Hello Pocatello

We bring two community leaders together to share why accessibility is everyone’s business and how Pocatello can close the transition gap from school to adulthood. Stories, myths busted and practical tools converge into a plan to hire better, train smarter and advocate louder. • personal journeys shaped by loss and purpose • what serving the disability community looks like daily • myths about thera...

A cupcake tradition at an elementary school turned into a career, a bakery, and a Netflix championship. We welcome Pocatello’s own Nathan Chandler to unpack the full arc: baking with grandparents, testing flavors with fearless honesty, and finding a creative home in Southeast Idaho’s fairs and art scene. He shares what TV never shows—the mental game behind the timer, the choreography of three came...

If you think hunger is only a holiday headline, the truth is very different. Need exists year-round, and our community continues to show up in remarkable ways. In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Peck, Development Coordinator for the Idaho Foodbank in East Idaho. He shares how a small warehouse team, supported by dedicated volunteers, moves nearly seven million pounds of food each year while ke...

The moment you hear Layne Bowen talk about music, you feel the fuse light. He grew up in a house where harmony was normal, learned pitch before preschool, and picked up enough instruments to build songs piece by piece. That foundation became the engine behind a bold move: leaving a day job, booking 160 shows a year, and earning a shot to open for ZZ Top—sealed by writing a brand-new original two d...

What if most hauntings weren’t only ghosts, but people? We sit down with Colleen O’Hara of Pocatello Paranormal Research to explore the grounded, humane side of paranormal work—where careful debunking meets real stories that tug at your nerves and your heart. Colleen grew up learning from a mother who was both a career police officer and a psychic medium, and that mix of discipline and sensitivity...

When opportunity knocked at a downtown street party, Jen Erchul answered—though she never expected it would lead to owning the historic Yellowstone Restaurant. With zero restaurant experience but plenty of business savvy, Jen and her husband transformed a 1915 hotel into three distinct dining concepts that celebrate Pocatello's rich heritage while creating modern gathering spaces. The whiskey...

Artist Mark Daniels takes us on a colorful journey through Pocatello's vibrant creative landscape. From his 14-year teaching career at New Horizon Center to his numerous murals brightening local businesses, Mark shares the philosophy that guides both his classroom and his canvas: mutual respect creates powerful connections. Mark's teaching approach resonates perfectly with his alternativ...

Have you ever wondered what treasures flow through your own backyard? In this captivating episode, we dive deep into Pocatello's liquid heart with local river enthusiast Jeremy Marley, whose lifelong connection to our waterways reveals the city's hidden outdoor identity. Jeremy takes us on a journey from his first river experience at age 14 to becoming the unofficial director of a high a...

Nestled between mountains and driven by community spirit, Pocatello has a beating heart that Kirk Lepchenske knows better than most. As membership manager for the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce, Kirk has his finger on the pulse of what makes this Idaho gem thrive. "It never ceases to amaze me how, if you need help with something or if there's a good cause, there are always people...

What does it truly mean to be a community? In this heartfelt conversation with Shantay Bloxham, CEO of United Way Southeastern Idaho, we explore the remarkable power of connection that makes Pocatello special. Shantae shares her personal journey from childhood volunteer experiences with her grandmother to nonprofit leadership, revealing how early acts of service ignited a lifelong passion for comm...

Nick Hottmann, self-described "professional colorer" and accomplished artist, has transformed Pocatello through dozens of vibrant murals while running a successful graphic design business and art curating firm. His distinctive bold, bright style can be seen throughout the city—from the "Let's Play Pocatello" mural at Lookout Point Park to restored neon signs like the Cowbo...

Matt Hansen shares his journey from construction worker to successful real estate entrepreneur and reveals why he believes Pocatello is on the cusp of reaching its full potential. Through conversation filled with local insights and practical wisdom, we explore how mindset, community investment, and appreciation for local character are transforming this Idaho town. • Born and raised in the area, st...

A Southern accent stands out in Pocatello, but Brooks Hale's servant heart fits right in. As president of Bannock Civitans, this North Carolina transplant has discovered what makes a community truly special—the willingness of people to show up and serve. Brooks shares his journey from occasional visitor to permanent resident, drawn by both Pocatello's outdoor accessibility and its tight-...

Terry Fredrickson's life took a dramatic turn when personal tragedy struck. After losing his brother to a heroin overdose, he abandoned his law school plans and redirected his energy toward addiction counseling, determined to prevent others from receiving the devastating phone call his mother had received. This pivotal moment launched a remarkable journey of service that has profoundly shaped...