KGPR Great Falls Public Radio

David Saslav interviews Jolene Schalper, the 2026 Great Falls Chamber of Commerce's Athena Award Winner for notable women in business, about her award, her selection and surprise notification; about Great Falls as a city of opportunity for women entrepreneurs, her own downtown business, how to get started with networking, how to gauge our candidates for their support of Great Falls' business, and a new Giving Circle being formed by 100 women of Great Falls to make significant monetary impacts on local non-profits.

A lot has changed since Prairie Ponderings began with a snarky letter. I share stories of what it takes to raise cattle and sheep in an effort to help people understand the foundation of our culture, food system and environment in a rapidly changing world. - Lisa

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Kaylee LaClair, Nik Asmussen, and Laureen Asa-Dorian Johnson all from the Great Falls Theatre Company talking about their upcoming production of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie taking place at the University of Providence Theater on April 23rd, the 24th, and the 25th.  For more information, go to greatfallstheatre.com.

David Saslav interviews Fish Wildlife and Parks manager Clark Aasom, and Karen Thornton, Chairperson of Northern Plains Resource Council's Golden Triangle affliate, Golden Triangle Resource Council, about upcoming Earth Day activities the public can partake in.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews award winning pianist David Korevaar talking about his career, favorite composers, and a preview of his latest box set Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas.  For more information about the artist, go to davidkorevaar.com.  

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Great Falls Symphony music director candidate finalist Ian Passmore and interim music director Gordon Johnson with a preview of the upcoming concert "Echoes of Resilience" taking place at the Mansfield Theater, April 18th at 7:30 PM.  For more information, go to gfsymphony.org.

"The Easter Bunny's cottontail cousin posed for me as a distraction while the real Easter Bunny hid out at my ranch. If the gulf stream collapses, maybe I'll raise many cottontail cousins." -Lisa

"What's Trending" is a look at drug and alcohol trends occurring in Great Falls and Cascade County. The April 2026 edition runs 8:59 in length.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Jake Blaine of the Belt Performing Arts Theater and the Great Falls band After 5 talking about future concerts in both his band and the theater itself, the Belt Valley players, and more.  For more information, go to beltperformingartscenter.com.  

"Geese are flying north, gophers are out and about, calves are cavorting -- it must be springtime at the ranch." -Lisa

Great Falls City Planning and Community Development Director Brock Cherry discusses the final phases of the nearly three-year process of updating the Great Falls City Growth Policy.

Recovery Radio is a monthly show featuring candid conversations with individuals in recovery-sharing the raw, human stories of loss, resilience, and transformation. Each episode weaves together personal narratives, expert insights, and community resources, creating a rich tapestry of hope and guidance. This issue of Recovery Radio features an interview with Rev. Dawn Skerritt of the First United Methodist Church and runs 42:20 in length.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews pianist Christopher O'Riley and cellist Matt Haimovitz with a preview of their latest album "The Bach Dialogues."  

"Spring is my favorite time of year. This year, my adopted family is visiting so it is even better.  Brooke Fitzgerald, Donovan and Julian Fasold and Zora Johr used experiential learning to develop a knack for turning wethers on their hips. Julian didn't quite have the technique down yet, but by the end of the day, he was a master." -Lisa

"Thank goodness for the joys of a long partnership with a good dog and the tears that come with giving her one more gift." -Lisa  

David Saslav interviews Stephanie Erdmann about her recent announcement that she is stepping down as Dean and CEO of Great Falls College / MSU, the accomplishments of her tenure at the College, and what's next for Stephanie Erdmann.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews composer Stephen Emmer with a preview of his latest album Asymmetrical Dot.  For more information about the artist, go to stephenemmer.com.

"The sheep shearers were in town and my sheep need to be sheared before lambing commences, yet snow and wind might freeze newly-shorn ewes. I figured I could keep most of them alive, but it wouldn't be pretty." -Lisa

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Jake Blaine, of Blaine Train realty, talking about the Belt Performing Arts Center on 58 Castner Street in Belt, Montana, with exciting new shows coming up.  For more information, go to beltperformingartscenter.com.

"I'm losing my faith and patience, but it has to rain someday. Right?" -Lisa 

"What's Trending" is a look at drug and alcohol trends occurring in Great Falls and Cascade County. The March 2026 edition runs 7:57 in length.

David Saslav interviews Cheryl Cohen and Sheila Rice, both with the Montana State Department of Commerce's Board of Housing, about the current competitive round of applications for new housing starts brought about by an important appropriation in the 2025 Montana Legislature, sparked by the Governor's Housing Task Force.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews five-time Emmy winning composer Jeff Beal with a preview of his latest album New York Etudes, Vol. 2.  For more information about the album, go to jeffbeal.com.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews composer and singer Laura Detrick and baritone Tim Buckheit talking about local choir Voices of the Falls and their upcoming concert taking place Thursday, March 12th at the United Church of Christ, 2900 9th Ave. So.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Great Falls artists Ron and Echo Ukrainetz talking about their art, inspiration, and a preview of the upcoming Western Art Week.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Grammy winning composer Christopher Tin talking about his career, his music, and a preview of his latest work of the Finale Concert Suite of Puccini's Turandot.  For more information about the artist, go to christophertin.com.  

"2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer. I'm proud to be a woman and it's nice to be recognized, but I suspect I share more characteristics with all ranchers, male and female, than are distinctive because of my gender." -Lisa 

Host Matt Donnelly interviews comedian Sam Miller talking about his career, overcoming addiction, and why comedy can be healing.  For more information about Sam, go to sammillercomedy.com.

David Saslav interviews two of the leading lights from the Cascade County Historical Society, aka The History Museum, about the various displays on offer there, and some of the Second Saturday performances, talks and lectures upcoming in 2026.

"What's Trending" is a look at drug and alcohol trends occurring in Great Falls and Cascade County. The February 2026 edition runs 8:36 in length.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Lindsey Nussbaum and composer James Rickley about the upcoming Flowing Water Concert Series, featuring a concert by Lindsey taking place Wednesday, February 25th at noon at the New Hope Lutheran Church, 3125 5th Avenue South in Great Falls, MT.

"The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over while expecting a different result. These sheep might be insane, but I am trying to avoid making the same mistake twice after learning a lesson the hard way." -Lisa

"What are the odds? Whether the story behind the highway view is clear or not, Montana nonfiction can't be beat." -Lisa

Recovery Radio is a monthly show featuring candid conversations with individuals in recovery-sharing the raw, human stories of loss, resilience, and transformation. Each episode weaves together personal narratives, expert insights, and community resources, creating a rich tapestry of hope and guidance. This program focuses on the activities offered by the Sober Life program. This issue of Recovery Radio runs 2:42 in length.

David Saslav interviews local historian and author Ken Robison about his new book, "Hidden History of Great Falls", now available at local bookstores and The History Museum Giftshop.

David Saslav interviews new Great Falls Public Library Director Amy Dissmeyer, Community Engagement Coordinator Sarah Cawley, and Former Library Director Jim Heckel, founder and organizer of the annual Word Meister competition held annually in the Cordingley Room at the Library.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Australian composer and conductor Simone Lobbia talking about his music, his career, and a preview of his latest works Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra and Gentil Mia Donna L'Veggio from "Soundscapes of Poetry."  For more information about this artist, go to simonelobbia.com.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Randy Lynes and Sherry Larson, both with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) talking about what NAMI does and a class being offered on Wednesday, March 11th.  For more information, go to namigreatfalls.org.

One advantage of this weather is access to the mountains in February. Thank goodness! I found mysteries of a mountain canyon revealed in the little things.    -Lisa

Thank goodness for friends, favors and ingenuity! My skilled friends balanced my new 6500-pound pressure cooker with a boom truck and guided it through the doorway with a skid steer. Gotta love problem-solvers.    -Lisa

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Great Falls Symphony music director candidate Robert Kahn and interim music director Gordon Johnson with a preview of the upcoming concert Romantic Journey featuring special guest violinist Matthew Hakkarainen, all taking place Saturday, February 14th at 7:30 PM at the Mansfield Center.  For more information, go to gfsymphony.org.

David Saslav interviews Family Promise Executive Director Greg Grosenick and Development Director (and 2024 Salute to Women Award Winner) Cari Yturri about the upcoming SOC Hop Fundraiser, and several of their ongoing projects and services for assisting Great Falls families with several different kinds of housing challenges.

David Saslav interviews Great Falls Public Schools Foundation's departing Executive Director, Stephanie Becker, alongside the Chairman of the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation's Board of Directors, Jamie Wyatt Marshall, as the Foundation readies itself to announce Becker's successor as ED in the coming weeks.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews violinist Mary Papoulis and violist Christine Sherlock, both of the Cascade Quartet with a preview of their upcoming concert Beethoven by Candlelight taking place Sunday, February 6th at 7 PM @ the History Museum and on Sunday, February 8th @ 2 PM at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.  For more information, go to gfsymphony.org.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Jason Laird and Shannon Newth, both with Clear Source Communications talking about their broadcasting careers, public relations, and the benefits of PR.  For more information, go to clearsourcecommunications.com.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Los Angeles-based composer, vocalist, and arranger Laurent Ziliani, talking about his career, film scores, and a preview of his latest work Skybound, a musical tribute to composer, violinist, and pilot Ben Powell.  For more information about the artist, go to laurentziliani.com.  

David Saslav interviews Ken Robison and Kathy Reed about the upcoming Black History Evening at the Great Falls Public Library, and some of the key black figures in Great Falls, Montana, and American history.

Meanwhile, I look in the mirror at my winter-feeding system and think Montana's education system, too. Clearly, both need overhauls. -Lisa 

The weather is so warm that sometimes I forget to wear a coat when I feed my sheep and cattle.  -Lisa

Money isn't enough to keep an entrepreneur going during hard times. Fortunately, ranchers know life can be fun when our basic needs are met.  -Lisa