The Boise Bubble Podcast

Episode 61: Idaho Gives 101

April 24th, 2023  |  29 mins

boise, charity, community, idaho, idaho gives, idaho nonprofit center, meridian, non-profit, nonprofit

“Idaho has given you a place to dream. What can you give Idaho?”

If you are looking for a way to give back, this episode is for you.

May 1st through the 4th is “Idaho Gives”, a program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center designed to bring the state together, raising money and awareness for Idaho non-profits.

We sit down with Kevin Bailey, CEO of the Idaho Nonprofit Center, to discuss what Idaho Gives is all about. We talk about how to search for non-profits, and why non-profits are so important in Idaho. Hint, it has a lot to do with our level of government funding. We learned that only half of Idaho non-profits can meet the demand for their organization’s services. Donating through Idaho Gives can help increase an organization’s abilities to meet demand.

This year there are over 600 non-profits participating. From large and recognizable non-profits to the lesser know organizations such as the “The Rat Retreat".

Last year $3.69M was raised during Idaho Gives. This year the goal was set for over $4 million. Excited to see Idaho reach that goal!

Episode 60: Building a Connected Social Media Community

April 17th, 2023  |  44 mins

boise, business, community, idaho, meridian, social media, soul ascend

Natalie was recently invited to be a guest on local “Soul Ascend Podcast”. Jen and Megan focus on serious success manifesting. It was such a fun discussion we are duel releasing it!

“Are you confused about how to build a connected community with all the social media noise and distractions out there? If so, fear no longer because in today's #soulascendpodcast episode, we interview Community Bad Ass Natalie Plummer from Hello Meridian.

She gives you simple next steps for how to build your online community and make your mark. Natalie has built a wildly successful online presence in her local area as the Founder of Hello Meridian and The Boise Bubble Podcast

Some nuggets of gold in this episode:

1. How Natalie started her career as a blogger to now create a wildly successful community in her local area
2. Why your social media content should be centered around values and not trends
3. How to create boundaries online and why losing subscribers can actually be a very good thing for your business
4. Some powerful next steps to begin creating your online community and sharing your message.”

Episode 59: LIVE from Treefort with Lauren and Scott McLean

March 29th, 2023  |  40 mins 53 secs

boise, idaho, lauren mclean, marriage, mayor, meridian, scott mclean, treefort

LIVE from Treefort, yet again! In this episode we were happy to host Boise mayor Lauren McLean and her husband Scott. After sitting next to them at a Lumineers concert and seeing them have such a great time together, we knew we wanted to get to know them more as a couple. During the discussion we focus on the two of them as a couple married for over 20 years with kids, jobs, hopes and dreams, and try to see them outside their typical labels. How do they Treefort? How do they stay connected? What's Scott's perception of Lauren's role as a public figure? How did Lauren jack her leg? All these things and more will be revealed in an open conversation with this great power couple.

Episode 58: Treefort 2023

March 8th, 2023  |  39 mins 31 secs

boise, festival, from boise with love, hello meridian, idaho, marissa lovell, meridian, music, spring break, treefort

Treefort 11 - Big Changes

Treefort Music Fest is one of the largest events that Boise boasts, and it is nationally recognized as being pretty badass. In this, the 11th year, there will be some MAJOR changes. Aside from the over 500 BANDS performing, there’s a new main stage area, completely new venues, new “fort options”, and new drinking rules (hint: Ale Fort just got a lot cooler). Marissa Lovell of Treefort (and the popular newsletter “From Boise”) drops her picks for things you shouldn’t miss. Also, all the details for exploring Treefort with kids (12 and under are FREE!) and how to “FREE Fort”. If you are planning to Treefort this year, this is a must-listen. And if you aren’t, this is a must-listen so you change your mind.

Note, The Boise Bubble will be podcasting LIVE at Treefort March 25th at noon in the Boise Centre East.

Episode 57: Supporting the Meridian Library District

March 3rd, 2023  |  40 mins 23 secs

boise, book banning, idaho, library, meridian, meridian library district, mld.org, petition

In this episode we speak with Nick Grove, the Director of the Meridian Library District, regarding the petition to dissolve the Meridian Library District. A group of less than 100 local citizens filed the petition on the grounds of inappropriate content in the children's section of the library, lack of transparency in funding, and the removal of the public comment section of board meetings. Nick addresses these accusations and misinformation surrounding the issues, and we issue a call to the community to support the library district.

The public hearing on the petition is Monday March 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM at the Ada County Courthouse, first floor public hearing room. Registered voters are allowed to share their comments on the issue.

Episode 56: Garden Adventures with Front Yard Fresh

February 22nd, 2023  |  1 hr 3 mins

boise, garden, gardening, idaho, meridian, planting, spring, sustainability

Spring is nigh upon us, and if you want to plant a home garden, now is the time to start thinking about it. Commercial agriculture is one of Idaho's claim to fame, and lucky for you, those conditions are great for personal gardening as well. For those of us who are just beginning our gardening journey, the whole process can be daunting. Katie Battazzo of Front Yard Fresh is our garden coach who is guiding us through a major from-scratch home garden project, and she's just the person to share with you the things you should be thinking about now to set yourself up for success. What grows well in Idaho? When should you start planting? Which crops can be harvested multiple times? Which flowers should you pair with different crops to manage pests? All these questions and more will be answered in this episode.

Episode 55: Influencer

February 8th, 2023  |  53 mins

boise, idaho, influencer, meridian

In this raw, impromptu conversation, Shane interviews Natalie about the realities of being a social media public figure. From the perks of the job to the extreme negatives- they touch on last summer's public situation of mistaken identity after a fatal hit-and-run, being a local leader during Covid, random men sharing inappropriate photos of themselves, and the myriad other things people might not know about this modern and peculiar career.

Episode 54: Boise With Kids

January 25th, 2023  |  1 hr 2 mins

activities, boise, friends, idaho, kids, parenthood, treasure valley

Raising kids is always an adventure, and doing it during Idaho winters is especially challenging. In this episode we chat with Becca Bailey of the website and social media accounts “Boise with Kids”. We talk about some of our tried and true ways for engaging our children in the Treasure Valley, some of the difficulties with finding friends as young parents, and the importance of giving each other grace.

Fun side note: we considered the alternative title “Life Beyond Fred Meyer”.

Episode 53: 2023: Pass Go, Collect $200!

January 11th, 2023  |  34 mins 16 secs

2022, 2023, boise, entrepreneurialism, fair play, goals, grief, idaho, marriage, motherhood, relationships, time management

Goodbye 2022 and Happy New year 2023! Some years are better than others, and this last one was definitely a mixed bag, but it trended positive. Shane and Natalie reflect on their individual journeys through the past year, what they accomplished, and some of their struggles- changes in relationships, dealing with grief, success on the mountain, and healthier dialogue. Narrowing down to what they really WANT. Turning their attention to the next pass around the Monopoly board they discuss quality time with kids, gaining control of their time, therapy, ownership of household duties, and better habits.

We’re charged up and excited for this year, and we hope this episode energizes you too!

Episode 52: Unaffiliated Idaho

December 28th, 2022  |  32 mins 1 sec

boise, gay, idaho, identity, inclusion, politics, republican

Idaho is trending towards being a state that prefers “camps”. Camps that simplify people into groups of beliefs such as politics, religion, and sexual orientation. Where once we were all neighbors, now we tend to first ask which camps someone belongs to before we agree to treat them with mutual respect.

But what of the Idahoans who don’t fit neatly into a single-word box of beliefs? More intriguing yet, what are we to think of those who span several (seemingly contradictory) camps?

After we finished recording our last episode “Iconic Foods of Boise” with Amos Rothstein, we veered into a different conversation and decided to turn the microphones back on to capture what it’s like for him to be a heavily invested member of the Republican party of Idaho, and Jewish, AND being gay. Amos also talks about his penpal relationship with the late Bob Dole, and how it ushered him into working so closely with the Republican party. Shane and Natalie speak candidly about their discomfort with accepting imposed cultural belief constructs and how that has been received.

Episode 51: Iconic Foods of Boise

December 14th, 2022  |  1 hr 1 min

boise, christmas, food, holidays, idaho, meridian, restaurants

In time for the holidays, we gather in front of the fire in our living room to chat with Idaho Statesman food contributor Amos Rothstein. From fry sauce to Basque food, we talk about a few of the dishes in town that have made indelible impressions on the community and on us personally.

We also decided on a new holiday that we believe Idaho should institute in 2023. #GarfieldDay

Episode 50: Manic Meetings with Entrepreneurs

November 30th, 2022  |  1 hr 2 mins

boise, boise bubble, idaho, treasure valley

In this duel release episode with “The Something Businessy Podcast”, Natalie sits down with Frannie Wilson of Ampersand Studios to chat. Both Natalie and Frannie are Boise entrepreneurs who occasionally get together to brain dump and manic vent. So why not talk about Entrepreneurism (Entrepreneurship?) in this same freeform style? Ever want to know the chaos behind the appearance of success? This episode is for you. Discussing all things from coping through productivity, competition in business and a little strip club talk for good measure.

Episode 49: Bonus Bubble - Two Types of Christians

November 23rd, 2022  |  8 mins 1 sec

boise, boise bubble, idaho, treasure valley

In a recent impromptu Instagram live, Natalie shared her thoughts about some of her difficulties dealing over the years with cruel messages from those who classify themselves on social media as “Christian”. This was her most popular live to date and according to the hundreds of messages and DM’s she received, definitely resonated with people. Seeing the difference between “Christ-Like Christians” and “Pitchfork Christians” has allowed her to move forward with less fear. She offers this clarification in hopes to give words to those struggling with cruelty within religion.

Due to the subject’s popularity, we are adding this as an additional, non sponsored episode for those who would like to share these thoughts with others. We do hope it sparks conversation.

Episode 48: Broken Dialogue - Tools to getting us back on track

November 9th, 2022  |  1 hr 23 mins

boise, boise bubble, housing, housing market, idaho, real estate, treasure valley, twin falls

How do we handle difficult conversations when opinions differ? It’s been clear for a while that Idaho, and the rest of the United States, have struggled to come to the table on divisive topics. Whether it’s in political debates, or around the kitchen table.

In this episode, we talk with local Alexis Morgan, an Organizational Culture Consultant about this disconnect. Alexis and Shane come with their extensive backgrounds in Organizational Development and Natalie with 15 years of working in social media. We pull many ideas from the book “Crucial Conversations” Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High.

Dropping just in time for your Thanksgiving dinner conversations.

Episode 47: Backcountry Ghost Mines

October 26th, 2022  |  35 mins 52 secs

boise, boise bubble, idaho, treasure valley

Idaho has a lot of historical spots, but often they are not very accessible unless you’re ready to really put in some serious effort.

Shane and Mark Iverson of Idahistory decided they were going to spend a weekend getting to some of the hardest to reach ghost mines. (Natalie wasn’t thrilled as she is 100% sure the mines are haunted.)

Some of their exploration include the Sunken ghost town of Roosevelt...under Lake Roosevelt, Dewey Mine, Sunnyside, Stibnite, Yellow Pine Pit Mine and Thunder Mountain City. All part of the Thunder Mountain Mining District.

They come together to geek out a little bit about what they found. We also chat about Idahistory’s new book “Murder & Mayhem In Boise”.

Episode 46: 2022 - Housing Market, Inflation and Recession

October 12th, 2022  |  1 hr 2 mins

boise, boise bubble, housing, housing market, idaho, real estate, treasure valley, twin falls

A lot of us in the Treasure Valley are looking at the housing market and economy and just asking “What the F**k?”. We decided to invite back experienced Real Estate investor and Idaho Realtor Jesse Taff to follow up from our 2021 conversation. Also joining us is mortgage and loan specialist Bryce Gonser.

Together we chat about interest rates, the accurate definition of a recession, and this swift change from a sellers market to a buyers market. We chat directly about the thought of waiting out the bubble for stabilization, and they give their thoughts on whether that stabilization has happened.

We ask the question on many people minds: “Is the American dream still available?”.
Clearly homeownership and retirement are no longer low hanging fruit.