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Charlotte Durham has spent 15 years building her career in Bozeman real estate, growing Charlotte & Co. into a leading team with Big Sky Sotheby’s International Realty. In this episode of The Brief, she shares the decisions, challenges, and lessons behind building a business, from navigating the market early in her career to developing a team and learning to lead with intention. She also reflects on the responsibility of guiding clients through major life decisions, the importance of hiring the right people, and how becoming a mother changed her perspective on success. In this episode: Starting her career during the short sale and foreclosure years Opening her own brokerage in 2016 and building a business from the ground up Growing a team through coaching, systems, and accountability Hiring for character, creating a culture of ownership, and maintaining high standards Navigating the demands of real estate while making room for life beyond work Her perspective on Bozeman’s growth as a fifth-generation Montanan The advice she would give her 29-year-old self

In this episode of The Brief, Liv sits down with Jason Smith, CEO of Schaefer Outfitter, for a conversation about growing a heritage brand while staying true to the people, products, and values that built it. Jason shares how Schaefer has evolved over the years, including the growth of its women’s line from 3% of sales to nearly 30%, and why the Western market reaches far beyond those who work in the industry. He talks about understanding the customer, staying true to the brand’s point of view, and making decisions that prioritize product quality over short-term margins. The conversation also explores what it takes to build on decades of customer trust without losing the authenticity that made the brand successful in the first place. Jason reflects on Schaefer’s history, the importance of knowing what not to compromise as a business grows, and his vision for the next 45 years of the company. At its core, this episode is about growing a business without losing sight of what matters most, and understanding that a strong brand is built through the trust it earns over time. The Brief is sponsored by Bozeman Media Design, a Bozeman-based creative marketing agency built around thoughtful strategy, storytelling, and design.

In this episode of The Brief, Liv sits down with Chavie Bruk, mom of five, co-CEO of Chabad of Montana, and host of the Totally Unexpected podcast, for a conversation about what happens when life looks nothing like the version you once imagined. Chavie shares what brought her from Texas to Bozeman nearly two decades ago, what it took to build a Jewish community in Montana from the ground up, and how motherhood, infertility, and adoption reshaped her understanding of family. She opens up about letting go of the idea of perfect “balance,” setting boundaries without guilt, and learning to see healing and personal growth as something that happens through small, consistent choices rather than dramatic reinvention. The conversation also explores what it means to take up space and share your story publicly. Chavie reflects on vulnerability, privacy, and becoming more comfortable with other people’s opinions as she has grown older. Then, she takes us behind the scenes of Totally Unexpected, from why she started the podcast to what nearly 50 episodes have taught her about interviewing, storytelling, and getting beyond the polished version of someone’s life. At its core, this episode is about becoming comfortable with uncertainty, finding growth on the other side of discomfort, and building a meaningful life even when the path there was never part of the plan. Because sometimes the most meaningful parts of our lives are the ones we never saw coming. The Brief is sponsored by Bozeman Media Design, a Bozeman-based creative marketing agency built around thoughtful strategy, storytelling, and design.

When your website is handled by one person, social media by another, photography by someone else, and strategy somewhere in between, even great work can start to feel disconnected. In this episode of The Brief, Liv and Kam talk about what happens when marketing becomes too fragmented and why building a brand is less about perfecting every individual piece and more about making sure those pieces are working together. They unpack the hidden time and cost of managing multiple freelancers, the value of having one team that deeply understands your business, and why your brand, website, social media, photography, messaging, and campaigns should all be telling the same story. They also get into making creative investments work harder across multiple platforms, staying relevant without constantly reinventing your brand, and knowing when an agency actually makes sense. Because sometimes the answer is an agency. Sometimes it’s a freelancer or someone in-house. The real question is whether the way you’re marketing your business is cohesive, sustainable, and actually working for you.

Brit Eaton has spent nearly three decades finding value in the places most people overlook. Known for his work in the world of vintage denim, Brit has built a career traveling across the American West, digging through abandoned mines, ranches, barns, attics, and forgotten collections in search of pieces with a story. His company, Carpe Denim, has sourced pieces for brands including Ralph Lauren, Levi's, Dickies, and Gap, as well as Hollywood wardrobe departments. In this episode of The Brief, Liv sits down with Brit to talk about how an early fascination with vintage clothing became an unconventional career, what goes into a denim safari, and how he developed an eye for pieces others might walk right past. They get into some of his most memorable finds, the rise of the vintage market, his connection to the American West, and what decades of collecting have taught him about history, value, and trusting a good hunch. It's a conversation about clothes, people, places, and the stories that make something worth holding onto.

Audrey Hall has never been interested in staying in one lane. The Livingston-based artist has built a career that moves between fine art photography, documentary film, publishing, and songwriting, following ideas wherever they lead rather than allowing a single medium to define the work. In Episode 09 of The Brief, Audrey joins us for a conversation about building a creative life without a blueprint. She shares how studying architecture led her to photography, what she learned working alongside Robert Redford on The Horse Whisperer, and why some of the biggest shifts in her career came from being willing to leave behind what was safe and familiar. We also talk about burnout, creative risk, her relationship with Montana and the West, the making of Bison: Portrait of an Icon, and the unexpected way music helped her find her way back to visual art. At the center of it all is a question many creatives wrestle with: What happens when one medium, one title, or one version of yourself is no longer enough?

What does it take to steward a brand that has been part of the American West for more than 140 years? In this episode of The Brief, Liv sits down with Kelsey Charles, Head of Brand Marketing and Strategic Growth at Lucchese, to talk about the intersection of heritage, craftsmanship, storytelling, and modern marketing. From growing up around a family legacy tied to the Western lifestyle to building partnerships with brands, athletes, and artists, Kelsey shares how relationships and authenticity have shaped her career. The conversation dives into what makes Lucchese different: boots crafted by hand over weeks, generations of artisans preserving a lost craft, and a commitment to creating products meant to become heirlooms. Kelsey explains why authenticity matters more than trends, how brands can protect their identity while evolving, and why the strongest partnerships come from genuine alignment rather than simply chasing visibility. We also talk about the return of Lucchese's ambassador program, what the brand looks for in the people who represent it, and how thoughtful storytelling can create lasting connections between brands and their communities. A conversation about legacy, leadership, craftsmanship, and building something that lasts.

Note: During this conversation, Stephanie mentions that she started SB Creative in 2018. This was a verbal slip during recording—SB Creative was actually founded in 2008. Whether you're building a business, leading a creative team, or simply trying to figure out your next chapter, this conversation is packed with wisdom. This week on The Brief, we're joined by Stephanie Bradshaw, founder of SB Creative, a multidisciplinary design studio specializing in interior design and brand strategy. Since founding the studio in 2008, Stephanie has built a nationally recognized business with clients including Black+Decker, Sherwin-Williams, and Bozzuto, while becoming a respected connector in the design industry through initiatives like the Baltimore Design District and Ardor Collective. From being unexpectedly fired to building a thriving creative studio, Stephanie shares the lessons she's learned about resilience, leadership, and creating a business with intention. Together, we dive into what it really takes to build a brand that lasts—from attracting the right clients and hiring the right people to embracing authenticity, community, and the courage to evolve. Stephanie also opens up about knowing when to pivot, the importance of protecting your "yes," and why she believes integration—not balance—is the key to building a meaningful life and career. In this episode, we discuss:• How getting fired became the catalyst for building SB Creative• Building a brand that attracts the right clients• Growing and leading a creative team with intention• Why authenticity is your greatest marketing strategy• The difference between influence and being an influencer• Learning when to say no—and why it matters• Creating community through the Baltimore Design District and Ardor Collective• Why great design is about how people feel• The business books and advice every entrepreneur should know If you're a creative entrepreneur, business owner, marketer, or someone dreaming of building something meaningful, this episode is full of practical insights, honest conversations, and thoughtful perspective on what it takes to build a business—and a life—that lasts. Connect with Stephanie:Instagram: @sbcreativestudioWebsite: sbcreativestudio.com

From Michelin-starred kitchens in New York City to opening a restaurant in Bozeman, Chef Allison Fasano's career has been anything but conventional. In this episode of The Brief, Allison shares the journey behind her success, the lessons she learned working under some of the biggest names in the culinary world, and why her father's simple advice—"just say yes"—became the philosophy that transformed her life. We dive into the realities of being a woman in professional kitchens, the leadership challenges that shaped her career, and what it was like competing on Food Network while building confidence in one of the world's most demanding industries. Allison also reflects on feeding more than 4,000 meals a week to first responders during COVID-19, why giving back has become central to her work, and how moving from Brooklyn to Bozeman changed the way she thinks about food, community, and success. This conversation is filled with honest stories, hard-earned wisdom, and plenty of laughs—from Michelin-star restaurants and Bobby Flay to Montana ranches and margaritas. Whether you're building a business, chasing a creative career, or simply looking for the courage to take your next big leap, Allison's story is a reminder that some of life's biggest opportunities begin with a simple yes.

In episode five of The Brief, Liv sits down with touring bassist, vocalist, and entrepreneur Annie Clements for a conversation exploring what it means to build an ambitious career while learning to define success on your own terms. After years of performing alongside artists like Sugarland, Maren Morris, and Jason Isbell, Annie shares her perspective on navigating the realities of the music industry while intentionally building a life rooted in creativity, family, and personal fulfillment in Montana. Together, they discuss ambition, identity, burnout, motherhood, industry expectations, and the pressure many people feel to pursue a version of success they never stopped to question. Annie reflects on choosing a path that prioritized meaning over momentum and why success often looks very different than what people imagine from the outside. This conversation explores what it means to pursue excellence, embrace changing seasons of life, and build a future that feels aligned with the person you are becoming.

In episode four of The Brief, Liv sits down with entrepreneur and hospitality leader Hillary Folkvord for a conversation exploring the quiet discipline behind building a life that looks composed from the outside. As the founder behind Lady H and a longtime leader in Montana's hospitality industry, Hillary shares her perspective on boundaries, burnout, motherhood, personal branding, leadership, and the systems that allow her to balance multiple businesses while staying deeply intentional with her time. Together, they discuss the pressure of online perception, the realities of maintaining a “buttoned-up” image as a woman in business, protecting personal relationships, and learning that success often comes not from doing more, but from knowing exactly where your energy belongs. This conversation explores ambition, discipline, and the process of building a life that feels just as good behind the scenes as it looks from the outside.

In this episode of The Brief, Liv sits down with entrepreneur, content creator, and 406 Agave founder Payton Hueler for a candid conversation about building a business, navigating internet fame, and learning to show up authentically in every season of life. The two dive into the evolution of 406 Agave, the realities of scaling a startup in Montana, and how Payton's personal brand unexpectedly became one of his greatest business assets. From viral TikToks and bartending at Big Sky's iconic Brothel to lessons in leadership, relationships, and resilience, Payton shares the moments that shaped both the person and the brand behind the screen. What begins as a conversation about tequila and social media quickly becomes a deeper discussion about confidence, heartbreak, entrepreneurship, and the freedom that comes from letting go of other people's expectations. Whether you're building a business, growing an audience, or simply figuring out who you are, this episode is a reminder that authenticity is still the most powerful strategy there is.

In the second episode of The Brief, Liv sits down with District Loom founder Heather Cade for a conversation about entrepreneurship, adult friendship, and the intentional boundaries between the two. The two unpack what it looks like to build separate businesses while growing alongside each other personally, why they've intentionally chosen not to work together, and how ambition, burnout, travel, and creativity can shape modern female friendships. From scaling a nationally recognized brand with a lean team to navigating entrepreneurship in a small town, this conversation moves beyond business strategy and into the reality of building a life that feels sustainable, supportive, and deeply connected.

In the first episode of The Brief, Liv sits down with BMD producer Kamryn Scott to unpack the story behind the show—and the business behind it. They get into how Bozeman Media Design was built, how they met, and what it actually looks like to grow a creative agency from the inside. From early freelance struggles to building a team, this conversation covers the real trajectory—not just the highlight reel. They also break down why The Brief exists, how it differs from traditional marketing podcasts, and what kind of conversations to expect moving forward. This episode sets the foundation: who Liv is, what BMD stands for, and what it takes to build something that holds up.

The stories behind the strategy.