The LoCo Experience

<p>The <b>LoCo Experience</b> is a <b>long-form conversational podcast</b> that dives deep into the journeys of <b>business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers in Northern Colorado.</b> Hosted by <b>Curt Bear, Founder of LoCo Think Tank</b>, the show brings <b>real, raw, and unfiltered</b> conversations—where guests share their successes, struggles, and lessons learned along the way.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>LoCo Think Tank</b> is <b>Colorado’s premier business peer advisory organization</b>, founded in Fort Collins to help business owners gain <b>perspective, accountability, and encouragement</b> to grow both personally and professionally. LoCo chapters bring together<b> business owners at all stages of the journey</b> 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.</p><p><br /></p><p>The <b>LoCo Experience Podcast</b> extends this mission beyond the chapter meetings— bringing the wisdom, insights, and stories of local business leaders to a wider audience.</p><p><br /></p><p>Our <b>triad mission</b> with this podcast is simple: </p><p><b>Inspire</b> through real stories of resilience and success. </p><p><b>Educate</b> by sharing valuable business insights. </p><p><b>Entertain</b> with engaging, unfiltered conversations.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you love <b>“How I Built This”</b> and the free-flowing style of <b>Joe Rogan -</b> <b>but with a Northern Colorado focus - </b>you’ll enjoy The LoCo Experience!  Our closing segment, <b>"The LoCo Experience,"</b> asks guests to share their craziest stories — <b>and we get some doozies!</b></p><p><br /></p><p>It’s a <b>passion project with purpose,</b> and we invite you to <b>listen, follow, and share, and maybe consider sponsoring.</b> Know someone with a great story?  <b>Nominate your favorite business leader for an episode!</b></p><p><br /></p>

EXPERIENCE 248 | Innovation at the Digital Workshop: Insights from Stu Crair

In today's episode of the Loco Experience Podcast, I sat down with Stu Crair, the founder and executive director of the Digital Workshop Center, a musician as well as an adjunct professor at CSU. Stu shares his history, balancing professional commitments and musical pursuits, offering insights to his roles, kind of creating a job at CSU and Elsewise, and the evolution of the Digital Workshop Center from his garage to now a nice office in downtown Fort Collins. We also discussed his jou...

12-13
01:52:34

EXPERIENCE 247 | Diverse Experience and Strong Relationships Drive Business Success - A Conversation with Brett Kemp & Aaron Eide, President & Risk Advisor at Flood & Peterson

Brett Kemp is the President of Flood & Peterson, an employee-owned insurance brokerage since 1939, and the strongest market share among property & casualty insurance brokerages in the region. With career chapters in the Air Force, pharmaceutical sales, and manufacturing, Brett was a darkhorse candidate for ascendance to leadership. Aaron Eide visited Fort Collins almost exactly 25 years (to the day!) before we recorded this podcast. He’s a UND graduate and came throu...

12-06
01:47:11

EXPERIENCE 244 | Marshall Spring - Founder of Combat Recovery Foundation

In today’s episode, I sat down with Marshall Spring, Founder of Combat Recovery Foundation. Marshall is a combat-disabled Marine Corps Explosives Detection Dog Handler, former police officer, private-security entrepreneur, and suicide prevention expert. This is an intense conversation with an insightful guy, and I know you’ll enjoy my conversation with Marshall Spring. The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by: Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more 💡Learn about L...

12-01
01:24:27

EXPERIENCE 246 | Talking with Teri Karjala - Business Success Therapist and Host of The Entrepreneurial Girlfriend Hour on Talking with Teri TV

In this episode of the LoCo Experience podcast, I had a lively conversation with Teri Karjala, a business success therapist and entrepreneur. Teri shared her journey from a small town in Kansas to becoming a counsellor to becoming the owner of a sizable therapy practice. She highlighted her unique methods using energy psychology and quantum physics to help business owners overcome limiting beliefs and self-sabotage. We discussed her evolution from counselor to business owner to media p...

11-29
02:13:48

EXPERIENCE 245 | Talking Innovation, Integration, and LoCo Experiences with Joel Gustafson and Jess Gries, Founder and Chief Enabling Officer at Seed & Spirit Distilling

We discussed the concept of a vertically integrated distillery, where they oversee the process from growing their own grains to producing the final spirits. We talked through the economics of distilling, and the creation of their product lineup, including unique offerings like 'Whiszcal,' a whiskey-mezcal hybrid, the Forged in Fire line honoring military service members, and future aged spirits to come. We also discussed their future plans for an expanded tasting room and oyster lounge ...

11-23
01:51:37

EXPERIENCE 243 | Aaron Everitt - Post-Election Recap 2025 - Big Blue Wave! - Maskil Show November 20!

My good friend Aaron Everitt dropped by for a post-election recap episode this week, and I wore my blue Hawaiian shirt to symbolize the big blue wave that swept across much of America. Aaron and I dig into what’s going on in the economy, and especially in the minds of young people and the working class, and where we might go as a nation from there. Aaron shared some updates from his creative work, including his podcast and substack - Besides the Revolution - and his collaboration ...

11-08
01:19:10

EXPERIENCE 242 | Rapid Transformational Therapist Rebecca Archuletta on Grief, Neuroplasticity, and Overcoming Hidden Traumas

My guest on today’s podcast was Rebecca Archuletta, Rapid Transformational Therapist and Founder of Because You Matter - Healing By Rebecca. Rebecca’s journey is informed by grief, with multiple suicides in her sibling group and extended family, a career rise and fall and rejuvenation - and powered by intentional education. Her methodology combines hypnosis with other modalities to rewire and break through long standing barriers to healing, and she shares abundantly how to ...

11-01
01:19:27

EXPERIENCE 241 | Building a Team, Conducting the Process & Growing Together with Evan Worsley, Founder & President of Conduct All Electric, Inc.

I reconnected with Evan Worsley this spring, when I dropped him a note on LinkedIn, in congratulations of 9 years in business and what I’d seen as steady growth in the numbers of Conduct All Electric trucks around the region. Turns out, I had helped him register his LLC and obtain his EIN at the Small Business Development Center those 9 years before, and though the name was familiar, it was easy to remember Evan once we sat down over whiskey in the podcast studio. From humble begi...

10-25
01:26:03

BONUS EPISODE - #5 Hot Nugs Conversation with Emily Francis for Mayor of the City of Fort Collins

Emily Francis is a candidate for Fort Collins Mayor, and joined me for the fifth episode of our Hot Nugs Conversations - a collaboration between LoCo Think Tank, Matador Mexican Grill, Old Town Spice Shop, and The LoCo Experience Podcast. Please visit www.emilyforfc.com to learn more about her platform, and make sure to vote by or before November 4, 2025! The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by: Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more 💡Learn about LoCo Think Tank Follo...

10-13
01:03:58

BONUS EPISODE - #4 Hot Nugs Conversation with Scott Van Tatenhove For Mayor of the City of Fort Collins

Scott VanTatenhove is a candidate for Fort Collins Mayor, and joined me for the fourth of our Hot Nugs Conversations - a collaboration between LoCo Think Tank, Matador Mexican Grill, Old Town Spice Shop, and The LoCo Experience Podcast. Please visit Scott’s Facebook Page to learn more about his platform, and make sure to vote by or before November 4, 2025! The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by: Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more 💡Learn about LoCo Think Tank Follow us t...

10-10
56:45

BONUS EPISODE - #3 Hot Nugs Conversation with Tricia Canonico for Mayor of the City of Fort Collins

Tricia Canonico is a candidate for Fort Collins Mayor, and joined me for the third of our Hot Nugs Conversations - a collaboration between LoCo Think Tank, Matador Mexican Grill, Old Town Spice Shop, and The LoCo Experience Podcast. Please visit triciaforfoco.com to learn more about her platform, and make sure to vote by or before November 4, 2025! The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by: Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more 💡Learn about LoCo Think Tank Follow us to see wh...

10-04
52:21

BONUS EPSIODE - #2 Hot Nugs Conversation with Adam Eggleston For Mayor of the City of Fort Collins

Adam Eggleston is a candidate for Fort Collins Mayor, and joined me for the second of our Hot Nugs Conversations - a collaboration between LoCo Think Tank, Matador Mexican Grill, Old Town Spice Shop, and The LoCo Experience Podcast. Please visit www.adamegglestonformayor.com to learn more about his platform, and make sure to vote by or before November 4, 2025! The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by: Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more 💡Learn about LoCo Think Tank Follow ...

10-01
01:28:56

EXPERIENCE 239 | Keep Your Burritos Local with Paul Michaelson, Owner of Matador Mexican Grill

Paul Michaelson left an early stage financial planning career track soon after graduating from CSU to launch a 2-location Taco Del Mar franchise in Fort Collins, in partnership with his brother-in-law. When the franchisor proved to be more of a hindrance than a help, they split off to become Matador Mexican Grill off Harmony and Timberline, and Toro - a quick-serve restaurant in Campus West, reliant upon the Matador’s kitchen - and about 10 trips across town each day for Paul! To...

09-27
01:08:02

EXPERIENCE 238 | Voluntary Suffering for Personal Growth, Trust, Neuroplasticity, and Tasting the Infinity Bottle with Clint Jasperson, Founder of Purpose Driven Wealth

In this episode of The Loco Experience podcast, I reconnected with Clint Jasperson, the Founder of Purpose Driven Wealth with Thrivent Financial. Clint was my guest on Episode 67 of The LoCo Experience - way back in June of 2022 - and it was great to have him back in the studio! When I left the financial planning industry back in 2017, it was Clint and his team to whom I trusted my small book of business, he’s a natural at the craft and has worked through some very complex cases. ...

09-20
01:37:35

EXPERIENCE 237 | Walk in Faith with Kyle Speller - Public Address Announcer and Team Chaplain for the Denver Nuggets & More!

Kyle Speller has been the voice of the Denver Nuggets, Team Chaplain, and Community Ambassador for over 2 decades. He’s the Founder of KSG Voice, a Middle School Counsellor and Athletic Director at Global Village Academy in Aurora, also an Associate Pastor, Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Servant of Christ. We met up only a few hours after the assassination of Charlie Kirk - but he'd been working all day, and I broke the news to him. Kyle has an inspiring journey, and was a ver...

09-13
01:21:48

EXPERIENCE 236 | Inspirational Compassion and Following God’s Call with Roxene (Roxy) Tines-Brewton, Founder of Safe Families for Children, Northern Colorado

I met Roxy Tines-Brewton back in 2021, when I emcee’d the “Ordinary Extraordinary Awards” organized by the amazing Ann Baron and her Northern Colorado Community organization for several years, recognizing the behind-the-scenes do-ers that make Northern Colorado such a special place. At the time, Roxy was less than a year into her journey with Safe Families for Children, NoCo Chapter. Still flying solo, and working full-time at her day job and “part-time” activating churches and co...

09-06
01:38:23

EXPERIENCE 235 | Unlocking Potential: The Integrative Coaching Approach of Jordan Bonifas

Welcome to another episode of the Loco Experience Podcast. On today's show, I sat down with Jordan Bonifas, founder of Bonifas Coaching. We kicked things off with some bourbon tasting, comparing Fort Collins’ own Mobb Mountain Distillers and Kentucky’s Basil Hayden, before diving into Jordan's journey. (PS - Mobb Mountain is the clear choice - tastier and better price) - unpaid endorsement Jordan launched Bonifas Coaching in early 2023, bringing together his experience as a ...

08-30
01:21:44

EXPERIENCE 234 | Catalyzing Growth at any Stage and any Age with Brad Cooper, CEO of Catalyst Coaching 360 and Host of the Coaching Lab Podcast

In this episode, I welcomed Brad Cooper, the CEO of Catalyst Coaching 360. His was my favorite talk from the Founded in FoCo event last spring, and I was more than pleased to bring his extensive knowledge to share with our listeners! Brad is a PhD in Performance Psychology and also the host of the Coaching Lab podcast. We discussed his journey into health and wellness, and how he rediscovered his passion for running in his late thirties. Brad shared the story of launching Ca...

08-23
01:25:21

EXPERIENCE 233 | The Character and Evolution of a Planner - Jesse Jorgensen, Partner in Foresight Financial Group

In this episode of The Loco Experience podcast, I had a far-ranging conversation with Jesse Jorgensen, a Partner in Foresight Financial Group. We discussed his early career and evolution, including his path to partnership at Foresight and the evolution of their firm to provide comprehensive financial planning services - including wealth management, tax planning, and estate planning. Jesse shares insights into Foresight’s rapid growth, and the values and principles that guide their...

08-16
01:32:19

EXPERIENCE 232 | Growing a Dream, Serving Community and Continuing a Family Legacy - Reed Miller, Owner of Northern Colorado Insurance Agency

In this episode of The LoCo Experience podcast, I sat down with Reed Miller, the owner of Northern Colorado Insurance Agency (NCIA) and a LoCo Think Tank member! Reed shared insights on the changing landscape of insurance, detailing how NCIA serves multiple areas for health insurance, including employee benefits, Medicare, and individual plans. We also delved into the various options for group plans, the principles guiding his business, and the significant growth NCIA has experienced si...

08-09
01:56:10

Recommend Channels