The Boise Bubble Podcast

In this episode Natalie was invited onto the City Cast Boise podcast (https://boise.citycast.fm) to discuss her recommendations for summer restaurants in the Treasure Valley. Hope you enjoy!

We've talked a lot about our move from tradition medicine to functional medicine. It has changed our lives and given us a lot of hope. In this episode we sit down Amber Warren PA-C, IFMCP (https://www.fmioptimal.com/amber-warren) of Functional Medicine of Idaho (https://funmedidaho.com) and FMI Optimal (https://www.fmioptimal.com/begin) and Host of the Functional Medicine Foundations (https://www.fmioptimal.com/podcast/categories/podcast) podcast to discuss exactly what makes functional medicine different from traditional American health care. The frustration with our health care system is palpable across the Nation. What would it look like if doctors started to focus on root cause instead of just treating symptoms? If we tried to keep people well instead of waiting until they were chronically ill? If we didn't allow insurance and pharmaceutical companies to control the system. It's a fascinating conversation. We get a bit riled up, but it might do us all a little good to rage a bit against the status quo.

Death is a topic our culture doesn't seem to be very competent or confident talking about. Which is incongruent with the fact that, to paraphrase our guest, death is the most universal experience we have as humans. Some people may go most of their lives not confronting the reality of death until a loved one dies or they themselves receive a terminal diagnosis, and by that time we likely haven't reconciled with the inevitability of death or developed any tools to deal with it. We want to change that and make the topic less culturally taboo, or at least less uncomfortable. Our hope is that by talking about it, we can get closer to making death the beautiful experience it can be. In this episode we have an amazing conversation with Alex Glynn, local end-of-life doula, energy healer, and psychic. Alex is associated with two local companies or service providers: End-Of-Life Doulas of Idaho (https://www.eoldoulasid.org) and Embracing Wild (https://www.embracingwild.com). As a death doula she, and other doulas, help individuals and their loved ones as the individual nears the end of life. She helps with practical end-of-life planning, emotional support, guidance and education on the death process, and managing grief. Her life's passion is helping people at a time that's often their most vulnerable. Our conversation with Alex was one of our favorites. It was practical, emotional, philosophical, and comforting. We touched on so many topics such as helpful books about death and dying, cultural and colonial influences on society's ability to talk about and process death, what the death process is like for both the individual and their caregivers, deep emotions including fear and grief, post mortem body care, traditions and rituals, and the importance of grief as a process. We walked away from this one feeling comfort and hope, and we hope you do as well. If you'd like to learn more about death doulas, end-of-life planning, or other services that Alex specializes in, you can find her at End-of-Life Doulas Idaho (https://www.eoldoulasid.org) and Embracing Wild (https://www.embracingwild.com). Here are a few other resources we've found helpful: Sam Harris, The Making Sense Podcast, Episode #297: Preparing for the End (https://www.samharris.org/podcasts/making-sense-episodes/297-preparing-for-the-end) A Beginner's Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death, by BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/A-Beginners-Guide-to-the-End/BJ-Miller/9781501157219) TED Talk: “What Really Matters At the End of Life”, by BJ Miller (https://www.ted.com/talks/bj_miller_what_really_matters_at_the_end_of_life)

A lot of us in the Treasure Valley are looking at the housing market and economy and asking, “What exactly is happening here?" In this episode, we've invited back experienced real estate investor and Idaho realtor Jesse Taff (https://www.waypointidaho.com/agents/jesse/) and mortgage and loan specialist Bryce Gonser (https://fulcrumhomeloans.com/about-us/team-members/bryce-gonser) to talk about the 2024 Treasure Valley housing market. Together we chat about interest rates, the balancing of the market, setting expectations for buyers and sellers, and what the future might hold. If you are interested in real estate investing or home ownership, reach out to them on social media or at Waypoint Real Estate Group (https://www.waypointidaho.com/agents/jesse/) and Fulcrum Home Loans (https://fulcrumhomeloans.com/about-us/team-members/bryce-gonser).

In this episode we speak with The Headstrong Project (https://theheadstrongproject.org), a local non-profit whose mission is to provide active-duty military service members and veterans with mental health services and resources as they deal with trauma. Dr. Amy Williams (https://theheadstrongproject.org/our-team/dr-amy-m-williams/) is the group's Chief Clinical Officer, and Tony Liles (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-j-liles/) is a veteran and mental health advocate helping connect other veterans with the group and take advantage of their services. Both are trying to remove the stigma surrounding talking about mental health issues in the military, specifically trauma, and normalize speaking about it openly and getting help when it's needed. We discuss the varying forms of trauma, what PTSD looks like, how to spot signs of PTSD, how to find help, and specifically what resources and support are provided by The Headstrong Project. It's a very vulnerable, honest, emotional, and needed conversation and we were honored to have it. There is truly a mental health crisis across the country among those who have served our country, and they deserve acceptance and support from the other members of a grateful nation. If you or someone you care about is currently serving in the military or are veterans and need help working through trauma and PTSD, please connect them with The Headstrong Project at theheadstrongproject.org (https://theheadstrongproject.org).

The annual Idaho Gives (https://www.idahogives.org) community non-profit fundraiser is upon us once again and in this episode we visit with Kevin Bailey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpbailey3/) of the Idaho Nonprofit Center (https://www.idahononprofits.org) who walks us through this year's event and how to get involved. In addition to Kevin, we've brought in spokespeople for two of the non-profits participating to spotlight just a sampling of the amazing causes taking place in our state: Scott Curtis, CEO of Idaho Youth Ranch (https://www.youthranch.org); and Bart Cochran, CEO of LEAP Housing (https://www.leaphousing.org). We learned so much about these great groups and are hoping to get each of them back on the podcast to dive deeper into the needs that are driving them to help our community. We encourage all of you to participate in Idaho Gives by visiting the website idahogives.org (https://www.idahogives.org), researching the over 600 participating non-profits, and making a donation. The event takes place Monday 4/29 through Thursday 5/2. And you can learn more about our other two guests at youthranch.org (https://www.youthranch.org) and leaphousing.org (https://www.leaphousing.org).

We bring back Amos Rothstein; local comedian, food editor for Boise Weekly (https://www.idahopress.com/boiseweekly/), and up-and-coming beauty pageant MC; to talk about what we have seen in the past year in the Treasure Valley food scene. We talk happy hours, bars, new restaurants and co-ed bathrooms. Throwing in some conversation about dog people versus cat people, what a show “Real Housewives of Boise” would look like, and just a bit of sexual innuendo. It's a very fun conversation. Get out your pen and paper, because you're going to want to take notes.

In a very impromptu discussion, Natalie sits down with Becca Bailey from the media account Boise With Kids (https://www.boisewithkids.com) to discuss this current epidemic of burnout. They had already been chatting for a couple of hours about how they are both seeing and experiencing massive burnout in 2024, and the toll social media seems to be taking on their mental health. They decided to hit the record button in case anyone else was feeling the same. They admit they don't have a lot of answers, and this was less of an interview and more a conversation between two friends trying to figure out why they are going a little crazy at times. If you also find yourself feeling like you're not quite figuring out this new world we're all living in, come along on this chat, and maybe you'll feel less alone.

In a very unexpected turn of events, it would seem we are getting a dog. Not that we had any plans on discussing this with Marissa Lovell from the Treefort (https://treefortmusicfest.com) team and also the From Boise (https://fromboise.com) newsletter, but we do tend to get side tracked. We discuss the pros and cons and decided we will need to do at update episode after surviving the puppy stage. You can definitely tell who in the group is the most pro-dog and who is a little hesitant. We also talk a bit about how Marissa is feeling about marriage as she nears the two-year mark. Back to the main point of conversation, we are talking all things Treefort Music Fest 2024 (https://treefortmusicfest.com). From Foodfort to Filmfort, how to enjoy the festival on the cheap and which shows Marissa is most excited for. If you are new to Treefort and wondering what it is all about, we sum it up. If you are a Treefort Pro, we give you some tips about must sees this year, including some brand new venues. We continue the conversation with Marissa in our next episode as we chat more about what she is doing with her extremely popular newsletter and podcast. Stay tuned. Happy Treefort, everyone!

In this episode we are chatting with Holly Beech, Communications Manager at the Idaho Office for Refugees (https://www.idahorefugees.org). In this conversation we learned why Idaho is known throughout the country as having one of the best refugee programs, why Idaho is involved with refugee settlement, and how we can best support these members of our community. This discussion convinced us that refugee support is an incredible opportunity to enrich our community with diversity and new cultures. We've noticed that there are many misconceptions about what the term “refugee” means, and that there's often confusion with the concept of immigration. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website (https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/refugees), a refugee is a person of special humanitarian concern to the United States who can demonstrate that they were persecuted, or fear persecution, due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Refugees are people who are in need of help when they are persecuted in their own countries, and they come to America seeking asylum, or protection. This does not include people who come to the United States illegally. We learned that determining where refugees go within the United States, and how many go to any given state, is a major effort. Idaho, come to find out, is one of the best organized and most helpful states to participate in the program. Holly did a wonderful job of walking us through all the details of how the system works and what we can do to support this community within our community. We are releasing this in anticipation of a particularly exciting event happening on February 29, 2024. The Idaho Office of Refugees annual Legislative Luncheon will take place from noon to 1:30 PM on the fourth floor of the State Capitol Rotunda. This is a FREE event for the community. We strongly encourage you to come and enjoy authentic food made by the Idaho refugee community and listen to some of their stories. We can't think of a better way to build community and truly become neighbors than by breaking bread together with people as they share their stories. To learn more about the Idaho Office for Refugees, visit their website at www.idahorefugees.org (https://www.idahorefugees.org). We also recommend you check out Holly's podcast, Mosaics (https://mosaics.castos.com), where she and her team interview Idaho refugees who share their amazing stories. With all that said, we bring you a conversation with Holly Beech from the Idaho Office for Refugees.

In this duel release episode Natalie was asked to be a guest on the popular Boise podcast, City Cast Boise (https://boise.citycast.fm). Together with executive producer Frankie Barnhill, they discuss Valentine's Day in the Treasure Valley. They chat about different options for Valentine's Day, whether you are a seasoned couple or new parents trying for a little romance. She drop some hints of some of her top picks for restaurants around town, along with what we will be doing to celebrate. And they discuss the importance setting exceptions of what romance means. Feel free to check out City Cast Boise at https://boise.citycast.fm (https://boise.citycast.fm).

In this episode we speak with Paige Dinger, the Executive Director of Faces of Hope (https://www.facesofhopevictimcenter.org). Their purpose statement describes what they're all about better than we could, so here it is: Faces of Hope provides a safety net of emergency services to people experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, stalking, and/or human trafficking. Men, women, and children can come to Faces of Hope and receive help, with no judgment, no strings, and no fees. Our dedicated team wraps around an individual or family and provides crisis intervention services to stabilize them. We are so grateful to have learned all about what Faces does for members of our community. But this conversation was hard. On one hand, what they do for victims of abuse is the pinnacle of compassion, community, and lovingkindness. On the other, that there's so much need for what they do is heartbreaking, terrifying, and rage-inducing. It's hard to square up in your mind that this amazing community of ours is so riddled with domestic violence and abuse. Some might say it's better than many places in the world, and yes, that may be true- AND that's no excuse that it happens at all, nor is it justification for us turning a blind eye towards it or downplaying it. As we spoke with Paige, it quickly became apparent that there isn't an easy solution. The scenarios are often very complicated and don't lend themselves to any sort of quick fix. After listening to some of these examples, the depth and complexity of the problem were overwhelming. But one can make the case that it's incredibly encouraging that our community has so many resources for domestic violence and abuse, and Faces is one of them. A simple Google search of “domestic abuse resources” returns a long list of local groups committed to helping those in need in tangible ways (we were brought to tears hearing about how Faces provides what's called Hope's Closet). We encourage you to listen to this episode, if not for yourself, then for someone in your life. The statics show that the odds of you or someone close to you experiencing domestic abuse at some point during your life is staggeringly high. And take note of the ways Paige says we can provide support. Whether it's through time, money, or donations, getting involved and making a real impact on someone's life is much easier than you might think. You can learn more about Faces at www.facesofhopevictimcenter.org (https://www.facesofhopevictimcenter.org). If you are experiencing abuse and need help, please find them. Their website is great and easy to navigate, and their offices are located at 1850 S. Eagle Road in Meridian (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Faces+of+Hope+Victim+Center+-+Meridian/@43.5883571,-116.3534908,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x54ae514afbd77337:0x94814c434c484a87!4m6!3m5!1s0x54ae513ce40c59df:0x8d62f8640597343b!8m2!3d43.5883571!4d-116.3534908!16s%2Fg%2F11vpnq_0tm?entry=ttu). Or you can call them at (208) 986-HELP (4357), or call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at (800) 799-7233.

Around the onset of every new year, we talk about the year-in-review and our plans looking forward. In this episode, Shane takes the wheel and lays out his lofty plans for 2024. It feels a little awkward to him to talk so much about himself and his personal goals, but he doesn't let that stop him. The exercise of sharing goals with a partner becomes a vehicle for talking about a list of important topics such as healthy habits, shared household responsibilities, spousal support, equal ownership of romance, mental health, liberation in relinquishing control, the value of individual and couples therapy, healthy masculinity, intentional time with kids, acceptance of and planning for death (not as morbid as it sounds), and taking control of our quality of life in 2024. Yeah, we hit a lot of topics. More than anything, we hope that Shane's energy for the new year and how he goes about setting and achieving goals inspires you to move to action to take control of this year with hope and confidence (even if a nerdy spreadsheet may not be the tool that would work for you). You can do great things, and we're here to help with our ramblings. Happy New Year!

In this episode we ring in the new year with a special conversation with Elena DeYoung, the owner of Alyonka Russian Cuisine (https://alyonkarussiancuisine.com). Alyonka is possibly our favorite restaurant in the Treasure Valley, and Elena was instrumental in making it memorable from our very first visit. Through the many times we've dined there, we're grateful to count Elena and her wonderful husband, Dan, as friends. We were honored to have them in our home recently to share Elena's story as an immigrant from Kazakhstan, as an Idahoan and business owner, and as a local celebrity, having been featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/diners-drive-ins-and-dives) with Guy Fieri. This is less a feature on Alyonka specifically, and more a conversation about dedication, community, spousal support, and building relationships and connecting generations through food. Although the food itself is remarkable on its own, what's more interesting is how it introduced us to an amazing intergenerational and cross-cultural story. Elena is a truly wonderful human and an exemplar of hard work and pursuing your passion to the benefit of a community. We discuss how we met, her immigration and establishment in the United States, starting a business at the onset of Covid, how she sees food and the experience of sharing it and eating it, her deserved success in being featured on national television, and the support and hostility she has experienced as a Russian-American during the course of the Ukrainian-Russian war. Integral to all of this is her relationship with Dan. It's inspiring to see how proud and supportive he is of her and how his deep commitment has magnified her success. We hope you enjoy this episode. And with that, we bring you a conversation with Elena and Dan DeYoung.

On this episode, we dual-release with the podcast Confessions of a CEO (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/confessions-of-a-ceo/id1604417965) hosted by Kelci Borges of The Boise Breakfast Club (https://www.theboisebreakfastclub.com) and We Are She Rose (https://wearesherose.com). Natalie was invited to sit down with Kelci for an intimate discussion about working professionally and visibly on social media. They discuss dealing with the algorithm, burnout, trolls and haters, and how to find success on social media. This is the first episode Natalie goes deeply into the beginnings of her social media career and how it started over 16 years ago. It's a very raw and vulnerable discussion about the realities of being a very visible local public figure. We hope you enjoy. Thank for the invitation Kelci- We love what you are doing!

In this episode we have the pleasure and honor of speaking with Anthony Doerr. Anthony is an American author of novels, short stories, and essays. He is the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel All the Light We Cannot See (2014), which was a #1 New York Times bestseller, has been translated into more than 40 languages, and has recently been adapted into a limited series on Netflix. He is also the author of the novels Cloud Cuckoo Land (2021) and About Grace (2007), short story collections The Shell Collector (2002) and Memory Wall (2010), and his personal memoir Four Seasons in Rome (2011). Anthony writes for The Boston Globe and The Morning News online magazine, has been featured in The Atlantic and The New Yorker, was the Writer in Residence for Idaho from 2007 to 2010, and has taught at Boise State University. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, he has received numerous prestigious awards and has been a finalist for many more. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and has called Boise his home for many years. All his deserved acclaim aside, Anthony was a blast to speak with. He's the kind of guy you feel you've known for years and with whom you want to share a bottle of wine by a fire pit (or as he may prefer, a six pack). He just has such a positive energy. We could have talked for hours, but restrained ourselves to focus on some of the themes of his novels which include the power of ideas to mobilize people to action, authoritative control and censorship, technology's ability to make wonders or wreak havoc, the dangers of “othering”, and being a force for good in the world. We touch on how many of these issues have affected our local community, the value of libraries, our shared love of Idaho, and even discuss how to be great parents and raise good, strong kids who are ready for a tumultuous world. FYI: We spoke with Anothy over Zoom, which is usually wonderful, but today caused a few hiccups. Or maybe it was our internet connection. Who knows- I'm not a tech nerd. But there are a few Matrix-y sounding pings and a little static towards the end. We hope you bear with us, because the conversation is well worth it. If you want to know more about Anthony, just Google him (he's kind of a big deal and is all over the internet). But you can get an overview at his website anthonydoerr.com (https://anthonydoerr.com) or by checking out one of his many writings. We strongly recommend you read either All the Light We Cannot See or Cloud Cuckoo Land, or tune into the Netflix series of All the Light We Cannot See.

We may get totally canceled for this episode. But here goes. First up, we talk about the notorious “man cold” and why exactly women get, um, let's say, “annoyed” when their men start to stifle. And contrary to popular belief, it isn't about the actual sickness. Next up, just for funsies, let's chat PMS, or as we like to say, “Code Red”. There is a delicate balance between women experiencing menstruation and PMS and their spouses being able to safely address it. What you might not expect is that the Man Cold and Code Red have a lot in common. At least we think so. Throw in discussion on expectations, resentment, and Gen-Z slang, and you have your next couples chat ready to go.

We're really excited about this episode. If you've been looking for a way to give back to the community and see some of the best of what Boise offers, this is it. The Boise Bicycle Project (https://www.boisebicycleproject.org) is a local organization whose mission is to get the community excited about biking and get people access to bikes in the Boise area. They also educate on how to ride and repair. Their shop is on South Lusk Street in Boise (https://maps.app.goo.gl/95Af8mWtujUjRUhBA)where they sell bikes and parts, offer classes on bike repair and maintenance, and host a variety of programs and events. Devin McComas is a passionate bike enthusiast and the new executive director. In addition to swapping fond bike-related memories with us, he walks us through what the Boise Bicycle Project is all about and tells us all about their major annual event- the Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway (https://www.boisebicycleproject.org/holiday-kids-bike-giveway). This event is amazing and presents a great opportunity for individuals, families, and businesses to make a real impact in the life of a young person by helping them get their dream bike. The kids actually submit a drawing of their dream bike and together with volunteers and members of the community, the Boise Bicycle Project designs, creates, and gives these bikes to the kids. It's pretty freaking cool. The Boise Bubble and our sponsors- Jesse Taff (https://www.waypointidaho.com/agents/jesse/) with Waypoint Real Estate Group, Bryce Gonser (https://www.fulcrumhomeloans.com/about-us/team-members/bryce-gonser) with Fulcrum Home Loans, and Dr. Dustin Portela with Treasure Valley Dermatology (https://www.dermatologyboise.com)- are all pitching in to support the Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway by adopting a couple of bikes. If you're interested in supporting this cause this holiday season, you can visit the Project's website (https://www.boisebicycleproject.org (https://www.boisebicycleproject.org)) and click on the link for the Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway (https://www.boisebicycleproject.org/holiday-kids-bike-giveway). When you get there, you'll see multiple ways you can contribute: you can donate a bike, you can volunteer at the event on December 16th, make a monetary donation, or adopt a bike. We hope you enjoy this conversation and learn more about a great resource for our Valley, and if you feel so inclined, check out the Boise Bicycle Project's website (https://www.boisebicycleproject.org) and Boise bike shop. It will definitely brighten your day.

It's not everyday you meet a doctor who has made being a doctor their side gig. That's an obvious exaggeration, but it's what our friend (and sponsor) Dustin Portela of Treasure Valley Dermatology has done. Doctor Portela's success at building a local skin care network across the Treasure Valley has been rivaled (and perhaps overshadowed) by his rise in dominant social media platforms TikTok and Instagram, which he has used to great effect in achieving his mission of making high-quality skin care accessible to everyone. Doctor Portela joins us to talk about not only basic skin care, but separating facts and relevant data from noise and misinformation, the way social media has become a tool for doctors to bypass the complicated insurance megacomplex to get medical information into the hands of the public, and his mission to help disadvantaged communities get access to skin care and cancer screening. We even razz him a bit about his personal transformation from skinny Steve Rogers to ripped Captain America. We're so pleased with the value the Treasure Valley Dermatology group adds to our community and invite you to learn more about them on the web (www.dermatologyboise.com (www.dermatologyboise.com)), on the Gram, and on TikTok (both @drdustinportela).

It seems like dating after getting into a committed relationship should be a simple thing. We've found that not to be the case, especially in the weird dynamic of choosing a restaurant. Why is this so difficult for so many couples? And we were no exception to this problem, at least for a while. In this conversation we discuss some ways to make dating a little easier: tools for establishing expectations, listening to each other's needs and figuring out the purpose of a date night, how needs for time spent together change over time, and how sometimes a restaurant choice is so much more about the experience you have as a couple than it is about the food that's coming to your table. We end with a rapid fire list of restaurants across the Treasure Valley to help you narrow down your next night out on the town.

Partners naturally want to support each other when they're going through hard times. But what happens when both partners are going through challenges and aren't able to focus on the other's needs as much as they would like? We have found ourselves in this position lately and decided to use this episode to discuss some of our current struggles, our plan to move forward into a better position by January, and how we can position ourselves to find some respite from stress and anxiety. Some of our changes are simple, and some of them are massive mindset adjustments. From toning down Christmas, to adding in simple health tweaks, we're hoping we will be in a better situation by the new year. Or we might fail miserably- you never know. We will record a follow-up episode after Christmas for a New Year release to talk about how it went. It's a vulnerable conversation. It was valuable for us, and we hope it is valuable to you.

With summer drawn to a close, Shane wanted to get his garden coach, Katie Battazzo with Front Yard Fresh, back to talk through his first foray into gardening. His garden was a huge success this summer- he was giving away produce left and right, flooding the market with homemade pickles, and boring all his friends and acquaintances with how much of an old man he's become. He claims that Katie wept just a little and said he was her favorite protege and made her most proud of all her clients for showing so much dedication and having so much well-earned success his first year in the grow biz, but it's funny how that comment happened to occur before he hit the record button. Major sus. He does acknowledge that Katie's guidance and encouragement were crucial to everything he harvested. With more success than he knew what to do with, he felt it was fitting to invite her back to his garden and record the episode surrounded by his jungle of herbs, flowers, and late-summer vegetables. They discuss his primary takeaways about home gardening in general, talk about what he'll do differently next year, and what growers should do going into fall, including planting garlic and tulips. They also talk about the importance of planting the right flowers to attract bees and other pollinators. If you've been dabbling in doing your own planting, you'll find this conversation helpful. You can harvest your own garden knowledge by following Katie on the Gram @frontyardfresh.

What does it mean to be a good person? And do we agree on that definition? Natalie was invited to be a guest on the national Girl Powerful Podcast. This Boise-based podcast is about having raw and vulnerable conversations with powerful and empowered women. Natalie in turn requested to make it a dual-release so we could also learn about one its founders, Tedi Serge. Together they discuss some of the missions behind their projects. They spill the tea on why Natalie started social media and why she decided to move from an anonymous page to sharing her personal story. They break down the idea of living apart from culturally imposed concepts and labels, and leading an inquisitive life. They explore what it means to be a good and kind person and how often we should revisit what that means. They chat about what patriotism means to different people and their individual plans for moving into the election year. They end with a discussion on what it means to be a good friend and building a tribe of safe people. And Tedi surprises Natalie with a pretty blunt and thought-provoking question. Not just for women, this is an open conversation about reevaluating who we are, what we want to be, how we want our lives to look, and who shares space with us in that life.

We were finally able to reconnect with our friend Katie Williams. Katie travels all over this great state to see the sights, explore the destinations, and walk the streets of all the cute little towns that most of us just don't make time for in our busy day-to-day. She shares her exploits on her Instagram page, Traveling Spud. She's a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to get to know their state a little more. In this episode we swap stories of an all-to-short summer and get some great ideas for where we want to explore next. All of us spent time in northern Idaho- all the way up to Canada and Bonner's Ferry, to Priest Lake, the historic town of Wallace, and traveling through Moscow and the surrounding farming communities. Katie explored southeastern Idaho and regales us with tales of Lava Hot Springs, Maple Grove Hot Springs, and Swan Valley. She even made it up to the lodge at Grandjean! We also make time to celebrate Katie's recent marriage and talk relationship insights from a newlywed and advice from seasoned veterans. Make sure you live vicariously through Katie and follow her on the Gram at @travelingspud, and take notes on this episode for ideas for your next in-state getaway.

In this episode we invited our friend and colleague Jeremy Gonzalez from the local instagram and TikTok pages Boise Insiders. We planned on discussing Boise Insider's ongoing search for the best burger in the Treasure Valley, but before we got to that Jeremy somehow turned marriage therapist for us. Tune in for the battle of “cleaning up after dinner” and weigh in on who wins. Stick around for insight into what exactly is the craze over In-N-Out. Not exactly sure what we intended for this conversation, but we sure had fun with it and think you will too.

Natalie was asked to be the first guest on the brand new West Ada School District Podcast. We decided to joint release the episode on The Boise Bubble. In this discussion, Natalie is interviewed by Ken Hyde, West Ada School District communication specialist, and Katie Rhodenbaugh, West Ada Community Liaison Coordinator. They open up with discussion about moving into the start of school and how to help kids with routines. They move into more layered topics such as providing a safe place for children at home, teaching respect through examples, appropriate ways for parents to communicate with teachers, and the role of parents in shaping their children's habits and personalities. It's a strong beginning to what is sure to be a valuable podcast for the Treasure Valley community.

During COVID Natalie crossed paths with Parker Harger of the non-profit _So Good! _(sogood.org (https://sogood.org)) while they were both helping provide teachers from various schools with lunch on a regular basis. That was our first contact with his organization and we've since been able to learn much more. So Good!'s mission is pretty simple: do good for good's sake. No other reason necessary, just be nice to others and put yourself out there to do good. And that's a message we can get behind. Beneficiaries of his group's efforts include teachers, first responders, veterans, the Idaho Food Bank, and a horde of perfect strangers just like you and me. Talking to Parker, hearing his story, and learning that there's truly no gimmick behind what he's doing was surprising in the best way. It was doubly powerful coming from a guy who has more than his fair share of reasons to be a pessimist. Parker's the real deal- a genuinely kind human who gets his dopamine hit by consistently doing kind things for others. And by “consistently” and “others” we mean he's actively on the lookout daily to do something that will make the day of a total stranger. We were truly inspired after spending time with Parker. Subsequent to our conversation, we took him up on his challenge to consciously look for a way to render some service to a stranger. We did it, and we can report that it really did feel freaking awesome. We're happy to share with you a conversation with Parker Harger of So Good!

Join us for a conversation with Christina Bruce-Benion who is the Executive Director of local foundation The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights. You Idaho history enthusiasts will recall the Center's namesake, Bill Wassmuth, was a key player in the battle against the notorious white supremacist group, the Aryan Nation, in the northern Idaho area throughout the 80's and 90's, he himself being the target of violence at the hands of this hateful group. Today the Center's focus is on protecting and perpetuating human rights and educating the general public about the dangers of hate that, as will come as no surprise to anyone, is more recent and close to home than we'd like to believe. The Center was behind the creation of the Anne Frank Memorial to Human Rights, which sits on the greenbelt in downtown Boise and is a worthwhile destination for all community members. More actively, they're engaged in providing the public with tools to have constructive conversations with other members of our community who believe differently than ourselves or hold opinions different from our own. As believers and proponents of healthy community dialogue, the Center's core purpose is one we can get behind.

As a couple married for over 20 years, we've had lots of discussions about time, how we spend it, how we divy it up, and how we support each other in our efforts to recharge. We've gone through the challenging years of small kids and know intimately how much you can lose yourself for years in the role of a parent and spouse. Pile on top of that starting careers, rendering service, and maintaining friendships, both of us became acutely aware of our individual needs for time. You'll hear in this conversation that we have different experiences and perspectives, and don't necessarily agree on all points, but we're fully supportive of the idea of consciously and intentionally managing your time as a couple and helping each other find individual fulfillment. We've been able to find a great balance that works for us, and hope our experiences help you to tackle this important issue.

Natalie had an incredible idea recently to start a new family tradition. On a recent date night we were talking about the scenario of an asteroid hitting the earth and having one last evening before impact. How would we spend those last few hours? The idea had legs and we decided to try it out with our kids. The first part of the episode was recorded the day of the event. We talk about the idea in detail, how we chose to spend the evening, and what we hope our family gets out of it. The second part was recorded the following week. We report on how it went and some of the conversation that came out of it. We found a lot of value in the new tradition and hope you enjoy hearing about it.

In this episode we speak with Karyn Levin of the non-profit Global Gardens of Boise, who have been operating in the Valley for almost 20 years. Global Gardens promotes community supported agriculture, or CSA. What that means is connecting small local farmers directly to the consumer through a vegetable subscription service. The unique thing about how they do it is that the farmers they focus on are refugees who have expertise in farming. Global Gardens helps them find land to purchase, borrow, or lease; offers them coaching and resources to run their businesses; and connects them directly to the community to sell their harvests, either through the CSA, at local farmers markets, or directly to local restaurants. The end result for the community member is a basket of fresh vegetables that you pick up weekly for the entire summer. They really seem to offer a great service that supports local business and the community. In addition to their support for farmers, they run a huge community garden program for family gardeners, host educational farm visits from schools, help provide local childcare centers with fresh produce, and find ways to divert excess produce to underserved communities around the Valley. It was interesting speaking with Karyn and learning how the organization works; what support really looks like to all parties; and how to get access to fresh, healthy, pesticide-free, farm-to-table produce on a regular basis.

In this episode, we're speaking with September Frogley of the group Connection Is The Cure (https://www.connectionisthecureidaho.org). This local group's mission is to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention. These two intertwined issues are affecting so many of our loved ones and neighbors. Just a cursory peek into the dismal statistics will show you that this is a new epidemic that touches every religion, political party, every state and city, age group, gender, and socioeconomic class level. It seems to be as indiscriminate as COVID. And in the wake of COVID, mental health issues and suicide are surging at a terrifying rate. This isn't something that's happening outside our borders; it's here, in our cities, in our neighborhoods, and inside our own homes. September's story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. We're amazed to see what she and her family have been through, and how much impact they've had in the aftermath of personal tragedy. Their organization is a powerful local hub of resources and support for those struggling with mental health issues or thoughts of suicide, those grieving from the death of a loved one, and those who want to help the ones they love who are being crushed under the weight of their struggles. We encourage you to visit their website, bookmark it, save the numbers in your phone, and if you're so moved, get involved with the effort. Because the numbers undeniably show that at some point each of you will either wrestle with the burden of mental health and suicidal thoughts, or have the crucial opportunity to support someone close to you. When that time comes, you'll want these resources. We first learned about Connection Is The Cure last year when we attended their annual event at the Idaho Center in Nampa, and have been eager to speak with them ever since. We're honored to share with you this conversation and spotlight this amazing local cause. So join us for a conversation with September Frogley of Connection Is The Cure.

“Idaho has given you a place to dream. What can you give Idaho?” If you are looking for a way to give back, this episode is for you. May 1st through the 4th is “Idaho Gives”, a program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center designed to bring the state together, raising money and awareness for Idaho non-profits. We sit down with Kevin Bailey, CEO of the Idaho Nonprofit Center, to discuss what Idaho Gives is all about. We talk about how to search for non-profits, and why non-profits are so important in Idaho. Hint, it has a lot to do with our level of government funding. We learned that only half of Idaho non-profits can meet the demand for their organization's services. Donating through Idaho Gives can help increase an organization's abilities to meet demand. This year there are over 600 non-profits participating. From large and recognizable non-profits to the lesser know organizations such as the “The Rat Retreat". Last year $3.69M was raised during Idaho Gives. This year the goal was set for over $4 million. Excited to see Idaho reach that goal!

Natalie was recently invited to be a guest on local “Soul Ascend Podcast”. Jen and Megan focus on serious success manifesting. It was such a fun discussion that we are duel releasing it! “Are you confused about how to build a connected community with all the social media noise and distractions out there? If so, fear no longer because in today's #soulascendpodcast episode, we interview Community Bad Ass Natalie Plummer from Hello Meridian. "She gives you simple next steps for how to build your online community and make your mark. Natalie has built a wildly successful online presence in her local area as the Founder of Hello Meridian and The Boise Bubble Podcast "Some nuggets of gold in this episode: 1. How Natalie started her career as a blogger to now create a wildly successful community in her local area. 2. Why your social media content should be centered around values and not trends. 3. How to create boundaries online and why losing subscribers can actually be a very good thing for your business. 4. Some powerful next steps to begin creating your online community and sharing your message.”

LIVE from Treefort, yet again! In this episode we were happy to host Boise mayor Lauren McLean and her husband Scott. After sitting next to them at a Lumineers concert and seeing them have such a great time together, we knew we wanted to get to know them more as a couple. During the discussion we focus on the two of them as a couple married for over 20 years with kids, jobs, hopes and dreams, and try to see them outside their typical labels. How do they Treefort? How do they stay connected? What's Scott's perception of Lauren's role as a public figure? How did Lauren jack her leg? All these things and more will be revealed in an open conversation with this great power couple.

Treefort 11 - Big Changes Treefort Music Fest is one of the largest events that Boise boasts, and it is nationally recognized as being pretty badass. In this, the 11th year, there will be some MAJOR changes. Aside from the over 500 BANDS performing, there's a new main stage area, completely new venues, new “fort options”, and new drinking rules (hint: Ale Fort just got a lot cooler). Marissa Lovell of Treefort (and the popular newsletter “From Boise”) drops her picks for things you shouldn't miss. Also, all the details for exploring Treefort with kids (12 and under are FREE!) and how to “FREE Fort”. If you are planning to Treefort this year, this is a must-listen. And if you aren't, this is a must-listen so you change your mind. Note, The Boise Bubble will be podcasting LIVE at Treefort March 25th at noon in the Boise Centre East.

In this episode we speak with Nick Grove, the Director of the Meridian Library District, regarding the petition to dissolve the Meridian Library District. A group of less than 100 local citizens filed the petition on the grounds of inappropriate content in the children's section of the library, lack of transparency in funding, and the removal of the public comment section of board meetings. Nick addresses these accusations and misinformation surrounding the issues, and we issue a call to the community to support the library district. The public hearing on the petition is Monday March 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM at the Ada County Courthouse, first floor public hearing room. Registered voters are allowed to share their comments on the issue.

Spring is nigh upon us, and if you want to plant a home garden, now is the time to start thinking about it. Commercial agriculture is one of Idaho's claim to fame, and lucky for you, those conditions are great for personal gardening as well. For those of us who are just beginning our gardening journey, the whole process can be daunting. Katie Battazzo of Front Yard Fresh is our garden coach who is guiding us through a major from-scratch home garden project, and she's just the person to share with you the things you should be thinking about now to set yourself up for success. What grows well in Idaho? When should you start planting? Which crops can be harvested multiple times? Which flowers should you pair with different crops to manage pests? All these questions and more will be answered in this episode.

In this raw, impromptu conversation, Shane interviews Natalie about the realities of being a social media public figure. From the perks of the job to the extreme negatives- they touch on last summer's public situation of mistaken identity after a fatal hit-and-run, being a local leader during Covid, random men sharing inappropriate photos of themselves, and the myriad other things people might not know about this modern and peculiar career.

Raising kids is always an adventure, and doing it during Idaho winters is especially challenging. In this episode we chat with Becca Bailey of the website and social media accounts “Boise with Kids”. We talk about some of our tried and true ways for engaging our children in the Treasure Valley, some of the difficulties with finding friends as young parents, and the importance of giving each other grace. Fun side note: we considered the alternative title “Life Beyond Fred Meyer”.

Goodbye 2022 and Happy New year 2023! Some years are better than others, and this last one was definitely a mixed bag, but it trended positive. Shane and Natalie reflect on their individual journeys through the past year, what they accomplished, and some of their struggles- changes in relationships, dealing with grief, success on the mountain, and healthier dialogue. Narrowing down to what they really WANT. Turning their attention to the next pass around the Monopoly board they discuss quality time with kids, gaining control of their time, therapy, ownership of household duties, and better habits. We're charged up and excited for this year, and we hope this episode energizes you too!

Idaho is trending towards being a state that prefers “camps”. Camps that simplify people into groups of beliefs such as politics, religion, and sexual orientation. Where once we were all neighbors, now we tend to first ask which camps someone belongs to before we agree to treat them with mutual respect. But what of the Idahoans who don't fit neatly into a single-word box of beliefs? More intriguing yet, what are we to think of those who span several (seemingly contradictory) camps? After we finished recording our last episode “Iconic Foods of Boise” with Amos Rothstein, we veered into a different conversation and decided to turn the microphones back on to capture what it's like for him to be a heavily invested member of the Republican party of Idaho, and Jewish, AND being gay. Amos also talks about his penpal relationship with the late Bob Dole, and how it ushered him into working so closely with the Republican party. Shane and Natalie speak candidly about their discomfort with accepting imposed cultural belief constructs and how that has been received.

In time for the holidays, we gather in front of the fire in our living room to chat with Idaho Statesman food contributor Amos Rothstein. From fry sauce to Basque food, we talk about a few of the dishes in town that have made indelible impressions on the community and on us personally. We also decided on a new holiday that we believe Idaho should institute in 2023. #GarfieldDay

In this duel release episode with “The Something Businessy Podcast”, Natalie sits down with Frannie Wilson of Ampersand Studios to chat. Both Natalie and Frannie are Boise entrepreneurs who occasionally get together to brain dump and manic vent. So why not talk about Entrepreneurism (Entrepreneurship?) in this same freeform style? Ever want to know the chaos behind the appearance of success? This episode is for you. Discussing all things from coping through productivity, competition in business and a little strip club talk for good measure.

In a recent impromptu Instagram live, Natalie shared her thoughts about some of her difficulties dealing over the years with cruel messages from those who classify themselves on social media as “Christian”. This was her most popular live to date and according to the hundreds of messages and DM's she received, definitely resonated with people. Seeing the difference between “Christ-Like Christians” and “Pitchfork Christians” has allowed her to move forward with less fear. She offers this clarification in hopes to give words to those struggling with cruelty within religion. Due to the subject's popularity, we are adding this as an additional, non sponsored episode for those who would like to share these thoughts with others. We do hope it sparks conversation.

How do we handle difficult conversations when opinions differ? It's been clear for a while that Idaho, and the rest of the United States, have struggled to come to the table on divisive topics. Whether it's in political debates, or around the kitchen table. In this episode, we talk with local Alexis Morgan, an Organizational Culture Consultant about this disconnect. Alexis and Shane come with their extensive backgrounds in Organizational Development and Natalie with 15 years of working in social media. We pull many ideas from the book “Crucial Conversations” Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High. Dropping just in time for your Thanksgiving dinner conversations.

Idaho has a lot of historical spots, but often they are not very accessible unless you're ready to really put in some serious effort. Shane and Mark Iverson of Idahistory decided they were going to spend a weekend getting to some of the hardest to reach ghost mines. (Natalie wasn't thrilled as she is 100% sure the mines are haunted.) Some of their exploration include the Sunken ghost town of Roosevelt...under Lake Roosevelt, Dewey Mine, Sunnyside, Stibnite, Yellow Pine Pit Mine and Thunder Mountain City. All part of the Thunder Mountain Mining District. They come together to geek out a little bit about what they found. We also chat about Idahistory's new book “Murder & Mayhem In Boise”.

A lot of us in the Treasure Valley are looking at the housing market and economy and just asking “What the F**k?”. We decided to invite back experienced Real Estate investor and Idaho Realtor Jesse Taff to follow up from our 2021 conversation. Also joining us is mortgage and loan specialist Bryce Gonser. Together we chat about interest rates, the accurate definition of a recession, and this swift change from a sellers market to a buyers market. We chat directly about the thought of waiting out the bubble for stabilization, and they give their thoughts on whether that stabilization has happened. We ask the question on many people minds: “Is the American dream still available?”. Clearly homeownership and retirement are no longer low hanging fruit.

Idaho in Autumn is damn near perfection. So let's talk about some ways to spend it. Katie with Traveling Spud joins for a backyard for pit chat about some of our very favorite ways to spend Fall. Ideas for both for the adventure lover and the more indoorsy sorts. From Hot Springs to cooking classes. We also talk about one of the newest spots on 8th Street to grab a comfort meal, and also the rise of the boise speakeasy.

After finishing the discussion of why separate bedrooms, Shane and Natalie move into a chat about differing relationship quirks. From separate bank accounts to open marriage. Wearing wedding rings to choosing whether or not to have children. And discussing the one marriage situation neither of them can get behind.

Shane and Natalie talk candidly about their decision to have separate bedrooms, bathrooms and closets. After an Instagram story about their sleeping arrangement caused a flurry, it seemed like something people were interested in. From the reasons that lead them to this decision, and why they would never change it. #SleepDivorce Part one of two, listen next week for a discussion on relationship quirks.