The LoCo Experience

Curt Bear
  • 4.8 (14)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

The LoCo Experience is a long-form conversational podcast that dives deep into the journeys of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers in Northern Colorado. Hosted by Curt Bear, Founder of LoCo Think Tank, the show brings real, raw, and unfiltered conversations—where guests share their successes, struggles, and lessons learned along the way. LoCo Think Tank is Colorado’s premier business peer advisory organization, founded in Fort Collins to help business owners gain perspective, accountability, and encouragement to grow both personally and professionally. LoCo chapters bring together business owners at all stages of the journey into professionally facilitated peer advisory chapters, led by experienced business veterans. These groups provide a trusted space to share challenges, seek advice, learn togethter, and support each other’s success. The LoCo Experience Podcast extends this mission beyond the chapter meetings— bringing the wisdom, insights, and stories of local business leaders to a wider audience. Our triad mission with this podcast is simple:  Inspire through real stories of resilience and success.  Educate by sharing valuable business insights.  Entertain with engaging, unfiltered conversations. If you love “How I Built This” and the free-flowing style of Joe Rogan - but with a Northern Colorado focus - you’ll enjoy The LoCo Experience!  Our closing segment, "The LoCo Experience," asks guests to share their craziest stories — and we get some doozies! It’s a passion project with purpose, and we invite you to listen, follow, and share, and maybe consider sponsoring. Know someone with a great story?  Nominate your favorite business leader for an episode!

  1. 16h ago

    The LoCo Experience EP 290 | Designing how Money Moves for Business with Ken Salazar

    I was introduced to Ken Salazar by a pair of our LoCo Next Level members, who’d heard him present as a subject matter expert at a chapter meeting.  They’d later engaged with him to work on “peak payments performance” in their middle market or approaching-middle market businesses - and had great things to say!   Ken is the CEO & Chief Payments Architect at SilverEdge - or SilverEdge 2.0 as they’ve been referring internally. A payments architect is just what it sounds like - a designed payments system for business, instead of a “system” cobbled together through a series of vendors and accounting department leadership teams.  Move money faster, reconcile easier, trim redundant work through AI and designed processes - and save money!     Why it’s SilverEdge 2.0 is because the OG SilverEdge (that he founded in 2004) was acquired by Madwire in 2018, and Ken became part of their leadership team for a few seasons before joining BillGo as Chief Sales Officer and departing as Chief Revenue Officer in 2024.   Ken has been on the leadership teams of some of the fastest growing firms in our regions for 2 decades now - and he knows a lotta things about a lotta things - especially fin-tech related.  And - he’s a great conversationalist - so please tune in and enjoy my time together with Ken Salazar!

    The LoCo Experience EP 290 | Designing how Money Moves for Business with Ken Salazar

  2. Sep 30

    The LoCo Experience EP 289 | Seth Silvers - CEO of Story On - New Chapters in Life and in Podcasting

    In today’s episode, I sat down with a third-time guest, Seth Silvers, CEO of Story On, and truly - my mentor in podcasting.  Seth joined me in studio only a little over a month removed from the birth of his first child, and shared some new perspectives that he was told to expect - but still they hit differently when it’s real.   Story On has been focused on podcast production since soon after Seth and I had our first venture together in 2018 - the Small Business Storytellers podcast - for which I stuck around for 10 episodes, and Seth went on to create a total of 100 episodes - and publish 99 - before putting down the mike and focusing on production and strategy services for others in the business podcast space.   But soon - they’ll be producing content again at Story On, and formally launching their consultancy arm, and getting Seth back behind the microphone and digging into the stories that make business - and podcasting - great!   If you’re watching the video feed on this one, you’ll note there’s only a solo camera.  We were flying without studio support due to a scheduling goof with my producer - and decided to kick it old-school.  But - I was happy to hang with my personal podfather, Seth Silvers, and I’m confident you’ll find joy in the journey when you tune into our latest conversation.

    The LoCo Experience EP 289 | Seth Silvers - CEO of Story On - New Chapters in Life and in Podcasting

  3. Sep 23

    The LoCo Experience EP 288 | Life is Better Here! - Ben Smith & Lindsey Phillips

    Life is Better Here! - Ben Smith & Lindsey Phillips - Owners & Therapists at Evolve Counseling In today's episode of the LoCo Experience podcast, I sat down with Ben Smith and Lindsay Phillips, the owners and therapists at Evolve Counseling. They shared abundantly about their inspiration to begin a private practice and the journey - first by Lindsay and then drawing in Ben - toward leaving corporate roles to become self-employed.   We talked about the business of mental health, what drew each of them into the field in the first place, and some of the plans they have to expand the practice in the seasons ahead. I also put some of my own quirks on display and asked some nutty questions, and we wondered together why more and more young people have been seeking mental health counseling - and if the trends will reverse when Trump leaves office. Good people, great stories, and inspiring business journeys are all to be found in this episode, so please join me in enjoying my conversation with Ben Smith and Lindsey Phillips.

    The LoCo Experience EP 288 | Life is Better Here! - Ben Smith & Lindsey Phillips

  4. Sep 16

    Building Community to Belong with Tara Rasmuson of Greeley Lifestyle Magazine

    In today’s episode, I sat down with Tara Rasmuson, Owner/Publisher of Greeley Lifestyle Magazine and VP of Land for Bear Lake Resources.  I’ve gotten to know Tara a bit over the past few months, and suspected there was a good story there - and she did not disappoint.   The star of her recent journey has been Greeley Lifestyle Magazine, which she purchased in the fall of 2020, and launched in early 2021 - with 40 pages of content!  When she began, she was in an open-book season of sorts - she’d been working as a “land lady” of sorts in the oil industry for over a decade - but wanted something new, and had recently moved to a town her new husband was well known in - but she lacked community.   Creating the magazine - and building community through that conduit - was her answer, and her 100th Year Anniversary edition for the Greeley Stampede early in the journey anchored her value proposition in the community.   Before all this though, Tara had a long and challenging chapter, as the stay-at-home mom of 4 kids, with a husband who didn’t want to work, despite the family near-starving on welfare. Long hours spent in education and rapid career advancement enabled a new chapter, and I’m confident you’ll be both inspired and entertained.  So please join me for my conversation with Tara Rasmuson.

    Building Community to Belong with Tara Rasmuson of Greeley Lifestyle Magazine

  5. Sep 9

    The LoCo Experience Ep 286 | Scott Dillon & James Merkley w/ NoCo's United for Youth

    In today's conversation, I was joined by two highly active representatives from northern Colorado from United for youth, formerly NoCo unify this organization of under 40 business leaders has been among the most active fundraising organizations in Northern Colorado since its founding in 2007. 00:00:17:17 - 00:00:32:14 Speaker 1 They're the creators of some of the best parties in the region the Down in Derby Party, Every Me and the Suitcase Party every August, which we were on the heels of as we recorded this episode. Last year they brought back The Saint Patrick's Day party or parade to Old Town Fort Collins as well. James Merkley is an active member at Unify and also CEO and Chief Creative at Storey Path Marketing. He's a local think tank member, and we're also both members of a somewhat similar but very different organization realities for children. James has a diverse background of his own, largely focused on worship music, marketing and storytelling. Scott Dillon is the business intelligence director at Powder Valley Rei, our local electric cooperative, and also serves on the board of directors for Northern Colorado United for youth. Scott's journey helps explain his passion for kids causes, and his involvement. Here is just one way he goes back. Storytelling and business intelligence are the sweet spot for these guests, so I know you'll enjoy, as I did my conversation with Scott Dillon and James Merkley representing Northern Colorado United for youth.

    The LoCo Experience Ep 286 | Scott Dillon & James Merkley w/ NoCo's United for Youth

  6. Sep 2

    The LoCo Experience EP 285 | Losing Your Big Brother on 9/11 - Craig Woodall's Journey of Grief

    Today, I’m here recording from the Fort Collins Food Truck Rally (https://www.focofoodtruckrally.com/) - where we’ve got the Tank parked in a row of food trucks and trailers - because this episode comes out tomorrow and we needed to use the just-in-time machine!   For this week’s episode, I sat down with Craig Woodall, retired Educator, Speaker, Coach, and Author of the new book “Overcome - Rebuilding Hope After Losing My Brother on 9/11”.  Craig retired as the Principal of Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins, where he’d served for 12 years, with plans to initiate a leadership coaching business - and perhaps write a book about leadership as part of the plan.  But - his mind had other plans, and after he retired the first priority was a book that forced its way to the front of the line.  Overcome was the result, and it’s full of stories of grief, and challenge, and resilience - and ultimately - growth.  It is a leadership book - but not in the common sense, and it really focuses on the notion that the most important person for you to lead - is yourself.  Craig is a great conversationalist, and a servant-hearted leader from the start - and I know you’ll enjoy our time together in this episode.

    The LoCo Experience EP 285 | Losing Your Big Brother on 9/11 - Craig Woodall's Journey of Grief

  7. Aug 26

    The LoCo Experience EP #284 | Better Architecture through Diverse Experience

    In today’s podcast, I sat down with Chris Aronson and Jeff Fleischer, the Principals at VFLA in Fort Collins.  VFLA has arguably been the leading architecture firm in Northern Colorado since its founding in 1986, and this year celebrates 40 years of service to the commercial and residential construction industries.   My connection with VFLA goes back to my banking years in the late 90’s, but is personal because of the L that’s now missing.  Justin Larson was my primary “highly-spirited canyon riding” companion for several years, until his untimely death in 2019 - in a motorcycle crash in Mexico.  Justin had merged his firm with the then Vaught-Frye in 2011, and led the firm during my transition from banking into LoCo Think Tank - which he was always an advocate for.   But back to our guests - Chris Aronson was interviewing with both Vaught-Frye and with JCL Architecture back in 2011, and when he came in for a final interview - the leadership of both firms were there to share news of the impending merger!  He became a Principal and part of the leadership team in 2014.  Justin lured Jeff Fleischer back to the firm only 3 days before his passing.  So for me, this podcast was a bit of a cleanse. And - both men have fascinating journeys all their own, and perspectives on architecture that I found truly refreshing!  So I hope you’ll tune in and enjoy my conversation with Chris Aronson and Jeff Fleischer, Principals at VFLA.

    The LoCo Experience EP #284 | Better Architecture through Diverse Experience

  8. Aug 19

    The LoCo Experience EP283 | Sheri Ridgeway, CEO of Ridgeway Group Innovations

    In today’s podcast, I sat down with Sheri Ridgeway, CEO of Ridgeway Group Innovations (RGI for short), which she runs alongside her husband, Ross and she’s also the current Board Chair at the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce.  RGI has two divisions - one, a contract provider of technical support services to government agencies - and the other, a consulting business helping other small businesses do business with the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world - the US Federal Government.   As our conversation unfolded, I came to understand how Sheri’s background in journalism prepared her for what is effectively a translation business.  Sheri speaks and communicates fluently in “government-ese” and “nerd-ese” languages, and in normal American English - which allows her to navigate regulations and requirements and communicate deliverables - and help others do the same.   Today’s episode is full of navigation of strange territory for me - the government - but I had a wonderful translator, and we shared many laughs and a few tears near the end.  So please tune in, as I’m sure you’ll enjoy, my conversation with Sheri Ridgeway.

    The LoCo Experience EP283 | Sheri Ridgeway, CEO of Ridgeway Group Innovations
See All (347)

4.8
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The LoCo Experience is a long-form conversational podcast that dives deep into the journeys of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers in Northern Colorado. Hosted by Curt Bear, Founder of LoCo Think Tank, the show brings real, raw, and unfiltered conversations—where guests share their successes, struggles, and lessons learned along the way. LoCo Think Tank is Colorado’s premier business peer advisory organization, founded in Fort Collins to help business owners gain perspective, accountability, and encouragement to grow both personally and professionally. LoCo chapters bring together business owners at all stages of the journey into professionally facilitated peer advisory chapters, led by experienced business veterans. These groups provide a trusted space to share challenges, seek advice, learn togethter, and support each other’s success. The LoCo Experience Podcast extends this mission beyond the chapter meetings— bringing the wisdom, insights, and stories of local business leaders to a wider audience. Our triad mission with this podcast is simple:  Inspire through real stories of resilience and success.  Educate by sharing valuable business insights.  Entertain with engaging, unfiltered conversations. If you love “How I Built This” and the free-flowing style of Joe Rogan - but with a Northern Colorado focus - you’ll enjoy The LoCo Experience!  Our closing segment, "The LoCo Experience," asks guests to share their craziest stories — and we get some doozies! It’s a passion project with purpose, and we invite you to listen, follow, and share, and maybe consider sponsoring. Know someone with a great story?  Nominate your favorite business leader for an episode!

Information

  • Creator
    Curt Bear
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    347
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The LoCo Experience
  • Show Website
    The LoCo Experience

You Might Also Like