The Orange Hour Podcast: Recent Episodes
A Midwest Marketing Production
Get a behind the scenes look at your favorite Black Hills businesses on this podcast coming from the creative minds at Midwest Marketing. Listen, laugh, and learn about what makes a business work!
Geoffrey Sheehy, an English teacher from Rapid City Central High School brings his Writing at Work Podcast to our studio this week. Bret and Geoffrey discuss the role writing and content play in the world of marketing, what good writing looks like, unconventional tips to become a better writer and a love of Cormac McCarthy!
Molly Barari from Vitalant joins the podcast to discuss the ins and outs of blood and plasma donation. Other topics include: common questions new donors have, how convalescent plasma is helping fight COVID-19, and the many ways to help by giving blood.
Chantel McDonnell from The Club for Boys joins the podcast to discuss all the amazing work The Club does for our community. Topics on this episode include: The Club for Boys new remodel, upcoming events you can take part in that benefit the club for boys, the passion behind The Club for Boys, and how to properly strap a Christmas tree to the top of your car!
Beth Hottel, Marketing Manager at Ketel Thorstenson LLP joins the podcast to talk shop about marketing! This in-depth marketing-centered episode includes topics on: why marketing is so buzzy, how to tell people what you do, the resurgence of the Black Hills AAF chapter, and a marketing acronym speed round! We had a blast recording this one and hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we do!!
President & CEO of Main Street Square and Destination Rapid City, Dan Senftner joins the podcast for an in-depth conversation about downtown Rapid City. Topics include: why downtown Rapid City has a "buzz" about it, how Main Street Square got started, and how Dan and Rapid City are helping other communities around the country.
Bruce Miller of VFW Post 1273 joins the podcast to talk about the newly remodeled Rapid City VFW and improvements to Post 1273. Other topics include helping veterans navigate their VA benefits, how the VFW supports families of those overseas, and events the VFW will be putting on later this summer!
Craig Baltzer, the Executive Director of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center joins the podcast to talk about the brand new arena being built in Rapid City, the events we can expect to see in the new arena, how the entertainment industry is dealing with COVID-19, and secret fishing spots!
Caleb, the CEO of Liv Hospitality in Rapid City stops by to discuss all things in the hospitality industry! Topics include: Deadwood's history of legalized gaming, the umbrella of Liv Hospitality, how COVID-19 has/will affect Black Hills tourism, and poor pronunciations of last names!
Dr. Brad Archer stops by the podcast to discuss the situation at hand with COVID-19, his career in medicine and administration, the formation of Monument Health, and a newfound passion for mountain biking!
David Stradling, Chief Meteorologist at KEVN Black Hills FOX joins the podcast for a fascinating conversation about the intricacies of meteorology. Topics include: how accurate the Farmer’s Almanac truly is, the difficult nature of predicting weather in the Black Hills, favorite places to take a hike and how South Dakota can take you by surprise!
On this week’s podcast, we bring mortal enemies together… just kidding! Dawn Claymore and Robert Sharp join the podcast to talk about the merits of a marketing agency and the work involved to run a successful firm. With nearly 50 years of agency ownership between the two of them, their knowledge of the space is unmatched. Learn the ways a true, full-service marketing agency can benefit your business and how not to be fooled by others that claim to be marketing agencies!
Undre Holt and Brett Lees join the podcast to debate the merits of the automotive industry! Topics of discussion include: the best vehicles for certain people, how digital is changing the way car deals are done, and homeless turtles!
Cory Brown of Cory’s Point S Tire & Auto Service stops by the office to tell stories about his life and the tire and auto service industry. If you want to learn more about your vehicle and the four wheels that get you from point A to point B, you’re not going to want to miss this episode!
Professional musicians Dr. Katie Smirnova and Brett Walfish join the podcast to discuss their illustrious careers and their Rushmore Music Festival. The Festival brings together highly sought-after pedagogues and high-caliber performers for a 3 week solo & chamber music festival. Tune in to learn all about the festival and more!
Bret sits down with Ben Wudtke of the Black Hills Forest Resource Association to discuss all the intricacies of forest management. From fire and mountain pine beetles to multiple-use and sustainability, Bret and Ben take an in-depth look at what makes our Black Hills forests so unique and what it takes to manage them for everybody to enjoy!
Sheriff Kevin Thom stops by the podcast to discuss a life in law enforcement! In this fast paced episode you’ll hear Sheriff Thom talk about his beginnings in law enforcement, issues currently facing Pennington County, how young people can get involved in law enforcement, and people reading books on the interstate.
Dr. Helen Usera joins the podcast and talks about everything from business consulting to turkeys! In this wide-ranging podcast learn about Helen's journey from education to business and the importance of volunteerism. Listen and laugh along with Bret and Helen today!
Bret sits down with Jon Gillam of Floyd’s Truck Center to discuss the trucking industry and beyond! Topics covered include: the difference between a semi, truck and semi-truck, the plausibility of self-driving semi-trucks, and how a business becomes an Elite Support Dealership.
President of the Rapid City Rush, Todd Mackin stops by to discuss all things hockey! Topics covered in this podcast on ice include: Bret’s obliviousness to the Rush name, how NHL and ECHL affliations work, Todd’s background in professional sports, and the ins and outs of pro hockey. Go Rush!
Bret and Rachel take a quick break from their work day to give you an in depth look at the first few months of life in a marketing agency. Topics include: how school prepares (or doesn’t) you for the “real world,” the importance of the internship, the month to month variation in job descriptions and the next frontier marketers must conquer!
Bret sits down with the boss and talks Mexican vacations, what people in marketing actually do, the history of Midwest Marketing and Dawn’s musical upbringing.
Bret talks with Chris Gross of KEVN(FOX) & KOTA(ABC) TV in Rapid City. Topics discussed include: the many avenues into the TV industry, how to get your commercial on TV, technology and the future of TV. Tune in for a behind the scenes look at how the television industry works!
Bret is joined by Tim Schnabel of Hart Ranch Camping Resort to talk about the fine line between camping and glamping, how Hart Ranch got its name, how someone becomes a Resort Manager, crazy hospitality industry stories and miniature horses in hotel rooms!
Questions about coffee? Bret answers your coffee questions with Greg Johnson of Dark Canyon Coffee Company. Boiling apples first thing in the morning, American grown coffee, an intricate look at light vs dark roasts, coffee misconceptions and the use of burlap sacks are just some of the discussion points of this episode!