Listen First Montana

This week’s episode features Dr. Jerry Evans. Dr. Evans has taught Leadership Montana classes for over ten years. He is a professor in the College of Business at the University of Montana, and he is an expert instructor of leadership principles. Jerry talks about growing up in Swan Lake, his views on ethical decision making, his favorite leadership principles, and the spirit he strives to bring to...

In this episode, Eric speaks with Mike Halligan, Executive Director of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and graduate of the first class of Leadership Montana. Mike talks about enlisting in the military and leading soldiers in Vietnam at just 19 years old, and how the lessons he learned in Vietnam pushed him to a career in public policy. He tells listeners about serving for 11 terms in...

In this episode, Chantel sits down with Joel Rosette, CEO of Rocky Boy Health Center and owner of Joel Rosette Law.  Joel talks about how the lessons he has learned in Leadership Montana relate to the lessons he has learned from his tribe and community. He also shares his hopes for the future of Rocky Boy Nation and tribal nations across Montana.  Finally, Joel talks about his passion for coaching...

In this episode, Eric sits down with Anne Hughes, Chief Operating Officer at Missoula County and member of the Leadership Montana Board of Governors.  Anne talks about her experience with heartache and loss, her love of science fiction, why she chooses to invest deeply in Leadership Montana, and what great friendship looks like to her.  Anne even explains why she enjoys working on the Missoula Cou...

In this episode, Eric speaks with Frank Garner, 4th term State Representative of House District 7 and former Kalispell Police Chief.  Frank discusses his thoughts on the current state of policing, how he approached his leadership role as police chief, and how he used the lessons from Leadership Montana during a one year stint training police in Afghanistan in 2005.  Frank also reflects on state po...

In this episode Chantel travels to Kalispell, MT to speak with Amy Kellogg.  Amy is the former chair of Leadership Montana’s Board of Governors and the 2022 recipient of Leadership Montana’s most prestigious award, the Tom Scott Award for Excellence.  In this episode, Amy talks about how she became the first female bike messenger in the city of Philadelphia, her experience working with Dr. Anthony...

In this episode, Eric speaks with Kelly Cresswell, executive director of Reach Higher Montana and current chair of the Leadership Montana Board of Governors.  Kelly tells us about the amazing work of Reach Higher Montana and describes their work to empower youth across Montana to find and succeed in career paths that fit their interests and lives. We also hear why Kelly loves working with the youn...

In this episode, Chantel speaks with the founding Executive Director of Leadership Montana, Bruce Whittenberg.  Bruce gives listeners an inside look into the earliest stages of Leadership Montana’s formation including the original vision for how a leadership training program could positively impact people and communities across Montana.  Bruce also tells Chantel about his long tenure as Executive...

In this episode, Eric speaks with Deb Vandeberg, vice chair of the Leadership Montana Board of Governors.  Deb talks about growing up in her beloved hometown of Havre and what she learned from being on crutches from ages 6 to 11.  She shares stories about working in New York City, starting a successful business in Havre, and running the Havre Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years.  Deb also tells...

For Episode 2, Chantel Schieffer speaks with Lanny Hubbard.  Lanny gives his thoughts on the difference between management and leadership, how he believes we can find better ways to collaborate, and he unpacks his belief that great leadership consists of connection, curiosity and courage.  As the most recent recipient of the Leadership Montana Tom Scott Award for Excellence in Leadership, Lanny de...

To kick off Season 2, Eric speaks with Chuck Winn, Assistant City Manager in Bozeman, Montana.  Chuck tells us about his 37-year career with the city of Bozeman, which included starting as a 20 year-old with the fire department and later becoming fire chief.  In his own unique and fun way, Chuck also recites poems and children's books like Winnie the Pooh and the Velveteen Rabbit to give listeners...

In this episode, Eric looks back over our first twenty episodes in Season 1 and pulls the common threads of connection, family, listening, and more.

In this final episode of Listen First Montana Season 1, Chantel flips the script on co-host Eric Halverson and makes him the interviewee. Chantel asks Eric about growing up in Montana, why he is passionate about Early Childhood development, what it means to him to "stand on the shoulders of giants," and much more.

In this episode, Eric speaks with Tony Brockman, a media expert and Leadership Montana graduate who spends an extraordinary amount of time and energy serving his community. Tony discusses why he invests so deeply in his community, the story of how the Kalispell Core and Rail Project came to be, his powerful personal story of “countless contradictions and endless optimism,” and much more.

In this episode Eric speaks with Kalispell City Councilman Kyle Waterman.  Kyle talks about his experience as a leader on the Flathead City-County Health Board during the worst stretches of the COVID-19 pandemic, the resources and opportunities that underpin the rapid growth of Kalispell’s economy, why he returned to Montana after spending 20 years of his adult life outside his home state, why men...

In this episode, Eric sits down with Jim Bliss in Kalispell, MT. They talk about Jim’s story of founding and growing multiple businesses, and how Leadership Montana transformed his approach to relationships both personally and professionally. Jim also details why he wants to be remembered as a champion of kindness, along with his vision for securing the future of Montana.

In this episode, Eric travels to Arlee, MT to talk with Dr. Mary Stranahan. They talk about Mary’s work as a rural physician on the Flathead reservation, her vision as founder of both The High Stakes Foundation and Good Works Ventures, and her thoughts on the racism she witnessed in the 60s compared to what she sees today.

In this episode, Eric visits with Chris Warden, VP of Technology for Washington Companies, about leading through change, how thoughtful leaders communicate with authenticity, and the foundation of great dialogues. As the current Chair of Leadership Montana’s Board of Governors, we are inspired every day by Chris’s insights on life and leadership.

In this episode, Eric visits the E Bar L Ranch in Greenough to interview Juanita Vero – conservation champion, Missoula County Commissioner, and all around joyful person. Juanita tells us how working her family ranch has shaped her leadership style and why she jumped into elective politics with no previous experience. They also dig into the urban/rural divide in Montana and Juanita’s family histor...

In this episode, Chantel visits with Misty Kuhl, newly appointed as the Director of Indian Affairs for Governor Gianforte. Misty shares her lifelong work to support education and economic opportunity for Montana’s Indigenous populations.

In this episode, Eric talks with Billings business owner and community builder Kris Carpenter about her love of place, community, joy, and fly fishing. Kris shares with us some keys to successful business ownership and management, along with her ideas for building a better Billings, but don’t expect to learn the locations of her favorite fishing spots.

In this episode, Chantel talks with actor, artist, and activist Samuel Enemy-Hunter about making history in the Supreme Court, the deep meaning of family, and why leaders “show up”, especially when it’s hard.

In this episode, Eric visits with Leonard Malin about what it means to “do the work” of understanding and respecting cultural differences. We know Leonard as a big-hearted human working to promote inclusivity in the many communities he influences.

In this special episode of Listen First Montana, Chantel and Eric visit the State Capitol in Helena and visit with several Leadership Montana alumni who work in the Legislature as elected members or government relations executives. We will hear from Democrats and Republicans about the ways that they listen to understand and to seek common ground. This is a timely view inside the marble halls of ou...

In this episode, Dusty and Chantel talk about creating impact, investing in Montana communities, raising children with special needs, and just being kind.