The Ranch Podcast

Kelly Knopp is the Creative Director VP at 116 & West Marketing and came in to speak on the ever evolving technology push in the marketing world, AI integration, and what they’re doing to be as efficient as possible but maintain the inherent quality and touch that can only be delivered by human creativity. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media o...

Nancy Merrill is a former Eagle Mayor and City Council woman and is running for Eagle City Council in the Nov. 2025 Election. She brings a background of knowledge from her experience building many aspects of Eagle that we enjoy today and wants to continue serving the great city. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiase...

Beth Markley is the Executive Director of the Idaho chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness. Mental health and illness has become an enormous crisis in the United States, and the last 5 years has only worsened America’s mental and physical health. Beth came in to help explain the resources available here in Idaho for those suffer. The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Founda...

Aaron Menenberg is a policy manager for Renewable Northwest, an advocacy group that emphasizes the importance of considering renewable energy options for not just utility companies but also individuals with land that cannot otherwise be used for standard purposes such as agriculture or development. The United States is in a huge energy crisis, and every leader I have spoken to has an everything on...

Dan McKnight is a proud champion and defender of the National Guard in the US and came in to speak about the recent activation of the guard in several states across the country. Idaho is activating 14 National Guard members in an administrative role to assist federal agencies in our state, and this is being portrayed by some as a federal overreach and military action by our president. As Dan expla...

Chris Parish is the CEO of the Peregrine Fund, the raptor conservation agency credited with breeding and releasing over 4,000 peregrine falcons back into the wild, a move that ultimately led to the removal of the falcon from the endangered species list. The PF has and continues to assist with raptors and conservation efforts not just across the United States, but also across the world. The World C...

Richard McPherson is a world leading authority on Nuclear Technology. In Episode 6 of the American Nuclear series, we discuss the bind we are in as Americans and, in our case, Idahoans with our reliance on electricity. We don’t just need it to turn on and off our lights, but we fundamentally couldn’t exist with our water systems, traffic systems, manufacturing systems, or any other system required...

Jeff Cornilles is a District 12 Representative, which includes the Nampa area and large pieces of Canyon County. We spoke extensively about local economies, growth, and housing. Nampa in particular has just created an auditorium district and is working to encourage local economic growth, all while trimming down its budget to remain fiscally conservative. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Tr...

US Senator Mike Crapo came in recently to discuss the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill on Idahoans. There are many nuances to the bill, including tax relief, health care reform, and more. He brought up points for considering that I had not heard previously. I greatly appreciate his willingness to sit down, unscripted and unedited and speak about why he thinks this was good legislation. Enjoy!...

Melanie Folwell is the executive director of Idahoans United for Women & Families and came in to talk about the ballot initiative that her organization is pushing for with the 2026 Nov election. Her ballot initiative would ask Idahoans to vote on whether Idaho should allow a woman the right to make a decision about an abortion or if that is something that the state government of Idaho should c...

Adam Richins is the Chief Operating Office for Idaho Power and came in to speak about the rate case it is currently undergoing with the Public Utility Commission. Idaho Power is asking for a 13% global rate increase, which includes a 16%-17% increase for residential customers. Many people are concerned about residential customers paying for large load customers like data centers, and Adam came in...

Elias Herrera is a seasoned social media veteran and the creator of Bruce The Cow from Elias_Filmz. His channel and animals are international sensations, but more than that Elias himself has incredible insights into social media, his journey, and what it took him to keep going for almost a decade before he found just the right formula. Social media creators on this level are rare and always have a...

Jared Jablonski works for the Bureau of Land Management here in Idaho and came in to talk about the fire season we find ourselves in. There are many things to consider as a conscientious Idahoan when it comes to fire, management, and prevention. Jared had fantastic information on what to consider and how to help avoid contributing to fires in our great state. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported...

Stoney Winston is the Superintendent of Public Instruction in the Fruitland School District. Fruitland is funded for between 5%-6% of its student body for special education students, but the district has around 15% of the population in special education programs. This difference in funding comes from the state formula, and ProPublica recently wrote an article about the problems this is creating in...

Robert Simison is the mayor of Meridian, Idaho, and came in to speak on a levy that will hit the ballot this November. Up for decision is a levy to fund police, fire, and in house prosecution teams in Meridian. As a city, Meridian is the population growth hub of Idaho, and as such this has stained its resources and capacity to continue providing the same level of service to its citizens. There are...

Jack Hurty is the Salmon and Steelhead coordinator for the Idaho Outfitter and Guide Association. The Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association is a statewide trade organization that represents, supports, and advocates for licensed outfitters and guides to promote safe, sustainable outdoor recreation and tourism in Idaho. Idaho’s public lands and waterways are the fertile earth that grow and support...

Richard McPherson is a world leading authority on Nuclear Technology. In Episode 5 of the American Nuclear series, we discuss the plight of three different states: California, Hawaii, and Idaho. California and Hawaii have some of the most expensive power in the country, and as Richard explains, this was no accident. There are also clear examples of the US political machine selling out American ind...

Matt Clifford is the Sheriff of Ada County and came on to speak about a number of issues. There is a large concern that the Ada County Sheriff’s office is somehow functioning in a different manner than usual with regard to immigration and ICE issues, or with the recent flag issue, and Sheriff Clifford came in and spoke to these concerns. He is also hosting a fundraising golf tournament coming up t...

McKinsey Lyon works for Perpetua Resources and works to explain the plight that the United States is in with its critical minerals. Currently, the US relies on a number of other countries for roughly 50 critical minerals that are vital to either our economic or defense abilities, and some of these countries, like China, have started halting the sale of these critical minerals to the US. We have en...

Rev. Bill Roscoe is the President/CEO of Boise Rescue Mission Ministries and has served the Treasure Valley’s homeless population for decades. Rev. Roscoe provides beds, meals, and help 365 days a year and has never run out of beds. The Rescue Mission does, however, prohibit the use of drugs and other illicit substances while residents stay at the mission, a position that has drawn much criticism...

Andy Creech is the Sheriff in Payette County, Idaho, and came in to speak about the upcoming vote on building a new jail. The existing jail was originally built in the 1970s and then expanded roughly 20+ years ago. The Sheriff’s office at this point is being forced to release low level felons on pre-trial release because they have nowhere to house them, an action that both makes the community less...

Nate Shellman is the station manager and news talk host at KBOI. He and I had a conversation with zero redemptive value. Enjoy. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county...

Ed Lodge is the President of Idaho’s Public Utility Commission and came in to talk about the recent rate increase case with Idaho Power, the nature of rate cases, the considerations, and how the PUC works to protect Idahoans. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podcast is the prem...

Zach Hanson is a best selling author and recently published The Trade Gap: Break the rules, Learn a skill, Own your future. Zach experienced what many white collar professionals have and was laid off from his AI based job and wasn’t able to easily replace his employment. In the interim, he was able to provide for his family with skills he had developed slowly over years of trapping and hunting. In...

Dr. Frostie White has spent the last four decades in the American Nuclear Power industry, working in every aspect of the industry. She came in to shed light on the soft barriers to introducing more nuclear power in Idaho and America. Spoiler alert: the barriers are not technology, safety, or capacity. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organizati...