We’re talking trains on this episode with Montana railroad historian Brenda Wahler, author of the article Full Steam Ahead: How James J. Hill and the Great Northern Built Montana’s Hi-Line in the current edition of Mountain Outlaw Magazine

We’re talking to Pastor Brian Van Eps about his outdoorsy life coaching service, Legacy Guides. Brian has served as a minister all over Big Sky and Bozeman and has some great life advice and goal-setting tips as the Baby New Year of 2025 is born.

We’re finally talking about the sport of curling on this episode, as Missoula comedy writer Ednor Therriault joins us to discuss his latest article in Mountain Outlaw Magazine called “The Curious Case of Curling in Montana.”

We’re chatting with the driving force behind Bozeman Children’s Theatre, Patrick and Shelly Higgins. They’re directing eight musicals this year with schools all over Bozeman, each one involving dozens (sometimes a hundred!) children. They talk about the value of their background as teachers and the profound impact live theatre can have on the kids.

We’re learning all about Big Sky’s brand new Mountain Safety Group and its founder, Connor Goodwin. His background in Search & Rescue and backcountry know-how make him uniquely qualified to lead this effort to educate and inspire, whether you need a quick refresher on CPR or a comprehensive course on Wilderness First Aid.

Chef Dustin Rixey from The Waypoint in Big Sky teaches you how to elevate your boring Thanksgiving stuffing with a few simple ingredients.

Montana State Athletic Director Leon Costello joins us to talk about why it’s a great time to be a bobcat and the master plan for facilities.

Editor-in-Chief of “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” Carol Connare joins us to discuss their secret to success and, of course, we ask her to give us a local extended winter forecast straight from the farmer’s mouth.

Montana’s media industry has recently grown thanks to our state’s film tax incentive program, which is now in jeopardy. Luckily, the Montana Media Coalition and its president, Lynn-Wood Fields, are dedicated to rescuing the program and Montana’s bustling film industry.

Welcome to A.I.R., a brand new local program and retreat for artists called the ‘Arts Incubator Ranch,’ spearheaded by visionary Bozemanite and Broadway music director Jared Stein. Hoary Marmot tours the 600+ acre property they’ve selected for the retreat. The artistic juices are really coursing through this one!

Haven is Bozeman’s top domestic violence resource. Beth Kampschror and Bailey Brubaker stop by to highlight their “coaster campaign” you may have noticed at your local brewery or bar, encouraging people in need to seek help.

Warren Miller Performing Arts Center Director John Zirkle joins us to preview all the different circuses scheduled to pass through Big Sky. We also dig deep to learn more about one of the upcoming shows, “Huang Yi and KUKA,” featuring a Taiwanese dancing robot.

We’re joined by the heads of BeAlive Studios, Zach Green (Exec Producer, “Alone”) and Chris Keefer (Host, “Dropped”) to discuss the origin of their conservation-minded media empire. We’ll also talk about BeAlive’s massive multi-pronged effort to save our waterways, “Rivers Are Life.”

We chat with bear expert Danielle Oyler, Wildlife Stewardship Outreach Specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. With Danielle’s help, let’s do our best to turn a recent local grizzly attack and subsequent euthanization into a teachable moment for all of us.

On this episode, local nonprofit Gallatin Valley Land Trust’s Associate Director EJ Porth joins us to talk about the reality of increasing numbers of newcomers to our area.

Be Well Big Sky exists to help people overcome the mental health challenges associated with living in a mountain resort community. Founder Shannon Steele joins us to discuss the organization and its upcoming October 1st storytelling event, “Over, Under, or Through.”

Deputy Director of Big Sky Resort Tax Jenny Muscat and Big Sky Chamber’s VP Liz McFadden join us to preview the oodles of events scheduled for this year’s Community Week next month, annually.

Ferguson Guitars is a family business in Belgrade spearheaded by Ren Ferguson, former master luthier at Gibson and Guild Guitars for decades. Along with two of his children, Virginia and Timothy, Ren discusses the importance of wood, shape, and even picks on the distinct timbre of each hand-made guitar.

Dust off your quads because on this episode we’re hitting the roller rink with the Gallatin Roller Derby. Head Coach Kelsey Clark (aka “Mauled Whiskey”) and Non Skating Official Renae Mattimoe (aka “Dame Grenade”) tell us all about the team’s hard-hitting practices and bouts.

Since 1985, Prospera has been a Bozeman-based economic development agency instrumental to the success of many local businesses. Shayna Blaser is Prospera’s director of regional economic development.