In the beginning, God created a paradise. And then we messed it up! Today, living in North Idaho is almost paradise. ALMOST. Yes, the weather is often fantastic. There are 4 distinct seasons offering hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, canoeing, rafting, ATV trips, snow skiing, and more. Lakes and streams are everywhere. Mountains dominate the horizons, The forests are endless. Small towns (2 traffic-lights in our county!) dot the area. Independent minded, (mostly) conservative people live in these towns. But... summers are short and can get hot for a while. Smoke can fill the air from area wildfires. Winters are long, cloudy, snowy. Those days are short with the sun rising late and setting early. Liberal ideas are creeping in. The Good Old Boy Network is strong. Even here there is conflict. But Jesus reigns! Living in North Idaho is ALMOST paradise.
Episode 208: Morning Brew - When Did Having Fun Become So Much Work?
When did having fun become a test we have to pass?
In this Morning Brew, Ted reflects on tennis, sky-high expectations, and the frustration of knowing you can play better—even when you’ve made it to the championship.
With humor and honesty, he explores how the pressure to perform can squeeze the enjoyment out of something we love. Whether you struggle on the tennis court, in the workshop, or with everyday mistakes, this conversation offers a reminder about patience, perspective, and grace.
Winning matters, but so does enjoying the game—and learning to forgive the imperfect person holding the racket.
16 Oct 2026
Episode 207: Molly B'Damn - An Unlikely Angel In A Gold Rush Town
Gold fever brought fortune seekers into North Idaho’s mountains, but one unforgettable woman left a legacy measured in something besides gold. Meet Maggie Hall, better known as Molly B’Damn, a frontier madam whose colorful reputation shared space with remarkable generosity.
In this episode of Almost Paradise in North Idaho, Ted takes listeners back to the rough mining communities of the 1880s, where dreams were enormous, comforts were scarce, and a good story could grow faster than a prospector’s bank account. Along the way, we explore competing explanations for Molly’s nickname, the famous legend of her rescue of a mother and child in a snowstorm, and accounts of her kindness toward hungry, homeless, and sick neighbors.
With humor, whimsical observations, and a careful distinction between history and folklore, this story introduces a complicated woman who deserves more than a convenient label. Molly’s life included controversy, hardship, and choices we need not romanticize. Yet her community remembered her compassion.
The episode closes with a Christian reflection inspired by the Good Samaritan: Who do we overlook, how quickly do we judge, and what happens when we stop waiting for somebody else to help? Sometimes an unlikely neighbor gives us a timely lesson in mercy.
12 Oct 2026
Episode 206: Six Years After Cancer: Our Story, Good News, and Gratitude
Six years after prostate cancer treatment, Ted revisits Episode 16 of Almost Paradise in North Idaho, sharing a deeply personal conversation with Joy.
Together, they reflect on their experience with diagnosis, treatment, and the uncertainty that comes with facing cancer. This repodcast features improved audio, a new introduction, and an encouraging update.
Today, he continues enjoying tennis, winter pickleball, weekly bowling, chores, and time with friends and family.
With humor, gratitude, and faith, Ted celebrates ordinary days and the people who helped him through difficult ones.
He also reminds listeners that this is their personal experience, not medical advice. Treatments evolve, and individual concerns belong in a conversation with a doctor.
It’s an honest, hopeful look at life after cancer—and finding plenty of reasons to keep smiling, here in North Idaho.
Who has been a guest on Almost Paradise
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Chase
Mark Carpenter
Jacob Francom
Adam Carolla
Mark
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 21 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
42
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Almost Paradise
Who hosts Almost Paradise?
Ted host the show. Published by Ted Ludlum.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Almost Paradise take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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