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Hosts: Travis Entenman & Lori Walsh
Guest: DeAnn Echols - Owner of Great Outdoor Store

Episode Summary

In this episode of Rivers and Rangelands, hosts Travis Entenman and Lori Walsh sit down inside Sioux Falls’ historic Rock Island Depot with DeAnn Echols, co‑owner of the Great Outdoor Store.​

DeAnn shares the story of how Tom and Julie Ashworth launched the shop in 1983, why it was conceived as an “outdoor boutique,” and how she went from part‑time sales associate in the late 1980s to buying and expanding the business downtown. She reflects on building a welcoming, design‑forward retail space where hunters, travelers, and “everyday outdoorsy” South Dakotans can all feel like they belong—whether they’re buying a zero‑degree sleeping bag or a Royal Robbins dress.​

The conversation explores how long‑time outdoor brands like Patagonia have deepened their environmental commitments, what it means for a small brick‑and‑mortar store to partner with conservation efforts, and why a healthy planet is inseparable from time spent outside playing, working, and exploring. DeAnn also talks about staff culture, multi‑decade customer relationships, and why in‑person shopping remains a social, tactile experience that online retail can’t replace.

About the Show

Rivers & Rangelands explores conservation, water, and community in the Northern Great Plains. Hosted by Travis Entenman and Lori Walsh, the podcast asks big questions about how we care for our land and water — today and for generations to come.

🎶 Special thanks to Jami Lynn for providing the music for this episode. You can explore more of her music here: jamilynnsd.com

👉 Follow Friends of the Big Sioux River for more episodes, updates, and ways to get involved.

👉👉 And to hear more from Lori, follow So Much Sunlight, a newsletter of essays, poetry, and audio ephemera on Substack!

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Hosts: Travis Entenman & Lori Walsh
Guests: Stephanie Arne and Tim Davison

Episode Summary

Tim Davison and Stephanie Arnie, conservationists and artists, reflect on their shared journey and the challenges of weaving environmental education into compelling stories. Tim describes how his upbringing in rural Nebraska inspired his passion for painting and nature. Stephanie shares insights from her work in wildlife outreach and on-camera education, emphasizing the emotional demands and rewards of this field. Together, they highlight the importance of local conservation efforts and community engagement, advocating for grassroots initiatives that strengthen people’s connection to the natural world. Their conversation reveals how impactful storytelling can illuminate complex environmental issues while nurturing hope and resilience within communities.

Stephanie Arne

Stephanie is an accomplished international wildlife conservationist, expedition guide, TV personality, and spirited and engaging storyteller. ​She aims to empower future conservationists and humanity to be better stewards of our shared natural world. Her mission is to show audiences examples of how passionate people sharing diverse perspectives, unique talents, and skills solve complex conservation issues. Working together, these stewards help increase biodiversity and create a healthier planet for all living things.

Today, Stephanie runs eco-tours and gives public speeches all over the globe. She was formerly the Director of Conservation for the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium and, before that, the Director of Education for Endangered Wolf Center, founded by celebrity Wild Kingdom host Dr. Marlin Perkins and his wife Carol; she is also the former online host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, furthering her commitment to the Perkins’ work.

Tim Davison

Tim tells stories on stage, on screen, and through his artwork. Since growing up in Wahoo, Nebraska, he has traveled to all 50 states while working with non-profits, zoos, and wildlife rescues - all to tell stories that make an impact. In doing so, he has worked with a multitude of animals, from alligators to wolves, and spoken to over a million people about wildlife conservation and sustainability.

He currently produces and hosts Dakota Life on SDPB, his artwork is held by hundreds of collectors, and he has helped raise money to benefit various non-profit organizations and endangered species like penguins, elephants, and orangutans.

About the Show

Rivers & Rangelands explores conservation, water, and community in the Northern Great Plains. Hosted by Travis Entenman and Lori Walsh, the podcast asks big questions about how we care for our land and water — today and for generations to come.

🎶 Special thanks to Jami Lynn for providing the music for this episode. You can explore more of her music here: jamilynnsd.com

👉 Follow Friends of the Big Sioux River for more episodes, updates, and ways to get involved.

👉👉 And to hear more from Lori, follow So Much Sunlight, a newsletter of essays, poetry, and audio ephemera on Substack!

Send us Fan Mail

Hosts: Travis Entenman & Lori Walsh
Guest: Michael Haskett - Chef and Owner of MB Haskett Delicatessen

Episode Summary

On the 14th anniversary of M.B. Haskett Delicatessen, Travis Entenman and Lori Walsh sit down with chef-owner Michael Haskett in the deli’s basement to trace his journey from teenage pizza maker to James Beard-connected chef and local food advocate. He reflects on how early jobs at Gigglebees and TGI Fridays, mentorship under Chef Dominic, and learning “real” stock at the Culinary Institute of America shaped his philosophy around food, people, and place. Throughout the conversation, Haskett emphasizes building a more matriarchal-style, humane kitchen culture and championing local, sustainable agriculture—especially perennial crops like Kernza that can reduce nitrate levels in water and improve soil health—while connecting this to his advocacy work on environmental policy and the power of consumer choices.

Highlights

• Growing up between Sioux City and Sioux Falls, discovering kitchens as a refuge, and early jobs at Gigglebees, Bagel Boy, TGI Friday’s, and Theo’s.​
• The shock of going from powdered sauces to making classic stock at the Culinary Institute of America and realizing food can tell a story, not just make money.​
• Punk rock, vegan friends, and how zines, Gulf War I, and animal welfare debates reshaped his politics around meat and industrial agriculture.​
• Mentors like Chef Dominic, Christina Keene, and Lucia Watson, and what Michael learned about running less patriarchal, more humane restaurant teams.​
• The 14‑year evolution of M.B. Haskett, from buying Michelle’s Coffee Shop with no stove to becoming known for meticulous eggs and local sourcing.​
• James Beard’s Chef’s Boot Camp for Policy and Change, pandemic advocacy for restaurant relief, and working with congressional staff on PPP and industry survival.​
• Chefs for Healthy Soils, cover crops, and why soil health, runoff reduction, and farm incentives matter to a breakfast cook in downtown Sioux Falls.

About the Show

Rivers & Rangelands explores conservation, water, and community in the Northern Great Plains. Hosted by Travis Entenman and Lori Walsh, the podcast asks big questions about how we care for our land and water — today and for generations to come.

🎶 Special thanks to Jami Lynn for providing the music for this episode. You can explore more of her music here: jamilynnsd.com

👉 Follow Friends of the Big Sioux River for more episodes, updates, and ways to get involved.

👉👉 And to hear more from Lori, follow So Much Sunlight, a newsletter of essays, poetry, and audio ephemera on Substack!