Welcome to Episode 47 with Toby Lyles and Murad Aljalamdeh, founder of Cheyenne Young Professionals.

What do you do when you have a degree… but no job?

In this episode, Murad shares the raw story of graduating with an engineering degree — only to sit unemployed for nearly a year. Applications sent everywhere. No callbacks. Blame from others. Doubt creeping in.

Instead of waiting for the “perfect” opportunity, he made a bold move.

He pulled over at a construction site.

He walked up and asked for a job.

Not an engineering job. Any job.

That decision changed everything.

From supervising attendance sheets to being recruited into the electrical engineering team… Murad proves that “momentum starts with humility”.

But the story doesn’t stop there.

After fighting through the struggle himself, he noticed something:

So many fresh graduates were stuck — overwhelmed, blamed, and told not to “take jobs beneath their degree.”

So at just 25 years old, he launched a nonprofit to help young engineers build soft skills, navigate the job market, and discover emerging industries like solar energy.

One year later?

A former student called him — not to ask for help — but to say thank you.

He had started his own solar installation company.

That moment sparked something bigger.

After moving to Cheyenne, Murad faced a new challenge: starting over in a new town. No network. No built-in circle. Just an idea.

So he did what most people are too afraid to do.

He posted online asking for volunteers for an organization that didn’t even exist yet.

No meetings. No followers. Just belief.

Today?

• 400+ followers

• 50+ formal members

• A full leadership team

• Sponsorship pathways to major conferences

This episode is about:

* Starting before you’re ready

* Taking “small” jobs that lead to big opportunities

* Why pride blocks progress

* The power of community building

* Delegating instead of building a one-man show

* Why hunger beats credentials

* And how helping others can build your own legacy

If you’re 18–25 and waiting for the perfect moment…

This is your sign.

Start.

Episode 047

Release Date: March 3, 2026

Host: Toby Lyles

Guest: Murad Aljalamdeh/ Cheyenne Young Professionals

Get in touch with Murad and Cheyenne Young Professionals

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/CheyenneYoungProfessionals

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cypgwy/

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com

Welcome to Episode 46 with Toby Lyles and Carolyn Ritschard, founder of Adopt an Airman.

What if the thing that feels hardest… is actually your calling?

When Carolyn and her husband joined the Air Force, they thought it would be temporary.

Three years. That was the plan.

Instead?

23 years.

11 moves.

8 states.

3 foreign countries.

Three continents in one year.

But the hardest part wasn’t the logistics.

It was the loneliness.

Instead of withdrawing… she leaned in.

Birthday muffins.

Meals for new moms.

Holidays for single airmen.

Driving a neighbor to a hospital in Germany and coaching her through labor without speaking the language.

That became their lifestyle:

“If you’re here, you belong.”

After retiring in 2016 and settling in Cheyenne, she faced a new question:

How do you keep serving… when you’re no longer in uniform?

The answer came through action.

A simple Valentine’s cookie drive for airmen in the dorms.

In 10 days, the local community donated 350 dozen cookies.

That moment revealed something powerful:

People want to help.

They just need a doorway.

Honorable Mentions

These are the people who helped build the program:

Patrick Collins

Major General Stacy Jo Huser

Jennifer Villlela

Michele Bolkovatz

Scott Fox

Merrie Elsberry

Martha Wilson

Suzanne Sauls

Max Carre

Alejandro Castro

Joseph Martini

Special thank you to the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce CEO, Dale Steenbergen and the Board of Directors.

Episode 046

Release Date: February 24, 2026

Host: Toby Lyles

Guest: Carolyn Ritschard/ Adopt an Airman

Get in touch with Carolyn and Adopt an Airman

Email: adoptanairmanWYO.com

Greater Chamber of Commerce: https://www.cheyennechamber.org/mac

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adoptanairmanwyo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adoptanairmanwyo

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Spotify:

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Substack: https://votw.substack.com/

Website: https://twentyfoursound.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com

Welcome to Episode 45 with Toby Lyles and JazMinn Jackson, owner of The Louise Event Center. In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of a woman who transformed her love for creativity and event planning into a successful business. Starting with small birthday parties and backyard gatherings, she has now become the go-to event planner in her town, managing everything from weddings to corporate events and even launching her own private venue.

The conversation touches on key themes like the power of passion, the importance of connections, and the unexpected challenges of being a young single mother while navigating entrepreneurship. She opens up about her personal struggles, including losing two brothers within a few months, and how it fueled her drive to keep pushing forward.

Highlights |

* Turning childhood experiences and passions into a business.

* Overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

* The power of community and making meaningful connections.

* The lessons learned from balancing a full-time job, motherhood, and building a business from scratch.

* The emotional and motivational journey behind opening the first privately owned venue in her town—without loans or grants.

Episode 045

Release Date: February 17, 2026

Host: Toby Lyles

Guest: JazMinn Jackson/ The Louise Event Center

Get in touch with JazMinn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLouiseEventVenue

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thelouise

links:

Spotify:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@twentyfoursound7322/playlists

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Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/TwentyFourSound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toby.lyles.1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobyblyles

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-lyles-twentyfoursound

Substack: https://votw.substack.com/

Website: https://twentyfoursound.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com

Welcome to Episode 44

Bobbi Collins, an inspiring entrepreneur who shares her powerful journey from addiction to redemption, from living in poverty to building a business with a mission to help others. She discusses her challenges, motivations, and how her faith and determination led to the creation of a community-centered business.

Highlights

* Early Life Struggles

* The Struggles of Sobriety and Starting Over

* Financial Hardships and Resilience

* The Moment of Change: A Prayer That Changed Everything

* From Diner to Discount Grocery Store

* Vision for the Future: Helping One Person at a Time

Episode 044

Release Date: February 10, 2026

Host: Toby Lyles

Guest: Bobbi Collins

Get in touch with Bobbi

Website: https://www.glenrockcornerstonemarket.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583584424736

links:

Spotify:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@twentyfoursound7322/playlists

https://odysee.com/@VoicesontheWind

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/TwentyFourSound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toby.lyles.1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobyblyles

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-lyles-twentyfoursound

Substack: https://votw.substack.com/

Website: https://twentyfoursound.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com

Welcome to Episode 43

Most people don’t talk about the moment *before* everything changes—the uncertainty, the quiet risk, the leap that doesn’t come with a guarantee. This episode lives in that moment.

It’s the story of leaving a comfortable career path, saying yes to a call that didn’t make sense on paper, and moving to a new town with nothing but belief, preparation, and work ethic. No industry experience. No built-in network. Just a willingness to show up—again and again.

Through long days, rejection, self-doubt, and relentless consistency, this episode reveals how real momentum is built: not through shortcuts, but through relationships, service, and trust. It’s a reminder that success doesn’t come from having it all figured out—it comes from staying in the game long enough for things to compound.

If you’re early in your journey, questioning your path, or wondering if the leap is worth it—this story is for you. Join host Toby Lyles as he speaks with Jory Keuten of Green Top Roofing.

Episode 043

Release Date: February 3, 2026

Host: Toby Lyles

Guest: Jory Keuten, Green Top Roofing

Get in touch with Jory

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569358120484

Contact: Green Top Roofing 7000 Yellowtail Road, Suite 130

307-631-9741

links:

Spotify:

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toby.lyles.1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobyblyles

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-lyles-twentyfoursound

Substack: https://votw.substack.com/

Website: https://twentyfoursound.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com

Welcome to Episode 42

What happens when preparation meets opportunity—but with almost no safety net?

In this episode, Toby Lyles invites Eloy Martinez to share a raw, unfiltered story of how curiosity, work ethic, and resilience can turn accidents into opportunity.

Eloy walks us through his journey from washing dishes in high school to spending 15 years in a restaurant, learning lessons far beyond cooking—money discipline, ownership mentality, integrity, and leadership. Those lessons eventually gave him the confidence to take a massive leap: quitting his job and buying a coffee shop in a city he’d never been to, with less than $1,000 left to his name.

This conversation is a masterclass in:

* Starting before you feel ready

* Solving problems to create opportunities

* Learning business on the fly

* Managing fear, doubt, and responsibility

* Treating someone else’s business like it’s your own

* Why honesty and discipline compound over time

If you’re young, ambitious, and feel stuck between “playing it safe” and chasing something bigger—this episode will hit home.

Key Takeaways

* Opportunity often starts by simply making yourself available

* Work ethic and integrity matter more than titles

* Saving small amounts consistently builds real leverage

* You don’t need confidence—you need commitment

* Every day is a new chance to do better than yesterday

Episode 042

Release Date: January 27, 2026

Host: Toby Lyles

Guest: Eloy Martinez, The Cheyenne Cup

Get in touch with Eloy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecheyennecup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecheyennecup

links:

Spotify:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@twentyfoursound7322/playlists

https://odysee.com/@VoicesontheWind

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/TwentyFourSound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toby.lyles.1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobyblyles

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-lyles-twentyfoursound

Substack: https://votw.substack.com/

Website: https://twentyfoursound.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com

Welcome to Episode 41

In this episode, Stephan reflects on growing up in Mississippi, learning the art of conversation in his grandfather’s mercantile store, and how those early lessons shaped his approach to business, community, and podcasting. He shares the story behind launching a podcast rooted in connection, storytelling, and preserving local history — even when it wasn’t financially lucrative.

Through 250 episodes, Stephan captured voices that might otherwise have been lost: community leaders, business owners, and elders whose stories defined life in Jackson and the American West. He opens up about imposter syndrome, the realities of podcast growth, the myth of overnight success, and the difficult but necessary decision to eventually say no and step away.

This is a conversation about legacy, patience, boundaries, and why meaningful work doesn’t always show up on a balance sheet.

Key Topics Covered

* Growing up in a Southern mercantile store and learning human connection

* Why conversation and eye contact still matter in a digital world

* The real work behind starting and sustaining a podcast

* Imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a creator

* Preserving stories from elders and community pioneers

* Why podcasting doesn’t guarantee money — and why it can still be worth it

* The slow truth behind “overnight success”

* Learning to say no and setting boundaries with your time

* Ending a podcast with intention and gratitude

Episode 041

Release Date: January 20, 2026

Host: Toby Lyles

Guest: Stephan C. Abrams, The Jackson Hole Connection

Get in touch with the Stephan

Website: https://thejacksonholeconnection.com

Email: [email protected]

links:

Spotify:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@twentyfoursound7322/playlists

https://odysee.com/@VoicesontheWind

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/TwentyFourSound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toby.lyles.1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobyblyles

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-lyles-twentyfoursound

Substack: https://votw.substack.com/

Website: https://twentyfoursound.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com

Welcome to Episode 40

In this episode, Toby Lyles speaks to Georgia and Dave Rowswell, owners of Open Door Studio and Gallery.

This episode explores how creativity, curiosity, and community-building can shape not only an artistic practice, but an entire city’s culture. From growing up surrounded by makers and tinkerers to relocating to Wyoming later in life, our guest shares how necessity sparked reinvention—and how one bold idea led to the creation of a 15-year-running Art Walk that transformed Cheyenne’s creative landscape. This is a conversation about starting over, seeing possibility where others see limitation, and choosing community over comfort.

Key Themes & Takeaways

• How growing up around makers and problem-solvers shapes entrepreneurial thinking

• Reinventing your creative voice after relocating to a completely new environment

• Letting landscape and place inform artistic direction

• Why curiosity is one of the most powerful community-building tools

• Starting something because it’s needed—even if you’re an outsider

• Turning your living room into a gallery (and why it worked)

• The difference between treating people as customers vs. community

• How to build sustainable creative initiatives without burning out

• Why artists must stop “hiding their work under the bed”

• It’s never too late to start something meaningful

Episode 040

Release Date: January 13, 2026

Host: Toby Lyles

Guest: Georgia and Dave Rowswell, Open Door Studio and Gallery

Get in touch with the Rowswells

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064227511290

Website: https://www.odsgallery.com

Want to view the video version?

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@twentyfoursound7322

Odyssey : https://odysee.com/@VoicesontheWind:7

Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-7687829?e9s=src_v1_cbl

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com

Welcome to Episode 39

In this episode, Toby Lyles speaks to Steve Sears. Steve shares his entrepreneurial journey, from working at UPS to taking over the family business, Cheyenne Stitch, and expanding into Boosters, a local retail and apparel store. He opens up about the challenges of starting a business, transitioning from custom to commercial embroidery, and the importance of recognizing opportunities in your community. Steve also discusses the reality of working with family, balancing a personal and professional relationship with his wife, and the growth of his multiple businesses. Learn how he’s created a supportive environment for both customers and employees while giving back to the community.

• “Look for a need in your community and fill it.”

• The challenges and benefits of running a business with your spouse.

• How he transitioned from a small business to working with large corporations like Holley, Sinclair, and Lowe’s.

• How seeing a need for local school and sports apparel led to the

creation of Boosters, a retail store offering local school gear.

• The importance of business partnerships and finding

collaborative rather than competitive opportunities.

• The value of owning real estate as part of a sustainable business strategy.

Resources Mentioned:

• Cheyenne Stitch – Custom and commercial embroidery services.

• Boosters – Local retail store offering school and sports apparel.

Episode 039

Release Date: January 6, 2026

Host: Toby Lyles

Guest: Steve Sears

Get in touch with Steve Sears

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Cheyenne-Stitch-100091494960867/

locale=sq_AL

Phone number: 307-634-0858

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com

Welcome to Episode 38

In this episode of Voices on the Wind, Toby Lyles sits down with a lifelong artist who has been honing his craft since childhood. From designing skateboards and murals to building a career in graphic design, Jordan Dean shares his journey of creativity, ambition, and the importance of never ignoring your passions. Hear about his first paid project, how his art evolved from small designs to massive murals, and the lessons he’s learned along the way about overcoming self-doubt and expanding your creative horizons. Whether you’re interested in art, entrepreneurship, or personal growth, this episode is a must-listen!

Key Topics Discussed:

• The early beginnings of Jordan Dean as a young artist.

• How a love for art led to opportunities, from watercolor designs to custom skateboard decks.

• The power of creativity: how everyone has a unique form of creativity, whether it’s art,

music, or other areas of life.

• Overcoming self-doubt and stepping out of your comfort zone to pursue big projects.

• The story behind his first mural and the challenges of working on a large scale.

• The value of continuous learning and self-teaching in creative careers.

• Advice for young creatives: how to build a portfolio and get paid for your work.

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to turn your passion into a career, this conversation is for you!

Episode 038

Release Date: December 30, 2025

Host: Toby Lyles

Guest: Jordan Dean

Get in touch with Jordan Dean

Website: https://www.jordean.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiyoheywhatsup

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com