A New Angle

In this episode of our Voices of Trade miniseries, Justin and cohost Brigitta Miranda-Freer, the executive director of the Montana World Trade Center, speak with KC Tolliver, CEO of Summit Resources International. They discuss Montana’s role in global trade, Tolliver’s journey from a persistent entrepreneur to running an international apparel business, and the challenges of navigating tariffs, supply chains, and manufacturing in a globalized economy. Tolliver shares insights on trade policies, intellectual property protection, and the impact of geopolitical instability on business.

Transcript available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aONZOLqZvSutawRtGNTgPKA2jxb1zHVaFD-jDMXtgJc/edit?usp=sharing

In part two of our conversation with University of Montana law professors Craig Cowie and Constance Van Kley, we continue the discussion about the constitutional challenges emerging in the early days of President Trump’s second term. The conversation delves into the implications of shutting down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the looming government funding deadline, and the legal complexities surrounding executive power. They explore key lawsuits, the role of the judiciary, and what happens if the executive branch refuses to comply with court orders.

Transcript available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14M_fH2oMgGb1FActWV9vUcyiPsB-igKGIpyyqnQqJTg/edit?usp=sharing

University of Montana law professors Craig Cowie and Constance Van Kley join Justin to discuss the legal and constitutional implications of the early days of President Trump’s second term. They examine the administration’s mass firings, executive authority over federal agencies, and the legal challenges arising from defunding congressional appropriations. With historical context and expert analysis, they break down what these moves mean for governance and the balance of power in the U.S. Stay tuned for Part Two of this conversation next week.

Transcript available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U6C6-Fp2yKTzNi9rlW75mLJuF4gbnJDZvCTqbXCNR0c/edit?usp=sharing

In this installment of Incentives & Instincts, Justin and economist Bryce Ward explore the critical role trust plays in society. They discuss its origins, its importance, and why trust in institutions is on the decline. With insights from research and historical perspectives, they break down how information flows impact trust and offer ideas on how we m…

Youpa Stein is an activist, artist, and advocate for a plastic-free world. In this episode, Justin and Youpa discuss the widespread impacts of plastic pollution, from its presence in the human body to its role in climate change. Youpa explains why recycling alone isn’t enough, highlights policy challenges and victories, and offers some practical steps for reducing plastic use.

Transcript available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FazH-GBKvj01q6vwMlpz6eaIsUl3xFzio7n90h2AhaI/edit?usp=sharing

In the first episode of our new Voices of Trade miniseries, Justin speaks with Brian Cebull, CEO of GTUIT, an energy company based in Billings focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They discuss GTUIT’s innovative approach to mitigating natural gas flaring, the company’s expansion into international markets, and the challenges of conducting global business from Montana.

In the lead up to the Montana World Trade Center’s World Trade and Investment Day, our Voices of Trade miniseries will be exploring the various opportunities and challenges facing Montana firms doing business internationally.

Learn more about GTUIT here: https://gtuit.com/

Learn more about Montana World Trade Center here: https://www.mwtc.org/

Transcript available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D5ZKMDVsZTIppbLBqMIYcXZPLCofOjmwMhwcgypQJNE/edit?usp=sharing

Slaven Lee is the executive director of the Missoula Public Library, which was the first North American library to be named Best Public Library by the International Federation of Library Associations in 2022. In this episode, she highlights the library’s innovative “All Under One Roof” model, commitment to sustainability, and role as a vital community hub.

Learn more about Missoula Public Library here: https://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/

Transcript available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ug2XVOeKCBvnIvDWWtLSbapwsCJxzGZz2rTwMtvZQZQ/edit?usp=sharing

In our annual January predictions show, Justin and Bryce forecast what’s in store for 2025. After they dissect last year’s calls on economic stability, political shifts, and cultural trends, the two share their predictions and personal resolutions for the year ahead.

Transcript available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZRGYc_0TBYdtoQOF5-YS8YCxTozT2It_5DOFx9aru6A/edit?usp=sharing

Mallory Ottariano is the founder of Youer, an American-made apparel company headquartered in Missoula that offers bold, functional, and sustainable clothing for active individuals. Mallory shares her journey from experimenting with sewing and design in her Massachusetts hometown to building a thriving business in Montana. She delves into the pivotal moments that shaped her path, including leveraging Etsy to launch her brand, transitioning from solo production to owning a local factory, creating a distinct design ethos, and maintaining creativity and passion in entrepreneurship.

1/23/2025 update from Mallory:

Last month, we made the very difficult decision to let half our team go and downsize our in-house production. We’ve moved those units to our existing partner facility in California. We’ll still be making one product in-house but nothing like the scale we were operating at before, where we made 70% in-house in 2024. We’ve always made things in California, but now we’ll be making nearly all of it there. Thanks for the opportunity to share stories of making clothes in America.

Learn more about Youer here.

Transcript available here.

Yarrow Kraner is the founder of Hatch, a global network of influencers committed to progress on pressing societal issues. Yarrow reflects on his early experiences pioneering social networking for good with initiatives that predated platforms like MySpace and Facebook, the unintended consequences of modern social media platforms, and the importance of creating spaces for genuine connection and impact. He also discusses Hatch’s gatherings, like its global summits and the Montana Festival, which bring together leaders, creators, and problem-solvers to foster transformative conversations and solutions.

Learn more about Hatch at HatchExperience.org and the Montana Festival at MontanaFestival.org.

Transcript available here.