The Jackson Hole Connection

Ryan Stolp is the creator of the Lift Lines comic and co-founder of Orijin Media, a full service marketing agency. Ryan’s career path has been anything but ordinary. His CV titles could include dog sled guide, wilderness ranger, alpine hammock creator, illustrator, author and entrepreneur. Ryan recently collaborated with Sam Morse on a new graphic novel called The Ski Town Fairytale. He's also been exploring the fringes of doodling and drawing tech by live animating groovy musical performances at Eleanor's. In this episode Stephan and Ryan talk about his electric background, how he helped name a mountain in Kyrgyzstan, hiking the Appalachian Trail, what goes into creating a comic and his new creative collaboration with Joe Rudd. Follow and read Lift Lines comics on Instagram @liftlines_comicsFind out more about Ryan at RyanStolp.comThe Ski Town Fairytale is available now at Jackson Hole Book Trader or at RyanStolp.comThis week’s episode is sponsored in part by Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling. Want to become a better recycler?  Well, there’s an app for that – the Recycle Coach app!  Now available for Jackson Hole locals and visitors. More at TetonCountyWY.gov or at @RoadToZeroWaste.JH on Instagram 

Support also comes from The Jackson Hole Wine Club. Curating quality wine selections delivered to you each month. Enjoy delicious wines at amazing prices. More atJacksonHoleWineClub.comWant to be a guest on The Jackson Hole Connection? Email us at [email protected]. Marketing and editing support by Michael Moeri (michaelmoeri.com).

Steve Ashworth is a father, husband, landscape architect and the Director of Teton County/Jackson Parks and Recreation Department.

Whether you swim at the Rec Center, play broomball, watch moose hockey, or play with your kids on the playground, the parks and rec department makes an impact in your daily life. Listen to this episode to learn about all that goes into operating one of the most important organizations in Teton County. You’ll also find out the interesting history behind the parks and how some of our most beloved parks were formed. Stephan and Steve also chat about the new developments happening at the Rec Center and the complications of managing playground safety.

Find out more about Teton County Parks and Recreation at TetonParksandRec.org

Follow them on Instagram @tetonparksandrec

This week’s episode is sponsored in part by Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling. Want to become a better recycler? Well, there’s an app for that – the Recycle Coach app! Now available for Jackson Hole locals and visitors. More at TetonCountyWY.gov or at @RoadToZeroWaste.JH on Instagram

Support also comes from The Jackson Hole Wine Club. Curating quality wine selections delivered to you each month. Enjoy delicious wines at amazing prices. More at JacksonHoleWineClub.com

Want to be a guest on The Jackson Hole Connection? Email us at [email protected]. Marketing and editing support by Michael Moeri (michaelmoeri.com,@thatsamoeri).

Kendra Kolb Butler is the Founder of Alpyn Beauty. Alpyn Beauty is a local skin care line crafted from sustainably sourced alpine botanicals grown right here in Jackson Hole. Kendra left Manhattan with her husband and son in 2015 in search of fresh air, open spaces, and a chance to reprioritize what type of lifestyle they wanted for their family. 

In this episode, Kendra shares what led her family to leave the city life for the mountains. She talks about what inspired her to create a wildcrafted skin care line and how Alpyn’s products are made for people living in a more unforgiving environment. Kendra walks us through the evolution of Alpyn Beauty and how she went from giving away free samples to friends to selling on QVC and in some of the largest retailers in the country. Stephan and Kendra also chat about family, camping, and the importance of finding enjoyment in the moment. 

Follow Alpyn Beauty on Instagram at @alpynbeauty

Find out more about Alpyn Beauty and Kendra at AlpynBeauty.com

This week’s episode is sponsored in part by Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling. Want to become a better recycler? Well, there’s an app for that – the Recycle Coach app! Now available for Jackson Hole locals and visitors. More at TetonCountyWY.gov or at @RoadToZeroWaste.JH on Instagram 

Support also comes from The Jackson Hole Wine Club. Curating quality wine selections delivered to you each month. Enjoy delicious wines at amazing prices. More at JacksonHoleWineClub.com

Want to be a guest on The Jackson Hole Connection? Email us at [email protected]. Marketing and editing support by Michael Moeri (michaelmoeri.com).

Akop is a Professional Figure Skater, coach, husband, father, performer, actor, stunt double in Will Farrell’s Blades of Glory, and the President/CEO and Executive Director of the Grand Teton Skating Association. Originally from Armenia, Akop has traveled and performed with some of the best figure skaters of our time. After performing all over the world, Akop made Jackson his home in 1999. 

In this episode, Akop talks about his path to becoming a professional figure skater. He goes into detail about some of the unusual training conditions he has experienced. Akop shares the fun way he proposed to his wife. Stephan and Akop then discuss what it was like to build an ice rink in Town Square and some of the complications that go into making a temporary skating rink. 

Find out more about Grand Teton Skating Association at gtsa.us

Connect with Akop at [email protected]

Check out some of Akop’s performances on YouTube:

Akop Manoukian & Aidas Reklys Racec Halloween 2015

Akop Manoukian and Aidas Reklys. The Race

Austin Powers on Ice: Akop Manoukian and Armen Saakian

This week’s episode is sponsored in part by Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling. Want to become a better recycler? Well, there’s an app for that – the Recycle Coach app! Now available for Jackson Hole locals and visitors. More at TetonCountyWY.gov or at @RoadToZeroWaste.JH on Instagram 

Support also comes from Jackson Hole Wine Club. Delivering carefully curated wine selections to you each month. Enjoy delicious wines at amazing prices. More at JacksonHoleWineClub.com

Want to be a guest on The Jackson Hole Connection? Email us at [email protected]. Marketing and editing support by Michael Moeri (michaelmoeri.com).

Tim Sandlin is a father, husband, novelist and screenwriter. You also may have seen him working at one of his 40 entry-level jobs over the past 50+ years. Tim first visited Jackson Hole in the late 50s with his father who worked as a part-time surveyor. He made his escape to Jackson from Oklahoma in 1968 when he took a seasonal job at Signal Mountain Lodge. Tim has published 10 novels and a book of columns. Three of his books have been produced as movies. 

In this episode, Tim talks about his writing process and how it has developed over the past 60 years. He dives into his experience with the publishing world and how selling a book differs from movie screenplays. Tim shares his excitement for the Jackson Hole Writers Conference that will be happening in person again this June after a two-year absence. Stephan and Tim also discuss his latest book Somewhat True Tales of Jackson Hole and Tim shares a few stories featured in the book. 

Find out more about Tim at TimSandlin.com

Connect with Tim at [email protected]

Get info on the 2022 Jackson Hole Writers Conference

Watch the movie The Right Kind of Wrong (based on Sex and Sunsets) free on Pluto TV

Buy a copy of Tim’s latest book Somewhat True Tales of Jackson Hole at Valley Bookstore, Jackson Hole Book Trader or on Amazon

Find Tim’s other books at your local bookstore or on Amazon

This week’s episode is sponsored in part by Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling. Want to become a better recycler?  Well, there’s an app for that – the Recycle Coach app!  Now available for Jackson Hole locals and visitors. More at TetonCountyWY.gov or at @RoadToZeroWaste.JH on Instagram 

Support also comes from The Jackson Hole Marketplace. The Deli at Jackson Hole Marketplace offers ready-made soups, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and hot lunch specials. More at JHMarketplace.com

Want to be a guest on The Jackson Hole Connection? Email us at [email protected]. Marketing and editing support by Michael Moeri (michaelmoeri.com,@thatsamoeri).

Lisa Smith-Batchen is an ultra runner, Ironman competitor, personal coach, mom, mentor, wife, and sister. Her athletic achievements have been documented in The NY Times, The LA Times, The Washington Post, Sports Illustrated for Women, ESPN Magazine, Outside Magazine, and many more. After the tragic events of 9/11, Lisa and her family decided to leave New Jersey and move to where they have always wanted to live, Jackson Hole.

In this episode, Lisa gets a little more personal with Stephan and talks about her latest fitness journey. In October of 2021, Lisa’s sister Julie passed away of colon cancer. To honor her memory in her own way, Lisa took part in the virtual Badwater 267 mile challenge for the month of January. Since Lisa wanted Julie to be a part of the journey, she would need to do her 267 miles as well. From January 1st - 31st Lisa set out to walk and run 534 miles. Listen to this touching episode to hear from Lisa while she walks near the end of her 534-mile challenge.

Lisa would like to remind everyone of the importance of early screenings. Get a colonoscopy or mammogram, even if you feel healthy.

“Do one act of kindness each day”-Julie Cavender-

To connect with Lisa, email [email protected]

You can also find her on Facebook and join her new group Younger by Tomorrow

This week’s episode is sponsored in part by Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling. Want to become a better recycler?  Well, there’s an app for that – the Recycle Coach app!  Now available for Jackson Hole locals and visitors.

More at TetonCountyWY.gov or at @RoadToZeroWaste.JH on Instagram

Support also comes from The Jackson Hole Marketplace. The Deli at Jackson Hole Marketplace offers ready-made soups, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and hot lunch specials. More at JHMarketplace.com

Want to be a guest on The Jackson Hole Connection? Email us at [email protected]. Marketing and editing support by Michael Moeri (michaelmoeri.com,@thatsamoeri).

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan chats with Dr. Richard Sugden. Dr. Sugden is a veteran, pilot, entrepreneur, physician, paramedic, and teacher to young aviators. Dr. Sugden first called Jackson Hole home back in the 40s when his family owned a dude ranch in Kelly. Dr. Sugden helped establish the first air ambulance service in Jackson Hole back in 1980. He has been inducted into the Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame and is the recipient of the Harrison Ford Aviation Legacy Award. Currently, Dr. Sugden is a family medicine doctor based in Jackson Hole. In this episode, Dr. Sugden shares what it was like to grow up in a Navy family. He talks about spending part of his childhood in Kelly, WY, Rome and San Francisco. Dr. Sugden goes into what brought him back out to Jackson and how he helped create Jackson Hole Air Ambulance, the first of its kind in the greater Teton area.Dr. Sugden has helped serve and save countless people in his life. When he isn’t helping others, he can be found restoring vintage military aircrafts or flying with his wife Sue. Stephan’s Recommendations this week:The Daily Stoic and The Daily Dad, both by Ryan HolidayThis week’s episode is sponsored in part by Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling. Want to become a better recycler?  Well, there’s an app for that – the Recycle Coach app!  Now available for Jackson Hole locals and visitors.More at TetonCountyWY.gov or at @RoadToZeroWaste.JH on InstagramSupport also comes from The Jackson Hole Marketplace. The Deli at Jackson Hole Marketplace offers ready-made soups, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and hot lunch specials. More at JHMarketplace.comWant to be a guest on The Jackson Hole Connection? Email us at [email protected]. Marketing and editing support by Michael Moeri (michaelmoeri.com,@thatsamoeri).

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan chats with Brenda Ashworth. Brenda is a former Astro Geophysical Data Monitor for the U.S. Air Force, she is now the Superintendent of Teton County Integrated Solid Waste & Recycling.

Did you know that our trash has to travel over 70 miles to be disposed of? Can you guess how many semi-trucks full of waste are sent out of Teton County each day? Do you know how many tons of trash were sent to the landfill in 2021? What material do you think is the most valuable to recycle? Listen to this episode to find out the answers to these questions and learn what happens to our waste and recyclables once they are out of our hands.

Learn more about Teton County Solid Waste & Recycling at TetonCountyWY.gov

Follow TCSWR on Instagram @RoadtoZeroWaste.JH

This week’s episode is sponsored in part by Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling. Want to become a better recycler?  Well, there’s an app for that – the Recycle Coach app!  Now available for Jackson Hole locals and visitors. More at TetonCountyWY.gov

Support also comes from The Jackson Hole Marketplace. The Deli at Jackson Hole Marketplace offers ready-made soups, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and hot lunch specials. More at JHMarketplace.com

Want to be a guest on The Jackson Hole Connection? Email us at [email protected]. Marketing and editing support by Michael Moeri (michaelmoeri.com,@thatsamoeri).

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan chats with Christy Smirl. Christy is the owner of Foxtail Books and Library Services. Christy and Foxtail curate, manage and organize personal libraries. They also offer assistance with acquiring rare and collectible books. Listen to this episode to gain a glimpse into the unique profession of library management and rare book acquisition. You’ll learn what makes books rare and why some are more valuable than others. Stephan and Christy talk about the importance of finding books that make you happy and the balance of keeping books in good shape, but also enjoy them. Stephan also finds out what the most “magical” publication Christy has seen recently. Learn more about Christy and Foxtail Books at FoxTailBooks.comFollow Foxtail Books on Instagram @foxtailbooksPhoto Credit: @lisa_flood_photography_Below are links to the two Wyoming based books that Christy recommended at the end of the interview:The Grand Teton Reader by Bob RighterEncampment Wyoming - Selections From The Lora Webb Nichols Archive 1899-1948See photos of Europa Redux on Instagram @europareduxThis week’s episode is sponsored in part by Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling. Want to become a better recycler?  Well, there’s an app for that – the Recycle Coach app!  Now available for Jackson Hole locals and visitors. More at TetonCountyWY.gov or at @RoadToZeroWaste.JH on Instagram

Support also comes from The Jackson Hole Marketplace. The Deli at Jackson Hole Marketplace offers ready-made soups, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and hot lunch specials. More at JHMarketplace.comWant to be a guest on The Jackson Hole Connection? Email us at [email protected]. Marketing and editing support by Michael Moeri (michaelmoeri.com,@thatsamoeri).

In this week’s episode of the Jackson Hole Connection, Stephan chats with Janis Ferrin Allen and Donna Clark. Janis and Donna share the same great-great-grandfather, Josiah “Si” Ferrin.  Si was one of the original homesteaders in the valley and at one time he was the largest property owner and taxpayer in Jackson Hole. In this episode, Janis and Donna talk about their family lineage and the life of Si Ferrin. They discuss how Si built up his cattle-ranching land and earned the nickname The Cattle Baron of Jackson Hole. At the peak of land ownership, the Ferrin family had over 3,600 acres of land and 2,000 head of cattle. Foreseeing changes in the cattle industry and the struggles of ranching in a Jackson Hole, Si decided to eventually sell his property to the Snake River Land Company. Listen to this episode to find out some interesting facts about the Ferrin family, like what percentage of the Grand Teton National Park is made up of land once owned by The Ferrins. Also, find out how much 3,600 acres of land in Jackson Hole was worth back in 1928. The Ferrins aren’t only known for cattle ranching, their family has very deep roots and history in Jackson. In the episode, Janis talks about how her grandfather helped build the first Cowboy Bar and maintained the Grand Teton Lodge Company for over 20 years. Donna’s family started a large and impactful construction company called Clark’s Ready Mix and Construction. Over 48 years Clark’s Ready Mix helped build a good portion of the infrastructure of the Jackson community. For more information on Josiah Ferrin and the history of Elk Ranch, visit JacksonHoleHistory.org If you’d like to connect with Janis, email [email protected] and Donna can be reached at [email protected] week’s episode is sponsored in part by Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling. Want to become a better recycler?  Well, there’s an app for that – the Recycle Coach app!  Now available for Jackson Hole locals and visitors.More at TetonCountyWY.gov or at @RoadToZeroWaste.JH on InstagramSupport also comes from The Jackson Hole Marketplace. The Deli at Jackson Hole Marketplace offers ready-made soups, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and hot lunch specials. More at JHMarketplace.com

Want to be a guest on The Jackson Hole Connection? Email us at [email protected]. Marketing and editing support by Michael Moeri (michaelmoeri.com,@thatsamoeri).