
The Ranch Podcast
A podcast dedicated to the people and happenings of the Treasure Valley and the great State of Idaho.
Latest episodes

Jun 6, 2025 • 37min
The Big Beautiful Bill & Idaho's Health Insurance with Pat Kelly
Pat Kelly is the Executive Director of Your Health Idaho, an organization designed to connect Idaho citizens, private insurance, and federal tax credits for insurance coverage. The reconciliation process for the Big Beautiful Bill stands to make changes that will complicate the enrollment process as well as increase cost for Idahoans. Pat did a masterful job of explaining a complex system. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Jun 6, 2025 • 1h 7min
Spreading Jobs Across Idaho with Monica Church
Monica Church is an Idaho educator, legislative representative, and huge advocate for the middle and low classes of Idaho. Idaho is surrounded by states, particularly coastal states, that have developed a level of income and wealth inequality that is profound and incredibly discouraging for the average American citizen. We spoke extensively about what could be done to combat such disparities in Idaho and if a robust public transit system is required to connect people with jobs. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 4min
Integrated Media in the Age of Communications with Jeff Spurlock
Jeff Spurklock is a Boise State University Professor of Integrated Media. He has worked in several different media industries and came in to speak about the media landscape. We have never had so many different communication options, and in a world where emerging media and “new” media are starting to stand shoulder to shoulder with legacy media, understanding how integration and full utilization of different mediums is crucial. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Jun 4, 2025 • 53min
Our Constitutional Crisis with McKay Cunningham
McKay Cunningham is the Director of Graduate Initiatives and Graduate Professor at the College of Idaho, and he was also a law professor for over a decade prior to his current position. He came in to speak about the potential of the United States in a constitutional crisis with the current administration. Birthright citizenship as well as rejection of court orders has caused some people to consider whether the constitution is being appropriately considered, and McKay’s position was incredibly thought provoking. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Jun 3, 2025 • 51min
Early Reading ROI in Idaho with Dr. Sally Brown
Dr. Sally Brown is an assistant professor and literacy expert in Idaho. She works with educators and school systems to improve literacy education. Idaho has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, and many argue that a huge driving factor is early childhood literacy. If students can’t read by the end of grade three, their probability of becoming incarcerated grows exponentially. Dr. Brown is working to help more Idaho children and families hit that benchmark. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Jun 2, 2025 • 55min
Advancing American Values in Idaho with Dr. Andrew Finstuen
Dr. Andrew Finstuen is an American Historian, Dean of the BSU Honors College, and Director of the Center for Advancing American Values at BSU. We spoke at length about the current iterations and limitations on our freedom of expression, one of the most fundamental American values that we all enjoy. In a time when almost all of us depend on private companies to allow us platforms to express ourselves, our capacity to fully express ourselves can come into question considering these companies can limit our speech. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

May 31, 2025 • 53min
The Physician Bottleneck in Idaho with Dr. Perry Brown
Dr. Perry Brown is a physician in Idaho and works hard to recruit and train more doctors in this state. There has been much discussion about what is required to increase physician access, be it medical schools, clinical rotations, residencies, political change, better public education, etc. Dr. Brown came in and thoughtfully picked apart the different factors and laid out what we can actually do to improve our physician to patient ratios in Idaho. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

May 30, 2025 • 28min
Boise River Preparation & Risks with Mark Niemeyer
Mark Niemeyer is the Boise Fire Dept. Chief and came in to speak about river safety, preparation, and recreation. The Boise River is a gem of the Treasure Valley but can also be extremely dangerous. There is a ton of preparation that goes into making it safer every year, but there are several things that recreationists should take into consideration when enjoying this incredible attraction. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

May 28, 2025 • 39min
Raising Beef in Idaho with Ryan Bedke
Ryan Bedke is a fifth generation cattle rancher that has moved into direct consumer production with Hat Brand Beef. I recently connected with him and purchased a half beef, and man, let me tell you. This is the best protein I have ever had. I invited him in to talk about how he raises and handles his animals, and what goes into producing this incredible product locally. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

May 27, 2025 • 33min
Supporting the Extraordinary in Idaho with Megan Schomer
Megan Schomer is the founder of Rays for Rare, an organization that helps families with exceptionally medically fragile children. People in these tough positions need more than just a word of encouragement. They need help shoveling off the driveway, help with childcare, help with marital strife and pain. Rays for Rare helps people get through these life things so they can focus on the life in front of them.The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com