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Wes Siler (Journalist, Adventurer, Public Lands Advocate)

Wes Siler (Journalist, Adventurer, Public Lands Advocate)

The Smoking Tire Feb 26, 2026 65 min
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About this episode

Wes Siler shares his journey from being a popular outdoor lifestyle journalist to running for Montana state senate, discussing the challenges of modern journalism under tech ownership and the clash between good journalism and business interests. He reflects on the blurred lines between politics, journalism, and advocacy, emphasizing how politics inevitably intersects with passions like cars and public lands. Wes also touches on the realities of public service, the importance of public lands, and the frustrations of navigating political and media landscapes today.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Tesla Cybertruck

""Also, they thought the cyber truck was a good idea, which one could argue is not political, but is incredibly misguided.""

The Tesla Cybertruck is a new electric truck that looks very different from regular trucks. Some people like it, and some think it was a bad idea.

Concept

National Forest

"That's National Forest. So it's a set aside for all of us."

National Forests are big areas of land owned by the government where people can go to enjoy nature, camp, and drive off-road vehicles. They are protected so everyone can use them.

Concept

off-roading

"If you're just in the cars and you just want Matt to sit in the cars, that's where you go off-roading."

Off-roading means driving cars on rough, bumpy ground instead of smooth roads. People do it for fun or to explore places regular cars can't go.

Term

winch

""...like a car on 35 inch tires with a winch and electric chainsaw on the back""

A winch is a tool on some trucks that helps pull the truck out if it gets stuck in mud or snow by using a strong cable.

Car

Dodge Charger

"...you need solar panels to run your battery pack to charger, you know, your chainsaw. And then, well, you pr..."

The Dodge Charger is a big car that looks sporty and can go really fast. People like it because it’s both good for daily driving and fun to drive fast.

Car

Ford Ranger

""You know, your Ford Ranger gets 10 miles per gallon. I did read your article on how to buy a truck and actually it's incredibly well thought out""

The Ford Ranger is a type of truck that people use for carrying things and driving on rough roads. It can use more gas than smaller cars.

Car

Toyota Tacoma

"I think they just they're like, oh, that fucking Tacoma. Tacoma, right? Tacomas are sick, bro. The internet says they're reliable. Up at 7,000 pounds of shit on my Tacoma and go to Alaska."

The Toyota Tacoma is a type of truck that many people trust because it doesn't break down easily. It's good for carrying lots of stuff and driving on rough roads.

Car

Bentley Flying

"... Would you get like a Cayenne turbo GT or like a Bentley Flying Spur? And I'm like, what?"

The Bentley Flying Spur is a very fancy and comfortable car that can go fast. People buy it because it feels very special inside and looks great.

Car

Porsche Cayenne

"...hing to do with each other. Would you get like a Cayenne turbo GT or like a Bentley Flying Spur? And I'm ..."

The Porsche Cayenne is a fancy, fast SUV that can carry people and stuff but still feels sporty to drive. It’s like a sports car that’s bigger and taller.

Term

3.0 liter diesel

""It was a three liter diesel car. Or the diesel one. Everyone loved the diesel for a minute there.""

A 3.0 liter diesel engine is a type of engine that uses diesel fuel and has a size of 3 liters. It usually helps the car get better mileage and power for heavy vehicles.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...er reason, just to flaunt your credit score, buy Range Rover Sport. They drive so much better."

The Range Rover is a fancy big car that can drive on rough roads and feels very comfortable inside. People buy it to show off and because it drives nicely.

Car

Ford Super Duty

"Why don't you just get a super duty? Fuck out of here."

The Ford Super Duty is a big, strong truck that can pull heavy things like trailers or boats. It's often used for work because it can handle tough jobs.

Car

Lamborghini Countach

"... race car are you going to tow? Can you tow your Countach? We've talked about this in the show a lot."

The Lamborghini Countach is a very fast and cool-looking sports car from a long time ago. It’s famous for its sharp shape and doors that open up like scissors.

Car

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

"So what's the towing capacity on a Cayenne hybrid, 7,000? 7,800."

The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid is a big SUV that uses both gas and electricity to drive. It can pull heavy trailers or loads, usually up to about 7,000 pounds or more.

Term

towing

""I tow. I would rather have a slightly less optimized tow vehicle... Towing is so sketchy when the car is not behind its head. I tow all the time and it's a nightmare in a car that can't do it.","

Towing means using your car or truck to pull something heavy behind it, like a trailer or boat. You need a strong vehicle that can handle the weight safely.

Car

Ram 3500

""20 years ago I towed with a 3,500 diesel. Dodge, 3,500 diesel. Smart.""

The Dodge 3500 diesel is a big truck with a special engine that uses diesel fuel. People use it to pull heavy trailers or loads because it's strong and safe.

Term

wheelbase

""It's wheelbase. It's not that big of a trailer. Wheelbase creates stability.""

Wheelbase is how far apart the front and back wheels are on a car. It helps the car stay steady and smooth when driving.

Term

battery pack

""It also has a big fucking battery pack. Weight helps.""

A battery pack is like a big rechargeable battery that gives power to electric cars so they can move.

Term

weight balance

""What's the weight balance in that car?""

Weight balance means how the car's weight is spread out from front to back, which helps it drive better and stay safe.

Car

Bentley Bentayga

"I towed my Manx to Pebble Beach with a Bentayga and it was chill. Well, Bentaygas are sick cars. It was extremely chill."

The Bentayga is a fancy and powerful SUV made by Bentley. It has a really nice inside and can drive fast, but it's also big and useful for carrying stuff or people.

Concept

ICE

"The fact that ICE is like terrorizing people for content is like real crazy."

ICE means the kind of engine in most cars that uses gas or diesel to make the car go.

Concept

back country discovery routes

""I've done a bunch of the back country discovery routes. Yes, those are rad.""

These are special trails or roads in the countryside that people use for fun off-road riding or driving, often in nature.

Car

Ford Mustang

"...e most breaking force you've ever felt in a car? Mustang GT3 Le Mans car for me. Did you ever do some cra..."

The Ford Mustang is a famous fast car from America that looks cool and goes really fast. The special GT3 race version stops really well and is made for racing.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

""I mean Corvette ZR1, Lexus LFA.""

The Corvette ZR1 is a very fast sports car made by Chevrolet. It has a strong engine and is designed to go very fast and handle well on race tracks.

Car

Lexus Lfa

""I mean Corvette ZR1, Lexus LFA. Yeah, that was like 2011.""

The Lexus LFA is a special, very fast car made by Lexus. It has a unique engine that makes a cool sound and is built to be very fun to drive.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

""Yeah. C6 ZR1. Yeah. It was a pretty good time to bow out.""

The Chevrolet C6 ZR1 is a fast sports car with a powerful engine and special features that make it stand out from regular Corvettes.

Car

ML-Class Ml320

"Eric Cool Testicles says Doug Demuro recently made a video about the most important cars the last 30 years. His top three were Tesla Model S, Toyota Prius, and Mercedes ML 320. Agri or disagree?"

The ML-Class is a nice, comfortable SUV made by Mercedes. It’s good for families and looks fancy.

Car

Mercedes-Benz ML 320

""His top three were Tesla Model S, Toyota Prius, and Mercedes ML 320. Agri or disagree? Interesting choices. I fully agree on Tesla Model S.""

The Mercedes-Benz ML 320 is a fancy SUV that offers comfort and space, making SUVs popular among luxury car buyers.

Car

Toyota Prius

""His top three were Tesla Model S, Toyota Prius, and Mercedes ML 320. Agri or disagree? Interesting choices. I fully agree on Tesla Model S.""

The Toyota Prius is a car that uses both gas and electricity to save fuel and help the environment.

Car

Tesla Model

"...rtant cars the last 30 years. His top three were Tesla Model S, Toyota Prius, and Mercedes ML 320. Agri or di..."

The Tesla Model Y is a small SUV that runs only on electricity, so it doesn’t use gas. It’s popular because it can go far on a charge and has lots of cool tech inside.

Car

Tesla Model S

""His top three were Tesla Model S, Toyota Prius, and Mercedes ML 320. Agri or disagree? Interesting choices. I fully agree on Tesla Model S.""

The Tesla Model S is a fancy electric car that can go far on a single charge and has lots of cool features.

Term

electronic traction aids

"Modern electronic traction aids are super effective and I'm a huge advocate for them. I think most people don't realize they're on their cars and they don't use them."

Electronic traction aids help your car not slip or slide by controlling the wheels when the road is slippery. They make driving safer by keeping the car steady.

Car

Lexus RX 300

"By 2011, my mother owned five RX300s at the same time. I bet all five are still running. I don't have the whereabouts of three of them. Two of them absolutely are. But she had a 97 the first year, a 99, an 03, an 05, and an 09."

The Lexus RX300 is a fancy SUV that is comfortable and lasts a long time. People like it because it feels nice inside and doesn't break down easily.

Car

Minor Morris Minor

"...nto English sports cars. My first car was a 1969 Morris Minor 1000. It was the biggest piece of shit ever."

The Morris Minor is an old small car from England that lots of people used to drive. It’s not very fast or fancy but has a special place in car history.

Term

section 179

"The simple answer to getting a lot of heavy cars off the road in America and a lot of fuel-efficient cars is to eliminate section 179. I actually am pro that. Readers or watchers, if you're not familiar with section 179 is a tax incentive from the IRS that encourages you if you have business income to offset it."

Section 179 is a tax rule that helps businesses save money when they buy big equipment or vehicles. It lets them subtract the full cost from their taxes right away instead of slowly over years.

Car

Ford Super

"...and the reason why every general contractor has a Ford Super Duty on and on and on is section 179. If we elim..."

The Ford Super Duty Lariat Tremor is a big, strong truck that can carry heavy stuff and drive off-road. Many workers buy it because it helps them save money on taxes.

Term

SUV

"I'm buying an SUV."

An SUV is a type of car that is bigger and can go on rough roads or off-road. It usually sits higher off the ground than regular cars.

Term

UTV

"So the problem is like UTVs are essentially like a motocross bike that appears safer because four wheels and a really shitty roll bar."

A UTV is a small vehicle you can drive off-road that has four wheels and seats more than one person. It's like a safer, bigger version of a dirt bike.

Concept

off-road driving mantra: 'as slow as possible, as fast as necessary'

"The mantra for off-road driving that's just out there universally is as slow as possible as fast as necessary."

When driving off-road, it's best to go slow to stay safe, but speed up only when you really need to.

Car

Nissan 300Zx

"...considering removing my steering wheel on my 1993 300ZX and getting a smaller one to get a quick bit of ..."

The Nissan 300ZX is a sporty car from Japan that’s fun to drive and looks cool. Some people change parts like the steering wheel to make it easier to handle.

Car

Ferrari Daytona

"...iconic, you know, like you have like Mammy Vise, Ferrari Daytona, absolutely. Knight Rider and like early transam..."

The Ferrari Daytona SP3 is a very special and expensive sports car made to look like old race cars. It’s super fast and looks amazing.

Concept

Formula One

""but I grew up attending Formula One races with my dad. It's everything, it's all the above. I do not wear earplugs enough.""

Formula One is a type of car racing with very fast and special cars that race on tracks around the world. It's like the top level of car racing.

Car

Audi R8

"I remember the hair. I brought an Audi R8 home. I felt like a fucking asshole."

The Audi R8 is a very fast and fancy car that you can also drive every day. It has a loud engine and looks really cool.

23 cars featured

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