From a flooded logging town beneath a hydroelectric dam to summits of the world’s highest peaks, Up a Creek with Neil brings you real stories from people who’ve lived boldly.
Hosted by Neil Amondson—a former high-climber, legislator, and global wanderer—this podcast dives into life’s turning points, unexpected adventures, and the wisdom that comes from experience.
You’ll hear from guests who’ve topped Everest, rebuilt after loss, and found meaning in places most never go.
Family-friendly, unfiltered, and rich with grit and humor—this is real life, well told.
Bonus Episode - "Hockey, Humility, and the Heart of a Champion" with Jim Harrison
Send us Fan Mail Jim Harrison’s name is etched in hockey history — not just for his talent, but for his tenacity. Born in Saskatchewan, Jim rose from humble prairie rinks to the world’s biggest stages, playing alongside legends like Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky. A gifted center known for his fierce competitiveness and quiet leadership, Harrison carved out a remarkable career in both the NHL and WHA, earning respect from teammates and opponents alike. His record-setting performances, including ...
16 Mar 2026
Season 1, Episode 10 - "Joy and Faith of Climbing 7 Summits" with Julie Smith
Send a text Julie Smith was born in Deadwood, SD; grew up near Black Hawk, SD and graduated from High School in Rapid City, SD. She graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry. After a year-long internship in Medical Laboratory Science, Smith started working at the Hospital laboratory in Centralia Washington for 37 years. Between her Sophomore and Junior years in college, she took a year off to work in a research Laboratory...
6 Mar 2026
Season 1, Episode 9 - "A Life Devoted to Hope" with Casey Gwinn
Send a text Casey Gwinn has spent more than three decades standing at the intersection of law, justice, and healing. As the former San Diego City Attorney and the co-founder of the Family Justice Center movement, Casey has helped transform how communities across the world respond to domestic violence, child abuse, and trauma. Under his leadership, the Alliance for HOPE International has become a global network supporting survivors through evidence-based programs and the science of hope — the ...
20 Feb 2026
Season 1, Episode 8 - "A Game of Winning" with Lyle Overbay
Send a text Baseball has a way of revealing character; you can learn a lot about a person by watching how they handle the long season, the travel the slumps, the pressure, and the quiet discipline it takes to show up every day and do your job well. Lyle Overbay, a man who spent 14 seasons in Major League baseball, earned a reputation as a steady presence at first base and played the game with a kind of professionalism teammates trust and fans respect, but this conversation isn't just about bo...
16 Feb 2026
Life’s adventures with Neil & Susan Amondson
Send a text Life rarely moves in straight lines — and neither have Neil and Susan Amondson. From a small logging community in Washington State to travels across all 50 states and seven countries, Neil’s journey has spanned public service in the Washington State Legislature and a long career in construction and natural resources. His life has been shaped by risk, resilience, and the belief that strong communities matter. Susan’s path has carried her from hospital laboratories to mountain s...
6 Feb 2026
Season 1, Episode 7 - "Farming, Fun, and Frontier Grit" with Dennis Duncan
Send us a text Dennis Duncan is the embodiment of small-town Alberta grit — a farmer, businessman, and storyteller whose laughter carries farther than a prairie horizon. From the fields of Bentley, Alberta, to the pickleball courts and friendships of Outdoor Resort Palm Springs (ORPS), Dennis has lived a life rooted in hard work, faith, and family. A second-generation farmer, Dennis has seen the changing face of agriculture up close — from the sweat-and-iron days of machinery repair to the di...
30 Jan 2026
Bonus Episode - "Moving Forward After Loss" with Les and Sandy Moore
Send us a text Les and Sandy Moore’s story is one of heartbreak transformed into purpose. In 2011, their teenage son Matt died in a tragic Boy Scout swimming accident — a moment that forever changed their family’s path. In the years since, they have turned unimaginable loss into a mission of compassion, helping others navigate grief and rediscover meaning when the unthinkable happens. Sandy, a mother and volunteer known for her strength and empathy, speaks openly about grief as both a wound a...
22 Jan 2026
Season 1, Episode 6 - "From Oilfields to Open Water — and the Courage to Start Again" with Rod Vatcher
Send us a text Rod Vatcher built his career in one of the toughest industries on earth — oilfield logistics. As the founder and former owner of Steelhorse Freight Services in High River, Alberta, he managed the unpredictable world of long-haul transport serving Canada’s energy sector. The work was intense, the stakes high, and success required both grit and integrity. After decades of growth and leadership, Rod sold the company and began a new chapter — one defined less by miles traveled and ...
29 Dec 2025
Season 1, Episode 5 (Part 3) - "Stepping with a Purpose" with Susan Amondson
Send us a text Every journey changes us — sometimes in ways we never expect. For Susan Amondson, the Camino de Santiago wasn’t just about reaching Santiago; it was about discovering what still lies within — endurance, gratitude, and a deeper walk with God. And for Dr. Kevin St. Clair, a man who’s logged thousands of trail miles, it reaffirmed a truth that every traveler eventually learns — that strength begins with stillness, and healing begins when we stop long enough to listen. Together, th...
22 Dec 2025
Season 1, Episode 5 (Part 2) - "Stepping with a Purpose" with Dr. Kevin St. Clair
Send us a text Every journey changes us — sometimes in ways we never expect. For Susan Amondson, the Camino de Santiago wasn’t just about reaching Santiago; it was about discovering what still lies within — endurance, gratitude, and a deeper walk with God. And for Dr. Kevin St. Clair, a man who’s logged thousands of trail miles, it reaffirmed a truth that every traveler eventually learns — that strength begins with stillness, and healing begins when we stop long enough to listen. Together, th...
15 Dec 2025
Season 1, Episode 5 (Part 1) - "Stepping with a Purpose" with Susan Amondson
Send us a text Every journey changes us — sometimes in ways we never expect. For Susan Amondson, the Camino de Santiago wasn’t just about reaching Santiago; it was about discovering what still lies within — endurance, gratitude, and a deeper walk with God. And for Dr. Kevin St. Clair, a man who’s logged thousands of trail miles, it reaffirmed a truth that every traveler eventually learns — that strength begins with stillness, and healing begins when we stop long enough to listen. Together, th...
24 Nov 2025
Season 1, Episode 4 - "From Motocross Prodigy to Adaptive Golf Competitor" with Brock Leitner
Send us a text Brock Leitner grew up in Summerland, British Columbia, fueled by an unstoppable drive for competition and speed. By age four, he was already racing motocross; by sixteen, he had turned pro—competing across Canada and the U.S. in one of the most demanding and dangerous sports on earth. In June 2022, a devastating accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Yet within months, Brock began redefining what it means to live with purpose. With determination, family support, and a...
20 Nov 2025
Bonus Episode Part 2 - "East Lewis County Legends" with Bill Bakamus
Send us a text In this Bonus Episode, Neil sits down with East County Legend, Bill Bakamus For more than four decades, Bill Bakamus defined what it meant to be a coach — and to be the best in Washington State high school basketball history. His story begins in Morton, Washington, where hard work and faith were a way of life. Bill’s father, Vladimir Bakamus, was a respected man in the community — a steady example of grit and humility — and those values became the foundation for how Bill appr...
18 Nov 2025
Bonus Episode Part 1 - "East Lewis County Legends" with “Sweetie” Suter
Send us a text In this Bonus Episode, Neil sits down with East County Legend, "Sweetie” Suter In the late 1950s, in the logging town of Morton, Washington, a young man named “Sweetie” Suter became a symbol of pride and possibility. Standing just 5′8′′, he seemed almost undersized for a sport dominated by height, yet on the court he was a giant — a player defined by precision, quickness, and an unrelenting competitive spirit. His scoring records, achieved before the invention of the thre...
14 Nov 2025
S1, E3 (Part 3) - "The Politics of Inclusion" with Logan Washburn
Send us a text In Part Three of The Politics of Inclusion, Neil talks with Logan Washburn, a young journalist helping shape America’s next political conversation. Representing a generation raised amid cultural transformation, Logan shares how his peers are reframing what it means to engage — with curiosity, courage, and respect. From navigating disagreement to amplifying underrepresented perspectives, Logan brings a fresh, honest take on the challenges and possibilities of inclusion today. Hi...
31 Oct 2025
S1, E3 (Parts 1 and 2) - "The Politics of Inclusion" with Dr. Jason Peplinski
Send us a text In Parts One and Two of The Politics of Inclusion, Neil sits down with Dr. Jason Peplinski, a veteran educator and superintendent who believes true leadership begins with empathy. Drawing from decades of experience guiding schools through cultural change, Dr. Peplinski reflects on how listening, humility, and compassion can bridge divides in today’s polarized climate. This conversation explores what inclusion really means in practice — not as a policy, but as a mindset. From cl...
20 Oct 2025
S1, E2 - "Real Estate with a Pulse on the Desert" with Darcey Deetz & Lorrie Anderschat
Send us a text Darcey Deetz is one of the Coachella Valley’s top resort real-estate professionals, known for her energy, insight, and ability to match people with the lifestyle they’re looking for. A full-time Realtor and desert resident, she has helped hundreds of buyers and sellers navigate the unique world of luxury RV and golf-resort living — where location, amenities, and community matter as much as square footage. Her practical knowledge of Outdoor Resort Palm Springs (ORPS), combined w...
13 Oct 2025
S1, E1 - "Finding Joy and Purpose after Loss" with Rob Zimich
Rob Zimich’s story begins in the mountains of British Columbia and carries a message that resonates far beyond them. After the heartbreaking loss of his son Alex in 2022 in a tragic boating accident near Nelson, BC, Rob discovered that grief and joy can coexist — and that healing often happens through community, connection, and movement. An avid bagpiper, pickleball player, and hiker, Rob and his wife Luisa found comfort among friends at Outdoor Resort Palm Springs (ORPS), where laughter and ...
6 Jun 2025
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This "UpaCreekwithNeil" podcast teaser previews upcoming episodes featuring stories of bold individuals and rugged experiences.
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