Josh Ward has spent nearly his whole life on the Rogue River. Now part of his job is making sure others get home safely from it.

Born on Maui and raised in Grants Pass since age six, Josh is a Southern Oregon firefighter, Swiftwater Rescue Lead, and SRT instructor who came to firefighting by way of culinary school and restaurants.

We talk about getting swiftwater rescue recognized inside a structural fire agency, learning to raft and maximizing river time with family, all-weather and high-water rescue — why all seasons are swiftwater seasons, what to consider about satellite service on the river, why you should always wear your PFD and what most people underestimate about the Rogue, finding things you want to learn and then actually learning them, Emily's stalkers of 2026, and why alone time in nature connects you to something bigger than yourself. Plus his most-used outdoor gear, advice for his younger self, and how he wants to be remembered.

Active Listener Offers

Las Cascadas Lodge — Code GOWILDLY for a complimentary in-house experience on new bookings: lascascadaslodge.com

Arrowhead River Adventures — Code GOWILDLY for 10% off any half-day rafting trip in 2026 or 2027: arrowheadriveradventures.com

Kula Cloth — Shop through our link to support the show: kulacloth.com/?avad=436689_e4cf2ef3d

SOMA — 2-Week Free Trial + 6-month membership: southernoregonmartialarts.com

ROW Adventures — Code GOWILDLY, $100 off any multi-day trip 2026-2027: rowadventures.com/multi-day-rafting-trips

Lean In Breathwork — Code GOWILDLY, 20% off sauna sessions: calvinlivingston.com

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Hosted & Produced by Emily Berlant & Heather White / Go Wildly Podcast

Theme Music: "Rainmaker" by Jared Masters — used with permission

Keywords

Go Wildly Podcast, Go Wildly, Southern Oregon podcast, outdoor podcast, Emily Berlant, Heather White, Josh Ward, swiftwater rescue, swiftwater rescue technician, river safety, Rogue River safety, PFD river, firefighter Southern Oregon, Grants Pass fire department, river rescue Oregon, high water rescue, cold water rescue, shallow water crossing, satellite communication river, Garmin inReach river, river safety tips, Rogue River Grants Pass, family river life, rafting with kids, culinary school to firefighting, alone time nature healing, spirituality outdoors, place-based podcast, outdoor lifestyle, whimsy, Kula Cloth