The Boise Bubble Podcast

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.

Episode 45: Autumn in Idaho with Traveling Spud

September 28th, 2022  |  43 mins 17 secs

#sleepdivorce, boise, boise bubble, idaho, treasure valley

Idaho in Autumn is damn near perfection. So let’s talk about some ways to spend it. Katie with Traveling Spud joins for a backyard for pit chat about some of our very favorite ways to spend Fall. Ideas for both for the adventure lover and the more indoorsy sorts. From Hot Springs to cooking classes. We also talk about one of the newest spots on 8th Street to grab a comfort meal, and also the rise of the boise speakeasy.