Thomas Rhett, Ice Road Truckers & Wonka’s Golden Ticket | Rise & Unwind Colorado S2E41

From dangerous ice roads to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, Rise & Unwind Colorado brings you adventure, entertainment, and inspiring stories! Host Dan Gutierrez chats with Todd Dewey, the filmmakers behind National Geographic’s Lion, the team from Donkey Hodie, Wonka contestants Jackson and Ray, animal trainer Andrew Simpson, and country star Thomas Rhett. Abby Max also welcomes Capt. Carter Phung for a look at the Army National Guard’s immersive Disasterville experience. 📺 EPISODE BREAKDOWN | Season 2, Episode 41 Colorado Springs & Pueblo • KXTU 00:00 – Welcome to Rise & Unwind Colorado A preview of this week’s conversations, from behind-the-scenes movie magic to country music and disaster response. 01:08 – Todd Dewey | Ice Road Truckers Veteran trucker Todd Dewey talks about returning for Season 12 of HISTORY’s Ice Road Truckers after eight years away. He shares the challenges of thin ice, brutal storms, and delivering essential supplies to remote communities—and why grateful families make the dangerous journey worthwhile. 07:19 – Simon Blakeney & Sophie Darlington | National Geographic’s Lion Co-executive producer Simon Blakeney and director of photography Sophie Darlington explain what it took to follow a lion pride for nearly four years. Hear how patience, experience, and more than 1,400 filming days helped capture a cub’s unpredictable journey toward adulthood, filled with triumphs, setbacks, and real-life drama. 09:43 – Kristin DiQuollo & Jay Thomas Manuel | Donkey Hodie Co-executive producer Kristin DiQuollo and actor and advocate Jay Thomas Manuel discuss the PBS KIDS series’ lessons in resilience, perseverance, and celebrating differences. Learn how Jeff Mouse’s power wheelchair and authentic disability representation were developed, and why recognizing small wins helps children keep trying when plans change. 13:59 – Jackson & Ray | Wonka’s The Golden Ticket Grandson-and-grandfather team Jackson and Ray share their adventure inside Netflix’s Willy Wonka-inspired competition. From discovering a golden ticket to exploring an edible chocolate factory, they discuss teamwork, unexpected friendships, and challenges that tested their strategy and competitive spirit. 17:18 – Andrew Simpson | Heart of the Beast Animal trainer and coordinator Andrew Simpson reveals how four dogs helped bring Odin to life alongside Brad Pitt in Heart of the Beast. He explains how the actor built a bond with his canine costars, how each dog’s strengths shaped the action, and the preparation and safety measures behind intense survival scenes. 20:51 – Thomas Rhett | The Soundtrack to Life Tour Thomas Rhett reflects on 15 years on the road and the songs that became part of fans’ biggest life moments. He shares why “Die a Happy Man” holds a special place in his career, how concert setlists evolve, and what he enjoys about sharing the stage with rising artists. His goal: send fans home feeling lighter than when they arrived. 24:53 – Capt. Carter Phung with Abby Max | Army National Guard Disasterville Capt. Carter Phung of the South Carolina Army National Guard explains how Disasterville transforms high school gyms into immersive disaster-response simulations. Students use mixed reality technology to tackle wildfire, flood, and earthquake missions. He also shares his experiences with flood rescues and Hurricane Florence, his path from college to logistics officer, and the Guard’s role in serving communities. 27:45 – Closing & Ways to Connect Wrapping up another episode of Rise & Unwind Colorado! 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS Ice Road Truckers on HISTORY: https://www.history.com/shows/ice-roa... National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/ Donkey Hodie on PBS KIDS: https://pbskids.org/donkeyhodie/ Wonka’s The Golden Ticket on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81730492 Thomas Rhett — Music, Tour Dates & Tickets: https://www.thomasrhett.com/ Army National Guard — Disasterville: https://nationalguard.com/disasterville 👍 Enjoyed the episode? Like this video, subscribe, and tell us which conversation was your favorite! Share it with a friend who loves country music, wildlife documentaries, or a peek behind the scenes of movies and TV. #RiseAndUnwind #ColoradoSprings #Pueblo #IceRoadTruckers #