The Coffee Break Podcast

Joe Pags' show airs on more than 100 stations across the country. He took some time out recently to chat with us about things like politics, his start in radio and just how he got started doing those popular parodies. 

406 Recycling owner Matt Elsaesser opens our show, talking about his company's specialized work in data-secure electronics recycling and event recycling services. We close out chatting with Montana VA public affairs officer Patrick Hutchison, who tells us about who and where the Montana VA covers, what the organization is doing to address problems, and how veterans can find out if they are eligible for benefits through the VA. 

St. Peter's Health CEO Wade Johnson stops by to chat achievements of 2018, like the new endoscopy suite and 3-D mammography machine, new accreditation goals, and the addition of numerous doctors.  He also looks forward to 2019 and Medicaid Expansion, OR renovations and the addition of the DaVinci Robot, which will allow for robotic surgery. 

A special presentation this morning of "The Thin Man: The Case of the Goofy Groom." This was performed live on stage in June, but remixed in the Montana Radio Company studios just for you. So today, a little bit or radio theater. 

Wrongly accused, wrongly convicted, Anthony Ray Hinton spent three decades on death row before ultimately being set free by the Supreme Court. His story of faith and his consistently positive attitude can serve as a lesson to every one of us. 

The Deputy Director of Montana Medical Transport, Rick Gulan, stops by to explain to us just what his business does and how they're helping keep medical costs down for those using their service. A trio of Helena High students fill us in on their fundraiser which is turning old cellphones into calling cards for military members serving overseas. And local sports historian Curt Synness finishes out the week chatting about his 2019 Past Sports Greats Calendar. 

 

NOTE: To contact Curt about the calendar, you can call or text 406-594-2878.

Helena Area Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Cathy Burwell and VP Mike Mergenthaler spend time with us chatting about shopping local, some new business news, the upcoming awards luncheon and just what the chamber is focused on in the upcoming 2019 Legislative session. 

Florence Crittenton's Development Director, Carrie Krepps, makes a return trip to Coffee Break to fill us in on some of the changes and additions they've made to their organization's offerings, including preschool and a program targeted at overcoming substance abuse. 

Helena residents and co-authors of The North Pole Ninjas, Tyler Knott Gregson and Sarah Linden, stop by to talk about their book -- which comes complete with 50 missions for kids to complete, like smiling at everyone you meet for a day or bringing a bag of groceries to food share. It's all about sneaky, ninja-style, unrecognized acts of kindness! And Helena Public Schools Superintendent Tyler Ream touches on some great things happening in the district, some tuition news in regards to East Helena, and fills us in on a pilot program that should lead to the district going to a paperless payroll system. (As a bonus, we also initiate the discussion about the potential for a four-day school week!)

Executive Director of the Myrna Loy -- or, as she says she likes to be called, the Executive Diva -- Krys Holmes stops by for a chat. And Ryan Schmaltz finishes up the show, filling us in on some cool opportunities for kids on the Christmas break.