Hello Whitefish

Paul Flanagan is the renowned axe handle maker behind Stumptown Axes which has amassed a huge following on YouTube and Instagram.  Paul is based in Whitefish where he specializes in handcrafted axe handles and traditional woodworking.

Montana’s political landscape is shifting, and Russell Cleveland is stepping into the fight with a story that stands apart. A Navy veteran, finance professional, and community advocate, Cleveland brings a deeply personal perspective shaped by both service and loss. In a crowded Democratic primary, his campaign is built not on PAC money, but on grassroots support and lived experience. In this episo...

Hello Whitefish welcomes Sarina Hart and Sami Francine as we celebrates Black History Month with a look at the rich history of Black Montanans. From personal experiences to the broader legacy of Black excellence that helped shape the state, Sami and Sarina bring an insightful conversation filled with thoughtful perspective and lots of laughter.

The city of Whitefish is racing to complete its state-mandated Growth Policy update, but major division about the future of the town is putting big decisions into the hands of a few.  Shelter WF executive director Keegan Siebanaler joins us to explain why it's critical for the town's residents to make their voices heard now more than ever. 

Jonas Rydell is a Montana-born comedian, content creator, actor and engineer who has amassed a huge following of over a hundred thousand followers across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube where he is best known for his observational sketch comedy about life in Montana and the endless characters who live across this wild state.

Pro Snowboarder Jason Robinson dives deep into growing up in Whitefish, losing his brother in a tragic snowboarding accident, and rising up to win Big Mountain Rider of the Year and releasing the most epic snowboard part of all time.

Today we look at two stories of immigrants being detained in the Flathead Valley who were sent to ICE detention centers in Texas and Washington under dubious circumstances.  One of which has lead a Venezuelan man working in Whitefish to file a lawsuit against the city and the Police Department for violation of his civil rights.  To help us break down the story we are joined by members of Flathead...

Montana is facing a hidden crisis — cartels are targeting small towns, tribal communities, and public lands for enormous profits from fentanyl and meth. With limited law enforcement and complex jurisdictional rules, the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels are exploiting the state’s most vulnerable areas, poisoning communities, polluting rivers, and destroying wildlife. Joining us are retire...

Rylee Mix is one of our favorite new break out musicians laying roots in Northwest Montana.  Her soulful voice and cutting lyrics are a breath of fresh air for a generation of artists continuing to shape a new era of Americana and Country music.  

Today’s guests are former Montana senator Jon Tester and veteran Montana journalist Maritsa Georgiou.  They have teamed up to launch the new political podcast  “Grounded”.  Each week, they break down the latest in political developments and interview a variety of politicians, journalists and other guests to bring insight into breaking news.   We discussed what’s been happening around the state sin...

Today’s guest is Justin Kaber.  Justin in the president of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. The Wildland Firefighter Foundation’s focus is to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families.   We discuss the important work the foundation does as well how local firefighter stations helped battle the devastating Los Angeles fires ear...

Today's guests are Big Sky City Lights.  Susan O'Dea and Nic Spear started playing music together during COVID and utilized digital communications to record music from across the country to bring people together during hard times with their sweet and timeless harmonies.   They perform "When All Our Hair Turns Gray" from their new EP - A Mountain To Go along with the Hello Whitefish theme song "Hel...

Today’s guests are Nic McKinley and Zack Armstrong. During the 2021 American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, with the Taliban seizing control of the country, The White House sought the help of McKinley to spearhead the rescue and evacuation of the Afghan Youth Girls National Soccer Team, who were being hunted by the Taliban. Nic McKinley, a former Air Force Pararescueman and CIA agent with thir...

Hello Whitefish and DeliverFund hosted a live event in northwest Montana featuring a panel on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People in Montana.  The panel included Carissa Heavyrunner whose daughter Mika Westwolf was murdered in a hit and run.  Ivan MacDonald is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who along with his sister Ivy have followed the tragic epidemic as its unfolded across Montana. ...

Today’s guest is Lynn Wood Fields. Lynn Wood is an award-winning filmmaker and educator who grew up here in Whitefish, Montana. She also owns the Missoula-based Media Training Center and is president of the Montana Media Coalition. She is passionate about connecting Montanans to training and job opportunities in film, TV, digital media and live entertainment so they can economically benefit from t...

Today’s guest is Ryan Busse.  Ryan is the democratic candidate for governor of Montana, going up against incumbent Greg Gianforte, in what has become a huge race.   Ryan grew up on a cattle ranch and wheat farm and spent 25 years working as a salesman for the firearm company Kimber, right here in Kalispell. He left his position as vice president of sales in 2020 and published a memoir, “Gunfight,”...

Alan Davis is the president of the Whitefish Community Foundation which just kicked off its seventh annual Great Fish Challenge - a multi-week fundraising campaign that inspires community-wide giving and builds awareness about the critical work of Flathead Valley nonprofits. The Whitefish Community Foundation awards a percentage match on the first $25,000 raised by each nonprofit and last year the...

Happy birthday Hello Whitefish!  We are officially 1-years-old! Today’s guest is an old high school friend of mine named Melissa Arnot-Reid. She is a mountain guide, athlete, professional speaker and has submitted Mt Everest six times! If that wasn’t enough, the last time she did it was without supplemental oxygen, making her the first American woman in history to successfully do so.

Dennis Taylor is a former US Marine and Vietnam veteran who spent 45 years of his life serving communities across Montana.  His impressive resume includes positions as city manager in Bozeman, Helena and Whitefish, and as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Missoula.   This insightful conversation didn’t just help me better understand the property tax problem, but made me appreciate h...

Today’s guest is Jamie Goguen.  She is a local business owner and philanthropist.  She and her husband Michael support a variety of ventures and nonprofits around the Valley.  We dive deep in this conversation: from helping the homeless, to affordable housing to psychedelics, to her new fabulous restaurant in the heart of downtown.  

Marianne Smith is the CEO of the nonprofit Code Girls United which brings the language of computer coding, business development and the power of problem solving to girls in rural and tribal communities throughout Montana via free after school programs.  Code Girls United is remarkable success story that is setting up future generations of young Montana women for success.  To learn more visit https...

Cris Neckar is a hacker, cyber security expert, venture partner at Two Bear Capital and dear friend of Hello Whitefish.  We discuss the future of education, job markets and how all of this will affect rural communities.  We also dive into philosophical thought experiments around AI, extraterrestrials and just what it is that makes the Flathead so special.

From the controversial topics of wolf management to saving Africa's last Northern White Rhinos to the American Prairie - our friend Jeff Hyer is our eco tour guide through these important topics and more in this episode focused on conservation, eco tourism and understanding the facts around the delicate ecosystems of Montana.

Today’s guest is Senator Jon Tester - a 3rd generation Montana farmer, former school teacher and the only Democrat who holds statewide office in Montana.   He is the Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. He also serves on the Senate Banking Committee, the Senate Commerce Committee, and the Senate Committee on Indian Aff...

Scot Chisholm is a founder and entrepreneur, having planted the roots for Classy, Haskill Creek Farm and Save Farmland, among other ventures.  Haskill Creek Farm's open, community-oriented lawn hosting food and drink, live music and games is the perfect vantage point to enjoy the views of the northern Flathead Valley. And with plans to expand into downtown, Scot and his wife will be opening a flag...