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The LoCo Experience is a long-form conversational podcast that dives deep into the journeys of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers in Northern Colorado. Hosted by Curt Bear, Founder of LoCo Think Tank, the show brings real, raw, and unfiltered conversations—where guests share their successes, struggles, and lessons learned along the way.
LoCo Think Tank is Colorado’s premier business peer advisory organization, founded in Fort Collins to help business owners gain perspective, accountability, and encouragement to grow both personally and professionally. LoCo chapters bring together business owners at all stages of the journey 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.
The LoCo Experience Podcast extends this mission beyond the chapter meetings— bringing the wisdom, insights, and stories of local business leaders to a wider audience.
Our triad mission with this podcast is simple:
Inspire through real stories of resilience and success.
Educate by sharing valuable business insights.
Entertain with engaging, unfiltered conversations.
If you love “How I Built This” and the free-flowing style of Joe Rogan - but with a Northern Colorado focus - you’ll enjoy The LoCo Experience! Our closing segment, "The LoCo Experience," asks guests to share their craziest stories — and we get some doozies!
It’s a passion project with purpose, and we invite you to listen, follow, and share, and maybe consider sponsoring. Know someone with a great story? Nominate your favorite business leader for an episode!
279 Episodes
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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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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. ...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
I had an enlightening conversation with Brian and Mary McKnight, the driving forces behind Turf Tamers Landscaping in Fort Collins. Brian shared how he acquired Turf Tamers, initially a tiny business, and grew it from the ground up starting with a few clients in 2001. Brian shared his background, and the drama in moving from “trendy” California to “cowtown” Fort Collins in high school - but how he soon fit right in and found summer work in landscaping. Mary, on the other hand, cam...
In this episode, I was joined by Moses Horner, the Founder and Owner of Horner Painting, as he celebrates their 25 years in business! Horner Painting is a market leader in both new construction and residential repaints, and Moses is also my landlord and a longtime LoCo Facilitator for a Builders chapter. We talked about Moses' special sauce in founding and growing the business, which for Moses has always been maximizing - continuous improvement and streamlining operations. ...
In this episode of The LoCo Experience podcast, I sat down with Bob Hewson, the CEO and co-founder of Colorado Youth Outdoors,which will celebrate its 25th year in 2026! We started by inquiring the why around the organization’s focus on building relationships through traditional outdoor activities like fishing, archery, and trapshooting. We talked about the importance of intentional one-on-one time in relationships - especially any parent-child relationship - and how his own upbringing influe...
In this episode of the LoCo Experience Podcast, I spoke with Julian Faure, the Founder and Owner of Momentum Counseling and Consulting. Julien is a member of Loco Think Tank's Next Level III chapter and has grown his company significantly, from a start-up solo practice in 2021 to over 100 employees in 13 offices in a few short years. One of the topics we discussed was the challenge of constantly hiring and training and the high rate of burnout in the mental health industry. Julien ...
In this episode of the Loco Experience podcast, I sat down with Mark Rushing and Kathy Rushing to discuss their entrepreneurial adventures and 45-year marriage. Mark is the Owner of Portable Restroom Solutions, while Kathy is the Founder of Loadstar Relationship Coaching. They share their journey from their college days at Texas A&M, and into their early entrepreneurial ventures - which included a failed church plant. We also delve into their faith journey, how it has e...
In this episode of the Loco Experience Podcast, I sat down with Chris Elder, Patrick Elder, and Austin Dodder, respectively the CEO, President, and COO - and Partners in Elder Construction, Inc. We start by delving into their roles at Elder Construction, along with their roots in Northern Colorado - and previous to that, Colorado Springs. Friends since birth and 1st grade, respectively, we explore together the history of their friendship and the founding and evolution of the compa...
In this episode of the Loco Experience, I welcomed Travis Luther - sociologist, researcher, writer, speaker, entrepreneur, and Founder of Time to Live LLC. Travis shares his journey from a tumultuous childhood with young parents to pursuit of a music career and eventually finding his stride as an entrepreneur. He recounts his entrepreneurial ventures, including starting a successful valet advertising company and a legal tech company, as well as the Queen Anne Pillow Company, which he grew to ...
In this episode of The LoCo Experience Podcast, I sat down with Dwight Sailer, the owner of HighCraft Builders based in Fort Collins, Colorado. We discussed Dwight's background and the early days of his business, including his journey from apprentice craftsman in Monterey Bay to a fresh start in Colorado and how he started HighCraft with his longtime business partner Bryan Soth. Dwight shared insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in the construction industry, inclu...
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