Russ Fulcher is a US Congressman to Idaho and sat down to talk about three crucial pieces of Idaho and the US: Water, Power, Healthcare. The turmoil around these three issues is massive not just in Idaho, but in the US. 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. The ...
Nov 24, 2025•40 min•Ep. 706
Jim Risch is a US Senator to Idaho and took time to come on the show to talk about two fundamental pieces of Idaho's economy: power and water. As an ag state, water is the source of massive feuds and turmoil, and building infrastructure for it's proper storage and management benefits not just Idaho but the west as a whole. Nuclear power is also a huge issue that this federal administration is promoting, and Sen. Risch has been at the forefront of pushing this for years. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast ...
Nov 21, 2025•17 min•Ep. 705
Anna Paulina Luna is a Florida Congresswoman and came on the show to talk about emerging issues with the country. She is running legislation to address loopholes that allow for massive wealth accumulation amongst families in the federal government. She also voted to present the Epstein files just two days ago, and she has also been working on uncovering more about the JFK assasination. These are not the happiest of topics, but they are important for all of us to understand. The Ranch Podcast is ...
Nov 20, 2025•46 min•Ep. 704
Michael Dykes is the CEO and President of International Dairy Food Association and came on to speak on the state of dairy, dairy products, labor, and trade in the USA. Idaho’s largest sector of the economy is agriculture, and within agriculture the largest sector is cattle, and within cattle the largest sector is dairy. Long story short, as dairy goes, so too goes Idaho. Michael's analysis of the industry and trends in the country and world is reason for concern and optimism. Enjoy! The Ranch Po...
Nov 20, 2025•52 min•Ep. 703
Ander Sundell is a professor of GeoScience at College of Western Idaho. The west has always been home to hardrock mining, but the US has largely gotten away from that industry in the last 75 years. With that decision to outsource our mining, refinding, and production of minerals, we have also ushered in a situation where we are largely dependent on foreign governments and horrendous humanitarian situations to fulfill our consumer and defensive needs. Recognizing that, this administration has put...
Nov 19, 2025•49 min•Ep. 702
Amber Nelson is the executive director of the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare. This group reviews legislation, works with healthcare providers and systems, and makes recommendations on policy and modifications that are born out of problems once policy hits the ground. This conversation will remind anyone that no matter how well intentioned a policy may be, the devil is always in the details. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization c...
Nov 18, 2025•28 min•Ep. 701
Richard McPherson is a world leading authority on Nuclear Technology. In Episode 18 of the American Nuclear series, we review the executive order by Idaho Governor Butch Otter in 2018. In this particular order, Governor Otter orders three things specific to the nuclear industry, ranging from the LINE commission to public/private partnerships to nuclear education. The foresight that Governor Otter had with this order are things that put Idaho in a perfect space to be a national leader as we, the ...
Nov 17, 2025•27 min•Ep. 700
Wendi Secrist is the executive director of the Idaho Workforce Development Council and came in to speak on Idaho’s workforce needs. There are large concerns in this state about employment, cost of living, and the future of our children, but Wendi came in with a different view. We also have many, many employers that are looking for skilled, high quality labor to engage in fundamental industries, and they’re willing to pay good money. The trick? We need to connect the youth and under employed with...
Nov 14, 2025•51 min•Ep. 699
Susan Buxton is the director of Idaho’s Parks and Recreation department. She very kindly came on to talk about new parks and features that are coming online and the changing of recreation seasons. We all owe her. Like, big time! 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 Id...
Nov 13, 2025•42 min•Ep. 697
Steve Seppi is the CEO of Dairy West, the four state dairy association committed to supporting this fundamental industry in Idaho, Utah, Oregon, and Washington. Dairy in Idaho is the single largest ag based product, but as Steve points out in our discussion, dairy is starting to represent many different things, ranging from liquid milk to cheese to protein power, etc.. As these products evolve, so do the needs and unique aspects of the dairy industry. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Tru...
Nov 13, 2025•55 min•Ep. 698
Will Hay is a business owner in the Treasure Valley and an advocate for reforming the liquor license system in Idaho. Currently there is a quota system which restricts the number of licenses that can be in operation, but these licenses also have a rich history of being a controlled monopoly, essentially granting the owner a substantial market advantage over other business owners. Will came in to explain the history and way this has come to be and why he and others feel it should be revised. Enjo...
Nov 12, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 696
Claudio Berti, PHD is the director Idaho Geological Survey and came on to talk about the potential that Idaho has for mining and mineral extraction. There are roughly 50 critical minerals in the US and many rare earth materials, dozens of which can be found right here in Idaho. However, there are also several problems that companies face when attempting to extract these minerals. Claudio came on to explain some of the potentials, both positive and negative. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported ...
Nov 12, 2025•37 min•Ep. 695
Annette Tipton is the executive director of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs. Idaho has a large hispanic community, and understanding the needs, potential, and anxieties of that community is crucial to Idaho’s continued prosperity. Annette came in to help explain how the commission attempts to address all of these things. 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...
Nov 11, 2025•47 min•Ep. 694
Britany Hurst Marchant is the executive director of the Idaho Wheat Commission and came in to speak on the international contracts and sales of one of Idaho’s key products. There has been much concern about local Idaho farmers and exports as tariffs were issued earlier this year, and Britany came in to explain where this staple crop sits, what contracts have been renewed, and if wheat will continue to be a massive economic driver in Idaho. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media ...
Nov 11, 2025•37 min•Ep. 693
Matt Clifford is the Sheriff of Ada County. Deputy mental health has been a growing concern across the country as people are waking up to the mental toll that law enforcement takes on the men and women who serve our communities. Sheriff Clifford is taking on this challenge aggressively, pushing for better, more robust services that work not only with the taxing life of the job but also work to meaningfully preserve the mental health of his deputies. The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Med...
Nov 10, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 692
Richard McPherson is a world leading authority on Nuclear Technology. In Episode 17 of the American Nuclear series, we review what President Trump has done in and with the Nuclear Industry in the first year since he was elected again. There are many issues that need to be resolved across huge industries, including mining, manufacturing, environment, and more. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused m...
Nov 10, 2025•39 min•Ep. 691
Don Day is the co-founder of Boise Dev. Don and his wife co-founded the news source almost a decade ago and focused on local development in the Treasure Valley. This flew in the face of most other news outlets, many of which have national level ownership and focused on things other than hyper local issues. Hearing how this went from a one article a day project to now having a full time staff of 11 was incredible. Part of the solution to bringing our communities back together may be to help peopl...
Nov 07, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 690
Eric Crawford is a Salmon and Steelhead expert with Trout Unlimited in Idaho. He came on to discuss the ever evolving problems and solutions with species restoration, as well as larger pragmatic problems like power replacement and the western power grid structure. 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 T...
Nov 07, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 689
Steve Guerber is a former mayor of Eagle, Idaho and helped design and guide the city to look the way it does today. Eagle started pushing to build in a unique manner compared to its surrounding cities at the end of the 20th century, and people like Steve helped shape the vision that has become a reality. 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 f...
Nov 06, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 688
John Shirts is an Idaho state representative and former federal prosecutor. He came in to explain the process and obligations that various agencies had in the recent FBI operation in Wilder. Many have offered conflicting stories about who was in charge or what agency spearheaded the operation, and John came on to explain the process that is required and why so many various agencies appeared to be involved and taking credit. The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profi...
Nov 05, 2025•39 min•Ep. 687
Joey Palmer is the assistant superintendent for Vallivue School District in Idaho’s Treasure Valley. There is a large conversation occurring across Idaho and the United States about the inundation and educational ROI that parents and schools are getting with technology. Almost all schools have identified personal tech devices like cell phones as a large problem, but many are also realizing that school administered tech is also a problem. Joey and Vallivue are taking a bold stance by starting to ...
Nov 05, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 686
Rob Hanson is a member of the Braver Angels organization right here in Idaho. This group has been working for almost a decade nationally to engage the hyper polarized country that we find ourselves in and offer a framework to build bridges and connect with our fellow countrymen again. They host live and virtual events, and you can find them online and on Facebook. If you have the time or interest, I highly recommend that you look into the organization and the great work they do. Enjoy! The Ranch...
Nov 04, 2025•45 min•Ep. 685
Scott Nichols is a geothermal expert who has been working in the industry for decades. He came in to explain the nature and potential of geothermal power, from heating buildings to producing energy for our lights. The problem, however, is that although geothermal is indeed a baseload, green energy source, it takes considerable time to find and build out. Additionally, you’re not looking at making a 1000 megawatt geothermal plant anytime soon. Plants that come online are usually in the range of 5...
Nov 03, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 684
Richard McPherson is a world leading authority on Nuclear Technology. In Episode 16 of the American Nuclear series, we discuss the infamous Chernobyl disaster, whereby local operators engaged in an experiment with the reactor that was expressly forbidden in the operations manual, which resulted in loss of life. 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 f...
Nov 03, 2025•41 min•Ep. 683
Jason Van Gilder is the director of public works for Middleton and came in to speak on the issue of the waste water treatment plant that Middleton is slated to build. The driving force behind the upgrade is in fact not growth, but instead a revision made by the Idaho Dept. of Environmental Quality that was made in 2015 that requires phosphate levels to be dropped from 5 parts per million down to between 0.3 and 0.1 parts per million, depending on the season. Although Middleton has grown consider...
Nov 01, 2025•55 min•Ep. 682
Dave Murray is a longtime Middleton resident and is running for re-election for City Council. He is passionate about Middleton, the culture, the growth, and the direction the city is going. 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. The Boise area is home to many cou...
Nov 01, 2025•36 min•Ep. 681
Steve Day is a Star resident and is running for City Council. He is passionate about Star, the culture, the growth, and the direction the city is going. 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. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also hom...
Oct 31, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 680
Liz Flower is a longtime Star resident and is running for City Council. She is passionate about Star, the culture, the growth, and the direction the city is going. 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. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It...
Oct 31, 2025•37 min•Ep. 679
Phil McGrane is the Secretary of State for Idaho and came in to talk about the finding and prosecuting of illegal votes and voters in the state. With the support of the state and federal government, McGrane’s office has been able to identify several dozen individuals who have registered or registered and voted in Idaho that were not legally allowed, and from that roughly a dozen people are being prosecuted. These are complex cases, and more than anything underscore Idaho’s commitment to having t...
Oct 31, 2025•31 min•Ep. 678
Scott Brock is a seasoned security agent and runs the private security force working within the Middleton School District. Part of the levy that is coming up in the district is for security, and Scott came in to explain what he does, what his security force does, and how Middleton families can sleep better knowing that Scott and his team are there. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The R...
Oct 30, 2025•44 min•Ep. 677
