Heart of the Flathead
Welcome to the Heart of the Flathead, where we sit down with the change-makers, the unsung heroes, and the everyday folks who give this place its pulse. If you live here, love here, or just want to know what makes Kalispell and the Valley tick—you’re in the right place.
Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.
Episodes
17 episodes
17. School Levies: Funding Gaps, Voter Fatigue, and What Works
A community can deeply value its schools and still face constant funding shortfalls—that tension drives this conversation with Jinn Merriman, attorney at McGarvey Law and trustee for Kalispell Public Schools. Jinn breaks down how Montana’s publ...
16. Keeping the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Wild
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex feels endless—1.6 million acres and over 1,700 miles of trails—but the reality is fewer professionals are available to maintain it as visitation continues to rise. In this episode, Cliff Kipp, Executive Direc...
15. How The Glacier Institute Connects People And Place
From penguins to peaks, Anthony Nelson’s path into outdoor leadership is anything but typical. The executive director of the Glacier Institute shares how a Minnesota kid fascinated by zoos became a conservation-minded educator, moved his family...
14. Someday In Montana
After 25 years in Air Force counterintelligence, Neil Wheldon traded global posts and Pentagon briefings for rivers and a steadier pace in Kalispell. Inspired early by a unifying vision of America, he built a career on integrity, clear judgment...
13. Teaching First Grade With Heart
A first-grade classroom can feel like a small town, and Annie Lillard has learned how to lead with steadiness and care. Raised in Kalispell, Annie now teaches at Cornelius Hedges Elementary—the same school where her mother once taught—br...
12. Building the Way Forward
Want a grounded look at what actually drives housing costs in the Flathead Valley—and what can realistically bring them down? We sit down with Mark Friedline, executive officer of the Flathead Building Association, to break down t...
11. Pumpkins, Trains, And Family Joy
Sweet Pickens Pumpkin Patch didn’t start with a business plan—it started with a three-quarter-mile train, a field full of pumpkins, and a mission to help families smile again. In this episode, we sit down with Sweet Pickens founder Terry Dev...
10. A Pastor’s Journey From Skepticism To Service
Kalispell native Pastor Chad Warren shares a full-circle journey from early skepticism about faith to leading one of the Flathead Valley’s largest congregations. He walks through the moment his doubts shifted, the mentors who shaped his ...
9. A Vault, a Vision, and a Boutique
A boutique with a bank vault, century-old display cases, and a name pulled from Kalispell’s past—this conversation with Princess and Buck co-owners Kyle Waterman and Beth Kornick is a walk through how small businesses can power a main ...
8. From Coast Guard Cockpit to County Hall
Flathead County Administrator Pete Melnick brings an uncommon résumé to local government—Coast Guard helicopter pilot, counter-drug operations leader, and DHS culture strategist. In this conversation with David Wigginton, host of Heart of t...
7. When Your Life's Calling Finds You: Jordan Venezio, Kalispell Police Chief
What does real public safety look like when a department hires for character, invests in officer wellness, and stays close to its community? Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio joins host David Wigginton for a candid, story-driv...
6. Building Community Through Education
What does it take for a college to truly belong to its community? Dr. Jane Karas, President of Flathead Valley Community College, joins host David Wigginton to share how listening, partnership, and follow-through have shaped FVCC into bo...
5. The Human Behind the Badge: Meet Sheriff Brian Heino
Flathead County spans an area the size of Connecticut—and for Sheriff Brian Heino, every mile tells a story. Raised here, he’s fought wildfires in these forests, walked these roads in uniform, and now leads a department balancing explosive grow...
4. The World is My Neighborhood: Lucy Smith's Philosophy
Lucy Smith’s journey from Navy brat to global citizen offers a masterclass in building community wherever life takes you. Moving annually between military bases, she developed a philosophy at nine years old: “Walk in like you’re already everybo...
3. Planning Kalispell's Future
In this eye-opening episode of Heart of the Flathead, PJ Sorensen of the Kalispell Planning Department offers a behind-the-scenes look at how neighborhoods take shape and development decisions are made. A Kalispell resident since child...
