Real stories. Real people. Real talk, from a logging town kid turned global wanderer.
Welcome to “Up a Creek with Neil.” I’m Neil — a former high-climber, state legislator, and lifelong observer of people, politics, and the quiet things that make life meaningful. This show explores stories from the edge — where humor, hardship, and humanity meet. From the forests of the Pacific Northwest to resort life in the Coachella Valley, we invite you to listen, laugh, and reflect.
Recent
March 26, 2026
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 …
March 16, 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 S…
March 6, 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 violen…
Feb. 20, 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 …
Feb. 16, 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 cons…
Feb. 6, 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 l…
About the Host
Neil Amondson