Between Two Humidors Episode 010 > Jason Atkinson
This is a wide-ranging conversation between two old friends, with Jonathan Ruggles, Host starting a podcast called "Between Two Humidors." The bulk of the discussion focuses on the career of Jason Atkinson: his early years as a ski instructor, his subsequent 14 year career in Oregon politics, including a run for governor, and his pivotal leadership in negotiating the largest restoration project in American history in the Klamath Basin. Learn more about that project at www.ariverbetweenus.com
The conversation then shifts to Atkinson’s current work running a non-profit that provides fly-fishing trips for pastors, reflecting his view that pastors are essential community leaders who are often undervalued and overworked. The two conclude with a discussion of current events, like our 2nd Amendment, MAGA as a Monarchy, and offering a somewhat pessimistic view of American political discourse while still expressing optimism about the country's future.
Guest Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonaatkinson/
Website: https://www.jasonaatkinson.com/
Pastors Monday: https://www.pastorsmonday.com/
Documentary > “A River Between Us”
Short Film > “Man Out”
Thank you to our Sponsor
The Cigar Chapel -Bend, Oregon
Disclaimer
Jason Atkinson
Jason Atkinson is a leader, filmmaker, a writer, speaker and a public servant. After 14 years in the Oregon Legislature, Oregon State Senate and House of Representatives, he took a sabbatical to make the film “A River Between Us” documenting the largest restoration project in US history: the Klamath River. His life’s work, Atkinson has been involved in the Klamath restoration negotiations since the Clinton Administration culminating in victory with President Obama and the final FERC decision in 2022. He is a Rodel Fellow with the Aspen Institute. He was recently named in the top 20 most influential fisherman in the west and Field and Stream named him a hero of conservation. Atkinson consults finance, branding and crisis strategy. He has created several large-scale finance projects as well as created trade associations, NGO’s and private foundations. He has worked for over 20 years in the Middle East beginning creating a leader-to-leader exchange program for the Kurdistan Regional Government and most recently working to place hospitals along the Jordan/Syrian border. He is an accomplished storyteller with three books and multiple articles published and remains a sought-after speaker. Atkinson serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dove Media Network and is Chairman of the Oregon Governor's Office of Film & Television. He has served as a Commissioner for Oregon Fish and Wildlife and founded Pastors Monday- a non-profit taking Pastors of all faiths fly-fishing on their day off with chapters in three states. He has an MBA from the Atkinson Graduate Sch… Read More
