Beyond the Front Door

Lindee Wiltjer and Rhea Parsons
  • 4.6 (5)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

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. 10h ago

    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

  2. Aug 20

    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.

  3. Aug 13

    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.

  4. Aug 6

    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.

  5. Jul 30

    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.

  6. Jul 23

    True Troupe Theater Turns Shakespeare Into A Live Improv | Episode 190

    Shakespeare is already dramatic, but what happens when you hand Hamlet to a small cast, a suitcase of surprise props, and an audience member who gets to help decide who plays what? We’re joined by sisters Adri True and Amber True from True Troupe Theater, a Cheyenne, Wyoming nonprofit that produces found space theater across the state. Their mission is straightforward and rare: make community theater accessible, bring performances to unexpected places, and invite people in even if they haven’t been to a play in years. We talk stage combat training and why “found object combat” makes actors sharper and shows safer, plus the wild ways acting skills show up in real life, including emergency training scenarios. Then we get into their improv Hamlet concept: directors provide a scene-by-scene summary, actors receive prompts, and the story comes alive differently every single night. With only six performers, character hats, and audience participation, it becomes part Shakespeare, part improv, and part communal event where anything can happen but the story still lands. You’ll also hear behind-the-scenes stories from the Visit Cheyenne haunted trolley season, how Classics in the Park works in a rural theater setting, and what it takes to keep classic plays understandable without losing what makes them timeless. Adri and Amber share upcoming Hamlet performance dates in Centennial, Laramie, and Cheyenne at Holiday Park, plus community fundraisers and ways to connect with True Troupe online. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, share this with a friend who loves local arts, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s the most “unexpected” place you’ve ever watched live theater?

  7. Jul 9

    How A Family Business Built Smoker Friendly & Brought Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival To WY | EP 188

    A cigar festival that sells out in minutes is a logistics feat anywhere, but bringing it to Cheyenne on a tight timeline is something else. We sit down with Dell Peterson and Stacy Linger to unpack how the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival found a new home at Little America, why escalating restrictions in Colorado forced a move, and what it takes to host 2,300 people outdoors in Wyoming weather. Dell walks us through a rare, boots-on-the-ground business story: growing up in Cheyenne, learning operations in the restaurant world, scaling Moreland Wholesale, then getting hit by big box disruption when Walmart and Sam’s Club changed the playing field. That pressure led to a bold pivot and the creation of Smoker Friendly, a network of independent tobacco stores that grew into hundreds of locations and thousands of employees. We talk capital requirements, tight controls, taxes, and why service and culture matter when you’re building a niche retail brand across multiple states. Then we get practical about the festival itself. We cover ticket tiers, VIP sellouts, what’s included in the goodie bag, drink tickets, live music, vendor booths, and why there’s a social ticket for friends who want the fun without the cigars. Stacy shares how the local community is preparing, from restaurants to visitors coming in from around the region. We close with the leadership traits they value most and a surprisingly moving conversation about what “home” really means when you’re building a life in Cheyenne. If you enjoy stories about entrepreneurship, community events, Cheyenne tourism, and the economic impact of festivals, hit play, subscribe, and share this with someone who loves a great Wyoming weekend.

  8. Jul 2

    The Downtown Cheyenne Revival, Growth and Future with Patrick Graham | Episode 187

    A broken sign can tell you a lot about a city. When the iconic Wrangler horse in downtown Cheyenne stopped “galloping,” it didn’t just feel like a maintenance issue, it felt like a piece of local identity went quiet. We sit down with Pat Graham of eXp Realty, who decided to do something about it, from getting permission to pull the horse down to rebuilding the mechanics and lining up a fresh repaint so it can shine again before Cheyenne Frontier Days.  From there, we get into the real-world nuts and bolts of downtown life. Pat explains the problem parking spots on Lincoln Way that keep costing drivers their side mirrors. We also talk about the upgraded downtown parking garage and why Cheyenne’s “pull up at the front door” habits might need to evolve as the city center grows.  The biggest shift coming is housing: new apartment projects mean well over a hundred new downtown households, and that changes what services make sense. We dig into the missing piece that keeps coming up, a walkable grocery store, plus what it would take to support car-light living with more foot traffic, bike-friendly options, and business-owner collaboration like Downtown First. If you care about downtown Cheyenne, local business, walkability, and smart community development, you’ll leave with ideas you can actually use. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves Cheyenne, and leave us a review with your pick for what downtown needs next.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
5 Ratings

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
    199
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond the Front Door
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Front Door