The Best Dam Podcast

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Congresswoman Dina Titus, who represents Boulder City and Southern Nevada in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dina shares how a politically active Georgia upbringing, a proud Greek immigrant grandfather, and 35 years teaching political science at UNLV shaped her path to public service.

Dina opens up about the decline of civility in politics and how she finds common ground across the aisle. She discusses the fight to protect Southern Nevada’s share of the Colorado River, the importance of Lake Mead and Avi Kwa Ame, an...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Angie Rafferty, owner of The Bourbon Babe and office administrator for the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce. Angie shares how she delivers unique mobile bartending, mocktail services, and mobile mixology classes, bringing both custom menus and entertainment to private, corporate, and community events across town.

Angie also opens up about her passion for community giveback events—from free haircut drives for single parents, kids, and veterans with local partners to hosting mixology classes and dirty soda offerings—while reflecting on her background as a U.S. A...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Ihla Crowley, Project Director for the Boulder City Chautauqua. Ihla shares how the organization brings history to life through immersive living history performances, gearing up for this year's theme, "Spark of a New Nation," in honor of America's 250th anniversary.

Ihla opens up about the rich history of Chautauqua in Boulder City—from its humble beginnings iun 1992 under a tent in Bicentennial Park to its evolution today. She details the intense dedication of historical scholars, how themes and characters like Martha Washington, Paul Revere, and Al...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Nick Weir, an amazing guide with Boulder City Ghost Adventures and a frontline ambassador at the Lighthouse Inn. Nick shares how he combines fascinating local history with spooky storytelling, using modern phone projectors to bring archival media to life right on the historic buildings of Boulder City.

Nick also opens up about his fascinating personal history—from early childhood memories of past lives and childhood visions, to his selection for the GATE program and a mysterious UFO sighting over Lake Mead—while reflecting on modern UFO...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill catches up with Riley Knudsen, a student at Empowered Leaders Micro School and winner of the local "I Voted" sticker contest. Riley shares her experience designing the winning sticker, her love for art, and her dream of becoming an animator.

Riley also reflects on the unique environment of attending a micro school, going on memorable field trips to Disneyland and SeaWorld, and balancing volunteering and babysitting—all while sharing valuable life lessons from her parents, like never giving up on her goals.

DISCUSSION

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill catches up with eight-year-old Madison 'Maddie' Hensala, winner of the "I Voted" sticker contest. Maddie shares her excitement about designing the winning sticker, her love for art, and her goal of becoming an art teacher one day.

Maddie also reflects on moving from Wyoming to Boulder City, balancing third grade with competitive swimming and dance, and her love for reading Harry Potter—all while sharing valuable life lessons from her family, like treating others with kindness and enjoying summer days at her grandma's pool.

DISCUSSION...

Welcome to The Best Dam Podcast! In this episode, Jill Lagan, CEO of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, turns the spotlight on her own business coach and mentor, Howard Fox. Listeners will hear the story of how a well-timed cold call from Howard sparked the launch of this very podcast and helped Jill overcome her imposter syndrome to become a confident host.

Together, they delve into the power of podcasting for community promotion, the evolution of their podcasting journey—from microphone selection to a mobile studio—and how their partnership has elevated the mission of the Boul...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill catches up with Mike Murphy, candidate for Clark County Public Administrator. Mike shares his journey from his early days in law enforcement to his extensive career as Boulder City's first juvenile officer, Clark County Coroner, lead lobbyist, and national public safety consultant.

Mike also reflects on his deep roots in Boulder City, his decades of public service, and his work in death investigations—all while outlining a clear vision to modernize county estate administration. This isn't just a story about running for office; it's about building trust, leveraging mo...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill catches up with Michael Paxinos, founder of Pax Academia and developer of the CommonPlace App. Mike shares his journey from navigating high school struggles to discovering a passion for logic, mathematics, and classical education in college.

Mike also reflects on his deep roots in Boulder City, his 17-year career in education, and his work supporting special needs students—all while developing a tool to empower local micro and small businesses.

This isn't just a story about launching a new tech platform; it's about eliminating algorithm noise, re...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill catches up with local advocates and business figures Grant Turner, Celeste Interrante, and Hava Brown. The panel shares their insights on the evolving data center debate in Boulder City, exploring how smart lease parameters, modern technological advancements, and revenue sharing can directly benefit residents.  

Grant, Celeste, and Hava reflect on the potential path forward for municipal land—from utilizing closed-loop water systems and requiring self-supplied power to leveraging land leases to lower resident energy bills and diversify city revenue past 2035.  

This isn't just a story about data...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill catches up with Curt Gebers, owner and founder of Natural Blum. Curt shares about his journey, his commitment to pure health and wellness, and his line of CBD/CBG products 

Curt also reflects on his eclectic life experiences—from breaking out in the oil fields at 15 to breeding national champion Cane Corsos and even acting in major film productions—all while serving the Boulder City community.

This isn't just a story about CBD and CBG products; it's about organic seed-to-sale farming without pesticides, using 300,000 ladybugs for natur...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill catches up with Pearl Johnstone, owner of Professional Pet Room and Groom. Pearl shares about her nearly three decades of dedicated pet care, community service, and the evolving world of pet grooming and boarding in Boulder City. Pearl also shares how her journey from Palmerston, Ontario, to launching a business in Boulder City in May 1995 shaped her life, while reflecting on the importance of hands-on care and supporting local rescue animals.

This isn't just a story about grooming pets; it's about honoring local shelter animals, embracing innovative treatments...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill catches up with Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony. Jill and Stavros explore public service, community pride, and the shifting landscape of civic responsibility across Southern Nevada and the Silver State. Stavros shares how his 29-year career in law enforcement and time on the Las Vegas City Council led to his state leadership role, while reflecting on the importance of listening directly to Nevadans in every corner of the state.

This isn't just a story about state politics; it's about honoring local heroes, embracing educational freedom, navigating thousands of...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill catches up with Chris Unger, owner of Ragtown Tattoo, and tattoo artist Steve "Scuba" Iwinski. Jill, Chris, and Steve explore the history, craft, and shifting culture of body art in Southern Nevada. Chris shares how his journey from a small desert town led to founding Boulder City's first tattoo studio, while Steve reflects on growing up locally, building mechanical projects, and turning his passion for art into a lifelong career.

This isn't just a story about running a studio; it's about navigating strict health regulations, embracing the technological...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill catches up with Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo at the 78th Damboree in Boulder City. Jill and Gov. Lombardo explore the unique spirit and bright future of the Silver State. Gov. Lombardo shares how his childhood as a military kid and his decades of service as sheriff and governor shaped his deep appreciation for the liberties of this nation and the tight-knit communities of Nevada.

This isn't just a story about political leadership; it's about a mission-driven approach to state stewardship, a dedicated focus on lifting up Nevada's education...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen to explore the unique "frontier spirit" that drives the Silver State. Senator Rosen shares how her faith and upbringing instilled a lifelong commitment to leaving her corner of the world better than she found it.

This isn't just a story about political leadership; it's about a mission-driven approach to community stewardship, the booming landscape of Nevada's clean energy economy, and a collaborative approach to democracy designed to serve families for generations to come.

DISCUSSION<...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with the Magon and Shawn Peuker, the strategic masterminds behind The Rae of Hope Foundation. Together, unpack the world of nonprofit advocacy and explore how a basic plan of infrastructure and personal persistence can transform a chaotic, high-stress environment into a highly manageable roadmap for bringing next-generation support and community to special needs families.

The discussion dives deep into the high-stakes world of modern nonprofit operations—from turning a personal 10-year passion project inspired by their resilient daughter Raelynn into a fully realized foundation to adapting to...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with the multi-talented CJ Sattler, the strategic mastermind behind isp.net and a seasoned professional in the internet service provider industry. Together, they pull back the curtain on the world of telecommunications and explore how a basic plan of infrastructure and technical persistence can transform a chaotic, high-stress environment into a highly manageable roadmap for bringing next-generation connectivity to our community.

The discussion dives deep into the high-stakes world of modern business operations—from starting a local technology company at just 15 years old during the AOL di...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with the multi-talented Allison Ruiz Shafer, the strategic mastermind behind the Dam Dog House and a seasoned professional in the veterinary field and animal behavior. Together, they pull back the curtain on the confusing world of pet care and explore how a basic plan of calm can transform a chaotic, high-stress environment into a highly manageable roadmap for rehabilitating and socializing our four-legged family members. 

The discussion dives deep into the high-stakes world of modern business operations—from starting a local mobile service right before a glo...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with the multi-talented Remso Martinez, the strategic mastermind behind Marketer on the Run and a seasoned fractional Chief Marketing Officer. Together, they pull back the curtain on the confusing world of digital marketing and explore how a basic plan can transform a chaotic, never-ending task list into a highly manageable roadmap for small business growth.

The discussion dives deep into the high-stakes world of modern business operations—from dealing with shifting consumer behaviors and inflation to adapting to massive technological changes like artificial intelligence search summaries. Re...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with the multi-talented Holly Wittwer, the mastermind behind Events with Holly and the newly launched Home Educated Foundation. Together, they pull back the curtain on the invisible art of event planning and explore how a local need sprouted a rapidly growing national initiative to support homeschool families.

The discussion dives deep into the high-stakes world of wedding and festival logistics—from managing over-the-top family emotions to handling wild day-of emergencies like car pile-ups, casino drama, and unexpected event crashers. Holly al...

Best Dam Podcast Exclusive: Inside the Data Center Debate - Part II with Brynn deLorimier, Kendra Dyson, and Fred Voltz  - In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Boulder City advocates and local community members Brynn deLorimier, Kendra Dyson, and Fred Voltz to pull back the curtain on a massive, fast-tracked tech proposal. Together, they break down the critical issues surrounding a proposed 300-megawatt data center and explain why 93% of surveyed residents are firmly opposed to its development.

The guests explore the deep financial, infrastructural, and environmental risks a...

Best Dam Podcast Exclusive: Inside the Data Center Debate - Part I with Ned Thomas - In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Ned Thomas, the City Manager of Boulder City, to discuss the ongoing community conversations surrounding data centers. Moving past the rumors, Ned pulls back the curtain on the multi-step "gatekeeping" process of land management, the reality of local control versus federal intervention, and what a potential data center could actually mean for the community.

Ned explores the complex nature of modern high-tech infrastructure, highlighting how the city...

Boulder City Critter Sitter - In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Michelle Carroll, the founder of Critter Sitter LLC, to discuss the impressive growth of her professional pet care business. From starting as a solo entrepreneur to managing a team of four independent contractors, Michelle shares how her passion for animals has evolved into an essential service for Boulder City and Henderson.

Michelle explores the comprehensive nature of modern pet sitting, highlighting her transition from a 20-year corporate career to a "soul-singing" vocation dedicated to...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Leslie Woodbury, the Director of the Boulder City Hospital Foundation, to discuss the vital role the foundation plays in maintaining local healthcare. From its historic roots established by Sarah Denton in the 1960s to its modern-day impact, Leslie shares how community-driven fundraising ensures Boulder City keeps its hospital.

Leslie explores the deep connection between the town and its medical facility, highlighting how events like Art in the Park have become part of the city’s identity while raising millions for life-saving eq...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Celeste Interrante, the founder of Lady Lux Cleaning, a woman-owned business in Nevada built on the pillars of sustainability, non-toxic standards, and a radical commitment to second-chance hiring. Celeste shares her journey from being a construction pro and landscape contractor to applying for 500 jobs and being rejected by nearly everyone—a challenge that fueled her to build her own empire.

Celeste explores the heart of her mission, redefining her business as a "workforce development company that cleans spaces." From me...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Olaf Stanton, the founder of Characters Unlimited, to discuss his 40-year journey as the creative force behind some of the world's most iconic animatronic figures. From his early days selling life-sized characters out of a van to trademarking the world-famous Zoltar, Olaf shares how his passion for making "dummies" evolved into an international business that turns local storefronts into major attractions.

Olaf explores the evolution of his craft, from traditional wood-carved looks to complex talking and moving...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Kathleen Morris and Mary Ralph, the current and past presidents of Emergency Aid of Boulder City (EABC). They explore the 60-year history of this vital volunteer-led organization and its mission to provide a safety net for residents facing food insecurity and financial crises. From its humble beginnings during the construction of the Hoover Dam to its modern-day role as a cornerstone of community support, Kathleen and Mary share the heart and logistics behind "neighbors helping neighbors".

DISCUSSION