19 episodes

A podcast that digs into the layers of Montana's political landscape. Brought to you by Montana Public Radio, Yellowstone Public Radio, and Montana Free Press.

Season two follows Montanans working through thorny, often political, conflicts. Problems with no clear answer. From conservation to housing to holding communities together through a pandemic, this season we find meaning in the middle.

Shared State Montana Free Press, Montana Public Radio, Yellowstone Public Radio

    • News
    • 5.0 • 82 Ratings

A podcast that digs into the layers of Montana's political landscape. Brought to you by Montana Public Radio, Yellowstone Public Radio, and Montana Free Press.

Season two follows Montanans working through thorny, often political, conflicts. Problems with no clear answer. From conservation to housing to holding communities together through a pandemic, this season we find meaning in the middle.

    Political feuds don't take vacations

    Political feuds don't take vacations

    In the summer of 2021, Livingston residents Kascie and Dan were preparing for a wilderness float trip in Idaho. Before heading to the river and leaving cell service behind, they stocked up on supplies at Dan Bailey’s, an outdoor gear shop. What happened there was caught on video and viewed millions of times. It ignited a political firestorm across the country. That conflict just kept spiraling, providing one example of how today’s political disagreements can have far-flung consequences.  
    BONUS LINKS:
    Pew Research’s Political Typology Quiz can be found here.
    Follow Prof. Jessi Bennion on Twitter @JessiBennion. 
     
    This is the first episode of Shared State, Season 2, a podcast from Montana Free Press, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio. This episode was reported by Nick Mott, edited and produced by Nicky Ouellet and hosted by Mara Silvers. Editorial assistance from Corin Cates-Carney, Nadya Faulx, and Brad Tyer. Fact-checking by Jess Sheldahl. Gabe Sweeney is our sound designer.

    • 26 min
    Water is for fighting

    Water is for fighting

    By October 2021, all of Montana was in severe drought — the worst the state had seen in decades. But Montana has seen bad dry spells before, forcing ranchers, farmers, conservationists and recreators to confront a collective dilemma: when water is in short supply, how can there be enough for everyone?   
    BONUS LINKS:
    Find out more about Montana’s new draft drought management plan here.
    Go here for more on arctic grayling and the effort to protect them.
     
    Shared State a podcast from Montana Free Press, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio. This episode was reported by Shaylee Ragar and edited by Nicky Ouellet. It was produced by Mara Silvers and hosted by Nick Mott. Editorial assistance from Corin Cates-Carney, Nadya Faulx, and Brad Tyer. Fact-checking by Jess Sheldahl. Gabe Sweeney is our sound designer.

    • 29 min
    Who decides the future of the Badger-Two Medicine?

    Who decides the future of the Badger-Two Medicine?

    For many Montanans, the Badger-Two Medicine is synonymous with one of the most significant grassroots conservation successes in recent decades. That story is about Blackfeet tribal traditionalists, political leaders, and conservation groups coming together to defeat oil and gas leases in one undeveloped expanse of wilderness in Montana. Now, thecoalition faces thorny questions — what does long-term protection and management of the Badger look like, and who gets to decide?   BONUS LINKS: Read more about the Badger-Two Medicine on the Blackfeet Nation’s website.
    Find out about the documentary we referenced, Backbone of the World, here.
    Listen to “Land Back” by A Tribe Called Red.
     
    Shared State a podcast from Montana Free Press, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio. This episode was reported by Aaron Bolton and edited by Nicky Ouellet. It was produced by Mara Silvers and hosted by Nick Mott. Editorial assistance from Corin Cates-Carney, Nadya Faulx, and Brad Tyer. Fact-checking by Jess Sheldahl. Gabe Sweeney is our sound designer.

    • 29 min
    Surviving pandemic strife

    Surviving pandemic strife

    It’s not surprising for Montanans to have plenty of political disagreements. What’s more uncommon? Neighbors whispering about each other at grocery stores and disrupting entire public meetings with passionate tirades. Welcome to the era of COVID-19, when debates about public health, personal liberties and science have reached a fever pitch. Those disagreements are tugging at tightly-knit towns and counties, making some residents wonder how their communities will survive in more ways than one.  
    BONUS LINKS:
    Read more about the Ravalli County Board of Public Health’s COVID-19 policies here.
    Check out more Kaiser Health News reporting here on public health officials and new pandemic-era regulation passed in different states.
     
    Shared State a podcast from Montana Free Press, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio. This episode was reported by Katheryn Houghton of Kaiser Health News and Alex Sakariassen. It was edited by Mara Silvers, produced by Nicky Ouellet and hosted by Nick Mott. Editorial assistance from Taunya English, Corin Cates-Carney, Nadya Faulx, and Brad Tyer. Fact-checking by Jess Sheldahl. Gabe Sweeney is our sound designer.

    • 27 min
    Popularity’s slippery slope

    Popularity’s slippery slope

    Whitefish has a reputation as a charming ski destination in Montana’s northwest corner that welcomes wayward strays, whether that’s for a season or a lifetime. That attitude has helped grow small businesses and local watering holes, and keep friendly faces on the slopes and behind the bar. But in recent years, more and more people have been drawn to the good thing Whitefish has going on. Locals fear that surging popularity — and skyrocketing cost of living — could push out the very characters that make this place so special.  
    BONUS LINKS: 
    Read the 2016 Whitefish Area Workforce Housing Needs Assessment here.
    Watch Gene live his dream here. More vintage Big Mountain footage here and here.
     
    Shared State a podcast from Montana Free Press, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio. This episode was reported by Justin Franz and edited by Nick Mott. It was produced by Nicky Ouellet and hosted by Mara Silvers. Editorial assistance from Corin Cates-Carney, Nadya Faulx, and Brad Tyer. Fact-checking by Jess Sheldahl. Gabe Sweeney is our sound designer.

    • 29 min
    Bozeman is in a housing death spiral. Can local politics fix anything?

    Bozeman is in a housing death spiral. Can local politics fix anything?

    For decades, housing affordability has been a hot-button issue in Bozeman politics, a clear community pain point where the city’s elected leaders haven’t managed to deliver significant relief. As insider and outsider candidates campaigned for city offices in 2021, housing policy became the election’s key issue. The solution, some residents argued, was to elect working class advocates to positions of power. Key to getting the job done, others countered, is experienced, incumbent leadership.    BONUS LINKS: 
    The One Valley Community Foundation’s 2021 Regional Housing Study: onevalley.org/regionalhousing 
    Follow Urban Institute housing researcher Corianne Scaley on Twitter @CorianneScally
     
    Shared State a podcast from Montana Free Press, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio. This episode was reported by Eric Dietrich and edited by Nick Mott. It was produced by Nicky Ouellet and hosted by Mara Silvers. Editorial assistance from Corin Cates-Carney, Nadya Faulx, and Brad Tyer. Fact-checking by Jess Sheldahl. Gabe Sweeney is our sound designer.

    • 27 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
82 Ratings

82 Ratings

S. A. Moore ,

MT based essential news

Great podcast that provides context for the many issues concerning Montanans today. Would highly recommend!

palyviking1 ,

insightful & relevant

highly recommend for anyone wanting to think about and learn about the key issues of our time in Montana.

Susan Magoosan ,

Excellent pod

When I heard my friend Mae NaN Ellingson on the first episode, I knew this was going to be a good podcast. Taking the lines from the Montana constitution is brilliant. Such great journalism. Thank you all.

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