The IWD406’s Podcast

EPISODE 68 | THE GATHERING TABLE
Mothering in Montana with Angela Willey
What happens when becoming a mother also means becoming an advocate before your baby is even born?
In Episode 68 of the IWD406 Podcast, Julie Walz welcomes Montana mother and children’s book author Angela Willey to The Gathering Table for a deeply personal conversation about motherhood, medical uncertainty, and learning during pregnancy that her first child would be born with a congenital heart defect and other medical challenges.
Angela entered motherhood facing questions most new parents never expect to ask. What would her daughter need? Where would she receive specialized care? How would their family navigate appointments, procedures, travel, fear, and the uncertainty surrounding a medically complex child?
Living in Montana added another layer to that experience. When highly specialized pediatric and congenital heart care is not readily available close to home, families may find themselves navigating care far beyond their own communities.
For Angela, the experience became about much more than a diagnosis. It was about learning how to advocate for her daughter, processing the expectations she once had for motherhood, finding resilience inside uncertainty, and creating language that could help a child understand why her experience might look different from everyone else’s.
Eventually, Angela turned part of that journey into storytelling.
Her debut children’s book, Little Louise and Her Special Heart, was inspired by her daughter and their family’s experience navigating congenital heart disease and medical challenges. Through the book, Angela creates a story rooted in resilience, kindness, imagination, and helping children understand that being different does not make their story any less beautiful.
This episode of The Gathering Table creates space for a conversation many mothers carry privately: what happens when the motherhood you imagined changes before it has even begun?
WHY LISTEN?
This episode is for mothers, caregivers, families navigating childhood medical diagnoses, and anyone who has had to adjust to a life they never expected.
Angela’s story offers an intimate look at the emotional realities of receiving difficult news during pregnancy, raising a child with medical needs, advocating for care while living in Montana, and eventually transforming a deeply personal experience into something that could help another family feel understood.
It is also a conversation about the worries mothers rarely say out loud—and what happens when some of those worries become reality.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
How Angela learned during pregnancy that her daughter would be born with a congenital heart defect
What it felt like to receive a life-changing diagnosis while preparing to become a first-time mother
How expectations surrounding pregnancy and motherhood changed after the diagnosis
What Angela learned about advocating for a medically complex child
The challenges Montana families can face when specialized pediatric care is not available close to home
How travel and access to specialty care can affect the entire family
The emotional weight parents carry while navigating medical uncertainty
How Angela learned to balance fear with hope
Why parents of children with medical needs often become experts in their child’s care
How Angela’s daughter inspired Little Louise and Her Special Heart
Why Angela chose a children’s book to tell part of their story
How storytelling can help children understand medical differences
Why representation matters for children whose childhood includes hospitals, specialists, procedures, and medical uncertainty
How difficult experiences can eventually become resources for other families
What Angela hopes another mother facing a prenatal diagnosis takes from her story
EPISODE CHAPTERS
Meet Angela WilleyBecoming a First-Time MomLearning Something Was DifferentReceiving the Congenital Heart Defect Diagnosis Processing Fear During PregnancyPreparing for a Baby With Medical NeedsMotherhood Begins Differently Than ExpectedNavigating Specialized Medical Care From MontanaBecoming an Advocate for Your ChildThe Emotional Reality for Parents and FamiliesFinding Resilience Through UncertaintyThe Story Behind Little Louise and Her Special HeartWriting for Children Facing Medical DifferencesWhat Angela Wants Other Families to KnowLegacy, Motherhood and Pass the Mic
Listen to the full episode and hear Angela Willey’s story of navigating an unexpected beginning to motherhood—and how her daughter’s journey ultimately inspired a story designed to help other children and families feel seen.
Listen at: IWD406.com/podcast
The IWD406 Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Audible, Castbox and additional podcast platforms.
Watch the full interview and episode features on YouTube:@IWD406MONTANAWOMEN
THE GATHERING TABLE
The Gathering Table is an IWD406 community and storytelling space created for honest conversations about the experiences of being a woman in Montana.
These are conversations about motherhood, relationships, health, identity, grief, resilience, belonging and the parts of our lives that don't always fit into a polished social media post.
Because sometimes hearing another woman's truth is what reminds us that we aren't navigating ours alone.
ABOUT ANGELA WILLEY
Angela Willey is a children’s book author inspired by family life and her daughter’s journey with a congenital heart defect and other medical challenges.
She writes meaningful stories celebrating resilience, kindness and imagination. Her debut children’s book, Little Louise and Her Special Heart, grew from her family’s experience and her desire to create something meaningful for children and families navigating medical challenges.  Learn more about Angela Willey and her amazing book at https://linktr.ee/Akwilley13
SPONSOR + PRODUCTION CREDITS
The IWD406 is fully sponsored and paid for by J.M. Walz LLC, a woman owned and supported promotional business.
The IWD406 Podcast amplifies the voices, experiences and work of women shaping business, culture and community throughout Montana.
SPONSORSHIP AND PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Interested in sharing your business, event or brand with the growing IWD406 audience?
Learn more about podcast sponsorships, promotional partnerships and storytelling opportunities at IWD406.com.
Pass the Mic. Share the Story.
 
 

What happens when life repeatedly reminds you that time is never guaranteed?
In Episode 67 of the IWD406 Podcast, Julie Walz welcomes fifth-generation Montanan Bekah O’Shea—designer, entrepreneur, founder of Ride Free Montana, co-founder of House of Cowbella, and one of the creative forces behind Coup de Rouge and HOWL: House of West.
Bekah and her husband create handcrafted heirloom leather goods and silver pieces from their family ranch, combining traditional Western craftsmanship with a modern artistic perspective. But the heart of Bekah’s story reaches far beyond the products she creates.
After leaving respiratory therapy and surviving a devastating Colorado wildfire that destroyed her family’s home, Bekah began rebuilding more than a house. She later navigated her daughter’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and then faced her own breast cancer diagnosis—experiences that changed how she thought about time, creativity, motherhood, collaboration and the life she wanted to build.
Those chapters taught Bekah to release what no longer mattered, pursue the ideas that continued calling her and become more intentional about creating meaningful memories with the people she loves.
In this conversation, Bekah shares how that resilience shaped Ride Free Montana and eventually helped inspire Coup de Rouge—an immersive platform bringing together Western and Indigenous fashion, fine art, film, storytelling, music and performance.
She also introduces HOWL: House of West, a collaborative creative space in downtown Livingston designed to bring artists, thinkers, producers and visionaries together through memberships, experiential events and production resources.
WHY LISTEN?
This episode is for anyone who has experienced an unexpected detour, questioned whether it was too late to pursue a creative dream or wondered how meaningful Montana events and brands are built behind the scenes.
Bekah’s story is an honest look at what it takes to rebuild, collaborate and continue creating when life changes the plan.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
How Bekah’s fifth-generation Montana roots shaped her identity
The influence of her grandmother and Helena’s historic Reader’s Alley
Why Bekah initially pursued a career in respiratory therapy
How losing her Colorado home to wildfire changed her direction
What her daughter’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis taught her about motherhood
How breast cancer reshaped her relationship with time and creativity
How Ride Free Montana began on the family ranch
The process behind its heirloom leatherwork and silver collaborations
How found materials become meaningful, wearable pieces
The vision behind Coup de Rouge
Why Western and Indigenous representation matters within the creative landscape
How immersive events are helping preserve and expand Montana’s cultural story
What visitors can expect from the expanded three-day Coup de Rouge experience
How HOWL is creating space for collaboration in downtown Livingston
Why the right creative team can turn an ambitious idea into reality
How Bekah protects her energy while continuing to build
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet Bekah O’Shea03:37 Montana Roots Tour06:14 Hidden Gems in Seeley07:47 Reader’s Alley Legacy15:03 Finding Her Art Path18:21 Healthcare Detour25:40 Wildfire Loss and Rebuilding30:18 Returning to Montana33:51 Navigating Type 1 Diabetes40:19 The Beginning of Ride Free Montana42:24 Leatherwork Takes Off45:43 Silver Collaborations and Creative Joy48:16 Designing With Found Materials50:10 Cancer, Stress and Letting Go53:32 Resilience Through Chemotherapy55:26 The Origins of Coup de Rouge01:01:20 Red Lodge Roots and Meaning01:05:40 Immersive Show Highlights01:07:45 The Three-Day Event Experience01:09:49 Launching HOWL: House of West01:13:11 Building the Dream Team01:19:35 Protecting Energy and Decompressing01:22:03 How to Support the Events01:26:44 Legacy Quickfire and Pass the Mic01:31:00 Spotlighting Heidi Martincic01:36:27 Where to Find Everything
Listen to the full episode and discover how Bekah O’Shea is helping build Montana’s creative future through resilience, collaboration and intentional storytelling.
Listen at: www.iwd406.com/podcast
The IWD406 Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Audible, Castbox and additional podcast platforms.
Watch the full interview and episode features on YouTube:@IWD406MONTANAWOMEN
SPONSOR + PRODUCTION CREDITS
This episode is proudly sponsored by Outside Metro Properties, offering premier lodging in Whitefish, Montana.
Production by Erickson Media.
The IWD406 Podcast amplifies the voices, experiences and work of women shaping business, culture and community throughout Montana.
SPONSORSHIP AND PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Interested in sharing your business, event or brand with the growing IWD406 audience?
Learn more about podcast sponsorships, promotional partnerships and storytelling opportunities at www.iwd406.com.
Pass the Mic. Share the Story.

Episode 66 | The Builders Table with Sarah Gould (Part 1)
Building Financial Agency: Leading Your Business with Confidence
What if the way you think about money is influencing every decision you make as a business owner?
In Part One of our special three-part Builders Table series, Julie Walz sits down with Sarah Gould, Founder & CEO of Elevated Advisory & Accounting, to explore one of the most important—and often overlooked—topics in entrepreneurship: financial agency.
This conversation goes beyond bookkeeping and accounting. It's about understanding your relationship with money, developing financial confidence, and learning how your mindset around finances shapes the way you lead, build, and grow your business.
Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or leading an established organization, this episode offers practical insights and empowering conversations designed to help business owners move from uncertainty to clarity.
At The Builders Table, we gather Montana's business leaders, founders, experts, and innovators to share the strategies, lessons, and conversations helping women build businesses—and lives—that matter.
In This Episode
• What financial agency really means for business owners• Understanding your relationship with money• Moving from reactive financial management to proactive leadership• Why financial clarity creates stronger decision-making• Building confidence through financial literacy• How your financial mindset impacts leadership• Creating sustainable businesses through intentional financial planning• Why knowing your numbers changes everything
About Sarah Gould
Sarah Gould is the Founder & CEO of Elevated Advisory & Accounting, a women-owned advisory and accounting firm helping business owners gain clarity, confidence, and long-term financial stability.
Sarah has built a modern advisory practice focused on moving business owners beyond traditional accounting and into strategic financial leadership. Through advisory services, fractional CFO support, and long-term business planning, she helps organizations strengthen profitability, improve cash-flow visibility, build scalable systems, and make confident decisions through every stage of growth.
Currently a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) Candidate through NACVA, Sarah is expanding her expertise in business valuation to better serve business owners through strategic planning, acquisitions, growth modeling, and exit readiness.
Over the past decade, she has advised hundreds of organizations across construction, healthcare, nonprofits, real estate, manufacturing, and professional services, translating complex financial information into practical strategies leaders can confidently implement.
As a female founder in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Sarah is passionate about creating opportunities for women to lead, build, and thrive in business. Her leadership philosophy centers on transparency, empowerment, excellence, and authentic partnership.
Beyond her work with clients, Sarah serves on the Executive Committee for Montana West Economic Development and on the Board of Directors for the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, helping strengthen economic opportunity throughout Northwest Montana.
A proud Montana native, Sarah enjoys golfing, spending time with family, and exploring the mountains that continue to inspire the Elevated brand.
Learn more about Sarah and Elevated Advisory & Accounting:https://www.elevatedaccounting.com
About The Builders Table
The Builders Table is a signature segment of the IWD406 Podcast dedicated to the women who are building businesses, organizations, nonprofits, brands, and communities across Montana.
Through thoughtful conversations with founders, executives, industry experts, and community leaders, we explore the lessons, strategies, and real-world experiences behind building sustainable businesses and meaningful impact.
Each episode provides practical insights, honest conversations, and inspiration for entrepreneurs, professionals, and future business leaders throughout Montana and beyond.
Looking for Podcast Sponsors & Community Partners?
The IWD406 Podcast is one of Montana's premier digital storytelling platforms for women, reaching audiences through authentic conversations, multimedia storytelling, online communities, signature events, and digital publications.
We're currently seeking podcast sponsors and strategic partners who want to connect with an engaged audience of women across Montana.
Partnership Opportunities Include:
• Sponsor individual podcast episodes or multi-part series• Presenting sponsorships for The Builders Table and The Gathering Table• Advertising opportunities in the IWD406 Anthology• Brand storytelling and featured business profiles• Community event partnerships• Social media amplification and digital campaigns• Custom multimedia marketing collaborations
If your business or organization is looking to reach women who are building businesses, leading organizations, and creating impact throughout Montana, we'd love to connect.
Visit www.IWD406.com to learn more about sponsorship, advertising, and partnership opportunities.
Together, we're building a stronger Montana—one story at a time.
Connect with IWD406
Website: https://www.IWD406.com
Instagram: @IWD406
Facebook: IWD406
YouTube: @IWD406MontanaWomen
Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Podbean • YouTube
Amplify. Connect. Celebrate. Pass the Mic.

Episode 65 | The Gathering Table with Erin Kay Anderson
Dating in Montana: The Realities, Discoveries & Unexpected Lessons
What happens when you combine Big Sky Country, small-town connections, modern dating apps, personal growth, and a healthy sense of humor?
In this special Gathering Table conversation, Julie Walz sits down with Billings-born, Missoula-based Erin Kay Anderson for an honest discussion about dating, relationships, community, and what it means to build connection in Montana.
Erin is a yoga teacher, community builder, social justice advocate, and self-proclaimed dog mom to Aloe Duane. Raised between Montana and summers in Minnesota, she brings a unique perspective on relationships, belonging, and the stories we tell ourselves as we navigate adulthood.
Together, Julie and Erin explore the realities of dating in Montana, the challenges women face when putting themselves out there, the importance of maintaining humor through life's unexpected twists, and how personal growth often comes from experiences we never planned for.
This conversation isn't just about dating. It's about vulnerability, self-discovery, community, friendship, and finding value in every chapter of life—even the messy ones.
At The Gathering Table, we create space for conversations that reflect the Montana way of life—sharing experiences, perspectives, and stories that help us better understand ourselves and one another.
In This Episode:
The realities of dating in Montana
Navigating relationships in small communities
Why community matters more than ever
Learning through discomfort and uncertainty
The role humor plays in life's challenges
Building confidence through personal growth
The stories women tell themselves about relationships
Creating meaningful connections in a digital world
What Montana teaches us about resilience and belonging
About Erin Kay Anderson
Erin Kay Anderson is a Billings-born, Missoula-based yoga teacher, community builder, and advocate for meaningful connection. With a Boston education and deep Montana roots, she combines curiosity, humor, and thoughtful perspective in everything she does. Whether she's teaching yoga, organizing community events, championing social causes, or navigating the adventure of dating in Big Sky Country, Erin believes that authentic relationships and genuine community are at the heart of a meaningful life.
About The Gathering Table
The Gathering Table is a special segment of the IWD406 Podcast dedicated to conversations about living, working, loving, growing, and building community in Montana. Through authentic dialogue and shared experiences, we explore the perspectives, challenges, and discoveries that shape everyday life across the 406.
Looking for Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities?
The IWD406 Podcast reaches women across Montana through authentic storytelling, community-driven conversations, signature events, social media, and digital publications designed to help businesses, organizations, and community leaders connect with engaged audiences.
Whether you're looking to:
Sponsor a podcast episode or series
Advertise your business to women across Montana
Feature your organization in the IWD406 Anthology
Partner on community events and experiences
Amplify your brand through storytelling and content creation
Reach Montana women through our growing digital ecosystem
We would love to explore how we can work together.
To learn more about sponsorship, advertising, and partnership opportunities, contact Julie Walz at IWD406 or visit our website.
Because great stories deserve to be discovered—and great businesses deserve to be found.
Connect with IWD406Follow along for more stories, conversations, and connections that matter to women across Montana.
Website: IWD406.comInstagram: @iwd406YouTube: @IWD406MontanaWomen

Episode 64 | Walking Between Worlds: Scarlette Bourne | Fashion, Identity, and Representing Montana on the Global Stage
The IWD406 Podcast, Montana’s trusted platform amplifying leadership, storytelling, and community impact, proudly presents Episode 64 featuring Scarlette Bourne, Montana fashion model, creative, and advocate for authentic representation.
In this episode of the IWD406 Podcast, we sit down with Scarlette Bourne to explore her remarkable journey from Montana to the international fashion world.
As an Indigenous Montana model working across Montana, New York, Milan, and international fashion markets, Scarlette has built a career that bridges culture, creativity, and identity. From walking prestigious runways and working with designers around the world to remaining deeply connected to her roots, Scarlette shares what it means to navigate an industry often defined by appearances while staying grounded in purpose.
Scarlette's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and reclaiming a voice that was once silenced. Through fashion, storytelling, and community engagement, she is helping redefine representation while creating opportunities for others to be seen.
This episode explores:
• Indigenous representation in fashion• Building a modeling career from Montana• Walking runways in New York, Milan, and beyond• Identity, confidence, and self-expression• The realities of the fashion industry• Overcoming adversity and finding your voice• Creative entrepreneurship and personal branding• The importance of representation and visibility
If you are interested in fashion, creativity, entrepreneurship, personal growth, or stories of women forging their own path, this episode offers an inspiring and honest perspective on what it means to pursue your dreams while staying true to who you are.
SPONSOR | OUTSIDE METRO
This episode is proudly sponsored by Outside Metro — the premier lodging experience in the Whitefish area.
With over 500 five-star reviews, Outside Metro offers thoughtfully designed stays that blend comfort, style, and true Montana hospitality.
Whether you are visiting for Glacier National Park, outdoor adventure, or simply to reconnect, Outside Metro provides a place to stay where the locals play.
Experience Whitefish the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Bonus: No booking fees when you book direct.
Visit: www.outsidemetro.com
LISTEN + CONNECT
Listen to the full episode:www.iwd406.com/podcast
Watch on YouTube:@IWD406MontanaWomen
Follow the Podcast:@theiwd406podcast
ABOUT IWD406
IWD406 is a Montana-based storytelling and media platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women shaping business, culture, community, and leadership across the state through podcasts, editorial features, and digital publication.

Episode 63 | Building Legacy in Montana: Aubrie Lorona of Swan Mountain Outfitters | Courage, Calling, and Continuing the Vision
The IWD406 Podcast, Montana’s trusted platform amplifying leadership, storytelling, and community impact, proudly presents Episode 63 featuring Aubrie Lorona, Co-Owner of Swan Mountain Outfitters in West Glacier, Montana.
In this episode of the IWD406 Podcast, we sit down with Aubrie Lorona, Co-Owner of Swan Mountain Outfitters, to explore the legacy behind one of Montana’s premier outfitting businesses.
Located in West Glacier, Swan Mountain Outfitters offers guided horseback riding experiences in Glacier National Park and llama trekking adventures throughout Montana’s backcountry.
Aubrie shares the story of her father’s vision for the business, what it was like growing up within that environment, and how she has stepped into a leadership role while navigating her own path.
This episode explores:
Legacy business in Montana
Horseback riding in Glacier National Park
Llama trekking and backcountry experiences
Leadership and team development
Family business dynamics
Courage to pivot and follow your calling
Montana outfitting culture and tourism
If you are interested in entrepreneurship, legacy businesses, outdoor recreation, or leadership in Montana, this episode offers valuable insight and perspective.
SPONSOR | OUTSIDE METRO
This episode is proudly sponsored by Outside Metro — the premier lodging experience in the Whitefish area.
With over 500 five-star reviews, Outside Metro offers thoughtfully designed stays that blend comfort, style, and true Montana hospitality.
Whether you are visiting for Glacier National Park, outdoor adventure, or simply to reconnect, Outside Metro provides a place to stay where the locals play.
Experience Whitefish the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Bonus: No booking fees when you book directVisit: www.outsidemetro.com
LISTEN + CONNECT
Listen to the full episode:www.iwd406.com/podcast
Watch on YouTube:@IWD406MontanaWomen
Follow the Podcast:@theiwd406podcast
ABOUT IWD406
IWD406 is a Montana-based storytelling and media platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women shaping business, culture, community, and leadership across the state through podcasts, editorial features, and digital publication.

Episode 62 | Bringing Songwriters to Montana: Jo Smith of Big Sky Troubadours | The Power of Storytelling Through Music and Community
The IWD406 Podcast, Montana’s trusted platform amplifying leadership, creativity, and community impact, proudly presents Episode 62 featuring Jo Smith, founder of Big Sky Troubadours.
In this authentic and story-driven conversation, Jo shares what it means to build a life rooted in music, storytelling, and connection—bringing her journey from national stages to intimate Montana gatherings.
As a nationally recognized singer-songwriter who has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and toured with major country artists, Jo has taken her experience and created something uniquely her own through Big Sky Troubadours—an experience designed to bring songwriters and audiences together in a more personal, meaningful way.
Her work is centered on connection.
Connection between artist and audience.Connection through shared stories.And connection through music that reflects real life experiences.
Through Big Sky Troubadours, Jo is building more than events.She is building a platform for storytelling.
One where songs are not just performed, but understood.Where artists are not just seen, but experienced.And where audiences become part of something deeper than entertainment—it becomes a shared moment.
At IWD406, we believe in amplifying women who are creating culture through their work—women who are building platforms that bring people together in meaningful ways.
Jo is doing exactly that.
This conversation explores the idea that music is not just something we listen to—it’s something we feel, carry, and connect through.
In this episode, Jo shares:
• Her journey from Nashville to Montana• Performing at the Grand Ole Opry and touring nationally• The inspiration behind Big Sky Troubadours• Creating intimate, story-driven music experiences• The power of songwriting as storytelling• Building community through music and shared experience• What it means to create connection in today’s world
Big Sky Troubadours continues to represent a new way of experiencing music—one that is rooted in storytelling, authenticity, and connection across Montana and beyond.
To learn more about Jo Smith and Big Sky Troubadours, visit:https://www.bigskytroubadours.com/
Montana thrives when artists create, share their stories, and bring people together through meaningful experiences.
PODBEAN + LISTEN LINKS
Listen to the full episode:www.iwd406.com/podcast
Watch on YouTube:@IWD406MontanaWomen
Follow the Podcast:@theiwd406podcast
Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsor
This episode is proudly sponsored by Outside Metro — the premier lodging experience in the Whitefish area. With over 500 five-star reviews, they offer exceptional stays that blend comfort, style, and true Montana hospitality.
Whether you're here for music, connection, or to experience Montana, come stay where the locals play and experience Whitefish the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Bonus: No booking fees. Go to www.outsidemetro.com
Curious About Sponsorship?
Partner with IWD406 to have your business featured across our growing podcast, social media, and video platforms.
We offer 12-episode advertising packages designed to elevate your brand while supporting stories that inspire, educate, and strengthen communities across Montana.
Now booking Pass the Mic Sponsors for the IWD406 Podcast
Contact us at iwd406@gmail.comVisit www.iwd406.com
About IWD406
IWD406 is a Montana-based storytelling and media platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women shaping business, culture, community, and leadership across the state through podcasts, editorial features, and digital publication.

Episode 61 | Building Community That Moves Women Forward: Amanda Diehl of Sky Oro | Redefining Connection and Growth in Montana
The IWD406 Podcast, Montana’s trusted platform amplifying leadership, creativity, and community impact, proudly presents Episode 61 featuring Amanda Diehl, founder of Sky Oro.
In this dynamic and forward-thinking conversation, Amanda shares what it means to build more than a business—she is building a movement centered on connection, collaboration, and shared growth.
As the founder of Sky Oro, a Montana-based coworking and community space, Amanda has created an environment where ambitious women come together in person to build their businesses, navigate life transitions, and grow alongside one another.
After raising over $250,000 from founding members to launch Sky Oro, Amanda has spent the past seven years cultivating a model rooted in relationships—where connection fuels courage, accountability, and real momentum.
Her work challenges the traditional path of entrepreneurship, one that often requires women to build alone.
Instead, she is redefining what success looks like—proving that proximity, community, and aligned environments are essential to sustainable growth.
Through Sky Oro, Amanda is building more than a space.She is building access.
Access to community.Access to opportunity.And access to a new way of rising—together.
At IWD406, we believe in amplifying women who are creating impact through connection and leadership—women who are shifting culture and building spaces where others can thrive.
Amanda is doing exactly that.
This conversation explores the idea that success is not built in isolation—it is built in environments that challenge, support, and elevate you.
In this episode, Amanda shares:
• The vision behind Sky Oro and its community-driven model• Raising over $250,000 through founding member support• Why women are not meant to build alone• The role of environment in business growth and confidence• Navigating motherhood while leading as a CEO• The power of in-person connection in a digital world• How Montana is shaping a new era of women-led collaboration
Sky Oro continues to represent a new standard for connection, leadership, and community-building—rooted in Montana values with a forward-thinking approach to how women live and work today.
To learn more about Amanda Diehl and Sky Oro, visit:https://www.skyoro.com/
Montana thrives when women come together, build with intention, and create spaces where others can rise alongside them.
Listen to the full episode:www.iwd406.com/podcast
Watch on YouTube:@IWD406MontanaWomen
Follow the Podcast:@theiwd406podcast
Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsor
This episode is proudly sponsored by Outside Metro — the premier lodging experience in the Whitefish area. With over 500 five-star reviews, they offer exceptional stays that blend comfort, style, and true Montana hospitality.
Whether you're here to ski, hike, or simply unwind, come stay where the locals play and experience Whitefish the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Bonus: No booking fees
Curious About Sponsorship?
Partner with IWD406 to have your business featured across our growing podcast, social media, and video platforms.
We offer 12-episode advertising packages designed to elevate your brand while supporting stories that inspire, educate, and strengthen communities across Montana.
Now booking Pass the Mic Sponsors for the IWD406 Podcast
Contact us at iwd406@gmail.comVisit www.iwd406.com
About IWD406
IWD406 is a Montana-based storytelling and media platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women shaping business, culture, community, and leadership across the state through podcasts, editorial features, and digital publication.

Episode 60 | She Lives Her Purpose: Cress Whitman of Horsemanship with Integrity | Bridging the Connection Between Horse and Human
The IWD406 Podcast, Montana’s trusted platform amplifying leadership, creativity, and community impact, proudly presents Episode 60 featuring Cress Whitman, founder of Horsemanship with Integrity.
In this grounded and powerful conversation, Cress shares what it means to build a life rooted in purpose—not something she found, but something she has always lived.
As a Montana horsewoman, buyer, broker, and producer of Draft X horses, Cress has created a life centered around the connection between horse and human—one built on trust, discipline, respect, and a deep understanding of the spirit within both.
Her journey is not defined by a single moment, but by a way of living—one that reflects patience, consistency, and a commitment to doing things with integrity.
Through Horsemanship with Integrity, Cress is building more than a business.She is preserving a way of life.
One where horses are not just trained, but understood.Where connection is earned, not forced.And where the work reflects something deeper than outcome—it reflects identity.
At IWD406, we believe in amplifying women who are living in alignment with who they are—women who are not chasing purpose, but embodying it.
Cress is exactly that.
This conversation explores the idea that horsemanship is not just about skill—it is about presence, awareness, and the relationship between human and animal.
It is about understanding energy, building trust, and respecting the process.
In this episode, Cress shares:
• What it means to live your purpose, not search for it• The foundation of trust between horse and human• Her work as a buyer, broker, and Draft X horse producer• The discipline and patience required in horsemanship• How integrity shapes every aspect of her work• The connection between identity and lifestyle in Montana• Why the process matters just as much as the outcome
Horsemanship with Integrity continues to represent a standard of respect, connection, and purpose-driven work rooted deeply in Montana land, lifestyle, and values.
To learn more about Cress Whitman and Horsemanship with Integrity, visit:https://www.horsemanshipwithintegrity.com/
Montana thrives when women live in alignment, honor their craft, and build lives that reflect who they truly are.
Listen to the full episode:www.iwd406.com/podcast
Watch on YouTube:@IWD406MontanaWomen
Follow the Podcast:@theiwd406podcast
Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsor
This episode is proudly sponsored by Outside Metro — the premier lodging experience in the Whitefish area. With over 500 five-star reviews, they offer exceptional stays that blend comfort, style, and true Montana hospitality.
Whether you're here to ski, hike, or simply unwind, come stay where the locals play and experience Whitefish the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Bonus: No booking fees
Curious About Sponsorship?
Partner with IWD406 to have your business featured across our growing podcast, social media, and video platforms.
We offer 12-episode advertising packages designed to elevate your brand while supporting stories that inspire, educate, and strengthen communities across Montana.
Now booking Pass the Mic Sponsors for the IWD406 Podcast
Contact us at iwd406@gmail.comVisit www.iwd406.com
About IWD406
IWD406 is a Montana-based storytelling and media platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women shaping business, culture, community, and leadership across the state through podcasts, editorial features, and digital publication.

Episode #59 | Learning to Hunt with Confidence: Alex Stokman of Venery | Building Skill, Story, and Stewardship
The IWD406 Podcast, Montana’s trusted platform amplifying leadership, creativity, and community impact, proudly presents Episode 59 featuring Alex Stokman, founder of Venery.
In this powerful and grounded conversation, Alex shares her journey from growing up in Ohio and Florida, to studying biology/environmental science, to eventually finding her way into the world of hunting—not through tradition, but through curiosity, education, and a defining moment that sparked her confidence to begin.
That moment didn’t just change her path—it led to the creation of Venery, a Montana-based organization dedicated to helping women learn to hunt through education, ethical practices, and shared experience.
Through Venery, Alex is building something deeply intentional: a space where women can develop skills, gain knowledge, and step into hunting with confidence—without intimidation, and without needing to wait for permission.
At IWD406, we believe in creating space for women to step into new experiences, build confidence, and connect through shared learning.
Alex is doing exactly that.
This conversation explores the idea that hunting is not just about the outcome, but about the process—the learning, the storytelling, the connection to land, and the respect for wildlife that comes with it.
Venery emphasizes ethical hunting practices, land and animal stewardship, and a deeper appreciation for the responsibility that comes with participating in the outdoors.
In this episode, Alex shares:
• Her journey from marine biology to hunting• The moment that gave her the confidence to begin• Why women don’t need permission to learn new skills• How Venery is building a women’s hunting community• The role of education in developing confidence in the outdoors• Ethical hunting practices and land stewardship• Why the process, storytelling, and experience matter as much as the outcome
Venery continues to create opportunities for women across Montana and beyond to learn, grow, and build confidence in the outdoors through education and community.
To learn more about Alex Stokman and Venery, visit:🌐 https://www.venerymt.com/
Montana thrives when women step into new spaces, support one another, and build meaningful experiences rooted in skill, respect, and connection to the land.
🎧 Listen to the full episode:🌐 www.iwd406.com/podcast
📺 Watch on YouTube:@IWD406MontanaWomen
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Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsor
This episode is proudly sponsored by Outside Metro — the premier lodging experience in the Whitefish area. With over 500 five-star reviews, they offer exceptional stays that blend comfort, style, and true Montana hospitality.
Whether you're here to ski, hike, or simply unwind, come stay where the locals play and experience Whitefish the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
✨ Bonus: No booking fees
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About IWD406
IWD406 is a Montana-based storytelling and media platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women shaping business, culture, community, and leadership across the state through podcasts, editorial features, and digital publication.