The launch of The Next Ridge Podcast isn’t about polished highlight reels or perfectly scripted stories. It’s about real conversations, shared hardship, and the pursuit of whatever lies just beyond the next ridgeline—whether that’s an elk in the high country, a new chapter after military service, or building a meaningful life in North Idaho.

Hosted by military veterans and Idaho outdoorsmen Austin Johnson and John Fontaine, this pilot episode sets the tone for what the show is all about: authenticity, resilience, hunting culture, and honest storytelling rooted in the mountains of Idaho and Montana.

Why “The Next Ridge” Means More Than Hunting

The phrase The Next Ridge is simple—but layered with meaning.

In hunting, it’s the ridge you climb because maybe there’s more country to glass on the other side. In life, it represents forward motion. Growth. The refusal to stay stagnant.

Austin and John connect that idea directly to their lives:

• Military service and deployment
• Leaving law enforcement
• Starting over in Idaho
• Learning western hunting the hard way

The show isn’t about arriving—it’s about continuing to move forward, even when the climb is steep.

From Minnesota to Afghanistan to Idaho

Both hosts grew up in Minnesota and followed similar paths without realizing how closely their lives would eventually align.

Austin served over a decade in the Minnesota Army National Guard, deploying to Afghanistan as a flight medic before later transitioning into the Air Force and then law enforcement. John enlisted in the Army at 17, served in the infantry, and also deployed to Afghanistan during the same period—just in a different region.

Their reflections on Afghanistan are thoughtful and grounded. Rather than repeating headlines, they talk about:

• The beauty of the landscape
• The kindness of everyday people
• The cultural shock of lived experience versus media narratives

Those experiences shaped how both men view the world—and ultimately why they sought a different life after service.

Brotherhood, Law Enforcement, and the Moment Everything Changed

After the military, both Austin and John entered law enforcement, eventually working together. Like many veterans, they carried discipline, structure, and purpose into the job—but also felt the weight of long-term stress and institutional burnout.

A key theme in the episode is knowing when it’s time to walk away.

Leaving law enforcement wasn’t easy. It meant uncertainty, risk, and starting over. But it also opened the door to entrepreneurship, content creation, and building something aligned with who they really were—not just what they had always done.

That leap ultimately led them west.

Why North Idaho Changed Everything

For Austin and John, Idaho wasn’t random—it was intentional.

North Idaho offered:

• Access to public land (nearly 70% statewide)
• Four true seasons
• World-class hunting and fishing
• Mountain terrain that demands effort and rewards persistence

Places like Coeur d’Alene became home base, but their adventures quickly expanded across North Idaho and into Montana.

They talk candidly about how western hunting humbled them. Coming from Midwest tree-stand whitetail hunting, learning spot-and-stalk elk and mule deer hunting in steep, brushy terrain was a shock—and that challenge is part of the appeal.

What Makes Their Hunting Content Different

The Next Ridge isn’t trying to be another highlight-only hunting channel.

Austin and John emphasize:

• Showing failures, not just success
• Talking through bad decisions and hard lessons
• Prioritizing experience over ego
• Staying present in the moment

They quote the idea that if you consider an unsuccessful hunt a waste of time, you’ve missed the point entirely. That philosophy runs through both the podcast and their upcoming YouTube hunting films.

Expect:

• Monthly hunting and adventure videos
• Mule deer and elk hunts
• Backcountry trips
• Gear reviews rooted in real use, not sponsorship hype
• Fireside-style conversations

Beyond Idaho: Montana, Skiing, and Year-Round Adventure

The podcast isn’t limited to fall hunting seasons.

Upcoming content will include:

• Montana hunting and backpacking trips
• Skiing and winter adventures
• Pheasant and upland bird hunts
• Conversations with guests who live bold, unconventional lives

Austin’s upcoming journey into skiing (after years of snowboarding) becomes a running joke—but also reflects the show’s willingness to try new things publicly, without pretending to be experts.

Veterans, Purpose, and the Outdoors

At its core, The Next Ridge Podcast speaks directly to veterans and first responders who feel the pull of something more.

Hunting and the outdoors provide:

• Solitude without isolation
• Challenge without chaos
• Purpose without hierarchy

For many veterans, the mountains replace the structure they once had. The work is hard, the reward isn’t guaranteed, and the experience is real—much like life itself.

Explore more veteran stories and life in North Idaho

Real Estate, Relocation, and Life in the Mountains

While the podcast is about much more than real estate, Austin and John understand that many listeners are considering a similar move.

If Idaho or Montana life is calling you—whether for hunting access, lifestyle, or a fresh start—the team behind North Idaho Experience provides relocation resources, listings, and honest insight into what living here is actually like.

Get the North Idaho Relocation Guide

Final Thoughts: Always Moving Forward

The pilot episode of The Next Ridge Podcast is a foundation—not a finished product. It introduces two hosts who aren’t interested in perfection, only progress.

Whether they’re chasing elk, starting businesses, learning new sports, or unpacking life after service, the message is consistent:

Keep moving.
Climb the ridge.
See what’s next.

And then do it again.