Kyle Pasewark is a Wyoming native, raised in Laramie in the southeast, and began his studies at the University of Wyoming before his interest took him towards studying theology and, ultimately, practicing law in New York City for more than fifteen years. A few years ago, he moved back to Wyoming, settling in the state’s northwest corner near Yellowstone National Park. Kyle and host Michael Whidden met as fellow corporate attorneys at the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton in New York City.
Learn about a way-of-life where the topic of neighborhood discussion may be the herd of 200 elk wandering nearby. It’s not just fascinating cocktail talk or a neat social media post but has unavoidable impact on how you think of yourself, relate to your neighbors and look to government.
Kyle shares the reasons for his life’s round trip journey and comments upon the vast differences between living in a Manhattan apartment building with as many residents as in his entire Wyoming community, which comprises 50 square miles. Kyle talks about the nearby Native American communities, the abounding natural wonder which envelopes him and the captivating light that makes for ever-changing photogenic scenes. With amusement, referring to a 5-page real estate contract, he describes the differences in how law is practiced in Wyoming compared to New York City.
In the end, Kyle identifies a cultural code that arises from his home’s unique setting: one that values a reputation for following-through on one’s word above all else and seems to make sense in a land where there are simply so many less people, requiring that those who you *do* engage need to be reliable.
Considering the two vastly different communities he knows well and loves equally but differently, he finds that New York City and Wyoming share two interesting traits: they are both places where folks (a) are free to do almost whatever they want and (b) perceive the other community with a misplaced casual contempt based on untrue caricatures.
Kyle finds hope from the treasured relationship he had with a dear friend, even though they agreed on very little politically, because of their mutual core values of respect for each other as members of the same community. He is hopeful that efforts to break out of our respective bubbles will counter the systemic monetization of anger by broadcast media and social media.