A New Angle

It’s time once again to check in with A New Angle’s Chief Legal Correspondents Craig Cowie and Constance Van Kley, law professors at the University of Montana. 2026 is sure to bring many consequential legal developments, and Constance and Craig will help us try to make sense of what to expect.In this conversation Justin, Craig and Constance talk about the changing power of the executive and the rise of the unitary executive theory. They discuss the shadow docket and the tendency for courts in this administration to expedite processes, making the path to decisions less clear. Craig and Constance consider the topics they have in focus for the remainder of this year. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guests are Logan and Jordan Lefler. Together, these brothers are making “Journey to the Sun,” a documentary film about Glacier National Park’s Going To The Sun Road. This film not only tells the history, but peers into the future at the many challenges facing this iconic piece of Montana.In this conversation, the brothers talk about their early filmmaking, which included making clips of them skateboarding as teenagers. Logan and Jordan discuss what it took to originally make the Going To The Sun Road and their goal of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into the film to highlight the historical and cultural significance of the area. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week is the January edition of Incentives & Instincts, a recurring series in which Justin speaks with economist and friend Bryce Ward about some of the broader challenges facing our society. A New Angle is excited to announce a new partnership with the Headwaters Foundation. To talk about this and other new stuff, Bryce and Justin are joined by Headwaters CEO, Carly Hare.In this conversation, Carly shares Headwaters’ mission and how the foundation supports nonprofits working with families most impacted by health challenges to build leadership and have a real say in the decisions that affect their lives. Justin explains A New Angle’s new tagline: a show about how we’re doing, and where we’re going.Also in this episode, Justin debuts a new segment for subscribers-only called The Parent Trap. Justin and Bryce will use this segment to commiserate on some of their misadventures in parenting. This week, it’s free for everyone. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guest is Trevor Brown, post-doctoral fellow at the Center for Economy and Society at Johns Hopkins University. Trevor is the co-author of an important new book, Rural Versus Urban: The Growing Divide That Threatens Democracy. Many of the dynamics reported in this book are unfolding here in Montana.In this conversation, Trevor talks about how rural and urban areas have become increasingly polarized, and discusses the economic factors and messaging strategies that have led to that divide. Trevor talks about the dangers of this divide, but also brings up some solutions. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guests are Marcus Welnel and Parker Fleming. Marcus played football for the Griz and now serves as chief revenue officer for Grizzly Athletics. Parker has a PhD in economics and works with the universities on how to set player salaries.In this conversation, the three talk about the changing landscape of collegiate athletics, particularly the impact of name, image and likeness on the ability for student-athletes to earn income. They also discuss the changing landscape of playing sports for the value of camaraderie and institutional pride or for more lucrative offers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guest is Dr. Alex Metcalf, associate professor at the University of Montana’s Franke College of Forestry and Conservation. Alex is a social scientist who studies how people make decisions in a wide variety of conservation domains. Alex and Justin collaborate on a variety of projects, including a just released study on the interaction between politics and our attitudes towards wolves.In this conversation, Alex and Justin talk about how political identity can contribute to the polarization around people’s attitudes towards wolves and discuss how identity-based assumptions can drive division, but also how that can be corrected to bring people back together. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week we're bringing you a recording of a live discussion hosted by Climate Smart Missoula called Not the Dark Ages: Climate Science Continues Despite the Attacks. Justin hosts a conversation between Amy Martin, a journalist and creator of the award-winning podcast Threshold, and Dr. Christopher Preston, a philosophy professor at the University of Montana and author of several books, including his latest Tenacious Beasts.In this conversation, Amy and Christopher talk about some of their favorite scientists, consider new technologies like AI and carbon capture to address environmental challenges and talk about how animals communicate with each other. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guests are Andy Kemmis and Chris Bacon. Together, these two made a beautiful new book about skateboarding in Montana titled Grit to Grind. The book is an amazing visual and narrative history of how skateboarding shaped Montana communities in ways that might surprise you.In this episode, Andy and Chris talk about their skateboarding origins and how they came to be the writers of this book about Montana’s skateboarding scene. They talk about some of the skate parks they helped create, the inclusivity of skateboarding and remind us of the life lessons that can be found in one’s passions. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guest is Caroline Joan Peixoto, co-founder and director of River Arts and Books in Roscoe, Montana. This little spot along East Rosebud Creek is all about building community. Founded in 2023, River Arts and Books has already produced a series of amazing events and created a space for folks to gather.In this conversation, Caroline gives the origin story of her project and how she wanted to create a space for community and connection in the 16-person town of Roscoe. She explains the process of securing a historic cabin for the building location and landing on the bookstore’s guiding principles: land, literature and community.Find River Arts and Books on Instagram or online. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

In this special episode we pay tribute to Jeff Meese, master of all things sound at A New Angle, who is retiring after 26 years of service to the University of Montana College of Business. Thanks Jeff…you were the first to say, “how can I help” and you made us better in myriad ways. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guest is Stoney Samsoe, executive director and co-founder of Open AIR. Founded in 2019, Open AIR is dedicated to bringing creativity to diverse communities across Montana. Open AIR is perhaps best known for its amazing artist-in-residence program.In this episode, Stoney describes Open AIR’s purpose as focused on making artists keystone species in communities. And to continue the metaphor, Stoney talks about how she sees artists as crucial in the human ecology of a community. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guest is Spencer Williams, founder and CEO of West Paw, a company that makes dog toys and treats. West Paw has built an entirely U.S.-based supply chain and does all of its manufacturing right here in Montana. West Paw is also the first B Corporation in Montana and is a great example of business as a force for good.In this conversation, Spencer talks about West Paw’s inception and why he committed to manufacturing in America. He explains what being a B Corp means to West Paw, and comments on the current state of Montana’s economy, and how that can make attracting and retaining talent difficult. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guest is Richard Reeves, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and president of the American Institute for Boys and Men. In 2022, Richard published Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What To Do About It. The insights from that book have sparked an important national dialogue, and Richard came to the University of Montana in November to discuss them further.In this conversation, Richard talks about his upbringing in the United Kingdom, and how his experiences there shaped his views around class and gender. He discusses research that demonstrates how traditional educational programs worked better for women than for men, and how much of an impact the covid-19 pandemic had on men - an impact that Richard says was largely ignored by various media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guests are Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty, authors of Sea of Grass: The Conquest, Ruin, and Redemption of Nature on the American Prairie. Josephine and Dave trace the legacy of industrialized agriculture and showcase various models for restoration.In this conversation, Dave and Josephine discuss the ecological value of the American prairie ecosystem, and go through some of the conflicts that arise when different groups value preserving that ecosystem or converting it to agricultural land. The two bring up American Prairie - a nonprofit focused on preserving prairie landscapes - and its efforts, and compare them to Matador Ranch, a ranch in Montana focused on using sustainable agriculture to keep ranchlands in ranch family’s hands. Dave and Josephine talk about the cultural identity and history tied to prairielands and the challenging balance of ecological and economic needs.Find Sea of Grass here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.anewanglepodcast.comThis week, subscribers have access to a longer, unfiltered conversation between Nick and Justin. Check it out.This week’s guest is Nick Triolo, author of The Way Around, a field guide to going nowhere. Nick’s writing has appeared in Orion, Outside, and Trail Runner. He’s also a documentary filmmaker and long-distance trail runner. Nick lives in Missoula…

This week on A New Angle, Justin and Bryce are going live for October’s Incentives & Instincts in celebration of Montana Public Radio’s Pledge Week. This one-hour conversation will pull the curtain back on I&I and A New Angle. How does Bryce know so much about so many things? What’s his day job? What is Justin up to with A New Angle? Why does it exist? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guest is Alex Sobin, director of spectrUM. Since 2008, spectrUM has been dedicated to igniting an interest in science for kids throughout Montana. spectrUM is housed in the Missoula Public Library and supported by a wide variety of grants and other sources.In this conversation, Alex explains the hands-on and various outreach programs the museum fosters. She discusses funding challenges spectrUM has faced and the importance of making science accessible and engaging for everyone. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guest is Donnie Wetzel Jr., tribal liaison for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Donnie is also the founder of Identity, Inc., which houses the Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame. Donnie and his colleagues are working to promote the virtues of warrior culture through sport.In part two of this two-part episode, Donnie discusses his work on the forthcoming documentary film “The Undefeated,” which aims to shift the narrative around Indigenous people from one of trauma to one of resilience and generational strength. Donnie also touches on how he maintains hope and resiliency himself, and how he uses his past and his culture to stay grounded. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This week’s guest is Donnie Wetzel Jr., tribal liaison for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Donnie is also the founder of Identity, Inc., which houses the Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame. Donnie and his colleagues are working to promote the virtues of warrior culture through sport.In this conversation, Donnie explains the qualities of warrior culture and emphasizes the importance of connecting Indigenous youth to their cultural roots and identity. And in a shared passion, Donnie and Justin discuss how basketball can be a vessel for that practice.Tune in to part two of this conversation next week. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anewanglepodcast.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.anewanglepodcast.comThis week is the September edition of Incentives & Instincts, a recurring series in which Justin speaks with economist and friend, Bryce Ward, about some of the broader challenges facing our society.The two talk role models this month, a topic that’s come up several times in their conversations. They consider how role models provide representation and i…