The Missoula Podcast

Meet Kelli Hess; Executive Director of Home Resource. From recycling cans as a kid in Great Falls to an internship at the YMCA, Kelli realized she could receive a double paycheck by working hard in the non-profit sector helping people. Check out their fundraiser event: https://www.homeresource.org/event/bolts-and-bicycles-forever-home-in-missoula/ Learn more about Home Resource: https://www.homere...

Meet Stuart Thurlkill; from journalism to photography, he's always been interested in the WHY. He's worked across the globe in a variety of industries and has always said yes to whatever open door comes his way. All those experiences have led to some incredible opportunities and stories along the way. Check out Thurlkill Studios: https://www.thurlkill.com/ Check out more of his photography...

Meet Jennie Yang; raised in the east, Jennie saw her parents work hard. After a successful career building teams and working as an executive, having her own children changed her perspective and Chief Mama Officer was born. Now on a mission where toxic workplaces no longer exist, mothers’ gifts, time, and wellbeing are honored, and success is measured by human growth, rather than profit. Check out...

Meet Chris Cobb; after grinding through working multiple jobs while getting into coaching, he joined Montana when Travis DeCuire became the head coach. Now in his 12th year, he has been key in the Griz's success. Check out the rest of the Griz schedule: https://gogriz.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule

You met Mike Nugent for a brief moment back in Episode 8 when he was campaigning for mayor but there’s a lot more to Mike than just his political involvement. As an avid Griz fan he hosts the Griz Fan Podcast, working a full time job in Real Estate with Berkshire Hathaway, being an owner Paradise Falls, on city council and still finding time to raise a family. Mike is a busy guy and does everythin...

Meet Christine Kowalchik; from Kennebunk, Maine, she has called Missoula home since 2013. Quitting dance after an instructor told her she wouldn't make it due to her appearance, Christine's career has blossomed since. Creating a studio made for EVERYONE because as she puts it, "the body is meant to move." Check out her studio: https://showtymeacademy.com/

Meet Ryan Frey; from the sticks of Washington to a stint in the Peace Corps, he has had quite the journey before landing in Missoula. Ryan’s latest endeavor, Upslope Group, is a company with a unique way of building homes to help tackle the housing affordability crisis. Check out Upslope Group: https://www.upslopegroup.com

You met Ryan Montgomery back in Episode 105 where we talked all things Lords of Dirt. We brought him back to hear more of his personal story and how he came to start Montgomery Distillery. Ryan has traveled the world and back and has some great stories of everything he's been through. Learn more about the distillery: https://www.montgomerydistillery.com/

Meet Dylan Spradlin; raised in a loving family of educators, with compassion and care for others shaping every step of Dylan’s journey. After reading The Secret Life of the Unborn Child by Thomas Verney, Dylan recognized a calling and a purpose in supporting early development. Learn more about Dylan’s unique approach to child development and therapy: https://www.familyinsightstherapy.com/

Meet Rex Wolferman; after finding success in the corporate world, he needed to make a change after hitting his limit. A unique opportunity came up to purchase some port-a potties and Ponderosa Portables was born. Rex has found incredible success because of the high quality service he provides. Check out Ponderosa Portables: https://ponderosaportables.com/services

Meet Walt Muralt; owner of Muralt’s Travel Plaza at Exit 96 off Highway 93 and I90. Walt tells his story of the joys, stresses, and everything in between of the iconic family owned travel center. Stop by at 8800 Truck Stop Rd, Missoula, MT.

Meet Nicole Marburger; she always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur and apply the hard work she learned on her family's ranch in rural Idaho to something. She finally landed on Studio Beauty School and passing on the skills to others on how to be entrepreneurs and live the life of their dreams. Check out Studio Beauty School: https://www.sbsmissoula.com/

Meet Matt Cavanaugh; starting in the restoration business when he was just 15, he never imagined he would grow his own company, Five Valleys Restoration, to what it is today. From the service they provide to dedicating themselves to the community, Matt and his team have created a successful business unlike others. Check out Five Valleys Restoration: https://www.fivevalleysrestoration.com/

You met Ben Wineman back in Episode #1 of The Missoula Podcast. We brought him back as our first repeat guest to get an update on Help Me Ben, how far we’ve come as a podcast, and what the current landscape of the news looks like. Check out Episode 1: https://youtu.be/5PXZhFDZyHI Stay informed with Ben: https://www.montanarightnow.com/

Meet Jenni Graff; between bartending, selling fine art, and much more, Jenni has had a variety of jobs in her life. All of her experiences have given her a unique skill set to help tech businesses in Montana scale and grow with her latest venture. Connect with Jenni on Linkedin to see her next adventure: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennigraff/

Meet Justin Angle; Professor at the University of Montana and host of A New Angle Podcast. From managing trades in the bond market, to coaching rowing, to teaching the next generation in lecture halls, Justin has experience in a variety of avenues. He draws on all those experiences to tell stories of "cool people doing awesome things in and around Montana" on A New Angle Podcast. Check o...

Meet Quinn Chamberlain; head coach of the Hellgate Knights Football team. Hailing from Helena, Quinn has a history of success both as a player and a coach. Get to know his story and how his philosophy goes beyond the sport of football.

Meet Lindsay Persico; a lifetime raised in the outdoors prepped her for the challenge of surviving the wilderness for 30 days with no tools, just the body of a fallen animal on Alone: The Beast. The solitude of the outdoors was easy compared to the chaos and other challenges she’s faced in her life. Get to know her incredible story and what’s next for her. Follow Lindsay's adventures: https://...

Meet Dan Ryan; growing up in Big Timber taught him work ethic. After coming to the University of Montana, he did anything he could to get involved with the football program from setting up cones at practice to cutting game film. That work and mindset led to him becoming the strength coach and a key piece of the staff.

Meet Tim Netzley; coming from a line of teachers, preachers, farmers, mechanics, with the Coast Guard thrown in there, Tim has had a lot of different jobs in his life. All his experience eventually led him to take the leap into entrepreneurship and start Inspect Montana, where he can truly put those skills to use and serve others. Check out Inspect Montana: https://inspectmt.com/

Meet Jess Nepstad; he's still figuring out what he wants to be when he grows up but after a successful career at Nestle, he wanted something new. After several ventures in entrepreneurship, he's finally landed in Missoula with Planetary Design, a revolutionary line of products 'Where Coffee Meets Adventure'. Check out Jess's company: https://planetarydesign.com/

Meet Aly Suazo; owner of HypeHouse Studio in Missoula. A small town Montana girl from Florence, Aly has created a special community for anyone to challenge themselves and accomplish things they never thought they could. Hear all the joys and challenges she’s had along the way. Check out HypeHouse: https://www.hypehousestudio.com

Meet Lords of Dirt; bringing flat track racing to Missoula that has become a staple of the Western Montana Fair. Get to know Tyler and Ryan, the brains behind the operation and the stories they’ve gathered along the way. Learn more and buy your tickets for August 10th: https://www.lordsofdirt.org/

Meet Jed Thomas; from job struggles to family challenges, Jed has faced a lot of adversity but he’s met it all with resilience. It’s that resilience that has led him to the success he’s had as well as the drive to jump into his passion project, Down Ball Golf, a golf brand for every body. Check out Down Ball Golf: https://www.downballgolf.com/

Meet Jennifer Knoetgen; growing up in New York FAR from the big city, Jennifer experienced life on a farm thanks to her grandparents. That appreciation for the farm to table lifestyle eventually led to her starting Mountain Meat Shares, a subscription box connecting locals with high quality meats and recipes. She's got an incredible story from competitive horse racing, to becoming an accountan...