The Jackson Hole Connection

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan chats with Story Clark . Story is a conservationist, author, speaker, teacher, entrepreneur, and the Founder & CEO of TravelStorysGPS. TravelStorysGPS’s goal is to enrich travelers’ experiences and deepen their connections to place by producing quality geolocational mobile content. In this episode, Story shares the history of her G...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan chats with Chris Hessler . Chris is a father, husband, entrepreneur, author, mentor, community leader and a brain cancer survivor. Chris is the Co-Founder and former President of Imagitas (acq by Pitney Bowes) and the Co-Founder of PatientPoint (acq by Alta Comm). Chris also co-founded Silicon Couloir, the Jackson non-profit that helps...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan chats with Mark Fisher . Mark is an award winning photographer and the CEO, Director & Founder of Fisher Creative. Fisher Creative’s goal is to not only create truly once-in-a-lifetime stories but to create transformational experiences during every production. Mark’s work has been featured in dozens of editorial publications, numer...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Whitney Oppenhuizen . Whitney is an Intuitive Relationship Coach and the owner of Being Oppen. She focuses on helping women with their relationship to self and others. On top of being a life coach, Whitney is the Director of Development & Marketing at Teton Valley Ranch Camp and co-hosts the Messy Path podcast. In this...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Zahan Billimoria . Zahan is a father, guide, skier, teacher, entrepreneur, performance innovator, and the founder of The Samsara Experience. The Samsara Experience provides on-demand and private training programs to help athletes achieve peak performance. Zahan’s work has been featured in Forbes Magazine, Outside Magazine,...

Happy New Year’s Eve! In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan and Michael talk about some of the memorable guests and moments of 2020. We will be back next week with all-new episodes of The Jackson Hole Connection! Guests highlighted in this episode include: Episode 80 - Shane Hollingsworth Episode 112 - Andrew Munz Episode 114 - Gavin Fine Episode 71 - Jim Auge Episode 95 -...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Jim Ligori . Jim was born and raised in Jackson and is the current Camp Director at Teton Valley Ranch Camp. In this episode, Jim talks about how his parents made their way out to Jackson, growing up in the Valley, and what life is like as a camper and a camp director at the historic Teton Valley Ranch Camp. Stephan and Jim...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Laura Peterson Wright . Laura is a Doctor of Chiropractic and the owner of JH Backcountry Health. She also recently started the Health in the Hole podcast where she interviews local health professionals and fitness experts. In this episode, Laura shares how she went from creating desserts at the Four Seasons to opening up a...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Nikki Gill . Nikki is the co-owner of Jackson Drug, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Hereford Ranch, and is part of a fifth-generation Jackson family. In this episode, Nikki talks about growing up on a cow-calf ranch, her family’s rich history in the Valley, and the re-opening of one of Jackson’s most iconic business...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Eden Morris . Eden is a registered dietitian, sports nutritionist, former collegiate athlete, and owner of Teton Performance Nutrition.  In this episode, Eden talks about falling in love with Jackson, why she pursued the path of becoming a dietitian, and her own struggles with food and nutrition. Stephan and Eden also discu...

**Updated 11.20.20 - Full Episode** In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Rocky Vertone . Rocky is a father, husband, skater, DJ, and business owner. Rocky is the owner of Full Circle Frameworks, a custom picture frame shop. He is also the Co-Founder of Four4 Productions, which he founded with the late DJ King Weep. Rocky spins under the name DJ Vert One and ha...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Gavin Fine . Gavin is a father, entrepreneur, chef, sommelier, mentor and an aspiring ski bum. Originally from Chicago, Gavin moved out to Jackson almost 25 years ago to pursue the ski town lifestyle. Fast forward - Gavin is now the Owner of The Fine Dining Restaurant Group and Co-Owner of Roadhouse Brewing Co. The FDRG is...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Fred Kingwill . Fred is originally from Michigan and moved out to Jackson back in 1980 to be the Public Information Officer for the Forest Service. While working in the Forest Service was Fred’s main career, his passion has always been painting with watercolors. In this episode, Fred talks about working in the Forest Servic...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Andrew Munz . Andrew is an actor, director, producer, and author of the new book “I Can Ski Forever:  A Modern Day Jackson Hole Epic.” The “I Can Ski Forever” book is a collection of skits, songs, and scenes from the popular I Can Ski Forever shows that were performed in Jackson Hole between 2014 and 2019. In this episode,...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Lindsay Linton Buk . Lindsay is a fifth-generation Wyoming native, photographer, speaker, and the Director of the Women in Wyoming project. Her project’s mission is to tell the inspiring stories of contemporary Wyoming women through art and media, celebrating their achievements, power, and learned wisdom. In this episode, L...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Carol Mann . Carol moved out to the Jackson Hole area in 1987 after a ski trip to Grand Targhee led to a life-changing investment experience. Carol has gained an eclectic mix of work experience throughout her life. She has been a radio personality, journalist, a leadership consultant in the computer industry, entrepreneur,...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Sara Flitner . Sara grew up in Shell, Wyoming, and moved out to Jackson Hole after college in 1990. Since coming to Jackson, Sara has served as the Mayor of Jackson, started a consulting business, and recently formed the non-profit organization Becoming Jackson Whole. Becoming Jackson Whole’s mission is to make mindfulness...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Melissa Turley . Melissa moved to the valley over 20 years ago and has been an active community member ever since. She has served as a Teton County Commissioner and was on the Jackson town council for almost ten years. Currently, she is the Executive Director of the Teton Village Association.  In this episode, Melissa talks...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Jim Darwiche . Jim was born in Southern Lebanon, went to school in Beirut and made his way to the U.S. to study aeronautical engineering at the Northrop Institute. After working in the airline industry for one year in Lebanon he decided to come back to the U.S. and eventually landed in Jackson back in 1978.  Throughout the...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Mark Newcomb . Mark was born in Teton County and has worn many hats over the years including climbing and skiing guide, ski patroller, avalanche course instructor and is a former part-time owner of Exum Climbing Guides. Mark currently serves as one of five Teton County Commissioners.  In this episode, Mark talks about...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with David Gessner . David is a husband, father, editor, professor, and a New York Times bestselling author. David has published eleven books, including his latest work Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt's American Wilderness and the New York Times bestselling All the Wild That Remains: Edward Abbey, Wallace...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Cathy Shill . Cathy is the Founder and Owner of Hole Hiking Experience, a year-round company that offers guided hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and wildlife tours. In this episode, Cathy talks about how she landed in Jackson Hole in the 80s, started her business, and how she shares her “office space” with her clie...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Ed Brenegar . Ed is the first return guest on The Jackson Hole Connection. Stephan first visited with Ed back in episode 3, just under two years ago. Ed is the founder of Circle of Impact Leadership, an author, father and ordained presbyterian minister.  We wanted to bring Ed back on the podcast to talk about how people can...

Stephan and his family are hitting the road for a vacation to California to see their relatives. In this episode, Stephan quickly revisits two recent episodes that shouldn’t be missed.  Episode 94 – Not Yet A Local with Jim Rooks Episode 97 – Designing Leadership and Finding Balance with John Kanengieter We will return next week for a new episode of The Jackson Hole Connection. After 100 epis...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Chris Koch . Chris is known to some as Dr. Koch, known to others as The Cowboy or The Cowboy Chiropractor. Chris moved out to Wyoming from Wisconsin back in 1972. Originally Chris settled in Rock Springs to help open a Chiropractic office, but after 6 months, he decided to make Jackson his home.  In this episode, Chris talk...