19. An Unexpected Path, A Place to Belong

19. An Unexpected Path, A Place to Belong

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526059/fan_mail/new] The Flathead Valley is known for its mountains, lakes, and wide-open spaces, but the relationships people build here are what truly make it home. In this episode, David Wigginton sits down with Brenna Stanfield, interim parish pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell, for a conversation about community, belonging, and the role faith organizations can play in helping people connect in a fast-changing valley. Brenna shares her journey from the Midwest to Montana, her calling to ministry, and the lessons she's learned balancing family, faith, and leadership. The conversation also explores how First Presbyterian Church serves the broader Kalispell community through outreach programs, local partnerships, and a commitment to welcoming people where they are. From supporting families in need to opening its doors to community groups, Brenna offers a thoughtful perspective on what it means to build a stronger, more connected community—one relationship at a time. Link: First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell [https://www.fpckalispell.org/] If you care about the future of the Flathead Valley, the importance of community, or the ways people find purpose and belonging, this is a conversation worth hearing. Subscribe, share, and join Heart of the Flathead for another inspiring local story. Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by: * Glacier Investment Management [https://www.glacierinvestment.com/] * Whitefish Financial Services [https://whitefishfinancial.com/] Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com [https://heartoftheflathead.com/] and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com [https://www.lbrbm.com/]. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description.  Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

18. Preserving one of Kalispell’s Crown Jewels

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526059/fan_mail/new] The Conrad Mansion may look like a snapshot of 1895, but preserving one of Montana’s most important historic homes is a constant challenge. In this episode, Executive Director Brit Clark shares what it takes to protect a house where more than 90% of the furnishings and artifacts remain original to the Conrad family, while making the experience more accessible and engaging for today’s visitors. We explore the legacy of Charles and Lettie Conrad, the mansion’s role in Kalispell’s history, and the events that keep it connected to the community. Brit also offers an inside look at nonprofit leadership, fundraising, maintenance, and the ongoing work required to keep this 129-year-old landmark open for future generations. Links: The Conrad Mansion Website [https://conradmansion.com/] Subscribe for more stories from the Heart of the Flathead, share this with a friend who loves local history, and leave a review with your favorite Kalispell landmark or memory. Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by: * Glacier Investment Management [https://www.glacierinvestment.com/] * Whitefish Financial Services [https://whitefishfinancial.com/] Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com [https://heartoftheflathead.com/] and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com [https://www.lbrbm.com/]. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description.  Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

17. School Levies: Funding Gaps, Voter Fatigue, and What Works

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526059/fan_mail/new] A community can deeply value its schools and still face constant funding shortfalls—that tension drives this conversation with Jinn Merriman, attorney at McGarvey Law and trustee for Kalispell Public Schools. Jinn breaks down how Montana’s public school funding system works, where the state covers about 80% of costs and local communities must approve levies to fund the remaining gap. We unpack what that means for taxpayers, why these votes are often misunderstood, and how funding decisions actually reach the ballot. The conversation centers on One Brave Pack, a community-led effort to educate voters after the district itself is restricted from advocacy. Jen shares how Kalispell passed its first high school levy in 18 years, what shifted in messaging, and why students and local businesses played a critical role. We also zoom out to the bigger issue: a system that forces repeated elections that don’t keep up with inflation, creating voter fatigue and instability. Along the way, we highlight innovative programs within Kalispell schools that connect students to real-world career pathways. If this helped you understand how school levies work, share it with a neighbor, subscribe for more conversations from the Flathead Valley, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by: * Glacier Investment Management [https://www.glacierinvestment.com/] * Whitefish Financial Services [https://whitefishfinancial.com/] Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com [https://heartoftheflathead.com/] and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com [https://www.lbrbm.com/]. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description.  Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

16. Keeping the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Wild

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526059/fan_mail/new] The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex feels endless—1.6 million acres and over 1,700 miles of trails—but the reality is fewer professionals are available to maintain it as visitation continues to rise. In this episode, Cliff Kipp, Executive Director of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, breaks down what modern wilderness stewardship actually looks like when public land demand outpaces capacity. From trail maintenance to education and access, this conversation reveals the unseen work required to keep “The Bob” open, wild, and usable. Cliff shares his path into conservation—from early exposure to working landscapes to AmeriCorps and the Montana Conservation Corps—before landing in the Flathead Valley to build community-driven stewardship. We also get practical: how nonprofits support trail crews, outfitters, and volunteers; why rising use and backcountry waste are growing concerns; and what tools are making wilderness access more attainable, including trip planning resources, trail condition updates, and a gear library. Whether you’re a seasoned backcountry traveler or simply value protected public lands, this episode connects the dots between access, responsibility, and the future of wilderness. Links: * Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation [https://www.bmwf.org/the-bob] * U.S. Forest Service - Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex [https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/recreation/bob-marshall-wilderness-complex] Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by: * Glacier Investment Management [https://www.glacierinvestment.com/] * Whitefish Financial Services [https://whitefishfinancial.com/] Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com [https://heartoftheflathead.com/] and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com [https://www.lbrbm.com/]. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description.  Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

15. How The Glacier Institute Connects People And Place

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526059/fan_mail/new] From penguins to peaks, Anthony Nelson’s path into outdoor leadership is anything but typical. The executive director of the Glacier Institute shares how a Minnesota kid fascinated by zoos became a conservation-minded educator, moved his family to the Flathead Valley, and stepped into the Institute’s top role just weeks before the pandemic reshaped the world. Forced to rethink how outdoor education could work, Nelson and his team adapted quickly—ultimately expanding the Institute’s reach across Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest while deepening its mission of connecting people to the natural world. In the conversation, Nelson walks through the Institute’s three campuses—historic Field Camp inside Glacier, the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center for youth, and a new 141-acre property in Columbia Heights being developed as a community nature center. He shares how programs have grown rapidly through expert-led field courses and day programs that turn casual hikers into confident stewards, along with ambitious conservation work along the Bad Rock Wildlife Management Area corridor. From learning the difference between blue camas and death camas to understanding raptor ecology and grizzly safety, this episode highlights how outdoor education strengthens communities—and why the Glacier Institute’s hands-on, fun-first culture (including its legendary Lumberjack Ball fundraiser) keeps people coming back for more. If you care about Glacier, the Flathead Valley, outdoor education, wildlife corridors, and real community impact, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to plug in. Subscribe, share with a neighbor who loves the park, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by: * Glacier Investment Management [https://www.glacierinvestment.com/] * Whitefish Financial Services [https://whitefishfinancial.com/] Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com [https://heartoftheflathead.com/] and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com [https://www.lbrbm.com/]. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description.  Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.