The Missoula Podcast

One year, 52 episodes. We launched the podcast in July of 2023 and it still amazes us how the Missoula community has responded to hearing the stories of people in our amazing city. Join Brandon, Stephen, and for the first time Nick as they recap some of the challenges and lessons learned from the first year. Check out more from The Missoula Podcast team: https://www.themissoulapodcast.com/

Meet Elaine Sheff; her family was growing their own food, composting, and everything in between before it was mainstream. It was those experiences growing up that started her passion for herbs which turned into her opening an herb store on Stephens Ave, starting the Green Path Herb School, and reviving the Montana Herbal Festival. This was an eye opening conversation to the plants we encounter eve...

Meet Lowell Hochhalter; an experience in India changed the trajectory of his life forever. It may not be the direction he chose but it is the life he embraced by starting The Lifeguard Group whose mission is to aggressively RESPOND to those hurting, lost, broken, and exploited. RESCUE those buried in life's injustices, longing for support. RESTORE them to a place of wholeness and REVIVE hope i...

Meet Levi Janacaro; born and raised right here in Missoula, Montana. We dive into his upbringing, some highlights from his career, the legacy of #37, and what's next for him. Check out Levi's next adventure: https://www.glidewell.pro/ levi@glidewell.pro 406-437-0037

Meet the McCrackens; owners of Mary's Mountain Cookies. A job at the hospital originally brought them here but after a few years of not feeling fulfilled, they decided to venture out and start their own business. Their unique approach to their shop has made them a staple of Missoula and it was a joy to get to know them. Check them out here: https://mmcookiesmissoula.com/

Meet Ryan Guay; born in Missoula but it wasn't until his "3rd tour" that he planted his roots for the long haul. From a professional cycling career, to the paddle sports industries, all the way to Shark Tank with his current company Flated. Ryan has an incredible story and lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey. Check out their products: https://getflated.com Watch their pi...

Meet Dr. Robert Frost; med school was a grind after bouncing around schools all over the country but he finally landed in a place without a deadline in Missoula, MT. Get to know not only how he got here but the why behind it all. Learn more about Advanced Imaging and the technology they have: https://advancedimagingofmt.com/

Meet Erika Fredrickson and Matthew Frank; co-founders of Missoula's independent, nonprofit news organization The Pulp that covers people, politics, arts and culture. It was a shock when the Missoula Independent shut it's doors abruptly and with the deepening journalism crisis, Erika and Matthew took a new approach to independent journalism so they could continue to inform and engage their...

Meet Allison Strekal; the Jeopardy dream started with Trivial Pursuit nights and her history teacher dad. After a few twists and turns, she got the call while at Missoula Aging Services where she still works today. It was fascinating to hear all about the experience and even better to get to know her. Want a shot at Jeopardy? Start here: https://www.jeopardy.com/be-on-j/anytime-test Check out Alli...

Meet Josh Jones; answering the question "what to do you do?" is difficult because he is involved in so many different communities. His life has taken a lot of twists and turns that have led him to his day job as the Executive Director of Youth for Christ and there's no telling what he will be doing next. Learn more about: https://yfcmt.com

Meet Rajiem Seabrook; father, coach, mentor, community leader, connector, and organizer. He does it all to help others and to make his community better. Learn more about EmpowerMT: https://www.empowermt.org/ Check out the Montana Black Collective: https://www.montanablackcollective.org/

Meet Jerry Kuykendall; for some he helps with their back pain, for others he helps them learn about their personality type but it's all so much more than that as he dubs it WHOLENESS coaching. Years ago, he decided to radically change the direction of his life that has led to what he is doing now. Think deeply, be inspired, and get motivated with this episode of The Missoula Podcast. Learn mor...

Meet Chris Cochran; he's a mechanic except rather than your average car motor, he's working on multiple 15,000 horsepower engines on a 900 foot ship. From treacherous storms to some of the most pristine skies you will ever see, it was fascinating to hear his experiences in this industry. Check out his adventures: instagram.com/mt_mariner

Meet Sam Dasios; events DJ, intramural basketball legend, and comedian with how much we laughed in this episode. Missoula truly is a special place if someone from Thessaloniki, Greece can find his way here and call it home. Learn more about his business: https://www.djdasios.com/

Meet Finley Stratford; musician, actress, high school student, and so much more. A senior at Big Sky, she's got big dreams and we were amazed with her wisdom at such a young age. We also got a treat and got a LIVE performance from her towards the end of the episode so you don't want to miss this one. Hear more of her music on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok @TheFinleyStratford

We're back with John and Jenna Wicks for Part 2 of our conversation! Join us as we dive into John's music career, how they've balanced family through it all, some cool stories, and what's next for them. Part 1: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/sKTN8aGsgIb Flüffy Bünny: https://fluffybunnyband.com/ Deaf Charlie: https://deafcharlie.lnk.to/CatastrophicMetamorphic

Meet the owners of Drum Coffee in Missoula, Jenna and John Wicks; you may know John as the drummer of Fitz and the Tantrums. In Part 1 of our 2 Part series with Jenna and John, we dive into how Drum Coffee came to be and how Drum Coffee is bringing a unique experience to the Missoula community. https://drumcoffeeroasting.com/ Be sure to follow, like, and subscribe so you don't miss Part 2 next...

Jonathan Howie simply had an idea, started taking massive action, and continued iterating on that idea until we got to the Montana Fire Pits that we have today that now sell all across the world. There's a ton of value in this episode that you don't want to miss. Check them out: montanafirepits.com

Montana Grizzly Football brought Tyler Hobbs to Missoula in 2006 from Spokane but coaching high school basketball has kept him here. The principles he's learned throughout his playing days have led him to a successful real estate career and he now passes those lessons onto the kids he coaches in the game he loves. Connect with Tyler on Real Estate: https://www.kellerwilliamsmissoula.com/agent-...

Heather Foster grew up with Glacier National Park in her backyard. After bouncing around the state and graduating with a degree in Health & Human Services, it all came full circle when she found herself in Missoula working at the YMCA. From the pandemic, to a situation no organization should have to go through, nothing fazes Heather now as she helps lead the YMCA with their MASSIVE expansion....

Leland Reed hangs her hat proudly at Revel Real Estate but is much more than a real-estate agent. She has faced challenges that many go through but don’t talk about, and through her story, she hopes to inspire everyone that there is a seat at the table for them. From her upbringing to her social media, we get a peak at it all to see who Leland really is. Learn more about Leland and her team: https...

A hustler since he was a kid; after a series of successful businesses Jeff's mom convinced him to go to trade school as a backup, little did he know that would turn into his career and ultimately lead him to Missoula, MT. He's been at the forefront of technology and diversified his business to help electricians across the country with his content as well. Learn more: https://360electricmt....

To our surprise, a medical doctor's day to day does NOT look like an episode of Grey's Anatomy and while Montana does not have a medical school, Amy Smith was able to return to the community she was raised in thanks to the WWAMI program; a program through the University of Washington. We learned a ton about what it takes to go through medical school and her experience being a doctor in Mis...

Austin Davis found himself drawn to Missoula for the freedom to explore the outdoors and raise his family but the overall vibe has kept him here. An expert in chiropractic care, he wants nothing more than to see people be their best selves and is doing that through his business, Life Chiropractic. Check out all the places he's been and his full story in this great episode. Learn more: https://...

With the help of his little league baseball coach, Josh Smith made his first knife when he was just a kid and has been hooked ever since. From his upbringing in Lincoln, MT to creating the Montana Knife Company that now reaches far beyond our state, Josh is creating something truly special that will last generations to come. We thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and we think you will too. Learn...