Edge is a podcast for people who are curious about communities on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeast Minnesota.  WELY Radio info@wely.fm Chapman Street Block Party -- Wednesday, October 7, 5:00-7:00pm Northern Lights Club House Glow Run – September 25  Boundary Waters Connect  Send us a voice message!

  6. Aug 19

    Get a Guide and Go! Boundary Waters Trip Report

    Host Lacey Squier and her husband, Eric Glasson, describe their recent eleven-day Boundary Waters canoe trip, featuring back country angling, lots of paddling and portaging, a moose, and an abundance of blueberries. They describe what it was like to help call in a new wildfire and witness a USFS d'Havilland beaver float plane drop off wildland firefighters in front of their campsite. All this, and more! A great listen for anyone seeking to reminisce about past trips, and anyone who is curious about what it's like to go on a "big trip" into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  Ely Area Outfitters -- GET YOURSELF A GUIDE! You don't have to be an expert to have a profound Wilderness experience, you can hire a trusted local resource to guide you.  Love of Gear & Fishing in the Boundary Waters -- Previous episode of the Wilderness Edge Podcast featuring Eric Glasson Boundary Waters Connect -- Host of the weekly educational forum called Tuesday Group, and Hello Neighbor programs and services for new and prospective Ely area residents.  Send us a voice message!

    Get a Guide and Go! Boundary Waters Trip Report

  7. Jul 28

    Feeling Feelings: Ely Wildfires Part 3

    Part 3 of our mini series responding to the 2026 July lightning wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. M Baxley from Grand Marais returns to explore the experience of living on the edge of the Wilderness at this particular time. (This episode was recorded on Thursday, July 23, 2026.)  Dancing on the Edge with M Baxley (Wilderness Edge Podcast episode 3)  Big Think on Joy (>7 minute YouTube video)  Ely Community Response (Online hub for Ely Community Response efforts) Ely Community Response (Wilderness Edge Podcast episode 8) Northeastern Minnesota United Way (Nonprofit slated to be distributing relief funds soon) Boundary Waters Connect (Sponsor of this podcast)  Send us a voice message!

  8. Jul 22

    Wildfire Management: Ely Wildfires Part 2

    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: Ely Wildfires Part 2
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 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
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Wilderness Edge Podcast
  • Show Website
    Wilderness Edge Podcast

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