Tailgate Talks

Tailgate Talks with Donald Forgione Episode Title: Leading From The Middle: The Art Of Managing Up Guest: Warren Poplin In this episode of Tailgate Talks, Donald Forgione and Warren Poplin tackle a topic suggested by a listener: Managing Up. What do you do when you are a passionate employee or mid-level manager who wants to move an organization forward, but your supervisor seems reluctant to make difficult decisions, lacks urgency, or struggles with leadership responsibilities? How can you influence positive change without creating conflict, threatening your supervisor, or damaging your career? Donald and Warren explore practical strategies for supporting leaders from below, building trust, increasing influence, and helping supervisors succeed while maintaining professionalism and respect. Topics Discussed What "managing up" really means Understanding the pressures your supervisor faces Why frustration alone rarely creates positive change Building credibility before offering solutions Learning to influence without appearing threatening The importance of timing, tact, and trust Becoming a problem solver instead of a problem identifier Helping supervisors make better decisions through information and preparation Recognizing when to push, when to pause, and when to adapt Maintaining professionalism when leadership falls short Developing leadership skills regardless of your position title How managing up can strengthen your career and your organization Key Takeaways Leadership is not limited to those with titles. Influence is earned through trust, competence, and consistency. Present solutions, not just problems. Help your supervisor succeed and your entire team benefits. Understand your supervisor's challenges before judging their decisions. Effective leaders learn to lead in every direction: down, across, and up. Quote from the Episode "You don't have to be the boss to make the organization better. Sometimes the most effective leadership comes from helping those above you succeed." Connect with Donald Forgione [email protected]  Tailgate Talks Podcast Tailgate Talks with Donald Forgione About the Host Donald Forgione is a former Director of the Florida Park Service, leadership consultant, speaker, author, and host of Tailgate Talks. Through candid conversations and real-world experience, Donald shares practical leadership lessons for professionals in parks, recreation, conservation, and public service. Subscribe and Listen Tailgate Talks is available on major podcast platforms, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who is learning to lead from where they are.      

Leave No Trace with Mark Eller This episode on Tailgate Talks, Donald Forgione sits down with Mark Eller from Leave No Trace for a conversation about protecting the outdoors through education, stewardship, and personal responsibility. Mark shares the story behind the Leave No Trace movement, the growing pressures facing parks and public lands, and why simple actions by everyday visitors can make a lasting difference. The discussion explores how outdoor recreation professionals, park managers, volunteers, and visitors all play a role in protecting natural and cultural resources for future generations. The episode also highlights the importance of practical, science-based outdoor ethics, visitor education, and the challenge of balancing increased visitation with conservation. Donald and Mark discuss how Leave No Trace principles apply not only in remote wilderness settings, but also in local parks, campgrounds, beaches, trails, and everyday outdoor spaces. Topics include: The history and mission of Leave No Trace The Seven Principles and why they matter Protecting parks during periods of heavy visitation Visitor behavior and resource impacts Education versus enforcement Stewardship partnerships with parks and recreation agencies How recreation professionals can build a culture of conservation The future of outdoor ethics in America Whether you work in parks, recreation, forestry, wildlife management, tourism, or simply love the outdoors, this episode offers practical insight and inspiration for caring for the places we all enjoy. About the Guest Leave No Trace is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the outdoors through education, research, and stewardship. Mark Eller serves as Director of Membership and Communications, helping lead outreach, storytelling, partnerships, and educational initiatives that support responsible outdoor recreation. Learn More Leave No Trace Website The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace Contact Information General Information: [email protected] Mark Eller: [email protected] Connect with Tailgate Talks For speaking, training, consulting, or podcast inquiries with Donald Forgione: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Donald Forgione on LinkedIn

Out here on the Tailgate, we talk a lot about the future of parks. In this episode, we're getting right to the heart of it—our next generation. I'm joined by Ivan Levin from the National Park Trust, an organization dedicated to connecting kids and families to parks, public lands, and the outdoors. Ivan brings a national perspective on how partnerships between park agencies, nonprofits, and communities can create meaningful opportunities for young people to experience parks—many for the very first time. We talk about what's working across the country, how programs like Kids to Parks Day are making an impact, and how park professionals at every level can plug into these efforts in a practical way. This is a conversation about access, stewardship, and making sure the parks we care for today are valued tomorrow. In This Episode, We Discuss: The mission and impact of the National Park Trust Why early connections to parks matter more than ever How partnerships expand reach and resources Practical ways park professionals can get involved locally Success stories from across the country Building lifelong stewards through meaningful outdoor experiences Why This Matters If we want strong parks in the future, we need strong connections today. Programs that introduce kids to the outdoors aren't just nice to have—they are essential to the long-term sustainability of our profession and the places we protect. Learn More To learn more about the National Park Trust and how you can get involved, visit: 👉 https://parktrust.org/ Connect with Tailgate Talks If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your team and colleagues. Together, we can keep growing as professionals and strengthening the impact of parks across the country. [email protected] 

How many visitors are too many? It is one of the most important and most misunderstood questions in parks and public lands today. In this episode of Tailgate Talks, Donald sits down with Jonathan Brunjes, Deputy Administrator for the Nevada Division of State Parks, to unpack the concept of carrying capacity and why it is not just about counting people. It is about protecting resources, preserving visitor experience, and making thoughtful management decisions that sustain parks for generations. Together they explore: What carrying capacity really means, beyond a simple number The difference between physical, ecological, social, and managerial capacity Why "more visitation" is not always a success story How crowding affects both natural resources and the visitor experience Practical tools park leaders can use to evaluate use and impacts The role of communication, expectations, and education in managing demand Why carrying capacity is ultimately about stewardship, not restriction This conversation brings real world perspective to an issue many agencies are grappling with as visitation grows nationwide. It is an honest look at how we balance access with preservation, while staying true to the mission of public lands. Whether you are a park professional, planner, elected official, or someone who simply loves the outdoors, this episode will challenge you to think differently about how we care for the places entrusted to us. [email protected]  [email protected] 

In this episode of Tailgate Talks, I sit down with M.J. James, author of Heal the Hustle, for an honest and timely conversation about burnout, productivity culture, and what it really means to live—and lead—well. Many of us were taught that hustle equals success. Work harder. Push longer. Rest later. But what happens when that mindset starts to cost us our health, relationships, creativity, and joy? M.J. challenges the traditional hustle narrative and offers a healthier, more sustainable way forward—especially for leaders, high performers, and purpose-driven professionals who care deeply about their work. Together, we talk about: How hustle culture quietly leads to burnout The difference between ambition and exhaustion Why rest is not a reward—it's a requirement Reframing productivity to include health and humanity Practical ways leaders can model balance without losing effectiveness How healing the hustle creates stronger teams, better decisions, and longer careers This conversation is especially relevant for public servants, park and recreation professionals, nonprofit leaders, and anyone who feels called to serve—but doesn't want to lose themselves in the process. If you've ever felt tired, stretched thin, or wondered, "Is this pace really sustainable?"—this episode is for you. About the Guest M.J. James is the author of Heal the Hustle and a passionate advocate for redefining success in a world that glorifies burnout. Through her work, she helps individuals and organizations rethink productivity, prioritize well-being, and build lives rooted in purpose—not constant pressure. 🔗 Learn more about M.J. and her work: mjjames.com   [email protected] tailgate-talks.com