Best Tri State Generation Podcasts (2025)

1
What to consider before your first trip to the garden center this season 54:18

14h ago54:18

54:18

If you're enthusiastic to hit the garden centers for the first time this season, great! But it helps to have a plan first. In this episode, Don and John go over some considerations to keep in mind before you get swept up in the thrill of a new growing season. They also answer a few questions from the mailbag.…

1
John Wang: Overcoming Burnout, Imposter Syndrome & Perfectionism 1:02:58

2d ago1:02:58

1:02:58

Have you ever struggled with burnout or imposter syndrome? No matter how much you accomplish, does it somehow feel like it's never quite enough? Today, we’re here with my friend John Wang, an author, speaker, and global traveler on a mission to help high-achievers overcome maladaptive patterns and break free from the invisible scripts and cultural …

1
Taste This Machine 54:28

5d ago54:28

54:28

Scientists have developed a device, called “e-Taste”, capable of recreating complex flavours of food and drink from five basic building blocks, and plan to use it to enhance virtual reality and augmented reality systems, boosting immersive experiences. Anthony and Jeff debate whether adding taste to VR will made the world a better place. Today's st…

1
Unique conditions lead to winter burn on some area evergreens 34:24

8d ago34:24

34:24

Unique conditions can lead to winter burn on some area evergreens. In this episode, Don and John discuss what winter burn is, how it can happen and steps to prevent it.

1
This Guy Really Loves Heat Pumps with Pete Rusin 35:46

12d ago35:46

35:46

What if upgrading your home’s energy systems could lead to significant savings and improved comfort? In this episode of Western Watts, hosts Melissa Swinehart and Julia Perry sit down with Pete Rusin, Senior Electrification Manager at Tri-State, to explore the transformative impact of energy efficiency and electrification programs across Colorado, …

1
It's time to get your yard and garden set for spring planting 52:31

15d ago52:31

52:31

The snow is gone and the days are getting longer and warmer, and while we're not quite ready to plant, the time has come to get everything set for the growing season. In this episode, Don and John talk about the tasks you should be doing right now to get your yard and garden ready for spring planting. They also discuss Easter lillies and a ... man/…

1
Dan Faggella: The Radical Future of Human-AI Interaction 1:09:50

17d ago1:09:50

1:09:50

In a world where machines can outperform humans in nearly every conceivable domain, where exactly does that leave us? When artificial intelligence can fulfill our deepest drives and reward pathways more reliably than any human relationship, what happens to human connection, meaning, and purpose? Today, we’re exploring the world of artificial intell…

1
Electric Grid Reliability with Matt Fitzgibbon and Lisa Tiffin 43:10

19d ago43:10

43:10

What does it really take to keep your lights on—and your power bill low—in a changing energy world? In Episode 6 of the Western Watts Podcast, hosts Elizabeth Shilling and Julia Perry sit down with Lisa Tiffin, Senior Vice President of Energy Management, and Matt Fitzgibbon, Senior Manager of Planning Analytics at Tri-State. The conversation dives …

1
New garden tools to try this season 51:01

23d ago51:01

51:01

Maybe your trusty garden tools are getting a little rusty, or maybe you're just itching for some new gear this season. Either way, this show's for you. In this episode, Don and John highlight some new garden tools currently on the market as we count down the days before outdoor work can begin in earnest.…

1
Tri-State 2025 Annual Meeting 41:55

23d ago41:55

41:55

What does it take to power rural America? Join host Elizabeth Schilling as she uncovers bold ideas and personal stories at the Tri-State Annual Meeting with cooperative leaders Molly Lynn, Ruth Marks, Corey Robinson, and David Spradlin. From cutting-edge technology and legislative wins to community-driven wildfire strategies, hear how these innovat…

1
Energy, Community, and Preservation with Corey Robinson 10:37

24d ago10:37

10:37

What’s it like balancing land stewardship with the responsibility of powering rural communities? In this episode of Western Watts, host Elizabeth sits down with Corey Robinson from Empire Electric, a board member and owner representative to the Tri-State Board. Corey shares his passion for energy and preserving the land and opens up about the uniqu…

1
Reliability and Resilience with Ruth Marks 6:16

24d ago6:16

6:16

What do 25 Tri-State annual meetings teach you about leadership and legacy? In this episode, host Elizabeth speaks with Ruth Marks, CEO of Mountain View Electric Association, who brings a wealth of experience from both the distribution and transmission sides of the cooperative world. Ruth reflects on decades of co-op evolution, the persistent need …

1
Community First: Cooperative Insights with David Spradlin 11:46

24d ago11:46

11:46

Can artificial intelligence and drones shape the future of rural power? In this episode of Western Watts, host Elizabeth interviews David Spradlin, CEO of Springer Electric Cooperative, David discusses his extensive experience in the co-op world, from his beginnings at Springer in 1986 to his role on the Board of Directors for the National Rural El…

1
Empowering Small Co-ops with Molly Lynn 12:31

24d ago12:31

12:31

How does a six-person team keep the lights on across rural Wyoming? In this episode of Western Watts, host Elizabeth talks with Molly Lynn, General Manager of Garland Light and Power. Molly gives a behind-the-scenes look at how a small-but-mighty team delivers top-tier service through community connection and strong cooperative support. She talks a…

1
Move with the Crowd 58:16

27d ago58:16

58:16

Researchers have discovered that dense crowds can spontaneously synchronize into collective oscillations, with hundreds of people moving in coordinated, swirling patterns. How did they do it? By studying the Spanish tradition of running with the bulls. Jeff and Anthony discuss getting lost in a crowd, and how science can make these large events saf…

1
Amend your soil for optimal early-season performance 56:37

29d ago56:37

56:37

Before you know it, it'll be time to get outside and start getting your hands dirty in the garden. Before you plant, though, you probably want to get that dirt into shape. In this episode, Don and John talk about amending your soil so your garden can start the season with gusto.

1
Try to Imagine It 53:37

1M ago53:37

53:37

People with aphantasia lack the ability to summon images in their "mind's eye." But a new study suggests that the blueprints for those imaginary images might still be nestled in their brains. As someone with aphantasia himself, Anthony tries to explain to Jeff how his inner life works. LInk to the story: https://www.livescience.com/health/neuroscie…

1
Joshua Weissman: Cooking is an Act of Rebellion 1:15:02

1M ago1:15:02

1:15:02

Today, we have a special in-person episode going back in time with our friend Joshua Weissman. This episode was actually recorded many moons ago, but after one of my computers died the files sadly went missing. Now years later, I was able to retrieve most of our conversation and finally edit this show together. Since the original recording of this …

1
How do the plants in local gardening centers survive our region's winters? 47:33

1M ago47:33

47:33

How can gardeners be sure that the plants, shrubs and trees they buy in local gardening centers will survive our region's winters? In this episode, Don and John talk with Charles Elhard, plant protection officer with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture about nursery laws and inspections.

1
The basics of making cuttings from your houseplants 41:52

1M ago41:52

41:52

It's still a bit too early to get out into the lawn or garden, but with our increasing sunlight it's a perfect time to start cuttings of your houseplants. But how do you go about it? In this episode, Don and John talk about the process of taking cuttings (or "slips") from your houseplants, including the best candidates for cuttings and good practic…

1
Why Do We Itch? 44:06

2M ago44:06

44:06

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have uncovered new insights into the dual nature of scratching an itch, indicating that while it can worsen skin inflammation, it can also boost immune defenses against bacterial infections at the injury site. How did they do it? By torturing mice, of course. Jeff and Anthony dig into the science of itchi…

1
Deep-fake plants? How AI-generated photos are used to sell varieties that don't exist 36:45

2M ago36:45

36:45

It's a sad truth nowadays, but it seems like anything you see online is too good to be true, and that's true for gardeners, too. In this episode, Don and John talk about the disturbing new phenomenon of using images generated by artificial intelligence to sell plant varieties that don't exist. But if you've been duped by one of these, don't fear: t…

1
AI vs Critical Thinking 1:07:28

2M ago1:07:28

1:07:28

The rise of AI has directly resulted in diminishing levels of critical thinking, epseically among young people, a new study shows. Anthony and Jeff discuss how relying on technology must be paired with new ways of thinking, and the dire consequences that may result from algorithmic learning. Today's story: https://phys.org/news/2025-01-ai-linked-er…

1
Early spring tasks to get you out into your yard and garden 40:53

2M ago40:53

40:53

If you're a regular listener to this podcast, then we know you're chomping at the bit to get out into the yard and start work on your garden. In this episode, Don and John go over some of the gardening tasks you could be doing right now as we get our first sings of spring.

1
Mark Sisson: Why Walking Beats Running for Longevity 1:08:57

2M ago1:08:57

1:08:57

What’s better for longevity—running or walking? It’s a bit of a trick question. But if there is one answer, it’s definitely walking. If you want to be fit and live for a long time, you don’t need to subject yourself to suffer fests and slog through long runs. In fact, when you combine daily walks with the habit of sprinting just about once a week, …

1
Generation Lead 59:55

2M ago59:55

59:55

A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that one generation in particular has higher exposure to unsafe levels of lead than all others. It just happens to be Jeff and Anthony's generation: Gen X. They take a loook at the impacts, and the long history of cover-up that led to lead staying in gasoline far longer t…

1
How this Fargo company grows and sells fresh greens all year round 33:47

2M ago33:47

33:47

Our cold Northern Plains winters don't seem like they're friendly toward year-round growing of fresh greens, but they're actually a positive for the team at Great Plains Greens. In this episode, Don and (guest host) Kris talk with Dylan Kallman, founder of Great Plains Greens. Kallman and his team use a converted shipping container to grow fresh pr…

1
Tristan Scott: Hidden Dangers of EMFs and Artificial Blue Light 1:09:54

2M ago1:09:54

1:09:54

Have you ever had a concussion? Anyone who’s ever had their bell rung knows recovery can be brutal. But with enough time and the right treatment, our bodies also have the remarkable ability to heal. Today we’re going hard in the paint on brain health, electromagnetic fields and decentralization in tech, food and finance with our friend Tristan Scot…

1
Showers for Health: Hot or Cold? 43:41

2M ago43:41

43:41

Much has been made about taking a cold shower in the morning vs a hot one. A new study aims to measure the health benefit of these different temperature extremes for daily washing. Anthony and Jeff get into a lather about it, and the results may surprise you! Support the show and get bonus episodes, videos, Discord community access and more! http:/…

1
A bouquet of gardening tips to celebrate our 100th episode 43:42

2M ago43:42

43:42

This is our 100th episode of Growing Together! That's 100 episodes of gardening tips from Don, John, and plenty of guests who share our love of gardening. In this episode, Don and John present 50 quick-fire gardening tips to commemorate this milestone and get you all caught up for the next 100 episodes.…

1
Alpha Wolf Brain Parasite 48:58

2M ago48:58

48:58

A study of 26 years' worth of wolf behavioral data, and an analysis of the blood of 229 wolves, has shown that infection with a parasite that can only reproduce in cats makes wolves 46 times more likely to become a pack leader. How can this be? Jeff and Anthony dive into the data, and come away thinking it has far-reaching ramification for how we a…

1
The Future of Tri-State with Duane Highley 15:52

3M ago15:52

15:52

If you could do one thing today to improve the lives of your grandchildren, or even great great grandchildren, what would you want it to be? For Tri-State G&T CEO Duane Highley, that thing is providing them with reliable, affordable and responsible power. In the final installment of his three-part interview, Duane discusses how the projects and dec…

1
Godzilla, Meteors and Reliability with Duane Highley 11:35

3M ago11:35

11:35

Join Tri-State's CEO for the second installment of his three-part interview to discuss something near and dear to his heart: reliability planning as it relates to increased demand, extreme weather and prehistoric reptilian monsters. All jokes aside, reliability is the driving force behind what Tri-State does for our members. Duane has been at the f…

1
Cooperative Roots with Tim Rabon 37:28

3M ago37:28

37:28

Tim Rabon can do a lot of things well, but retiring is not one of them. Get to know the busiest retired man you’ll ever meet and hear what Tim does as Tri-State's Chairman of the Board. Tim also walks you through an easy-to-understand history of why cooperatives exist and how crucial they are to the rural way of life. The son of a World War Two vet…

1
The Why Behind Wildfire Mitigation with Curtis Hartenstine 33:11

3M ago33:11

33:11

No one wants to hear the word wildfire -- except Curtis Hartenstine because he’s been working to mitigate their risk for most of his career. As the Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager at Tri-State G& T, the w-word has been a part of Curtis’ daily life for decades. In this episode of Western Watts, we dive into how Curtis’ deep love of the nature ha…

1
Jazz up your gardening vocabulary with these terms 59:06

3M ago59:06

59:06

Like all good pursuits, gardening is filled with a rich variety of terms and word usage, but it might not always make sense, especially to newer gardeners. For instance, what is "deadheading," and what does it do? In this episode, Don and (guest host) Kris go over some of the head-scratching terms that gardeners might come across. What does it mean…

1
Getting To Know Duane Highley 15:18

3M ago15:18

15:18

Welcome to the first episode of Western Watts, Tri-State's new energy podcast! Who better to kick things off than our CEO Duane Highley? Duane joined Tri-State in 2019 and has almost four decades of experience with cooperatives, but this CEO is so much more than his resume. Learn about the French-horn-playing, motorcycle-riding, podcast-binging per…

1
Find a wealth of knowledge in 'The Prairie Garden' 35:00

3M ago35:00

35:00

The growing season is still a ways off, so now is the time to plan and learn new gardening techniques—maybe saving a buck or two in the process. In this episode, Don and John go over the 2025 issue of "The Prairie Garden," a periodical put together with help from Don himself. This year's edition is all about gardening on a budget. Plus, they open u…

1
John Lee Dumas: How to Quit the Rat Race and Move to Paradise 55:56

3M ago55:56

55:56

Have you ever dreamed of dropping out of the rat race and moving to a tropical paradise? This week’s guest actually did it. If you’ve ever struggled through an 80 hour workweek, you know it can be incredibly profitable… but at what cost to your health, happiness and family life? How do you know when enough is enough? Today we’re here with fellow OG…

1
What to think about before giving the gift of a houseplant 41:24

3M ago41:24

41:24

Cut flowers in a lovely bouquet make a great Valentine's Day gift, but what if you'd like to give someone a houseplant instead? In this episode, Don and John are joined again by Audrey Gilbraith of Fargo's Baker Garden and Gift. Audrey has some helpful tips for giving the gift of a houseplant, like thinking about the space and skill level of your g…

1
Old at 44 54:48

3M ago54:48

54:48

A new study finds that the human body does not age at a constant rate throughout adulthood. Instead, it accelerates dramatically around ages 44 and 60. Jeff and Anthony discuss the findings while trying not to admit how old they feel. For bonus content, check out our Patreon! patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you’re enjoying the show, please take …

1
New plants to try in your garden this year 1:00:02

3M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

Each winter, every gardener has a decision to make when planning for the growing season: stick with the varieties that worked last year or take a chance on something new. In this episode, Don and John go over some new plants and vareties that you should consider if you're looking to shake things up a bit.…

1
Paul Chek: How to Optimize Performance and Longevity (without Biohacks) 2:03:49

3M ago2:03:49

2:03:49

Are you tired of the never-ending hacks, shortcuts, protocols and gimmicks that some call biohacking? 19-year-olds are juicing up with exogenous hormones and getting implants just to keep up with the Joneses on Instagram. The materialistic worldview pushed by those with something to sell in the world of health can lead to an unhealthy obsession wit…

1
Gut Health Among Friends 52:38

3M ago52:38

52:38

More and more research points to the fact that the microbiome in our gut contributes sigificantly to both our phsyical and mental health. But what defines this microbiome? New analysis of nearly 2,000 people living in remote villages in Honduras has shown that friend groups have nearly as much impact as spouses or co-habitators. Jeff and Anthony di…

1
Is your garden your happy place? It's shaping up to be a trend in 2025 47:44

4M ago47:44

47:44

Many of us get out into our gardens as a way to escape the hustle and bustle of a busy life, like it's our own little retreat. In fact, it's shaping up to be a key trend in the coming year. In this episode, Don and John look at this and a few more trends that 2025 might have in store, like finding a way to bring music into the garden and focusing m…

1
Bat-Powers Can Be Yours 38:24

4M ago38:24

38:24

Contrary to previous assumption, a new study shows that bat-like echolocation is a skill that can be learned by both blind and sighted practitioners in as little as 10 weeks. Anthony and Jeff discuss the ramifications of this discovery, and what it means about practice and neural plasticity. Support the show and get bonus episodes, videos, Discord …

1
Bo Eason: How to Become the Best in the World at What You Do 1:33:05

4M ago1:33:05

1:33:05

What would happen if you trained like the best athlete in the world? How about the best actor or artist? Today we have the incredible honor of speaking with Bo Eason—a former star safety in the NFL, as well as an acclaimed playwright, author, and coach. After competing with all-time greats like Jerry Rice and Walter Payton in the NFL, Bo changed hi…

1
Repot your houseplants and keep your green thumbs in shape 55:10

4M ago55:10

55:10

Sure, your green thumbs have been busy the last few weeks thumbing through seed catalogs, but if anything, that's just making you more excited to get your hands dirty working on actual plants. In this episode, Don and John talk about repotting your houseplants as a way to ease your cabin fever, with plenty of tips on keeping your beloved plant homi…

1
Spicy Expectations 48:29

4M ago48:29

48:29

A new study used varying levels of hot sauce to test whether the expectation of spice and discomfort impacted the actual experience. Jeff and Anthony discuss how our brains deal with expectation - and also the way this study was conducted. With, um, squirt tubes. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2450955-hot-sauce-taste-test-reveals-how-expectat…

1
At Hope Blooms, joy spreads to those who need it most, one flower at a time 44:41

4M ago44:41

44:41

It's the holidays, a time when we all could use a little bit of joy along with a reminder that there's always more we can do to spread that joy even further. In this episode, Don and John talk with Kelly Krenzel, founder of the nonprofit organization Hope Blooms, whose mission it is to repurpose flowers into arrangements that are then distributed t…

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Tri State Generation Podcasts

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