Russell Rowland is a Montana author, journalist, pod caster and radio personality. His radio program, 56 Counties, broadcasts on Yellowstone Public Radio. That’s also the title of one of his non-fiction books. His novels include In Open Spaces, The Watershed Years, High and Inside, Arbuckle, and Cold Country.

His latest book is a memoir, BE A MAN: RAISED IN THE SHADOW OF COWBOYS. In it he reflects on what it means to grow up in the West from boyhood to manhood, how he came to be a writer, and why he chose to return to his roots here in Montana after so many years away.

We spoke with him in our Beyond the Deep End studio on June 6, 2025.

Why are liberals so scary? https://dailymontanan.com/2025/05/20/why-are-liberals-so-scary/

Montana’s history gives insight into controlling the narrative by controlling the press https://dailymontanan.com/2025/05/06/montanas-history-gives-insight-into-controlling-the-narrative-by-controlling-the-press/

Mental health resources often ignored in rural, ranching Montana https://dailymontanan.com/2025/04/22/mental-health-resources-often-ignored-in-rural-ranching-montana/

When sedition came to Montana … https://dailymontanan.com/2025/04/01/when-sedition-came-to-montana/

Flowers emerges as a leader by finding common ground https://dailymontanan.com/2025/03/19/flowers-emerges-as-a-leader-by-finding-common-ground/

We could learn about better care of natural resources through our Native American communities https://dailymontanan.com/2024/09/24/we-could-learn-about-better-care-of-natural-resources-through-our-native-american-communities/