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Housing affordability has become one of the most important issues facing Idaho families, communities, and the state’s future.

In Episode 130 of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with housing advocate, former Idaho legislator, and Executive Director of Gem State Housing Alliance, Ali Rabe, for a candid conversation about why housing costs keep rising across Idaho—and what can be done about it.

Together, they explore the connection between housing affordability and homelessness, the challenges facing working families, the impact of population growth, local regulations, infrastructure, housing supply, and the policies shaping Idaho’s future. Ali shares lessons from her time in the legislature, her work at Jesse Tree, and her vision for creating more housing opportunities throughout the state.

Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, business leader, policymaker, or simply someone who cares about Idaho’s future, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the biggest challenges facing our communities today.

Topics include:
• Housing affordability in Idaho
• Homelessness prevention and housing stability
• Housing supply and development challenges
• Local zoning and regulatory barriers
• Growth, infrastructure, and community planning
• The future of housing policy in Idaho

Learn more about Gem State Housing Alliance: gemstatehousing.org

#EverOnwardPodcast #IdahoHousing #HousingAffordability #AliRabe #IdahoGrowth #HousingPolicy #GemStateHousingAlliance

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Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in America, yet much of it is preventable.

In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Dr. Danny Noonan, cardiologist, electrophysiologist, and co-founder of High Desert Heart & Vascular, for an eye-opening conversation about the future of medicine, cardiovascular health, and what patients should be doing long before symptoms appear.

Dr. Noonan shares his journey from launching an independent cardiology practice to helping patients take a more proactive approach to their health. Together, Tommy and Danny discuss the importance of patient-centered care, the growing role of AI in healthcare, advanced screening tools like calcium scoring and CT angiograms, and why exercise may be the most powerful medicine available.

They also dive into nutrition, VO2 max, longevity, prevention strategies, healthcare costs, and the simple habits that can dramatically improve quality of life and long-term health.

Whether you’re focused on optimizing your health, preventing disease, or simply understanding the rapidly changing world of medicine, this episode is packed with practical insights and actionable takeaways.

Learn more about High Desert Heart & Vascular at highdesertheart.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation.

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As technology continues to reshape nearly every industry, one question becomes increasingly important: What remains uniquely human?

In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist is joined by John Drake, President of Drake Cooper, and Mae Myers of Pivot North Architecture for a wide-ranging conversation on creativity, architecture, design, branding, leadership, and the future of work in an increasingly automated world.

Mae shares her journey into the design profession, from growing up in a creative household to spending more than two decades helping shape spaces that influence how people live, work, heal, and connect. The discussion explores the often-overlooked science behind great design—from natural light and color psychology to acoustics, materials, accessibility, and biophilic elements that can impact mood, productivity, and well-being.

The group also dives into the role physical spaces play in company culture, employee experience, recruiting, retention, and brand identity. Whether it's a healthcare facility, office environment, hospitality space, or community gathering place, thoughtful design has the power to shape behavior and create meaningful human experiences.

A major theme throughout the episode is the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and how creative professionals are learning to embrace it without losing the human element that makes great work possible. Mae and John discuss how AI is transforming workflows, accelerating ideation, improving visualization, and helping creative teams move faster than ever before. At the same time, they explore the risks of over-reliance on technology and the importance of maintaining craft, curiosity, expertise, and creative judgment.

The conversation also touches on architecture, branding, workplace environments, creative leadership, mentorship, design education, and the evolving skills that will define the next generation of professionals. As tools become more powerful and automation becomes more common, creativity, vision, and the ability to connect with people may become even more valuable.

Throughout the episode, John shares lessons from decades in the advertising and branding industry, including the importance of clarity, storytelling, and creating a shared vision that aligns teams and organizations. Together, the group reflects on how some of the most successful businesses, brands, buildings, and experiences are born at the intersection of creativity and strategy.

Whether you're a business owner, architect, designer, marketer, developer, entrepreneur, leader, or someone simply interested in the future of creativity, this conversation offers practical insights and thought-provoking perspectives on how to continue building for humans in an automated world.

Topics include:

• Creativity in business and leadership
• Architecture and interior design
• Workplace culture and employee experience
• The science of light, color, and space
• Branding and organizational identity
• AI and the future of creative professions
• Human-centered design
• Innovation and technology
• Creative problem solving
• Vision, culture, and leadership

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. It helps us continue bringing great conversations to the Ever Onward audience.

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As AI rapidly transforms the way we work, create, and communicate, what remains uniquely human?

In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with John Drake, President of Drake Cooper, and James Beard Award-winning chef Kris Komori, co-owner of KIN and Art Haus Bar, for a conversation about creativity, branding, hospitality, and the human experiences technology can’t replace.

Together, they explore why creativity is becoming one of the most valuable skills in the modern workplace, how great brands are built through authenticity and attention to detail, and why meaningful experiences continue to matter in an increasingly automated world.

John shares lessons from 30 years in advertising and branding, while Kris offers a unique perspective on culinary creativity, hospitality, and creating unforgettable moments through food. The discussion also touches on AI, entrepreneurship, resilience, criticism, curiosity, and the importance of human connection in both business and life.

Whether you’re a business owner, creative professional, entrepreneur, or simply someone interested in where our world is headed, this episode offers valuable insights into what it means to stay creative, authentic, and human.

In this episode:
• Why creativity is becoming a critical skill in the age of AI
• The intersection of art, business, and commerce
• How great brands are built and remembered
• Hospitality as a form of human connection
• The role of curiosity in fueling creativity
• Learning through failure and creative risk-taking
• Building experiences people can’t get anywhere else
• Why authenticity matters more than ever

Guest Links:

John Drake & Drake Cooper: https://www.drakecooper.com

Kris Komori & KIN: https://www.kinboise.com

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who believes creativity and human connection still matter.

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In this episode of Ever Onward, Dr. Bree Derrick, Director of the Idaho Department of Correction, joins the conversation for an important discussion on public safety, incarceration, rehabilitation, and second chances in Idaho.

Idaho’s correctional system is facing significant pressure, with a growing prison population, capacity challenges, and more individuals preparing to transition back into communities across the state. But this conversation is about more than numbers. It is about what happens when people leave incarceration and begin the difficult process of rebuilding their lives.

Dr. Derrick shares insight into the realities of Idaho’s correctional system, including prison capacity, reentry, rehabilitation programs, mentoring, education, staffing, community reentry centers, and the role of probation and parole. She also explains why most people who enter prison will eventually return to the community—and why helping them succeed is directly connected to public safety.

The episode also explores how businesses, churches, nonprofits, and individuals can play a meaningful role through employment, mentoring, housing support, and community connection.

A thoughtful and human conversation about accountability, opportunity, and what it means to give people a real chance to move forward.

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In Episode 125 of the Ever Onward Podcast, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Duane Sessions, President of Dennis Dillon, and Joey Looney to discuss second chance hiring, prison reentry, workforce opportunity, and the impact of giving people another chance.

Duane shares how Dennis Dillon has supported second chance employees for more than 20 years and why it has become one of the most rewarding parts of their company culture. Joey shares his personal story of addiction, incarceration, recovery, and rebuilding his life through trust, mentorship, and employment.

The conversation explores:
• Second chance hiring
• Work release programs in Idaho
• Reentry challenges after prison
• Housing and employment barriers
• Loyalty, mentorship, and leadership
• The ripple effect on families and communities

This is an honest conversation about accountability, redemption, business leadership, and creating opportunities for people to rebuild their lives.

Subscribe to the Ever Onward Podcast for more conversations around leadership, business, growth, and community.

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In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Matt Todd, host of The Ranch Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation on Idaho, politics, media, and the stories shaping the state.

Matt has built The Ranch Podcast into one of Idaho’s most consistent long-form platforms by doing what few people are willing to do: sit down with people, ask real questions, and let complicated issues breathe. From legislators and educators to sheriffs, farmers, business leaders, and local voices across the state, Matt’s work has become a valuable resource for anyone trying to better understand Idaho.

The conversation starts with a look back at Idaho’s legislative session, including budget cuts, local control, agriculture, higher education, workforce issues, mental health funding, and the downstream consequences of policy decisions. Tommy and Matt also discuss the value of public service, the difficulty of governing, and why long-form conversations matter in a world driven by short clips and headlines.

From there, the episode opens up into a broader conversation about curiosity, personal responsibility, health, jiu-jitsu, Idaho history, storytelling, and the importance of staying connected to people and place.

If you care about Idaho, leadership, culture, or the issues shaping the future of the state, this is a conversation worth hearing.

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In part two of our public lands series, we’re joined by Idaho State Representative James Petzke and Idaho Wildlife Federation Executive Director Nick Fasciano for a deeper conversation on one of the most important issues shaping Idaho’s future.

Public lands are more than just places to recreate—they’re a defining part of why people choose to live, work, and stay in Idaho. From the Frank Church Wilderness to the Sawtooths, Clearwater, and Owyhees, these landscapes drive quality of life, economic growth, and the culture of the state.

In this episode, we go beyond the surface to talk about what’s really happening:
• The recent federal land sale conversations and what they mean for Idaho
• Why public lands are one of the biggest drivers of population growth
• The challenge of funding and maintaining non-motorized trails
• The role of the legislature in protecting access and balancing priorities
• State endowment lands, recreation access, and long-term decision making

We also explore the tension between access and preservation, the realities of policymaking, and what it actually takes to protect these places for future generations.

If you care about Idaho, the outdoors, or the future of growth in the West—this conversation matters.

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Public lands are a defining part of Idaho — shaping our lifestyle, economy, and identity.

In this episode of the Ever Onward Podcast, Tommy Ahlquist sits down with Nick Fasciano, Executive Director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation, and Dan Waugh, Executive Director of the Idaho Recreation Council, to break down why public lands matter to Idaho and the growing conversations surrounding their future.

With more than 60% of the state made up of public land, the impact stretches far beyond recreation. From hunting and fishing to hiking, motorized access, rural economies, and conservation, these lands play a critical role in how Idaho functions today — and what it becomes moving forward.

This conversation covers the recent national debate around selling public lands, the importance of keeping them public, and the real challenges tied to management, funding, wildfire, and access.

You’ll also hear perspectives on how hunters and anglers drive conservation, why outdoor recreation has become a multi-billion-dollar industry in Idaho, and what needs to happen to better manage these lands for future generations.

Topics include:
• Idaho public lands and federal land ownership
• Outdoor recreation economy and growth
• Hunting, fishing, and conservation funding
• Wildlife management and habitat health
• Forest management and wildfire challenges
• Rural county impacts and funding gaps
• Motorized vs. non-motorized access
• The debate over selling public lands
• The future of public land policy in Idaho

Whether you spend time in the outdoors or simply care about the future of Idaho, this episode provides important context on one of the most impactful issues facing the state today.

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What’s really happening in Idaho’s education system—and where is it headed next?

In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist and Roger Quarles sit down with Jennifer Swindell, CEO, founder, and editor of Idaho Education News, to unpack the realities behind education across the state.

From her early career as a journalist and the first female sports editor in the country to building Idaho’s leading education news platform, Jennifer brings a unique perspective on the intersection of education, policy, leadership, and data.

Together, they dive into the most important topics shaping Idaho education today, including the rise of school choice, the role of parent involvement, and why leadership is often the biggest driver of success—not funding alone. The conversation also explores challenges facing rural school districts, the growing importance of data and accountability, and how communities can better engage with their local schools.

With over two million annual page views, Idaho Education News has become a trusted resource for parents, educators, and leaders looking to better understand the system and make informed decisions.

If you care about the future of Idaho, education, or your community—this is a conversation worth listening to.

Episode Highlights

• Jennifer Swindell’s journey from journalism to education leadership
• The origin and mission of Idaho Education News
• School choice and its impact across Idaho
• Leadership vs. funding in driving school performance
• Rural education challenges and community identity
• Why parents play a bigger role than ever before
• Using data to improve outcomes and accountability

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