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Conversations with Big Rich

254 Episodes
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The engineer’s curse is strong with this one. Brennan Metcalf brings all kinds of goodies to the off-road world. Listen in to a fascinating discussion of mods and parts. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 5:40 – One of the last summers I was up there, my stepdad came and sat next to me right when he got done haying, and I almost went to the hospital 17:03– I wasn’t really into college that much – ended up doing an on-again, off-again; started into wildland firefightin...
Hunter Miller has come a long way since dirt bikes and ATV’s to CanAms capable of racing Dakar and King of the Hammers. Join us for a great conversation of how a boy progresses from two wheels to four. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 4:44 – When I was two years old, we went camping on a compound where wolves were raised… 9:34– we were racing Oklahoma and the cops showed up and shut the whole thing down 21:09 – that’s one of...
Sometimes, you meet a guy and just know he’s the real deal. As genuine as they come, Nick Cimmarusti has carved out a space for himself in off-road. Whether you see him on the trail sharing his knowledge with others, or in the shop doing the same, Nick will never lead you astray. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.5:33 – “make sure you don’t leave the keys in the golf cart, or else, he’ll steal it!” I was three years old 11:31 – I got into auto shop, and then it w...
When you combine art and off-road, you wind up with Rory Ward. A fan since early days, Rory made connections that allowed him to combine his passions and thrive. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 5:37 – my dad would get Hot VWs magazine and I’d always look up the races, I missed being around that, even at 8-10 years old 18:29 – Ivan (Stewart) was the one that really got me going with the artwork. 21:54 – OMG, I don’t want to be a bellman for 30 y...
Most of our podcasts are full of stories, but not many cover the globe from end to end. Patricia Upton and her husband, the late Loren Upton, have completed expeditions that most of us only dream about. Patricia is still adventuring. Listen closely, the trips have twists and turns in countries many of us have never heard of. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 7:02 – I don’t remember being afraid of spiders until we were in Okinawa 15:42 – I was in Panama for 17 years. I got...
Falling into automotive without a plan, Gary Haugley has made a career of buggies, cars, and off-road. From building to appraising, car show judging and building stories. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 7:52 – I had no clue, no clue what was going on… 13:33 – I walked into B&R Buggy, the guy who owns it says, “you’ve got to buy this place;” he goes, I got in trouble with a little side job, I’m leaving. 21:22 – I need to...
Serial entrepreneur, John Williams, owner of Impulse Off Road shares the journey to now, with all the twists and turns. John has had some interesting experiences and is sure to have many more. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 5:08 – our front yard corner was worn to dirt; that was our goal, was to wear through the grass every year on our motorcycle 13:02 – when I got done with the Land Cruiser, I got 33 1250’s and I thought I was king of the world &nbs...
Outdoorsman and Renaissance man, Andrew Paulson can do anything – if he’s interested. In the last fifteen years, we’ve watched Andrew build anything he set his mind to. The stories are fun. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 4:16 – this is why I always fought the educational institution, I had enough of it when I was a kid 10:08 – I was taught to earn my allowance, I think that was great. You work for it, that has taken me far. ...
No matter your age, follow your passion. That’s what Toby Lavender has been doing for life. Automotive to hunting, Toby excels at all of it, and he’s not done yet. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 8:15 – I always preach to everybody that real formal education in the automotive repair industry is critical these days 18:17 – We flew in just so green to life and travel and didn’t know what the heck to expect and made the best of it &n...
The original hot-rod kid is still playing with V-8s; but now he’s taking them off-road. Tim Ryan, owner of the V8 Swap Shop is revving up as your go-to guy. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 3;36 – I got knives pulled on me daily because they knew I had a nickel for milk money 12:08 – they organized the high school drags and all the high schools were invited to participate; me and my friends rand the show because we all had hot rods ...
From the garage to where it is now, everything happens with hard work and innovation. Aaron Wedeking shares the PRP Origin Story and where they are going now, through the ups and downs and twists and turns. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 9:58 – I did well in school, but mostly, I was just waiting for the weekends! 16:53 – I’ve never set a goal, I just analyze the situation and think, What’s the smartest thing I can do today? ...
We love couples that work together. Paul and Keri Porter have been together since high school, now with the kids grown, they’ve dropped into four-wheel drive with a vengeance. Training trips, shows, and adventures keep them away from home for more than half the year. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 8:35 – It was definitely a struggle in those days, but we had a lot of fun. 16:49 – I got invited to the Badlands with a girlfriend and came home and told Paul he needed to bu...
Jeff McKinlay, a man of experiences, from milking cows to construction; building steel buildings and rockcrawlers. Jeff has the work ethic to knock everyone out of the park; he’s the best at all he has done. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 5:38 – Wrestling was what I was good at; ended up four-time state champion, that’s what taught me a good work ethic is the wrestling and the training 12:58 – I realized it’s really hard to get paid when you’re not the guy in charge of ...
Tuff Country has been through some changes, from the founding 35 years ago to it’s purchase by a private equity firm to being back in the hands of the founder, Kelly Davis. Kelly shares all the details and what’s coming next. We wish him all the best in his reboot! Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 3:07 – I guess we’ve always been off-road entrepreneurs 6:54 – He said, “swim or sink, it’s up to you. You control your own destiny here.” &nbs...
Blue Ribbon Coalition Executive Director Ben Burr gives the low-down on what BRC needs right now and shows us how we can be successful in our land use fight. It’s a fascinating take on what is going on in the real world. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 4:16 – my ancestors settled the Moab area; the Burr Trail is named for them 8:01 – I was always an advisor on these issues, I had pretty deep life experience working on public lands ...
“I just wanna go fast,” Chris Ridgway. Chris joins us from the road as he’s hauling multi-million-dollar cars all over the US. If it’s got wheels, Chris has raced it, from motorcycles to Porches. Some great stories in here. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 6:35 – I wasn’t the most popular guy, I wasn’t the least liked guy, I was just one of the guys. 10:38 – I was still getting lapped in the ADCC beginner class. I wasn’t good. I just wanted it. ...
Helper should be his middle name; always one to give an assist, Bryan Crofts shares life from family Crofts to family Campbell and all the twists in between. Some great stories in here. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 9:39 – when I was a young kid, I always wanted to be a garbage man; they make good money. 15:51 – I had a buddy I went to school with, him and I would go out to Mt Shasta and do fireroads and mud wheeling, it got me interested in doing more &nb...
If International Harvester made it, Jeff Ismail knows about it. From printed manuals to Scouts and Travelalls, Jeff has his finger on it. A self-made man, Jeff understands that happy is a choice, join us for a conversation on episode 237. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 3:29 – my friends were playing and swimming, but not me and my brothers, we were with Dad – raking leaves and edging lawns, doing what we had to do to earn a living 8:50 –some grew up in Ford, some Chevy,...
Matt Rowland from Indiana is a bit of an anomaly. A communications major in criminal justice, attends XJ conventions without an XJ, and a builder of fabulous bonfires! Join us for some Midwest history on Episode 236. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 4:35 – …that might be part of the reason I’ve always had affection for Jeeps 13:50 –my freshman year, we lost to the big high school in Fort Wayne by over 100 points 18:49 – ever...
Two-for-one this week, George and Lora Leyner are bumbling along the rockcrawling trail. With challenges and trials getting them to the support and friendship they didn’t even know they needed. Join us for a fun conversation with a great couple. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. 8:48 – Gone in 60 seconds 11:45 –I had two instructors who really cared about their students, they made an impact on me. 16:24 – when we met we both ...
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