CONNECT MT artwork

CONNECT MT

39 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 46 ratings

We create a space for conversation about our community with those helping create it. Starting with our Northwest corner of Montana, we hope to inspire our listeners with ways to engage within your community. Season 1: By sharing the voices of those who inspire us with their leadership, we hope to highlight the origins of their abilities to: Ask, Empower, and Serve. Season 2: This is your neighbor at work: There's something extraordinary about the ordinary.

Society & Culture Education ask empower serve community connection engage montana kalispell flathead leadership
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Dr. Sara Boilen

December 31, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MB

"Every client has something to teach me... And I'm always looking for those blindspots or weak areas." --  Sara Boilen , PsyD We decided to send 2020 out with notes of hope, humor, and motivation.  If you're in need of some of that (like we were), check out this episode with Dr. Sara. Dr. Sara Boilen is the owner and chief psychologist at Sweetgrass Psychological Services. She has found creative ways to apply her enthusiasm for learning and serving to other organizations as well including...

Mallory Ottariano, KIND Apparel

May 26, 2020 11:00 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MB

Mallory Ottariano founded KIND Apparel with a hope to create functional, fashionable, and sustainable clothing that keeps up with active women (and men). A Missoula, MT based company, KIND Apparel plainly expresses Mallory's creativity and love for the natural world. This love is further demonstrated by the fact that KIND Apparel makes 100% of their clothing from recycled plastic! On this episode she discusses the unique high points and stressors of running a (growing) small business. We adm...

Jordan Van Eimeren, Sacred Waters Brewing Co.

April 21, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 49.6 MB

Jordan Van Eimeren is the co-founder and co-owner of Sacred Waters Brewing Co. She partnered with her father, Kirk Gentry, to create a space that welcomes all walks of life. In this episode she recounts her Montana childhood, and the roots of her plans to serve those around her by creating a space where community can truly exist. Her contagious energy and smiling persona provide the basis for her passionate pursuit of success beyond the financials of her business. This one's "For the Wild On...

George and Elma Giavasis, Highline Design

April 10, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 53.9 MB

George and Elma Giavasis have found multiple avenues to harness their creativity and love of people. As owners of Highline Design, they develop relationships with their clients, adapting not only their artistic and design capabilities, but also their capacity to deeply relate to those around them. They celebrate the Flathead Valley through their energetic investment in Go Local Flathead magazine, PechaKucha Kalispell, among others! Hear about their balance of all things relational, music ta...

Mike Foote

March 26, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 43.8 MB

Mike Foote has written his resume as a mountain runner by placing on the podium at several of the toughest endurance foot races in the world. He serves his community as a Board Member of the Five Valleys Land Trust, the Co-Owner of Runner's Edge Events, as well as training and racing as a sponsored athlete (by The North Face).  On this episode we discuss his passion for his local and global community, and how he intentionally and thoughtfully approaches his roles in these settings. We hope...

Katie Cantrell

February 21, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MB

Katie Cantrell's writing expresses her love for life, her family and the multitude of stories that unfold while parenting three kids. She recently made the leap from working in the home as a mom to also working as a freelance writer. Fortunately, she's kept up her blog (dating back to 2007!) to document her own growth in the midst of life's changing seasons. She's even written a book. Katie sat down with us to discuss what it's like to choose to stay home with kids, even when that role didn...

Peter Metcalf, Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance

February 10, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MB

Directly southeast of Glacier National Park, you can find the Badger-Two Medicine area of the Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest. In the early 1980’s the land was leased for energy development. Since 1984 the Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance has advocated for the cancellation of these leases, and they've been successful on all but one, which is still held by an energy development company (at the time of this transcript). Alongside the Blackfeet nation, nationwide and statewide conservation g...

Tanner Claridge, Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist

February 06, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 49.2 MB

This week's episode features Tanner Claridge, a certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO). This is a unique niche in medicine that combines engineering and intimate patient care. Tanner pairs his unique aptitude and desire to help people, creating a space for education, troubleshooting and compassion. Simply put: he builds prosthetic devices and molds braces that help support weak muscle groups.  We hope you enjoy learning about this unique craft, and that you'll be inspired by Tanner's commitme...

Renee Noffke, GNP Conservancy

January 21, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 41.3 MB

Here in NW Montana we enjoy our proximity to Glacier National Park (GNP). We get accustomed to paying our yearly dues to pass freely through the entrances, having the luxury of avoiding crowds by taking advantage of the 'shoulder' seasons. Most of us figure the entrance fees from the 2.45 million visitors (in 2019), along with federal budgets cover the costs to keep the park's facilities and trails safe and sustainable. Unfortunately, these dollars fall sorely short in a big way of the actua...

Mike Murray, Singer/Songwriter

January 09, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 75.5 MB

Mike Murray makes the most of his lyrics. He's spent the past two decades honing his crafts as a songwriter, instrumentalist and vocalist.  He's found a way to use less effort in his vocals, and he's come to a place of allowing his life encounters to do the talking, rather than forcing lyrics. His insight and honesty hit hard, bringing us all along for the ride, reluctantly at first. But then we can finally relax and realize:  he's one of us.  We had the pleasure of capturing a live recordi...

Brandon French, Firefighter-Paramedic.

December 31, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 51.9 MB

Brandon serves on the local fire department here in Kalispell, MT. He provides valuable insight to  the realities of shift work  as a firefighter-paramedic in a busy department, and the quick tutorial on "how to operate a firetruck pump system."  We also talk about his days of competitive ski mountaineering, rock climbing and... racquetball (not kidding)!  He has impressed us with his positivity, inclusiveness, amidst his many physical accomplishments. We hope you enjoy this glimpse of the c...

Jeni Felts, The Shelf Helper

December 19, 2019 15:00 - 1 hour - 58.2 MB

Jeni Felts set out and created her own niche in the business world using her desire to serve those around her. She helps draw out something that we all intrinsically have deep down: the ability to organize our living spaces and bring added peace to our lives. What most of us lack is the training on how to make this a systematic process, and the discipline to carry it out again...and again...and again on an hourly basis.  She has found a sense of excitement and creativity with her decision to...

Julie Shobe, RD, CDE

December 12, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 48.2 MB

How does diabetes affect the body? What's an HgbA1c? Why should you care? Julie shares some valuable insight to the world of diabetes. She helps clarify some of the medical jargon and misunderstandings around type I and type II diabetes. She brings 10 years of dietetics and nutrition experience to this interview. Our discussion highlights the amount of work and dedication to details it takes both families and healthcare providers of patients with diabetes. We hope you enjoy following along!

Deputy Ryan Stoll

December 05, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 54.3 MB

Ryan Stoll serves the Flathead Valley in uniform as a sheriff's deputy. He provides an in depth look at the lifestyle and mindset required for the job in a rural area. He discusses his training and the growth that he's experienced while on the force as well. We find out how he maintains a sense of compassion and humanity in the setting of a job that requires many negative encounters over the course of a single shift. We appreciate his service to the community and we hope you enjoy hearing ab...

Chelsea Gibson, RMA

November 22, 2019 12:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MB

Picture your next medical visit. Check in, fill out some paperwork, get led to a room. Lift up your shirt sleeve for a blood pressure, hold a finger out for your heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. Answer a few questions about your medications and problems. The door opens and closes and you're alone. Who was with you for the past five minutes? What was their name again?  What are they doing during your visit? What are their dogs' names?  This episode puts a name and a story to one face o...

Chelsey Fjeldheim, LCSW

November 15, 2019 12:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MB

Chelsey works in Kalispell as a clinical therapist. She's amplified her natural skill set of listening well, applying it at the professional level where she impacts the lives around her with multiple therapeutic techniques. She offers positive influence and clarity in a world that often lacks both. Her use of reflection, introspection and humor made this episode a fulfilling experience for all of us. We're excited for you to meet her! She's a good witch..Take a listen to find out why!

Taylor Ferda

November 08, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 57.4 MB

Taylor works in Kalispell as a middle school teacher. He's a pretty reflective and collected friend. We've come to respect him as someone who makes an effort to help students engage the world around them in a thoughtful and deliberate way. On this episode you'll hear him discuss his road to a teaching career, and the pieces of history he finds most compelling...they might not be the headline topics that our textbooks show us. He'll also review why U2 is likely the most influential music grou...

Sean Anderson, Senior Librarian

November 06, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 42.6 MB

Welcome to Season 2!  Sean is our neighbor. He works in Kalispell at ImagineIF libraries. He shares the deeper intricacies of library operations and the meaning it brings to those who work there. He  describes the management of a book collection, but also how this library is so much more than that. We are fortunate to have a dedicated neighbor and friend, and the greater Flathead area benefits from his energy and love for learning. We're excited for you to meet our punk rock-librarian-husban...

Season 2 Preview

November 04, 2019 12:00 - 3 minutes - 2.3 MB

Welcome back to the CONNECT MT Podcast! Season 2 is entitled This is your neighbor at work.  (There's something extraordinary about the ordinary). This preview will give you an idea of what that means and where we are headed this season! 

Justin & Julie Season 1 Wrap Up

June 02, 2019 04:00 - 28 minutes - 13.2 MB

In this short, final episode of Season 1, Justin and Julie talk about the ways they've grown, the most impactful attributes of Season 1 and the plans for Season 2!

Episode 18 Chris Krager

May 16, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 31 MB

Chris Krager is the executive director of the homeless shelter in Kalispell, Montana known as the Samaritan House. He's also an accomplished musician. His passion for people and connection provides a natural platform from which he's grown both careers. He's a helper at heart and genuinely hopes to keep making  a difference in people's lives. We hope you enjoy getting to know Chris.

Episode 19 Jessica Loti LaFerriere

May 07, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour - 27.6 MB

Jessica "Loti" serves on the leadership team for Love Lives Here (www.loveliveshereflathead.org). She has been an integral part in the creation of events including: Love Not Hate, Missing Sisters and the Kalispell Women's March. In a time where polarizing language seems to surround social issues, Love Lives Here promotes language of acceptance and community. Rather than protesting their opponents or responding with force, Love Lives Here creates and supports local events in celebration of ou...

Episode 17 Dr. Mona Cuthbert

April 23, 2019 12:00 - 41 minutes - 18.9 MB

Episoe 16 Kelly Kirksey & Shelby Olivier

April 16, 2019 03:00 - 57 minutes - 26.4 MB

Kelly Kirksey and Shelby Olivier are starting their own podcast called "The Missing Peace." They will discuss their experiences, struggles, and, most importantly, their hope as parents raising kids with special needs. Their message and energy inspires us and those around them. On this episode they discuss their constant search for resources for their kids, and how, until now, there has not been a podcast dedicated to these families. We hope you find hope in their tireless love and their mess...

Episode 15 Alan Myers Davis

April 01, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 34.8 MB

This episode features Alan Myers-Davis, the Director of Development for the Whitefish Legacy Partners. He brings a unique vision of the importance of diversity within community. We discuss the values that motivate him to create a sense of ownership and community in the setting of the outdoors. We also hear about ways we can all get involved, using our own strengths to improve the community as a whole. 

Episode 14 Lynn Stoll

March 25, 2019 06:00 - 55 minutes - 25.4 MB

Lynn Stoll is a fitness instructor  in Kalispell, Montana.  She also works for a non-profit called "My Montana Wedding" as the Editor and Designer of their yearly publication. She has inspired us with her drive to motivate others with her words and actions. She leads high intensity interval workout classes, taking extra time to learn about her participants, and harnessing their strengths to promote steady self improvement. In addition, she's an amazing mom and wife to a law enforcement offic...

Episode 13: Joel Shehan

March 17, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 30.9 MB

Joel Shehan is a mountain athlete and physical therapist. His dedication to mountain sports and his growing success as a competitive athlete inspires those around him, but he doesn't stop at simply succeeding in his own pursuits. His attitude of inclusion and progress creates a space for those around him to push their limits, whatever their discipline may be. Additionally he continually seeks the balance between family, training, work, and self maintenance. 

Episode 12 Megan Couser

March 05, 2019 07:00 - 58 minutes - 26.8 MB

Megan Couser and her husband Noah Couser have a powerful message about self worth that they have successfully shared with the Flathead Valley and the across the world. Noah's YouTube channel promotes ways to address some of the most common social struggles experienced by adolescents.  Megan and Noah also created live events to use their stories and the stories of community members to help solidify the relevance of their cause. We hope you're inspired by her episode and their work!

Episode 11 Dan Heskett

March 02, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 34 MB

 Dan Heskett leads Northridge Lutheran Church in a mission to consciously engage in the world and touch people's lives. In this episode we discuss his experience as a Pastor and how that has been shaped by his studies of contemplative prayer and self reflection. We also discuss his time on the Rocky Boy Reservation, his drive to find balance and his journey as a family man. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Episode 10: Jessica Brennecke

February 25, 2019 05:00 - 39 minutes - 18.2 MB

Jessica "Jess" owns and operates a fitness company called Anchor Fit. She talks about the way she's overcome the self-imposed limitations on creativity and goals that we all deal with in our own ways. She also talks about the development of her motivational style, which balances self worth and self improvement. We hope you love her episode!

Episode 9: Burket Kniveton

February 15, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 28.3 MB

Burket Kniveton works at the Center for Restorative Youth Justice in Kalispell, MT. He has a passion for impacting the next generation and he's taken consistent steps toward helping adolescents realize their true potential. He is an avid seeker of adventure and a fantastic photographer. We loved our conversation with Burket, and we hope you do too.

Episode 8: Faith Corpron

February 09, 2019 07:00 - 53 minutes - 24.5 MB

Faith Corpron's list of training and growth includes:  massage therapy, meditation, marketing and sales. She's diversified her capabilities to better serve those around her. She creates community on several levels, most publicly with the direct sales company, Mary Kay. She is  a person who beams with positivity while honestly acknowledging areas for improvement.  Listen in and meet Faith!

Episode 7: Chris Kulp

February 04, 2019 03:00 - 53 minutes - 24.5 MB

Chris is an Architect with 100 Fold Studio in Lakeside, MT. He has traveled the world with his education and career and his perspective has continued to evolve. He consciously develops his efforts to empower those around him with a fundamental desire to serve those he meets. 

Episode 6: Jana Sund

January 28, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 29.6 MB

Jana Sund is a local midwife to the Kalispell, MT area. Jana is truly an expert in her field. She has walked through many hardships and celebrations involving motherhood and childbirth. This interview is full of laughter and life.  If you are a man, woman, have children or do not, chances are you can glean some insight from this conversation!  

Episode 5: Matt Pollard

January 22, 2019 03:00 - 55 minutes - 25.6 MB

Matt Pollard is a close friend of ours and recently moved from a teaching career to opening his own business. We discuss his biggest challenges in operating a coffee shop in a ski town. We also explore his motivations to continue engaging the world around him with thoughtful  questions, intentional empowerment and genuine service.

Episode 4: Sarah Cameron

January 14, 2019 23:00 - 45 minutes - 20.6 MB

This episode features a loyal friend of the Shobe's, Sarah Cameron. Sarah leads an active family life and has climbed the leadership ladder in a home-based sales company called Norwex. She somehow maintains her friendships, business and customer relationships with a consistency that is hard to find. 

Episode 3: Mark Sanders

January 14, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 30.6 MB

Mark Sanders is a friend of ours who lives, works and recreates in Kalispell, MT. He is also hunter, a father, an engineer, a skilled conversationalist and a leader in the Flathead Valley. This episode explores the origins of his desire to serve beyond the confines of his job and his home, and his ability to create leaders around him.

Episode 2: Justin Shobe

January 14, 2019 21:00 - 28 minutes - 13.2 MB

This episode features one of the hosts, Justin Shobe, focusing on his inspiration for beginning the CONNECT MT podcast. Justin describes his influences and worldviews that have contributed to his growth as a husband, dad, athlete, healthcare provider, and musician. 

Episode 1: Julie Shobe

January 14, 2019 20:00 - 27 minutes - 12.7 MB

This episode features one of the CONNECT MT hosts, Julie Shobe.  We find out more about Julie's drive for self improvement, leadership and adventure.