Ever Onward Podcast

Send us Fan Mail What should you actually be testing, tracking, and avoiding to live a longer, healthier life? At 58, Tommy Ahlquist says he feels better than he did in his 40s. After years of heart complications, high blood pressure, and managing chronic health conditions, he’s experienced firsthand how a proactive approach to healthcare can change your life. Dr. Eric Lyall, founder and medical d...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when 15 years of hard work start paying off all at once? Tommy Ahlquist sits down with his longtime business partner and best friend, Ryan Cleverley, to talk about what they’re calling the busiest season of their careers—and why they believe the best is still ahead. From Micron’s massive investment in Idaho to major developments transforming the Treasure Valley, they...

Send us Fan Mail Miguel Villafaña’s story is a modern version of the American Dream. The son of Mexican immigrants and farmworkers, Miguel grew up working the fields of Aberdeen, Idaho. Today, he operates roughly 600 acres through Villafaña Farms while also working as a senior commercial lender at Zions Bank and raising four children with his wife. Miguel joins Matthew Rabe and Zach Miller to talk...

Send us Fan Mail Matt Dorsey, President of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and a fifth-generation Idaho farmer, joins Tommy Ahlquist and Zach Miller for a conversation about agriculture, heritage and the values that have shaped Idaho. From growing up in Sunny Slope and moving hand lines to representing farmers and ranchers across the state, Matt discusses the grit, independence, humility and comm...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Ever Onward Podcast, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Zach Miller, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and a fifth-generation Idaho farmer and rancher from eastern Idaho. Zach shares his background growing up in agriculture, his family’s farming and ranching operation, and the path that eventually led him to represent farmers an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist and Travis Hawkes sit down with Boise State Director of Athletics Jeremiah Dickey for a candid conversation about leadership, the future of college athletics, and the bold vision driving Boise State forward. Jeremiah reflects on his leadership philosophy, the importance of faith and family, and why his "What's Next" min...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist and Travis Hawkes sit down with entrepreneur and AI founder Aaron Klein to discuss what it really takes to build a successful company, create a strong culture, and lead through constant change. Aaron shares his journey from working in his father's business to building Riskalyze into one of the financial industry's leading te...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist and Travis Hawkes sit down with Eric Sonner, founder and CEO of Data Airflow, to explore one of the fastest-growing industries in the world: AI data centers. Eric shares his remarkable journey from growing up on a farm in Buhl, Idaho, to becoming an Entrepreneur of the Year finalist while building one of the nation's leading engi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and Capital Eleven founder Travis Hawkes to discuss the future of Idaho's innovation economy, venture capital, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to build companies that create lasting impact. Travis shares the story behind Capital Eleven, why he believes Idaho is uniquely positioned to bec...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to prepare the next generation of engineers, innovators, and technology leaders? On this episode of the Ever Onward Podcast, Tommy sits down with Dr. Amy Fleischer , Dean of the College of Engineering at Boise State University, for a fascinating conversation about Idaho’s rapidly growing technology ecosystem and the critical role engineering will play in shaping...

Send us Fan Mail What if every Idaho taxpayer could see exactly where public money is being spent? On this episode of the Ever Onward Podcast, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Brandon Woolf , Idaho State Controller, to discuss the groundbreaking work behind Transparent Idaho —the online platform that gives citizens unprecedented access to state and local government finances. Brandon shares how a comm...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to serve in public office? In this episode of Ever Onward , Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, election integrity, public service, family, and the personal sacrifices that often come with serving others. As Idaho’s 28th Secretary of State, Phil McGrane oversees e...

Send us Fan Mail Housing affordability has become one of the most important issues facing Idaho families, communities, and the state’s future. In Episode 130 of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with housing advocate, former Idaho legislator, and Executive Director of Gem State Housing Alliance, Ali Rabe, for a candid conversation about why housing costs keep rising across Idaho—and what can b...

Send us Fan Mail Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in America, yet much of it is preventable. In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Dr. Danny Noonan, cardiologist, electrophysiologist, and co-founder of High Desert Heart & Vascular, for an eye-opening conversation about the future of medicine, cardiovascular health, and what patients should be doing long...

Send us Fan Mail As technology continues to reshape nearly every industry, one question becomes increasingly important: What remains uniquely human? In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist is joined by John Drake, President of Drake Cooper, and Mae Myers of Pivot North Architecture for a wide-ranging conversation on creativity, architecture, design, branding, leadership, and the future of w...

Send us Fan Mail As AI rapidly transforms the way we work, create, and communicate, what remains uniquely human? In this episode of Ever Onward , Tommy Ahlquist sits down with John Drake, President of Drake Cooper, and James Beard Award-winning chef Kris Komori, co-owner of KIN and Art Haus Bar, for a conversation about creativity, branding, hospitality, and the human experiences technology can’t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ever Onward, Dr. Bree Derrick, Director of the Idaho Department of Correction, joins the conversation for an important discussion on public safety, incarceration, rehabilitation, and second chances in Idaho. Idaho’s correctional system is facing significant pressure, with a growing prison population, capacity challenges, and more individuals preparing to transit...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 125 of the Ever Onward Podcast, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Duane Sessions, President of Dennis Dillon, and Joey Looney to discuss second chance hiring, prison reentry, workforce opportunity, and the impact of giving people another chance. Duane shares how Dennis Dillon has supported second chance employees for more than 20 years and why it has become one of the most...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Matt Todd, host of The Ranch Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation on Idaho, politics, media, and the stories shaping the state. Matt has built The Ranch Podcast into one of Idaho’s most consistent long-form platforms by doing what few people are willing to do: sit down with people, ask real questions, and let compli...

Send us Fan Mail In part two of our public lands series, we’re joined by Idaho State Representative James Petzke and Idaho Wildlife Federation Executive Director Nick Fasciano for a deeper conversation on one of the most important issues shaping Idaho’s future. Public lands are more than just places to recreate—they’re a defining part of why people choose to live, work, and stay in Idaho. From the...

Send us Fan Mail Public lands are a defining part of Idaho — shaping our lifestyle, economy, and identity. In this episode of the Ever Onward Podcast, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Nick Fasciano, Executive Director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation, and Dan Waugh, Executive Director of the Idaho Recreation Council, to break down why public lands matter to Idaho and the growing conversations surroun...

Send us Fan Mail What’s really happening in Idaho’s education system—and where is it headed next? In this episode of Ever Onward , Tommy Ahlquist and Roger Quarles sit down with Jennifer Swindell, CEO, founder, and editor of Idaho Education News, to unpack the realities behind education across the state. From her early career as a journalist and the first female sports editor in the country to bui...

Send us Fan Mail Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield returns to Ever Onward with Tommy Ahlquist and Roger Quarles for a candid conversation on what’s really happening inside Idaho schools. From record K–3 reading gains to ongoing struggles in middle school math, this episode breaks down where Idaho education is improving—and where it’s still falling short. They dive into:...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to transform education in Idaho? On this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist and co-host Roger Quarles sit down with Terry Ryan, CEO of BLUUM, Idaho’s leading nonprofit incubator for high-performing public charter schools. Terry shares his remarkable journey—from Illinois to Poland to Idaho—and how that path led him to help launch and expand dozens of s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ever Onward , Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Roger Quarles, Executive Director of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, for an in-depth conversation on the present and future of education in Idaho. Roger brings a rare, full-spectrum perspective—having served as a teacher, principal, superintendent, chief deputy state superintendent, and university leader at...