Trail Listening Post

Skateboarding is about so much more than tricks; it's about community, creativity, and creating opportunities for the next generation. Mike Smith welcomes Andy Kemmis and Chris Bacon back to the Trail 103.3 studio to talk about the growing impact of Montana's skateboarding scene. The conversation covers the acclaimed documentary Montana Grind , Andy's photography book Grit to Grind , and how skate...

Mike Smith welcomes Hannah Shepherd from Splash Montana into the Trail Studio to celebrate a major milestone- 20 years of making a splash in Missoula. Hannah shares the story behind Splash Montana’s history, highlights the features that have made it a favorite summer destination, including the Olympic-sized 50-meter pool, water slides, lazy river, and family-friendly zero-depth entry area. The con...

This episode of The Trail Listening Post features a special live performance from Missoula's own "Milk Made". The band stopped by the Trail studio to play a couple of songs, share the stories behind their music, and talk about their creative journey as a Missoula-based band. The conversation also highlights their show tonight at Leaf & Quiet , where they'll take the stage at 7:00 PM. Whether y...

A behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Woodtick Music Festival in Darby, Montana, this episode brings together Mike Smith and guest Sasha Bell for a full rundown of what to expect July 17th and 18th. From the challenge of bringing touring artists into the middle of the country to the grassroots energy of the lineup, the conversation highlights how this festival is built around community, creativ...

In this lively “Mike Smith Squared” conversation on Trail 103.3, host Mike Smith welcomes Mike Smith of the Missoula PaddleHeads for a behind-the-scenes look at life inside Ogren Park. What starts as a humorous “battle of the Mike Smiths” quickly turns into a deep dive into the energy, creativity, and community impact driving Missoula’s hometown baseball team. Mike Smith (Missoula PaddleHeads) sha...

Ever wondered what happens when a giant pear-shaped car/motocycle breaks down in Missoula? This week on The Trail Lunchbox , Tommy sits down with "Glubbey" (Andrew), the artist and creator behind the viral Pear Car that's been turning heads across the country. Traveling from Florida to Seattle, Glubbey shares how a mechanical breakdown near Bonner unexpectedly led him to Missoula and introduced hi...

Kathryn Sanders from Blue Mountain Clinic joins Mike Smith on Trail 103.3 to talk about Defiance on the Dance Floor , a community fundraiser celebrating resilience, solidarity, and the power of showing up for one another. Kathryn shares the inspiration behind the event, taking place four years after the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade , and discusses Blue Mountain Clinic's mission of providi...

Missoula Pride returns June 19–21, and Missoula Pride Co-Founder and Executive Director Devin Carpenter joins Mike Smith on The Trail 1033 to preview a weekend packed with celebration, connection, education, and community. Devin shares how Missoula Pride has grown from a grassroots effort into one of Montana's largest Pride celebrations, thanks to partnerships with local organizations, volunteers,...

Mike Smith is joined in the Trail studio by Trey Curtiss of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers ahead of the annual Backcountry Brewfest happening at Caras Park. Curtiss shares his path from University of Montana intern to conservation advocate, while breaking down the organization’s mission to keep public lands accessible, protected, and open for all users. The conversation explores growing pressur...

Mike Smith is joined in-studio by Marc Moss, founder and executive director of Tell Us Something, to preview the organization's upcoming live storytelling event, The Power of Place. Marc shares how Tell Us Something has spent the last 15 years helping community members tell true personal stories on stage, why storytelling remains such a powerful way to connect people, and what audiences can expect...

Mike Smith sits down with Amy Cilimburg, Executive Director of Climate Smart Missoula and Kerri Mueller, Air Quality Specialist with Missoula Public Health, to discuss Montana's Wildfire Smoke Ready Week and how communities can prepare for the months ahead. The conversation highlights the 2026 Wildfire & Smoke Outlook , a free public event taking place on Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. in the Coope...

Zootown Swing is a newer Missoula nonprofit built around Lindy Hop, a vintage swing dance that started in Harlem in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Callie describes it as a joyful, social, goofy, partner-based dance that gives people a way to connect for a few minutes at a time through music and movement. The group started hosting dances in Missoula last September, with regular social dances at Fr...

Mike Smith welcomed Lisa from American Rivers and Carmen from Wild Montana into the Trail 103.3 studio to talk about the 2026 Trails, Rivers & Forests Expo, happening today, Wednesday, June 3, from 5–9 p.m. at Trail Head River Sports. The free event is co-hosted by American Rivers and Wild Montana and brings together local outdoor organizations, businesses, conservation groups, and community p...

Every year, marathon weekend brings runners, families, volunteers, spectators, local businesses, and entire neighborhoods together for one reason: the love of running. The banners go up, the course comes together, the cowbells come out, and Missoula becomes part race course, part welcome committee, and part block party. Always fun to welcome Trisha Drobeck, executive director of Run Wild Missoula...

Rosie La Secco and Joyce Gibbs join Trail 103.3’s Tommy to talk about the return of Missoula’s wildly popular Kinky Bingo — a one-of-a-kind night of burlesque, drag, bingo, immersive performance, and community fundraising. Alongside Joyce Gibbs from Tell Us Something, the conversation explores how the event grew from its roots in Moscow, Idaho into a beloved Missoula tradition now in its fourth ed...

Mike Smith sits down with Marcy Allen, Executive Director of the Missoula Community Foundation, for a conversation about Missoula Gives and the power of local philanthropy. They explore how this community-wide giving event has grown into a beloved annual tradition—bringing together nonprofits, businesses, and everyday donors across Missoula and the Bitterroot. Marcy shares stories about the impact...

Mike Smith is joined live in-studio by longtime Missoula community member and former Justice of the Peace Karen Orzac to talk about the 65th Annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. Now retired after 20 years on the bench—and having officiated over a thousand weddings—Orzac shares her continued passion for serving the community through the Missoula Kiwanis Club. The conversation highlights Kiwanis’ centu...

Mike Smith is joined in-studio by Lynn Wood and Sean Higgins of Storyhouse Montana for an in-depth conversation about the transformation of the former Roseburg Mill site in Missoula into a major new hub for film, media production, workforce training, and community development. Storyhouse Montana is reimagining the industrial complex as a full-service production facility designed to attract mid-siz...

Mike Smith is joined in-studio by former Trail 103.3 program director and longtime DJ Robert Chase, along with his daughter Mazzy Chase, for a conversation that blends radio history with a deeply personal story. Now living with type 1 diabetes for over 26 years, Mazzy was diagnosed at just 20 months old—an experience that reshaped her family’s life and led Robert to become actively involved with w...

Mike Smith is joined live in-studio by Bob from Free Cycles to talk about spring riding in Missoula—and the future of one of the city’s most community-driven spaces. At the heart of the conversation is the Free Cycles “Forever Campaign,” an effort to secure the long-term sustainability of the organization by paying off its property and expanding its impact. The campaign supports everything from yo...

In this episode, Mike Smith sits down with Joy French of Bare Bait Dance and the Westside Theater to talk about the energy, creativity, and community behind 40 Over 40 —Missoula’s sold-out dance showcase celebrating performers stepping back into the spotlight. Joy shares how dancers of all experience levels are taking on new styles, pushing past self-doubt, and rediscovering the joy of movement. F...

Mike Smith sits down with Carolyn Buchta, the creator of Dance Til Dusk —Missoula’s ultimate early-evening dance party for women (and their friends!). Carolyn shares the story behind the event, how it brings together people of all ages and backgrounds, and why it’s all about fun, friendship, and great music—no pressure, no pretense. Learn about the pre-party at the newly relaunched Florence Cockta...

Mike Smith is joined live in-studio by Missoula-based choreographer and educator Colleen Rosbarsky ahead of Rubber Soul Reimagined , a musical cabaret inspired by The Beatles iconic 1965 album. Presented in collaboration with the University of Montana School of Music and School of Theatre and Dance, the production brings the entire Rubber Soul album to life through live performance, dance, and sto...

Today we’re celebrating James McMurtry turning 64, so we went into the Trail Vault and pulled out a live session we recorded at the Top Hat Lounge in downtown Missoula on June 3rd, 2015. Craig Johnson was on site for this,  just a sitting on the booths with a couple mics, and a really honest conversation with James, plus a few live performances while patrons and tourists alike sat around unsuspect...

 Colter Nuanez is joined by filmmaker Scott Diener, director of Big Sky Falling , ahead of the film’s premiere at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. Now in its 23rd year, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (BSDFF) is the largest nonfiction film festival in the American West. Presented by the Big Sky Film Institute, the festival brings filmmakers and audiences together for a dynamic week of...