Hotshot firefighting is one of the most physically demanding and dangerous jobs in the United States. River Selby spent seven years as a wildland firefighter, four of them on elite hotshot crews, the teams that jump into the worst blazes in the country.

Michael sits down with Selby, author of Hotshot: A Life on Fire, about what the job costs and what it teaches. They cover:

• Lessons River learned in a burning wilderness.
• The physical and psychological qualities that build grit and make someone a good hotshot.
• Why proximity to danger brings a proximity to life.
• How River proved they belonged on the team as someone who didn’t fit the hotshot mold.
• Failures in how the government manages fires, and why it’s led to more extreme fires.
• How River’s hard childhood helped her tolerate the hardships of wildfire fighting.
• And more …

This episode includes discussion of childhood abuse, addiction, and suicide.

Two Percent is hosted by Michael Easter. Today's episode was produced by Joey Fischground, Robbie Hiser, Dana Brawer and Julia Nutter. From Kaleidoscope, our executive producers are Mangesh Hattikudur and Kate Osborn and Julia Nutter. From iHeart, our executive producers are Katrina Norvell and Nikki Ettore. Our Head of Video is Maria Paz Mendez Hodes. Our editor is Will Mayo. Our theme music is by the Heater Manager.

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