Dave is a passionate educator with over 25 years of experience in Christian education. From classroom teaching he moved into IT leadership and management, spending 10 years (of a 21-year tenure) as Director of ICT at Covenant Christian School - Sydney, Australia. In 2018 Dave created Navigate Education Services to support Christian schools as they …

Welcome to episode 173! With Tad off chasing tumbleweeds out west, I’m holding down the fort with historian and author A.J. Schenkman, who joins me to talk about his book Wicked Ulster County. We’re diving into the wild side of local history—think gangs, thieves, shady characters, and scandalous tales that once rocked the Hudson Valley. Oh, and the…

Dr. Scott Gibson has served as the superintendent of Toledo Christian since 2012. With over 20 years of corporate executive experience at Huntington National Bank and BASF Corporation, Scott decided to pursue his passion for Christian education. He initially became the athletic director at Toledo Christian in 2011 before accepting the role of super…

Welcome to episode 172! Tonight, Tad and I take a trip back in time with filmmaker, comedian, and pop culture historian Ron MacCloskey as he shares vivid and hilarious memories from the golden days of the Borscht Belt. From iconic entertainers to behind-the-scenes stories, Ron brings the Catskills' heyday to life—and proves he’s still very much in …

Cory Harbor became the Superintendent of Harvest Christian Academy in IL in July 2023. Previously, he was the Executive Director of Augustine Classical Academy in Lakewood, CO, and the Founding Head of School at Colorado Early Colleges in Castle Rock, CO. Cory's early career included roles in athletics and student affairs at Missouri State Universi…

Welcome to episode 171! Tonight, Tad and I crack open a conversation with Kyle Sherrer, the founder of North Hudson Ciders. We dive into Kyle’s journey building a cider brand that’s not just about great taste—but also about giving back. From trail stewardship to community support, Kyle shares how Hudson North Ciders is raising the bar with voluntee…

As a new missionary in Taiwan, Julie told the Superintendent of Morrison Academy she never planned on working at Morrison. Fast forward to today, she has worked at Morrison for 25 years in the roles of High School Counselor, Bible Teacher, Director of Advancement, Director of Boarding, Principal, and Superintendent. Julie has a passion for ensuring…

Welcome to episode 170! When you have a cancellation, you crack a hard cider, hit record, and roll with it. This week, Tad and I shoot the sh*t about some wild recent happenings — a tough recovery on West Kill, drama brewing with the Catskill Mountain Railroad, some jackass defacing Horseshoe Bend, and a wildfire lighting up the Jersey Pine Barrens…

Steve Anderson has served as the Superintendent of Grace International School in Chiang Mai, Thailand, since 2018. He has provided visionary leadership and oversight to fulfill the school’s mission, vision, and values. Steve works closely with the school's Thai Director to ensure that the legal and operational functions of the school comply with th…

Welcome to episode 169! This week, Tad and I chat with Andy Mossey, the guy making sure nature stays open for business. As head of the Woodstock Land Conservancy, Andy’s all about saving forests, water, and scenic views—basically everything Instagram loves. Come for the conservation, stay for the good vibes. Need a sticker? Shoot me an email or sto…

Aaron earned his undergrad degree in preaching and Biblical studies from Ozark Christian College. He and Lindsay planted Discovery Christian Church in Davis, California, before coming to Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis as the lead pastor. Since he joined Traders Point in 2007, it has grown from 1,500 people in one location to more th…

Welcome to episode 168! This week, Tad and I sit down with Tia Banks — hiker, motivational speaker, and all-around force of nature. From trail-tested wisdom to real talk about resilience, Tia shares her journey of finding strength, purpose, and community in the outdoors. Need a sticker? Shoot me an email or stop by Camp Catskill and grab one! Make …

James Elliott has been the Director of ACSI Children’s Education Fund since 2019. He served in executive financial roles at AXA Advisors and New Life Ranch for 8 years before joining ACSI and was Director of Admissions and Director of Development, consecutively, at John Brown University from 2002 to 2011. James attended Christian schools in Colorad…

Welcome to episode 167! This week, Tad and I chat with Kim Levinsky, who set the fastest known time on the Long Path in 2023—no small feat considering it’s 358 miles of New York’s finest terrain. Oh, and there’s a brand-new documentary all about her record-setting adventure. We get into the grit, the grind, and what it’s like to have your suffering…

LIn Green is the author of Enough with the Secrets, Mama: An Immigrant Woman’s Story of Overcoming Failure, Equipping Women with the Skills Needed to Enjoy a Fruitful Life Free of Maternal Heartache. Lin Green is a writer, advocate, blogger, and public speaker based in Orlando, Florida. As a community advocate with a background in criminal justice,…

Welcome to episode 166! This week, Tad and I are joined by Kyle Bittner, who recently became the fourth person to ski all of the Catskill 3500 peaks. Kyle shares his insights on the challenges, gear, and technical aspects of backcountry skiing in the Catskills, offering a unique perspective on this incredible achievement. We also chat about visitat…

Dr. Jim Drexler is the Dean of the Graduate School of Education at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA. He attended Covenant from 1975 to 1979 and worked in admissions from 1979 to 1981. He has been on faculty at Covenant for 21 years. All four of his children graduated from Covenant. His wife, Sara (Belz), graduated from Covenant in 1978 and,…

Welcome to episode 165! This week, Tad and I chat with Tom Illari, owner of Catskill Collectibles. We dive into his collection of Catskills memorabilia and the rich history of the legendary Catskill Mountain House. We also cover private land purchases becoming public, the 3500 Club’s new stewardship grant, and recent SAR callouts. Need a sticker? S…

Dr. J.K. Stevens retired in 2018 but continues contributing to Christian education as the Director of Biblical Worldview Formation at Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis. Before this, he was the Executive Minister at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills in Illinois, focusing on organizational development and strategic planning. For 25 year…

Welcome to episode 164! This week, Tad and I dive into his epic journey completing the legendary 420 grid — yep, all the details, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. We also chat about the closure of Breakneck Ridge, a judge’s recent decision approving NPS workers, and some of our latest hiking adventures. Need a sticker? Shoot me an em…

Joe Meyer serves as the chair of the board of trustees at The Oaks Academy and has been a board member since 2017. He worked for Indiana University Health for nine years, most recently as senior vice president of System Operations. While there, he led diverse teams supporting clinical care, including supply chain, lab services, public safety, and s…

Welcome to Episode 163! Tad and I are diving into some wild updates—plans for a brand-new resort where the old Black Mountain Lodge once stood, the jaw-dropping ticket prices at Windham Mountain Club, and, believe it or not, an entire Adirondack Wildlife Refuge up for sale! Need a sticker? Shoot me an email or swing by Camp Catskill. And hey, if yo…

Dr. Paul Conn is the President and Chancellor of Lee University, having served for thirty-four years since 1986. Under his leadership, enrollment grew from 1,000 to over 5,000, and the campus expanded significantly. Dr. Conn earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology from Emory University, spent three years at Harvard as a postdoctoral student, and was…

Welcome to Episode 162! This time, Tad and I sit down with Joanne to explore the rich Native American heritage sites of the Hudson Valley. She shares her passion for preserving these sacred places and the important volunteer work that helps protect them. Need a sticker? Shoot me an email or stop by Camp Catskill! And hey—subscribe, share, donate… o…

Matthew is the CEO of Sinapis, a global network that empowers entrepreneurs in 15 frontier market nations to establish businesses that create jobs, boost the economy, and inspire spiritual renewal. Sinapis provides training, mentorship, access to capital, and an ongoing global support network of over 3,000 alumni. Matthew has a passion for helping …

Welcome to episode 161! On this episode, Tad and I chat with Mike Todd who runs the webpage Hike the Hudson Valley. Mike is an expert on hiking in the Hudson Valley and we go into depth about the great hikes in and around the area. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever you want…

Chris is a CPA and partner with CapinCrouse, LLC a division of CRI Advisors, LLC. CapinCrouse is a full-service public accounting firm that focuses on serving the not-for-profit industry. Chris has almost 20 years of experience providing audit and consulting services to a variety of nonprofit organizations. Chris’s current volunteer efforts include…

Welcome to episode 160! On this episode, Tad and I chat with John Thompson who is the director of the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP). John chats with us about invasive species and what we can do to help while out on the trails. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! …

Timothy Wiens has spent 33 years in education as a history teacher, coach, dean, assistant principal, head of school, and college professor. He led independent Christian schools for 17 years and served as Co-chair of the Peabody Professional Institute for Independent School Leadership, and as a lecturer at Vanderbilt University for seven years. He …

Welcome to episode 159! On this episode, Tad and I chat with Dr Alex Gates of Rutgers University and we talk about his book, Reclaiming Our Planet. Dr. Gates' book is about climate change and what we can do to try to reverse it. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever you want! I…

Welcome to episode 158 Part 2! On this episode, Tad and I chat with Rangers Rusher and Horn from the DEC about their time battling the wildfires that we had here in the Catskills and other regions of New York State. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever you want! I'm just glad …

Laura Grammer has been the Head of School at The Oaks Academy Middle School since 2001. She holds a master's degree in educational leadership from Covenant College and has dedicated 34 years to the field of education. Laura has taught in both the Chicago Public Schools and Indianapolis Public Schools, where she was honored with the Indianapolis Pub…

Welcome to episode 158 Part 1! On this episode, Tad and I chat with Rangers Rusher and Horn from the DEC. Rangers Rusher and Horn chat about their SAR missions that they have been involved with in 2024 which include rope rescues, helicopter hoist rescues and many other types of rescues. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscr…

Brian Mueller has been president of Grand Canyon University since 2008, transforming a struggling institution into a leader in higher education. He has reinvigorated GCU’s academic programs to focus on high-growth fields like computer science and engineering. By developing operational efficiencies, he has kept tuition frozen on the Phoenix campus f…

Welcome to episode 157! On this episode, Tad and I chat with 4x Catskills All Trails challenge finisher Al Purdy. Al is going to chat about his experience doing the All Trails Challenge and also about the Catskill Mountain Club. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever you want! I…

Dr Dennis Kilama is a Council member of The Gospel Coalition Africa. He has served as a lecturer and the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Africa Renewal University in Uganda, an evangelical University equipping leaders to transform society. Dennis is an ordained minister under the Baptist Union of Uganda and has served as senior pastor of Lugogo Baptist C…

Welcome to episode 156! On this episode, Tad and I chat with Mike Schowe about the Cannonsville Reservoir. Mike has been exploring and researching history about the Cannonsville Reservoir for over 30 years and talks about some deep, dark history of the reservoir. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Sha…

On the latest edition of Kentucky Newsmakers, WKYT’s Bill Bryant talks with Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Max Wise and Democratic state Representative Chad Aull.By WKYT News

Dr. Jeff Myers is the president of Summit Ministries and a respected authority on youth leadership development in America. He is an educator and entrepreneur who captures audiences with humor and insight from a Christian worldview through his speaking engagements and media appearances. Dr. Myers has authored 18 books, including "Understanding the F…

Welcome to episode 155! On this episode, Tad and I chat with Justin Kousky, who back in May of 2024, set the fastest known time for the Escarpment Trail! Justin chats about his experience setting the FKT and his other experiences in being a FKT trail runner. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! D…

On the latest edition of Kentucky Newsmakers, WKYT’s Bill Bryant talks with Kentucky Community and Technical College System President Ryan Quarles.By WKYT News

Rob was born and raised in South Florida, experiencing a tumultuous childhood after his father was killed in an armed robbery when he was four. Raised by a single mother and later supported by an uncle, Rob struggled with anger until a friend introduced him to a youth group. There, he connected with Youth Minister Nate, who helped him draw closer t…

Welcome to episode 154! On this episode, Tad and I chat with author Elaine Warfield about the amazing Fenwick Lumber Company. Fenwick existed over 100 years ago and did logging operations on the steep slopes of SW Hunter and Hunter Mountain. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whateve…

Dr. Russell Dawn currently serves as the twelfth president of Concordia University Chicago, a position he has held since his appointment in 2019. From 2012 to 2019, Dr. Dawn was part of the faculty in the Department of History and Political Thought at Concordia University Irvine in California. During his time there, he took on several administrativ…

Welcome to episode 153! First off, happy new year! Tonight, Tad and I do a recap of 2024. We chat about our favorite hikes, big events that happened in NY (and the hiking world) and also what we have planned for 2025. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever you want! I'm just gla…

Connect with us!By Dr. Andy Goodwin

Danny Smith has dedicated most of his life to ministry. He served as a youth pastor for 10 years and as a small group and discipleship pastor for 14 years at three different churches. While at Covenant, he taught Bible for 7 years and also coached girls' basketball and boys' and girls' golf. Currently, he is the Director of Lifeline Christian Missi…

Welcome to episode 152! Tonight, Tad and I chat with Ava from the Tristate Hikers group! Tristate Hikers is a non-profit organization that leads people from the tristate city area out to explore the outdoors. Ava made this program 10 years ago! If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do what…

David Hoag, Ph.D., is the president of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), which is the leading voice for Christian higher education. He has served as a board member of the CCCU and was most recently the president of Warner University, a CCCU institution in Florida, from 2016 to 2024. Dr. Hoag has shown his lifelong dedication…

Welcome to episode 151! Tonight, Tad and I chat with geologist Charles Ver Straeten. Charles, aka Chuck, is a geologist from the New York State Museum and we do a deep dive into the Devonian period in the Catskills. If you need a sticker, email me or go to Camp Catskill! Subscribe on any platform! Share! Donate! Do whatever you want! I'm just glad …