Live performance and Austin community
They reflect on Ryan Bingham’s relaxed live set at Matthew McConaughey’s events. The conversation highlights Austin and the Texas Hill Country as a uniquely supportive community for songwriters and live music.
#2489 - Ryan Bingham
Source description
Ryan Bingham is an actor and musician. See Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentlemen on tour this year, and look for their next album, “They Call Us the Lucky Ones,” on May 15.www.youtube.com/@ryanbinghamwww.ryanbingham.com Perplexity: Download the app or ask Perplexity …
Ryan Bingham is an actor and musician. See Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentlemen on tour this year, and look for their next album, “They Call Us the Lucky Ones,” on May 15.www.youtube.com/@ryanbinghamwww.ryanbingham.com Perplexity: Download the app or ask Perplexity anything at https://pplx.ai/rogan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Key Topics
- Live performance and Austin community
- Leaving California and returning to Texas
- Yellowstone role and life in Montana
- Montana identity and newcomer resentment
- Mountains as a visceral human draw
- Backcountry guide school and pack trips
- Nature vs civilization and sensory reset
- Solo survival skills and Clay Hayes
- Wilderness first aid, leatherwork, and practical training
- Fire-building lessons in wet conditions
- Primitive fire methods and realistic limitations
- Fritos as unexpected fire starter
- Wet Alaska hunting and bush-plane logistics
- Alaska ruggedness and mutual aid culture
- Texas neighbor-help and hands-on capability
- Manual labor building character
- The appeal of cowboy life and primal memory
- Horses, kids, and animal connection
- Equine therapy and mental health
- Remi Warren and mountain fitness
- Axis deer hunting on Lānaʻi
- Human impact and remnants of industry on Lānaʻi
- Bow vs rifle success rates and hunting pressure
- Elk in California and surprising wildlife sightings
- Wolves returning to California and long-distance travel
- Predator interactions and cascading effects
- Mountain lions, coyotes, and urban predator reality
- Wildlife corridors and the 101 crossing project
- Hunting bans, dogs, and population control
- California wildfires and evacuation logistics
- Firefighting coordination and pilot challenges
- Reservoir preparedness and government failure claims
- Toxic aftermath of urban-interface fires
- Regulation, bureaucracy, and California decline narrative
- Secrecy about “hideouts” and the search for quiet places
- Frontier hardship and homesteading realities
- Refrigeration as a transformative invention
- Market hunting and the rise of wildlife regulation
- Public land access as a unique American asset
- Grizzlies, local risk, and differing perspectives
- Human-first ethics vs wildlife protection
- Bull riding from childhood to pro card
- Bull riding mindset and fear management
- Severe bull riding injury without health insurance
- From rodeo culture to songwriting beginnings
- Early gigs, tips, and choosing music over labor
- Texas scene support and informal mentorship
- Path to acting through songwriting and Taylor Sheridan
- Acting without training and learning from pros
- Cowboy image, changing cultural reception, and authenticity
- Country and Americana resurgence
- Internet era breakout artists and contract caution
- Learning guitar through YouTube and modern access
- Comedy and music as medicine
- Songwriting as private therapy and creative protection
Leaving California and returning to Texas
Bingham and Rogan compare life in California with Texas, describing a sense of relief and “real people” in Texas. They discuss the practical differences in cost, neighbor help, and day-to-day culture.
Yellowstone role and life in Montana
Bingham talks about acting on Yellowstone as a smaller, enjoyable role with lots of time outdoors. He describes fly fishing, disappearing into the mountains, and why Montana’s landscape feels spiritually potent.
Montana identity and newcomer resentment
They discuss how some Montanans react strongly to newcomers, especially Californians. The talk connects that attitude to harsh winters, history, and a sense of having fought to live there.
Mountains as a visceral human draw
Rogan describes mountain scenery as nature’s “art” that can feel overwhelming and addictive. They connect the attraction to human instincts for fertile, life-giving environments.
Backcountry guide school and pack trips
Bingham recounts attending a multiweek hunting guide school in Montana focused on mule packing and backcountry living. He describes minimal shelter, night watches for horses, and a pivotal snowfall moment that made civilization feel distant.
Nature vs civilization and sensory reset
They argue modern life creates an unseen psychological weight that lifts in wilderness. Without phones and distractions, senses sharpen and people feel more aligned with how humans evolved to live.
Solo survival skills and Clay Hayes
Rogan praises survival creator Clay Hayes for solo trips and practical skills like firemaking and water purification. They discuss learning these techniques as valuable even if never needed.
Wilderness first aid, leatherwork, and practical training
Bingham describes the guide school curriculum including wilderness first aid with a paramedic, leatherwork, shooting, fly fishing, and entomology. He emphasizes learning skills with clear real-world purpose for emergencies.
Fire-building lessons in wet conditions
Bingham shares a fire drill where an Alaskan student succeeds quickly using dead pine boughs as instant tinder. The story underscores regional know-how and the importance of fast warmth in survival situations.
Primitive fire methods and realistic limitations
They talk about flint, pitch wood, and bow-drill firemaking. Rogan stresses how hard bow drills are, especially in snow or wet conditions, making them unreliable in emergencies.
Fritos as unexpected fire starter
Rogan recounts using Fritos as oily kindling during a soaked Alaska hunt. The chips burn like a candle long enough to get wet wood going, which felt like a major morale win.
Wet Alaska hunting and bush-plane logistics
Rogan describes a multi-day Alaska hunt where constant moisture made staying dry impossible. They talk about flying in via small plane, landing on water, and drinking rainwater safely from a pond.
Alaska ruggedness and mutual aid culture
They praise Alaskan communities as friendly yet hardened by real danger from weather and wildlife. The conversation contrasts this with more detached urban norms where fewer people stop to help.
Texas neighbor-help and hands-on capability
They describe Texas as a place where neighbors show up with tractors and backhoes when infrastructure fails. The theme is self-reliance paired with community, built through practical traditions.
Manual labor building character
They trade stories about hay hauling, fencing, and insulation work as formative experiences. The point is that hard labor teaches work ethic, satisfaction, and motivation to pursue different paths.
The appeal of cowboy life and primal memory
They discuss why ranch work and shows like Yellowstone feel deeply satisfying to viewers. The idea is that thousands of years of survival instincts make land-based skills and animal care feel familiar and meaningful.
Horses, kids, and animal connection
Bingham describes keeping horses for his children and watching them bond with animals like a mule. He notes how city kids often relax quickly once they interact safely with horses.
Equine therapy and mental health
Rogan mentions equine therapy for anxiety and depression. Both describe feeling calmer and emotionally regulated simply by being near horses and making eye contact with them.
Remi Warren and mountain fitness
Bingham talks about living remotely in Montana and befriending hunter Remi Warren. They discuss how constant hunting and guiding builds extreme endurance and effortless mountain movement.
Axis deer hunting on Lānaʻi
They describe bow hunting axis deer in Hawaii as uniquely challenging due to fast reflexes and year-round hunting pressure. The setting is surreal, with ocean views and a resort nearby.
Human impact and remnants of industry on Lānaʻi
They mention red clay, old plantation practices, and plastic-like ground layers from agriculture. They also note WWII-era relics, blending natural beauty with visible human history.
Bow vs rifle success rates and hunting pressure
They contrast rifle hunting as almost guaranteed with bow hunting as extremely low-percentage in that environment. They attribute difficulty to constant pursuit, sharp senses, and abundant deer that spook easily.
Elk in California and surprising wildlife sightings
They discuss large elk populations on private ranch land and their presence near golf communities. They also share the delight of seeing unexpected wildlife while traveling along the coast.
Wolves returning to California and long-distance travel
They talk about wolves being detected in Los Angeles County after long absence and how far collared wolves can roam. The discussion frames wolves as extraordinary travelers that may form new packs.
Predator interactions and cascading effects
Rogan describes wolves stealing mountain lion kills, forcing lions to hunt more. They frame it as smart opportunism that changes predation dynamics in an ecosystem.
Mountain lions, coyotes, and urban predator reality
They describe predators living near homes in Southern California, including lions near Topanga and coyotes in neighborhoods. The talk emphasizes that these animals are present and often unafraid of people.
Wildlife corridors and the 101 crossing project
They discuss the expensive wildlife overpass intended to help mountain lions cross a major freeway. Rogan frames it as an example of costly policy choices compared with other infrastructure needs.
Hunting bans, dogs, and population control
Rogan argues that banning hounds for bear and lion hunting reduces effective management. He claims this shifts populations upward and increases conflicts, while regulated hunting could generate revenue and control numbers.
California wildfires and evacuation logistics
Bingham recounts evacuating with horses, dogs, and trailers during major fires. He describes extreme winds, shifting smoke, and the emotional strain of repeatedly fleeing and finding safe stabling.
Firefighting coordination and pilot challenges
They praise firefighters, helicopter crews, and tanker pilots for coordinated suppression. Bingham shares details about flying in thermals, heavy water loads, and handling aircraft performance changes mid-drop.
Reservoir preparedness and government failure claims
Rogan criticizes officials for not keeping reservoirs ready and frames it as predictable, recurring risk mismanagement. They discuss residents organizing their own plans because they do not trust institutions to be prepared.
Toxic aftermath of urban-interface fires
They worry about chemicals from burned homes, electronics, batteries, and old building materials contaminating soil and groundwater. The discussion questions whether remediation like soil replacement is enough and what long-term exposure means.
Regulation, bureaucracy, and California decline narrative
Rogan argues California’s bureaucracy and regulations have grown while quality of life worsens. They describe the state as beautiful but hampered by costs, restrictions, and slow permitting that blocks practical fixes.
Secrecy about “hideouts” and the search for quiet places
They talk about the impulse to keep special places private as crowds grow. Montana and West Texas come up as examples where harsh conditions discourage some newcomers over time.
Frontier hardship and homesteading realities
Rogan and Bingham discuss abandoned homesteads and how difficult it was to settle harsh terrain. They reflect on ancestors living in dugouts, crossing deserts, and enduring cold without modern comforts.
Refrigeration as a transformative invention
Bingham shares his grandfather’s view that refrigeration was the most important invention of his lifetime. They use it to illustrate how basic infrastructure changes daily survival and food security.
Market hunting and the rise of wildlife regulation
Rogan describes how commercial market hunting pressured wildlife populations before modern rules. They note how regulations and enforcement helped wildlife recover and shaped today’s conservation system.
Public land access as a unique American asset
They praise the scale of public lands enabling hunting, fishing, camping, and exploration. Bingham describes using vast road networks and trailheads in Montana to access remarkable wilderness.
Grizzlies, local risk, and differing perspectives
They discuss pressure to list or hunt grizzlies in some areas and the gap between urban sentiment and rural experience. The focus is on risk management when large predators live near people and livestock.
Human-first ethics vs wildlife protection
Rogan argues laws often prioritize predators over community safety and personal agency. They debate the idea that people should have stronger rights to protect pets and children when dangerous animals encroach.
Bull riding from childhood to pro card
Bingham details starting on steers at age 10, progressing to bulls, and riding through college and early pro years. He contrasts older rodeo culture with modern PBR-era breeding, training, and equipment.
Bull riding mindset and fear management
They describe bull riding as primarily mental, requiring confidence and commitment. Bingham credits the sport with teaching him to channel anxiety into performance in acting and music.
Severe bull riding injury without health insurance
Bingham recounts a major accident where he lost teeth and suffered a torn lip after being headbutted and dragged. He describes refusing an ambulance, enduring long dental recovery, and the brutal realities of the sport.
From rodeo culture to songwriting beginnings
Bingham connects rodeo life to music through post-rodeo dances and local bands. He describes learning guitar after being shown “La Malagueña” and beginning to write songs about weekend adventures with friends.
Early gigs, tips, and choosing music over labor
He explains how bar gigs and tips quickly rivaled day-job earnings on ranch work. The shift felt practical and freeing, especially after years of driving, sleeping rough, and chasing rodeo money.
Texas scene support and informal mentorship
Bingham describes a culture where people encouraged anyone to get up and play, regardless of polish. He credits community figures and peers for gigs, advice, and support that helped him persist without formal training.
Path to acting through songwriting and Taylor Sheridan
Bingham explains how writing for films like Crazy Heart and networking with producers led to meeting Taylor Sheridan. Sheridan first wanted songs, then cast him because of his ranch and rodeo background.
Acting without training and learning from pros
He says he had no formal acting education and relied on experienced castmates to shape scenes. They discuss how strong acting partners can make performances feel natural and real.
Cowboy image, changing cultural reception, and authenticity
Bingham recalls being mocked for wearing a cowboy hat in early 2000s coastal cities. They discuss how cultural attitudes shifted and why some people now imitate cowboy identity as a romantic persona.
Country and Americana resurgence
They note a broad comeback of guitar-based and country-adjacent music. They mention newer artists and the appeal of musicians who live distinctive, grounded lives outside mainstream industry paths.
Internet era breakout artists and contract caution
They discuss Oliver Anthony’s viral success and how sudden fame attracts exploitative offers. Rogan emphasizes avoiding bad contracts and keeping ownership when artists can distribute music directly.
Learning guitar through YouTube and modern access
Bingham describes leveling up his guitar skills late in his career using online lessons and breakdowns. They frame the internet as a powerful learning tool when used intentionally and without doomscrolling.
Comedy and music as medicine
They describe comedy as therapeutic perspective-shifting that helps people cope with heavy realities. They also discuss music’s ability to change mood instantly and serve as emotional healing for both artists and listeners.
Songwriting as private therapy and creative protection
Bingham says writing and singing alone is the core value that “saved” him, more than touring or sales. He stresses protecting that creative source and letting the rest of the industry remain secondary.