It's Worth Mentioning ·Oct 5, 2026 ·38 min

He’s spent 20 years finding the lost. Now he’s sharing what he’s learned

Evaluation and Summary

5.4/10

It's Worth Mentioning hosts Rett Nelson in conversation with Scott Hammond, a 20-year veteran of Utah County Sheriff's Office search and rescue who has participated in over 400 rescue missions. Hammond discusses his career trajectory, what initially drew him to SAR work, and the behind-the-scenes realities of rescue operations—the uncertainty, urgency, and split-second decisions that define these missions. A significant focus is his working dog, Boo, who serves not just as a search tool but as an emotional support presence for victims and families during their most vulnerable moments. Hammond shares a particularly impactful rescue story that affected him deeply, illustrating how even experienced rescuers can be emotionally shaken by what they encounter. The conversation extends beyond operational details to explore broader life lessons Hammond has gleaned from two decades in the field—lessons about feeling lost physically, spiritually, or emotionally that apply to general audiences. Hammond's latest book, "Finding Still Water" (the fourth in his SAR series), is fiction inspired by real missions and people he's met. The episode positions this as an opportunity to hear Hammond's story for the first time or deepen familiarity with his existing work, emphasizing the human and emotional dimensions of rescue work alongside its practical aspects.

Verdict: A solid, human-interest interview with genuine expertise and emotional resonance, but limited evidence of exceptional depth or narrative craft beyond competent storytelling.

History rubric

Research depth 3/5 20%

Hammond draws on 20+ years of direct experience and 400+ real missions, providing authentic primary-source material, though the notes don't indicate additional historical research or expert corroboration.
Storytelling 3/5 20%

Notes mention specific anecdotes (one particularly impactful rescue, Boo's comfort role) and behind-the-scenes details, suggesting narrative moments, but lack detail on how compellingly they're told.
Context and nuance 3/5 15%

Episode acknowledges emotional complexity (rescuers being affected, victims' worst days, spiritual/emotional lostness) and moves beyond operational mechanics, but notes don't reveal depth of exploration.
Substance 3/5 15%

Covers operational realities, personal stories, dog's role, and broader life lessons; solid content mix, though notes suggest some motivational framing that could indicate padding.
Delivers on its title 4/5 15%

Title promises lessons from 20 years finding the lost; episode delivers Hammond's experiences, specific missions, and stated lessons about feeling lost, with only minor drift into book promotion.
Value for time 3/5 15%

38 minutes is reasonable for a conversational interview with a guest sharing career stories and lessons, though without hearing it, pacing cannot be fully assessed.

How we score History

Worth it if you're drawn to rescue stories, interested in wilderness survival, or seeking reflective conversations about resilience and feeling lost in life.

#search and rescue #wilderness survival #personal narrative #resilience #human interest

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.

Show notes

For more than 20 years, Scott Hammond has gone looking for people who are lost. As a member of the Utah County Sheriff's Office search and rescue team, Hammond has taken part in more than 400 rescue missions. Along the way, he and his search-and-rescue dog, Boo, have traveled thousands of miles, met people on some of the worst days of their lives, and experienced moments that have stayed with him long after the missions ended. Now, Hammond is turning those experiences into stories. His latest book, Finding Still Water — which comes out Oct. 7 — is the fourth book in his search-and-rescue series. While the book is fiction, many of its stories are inspired by real rescue missions and the people Hammond has encountered throughout his career. Hammond joins Rett Nelson this week on It's Worth Mentioning to talk about the experiences that shaped his career, his books, and what it really takes to search for someone who can't find their way home. He explains what first drew him to search and rescue and takes us behind the scenes of a mission — from the uncertainty and urgency to the moments when every second matters. He also shares how Boo has become much more than a working dog, often providing comfort to victims and their families when they need it most. Hammond recalls one particular rescue that left a lasting impression on him and reveals how even experienced rescuers can be deeply affected by what they encounter. RELATED | Idaho Falls man and his dog rescued after weeklong search in Wyoming mountains But this conversation goes beyond search and rescue. Hammond shares the lessons he's learned from two decades of looking for people in the wilderness — lessons that also apply to anyone who has ever felt lost physically, spiritually or emotionally. Whether you've followed Hammond's work for years or are hearing his story for the first time, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. To order his books or learn more, visit his website . Watch previous episodes of "It's Worth Mentioning" here . Check out the show on Facebook . If you have a tip, guest idea, or comment, email rett@eastidahonews.com.

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