There have been a few unexpected takeaways since I started doing “The Grey Range Podcast.” Maybe it’s the hours of editing footage and watching cuts over and over, but it has occurred to me that one of the biggest things that I have gained out of this whole exercise is an appreciation for the trust that our guests put in me to take care of their story.

When someone comes in and sits down in the studio, I don’t think they know what they’re going to say, but once the conversation is over and the cameras are off, whatever story they have told is left with me, and I have found this to be a very profound honor. To be able to give people a platform to tell their story seems kind of important. Something almost essential to our human experience.

On this episode, we had the great privilege to have in the studio, none of there than my good friend and co-host, Lucas Orich’s father, Ken Orich. Ken spent his lifelong career working for Alberta Forestry, with the bulk of that time spent fighting wildfires in Northern Alberta. Ken is a thoughtful and intelligent man, and this conversation was just a short glimpse into his life, his experiences, and his passions.

We cover his early life in Lethbridge, his time in the Crowsnest Pass, and some harrowing experiences involving fire and helicopters, just to name a few. To have both father and son able to relate some of their lives and what they have shared together is truly why I started this podcast. It was enlightening and heartfelt time that I am honored to have had the opportunity to host.

Thank you, both.


We hope you find this episode as much fun to watch and listen to as we did making it.

If you did, please like, subscribe, or leave a comment. That kind of thing really helps us grow.

This podcast doesn’t exist without viewers and listeners like you!

Thank you for all your support!

Ken Orich retired from the Alberta Forestry is 2008, and spends a great deal of his time volunteering for the Helen Schuler Nature Center in Lethbridge, AB. You can check them out at the link below.

Birding Walks with Ken Orich | Helen Schuler Nature Centre (lethbridge.ca)

The piece I read on this episode, "Eyes That See in Color" is available in my collection, "Children of The New Unknown".
It’s available on Amazon. https://a.co/d/bm6e0YC

You can find me on social media under @hokusgrey on IG, Twitter (X), and FB.

My stalwart co-host, and eldest son of our guest, Ken Orich, Lucas Orich, is on IG as @lucasorich, on X (Twitter) as @hobo_withashotg, or he can be found behind the gun counter at Barton's Big Country in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

He is also Training Director for Barton's Back Alley Range, offering firearms courses and safety training. Hit them up and get some top-notch training and experience!

Come see.


- DJR