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The Next Ridge
🎙️ The Next Ridge Podcast — Life Out West, North Idaho Living, Montana Stories & the Outdoor Lifestyle
The Next Ridge Podcast dives deep into the lifestyle of the American West—North Idaho, Montana, and the rugged country that shapes the people who live there. Each episode explores real stories of adventure, adversity, hunting, fishing, backcountry living, and what it means to build a life rooted in grit, freedom, and the outdoors.
From mountain towns and wild public lands to everyday conversations about mindset, discipline, and overcoming challenges, this podcast is for anyone who loves the outdoors and dreams of living closer to the mountains. Whether you’re into western lifestyle, North Idaho real estate, Montana culture, archery, hunting, or self-improvement, you’ll find something here.
Join us each week as we go beyond the trailhead—and climb to the next ridge.
The Next Ridge
From Warzones to Wilderness: Building a Life That Actually Matters
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
What happens when a former Army airborne veteran and overseas contractor trades warzones for wilderness, adrenaline for presence, and chaos for purpose?
In this powerful conversation, Stu shares his journey from military service and contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan to building a meaningful life rooted in adventure, family, fly fishing, hunting, mindset, and personal growth in North Idaho.
This episode dives deep into veteran transition, executive protection work, travel to 50+ countries, modern masculinity, gratitude, mindset shifts, mental resilience, social media influence, hunting culture, and finding peace through the outdoors.
If you're interested in:
• Life after the military
• Veteran mental health and growth
• Executive protection careers
• Fly fishing and backcountry hunting
• North Idaho living
• Discipline, accountability, and mindset
• Breaking free from negativity
This episode is for you.
Stu’s story proves that reinvention is possible — and that fulfillment isn’t found in status or politics, but in discipline, brotherhood, gratitude, and intentional living.
🛠 For Real Estate Services or Questions:
Contact us:
John Fontaine -208-719-6881
Austin Johnson - 208-640-9001
Thenextridge208@gmail.com
For the most up-to-date real estate listings check out my North Idaho Experience mobile app - click above to start searching today!
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-idaho-experience/id6755906887
Grab our Relocation Guide: https://northidahoexperience.com/johns-relocation-guide
Your Ultimate Selling Game Plan guide: https://northidahoexperience.com/johns-seller-guide/
📌 Topics Covered in This Episode:
How veterans can successfully transition from combat and contracting to a purpose-driven civilian life.
Why mindset, gratitude, and accountability are critical for overcoming negativity and rebuilding identity.
How outdoor pursuits like hunting, fly fishing, and adventure strengthen mental health, brotherhood, and masculinity.
📍 Visit our website for more resources, real estate listings, and local content:
https://northidahoexperience.com
👤 Connect with Stu
https://www.instagram.com/stu_adventure_traveler?igsh=MW1vMzJtZmFraHA3bA%3D%3D
💼 Interested in sponsoring a future episode or collaborating with us?
Email us at info@nidexperience.com
👉 Subscribe for more interviews, neighborhood tours, and tips on North Idaho living!
📱 Social Links
https://www.instagram.com/thenextridge208?igsh=MXh4ZzJ6aTI4dTVlbA==]
Brokered by:
The Experience Northwest
Equal housing opportunity
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****Most stats and data come from the following sites and are not based on our opinions:
Great Schools: https://www.greatschools.org/idaho/coeur-d'alene/
Neighborhood data: https://www.niche.com/?ref=places-to-live
Census data: https://data.census.gov/
More about Coeur d'Alene: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coeur_d%27Alene,_Idaho
***All stats, data, housing prices and anything else mentioned are subject to change and provided merely as examples at the time of recording***
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IREC: https://irec.idaho.gov/consumer/