Welcome to Hello Pocatello—the podcast that celebrates the people, places, and pulse of our hometown. Each episode features real stories from local business owners, artists, changemakers, and everyday community members who make Pocatello shine.
From behind-the-scenes chats with downtown dreamers to conversations about food, events, music, and growth—we’re here to connect and uplift our city, one story at a time.
Whether you're a longtime local or just discovering what makes Poky special, this podcast is your front-row seat to the heart of Southeast Idaho.
How Advocacy, Training, And Heart Make Accessibility Work For Everyone
We bring two community leaders together to share why accessibility is everyone’s business and how Pocatello can close the transition gap from school to adulthood. Stories, myths busted and practical tools converge into a plan to hire better, train smarter and advocate louder.
• personal journeys shaped by loss and purpose
• what serving the disability community looks like daily
• myths about therapy, ADA and “something’s wrong” stigma
• New Day’s employment pathways and skill building
• ISU’s Center lenses: tools, training, connection, access
• the transition cliff ages 20–30 and how to bridge it
• community inventory and QR code resource hub concept
• employer cohorts trained in accessibility leadership
• barriers in systems and how families self-advocate
• caregiver burnout, respite and real self-care
• one action: talk openly and hire with intention
“Don’t you ever quit. Keep walking, keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead.”
28 Dec 2025
From Classroom Cupcakes To Netflix Crown
A cupcake tradition at an elementary school turned into a career, a bakery, and a Netflix championship. We welcome Pocatello’s own Nathan Chandler to unpack the full arc: baking with grandparents, testing flavors with fearless honesty, and finding a creative home in Southeast Idaho’s fairs and art scene. He shares what TV never shows—the mental game behind the timer, the choreography of three cameras, and how a freezer save and a trusted friend can change the outcome of a bake. Nathan takes ...
19 Nov 2025
Feeding East Idaho Together
If you think hunger is only a holiday headline, the truth is very different. Need exists year-round, and our community continues to show up in remarkable ways. In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Peck, Development Coordinator for the Idaho Foodbank in East Idaho. He shares how a small warehouse team, supported by dedicated volunteers, moves nearly seven million pounds of food each year while keeping dignity and accessibility at the center of their work. Kyle explains what makes the greates...
14 Nov 2025
Finding The Sound: Layne Bowen On Music, Family, And Pocatello
The moment you hear Layne Bowen talk about music, you feel the fuse light. He grew up in a house where harmony was normal, learned pitch before preschool, and picked up enough instruments to build songs piece by piece. That foundation became the engine behind a bold move: leaving a day job, booking 160 shows a year, and earning a shot to open for ZZ Top—sealed by writing a brand-new original two days before the gig. We trade stories from Pocatello’s past and present—Johnny B. Goode's chrome ...
31 Oct 2025
Inside Pocatello Paranormal: From Poltergeists To Pyrokinesis
What if most hauntings weren’t only ghosts, but people? We sit down with Colleen O’Hara of Pocatello Paranormal Research to explore the grounded, humane side of paranormal work—where careful debunking meets real stories that tug at your nerves and your heart. Colleen grew up learning from a mother who was both a career police officer and a psychic medium, and that mix of discipline and sensitivity drives her team’s approach today. We swap eerie and illuminating cases around Pocatello and sou...
2 Oct 2025
From Corporate America to Downtown Revival: Jennifer Erchul's Journey
When opportunity knocked at a downtown street party, Jen Erchul answered—though she never expected it would lead to owning the historic Yellowstone Restaurant. With zero restaurant experience but plenty of business savvy, Jen and her husband transformed a 1915 hotel into three distinct dining concepts that celebrate Pocatello's rich heritage while creating modern gathering spaces. The whiskey bar's original hotel lobby woodwork, the iconic neon sign that lights up downtown, and even the ghos...
28 Aug 2025
Teaching, Creating, and Building Community in Pocatello with Mark Daniels
Artist Mark Daniels takes us on a colorful journey through Pocatello's vibrant creative landscape. From his 14-year teaching career at New Horizon Center to his numerous murals brightening local businesses, Mark shares the philosophy that guides both his classroom and his canvas: mutual respect creates powerful connections. Mark's teaching approach resonates perfectly with his alternative school students. "They don't necessarily want to listen to authority, and that's kind of my vibe," he ex...
21 Aug 2025
From Black Rock to Edson Fichter: Navigating Pocatello's Waters with Jeremy Marley
Have you ever wondered what treasures flow through your own backyard? In this captivating episode, we dive deep into Pocatello's liquid heart with local river enthusiast Jeremy Marley, whose lifelong connection to our waterways reveals the city's hidden outdoor identity. Jeremy takes us on a journey from his first river experience at age 14 to becoming the unofficial director of a high adventure river program at just 15 years old. His stories paint a vivid picture of the Portneuf River's dua...
14 Aug 2025
Why Positivity Matters: A Conversation with Pocatello's Ultimate Connector
Nestled between mountains and driven by community spirit, Pocatello has a beating heart that Kirk Lepchenske knows better than most. As membership manager for the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce, Kirk has his finger on the pulse of what makes this Idaho gem thrive. "It never ceases to amaze me how, if you need help with something or if there's a good cause, there are always people in this community who will step up," Kirk shares with genuine warmth. This spirit of cooperation isn't ju...
7 Aug 2025
When a Spark of Service Ignites a Lifetime of Impact
What does it truly mean to be a community? In this heartfelt conversation with Shantay Bloxham, CEO of United Way Southeastern Idaho, we explore the remarkable power of connection that makes Pocatello special. Shantae shares her personal journey from childhood volunteer experiences with her grandmother to nonprofit leadership, revealing how early acts of service ignited a lifelong passion for community impact. At the heart of our discussion is the ALICE population – Asset Limited, Income Con...
31 Jul 2025
More Than Murals: Creating Connection Through Public Art with Nick Hottmann
Nick Hottmann, self-described "professional colorer" and accomplished artist, has transformed Pocatello through dozens of vibrant murals while running a successful graphic design business and art curating firm. His distinctive bold, bright style can be seen throughout the city—from the "Let's Play Pocatello" mural at Lookout Point Park to restored neon signs like the Cowboy Oil sign on Fifth Street. • Born and raised near Detroit before moving to Pocatello seven years ago • Creates murals, c...
24 Jul 2025
Believe in Yourself and Your Community: How Positive Mindset Transforms Pocatello
Matt Hanson shares his journey from construction worker to successful real estate entrepreneur and reveals why he believes Pocatello is on the cusp of reaching its full potential. Through conversation filled with local insights and practical wisdom, we explore how mindset, community investment, and appreciation for local character are transforming this Idaho town. • Born and raised in the area, started in construction pushing a broom before working up to managing large-scale industrial proje...
21 Jul 2025
Community Service, Southern Roots
A Southern accent stands out in Pocatello, but Brooks Hale's servant heart fits right in. As president of Bannock Civitans, this North Carolina transplant has discovered what makes a community truly special—the willingness of people to show up and serve. Brooks shares his journey from occasional visitor to permanent resident, drawn by both Pocatello's outdoor accessibility and its tight-knit community feeling. "You can go five minutes in any direction here and be on a trail," he explains, hi...
2 Jul 2025
A Base Hit for Humanity: How Baseball and Service Shape Pocatello
Terry Fredrickson discusses how a personal tragedy led him to dedicate his life to addiction counseling and community service in Pocatello, aiming to prevent others from experiencing similar loss.
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Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
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