Beyond the Front Door

Lindee Wiltjer and Rhea Parsons
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Welcome to Beyond the Front Door Podcast. A community-driven podcast hosted by Wyoming real estate agents Lindee Wiltjer and Rhea Parsons, this show dives into the stories that make our community what it is- local businesses, big life changes, personal growth, leadership and the bold jumps people take along the way.  We believe everyone has a story, every door opens to something new, and every life change deserves to be celebrated. Whether you're planted in Wyoming, planning a move, or simply love hearing authentic community stories, you'll feel right at home here.  Pull up a chair, open the door, and join the conversation. 

  1. 3 days ago

    Keeping Animals Safe Takes Policy & People | Britney Tennant | Cheyenne Animal Shelter | Episode 197

    A hoarding case can drain hundreds of thousands of dollars from a community while animals sit in kennels as “evidence,” and the public often has no idea why it happens. We sit down with Brittany Tennant of the Cheyenne Animal Shelter to unpack the real mechanics behind animal control, shelter intake, and the policies that decide what’s possible when things go wrong. Along the way, Brittany shares her path from founding Black Dog Animal Rescue to helping lead one of Cheyenne’s most important community institutions. We break down what the Cheyenne Animal Shelter does beyond adoptions: vaccine clinics, public spay and neuter services, foster programs for neonatal kittens, and humane education that builds empathy and reduces dog bites. Brittany also explains why “open admission” matters, why shelters sometimes must make hard decisions, and how prevention is cheaper than crisis response when communities want fewer animals entering the system. Then we go deep on animal welfare advocacy in Wyoming, including why animals being treated as property complicates enforcement, how Title 6 statutes shape cruelty cases, and what listeners can ask elected officials to do. Finally, Brittany lays out a growing national threat to shelters: liability lawsuits and an insurance market that’s shrinking fast, forcing changes to programs people love. If you care about animal welfare, public safety, or smart local policy, you’ll get clarity and practical next steps. Subscribe, share this conversation with a fellow pet lover, and leave a review to help more people find the show.

  2. 3 days ago

    Mosaica Folklorico of Cheyenne | Mexican Dance, Costumes & Community | Episode 189

    The fastest way to understand a community is to watch what it celebrates and today we’re celebrating dance, culture, and the people who keep traditions alive in Cheyenne, Wyoming. We’re joined by Dallas Higginbottom and Alyssa Martinez from Mosaico Folklorico, a nonprofit Mexican folklorico dance group that’s grown quickly by doing something simple and rare: making it welcoming for true beginners while still honoring authentic regional traditions. We talk about how both Dallas and Alyssa found their way back to dance after the real-life “choose one” moments so many of us hit in school. They break down how their folklorico dance classes work, why the group performs at community events, and how costumes can flip a switch from nervous to ready. You’ll also hear what Mexican folklorico really is: a traditional, story-driven style that changes region by region, with percussive footwork (yes, nailed shoes) that people often compare to tap, clogging, and other rhythm-forward dances. Because Mosaico Folklorico is a nonprofit, we also get honest about the biggest challenge: funding handmade performance attire so families aren’t priced out. Sponsorships, fundraising, and community partners make a real difference, and we share how local businesses can help. We close with the leadership traits they live by in rehearsals and on parade routes, plus a thoughtful conversation about home, family, and belonging. If you enjoy local stories, cultural arts, and practical community leadership, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

  3. 3 Sept

    Inside A Cheyenne Birth Center With A Midwife-Led Team | Earthside Birth and Wellness Center | Episode 196

    If you’ve ever wondered why birth can feel so intimidating in a hospital, or what a birth center actually does when things get complicated, this conversation will give you real answers. We’re joined by Sarah Morey from Earthside Birth and Wellness in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and she walks us through the choices families have when they want skilled care without turning pregnancy into a problem to be managed. We talk through the difference between a doula and a midwife, what the midwifery model of care looks like, and why relationship-based prenatal care can change everything for parents. Sarah explains how they screen for low-risk pregnancies, still handle the same essentials like labs and the 20-week anatomy scan, and spend more time teaching families what labor is actually like. We also get a vivid picture of a freestanding birth center room, including water labor and water birth, upright positions, and why comfort, privacy, and the ability to move can support physiologic birth. Safety is not glossed over. Sarah breaks down what happens when a labor stalls, when vitals change, or when baby shows signs of distress, including how transfers to the hospital work and why collaboration matters. We also go behind the scenes on the business side: national accreditation, state licensing and building code hurdles, insurance contracting, and the hard-won progress of Medicaid coverage that helps more families access midwife-led maternity care. Sarah shares how Earthside supports the broader community too, through childbirth classes, breastfeeding support, and free consults for anyone exploring options. If you care about informed consent, birth options in Wyoming, and building healthcare that respects families, you’ll want to hear this one. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s pregnant or planning, and leave a review with the biggest question you still have about birth.

  4. 27 Aug

    Local Mortgage Help That Actually Fits | Legacy Lending | Chris Edwards | Episode 195

    Mortgage rates, home prices, and online lenders can make buying a house in Cheyenne feel like you’re trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. We sit down with Chris Edwards from Legacy Lending Group to slow it all down and talk through what matters most right now: realistic budgets, strong preapproval, and choosing a loan that actually fits your life. We start with Chris’s Wyoming story and how he moved from the electrical trade and construction project management into the mortgage industry, trading 60 hour weeks for a career built around flexibility and serving families. From there, we dig into what buyers are experiencing across Laramie County, including the sticker shock of “starter home” prices and the frustration of watching wages lag behind the cost of everything else. We also address the rate conversation head on: why the 2% era was unusual, what the long term average looks like, and why the smarter play can be buying when the payment works and refinancing later if the opportunity shows up. We get practical about loan options and decision making, including how WCDA loans work, why rate shopping is impossible without the full picture, and what a mortgage broker can do differently than a bank lender. You’ll also hear our real world take on why going local can save time and stress: fewer misunderstandings about Wyoming contracts, better coordination with local pros, and a relationship you can rely on when questions come up. We even touch the modern trust problem of “how do I know you’re real,” plus simple habits to reduce wire fraud risk. If you’re planning to buy, sell, or refinance in Cheyenne, subscribe for more local conversations, share this with a friend who’s house hunting, and leave a review so more Wyoming homeowners can find the show. Chris Edwards www.legacylg.com

  5. 20 Aug

    Stage Four Cancer Survivor, Jessica Sayers Shares What Keeps Her Fighting | Lights of Hope | Episode 194

    A stage four diagnosis changes more than a treatment plan, it changes how you think about time, fear, and what “normal” even means. We’re back with Jessica Sayers, a Cheyenne, Wyoming mom and advocate, and she takes us straight into the realities of metastatic breast cancer after an earlier stage one triple negative breast cancer diagnosis. Jessica breaks down what metastatic cancer means, how it can move from breast to bone and beyond, and why regular PET scans become part of life when cancer is managed like a chronic disease.  We also talk about the part people don’t always see: the emotional toll, the dark days, and the constant mental math of “what if.” Jessica shares what helped her most, including a strong medical team across Cheyenne and Denver and the relief of connecting with others who truly get it. Her story is also a direct reminder about prevention and early detection, including mammogram screening and the importance of following up when your provider says something needs a closer look, even when you’re busy and tempted to put it off.  Then we pivot to action and hope through the American Cancer Society and Lights of Hope Across America. Jessica explains how this national event uses luminaria-style bags to honor or remember people affected by cancer, with displays in Washington, DC near the Capitol. We dig into why cancer research funding, access to health care, survivorship support, and prevention matter so much, especially in rural states like Wyoming, and how even small donations add up when a whole community shows up. If you’ve ever wondered where research breakthroughs really come from, this conversation connects the dots.  If this moved you, share it with someone who needs encouragement, subscribe so you don’t miss Jessica’s follow-up after DC, and leave a review to help more listeners find these stories.

  6. 13 Aug

    How One Bar Owner Turned Thursdays Into Millions For Local Nonprofits | Episode 193

    A lot of towns talk about “community.” Cheyenne, Wyoming builds it, week after week, with real people and repeatable ideas. We’re joined by Bryan “Alf” Grzegorczyk, longtime local business owner and the unmistakable guy in the bold jackets, to unpack how one person can spark momentum and how a whole city keeps it going. Along the way, Alf shares the story behind his nickname, his 1982 arrival in Cheyenne during a blizzard, and the moment he realized the people here are what make Wyoming feel like home.  We get into the practical side of supporting small businesses and nonprofits, including how Small Business Heart of Cheyenne started during COVID as simple awareness videos and unexpectedly turned into more than $70,000 in community-funded help for struggling local shops. From there, we talk about downtown Cheyenne events that drive foot traffic and connection, like Summer on the Streets and a downtown putt-putt golf tournament built inside participating businesses, originally created to help save the Cheyenne Depot and now reinvesting back into downtown.  Then we dig deep into Thankful Thursday, Alf’s “party with a purpose” fundraiser that has raised about $4.6 million for local nonprofits. Alf breaks down how the seasons run, how the waiting list and five-year rotation work, why the night feels casual and non-committal for attendees, and what he’s learned about leadership that’s bigger than the bottom line. If you care about local giving, community events, and nonprofit fundraising that actually works, this one is packed with ideas you can borrow.  Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, share this with someone who loves Cheyenne, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

  7. 6 Aug

    How A Cheyenne Bartender Built A Mobile Bar Business | Mocktails & Cocktails | Episode 192

    A mobile bar can feel like a small detail until you realize it sets the tone for the whole night. We’re joined by Eli Burgess from Gentle Perch Mobile Bartending in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and he walks us through what it’s like to build an event bartending business from the ground up, starting with a simple spark of inspiration at a friend’s wedding and turning it into a service designed to take stress off the host. We get practical about the behind-the-scenes questions people actually have when they’re planning weddings, company events, graduations, or private parties: What does a “mobile bartender” do if they don’t have a liquor license? Who buys the alcohol and ingredients? What’s included in a package quote, and what does a typical price range look like for a 125-guest event? Eli also explains how venue partnerships work and why liquor licensing in the city can be a major hurdle for small business growth. Then we dig into the most fun part: mocktails. Eli shares how he builds custom, themed drink menus that feel personal and elevated, including completely dry weddings and pop culture themed celebrations. We talk about the growing demand for non-alcoholic cocktails, non-alcoholic beer, and zero-proof options that still look great in your hand, plus why having those choices matters for guests of all ages and comfort levels. If you’re searching for a Cheyenne mobile bartender, wedding bar service, or mocktail catering ideas, you’ll leave with clear takeaways and fresh inspiration. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, share this with a friend planning an event, and leave a review so more people can find these local stories.

  8. 30 Jul

    What If Every Child Had A Second Home | Justin Pendleton | Boys & Girls Club SE WY | Ep 191

    After school, a lot can happen in the hours between the last bell and dinner, and not all of it is good. We talk with Justin Pendleton, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Wyoming, about what it takes to make those hours safer, healthier, and genuinely life-changing for kids in Cheyenne, Wyoming. From meals and mentorship to leadership-building, Justin breaks down what the Club actually does day to day and why it is not “just for kids in trouble,” it is for every family that wants a positive place to belong. Justin shares how he grew up in Cheyenne, studied business at the University of Wyoming, and then found his calling working with youth long before he ever became a nonprofit executive. We get into what kids need most: steady relationships, caring adults, and opportunities that build confidence before the pressure hits at school or at home. You’ll hear about Youth of the Year, scholarships, networking moments that widen a young person’s world, and why consistent attendance matters for evidence-based outcomes. We also dive into practical details families ask about all the time: school-year hours, summer registration, fees, and scholarship options so cost does not block access. Justin explains how the Club serves hundreds of kids across multiple sites and why capacity and facility space can still create waitlists even when the mission is clear. Finally, we highlight community support and nonprofit fundraising, including the Dancing With The Stars event in Cheyenne with a Halloween theme and couples on stage. If this conversation moves you, share it with a friend, subscribe to the show, and leave a review so more people can find these local stories.

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About

Welcome to Beyond the Front Door Podcast. A community-driven podcast hosted by Wyoming real estate agents Lindee Wiltjer and Rhea Parsons, this show dives into the stories that make our community what it is- local businesses, big life changes, personal growth, leadership and the bold jumps people take along the way.  We believe everyone has a story, every door opens to something new, and every life change deserves to be celebrated. Whether you're planted in Wyoming, planning a move, or simply love hearing authentic community stories, you'll feel right at home here.  Pull up a chair, open the door, and join the conversation. 

Information

  • Creator
    Lindee Wiltjer and Rhea Parsons
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    202
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond the Front Door
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Front Door