Ep. 88 – From Downtown to Discover Kalispell: Building Community & Business
What's next for downtown Kalispell? Discover Kalispell Chamber CEO Lorraine Clarno discusses downtown revitalization, favorite winter events, and the Chamber's priorities for 2027—from business advocacy and housing to workforce development and community growth.
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Ep. 82 - Community Over Competition with Beth Kornick of Princess & Buck
In this episode of Venture Boldly, we sit down with Beth Kornick, co-owner of Princess & Buck, to talk about building one of downtown Kalispell’s most distinctive retail destinations. Beth shares her journey as an entrepreneur, the importance of creating memorable customer experiences, and why a thriving downtown depends on collaboration, not competition.
Ep. 80 - Raised on Freedom - Rooted in Montana's Best: the 2026 NWMT Fair & Rodeo
The Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo is back for 2026, and summer in the Flathead is about to get a whole lot louder. In this episode, we sit down with Flathead County Fairgrounds Manager Sam Nunnally and Event Sponsorship Coordinator Kelsi Hansberry to preview everything coming to this year’s fair—from Walker Hayes, rodeo action, and carnival favorites to new attractions like pig races, a petting zoo, and pony rides.
Ep. 79- Glacier Range Riders: Building More than a Baseball Team
The Glacier Range Riders and Glacier Bank Park have, in a few short years, become an integral part of the Flathead Valley's sports and recreation scene. Glacier Bank Park is a pro ballpark, built fast, built right, and built Montana — with locally sourced materials, authentic Flathead Valley food, and a design that makes visitors feel like they're somewhere, not just anywhere. Now it's drawing national recognition and becoming the kind of place families build traditions around.
Ep. 73 - Growing Roots Early Learning Center: A Conversation with Center Director, Leigh Ann Downie-Economy
Childcare is essential workforce infrastructure. In this episode, Leigh Ann Downie-Economy, Director of Growing Roots Early Learning Center in Kalispell, shares what it takes to create a high-quality early learning center—from facility upgrades and safety requirements to hiring and retaining strong educators.
Ep. 72 - Kalispell Education Foundation: Community Support, Classroom Impact
Public funding keeps schools running — but innovation takes more. In this episode, Dorothy Drury shares how Montana school funding really works and how fast, teacher-driven grants are turning small dollars into real classroom impact.
EP. 71 - 2025 Business Person of the Year: Mark Johnson
A bitter cold snap can turn the grid into a high-wire act, and few people understand those stakes like Mark Johnson, CEO and General Manager of Flathead Electric Cooperative (FEC) and the 2025 Kalispell Chamber Business Person of the Year. Mark's 25+ years at FEC brings decades of steady leadership to keeping power reliable and rates stable as the Flathead Valley grows. In this conversation, he explains the role of hydropower, the limits of transmission, and how long-term planning and a service-first mindset support affordable, dependable electricity.
Ep. 68 - 2025 Flathead Legacy Award Winner: Bob Nystuen
In this episode, we sit down with 2025 Flathead Legacy Award recipient Bob Nystuen to trace his path from North Dakota roots to leading Glacier Bank and shaping the Flathead’s business and education landscape. Bob offers leadership lessons and steady guidance for today’s leaders facing AI, workforce shifts, and market change: be authentic, show gratitude, and lead with calm confidence.
Ep. 65 - Kyle Waterman: Candidate for Kalispell City Council Ward 3
Kyle Waterman, downtown business owner and former city councilor, is running for Kalispell City Council Ward 3. In this conversation, he shares how his past council experience and decades of community leadership shape his vision for a growing, business-friendly Kalispell.
Ep. 64 - Kisa Davison: Candidate for Mayor of Kalispell
Meet Kisa Davison, Kalispell mayoral candidate and recipient of the Kalispell Chamber’s endorsement. She joins Drew Zagorski to share her journey from business owner and community leader to candidate for mayor.
Ep. 61 - Flathead County Fairgrounds & the NWMT Fair
This episode of the Venture Boldly podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of the Flathead County Fairgrounds—an iconic 60-acre hub in Kalispell that hosts over 750 events and draws more than 250,000 visitors each year. While many know it as home to the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo, the fairgrounds serve as a year-round space for community, culture, and connection.
Ep. 56 - The Wachholz College Center: Bringing World-Class Entertainment to Montana's Flathead Valley
Join us as Matt Laughlin, Director of the Wachholz College Center at Flathead Valley Community College, takes us behind the curtain of Kalispell's premier performing arts venue. Matt, a Montana native who returned home after 14 years at Seattle's Benaroya Hall, shares how this community-funded facility has transformed the cultural landscape of the Flathead Valley in just over two years.
Ep. 52 - Leadership Lessons with Phil Quigley
In this episode, we welcome Phil Quigley, a Marine Corps veteran and seasoned consultant, who shares his insights on leadership drawn from his diverse career across various industries. Phil’s unique journey—from pioneering roles at Atari and Yahoo to his work with veterans—provides a compelling narrative about the intersection of military discipline and effective business leadership.
Ep. 51 - Cultivating Personal Leadership with Sherrie Patterson
Sherry walks us through the core questions that leaders need to ask to achieve clarity and drive real results. From navigating the uncertainties faced by business owners in the Flathead Valley to enhancing whole-person development, Sherry offers valuable insights that resonate in today's rapidly evolving environment.
Ep. 50 - 2024 Discover Kalispell Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Mark Freidline, Executive Officer, Flathead Building Association
What if you could transform your community through the power of leadership and collaboration? Join us on Venture Boldly as we feature the inspiring journey of Mark Friedline, the 2024 Discover Kalispell Chamber Ambassador of the Year. In our engaging conversation, Mark shares his path from being the Executive Officer of the Flathead Building Association to championing various local initiatives
Ep. 42 - 2024 Flathead Legacy Award Winner, Dan Dickman
Discover the remarkable journey of Dan Dickman, the 2024 Flathead Legacy Award winner, whose path to nursing began with an unexpected dare and whose life took a transformative turn after a severe accident. Dan's story is a testament to the power of empathy and leadership. Join us as Dan reflects on his four-decade-long career in nursing, including 30 impactful years with the Flathead County Health Department, and his steadfast commitment to community service.
Ep. 39 - Our Kids. Our Future. An interview with Matt Jensen, Superintendent Kalispell Public Schools
Matt Jensen, the new superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools, shares his vision for the district, including a focus on personalized competency-based education to empower students and enhance learning outcomes. Through this engaging podcast, we dive into school finance, enrollment, charter schools, work-based learning and more. Listen and learn how Kalispell Public Schools tackles challenges and brings new opportunities to our students and community.
EP. 34 - Leadership & Service with Miss Montana USA 2023, Mady Rigg
Encounter the remarkable journey of Mady Rigg, a guiding light from the Flathead Valley who carries the title of Miss Montana USA 2023 with unparalleled grace. As we chat with Mady, her story unfolds like a winding mountain trail—full of unexpected turns but leading to breathtaking vistas.
Ep. 32- Shaping Leaders for Tomorrow: Leadership Flathead
Leadership Flathead is a 2-year program that helps to shape the Flathead Valley's leaders of tomorrow. In this episode, we'll learn all about this decades-long leadership program that has developed over 1000 community leaders over the years, and how the program stays current, developing local leaders for the 21st century.
Ep. 31 - On Track with the Highlander Track Program
Join Joel Rosenberg, banking executive and Executive Director of Highlander Track, as he unfolds the story of this legacy, free youth track and field and cross-country program's impact in the Flathead Valley. Established in the '70s by Jack King and Three Rivers Bank of MT, Highlander Track has evolved into an annual signature spring youth event for kids ages 6-12, nurturing not just physical prowess but also instilling valuable life skills in young athletes.
Ep. 22 - 2023 Flathead Legacy Award Winners: Joe & Colleen Unterreiner
Today we’re sitting down with the 2023 Flathead Legacy Award winners, Joe and Colleen Unterreiner, a couple whose inspiring journey from Washington DC to Montana's Flathead Valley has left an indelible mark on the business community in Kalispell.