Apex Activated

January is wrapping up and your resolutions, goals and all the things you vowed to do and change may be feeling heavy, but we have the cure!   We are throwing it back to one of our very favorite podcast guests who inspires us to go for our dreams. Ali from Mermaid Walking is the epitome of a girls girl, a person who will always cheer for you, lift you up and make you believe you can do it ALL! Because, well, you CAN!   Lis...

Apex Activated dives into what’s new in green space and land management. This episode features Eric Feldbaum of New Hampshire State Parks, aka the Man of Many Names, talking NRPA advocacy, the Land & Water Conservation Fund, and meeting the needs of our greenspaces. From policy work to orchid growing and new-parent life, he does it all.   Listen on Apple, Spotify, iHeart & more. Like • Follow • Share Let's do this!...

We are officially back and kicking off 2026 the only way we know how...honest conversations, a lot of chaos and so many laughs. In this episode, we are looking back on 2025...remember cancer...some of the best friends and guest two girls could have and babies! We are talking about reflections, lessons learned and our words for 2026. And because it wouldn't be coffee talk without it... -more food convos. -more talk about our co...

Okay...real talk. Staying hopeful, as a teen, feels like trying to vibe on 3 hours of sleep during finals week...definitely not 67! (if you know, you know) But some awesome educators are showing up bringing big heart, big leadership and big "I've got your back" energy and today we sit and talk to one of those amazing peeps! Principal Micah Porter walks the halls of Arvada West High School and his take on how our teens are doin...

Ever wondered what happens when two friends take a random idea, sprinkle in some chaos, caffeine, and fun, and somehow turn it into one of the fastest-rising stars in recreation technology? Or how two former Uber teammates managed to navigate the startup world without losing their minds or their friendship and build Rec Technologies from scratch?   Birju and Rachel dive into all this and more in our newest Apex Activated Po...

New Episode Out Now – Apex Activated Podcast

We took the mic to the floor at this year’s NRPA Conference in Florida and captured the energy firsthand. From reconnecting with past guests like the incredible Kristine Stratton, President of NRPA, to meeting new voices in the parks and recreation world, this episode is full of spontaneous moments, laughter, and real talk about the power of community and public service.

It’s a fast-pace...

In this inspiring and candid episode, we sit down with U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen to talk about her journey that led her from her upbringing in Colorado to walking and serving in the halls of Congress. With honesty and a huge heart, she opens up about how her family shaped her work, the pivotal moments that led her into public service, with the help of our own Katie Groke, and the passion behind what fuels her work in ...

Last year our team met with Annie Frisoli about becoming intentional leaders and wow did it speak to us and change our mindset!

Listen in as you hear Annie talk about her journey to where she is now, how parks and recreation helped lead her here and what becoming an intentional leader means and how to become just that.

There is not a one size fits all model for being a great leader and Annie will help you find your perfect approach...

Apex Activated is coming in hot with one of our fave people, Lakita Frazier.   Lakita is a Senior Consultant at Barry Dunn where she leads strategic planning and facility construction. She is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional and was inducted into the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administration in 2020.   But there's more...she is a mama, a grandma and she started Women in Parks and Recreation (Wi...

We are bringing back one of our faves for a little coffee tawk!

We love anytime we get to hang with this girl who is not only wicked smart about parks and recreation, people, leading and all the things, but she is down to earth, kind, and a true girls girl!

Karen joins us at Katie's kitchen table as we chat about food, dating, meditation and more. 

Grab a chair, a great cuppa whatever wets your whistle and get to know the latest in...

Welp, this one ended differently than any of our others! 

 

We love chatting with our good friend, City of Boulder Director of Parks and Recreation Ali Rhodes! She inspires us with her go get 'em attitude, her amazing team she leads and how much she puts into her community! We could have talked for hours with this one, until she threw in some challenges (which we accepted...what were we thinking?) and now we are doing the Bolder Bo...

Break Stuff!   Yep, you got it right! We are breaking bottles and breaking through our barriers of what is holding us back in the latest episode of Apex Activated.   On location at Emotion with Owner Erica Valenzuela, who is teaching us to show ourselves and others grace as we navigate emotions and life. (Speaking of showing grace...the sound was a bit off due to breaking things, moving around room to room and all the th...

Meet Kelly Schmidt, Director of Durango Parks and Recreation Director. 

 

Family, being outside and leading her community is where her heart is and we are here for it!

 

Kelly landed in Durango after living in Bentonville, Arkansas and she loves being part of the community and seeing the bigger picture as she brings her 25 years of open space fun to this amazing city! This Texas State alumni believes in accessible parks and recreat...

"You aren't a fish out of water, you are a mermaid walking." Join us as we chat with Mermaid Walking Boutique owner Ali Larsen.   This girl boss will inspire you to chase your dreams and build your people up. She is the ultimate hype girl, and we love visiting her boutique!   Sit with a cup of coffee and listen to this out-of-this-world woman and her incredible journey. @mermaidwalkingboutique Visit Arvada   Catch us anywher...

Did someone say pilates?   For the first time ever, we are on location with our guest! Join us for our chat this week with Cardinal Pilates and Nutrition Owner, Kat Boome.   Kat will inspire you to follow your dreams and forge your own path. Kat has the most gentle spirit and a beautiful and calming studio, and it will make you want to stop, breathe, and take care of YOU!   Listen on Podbean, Apple, iHeart, or anywher...

LeAnn! If you do not know LeAnn Williams, the City of Fort Collins's Director of Recreation, you are missing out. 

She is a powerhouse—wife, mom and director—and she does it all with a smile on her face!

 

We had the best time chatting about what her team is up to in Fort Collins, how they are bringing new programming for their community and how she honors and celebrates her people at work.

 

We also snuck in some fun conversation ...