The Jackson Hole Connection

We made it to 50 episodes! In this extended episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Bert Romberg. Bert is a grandfather, husband, philanthropist, speaker, former business leader and a holocaust survivor.  In this episode, Stephan and Bert talk about moving to Jackson, escaping the holocaust, growing up in Germany and England and what it was like to be a refugee. Do yo...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Joe Albright. Joe is a dude ranch operator, author, and a former foreign correspondent. Joe reconnected with Jackson Hole after inheriting the Flat Creek Ranch which was originally run by his Great Aunt starting in 1916.  In this episode, Stephan and Joe talk about running a dude ranch, the news industry and Joe’s amaz...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Abby Harrison, better known as Astronaut Abby.  Abby is a Wellesley graduate, aspiring astronaut and the founder of the non-profit The Mars Generation. Abby’s goal is to be the first person to walk on Mars. She is currently pursuing her goal in Jackson by working with the non-profit Wyoming Stargazing. In this episode,...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits Brad Mead. Brad is a father, husband, lawyer, rancher, writer and whiskey maker. Brad is a 4th generation Jackson resident. Brad’s great grandparents came over from Idaho to homesteaded on what is now Teton Village.  In this episode, Stephan and Brad talk about ranching, growing up in Jackson Hole, finding your calling, alw...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits Jen Daniels and Rick Fox. Jen and Rick are entrepreneurs, married, parents, and the founders of a hemp farm called Meristem Farms. Jen and Rick grew up two blocks away from each other, but only really connected at the age of 22 when they were reintroduced by their parents.  In this episode, Stephan, Jen and Rick talk about...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Crystal Wright. Crystal is a mom, entrepreneur, Free Skiing World Champion, barrel racer and founder of Wright Training. Crystal grew up in Jackson and Pinedale. She spent summers on a ranch in the Wind River Range and her winters were spent skiing at JHMR.  In this episode, Stephan and Crystal talk about growing up in...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Susan Pieper. Susan is a mom, entrepreneur, avid sailor, Harvard MBA graduate and CEO of the DMOS Collective. Susan landed in Jackson Hole after moving from Japan with the dream of starting her own business.   In this episode, Stephan and Susan talk about pursuing dreams, starting a company, the Rebelle Rally, exp...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Mike Gierau. Mike is an entrepreneur, Wyoming Senator, former Wyoming House Representative, former Town Council Member and the owner of Jedediah’s Catering and Concessions. Mike landed in Jackson Hole in the summer of 76’ after exploring the area on a family trip the summer before.  In this episode, Stephan and Mike ta...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Christian Shearer. Christian is an entrepreneur, teacher, regenerative agriculture expert and the Co-founder of the Regen Network. Christian grew up in Seattle, and after spending his 20s and early 30s in Thailand, moved to Driggs, ID seven years ago to live with his partner.  In this episode, Stephan and Christian tal...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Michael Coles. Michael is an entrepreneur, father, author, avid volunteer, co-founder and former CEO of the Great American Cookie Company, former CEO of Caribou Coffee, and has set two transcontinental cycling records. Michael and his family fell in love with Jackson Hole after spending one night in 1974 on a family road tr...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Elizabeth Trefonas. Elizabeth moved out to Jackson Hole in 2005 to be public defender for the state of Wyoming and is the founder Trefonas Law, which has an emphasis on immigration cases. In this episode, Stephan and Elizabeth talk about the US legal system, immigration rights and the optimism of imprisoned clients. To dire...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Sandy Hessler. Sandy is a mother, teacher, mentor and thought leader. After Sandy’s children fell in love with skiing in Jackson Hole over ten years ago, they decided to make Jackson their home. Sandy teaches a new leadership course at CWC and annually helps lead entrepreneurs through the Startup Intensive. She recently sta...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Jennifer Tennican. Jennifer and her husband moved to the valley to be closer to her grandchild over 16 years ago. Jen is a documentary filmmaker and has produced and directed the local documentaries The Stagecoach Movie , Far Afield: A Conservation Love Story and most recently Hearts of Glass, which is having its Jackson pr...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Seadar Rose Davis. Seadar moved out to Jackson over 15 years ago from the south with a group of friends. Seadar learned to play the guitar as an adult and soon after formed the band Screen Door Porch with her husband Aaron Davis. In this episode, Stephan and Seadar talk about being a touring musician, running for public off...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Martha Lewis. Martha moved out to Jackson over 20 years ago with only $750 dollars to her name. Martha is a mother, wife and the founder of two businesses focused around sleep. In this episode, Stephan and Martha talk about moving out to Jackson, the four stages of sleep, why proper sleep is important and starting a busines...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Ciela Wynter. Ciela grew up in Jackson and is the Founder of Joan of Sparc, launching this summer. In this episode, Stephan and Ciela talk about returning to Jackson after a 20 year hiatus, traveling, starting a business, self empowerment, the Startup Intensive and living in a spiritual community. To connect with Ciela, ema...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Chris O’Blenness. Chris is a Jackson native and the Owner and Operator of Jackson Hole Buffalo Company. In this episode, Stephan and Chris talk about ranching buffalo, determination, sleeping in pig huts and running the livestock department at the prestigious Blue Hill Farm in New York. To connect with Chris directly, email...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Rob Kirila. Rob is a decorated veteran and the Executive Director of Your Grateful Nation, a non-profit organization geared towards assisting special operations veterans succeed in the private sector. In this episode, Stephan and Rob talk about leadership, life after the military, hard work and the challenges veterans face...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Bill Watkins. Bill is a graduate of West Point and the founder and CEO of The Lion’s Pride, a business accelerator group. Bill first visited Jackson Hole on a camping trip with his parents when he was moving around as an Army brat. In this episode, Stephan and Bill talk about business leadership, military service, close fri...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Bill Briggs. Bill is not only a Jackson Hole legend, but a world ski legend, making it into five ski hall of fames. Bill first came out to Jackson in the 50’s on a ski trip out to Sun Valley, Idaho. After a quick stop over to ski at Snow King, Bill knew this is the place he wanted to call home. In this episode, Stephan and...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Dr. Jim Dever. Jim is a professor and Florida State University, started 10 businesses from the ground up and “retired” at the age of 41. Jim went back to school at the age of 50 to pursue his PHD in entrepreneurship to pursue his passion of teaching. Full disclosure, Jim’s connection to Jackson Hole is his cousin, your host...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Shannon and Bryan Miles , the Co-Creators and Co-CEOs of Belay, a virtual service provider with over 600 team members. Bryan and Shannon made the leap to buy a home in Jackson after Bryan fell in love with the Tetons after hiking the Teton Crest Trail in 2009. In this episode, Stephan, Bryan and Shannon talk about work cult...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Mary Grossman.  Mary first visited Jackson in 1963 while still in her mom’s belly. After working summers in Jackson Hole during college, Mary moved out to stay in Jackson in 1987 after being recruited by the Grand Teton Music Festival. Mary created the publication Valley Horse Journal and Planet Jackson Hole. In this e...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Marc Domsky. Marc is a father, anesthesiologist, author and the husband of Lisa Finkelstein, who you may remember from a previous episode. Marc and his family moved out to Jackson Hole over 16 years ago after Marc landed a full time position at St. John’s Medical Center. Marc was inspired to write a book about the phallic a...

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan visits with Jennifer Ford. Jennifer is the founder and CEO of Frederick Mountain Group. She moved out to Jackson Hole in the summer of 2000 to work for the City Kids Wilderness Project and fell in love with Wyoming after canoeing from the Dam down to Artist Point. After a climbing accident in 2006, Jennifer had to re-evaluate her life...