The Krista Redpath Podcast

For the season finale of Montana Made, Krista sits down with Great Falls native Josh Huestis. Josh shares how travel basketball and the friendships he formed growing up in Great Falls helped lay the foundation for CMR’s back-to-back state championships in 2009 and 2010. He talks about choosing Stanford over Harvard, and Gonzaga, adjusting to Pac-10 basketball and building his college career through defense, rebounding and hard work. Josh also takes us inside the night he became the 29th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and what it took to earn, and keep, a place in the league while playing alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. He reflects on the support of his wife, Hailey, their time overseas and why he ultimately chose to return to Montana to raise their family. Today, Josh is using everything basketball gave him to create more opportunities for young athletes across the state through ECHO Sports Training, the Josh Huestis Foundation and the Montana Elite Invitational. He also shares how fatherhood has changed his perspective on success, purpose and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.  

Havre native Loree Payne grew up watching the Northern Montana College Skylights play at the Armory before becoming one of Montana’s most accomplished high school athletes. At Havre High, she won state championships in basketball and volleyball, captured an individual state title in the high jump, was named Montana’s Gatorade Player of the Year twice and graduated as class valedictorian. Loree went on to star at the University of Washington, where she helped lead the Huskies to the Elite Eight and hit an unforgettable game-winning shot against Old Dominion in the opening round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament. Loree joins Krista to talk about leaving a small Montana town for a university of 36,000 students and competing internationally with USA Basketball. She also shares what she learned while building programs at Puget Sound and Northern Arizona. During her eight seasons at NAU, she was named Big Sky Coach of the Year, led the Lumberjacks to three consecutive conference championship games and left as the winningest coach in program history. Now the head coach at Santa Clara, Loree discusses rebuilding nearly an entire roster, winning 24 games in her first season and creating the fast, fun style of basketball she wants her players to enjoy. They also talk WNBA basketball, the growth of the women’s game and why Montana will always be home.

Rebecca “Becca” Swandal’s story begins on her family’s fourth-generation ranch in Montana’s Shields Valley, where family, hard work and community were part of everyday life. In this episode of Montana Made, Becca joins Krista to talk about growing up in a small Montana town, the role sports played in shaping her, and an extraordinary family legacy that stretches from ranching to the law. Her grandmother, Bonnie Swandal, passed the Montana Bar Exam in 1967 without attending college or law school, beginning a legal legacy that continued with Becca’s father and eventually Becca herself. Becca shares why she chose to stay in Montana for college and law school, how the loss of her older brother changed her plans, and why returning home was always important to her. She also talks about raising four children in the same community that raised her, taking over her grandmother’s law practice in Livingston, and her recent appointment by Governor Greg Gianforte to Montana’s Sixth Judicial District Court. Through it all, Becca keeps coming back to what matters most, her family, Shields Valley, and serving the community that raised her.

Growing up in Missoula, Dave Kempfert dreamed of wearing a Grizzly uniform. As a Hellgate Knight, he grew up around University of Montana athletics, where he learned the value of hard work from his parents, a mindset that would shape every chapter of his life. Dave went on to become an All-American center, helped lead the Grizzlies to their first NCAA Division I-AA National Championship in 1995, and earned the opportunity to play in the NFL. Throughout his journey, he embraced a simple philosophy: focus on one day at a time. It was the approach that carried him from an undersized college player to the NFL, and it's the perspective that continues to guide him today. In this episode, Dave reflects on growing up in Missoula, playing for legendary coach Don Read, the unforgettable 1995 championship season, life in the NFL, and finding his purpose beyond football as Director of Rehabilitation Services at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee. Most importantly, Dave shares why his greatest accomplishments aren't found on a football field. He opens up about his wife, Allison, their children, Colin and Finley, and the joy of watching the next generation pursue their own dreams. This is a conversation about family, toughness, grit, and the work ethic that defines so many Montanans. It's about understanding that no one succeeds alone, that behind every accomplishment are parents, teammates, coaches, mentors, and a community willing to invest in one another. That's what being Montana Made is all about.

n this episode of Montana Made, Krista Redpath sits down with Montana native Brock Osweiler for a conversation that traces his journey from Kalispell to the NFL and beyond. Brock shares memories of growing up in Montana, the coaches, teammates, and community that helped shape his character, and the experiences that led him from Flathead High School to Arizona State. He reflects on choosing football over basketball, navigating an NFL career, learning alongside Peyton Manning, and what it meant to become a Super Bowl champion. The conversation also explores Brock's transition into broadcasting with ESPN, where he brings the same preparation and respect for the game that defined his playing career. Away from football, Brock opens up about family, fatherhood, and the perspective his daughters have given him, as well as his commitment to giving back through the Brock Osweiler Performance Center at Flathead High School. At its core, this episode is about more than athletics. It's a conversation about leadership, humility, preparation, and the Montana values that continue to guide Brock's life long after his playing days.

From a small town on the Crow Reservation to helping lead one of the most successful eras in Montana State women's basketball, Kola Bad Bear's journey is one of resilience, leadership, and purpose. In the premiere episode of the Montana Made series on The Krista Redpath Podcast, Kola reflects on growing up in Pryor, her basketball journey through Billings Senior, four successful seasons at Montana State, and a fifth year at Montana State Billings that allowed her to be closer to home while her mother battled cancer. Kola also shares the story behind No More Stolen Sisters, how a single basketball game sparked a movement that raised awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives and inspired conversations across Montana and beyond. She reflects on the responsibility that comes with using your platform to create meaningful change and the lessons she's carried from basketball into life. This conversation goes beyond the game. It's about family, community, leadership, perseverance, and what it truly means to be Montana Made. Presented by Clearwater Credit Union Supporting Sponsor: Vertical Raise

This week on The Krista Redpath Show, I take you inside one of the most compelling stories in the Big Sky. Big Sky MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Taylee Chirrick has emerged as one of the most complete players in the country — a unanimous First Team All-Conference selection and one of the most disruptive defenders in Division I, ranking #2 nationally in steals. From Roberts, Montana — a town of about 300 people — to leading her team in scoring, assists, and rebounding, Chirrick’s journey is built on instinct, endurance, and a relentless competitive drive. In this conversation, we go beyond the numbers to explore her upbringing, the influence of family, and the foundation that shaped her into the player she is today.

Big Sky Tournament MVP Hope Hassmann joins The Krista Redpath Show after leading Idaho to a championship and back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016. Hassmann reflects on the moment, the journey, and what it means to be part of a group that brought Idaho back to the national stage. From her role as a decision-maker on the floor to the energy and culture she brings as a leader, this conversation gives insight into the player behind the performance. Idaho head coach and Big Sky Coach of the Year Arthur Moreira also joins the show to break down the Vandals’ championship run, the identity of his team, and the mindset heading into a first-round matchup with Oklahoma. Plus, Carla “CT” Taylor returns for Hoop Hits as we break down the Big Sky Tournament, key performances, and what to watch as multiple teams represent the conference in March Madness.

This week on The Krista Redpath Show, the Big Sky Tournament is in the books and there's plenty to break down in a special episode that features producer Andrew Houghton hosting the show and plenty of live commentary directly following the title game in Boise. First, Krista Redpath shares her thoughts on Idaho winning the tournament for the first time since 2016. After calling all the games up until the title game in Boise, Krista had a courtside seat as Arthur Moreira and the Vandals made history. Andrew is also joined by Colter Nuanez of 102.9 ESPN Radio in Missoula to break down Idaho's 60-57 win over Montana State in the championship and break down where this Vandals team ranks among the great Big Sky women's basketball teams of the last decade. Finally, Hall of Fame coach and Big Sky analyst Carla "CT" Taylor joins the show for Big Sky Hoops Hits. CT shares some of the teams that impressed her across the tournament, including a young Eastern Washington team that took Montana State to overtime in the semifinals.

This week on The Krista Redpath Show, championship week has arrived and Big Sky in Boise is finally here. Carla Taylor “CT” and I take you Around the Big Sky in Women’s Hoops with Hoop Hits, breaking down the final week of the regular season and highlighting standout performances from across the conference as teams prepare for tournament play. The Big Sky Tournament tips off this week in Boise, and we can’t wait to bring you all the action. I’ll be calling TV color on ESPN+ and Scripps Sports, while CT will serve as the lead analyst for the Big Sky Courtside Show. Be sure to tune in 30 minutes before tip, at halftime, and for postgame coverage as we break down everything happening on the floor. I also sit down with Idaho head coach Arthur Moreira, who has guided the Vandals through one of the most impressive seasons in program history. In just his second year at the helm, Idaho finished the regular season 26–5 overall and 17–1 in Big Sky play, capturing the Big Sky regular-season championship and earning the No. 1 seed heading into the conference tournament. Later in the show, I visit with Montana State head coach Tricia Binford, now in her 21st season leading the Bobcats, as Montana State heads into Boise as the No. 2 seed after a 23–6 regular season. We talk about the culture she has built in Bozeman and Montana State’s signature non-conference wins over UNLV and Colorado. It’s tournament time in the Big Sky — and this episode sets the stage for an exciting week of basketball in Boise.