

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

Jun 24, 2025 • 58min
Continuing Public Education in Idaho with Phil Gore
Phil Gore is the Chief Learning Officer for the Idaho School Board Association. Idaho, along with other states, voted for a version of school vouchers (School Choice in Idaho), and many public education advocates felt disheartened at the end of the legislative session. Directly following the session, many school bonds to build new schools for Idaho’s growing populations also failed, which further upset public school champions. Phil had great insight into the current state of education and how best to spend your time if you want to improve the public system in Idaho. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe 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

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 7min
Incarceration & Rehabilitation in Idaho with Bree Derrick
Bree Derrick is the director of the Idaho Department of Corrections. Idaho currently has roughly 10,000 individuals incarcerated, and Director Derrick is working non-stop to ensure to the state of Idaho that the department of corrections both ensures that those sentenced to do time do serve that time but also have the best chance at not returning to the corrections system. This is, as you can imagine, an incredibly complex problem, and I greatly enjoyed our conversation. The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe 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

Jun 20, 2025 • 44min
Building Medical Systems in Idaho with Mary Barinaga
Dr. Mary Barinaga is a physician in Idaho, past president of the Idaho Medical Association, and an enormous advocate for increased medical access in Idaho. She travels the state helping promote and set up residency programs whereby established doctors can help train and prepare medical school graduates for future practice. This is one of the most direct actions that will increase the number of physicians in our great state. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe 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

Jun 19, 2025 • 52min
Caldwell State of the City with Jarom Wagoner
Jarom Wagoner is the Mayor of Caldwell and came in to speak about the state of the city. Caldwell is growing rapidly, even by Idaho standards, and as such is experiencing grow pains. Mayor Wagoner came in to talk about many of the issues, challenges, and successes. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe 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

Jun 18, 2025 • 29min
Non-Compete Clauses in Idaho with Todd Achilles
Todd Achilles is a District 16 Representative and came in to speak about his push to remove non-compete clauses from Idaho. There are many industries, like the health industry, that must rely extensively on out of state recruiting to serve our growing populations’ needs. With this initial investment, some companies want to make sure that they will not have to compete against professionals they have brought into the state, and therefore require a non-compete clause that prohibits competition within a certain timeframe and geographic area. However, there are drawbacks to this method, which is why several states, both conservative and liberal, have outlawed these clauses. Todd came in to speak on what he sees with this issue. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe 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

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 4min
The Fastest DMV EVER with Lisa McClellan
Lisa McClellan is the director of the Idaho DMV. If you have ever wandered into one one of the establishments, you’ll notice immediately that it’s a huge departure from the torturous experience that many have in other states. I recently went to register a vehicle and it took me 15 minutes from start to finish and cost me a fraction of what it cost in previous years. Hearing about what Lisa and the DMV have done to streamline and cost save was a perfect example of government done well. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe 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

Jun 16, 2025 • 40min
EMS Champion in Idaho with Makenzie Tiegs
MaKenzie Tiegs is a paramedic who has worked in several Idaho organizations ranging from wild lands fire fighting to rural EMS to large health systems. She is a champion for the mental/emotional support of first responders, having experienced first hand how draining and damaging it is to ride an ambulance day in and day out without any help dealing with death and trauma at every turn. Idaho has an aging population and we need the best possible EMS services, so understanding what can be done to reduce turnover and increase longevity of healthy careers is a must. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe 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

Jun 13, 2025 • 18min
US Senate Public Lands Disposal Proposal with Alexis Pickering
Alexis Pickering is the executive director of Conservation Voters for Idaho and came in to speak on the proposed US Senate budget reconciliation from June 11th that would dispose of 2.2 to 3.2 million acres of public lands that are managed by either BLM or the Forest Service. There are many things that are off about this bill, not the least of which is that there is no clear mechanism for the disposal of the lands. As of now, there is nothing preventing it from being sold to corporations or even foreign governments. This is something that should give pause to every US citizen who stands to lose these lands forever. The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe 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

Jun 12, 2025 • 43min
The Morale, Welfare, & Recreation of the Idaho National Guard with Jessica Bate
Jessica Bate is director of the Idaho National Guard Morale Welfare & Recreation organization charged with serving service men and women as well as their families. It is a 501(C)3 but also operates many businesses to drive revenue to support these operations. Idaho has a growing population of citizens that commit their lives to the defense of our country, and I so appreciate that Jessica and the IDNG MWR are there to support them. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe 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

Jun 11, 2025 • 39min
Idaho Office for Refugees with Holly Beech
Holly Beech works for the Idaho Office for Refugees, a not for profit organization that helps place and integrate refugees from across the world that are looking to call Idaho home. This is different from asylum programs in many ways, and I truly enjoyed hearing about the work and effort going into this area. Enjoy!The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media. www.theRanchPodcast.orgThe 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


