Welcome to the official home of The Josh Smith Show!In this episode, Josh reunites with Travis Wuertz and Eric Fleming, pioneers in knifemaking tools. They reminisce on Hammer-In events, Travis's TW-90 invention mentored by Tim Hancock, Eric's forge automation expertise, and debut the portable mini grinder prototype for travel demos.Follow Travis Wuertz & Eric Fleming:traviswuertz.comflemingknives.comFOLLOW MONTANA KNIFE COMPANY and JOSH SMITH:www.montanaknifecompany.cominstagram.com/montanaknifecompanyinstagram.com/joshsmithknives

Josh Smith sits down with Tom Swenson, CEO of Bank of Montana, to explore the vital role of community banking in fueling American entrepreneurship. Tom shares his journey from a New Jersey kid to founding a bank in Missoula, emphasizing how small banks empower dreamers like Josh to build businesses from the ground up. They discuss the decline of community banks, the challenges of navigating big bank bureaucracy, and the unique ability of local institutions to take risks on promising ventures, like Montana Knife Company, that larger banks often overlook.

In this solo episode, Josh Smith shares a raw update on his recent elk hunting trip in New Mexico, chasing bulls across 80 miles of rugged terrain, and a thrilling goat hunt in Alaska. He reflects on the challenges of bow hunting, the soul-refreshing power of the outdoors, and the importance of public lands. Josh also gives a peek into Montana Knife Company’s progress, from new building updates to gearing up for the Christmas rush, and shares thoughts on family, community, and the state of the country.

Josh sits down with Lindsey Persico, a Montana-based survivalist and women’s outdoor retreat leader, to explore her inspiring journey. From her homeschool roots in a tiny Idaho town to navigating an abusive marriage, Lindsey shares how her love for the outdoors and hunting became her sanctuary. She recounts her experience on Alone: The Beast, surviving 30 days in the Northwest Territories with no tools, and discusses the mental fortitude that carried her through. Now empowering women through retreats with Grenda’s Getaways and Whiskey Creek Retreats, Lindsey’s story is one of resilience, faith, and finding purpose in the wild.

Josh chats with Bill Thompson, founder of Spartan Forge, and Andy Stumpf, a Navy SEAL veteran and pilot, in this episode. Bill shares his Army background as a tech innovator supporting special ops, from radar exploitation to rapid prototyping battlefield tools. They dive into AI's future—demystifying it as pattern recognition, not true intelligence—and its potential to democratize manufacturing, lower prices, and boost American innovation. Bill explains Spartan Forge's evolution: high-res LiDAR mapping, historical imagery, tag odds, and AI scouting for smarter hunts. Topics include business lessons from Evan Hafer, hiring for culture, and preserving rugged individualism in hunting.

FOLLOW SPARTAN FORGE:

https://spartanforge.ai/

http://instagram.com/spartan.forge

http://x.com/spartanforge

In this episode, Josh sits down with Vrindavan Bellord, sister of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, to discuss her journey from a US Marshal to leading disaster relief efforts. Vrindavan shares her 11-year career with the US Marshals, her decision to leave to support Tulsi’s presidential campaign, and her current work with We Must Protect, a nonprofit rebuilding homes for North Carolina flood victims. She details the challenges of disaster recovery, the importance of community-driven aid, and plans to assist California fire victims. Vrindavan also reflects on Tulsi’s rise to DNI, their upbringing focused on service, and the impact of grassroots support. Learn how to support at WeMustProtect.org and follow @WMPorg on Instagram.

Josh sits down with Nate Kent and Peter Geary, owners of Freedom Flag and Pole, in this episode. They share their story of running a family business started by Pete’s dad in 1991, inspired by the Gulf War to provide quality flagpoles. From installing an 80-foot flagpole for Montana Knife Company to discussing the American Dream, they explore the pride of flying the flag, flagpole installation, and proper flag etiquette. Nate and Pete also touch on their hunting passion and the importance of supporting small, patriotic businesses.FOLLOW FREEDOM FLAG AND POLE: https://www.freedomflagandpole.com/ http://instagram.com/gofreedomflag http://facebook.com/gofreedomflag

Josh sits down with Mike Gerst, an emergency room doctor and founder of Prep Em Wild, in this episode. Mike shares his journey from growing up in Central Pennsylvania to managing 11 hospitals and launching a business focused on medical preparedness for outdoor enthusiasts. From treating horse-related pelvic fractures to teaching hunters how to handle life-threatening injuries, Mike breaks down essential first aid knowledge, including the proper use of tourniquets, gauze, and epinephrine for anaphylaxis. They dive into the realities of emergency medicine, the importance of preparation for natural disasters like floods, and the mental toll of being unprepared in critical situations. Mike’s mission with Prep Em Wild is to equip hunters, hikers, and everyday people with the tools and training to save lives in the field.FOLLOW MONTANA KNIFE COMPANY: https://www.montanaknifecompany.com/ http://instagram.com/montanaknifecompany http://x.com/montanaknifeco