Main Street Idaho Podcast

Senior United States Senator since 1999, Mike Crapo joins us during his brief return from Washington D.C. We discuss his role in recent cabinet confirmation hearings overseeing Dr. Oz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as the narrowly avoided government shutdown.

A welcome guest whenever he's able, Senator Treg Bernt returns for episode 13 to break down the current legislative session in the Idaho Senate. Bernt addresses his own perspectives on local control and new Distraction Free Policies, and further discusses his correspondence with constituents on either side of the aisle.

Reverend and digital pastor, Benjamin Cremer, joins the Main Street Idaho Podcast to cover religion in the political spectrum. As Christian extremism increases its influence in modern political discourse, we dissect the pros and cons of basing politics in the root of religion. 

Hillarie Hagen from Idaho Voices for Children sits with us to cover medicaid, medicare, and her background championing healthcare policy in Idaho. State and federal partnerships in the healthcare spectrum are becoming hotly debated in the Idaho Legislature as medicaid expansion discussions ramp up.

Today we interviewed Representative  Chris Mathias. Chris is a veteran, a Boise State graduate (and former Student Body President), with a Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School and a Doctorate in Law and Public Policy from Northeastern University. He currently serves in the Idaho House of Representatives, representing the heart of Boise, District 19. Main Street Idaho Podcast strives to foster m...

President of the Idaho Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Alexis Morgan, breaks down her role and the efficacy of the organization. Her observations of students in a technology-driven environment are influencing her goals to implement fair, accountable limitations in the way children connect with their subject matter. She continues the education discussion to explain school vouchers and the data fo...

As women's healthcare struggles grow throughout the state of Idaho, Dr. Pam Denson and Kylie Dixon join us for episode 8 to discuss their experiences dealing with nonviable pregnancies. Dr. Denson lends her expertise as a gynecologist and obstetrician to outline the complications patients like Kylie face when met with inevitable loss.

Returning for episode 7 of the Main Street Idaho Podcast is Senator Dave Lent. The 2025 Idaho Legislative Session is already generating discussion for school choice and the evolution of public education. Lent lends his own approach to bolstering the efficacy of public schools throughout the state, as well as identifies issues facing students in a post-COVID era.

Idaho Speaker of the House, Mike Moyle, sits down to cover campaign finance reform throughout Idaho. Currently the longest sitting member of the Idaho House of Representatives, Moyle dives into the fringe organizations attempting to influence elections and how he plans to bolster traditional Idaho values in the face of out-of-state dollars.

Host of the Extremely American Podcast and Idaho-based reporter, Heath Druzin, dives into the controversial Christian extremism defining regions of Idaho and the country. With over 20 years of background as an international journalist, Druzin sheds exposing insight into the decline of moderate values on both sides of the aisle.

Local journalist and international news icon, Nate Eaton, joins us in-studio to discuss his many accomplishments in the world of journalism. With his coverage of groundbreaking stories such as the Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow case, Eaton goes deeper into the impact of local journalism and the future of East Idaho News.

Exceeding 25 years of experience in local government and city management, Travis Rothweiler joins our host, Brennan Summers, to shed insight on his role helping Twin Falls grow and thrive. Serving as the community's Chief Executive Council, Rothweiler outlines his daily responsibilities to the residents of Twin Falls while sustaining the services they depend on.

Welcome back for season 4 of the Main Street Idaho Podcast. Joining us for episode 1 is Rod Gramer, former President of Idaho Business for Education and a decades-long journalist and news executive. Rod lends his extensive background in the news media to discuss the current state of news literacy in the 24 hour news cycle, as well as the impact of government vouchers in conservative and liberal st...

Vice President of the Idaho Association of Hospitals, Toni Lawson, discusses the critical shortage of Idaho healthcare workers across the state. As new and incumbent legislators return to session in January, 2025, Lawson expresses her concerns of the compounding effects of repealing Medicaid expansion and women's reproductive healthcare.

We take the podcast back on the road for a special episode with Governor Brad Little at the Idaho State Capitol. After widespread discussions and months of debate, Little sits down with our host, Brennan Summers, to discuss the newly completed water agreement for Idaho farmers. Now known as "Idaho Water Day", November 22nd will mark the historic union between sensible water rights and long-term mi...

Joining us in-studio to discuss the infrastructure and development projects in Southeastern Idaho is Hyrum Pitt. As the Business Development Leader for Headwaters Construction, Pitt discusses the rising costs of educational facilities, residential homes, and commercial buildings in the State of Idaho.

Joining us for their first time on the Main Street Idaho Podcast is Executive Director of the Association of Idaho Cities, Kelley Packer. Here in-studio to discuss her involvement in the nonpartisan, nonprofit corporation, Packer details her advocacy for city governance and strengthening Idaho cities.

Friend and returning guest for episode 13 of the Main Street Idaho Podcast, Representative Josh Wheeler of District 35 comes to discuss his efforts to promote entrepreneurship for Idaho's youth. In addition to his already impactful strides furthering Career Technical Education opportunities throughout Idaho, he's now turning his focus towards young adults in a new Lemonade Stand Bill.

CEO of the Idaho Associated General Contractors, Wayne Hammon, joins Brennan for episode 12 of the Main Street Idaho Podcast. As funding ramps up for infrastructure expansion across the state, Hammon explains how his 12-year role as CEO has furthered the growth of Idaho roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, churches, and facilities. Hammon additionally recaps how he and former Governor Butch Otter r...

The 2024 Presidential election is officially held Tuesday, November 5th throughout the country. To find your polling location, information about local elections, or voter registration, visit https://voteidaho.gov/ .

President and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce (BMCC), Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, is our special guest for episode 11 of the Main Street Idaho Podcast. Among her many accomplished roles, Meuleman highlights her past experience working with former Governor Butch Otter and current Governor Brad Little. Now advocating for businesses as the BMCC President & CEO, Meuleman explains how she plans to he...

Head of Lift Local Idaho, Kate Simonds, joins us for episode 10 of the Main Street Idaho Podcast. As an emerging leader in the Gem State, Simonds outlines the mission of Lift Local Idaho to improve quality of life, economic development, and inform Idaho communities of public policies. As Idaho continues to see growth from outside the state, Simonds advocates for local option taxes to give voters t...

Joining us in-studio for episode 9 of the Main Street Idaho Podcast is Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction, Debbie Critchfield. The Superintendent makes a pit stop to Idaho Falls while touring throughout Idaho educational facilities for her quarterly evaluations. Among the recent funding improvements for schools and infrastructure passed by the Idaho Legislature, Critchfield outlines her ow...

The Idaho Main Street Podcast takes the show on the road to Salt Lake City, Utah, to chat with the Director of the Mormon Women for Ethical Government. Addams details the beginnings of the nonprofit organization, as well as its goals to empower women from all denominations to approach government ideology through a lens of ethical peace making.