The Ranch Podcast

Stephanie Mickelsen is a District 32 Representative and is very concerned about government overreach with Idaho businesses. One bill in particular removes businesses’ ability to refuse service to individuals, something that has classically been very cherished by conservative lawmakers who value religious freedoms. We also spoke on Ag. labor myths and political transparency. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcas...

Jerald Raymond is a District 31 Representative who has been engaged in Ag his entire life. We spoke at length about issues around protecting Idaho children from vaping and illegal products, water resources, and the preservation of Idaho history and culture. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media...

Debbie Critchfield is the State Superintendent of Education and came in to speak about the effects of closing the Federal Department of Education. Many programs coming from that department are utilized by many Idaho families, and there was a large concern amongst Idahoans that this closure would delay or completely stop some of these programs. Superintendent Critchfield came in to explain what we...

John Shirts is a District 9 Representative, a JAG officer, and a wool grower. He worked throughout this session to bring many bills forward related to law enforcement and was successful getting many across the line. Idaho is a safe place to live because we overwhelmingly believe in law and order, and Rep. Shirts worked for months to ensure that our state has the best tools available to continue pu...

John Oppenheimer works for the Idaho Conservation League and has a fantastic knowledge of Idaho, its wildlands, its policies, and where it’s headed. There are so many moving pieces, especially as we approach the end of the 2025 legislative session, that the question was really, “where do we start?” I greatly enjoyed the conversation centered around public lands, water, and local control. This is t...

Ty Jordan is a BSU Student, Political Intern, and an avid BJJ practitioner. As happens with most young men, he found himself in a dark, lost moment in life, but with the help of his jiu-jitsu team, he was able to correct his life and purpose and is now thriving. His story is one I have heard many times over and, in fact, experienced myself. Enjoy! www.theRanchPodcast.org The Ranch Podcast is the p...

Jordan Redman is a District 3 Representative and came in to talk about a multitude of things, including Soda on the SNAP program, Medicaid Expansion Reform, Medicaid for Illegal Immigrants, and DOGE in Idaho. We cover a lot of ground. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  www.theRanchPodcast....

Ilana Rubel is a District 18 Representative and came in to speak about a broad swath of legislation that passed or is passing this year, including public land sales, criminal prosecution reform, and cancer screening. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  www.theRanchPodcast.org The Ranch Podc...

Alexis Morgan is the Idaho State PTA president and also works with school communities to bridge the gaps between administration, teachers, and parent groups. She came in to speak on a few topics but specifically address the trauma the West Ada School District is experiencing right now. She frequently travels the state, speaking with all stakeholders in our education system, and I greatly appreciat...

Galen Lee is a lifelong Idaho farmer. He grows many crops and agreed to come in to speak about current best practices with herbicides and pesticides, what farmers have classically done, what chemicals are used now, and how technology is affecting this. There is a line of thinking that asks, why can’t we just grow things like we used to prior to the invention of RoundUp. Well, Galen answers that qu...

Mike Crapo is one of Idaho’s US Senators and came in to speak about a myriad of things, including taxes, Medicaid/Medicare, land management and ownership, federal funding, labor forces, and more. I greatly appreciate his time and willingness to come and speak with me, especially in the midst of protests and turmoil in the area. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a...

Dr. Andrea Christopher is an Idaho physician deeply concerned about and engaged in improving our Idaho Medical Education System. She is a huge supporter of the WWAMI program that offers Idaho students spots at the world class medical school in Washington, and is working to improve residencies and understanding around what is needed to bring Idaho up from the bottom of the barrel with Physician to...

Dr. Phil Gore is the Chief Learning Officer for the Idaho School Board Association. He has studied education and the administration thereof for decades and came in to expressly share the fundamental value proposition of public education. The “WHY” is public education is a question that has come into the public conversation as of late, and Dr. Gore answered it better than anyone I have ever heard....

Dr. Jaclyn Kettler is a professor of Poli-Sci at BSU and teaches state politics in the spring semester. She came in to speak about the mechanics and happenings of the 2025 session as well as out of state funding, motivations for bills, and who even constructs most of the bills we see. It is always a pleasure speaking with her. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a n...

Alicia Purdy is part of the Idaho State teachers union but appeared on the show representing herself and her personal views. The problems in West Ada have grabbed national attention, and we need community leaders to help us navigate out of this mess in one piece. I greatly appreciate Alicia taking the time to come in. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit...

Todd Achilles is a District 16 Representative and very concerned about the cuts that Idaho is experiencing as a result of the DOGE initiatives on the federal level. There are programs that support national initiatives, like the VA and Forest Service, that greatly affect Idaho residents, vets, and wildlands that are being cut deep and hard. Rep. Achilles and I got to talk about quite a few. Enjoy!...

Dr. Clinton Morgan is an Oncologist in Idaho and has also been a WWAMI instructor. He has worked to train and teach future doctors and is concerned about the state of our physician to citizen ratio in Idaho. The efforts to improve our access to basic medical and specialized medicine is quite complex, and Dr. Morgan did a great job highlighting the roadblocks we face. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is su...

Marcus Myers is the Chief Academic Officer for West Ada School District. He was recently tasked with carrying out the district’s “Neutral Classroom” policy that restricts things in classrooms that do not have a curricular tie. This led to the removal of a poster that some people feel was in line with policy. This situation has ballooned into nationwide news with entrenched camps on both sides, and...

Dave Binetti is one of five West Ada School District Board of Education members. He came onto the show to represent his personal positions and speak about the events that have transpired over the last couple weeks. West Ada has a district policy that strives for “neutral classrooms,” and that led to the removal of a poster that some feel was in line with the policy and shouldn’t have been removed....

Jani Ward-Engelking is the District 18 Senator. She is also on JFAC and is concerned about the concept of eliminating federal funds within Idaho. Some people have proposed ending programs because of federal funding, but if we apply that idea broadly across Idaho, she feels it gives us terrible results. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organizat...

Brandon Shippy is the District 9 Senator. He and I had a fantastic conversation about the proper role of government in Idaho and how that concept applies broadly across many decisions. The conflict between local and state control is real in Idaho, and speaking with Senator Shippy was very illuminating. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organizat...

Chris Goetz is the Sheriff of Clearwater County. He came in to give a law enforcement legislative update about several bills that are points of concern or interest to Sheriffs in Idaho. There are quite a few! Enjoy. The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  www.theRanchPodcast.org The Ranch Podcast is t...

Brandy Furiani is the Executive Director of the Eagle Chamber of Commerce. She also happens to know where to get the best burritos in Eagle! Spitfire Taco hooked us up with bowls and burritos, and it paved the way for another epic conversation.  Special thanks to Heather Ferguson! She’s not only a board member of the Eagle Chamber but also offered to sponsor the show with Brandy and me. Thank you,...

Steve Fullmer is a child safety advocate focusing on removing online pornography from the hands of children. This is a rampant problem across our country that is degrading so many aspects of our fundamental lives, including the American family unit. There are many problems surrounding this, but the primary stumbling block that we discuss in this episode is the online platform defense which is ulti...

Dr. Brian Birch is a pediatrician in Idaho and came in to speak with me about the measles. I have never experienced the measles, either in my own health or with anyone close, and Dr. Birch agreed to explain to me why it was such a problem before the vaccine. I learned a ton. Enjoy!