The Ranch Podcast

Tal Sampson is an avid hunter and a member of the Idaho HAT Committee (Hunting and Advanced Technology), a group put together of Idahoans charged with making recommendations on how to address advanced technology, fair chase, and the longevity of our incredible natural resources. Tal graciously drove from Pocatello to discuss what the committee has grappled with and what they could agree on and wha...

Dexton Lake works with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and came in to talk about a bill they are hoping to pass that establishes better clarity and local control within the state for individuals who want to produce and prepare food for sale in more of a cottage industry style way for local markets. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization...

Megan Egbert is an Idaho State Representative and came in to talk about the problems with healthcare and our fiscal responsibility to the state and its taxpayers. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Tr...

Katherine Himes is the director for the McClure Center for Public Policy Research out of University of Idaho and came on to explain how they engage in the research they do, what their goals are, and what part they play in helping Idaho make the best possible decisions for the state and its people. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization c...

Susie Keller is the Executive Director of the Idaho Medical Association and came in to talk about medical consideration and the ROI that doctors bring to the communities they practice in. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews...

Tori O’Neal is part of the social conservation district system in Idaho and came in to explain what these districts do. Idaho cares deeply for its soil health, and each county has a group that will help you find out how you can maximize the health and productivity of your individual soils. I’ve never been more excited for spring! Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation,...

Luke Mayville is a citizen activist in the state of Idaho and was a leading force behind Medicaid Expansion in 2018. He came in to explain what was happening in the state prior to this expansion, what the costs to the taxpayers were, and what the state of medical coverage was. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased,...

Stephanie Mickelsen is an Idaho State Representative and came in to talk about the budgeting process in Idaho. She also went into nuances of how funds can be agreed upon by the larger legislative body and then directed by the JFAC group, which is done without public comment. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, I...

Luis Granados is the Executive Director of the Breaking Chains Academy of Development in Idaho. He works with youth that need guidance, help, and an education to move forward as contributing members of Idaho’s population. The importance of his work cannot be overstated. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho...

Jordan Redman is an Idaho State Representative and came in to talk about two most issues: housing and natural resources in Idaho. This will definitely be the first of many this session. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews an...

Janie Ward-Engelkind is a Idaho State Senator and also sits on the JFAC committee that appropriates Idaho taxpayer funds. She came in many times last session regarding the budget and came back to give an update on where she sees this going. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podc...

Richard McPherson is a world leading authority on Nuclear Technology. In Episode 19 of the American Nuclear series, we consider the position of Hawaii as well as US Island territories. These landmasses in particular are vulnerable to natural disaster and direct attacks as they do not have reliable, easily repaired energy sources. Nuclear at any scale may be the only solution. Enjoy! The Ranch Podc...

Miguel Legarreta is the executive director of the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho and came on to talk about the tax considerations being considered currently in the state. The One Big Beautiful Bill passed many tax reforms on the federal level and this put Idaho in a position to either adopt these changes as well or break with tradition and develop its own separate decisions. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcas...

Debbie Critchfield is the Idaho State Superintendent of Public Education and recently played a key role in saving the federal grant going to many Idaho community schools. She came in to explain what happened, what Idaho had already done ahead of federal requests, and how she was able to save the day for many Idaho families. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-...

Rich Tyler is a retired fire fighter and now works with CORE Construction to help build, among other things, fire stations. These multipurpose buildings are incredibly complex and are also paid for by the taxpayer. Rich kindly came in to explain what goes into building a station and what considerations the average person should have when looking at the bill. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported b...

Lisa Knapp is a compost specialist with the city of Boise. The city goes to incredible lengths to incentivise and create fantastic compost that is available for free for the citizens of the city and is also used to improve parks and landscape throughout the area. It also goes to reduce landfill cost and storage needs, which is a huge win in and of itself. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by T...

Sam Eaton works for the Idaho Potato Commission and came on to discuss this iconic crop, its reliance on our research institutions, the wavering markets, and the herculean effort put forth by our farmers to sustain this incredible crop and economy. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ra...

Treg Bernt is an Idaho State Senator and came on to discuss several issues including his bi-partisan efforts to show positive political discourse to our next generation of voters and potentially eliminating cellphones in Idaho public schools. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Po...

Todd Achilles is a former Idaho State Representative and current US Senate candidate and came on to discuss problems for consumers and the working class around lack of competition and actual free markets that would benefit businesses, workers, and consumers. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused medi...

Keri Smith is a former Canyon County Commissioner and came on to discuss the issues with growth in Idaho. She is currently working with a group called Growing Together that educates residents about how to self advocate for how, where, and when they want their communities to grow. We can’t stop growth in Idaho, but we certainly can communicate better about our needs and wants and hopefully end up w...

Dr. Anna Radin works with St. Luke’s on suicide prevention and recently ran a study about connecting with both teens and adults who had hightened suicide risk. What her team found is that the connection offered by St. Luke’s, which was not extravagant or crazy, was so effective it was capable of cutting suicide rates in half. Understanding how this can be rolled out statewide is crucial to saving...

Melissa Wintrow is a democratic senator in Idaho and came in to speak about the budgeting issues as she sees them. Idaho is currently facing a huge budget deficit in the coming years, and many, many people are discussing solutions and the problem. Sen. Wintrow was extremely clear in that she feels this is a manufactured crisis and there’s no actual financial reason for us to be in this position bu...

Dr. Rayme Geidl is the interim Co-Director of the School of Health and Medical Professions at the University of Idaho and came on to talk about the relationship with the University of Utah Medical School. Idaho ranks the lowest in many medical based metrics, and a partnership with UofU could help push this great state in the right direction. It’ll take, you know, like 10 or 15 years, but we’ll get...

Nick Fasciano is the executive director of Idaho Wildlife Federation and came in to speak about migration patterns and needs of our wildlife. One of the issues with development is that there are very clear migration corridors that exist in Idaho that benefit untold numbers of wild game, and developers at times build communities over these areas. For some species, these are well worn trails that le...

Lauren Necochea is the head of the democratic party in Idaho and came on to talk about the 2026 legislative session that just started and what the priorities for the democratic party are. One of her greatest concerns centers around Medicaid expansion as many lawmakers have signaled that they want to repeal the expansion all together. Enjoy!  The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundat...