Bear With Us Podcast

In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Conrad Wendland, owner of the historic Hi-line Theater in Rudyard, Montana. From working on film sets in Los Angeles to returning home to farm and revive a beloved small-town movie theater, Conrad shares his incredible journey and passion for storytelling, community, and preserving rural Montana traditions. We talk about: The history of the Hi-line...

🎙️ Bear With Us Podcast | MSU Northern, Morgan Hall & Building the Future Welcome back to Bear With Us, the podcast from Bear Paw Development where we highlight the people, projects, and partnerships shaping North Central Montana. In this episode, Julea is joined by guest co-host Stephanie Larson to talk all things MSU Northern—from student experiences to the powerful impact of investing in hi...

In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Tomi Simonson, owner of Shores Floral, to talk about what it really means to bloom where you’re planted 🌸 Rooted in Chinook and now growing into Havre, Tomi shares her journey from part-time employee to business owner, the leap of expanding into a second location, and the realities of entrepreneurship in rural Montana. From weddings and wildflower...

In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Montana State Senator Russ Tempel to talk about life in the legislature, advocating for rural communities, and the realities of representing one of the largest and most diverse districts in the state. From county commissioner to the Capitol, Senator Temple shares how decisions made in Helena ripple across the Hi-Line and North Central Montana. We d...

In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Whitley Nelson, the newly appointed town clerk for Fort Benton, to talk about her unexpected path into local government and what it’s really like behind the scenes at City Hall. From working in different cities and industries to landing back in Montana, Whitley shares how she found her way to Fort Benton, stepped into public service, and took on on...

In this special episode of Bear With Us , we sit down with Havre’s outgoing mayor, Doug Kaercher, and incoming mayor, Wade Bitz , for a candid conversation during a pivotal moment of leadership transition. Together, we reflect on where Havre has been, the challenges and accomplishments of recent years, and what lies ahead as the city enters its next chapter. Doug shares lessons learned from decade...

In this episode of Bear With Us , we dive into the heart of Havre’s new community brand and what it means to the people who call this place home. Joined by Karina Densmore of Havre Local, we read real community responses collected during the brand launch celebration—funny, heartfelt, nostalgic, and uniquely Havre. We talk about:  ✨ The new “Stay for the Story” brand  ✨ Favorite Havre memories an...

Welcome to this special interview with John Morgan - where we dive deep into how we can rethink downtown Havre, lift up small businesses, and breathe new life into our community. In this episode, we talk about the big ideas behind the Havre Urban Renewal Plan: how TIF districts can unlock investment, the importance of façade improvements, why walkability and downtown safety matter, and the role lo...

What can you do with one dollar and a big dream? In this episode of Bear With Us , we talk with Kalyn Joyce, leader of of Spire Health , about how she and her team are transforming a vacant lot in Geraldine, Montana, into a new community wellness center. Kalyn shares her journey from idea to action — from growing up in a small town to coming home and creating a space that brings health, connection...

In this episode of Bear With Us , we sit down with Amy Revious , Bear Paw Development’s new Food and Agriculture Development Center (FADC) Director ! Amy shares her journey from Bozeman to the Hi-Line, her passion for supporting rural communities, and her vision for strengthening Montana’s local food systems. From farm-to-school programs and agritourism to creative ways local producers can grow th...

Welcome back to Bear With Us , the podcast from Bear Paw Development where we share the people, places — and this time, the paranormal happenings — that make North Central Montana so special. In this Halloween special, Julea and Sara dive into Montana’s spookiest legends, from haunted highways to mysterious creatures and eerie encounters. Joining them is their coworker (and resident skeptic) Steph...

With Julea out sick, you get to step into Havre Beneath the Streets with Sara and Paul as they chat with Christy Owens, office manager and keeper of stories underground. In this episode, Shorty, Searching for Funds & Stories Underground, Christy shares how she stumbled into her role, the colorful history of Shorty Young, and the perseverance it takes to preserve one of Havre’s most unique trea...

Raptor Claws, Real Community, and the Cretaceous Period 🦖✨ Join us as we sit down with Jeremiah Robinson , Director of Paleontology at the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum in Malta, Montana . From unearthing raptor teeth to caring for the crown jewel “Leonardo,” this conversation digs into the prehistoric past while celebrating the present-day community that makes discoveries possible. We talk dinos...

From growing up in Chinook on Montana’s Hi-Line to founding Montana Actors Theater, teaching high school theater, raising a family, and now preparing to take his original play The Harvest all the way to New York City — Jay Pyette has lived and breathed theater for decades. In this episode of Bear With Us , hosts Julea and Sara sit down with Jay to talk about: His small-town roots and how the Hi-Li...

In this special no-guest episode, Julea and Sara flip the script and put themselves in the hot seat! From bear-themed personality icebreakers to rapid-fire questions, they share their quirks, weird talents, and unpopular food opinions (celery lovers, beware). You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories about their first impressions of each other, favorite past podcast guests, small-town adventures, and...

In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Joette Woods—Liberty County Commissioner and current president of the Montana Association of Counties (MACo). From her early days as an EMT to her current role representing rural Montana on state and national stages, Joette shares what it's really like to serve in local government. We talk about small-town resilience, the challenge of budgetin...

In this episode, Julea and Sara sit down with Kati Purkett from the Hill County MSU Extension Office to explore the powerhouse behind local youth development—4-H—and all the incredible programs the Extension office offers. From food safety classes and culinary education to youth mental health, livestock projects, and the Great Northern Fair, Kati shares how Extension touches nearly every corner of...

In this episode of Bear With Us , we’re joined by Heather DePriest, Board President of Chinook’s Friends of the Pool and Park. Heather shares how her kids bringing home a literal piece of the town pool kickstarted a major community project. From that moment on, she and a dedicated group of volunteers have been working hard to save and upgrade Chinook’s beloved pool and park. We talk about their bi...

In this premiere episode of Bear With Us we sit down with the Executive Director of Bear Paw Development, Paul Tuss, to discuss his journey from small-town Opportunity boy to legislative powerhouse.