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What happens when small towns can no longer afford to exist—and when personal healthcare freedoms are put at risk in the same state?

In this powerful episode of Ever Onward, Kelley Packer—Executive Director of the Idaho Association of Cities, former state legislator, and co-founder of the Idaho Contraceptive Education Network (ICEN)—joins us for a candid conversation about two urgent and deeply personal battles playing out across Idaho.

First, we dig into the looming crisis facing local governments. With over 80% of Idaho cities home to fewer than 5,000 residents, recent property tax restrictions have left small towns without the means to fund essential services. In fact, three historic Idaho communities have already dissolved completely. Packer describes how cities are being forced to “manage to bad policy,” holding together critical infrastructure with “bailing wire and duct tape” while warnings from local leaders continue to be ignored at the state level.

Then, the conversation takes a surprising turn.

A pro-life Republican and longtime public servant, Kelley shares why she’s become a leading voice for protecting access to contraception in Idaho. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, she and two fellow Republican women launched ICEN to ensure Idahoans have the education, resources, and freedom to make informed decisions about family planning. She draws a clear line between contraception and abortion and explains how birth control is essential not only for reproductive autonomy, but for economic stability, workforce participation, and the treatment of medical conditions like endometriosis and ovarian cysts.

We also explore:

• Why property tax reform has created unintended consequences for local government
• How civil discourse can build common ground in divisive times
• The personal stories that drive Kelley’s advocacy for contraceptive access
• What’s at stake if Idaho doesn’t act on either issue

Kelley Packer’s unique perspective—shaped by years of public service, personal experience, and a deep love for Idaho—offers a rare, unfiltered look at two of the most pressing issues facing the state today.

Resources Mentioned:

🏛 Idaho Association of Cities → idahocities.org

💊 Idaho Contraceptive Education Network → IdahoCEN.com

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When Matt Todd moved from California to Idaho, he didn’t just bring his family and his business—he brought questions. Big ones. Why is Idaho the way it is? Who’s making the decisions? And why is it so hard to hear directly from the people shaping the future of the state?

That curiosity sparked The Ranch Podcast, a platform dedicated to authentic, long-form conversations with the leaders, changemakers, and everyday residents who define Idaho. In this episode of Ever Onward, Matt shares his unlikely journey from college prep entrepreneur to one of Idaho’s most trusted independent voices.

Matt started The Ranch Podcast in 2019 with short, entertaining clips for his students to listen to on the way to school. But after relocating to Idaho in 2022, he realized there was a void—no central, credible space where Idahoans, especially newcomers like himself, could learn directly from those shaping the state’s education, politics, law enforcement, natural resources, and more.

With humility and curiosity, Matt began interviewing his neighbors—sometimes about HOA meetings—and slowly expanded to include mayors, legislators, sheriffs, and tribal leaders. Through it all, one theme remained: connection.

At the heart of this episode is a critical insight about media today: “People form their worldview passively through content—but the actual leaders of Idaho are rarely part of that content.” The Ranch Podcast bridges this disconnect, letting people speak for themselves—without filters, soundbites, or spin.

Together, we explore:

• What’s really happening in Idaho—beyond the headlines
• The tension between newcomers and longtime residents
• Challenges like affordable housing, property taxes, and education funding
• How thoughtful development can unify instead of divide
• The launch of the Truth in Media Foundation, Matt’s effort to build a long-format, unbiased media center for Idahoans

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to the Gem State, this conversation is a powerful reminder of what happens when we slow down, listen closely, and build trust through dialogue.

Matt's Podcast called "The Ranch Podcast" can be found here: https://www.theranchpodcast.org/

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The journey from rural potato fields to Boise City Hall is anything but typical — but that’s exactly what makes Boise City Councilor Lucy Willits’ voice so vital. As the only conservative on the council, Lucy brings a business-minded, community-focused lens to the city’s most pressing issues, from housing affordability to homelessness, public safety to libraries.

In this episode, Lucy shares how her upbringing in unincorporated Jefferson County shaped her no-nonsense, entrepreneurial perspective on governance. “When you’re a small business person, you get paid last,” she reflects — a mindset that influences her approach to economic policy and city budgeting.

We dive into:

• How civility in public service can elevate meaningful dialogue across political divides
• The future of Boise’s essential infrastructure: parks, libraries, fire and police services
• What’s working — and what needs to change — in tackling homelessness and housing costs
• The unintended consequences of well-meaning regulations that make affordability elusive
• Her vision for a more connected, inclusive Boise, including celebrations like America 250

Despite being a lone ideological voice, Lucy remains hopeful: “Boise works best when all voices are heard.” Join us for a compelling discussion on city leadership, common ground, and the importance of civic engagement in shaping Idaho’s capital city.

🎆 Learn more about Boise’s July 4th festivities at Boise4th.com

🇺🇸 Become an ambassador for America’s 250th anniversary at America250Idaho.gov

Your voice matters — will you join the conversation?

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As America moves fast and politics grow louder, Idaho holds steady—grounded in natural beauty, personal responsibility, and a deep connection to the land. Few people understand that better than Congressman Mike Simpson, who has spent over two decades bringing Idaho’s voice to the national stage.

Simpson’s journey from small-town dentist to influential lawmaker reveals the human side of long-term public service—where conviction meets endurance. With disarming candor, he shares personal struggles, including becoming “kind of bionic” after multiple joint replacements and a remarkable 100-pound weight loss journey that began when complications impacted his ability to taste. Yet through it all, Simpson’s commitment to Idaho’s people and priorities has never faltered.

Now serving as Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Simpson speaks to some of the most pressing issues facing the West: securing fair pay for wildland firefighters, co-sponsoring the Public Lands in Public Hands Act to block federal land sell-offs, confronting the missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis, and advancing energy independence in collaboration with leaders like Secretary Burgum and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

He also offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on how Congress has changed during his tenure. “You see members of Congress doing things they would have never done 20 years ago,” he reflects, noting how the disappearance of moderates has made thoughtful governance harder—especially in moments that demand it most. Still, he remains committed to working across the aisle on real solutions, including budget reforms to address what he calls “the biggest existential threat to our country”: the $37 trillion national debt.

Throughout the conversation, Simpson demonstrates what principled leadership looks like—rooted in place, driven by service, and focused on impact over headlines. His fierce defense of public lands (“People live in Idaho because we love our public lands”) and unwavering advocacy for the people he represents mark him as a rare kind of public servant in today’s political environment.

If you’re looking for a grounded, thoughtful voice on the future of Idaho—and the nation—this episode offers both clarity and conviction from someone who’s still in the arena, doing the work.

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What does it really mean to lead—at work, in your community, or in your own life—when no one’s handing you a title or giving you authority? True leadership isn’t about rank or recognition; it’s about character, consistency, and the impact you make when no one’s watching.

Colonel Ked Wills, who spent 30 years in law enforcement with his final seven years as Director of the Idaho State Police, knows this firsthand. For him, leadership was never about the badge – it was about who you are when the badge comes off.

Born and raised in Glenns Ferry as the son of a state trooper, Wills absorbed crucial life lessons that would shape his leadership journey. His father demonstrated how to make even difficult jobs seem like play while maintaining multiple responsibilities. His mother showed the value of lifelong learning by earning her master’s degree in her 40s while Wills was still in high school. These influences instilled a work ethic and curiosity that carried him through a distinguished career.

Wills takes us inside Idaho’s unique law enforcement culture, where collaboration and public trust create what he calls “the blurring of the badges.” Unlike neighboring states facing anti-police sentiment, Idaho’s law enforcement agencies enjoy remarkable public support – something Willis attributes to trust built over generations. “The public will only support law enforcement in so much as they trust law enforcement,” he explains, highlighting why maintaining that trust remained his top priority as director.

Perhaps most compelling is Wills’ candid discussion of officer wellness. With police officers experiencing between 400–700 traumatic incidents throughout their careers (compared to 2–5 for average citizens), the toll on mental health can be devastating. Wills reveals this sobering statistic: for every officer killed in the line of duty, approximately three take their own lives due to job-related stress.

His book, Lead Now: No Title Required, captures his leadership philosophy perfectly – true leadership begins long before promotion. “If you start acting like a leader, you don’t need the title,” Willis explains, “because if we’re promoting right, we’re promoting the person who already is a leader.”

Now in retirement, Wills hasn’t slowed down. Working internationally in South America with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, he’s helping transform road safety initiatives in Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina – bringing Idaho’s collaborative approach to countries where law enforcement has traditionally operated in silos.

Ready to unlock your own leadership potential—no title necessary? Listen now and learn how becoming the best version of yourself allows you to help others become their best.

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Step into the greenhouse of Idaho’s most enduring family business as Callie Zamzow opens up about the 92-year journey of Zamzows – from accidental beginnings to becoming a beloved institution with 12 thriving locations across the Boise Valley.

The story begins with a missed train when Callie’s great-grandfather stepped off in Meridian for a sandwich and couldn’t get back on – a fortunate mishap that planted the seeds for generations of entrepreneurship. From those humble Depression-era beginnings mixing animal feed on the ground with shovels, the Zamzow family built their legacy one bag at a time, with Callie’s grandmother literally hand-stitching each one.

Today, Callie Zamzow serves as Co-CEO of Zamzows, as well as Dynamite Specialty Products and Zamzow Family Holdings. A Boise State biology graduate, she’s co-led the family businesses since 2004 alongside her father Jim, brother Joss, and husband Clint Scott. With her 18-year-old daughter heading off to college this fall, Callie reflects on the evolution of leadership, legacy, and what it means to truly grow something lasting.

Callie brings us into the fascinating world of her father Jim, the “mad scientist” whose passion for soil health and plant nutrition led to the creation of hundreds of innovative products. His deep understanding of the relationship between microbes, nutrients, and plants became the foundation for staples like “Tomato Boom” that local gardeners swear by. This commitment to soil health isn’t just marketing – it’s a core philosophy that drives everything they do.

After initially resisting the family legacy—including a stint as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch—Callie describes the moment when returning to Zamzows finally “clicked.” Over the last 25 years, she’s carved out her own leadership identity, one that honors her family’s rich tradition while embracing innovation, clear communication, and personal growth.

What truly sets this conversation apart is Callie’s wisdom about growing not just plants, but people. With around 200 employees during peak seasons, she’s cultivated a workplace culture grounded in passion for animals, plants, and sustainability. The result? A team of true experts who love what they do and the customers they serve.

Outside of work, Callie is also a watercolor artist, writer, podcaster, speaker, and golfer—proof that leadership, like gardening, flourishes when nurtured with creativity and balance.

Want to dig into more garden wisdom? Zamzows is launching a new podcast called The Nobody Knowz this summer, continuing their legacy of practical, region-specific gardening knowledge for Idaho’s unique growing conditions. Subscribe now to grow alongside this remarkable family business.

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Scott Curtis, CEO of Idaho Youth Ranch, has spent the past seven years leading one of the state’s most ambitious transformations in youth mental health care. Scott's journey from math teacher to nonprofit leader embodies the powerful intersection of personal mission and community impact. In this deeply moving conversation, Scott takes us behind the scenes of the Idaho Youth Ranch transformation—a story of resilience, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication to serving vulnerable youth.

Growing up in a family that regularly opened their home to exchange students and unwed mothers, Scott witnessed firsthand how compassionate intervention can redirect lives. This foundation shaped his career path from high school math teacher to social worker, eventually leading him to the YMCA where he spearheaded the remarkable community transformation in Caldwell.

When Scott joined the Idaho Youth Ranch seven years ago, he encountered an organization with rich history but significant challenges. Founded in the 1950s on 2,500 acres of sagebrush land using repurposed barracks from the Minidoka internment camp, the organization had evolved over decades but faced financial struggles that threatened its mission. Scott's leadership stabilized operations while uncovering a critical statewide need: Idaho had no residential psychiatric treatment facility for youth, forcing families to send children to out-of-state facilities, sometimes as far as Arkansas.

The centerpiece of our conversation reveals how Scott and community leaders Robert Rebholz and Mark Miller launched an audacious $20 million capital campaign during the height of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Against conventional wisdom, this campaign broke fundraising records, demonstrating the community's profound recognition of the crisis facing Idaho's youth and families.

Today, the 258-acre Residential Center for Healing and Resilience serves youth from across Idaho, providing specialized treatment in a setting designed for healing—complete with private rooms, therapeutic spaces, and an on-site charter school. The transformation in these young lives is already evident, with the center's first graduate progressing from severe anxiety to mentoring newer residents.

Listen as Scott shares the organization's continuing needs, particularly for compassionate individuals to join their team as youth care providers. His story reminds us that when authentic mission meets determined leadership, entire communities can unite to solve seemingly insurmountable problems.

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The residential real estate landscape in Idaho is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with new construction dominating the market in unprecedented ways. Matt Bauscher, owner of Bauscher Real Estate and Idaho's #1 residential broker, takes us behind the curtain of this evolution with fascinating insights into why 40% of Idaho's home sales are now new construction – a staggering figure compared to the 8% seen in states like Arizona and California.

The conversation spotlights two landmark developments that exemplify Idaho's real estate future. The Ranch in North Eagle represents luxury acreage living reimagined, with 34 custom home sites spread across 191 pristine acres. The project's extraordinary infrastructure investment includes eleven ponds, city water, full irrigation, and private roads – amenities never before combined with acreage properties in the region. Meanwhile, The Bannock is transforming downtown Boise with the city's first high-rise condominium building in 15 years, strategically positioned near St. Luke's Hospital's billion-dollar expansion and offering residents the rare opportunity to build equity in an urban setting.

Beyond real estate, Bauscher shares his insider perspective on Boise State University's presidential search (which he calls "the most important hire in Idaho") and the remarkable impact of football star Ashton Jeanty's decision to remain at the university despite lucrative transfer opportunities. Throughout the conversation, Bauscher's deep passion for Idaho and commitment to thoughtful development shine through, providing listeners with valuable insights into how forward-thinking leaders are shaping the Gem State's future.

Episode Overview: 

• New construction dominates Idaho's real estate market, representing 40% of all home sales compared to 8% in Arizona and California
• Existing homeowners are staying put unless faced with major life changes like divorce, death, or downsizing
• The Ranch in North Eagle features 34 custom home sites on 191 acres with unprecedented infrastructure including 11 ponds, city water, and private roads
• The Bannock represents downtown Boise's first high-rise condominium building in 15 years, offering ownership opportunities in a prime walkable location
• Strategic location near St. Luke's Hospital's $1 billion expansion provides residents with proximity to healthcare and employment
• Boise State University's presidential search represents "the most important hire in the state of Idaho"
• Star athlete Ashton Jeanty's decision to remain at Boise State has had tens of millions of dollars of positive impact on the university and state

For more information on The Ranch, visit therancheagle.com, and to explore The Bannock, check out thebannock.com.

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What if the chronic health conditions that have plagued you for years could be resolved in just days?

Dr. Molly Brown and Christina Walecka, M.A. are reshaping the wellness industry with a revolutionary, brain-based approach at The Centered Clinic in Sun Valley, Idaho - and soon, they’ll be bringing this transformative model to Boise.

Rooted in the powerful principle that “you cannot heal the body from the neck down,” their work addresses the root causes of illness by rewiring neural pathways and balancing the nervous system. By restoring the body’s natural capacity to heal, patients experience relief that traditional medicine often fails to deliver. With over 15 integrated modalities under one roof, the clinic provides a comprehensive and cutting-edge approach to whole-person health.

At the core of their method are three neurologically driven treatments:

• AMIT (Advanced Muscular Integration Technique) for pain relief and sports performance
• QNRT (Quantum Neurological Reset Therapy) for trauma, anxiety, and autoimmune conditions
• Neurofeedback for optimizing brain function and focus

These aren’t just treatments—they’re breakthroughs. Patients frequently report immediate relief from chronic pain, longstanding anxiety, and conditions that once felt untreatable. The key? Resetting the brain’s stress response and shifting people out of a constant state of fight-or-flight, making room for true transformation.

As Dr. Brown puts it: “Five days at our clinic and they are full of light. My passion is turning someone with dull, sad eyes and low energy into someone who’s passionate about life again.”

Now, as part of their bold vision to expand access to this model, the duo is launching a beautifully designed riverside clinic in Boise, built with organic materials and calming spaces that support the healing journey. They’re also establishing an AMIT Teaching Institute to train the next generation of practitioners in these game-changing techniques.

At Ever Onward, we celebrate those pushing boundaries and transforming industries—and Dr. Brown and Christina are doing exactly that. Their work isn’t just a shift in healthcare—it’s a blueprint for the future of wellness, entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven growth.

Are you ready to see health differently?

Explore what’s possible when you start healing from the brain down. Visit www.drmollybrown.com or tune into their podcast for a deeper dive into the science—and story—behind this movement.

Podcast Page: https://www.drmollybrown.com/pages/podcast

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When Steve Martinez talks housing, people listen—and for good reason. With nearly three decades of experience and a front-row seat to the booms, busts, and battles shaping Idaho’s growth, the Tradewinds owner delivers an unfiltered look at what’s really driving the state’s housing crisis.

In this episode, Steve shares his personal journey from working in his father’s construction company to building a business that weathered the 2008 recession and continues to adapt to today’s pressures.

You’ll learn:

•Why Idaho’s rapid growth isn’t all good news—and what’s fueling it

•The shocking impact of a $1,000 home price increase on buyers

•Why starter homes are disappearing, and what needs to replace them

•How permits, regulations, and politics are slowing everything down

•The disconnect between anti-growth sentiment and the push for affordability

•Why labor shortages and policy decisions are hitting builders hard

•What industry leaders are watching now: interest rates, tariffs, and buyer behavior

If you care about where Idaho is headed—and who gets to live there—this is a must-listen conversation. Hit play for a candid, boots-on-the-ground perspective you won’t get from the headlines.

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