Heart of the Flathead

Send us Fan Mail Kalispell is growing quickly, and with that growth comes important questions about housing, workforce challenges, economic development, and preserving the qualities that make the community special. In this episode, Lorraine Clarno, President and CEO of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce , shares her journey to the Flathead Valley and explains how the Chamber’s work extends far beyo...

Send us Fan Mail The Flathead Valley is known for its mountains, lakes, and wide-open spaces, but the relationships people build here are what truly make it home. In this episode, David Wigginton sits down with Brenna Stanfield, interim parish pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell, for a conversation about community, belonging, and the role faith organizations can play in helping people...

Send us Fan Mail The Conrad Mansion may look like a snapshot of 1895, but preserving one of Montana’s most important historic homes is a constant challenge. In this episode, Executive Director Brit Clark shares what it takes to protect a house where more than 90% of the furnishings and artifacts remain original to the Conrad family, while making the experience more accessible and engaging for toda...

Send us Fan Mail A community can deeply value its schools and still face constant funding shortfalls—that tension drives this conversation with Jinn Merriman, attorney at McGarvey Law and trustee for Kalispell Public Schools. Jinn breaks down how Montana’s public school funding system works, where the state covers about 80% of costs and local communities must approve levies to fund the remaining g...

Send us Fan Mail The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex feels endless—1.6 million acres and over 1,700 miles of trails—but the reality is fewer professionals are available to maintain it as visitation continues to rise. In this episode, Cliff Kipp, Executive Director of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, breaks down what modern wilderness stewardship actually looks like when public land demand o...

Send us Fan Mail From penguins to peaks, Anthony Nelson’s path into outdoor leadership is anything but typical. The executive director of the Glacier Institute shares how a Minnesota kid fascinated by zoos became a conservation-minded educator, moved his family to the Flathead Valley, and stepped into the Institute’s top role just weeks before the pandemic reshaped the world. Forced to rethink how...

Send us Fan Mail After 25 years in Air Force counterintelligence, Neil Wheldon traded global posts and Pentagon briefings for rivers and a steadier pace in Kalispell. Inspired early by a unifying vision of America, he built a career on integrity, clear judgment, and candid counsel. His defining chapter came at the Pentagon, leading the effort to map the Air Force’s future force needs against peer...

Send us Fan Mail A first-grade classroom can feel like a small town, and Annie Lillard has learned how to lead with steadiness and care. Raised in Kalispell, Annie now teaches at Cornelius Hedges Elementary—the same school where her mother once taught—bringing a multigenerational perspective to a rapidly growing valley. Her path to the classroom runs through Whitworth University, volunteer work in...

Send us Fan Mail Want a grounded look at what actually drives housing costs in the Flathead Valley—and what can realistically bring them down? We sit down with Mark Friedline , executive officer of the Flathead Building Association , to break down the practical levers that matter most: smart advocacy, safer jobsites, streamlined permitting, and a coordinated local workforce strategy. Mark’s unconv...

Send us Fan Mail Sweet Pickens Pumpkin Patch didn’t start with a business plan—it started with a three-quarter-mile train, a field full of pumpkins, and a mission to help families smile again. In this episode, we sit down with Sweet Pickens founder Terry Devries to explore his winding path from Nebraska farm kid to Continental Airlines pilot, to corporate aviator for SemiTool, and finally to Kalis...

Send us Fan Mail Kalispell native Pastor Chad Warren shares a full-circle journey from early skepticism about faith to leading one of the Flathead Valley’s largest congregations. He walks through the moment his doubts shifted, the mentors who shaped his thinking, and how a philosophy degree unexpectedly became ideal preparation for ministry. His path runs through camp leadership, formative mentori...

Send us Fan Mail A boutique with a bank vault, century-old display cases, and a name pulled from Kalispell’s past—this conversation with Princess and Buck co-owners Kyle Waterman and Beth Kornick is a walk through how small businesses can power a main street’s heart. In just 30 days, they turned an idea into an open sign, choosing downtown Kalispell over easier options and transforming a former ba...

Send us Fan Mail Flathead County Administrator Pete Melnick brings an uncommon résumé to local government—Coast Guard helicopter pilot, counter-drug operations leader, and DHS culture strategist. In this conversation with David Wigginton, host of Heart of the Flathead , Pete shares how mission discipline, systems thinking, and a deep curiosity for frontline work now drive better roads, smarter bud...

Send us Fan Mail What does real public safety look like when a department hires for character, invests in officer wellness, and stays close to its community? Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio joins host David Wigginton for a candid, story-driven look at leadership, purpose, and building trust in a fast-growing Flathead Valley. From his unconventional start in business and real estate to patrol...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take for a college to truly belong to its community? Dr. Jane Karas, President of Flathead Valley Community College, joins host David Wigginton to share how listening, partnership, and follow-through have shaped FVCC into both an educational powerhouse and a community cornerstone. From her unexpected journey from the East Coast to Montana ranch life, Jane’s blend of g...

Send us Fan Mail Flathead County spans an area the size of Connecticut—and for Sheriff Brian Heino, every mile tells a story. Raised here, he’s fought wildfires in these forests, walked these roads in uniform, and now leads a department balancing explosive growth, seasonal surges, and shifting expectations. In this candid conversation, Heino traces his path from Forest Service firelines to law enf...

Send us Fan Mail Lucy Smith’s journey from Navy brat to global citizen offers a masterclass in building community wherever life takes you. Moving annually between military bases, she developed a philosophy at nine years old: “Walk in like you’re already everybody’s friend.” That mindset carried her through living in Japan at 23, volunteering in Africa, and eventually finding her forever home in th...

Send us Fan Mail In this eye-opening episode of Heart of the Flathead , PJ Sorensen of the Kalispell Planning Department offers a behind-the-scenes look at how neighborhoods take shape and development decisions are made. A Kalispell resident since childhood, PJ brings both personal and professional insight to the complex, years-long process that guides growth in the valley. From navigating regulat...

Send us Fan Mail Mike Smith, Market President of Glacier Bank, joins the inaugural episode of Heart of the Flathead to share his journey from a blue-collar upbringing in Wisconsin to becoming a key financial leader in the Flathead Valley. Since moving to Kalispell in 2006, Mike has navigated the challenges of the Great Recession, mortgage lending, and community growth while helping shape Glacier B...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what really connects us as neighbors in the Flathead Valley? Beyond political differences and social media debates, there's a rich tapestry of shared experiences waiting to be discovered. Heart of the Flathead podcast launches with a mission to celebrate the changemakers and everyday folks who give this special corner of Montana its unique character. Ho...