Bear With Us Podcast
Join hosts Sara and Julea as they explore the people, places, and stories that make Montana’s Hi-Line unforgettable. Bear With Us is a podcast from Bear Paw Development that highlights the charm, culture, and community spirit across five counties and two tribal nations in North Central Montana. From hometown heroes and local legends to quirky events and hidden gems, each episode offers a fresh perspective on life along the Hi-Line. Whether you’re a longtime local or just curious about this vast and beautiful region, you’re invited to laugh, learn, and discover what makes this place more than just a dot on the map. And don’t worry—there are zero bears. Probably.
Episodes
In this episode of Bear With Us, we dive into the heart of Havre’s new community brand and what it means to the people who call this place home. Joined by Karina Densmore of Havre Local, we read real community responses collected during the brand launch celebration—funny, heartfelt, nostalgic, and uniquely Havre.
We talk about:
✨ The new “Stay for the Story” brand
✨ Favorite Havre memories and places
✨ Local events an...
Welcome to this special interview with John Morgan - where we dive deep into how we can rethink downtown Havre, lift up small businesses, and breathe new life into our community.
In this episode, we talk about the big ideas behind the Havre Urban Renewal Plan: how TIF districts can unlock investment, the importance of façade improvements, why walkability and downtown safety matter, and the role local folks have in shaping our shared...
What can you do with one dollar and a big dream? In this episode of Bear With Us, we talk with Kalyn Joyce, leader of of Spire Health, about how she and her team are transforming a vacant lot in Geraldine, Montana, into a new community wellness center.
Kalyn shares her journey from idea to action — from growing up in a small town to coming home and creating a space that brings health, connection, and revitalization to her community....
In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Amy Revious, Bear Paw Development’s new Food and Agriculture Development Center (FADC) Director! Amy shares her journey from Bozeman to the Hi-Line, her passion for supporting rural communities, and her vision for strengthening Montana’s local food systems.
From farm-to-school programs and agritourism to creative ways local producers can grow their businesses, Amy dives into the oppo...
Welcome back to Bear With Us, the podcast from Bear Paw Development where we share the people, places — and this time, the paranormal happenings — that make North Central Montana so special.
In this Halloween special, Julea and Sara dive into Montana’s spookiest legends, from haunted highways to mysterious creatures and eerie encounters. Joining them is their coworker (and resident skeptic) Stephanie Larson, who listens in as they t...
With Julea out sick, you get to step into Havre Beneath the Streets with Sara and Paul as they chat with Christy Owens, office manager and keeper of stories underground. In this episode, Shorty, Searching for Funds & Stories Underground, Christy shares how she stumbled into her role, the colorful history of Shorty Young, and the perseverance it takes to preserve one of Havre’s most unique treasures. From fundraising challenges ...
Raptor Claws, Real Community, and the Cretaceous Period 🦖✨
Join us as we sit down with Jeremiah Robinson, Director of Paleontology at the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum in Malta, Montana. From unearthing raptor teeth to caring for the crown jewel “Leonardo,” this conversation digs into the prehistoric past while celebrating the present-day community that makes discoveries possible.
We talk dinosaurs, digs, and the surprising way...
From growing up in Chinook on Montana’s Hi-Line to founding Montana Actors Theater, teaching high school theater, raising a family, and now preparing to take his original play The Harvest all the way to New York City — Jay Pyette has lived and breathed theater for decades.
In this episode of Bear With Us, hosts Julea and Sara sit down with Jay to talk about:
- His small-town roots and how the Hi-Line shaped his work ethic
- The early ...
In this special no-guest episode, Julea and Sara flip the script and put themselves in the hot seat! From bear-themed personality icebreakers to rapid-fire questions, they share their quirks, weird talents, and unpopular food opinions (celery lovers, beware).
You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories about their first impressions of each other, favorite past podcast guests, small-town adventures, and the unique work they do in community...
In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Joette Woods—Liberty County Commissioner and current president of the Montana Association of Counties (MACo). From her early days as an EMT to her current role representing rural Montana on state and national stages, Joette shares what it's really like to serve in local government. We talk about small-town resilience, the challenge of budgeting with limited resources, why liste...
In this episode, Julea and Sara sit down with Kati Purkett from the Hill County MSU Extension Office to explore the powerhouse behind local youth development—4-H—and all the incredible programs the Extension office offers. From food safety classes and culinary education to youth mental health, livestock projects, and the Great Northern Fair, Kati shares how Extension touches nearly every corner of our community.
We also dive into th...
In this episode of Bear With Us, we’re joined by Heather DePriest, Board President of Chinook’s Friends of the Pool and Park. Heather shares how her kids bringing home a literal piece of the town pool kickstarted a major community project. From that moment on, she and a dedicated group of volunteers have been working hard to save and upgrade Chinook’s beloved pool and park. We talk about their big goals, the challenges of pool fund...
In this premiere episode of Bear With Us we sit down with the Executive Director of Bear Paw Development, Paul Tuss, to discuss his journey from small-town Opportunity boy to legislative powerhouse.
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