Springs and Things: Your Insider's Guide to Colorado Springs Culture & Community

Due to its popularity, we've decided to re-release this episode! Please note, however, some of the events are dated, but that design inspo is still oh so relevant :)

If you’ve ever saved a home photo on Instagram and thought, “Love this…but why doesn’t it work in my house?”...this episode explains exactly why.

On this week’s Springs and Things, we sit down with Elisha Niebuhr, CEO of Modern Interior Company, to unpack what actually works in Colorado Springs homes, and what we should probably stop copying from New York, Austin, and Pinterest altogether.

Elisha shares her unexpected path from professional ballerina to luxury interior designer, then gets very real about the most common design mistakes she sees across the Springs. She explains how our light, landscape, and lifestyle completely change how trends show up here, and why homes should feel lived-in, layered, and personal instead of themed.

We also cover the easiest upgrades with the biggest payoff (paint, lighting, and furniture that actually finishes a space), underrated neighborhoods with serious design potential, and what a true Colorado-inspired color palette looks like heading into 2026.

Fair warning: you may finish this episode looking around your house thinking, “Okay…we need to talk about this wall.”

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• Prime25
• Boonzaaijer's Dutch Bakery
• Modern Interior Co Design Day and Furniture Sale

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Vanguard Aesthetics
Vanguard Aesthetics helps clients discover their most radiant selves by blending expert care with individualized beauty. Since 2013, they’ve offered medical-grade skincare and tailored aesthetic treatments that enhance natural features while prioritizing comfort and safety. Their team takes the time to understand each client’s lifestyle, skin goals, and vision so every visit leaves them feeling refreshed, confident, and authentically themselves.

Modern Interior Co
Modern Interior Co. is a full-service interior design firm based in Colorado Springs that specializes in creating beautiful, elevated homes without the stress. Known for delivering seamless, high-touch design experiences from concept to completion, they help busy professionals and high-end homeowners create spaces that reflect their lifestyle.

Core Collective
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30!

What if your kids’ next favorite experience wasn’t a screen, but a symphony?

In this episode of Springs & Things, we sit down with Joye Levy, Director of the Center for Future Audiences at the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, to talk about a program that’s changing how families experience the arts in our city.

The Free for Kids program is opening the doors to live orchestral performances for the next generation, making it easier (and more fun) than ever to introduce kids to music, creativity, and community.

But this conversation goes far beyond logistics…

We get into:

• What actually happens in a child’s brain during their first orchestra experience
• Why kids often leave more engaged (and imaginative) than parents expect
• The surprising ways music sparks storytelling, creativity, and emotional expression
• How families can attend dozens of performances (many for free)
• The real etiquette parents should know (hint: it’s more relaxed than you think)
• Why the arts are so important in a city like Colorado Springs
• How programs like this are shaping the future of our local community

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or just someone who loves seeing Colorado Springs thrive, this episode will give you a whole new perspective on what the arts can do.

Featured Program: Free for Kids – Colorado Springs Philharmonic

Joye’s Picks of the Week

• Philharmonic Signature Series at the Ent Center (featuring world-class young pianists)
• Women’s Playwriting Festival at The Millibo Art Theatre

Why This Episode Matters

Colorado Springs is known for mountains and outdoor adventure, but there’s a growing movement to make the arts just as accessible, collaborative, and impactful. This episode is your inside look at how that’s happening, and how you can be part of it.

Enjoying the show? If you loved this episode:

• Leave a 5-star review
• Share it with a friend (especially one with kids!)
• Follow Springs & Things on Apple & Spotify

Long before IVF clinics were common and long before infertility was openly discussed, one Colorado Springs woman helped open the door for millions of families.

In this powerful episode of Springs and Things, Carly sits down with Ellen Weir Casey, the mother of Colorado’s first IVF baby. In the early 1980s, when IVF was still experimental and often referred to as a “test tube baby,” Ellen spent years researching emerging fertility technologies, traveling across North America for groundbreaking procedures, and refusing to give up on her dream of becoming a mother.

What began as a deeply personal journey soon became part of Colorado Springs history.

Ellen shares the incredible story behind those early days of IVF, from researching medical journals in the basement of the public library to navigating a world where infertility was rarely talked about. Her courage helped bring awareness to a technology that has since helped millions of families around the world.

Her story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of women who push open doors for future generations.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• What IVF looked like in the early 1980s when it was still considered experimental
• How Ellen researched groundbreaking fertility treatments before the internet existed
• The emotional and physical challenges she faced during her journey to motherhood
• Why infertility was rarely discussed publicly at the time
• How the birth of her daughter became Colorado Springs history
• Why Ellen felt a responsibility to tell the world about IVF
• The inspiration behind her memoir Unstoppable

About Ellen Weir Casey

Ellen Weir Casey is the author of Unstoppable: Forging the Path to Motherhood in the Early Days of IVF. Her daughter, Elizabeth, was one of the earliest IVF babies in the United States and the first in Colorado. Ellen’s journey helped bring awareness to fertility treatments at a time when infertility was rarely discussed publicly. Follow Ellen on Instagram.

Book Mentioned

• Unstoppable: Forging the Path to Motherhood in the Early Days of IVF

Picks of the Week

• La Concha Bakery: A local Colorado Springs favorite known for its incredible breads and pastries.
• Front Range Mahjong: A fun way to learn and play this classic game while connecting with others in the community.

We Love Our Sponsors

• Vanguard Aesthetics – Personalized skincare treatments that meet you wherever you are on your skincare journey.
• Modern Interior Company – Transform your home with expert design and thoughtful interiors.
• Core Collective – Strong, welcoming Pilates classes in Colorado Springs.
• Why Wait Stories – Legacy films and storytelling experiences that preserve your family’s most meaningful stories.

Enjoying Springs and Things?

Leave a 5-star review, follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend who loves Colorado Springs stories.

Colorado Springs has always been a place people come to rest, recover, and recharge, from the early days of travelers seeking healing in the Pikes Peak region’s crisp mountain air and mineral springs to today’s thriving wellness scene.

Now, VisitCOS has launched its first-ever digital Wellness Passport, and it might be one of the most relaxing ways to explore the city.

In this episode of Springs and Things, Carly and Lauren share their experience previewing this new free digital pass that unlocks deals and experiences at local wellness businesses, from salt caves and sound baths to paddleboard yoga, massages, and holistic healing ceremonies.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What the Colorado Springs Wellness Passport is and how it works
• How to download the free digital passport and start redeeming deals
• The types of wellness experiences available in Colorado Springs
• Why the Pikes Peak region has long been a destination for healing and recovery
• Favorite Colorado Springs reset activities recommended by local wellness experts

Featured Colorado Springs Wellness Experiences

These local businesses are part of the Wellness Passport and were featured in this episode:

• Camino Wellness Sanctuary
• EDENOLOGY Holistic Wellness
• Colorado Salt Cave Wellness Center
• Dragonfly Paddle Yoga
• Strata Spa at Garden of the Gods Resort
• Singing Bowls of the Rockies
• TRU Hair Salon
• Exos/CommonSpirit at the William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center
• ELKE Modern Massage
• Face Foundrie
• Ascend Spa & Wellness at Hotel Polaris

Access the wellness pass here!

We Love Our Sponsors

Vanguard Aesthetics
Vanguard Aesthetics helps clients discover their most radiant selves by blending expert care with individualized beauty. Since 2013, they’ve offered medical-grade skincare and tailored aesthetic treatments that enhance natural features while prioritizing comfort and safety. Their team takes the time to understand each client’s lifestyle, skin goals, and vision so every visit leaves them feeling refreshed, confident, and authentically themselves.

Modern Interior Co.
Modern Interior Co. is a full-service interior design firm based in Colorado Springs that specializes in creating beautiful, elevated homes without the stress. Known for delivering seamless, high-touch design experiences from concept to completion, they help busy professionals and high-end homeowners create spaces that reflect their lifestyle.

Core Collective
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30!

Why Wait Stories
Why Wait Stories captures the moments that matter, transforming personal legacies, business journeys, and nonprofit missions into beautifully crafted films. With a gift for storytelling and a heart for connection, Lauren preserves memories and messages before they fade, ensuring they inspire for generations to come.

Enjoy the show?
Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this episode with a friend you’d love to go on a wellness adventure with.

In this highly entertaining episode, Lauren and Matt Meister (yes, THE Matt Meister), share what it’s really like behind the scenes in local TV news (including a newsroom story that is absolute nightmare fuel) and what finally pushed him to leave traditional broadcasting and launch Peaks2Plains Weather, his new digital-first weather platform built to serve Colorado Springs wherever and whenever you need it.

You’ll also hear:

• The surprising truth about whether Anchorman or The Morning Show is more accurate
• What Matt misses (and doesn’t miss) about the newsroom
• How the media world is changing fast, and what local stations should do next
• A very embarrassing story that involves Matt (unbeknownst to him) and Carly that is 10 years in the making

Plus so much more.

If you love Colorado Springs, love a good behind-the-scenes story, and need a laugh with your coffee…this one’s for you.

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Vanguard Aesthetics
Vanguard Aesthetics helps clients discover their most radiant selves by blending expert care with individualized beauty. Since 2013, they’ve offered medical-grade skincare and tailored aesthetic treatments that enhance natural features while prioritizing comfort and safety. Their team takes the time to understand each client’s lifestyle, skin goals, and vision so every visit leaves them feeling refreshed, confident, and authentically themselves.

Modern Interior Co.
Modern Interior Co. is a full-service interior design firm based in Colorado Springs that specializes in creating beautiful, elevated homes without the stress. Known for delivering seamless, high-touch design experiences from concept to completion, they help busy professionals and high-end homeowners create spaces that reflect their lifestyle.

Core Collective
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30!

Why Wait Stories
Why Wait Stories captures the moments that matter, transforming personal legacies, business journeys, and nonprofit missions into beautifully crafted films. With a gift for storytelling and a heart for connection, Lauren preserves memories and messages before they fade, ensuring they inspire for generations to come.

In this powerful episode of Springs & Things, we sit down with U.S. Army veteran, Paralympic bronze medalist, and world champion Melissa Stockwell to hear the extraordinary story of how she rebuilt her life after losing her leg while serving in Iraq. Melissa became the first American woman to lose a limb in active combat, and instead of letting that moment define her limits, she used it to redefine what was possible.

She went on to represent Team USA in multiple Paralympic Games, earned a bronze medal in paratriathlon, and became a multiple-time world champion, proving that resilience isn’t about what happens to you, it’s about what you do next.

This conversation explores the mindset, determination, and perspective that carried Melissa from one of the hardest moments of her life to standing on the Paralympic podium, and how those lessons continue to shape the way she lives today.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The moment that changed Melissa’s life forever (and how she responded)
• How she found the courage to pursue elite athletics after her injury
• What it feels like to represent the United States on the Paralympic stage
• The mental resilience required to compete at the highest level
• Why adversity can become the foundation for something even greater

Melissa’s story isn’t just about athletic achievement. It’s about identity, perseverance, and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. It’s a reminder that even in life’s most difficult moments, a new path forward is always possible.

PICK OF THE WEEK

• Ashley's Attic

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Just In Case Workshop by Sonderwin
This April, Sonderwin is hosting a thoughtful and surprisingly empowering end-of-life planning workshop right here in Colorado Springs. You’ll hear from trusted experts like a CPA and estate planning attorney, walk away with a clear game plan, and even enjoy drinks and good food at Kinship Landing during their “Morgues & Margaritas” happy hour. Space is limited for the April 10th and 11th workshops, and our listeners can get 15% off with the code myluckyday at sonderwin.com.

Vanguard Aesthetics
Vanguard Aesthetics helps clients discover their most radiant selves by blending expert care with individualized beauty. Since 2013, they’ve offered medical-grade skincare and tailored aesthetic treatments that enhance natural features while prioritizing comfort and safety. Their team takes the time to understand each client’s lifestyle, skin goals, and vision so every visit leaves them feeling refreshed, confident, and authentically themselves.

Modern Interior Co.
Modern Interior Co. is a full-service interior design firm based in Colorado Springs that specializes in creating beautiful, elevated homes without the stress. Known for delivering seamless, high-touch design experiences from concept to completion, they help busy professionals and high-end homeowners create spaces that reflect their lifestyle.

Core Collective
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30!

About Springs & Things

Springs & Things is a Colorado Springs podcast uncovering the incredible stories behind the people who make this city so inspiring, from Olympic and Paralympic athletes to local legends shaping the community in meaningful ways.

Follow Springs & Things for more conversations that reveal the remarkable stories happening right here in Colorado Springs.

What really goes on behind the iconic walls of The Broadmoor?

In today’s episode, we’re talking with the Broadmoor historian, Cindy Leonard, about the secrets, stories, and legends hiding inside Colorado Springs’ most iconic hotel. From royalty and polo matches to hidden spaces, lost swimming pools, and traditions that date back over 100 years, this conversation is packed with moments that will make you say, wait…what?

You’ll hear about:

• Hidden and forgotten spaces most guests never see
• Wild and elegant stories from over 100 years of Broadmoor history
• How The Broadmoor influenced Colorado Springs landmarks and culture
• Traditions that have quietly survived for decades
• And yes…the very real story behind the infamous glass eyeball

Whether you’re a lifelong Colorado Springs local, new to the city, or just fascinated by historic hotels and local lore, this episode will change the way you see The Broadmoor forever.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• Colorado Appreciation at The Broadmoor
• Broadmoor Winter Polo Classic

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Vanguard Aesthetics
Vanguard Aesthetics helps clients discover their most radiant selves by blending expert care with individualized beauty. Since 2013, they’ve offered medical-grade skincare and tailored aesthetic treatments that enhance natural features while prioritizing comfort and safety. Their team takes the time to understand each client’s lifestyle, skin goals, and vision so every visit leaves them feeling refreshed, confident, and authentically themselves.

Modern Interior Co.
Modern Interior Co. is a full-service interior design firm based in Colorado Springs that specializes in creating beautiful, elevated homes without the stress. Known for delivering seamless, high-touch design experiences from concept to completion, they help busy professionals and high-end homeowners create spaces that reflect their lifestyle.

Core Collective
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30!

🎧 Listen, subscribe, and share this episode with a friend! New episodes drop weekly on Springs & Things.

Ski season might be technically underway in Colorado, but that doesn’t mean the slopes are the main event this year. In this episode of Springs & Things, Carly and Lauren share their favorite things to do in Summit County when skiing conditions aren’t ideal (or when you just don’t feel like skiing at all).

From cozy coffee shops and award-winning restaurants to tubing hills, art studios, snow forts, and immersive festivals, this episode is packed with winter mountain getaway ideas that don’t require skis. Whether you’re traveling with kids, planning a low-key weekend, or tagging along for ski programs you already paid for, this guide proves you can still have an unforgettable Colorado mountain trip.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why Summit County is worth visiting even in a low-snow ski year
• The best non-ski winter activities for families, couples, and solo travelers
• Where to eat, drink coffee, and relax in Breckenridge, Frisco, and Silverthorne
• Unique art, culture, and events that make mountain towns special year-round
• How to enjoy Keystone and Breckenridge without skiing at all

Food & Coffee Worth the Trip

• Rootstalk – James Beard Award–winning chef, hidden happy hour, and one of Colorado’s most talked-about dining experiences
• Silver Crown – Cozy whiskey bar that surprises with excellent coffee and breakfast
• Outer Range Brewing Company – Favorite brewery vibes with standout branding
  • Bird Craft (inside Outer Range) – Chicken stand that’s become a local favorite
  • Mountain Dweller Coffee – Ideal work-from-anywhere atmosphere

Winter Activities (No Skis Required)

• Frisco Adventure Park – Tubing, beginner ski lessons, sledding hills, and cross-country skiing
• The Art Spot – Drop-in art studio with supplies, classes, and working artists on site
• Silverthorne Recreation Center – Indoor pool with a rock-climbing wall that drops straight into the water
• Keystone Snow Fort – Massive mountaintop snow fort accessible by lift (no skiing needed), plus Snow Fort After Dark events

Art, Culture & Can’t-Miss Experiences

• Isak Heartstone – Iconic 15-foot wooden troll sculpture worth the short walk
• Breckenridge International Festival of Arts (Aug 20–23) – Immersive, playful, and unexpected art installations throughout town

Pick of the Week

• Vintage Barn Market – Monthly vintage home décor and clothing market focused on sustainability and one-of-a-kind finds
• The Argentos Empanadas – Authentic empanadas with multiple Colorado locations and a loyal following

Why This Episode Matters

If you’ve ever felt pressure to ski just because you’re in a ski town, or wondered whether a mountain trip is “worth it” without perfect snow, this episode is your permission slip to do things differently. Summit County shines just as brightly off the slopes, and this conversation proves that winter in the mountains can be relaxing, creative, and fun at any pace.

We Love Our Sponsors

Vanguard Aesthetics
Vanguard Aesthetics helps clients discover their most radiant selves by blending expert care with individualized beauty. Since 2013, they’ve offered medical-grade skincare and tailored aesthetic treatments that enhance natural features while prioritizing comfort and safety. Their team takes the time to understand each client’s lifestyle, skin goals, and vision so every visit leaves them feeling refreshed, confident, and authentically themselves.

Modern Interior Co.
Modern Interior Co. is a full-service interior design firm based in Colorado Springs that specializes in creating beautiful, elevated homes without the stress. Known for delivering seamless, high-touch design experiences from concept to completion, they help busy professionals and high-end homeowners create spaces that reflect their lifestyle.

Core Collective
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30!

🎧 Listen, subscribe, and share this episode with your mountain-loving (or slope-avoiding) friends. New episodes drop weekly on Springs & Things.

Normally on Springs & Things, we’re swapping fun Colorado Springs stories…but today’s episode goes somewhere much heavier.

Lauren sits down with Preston Goff from The Exodus Road, an organization combating human trafficking around the world and helping families understand what it really looks like today—especially in the digital age. They unpack the stuff most people get wrong (no, it’s usually not “stranger danger” at Target), how grooming and manipulation actually happen, and what prevention can look like without fear-mongering or vigilantism. It’s a tough but incredibly important conversation, grounded in real stories, real solutions, and real hope.

Listener discretion advised: Some of the topics discussed may be difficult to listen to. Please do not listen with children around.

PICK OF THE WEEK

• RECEPTION

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Vanguard Aesthetics
Vanguard Aesthetics helps clients discover their most radiant selves by blending expert care with individualized beauty. Since 2013, they’ve offered medical-grade skincare and tailored aesthetic treatments that enhance natural features while prioritizing comfort and safety. Their team takes the time to understand each client’s lifestyle, skin goals, and vision so every visit leaves them feeling refreshed, confident, and authentically themselves.

Modern Interior Co.
Modern Interior Co. is a full-service interior design firm based in Colorado Springs that specializes in creating beautiful, elevated homes without the stress. Known for delivering seamless, high-touch design experiences from concept to completion, they help busy professionals and high-end homeowners create spaces that reflect their lifestyle.

Core Collective
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30!

Is it too early to be talking about summer camps when there is snow on the ground? You’d think. 

But if you are a Colorado Springs parent, this episode might just save your summer.

In this episode, we break down our favorite local summer camps, from affordable outdoor programs, to creativity-fueled options, to adventure-packed favorites, and more. We talk honestly about cost, timing, what fills up fast, what opens later, and which camps are actually worth your time and money.

If you feel overwhelmed by all the options, worried you missed the boat, or just want trusted local recommendations, this episode does the research for you.

Plus, our Pick of the Week is a new kid-friendly coffee shop that might become your new go-to work and play spot.

Parents, planners, procrastinators, and everyone in between, this one is for you.

WE LOVE OUR SPONSOR

Vanguard Aesthetics
Vanguard Aesthetics helps clients discover their most radiant selves by blending expert care with individualized beauty. Since 2013, they’ve offered medical-grade skincare and tailored aesthetic treatments that enhance natural features while prioritizing comfort and safety. Their team takes the time to understand each client’s lifestyle, skin goals, and vision so every visit leaves them feeling refreshed, confident, and authentically themselves.

Modern Interior Co.
Modern Interior Co. is a full-service interior design firm based in Colorado Springs that specializes in creating beautiful, elevated homes without the stress. Known for delivering seamless, high-touch design experiences from concept to completion, they help busy professionals and high-end homeowners create spaces that reflect their lifestyle.

Core Collective
Core Collective Pilates is a boutique studio dedicated to helping clients build strength, flexibility, and confidence through expert-led, personalized Pilates sessions. With a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on mindful movement, Core Collective transforms workouts into empowering experiences. Enter code SPRINGSANDTHINGS to get 3 classes for $30!