The Vault at 201 N Broadway

This is a special collaborative episode with The Bamboo Method: Investing in the Unseen, a podcast centered on the long, quiet seasons of work that shape who we become and what we build. Hosted by Sam and Wade, the show features thoughtful conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders about patience, growth, and the intentional choices that compound over time.   Marcell was on...

In this episode, we sit down with Craig Aasved, CEO, and Maija Trout, Certified Genetic Counselor, to explore the unique role Shodair Children’s Hospital plays in Montana. From specialized psychiatric care for children and adolescents to a nationally recognized genetics program serving patients of all ages, Shodair is a critical resource for families across the state. Craig and Maija share how Sho...

In this episode, we sit down with Peter Johnson, Air Force veteran, former Federal Air Marshal, and founder of Archway Defense, to explore the principles of leadership, discipline, and purpose that guide his work. Peter shares his experience training law enforcement, corporate teams, and communities in active shooter response and workplace safety, drawing on his time serving internationally in cou...

In this episode, we sit down with Cole and Katie Whitmoyer, co-founders of Flex Family Health, to discuss their vision for primary care in Montana. Starting from a desire to bring healthcare back to the “good ol’ days” where your provider was just a phone call away, easy to access, and affordable, they've built a practice focused on individualized, collaborative, and high-quality care. Cole,...

In this episode, we sit down with Laira Larson, a Lockwood High School graduate and freshman in college, to hear about her transformative experience as part of the Montana World Affairs Council’s “India Trek 2025.” Selected through the EconoQuest and Academic WorldQuest youth conferences, Laira and seven other Montana students traveled across India as ambassadors of their communities, Montana, and...

In this episode, we sit down with Riley Bennett of Dick Anderson Construction to talk leadership, community, and the value of showing up. Riley shares his career path from working on renewable energy projects across the U.S. and Canada to leading major construction efforts in Montana and how those experiences shaped his leadership philosophy. He reflects on the importance of face-to-face relations...

On this episode, we sit down with Dr. Alison Harmon and Mike Veselik from Montana State University’s Research and Economic Development team to explore how MSU’s land-grant mission shows up in real, tangible ways across the state. Alison and Mike share their paths to MSU, what it means to lead and support research at a land-grant institution, and how MSU’s work extends far beyond campus. We dive in...

In this year-end episode, we look back at the conversations and themes that shaped The Vault in 2025 from hospitality and customer service, to storytelling, entrepreneurship, and the resources available for businesses across Montana. We revisit insights from hotel leaders, boutique owners, ranch families, PR pros, media voices, manufacturers, and startup founders. We also highlight the support eco...

In this episode, we sit down with Carrie Stoner, Director of Kiln in Bozeman, to talk about her Montana roots, career journey, and the experiences that shaped her approach to leadership and community. Carrie shares how her background in hospitality informs everything she does from how people are welcomed, to how teams connect, to how spaces are intentionally built for belonging. We dive into what...

In this special on-the-road episode of The Vault, we recorded live at EconoQuest, a program designed to introduce Montana students to global economics and career pathways by the Montana World Affairs Council. We sat down with educators, industry experts, and international leaders including Mike Veselik (Montana State University), Eil Steinberg & Lukac Khomenko (Sentinel High School), Ryan Coon...

In this episode, we sit down with Nikki Geiszler from the Montana World Affairs Council to dive into her story, her background in anthropology, and the path that brought her to Montana. Nikki talks about her work expanding the Council beyond Missoula and building partnerships with teachers and schools across the entire state ensuring students in every corner of Montana have access to global progra...

In this episode, we sit down with Rick Brown, Director of the Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC), to explore the VR&E Self-Employment Track, a program offered by the SBA and VA through a memorandum of understanding. This track leverages counselors from SBA resource partners, including VBOCs, SBDCs, Women’s Business Centers, and SCORE, to help service members and veterans with a service-co...

In this episode, we sit down with Jim Markel, CEO of Red Oxx, to talk about building things that last, products, places, and relationships. Jim shares how growing up in a military family, serving as a parachute rigger, and watching his dad start Red Oxx out of a Billings basement with surplus webbing shaped the company’s DNA: rugged, bootstrapped, and built with intention. We dive into Red Oxx’s e...

In this episode, we sit down with Kelly Heaton, Executive Director of Leadership Montana, to explore how the organization is shaping Montana’s future through leadership development. Kelly shares her journey to Montana and how her career path led her to lead a program dedicated to preparing professionals to tackle the state’s challenges and opportunities. Leadership Montana travels to communities a...

In this episode, we sit down with Cheryl and Robin of The Front Porch in Laurel. Two women who have been intentionally building a place for people to gather, create, and feel connected. What started as a small sign-making operation in a garage has grown into a true community hub: DIY workshops, a welcoming venue for events and celebrations, and a boutique that showcases products from more than a d...

In this episode of The Vault, host Marcell Bruski takes the podcast on the road to the Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) Fall Conference. Recorded live in Polson, she sat down with economic development leaders and partners from across the state, including Christy Cummings Dawson with Montana West Economic Development, Terra Burman with Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation,...

In this episode, we sit down with Paddy Fleming, Director of the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC). Paddy shares his journey from growing up in small-town Montana to leading manufacturing operations across North America and Europe. We talk about leadership, learning from others, and the experiences that shaped his career—from solving complex problems to managing teams and driving impro...

In this episode, we sit down with David Allen, General Manager of the NILE (Northern International Livestock Exposition) and veteran marketing executive whose career has shaped some of the biggest names in western sports, rodeo, and conservation. From his roots in Deadwood, South Dakota, to working alongside legends like Dale Earnhardt and Ty Murray, David shares stories from over 50 years in PRCA...

In this episode, host Marcell sits down with Toby Tooke—radio host, DJ, and social media manager at Tooke Bucking Horses—for a conversation close to home. Toby shares the remarkable legacy of his great-grandfather, Feek Tooke, the visionary horseman from Ekalaka, Montana, whose breeding program shaped nearly every bucking horse in modern rodeo. From growing up on the ranch to producing a documenta...

In this episode we sit down with Montana APEX Accelerator team to learn how their program helps Montana businesses successfully navigate government contracting. We cover how to find opportunities, understand requirements, and pursue contracts with federal, state, and local agencies. Whether you’re selling directly to the government or subcontracting to prime contractors, the Montana APEX team prov...

In this episode, we sit down with Avanlee Christine, CEO and Founder of Avanlee Care, a female-founded healthcare tech company born in Montana and built to bridge the gap between health plans and caregiving families. Avanlee shares her journey from working in healthcare startups to taking the leap into entrepreneurship, navigating fundraising, product development, and the realities of building a t...

 In this episode, we sit down with Blythe Beaubien, Captain and Founder of Bigger Fish PR. Known for amplifying her clients’ stories, Blythe shares her own—from growing up in an entrepreneurial family in Chicago and California, to a triple major at Lehigh University, and her early start in sports PR with the Philadelphia 76ers. She reflects on lessons learned in long hours, tough transitions, and...

In this special episode of The Vault, host Marcell Bruski and guest host, Paul Green take the podcast on the road for the very first time—recording live from the Colstrip Energy Open. We sat down with energy leaders and community voices including Grid United, the Montana Department of Commerce, Colstrip Mayor John Williams, Nick Pancheau of Collaborative Design Architects and BSED Board Chair, Mol...

In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Flint, host of Montana Talks and one of the most recognized voices in Montana media. Aaron shares his Montana roots — from stuffing newspapers at his grandparents’ shop in Glasgow to leading a statewide radio talk show. He reflects on the lessons of growing up in small-town Montana, his years studying in Washington, D.C., and his decades of military service...

 In this episode, we sit down with Wade Haesemeyer and Sam Steingraber, the co-founders of LUNE Marketing Studio, to talk about entrepreneurship, storytelling, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Their journey began with music and mentorship, grew through trust and shared vision, and has now evolved into a business built on telling brands’ stories through the power of video. We dive int...