Venture Boldly

Hosted by Jennifer Cronk

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

A podcast from The Discover Kalispell Chamber about the initiatives, programs, people, news and businesses you need to know about in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.

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60 recent

September 7, 2026Episode 8621 min

The FVCC Trades Institute with Dr. Lisa Blank

Send us your feedback! Skilled trades are changing fast, and the career opportunities are growing with them. Dr. Lisa Blank, Executive Director of Workforce Development at Flathead Valley Community College, joins us to talk about how the FVCC Trades Institute is preparing students and career changers for in-demand jobs across Northwest Montana. We explore programs ranging from welding, electrical, plumbing, construction, and HVAC to machining, heavy equipment, and CDL training. Lisa also shares what local employers are looking for and how AI, automation, and robotics are changing the skills needed in today’s trades. Whether you’re considering your first career, a career change, or simply want to understand where our local workforce is headed, this episode offers a practical look at the opportunities ahead. Flathead Valley Community College: Flathead Valley Community College - Home FVCC Trades Institute: Trades Institute - Flathead Valley Community College Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

August 17, 2026Episode 8320 min

Meet Kelsie, Chris & Marisa: New Faces at the Chamber & Discover Kalispell

Send us your feedback! Kalispell is more than the gateway to Glacier National Park, and three new members of the Kalispell Chamber and Discover Kalispell team are helping tell that bigger story. Meet Kelsie Ring, Chris O’Boyle, and Marisa Mikonis and hear how their work is strengthening community connections, supporting local businesses, attracting meetings and visitors, and showcasing Kalispell as a destination worth experiencing on its own. From better community events and stronger member engagement to sustainable tourism and a renewed focus on downtown Kalispell, this conversation looks at what’s next for our community and the people helping move it forward. www.discoverkalispell.com Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

August 3, 2026Episode 8221 min

The Glacier National Park Conservancy with President, Tagen Vine

Send us your feedback! Glacier National Park may look timeless, but protecting it takes ongoing work and strong community support. In this episode, Brenden Craig sits down with Tagen Vine, the new president of the Glacier National Park Conservancy, to discuss how the organization helps fund critical park priorities. They explore projects ranging from wilderness ranger support and wildlife research to the Logan Pass boardwalk replacement, along with the role of philanthropy, retail sales, business partnerships, and visitor education. Listen for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to protect Glacier National Park and preserve it for future generations. Glacier National Park Conservancy: Glacier Conservancy - Glacier National Park Conservancy Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

July 20, 2026Episode 8125 min

Growing Flathead: Building for the Future with Pete Melnick, County Administrator

Send us your feedback! How does Flathead County manage rapid growth without losing its rural character or overextending taxpayers? Brenden Craig talks with County Administrator Pete Melnick about the pressures shaping local government, including rising service demands, land use, infrastructure, budgeting, and property taxes. Pete also shares updates on the new detention center and regional septage treatment project, along with his approach to planning for the county’s future. Listen for a clear look at how Flathead County is balancing growth, public services, and responsible spending. Home :: Flathead County Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

July 6, 2026Episode 8021 min

Community Over Competition with Beth Kornick of Princess & Buck

Send us your feedback! What makes a downtown truly come alive? It’s the small businesses that create experiences, build connections, and turn visitors into loyal customers. In this episode of Venture Boldly , we sit down with Beth Kornick, co-owner of Princess & Buck, to talk about building one of downtown Kalispell’s most distinctive retail destinations. Beth shares her journey as an entrepreneur, the importance of creating memorable customer experiences, and why a thriving downtown depends on collaboration, not competition. We explore the power of shopping local, the role retailers play in shaping a community’s identity, and how efforts like Downtown Forward are helping strengthen downtown Kalispell for the future. Princess and Buck – Princess & Buck Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

June 22, 2026Episode 7930 min

Flathead Electric Cooperative: Powering the Flathead with Katie Pfennigs

Send us your feedback! In this episode of Venture Boldly , we sit down with Katie Pfennigs of Flathead Electric Cooperative to break down the forces shaping the future of electricity in Northwest Montana. From rising rates and growing demand to new power generation investments and the impact of AI and data centers, Katie explains what members need to know. We also unpack the difference between energy use and demand charges and share practical tips that can help you better manage your monthly bill. If you've ever wondered how the grid works—or how to save money without sacrificing comfort—this conversation is for you. Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

June 8, 2026Episode 7828 min

Raised on Freedom - Rooted in Montana's Best: the 2026 NWMT Fair & Rodeo

Send us your feedback! The Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo is back for 2026, and summer in the Flathead is about to get a whole lot louder. In this episode, we sit down with Flathead County Fairgrounds Manager Sam Nunnally and Event Sponsorship Coordinator Kelsi Hansberry to preview everything coming to this year’s fair—from Walker Hayes, rodeo action, and carnival favorites to new attractions like pig races, a petting zoo, and pony rides. We also discuss major fairgrounds improvements, how the team hosts nearly 750 events and 250,000 visitors each year, and why buying tickets directly from the fair is the best way to avoid scams and extra fees. Whether you're a longtime fairgoer or planning your first visit, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of Northwest Montana’s biggest summer traditions. Link: www.nwmtfair.com Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

May 18, 2026Episode 7731 min

Glacier Range Riders: Building More than a Baseball Team

Send us your feedback! The Glacier Range Riders and Glacier Bank Park have, in a few short years, become an integral part of the Flathead Valley's sports and recreation scene. Glacier Bank Park is a pro ballpark, built fast, built right, and built Montana — with locally sourced materials, authentic Flathead Valley food, and a design that makes visitors feel like they're somewhere, not just anywhere. Now it's drawing national recognition and becoming the kind of place families build traditions around. Brenden Craig sits down with Scot Gladstone and Patrick "PK" Kelly of the Glacier Range Riders for a conversation that's equal parts origin story, community playbook, and vision for Kalispell and the Flathead. You'll hear: How a Pioneer League team got built from scratch — the timeline will surprise you Why private funding matters and what it signals about this organization's independence and ambition The Range Riders Foundation and how partnerships with schools, veterans groups, first responders, and nonprofits are turning a ballpark into a genuine community asset The career pipeline no one talks about — seasonal jobs and internships that launch real careers in broadcasting, hospitality, and sports operations What it means when your players make it to the MLB — and why that credibility ripples back to the valley This is a baseball story, and a story about what a community decides to become, and the people bold enough to build it. Learn more about the Glacier Range Riders at: www.gorangeriders.com 🎙️ Subscribe to Venture Boldly. Share this one with someone who loves the Flathead Valley. And tell us your favorite ballpark memory in a review. Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

May 4, 2026Episode 7628 min

The Case for Agritourism in Montana with Mike Sullivan of Longview Lavender Farm

Send us your feedback! Mike Sullivan planted lavender in Northwest Montana and lost it all. Twice. What kept him going is a story about more than farming. At Longview Lavender Farm in the Flathead Valley, Mike turned a stubborn specialty crop into a thriving agritourism business, one that creates local jobs and keeps farmland open. We talk about how he cracked the code on Montana's soil and climate, why direct-to-consumer beats commodity farming, and how lavender becomes everything from essential oils to fire starters. But the bigger conversation is about land. The conversation widens to land use and community impact: growth pressures, zoning, and why agritourism can help smaller farms compete when farmland prices make commodity agriculture harder to justify. If you care about sustainable agriculture, rural economies, or what it takes to keep agriculture part of the Flathead Valley’s identity, this podcast is for you. Longview Lavender Farm | Pure Essential Lavender Oil Products | United States Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

April 20, 2026Episode 7532 min

Child Care Center Business Insights with Corinne Kuntz, The Birds Nest Early Learning Village

Send us your feedback! Infant child care is one of the biggest hidden barriers to workforce participation—and one of the hardest services to sustain. In this episode, Corinne Kuntz of Bird’s Nest Early Learning Village shares her transition from in-home care to a purpose-built center and what it reveals about the real challenges facing child care in the Flathead. We break down the numbers behind the model—why infant care often operates at a loss, how programs stay viable, and what shifting policies mean for providers and families. Corinne also offers practical insight on expansion, staffing, and building trust with parents, along with strategies like summer programs and youth internships that support working families and strengthen the future workforce. The Birds Nest Early Learning Village in Kalispell Montana Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com