The LoCo Experience

Curt Bear
  • 4.8 (13)
  • 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. The Noco Pulse | Week of May 25th

    6d ago

    The Noco Pulse | Week of May 25th

    Welcome back to the NoCo Pulse for the week of May 25th, featuring special guest host Patrick Sukup from the Living in Fort Collins YouTube channel while Curt Bear is away. Patrick joins Kelsi Harris of This is NoCo and Discover NoCo Magazine to bring you the latest community news, business updates, and local highlights as we kick off Memorial Day weekend and welcome summer to Northern Colorado. What's moving features Miles Beyond Running Community gearing up for their Weld Your Metal Running Festival happening May 30th and 31st in Eaton, offering distances from 7K all the way to ultra marathon on private property complete with saunas, cold plunges, camping, and mountain views. In major real estate news, Shake Shack opens May 31st at the Shops Along College at Foothills Mall, but the bigger story is the McWhinney family selling the Shops Along College portion to a national investment firm while retaining the mall itself. This sale should finally provide the capital needed to move forward with the long awaited redevelopment plans, including removing 200,000 square feet and creating an open air concept after years of stagnation due to development costs and challenges. Meanwhile, the Toy Library continues operating in a massive discounted space inside the mall, now hosting game nights and community gatherings in addition to their toy lending program. Community gatherings spotlight Ginger and Baker's eighth annual Dog Flower Crown Photo Day on Saturday May 31st, a free event where you can bring your four legged friends for flower crowns and portraits with RSVP requested on their website. Plantiness, founded by Monica in 2020, celebrates her birthday this week by giving away free plants Thursday May 28th at Old Town Music during Thursday Night Live featuring The Burrows. Monica has given away over 5,000 free plants since starting her happiness spreading mission and hosts pop ups and collaborations with tattoo artists, The Crowded Bookshelf, and other local makers. Downtown Loveland hosts their monthly Downtown Dress Up Night on the fourth Saturday with May's theme being Gala Night starting at 5 PM, when all downtown shops hold specials and events perfect for busting out those fancy clothes you rarely get to wear. Community support highlights Outreach Fort Collins, a nonprofit that serves as a buffer between the public and police by working with individuals experiencing mental health crises or substance use issues who aren't necessarily breaking the law. The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area Foundation hosts their art show and gala Tuesday June 2nd at the Visit Fort Collins Welcome Center, with all proceeds supporting river cleanup efforts, volunteer programs, and education about the heritage and history of the Cache la Poudre River. Business news celebrates local chefs Bri and Carmel, who are launching pop up events this year after working in high end eateries across Northern Colorado. They offer private chef experiences, catering, and company events, bringing their culinary expertise directly to your home or venue. Food picks feature Smoke and Rose Barbecue at the FoCo Food Truck Rally, serving incredible brisket mac and cheese and brisket nacho fries with friendly service perfect for families. The FoCo Food Truck Rally runs every Tuesday under new ownership, with Discover NoCo Magazine sponsoring this season and planning fun content nights throughout summer. Don't forget the Downtown Loveland Authority is giving away $100 every week to someone who shops downtown during construction, and yes it's real because Kelsi's in laws actually won. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend and welcome to summer, NoCo. Tag us at The NoCo Pulse to share how you're supporting local. Stay connected, NoCo.

    16 min
  2. Passion and Perseverance with Ryan and Sarah Woodland

    May 23

    Passion and Perseverance with Ryan and Sarah Woodland

    I was honored to share time in studio with Ryan and Sarah Woodland recently, and I’m proud to call Ryan a member of LoCo Think Tank, and a friend.  In the 3+ years I’ve known Ryan, he’s grown his Woodland Home Marketplace from a $500K business into a ~$2MM / year and profitable operation - and largely worked himself out of a role for the company.  And - he’s been developing his skills acquired from decades of contracting, fix and flips, and custom home building - and has been building his systems to manage a 56-unit luxury patio home semi-custom production build project.   Sarah is co-founder of Woodland Family Homes, but spends most of her time in brokerage at Orr Land Company - which was founded by her grandfather.  She met Ryan when she was living in California - but was preparing to move back to NoCo - but decided to stay a while - and soon brought Ryan back to his deep family roots in NoCo going back to the 1800’s.  Ryan and Sarah trace their journey of passion for community and real estate - and business - and the journey of this family legacy project.   Not to miss in this episode is a LoCo Experience story from Ryan’s firefighting days in California, during EMS training - when a dirty needle from a regular customer poked him in the elbow - and caused a systemic infection that put him in the ICU and almost killed him.  So - please tune in - and enjoy - my conversation with Ryan and Sarah Woodland.

    1h 40m
  3. The Noco Pulse | Week of May 18th

    May 18

    The Noco Pulse | Week of May 18th

    Welcome back to the NoCo Pulse as we navigate the whirlwind that is May in Northern Colorado. Someone at soccer described it perfectly: "How's your May December going?" That busy energy perfectly captures this week's packed episode of community news, business updates, and local highlights. What's moving features Miles Beyond Running Community gearing up for their Weld Your Metal Running Festival on May 30th and 31st in Eaton, offering everything from a 7K run walk to ultra distance events complete with saunas, glamping, and mountain views. Following that is the Red White and Brew race on July 20th in Water Valley, closing at the Grainry at the Raynets, and the Greeley Freedom 5K downtown on July 4th. Bass Pro Shops is moving into their massive new 130,000 square foot location at the Brands at the Ranch, an 18 acre development that adds to NoCo's already impressive outdoor retail scene including Scheels, Jax locations, and Sportsman's Warehouse. Joyride is looking to move into NoCo as a bike cafe combining bike repair services with a coffee shop and cafe, founded by Rebe of Rebe Explores and focused on creating inclusive outdoor spaces for everyone from beginners to experts. Community gatherings spotlight Ginger and Baker's eighth annual Dog Flower Crown Photo Day on May 31st, a free event where you can bring your four legged friends for flower crowns and portraits with donations collected for Animal Friends Alliance. The Blues and Cruise car show comes to downtown Loveland May 30th from 10 to 3 featuring classic cars and electric guitars, not to be confused with the Blues and Brews festival on June 5th. Local musician Aubrey Dale releases her debut album Fireweed on May 24th at the Rング for just $29 including a free beverage, sponsored by Greeley Hat Works. Keeping the beat features the fifth annual A Brothers Fountain ABF at the Farm event on June 6th below Devil's Backbone in Loveland, with $30 suggested donation and 10% of proceeds benefiting Loveland Community Kitchen. The Global Sounds Music Festival returns to Old Town Fort Collins on May 30th, a free festival from noon to 6 PM on the big stage bringing music from around the world, presented by the Bohemian Foundation. Dancers from the suddenly closed Canyon Concert Ballet have partnered with Bas Bleu Theatre to present their Swan Song final performance May 22nd through 24th after raising funds to rent the space and pay the dancers. Community support highlights Breeze Thru Car Wash's fundraising program where organizations can raise money the second full weekend of every month through October 31st, with Breeze Thru matching dollar for dollar every donation made at their pay stations. The Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County celebrates 40 years with their Great Futures Gala on May 30th at the Lory Student Center Ballroom, featuring cocktail attire, complimentary drinks, elegant dinner, live auction, and recognition of youth and champions for children. Business news celebrates Verbal Bras, founded by Rebecca Thompson, a New Belgium senior executive assistant who created bras that support wearable breast pumps, saving working moms up to 30 minutes daily. The product has a utility patent and just started shipping this spring after Rebecca discovered the challenges three years ago when she had her daughter. Food picks feature Aloha Poke and Boba on College Avenue near Noodles and Chipotle, serving delicious poke bowls with exceptional service that even got the kids involved and eating. Friendly Nick's Butcher on Lemay Avenue offers the best quality meats from local sustainable farms, amazing house made beef jerky, Nick's Sticks, dog bones, stock, and fresh beef liver, plus they do incredible community work from fundraisers to food baskets to hosting art contests for kids. Tag us at The NoCo Pulse to share how you're supporting local. Stay connected, NoCo.

    16 min
  4. Faith in Action with Jeff Faust, Lead Pastor of Vineyard Church of the Rockies

    May 16

    Faith in Action with Jeff Faust, Lead Pastor of Vineyard Church of the Rockies

    I met Jeff Faust last summer, when I learned about and toured the bones of the Love FoCo Resource Center - and got to know him better at their benefit golf tournament last fall - which was my favorite “work” day of the year.  Love Foco  just held its ribbon cutting last month!  In this podcast, Jeff tells the tale of securing the real estate by gift, and the special community efforts that were made to build out the space into a full-service community health and resource center.   We also zoomed back with Jeff to his earlier chapters, including hands-on service work in the grittiest parts of Kansas City, his grooming as the future Lead Pastor of an established church there - and having a literal vision/call from God to head West and how he followed the call to Fort Collins.   Jeff is as entrepreneurial of a guy as you’ll ever get to know, and a heck of a communitarian - so please enjoy, as I did, my conversation with Jeff Faust!

    2h 4m
  5. The Noco Pulse | Week of May 11th

    May 10

    The Noco Pulse | Week of May 11th

    Welcome back to the NoCo Pulse as we kick off the second week of May following a surprise snow day that had Northern Colorado kids out of school and riding bikes by afternoon. This week we're covering community news, business updates, and local highlights while celebrating the resilience and energy that makes NoCo special. What's moving features Miles Beyond Running Community and their upcoming Weld Your Metal Running Festival on May 30th and 31st in Eaton. This 146 acre private property event offers distances from a 7K run walk up to 100 miles, plus a 36 hour total mileage contest, complete with camping, glamping, sauna, cold plunge, massage, and mountain views. We also share an update on Mandy Mullen's attempt at the Cocodona 250 in Arizona. While she didn't finish, making it past the 155 mile mark before missing the time cutoff is an incredible achievement worth celebrating. Kudos to Don't Ember Productions for traveling with her to document the journey. On a sadder note, Saffron Scoops and Bites, the Indian restaurant and ice cream shop, has permanently closed but shared plans to return bigger and better than ever. Community gatherings spotlight Ginger and Baker's Murder Mystery Party coming up May 19th, with only about a dozen tickets remaining for the Baker's Half Dozen event. Fork Fun celebrates 25 years this summer, operating two mini golf courses, go kart track, laser tag, arcade, bumper boats, and restaurant while gifting millions of dollars of free usage to nonprofit children's causes like Boys and Girls Clubs, Matthews House, and Respite Care over the years. Friday Fest returns to downtown Greeley June 5th through August 7th, kicking off with the blues jam and featuring the go cup program where you can carry open alcohol from participating restaurants into 9th Street Plaza during events. Keeping the beat highlights the Loud Frame Film Festival coming to the Lyric May 22nd through 24th, an international film festival created by the same mind behind EDIY Horror Film Fest. They're seeking volunteers and vendors for the event. Thursday Night Live Concert Series returns May 28th for 16 consecutive weeks at Old Town Square, starting with The Burrows and their nine piece lineup at 7 PM, perfect for families and kids ready to dance. Community support features Stay: A Night of Metal and Hope, a metal concert at The Sound Bar on May 17th benefiting the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Larimer County. We share an inspiring story of Shana from a local cleaning company who moved to NoCo two years ago from Columbus, Ohio with her daughter in her car on gas cards. After her car broke down, a daily rental owner gifted her a vehicle for $250 with new tires and fresh oil, House of Neighborly Services helped with housing, and she's now thriving with stable housing, a $4 raise, and representing her cleaning agency at networking groups across Fort Collins. Business news celebrates Andrew Johnson with Business Networking Done Right, a former BNI director who started his own brand and has grown to four chapters with 20 members each. He's hosting a lunch and learn workshop May 20th through the Loveland Chamber on Building Stronger Referral Relationships, open to anyone for $30 including lunch. Shout out to Dixie Daly, who's everywhere in the community from creating pink coffee with Top of the Light Coffee to being named grand marshal for the upcoming Larimer County parade. She's also running for some kind of entrepreneur of impact recognition worth voting for. Food picks feature The Taco Stop, nationally recognized by USA Today, serving incredible tacos al carbon so full you can barely pick them up, led by classically trained chef Caesar from Mexico City. Yellow Crunch Colombian Restaurant opened their massive new location at The Exchange in the former Crooked Stave space, featuring giant murals by artists flown in from Colombia and a 12 by 20 foot television screen in a beautiful 3500 square foot space. Important announcement: The LoCo PULSE is officially becoming the NoCo PULSE in the coming weeks and getting its own RSS feed, making it easier for listeners who love the weekly community news format to find and follow along. Shout out to Laughing Buck Farm for being weekly listeners and sharing the podcast with their entire newsletter. They offer markets, vegetable swaps, and kids summer camps including homesteader camp and horse camp, plus a nonprofit supporting gardening and vegetables for people in our community. Stay connected, NoCo.

    19 min
  6. Vision Impaired but Entrepreneurially Gifted - My Fascinating Conversation with Pat Malloy

    May 9

    Vision Impaired but Entrepreneurially Gifted - My Fascinating Conversation with Pat Malloy

    When Pat Malloy was in about 6th grade, his mother noticed that the same genetic affliction that had struck his father had been passed down to him, and so when he was 15, she took a microcassette recorder into the local Department of Motor Vehicles, was walked through the eye test by the technician, and delivered the recorded cassette to Pat for memorization. Pat lived as a sighted person for nearly the next decade, despite not being able to read a Stop sign until he’s already parked at it - and even then, not really - they’re just - familiar. In his early 20’s, Pat drifted into alcohol, and was fired from his job at his parents auto rental business - and spiraled.  When he was in his mid-20’s, he was trying to get back on the right track, having gone through recovery and AA, and was 6 months into his now 30+ year sobriety, and had confessed his vision impairment.  On an after-Christmas trip, his parents were killed when a series of rogue waves off the Isle of Tortuga took out their scuba vessel - a heavy trawler - killing all but a lone survivor.  Against odds, the Franchisor for their auto rental business, and the executor trustee of the estate - allowed Pat to run the business.  Within 3 years, Pat was operating one of the top locations in the franchise network, was selected to speak at an annual conference, and was rolling in the back of a stretch mini-limo, and being shuttled around by rental car staff.   Becoming part of the “in” crowd had its perks - and its dangers.  A local ophthalmologist helped Pat get a medical waiver and get his driver’s license back! - and he sold the rental business, moved around the country and traveled, started and closed or sold other businesses, got married, and lived again as a sighted person for a decade.  Eventually, Pat got divorced and moved to Eaton from the Lyons area, and nothing felt safe or familiar - and sacrificed his driving privileges again in 2012.   This is a wild one, with lots of moral ambiguity, inspirational entrepreneurship, and an almost-constant investigation of purpose and overcoming.  Pat’s got a lot of talent in business and construction, and has time on his hands - so if you hear this conversation and have a new side-quest for Pat Malloy - and can provide transportation! - email him at pat.malloy@gmail.com Thanks for listening to The LoCo Experience podcast - if this episode inspires you in any way, please share it with a friend you think will enjoy it.

    1h 43m
  7. The Loco Pulse | Week of May 4th

    May 4

    The Loco Pulse | Week of May 4th

    Welcome back to the LoCo PULSE as we kick off the first week of May with fresh community news, events, and highlights from across Northern Colorado. This week we're celebrating business growth, gathering opportunities, and the vibrant arts scene that makes NoCo special. What's moving features Miles Beyond Running Community wrapping up support for Mandy Mullen at the Cocodona 250 in Arizona (catch episode 267 for the full story on that incredible 250 mile race). Their next big event is the Weld Your Metal Running Festival May 30th and 31st, featuring distances from 7K all the way to 100 miles on a private 146 acre property with camping, glamping, sauna, cold plunge, and mountain views. The Windsor Chamber of Commerce is making major moves under executive director Norma Perez, adding over 120 new members in just nine months. They've built an impressive slate of networking opportunities including the Strength of Windsor Men's Group, Women of Windsor, Wake Up Windsor coffees, and the WISE Young Professionals Group (Windsor Inspiring Successful and Engaged). Austin Hannon and his fiancée Micah are taking over ownership of the FoCo Food Truck Rally, bringing fresh energy and community awareness to this beloved summer gathering. Austin also works for Visit Fort Collins, making this partnership a perfect fit for growth. Community gatherings include Ginger and Baker hosting an exclusive farm event May 18th with Lisa Steele, author of In Season. Meet Ginger's flock of chickens, enjoy Q&A with the author, and taste recipes straight from the cookbook. Night on the Town returns to downtown Loveland every second Friday from May through October, with the first event this Friday featuring late shop hours and free museum entry. Saturday brings the Past and Progress Tour through four historic downtown Loveland buildings, with morning and afternoon tour times available for $10. Keeping the beat highlights Story Swap at the Lyric Cinema every first Thursday, featuring live storytelling where none of the stories are known in advance. May 7th's theme is Family Lore, with Hello's and Goodbye's coming June 4th. ABBA Euphoria brings the ultimate ABBA tribute show to the Rialto Theater May 9th. Fort Collins Art Week runs May 1st through 9th, now hosted by the Mural Project with events across Midtown and beyond. Catch the free History, Murals and Public Art tour Wednesday May 6th at 10 AM, and don't miss Circus in the Square Saturday at 3:30 PM with Live Beyond Limit for a kid friendly circus experience (waiver required). Check thisisnoco.com for the complete Art Week calendar. Community support spotlights Foundation for Accessible Music hosting their All Abilities Open Mic Night Thursday at New Belgium, featuring visual songbooks, AAC devices, sign language interpretation, live music accompaniment, and a quiet sensory break room. Homeward Alliance presents their Ungala fundraiser May 9th at the Lory Student Center with an intergalactic theme, welcoming space cowboys, Star Trek, Star Wars, or come as you are attire. RespectCare recently opened their new $12 million facility serving up to 155 kids at a time with special needs through activities and summer camps. Business news celebrates Alison Sebeck, executive director of the Warehouse Business Accelerator in Loveland and longtime LoCo Think Tank facilitator, nominated as Manufacturing Woman of the Year for 2026. She's transformed the Warehouse since taking over just before COVID. May is also membership month at Breeze Thru Car Wash, the perfect time to beat pollen season with unlimited washes at multiple locations across NoCo for just $20 monthly. Food picks feature Jack's Fish House premiering their new menu with an exciting Hunk of Fish program, allowing guests to learn exactly which fisherman caught their fish and where it came from that week. Look for Ben's full menu review coming soon on thisisnoco.com. Twin Staves cocktail bar in Windsor, located below Hearth Restaurant, is crafting intentional cocktails on par with Social and Ace Gillett's, led by bartender Sean who recently won a regional craft cocktail competition. Important announcement: The LoCo PULSE is evolving into the NoCo PULSE and moving to its own dedicated channel. The LoCo Experience will continue sharing business stories and advisory content with LoCo Think Tank, while the NoCo PULSE brings you community news and events. Both shows continue, just easier to find. Stay connected, NoCo.

    17 min
  8. EXPERIENCE 268 | Eric Goodman - Delivering Dollars and Enthusiasm for Great Causes

    May 2

    EXPERIENCE 268 | Eric Goodman - Delivering Dollars and Enthusiasm for Great Causes

    Eric Goodman - Delivering Dollars and Enthusiasm for Great Causes - Founder and Owner of Your Fundraising Team - and Co-Host of the Hot Takes with Goodman and Haertl sports podcast I met Eric Goodman at a local non-profit event, when I happened to be seated at his table, and complimented him on an above-average performance as a volunteer emcee.  We shared some fun banter, but during the paddle-raise it was more than obvious (which I already suspected) - that he was a pro - and a damn good one.   We connected after that, and during our first long phone call I shared how I sometimes emcee or paddle raise for events - but only as a volunteer - ya know, so he wouldn’t be threatened.  He challenged me - “You should charge - and learn enough so you do a great job and deserve to be paid!  I’ll mentor you, or teach you and a group of others from NOCO how to do it right if you like - no charge!”  I didn’t take him up on it - too busy I told myself - but we may revisit the idea. That’s the kinda guy Eric is - focused on being the best at his craft, and encouraging others to fulfill their potential, and to live generously.  He drops a ton of great information to help non-profits fundraise better - and he’s a great conversationalist, so please enjoy my time together with Eric Goodman.

    1h 37m
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4.8
out of 5
13 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
    323
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The LoCo Experience
  • Show Website
    The LoCo Experience