

The Ranch Podcast
Matt Todd
If you’re looking for a show focusing on Idaho and local community news, you found it. This show hits issues from across the Gem State, ranging from North Idaho, East Idaho, Southern Idaho, and everything in between.Interested in Idaho politics, ag, law enforcement, education, fish and game, recreation, and all things Idaho? This is literally your spot.If you ever have questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate.Thank you for watching!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 3, 2026 • 43min
Trump's AI EO & Artificial Intelligence in Law with Jessica Gunder
Jessica Gunder is a Univ. of Idaho Law Professor and came in to speak about the recent executive orders by President Trump regarding artificial intelligence and AI applied to law school and the legal field broadly. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Feb 3, 2026 • 39min
ICE & Proper Enforcement in Idaho with Tracy Basterrechea
Tracy Basterrechea is the chief of police for Meridian, the population center for Idaho, and came on to speak about what he sees as issues with ICE operations throughout the country. Chief Basterrechea works frequently and aggressively with our federal partners, but is also an enormous advocate for de-escalation, identification, and community safety. Instances where ICE agents engage in stops in unmarked vehicles, refuse to identify themselves, have no identifications on their person, and do not collaborate with local law enforcement are all things that put everyone, including the agents, at risk. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Feb 3, 2026 • 1h 8min
IDFG's Migration Corridor Data & Methods with Jacob Gray and Sierra Robatcek
Jacob Gray and Sierra Robatcek are with the Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game and came in to talk about big game migration corridors, data collection, and working with the public and developers to ensure that we find a way to live our lives but also preserve these incredible resources that have become so iconic for the state. Hunting is a way of life in Idaho, and there can be no surplus for harvest without thriving, supported, healthy herds reproducing beyond minimal sustainable numbers. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Feb 3, 2026 • 53min
Vitamin K & Infant Bleeding with Dr. Mark Uranga
Mark Uranga is a pediatrician with St. Luke’s in the Treasure Valley and came in to talk about the Vitamin K shot that is offered at birth, infant fatal bleeding, and the recent hesitation around vitamin K. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Feb 2, 2026 • 18min
American Nuclear Series: E21 Nuclear Blackstart Ability
Richard McPherson is a world leading authority on Nuclear Technology. In Episode 21 of the American Nuclear series, we discuss the capacity of some nuclear reactor designs to “blackstart.” Classic power production systems like coal plants or gas plants do generate enormous amounts of power, but in the event of an EMP, they’re vulnerable because they actually need some consistent power to get started. Nuclear batteries and other smaller designs have the ability to start without an alternate power source, making them incredibly effective designs when it comes to emergency preparedness. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Feb 2, 2026 • 53min
Boise State University & Idaho's ROI with Jeremiah Shinn
Jeremiah Shinn is the interim president of Boise State University and came in to talk about the state of the university, its partnerships with industry, the athletics program, and the unbelievable multi billion dollars economic impact it has for the state of Idaho. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Feb 2, 2026 • 59min
Why Healthcare is So Expensive in Idaho with Drew Hobby
Drew Hobby is an executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Blue Cross of Idaho and came on to start the conversation around the question everyone is asking: why is healthcare so expensive in the US? He recently made headlines for fighting back against an out-of -state medical provider system that came into Idaho and all but refused to engage state insurance plans and used a loophole that allowed them to bill at almost 10x the going rate for routine healthcare issues. Drew’s explanation and his wealth of knowledge around a system that has become all but impossible to understand is beyond valuable. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Feb 2, 2026 • 42min
Saving the Owyhees with John Robison
John Robison is the public lands and wildlife director at the Idaho Conservation League and came in to talk about the enormous, almost decade long effort to preserve the Owyhee’s for Idahoans, industry, and the United States. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Feb 1, 2026 • 48min
Changing Idaho with Ben Adams
Ben Adams is an Idaho State Senator and came on to talk about his proposed constitutional amendment that he hopes to pass that would create a safety net in the event that Idaho does in fact take ownership of the federal public lands that are now owned and maintained by the federal government. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com

Feb 1, 2026 • 60min
The Line of Advocacy in Idaho's Education with Eric Smallwood
Eric Smallwood is a Twin Falls School District board member and came on to talk about a situation he finds himself in with several state legislators. In a recent district meeting, Eric advocated for participation in the upcoming May primary election and outlined what he felt was at stake, specifically the defunding of the public schools in Idaho, and urged everyone to participate. Some lawmakers feel that he crossed a line into advocating for a specific person, party, or issue and are calling for an investigation. This seems to be a complex issue, and although Eric feels he did not cross any lines, others do. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho. The Boise area is home to many counties and ways of life. It’s also home to many law enforcement agencies, like Ada County and Canyon county Sheriff offices, Idaho State Police, Eagle Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and many more. The school systems in the area are also quite diverse. Boise school district and West Ada School District, though right next to each other, are quite different. Ada County is also home to our state capital and many of our elected officials. The Ranch Podcast is shot just north of Eagle, Idaho. If you’re interested in producing a podcast or need content of any kind, please feel free to reach out to Matt at Matt@MTUStudios.com


