The Tale Feather Podcast

Sean is back for another one.  A lot of camera and business discussion on this one, but still a great time getting together and catching up.  Sean is the owner of Dream Weaver Creative and shoot amazing footage and tell compelling stories. Check them out at:  www.instagram.com/dreamweavercreative www.facebook.com/dreamweavercreative  

Angie Iverson is back for a surprise event podcast.  She has an event coming up March 14, so we wanted to get this published to help support her event.  Go check out what she is doing if you are in Brookings, or listen and start your own event.  What she is doing is worthwhile and she is putting on events to make her community better.  

This week is a heavy episode.  Phyllis joins us again to talk about her book The Emptiness of Our Hands.  I just started Day 1 and am looking forward to reading this through Lent.  Phyllis and her co-author, James Murray, voluntarily became homeless in 1999 to practice being present.  I am going to read along with the book throughout Lent and follow their daily experiences.  I encourage everyone to get this book and read along as well.   Find out more about Phyllis and her books at: www.phylliscoledai.com  

This episode I sat down with Justin, Matt, and Andy from Nektr.  They are a marketing agency in Brookings helping small businesses grow with digital marketing.  In the episode we talk about how these guys can boost businesses, but more importantly what to do with the leftovers from your Thanksgiving Turkey. Find out more about these guys at: www.nektrmarketing.com www.facebook.com/nektrmarketing www.instagram.com/nektrmarketing        

This week my buddy Gerry was back from Rapid City to guest host a podcast with me.  Dr. Adam Benson was our guest this week.  He works at Animal Medical Care here in Brookings, and we discussed mainly sporting dogs.  Adam enjoys upland hunting and has a few different dogs that he deploys for that task, but mainly, those dogs are part of the family.   Give it up for Adam Benson

Local Brookings, SD photographer Jeff West is our guest this week.  Jeff and I met filming a safety video for the BCOAC a few years ago, and have stayed in touch.  He reached out to me because he is working on a new project photographing old buildings, and I said we need to do a podcast to talk about it.  Jeff has another book coming out before this project is completed and it is a story memoire about his time in the service.  Jeff is a cool guy, check this one out. To find out more about Jeff visit: https://www.facebook.com/Jeffwestphotographics/  

This week I got to sit down with Brookings author, Phyllis Cole-Dai.  She is originally from Ohio and moved here several years ago.  She is a fantastic writer and her book, Beneath the Same Stars, is something worth picking up.  It's a piece of historical fiction and I thoroughly enjoyed the read and our conversation.   Find out more about Phyllis and her writing at: https://phylliscoledai.com

Well, this week was a special week recorded in Lander Wyoming at one of my best buddies, Stu Ensz's house.  Took a trip out there to hang and do some fly fishing.  I haven't been back to Lander since I was around 10 so it was great to go back and see how much the town has changed. Stu works for the US Forest Service, and while I always knew what his job was, I never asked him to go into the details.  Learned a lot about what goes into fighting Forest Fires, keeping our forests clean, Smokey Bear, and of course RIVER SHARKS.  That's his name for trout.   Everyone take a listen if you have every wondered what goes in to working with the US Forest Service and how great of work they do to keep us safe and our forest's healthy.

They're all special to me folks, and this one is no exception.  Aaron Ragsdale is a professor of percussion at SDSU.  He works with the drum line, with the marching band, teaching classes, and developing our next great musicians.  Aaron recently took a trip to Colorado to record on this sweet old water tank that was turned into a recording studio.  But that's not the only thing we talk about.  We talk SDSU halftime show, writing music for a performance, curating music, and raising kids with music.  Aaron is an awesome human being and one that I thoroughly enjoy chatting with. To find more about Aaron check out: https://www.instagram.com/aaronragsdale/ To find more about the tank we discussed check out www.tanksounds.org  

This week we have Ashley Ragsdale in the house.  I've known Ashley for a while and was really happy when I found out she took over the Brookings Art Council.  She is moving things forward.  Programming, programming, programming seems to be the name of the game.  She is bringing in all forms of art: painting, music, spoken word, photography.  All this while educating the masses.  Check out the Brookings Arts Council and all they have going on at www.brookingsartcouncil.org and become a member.

Every week I get to learn something new about a different person.  This week was no exception.  Kristina Gindo runs Music Therapy Empowers here in Brookings, SD and she is doing awesome things.  From working with kids and the elderly, to starting something new to help with veterans, she is an extremely caring person with a great work ethic.  Take a listen and enjoy, I know I learned a lot. To learn more about Kristina and everything she has going on visit: https://www.facebook.com/musictherapyempowersSD/ https://www.musictherapyempowerssd.com/ there

This week we visit with South Dakota's newest Poet Laureate, Christine Stewart to learn more about her new role.  We also talked about her home life, job, the poetry books she has written, and her story.  This was a great conversation and it was great getting to know Christine and the things she has accomplished. To find more about Christine, visit: https://www.christinestewartnunez.com  

Angie Boersma is one of the most interesting people I have met.  She started her own architecture firm ID8Architecture right here in downtown Brookings, she's a newly elected County Commissioner, and is in general a pretty rad human being.   We talk architecture, building a community, and growing up a farm kid.  Find out more about Angie and ID8Architecture at: https://www.facebook.com/id8architecture/ https://www.instagram.com/id8architecture/ http://id8arc.com  

It's always nice checking in with old pals.  Jami and I have known each other since around 2007.  I'm sure a lot of you will know her for her awesome songwriting and performing abilities, but you might soon know her for growing the best Sungold tomatoes. We talk music, but we get into gardening and farming soon after.  Jami owns Fretless Farm.  She is raising high value crops and is selling to a couple of restaurants and grocery stores around the Spearfish area.  She talks about the troubles and the rewards from running an operation like this, and I can attest that what she has going on is really incredible.   If you want to find out more about Jami and Fretless Farm go to: https://www.facebook.com/theFretlessFarmer/ https://www.facebook.com/Jami-Lynn-120770331297446/ http://www.jamilynnmusic.com  

This is definitely one to catch.  I got to sit down with Shelby Lentz, a singer songwriter from Kalamazoo, Mi.  This was a light conversation until about a half hour in when we started to dive in to Huntington's Disease, and her families struggles with the disease.  Her and her family all have the gene, with her sister and her father showing symptoms.  She has her own non profit, Champions for HD, and was in town to help support The Shepards Gift.  She is an incredible human being and this is one you won't want to miss.  Thanks to my cohost Cory Ann for sharing some of her thoughts on HD and for the photo for the podcast. In order to help her with her cause I'm throwing out a #talefeatherchallenge.  She talked about how great the Brookings community was while she was here.  Let's show her just how great by helping.  I offered up to donate $100 to Champions for HD and the Shepards Gift. Let's see how big of a boost we can give her.  You can find how to donate at: https://www.championsforhd.org http://theshepherdsgift.org/?fbclid=IwAR19ZB_PAZklDwnCGrkPtzL3do7D0v7NzUYS6NqVovveDQYKXpcC00BfKeM You can find out more about Shelby at: https://www.facebook.com/shelbylentzmusic/ https://www.youtube.com/user/ShelbyO16    

My buddy Richard and his business partner Luke took time this week to chat about their new business and some of the challenges they have faced.  Both are great guys and their new coffee company puts out a fantastic product.   Find out more about 4wrd Coffee at: https://www.facebook.com/4wrdcoffee/ https://www.instagram.com/4wrdcoffee/  

Looks here's the deal folks.  Gerry is a great friend of mine and we agreed that anytime we got together we would chat for his podcast, The PhotoLab Studios Podcast, or this one.  We talk a little about hunting stories and some of his fondest memories hunting with his family.  Give it up for my brother from another mother, Gerry Shaw.s https://www.facebook.com/PhotolabStudios.USA/ https://www.instagram.com/photolabstudios/  

This weeks episode I sat down with Michael Johnson from the Pheasant Restaurant and Lounge and Coteau des Prairies Olive Oil Company.  I have always wanted to ask Michael about the history and was glad he agreed to sit down and chat.  I'm sure there are many famous tales from the Pheasant and I'm glad I got to hear a few.  Michael, Trevor, and the rest of the #pheasantfam do an amazing job creating memories for all walks of life.  We talk the restaurant, olive oil, balsamic, and more.  It's always fun talking with an extremely knowledgeable individual, and I learned a lot. Find out more about Michael and the Pheasant at: https://www.facebook.com/Pheasant1949/https://www.instagram.com/brookings_bird/https://www.pheasantrestaurant.comhttps://www.cdpoliveoil.com Photo credit: Cory Ann Ellis

Angie is a pretty rad individual.  She owns The Prairie Mermaid here in Brookings, SD.  I have known her since 2005 when I took, what I found out, was the first Spanish course she taught at SDSU.  I'm sure I wasn't her best student, but I know I wasn't the worst, haha.  Angie and I discuss what it was like making the switch from teaching to owning her business, some of the hardships/rewards of small business ownership, the importance of travel, and investing in your community.  Give it up for her on this one. Find out more about Angie and The Prairie Mermaid at: https://www.instagram.com/theprairiemermaid/ https://www.facebook.com/theprairiemermaid/  

This week folks, I got to travel to Yankton to sit down with Ben Hanten, owner of Ben's Brewing Co. and host of The Lanyard Podcast.  Ben is a get it done guy with a lot of insight into running a business, investing in your community, and how to balance out that work/family life.  This was a very enjoyable conversation with some crazy awesome beer.  Take a trip to Yankton and find out for yourself, and check out The Lanyard podcast on your podcasting platform of choice Find more about Ben at: https://www.facebook.com/bensbrewing/ https://www.facebook.com/thelanyard/ https://www.instagram.com/the.lanyard/ https://www.instagram.com/bensbrewing/ https://anchor.fm/thelanyard https://applepodcasts.com/thelanyard  

Kirsten is the owner of The Carrot Seed Kitchen Company here in Brookings SD.  Also, she does a lot of work in promoting the city of Brookings through her work with the Farmers Market, as well as the Downtown Business District.  Kirsten and I talk a little about starting up her small business, the right kind of spatula, social media platforms, small farms, and bats.  I fumbled late in the podcast and spilled some water all over the place while we are recording, but luckily it was near the end so no harm, some foul.  You can find more about Kirsten and her small business at: www.carrotseedkitchen.com https://www.instagram.com/carrotseedkitchen/ https://www.facebook.com/pg/carrotseedkitchenco/  

This week I got to sit down with Jacob Limmer, owner/operator, of Cottonwood Coffee and Cottonwood Bistro here in Brookings.  He started Cottonwood in 2006, creating a gathering space and idea factory for students all the way through to people who are retired to come together and discuss.  We talk a lot about his business, where it's headed, and what small businesses can do for, and mean for, a community.  This was a great discussion and look forward to having him on in the future.   You can find more about Jacob and Cottonwood at https://www.cottonwoodcoffee.com/ https://www.instagram.com/cottonwood_coffee/ https://www.facebook.com/CottonwoodCoffee/  

Today I sat down with my good friend Josh Rieck, owner and operator of J Rieck Lutherie and his new store J Rieck Music.  Josh has always been up there for me as one of the best musicians I personally know.  He has an ear for melody and is a top notch musician on multiple instruments.  Besides playing, he is also a fantastic instrument builder.  The guitar he built me is a work of art.  Any instrument I own if it needs to be repaired, or built, J Rieck is the only place I trust.  We chatted about instruments, his story, his new store, and other music related topics. if you want to find more out about Josh or J Rieck Music visit: http://www.jrieckmusic.com https://www.jrieck.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jriecklutherie/ https://www.instagram.com/joshrieck/  

This week I sat down with Thomas Hentges, AKA Burlap Wolf King, to talk about his songwriting.  Thomas is an extremely talented singer/songwriter from right here in South Dakota.  His 2017 album, Bitter Honey, is one of my favorites to listen to, especially on a sunny summer day.  We talk about his writing style, working with a full band, some of his influences, and the South Dakota music scene.   You can find out more about BWK at: www.burlapwolfking.com https://www.instagram.com/605wolf/ https://www.facebook.com/burlapwolfking/  

This week I got to sit down with my favorite person on the planet, my wife Joni.  We dove into the outdoors, which is how we connected in the first place.  We dive into what got us interested in the outdoors in the first place, some of our favorite trips we have taken over the years, and how we both enjoy watching our son run head first into the outdoors as well.  

Working on the road can mean a lot of miles behind a windshield, but it also means you get to meet some interesting people.  Wade Grinager and Dakota Riggin were in Brookings for the South Dakota State Jackrabbit Stampede and joined me one of the mornings for a chat.  Wade and I have worked together over the years at a few different rodeos, and I have always considered him a top tier announcer.  He has a style all his own, and makes things entertaining for all.  This was my first time working with Dakota, and I can comfortably say he is one of the best music directors I have ever worked with.  We discuss rodeo, keeping crowds entertained, and working with some of the greatest people on the planet.   Find Wade and Dakota at: https://www.facebook.com/wadegrinagerprorodeoannouncer/ https://www.facebook.com/rockinbardprosoundproductions/?eid=ARDe3RRP0oIQ_a8n73TaoN0QnSzU4jdHRh11oW_s13QafQhBsOPN0MR3BT3iofkj20E0zclaTRyrHsQz&timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=100005880215137&fref=tag  

Sat down with one of the raddest dudes who recently moved to the Brookings, SD.  I first met Doug through some mutual friends and am very happy to welcome him back to the east side of South Dakota.  Doug is an accomplished author and editor in the realm of all things terrifyingly beautiful, the horror genre.  He is a Bram Stocker award-winning editor for Behold! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders and the co-editor of Bram Stoker Award-nominated Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories.  We discussed a lot of different things but mainly based around his writing, editing, and story telling.  Enjoy!

Today I sat down with Chuck Bennis to chat about art and his craft.  Chuck has put up some very large murals in South Dakota while working for various businesses and organizations.  He also does some fantastically fun caricatures.  We discuss art, story telling, how he got started, what inspires him, and some great advice.   You can follow along with all that Chuck does at: https://www.instagram.com/bennisartstudios/ https://www.facebook.com/bennisARTstudios/

Sat down with Sean and Max of Dream Weaver Creative for this one, and a few beers were cracked.  I first met Sean through a Facebook message, and since then we have worked on a couple of projects together.  It's always great to meet people that do similar work, but it's even better when you get along well and can talk shop.  These guys do great work on the shows they produce as well as the photos they take.   You can find out more about their work at: https://www.instagram.com/dreamweavercreative/ https://www.facebook.com/DreamWeaverCreative/  

I was joined by my friend Cory Ann Ellis for this one.  Cory Ann is an incredible person, and her story is one to be shared.  She's a first generation college grad, coached collegiate level soccer, started different businesses, and is an accomplished photographer.  She has also served her country as a member of the military.  Cory Ann is pretty modest, but I consider her one of the top photographers in the midwest.   We talk photography, telling stories with photos and their importance, and also a little about industrial hemp.   You can find and follow Cory Ann at these spots: http://www.acellis.com https://www.instagram.com/coryannellis/ https://www.facebook.com/coryannellis/

I sat down with my good buddy Gerry Shaw of Photolab Studios.  Gerry is a wizard of design, motion graphics, photography...the list goes on, but today we talked mainly about our dogs, Zoey and Brewer.  Gerry recently lost Zoey and we dive in to talk about raising our dogs and some of our favorite hunting stories with the pair.  Zoey and Brewer were a great pair in the field, especially when Brewer lost his stupid around age 3.  Enjoy this one, it's dedicated to our dogs and why we love them.   Follow along with Gerry and all his adventures  https://www.facebook.com/PhotolabStudios.USA/ https://www.instagram.com/photolabstudios/  

In this episode, I explain a little about my background without going too in depth, and why Tale Feather Podcast was created.