The Best Dam Podcast

Behind the Design: How Valiant Supply Serves the First Responder Community

Behind the Design: How Valiant Supply Serves the First Responder CommunityIn this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by Justin Lomprey, the creative force behind Valiant Supply. Justin shares his journey from serving in law enforcement to launching a grassroots branding and design powerhouse that caters specifically to the unique needs of first responders and public safety agencies.From the technical artistry required to design patches that actually work on fabric to stories of brainstorming iconic designs like the "Vegas Vicki" house arrest patch in under 15 minutes, Justin provides a masterclass in niche branding. He also discusses the family legacy that led him to public service, his "no excuses" work ethic, and how Valiant Supply has grown into a national entity solely through the power of word-of-mouth.DISCUSSIONFrom Law Enforcement to Design: Justin discusses how his background in law enforcement and a childhood passion for art merged to create Valiant Supply, a company built on trust and a deep understanding of first responder culture.The Art of the Patch: Justin explains the importance of "designing for a physical element," ensuring that graphic designs translate perfectly into embroidery or patches rather than just looking good on a screen.The"Vegas Vicki" Success: Hear the story behind one of Valiant’s most popular designs—a custom patch for Metro’s house arrest unit featuring the iconic Vegas Vicki with a neon-style ankle brace.A Family Business: Justin shares what it’s like working with his mother, who serves as the office manager, and how his father and grandfather’s careers in law enforcement inspired the "cop shop" atmosphere of his studio.On-Site Production & Privacy: Because Valiant Supply handles screen printing, embroidery, and laser work all on-site, first responder clients trust that their sensitive gear stays "under lock and key".No Excuses, Just Solutions: Justin highlights a core philosophy passed down from his parents: never come to the table with a problem without having a solution in mind.Community & Philanthropy: Learn about Valiant’s long-term involvement with the UNLV hockey team, including designing their uniforms and supporting local holiday toy drives.From Logging to Landscaping: Justin reflects on his early "hard work" roots, from digging ditches for his uncle’s landscaping business to a high-stakes stint in the logging industry.LEARN MORETo see Justin’s work or inquire about custom branding, visit www.valiantsupply.com or follow them on Instagram and Facebook at @ValiantSupply.KEYWORDSJustin Lomprey, Valiant Supply, First Responders, Graphic Design, Custom Patches, Branding, Law Enforcement, UNLV Hockey, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber, Boulder City#JustinLomprey #ValiantSupply #FirstResponders #GraphicDesign #PublicSafety #TheBestDamPodcast #SupportLocal #BoulderCityChamber

Empowering the Next Generation of Young Women

Empowering the Next Generation of Young WomenIn this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, host Jill Lagan is joined by Michaela Taylor, the current Mrs. Las Vegas America and a contestant for the upcoming Mrs. Nevada America title. Michaela pulls back the curtain on the modern pageant world, dispelling myths of "cattiness" and explaining how the competition serves as a powerful vehicle for personal growth and community leadership.Michaela shares her journey of building resilience and her own marketing business. She discusses her platform, "Confidently You," which focuses on empowering young girls and women to step out of their comfort zones. Whether she is speaking to high school dance teams or preparing for the state stage, Michaela’s story is a testament to the power of daily, small acts of courage.DISCUSSION1. Pageantry Unmasked: Michaela clarifies the structure of the Mrs. America system, noting that the competition is judged on interview (50%), swimsuit (25%), and evening gown (25%), with no talent portion required for the Mrs. division.    2. Confidently You: Michaela explains the heart of her platform, which encourages women to rewire negative mindsets and perform daily "courage acts" to build authentic self-esteem and reach their full potential.    3. The Power of First Runner-Up: Reflecting on her first-ever pageant, Michaela discusses the mental shift required to turn a second-place finish into a motivating lesson in pride and persistence.    4. Business and Grit: As the owner of Michaela Starr Marketing, Michaela draws parallels between the discipline of pageantry and the challenges of entrepreneurship, emphasizing that both require the courage to be "seen" and the grit to never quit.    5. Lessons from Kansas: Michaela credits her upbringing in a family of five for her strong work ethic, specifically her parents' rule of finishing every "season" or commitment before being allowed to move on to the next thing.    6. A Moment in the Spotlight: Michaela shares a touching story of her 11-year-old son being moved to tears while watching her on stage, highlighting her goal of being a living example of bravery for her children.    7. Jailhouse Reality Check: In a humorous exchange, Michaela and Jill bond over their shared history of working in detention centers—Michaela's stint lasted less than a full shift before she realized her path lay elsewhere.    8. The Path to State: With the Mrs. Nevada America pageant approaching in May at the Aliante Casino, Michaela outlines her goals for the upcoming year, specifically focusing on mastering public speaking to better serve her community.LEARN MORETo follow Michaela’s journey to the crown and learn more about her "Confidently You" platform, follow her on social media at @michaela_s_taylor. For information on the pageant system or how to compete, visit the Mrs. Nevada America website at https://www.mrsnevadaamericapageant.com/.KEYWORDSMichaela Taylor, Mrs. Las Vegas America, Mrs. Nevada America, Confidently You, Pageant Life, Women's Empowerment, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce#MichaelaTaylor #MrsLasVegasAmerica #MrsNevadaAmerica #ConfidentlyYou #Pageantry #WomenInBusiness #Empowerment #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCity

Live Your Bold: The Making of Sierra 914 with Will Turner & Ryan Dugger

 In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, your Host, Jill Lagan, is joined by ultra-endurance athlete Will Turner and filmmaker Ryan Dugger. Will and Ryan break down the making of Sierra 914, an award-winning documentary capturing Will's grueling 914-mile triathlon through the Sierra Nevada mountains. From the extreme mental fortitude required to push through sleep deprivation to the chaotic reality of filming a non-stop moving target, they provide an inspiring look at what it means to "Live Your Bold". They also discuss the profound impact of support teams, the unexpected beauty of the journey, and why age should never be an excuse for stopping.DISCUSSION914 Miles of Grit: Will and Ryan discuss the logistics of an 8-day, non-stop ultra-triathlon that wasn't a looped course but a continuous point-to-point journey, requiring the film crew to live on the road right alongside the athlete.Hacking the Mind: Will shares his mental strategies for enduring extreme pain, including a specific technique of counting to eight while climbing Benton to distract himself and focus on what he could control in the moment.Filming on the Move: Ryan reveals the production challenges of a small crew constantly moving with no base camp, dealing with dust, exhaustion, and weather changes, resulting in a film that authentically mirrors the raw, gritty nature of the race.The Storm and the Rainbow: Will recounts a pivotal moment where a freezing downpour nearly broke his spirit, only to be followed immediately by a double rainbow that reset the team's morale for the final push.Live Your Bold: The origin story of Will's mantra is revealed, which began with a goal to do 60 Ironmans at age 60, evolving into a mission to encourage students and adults alike to reach their full potential.The Power of Connection: The team shares the heartwarming story of Jose Gomez, a stranger on a grocery run who ended up cycling 100 miles out of his way just to share the road and energy with Will.Roots of Resilience: Both guests reflect on how their parents—Will's hard-working father and supportive mother, and Ryan's integrity-driven father—shaped the character traits necessary to complete such a monumental project.Award-Winning Storytelling: The duo discusses the reception of the film, including winning the Audience Choice and Maverick Awards at the Richmond International Film Festival, and the surreal experience of receiving a massive standing ovation.LEARN MORETo learn more about the film and Will's journey, visit the Sierra 914 website at https://www.sierra914.com/ or learn about "Live Your Bold" initiatives on their website at https://www.liveyourbold.com/.KEYWORDSWill Turner, Ryan Dugger, Sierra 914, Ultra Triathlon, Documentary Filmmaking, Live Your Bold, Endurance Sports, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce #WillTurner #RyanDugger #Sierra914 #UltraAthlete #Documentary #LiveYourBold #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCityChamberofCommerce

Raelynn’s Flower Garden — The inspiring story of a special needs child and her family’s incredible resilience

 In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by author Magon Peuker, who shares her incredible journey of escaping an abusive marriage, navigating life as a special needs parent, and finding her voice to write the bestselling children's book, Raelynn’s Flower Garden. Her story is a powerful testament to the strength of a mother, the healing power of positive change, and the necessity of kindness.Magon's book’s core message is about kindness and the acceptance of kids who look and are different. It’s a way of creating a lasting legacy for her daughter, Raelynn, and sends a powerful message that there is a person inside who wants to be heard and loved.DISCUSSIONThe Journey to a Brighter Life: Magon is a mom of three girls, including 15-year-old McKayla and 13-year-old Raelynn. Raelynn has a rare genetic mutation called MYLK, which has caused seven strokes, making her nonverbal and wheelchair-bound. Magon fled an abusive marriage in California after a traumatic night, moving to Nevada three years ago for safety and a better life with her children. She found her "rock" in her current husband in Nevada, and the family is now complete with their one-and-a-half-year-old baby girl.A Legacy of Kindness: Magon initially began writing an autobiography about her traumatic life experiences, but the heavy topics led her to put it aside. After an incident where Raelynn came home from school with bruises, Magon felt compelled to "turn this bad situation into something good". She wrote the children's book, Raelynn's Flower Garden, in just two days. What Magon thought would be a small project for friends and family has become a bestselling book that led to speaking engagements and podcast appearances.The Voice of a Warrior Daughter: Magon discussed the unique role her older daughter, McKayla, was forced into due to Raelynn's complex medical needs and the family's trauma. McKayla grew up learning independence and maturity early. Now, three years later, McKayla told her mother that moving was "the best decision you ever made," which brought Magon immense comfort.Finding the Aha Moment: Magon shared that her biggest aha moment was realizing her potential and being where she is now—in Boulder City with a supportive husband, healthy kids, and a completed family. She feels like she has "made it in life" and knows things are "only gonna go up from here".From Writing from the Heart to More Books: Magon describes her writing as coming from a vulnerable, "real and raw" state, presenting her work as if she is speaking to the reader. She hopes to eventually finish her autobiography to share her full story. She also revealed that there are more books to come in the "Raelynn series".A Missed Opportunity and a Family Talent: Magon revealed that she was chosen to be on The Voice in 2011, but tragedy struck two days before her audition when her 19-year-old brother passed away in a car accident. She loves to sing and is encouraging McKayla, who is a great singer, to pursue her talent. Magon's first job was working in the food industry at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.LEARN MORETo learn more about Magon Peuker and Raelynn's Flower Garden, visit www.magonpeuker.com. KEYWORDSRaelynn's Flower Garden, Special Needs Parent, Resilience, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce#RaelynnsFlowerGarden #SpecialNeedsParent #Resilience #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCityChamberofCommerce 

Stop Selling, Start Storytelling: How to Make Your Customer the Hero of Your Brand's Narrative

In a typically "off-the-rails" session on The Best Dam Podcast, Jill chats with Alex Raffi, the creative force behind Imagine Communications. Alex, a self-proclaimed impulsive idea hunter, shares his fascinating philosophy on brainstorming, human intuition, communication, and the art of storytelling in business.If you’ve ever wondered why your marketing isn't resonating or how to truly connect with your audience, Alex’s insights—from the power of the subconscious to why humility can sometimes hinder success—offer a masterclass in modern communication.DiscussionThe Newsroom of the Mind: Alex describes the conscious mind as the "newspaper" and the subconscious mind as the"newsroom" where ideas are worked out. Your subconscious is always processing information, even when your conscious mind is asleep.Curiosity is the Engine: If you are not curious about something, the information gets ignored by your subconscious, meaning you won't have ideas about it. Therefore, to be great at something, you need to surround yourself with what you are curious about.No Rails in Brainstorming: Alex encourages bringing up even "weird" or abstract ideas during brainstorming, as the subconscious often gives hints (like a bird and a horse leading to a Pegasus) that can inspire others.The Artist's Release: Once a piece of art or marketing is created, Alex learned from his teacher that it's no longer the creator's. It is only "alive" when the audience interacts with it and interprets it as they choose.Perception vs. Perspective: It's impossible to change a person's perception (their deeply wired belief). However, you can change their perception by changing their perspective, which is learned, usually through storytelling.The Hero-Customer Model: In marketing, Alex advises against making your business the hero. Instead, you should speak to the customer in a way that shows them they are the hero, and your business is simply providing the tools they need to save themselves.The Humility Hurdle: Alex believes that humility often gets in the way of businesses identifying and promoting their most valuable traits. He suggests it's easier to bring in an outsider who can speak plainly and confidently about what makes the business unique.The Logo Buy-In Trick: When a client is hesitant about a final design, Alex sometimes lets them suggest a small, immediate change (like changing a color or adding a star). This gives them an actual hand in the creation, making it their logo and leading to approval.The Chamber's Core Purpose: Alex reminds listeners that the Chamber of Commerce is not "just networking". Its original and current purpose is to serve as an advocate for businesses, protecting them and connecting them with the city and necessary resources.Listen, Don't Wait to Speak: Alex admits he is impulsive and has to work on shutting up and truly listening to his talented team. He notes that Jill is naturally open to listening, not just waiting for her chance to tell her opinion, which is a valuable trait.LEARN MORETo learn more about Alex Raffi and Imagine Communications, you can visit the Imagine Communications website at www.marketingwithimagine.comKEYWORDSImagine Communications, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, Brainstorming, Storytelling, Marketing Strategy, Business Advocacy#ImagineCommunications #BoulderCityChamberofCommerce #Brainstorming #Storytelling #MarketingStrategy #Business Advocacy