Trail Listening Post

Mike Smith talks with Mike Emmons, Artistic Director of the Montana Film Festival, about the festival’s 12th annual lineup and the films coming to Missoula. From a 50th-anniversary 35mm screening of The Missouri Breaks to Marc Maron’s dark comedy In Memoriam , the conversation explores standout features, Montana-made films, and the “Micro-Budget Missoula” short-film block showcasing local creativi...

Mike Smith welcomes Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament and Montana congressional candidate Sam Forstag to The Trail 103.3 for a wide-ranging conversation about the issues facing Montana’s working families and the future of the state’s public lands. Forstag discusses his campaign’s focus on making housing, healthcare, and childcare more affordable, protecting Social Security and retirement security, and...

On this episode, Mike Smith talks with Chris Hightower of Missoula Aging Services about Medicare Open Enrollment, running October 15 through December 7. Chris explains why it’s important to review Medicare coverage each year, how prescription drug plans and provider networks can change, and what to consider when comparing Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. He also discusses the work of Miss...

On this episode, Mike Smith sits down with Julia Sherman, Executive Director of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, and Greg Ragan, the festival’s board president, to talk about the power of documentary filmmaking and the importance of bringing independent films to the Missoula community. They discuss Little Feat: The Documentary , the festival’s ongoing Big Sky Doc Film Series at the Roxy, and...

Mike Smith sits down with University of Montana filmmaking graduates Jozlyn Baumann and Sophia Casey to talk about their short zombie film, Until Your Last Breath , featured at the Montana Film Festival. Jozlyn, the film’s writer and director, and Sophia, its assistant director and co-producer, share how they got their start in filmmaking, the creative process behind bringing their story to life,...

Mike Smith welcomes Aubrey Nilsen and Candice Rhea, organizers of the Zootown Witchwalk, for a conversation about friendship, community, creativity, and the origins of this uniquely Missoula tradition. The Witchwalk began in 2021 as a small neighborhood gathering and has grown into a free, all-ages, all-genders community event. Aubrey and Candice talk about how it started, what the idea of a “witc...

Parker Peddicord joins Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney to talk about the band’s more than three decades of music, their roots in Olympia, Washington’s influential punk and feminist music scene, and what it’s like to keep evolving while staying true to their own creative instincts. Brownstein discusses Sleater-Kinney’s current tour with Liz Phair, the challenge and excitement of playing for aud...

In this episode, Tommy Evans talks with Rosie La Secco and Duane Raider about Punk Rock Speed Dating. This unique Missoula event brings together music lovers, newcomers, longtime locals, and like-minded weirdos looking to connect. Now in its third iteration, Punk Rock Speed Dating combines quick, low-pressure conversations with live music and burlesque at Monks. Rosie and Duane explain how the eve...

Mike Smith welcomes Susie Elliott and Carrie Richer of Open Air MT to the Trail studio to talk about the organization’s work supporting artists through place-based residencies across Montana. They discuss how Open Air brings together musicians, writers, visual artists, performers, and other creatives, giving them time and space to explore how Montana’s places influence their work. The conversation...

Missoula musicians Josh Farmer and Kyle Curtis stop by Trail 103.3 ahead of their performance at the Western Montana Fair for a conversation about songwriting, collaboration, and what keeps them inspired. Josh reflects on nearly two decades in Missoula's music scene, from his early bands to building a career as one of the area's most recognizable singer-songwriters, while Kyle shares how he found...

Before taking the stage at the Zootown Arts Community Center, acclaimed singer-songwriter James McMurtry and fellow Texas singer-songwriter BettySoo stopped by the Trail 103.3 studio for an intimate conversation and live performance. They talk with Mike Smith about life on the road, a packed international touring schedule, songwriting, unique instruments, and the musicians who have influenced and...

Rising Montana country artist Jaden Decker joins Tommy Evans in the Trail 103.3 studio ahead of the biggest hometown show of his career. Jaden talks about growing up in Missoula, balancing touring with high school, recording in Nashville, and the steady climb that's taken him from local breweries to stages across the country. The conversation also dives into the true story behind his breakout song...

In this episode, host Colter Nuanez sits down with Sterling HolyWhiteMountain to discuss the upcoming James Welch Native Literary Festival in Missoula, July 16-18. They explore the inspiration behind the festival, James Welch's lasting influence on Native American literature, and the importance of creating a public space where Native writers can talk about their craft. Sterling also highlights thi...

In this episode of The Trail Listening Post, we welcome into the studio May Pang, John Lennon's companion and lover during his "Lost Weekend" era, which lasted 18 months during late 1973 through 1975. During this highly creative time for Lennon, Pang took candid photos of Lennon in a comfortable, relaxed environment. We discussed her intimate photos, her experiences with John Lennon and other musi...

Skateboarding is about so much more than tricks; it's about community, creativity, and creating opportunities for the next generation. Mike Smith welcomes Andy Kemmis and Chris Bacon back to the Trail 103.3 studio to talk about the growing impact of Montana's skateboarding scene. The conversation covers the acclaimed documentary Montana Grind , Andy's photography book Grit to Grind , and how skate...

Mike Smith welcomes Hannah Shepherd from Splash Montana into the Trail Studio to celebrate a major milestone- 20 years of making a splash in Missoula. Hannah shares the story behind Splash Montana’s history, highlights the features that have made it a favorite summer destination, including the Olympic-sized 50-meter pool, water slides, lazy river, and family-friendly zero-depth entry area. The con...

This episode of The Trail Listening Post features a special live performance from Missoula's own "Milk Made". The band stopped by the Trail studio to play a couple of songs, share the stories behind their music, and talk about their creative journey as a Missoula-based band. The conversation also highlights their show tonight at Leaf & Quiet , where they'll take the stage at 7:00 PM. Whether y...

A behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Woodtick Music Festival in Darby, Montana, this episode brings together Mike Smith and guest Sasha Bell for a full rundown of what to expect July 17th and 18th. From the challenge of bringing touring artists into the middle of the country to the grassroots energy of the lineup, the conversation highlights how this festival is built around community, creativ...

In this lively “Mike Smith Squared” conversation on Trail 103.3, host Mike Smith welcomes Mike Smith of the Missoula PaddleHeads for a behind-the-scenes look at life inside Ogren Park. What starts as a humorous “battle of the Mike Smiths” quickly turns into a deep dive into the energy, creativity, and community impact driving Missoula’s hometown baseball team. Mike Smith (Missoula PaddleHeads) sha...

Ever wondered what happens when a giant pear-shaped car/motocycle breaks down in Missoula? This week on The Trail Lunchbox , Tommy sits down with "Glubbey" (Andrew), the artist and creator behind the viral Pear Car that's been turning heads across the country. Traveling from Florida to Seattle, Glubbey shares how a mechanical breakdown near Bonner unexpectedly led him to Missoula and introduced hi...

Kathryn Sanders from Blue Mountain Clinic joins Mike Smith on Trail 103.3 to talk about Defiance on the Dance Floor , a community fundraiser celebrating resilience, solidarity, and the power of showing up for one another. Kathryn shares the inspiration behind the event, taking place four years after the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade , and discusses Blue Mountain Clinic's mission of providi...

Missoula Pride returns June 19–21, and Missoula Pride Co-Founder and Executive Director Devin Carpenter joins Mike Smith on The Trail 1033 to preview a weekend packed with celebration, connection, education, and community. Devin shares how Missoula Pride has grown from a grassroots effort into one of Montana's largest Pride celebrations, thanks to partnerships with local organizations, volunteers,...

Mike Smith is joined in the Trail studio by Trey Curtiss of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers ahead of the annual Backcountry Brewfest happening at Caras Park. Curtiss shares his path from University of Montana intern to conservation advocate, while breaking down the organization’s mission to keep public lands accessible, protected, and open for all users. The conversation explores growing pressur...

Mike Smith is joined in-studio by Marc Moss, founder and executive director of Tell Us Something, to preview the organization's upcoming live storytelling event, The Power of Place. Marc shares how Tell Us Something has spent the last 15 years helping community members tell true personal stories on stage, why storytelling remains such a powerful way to connect people, and what audiences can expect...

Mike Smith sits down with Amy Cilimburg, Executive Director of Climate Smart Missoula and Kerri Mueller, Air Quality Specialist with Missoula Public Health, to discuss Montana's Wildfire Smoke Ready Week and how communities can prepare for the months ahead. The conversation highlights the 2026 Wildfire & Smoke Outlook , a free public event taking place on Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. in the Coope...