We're No Dam Experts

Looking for the best motorcycle rides, dirt bike trails, and scenic drives in Montana? This week on We're No Dam Experts , Rebecca and Shannon sit down with Great Falls native Russ Ehnes, a lifelong motorcycle and off-road riding enthusiast. From helping found the Great Falls Trail Bike Riders Association to advocating for responsible riding, Russ has spent years promoting both street and trail ad...

The Cottonwood Festival is back! Rebecca and Shannon sit down with Connie Constan and Ashleigh McCann from The History Museum to talk about the return of this beloved event after nearly 20 years. Hear what inspired its revival and get a preview of what to expect on July 18, including blacksmithing, flintknapping, beadwork, quilting, wood carving, Native games, bison tipis, gold panning, and other...

What happens when you look at the Lewis and Clark Expedition through the eyes of a geologist? This week, Rebecca and Shannon sit down with John Jengo - professional geologist, Lewis and Clark scholar, and apparently Great Falls superfan (this was his 12th visit, but who's counting). John was in town for the Lewis & Clark Trail Alliance Annual Gathering, and he shares how the landscape, rock format...

This week on We're No Dam Experts , Rebecca and Shannon welcome legendary Las Vegas tattoo artist, musician, entrepreneur, and former Bad Ink star Dirk Vermin. Dirk shares how a persistent Sandy Johnson Thares of the iconic Sip 'n Dip Lounge convinced him to bring his love of tiki culture to Great Falls, resulting in a one-of-a-kind original artwork created especially for the legendary lounge. Fro...

What grows in Great Falls? Hosts Rebecca and Shannon sit down with Rose Malisani, Cascade County Extension Agriculture, Horticulture & Natural Resources Agent, to explore the trees, plants, and landscapes that help define north-central Montana. Rose shares what visitors can expect to see while exploring the area, what thrives in local gardens, and how travelers can experience Montana's growing sea...

On this episode of We're No Dam Experts , Rebecca and Shannon welcome back Megan Sanford, Archives and Operations Manager at The History Museum & Research Center, to discuss her new book, The Anaconda Copper Mining Company of Great Falls . From 1892 to 1982, Great Falls was home to one of the most important copper smelting and refining operations in the world. Megan shares the story of the plant's...

On this episode of We're No Dam Experts, hosts Rebecca and Shannon talk with Electric City Speedway owner Jeramy Myers about everything fans can experience at the track, from high-energy dirt racing and family fun to concerts, movie nights, and special events that are expanding the speedway beyond race day. Jeramy shares his passion for racing, what's happening at the speedway now, and how it's be...

This week on We're No Dam Experts , Rebecca and Shannon sit down with Inge Buchholz of Inge's Fashions. Inge shares stories about growing up in Germany, how she found her way into the world of retail, and the journey that eventually brought her to Great Falls. She also talks about her approach to fashion, life as a longtime downtown business owner, and the connections she's built within the commun...

Episode 282 of We're No Dam Experts features Great Falls native Ricky Lopez — known to many as "Montana Ricky." Rebecca and Shannon sit down with Ricky to talk about growing up riding BMX in Great Falls, the drive and discipline behind progressing in the sport, and his experiences riding and traveling over the years. They also catch up on what he's been focused on now that he's back in Great Falls...

This week on We're No Dam Experts, Rebecca and Shannon sit down with Kylie LaFountain — the current Miss Great Falls and a proud member of the Little Shell Tribe. Kylie shares her journey into pageantry, why Indigenous representation matters on the Miss Montana stage, and how she's using her platform to advocate for Indigenous education, MMIP awareness, and cultural pride. Plus, we chat about her...

Fresh off her appearance on Chopped , Mariah Gladstone of Indigikitchen joins Rebecca and Shannon for a conversation rooted in food, culture, and connection. A Blackfeet and Cherokee food advocate, Mariah is on a mission to bring Indigenous ingredients and knowledge back to the table, blending tradition, sustainability, and a whole lot of flavor. In this episode, recorded during her visit to Great...

On this episode of We're No Dam Experts , hosts Rebecca and Shannon sit down with event organizer Darrin Schreder to talk about Cruisin' the Drag, Montana's largest car show. From hundreds of classic cars lining downtown Great Falls to a full weekend of events, including a poker run and afterparty, Darrin shares how this long-running event has grown into a can't-miss tradition. Plus, we talk about...

On this episode of We're No Dam Experts , hosts Rebecca and Shannon chat with James and Crystal from Big Sky Reptiles about the upcoming Big Sky Reptile Expo in Great Falls on April 25. They share how they got into reptiles, what makes the expo worth checking out, and why there's really nothing to be afraid of, just a lot to learn and experience. From up-close encounters to expert insight, it's a...

On this episode of We're No Dam Experts , Rebecca and Shannon chat with first-year head coach Broc Finstuen and player Deon Lyle of the Great Falls Electric, Montana's only professional basketball team. They talk about what it takes to build a pro team in Great Falls, the energy behind game nights, and how the Electric are creating excitement and community through the sport. Plus, Deon shares his...

Podcast storytelling favorite and return guest, historian and author Ken Robison joins Rebecca and Shannon for this insightful episode!  Ken is out with a new book, Hidden History of Great Falls. He's sharing the lesser-known stories of Great Falls, and even a little drama. It's storytime with Ken, on this episode of We're No Dam Experts.  Hidden History of Great Falls is available in Great Falls...

  Just outside of Great Falls, The Ranch at Milo Creek is where Montana history and unforgettable celebrations come together. On this episode of We're No Dam Experts , Rebecca and Shannon sit down with Tom Dean and Patti Jo Lane to share the story behind this one-of-a-kind wedding and event venue built by Tom and his father and still rooted in family today. From the handcrafted buildings to the wi...

Rebecca and Shannon sit down with Rowdy and Ty of Rowdy Mood Hat Company to talk about building a bold Great Falls brand with serious personality. From how it all started to the inspiration behind their designs, this fun, sass-filled episode dives into what sets their hats apart—and where visitors can find one when they're in town. It's creative, a little rowdy, and a perfect example of the kind o...

Rebecca and Shannon sit down with longtime Western artists and husband-and-wife duo  Ron Ukrainetz and Echo Ukrainetz ahead of Western Art Week in Great Falls . Ron is known for his detailed polychromatic engravings on Claybord and historical oil paintings inspired by the Lewis and Clark Expedition , while Echo creates vibrant, one-of-a-kind batik pieces known for their rich color and striking con...

Rebecca and Shannon sit down with Jessie Bidlack of Sweet Prairie Farm to talk ranching, rendering, and the return of traditional tallow skincare. From pasture-raised cattle to small-batch, handcrafted balms, Jessie shares how her Central Montana homestead transforms a time-honored ingredient into nourishing, value-added products. We also dive into raising heritage livestock with intention, sustai...

Travis and Henry join Rebecca and Shannon to talk about how they've literally forged new trails for mountain biking in Great Falls. From grassroots advocacy to purpose-built trail design, they've worked with local and federal agencies and the International Mountain Bike Association to make new biking trails a reality in Great Falls.  Hear how they turned vision into action and why trails are the f...

Rebecca and Shannon sit down with Great Falls native Liz Alford, Ms. Wheelchair Montana 2026. Liz shares her journey following a spinal cord injury and how it shaped her passion for advocacy. As part of the Ms. Wheelchair America program, Ms. Wheelchair Montana is not a beauty pageant, but a leadership competition highlighting the accomplishments and advocacy of women who use wheelchairs. Liz's pl...

This week it's just Rebecca and Shannon trying to break down what's actually happening at Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park in 2026. No vehicle reservation system at Glacier. (And reminder: there has never been one at Yellowstone.) But there are changes to entrance fees — especially for international visitors — including a new $100 nonresident fee at both parks. We're walking thr...

On this episode of We're No Dam Experts , hosts Rebecca and Shannon are joined by local explorer Kristen Inbody, who has made it her mission to experience Great Falls outdoors—month by month, trail by trail, and often with her dog by her side. Kristen shares stories from her goal of visiting Giant Springs every month of 2025, along with her favorite hiking spots, ways to explore Great Falls year-r...

On this episode of We're No Dam Experts , hosts Rebecca and Shannon sit down with the creators and owners of Magpie , the local hotspot known for its bold claim to having the best patio in Great Falls . We talk homemade taco recipes, expertly crafted cocktails, and what went into building a place that's all about good food, good drinks, and even better company. Plus, a first for the podcast: our g...

On this episode of We're NO Dam Experts , Rebecca and Shannon sit down with Curtis Thompson for a wide-ranging conversation rooted in music, creativity, and Great Falls connections. Curtist shares his journey as a musician, memorable musical experiences, and the events that have shaped his career along the way. He also clears up how to properly pronounce his band's name and reflects on what music...