Natural Thoughts and Talks

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks , I sit down with Dr. Mary Clark for a fun, honest, and thoughtful conversation about overcoming difficult experiences, serving our tribal communities, and preparing the next generation to lead. Dr. Mary shares pieces of her own journey and what she has learned through working within tribal communities, especially when it comes to protecting, supportin...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks , I sit down with Stephanie Gonzalez for a powerful conversation about reconnecting with culture, overcoming addiction, and finding strength through community. Stephanie opens up about some of the challenges she has faced, the positive growth that came from those experiences, and what reconnecting with her culture has meant throughout that journey. We...

Venture and Morningstar discussed their previous podcast episode where they explored topics around identity, addiction, and cultural heritage. Morningstar reflected on how Venture’s advice about not thinking of cultural identity as “half” but as two distinct parts helped her better understand her own identity. They both discussed how external perspectives on cultural identity can be problematic, p...

This conversation has been a long time coming. My uncle Wacy Weeks and I hadn’t spoken in several years before sitting down for this episode. That history made this conversation different. Wacy opens up about his battle with addiction and what it has taken to navigate life as a father, leader, friend, and member of the Fort Peck Tribes. We talk honestly about family, healing, culture, responsibili...

This episode is a bit of an NTT throwback. We originally recorded this conversation with Myltin Bighorn a few months ago, and after sitting on it for a while, I knew it deserved to be brought back out. Myltin is a rising young Native entrepreneur and youth advocate with strong ties to his community and culture. We sat down to talk about mindset, discipline, positivity, leadership, and the responsi...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks , I sit down with Khalil—an educator, professor, community leader, and someone I’ve been fortunate to call on for guidance and friendship. Khalil’s story is especially powerful because his connection to his Native roots came later in life. Through years of discipline, research, and involvement within the American Indian community, he was able to trace...

What does it mean to find your way back to culture, community, and purpose? In this episode, I sit down with Melissa, a passionate Native leader, dancer, and community advocate whose work is centered on strengthening Indigenous identity and creating opportunities for future generations. Melissa shares her journey growing up, the importance of reconnecting with culture, and the deep responsibility...

In this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Tex Hall for an in-depth conversation about leadership, service, and building a stronger future for Indian Country. Coming from a long line of hardworking, dedicated leaders in his community, Tex shares the experiences that have shaped his life—from agriculture and education to tribal government and public service. As a former Tribal Chairm...

Dr. Nat joins the show to talk about her family values growing up and as a parent. the importance of community and how her run for office can help prioritize the traditional values found across all of Montana. Thanks for taking the time to record mom! Love you

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Michael and Venture discussed the importance of decolonizing Indigenous communities and building human capital. They explored how traditional Indigenous values, such as sharing and community care, have been lost or undervalued in modern society. Michael shared his experiences as a Native American veteran and his desire to see more unity among Indigeno...

Morningstar shared her journey from being an reluctant aunt to becoming a mother of three, including her experiences with foster care, addiction, and cultural identity as a Black and Native American woman. She discussed how her grandmother's wisdom and cultural teachings helped her overcome drug and alcohol addiction at a young age. Morningstar also described her current focus on building a founda...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture interviewed Clayton Jones, a Portland resident who shared his passion for craft beer, cooking, and camping. They discussed Clayton's detailed approach to enjoying food and drink, his early experiences working with mentally ill individuals, and his current job at the airport. Clayton highlighted the importance of treating people with kindness a...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture interviewed Steven Pearson, an artist and professor from Pennsylvania, to discuss his artistic journey and teaching experiences. They explored Pearson's current art projects within the painting world, as well as his teaching approach at McDaniel College, where he emphasizes the importance of process over product and encourages students to expe...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture interviewed Morris Jones, a track and field coach at Cerritos College, to discuss his experiences growing up in Southern California during the Civil Rights era, his coaching philosophy, and his approach to mentoring student-athletes. Morris shared his journey from a challenging upbringing in a segregated community to becoming a successful coac...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture and Daniel discussed their experiences living in different environments, particularly comparing urban life in Baltimore and Los Angeles to rural life in Montana. Daniel shared his love for nature and community, while Venture described his transition from city life to living on the Fort Peck Tribes in Montana. They explored themes of freedom, o...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture interviewed Jessenia, a hairstylist from Las Vegas who recently opened her own salon suite specializing in textured hair. Jessenia shared her journey from a career in hospitality to becoming a stylist, including the financial and personal sacrifices she made to pursue her passion. They discussed the importance of humility, self-discovery, and...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture and Dr. TJ Reed discussed the upcoming Cal State Long Beach Pow Wow and the importance of cultural preservation. They explored the concept of abundance mindset versus scarcity mindset, particularly in Indigenous communities. Dr. Reed shared his experiences as a teacher and leader in restorative justice, emphasizing the importance of humility a...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Stephen and Venture discussed the importance of not running from failure and the value of perseverance. Stephen shared his personal experiences, including his time working on a Native American reservation in Montana, which provided him with a unique perspective on rural reservation life and the struggles faced by Native communities. They also talked a...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Michael Davis, known as Mikey the Pizza Man, discussed his mobile pizza business in Southern California. He shared his journey of transforming a horse trailer into a pizza kitchen, offering high-quality Neapolitan-style pizzas with convenience similar to chain restaurants. Michael emphasized his passion for building personal connections with customers...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture interviewed Kae, a dog trainer from Inglewood, California, who runs KaeK9 Academy. They discussed Kae's journey in dog training, his business growth over the past four years, and his approach to training using e-collars. Kae shared his experiences with clients, the importance of maintaining consistent training, and how he applies his dog train...

In this episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, Venture interviewed Cole Hanks, a basketball coach from Wolf Point, Montana, who shared his personal journey with mental health and his experiences coaching young athletes. Cole discussed his struggles with anxiety from a young age and how he eventually sought therapy and found coping mechanisms like running marathons to manage his mental health. He e...

John Sirois is a dedicated father and community leader from the Colville Indian Reservation, an enrolled member of the Okanagan and Wenatchi Bands of the Confederated Tribes. Born and raised in Omak, Washington, he received a strong cultural foundation from his grandmother and extended family that continues to guide his work today. John has applied both his academic training and cultural roots thr...

Sarah, the founder of Sarahtonin Massage Therapy discussed her rewarding experience as a massage therapist, highlighting improvements in clients' physical, spiritual, and mental well-being. She emphasized the importance of the mind-body connection, explaining how clients' thoughts can affect their ability to relax during a session. Sarah also shared her approach of tailoring techniques to each cli...

In this special episode of Natural Thoughts and Talks, I sit down with three respected leaders of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes for a powerful conversation rooted in memory, culture, and responsibility. Each guest shares reflections from their childhood, offering insight into the teachings, values, and lived experiences that shaped who they are today and how those lessons continue to...

Cree and Venture shared their personal journeys in reconnecting with Indigenous cultural practices, including beadwork, powwow dancing, and traditional regalia, while discussing the therapeutic and community-building aspects of these activities. They explored the challenges of maintaining cultural traditions in modern contexts, including systemic barriers faced by Native American communities and t...