Conversations with cool people doing awesome things in and around Missoula, Montana.
We like say at the college that "Montana Means Business," but that's not just a catchphrase. Montana and our Missoula community inspire incredible creators. This podcast is about exploring their journeys. We hope the stories we share will resonate with you, at whatever stage you are in your career.
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Biologist John McCutcheon finds big ideas in tiny things
Justin W. Angle
University of Montana biologist John McCutcheon studies microbial genomics and symbiosis. In this week’s episode, John explains these fancy science terms and tells us why the work he and his colleagues are doing informs our basic understanding of life and evolution. Plus, he’s got some ... Read More
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Melissa Stephenson is Driven
Justin W. Angle
Melissa Stephenson’s debut book is her powerful memoir Driven: A White-Knuckled Ride To Heartbreak And Beyond. Our conversation explores how this UM graduate and Missoula resident gained the confidence to share her deepest truths and the process she went through to craft this poignant and ... Read More
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ESPN's Tootell and Nuanez Have Range
Justin W. Angle
Ryan Tootell and Colter Nuanez rule sports talk radio in Western Montana. These two dynamic characters host drive time (4:00-6:00pm) on ESPN 102.9 and collaborate on a number of other sports related ventures on multiple media platforms. Learn more about their approach to journalism, entertainment, ... Read More
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Vanessa Grigoriadis explores sex, power & consent on college campuses
Justin W. Angle
This week we bring you a difficult but important conversation. Vanessa Grigoriadis is an investigative journalist and author of the powerful book “Blurred Lines: Rethinking Sex, Power, and Consent on Campus.” Vanessa shares her thoughts on the changing rules and norms for sex and consent, ... Read More
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Steve Albini Speaks Truth to Music Power
Justin W. Angle
This week we visit with iconoclastic musician, sound engineer, and Missoula-native Steve Albini. Albini has worked with the likes of Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Cheap Trick, and countless others at his legendary recording studio, Electrical Audio. He is a passionate critic of the music business and ... Read More
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Threshold's Amy Martin on the power of story
Justin W. Angle
This week’s pod features one of Montana’s finest - Amy Martin, creator and host of the award-winning Threshold podcast. Threshold is deeply reported and beautifully produced by Amy and her team. Learn about Amy’s approach to story-telling and the many adventures she endured to produce ... Read More
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Maureen Dowd on Journalism in the Age of Trump
Justin W. Angle
Our Election Day episode gets appropriately political. We visit with legendary New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd and explore her unique sensibility as a long time watch dog in Washington D.C. Maureen goes deep on the Shakespearian aspects of the Trump presidency and helps us ... Read More
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Butler, Welch, Tester, Gianforte, & Ward on the Value of Higher Education
Justin W. Angle
This week, we explore the value of higher education. First, Associated Students of University of Montana President Alex Butler and Vice President Mariah Welch tell us about their efforts to get students engaged in the debate about funding higher education and the 6-Mill levy ballot ... Read More
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Patagonia & Alan Adams want you to VOTE!
Justin W. Angle
It's election season and we continue this week with our series highlighting important reasons to vote. Alan Adams in the regional sales rep for Patagonia. Learn all about the path that led him to this position, his views about Patagonia's advocacy work, and the company's ... Read More
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Professor & Pollster Sara Rinfret Puts Students First
Justin W. Angle
We're getting political this week! Justin and Sara co-founded and co-direct the University of Montana Big Sky Poll and in this episode they break down the poll's most recent results. Sara also shares her motivation for starting the poll, for creating applied learning experiences, and ... Read More
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Larry Summers wants more speech and less comfort on campus
Justin W. Angle
This week features Justin’s conversation with Larry Summers, former Secretary of the Treasury under President Clinton, President emeritus of Harvard University, chief economist to President Obama, among many other illustrious and influential positions. Larry and Justin discuss freedom of speech and expression on college campuses ... Read More
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Mario Schulzke - Digital nomad with a house
Justin W. Angle
We’ve been trying to pin down Mario Schulzke for some time. Since leaving his role as UM’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mario has become a self-described “digital nomad with a house.” He’s working remotely as CMO for the Seattle-based start up, GeniusLink, and enjoying a wide ... Read More
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Cathy Cole on what's possible at UM
Justin W. Angle
Cathy Cole, UM's recently hired VP of Enrollment & Strategic Communications, just walked into a big job. In this episode we discuss what attracted her to this opportunity, why she is unabashedly bullish about the University of Montana, and what she sees in our future. ... Read More
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FairEnds' Ben Ferencz says it's not about the hat
Justin W. Angle
Ben Ferencz is the co-founder of FairEnds. Though this Missoula-Manhattan collaboration between two friends is primarily known for its distinctive hats, Ben tells us the hat doesn't really matter. It's an entry point for an important conversation. Tune in and learn all about that conversation ... Read More
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Blackfoot Communications CEO Jason Williams & VP Joe Fanguy know it's about more than wires
Justin W. Angle
What's innovative about the broadband business? You'll likely be surprised by Blackfoot Communications CEO Jason Williams' answer. His outlook for Blackfoot's future and role in the Northern Rockies technology ecosystem is visionary, and the recent hire of former UM Tech Transfer director Joe Fanguy is ... Read More
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Front Street Capital's Russ Piazza invests in culture
Justin W. Angle
Front Street Capital Management's Russ Piazza (UM '77) knows exactly the sort of businesses he wants to invest in. As the portfolio manager of the hugely successful Tarkio Fund, Russ brings a focus and clarity to his work that's inspiring. He also has a thing ... Read More
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Holly Truitt: Community Creator, Coalition Builder, and Change Maker
Justin W. Angle
"You gotta get Holly Truitt on the pod!" We've heard this countless times since we launched the show, and we finally got her to come on. Holly is the Director of University of Montana's Broader Impacts Group. Her work ranges from directing spectrUM, a wonderful ... Read More
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Olympian Sam Schultz Rides For All the Right Reasons
Justin W. Angle
The competitive pinnacle of Sam Schultz's mountain biking career came during the 2012 Olympic games. In the years since, he's faced health challenges, a limited capacity to train and race, and the reality that his relationship with his bike and livelihood must change. Today we ... Read More
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John Wicks knows drums, coffee & juggling both with family
Justin W. Angle
Missoula's John Wicks wears many hats - drummer for the hugely successful Fitz and the Tantrums, co-founder of Drum Coffee with his wonderful wife Jenna, bad-ass mountain athlete, and committed husband and father. In this conversation we break down how he juggles it all, and ... Read More
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Nick Triolo - Activist, Athlete, and Lifelong Student of Narrative
Justin W. Angle
Nick Triolo is passionate about story and using the tools of narrative to make the world a better place. Through his work as an activist, writer, filmmaker, coach, guide, and mountain athlete Nick is deeply dedicated to making people care more about the natural world. ... Read More
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Keila Szpaller Takes Her Turn in the Hot Seat
Justin W. Angle
Keila Szpaller took over the University of Montana "beat" in 2015. This Missoulian reporter and UM Journalism graduate has covered both the city of Missoula and UM during tumultuous and controversial times. In this episode we discuss her approach to reporting, sourcing, background, and what ... Read More
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MoFi's Dave Glaser on Making People "Bankable"
Justin W. Angle
MoFi is a non-profit organization with a mission to "provide financing and consulting services that transform the lives of individuals and strengthen communities." Dave Glaser is president of this important organization and chats with us about the critical catalytic roll MoFi (formerly known as Montana ... Read More
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Montana Code School - a Case Study in Education Innovation
Justin W. Angle
The Montana Code School launched in 2015 as a way to prepare students to walk in ready and able to the growing number of technology jobs available in Montana. In this episode we talk with Paul Gladen, Director of the Blackstone Launchpad and founder of ... Read More
