All Episodes

My conversation this week was with my good friend and returning guest, Aaron Everitt. Aaron was just returned from a panel discussion where he represented the MAHA perspective at the ASPPH Annual Meeting for Academic Public Health, with hundreds of public health educators in attendance. Aaron has been a regular guest on a podcast known as “Why Should I Trust You”, and is an avid freelance writer and creator. He’s also a longtime chapter facilitator at LoCo Think Tank! We discussed Aaron’s cre...

My conversation today was with James and Angela Mitchell, the Co-Founders and Relationship Coaches at Love Intentionally. Angela was a career counselor, working in schools, with depression and substance challenges, and eventually found her way to relationships. Meanwhile, James was the consummate entrepreneur - working in real estate but always trying new ventures - with widely ranging success. After years of taking intentional time throughout their marriage - every week, every month, and once...

I had Joel Gustafson and Jess Gries into the studio last fall to talk about Seed & Spirit Distilling, and specifically the recent news of their expansion into what was the Funkwerks portion of the building on Lincoln Avenue in Fort Collins. We tasted lots of samples and the guys shared a lot of stories, but with the two of them, there really wasn’t time to do justice to the journey of either partner. In the meantime, we were honored to have Seed & Spirit partner with The LoCo Experience podcast ...

My guest this week was Kyle Bentley, I connected with Kyle on LinkedIn back in 2019, and saw him growing his business - Bentley Welding Inc. through the years, and then more recently saw a new set of businesses arise - Coyote Tanks, Blue Northern Constructors, and Ceros Industrial - and Bentley Welding becoming Bentley Mission Critical. I thought he might have a problem, and so I reached out to see if he’d join me in studio for a conversation on The LoCo Experience! In studio, I found out he’s ...

In this episode of The LoCo Experience Podcast, I sat down with Dustin Peyser, the Founder and President of the Timnath Chamber of Commerce. Dustin shares how he co-founded the chamber alongside the early adopters and supporters, driven by his passion for local business and community building. We discuss the chamber's rapid growth to 55 members and his innovative initiatives like the 'Click Local' business listing platform. Dustin was inspired and supported throughout by his wife Crystal, a like...

My guest on today’s podcast was Carolyn Johnson, Founder & CEO of GuardUs Innovations. A mechanical engineer with a background in biology and product development, Carolyn became fascinated by the wolf reintroduction in Colorado - and especially with the lack of success that livestock predation deterrents were having. The costs to the state of Colorado have grown well beyond projections already, and if the wolves are to grow in number the livestock encounters must become more rare or the project...

I hosted a collaboration episode with Patrick Souku, Greg Roeder, and recently retired Fort Collins mayor Jenny Arnt to talk about what makes Fort Collins great and how to keep it that way. We introduced our backgrounds in local real estate, CSU teaching, podcasting, and city leadership, then debated what the city does best, highlighting parks and trails, Old Town, CSU-driven innovation, and a strong entrepreneurial culture. We discussed affordability and “brain drain,” and how keeping costs and...

Dakota Collins was born the son of professional hippies - his mom worked in medicine, and dad in education - with construction on the side - and Dakota was raised largely free-range in the hills southwest of Fort Collins. He was born with a club-foot, which required repeated casting to straighten, and which eventually caused him to develop scoliosis. And then he discovered slacklining! In a matter of months his spine was straight and his life transformed, and he soon travelled the nation and ...

Dakota Collins was born the son of professional hippies - his mom worked in medicine, and dad in education - with construction on the side - and Dakota was raised largely free-range in the hills southwest of Fort Collins. He was born with a club-foot, which required repeated casting to straighten, and which eventually caused him to develop scoliosis. And then he discovered slacklining! In a matter of months his spine was straight and his life transformed, and he soon travelled the nation and ...

In today’s episode of The LoCo Experience, I welcomed Nate Hines back into the studio for his second appearance - with the agreement that he gets to interview me for the second half of the show! Nate was our final guest of Season 4, (Episode 200) - and in 2025 he executed the strategy he shared in our previous conversation - acquiring and integrating three water engineering firms! Hines Inc. is the leading voice in the #waterfirst movement, which encourages developers and property owners to con...

Today’s episode features Kris Buchanan, Founder of Phase Three Product Development and Co-Founder and CEO of RedDrop Dx. RedDrop Dx has developed an FDA-approved, pain-free blood collection device that is used at home! Drawing on years of experience designing medical instrumentation and microfluidic systems, he and his partners set out to solve the “blood acquisition” problem as a standalone, scalable solution rather than a one-off component tied to a single test. RedDrop offers a simple at-ho...

Now This is NOCO! - Ben & Kelsi Harris, Owners of This is NOCO and the NEW Discover NOCO Magazine On today’s episode of The LoCo Experience podcast, I’m excited to introduce Ben & Kelsi Harris to our listeners! They are the owners of the This is NOCO media company, and recently expanded their offerings through acquisition of Discover Fort Collins magazine - which will be adding editorial and community content and rebranding as Discover NOCO this spring! And - they’ve rece...

In this episode of the LoCo Experience Podcast, I had an intriguing conversation with Johnny Fimple, Founder of Resonate, a Fimple Plan. Johnny is a business coach, and shared his journey from being a passionate drummer in the music industry to pioneering a unique coaching perspective centered on improving employee-customer interactions. We delved into his early years as a musician and music store manager in San Francisco, his transition into the restaurant and retail sectors, and how his perso...

Jenna Lee Dillon spent her growing up years in Southwest Colorado - in the small town of Mancos - on the way from Durango to Mesa Verde National Park. Her father was in the real estate business - some construction but especially buy, fix, and flip - a decade before it was cool. After high school, she wanted someplace bigger and warmer, which landed her at Arizona State University. Just out of school, Jenna Lee landed a job in marketing - a remote job for a California agency - and she soon evide...

John Palke and I were introduced at a Realities for Children event some months back, and when we finally enjoyed a coffee together, I knew he had a story that I had to dig into and share! In real estate since 2019, John had previously been a commercial fisherman in Alaska (where he once fell in the water and nearly froze to death), was a partner in one of my favorite band bars, Hodi’s Half Note, and worked in operations at Vestas - until he realized giant windmills were a mostly a heavily subsid...

Rachael Ardanuy is a purpose-driven attorney, as passionate about business and community as anyone I’ve come to know lately, and also an adjunct professor, Certified Jazzersize Instructor, and co-founder with her husband of Grow Your Own Fort Collins - a design and install firm focused on home gardening. We traded some home grown gifts before the show, and enjoyed a lovely conversation. Rachael came to Colorado as a marijuana industry attorney - helping with formations and contracts and navigat...

In this episode of the Loco Experience Podcast, we welcome Ben Holtz and Ava Munos to discuss their journeys and roles within the Loco Experience team. Ava, the outgoing podcast producer, reflects on her time at Loco and her future plans in sales, while Ben shares insights into his varied career and his growth in the Director of Growth and Operations role. We recap the season, highlighting key podcast episodes, memorable moments, and impactful guests. The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by:...

In this episode of The Loco Experience podcast, I sat down with Kevin Pallaoro , the CEO of Grass Fed Foods . Kevin shares his journey from growing up on a ranch in Salida, Colorado to becoming a leader in the natural beef industry. Did you know that Salida was heavily settled by Italian immigrants? - well you do now. We delve into the history and operations of Grass Fed Foods and its brands Teton Waters Ranch and Sun Fed Ranch. Kevin's passion for healthy, sustainable food is evident as he di...

In today's episode of the Loco Experience Podcast, I sat down with Stu Crair, the founder and executive director of the Digital Workshop Center, a musician as well as an adjunct professor at CSU. Stu shares his history, balancing professional commitments and musical pursuits, offering insights to his roles, kind of creating a job at CSU and Elsewise, and the evolution of the Digital Workshop Center from his garage to now a nice office in downtown Fort Collins. We also discussed his jou...

Brett Kemp is the President of Flood & Peterson, a family and employee-owned insurance brokerage since 1939, and the strongest market share among property & casualty insurance brokerages in the region. With career chapters in the Air Force, pharmaceutical sales, and manufacturing, Brett was a darkhorse candidate for ascendance to leadership. Aaron Eide visited Fort Collins almost exactly 25 years (to the day!) before we recorded this podcast. He’s a UND graduate and came through the same Credi...

In today’s episode, I sat down with Marshall Spring , Founder of Combat Recovery Foundation . Marshall is a combat-disabled Marine Corps Explosives Detection Dog Handler, former police officer, private-security entrepreneur, and suicide prevention expert. This is an intense conversation with an insightful guy, and I know you’ll enjoy my conversation with Marshall Spring. The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by: Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more 💡 Learn about LoCo Think Tank Follow u...

In this episode of the LoCo Experience podcast, I had a lively conversation with Teri Karjala, a business success therapist and entrepreneur. Teri shared her journey from a small town in Kansas to becoming a counsellor to becoming the owner of a sizable therapy practice. She highlighted her unique methods using energy psychology and quantum physics to help business owners overcome limiting beliefs and self-sabotage. We discussed her evolution from counselor to business owner to media personality...

We discussed the concept of a vertically integrated distillery, where they oversee the process from growing their own grains to producing the final spirits. We talked through the economics of distilling, and the creation of their product lineup, including unique offerings like 'Whizcal,' a whiskey-mezcal hybrid, the Forged in Fire line honoring military service members, and future aged spirits to come. We also discussed their future plans for an expanded tasting room and oyster lounge in the fo...

My good friend Aaron Everitt dropped by for a post-election recap episode this week, and I wore my blue Hawaiian shirt to symbolize the big blue wave that swept across much of America. Aaron and I dig into what’s going on in the economy, and especially in the minds of young people and the working class, and where we might go as a nation from there. Aaron shared some updates from his creative work, including his podcast and substack - Besides the Revolution - and his collaboration with House In...