Episodes 114
Avg. Duration 32m
Activity Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (7)
Since Mar 2023
Latest Episode Feb 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
41%
Hosting
rss.libsyn.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Welcome to Tailgate Talks, weekly talks with former Park Ranger Donald Forgione. Join Donald on the back of his tailgate for a conversation about conservation, recreation, business, and more.

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Recent Episodes

S3E113 Loving Our Parks to Death: The Real Conversation About Carrying Capacity

Feb 24, 2026 36m

How many visitors are too many? It is one of the most important and most misunderstood questions in parks and public lands today. In this episode of Tailgate Talks, Donald sits down with Jonathan…

S3E112 Heal the Hustle: How High Performers Reclaim Health, Purpose, and Joy

Feb 03, 2026 37m

In this episode of Tailgate Talks, I sit down with M.J. James, author of Heal the Hustle, for an honest and timely conversation about burnout, productivity culture, and what it really means to…

S3E111 Protecting Stories, Not Just Places: Cultural Resources and Why They Matter

Jan 20, 2026 35m

📝 Episode Show Notes Guest: Lauren McMillan, PhD, RPA – Cultural Resource Manager, Virginia State Parks [email protected] Host: Donald Forgione [email protected] Episode…

S3E110 Director to Director: Ethics for Park Leaders

Jan 02, 2026 40m

Ethics for State Park Leaders Guest: Brent Leisure, Director of Texas State Parks (ret) Ethics in state parks is rarely about clear-cut right and wrong. More often, leaders find themselves…

S3E109 Parks, People, & Philanthropy: What Every Park Leader Should Know

Dec 10, 2025 32m

In today's episode, Donald sits on the tailgate with Kevin Korenthal, Executive Director of the National Association of Park Foundations, to explore how park professionals and their supporting…

S3E108 Raising a Ranger at Heart: One Mother's Story and What Parks Can Learn

Nov 25, 2025 39m

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Donald sits down with Veronica Greear, Area 6 Manager for Tennessee State Parks, to talk about something every park professional needs to understand —…

S3E107 Music In The Parks

Sep 23, 2025 27m

Episode summary Donald sits down with longtime friend and retired District Manager Warren Poplin to unpack how to plan successful "music in the park" events—from picking the right artist for the…

S3E106 Legacy in Motion: Learning, Adapting, and Growing with Phil Gaines

Sep 09, 2025 32m

In this thought-provoking episode, Donald welcomes back his good friend and frequent guest, Phil Gaines, former Director of South Carolina State Parks and a trusted voice in the world of leadership…

S3E105 Herding Thunder: Inside the Buffalo Roundup

Aug 26, 2025 34m

Herding Thunder: Inside the Buffalo Roundup Every year, tens of thousands of visitors gather to witness one of the most dramatic wildlife events in America: the Buffalo Roundup. In this episode of…

S3E104 From Parks to Boardrooms: Leadership Lessons from Nature

Aug 12, 2025 45m

Donald Forgione — Former Director of 175 Florida State Parks, with 40+ years in ecotourism, leadership, and public service. Now a business owner, speaker, and coach, Donald connects leadership…

S3E104 Wetlands, Wildlife, and Working Together with Ducks Unlimited

Jul 22, 2025 30m

Episode Summary In this episode of Tailgate Talks, Donald Forgione sits down with Nick Wiley, of Ducks Unlimited (DU), to explore how one of the nation's most recognized conservation nonprofits is…

Bulletproof Spirit

Jul 08, 2025 33m

🎙 Tailgate Talks with Donald Forgione Episode Title: The Bulletproof Spirit: Emotional Survival for First Responders Guest: Captain Dan Willis Episode Summary: In this powerful and timely episode,…

S3E102 Firefighting And Firelighting Training

Jun 24, 2025 37m

In this episode of Tailgate Talks, Donald Forgione sits down with longtime friend and fire professional Zach Prusak to discuss the evolving world of online fire training. With decades of…

S3E101 Running In When Others Run Out: Leadership in Emergency Management

Jun 10, 2025 35m

🎙 Tailgate Talks with Donald Forgione Episode Title: Running In When Others Run Out: Leadership in Emergency Management Guest: Brian Pinson Show Notes: In this episode of Tailgate Talks, I sit down…

S3E100 Episode 100; The Journey So Far

May 28, 2025 6m

Welcome to Tailgate Talks, where we gather around the tailgate to talk about the places we love, the people who steward them, and the leadership it takes to make it all happen. I'm your host, Donald…

S3E99 Part Two: So You're a Park Manager Now: Tips, Truths, and Transitions

May 13, 2025 38m

In this follow-up conversation, Donald Forgione reconnects with Minnesota's State Park Managers, Katie Foshay (Tettegouche & George H. Crosby Manitou State Parks) and Nate Springer (Gooseberry…

S2E98 Facilitating Tough Community Meetings with Grace and Grit

Apr 29, 2025 26m

In this episode of Tailgate Talks, host Donald Forgione welcomes back Phil Gaines, retired Director of South Carolina State Parks, for a timely and insightful conversation on the delicate art of…

S2E97 "So You're a Park Manager Now: Tips, Truths, and Transitions"

Apr 15, 2025 26m

In this episode of Tailgate Talks, Donald Forgione welcomes two rising leaders in Minnesota's state park system—Nate Springer, Park Supervisor at Gooseberry Falls State Park, and Katie Foshay, Park…

S2E96 Director To Director: Park Hopping with Phil Gaines

Apr 01, 2025 41m

In this captivating episode, host Donald Forgione is joined by Phil Gaines, the retired Director of South Carolina State Parks and a current Professor of Practice at Clemson University's Department…

S2E96 Director to Director: Stakeholder Engagement

Mar 18, 2025 30m

Director to Director: Stakeholder Engagement Join host Donald Forgione on the Tailgate as he welcomes Craig Seaver, retired Park Ranger and former Director of Virginia State Parks, for an insightful…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Tailgate Talks have?

Tailgate Talks has published 114 episodes since March 2023, covering topics in Business, Careers.

Is Tailgate Talks still active?

Tailgate Talks is currently active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 32m.

How do I contact Tailgate Talks for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Tailgate Talks, including email and social media links.

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