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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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
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Pictionary Creator Rob Angel on Trusting the Process
Justin W. Angle
Rob Angel invented the legendary game Pictionary in 1985. I got the chance to speak with this charismatic, inspired and dynamic creator during a quick visit with his children, both Missoula residents. Rob shares the Pictionary origin story, brings us up to date on his ... Read More
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Bjorn Nabozney on Building a Community with Big Sky Brewing Co.
Justin W. Angle
Few places impact the community like Big Sky Brewing. This week, we sit down with founder Bjorn Nabozney to talk about beer, building a community, and the issue of alcohol on college campuses.
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Erin Switalski on the vital work of Women’s Voices for the Earth
Justin W. Angle
Women’s Voices for the Earth is a Missoula-based national non-profit organization doing big things on a national scale. The group’s aim is to eliminate the use of harmful chemicals in a surprising and disturbing number of household products, particularly products used predominantly by women. We ... Read More
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The Big Dipper's Charlie Beaton Knows Ice Cream, Music, and Balance
Justin W. Angle
Montana has a handful of iconic establishments, and The Big Dipper is one of its finest. In this week's episode we learn all about it with founder and owner Charlie Beaton, a Missoula legend. Charlie not only creates killer ice cream, but he also makes ... Read More
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Black Coffee's Matt McQuilkin on Coffee, Community & Creativity
Justin W. Angle
Matt McQuilkin and Jim Chapman launched Black Coffee Roasting Company in 2010 and it quickly became a fixture of the Missoula scene. In this conversation, Matt and I discuss the series of experiences that uniquely prepared him for success as a coffee entrepreneur and how ... Read More
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Meg Whicher: Recreation Evangelist
Justin W. Angle
Meg Whicher is a Recreation Specialist at Missoula Parks and Recreation.
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Tester, Gianforte, & Ward on Higher Education and the 6-mil Levy
Justin W. Angle
Investment in higher education is a hot topic across the country and in Montana especially. Every ten years since 1948 Montanans vote on a ballot measured called the 6-mil levy, which represents a substantial funding mechanism for the state's university system. The 6-mil levy returns ... Read More
