The Jackson Hole Connection

Kristin Combs is the Executive Director of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates. In this episode, Kristin shares her background and the journey that led her to Jackson Hole, fueled by her love for nature and animals. They discuss the importance of wildlife conservation and the unique wildlife species found in the area.

Kristin sheds light on the challenges faced by wildlife populations and the efforts being made to protect them. They delve in...

Macye Maher is a mom, business owner, published author, and advocate for land preservation. She moved to Jackson in 1998 and has fully embraced mountain life. Macye and her husband Alex are the founders of Live Water Properties, and they are currently working on restoring a historic ranch in Wyoming.

The conversation starts with Macye sharing her adventurous tale of moving to Alaska with friends after high school. She then discusses...

Ethan Lobdell is an educator, Search and Rescue volunteer, and the Executive Director of The Jackson Hole Children’s Museum. With a strong background in education and a genuine passion for interactive learning, Ethan brings his expertise to benefit the kids and families of the Jackson Hole community.

In this episode, Ethan dives into the museum's commitment to supporting children's development through joyful and engaging learning ex...

Tina Welling is a local author who has been living in Jackson for 40 years. In this episode, she shares her journey of moving to Wyoming with her family from Ohio to be closer to nature and to become part of a tight-knit community. Tina talks about her experience running a gift shop in Snow King Resort for 25 years and how the off-seasons provided her with time to focus on her writing.

During the conversation, Tina discusses the sen...

Tracey Garcia is a mom, entrepreneur, and a make-up artist. Growing up in a military family, Tracey's life has been filled with travel and remarkable encounters with individuals from all walks of life. She has worked behind the scenes in the television industry, providing hair and makeup services for various shows. Additionally, Tracey has had the opportunity to work with influential figures in the political arena, contributing her...

Peter Linn is a father, husband, rancher, 5th generation local, and the owner of Pendergraft Outfitters.

In this episode, Peter shares his passion for his work and the joy he finds in waking up every day, excited to do what he loves. He talks about his long family history in the valley and what brought him back after living up in Alaska. 

Stephan and Peter chat about some of the unique and amazing creatures he has seen while wor...

Tony Molina is an author, avid outdoorsman, and professional firearms trainer. Stephan invited Tony on this week's episode to discuss his book, 'Handgun Selection for Grizzly Bear Defense,' as well as the best defense strategies against bear and other large animal attacks in the backcountry.

During the episode, Tony emphasized the importance of training to become proficient in using a gun, highlighting that simply purchasing one doe...

Isaac Hayden is a singer, songwriter, husband and handyman. From his humble beginnings as a preacher's son on the San Juan Islands and in Jackson Hole, to his emergence as a rising star in the vibrant music scene of Nashville, Isaac's trajectory is one of passion, perseverance, and artistic growth.

In this episode, Isaac takes us on a journey through his life, starting with his childhood in Sacramento, California, before moving to t...

Amy Ringholz is an artist, entrepreneur, mother and an author. She made a pivotal decision to pursue art full-time after a remarkable summer in Jackson, where she sold 30 paintings and gained immense support from the Jackson Hole community. Amy attributes her success to her strong work ethic, creating an average of one painting every three days and continually pushing herself to produce new and captivating works. Her dedication ser...

Maury "Jonesy" Jones is the dedicated founder and operator of Jackson Hole Horse Rescue, a nonprofit sanctuary for older horses in need. With a deep passion for horses and a heart for their well-being, Jonesy shares the inspiring story of how he started the rescue and the challenges and joys that come with running it.

From braving harsh winters to making tough decisions about end-of-life care, Jonesy gives us a candid look at what i...

Jill King is a singer, business owner, marketing maven, and rancher with deep ties to Wyoming. Jill originally moved to Wyoming to fulfill her dream of becoming a singer, forming her own band, and eventually cutting an album in the heart of country music. Today, Jill is the owner of a local franchise in the publication industry and runs a cattle ranch with her husband near Lander, Wyoming.

In this episode we delve into Jill's backgr...

Tim Kellogg is a former rodeo competitor and wrangler turned chocolatier, living in the beautiful community of Meeteetse, Wyoming.

In this episode, Tim shares the journey from growing up in his grandmother's kitchen to handcrafting gourmet chocolate at his business, Meeteetse Chocolatier. Originally created as a side hustle to earn money for a new saddle, Tim now makes high-quality chocolates without additives, preservatives, or sta...

Jocelyn Stokes is a passionate conservationist and filmmaker focused on documenting and sharing the importance of wildlife conservation and the success stories that inspire and educate people about protecting the natural world. Growing up in the Arizona desert, Stokes developed an early interest in wildlife and animal behavior. She has traveled around the world to document the impact of conservation efforts on various ecosystems, i...

Katherine Standefer is a nature lover, published author, speaker, trauma writing doula, and survivor with a captivating story to tell. Katherine is the author of Lightning Flowers: My Journey to Uncover the Cost of Saving a Life. Originally from suburban Chicago, Katherine always felt a strong connection to nature which eventually drew her away from the suburban landscape to Jackson Hole. 

In this episode, Katherine shares her ...

Lauren Long is the Head of Events at Diamond Cross Ranch and is raising the 5th generation of stewards. Lauren shares her journey from New York to Jackson Hole, as well as the ranch's origins, evolution and its serenity.

Discover the rich history of the Diamond Cross Ranch, which has been maintained by the same family for over a century. Stephan and Lauren explore the ranch's past, present, and future, and the family's commitment to...

Morgan McGlashon is an ex-ski racer turned freeride competition skier turned mountaineering and backcountry skier and now full-time guide. She is also the youngest documented female to ski the Grand Teton. 

In this episode, Morgan shares her experiences growing up in Jackson Hole, competing as a professional freeskier, and becoming the youngest woman to ski the Grand Teton at just 19 years old.

Morgan discusses how her ski ...

Jeff Toolson was born and raised right here in Jackson Hole. He is the owner of Toolson Telephone and a board member of The Jackson Hole Snow Devils. 

This week's episode of The Jackson Hole Connection is all about the Jackson Hole Snow Devils and their impact on the community. Jeff Toolson, whose family has been part of the Snow Devils for decades, discusses the history of the Snow Devil's, their fundraising efforts, and the 4...

Taylor-Ann Smith is a graphic designer and the entrepreneur behind Ride Force. Taylor-Ann is originally from Montana, but has Wyoming roots. Taylor-Ann started Ride Force 3 years ago after she discovered that she couldn’t find any clothes that made her look and feel good on her mountain bike. 

In this episode, Taylor-Ann shares her fascinating story about what led her to move to Jackson and her family's deep roots in Wyoming. W...

Peter Rork is a retired orthopedic surgeon and co-founder and pilot for Dog is My CoPilot. In this episode, Peter shares his inspiring journey of finding purpose in his life after his wife passed away.

In 2012, he teamed up with Judy Zimet, a Scottsdale real estate attorney and animal lover, to start Dog Is My CoPilot. Over the past decade, Dog is My CoPilot has grown from flying 20-30 pets at a time to now rescuing 1,000 dogs and c...