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About This Podcast
Off the Gravel Road
Robb Ellis is a husband, father, grandfather, educator, tradesman, and public servant with a deep-rooted commitment to small-town life and hands-on learning. Born in Los Angeles, California, Robb moved to Vermont in the 1980s, where he began his first career in law enforcement. After retiring from the field, he transitioned into the plumbing and heating industry—eventually becoming a technical trainer at FIA, where he now helps shape the next generation of skilled trades professionals across New England.
Robb’s journey has taken him through Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and now New Hampshire—where he and his wife Kristen have lived for many years. Married for over 31 years, they’ve raised three sons and are now proud grandparents to two granddaughters.
In addition to his work at FIA, Robb serves on the Barnstead Select Board and as an ex officio member of the zoning board, where he brings a grounded, practical voice to local governance. He’s also the force behind Storer Ranch and Cow Camp, rural education initiatives rooted in soil health, regenerative agriculture, and trades-based learning. Through programs like the Storer Ranchers 4-H Club and partnerships with local schools, Robb is helping rural youth gain real-world skills and a sense of stewardship for the land.
Having lived in small towns across New England, Robb has come to appreciate their quiet differences and shared spirit. Off the Gravel Road, his podcast, explores what makes these communities tick—sharing conversations from porches, pastures, and town halls that reflect the values, humor, and grit of life beyond the pavement.
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Recent Episodes
Select Board Candidate Interview: Frank McDonald
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, student interviewer Amelia speaks with Frank McDonald, a candidate for Select Board in Barnstead.Frank shares his background, including his long…
Candidate for School Board: Ian Harmon
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, student interviewer Emelia speaks with Dr. Ian Harmon, a candidate for the Barnstead School Board.Ian shares his background in education and higher…
Candidate For Welfare Officer: Lori Mahar
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, student interviewer Emelia speaks with Lori Mahar, a candidate for Welfare Officer in Barnstead.Lori shares her long history of community…
Candidate For Select Board: Gary Madden
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, student interviewer Emelia speaks with Gary Madden, a candidate for Select Board in Barnstead.Gary shares his experience serving on the Select Board…
Candidate for Planning Board: Elizabeth "Liz" Madden
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, student interviewer Emelia speaks with Elizabeth “Liz” Madden, a candidate for the Planning Board in Barnstead.Liz discusses her background in…
S2E1 School Board Candidate Interview: Andrew Harris
Send a textSchool Board Candidate Interview: Andrew HarrisIn this episode of our Community Candidate Podcast Series, Aurora interviews Andrew Harris, a candidate for School Board.Andrew shares his…
S1E30 Be Curious: A Conversation Between Emilia and Robb
Send a text In this student-led episode of Off The Gravel Road, Emilia takes the host chair and interviews Mr. Ellis about his childhood in California, the mentors who shaped him, and how a winding…
S1E29 Through the Eyes of Our Elders: John Cotton — The Heart of Barnstead
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, youth hosts Braelynn and Allysyn sit down with 92-year-old John Cotton, a lifelong resident of Barnstead whose family roots run deep through the…
S1E28 No Days Off: The Vernons’ Fight to Keep Farming Alive in New Hampshire
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb Ellis and student co-host Jasmine visit Vernon Family Farm in Newfields, New Hampshire — a first-generation regenerative farm where Jeremiah…
S1E27 Defending the New Hampshire Farm: From Policy to Pasture
Send a textRecorded live at the Lakes Region Technology Center, this episode of Off the Gravel Road brings together Rob Johnson, Policy Director for the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation, and…
S1E26 Funding the Future: How New Hampshire Pays for Its Schools
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, seventh-grader Aurora sits down with Dr. Tim Broderick, Superintendent of the Barnstead School District, to unpack the complex world of school…
S1E25 How Do You Calculate a Classroom? – With Jesse Morgan of Eckhardt & Johnson
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Amity and Robb sit down with Jesse Morgan, Project Manager at Eckhardt & Johnson, to talk about what’s happening behind the walls at Barnstead…
S1E24 From Tin Cans to the Antler Inn: The Adventures of John Starkey
Send a textFrom the deck of a Navy destroyer to the quiet woods of Barnstead, John Starkey has spent a lifetime in service, stewardship, and stories. In this episode, John shares how a recruiting…
S1E23 Full Circle: Kurt Hudson on Legacy, Leadership, and Building the Future of the Trades
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb sits down with longtime friend and colleague Kurt Hudson, Co-President of L.C. Anderson, a Boston-based mechanical contractor that’s been…
S1E22 “Be Curious, Not Judgmental” — Leadership, Learning, and the Future of the Trades with Jeff Groth
Send a textWhen troubleshooting, leadership, and life all come down to one thing — asking better questions.In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb Ellis sits down with Jeff Groth, President of…
S1E21 Cheerful Service and Brotherhood: Penacook Lodge at the Spirit of Adventure Camporee
Send a textRecorded live inside the TL Storer Dining Hall during the Spirit of Adventure Council Camporee, this episode features Lucas Crispo, Lodge Chief of Penacook Lodge, Order of the Arrow. Host…
S1E20 Leadership on the Trail: Inside National Youth Leadership Training
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, host Nova Johnson sits down with Adam Yelcin, youth course lead and Order of the Arrow member, to explore one of Scouting’s most transformative…
S1E19 Back to Gilwell: Why Wood Badge Still Matters
Send a textOn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, host Malachi Reed sits down with Stephen Gousie and Jerry Cross from the Spirit of Adventure Council to explore one of Scouting’s most powerful…
S1E18 The Outdoor Citizen: Scouting a Path to Stewardship
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, host Robb Ellis sits down with John Judge, Scout Executive of the Spirit of Adventure Council, former CEO of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and…
S1E16 Rusty’s Barnstead: The Two Cents That Built a Town
Send a textIn this episode of Off the Gravel Road, we sit down with George “Rusty” Krause — a lifelong Barnstead resident whose name is woven through the town’s fire service, fields, and civic…
Frequently Asked Questions
Off The Gravel Road has published 37 episodes since August 2025, covering topics in Government, Kids & Family.
Off The Gravel Road is currently sporadic with new episodes every few days. Average episode length is 25m.
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