The Ranch Podcast

Eric Smallwood is a Twin Falls School District board member and came on to talk about a situation he finds himself in with several state legislators. In a recent district meeting, Eric advocated for participation in the upcoming May primary election and outlined what he felt was at stake, specifically the defunding of the public schools in Idaho, and urged everyone to participate. Some lawmakers f...

Mike Simpson is a US Congressman from Idaho and Zak Miller is the CEO of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. They both agreed to come on to discuss the state of agriculture in Idaho, which has seen better days. As Zak pointed out, Ag is Idaho’s baseload resource for its economy, and Rep. Simpson came on to talk about what is and can be done to support it. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Tru...

Mike Simpson is a US Congressman from Idaho and Rick Naerebout is the CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association. They both agreed to come on to discuss the state of ag labor in Idaho and the US which is a huge point of concern for both citizens and producers. The US hasn’t seen a revision to immigration law or labor law in many decades, and this inability to act at the federal level has put our dair...

James Ruchti is an Idaho State Senator and came on to talk about how Idaho has changed in the last two decades. As a state lawmaker from 2006 to 2010, James was part of the severe cuts that were required during the great recession. Those cuts, as with the ones now, reflected the values and priorities of the state. Learning what the state held onto and protected then vs now was an eye opening exper...

David Duro is the CEO of the Treasure Valley Family YMCA and came on to talk about this pillar of the community. I did not grow up going to the “Y,” but since moving to Idaho, I have come to greatly appreciate and love the incredible commitment the organization has to improving our community. They’re the largest daycare provider in the valley, they run youth in government programs, and they even s...

Jerald Raymond is an Idaho State Representative and came on to talk about the bind that Idaho agriculture is in. High production coupled with high imports has led the commodities to suffer extensively across the state. Jerald is working to help anyway he can. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused med...

Jack Nelsen is an Idaho State Representative and came in to talk about the state of Ag and Water in Idaho’s Magic Valley. 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 Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. T...

Jason Monks is an Idaho State Representative and came in to talk about the realities of Idaho’s budgeting process. The state budget is established at the beginning of the year, which takes effect in July of the same year and runs to the end of June the following year. Many things can and do happen during this almost 18 month timeframe, including changes at the federal level which make a balanced b...

Lori Barber is the President of the College of Eastern Idaho and came in to talk about its role in the community, the students’ lives, and Idaho’s future. 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 Treasure V...

Shelly Smede is the head of advocacy for the Idaho PTA and came on to talk about the work they’re doing, the growth, and the goals that the organization has for the future of the state and its children. 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 for...

James Petzke is an Idaho State Representative and is working on a constitutional amendment to help Idaho preserve its lands. As an avid outdoorsman and distance runner, James has more knowledge of unique aspects of the land value than most people. More than anything, he reminded me that once we sell land, we’re likely never getting it back. His passion for land preservation and access for all is p...

Jamie Braithwaite is the current president of the Idaho PTA and is working to build the voice and capacity of the largest parent and student advocacy group in the state of Idaho. Big things are on the horizon! 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 l...

Brit Raybould is an Idaho State Representative and came on to talk about the constitutional amendment that she is proposing that would help protect more of the land owned by the state of Idaho by giving the landboard more tools and considerations when calculating prudent fiscal actions. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to...

Richard McPherson is a world leading authority on Nuclear Technology. In Episode 20 of the American Nuclear series, we discuss the future role of Thorium in the nuclear fuel cycle. Thorium is NOT a fuel, as many people think, but instead something that can be converted into a type of Uranium, which can then be used as a fuel. This is a main point of confusion when people think of a “thorium reacto...

Ben Gillenwater is a parent and family advocate and educator in the technology space and created Family IT Guy to help families understand the risks and solutions with internet connectivity. Recently many countries have started engaging in government run age verification to allow access to social media or sensitive material like pornography. I initially thought this was a good idea, but Ben came i...

Mike Moyle is the state Speaker of the House for Idaho and came in to talk about a range of issues that the state faces currently. Budget issues, out of state political manipulation, taxes, and more. 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...

Ali Rabe is an Idaho State Senator and came in to talk about the recent action from the federal government around halting corporate investment in single family homes. The cost of housing is skyrocketing, especially in Idaho, and many investment firms are continuing to reduce the available housing stock for owner occupancy purchase by buying up huge chunks across the state. Ali and I spoke about po...

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...