Tailgate Talks

by Donald Forgione

5.0(18 reviews)

97 episodes

Updated Daily

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Overview

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.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

3/17/2023

Visit Website View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

Reach out to this podcast

Get in touch with the podcast creators

Email Addresses

1 available

Phone Numbers

0 available

Get Full Contact Details

Recent Episodes

April 15, 2025

“So You’re a Park Manager Now: Tips, Truths, and Transitions”

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 Manager of Tettegouche and George H. Crosby Manitou State Parks. Nate and Katie sit down for a candid conversation about what it’s really like to step into park management. From staffing and operations to public expectations and personal growth, they share the surprises, challenges, and lessons they’ve already learned on the job. This episode is packed with practical tips for new and aspiring park managers—and a few laughs too—as the guests take over the mic and ask Donald their own questions in a special Tailgate Takeover format. Whether you’re managing your first park or mentoring the next generation, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and a behind-the-scenes look at what leadership in parks really means.

April 1, 2025

Director To Director: Park Hopping with Phil Gaines

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 of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. Together, they embark on an insightful journey through three of Florida's remarkable state parks: Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, Dudley Farm Historic State Park, and Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Donald and Phil delve into the unique features and management practices of each park, sharing fascinating stories and historical insights: <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"> Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park: Phil and Donald discover the wonders of this National Natural Landmark, featuring a 120-foot-deep, 500-foot-wide sinkhole that harbors a miniature rainforest ecosystem. They learned about the park's geology, the diverse flora and fauna within the sinkhole, and the efforts to preserve this geological marvel.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"> Dudley Farm Historic State Park: Phil and Donald stepped back in time to experience Florida's farming heritage from the 1850s to the mid-20th century. They explored the authentic working farm, complete with original buildings and period-dressed staff performing daily chores, and gained an understanding of the significance of preserving this slice of history.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"> Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park: Phil and Donald uncovered the rich biodiversity of Florida's first state preserve, home to wild bison, horses, alligators, and over 270 species of birds. They discuss the park's historical significance, its role in conservation, and the challenges of managing such a diverse habitat.</li> </ul> Throughout the episode, Donald and Phil reflect on their experiences in park management, the importance of conservation, and the stories that make these parks treasures of Florida's natural and cultural landscape. Bios: <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"> Phil Gaines: With a 38-year career at the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, Phil served as Director for 13 years. Following his retirement, he continues to contribute to the field as a Professor of Practice at Clemson University, where he focuses on developing future leaders in parks and recreation management. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"> Donald Forgione: Director of Florida State Parks (ret), Author, Keynote Speaker. Donald brings decades of experience in park management and conservation. As host of this podcast, he shares his passion for the outdoors, storytelling, and preserving the natural and cultural resources of our parks.</li> </ul>

March 18, 2025

Director to Director: Stakeholder Engagement

<div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"> <div class= "min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&]:mt-5" dir="auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id= "5aae18fb-9ad9-4b10-b04a-58778abdf9d9" data-message-model-slug= "gpt-4o"> <div class= "flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"> <div class= "markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert dark"> 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 conversation on the power of community engagement. With decades of experience in stakeholder relations, Craig shares proven strategies for building strong, lasting partnerships with communities, advocacy groups, and elected officials. In this episode, Craig and Donald discuss: ✅ The importance of stakeholder engagement in park and recreation management ✅ How to foster relationships with key partners and decision-makers ✅ Effective strategies for public relations and advocacy ✅ Lessons learned from years in leadership—from field ranger to director ✅ Real-world examples of successful community collaborations Whether you’re a park professional, public servant, or leader in outdoor recreation, this episode is packed with practical advice on navigating partnerships, earning trust, and leveraging relationships to support parks and public lands. 🎧 Tune in now and discover the art of stakeholder engagement from one of the best in the field! </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-2 flex gap-3 -ml-2" tabindex="0"> <div class="flex items-center justify-start rounded-xl p-1"> <div> <div class= "flex items-center transition-opacity group-hover/turn:opacity-100 opacity-100"> <div class="flex"> </div> <div class="flex items-center pb-0">4o</div> <button id="radix-:r3e:" class= "cursor-pointer h-[30px] rounded-md px-1 text-token-text-secondary hover:bg-token-main-surface-secondary" type="button" aria-haspopup="menu" aria-expanded="false" data-state="closed"></button></div> </div> </div> </div>

Similar Podcasts

Park Leaders Show

Jody Maberry

The Secret Lives of Parks

National Parks Conservation Association

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.

Recent articles