The Woman Who Couldn't Retire

The Woman Who Couldn't Retire

This week on WKRP Montrose, Dennis and Rob sit down with Beth McCorkle — a self-described "failure at retirement" who somehow does more for this community now than most people do in a full-time career. Beth officially retired in 2021. It didn't stick. A Colorado native, she moved to Montrose 14 years ago with her wife, Chris, drawn to the farming-community feel after losing both their parents and wanting a fresh start in a smaller town. She's never slowed down since. These days, Beth works part-time for Region 10's Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), recruiting volunteers 55 and older for local nonprofits like Partners, HopeWest, and the Ute Museum. She also leads volunteer efforts for the American Red Cross across Delta, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties, serves as an alternate on the Montrose Planning Commission, holds a district-level leadership role with United Women in Faith, and somehow still has time to be Vice President of Montrose Pride. Dennis and Rob also talk about: * Her early Montrose career at Montrose Memorial Hospital and the Daily Press * A wild story about Travel Recon, a military logistics company that briefly set up in Montrose — and never paid her * How the Montrose Planning Commission actually works, and why showing up to meetings matters * The Montrose Pride Festival — this Saturday from 3-6pm at the amphitheater, with vendors, drag performances, and a band traveling in from Denver * The city council's decision not to issue a formal proclamation for Pride, and what that decision really meant * Why Montrose Police and private security show up every year to keep the festival safe * Pushing back on the negativity she's seen creeping into local social media * Swimming with dolphins in Mexico, gardening, and monthly trips with her wife * Rapid fire: sunrise at the Black Canyon, 100-degree days over snow, and green chili over barbecue sauce (the right answer, obviously) If you've ever wondered who's actually behind the scenes making this community run — recruiting volunteers, sitting on commissions, organizing festivals — meet Beth McCorkle. Retirement's loss is Montrose's gain. 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about Montrose, Colorado, and life on the Western Slope. Get Montrose stories, events & local news in your inbox — free. https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribe [https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribe] Thank you to our Underwriters for Making WKRP Montrose Possible: * Clearnetworx - https://linkly.link/2akEO [https://linkly.link/2akEO] * NuVista Credit Union - https://linkly.link/2akEV [https://linkly.link/2akEV] * Flower Motor - https://linkly.link/2eIUO [https://linkly.link/2eIUO] * Atlasta Solar Center - https://linkly.link/2hsWS [https://linkly.link/2hsWS] #WKRPMontrose #MontroseColorado #WesternSlope #MontrosePride #Volunteerism #RedCross #ColoradoPodcast #Montrose #CommunityFirst #RSVP

He Runs 100 Miles. Then Goes to Work - Chris Marcinek

This week on WKRP Montrose, Dennis and Rob sit down with Chris Marcinek — Navy veteran, ISA certified arborist, owner of Stronghold Tree Care, and one of the most quietly extraordinary people in Montrose. Oh, and he runs 100-mile ultra marathons. For fun. Chris grew up outside Chicago in Park Ridge, Illinois, joined the Navy Reserves straight out of high school, and deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan before eventually making his way to Montrose — thanks to a job offer his then-girlfriend Erin accepted while he was in Kabul with internet access and no real say in the matter. Best decision ever made. Now a decade into Montrose life, Chris is building something special — a tree care company rooted in integrity, an ultra running resume that would make most people's legs hurt just reading it, and a family that somehow makes all of it work together. Dennis and Rob also talk about: * Running the High Five 100 — 100 miles, 33,000 feet of elevation gain around Lake City (that's more vertical than Everest) * Finishing Cocodona 250 — all 250 miles — with a hyperextended ankle from mile 80 * Why stubborn beats talented in ultra running * How climbing trees all day actually counts as training * What it means to be an ISA Certified Arborist and why it matters for your trees * Why topping a mature tree is one of the worst things you can do to it * The city of Montrose urban forest — and a very public "please come back" moment * Navy Seabees — the construction battalion that builds things under fire * The surprising parallels between military service, ultra running, and tree work * His crew at Stronghold — including the legendary Mikey Bose, photographer extraordinaire * How he and Erin tag-team parenting, running, and running a business without losing their minds Whether you love the outdoors, own trees, support local veterans, or just want to hear a story about someone who finishes 250-mile races on a busted ankle, this episode delivers. 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about Montrose, Colorado, and life on the Western Slope. Get Montrose stories, events & local news in your inbox — free. https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribe [https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribe] Learn More:Stronghold Tree Care: https://www.strongholdtreecare.com/ Thank you to our Underwriters for Making WKRP Montrose Possible: * Clearnetworx - https://linkly.link/2akEO [https://linkly.link/2akEO] * NuVista Credit Union - https://linkly.link/2akEV [https://linkly.link/2akEV] * Flower Motor - https://linkly.link/2eIUO [https://linkly.link/2eIUO] * Atlasta Solar Center - https://linkly.link/2hsWS [https://linkly.link/2hsWS] #WKRPMontrose #MontroseColorado #WesternSlope #UltraMarathon #Cocodona250 #NavyVeteran #TreeCare #ArboristLife #ColoradoPodcast #Montrose #StrongholdTreeCare Timecode: 0:00 - 4:35: Introduction, sponsor acknowledgments, and Pomona beer 4:35 - 9:10: Meet Chris Marcinek — Park Ridge, IL, the Navy Reserves, and how Aaron's job offer landed them both in Montrose 9:10 - 13:00: Montrose then vs. now — and why romanticizing the past misses the point 13:00 - 17:20: Ultra marathon life — the High Five 100, 33,000 feet of elevation, and choose-your-own-adventure racing 17:20 - 22:31: Cocodona 250, the mile-80 ankle injury, and why stubborn is the most important trait an ultra runner can have 22:31 - 27:00: Stronghold Tree Care, ISA certification, and what separates a real arborist from someone with a chainsaw 27:00 - 30:06: The ethics of tree work — doing right by the client even when the money says otherwise 30:06 - 36:15: The city of Montrose urban forest — a public, heartfelt plea to rekindle a working relationship 36:15 - 41:07: Navy Seabees — what they are, why they exist, and three deployments across Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan 41:07 - 43:40: The through line — military, ultra running, and tree work all run on the same thing: team trust 43:40 - 45:00: What you should never do to a mature tree — and why topping is a disaster waiting to happen

"What Your Dentist Isn't Telling You" - Jillian Horkan

This week on WKRP Montrose, Dennis and Rob sit down with Jillian Horkan — founder of Montrose Dental Wellness, Nebraska native, world traveler, and the dentist who will completely change how you think about your mouth.Jillian grew up in Sidney, Nebraska — a town of 6,000 people best known as the home of Cabela's — where she unknowingly modeled for their catalog as a kid. She went on to spend eight years at Creighton University for both undergrad and dental school, survived the culture shock of going from 6,000 people to a million-plus city, and eventually followed her heart (and her husband Chad) west to Colorado. After a residency in Grand Junction and a few more months of long distance, she and Chad finally both landed in Montrose in 2015 — and she's been building something here ever since. In 2023, she founded Montrose Dental Wellness, bringing a whole-body approach to dentistry that goes well beyond cleanings and fillings.Dennis and Rob also talk about:- Why gum disease is now approaching 50% of the population and why we're losing the battle.- The surprising link between the bacteria in your mouth and heart attacks and strokes.- Why most mouthwashes on store shelves are a waste of money.- What the research actually says about fluoride, nano hydroxyapatite, and alkaline water.- Why nighttime brushing matters more than morning.- The real reason so many older adults are replacing all their teeth — and what to know before going that route.- Americans and their unnaturally white teeth (her British colleagues have thoughts).- Hiking to Chicago Basin via Imogene Pass and what "Type Two Fun" actually means.- Patagonia, Iceland, and why Montrose is a surprisingly easy place to travel from.- Her role as a Colorado State Dental Association delegate and why she's going to bat for rural healthcare.Whether you've avoided the dentist for years or just want to understand what's actually going on in your mouth, this episode will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about dental health.🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about Montrose, Colorado, and life on the Western Slope.Get Montrose stories, events & local news in your inbox — free. https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribeLearn More:Montrose Dental Wellness: montrosedental wellness.comThank you to our Underwriters for Making WKRP Montrose Possible:Clearnetworx - https://linkly.link/2akEONuVista Credit Union - https://linkly.link/2akEVFlower Motor - https://linkly.link/2eIUOAtlasta Solar Center - https://linkly.link/2hsWS#WKRPMontrose #MontroseColorado #WesternSlope #DentalHealth #MontroseDentalWellness #OralHealth #ColoradoPodcast #Montrose #GumDisease #DentistryTipsTimecode:0:00 - 2:55: Introduction and sponsor acknowledgments2:55 - 7:10: Meet Jillian Horkan — Sidney, Nebraska, Cabela's, and child modeling she didn't know about7:10 - 11:00: Creighton University, culture shock, and finding her niche in a big city11:00 - 15:30: How she and Chad ended up in Colorado — long distance, Grand Junction residency, and landing in Montrose15:30 - 19:30: Travels with Chad — Patagonia, Iceland, Type Two Fun, and why Montrose is a great travel hub19:30 - 23:31: Founding Montrose Dental Wellness and the whole-body approach to oral health23:31 - 28:50: The mouth-heart connection — how gum disease bacteria travels through the body and raises your heart attack risk28:50 - 33:45: Salivary testing, yeast in the mouth, and why gum disease treatment often fails33:45 - 38:30: The truth about brushing, mouthwash, and why nighttime is the most important time to brush38:30 - 42:30: Why most toothpaste and mouthwash on store shelves isn't worth buying — and what Jillian actually recommends42:30 - 44:30: The teeth replacement trend — who really needs it and what to consider44:30 - 46:00: American teeth, whitening culture, and knowing when cosmetic dentistry goes too far46:00 - 47:00: Rapid fire questions and Chad gets called out to come on the show risk.

From Jersey to the OR: Nurse Anesthetist Lisa Carter Finds Home in Montrose

This week on WKRP Montrose, Dennis and Rob sit down with Lisa Carter — nurse anesthetist, Jersey girl, world traveler, community advocate, and one of Montrose's most refreshing voices.Lisa's path to the Western Slope was anything but planned. From growing up in New Jersey to nursing school at Rutgers, graduate studies at Midwestern University, a stint in Corpus Christi (with a roach horror story you won't forget), and a clinical rotation that changed everything — Lisa found Montrose, and Montrose found her.Now four years in, Lisa has become a genuine part of the community — serving on the board of http://Faultlessedu.com, showing up for local causes, and bringing a perspective that only someone from the outside looking in can offer.Dennis and Rob also talk about:- What it's really like to be a nurse anesthetist — the hours, the pressure, and the responsibility.- Why redheads need more anesthesia (yes, it's a real thing).- The financial reality of healthcare careers and crushing student loan debt.- What surprised her most about Montrose's tight-knit community and nonprofit landscape.- Her take on Montrose's restaurant scene and the food she misses from Jersey.- Road rage, ant phobias, and gummy bear conversations.- The Faultless Glow Golf fundraiser and Silent Disco coming up in August.- An Albert Einstein quote that shapes how she sees problem-solving — in medicine and in life.Whether you're a healthcare professional, a Montrose local, or just someone who appreciates a great story about finding home in an unexpected place, Lisa Carter is exactly the kind of guest that makes WKRP worth watching.🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about Montrose, Colorado, and life on the Western Slope. Get Montrose stories, events & local news in your inbox — free. https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribeThank you to our Underwriters for Making WKRP Montrose Possible:Clearnetworx - https://linkly.link/2akEONuVista Credit Union - https://linkly.link/2akEVFlower Motor - https://linkly.link/2eIUOAtlasta Solar Center - https://linkly.link/2hsWS#WKRPMontrose #MontroseColorado #WesternSlope #NurseAnesthetist #ColoradoPodcast #Montrose #Faultless #GlowGolf #Healthcare #JerseyGirlTimecode:0:00 - 2:20: Introduction and sponsor acknowledgments2:20 - 6:15: Meeting Lisa Carter — Montrose's unicorn, the "eligible bachelor" debate, and Pomona beer6:15 - 8:40: Instagram handles, New Jersey roots, and accent shaming8:40 - 13:40: How Lisa ended up in Montrose — rotations, Corpus Christi roaches, and the road that led here13:40 - 15:30: World travels — Jamaica, Mexico, and skipping Europe for Japan15:30 - 18:15: What made her stay — Blue Lakes, the outdoor lifestyle, and the Montrose difference18:15 - 22:00: Four-year review of Montrose — restaurants, community growth, and what's improved22:00 - 25:00: The nonprofit landscape in Montrose — too many, or just enough?25:00 - 27:30: Faultless — the mission, the board, and the upcoming Glow Golf & Silent Disco fundraiser in August27:30 - 31:00: Road rage confessions — a shared trait between Lisa and Rob31:00 - 33:30: The ant phobia origin story (this one is unforgettable)33:30 - 35:00: Gummy bear conversations and playing with food35:00 - 38:30: The biggest myths about being a nurse anesthetist — pay, overhead, and student loans38:30 - 42:30: What a shift actually looks like — patient abandonment rules, case turnover, and showing up sick42:30 - 45:30: How anesthesia really works — redheads, lifestyle habits, and patients who lie45:30 - 47:00: The funniest things that happen coming out of anesthesia47:00 - 49:17: Einstein, problem-solving, and what Montrose could do differently — closing thoughts.

From SEC Agent to Disc Golf Pro: The Gabe Baca Story

This week on WKRP Montrose, Dennis and Rob welcome Gabe Baca — IT professional, ranked disc golfer, single dad, and one of Montrose's most interesting residents. Gabe's journey to the Western Slope is anything but ordinary. From growing up in Denver to working seven years at the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington DC (including during the Bernie Madoff era), attending med school at University of Colorado, and eventually landing in Montrose as a single father — Gabe's story is full of unexpected turns. Now a decade into his Montrose life, Gabe has become a fixture in the local community. Whether you know him from his years at the Montrose Recreation Center, catching him practicing disc golf at Baldrige Park, or need IT support from his company Forge Tech, Gabe has quietly become part of the fabric of this town. Dennis and Rob dive into: * Working enforcement at the SEC and investigating financial fraud cases * The transition from law and finance to medicine (and why he didn't finish med school) * What it's like being a single dad in a small town * Professional disc golf — Gabe is ranked 904th nationally and competes in tournaments across the region * His sponsorship with local company Ace is Fine * The challenge of dating in Montrose (and yes, they pitch a WKRP dating show) * Life in IT with Forge Tech and the future of managed service providers * The Baldrige Park debate: mountain bike park vs. disc golf course * Why Montrose is a great place for co-parenting * Starlink, streaming technology, and helping Montrose events go live Whether you're into disc golf, interested in the tech scene, or just curious about the people who make Montrose home, this conversation offers a genuine look at building a life on the Western Slope. 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about Montrose, Colorado, and life on the Western Slope. Get Montrose stories, events & local news in your inbox — free. https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribe [https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribe] Thank you to our Underwriters for Making WKRP Montrose Possible: * Clearnetworx - https://linkly.link/2akEO [https://linkly.link/2akEO] * NuVista Credit Union - https://linkly.link/2akEV [https://linkly.link/2akEV] * Flower Motor - https://linkly.link/2eIUO [https://linkly.link/2eIUO] * Atlasta Solar Center - https://linkly.link/2hsWS [https://linkly.link/2hsWS] Learn More: * Forge Tech IT Services: forgetech.pro * Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA): pdga.com * Ace is Fine Disc Golf: [local sponsor] #WKRPMontrose #MontroseColorado #WesternSlope #DiscGolf #PDGA #ITServices #ColoradoPodcast #Montrose #SingleDad #SEC Timecode: 0:00 - 3:17: Introduction, sponsor shoutouts, and beer tasting with Pomona Brewing 3:17 - 7:14: Getting to know Gabe — From Denver to Colorado College to Washington DC 7:14 - 13:44: Working at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bernie Madoff era 13:44 - 18:50: Medical school, mountain rescue training, and the move to Montrose 18:50 - 23:00: Finding work in Montrose — From Target to the Hop Farm to the Recreation Center 23:00 - 28:00: The Baldrige Park controversy: bike park vs. disc golf course debate 28:00 - 33:40: Professional disc golf — PDGA rankings, tournaments, and sponsorships 33:40 - 38:30: Being Montrose's "most eligible bachelor" and the challenges of dating in a small town 38:30 - 43:00: Single parenting in Montrose and the benefits of co-parenting in a small community 43:00 - 48:30: Forge Tech, IT services, Starlink technology, and streaming solutions for local events