City Cast Boise

It’s officially May, and it might be Boise at its best. Host Lindsay Van Allen is joined by producer Evelyn Avitia and contributor Matthew Melton to bring you a guide this month packed with experiences that will make you fall in love with this city all over again. From how to take advantage of the spring weather, to a late evening market for the night owls, and can’t-miss Treasure Valley festivals — we’ve got you covered.

Click here to purchase your Taste of Wine Festival ticket! 

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Boise community. 

Want some more intel on May in Boise? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get fresh recommendations every weekday morning. 

Learn more about the sponsor of this May 1st episode:

Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE.

Reach us at [email protected].

Introducing Live from SXSW - The Future of Scientific Communications Through Podcasting from Science Will Win.

Follow the show: Science Will Win

Podcasting has become essential for communicating breakthroughs in science, offering an accessible and engaging platform to reach diverse audiences. This evolving medium fosters deeper connections by delivering trusted information in accessible and compelling ways. In this conversation, audio makers from Pfizer, Acast, and TED, discuss what it takes to stand out in the science podcast space, insights on strategy, and how they're working to shape the future of health communication.

Moderator
• Aaron Strout, Former CMO of Real Chemistry and Health Podcaster

Speakers
• Erica Santiago, Executive/Digital Communications & Podcast Strategy, Pfizer
• Veronika Taylor, SVP of Acast’s Creator Network
• Shoshana Ungerleider MD, Host and Producer of TED Health Podcast

This episode was recorded live in Austin, TX on Monday, March 10, as part of Pfizer’s takeover of the South by Southwest podcasting lounge.

Please fill out our short survey so we can get to know our listeners better: pfizer.com/podcastsurvey

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

First came the parking meters in downtown Caldwell, then came the outrage from local residents. The City of Caldwell’s Mayor Jarom Wagoner and four council members are facing a recall effort that’s exposing deep divisions over policing, growth, and trust in city leadership. Producer Evelyn Avitia joins host Lindsay Van Allen to break down who is behind the push, and what it would take to succeed. 

Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning.

Learn more about the sponsor of this April 30th episode:

Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE.

Reach us at [email protected].

Introducing Oprah and a Doctor Explore What Near Death Experiences Reveal About Life and Beyond from The Oprah Podcast.

Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast

BUY THE BOOK!

"After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond" by Dr. Bruce Greyson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/after/id1521273820

This episode of The Oprah Podcast features Dr. Bruce Greyson, one of the world's leading experts on near death experiences. As a scientist and physician, Dr. Greyson has been studying these fascinating phenomena for decades. He and Oprah dive deep into near death encounters and speak with people who have undergone their own transformative episodes, including Oscar nominated actor Jeremy Renner, who described his event as harrowing but also exhilaratingly peaceful. Their stories reveal striking similarities and shed light on how facing death transformed their understanding of not only life, but what comes after. Most people come away from a near death experience with an expanded view of consciousness and consider the possibility that death might not be the end. As Dr. Greyson explains, this “knowing” has caused people around the world to reexamine their own life's journey and view death as nothing to fear.

"My Next Breath: A Memoir" by Jeremy Renner

"7 Lessons from Heaven" by Dr. Mary C. Neal

https://books.apple.com/us/book/7-lessons-from-heaven/id1200283041

"To Heaven and Back" by Dr. Mary C. Neal

https://books.apple.com/us/book/to-heaven-and-back/id528963069

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Oprah

Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/oprah/

https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/

Listen to the full podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

In a year of relentless political attacks on LGBTQ+ rights in Idaho, just existing as a trans or nonbinary person can feel exhausting. Trans Joy Boise co-founders Preston Pacey and Bonnie Violet Quintana are joining host Lindsay Van Allen to show how, even in the face of cruel policies and attacks, there’s a local movement happening toward connection, joy, and resilience. 

Want some more Boise stories and conversation? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning.

Learn more about the sponsor of this April 29th episode: 

Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Cozy Earth - Use code COZYBOISE for 40% off best-selling sheets,

towels, pajamas, and more.

Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE.

Reach us at [email protected].

Introducing Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson: Break the Generational Patterns Holding You Back (How to Build Confidence, Responsibility, and Emotional Resilience) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.

Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Can you remember the first time you felt truly in charge of your own decisions?

What’s one thing you picked up from your family that you wish you could unlearn?

In this heartfelt episode, Jay Shetty sits down with former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother, coach and mentor Craig Robinson, for an intimate conversation centered around family, resilience, and the lasting impact of love and connection.

Michelle and Craig reminisce about the powerful values instilled by their parents, a deep sense of independence and unwavering family loyalty. Even through financial struggles, their parents cultivated a home filled with trust and safety, making it clear that family would always be a source of strength. Memories of birthdays around the kitchen table, houses bustling with extended relatives, and the steady presence of grandparents and cousins all contributed to a lifelong sense of belonging and support that continues to influence their lives.

As they journeyed into adulthood, both Michelle and Craig relied on therapy, genuine friendships, and a strong community to help them face life’s transitions, grief, and the many complexities of growing up. Michelle shares how seeking guidance and embracing self-reflection, especially during moments of change, has been central to her personal growth, demonstrating the value of openness, adaptability, and continuous learning throughout every stage of life.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Foster Family Unity During Tough Times

How to Nurture Independence in Children

How to Unlearn Limiting Beliefs from Your Upbringing

How to Create Safe Spaces for Honest Conversations

How to Teach Empathy Through Parenting

How to Balance Protection and Freedom as a Parent

How to Normalize Therapy and Emotional Support

Their conversation is a moving testament to the impact of compassion, authenticity, and purposeful living, a reminder that life’s greatest challenges can be met with empathy, courage, and hope.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.  

Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there!  

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

02:00 The Kind of Love Only Siblings Understand

04:15 What was the First Secret You Shared With Each Other?

09:53 Raised To Be Independent Children In A Loving Community

14:55 How Different Generations Celebrate Birthdays

17:00 How to Unlearn Your Inner Fears

19:47 The Fear Of What Could Happen Can Hinder Personal Growth

25:28 What a Childhood Encounter with Police Taught Me About Bias

29:35 Being Judged By The Color Of Your Skin

31:54 Racism Is Still An Issue

34:07 How to Raise Resilient Children

35:59 Don't Make Assumptions Based On Your Emotions

38:17 Don't Let Negative Thoughts Dictate Your Actions

40:48 The Power Of Good Parenting

48:41 How To Prioritize Being A Parent While Chasing Your Dreams

52:08 Parents Aren't Responsible For Their Children's Happiness

58:07 Focus On Cultivating Independence in Your Children

01:02:24 What Is Your Form Of Therapy?

01:11:08 Are You Doing Enough?

01:16:10 How To Become A Good Parent

01:37 What Would Your Mother Be Most Proud Of?

Episode Resources:

Michelle Obama | Instagram

Michelle Obama | Facebook

Michelle Obama | YouTube

Michelle Obama | Books

Obama Foundation 

The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times

Craig Robinson | Instagram 

Craig Robinson | X

IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

The dust is settling on the 2025 Idaho legislative session, so what new laws will affect Boiseans? We’re finding out how far-right lawmakers might have made our community a target with the City of Boise’s Kathy Griesmyer. From a policy taking power away from the city over child care, to a bill that will penalize our homeless population, to a standoff over the Pride flag hanging at City Hall — there’s a lot to parse. Plus, host Lindsay Van Allen asks whether diplomacy with the ultra-conservative legislature is still a viable strategy. 

Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning.

Learn more about the sponsor of this April 28th episode: 

Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE.

Reach us at [email protected].

Introducing Ron Howard: “Understand the entertainment value of an idea.” from Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob Pittman.

Follow the show: Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob Pittman

Ron Howard is an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning film director. With work spanning from comedies like Splash and Parenthood to critically acclaimed dramas like Apollo 13, Frost/Nixon and A Beautiful Mind, he is one of the most popular and prolific filmmakers of the last 50 years. His first on-screen appearance was at just 18 months old and he was cast as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show at age five. By the time he was 10, adults on set predicted he would make a great director; but at the time, it was a major challenge to transition from acting to directing feature films. In his conversation with Bob, Ron shares how he leveraged one green light to make that improbable jump, how his feelings about collaboration have changed over his career, and his advice for young people in the entertainment industry today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Another Friday is here, and Boise’s showdown with the Idaho Legislature over the Pride flag flying outside City Hall continues. So our Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter is joining host Lindsay Van Allen to ask big questions about what this standoff says about local power, inclusivity, and our city’s identity. Meanwhile, Governor Little wants to reshape forest policy to fight wildfires, but will it yield the results he wants? And if you need a breather from everything that’s going on, we’ve got weekend recommendations for yoga and a sound bath, plus a new art installation to check out. 

Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning.

Learn more about the sponsor of this April 25th episode: 

Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Cozy Earth - Use code COZYBOISE for 40% off best-selling sheets,

towels, pajamas, and more.

Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE.

Reach us at [email protected].

Introducing Derek Thompson on AI, abundance, and human progress from Possible.

Follow the show: Possible

Why can the United States government help make a vaccine in a year but not build a high-speed train in a reasonable timeframe? What if our biggest problems—affordable housing shortages, energy limits, and scientific slowdowns—aren’t inevitable, but chosen?

This week, Reid and Aria sit down with Derek Thompson—staff writer at The Atlantic and host of the podcast Plain English—to explore how a scarcity mindset is holding American society back. They cover how AI can revolutionize scientific discovery; what Operation Warp Speed got right; and why real progress depends on bold policy, not just better technology. Plus, Reid joins Derek in the hotseat for some “Too Much, Too Little, or Just Right?”—a game co-created with ChatGPT to discuss ideas in Derek’s new best-selling book, Abundance. 

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ 

Select mentions: 

Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson

“The Anti-Social Century” 

Every Cure co-founder Dr. David Fajgenbaum 

Topics:

1:06 – Episode introduction

2:34 – What year would Derek choose to be born and why?

7:14 – What can AI do as a co-author that Ezra Klein can't, and what are Ezra's irreplaceable strengths?

9:08 – AI's impact on the future of work — what AI can and can't do — and what the enduring role of humans will be.

12:00 – The situation with current tariffs, and the potential fixes or silver linings.

14:28 – Operation Warp Speed and other examples of abundance in the U.S. and beyond.

19:39 – What specific government policies could effectively leverage AI to speed up the creation of abundance?

22:40 – Midroll

22:49 – Derek and Reid play a fun game based on Abundance: “Too much, too little, or just right?” 

30:46 – What's needed to better incentivize scientific progress and foster innovation?

39:22 – How could society and our relationship with technology be reframed to combat the loneliness epidemic?

45:08 – Derek identifies specific policies that currently hinder abundance and suggests new ones that could promote it.

49:45 – Rapid-fire Questions

Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].