The Vault at 201 N Broadway

In this episode, we sit down with Craig Aasved, CEO, and Maija Trout, Certified Genetic Counselor, to explore the unique role Shodair Children’s Hospital plays in Montana. From specialized psychiatric care for children and adolescents to a nationally recognized genetics program serving patients of all ages, Shodair is a critical resource for families across the state.

Craig and Maija share how Shodair became Montana’s only Children’...

In this episode, we sit down with Peter Johnson, Air Force veteran, former Federal Air Marshal, and founder of Archway Defense, to explore the principles of leadership, discipline, and purpose that guide his work.

Peter shares his experience training law enforcement, corporate teams, and communities in active shooter response and workplace safety, drawing on his time serving internationally in counter-terror missions and domesticall...

In this episode, we sit down with Cole and Katie Whitmoyer, co-founders of Flex Family Health, to discuss their vision for primary care in Montana. Starting from a desire to bring healthcare back to the “good ol’ days” where your provider was just a phone call away, easy to access, and affordable, they've built a practice focused on individualized, collaborative, and high-quality care.

Cole, a Montana native and Doctor of Nursi...

In this episode, we sit down with Laira Larson, a Lockwood High School graduate and freshman in college, to hear about her transformative experience as part of the Montana World Affairs Council’s “India Trek 2025.” Selected through the EconoQuest and Academic WorldQuest youth conferences, Laira and seven other Montana students traveled across India as ambassadors of their communities, Montana, and the United States.

Through formal m...

In this episode, we sit down with Riley Bennett of Dick Anderson Construction to talk leadership, community, and the value of showing up.

Riley shares his career path from working on renewable energy projects across the U.S. and Canada to leading major construction efforts in Montana and how those experiences shaped his leadership philosophy. He reflects on the importance of face-to-face relationships, “small-world” connections, and...

On this episode, we sit down with Dr. Alison Harmon and Mike Veselik from Montana State University’s Research and Economic Development team to explore how MSU’s land-grant mission shows up in real, tangible ways across the state.

Alison and Mike share their paths to MSU, what it means to lead and support research at a land-grant institution, and how MSU’s work extends far beyond campus. We dive into how research, innovation, and par...

In this year-end episode, we look back at the conversations and themes that shaped The Vault in 2025 from hospitality and customer service, to storytelling, entrepreneurship, and the resources available for businesses across Montana.

We revisit insights from hotel leaders, boutique owners, ranch families, PR pros, media voices, manufacturers, and startup founders. We also highlight the support ecosystem that includes VBOCs, MMEC, AP...

In this episode, we sit down with Carrie Stoner, Director of Kiln in Bozeman, to talk about her Montana roots, career journey, and the experiences that shaped her approach to leadership and community. Carrie shares how her background in hospitality informs everything she does from how people are welcomed, to how teams connect, to how spaces are intentionally built for belonging.

We dive into what it means to launch Montana’s first K...

In this special on-the-road episode of The Vault, we recorded live at EconoQuest, a program designed to introduce Montana students to global economics and career pathways by the Montana World Affairs Council. We sat down with educators, industry experts, and international leaders including Mike Veselik (Montana State University), Eil Steinberg & Lukac Khomenko (Sentinel High School), Ryan Cooney (Project for Alternative Learnin...

In this episode, we sit down with Nikki Geiszler from the Montana World Affairs Council to dive into her story, her background in anthropology, and the path that brought her to Montana. Nikki talks about her work expanding the Council beyond Missoula and building partnerships with teachers and schools across the entire state ensuring students in every corner of Montana have access to global programming and real-world learning oppor...

In this episode, we sit down with Rick Brown, Director of the Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC), to explore the VR&E Self-Employment Track, a program offered by the SBA and VA through a memorandum of understanding. This track leverages counselors from SBA resource partners, including VBOCs, SBDCs, Women’s Business Centers, and SCORE, to help service members and veterans with a service-connected disability turn their skill...

In this episode, we sit down with Jim Markel, CEO of Red Oxx, to talk about building things that last, products, places, and relationships.

Jim shares how growing up in a military family, serving as a parachute rigger, and watching his dad start Red Oxx out of a Billings basement with surplus webbing shaped the company’s DNA: rugged, bootstrapped, and built with intention. We dive into Red Oxx’s evolution from fitness gear to Americ...

In this episode, we sit down with Kelly Heaton, Executive Director of Leadership Montana, to explore how the organization is shaping Montana’s future through leadership development.

Kelly shares her journey to Montana and how her career path led her to lead a program dedicated to preparing professionals to tackle the state’s challenges and opportunities. Leadership Montana travels to communities across the state to help participants...

In this episode, we sit down with Cheryl and Robin of The Front Porch in Laurel. Two women who have been intentionally building a place for people to gather, create, and feel connected.

What started as a small sign-making operation in a garage has grown into a true community hub: DIY workshops, a welcoming venue for events and celebrations, and a boutique that showcases products from more than a dozen local makers and small business...

In this episode of The Vault, host Marcell Bruski takes the podcast on the road to the Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) Fall Conference. Recorded live in Polson, she sat down with economic development leaders and partners from across the state, including Christy Cummings Dawson with Montana West Economic Development, Terra Burman with Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation, Eric Seidensticker with Montana Bus...

In this episode, we sit down with Paddy Fleming, Director of the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC). Paddy shares his journey from growing up in small-town Montana to leading manufacturing operations across North America and Europe.

We talk about leadership, learning from others, and the experiences that shaped his career—from solving complex problems to managing teams and driving improvement. As Paddy puts it, “There’s s...

In this episode, we sit down with David Allen, General Manager of the NILE (Northern International Livestock Exposition) and veteran marketing executive whose career has shaped some of the biggest names in western sports, rodeo, and conservation.
From his roots in Deadwood, South Dakota, to working alongside legends like Dale Earnhardt and Ty Murray, David shares stories from over 50 years in PRCA ProRodeo, Wrangler, NASCAR, PB...

In this episode, host Marcell sits down with Toby Tooke—radio host, DJ, and social media manager at Tooke Bucking Horses—for a conversation close to home. Toby shares the remarkable legacy of his great-grandfather, Feek Tooke, the visionary horseman from Ekalaka, Montana, whose breeding program shaped nearly every bucking horse in modern rodeo.

From growing up on the ranch to producing a documentary honoring Feek’s story, Toby talks...

In this episode we sit down with Montana APEX Accelerator team to learn how their program helps Montana businesses successfully navigate government contracting. We cover how to find opportunities, understand requirements, and pursue contracts with federal, state, and local agencies.

Whether you’re selling directly to the government or subcontracting to prime contractors, the Montana APEX team provides personal, timely advice and pra...