Shows
Built for DurangoEpisode 11 - Invitation, Not Imposition: Living the Story of ActsIn this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and DJ unpack one of the central tensions in following Jesus: is faith something we impose — or something we invite people into?Building off DJ’s recent sermon in Acts, the conversation centers on Peter’s message after the healing of the beggar and what it reveals about God’s heart. Bob frames the sermon as both a challenge to the church and an open invitation to the community, while DJ digs deeper into the theological meaning — highlighting that the kingdom of God is not about control, performance, or religious...
2026-03-2819 minBuilt for DurangoMarch 25, 2026 Sermon — Restoring All ThingsIn this sermon from Acts 3, Pastor DJ follows the healing at the Beautiful Gate into the public response that came next. A miracle had just taken place: a man crippled from birth was healed in the name of Jesus, and the crowd came running. What Peter does with that attention is the heart of this message. He refuses to make the moment about personal power, spiritual status, or religious formula, and instead points straight to Jesus and the bigger story of what God is doing in the world.DJ shows that this second sermon in Acts is...
2026-03-2641 minBuilt for DurangoEpisode 10 — Small Acts, Real Faith: Living the Way of JesusIn this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and Pastor Brian bring the story of Acts 3 — the healing of the beggar at the temple gate — down to street level.They begin with a relatable, human moment — parenting through a sick child — before stepping into one of the most powerful scenes in the early church. Peter and John don’t just perform a miracle; they stop, they see, and they respond. That moment becomes the framework for a bigger question: what does it actually look like to live like that today?This conversation doesn’t stay theoretical...
2026-03-2026 minBuilt for DurangoMarch 18, 2026 Sermon — Follow JesusIn this sermon from Acts 3, Pastor Brian Firle follows the story of Peter and John meeting a man who had been crippled from birth and laid daily at the temple gate called Beautiful. What unfolds is more than a miracle story. It is a picture of how the risen Jesus continues His work through ordinary people filled with the Holy Spirit.Brian connects this moment to Pentecost and the larger movement in Acts: God’s presence is no longer distant or confined to a temple. By the Spirit, God now dwells in His people, and He chooses to...
2026-03-1941 minBuilt for DurangoEpisode 9 - From Cynicism to CommunityIn this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and Pastor DJ reflect on Acts, the heart of the early church, and what it means for Durango Vineyard as the congregation prepares to hold its first services in the new building on Easter Sunday.The conversation starts with a hard truth: for a lot of people, “church” has become a loaded word—tied to disappointment, narrowness, or cynicism. Bob speaks candidly about his own journey through that disillusionment and why what he found in Durango felt different. Acts paints a picture of a church centered on life on mis...
2026-03-1218 minBuilt for DurangoMarch 11, 2026 Sermon — Life TogetherIn this sermon from Acts 2, Pastor DJ paints a vivid picture of what the early church actually felt like when the Spirit of God broke in—not just as a theological idea, but as a living culture. This is not a checklist message. It is a vision of the kingdom of God: heaven’s culture arriving on earth through ordinary people whose lives were changed by Jesus and knit together by the Holy Spirit.DJ frames the heart of the church with three simple but demanding realities: life on mission, life change, and...
2026-03-1244 minBuilt for DurangoEpisode 8 — Free Your Hands: God’s Will and Learning to TrustIn Episode 8 of Built for Durango, Bob Bonnar is joined by Pastor Brian Firle to keep unpacking Acts 2—moving from the spectacle of Pentecost to the deeper framework underneath it: who Jesus is, what the Holy Spirit does, and how God’s “deliberate plan” intersects with real human choice.Building off Brian’s sermon, the conversation digs into one of the hardest tensions in Christian theology: predestination and free will. Bob admits what most people feel — there’s a strong urge to pick one side and dismiss the other. Brian argues Acts 2 refuses that shortcut. Peter preaches...
2026-03-0518 minBuilt for DurangoMarch 4, 2026 Sermon - Whose Story Am I LivingIn this message from Pastor Brian Firle, we stay in Acts 2—but instead of focusing on the fireworks of Pentecost, Brian zeroes in on what happens next: Peter’s Spirit-empowered sermon, and the moment thousands of people are “cut to the heart.”Brian explains Acts as the story of what God is doing through ordinary people once the Holy Spirit is poured out. He walks through Peter’s argument step-by-step: Jesus’ life and miracles, the cross, the resurrection, and the stunning claim that what looks like chaos is actually God’s long-range plan unfolding in real time....
2026-03-0538 minBuilt for DurangoEpisode 7 - Pentecost Today: Getting Close to the Holy Spirit’s PowerIn Episode 7 of Built for Durango, Bob and Pastor DJ stay in Acts 2 and dig into the Pentecost moment—the rushing wind, tongues of fire, and the public confusion so intense that some onlookers assumed the disciples were drunk at 9 a.m.But this episode isn’t a history lesson. It’s a challenge: if Acts is really “Acts of the Spirit,” what does a Spirit-empowered life look like in Durango right now?Bob admits the Holy Spirit has often been a blind spot—he tends to pray to Jesus and the Father, but struggle...
2026-02-2717 minBuilt for DurangoFebruary 25, 2026 SermonIn this message from Acts 2, Pastor DJ goes back to the foundation of what the Church is actually meant to be—especially as Durango Vineyard hits the 12-year mark and asks the honest question: What are we supposed to be anyway?DJ argues that the foundation of the Church isn’t just a list of beliefs—it’s a kingdom culture: a people who live, act, and love with “the life of heaven” showing up on earth. Using a simple but sharp framework, he lays out the three essentials Acts 2 reveals: Holy Spirit-empowered mission, gospel trans...
2026-02-2633 min
Top of Main PodcastEpisode 53 — Big Bucks, No Whammies!If you’re old enough to remember the game show Press Your Luck, you probably remember contestants chanting, “Big bucks… no whammies!” as they tried to land on prize money without getting wiped out by the cartoon villain on the board.That chant feels uncomfortably familiar in Wyoming politics right now.This week, Bob is flying solo to talk about what some have dubbed “Check-Gate” — the controversy sparked when political donor Rebecca Bextel handed campaign contribution checks to House members on the Capitol floor during the 2026 session. It may have been technically legal, but the optics landed...
2026-02-251h 06Built for DurangoEpisode 6: Judas and the Danger of DriftingIn this episode of Built for Durango, Bob and Daniel unpack Daniel’s sermon on one of the most sobering figures in Scripture: Judas Iscariot.Judas didn’t fall in a single moment. His betrayal was the result of small, incremental choices — compromises that slowly pulled him away from Christ. He had proximity to Jesus, witnessed miracles, heard the teaching firsthand. But he carried a competing vision of what the Messiah should be, and when Jesus didn’t fit his expectations, Judas chose his own path.The conversation centers on a hard but necessary distinction: remorse...
2026-02-1919 minBuilt for DurangoFebruary 18, 2026 SermonThe sermon explores the concept of “wasted opportunities” through the story of Judas, who, despite witnessing Jesus’ miracles, betrayed him. The focus is on the importance of belief and transformation, not just witnessing God’s work. The sermon also examines the process of choosing Judas’ replacement, Matthias, highlighting the need for self-reflection and awareness of potential pitfalls in one’s faith journey.The sermon explores Judas’s betrayal of Jesus, highlighting his lack of belief as the root cause. It emphasizes the importance of belief in Jesus as the only way to salvation, challenging listeners to examine their own beli...
2026-02-1936 minBuilt for DurangoEpisode 5: Acts of the Spirit — Why the Holy Spirit Is the Real StoryIn this week’s episode of Built for Durango, Bob is joined by Pastor Brian Firle for his first appearance on the podcast following his second message in our new series on the Book of Acts. But Brian isn’t calling it Acts of the Apostles. He’s calling it Acts of the Spirit—and that shift changes everything.While Acts is often remembered for its miracles, bold preaching, and explosive church growth, Brian challenges listeners to look deeper. The real driver of the early church wasn’t human courage or strategy — it was the Holy Spirit...
2026-02-1221 minBuilt for DurangoEpisode 4 — When the Spirit Leads: Faith Beyond StrategyThis week on Built for Durango, we turn the page to the Book of Acts—what Pastor Brian rightly called the Acts of the Spirit. Before there was strategy, structure, or certainty, the early church was defined by its dependence on the Holy Spirit. They didn’t move by instinct or intellect alone; they moved because the Spirit led, empowered, and transformed them.In this episode, Bob and Daniel reflect on Brian’s teaching and wrestle with a tension many believers feel today: the balance between understanding faith intellectually and actually living it relationally. Bob connects with the an...
2026-02-0520 minBuilt for DurangoEpisode 3: Reconciled — Living as God’s AmbassadorsIn Episode 3 of Built for Durango, DJ and Bob flip the script: DJ takes the interviewer’s seat and asks Bob to tell the story of how reconciliation has reshaped his life. Coming off DJ’s final message in his 2 Corinthians series, the conversation centers on a core gospel reality — God has reconciled us to Himself, and that reconciliation is what makes it possible for us to reconcile with others.DJ frames the episode around Paul’s words: “We are ambassadors for Christ.” Not polished, not perfect—often dysfunctional, like the Corinthians—but still chosen as the way God makes Hi...
2026-01-3021 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 52 — Governor Gordon Meets the PressEpisode 52 is a little different — instead of our usual sit-down conversation, we’re sharing the full audio from Governor Mark Gordon’s annual Meet the Press Luncheon at the Wyoming Press Association’s winter convention.In this recording, the governor opens with a pointed acknowledgment of the value of local journalism and the talent in Wyoming’s press corps, then pivots into the issues that are about to dominate the session: a serious budget fight, deep proposed cuts, and what he says would be “cutting the guts out” of the University of Wyoming if a $40 million reduction moves forward...
2026-01-2951 minBuilt for DurangoEpisode 2: Staying Anchored — Avoiding Mission Drift in Life and FaithIn Episode 2 of Built for Durango, Bob Bonnar and Pastor DJ Jergensen confront a quiet but persistent threat to both faith and leadership: mission drift. Whether in churches, organizations, or personal lives, they explore how it is possible to slowly lose sight of why we exist — often without realizing it.Using a parable about rescue stations that gradually become exclusive clubs, the conversation exposes how comfort, routine, and distraction can replace purpose. Bob and DJ challenge listeners to examine whether their faith remains outward-focused or has become inward and self-protective.The discussion turns to the im...
2026-01-2317 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 51 — Give us Gordo v. GrayThis week on the podcast, Bob and Alexis dig into one of the most serious accountability stories to come out of Weston County in years — Governor Mark Gordon’s decision to formally ask the Wyoming Attorney General to begin the process of removing Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock from office.Governor Gordon initially declined to pursue Hadlock’s removal following his first investigation in May, but reversed course after receiving a new formal complaint from Weston County voters citing the false audit and her refusal to comply with a legislative subpoena. Secretary of State Chuck Gray also filed...
2026-01-1442 minBuilt for DurangoEpisode 1 — Why Built for Durango - and who it is for.In this opening episode of Built for Durango, DJ Jergensen and Bob Bonnar lay the groundwork for what this podcast is—and what it is not. Rather than chasing trends or polishing religious language, their conversation centers on sincerity as a defining theme. Drawing from the deeply flawed yet transformative story of the Corinthian church, DJ points to a hopeful truth: God works through imperfect people who are willing to be honest and grow. Bob reflects on his own experiences with guiding words and discipleship, underscoring that following Jesus demands more than good intentions—it requires genuine actio...
2026-01-1316 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 50 — Is Weston County Ready for AIThis milestone episode marks a turning point for Top of Main as Bob Bonnar and Alexis Barker reflect on more than two and a half years of conversations, growth, and community engagement—and look ahead to what comes next. The heart of Episode 50 focuses on a topic that will shape rural America for decades to come: artificial intelligence. Drawing on Bob’s recent experience at the Four Corners AI Conference, the discussion explores how AI can be a practical tool for rural communities, small businesses, and local journalism—not a threat to them. Alexis addresses the tension between innovation and pu...
2025-12-221h 01Top of Main PodcastEpisode 49 — Home for the HolidayBob and Alexis share stories from their holiday in Newcastle and discuss the value of staying connected to the community as remote workers and how important it is to stay engaged with hometown projects while living elsewhere. They also dive into the nuts and bolts of local journalism and governance and how conversations with readers shape reporting priorities, including a new emphasis on covering crime and the challenges of doing so in a small town.They also confront the realities of modern media: fragmented audiences, low engagement, and the need to meet people where they already are...
2025-12-1249 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 48 — Reviving Newcastle: Challenges and ChancesIn this episode, we take a candid look at the economic and civic headwinds facing Newcastle, Wyoming, as Bob and Alexis go off the page with former Chamber of Commerce director Susan Love to evaluate the local business climate heading into the holiday shopping season and to confront the broader forces shaping the town’s future.The discussion cuts straight to the core issues: declining civic participation, shrinking population, gaps in civics education, and a Main Street struggling to keep pace with changing expectations. We examine how social apprehension, limited housing, and a weakened retail sector create a...
2025-11-2459 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 47 — Wyoming's Weird and Wicked — Weston County StyleIn honor of Halloween, we go way off the page this week to delve into some of the supernatural legends of Weston County. We welcome guest host Kazen Barker to the program to bring a kid's perspective to the holiday, and visit with horror author and News Letter Journal contributor Michael Alexander. We're also joined by Dean Petersen, host of the "That Doesn't Happen Everyday" Podcast, which features odd and macabre stories from across the Cowboy State. From haunted hotels, restaurants and cemeteries, to Sasquatch, Ouija boards and cattle mutilations, this episode is bound to have something to give...
2025-10-2758 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 46 — Convention of StatesWe’re going off the page with a timely conversation about one of the most talked-about constitutional issues in the country. In the wake of President Donald Trump publicly throwing his support behind a potential Article V Convention of States, we sit down with Julie Baker, a volunteer for the Convention of States movement here in Wyoming.Baker’s group will be hosting a Town Hall in Sheridan on October 22, and she walks us through the nuts and bolts of what an Article V convention is, why it matters, and what it will take for Wyoming to beco...
2025-10-051h 13Top of Main PodcastEpisode 45 — Christ, Charlie and God's PlanBob and Alexis go off the page of the Good Book this week to visit with News Letter Journal contributor Dean Butler about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, his position as a martyr for Christ, and what it all means for us. Learn about the call to Christ from the author of Dean's Bible Blog (newslj.com) and Dean's Bible Bits (NLJ), and find out why you don't have to be religious to be a believer in the Lord and Savior. Join us as we find out why there is cause for hope in the wake of the horrific...
2025-09-241h 10Top of Main PodcastEpisode 44 — Is Newcastle a Dying Community?Bob and Alexis go off the page this week to tackle the toughest question of all — Is Newcastle a Dying Community? According to our weekly News Letter Journal poll, the overwhelming majority of our readers think so, and we discuss what local leaders should be doing about it — if anything. We also talk about the role citizens should play in determining the region's future, and it begins by becoming more informed and getting more engaged in helping to make the choices that will determine the fate of Newcastle and Weston County — and whether or not they and their families can co...
2025-09-011h 10Top of Main PodcastEpisode 43 — How We're Saving the NLJBob and Alexis go off the page in the wake of the unexpected closure of 8 Wyoming newspapers to explain the state of the newspaper industry, and outline for NLJ readers what efforts are being made to preserve local independent journalism in Weston County, Wyoming. We discuss the pressures on small-town businesses, and the difficulty associated with maintaining product quality in an industry where operating budgets are drastically reduced from a decade ago — and share the monumental efforts being made by the Wyoming Press Association and its leading members to preserve the free press in our state. We also take a...
2025-08-131h 30Top of Main PodcastEpisode 42 — Schools and Pools with Tom WrightGo off the page with Bob and Alexis to take a deep dive into the past, present, and future of education in Newcastle and Weston County with our guest, Tom Wright. Tom was educated in Newcastle in the 1950's and 60's and served more than 40 years on the school board, and he and his wife Kay were selected as the grand marshals of the 2025 All-School Reunion Parade on July 5. We reflect on the remarkable changes that have shaped local schools — from a sharp decline in student enrollment since Tom graduated in 1964 to the challenges posed by recent legislative cuts th...
2025-07-031h 34Top of Main PodcastEpisode 41 — Wild, Wild WestonBob and Alexis are joined by local historian Lucas Keeler, who takes us off the page to explore some of the more exciting moments in the early history of Weston County. From gunfights and hangings to bear attacks and Indian battles, the published author tells us why Newcastle was one of the wildest of wild west towns. Go back in time to the Custer Expedition, the birthplace of the community, the role of Weston County in the famed Johnson County War, and the heady heydays of 1903 when the last long shadows were cast as the sun set on the...
2025-06-271h 20Top of Main PodcastEpisode 40 — Not So FastGovernor Mark Gordon's decision to deny an appeal from Weston County residents that would have allowed citizens to examine Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock's mishandling of the 2024 election and take action to remove her from office does not put the matter completely to bed. Just prior to Gordon's announcement, a Wyoming legislative committee discussed the "Weston County Experience" with Secretary of State Chuck Gray and took a deep dive into the way elections are conducted in the state. That wasn't the only area where Weston County drew the committee's focus, as they also examined the state associations who provide...
2025-06-171h 53Top of Main PodcastEpisode 39 — Governor Gaslight Floods the ZoneWe take you off the page to discuss Governor Mark Gordon's motives in cutting Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock loose without any consequences for mishandling the 2024 general election. We walk you through the arguments presented in the findings of Wyoming's chief executive, and expose the level of media manipulation utilized in the release of the long-awaited decision on a holiday weekend. Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming!
2025-05-291h 13Top of Main PodcastEpisode 38 — From Courts to Counts with Tracy HuntWe go off the page with a seasoned veteran of Wyoming politics and government to discuss the new political climate that exists in the nation and the world, and how that is being reflected in Weston County and Newcastle. Tracy Hunt served as Weston County Attorney, Weston County Coroner and Weston County Commissioner on the local level, and also had experience in state government as a Game and Fish Commissioner appointed by the governor. We seek his advice on our coverage of crime and courts, discuss the NLJ's efforts to determine if there is election integrity in Weston County...
2025-05-031h 35Top of Main PodcastEpisode 37 — Weather PermittingNLJ Sports Editor Sonja Karp takes us off the page this week to bring us up to speed on the spring sports season in northeast Wyoming — where the weather always seems to be a factor in how and when Dogie student-athletes can perform. We get a glimpse into the work being done behind the scenes by coaches and players to prepare for the season, and discuss which programs are most likely to make a little noise once warm weather arrives for good. Find out which Dogies are already in mid-season form, who is battling back from injury, and what ot...
2025-04-1832 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 36 — A Store No MoreWe go off the page this week to take a look at the rural business climate, and explain why we are closing our own retail office supply store and fully committing our resources to our media and marketing business to better serve the businesses, organizations and individuals in our community and region. We also update you on a shift towards transparency by local governments, and explain the role we've played in fostering — or forcing — greater openness by public officials. Finally, we look at the impact transparency has had locally on public involvement and public discourse — for better or worse — and tell...
2025-04-061h 14Top of Main PodcastEpisode 35 — The Fight for Informed ConsentContent Warning: This episode discusses suicide and other violent acts.We go off the page this week with Sheila Matthews of ablechild.org to discuss her organization's quest to solidify the right of informed consent for parents who are being encouraged — and even coerced — into placing their children on psychiatric drugs. She wants to educate people to the potential dangers of these drugs, which may include suicide and other acts of violence. She recently appeared before a Wyoming Legislative committee to argue for greater transparency and accountability in the mental health and pharmaceutical industries in response to a tr...
2025-03-211h 29Top of Main PodcastEpisode 34 — Uncivil ServantsWe go off the page this week to take a deeper look at the legislative session that just concluded, and talk about how the media picked sides and exaggerated the impacts of legislative action and fed the fear of the public — instead of doing the hard work of informing them of the potential for positive outcomes from some of the measures. We also invite you to learn more about the News Letter Journal's public records request to the Weston County Clerk, and how some commissioners supported her efforts to evade it.State Public Records Contacts Website...
2025-03-101h 12
WineskinsWineskins March 2, 2025Wineskins March 2, 2025
Current Issue: Father Jim Korda talks with Cristina Hernandez about Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Youngstown.
Saint: Br. Dominic Calabro, SSP will tell us about St. Katharine Drexel.
Interview: Father Jim Korda will interview Bishop David Bonnar on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Music: From the CD “What Wondrous Love ” by Stacie Bert and Father Bob Lengerich.
Scripture: Father William Wainio gives us a reflection for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
2025-02-2828 minWineskinsWineskins March 2, 2025Wineskins March 2, 2025
Current Issue: Father Jim Korda talks with Cristina Hernandez about Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Youngstown.
Saint: Br. Dominic Calabro, SSP will tell us about St. Katharine Drexel.
Interview: Father Jim Korda will interview Bishop David Bonnar on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Music: From the CD “What Wondrous Love ” by Stacie Bert and Father Bob Lengerich.
Scripture: Father William Wainio gives us a reflection for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
2025-02-2828 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 33 — On Point with Cowboy Guard Obi AgbimWe go off the page this week to introduce you to University of Wyoming Cowboy point guard Obi Agbim, one of the country's top 3-point shooters and one of the Mountain West Conference's leading scorers. NLJ Publisher Bob Bonnar is reunited with the former Fort Lewis College star that he covered in Durango, Colorado, and the pair talks about their days as Skyhawks, the transfer portal, the impact of Covid on the high school and college games, and the difference between life in Division 1 and Division 2 NCAA hoops. Obi also tells us why he thinks the Cowboys still have...
2025-02-1928 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 32 — In eX-SessThis week we take you off the page to reveal the amount of time local governments are spending behind closed doors, and who is advising them to do so. We also share our perspective on a wild couple of weeks in the legislature, and the effect the Freedom Caucus' shock and awe campaign has had on some of those local governments. And we talk about a county commission meeting that wasn't, and why the county clerk should be held responsible for this latest failure of a branch of local government that is already reeling from an election embarrassment.
2025-02-011h 08Top of Main PodcastEpisode 31 — Winter is ComingWe go off the sports pages this week with Karpe Dogie herself, NLJ Sports Editor Sonja Karp, to get you primed and ready for a winter sports season that is set to really take off in 2025. Get a feel for the prospects of the Dogies' winter sports teams from the person who knows them best, and then join us as we take a deeper look at high school sports in general. We talk about the rise of new sports — like women's wrestling — as participation in traditional programs declines, and what that means for the future of high school spor...
2025-01-041h 04Top of Main PodcastEpisode 30 — The Politics of Finger PointingThis week we take you off the page to tell you the stories behind the story on the city's utility rate hike, and give you the information you need to decide who should — and shouldn't — get a bad rap for the size of the lump of coal in your Christmas stockings this year. We also take a look at what Chip Neiman's ascension to House Speaker means for the Wyoming State Legislature's upcoming session — and we respond to a homegrown media critic's campaign to defend incompetence in local government by blaming the press every time a public official gets caught...
2024-12-101h 07Top of Main PodcastEpisode 29 — Becky's ReckoningThe newspaper made the news again this week - and for all of the right reasons from our perspective. Find out the story behind the story on the thousand votes that were unaccounted for on election night in Weston County — and learn what lengths the News Letter Journal, the Secretary of the State and the Weston County Republican Party Chair had to go to in order to ensure that everybody's vote was counted in a state legislative race. County Clerk Becky Hadlock thinks the error is no big deal, and even submitted a clean post-election audit for herself that se...
2024-11-191h 03Top of Main PodcastEpisode 28 — One Man, One Vote, One Middle Finger to...Alexis returns to the show to help Bob take you off the page and into a really deep dive into the controversy surrounding the legislative vacancies that were declared — and then filled — in a bold move by a group of concerned citizens and a trio of Weston County Commissioners. We take you back to the origins of the decades-long redistricting debate, and explain how Weston County lost its representation in the Wyoming State Legislature in the first place. We recall which communities — and individuals — gained representation and power as a result, and fire back at government officials and members of the m...
2024-11-0839 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 27 — Licking Our WoundsYou win some and you lose some, and in the aftermath of most elections voters are generally forced to accept that reality — and so are newspapers. But that doesn't necessarily mean it is a grim reality, and there may be reason to accept the reality of this election with guarded optimism. Bob is joined this week by NLJ Managing Editor Kim Dean and back-to-back-to-back Wyoming Photojournalist of the Year Walter Sprague to reflect on the results of the primary election in Weston County and look ahead to the general election in November.Check us out at newslj.co...
2024-10-0840 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 26 — Boys (and Girls!) of FallNLJ Publisher Bob Bonnar welcomes guest host Sonja Karp to the podcast, and the longtime Dogie coaches and announcers take a deep dive into the state of Dogie athletics and the prospects for the fall sports programs in 2024. They took a look at all aspects of Newcastle High School athletics - from new programs and facilities to coaches and athletes, and get you ready to paint your face orange and black for the coming campaign!Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the...
2024-09-0936 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 25 — Lie Until it is LegalFormer Weston County Commissioner Marty Ertman and current commissioner Ed Wagoner both continue to deny that the secret ballot the commissioners used to select a Wyoming House District 2 Representative for the people of Weston County was illegal - even after agreeing to a stipulated court order that it was a violation of Wyoming State Statute. As both run for new terms on the commission, Ertman said she wants to take the issue all the way to the Supreme Court and Wagoner claims there was no secret ballot and that he and his fellow commissioners were targeted in some kind...
2024-08-171h 10Top of Main PodcastEpisode 24 — (Uni)Party AnimalsBob and Alexis take you off the page to describe life as Weston County's non-Mainstream Media and tell you how government bureaucrats and some elected officials circle the wagons to protect and serve the government they work for instead of the people they are supposed to be serving. Uniparty animals are desperate to preserve their government strongholds and oftentimes the media is more than happy to help them do it — especially when there is a payday on the line — and they are dancing to the same tune in Weston County and Wyoming as the one they listen to in Wash...
2024-07-2936 min
Music History Today NetworkCalypso Artist Arthur Edlin Frederick Dies in London Bombings: Music History Today Podcast July 7On the July 7 edition of Music History Today, Live Earth happens, the King of Pop gets a public goodbye, and terror takes away a calypso artist. Also, lots of big birthdays today including Ringo Starr and Gustav Mahler.
For more music history, subscribe to my Spotify Channel or subscribe to the audio version of my music history podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts from
ALL MUSIC HISTORY TODAY PODCAST NETWORK LINKS - https://allmylinks.com/musichistorytoday
On this date:
In 1943, Broadway singer Hannah Williams divorced boxer Jack Dempsey.
In 1950...
2024-07-0713 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 23 — Nothing PersonalBob and Alexis take you off the page this week to talk about personnel — and how local officials could talk a lot more about it in open meetings if they can be professional and avoid being personal. They focus in on the ongoing transition at the hospital in the wake of the CEO's departure, and they answer your questions about the potential future role of the controversial consultants he hired. They take a little extra time and have a little fun talking about some of the newspapers' photo follies — and how you might be able to help — in an extend...
2024-07-021h 02Top of Main PodcastEpisode 22 — It Didn't Have to Happen This WayBob and Alexis go off the page to autopsy the community's showdown with hospital leadership and the role the newspaper played in the events that unfolded. Find out why the News Letter Journal took up the fight, and why the newspaper's publisher, Bob, made a personal appearance in the fray. We take a look at the aftermath of the showdown — including the departure of several board members, the CEO and the consultants who were at the center of the controversy. We conclude by challenging other government entities to raise their own transparency game in the wake of the hospital's co...
2024-06-0437 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 21 — Highway to Hospital HellIn the wake of a series of high profile staffing changes, Bob and Alexis lay out the bloody trail the Weston County Health Services board has taken over the course of the past year — and how that trail has created a culture of fear at the local hospital. We share our own history of conflict with the current board's leadership, and give you a look at the antics of a CEO who has been aggressively eliminating rivals and anybody who has spoken up or questioned his actions and motives. Health care is under attack from within in Weston County, Wy...
2024-05-0139 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 20 — Weston County to Washington D.C.The Weston County Commissioners fired the opening shot in a battle that has been brewing for over ten years, and Bob and Alexis go off the page to discuss the possible reactions from Cheyenne — and the potential (and potentially unlikely) ramifications on this year's election. We also review the legislature's tumultuous budget session, the governor's use of his veto power and the lawmakers' inability to rally and do anything about it. We wrap it up with a look at the national political scene, including the rising fame of a lady who bought a horse in Weston County once......
2024-04-1339 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 19 — Sunshine Week AnniversaryThe News Letter Journal makes the news again when a fresh round of "newspaper wars" get sparked over an advertising campaign for problem gambling awareness that is awarded to the NLJ - to the chagrin of our competitor. We celebrate Sunshine Week by demanding more sunshine from hospital leadership...and it doesn't sound like they appreciated it. Bob and Alexis wrap up their little government transparency party by celebrating a couple of Supreme Court actions that should clean up - or at least clear up - the actions of government officials on social media.Check us out...
2024-03-2259 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 18 — Legislative Looky LoosThe biennial rapid fire budget session of the Wyoming State Legislature is in full swing — and will be over before you know it! So Bob and Alexis devote the entire episode to sharing their perspective on a fiery first week in Cheyenne, and take you off the page to help you understand what it might all mean for you. From removal repeals and denier debates to our pipe dream for a Freedom Caucus - Free Press alliance, find out what roles our local legislators are playing in the Capitol, and hear what we thought about the action.Ch...
2024-02-2340 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 17 — Aaannnndddd They're Off!It has been a wild start to 2024 for some local boards, and Bob and Alexis go Off the Page to take you deeper into the changes at the Weston County Commission, a strange and confusing beginning for the hospital's new CEO, a new guard taking charge of the Newcastle School Board, and a city police department that has made the newspaper for all of the RIGHT reasons the past couple of months. If you're reading the News Letter Journal, there's no way that you're bored with 2024 — and we'll give you some of the stories behind the stories in this we...
2024-02-0346 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 16 — The Name GameLocal officials like to make a big deal about protecting the confidentiality of citizens of our community, especially juveniles, and they use it as an excuse to withhold a whole lot of information from the newspaper — and from you! This week, Bob and Alexis go off the page to explain the News Letter Journal's policies and processes for covering court cases and other stories where accusations are made against individuals in our community. We also talk about our own position on publishing names of minors and other people who find themselves on the wrong side of the rules, and de...
2024-01-1537 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 15 — Digging Into the Dogies with Sonja KarpBob and Alexis welcome News Letter Journal Sports Editor Sonja Karp back to the podcast to catch up on the fall sports season and take a first look at the upcoming winter season. Find out how some of the Dogie programs progressed through a rebuilding year, and get an early line on some teams that are poised to take the next step. The temperatures are dropping quickly as 2023 draws to a close, but some Newcastle athletes are ready to heat things up in the Dogie Dome and Kozicek Aquatic Center - and beyond - in 2024! This is a Don't...
2023-12-0238 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 14 — Choosing the News with Walter SpragueBob and Alexis welcome NLJ videographer — and two-time Wyoming Press Association Photojournalist of the Year — Walter Sprague back to the show to talk about the news we choose...and the news that chooses us. Go off the page to hear how community journalists approach the good, bad and ugly aspects of the stories we have to tell in small towns like Newcastle and Upton - and why we feel like we have to tell those stories at all. Get a truly deeper look at what drives our coverage, from tough stories on crimes, accidents and tragic deaths that Alexis has...
2023-11-1243 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 13 — The "This is Why We Have a Podcast" PodcastBob and Alexis roll without a guest in this episode so they can venture Off the Page on a series of issues being confronted by various local governments in Weston County. The News Letter Journal invites you to take a deeper look at everything from the city council's ongoing debates over the city's police force to the school board's desire to implement a "parent policy" after the loss of a popular teacher. They also discuss the hospital board's return to the hunt for a new CEO, the fair board's hunt for a...well, fair board — and they stir the po...
2023-10-1650 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 12 — For the People with Don TaylorBob and Alexis welcome Weston County Commissioner Don Taylor to the program to discuss the often daunting challenges they've faced in bringing transparency and accountability to the county commission, and acknowledge that there are still plenty of battles to be fought in the quest to make local government more responsive to its citizens. No punches are pulled in this episode, and the case is made for more progress in tackling problems that have plagued Weston County and Newcastle for decades. Is the key to successful local government taking on issues publicly and working to find solutions through compromise?
2023-09-251h 00Top of Main PodcastEpisode 11 — Sticker Shock Showdown with Walter SpragueNews Letter Journal Photographer/Videographer Walter Sprague returns as our first two-time guest to discuss this month's marathon city council meeting and what it may mean for the relationship between residents and the council moving forward. Bob and Alexis weigh in on the newspapers role in getting information out to the public, and the NLJ trio explains why they believe citizens in a democracy have a responsibility to be informed about their local governments.Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the Black...
2023-09-1443 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 10 — Newspapers and You with Darcie HofflandBob and Alexis welcome Wyoming Press Association Executive Director Darcie Hoffland for a special one-hour long discussion about Wyoming newspapers and the important role they play in the battle for government transparency.We invite you to go off the page for this in-depth bonus length episode where we discuss the First Amendment of the US Constitution and what it means to newspapers from Newcastle, Wyoming to Marion, Kansas. Our special 10th Episode Celebration gives you a behind the scenes look at the state of community newspapers in Wyoming and across the country as they confront a changing financial...
2023-08-201h 09Top of Main PodcastEpisode 9 — Off the Page with Kim DeanManaging Editor Kim Dean joins Bob and Alexis and three of Wyoming’s longest serving journalists take you WAY off the page to talk about the changes they’ve seen in their industry and in their small community over the course of their careers at one of the nation's top newspapers. They touch on how busy life has become in the little towns in rural America - and how it is impacting our schools and children. They take a deeper look into a strong turnout for the Weston County Fair and a big presence from the Sturgis Rally in down...
2023-08-1337 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 8 — Seize the Dogie with Sonja KarpNewcastle's veteran sports reporter Sonja Karp (we call her the "Ruler of the Sports Galaxy") goes off the page with Bob and Alexis to bring Dogie nation up to speed on the state of Newcastle High School athletics. The award-winning Karpe Dogie columnist talks about the year that was and the year to come at NHS, including some memorable campaigns for some Lady Dogie athletes last year and the high hopes parents, fans and coaches have for the incoming group of athletes. While we were at it, we talked about how hard it is for Middle School success to...
2023-07-0753 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 7 — Keeping Your Eye on the News with Walter SpragueBob and Alexis go off the page - er, the camera - with News Letter Journal photographer/videographer Walter Sprague. The NLJ News Team takes you behind the scenes of Weston County's newest news scene - our rapidly expanding YouTube Channel. Walter and Alexis talk about the personalities behind the local news, and the way they've reacted to having themselves on camera every month.Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming!
2023-06-2634 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 6 — Weston County Republican Party Chair Kari DrostBob and Alexis go off the page with Weston County Republican Party Chair Kari Drost, who is also an elected official (hospital board) and was one of three citizens who joined the News Letter Journal as co-Plaintiffs in the successful lawsuit against the Weston County Commissioners over the use of an illegal secret ballot to fill a vacant seat in the Wyoming House of Representatives. Drost talks about her role as county party chairman what is arguably the most Republican county in the most Republican state in the United States, and takes a stand for the rights of "the...
2023-06-1451 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 5 — Talking Trails with Caleb CarterCaleb Carter of the Weston County Natural Resource District joins Bob and Alexis to promote the Cave Man Fun Run and Flying V Trails Day on May 20, 2023 a few miles north of Newcastle. Caleb talks about the growing popularity of hiking and biking, and about the wealth of trails and outdoor recreation opportunities available to locals and visitors alike in Weston County. Caleb also helps Bob and Alexis dissect the motor boat ban at the LAK Reservoir and the zebra mussel invasion in general. The hosts also discuss the financial and staffing difficulties faced by the board at the...
2023-05-1329 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 4 — Learnin' Bout Learning with NMS Principal Tyler BartlettIt's been a wild school year, but Newcastle Middle School Principal Tyler Bartlett said his staff and students are sprinting to a strong finish, and hoping for a peak performance on the annual WyTOPP State Assessment. As a single mom, Alexis is ready for the school year to end too, but said it has been a surprisingly productive and satisfying year for her little family despite some of the challenges the district has faced this year.Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and...
2023-04-2930 minTop of Main PodcastEpisode 3 - A Moment With the MayorMayor Pam Gualtieri becomes our first-ever guest on the Top of Main Podcast, and discusses the recent lockdowns at local schools and the impact those incidents (and the response of officials from different agencies) may have on the dispatch control issues that have plagued Newcastle and Weston County for decades. The mayor also gets to Grill the NLJ (don't worry, she goes pretty easy on us), and find out why Bob is looking for a new Bud in our Over It segment.Check us out at newslj.com to...
2023-04-0831 minTop of Main PodcastA Gun at Newcastle High SchoolAlexis talks about what it was like to be a mom with a kid in a locked down school, while also being the reporter relaying important information to the community as it was being released by the school district. We also talk again about the ongoing battle to educate the community about Wyoming's open meetings and public records laws, and about the rise of grassroots politics in Weston County...Believe it or not, the two are related. We even take advantage of winter's refusal to let the spring sports season begin by teasing a different kind of sports story t...
2023-03-2031 minTop of Main PodcastSunshine WeekBob and Alexis discuss some challenges local boards have recently faced when it comes to adherence with the open meetings and public records laws in Wyoming, but we express optimism in the direction most local officials are taking when it comes to transparency.We also take a little time to celebrate the achievements of some of the community's young women (wasn't it just International Women's Day?) after the Lady Dogie hoops team took third at state and the Newcastle/Upton wrestling squad secured one of the state's first-ever women's wrestling championships.We wrap it up...
2023-03-1329 min
MMA History PodcastBRIAN EBERSOLE Career DEEPDIVE / Fifty Fight ClubSend a textBrian Ebersole Career DEEPDIVE - Episode 10 / #ufc Veteran MMA slugger Brian Ebersole sports a record of 51-18-1-1 on the Sherdog database, and he has more fights than that. Brian Ebersole has lived in Australia where he is part of a vibrant MMA scene "down under" for more than a decade, so you can say he has seen it all on to two continents.Chris Lytle and his team bring you the #LytesOut Podcast where Brian Ebersole is the first interview in our new "50 Fight Club." Look for more i...
2021-06-041h 41
MMA History PodcastBRIAN EBERSOLE Career DEEPDIVE / Fifty Fight ClubSend a textBrian Ebersole Career DEEPDIVE - Episode 10 / #ufc Veteran MMA slugger Brian Ebersole sports a record of 51-18-1-1 on the Sherdog database, and he has more fights than that. Brian Ebersole has lived in Australia where he is part of a vibrant MMA scene "down under" for more than a decade, so you can say he has seen it all on to two continents.Chris Lytle and his team bring you the #LytesOut Podcast where Brian Ebersole is the first interview in our new "50 Fight Club." Look for more i...
2021-06-041h 40
The West Awake *West Tipp Matters*S2 Ep. 9 - Cashel King Cormac's 1991In this Bonus Series in conjunction with Tipperary Midwest Radio Stevie, Francis and friends look back on some success for the clubs of the division. Next up is Cashel King Cormacs GAA Club as they made history in 1991 to become the first and only West Tipperary GAA club to win the Munster Club Senior Hurling Championship title.
We will hear from team selector Brendan Bonnar, John Ryan Bob ( goalkeeper ) Pat O’Donoghue ( full back ) and Ailbe Bonnar ( corner forward )
2021-03-0843 min
The Offcuts Drawer - Successful Writers Share Their Best Worst IdeasNeil Forsyth - TV Writer & AuthorCreator of "Guilt" and "Eric, Ernie & Me" Neil showcases some other shows that didn't quite make it and shares what it's really like writing for American TV.
Clips performed by: Lynsey Murrell, Beth Chalmers, David Monteath, Kate O'Sullivan, Nigel Pilkington and Kenny Blyth.
Warning: This episode contains strong language.
Neil Forsyth is an author and television writer. In television he is a Royal Television Society Award winner, and has been nominated for a BAFTA, a Writer’s Guild Award, and a Broadcast Press Guild Award.
He is the author of seven bo...
2021-02-0847 min