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Britton and Milli recap their second year participating in guide school with Non-Typical Outfitters, a hands-on program that trains future hunting guides while also developing identity, core values, and leadership. They break down how the experience is structured, what makes horseback mountain guiding unique, and why the week is as much about personal growth as it is about outdoor skills.In this episode, Britton and Milli talk through the phases of guide school, what it looks like to train in the wilderness on horseback, and how the experience shapes both people and horses over the course of a week.

• Guide school is a partnership with Non-Typical Outfitters, where participants learn to become hunting guides in wilderness settings, specifically on horseback.
• Britton and Milli lead the Phase 1 curriculum, which focuses on identity, core values, and coaching the group around healthy leadership.
• The overall program is broken into phases:
  • Phase 1 — introductory experience and values-based coaching
  • Phase 2 — shooting class opportunities
  • Phase 3 — mountain scouting and more definitive industry skills
  • Phase 4 — active internship with the organization
• The horsemanship component includes saddling, tack, tying knots, and other foundational skills needed for guiding.
• The terrain is physically demanding, with steep elevation gain and mountain country that challenges both riders and horses.
• Milli shares how the experience stretched her personally, especially as an arena rider learning to trust mountain horses in rugged terrain.
• Britton reflects on how the horses’ confidence grows across the week and how much trust is involved in riding in unpredictable country.
• They emphasize that horses in this work need to know where to put their feet, and that good horsemanship is built through consistent guidance and relationship.
• Rob, the owner behind Non-Typical Outfitters, is highlighted for his integrity, his vision for healthy guides and healthy hunting camps, and his willingness to be vulnerable about the cost of success.

(00:29) Intro banter and setting up the recap episode
(01:38) What guide school is and who it serves
(03:00) Breaking the program into phases
(04:38) Why horses are central to the outfitting business
(05:06) Core horsemanship skills taught in Phase 1
(05:36) Phase 2, Phase 3, and the internship pathway
(06:50) Personal highlights from the mountain experience
(08:19) Watching participants grow in just six days
(09:34) Rob’s vision for healthy guides and healthy camps
(11:02) What Milli learned about mountain horses
(13:17) Riding up mountains and trusting a horse’s confidence
(16:25) Horse herd dynamics and leadership character
(17:46) Horses need human direction to reach their potential
(18:45) Friendships and camaraderie forming during the week
(19:26) Why identity work matters in high-stress occupations
(20:25) Cultivating identity without making it performance-based
(21:12) Rob’s vulnerability and leadership tone
(22:11) The difference between young horses and client horses
(23:06) Why foundational training matters for rough country
(24:07) Watching confidence grow in both people and horses
(25:49) A personal story connecting horses, family, and grief
(27:44) Remembering the importance of a horse knowing its footing
(28:48) The metaphor of steadfastness for people and horses
(29:53) Coaching around what shows up emotionally in the process
(30:18) Final thoughts and encouragement to adventurous listeners