Nancy Merrill is a former Eagle Mayor and City Council woman and is running for Eagle City Council in the Nov. 2025 Election. She brings a background of knowledge from her experience building many aspects of Eagle that we enjoy today and wants to continue serving the great city. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and infor...
Aug 29, 2025•52 min•Ep. 561
Beth Markley is the Executive Director of the Idaho chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness. Mental health and illness has become an enormous crisis in the United States, and the last 5 years has only worsened America’s mental and physical health. Beth came in to help explain the resources available here in Idaho for those suffer. The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast ...
Aug 28, 2025•49 min•Ep. 560
Aaron Menenberg is a policy manager for Renewable Northwest, an advocacy group that emphasizes the importance of considering renewable energy options for not just utility companies but also individuals with land that cannot otherwise be used for standard purposes such as agriculture or development. The United States is in a huge energy crisis, and every leader I have spoken to has an everything on the table approach. Classic renewables like solar and wind have their place in that conversation. E...
Aug 27, 2025•54 min•Ep. 559
Chris Parish is the CEO of the Peregrine Fund, the raptor conservation agency credited with breeding and releasing over 4,000 peregrine falcons back into the wild, a move that ultimately led to the removal of the falcon from the endangered species list. The PF has and continues to assist with raptors and conservation efforts not just across the United States, but also across the world. The World Center for Birds of Prey is located right here in our Treasure Valley. Chris’ knowledge of and passio...
Aug 26, 2025•53 min•Ep. 558
Dan McKnight is a proud champion and defender of the National Guard in the US and came in to speak about the recent activation of the guard in several states across the country. Idaho is activating 14 National Guard members in an administrative role to assist federal agencies in our state, and this is being portrayed by some as a federal overreach and military action by our president. As Dan explains, that is wholly inaccurate and not what is happening. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by T...
Aug 26, 2025•28 min•Ep. 557
Jeff Cornilles is a District 12 Representative, which includes the Nampa area and large pieces of Canyon County. We spoke extensively about local economies, growth, and housing. Nampa in particular has just created an auditorium district and is working to encourage local economic growth, all while trimming down its budget to remain fiscally conservative. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media....
Aug 25, 2025•27 min•Ep. 556
Richard McPherson is a world leading authority on Nuclear Technology. In Episode 6 of the American Nuclear series, we discuss the bind we are in as Americans and, in our case, Idahoans with our reliance on electricity. We don’t just need it to turn on and off our lights, but we fundamentally couldn’t exist with our water systems, traffic systems, manufacturing systems, or any other system required for the life support of our communities without it. It is literally the choke point of our entire c...
Aug 25, 2025•42 min•Ep. 555
Melanie Folwell is the executive director of Idahoans United for Women & Families and came in to talk about the ballot initiative that her organization is pushing for with the 2026 Nov election. Her ballot initiative would ask Idahoans to vote on whether Idaho should allow a woman the right to make a decision about an abortion or if that is something that the state government of Idaho should choose for her. The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organ...
Aug 22, 2025•44 min•Ep. 554
US Senator Mike Crapo came in recently to discuss the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill on Idahoans. There are many nuances to the bill, including tax relief, health care reform, and more. He brought up points for considering that I had not heard previously. I greatly appreciate his willingness to sit down, unscripted and unedited and speak about why he thinks this was good legislation. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization commit...
Aug 22, 2025•25 min•Ep. 553
Adam Richins is the Chief Operating Office for Idaho Power and came in to speak about the rate case it is currently undergoing with the Public Utility Commission. Idaho Power is asking for a 13% global rate increase, which includes a 16%-17% increase for residential customers. Many people are concerned about residential customers paying for large load customers like data centers, and Adam came in to explain where the rate increase is coming from and who is responsible. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast i...
Aug 21, 2025•48 min•Ep. 552
Jared Jablonski works for the Bureau of Land Management here in Idaho and came in to talk about the fire season we find ourselves in. There are many things to consider as a conscientious Idahoan when it comes to fire, management, and prevention. Jared had fantastic information on what to consider and how to help avoid contributing to fires in our great state. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused m...
Aug 20, 2025•32 min•Ep. 551
Elias Herrera is a seasoned social media veteran and the creator of Bruce The Cow from Elias_Filmz. His channel and animals are international sensations, but more than that Elias himself has incredible insights into social media, his journey, and what it took him to keep going for almost a decade before he found just the right formula. Social media creators on this level are rare and always have an inspiring story that sounds like a Hollywood film. Elias was no exception. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcas...
Aug 20, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 550
Robert Simison is the mayor of Meridian, Idaho, and came in to speak on a levy that will hit the ballot this November. Up for decision is a levy to fund police, fire, and in house prosecution teams in Meridian. As a city, Meridian is the population growth hub of Idaho, and as such this has stained its resources and capacity to continue providing the same level of service to its citizens. There are also expiring grants that allowed the city to fund these services for a few years, but now the citi...
Aug 19, 2025•37 min•Ep. 548
Stoney Winston is the Superintendent of Public Instruction in the Fruitland School District. Fruitland is funded for between 5%-6% of its student body for special education students, but the district has around 15% of the population in special education programs. This difference in funding comes from the state formula, and ProPublica recently wrote an article about the problems this is creating in the district as well as in other areas of Idaho. Stoney kindly agreed to come in and explain how th...
Aug 19, 2025•30 min•Ep. 549
Richard McPherson is a world leading authority on Nuclear Technology. In Episode 5 of the American Nuclear series, we discuss the plight of three different states: California, Hawaii, and Idaho. California and Hawaii have some of the most expensive power in the country, and as Richard explains, this was no accident. There are also clear examples of the US political machine selling out American industry to international interests. Idaho, by contrast, has affordable power but could go the way of C...
Aug 18, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 547
Jack Hurty is the Salmon and Steelhead coordinator for the Idaho Outfitter and Guide Association. The Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association is a statewide trade organization that represents, supports, and advocates for licensed outfitters and guides to promote safe, sustainable outdoor recreation and tourism in Idaho. Idaho’s public lands and waterways are the fertile earth that grow and support hundreds and thousands of small businesses throughout this great state, and Jack came on to explain...
Aug 18, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 546
Matt Clifford is the Sheriff of Ada County and came on to speak about a number of issues. There is a large concern that the Ada County Sheriff’s office is somehow functioning in a different manner than usual with regard to immigration and ICE issues, or with the recent flag issue, and Sheriff Clifford came in and spoke to these concerns. He is also hosting a fundraising golf tournament coming up to support Idaho law enforcement. As always, I greatly appreciate his willingness to come and talk. E...
Aug 15, 2025•40 min•Ep. 545
Rev. Bill Roscoe is the President/CEO of Boise Rescue Mission Ministries and has served the Treasure Valley’s homeless population for decades. Rev. Roscoe provides beds, meals, and help 365 days a year and has never run out of beds. The Rescue Mission does, however, prohibit the use of drugs and other illicit substances while residents stay at the mission, a position that has drawn much criticism over the years. That being said, Rev. Roscoe has personally helped hundreds of individuals get a hol...
Aug 14, 2025•54 min•Ep. 544
McKinsey Lyon works for Perpetua Resources and works to explain the plight that the United States is in with its critical minerals. Currently, the US relies on a number of other countries for roughly 50 critical minerals that are vital to either our economic or defense abilities, and some of these countries, like China, have started halting the sale of these critical minerals to the US. We have enormous mineral stores within our country but have established a regulatory and activist environment ...
Aug 14, 2025•47 min•Ep. 543
Nate Shellman is the station manager and news talk host at KBOI. He and I had a conversation with zero redemptive value. Enjoy. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many ...
Aug 13, 2025•55 min•Ep. 542
Andy Creech is the Sheriff in Payette County, Idaho, and came in to speak about the upcoming vote on building a new jail. The existing jail was originally built in the 1970s and then expanded roughly 20+ years ago. The Sheriff’s office at this point is being forced to release low level felons on pre-trial release because they have nowhere to house them, an action that both makes the community less safe and is avoidable with better facilities. The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foun...
Aug 13, 2025•28 min•Ep. 541
Zach Hanson is a best selling author and recently published The Trade Gap: Break the rules, Learn a skill, Own your future. Zach experienced what many white collar professionals have and was laid off from his AI based job and wasn’t able to easily replace his employment. In the interim, he was able to provide for his family with skills he had developed slowly over years of trapping and hunting. In his most recent book, he makes the case for learning trades at the very least as a backup but more ...
Aug 12, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 540
Ed Lodge is the President of Idaho’s Public Utility Commission and came in to talk about the recent rate increase case with Idaho Power, the nature of rate cases, the considerations, and how the PUC works to protect Idahoans. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho...
Aug 12, 2025•51 min•Ep. 539
Dr. Frostie White has spent the last four decades in the American Nuclear Power industry, working in every aspect of the industry. She came in to shed light on the soft barriers to introducing more nuclear power in Idaho and America. Spoiler alert: the barriers are not technology, safety, or capacity. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long form...
Aug 11, 2025•52 min•Ep. 538
John Wagner is the director of Idaho National Labs, the birthplace of American commercial nuclear power. INL is responsible for turning on the first light bulb with nuclear derived energy, and that legacy continues today. This presidential administration is pushing hard for nuclear energy as the next great energy boom in America, and INL needs Idahoans both young and old to understand what an incredible opportunity is waiting for them just outside of Idaho Falls. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supp...
Aug 08, 2025•45 min•Ep. 537
Celeste Bolin is the Executive Director of One Stone High School, a project based, student-led private school in the Treasure Valley. One Stone focuses on many core principals that run counter to standard public education, and specifically focuses on community creation and integration. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews an...
Aug 08, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 536
Caleb DeGroot is a multigeneration Idaho Dairy producer at Sunview Dairy. He graciously took me on a huge tour of the entire operation. We spoke about diet, milking, transport, testing, and many other things that actually blew my mind. The vision of dairy that I had understood from other media sources, I came to find out, is all wrong. I greatly appreciate Caleb for showing me how they produce incredible milk and lives for the animals. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foun...
Aug 07, 2025•28 min•Ep. 535
Debbie Kling is the Mayor of Nampa, Idaho, and came in to speak on a myriad of topics including growth, long term development projects, the Ford Idaho center, and more. She is electing to not run for re-election and leaves big shoes to be filled. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and...
Aug 06, 2025•30 min•Ep. 534
Dr. Justin Brink is the proprietor at Premier Spine and Sport in Eagle. He is also on the Treasure Valley masters water polo team that won the championship game at the Rigby tournament for the second year in a row. He also helps me with my trash back. We had too much fun on this one. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and ...
Aug 06, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 533
Janie Ward-Engelking is an Idaho state senator on JFAC. We spoke earlier in the year about her concerns regarding the tax relief and Idaho’s capacity to fulfill its financial obligations. Now Idaho finds itself in a situation where departments are being asked to make cuts and hold back funding to ensure any shortfall in revenue can be dealt with. We also touched on the public education and the voucher/tax credit effect on tuition. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundatio...
Aug 05, 2025•49 min•Ep. 532
