Parks are About Relationships
Park Leaders Show
“Parks are about relationships. With your team, your communities, your partners. That’s what sustains leadership over time.” Notable Moments 00:01:03 – Lisa shares her unconventional path into parks leadership 00:05:38 – Why relationships are the key to long-term success as a director 00:09:03 – The value of national peer networks for park leaders 00:13:18 – How visitor behavior has changed since the pandemic 00:15:12 – Adapting parks without losing their purpose 00:24:02 – Leading through budget shortfalls with transparency 00:29:18 – What Oregon State Parks does better...
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The Role of Media in Wildfires
Park Leaders Show
“When people see fire only as destruction, we miss the opportunity to understand it and to prepare for what’s coming next.” Notable Moments [00:01:19] Using photography to educate the public [00:02:50] Recognizing public land employees as serving the country [00:07:23] First experience photographing wildfire at night [00:10:29] Importance of wildfire training for media [00:16:14] Benefits of documenting fires from inside incidents [00:29:56] Why media access on public land matters [00:39:23] How wildfire scale has changed over a decade [00:44:56] Advice for making an impact as a park...
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Conservation Through Travel Experiences
Park Leaders Show
“Sometimes one experience is all it takes to awaken a new passion.” Notable Moments [00:02] Chris shares his outdoor roots in New Zealand and Australia [00:02:19] How Impact Destinations blends travel and philanthropy [00:03:32] Rhino relocation as a once-in-a-lifetime conservation experience [00:04:29] Identifying endangered species and forming partnerships [00:06:34] The start of Hands Up Holidays and early volunteer work [00:09:44] Why Chris shifted from volunteering to philanthropy [00:11:37] Conservation efforts in Costa Rica and Chile [00:16:52] A traveler inspired to support...
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Citizen Conservation with Wolves
Park Leaders Show
“The more we can let people know, the better it is for the wolves, the better it is for our conservation efforts.” Notable Moments [00:02:29] How Monica discovered the Wolf Conservation Center [00:03:30] Understanding endangered wolf subspecies and conservation efforts [00:04:18] Role of pup-nanny caretakers [00:05:50] Rare wolf sightings and population challenges [00:08:14] How public education connects people to conservation [00:12:55] The miracle wolf pup, Trumpet, and her powerful genetic story [00:15:41] Turning a single idea into a multi-book series [00:19:25] Taking action instead...
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A Look at the Parks and Restoration Podcast
Park Leaders Show
"When you create a thriving ecosystem you'll have people that are motivated to go and do good work, move your organization forward, and make an impact on the people and resources that you serve." Notable Moments 03:20 – How a riverfront festival connected thousands to conservation. 04:38 – Leadership through the lens of ecology explained. 07:32 – What workshops reveal when taken outdoors. 09:12 – The podcast’s evolution from Outdoor Executive Dad to Parks and Restoration. 16:25 – Highlights from the “Next Level Leadership” episode. 18:30 – The mindset shift from hustle...
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Disruptive Innovation in Parks
Park Leaders Show
“Disruptive innovation in parks rarely starts big. It’s often the small changes that reshape how people connect with the outdoors.” Episode Highlights 00:42 How a small cooler forever changed camping and visitation. 05:23 – RVs and modern camping units disrupt campgrounds built in the 1930s. 09:13 – Digital platforms can drive unexpected visitor surges. 10:52 –Reshaping reservation systems and campsite use. 14:44 – Why leaders must act, not react when disruptive innovations emerge. 15:50 – QR codes, drones, and geocaching are examples of disruptive tech in action. 21:37 –...
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Takes from a Wilderness Warrior
Park Leaders Show
“Fear often comes from not knowing. Once you take time to learn, fear can turn into respect.” Notable Moments [00:02:22] Doug shares his curiosity-driven adventures in Mexico and Russia. [00:05:00] The challenge of endless progress on a finite planet. [00:07:18] Why wilderness is essential for grizzlies and for us. [00:09:34] Tracking wildlife movement near highway corridors. [00:18:55] The lasting influence of The Monkey Wrench Gang. [00:28:02] How our treatment of bears reflects how we see ourselves. [00:29:08] A family’s shift from fear of grizzlies to awe and respect. [00:31:10] The...
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The Future of National Parks
Park Leaders Show
"Sometimes steady leadership, or keeping the park on course, is the most important thing we can offer." Notable Moments [00:01:00] Jon’s work with the Parks Institute at UC Berkeley [00:02:20] International consulting and training park managers abroad [00:04:15] Encouragement for park leaders during uncertain times [00:08:30] Lessons from history and why tough times lead to renewal [00:13:28] The balance between risk-taking and steady leadership [00:17:40] Revisiting the idea of a standalone National Park Service [00:21:54] Jon’s vision for the future of national parks [00:28:53] Reforming...
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Law Enforcement in Parks
Park Leaders Show
"Every contact we have is an opportunity to build or destroy a relationship." Notable Moments [00:02:00] – Why law enforcement consistently ranks among the most debated topics in parks [00:06:20] – Chip’s background, love for the outdoors, and how nature shaped his perspective [00:08:16] – The assumption that all rangers are law enforcement officers [00:11:00] – How uniforms and appearance influence public perception of park rangers [00:18:55] – The importance of branding, presence, and professionalism [00:22:35] – Lessons from SWAT about shifting how officers show up in...
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The Four Types of Park Managers
Park Leaders Show
"You take care of the people, and they will take care of the park." Notable Moments [00:01:26] Introduction to the four types of park managers [00:02:04] Deep dive into People First management [00:14:24] Park First leadership and its focus on stewardship [00:26:56] Process Driven management: pros, cons, and structure [00:36:14] Personality Driven management and its unpredictable nature [00:45:14] Phil’s insight: success is found in a hybrid model In this episode, Jody Maberry and Phil Gaines explore the four primary types of park managers: People First, Park First, Process Driven, and...
info_outline"Storytelling is the bridge between awe and understanding, whether you're in a theme park or a national park."
Notable Moments
01:05 – Bob’s national park road trip that shaped his worldview
05:24 – “Recreation” vs. “Re-creation”: the true power of parks
06:10 – Walt Disney’s advice: walk the park, observe the guests
08:41 – How Disney draws inspiration from national parks
12:19 – Gaps in concessionaire storytelling at national park lodges
14:51 – Bob’s advice for elevating the lodge experience
16:15 – Lessons from Kennedy Space Center concessions
20:39 – Making food and retail part of the park’s story
28:16 – Advice for up-and-coming park leaders
32:14 – Why rangers are just as iconic as Disney cast members
In this inspiring conversation, Bob Weis, former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, joins to explore the intersection of themed and natural parks. In his new book, Dream Chasing, Bob discusses how his childhood road trip to national parks shaped his creative path and what natural park leaders can learn from theme park storytelling. From immersive lodge experiences to the role of frontline staff, this episode offers practical and visionary ideas for elevating the park guest experience.
Read the blog for more from this episode.
Connect with Bob Weis
Order the book – Dream Chasing
Resources
https://parkleaders.com/about/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/