After Episode 104 I Believe in Helmets with Brandon Cox, came out, we were all reminded how important helmets are to protect your brain from brain injuries. Climber and ICU nurse Wendy Forrester (@wpforrester) helps break down what happens in the brain during a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Hi everyone! My name is Ashley and I am the host, creator, and producer of The Sharp End Podcast. I originally started this podcast in November 2015 (shout out to all my Day One Listeners!) by recording episodes from my van while adventuring on the road. My goal was and still is to share real life stories and lessons with the outdoor community to hopefully minimize future outdoor accidents.

The lessons shared on my show are so important which is why I am started a Lessons Rewind blog series to revisit these learning experiences. One common lesson learned that I hear frequently from guests on my show is to choose your partner wisely before heading out into the backcountry.

The lessons shared on my show are so important which is why I am started a Lessons Rewind blog series to revisit these learning experiences. In Episode 88, Matt discusses how negative behaviors and thought processes greatly influenced his approach to outdoor adventuring and mountaineering, ultimately leading to his fall on South Maroon Bell.

Seeking professional training with a qualified mountain guide, however, can be a valuable experience for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels and can potentially help to mitigate risks on future trips.

Australian Outdoor Advocate, Caro Ryan from LotsaFreshAir.com, was motivated to start the podcast, ‘Rescued - An Outdoor Podcast for Hikers and Adventurers’ through her volunteer work in search and rescue and just a little inspiration from Ashley’s work on The Sharp End Podcast. Wanting to finish the year for her audience on a high, giving them some great stories and inspired listening for their Aussie summer road trips, she hit up Ashley just days before Christmas 2023 for a guest appearance on Rescued, to introduce that audience to the immense body of work and powerful stories from The Sharp End.

In this bonus episode I chat with Jeannie Wall and Cat Coe about an idea that came to life. Jeannie is the founder of BroadBeta which aims to “embolden women through shared stories to embrace wild ideas, wild experiences, and preserve the wildness.” Tune into this bonus episode to hear more about this idea, how it came to life, and what it’s all about.

Douglas started this small gear company because he saw a need in the outdoor climbing and rescue community. As a member of Search and Rescue, he found he needed specific gear for specific tasks that could create efficiency within certain tasks. Tune into this episode to hear what RopeLiteLLC is, why and how it started and how this whole interview came about.

Have you ever heard the phrase “Cotton Kills?” One thing that we can each do to be a responsible outdoors person is to dress appropriately for the activity and weather to minimize the risk of getting too wet and too cold which could lead to hypothermia. A few weeks ago, I spoke with Lawson Glidden, owner of Minus33, and he graciously provided this follow-up about the Wonders of Wool and why wool should be your outdoor go-to material.

On October 5th I sat down and talked to Cassy Aguirre and Aspen Wilks, the founders of Women In Rescue, to talk about all things Women In Rescue. Women in Rescue is a community devoted to increasing representation, access, and retention for women in the rescue industry. Their mission is to transform the rescue industry to a culture that supports women and recognizes that diversity is a critical component to success. They are committed to building a strong and supportive community, providing relevant educational materials and resources, and helping build a pipeline that supports women’s leadership in the industry. It’s hard to break through in the outdoor industry as a woman, especially the Search And Rescue community. Tune in to this exclusive interview with them as they inspire you how to do it.

Did you know that trail running, skiing, and biking can also be covered under your AAC Rescue Benefits? Neither did I which is why I am thrilled to share my interview with the American Alpine Club’s Membership Director and Rescue Benefits Coordinator, Leigh Preston. In the interview, we discuss Rescue Benefits, how to use them, and finish with a Listener Q&A.

Dave Weber is a Climbing Ranger in Grand Teton National Park and a Flight Paramedic and Hoist Rescuer for Intermountain Life Flight. Listen to this short video as he tells us what happens when you press the ‘SOS’ button or the emergency feature on your satellite communication device.

A couple months ago, in Ep. 88, Matt mentioned a book that helped him during his recovery after falling 1000 feet down South Maroon Bell. After some of my listeners expressed interest in learning more about the book, Matt graciously agreed to create this video giving a quick, 5 minute summary overview of what Learned Optimism covers. I hope you enjoy!

This past Sunday, Laura McGladrey, founder of Responder Alliance, and I discussed injuries and mental health in the outdoor community. Being a survivor of a major incident can have as much of an impact mentally as it does physically. And often, the hardest thing to do is to ask for help when we need it. Watch our full interview on YouTube!

It is important to know the difference between heat exhaustion vs heat stroke and how both conditions are treated.

New Sharp End Patreon tiers begin Saturday, June 17, 2023!

Tune in to listen (or watch!) my interview with Christian Beckwith, host and creator of the Ninety-Pound Rucksack podcast.

Kat, from Ep 87, graciously agreed to share what's in her backcountry med kit!

I recently caught up with Meg Atteberry from Episode 50: Trouble in the Belaytionship. Since their accident and Sharp End episode, both John and Meg have made great strides with their climbing, and are finally feeling relieved of the trauma from their accident. Read more about their personal journey!

Last year I partnered with Silky Saws for a special giveaway, and this past month, I was featured in their February 2023 Newsletter! I am so grateful to Silky Saws for their continued partnership with me and my show, and I am super stoked to see my story published.