A New Angle

This week we bring you a special cross-over episode; a fusion of Montana Public Radio’s The Write Question and A New Angle. TWQ host Lauren Korn and Justin interview author and journalist Cassidy Randall about her gripping new book, Thirty Below - The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All Women’s Ascent of Denali.

Cassidy Randall is an award-winning journalist and writer based in Missoula, Montana. Her work has appeared in pro...

In this April edition of Incentives & Instincts, Justin and economist Bryce Ward tackle the complexities of trade policy. They unpack the economic benefits of cooperation, the concentrated costs of globalization, and the politics driving America’s shifting approach to tariffs. The conversation explores how uncertainty undermines prosperi...

Brian Kahn was a Montana radio legend. As host of the long-running and award-winning “Home Ground Radio,” Brian interviewed hundreds of influential Montanans, asking who they are, what they think and what they are doing about it. Today we’re reairing our conversation with Brian from 2019. He talked about his approach to storytelling, activism, collaboration and problem solving. We also discussed his book, “America: Rediscovering my...

Drummer John Wicks and bassist Jesse Phillips are two Montana musicians who’ve come together to form Flüffy Bünny – a project they describe as “future punk.” Drawing from diverse musical journeys – from John’s evolution through jazz, grunge, and high-profile session work to his current role as a teacher, and Jesse’s path from rural Montana to the vibrant music scene of New Orleans – they discuss how their shared passion for unbridl...

In this episode of our Incentives & Instincts series, Justin and economist Bryce Ward revisit the youth sports industrial complex. They discuss how youth activities have evolved, the increasing pressure on families to overschedule their children, and the broader societal and economic forces driving these trends. The conversation explores the impact on kids' development, family life, and potential ways to rethink structured activiti...

In this episode of our Voices of Trade miniseries, Justin and cohost Brigitta Miranda-Freer, the executive director of the Montana World Trade Center, speak with KC Tolliver, CEO of Summit Resources International. They discuss Montana’s role in global trade, Tolliver’s journey from a persistent entrepreneur to running an international apparel business, and the challenges of navigating tariffs, supply chains, and manufacturing in a ...

In part two of our conversation with University of Montana law professors Craig Cowie and Constance Van Kley, we continue the discussion about the constitutional challenges emerging in the early days of President Trump’s second term. The conversation delves into the implications of shutting down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the looming government funding deadline, and the legal complexities surrounding executive power....

University of Montana law professors Craig Cowie and Constance Van Kley join Justin to discuss the legal and constitutional implications of the early days of President Trump’s second term. They examine the administration’s mass firings, executive authority over federal agencies, and the legal challenges arising from defunding congressional appropriations. With historical context and expert analysis, they break down what these moves...

In this installment of Incentives & Instincts, Justin and economist Bryce Ward explore the critical role trust plays in society. They discuss its origins, its importance, and why trust in institutions is on the decline. With insights from research and historical perspectives, they break down how information flows impact trust and offer i...

Youpa Stein is an activist, artist, and advocate for a plastic-free world. In this episode, Justin and Youpa discuss the widespread impacts of plastic pollution, from its presence in the human body to its role in climate change. Youpa explains why recycling alone isn’t enough, highlights policy challenges and victories, and offers some practical steps for reducing plastic use.

Transcript available here: https://docs.google.com/docum...

In the first episode of our new Voices of Trade miniseries, Justin speaks with Brian Cebull, CEO of GTUIT, an energy company based in Billings focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They discuss GTUIT’s innovative approach to mitigating natural gas flaring, the company’s expansion into international markets, and the challenges of conducting global business from Montana.

In the lead up to the Montana World Trade Center’s World...

Slaven Lee is the executive director of the Missoula Public Library, which was the first North American library to be named Best Public Library by the International Federation of Library Associations in 2022. In this episode, she highlights the library’s innovative “All Under One Roof” model, commitment to sustainability, and role as a vital community hub.

Learn more about Missoula Public Library here: https://www.missoulapubliclibr...

In our annual January predictions show, Justin and Bryce forecast what’s in store for 2025. After they dissect last year’s calls on economic stability, political shifts, and cultural trends, the two share their predictions and personal resolutions for the year ahead.

Transcript available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZRGYc_0TBYdtoQOF5-YS8YCxTozT2It_5DOFx9aru6A/edit?usp=sharing

Mallory Ottariano is the founder of Youer, an American-made apparel company headquartered in Missoula that offers bold, functional, and sustainable clothing for active individuals. Mallory shares her journey from experimenting with sewing and design in her Massachusetts hometown to building a thriving business in Montana. She delves into the pivotal moments that shaped her path, including leveraging Etsy to launch her brand, transi...

Yarrow Kraner is the founder of Hatch, a global network of influencers committed to progress on pressing societal issues. Yarrow reflects on his early experiences pioneering social networking for good with initiatives that predated platforms like MySpace and Facebook, the unintended consequences of modern social media platforms, and the importance of creating spaces for genuine connection and impact. He also discusses Hatch’s gathe...

David Cohen is the CEO and co-founder of Techstars, one of the most influential startup accelerators in the world. In this live episode recorded at the Scaling Montana Summit in Bozeman, Justin sits down with David to discuss Techstar’s mission to help founders succeed and the cultural value of “give first” that defines vibrant startup ecosystems. David shares lessons from Boulder’s entrepreneurial community, the importance of inve...

J. David McSwane is an award-winning investigative journalist at ProPublica who recently published a story about Dr. Tom Weiner, a prominent oncologist at Helena’s St. Peter’s Hospital whose practices raised significant ethical, medical, and legal questions. McSwane takes us behind the scenes of his reporting process, sharing how he uncovered allegations of malpractice, including fraudulent billing, overprescription of narcotics, a...

In our December edition of Incentives & Instincts, Justin sits down with economist Bryce Ward to unpack the complex and pressing issue of trust in government. With trust levels in government at historic lows, they delve into the historical trends, causes, and consequences of this erosion in confidence. The conversation explores the influ...

Jennifer Isern, Morgan Slemberger and Karl Unterschuetz are the authors of recent reports on access to capital in Montana. In this episode, the three of them sit down with Justin to discuss the financial challenges faced by entrepreneurs, with a focus on barriers for women and Native business owners. The conversation highlights ongoing efforts to close these gaps, such as increasing awareness of funding resources, enhancing funder ...