Murphy Robinson sits down with Ian Craig, Kenyan conservation leader and Senior Director for Africa at WildLandscapes International, whose work has helped reshape how wildlife conservation and community stability intersect across the continent. Ian shares his unlikely path—from professional hunting to pioneering conservation—and explains how the hardest part of protecting endangered species isn’t just logistics or funding… it’s security, trust, and community partnership.

This conversation goes beyond ecology and gets into what leadership looks like when the stakes are real: armed conflict, illegal firearms, poaching cartels, cultural dynamics, and the need to build systems that hold under pressure. Ian’s message is clear: the most advanced tools matter—but trust is the ultimate force multiplier.

Who This Episode Is For

Leaders in public safety, government, security, emergency management, and high-accountability environments who want a real-world case study in building stability through relationships, layered security, and mission-first leadership.

In This Episode

• Ian’s roots: a multi-generation Kenyan ranching family and early life in the wild
• Starting as a professional hunter—and how it shaped a conservation mindset
• Kenya’s 1977 hunting ban, and why Ian supports it (even as a “pro-hunter”)
• The rhino crisis: Kenya’s population dropping from 20,000 to 200 in under a decade
• Building a rhino sanctuary model focused on 24/7 protection—before modern tech existed
• Why Ian became a Kenya National Police Reserve officer to support conservation security
• The breakthrough lesson: security isn’t mainly “guns and guards”—it’s community trust
• A stark leadership case study: how community disengagement led to losing 17 rhinos in two years
• The reality of Northern Kenya: illegal firearms, ethnic conflict, cattle theft, and climate-driven pressure on resources
• How conservation can reduce instability through jobs, infrastructure, and shared benefit
• Modern conservation security: radio networks, drones, thermal tech, surveillance, and intelligence coordination
• What public safety leaders can learn from conservation: layers of security + community feedback loops

Key Themes

• Trust as Security: The most effective protection layer is community buy-in and continuity.
• Mission Focus: Drift from purpose creates vulnerability—fast.
• Layered Security: Deterrence, intelligence, community engagement, and government response all matter.
• Stability Through Opportunity: Jobs, water, education, and healthcare aren’t side benefits—they’re security strategy.
• Leadership Under Complexity: Culture, climate, conflict, and crime overlap—and leaders must navigate all of it.

Connect With the Guest

https://wildlandscapes.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wildlandscapes-international/

Connect With the Show

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For the very first episode of Murphy’s Law, host Murphy Robinson takes the mic solo to share the origin story behind his career in law enforcement, public safety, and civic leadership—and the mission of this podcast. From becoming one of the youngest police officers in Ohio at age 19, to stepping into senior city management, to leading Denver’s Public Safety Department through some of the most turbulent years in modern history, Murphy reflects on the mentors, defining moments, and hard-earned lessons that shaped his approach to leadership under pressure.

This episode sets the foundation for the series: leadership in official capacity requires courage, humility, preparation, and the willingness to “stick your neck out” when the stakes are high.

Who This Episode Is For?

Leaders and aspiring leaders in public safety, government, business, and civic life who want a real look at leadership when responsibility is heavy, influence matters more than authority, and preparation shapes outcomes.

In This Episode

• Growing up around public safety and choosing a life of service
• Becoming a police officer at 19—and the determination it took to get there
• The mentorship moments that changed everything
• Leaving policing to pursue city management
• Learning to lead without a title and influence teams at every level
• The “turtle lesson” that became a leadership mantra
• Rising quickly through Colorado municipalities and embracing hard decisions
• Becoming COO and later Public Safety Director for Denver
• Leading through COVID, George Floyd protests, and unprecedented civic challenges
• Why Murphy’s Law isn’t about what goes wrong—but what you do next

Key Themes

• Influence Over Authority: The higher you rise, the less direct control you truly have.
• Mentorship & Opportunity: Great leaders invest early and open doors for others.
• Courageous Decision-Making: Leadership often requires sticking your neck out.
• Preparation for Chaos: Success comes not from avoiding crisis, but preparing for it.
• Service in Official Capacity: Leadership in government and public safety carries unique weight—and requires deep responsibility.

Connect With the Show

Murphy’s Law is presented by SurePass — Confidence in every ID.

Stay tuned for weekly conversations with leaders across public safety, government, and high-stakes industries.

Follow Us on Social

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Murphy’s Law is a seasonal leadership podcast hosted by Murphy Robinson, former Public Safety Director for Denver and CEO of SurePass. Each season tackles one major theme facing public safety leadership—from crisis response to building institutional trust. Through candid conversations with chiefs, commissioners, and innovators, Murphy explores what it takes to prepare for reality and lead through it.