North Idaho truly is almost paradise.

Towering forests, beautiful mountains, and open spaces make this one of the most desirable places to live in the country. But every summer brings a reminder that paradise comes with risks. In this Morning Brew,

Ted reflects on wildfire season, the history of major fires in North Idaho, current fire concerns across the Northwest, and what local residents can do to prepare.

Along the way, he explores a larger truth about life itself: things can seem peaceful and secure right up until the moment you smell smoke.

Preparation, vigilance, faith, and community matter.

For this Deep Dive, Ted explores a question that reaches far beyond politics: Are we really who and what we claim to be?

Using examples from modern elections, party switching, voting records, and the debate over open versus closed primaries, he examines the growing concern that some candidates campaign as one thing and govern as another.

But this episode isn't about Republicans versus Democrats. It's about honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Drawing on lessons from history, personal observations, and biblical principles, Ted discusses why labels alone are never enough and why actions ultimately reveal who we truly are.

From politicians and public officials to businesses, churches, and everyday citizens, the challenge remains the same: be truthful about who we are and what we believe and live consistently with those beliefs.

In a world increasingly driven by image and marketing, perhaps the most important question we can ask is, "Who and what are we...honestly?"

Life in North Idaho may be close to paradise, but paradise apparently comes with gophers.

In this humorous and reflective Morning Brew, Ted shares the ongoing battle taking place beneath his pasture as pocket gophers leave dirt mounds, damage hay fields, and challenge both machinery and patience.

From traps and poison to daily “gopher patrols,” Ted explores the frustrations, humor, and strange lessons learned from rural life.

Along the way, he reflects on the little problems that quietly tunnel beneath the surface of life and faith, reminding us that even in beautiful places, challenges are part of the journey.

Back in December, a powerful North Idaho windstorm toppled part of a tree on our property and knocked out power across the county.

Six months later, with plenty of interruptions from snow, life, and comfortable chairs near warm fires, my friend Terry and I finally finished the cleanup.

What followed included buried “spear logs,” chains, pickup trucks, branches dragging behind us down the road, another encounter with the “cardboard police” at the dump, and Terry’s disappointment at being denied the chance to prove his manhood through manual labor.

Along the way came laughter, friendship, hard work, faith, and hot fudge sundaes at Sonic.

A gambling controversy involving Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has exploded into a national debate about the future of college athletics.

But this story is about far more than one player. From NIL money and transfer portals to legalized sports gambling, lawsuits, and athlete mental health, college sports is rapidly changing into something many longtime fans barely recognize anymore.

In this Morning Brew, Ted reflects on how these issues are impacting schools and fans across America — including here in North Idaho — and asks an important question: Can college sports survive once trust in the integrity of the games themselves begins to erode?

What started as a broken cat door and a midnight cat fight became a lesson about limits, protection, and stewardship.

After our three barn cats managed to break through a weakened cat door latch, little Hissy disappeared into the North Idaho darkness and returned injured after a nighttime battle with some unknown critter.

A trip to the vet, a missing claw, and a happy-face sticker later, we realized once again that gates, fences, and even curfews often exist for a reason.

This Morning Brew mixes humor, heart, and reflection while exploring why loving protection and healthy boundaries matter for both animals and people.

Just in time for this weekend's car show here in Bonners Ferry, this Morning Brew rolls back the clock to simpler days of cruising Main Street, classic cars, 8-track tapes, and small-town summer nights.

Ted shares memories of his beloved 1965 Chevy Impala Super Sport during his senior year of high school in Kansas, and reflects on how old cars often carry far more than chrome and horsepower — they carry pieces of our youth, friendships, first dates, and moments we never realized would someday become treasured memories.

This week on Almost Paradise in North Idaho, Ted visits with Phillip Weaver, a former North Idaho resident now serving with Missionary Flights International out of Florida. Following what he believed was God’s calling, Phillip stepped away from the familiar and into a life of faith-based aviation ministry serving Haiti and other parts of the Caribbean.

Phillip works as both a mechanic and pilot, helping maintain and fly a legendary DC-3 aircraft into remote areas, often landing on rough grass runways to deliver supplies, support missionaries, and bring encouragement to communities in need. The conversation explores the challenges, rewards, and realities of missionary aviation, along with the deep faith required to trust God when stepping into the unknown.

Ted and Phillip also discuss the importance of missions in general, the people quietly serving behind the scenes, and how ordinary individuals can make an extraordinary difference simply by being willing to go where they are called.

It is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about faith, service, sacrifice, and purpose…with a little aviation history mixed in for good measure.