Episodes

Boulder City Pet Services - 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 h...

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 lik...

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 missio...

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...

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 he...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Joni Moss Graham, the CEO of Las Vegas Wedding Connection, to discuss her 35-year journey as a leader in the world-renowned Las Vegas wedding industry. From her early days as a florist in Houston to building a "tourism-first" wedding powerhouse, Joni shares how her career evolved from traditional floral design into managing a high-volume, multi-faceted events company. Joni explores the vital role of the wedding industry in Nevada's ...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Craig Cooke, the founder of C-Squared Professional Consulting and author of Business Kung Fu, to discuss his transition from a 26-year career as a digital marketing CEO to a mentor and Doctor of Chinese Energetic Medicine. From his early days as a 10-year-old dishwasher in his mother’s restaurant to leading an agency to the Inc. 5000 list five years in a row, Craig shares how he found his "divine potential" through the intersection of ...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, our Jill sits down with Steve Pieri, the owner of Immaculate Restoration & Carpet Care, to discuss his 28-year journey as a business leader in the Las Vegas valley. From his early days as a college student running a carpet-cleaning business with a carpet scrubber to leading a specialized disaster recovery team, Steve shares how his company has evolved from a niche carpet-cleaning business into a full-scale restoration powerhouse. Steve explores the vit...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Jessica Whittaker, the creative force behind Silver State Stitch Shop, to discuss her journey as a homegrown entrepreneur in Boulder City. A lifelong resident with deep community roots, Jessica shares her evolution from a young quilter to the owner of a vibrant, social-centered business in the city's historic district. Jessica discusses her vision for fostering community through the heritage arts of quilting and cross-stitch, emphas...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with John Barlow, the newly appointed Investor Relations Director for the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce. A lifelong resident with a deep community legacy, John brings a unique blend of experience from the worlds of education and business to his new role. John discusses his vision for strengthening the partnership between the Chamber and local businesses, emphasizing the importance of a collective voice in advocacy. From sharing storie...

In this episode of CommunityCast, Howard Fox is joined by Paul Grube, the President of the River Mountains Loop Trail Partnership. Paul shares the fascinating history of this 34-mile paved trail and how it evolved from a "trail to nowhere" into a premier outdoor destination connecting Henderson, Boulder City, and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. From the lighthearted "adult beverage" origins of the trail’s concept in the late 90s to the technical challenges of maintaining a multi-juri...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Lynette Porter, a certified Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) instructor based in Boulder City. With drowning being the leading cause of accidental death for children under four, Lynette’s mission is more than just teaching kids to swim—it’s about providing them with the vital skills to self-rescue. Lynette breaks down the science of the "Swim-Float-Swim" method and explains why even a six-month-old can be trained to save their own lif...

Welcome to the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce's CommunityCast. Host Howard Fox sits down with Kristin Herr, co-owner of Evolution Expeditions, to discover how this unique business is helping locals and visitors alike explore the incredible natural wonders around Boulder City and the Las Vegas Valley. You'll hear about Evolution Expeditions' origins, their range of kayaking and Hoover Dam tours, the family story behind how Kristin and her husband made the leap to buy the business, and what i...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by Angie Rafferty, the creative entrepreneur behind The Bourbon Babe and the current office administrator for the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce. Angie shares her journey of turning 25 years of bartending experience into a thriving mobile business that prioritizes creativity, inclusivity, and the "experience" of a private event. From designing custom "crystal kiss" cocktails with edible glitter to teaching interactive mixology classes ...

Behind the Design: How Valiant Supply Serves the First Responder Community In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by Justin Lomprey, the creative force behind Valiant Supply. Justin shares his journey from serving in law enforcement to launching a grassroots branding and design powerhouse that caters specifically to the unique needs of first responders and public safety agencies. From the technical artistry required to design patches that actually work on fabric to stories of...

Empowering the Next Generation of Young Women. In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, host Jill Lagan is joined by Michaela Taylor, the current Mrs. Las Vegas America and a contestant for the upcoming Mrs. Nevada America title. Michaela pulls back the curtain on the modern pageant world, dispelling myths of "cattiness" and explaining how the competition serves as a powerful vehicle for personal growth and community leadership. Michaela shares her journey of building resilience a...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, your Host, Jill Lagan, is joined by ultra-endurance athlete Will Turner and filmmaker Ryan Dugger. Will and Ryan break down the making of Sierra 914, an award-winning documentary capturing Will's grueling 914-mile triathlon through the Sierra Nevada mountains. From the extreme mental fortitude required to push through sleep deprivation to the chaotic reality of filming a non-stop moving target, they provide an inspiring look at what it means to "Live Y...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by author Magon Peuker, who shares her incredible journey of escaping an abusive marriage, navigating life as a special needs parent, and finding her voice to write the bestselling children's book, Raelynn's Flower Garden. Her story is a powerful testament to the strength of a mother, the healing power of positive change, and the necessity of kindness. Magon's book’s core message is about kindness and the acceptance of kids who look and ...

In a typically "off-the-rails" session on The Best Dam Podcast, Jill chats with Alex Raffi, the creative force behind Imagine Communications. Alex, a self-proclaimed impulsive idea hunter, shares his fascinating philosophy on brainstorming, human intuition, communication, and the art of storytelling in business. If you’ve ever wondered why your marketing isn't resonating or how to truly connect with your audience, Alex’s insights—from the power of the subconscious to why humility can sometime...

Roger Devine: Empowering Community Fundraising with SchoolAuction In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by Roger Devine, a partner at SchoolAuction.net. As a former PTA president who saw vital school programs go underfunded, Roger breaks down his 18-year mission to stop "burning out" volunteers. He explains how the SchoolAuction.net platform provides not just the software, but the 20 years of data-driven wisdom that grassroots nonprofits need to run efficient, successful, an...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by Tim Knifton of RSVP Las Vegas. Tim breaks down the powerful and surprisingly effective world of targeted direct mail. He explains how his company helps businesses reach the top 30% of homeowners with a luxury postcard pack that gets opened, used, and appreciated. From astonishing success stories of clients achieving multi-million dollar returns to the science behind why even Gen Z loves tangible mail, Tim provides a masterclass in cre...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Heather Sabatello, a dedicated financial advisor with Edward Jones in Boulder City, to discuss Wealth Management. Heather shares insights from her second career, explaining her passion for helping clients achieve their financial dreams and build generational wealth. From the importance of starting to invest at a young age to the profound "aha" moments that define her career, Heather demystifies the world of wealth management and emp...

How Intermountain Health is Bringing World-Class Pediatric Care to Nevada In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Larry Barnard, President of Intermountain Health's Children's Hospital of Nevada, to discuss a monumental project 40 years in the making. Larry shares the startling reality that Nevada is one of only two major metropolitan areas in the US without a standalone children's hospital and unveils Intermountain Health's plan to change that. This isn't just a story ab...

In today's episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill chats with Remso Martinez, CEO of Marketer on the Run, about Relationship-driven Marketing. Jill & Remso dive into the innovative world of digital marketing and small business growth. Remso shares a refreshing perspective on building authentic client relationships, the evolving role of AI in marketing, and the unique challenges small businesses face in today’s landscape. DISCUSSION Absolutely! Here’s a comprehensive sequence of topics covered in the episode, organized w...