The Brief by Bozeman Media Design

Olivia Longin
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Business

The Brief is a podcast by Bozeman Media Design, hosted by Liv Longin, exploring the stories behind the strategy. Each episode features conversations with founders, creatives, and business owners shaping the modern West, unpacking the decisions, pivots, and ideas that build brands from the inside out. From marketing and branding to culture and growth, this is where thoughtful business meets real perspective.

  1. Oct 19

    Episode 13: Jason Smith on Building the Next 45 Years of Schaefer Outfitter

    In this episode of The Brief, Liv sits down with Jason Smith, CEO of Schaefer Outfitter, for a conversation about growing a heritage brand while staying true to the people, products, and values that built it. Jason shares how Schaefer has evolved over the years, including the growth of its women’s line from 3% of sales to nearly 30%, and why the Western market reaches far beyond those who work in the industry. He talks about understanding the customer, staying true to the brand’s point of view, and making decisions that prioritize product quality over short-term margins. The conversation also explores what it takes to build on decades of customer trust without losing the authenticity that made the brand successful in the first place. Jason reflects on Schaefer’s history, the importance of knowing what not to compromise as a business grows, and his vision for the next 45 years of the company. At its core, this episode is about growing a business without losing sight of what matters most, and understanding that a strong brand is built through the trust it earns over time. The Brief is sponsored by Bozeman Media Design, a Bozeman-based creative marketing agency built around thoughtful strategy, storytelling, and design.

  2. Oct 5

    Episode 12: Chavie Bruk on Faith, the Unexpected & Building Community in Montana

    In this episode of The Brief, Liv sits down with Chavie Bruk, mom of five, co-CEO of Chabad of Montana, and host of the Totally Unexpected podcast, for a conversation about what happens when life looks nothing like the version you once imagined. Chavie shares what brought her from Texas to Bozeman nearly two decades ago, what it took to build a Jewish community in Montana from the ground up, and how motherhood, infertility, and adoption reshaped her understanding of family. She opens up about letting go of the idea of perfect “balance,” setting boundaries without guilt, and learning to see healing and personal growth as something that happens through small, consistent choices rather than dramatic reinvention. The conversation also explores what it means to take up space and share your story publicly. Chavie reflects on vulnerability, privacy, and becoming more comfortable with other people’s opinions as she has grown older. Then, she takes us behind the scenes of Totally Unexpected, from why she started the podcast to what nearly 50 episodes have taught her about interviewing, storytelling, and getting beyond the polished version of someone’s life. At its core, this episode is about becoming comfortable with uncertainty, finding growth on the other side of discomfort, and building a meaningful life even when the path there was never part of the plan. Because sometimes the most meaningful parts of our lives are the ones we never saw coming. The Brief is sponsored by Bozeman Media Design, a Bozeman-based creative marketing agency built around thoughtful strategy, storytelling, and design.

  3. Sep 21

    Episode 11: Your Marketing Shouldn’t Be This Complicated

    When your website is handled by one person, social media by another, photography by someone else, and strategy somewhere in between, even great work can start to feel disconnected. In this episode of The Brief, Liv and Kam talk about what happens when marketing becomes too fragmented and why building a brand is less about perfecting every individual piece and more about making sure those pieces are working together. They unpack the hidden time and cost of managing multiple freelancers, the value of having one team that deeply understands your business, and why your brand, website, social media, photography, messaging, and campaigns should all be telling the same story. They also get into making creative investments work harder across multiple platforms, staying relevant without constantly reinventing your brand, and knowing when an agency actually makes sense. Because sometimes the answer is an agency. Sometimes it’s a freelancer or someone in-house. The real question is whether the way you’re marketing your business is cohesive, sustainable, and actually working for you.

  4. Sep 7

    Episode 10: How to Find Value Where No One Else Is Looking with Brit Eaton

    Brit Eaton has spent nearly three decades finding value in the places most people overlook. Known for his work in the world of vintage denim, Brit has built a career traveling across the American West, digging through abandoned mines, ranches, barns, attics, and forgotten collections in search of pieces with a story. His company, Carpe Denim, has sourced pieces for brands including Ralph Lauren, Levi's, Dickies, and Gap, as well as Hollywood wardrobe departments. In this episode of The Brief, Liv sits down with Brit to talk about how an early fascination with vintage clothing became an unconventional career, what goes into a denim safari, and how he developed an eye for pieces others might walk right past. They get into some of his most memorable finds, the rise of the vintage market, his connection to the American West, and what decades of collecting have taught him about history, value, and trusting a good hunch. It's a conversation about clothes, people, places, and the stories that make something worth holding onto.

  5. Aug 24

    Episode 09: Audrey Hall on Why One Lens Isn't Enough

    Audrey Hall has never been interested in staying in one lane. The Livingston-based artist has built a career that moves between fine art photography, documentary film, publishing, and songwriting, following ideas wherever they lead rather than allowing a single medium to define the work. In Episode 09 of The Brief, Audrey joins us for a conversation about building a creative life without a blueprint. She shares how studying architecture led her to photography, what she learned working alongside Robert Redford on The Horse Whisperer, and why some of the biggest shifts in her career came from being willing to leave behind what was safe and familiar. We also talk about burnout, creative risk, her relationship with Montana and the West, the making of Bison: Portrait of an Icon, and the unexpected way music helped her find her way back to visual art. At the center of it all is a question many creatives wrestle with: What happens when one medium, one title, or one version of yourself is no longer enough?

  6. Aug 10

    Episode 08: The Art of the Ambassador — Kelsey Charles on Building the Future of Lucchese

    What does it take to steward a brand that has been part of the American West for more than 140 years? In this episode of The Brief, Liv sits down with Kelsey Charles, Head of Brand Marketing and Strategic Growth at Lucchese, to talk about the intersection of heritage, craftsmanship, storytelling, and modern marketing. From growing up around a family legacy tied to the Western lifestyle to building partnerships with brands, athletes, and artists, Kelsey shares how relationships and authenticity have shaped her career. The conversation dives into what makes Lucchese different: boots crafted by hand over weeks, generations of artisans preserving a lost craft, and a commitment to creating products meant to become heirlooms. Kelsey explains why authenticity matters more than trends, how brands can protect their identity while evolving, and why the strongest partnerships come from genuine alignment rather than simply chasing visibility. We also talk about the return of Lucchese's ambassador program, what the brand looks for in the people who represent it, and how thoughtful storytelling can create lasting connections between brands and their communities. A conversation about legacy, leadership, craftsmanship, and building something that lasts.

  7. Jul 27

    Episode 07: The Art of Connection: Mastering the Network, Building the Team, and Keeping Both with Stephanie Bradshaw

    Note: During this conversation, Stephanie mentions that she started SB Creative in 2018. This was a verbal slip during recording—SB Creative was actually founded in 2008. Whether you're building a business, leading a creative team, or simply trying to figure out your next chapter, this conversation is packed with wisdom. This week on The Brief, we're joined by Stephanie Bradshaw, founder of SB Creative, a multidisciplinary design studio specializing in interior design and brand strategy. Since founding the studio in 2008, Stephanie has built a nationally recognized business with clients including Black+Decker, Sherwin-Williams, and Bozzuto, while becoming a respected connector in the design industry through initiatives like the Baltimore Design District and Ardor Collective. From being unexpectedly fired to building a thriving creative studio, Stephanie shares the lessons she's learned about resilience, leadership, and creating a business with intention. Together, we dive into what it really takes to build a brand that lasts—from attracting the right clients and hiring the right people to embracing authenticity, community, and the courage to evolve. Stephanie also opens up about knowing when to pivot, the importance of protecting your "yes," and why she believes integration—not balance—is the key to building a meaningful life and career. In this episode, we discuss:• How getting fired became the catalyst for building SB Creative• Building a brand that attracts the right clients• Growing and leading a creative team with intention• Why authenticity is your greatest marketing strategy• The difference between influence and being an influencer• Learning when to say no—and why it matters• Creating community through the Baltimore Design District and Ardor Collective• Why great design is about how people feel• The business books and advice every entrepreneur should know If you're a creative entrepreneur, business owner, marketer, or someone dreaming of building something meaningful, this episode is full of practical insights, honest conversations, and thoughtful perspective on what it takes to build a business—and a life—that lasts. Connect with Stephanie:Instagram: @sbcreativestudioWebsite: sbcreativestudio.com

  8. Jul 13

    Episode 06: Allison Fasano on Saying Yes, Leading Under Pressure & Finding Home in Montana

    From Michelin-starred kitchens in New York City to opening a restaurant in Bozeman, Chef Allison Fasano's career has been anything but conventional. In this episode of The Brief, Allison shares the journey behind her success, the lessons she learned working under some of the biggest names in the culinary world, and why her father's simple advice—"just say yes"—became the philosophy that transformed her life. We dive into the realities of being a woman in professional kitchens, the leadership challenges that shaped her career, and what it was like competing on Food Network while building confidence in one of the world's most demanding industries. Allison also reflects on feeding more than 4,000 meals a week to first responders during COVID-19, why giving back has become central to her work, and how moving from Brooklyn to Bozeman changed the way she thinks about food, community, and success. This conversation is filled with honest stories, hard-earned wisdom, and plenty of laughs—from Michelin-star restaurants and Bobby Flay to Montana ranches and margaritas. Whether you're building a business, chasing a creative career, or simply looking for the courage to take your next big leap, Allison's story is a reminder that some of life's biggest opportunities begin with a simple yes.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Brief is a podcast by Bozeman Media Design, hosted by Liv Longin, exploring the stories behind the strategy. Each episode features conversations with founders, creatives, and business owners shaping the modern West, unpacking the decisions, pivots, and ideas that build brands from the inside out. From marketing and branding to culture and growth, this is where thoughtful business meets real perspective.

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