Beer, Buds, and the Big Sky Podcast

This week we break down two major topics: We discuss: Rebuilding party infrastructure Rural outreach Winning statewide again Housing costs, property taxes & insurance spikes Why Democrats need to focus on working-class issues We walk through the rise of Jeffrey Epstein from 1970s math teacher to international financier — and the political fallout that still hasn’t gone away. Topics include: In...

This week the Buds dive deep into the Democratic Party’s identity crisis. Topics include: Why Trump’s messaging works Democratic leadership failures Consultants vs. grassroots energy The role of media & propaganda Tariffs and insider trading accusations AI replacing jobs Montana’s political landscape Constitutional battles ahead Canadian tourism decline And the strange case of energy drinks fi...

Attorney Rylee Sommers-Flanagan joins us for a deep dive into Montana’s Constitution — how it was born, why it’s different, and why it’s back on the ballot in 2030. We discuss: The 1889 Constitution and the Copper Kings Corporate control of early Montana politics The 1972 Constitutional Convention Montana’s unique rights: privacy, participation, transparency, and environmental protections The tens...

Senator Dave Fern and Representative Mike Jopek join the Buds to unpack Montana’s latest legislative session. Topics include: Property tax reform and revenue neutrality Income tax cuts and long-term budget concerns Behavioral health funding and jail overcrowding The failed luxury vehicle registration bill Montana’s film/media tax credits Supreme Court partisanship debate Styrofoam veto And a candi...

Whitefish City Attorney Angie Jacobs joins Ed and Ryan to talk local political drama, online misinformation, and how public officials handle social media attacks. Then Rep. Mike Jopek breaks down what’s happening in the final month of Montana’s legislative session, including: Judicial reform bills Public land sale proposals Property tax battles Budget maneuvering Transgender bathroom legislation T...

This episode is a must-listen for Montana homeowners. Rep. Mike Jopek joins the Buds to explain what’s happening with property tax reform in Helena — and why the fight over Bill 542 could reshape how much you pay in 2026. We cover: Why lawmakers didn’t “fix” reappraisal in 2023 How rising valuations shift tax burdens The death of Bill 528 What Bill 542 changes The $400 credit and tiered rate syste...

Former U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich joins the Buds in Helena to talk about being abruptly removed from office and what that moment reveals about today’s political climate. Alongside strategist Erik Nyland, we discuss: The first 100 days of the Trump administration Institutional norms and the rule of law January 6th and presidential power Social Security and the “Ponzi scheme” debate Dark money, C...

This episode ranges from Montana’s exploding property tax valuations to the national Epstein scandal — and everything in between. With Steve Quinnell and Rep. Mike Jopek, we break down: Montana’s reappraisal shock The $400 rebate and who really benefits Income tax cuts vs. property tax hikes Urban-rural redistribution Culture wars & media narratives The deficit debate Young voters and socialis...

This episode covers the full political spectrum — from Whitefish city governance to Helena’s Republican civil war and the state’s high-stakes property tax debate. Topics include: The Whitefish Government Review Commission Public input & charter reform Montana GOP censuring its own members Moderates vs. party hardliners Property tax reappraisal fallout The “Spirit of 76” rate debate Tariffs and...

This week on Beer, Buds & The Big Sky , Kelly joins us all the way from San Francisco and we dive straight into the chaos. We break down: The myths (and realities) about San Francisco MAGA politics, media narratives & culture wars The Epstein fallout & conspiracy culture Medicaid cuts, tribal colleges & Montana politics Elon Musk, third parties & the billionaire influence probl...

Congressional candidate Russell Cleveland joins us to discuss why he’s running — and what he sees happening in Montana and Washington. We cover: The projected healthcare losses in Montana VA job cuts and veteran access Tax policy & deficit growth Immigration enforcement in the Flathead Valley The asylum system and ICE detentions Public land sales & royalty rollbacks AI deregulation and fed...

This week on Beer, Barbs & Big Sky , we sit down with Tanya Horn and the leadership team from the Flathead Warming Center for a candid conversation about homelessness, housing, and the lawsuit that put the organization in the national spotlight. The Warming Center faced an attempt to revoke its permit — sparking debate across the Flathead Valley about property rights, compassion, and the role...

This week on Beer, Buds & the Big Sky , we sit down with Calispell City Council member and mayoral candidate Ryan Hunter to talk about the future of the city — and the bigger political currents shaping Montana. We cover: Why Calispell leads the valley in new housing Supply vs. affordability — what actually works Short-term rental caps Mixed-use neighborhoods & downtown vitality Why zoning...

This week on Beer, Buds & the Big Sky , we sit down with Flathead County District Court Judge and Montana Supreme Court candidate Amy Eddy for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of Montana’s judiciary. We cover: Why she’s running for the Montana Supreme Court Judicial independence vs. partisan politics Whether political parties should fund judicial races Montana’s constitutional righ...

Most people in county jail aren’t violent criminals. They’re struggling with addiction and untreated mental illness. Former law enforcement officer Jason Pars joins us to discuss: The jail expansion debate Why 2am mental health calls end in incarceration What officers can (and can’t) do Why community services matter How the system fails both cops and citizens We also get into: Property taxes ICE f...