Almost Paradise In North Idaho

Thirteen years ago this weekend, we loaded up a U-Haul truck, our animals, and a whole lot of faith and headed 1100 miles from Loveland, Colorado to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. What we found wasn’t a perfect property, but a rough, overgrown place that somehow felt like home the moment Ted stepped into the pasture under a cloudy North Idaho sky. In this reflective Morning Brew, Ted shares the story of he...

Today on Almost Paradise in North Idaho , we sit down with Bryce Cordel, Chief Nursing Officer for our local hospital, to discuss the growing challenges facing small rural hospitals across America—and what those challenges mean right here in Boundary County. Most of us do not spend much time thinking about hospitals until the day we suddenly need one. Whether it is an illness, injury, emergency, o...

In this heartfelt Morning Brew, Ted says goodbye to Jaxon—his loyal, mischievous, and unforgettable standard poodle. From riding shotgun on trips to the dump to guarding the property with a few confident barks each night, Jaxon lived life fully and on his own terms. Known for his sharp intelligence, curious nose, and occasional counter-surfing adventures, he brought both challenge and joy to the h...

In this gripping episode, retired naval aviator Mike Peterson joins the show to discuss the recent dramatic rescue of a downed American weapons systems officer deep inside Iran after an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down. Mike shares his emotional reaction to hearing that a fellow aviator had been recovered and explains the unique brotherhood that exists among those who fly dangerous combat missions...

After growing up in Kansas, where trees are more of a suggestion than a presence, moving here thirteen years ago meant adjusting to forests, mountains, and enough timber to make a Kansas boy nervous. We chose this place partly because of the beauty, though I’ve since learned you can have too much of a good thing. Soon after arriving, we had nearly a hundred trees removed just to reclaim some sunli...

We had several letters and comments recently and we share them today. We also update you on a programming note as we head into Spring and Summer.

In this episode, I sit down with Jane Sauter, candidate for Idaho State Representative District 1 Seat A, to discuss the issues, values, and questions surrounding an important local primary election. In North Idaho, the primary often carries more weight than the general election, making it especially important for voters to pay attention. Jane shares her concerns about whether some elected officia...

We went to Canada yesterday, where we visited what may be the finest DQ on the continent. Yes, another acronym—because apparently nobody says full words anymore. We no longer visit Dairy Queen. We go to DQ. We do things ASAP , finish them PDQ , and pretend everyone knows what we mean. That got me thinking. We live in an age of initials. Politics gives us POTUS and SCOTUS . Business gives us HR , R...

When we first moved to North Idaho, the deep green spring pasture looked like a blessing. After years in Kansas and Colorado, I had never heard of cheat grass, so I admired the lush growth—until a neighbor stopped by and informed me that our beautiful field was actually an invasive pest. Around here, everybody knows cheat grass except the newcomer praising it. Like fool’s gold, it succeeds by appe...

In Part 2 of this Morning Brew, I take a step back from the political themes of the Great Awakening film and admit I missed the bigger picture the first time around—the power of prayer. As the Constitutional Convention teetered on the edge of collapse, Benjamin Franklin’s call to prayer helped shift hearts, open minds, and guide the delegates toward compromise. But what does that kind of prayer lo...

Tax Day has a way of stirring up more than just paperwork—it stirs up questions. In this episode, Ted gathers around the table with a couple of his friends for a candid round table discussion on taxes, stewardship, and responsibility. But beyond the numbers and deadlines, there’s a deeper tension many of us feel: contributing to a system we don’t always understand—or agree with. This episode doesn...

In this lighthearted Morning Brew, we tackle one of life’s most overlooked annoyances—loose change. From the ever-growing coin bowl in your dresser drawer to the moral dilemma of Coinstar fees versus rolling coins like it’s 1955, it’s a problem we all know too well. But what if there’s a better way? Enter the 67-cent solution: a simple, intentional habit that keeps the change from piling up in the...

After watching The Great Awakening , I dusted off my old history teacher hat and took a fresh look at a familiar story. We all know about the Constitutional Convention and the Founding Fathers, but what shaped the people who shaped the nation? In this Morning Brew, we go back before 1787…before 1776…to a time when a preacher named George Whitefield was drawing massive crowds in open fields, and a...

This Friday Morning Brew is a mix of gratitude, honesty, and reflection. I share a handful of listener letters—encouraging words, thoughtful suggestions, and a few smiles along the way. I also take a moment to apologize for missing a couple of deadlines this week, thanks to some lingering pain from oral surgery. Life happens, even here in “almost paradise.” We wrap things up by turning our attenti...

You know, every once in a while, something comes along that doesn’t demand your attention… it just quietly invites it. No headlines. No arguments. No breaking news. Just life… unfolding. I came across something like that this week—a live eagle cam down in Blue Springs, Missouri. And if you take a minute to look it up, you’ll find yourself watching a pair of bald eagles—Freedom and Liberty—raising...

In this week’s deep dive episode, we spend time with Kukui—a young man whose life reflects a rare blend of purpose, humility, and quiet strength. Originally from Hawaii and now rooted in North Idaho, Kukui has embraced a life that many are still searching for. Living off grid with his mother, he has developed a deep appreciation for hard work, the outdoors, and the simple rhythms of life. But what...

As astronauts make their way back from a historic journey around the Moon, we’re reminded that the most important part of any mission isn’t just going—it’s coming home. Reflecting on the legacy of the Apollo 8 mission and the courage it takes to return safely, this episode connects that journey with something deeper. This Easter week, we’re also reminded of another kind of return—one rooted in hop...

While we ease into a Monday morning in North Idaho, astronauts are once again circling the Moon—echoing the historic Apollo 8 mission. I remember watching that moment as a teenager, when the world paused and listened as Genesis was read from space on Christmas Eve. Today’s mission may be more advanced, but the journey feels familiar. It also raises a simple question: why did we stop going? Maybe i...

In this Friday Morning Brew, listener feedback gives way to a thoughtful reflection on Easter—also known as Resurrection Weekend. While some may debate the wording, the focus remains simple: keeping the main thing the main thing. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, His resurrection, and the promise of eternal life for those who believe. It’s a message of hope, but also one that challenges us—not just t...

After a long night wrestling with whether his April Fools episode was truly finished—or just “good enough”—Ted reflects on a lesson from his early days as a young reporter. A former editor once told him, “Good enough isn’t good enough…not for you.” Those words echo years later as Ted revisits his work, discovering the difference between being done and being right. In this Morning Brew, he explores...

In this special April 1st episode of Almost Paradise in North Idaho , we take a walk through a collection of stories, reports, and “developments” that may—or may not—be exactly what they seem. From unexpected changes at airports…to creative new uses for local facilities…to sightings and situations right here in Boundary County that might have you looking twice at things you’ve always taken for gra...

We spent a quiet Sunday afternoon at the movies watching Project Hail Mary , expecting a good science fiction story—and we got that. But we also walked away with something more. This isn’t a review so much as a reflection. Beneath the science and the stakes, this is a story about a man facing more than just an impossible mission. He’s facing himself—his doubts, his fears, and his uncertainty about...

With the Kansas City Royals home opener around the corner, it seemed like the perfect time to talk baseball—but we took a slight detour…into a collection of over 80 baseball caps. From Royals and Wildcats to funny sayings, old teams, TV shows, and even one bearing his mother’s name, each cap tells a story. What starts as a lighthearted look at a “harmless” collection turns into something more mean...

This week’s Friday Feedback is a little messy—in the best possible way. From scrambled eggs in a coat pocket to kitchen disasters shared by listeners (including a pizza fire that got a little too real), we share a few laughs and shake our heads together. But it’s not all humor. Listeners also reflect on stories that linger—like the passing of Missy, the simple joy of three barn kittens, and the me...

In this quieter Morning Brew, we take a moment to reflect on something we don’t always like to think about—letting go. When longtime neighbors finally leave their beloved country home for a simpler life closer to family and care, it brings a truth a little closer to home. For those of us who love the land, the space, and the rhythm of rural life, the question isn’t if… but when. This episode gentl...