On a First Name Basis

A 24-hour mountain bike race, a 380-mile bikepacking “failure,” and a custom whiskey blend might sound like unrelated stories, but they all point to the same theme: how we learn, how we collaborate, and how we get better without wasting effort. I’m joined by Dr. Eric Jankowski, director of the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering at Boise State University, for a wide-ranging...

A great story doesn’t just entertain, it changes what we believe is possible. I sit down with Boise State marketing professor Dr. Anne Hamby to unpack why storytelling is so powerful, how it works in marketing and education, and why the most persuasive narratives often sound less like a sales pitch and more like a real human confession.We start somewhere unexpected: ultra running. Anne explains...

What if the fastest way to improve youth mental health isn’t more crisis response, but better community conditions? We sit down with Dr. Megan Smith, associate professor at Boise State and founding director of Communities for Youth, to explore how upstream prevention makes thriving the norm and not the exception. From her move to Boise for family and purpose to the early classroom lessons that...

A Razorback on the table, a Longhorn on the mic, and a conversation that turns from tailgates to the true engine of school change: teachers learning with teachers. We sit down with Associate Professor Amber Warrington to explore how small, intentional communities of practice can transform writing assessment, student belonging, and the daily joy of teaching.Amber shares how an early love of...

Education should be a doorway open to everyone who wants to walk through it. That's the guiding philosophy behind Dr. Jeremy Ford's work at Boise State University, where he's creating pathways to college for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have traditionally been excluded from higher education.As a former school psychologist who found his way to academia, Ford brings...

Leslie Ordal's work as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Program Director for the Master's in Genetic Counseling program at Boise State University bridges the gap between complex genetic science and practical healthcare decisions for patients and providers. She shares her journey from early social media adopter to helping create the first fully online genetic counseling program in the...

Beth Ramsey's journey from newspaper graphic artist to high school teacher to academic librarian didn't happen by accident. Her diverse career path perfectly positioned her to tackle one of today's most pressing issues: the unchecked spread of misinformation in our digital landscape. What makes us so susceptible to false information? Ramsey explains how our ancient cognitive processes—designed...

Discover the art of balancing passions and profession with Professor Owen McDougall from Boise State's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Owen shares his unique perspective on how outdoor activities like cycling and skiing have not only shaped his personal life but also invigorated his academic endeavors. His routine—a 17-mile mountain bike ride to work coupled with family ski...

Picture this: a sixth-generation Idahoan with roots deeply planted in the rugged soils of Idaho’s high deserts finds his voice in the world of environmental philosophy. Dr. Jared Talley from Boise State joins us, sharing a tapestry of personal anecdotes that weave through the challenges and curiosities of life amidst Idaho's distinct landscapes. From tales of cattle ranching and blacksmithing to...