Authentic Wyoming
Engaging, funny, and rarely – as in never - at a loss for words, Union’s Tressa Barnes and Myra Robinson are on a mission to celebrate and highlight the businesses and organizations that help grow, foster, and care for those who live in the communities Union serves in Wyoming, and some of our closest neighbors in Colorado, and Utah. (They’re practically Wyomingites.)
In conversations running a gamut of topics, you’ll get insight into what drives the entrepreneurs and small business owners that make Wyoming tick. You’ll laugh. You may cry. But mostly you’ll come away with a better understanding of the Cowboy state and its people.
We hope that others will be inspired to support these efforts or follow in their footsteps in altruistic undertakings of their own. Because a journey of a thousand miles always begins with a single step.
Episodes
38 episodes
Tressa and Myra Bid Adieu to 2024
Join Tressa and Myra as they take a look back at the year. Between their asides about Bill Belichick (and it snowballs, folks), they talk about their favorite shows in the Authentic Wyoming catalog.
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29:32
Candy Moulton is the Cowboy's Best Friend
As a writer and the Executive Director of the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame, Candy is a true champion of all things cowboy. She pens stories that capture the grit, heart, and humor of the cowboy life, making sure that the culture stays alive for ...
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41:28
A Beacon of Hope for Struggling Families in Rock Springs
Executive Director Shari West and her team work with community partners to provide support for families of all shapes, ages, and circumstances with the goal of helping them achieve independence and self-sufficiency.
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35:44
Amy Souza is making it work for Wyoming Workers
Her title is Rock Springs Center Manager for Wyoming's Department of Workforce Services. What the title doesn't convey is the compassion, understanding, and unique problem-solving skills Amy brings to helping people find employment.
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38:07
Miss Wyoming for America Strong!
If you had the chance to create a platform to make the world a better place, what cause would you champion? For Lexi, it’s about shining a light on the devastating impact of opioid addiction and the urgent need to address mental health struggle...
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37:42
The United Way is Making a Difference in Laramie County
The AW duo talks with Tia Fitzgerald, Community Engagement and Marketing Coordinator for United Way of Laramie County, about the many ways in which the non-profit is helping the community.
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33:57
Wyoming's own country star, Chancey Williams
Straight out of the heart of Wyoming, Chancey Williams is a country music sensation with a knack for songwriting and a past as a bronc rider. In this episode, he takes us on a journey through his musical inspirations and gives us insider ...
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40:00
Making a Difference in Cheyenne
Homelessness is not just something we see on the news in urban centers in other states; it is an issue right here in Wyoming. Robin Bocanegra, the Executive Director of COMEA, sheds light on the extent and causes of homelessness in Cheyenne and...
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42:14
Tressa and Myra Celebrate 110 Years with Union!
Wait, that title is a little misleading... Tressa and Myra haven't been with Union for 110 years. That would be a record!! What we meant to say is that this is Union's 110th year of providing telecommunications service in Wyoming. Now that's im...
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29:12
Living the Ranching Life in Lonetree
Dana and Annalisa Beck made the bold move to Wyoming 9 years ago, dreaming of a peaceful retirement. Instead, they found themselves embarking on an exciting new chapter by establishing Beck Ranch. Nestled within a valley of Wyoming, the ranch h...
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32:41
Keeping the Ranch in Rodeo
Join Joe Hickey and Emilene France, the minds behind the Bridger Valley Pioneer Days Rodeo, for a lively discussion. This annual event welcomes everyone from pre-teen cowboys and cowgirls to seasoned cowboys in their eighties, ensuring lasting ...
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31:01
If you remember just one phone number, let it be 211!
We enjoyed our first visit with Olivia Schon, Wyoming 211's Deputy Director - so much so that we asked her back! And she brought a friend, 211's Casey Quinn, the Communications Director for Communicare, to give us the 411 on the organization's ...
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32:47
Riding Herd Over Cheyenne Frontier Days
Howdy, folks! Meet John Contos, the General Chairman of Cheyenne Frontier Days—a job he wrangles voluntarily all year long, which is downright impressive. Grab a seat and listen up as John spills the beans on what “The Daddy of ‘em All” means t...
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37:29
He's a Comedian, a Thespian, and a Therapist. He's Dominic Syracuse.
Try and keep up as Dominic regales us with stories of running a comedy shop in Cheyenne (during peak COVID), his use of theater therapy to work with the incarcerated, and so much more...
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47:30
Rounding up Tomorrow's Cowboys Today
Patty Franklin is the founder of Cowboy Roundup, a non-profit organization providing scholarships to young boys and girls, from the ages of seven to twenty-four, to help with training and equipment necessary to realize their dreams of becoming ...
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25:36
Metrohm Raman: The Raman (not noodle)
We're back again with Tressa and Myra as they delve into the groundbreaking world of contraband detection with special guests Brian Ray and Britan Woody from Metrohm Raman, headquartered in picturesque Laramie, Wyoming. Discover how their cutti...
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29:51
Tiny Builders, Big Dreams: Igniting Curiosity in Elementary Classrooms
In this episode, Tressa and Myra talk with Dr. Cindy Jones, Head of the UW Engineering Outreach Program. Well, that is, after Myra finishes going on and on about her move to North Carolina and her golf game. (Don't worry, Myra's still with Unio...
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33:37
Enhancing Community Services for Rural Resilience
In this episode, Tressa and Myra chat with Stacey Aughe, Union's Chief Administrative and Information Officer and Treasurer of the Linda K Woody Foundation. Stacey played a crucial role in establishing childcare services in Bridger Valley and n...
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27:41
This Isn't Donny Proffit's First Rodeo
Settle in for a wild ride with one of the nicest, humblest bronc riders you'll ever meet because in this episode we're talking rodeo with Wyoming's up-and-coming bareback rider, Donny Proffit. Yee haw!
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31:13
Anchors of Bridger Valley - Benedict Trading Company
Grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and join us for an enlightening conversation about the vital role that Benedict's Grocers and Ace Hardware play in shaping the fabric of Bridger Valley. Beyond just being stores, they're community h...
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32:31
The Dean (of Student Success) Will Help You Now
As the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and the Dean of Student Success and Graduation at the University of Wyoming, Dr. Nycole Courtney's mission is to provide. Full Stop. To provide students with any and all manner of support...
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31:25
Trevor Wilson is Truly Living the Sports Lover's Dream
Few people get to make a living doing what they truly love. A two-time All-American wrestler in college, a wrestling and football coach at both the high school and collegiate levels, and, oh yeah, the father of a professional football pla...
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30:46
Jimmy Temple Rides for the Western Brand
Jimmy's a podcaster turned host of his TV show, the wildly popular Cowboys Trailers, and Ranches. Listen as he shares life lessons, how the West is changing, and how he uses his show to share stories about the culture, music and, of course, the...
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30:58