David Douglass is the president of College of Idaho and came in to talk about the incredibly unique work that the school does. It is consistently rated at the top of the country for upward mobility, offering students that come from little to no means a path forward to prosperity and success in life. In a state like Idaho, this is an invaluable resource. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. ...
Dec 05, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 716
Paul Arrington is the Executive Director of the Idaho Water User Association and came in to speak on canals and ditches that run across private property in Idaho. This is a huge point of confusion for many moving here from out of state. Fun fact: a canal or ditch for water transport does NOT need to be marked on your property, but the mere existence of said feature does in fact give a legal easement to whatever water entity manages it to come on your property for a myriad of reasons. Paul broke ...
Dec 04, 2025•55 min•Ep. 715
Brian Whitlock is the executive director of the Idaho Hospital Association and came in to talk about the federal grant that Gov. Little is trying to garner for Idaho. Rural hospitals have always struggled with funding, and that problem has become exacerbated with recent legislation. Brian did an incredible job explaining how and why we need more federal funds going to these fundamental services. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization c...
Dec 04, 2025•42 min•Ep. 714
Dean Cameron is the director of Idaho’s Department of Insurance and came on to talk about the revisions to insurance and issues that were being discussed during the shutdown of our federal government. Things like tax credits for individuals making over 400% of the federal poverty level were passed into effect temporarily during previous administrations and were up for renewal, causing an enormous amount of conflict and ultimately part of the reason for the government shutdown. The Ranch Podcast ...
Dec 03, 2025•43 min•Ep. 713
Scott Bedke is the Lt. Gov. of Idaho and came in to speak about Idaho’s budget issues. Idaho exited the legislative session in a tenuous situation with its budget and earning forecast, and on top of lower than anticipated earnings, it faces the question of adopting the tax policies outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill. All told, this would put Idaho almost $500 million short. Lt. Gov. Bedke had some very specific and insightful thoughts on all of this. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by ...
Dec 03, 2025•55 min•Ep. 712
Tyler Kelly is the chairman of the Idaho Young Republicans group and came in to speak on the group, the mindset, and what matters to young republicans. Politics have become unrecognizable to many of the older generations, and Tyler is working to bring issue based discussions back to the political realm where people can disagree but also not hate each other. I couldn’t appreciate this goal more. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization co...
Dec 02, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 711
Elaine Clegg is the CEO of Valley Regional Transit and came in to speak about the current state and future of transit in the Treasure Valley. As the area grows, the cost and time to move around the area also grows. This is a problem for both private citizens as well as the growing industry. Elaine had some great insights into potential solutions. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ran...
Dec 01, 2025•51 min•Ep. 710
Erica Louder works with the US Dairy Export Council, an organization that works to improve and support US Dairy in international markets. The dairy industry in particular is blocked in many foreign markets, even though we have some of the highest quality dairy products in the world. In spite of this, US Dairy is doing quite well on the international scene, and there are reasons to be optimistic. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization c...
Nov 28, 2025•39 min•Ep. 709
Mike Simpson is a US Congressman to Idaho and sat down with me to discuss Water and Ag Labor. Ag labor specifically is an issue threatening not just Idaho’s economy, but the national economy and food supply. The US has not made real immigration reform to supply growers and food producers with a viable foreign workforce since the 1960s. Congressman Simpson is trying to chip away at the problem. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization com...
Nov 26, 2025•21 min•Ep. 708
Mike Crapo is a US Senator from Idaho and came on the show to discuss issues as he sees them with water, fire, and healthcare. Healthcare in particular is an issue that is plaguing Idaho as costs have skyrocketed in recent years and appear to only be getting worse. Senator Crapo had specific actions he’s taking to try to address that. 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 i...
Nov 25, 2025•19 min•Ep. 707
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
