The Jackson Hole Connection

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Jeanette “Moosie” Woodling . Moosie was born on Halloween in 1922. After being laid off from Goodyear Tire in Akron Ohio after work slowed because of the end of WWII, Jeanette decided she wanted to live and work in a national park. In 1950, Jeanette hopped on a train to start her journey out west to work at Old Faithful Lod...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Morgan Jaouen. Morgan is the Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum.  In this episode, Morgan shares about visiting Jackson for the first time, working at Signal Mountain, and pursuing her dream job. Stephan and Morgan talk about some interesting stories and facts about the history of Jackson a...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Jeff Moran. Jeff is the Chief Marketing Officer of the Jackson Hole Ski and Snowboard Club, an emcee of many local events and the host of Cabin Fever Story Slam, a program by the Teton County Library. In this episode, Jeff gives a little history of Jackson Hole Ski and Snowboard Club, Jackson's oldest non-profit organizatio...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with John Kanengieter. John is a mountain guide, avid backcountry hiker, thought leader, speaker, and a Principal at Zero Point Partners. Zero Point Partners is a leadership and executive management consulting firm based in Wilson, WY.   In this episode, John talks about mountain climbing, working at NOLS (National Outdoor Leade...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Kenneth Thomasma. After 12 years of working at a summer camp in Montana, Ken fell in love with the mountains. In 1977, Ken and his wife decided to make them their home and left Michigan to move out to Jackson Hole. Moving out to Jackson gave Ken the time he needed to write his first book which was inspired by the story of S...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Virginia Powell Symons & Margaret Rose Breffeilh, the organizers and board chairs of the Teton Valley Balloon Rally. Both Virginia and Margaret arrived in the Jackson Hole area in 2001. Virginia operates an event planning business called Vibrant Events and Magaret is the Owner/Pilot for Elevated Ballooning. The two have...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Jim Rooks. Jim’s family lineage in Jackson Hole dates back to 1905 when Roy and Frank Van Vleck left Michigan and headed west. A year later in 1906, they formed the Jackson Mercantile in what is known as the clubhouse building on the town square. Even though Jim spent most of his life in Jackson, he was born in Casper, maki...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Laura West Soltau. Laura made her way to Jackson in 2007 after taking an Americorp volunteer position at Teton Literacy Center. After working in a variety of roles, Laura has worked her way up to Executive Director.  In this episode, Laura talks about the importance of literacy in a child’s development and the programs offe...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Rich Ochs. Rich discovered Jackson Hole after taking a summer job in the Grand Teton National Park over 20 years ago. He now holds the important role of Teton County Emergency Management Coordinator. Rich has helped Teton County through many big events that could have been chaotic if they weren’t planned out properly, such...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Samuel Singer. Samuel is the Founder and Executive Director of Wyoming Stargazing, a local non-profit whose mission is to educate and inspire through Wyoming’s extraordinary skies. In this episode, Samuel talks about turning a passion for the outdoors and astronomy into a thriving non-profit organization. Sam and Stephan al...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Macey Mott. Macey is a Jackson Hole native and the founder/artistic director of Riot Act Inc., a local theater company. In this episode, Macey talks about producing a wide array of plays and musicals, the supportive artist community of Jackson, and how Riot Act is continuing to create theatrical performances during the Covi...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Monika Ziehl. Monika is a Sheridan native, ultra runner and currently a race director for The Jackson Hole Marathon and Half Marathon. In this episode, Monika talks about how she is honoring her late husband by running a half marathon every day in May to help raise money for the Michael Matters Foundation . After a 14 month...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Ty Mack. Ty is a partner and co-founder of 460 Bread, an artisan bread company based in Driggs, ID. In this episode, Ty talks about moving from work with the Friends of the Teton River as a hydrologist into starting an artisan bread company without any commercial baking experience. Ty and Stephan discuss growing a business,...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Ali Milburn. Ali is the Founder and Executive Director of Hole Food Rescue. Hole Food Rescue’s mission is to reduce food waste and food insecurity in Jackson Hole. In this episode, Ali talks about how she turned a passion of saving food from the dumpster into a thriving non-profit organization. She will give insight on how...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Ben Roth. Ben moved out to Jackson Hole back in 1996 to help run Rancho Alegre Lodge. After starting a restaurant on the Town Square, Ben discovered he was more passionate about creating a feast for the eyes and started pursuing art full-time. In this episode, Ben talks about the importance of supporting local artists, teac...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Chef Jason Mitchell. Chef Jason is the head Chef and a partner at Hole Bowl. When he isn’t in the kitchen, he can be heard on KHOL as the host of The Grand Table, a show where he mixes up a blend of fine cuisine and music. In this episode, Chef Jason talks about his experiences of learning the ropes and rising in the ranks...

In this week’s special episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Michael Moeri. Michael has been helping edit the Jackson Hole Connection podcast since its inception over 83 weeks ago. Michael fell in love with Jackson Hole after working in the Grand Teton National Park during his freshman summer in college back in 2003. After nine years of living in Jackson, he and his family de...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Mike Randall. Mike has helped build an institution at Teton Barber Shop. After 38 years of cutting hair, Mike will be selling his share of the Teton Barber Shop and hanging up his shears. In this episode, Mike shares some fantastic stories of life inside the barbershop as well as the work he does to support the Jackson Cupb...

In this special episode, Stephan revisits a few episodes of the Jackson Hole Connection that may be helpful during the current COVID-19 crisis.  Take a look back on these episodes for so much needed inspiration and uplifting messaging: Igniting Change with Ed Brenegar How to Have Difficult but Necessary Conversations with Dave Kampfschulte Episode 20 - Nona Yehia Episode 39 - Sandy Hessler Ep...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Anne Fish. Anne is the motivational speaker, Real Estate Advisor, University of Wyoming graduate, world traveler, former flight attendant and author of the book Risk Formation. Stephan and Anne talk about achieving goals, taking risks, and changing life paths. To directly connect with Anne, email anne.fish@evrealestate.com...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Shane Hollingsworth. Shane is a husband, father, long time Jackson local and an entrepreneur who started Tormack Custom Screen Printing. Stephan and Shane talk about growing up in Jackson Hole, being a parent, falling in and out of love with the Valley and the importance of accepting help. To directly connect with Shane, em...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with John Soforic. John is the author of The Wealthy Gardener, a series of stories and practical wisdom on entrepreneurship and wealth. His self-published book has sold over 50,000 copies in its first year! Stephan and John talk about setting goals, financial freedom, the importance of hard work, and connecting with your family....

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with John Turner. John was born and raised in Jackson Hole and is part of five generations of Turners in the Valley. John’s grandparents originally came out west with Brigham Young Brigade and started operating the Triangle X Ranch in 1926.  Stephan and John discuss growing up in Jackson Hole, operating a dude ranch, surviving l...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Julia Heemstra. Julia is the Director of Wellness at St. Johns Health, a Search and Rescue volunteer and a dual citizen of the United States and South Africa.  Stephan and Julia discuss mental health, her personal traumatic event in 2012 and her initiative to bring water filters to her childhood community in South Afri...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Jack Hartpence. Jack is the Founder and CEO of Powwater, a social business that helps create access to clean drinking water.  Jack talks about the near death experience that inspired him to make an impact with his life. Stephan and Jack also talk about helping others, the importance of clean drinking water, and giving...