Joe Rogan Experience #2489 - Ryan Bingham

The conversation begins with Rogan praising Bingham's performance at a McConna event in Austin, leading into a discussion about the supportive music community in Texas. Bingham describes his experience playing Walker on Yellowstone, explaining how he had an easy job compared to other actors, working only 1-2 days per week while spending the rest of his time fly fishing in Montana's mountains. This leads to an extensive discussion about Montana's beauty and the locals' protective attitude toward outsiders, particularly Californians. Bingham shares his transformative experience at a six-week hunting guide school in Montana, describing how living in the backcountry with minimal supplies awakened something primal in him. The conversation explores the therapeutic effects of nature and how modern civilization creates an unnatural burden that people don't realize until they escape to wilderness settings. Bingham recounts his upbringing doing manual labor like stacking hay and building fences, contrasting this with younger generations who lack these practical skills. They discuss how hard physical work, while undesirable long-term, teaches valuable work ethic and helps people appreciate other opportunities. The discussion shifts to wildlife management issues, particularly the problematic reintroduction of wolves to Colorado and the overpopulation of mountain lions in California. Bingham describes his transition from bull riding (which he started at age 10) to music, explaining how he learned guitar organically while traveling the rodeo circuit. He shares a harrowing injury story where a bull knocked out his teeth and nearly tore off his lip, requiring extensive surgery without health insurance. The conversation concludes with Bingham's path to Yellowstone through his music career, his natural acting ability despite no formal training, and his philosophy about protecting the therapeutic aspects of songwriting while building a sustainable career.