The Jackson Hole Connection

On our 200th episode, Stephan chats with Esther Judge-Lennox. Esther is the Founder of Shacks on Racks. Shacks on Racks helps connect homeowners thinking about removing a home or structure from their land with people who could make use of a relocated home or outbuilding on their own property.   In this episode, Esther shares what it was like to move to Moran, WY while in High School. She...

Joe Stone is an athlete, motivational speaker, filmmaker, and the Director of Mission at Teton Adaptive. Teton Adaptive’s mission is to promote, support, and develop outdoor sports and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities living in and visiting the Greater Teton Area.  In this chat, Joe shares the story of how a speed flying accident in 2010 changed the course of his life. Th...

Kyle Kissock is the Communications Manager for the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation.  Originally from Ohio, Kyle moved out west to work for the Teton Science school before finding his home at the Wildlife Foundation.  In this chat, Kyle and Stephan talk about all things wildlife.  Not just the big ones like moose, bears, and elk, but the little creatures that make up our ecosystem.&...

Hal Johnson is a father, long-time local, entrepreneur, horseshoer, ranch hand, and one of the first tram operators. Hal has called this valley his home for over 65 years. Born in Firth, ID, and raised in the Blackfoot area, he made his way to Wyoming as a teenager and landed in Jackson back in 1957.   In this episode, Hal shares with Stephan many stories of what it was like to live in w...

Aaron Gray is a coach, trainer, oil and gas landman, and the host of the Go Be WYO podcast. Aaron is a 3rd generation Wyomingite based in Sheridan, Wyoming. His podcast Go Be WYO provides Wyoming people, businesses and organizations the opportunity to share their stories of grit, kindness, and legacy.  In this episode, Aaron shares his family's Wyoming legacy. He tells Stephan about the many...

Annie Fenn is a mother, former OBGYN, chef, food blogger, culinary instructor, and the founder of Brain Health Kitchen. Brain Health Kitchen is a cooking school and online resource focused on fending off Alzheimer’s and other dementias.  In this episode, Annie tells the story of why she decided to retire early from a successful OBGYN practice. She goes into how her medical background and pers...

John Hamon is a husband, father, entrepreneur, community leader, and the Founder and CEO of Fortimize. Fortimize is a company that helps bankers, mortgage lenders, and asset managers build valuable customer relationships, experiences, and outcomes. In this episode, John tells his story about why he decided to move out to Jackson full-time during a pandemic. John shares how he hitchhiked out west a...

Kate Schade is the Founder of Kate’s Real Food. Originally from upstate New York, Kate moved out to Jackson almost 30 years ago. She started off as many locals do, playing during the day and waiting tables in the evening. A summer position at Cosmic Apple Gardens instilled a passion for organic farming and changed her perspective on food. Kate used this knowledge and inspiration to create and perf...

Sharel Lund is the Executive Director of One22 Resource Center. Originally from the Seattle area, Sharel moved out to Jackson over 31 years ago. After a decade of working in advertising and retail, Sharel transitioned to the nonprofit sector where she has helped local residents in her roles at the Community Safety Network and One22 Resource Center. In this episode, Sharel and Stephan discuss some...

Jim Williams is an explorer, ski instructor, Exum Guide, business owner, and a record-setting climber. Jim is the founder of Exploradus, a travel exploration company, delivering rich experiences in extraordinary destinations.   In this episode, Jim shares what it was like growing up in California in the 60s. He talks about how his love of climbing led him to start teaching and guiding by...

Carrie Geraci is the Executive Director of Jackson Hole Public Art, Jackson’s only non-profit dedicated to commissioning public art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  In this episode, Carrie tells the story of how she made her way out to Jackson over 30 years ago. She goes into how she transitioned into the non-profit world when she became the founding director at the Center of Wonder. Carrie shares...

Tana Hoffman is an adventure sport and outdoor industry consultant, marketing expert, motorhead, speaker, thought leader and the Founder and CEO of Mountainst and ILLA.  In this episode, Tana shares what it was like to grow up with adventurous parents on the east coast. She talks about her love for powersports and how it inspired her to create Mountainist. Stephan and Tana then discuss her la...

Erwin Velasquez is a bilingual yoga teacher and a personal trainer. Originally from Bogata, Columbia, Erwin made his way out to Jackson in 2006. A few years ago he decided to change the path his life was headed by quitting his job to focus on his health. This change led him to Yoga. He is now serving the Spanish speaking community in Jackson by helping make their fitness goals more attainable...

Leslie Mattson is the President of The Grand Teton National Park Foundation. She has over 35 years of experience in nonprofit administration and fundraising. Since 2004, Leslie has helped raise over $80 million from private sector donors for park projects, including the renewal of the trails and educational elements at Jenny Lake, partnering with the National Park Service on the construction of th...

Stefano Daza Arango was born in Venezuela and migrated to Canada as a refugee when he was six. During his time in college at the University of Rochester, he studied and worked for various organizations that took him to some amazing places like the Amazon Rainforest, Southern Africa, and the Galapagos Islands. Stefano currently lives in Alpine Wyoming and works for the Jackson Hole Conservation All...

Peter Chandler is a singer, songwriter, teacher, minister and bandleader. In 1978, Peter left Maine to move out to Jackson to pursue the ski bum lifestyle. He is a man of many talents and monikers. While you may not recognize the name Peter Chandler, you’ve probably heard of Chanman, Papa Chan or Polka Pete. In this episode, Peter talks about why he started making music. He goes into what it was l...

Mikey Franco is a rider, instructor, coach, trainer, guide, shaper and the founder of Franco Snowshapes. Franco Snowshapes crafts custom snowboards and skis with the mission to build the finest shapes in the world. In this episode, Mikey talks about how he has seen snowboarding change and grow over the decades. He shares the story of how a season ending injury led him down the path of shaping cust...

Amy Moore is the Executive Director at PAWS of Jackson Hole. She moved to Jackson in 2004 from Boston, MA where she spent 13 years in corporate marketing. Shortly after moving to Jackson, Amy joined the service industry, tending bar at the old 43 North before shifting to the nonprofit community. She has been with PAWS for over 16 years and hasn’t looked back. In this episode, Amy talks about...

Max Ritter is the Digital Content Manager for Teton Gravity Research and Lily Krass is a freelance adventure writer. Together they are the authors of Beyond Skid: A cookbook for ski bums. In this episode, Max shares what it was like to grow up in a German immigrant family in New York City. He talks about his first experience in the food industry and how it had a big impact on his outlook. Lily dis...

Priscilla Marden is the co-founder of Horse Warriors and co-owner of Diamondfly Ranch. She first came out to Jackson Hole in the 70s to work at a dude ranch just outside of The Grand Teton National Park. Priscilla has helped numerous non-profits in the community including the Teton Science School and the Art Association. She now operates Horse Warriors, a equine facilitated leadership and empowerm...

Ryan Stolp is the creator of the Lift Lines comic and co-founder of Orijin Media, a full service marketing agency. Ryan’s career path has been anything but ordinary. His CV titles could include dog sled guide, wilderness ranger, alpine hammock creator, illustrator, author and entrepreneur. Ryan recently collaborated with Sam Morse on a new graphic novel called The Ski Town Fairytale. He's als...

Steve Ashworth is a father, husband, landscape architect and the Director of Teton County/Jackson Parks and Recreation Department. Whether you swim at the Rec Center, play broomball, watch moose hockey, or play with your kids on the playground, the parks and rec department makes an impact in your daily life. Listen to this episode to learn about all that goes into operating one of the most importa...

Kendra Kolb Butler is the Founder of Alpyn Beauty. Alpyn Beauty is a local skin care line crafted from sustainably sourced alpine botanicals grown right here in Jackson Hole. Kendra left Manhattan with her husband and son in 2015 in search of fresh air, open spaces, and a chance to reprioritize what type of lifestyle they wanted for their family.  In this episode, Kendra shares what led her f...

Akop is a Professional Figure Skater, coach, husband, father, performer, actor, stunt double in Will Farrell’s Blades of Glory, and the President/CEO and Executive Director of the Grand Teton Skating Association. Originally from Armenia, Akop has traveled and performed with some of the best figure skaters of our time. After performing all over the world, Akop made Jackson his home in 1999.  I...

Tim Sandlin is a father, husband, novelist and screenwriter. You also may have seen him working at one of his 40 entry-level jobs over the past 50+ years. Tim first visited Jackson Hole in the late 50s with his father who worked as a part-time surveyor. He made his escape to Jackson from Oklahoma in 1968 when he took a seasonal job at Signal Mountain Lodge. Tim has published 10 novels and a book o...