Archives: Episodes

Tonight Big Game James McCarty and Jace Denman recap NDSU's shocking second round FCS Playoffs exit. They break down the game and how the Bison were ultimately upset by Illinois State.

Hosts Jace Denman and "Big Game" James McCarty fill in for Bonnie for a "Morning Circus Edition" of Bonnie and Friends. The show tackles winter weather , Christmas talk , and a weekend of surprising sports results.

Key Moments:

• Winter Storm Watch: Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki advises listeners of a winter storm watch in effect from Fargo northward , starting Tuesday and lasting until Wednesday morning. Heavy snow and patchy blowing snow with gusts up to 45 mph are possible , and a chance of freezing rain is also possible Tuesday morning. These conditions are expected to make the Tuesday afternoon and evening commute "an absolute mess".

• Vikings Win, FCS Stunners: The Minnesota Vikings secured a 31-0 victory over the Washington Commanders , keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. However, the biggest headlines were in the FCS playoffs:

  • North Dakota State Bison were upset 29-28 by Illinois State at the Fargo Dome.

  • South Dakota State fell to Montana 50-29.

  • North Dakota lost to Tarleton State 31-13.

  • The South Dakota Coyotes dominated Mercer 47-0 , advancing as the lone Dakota school remaining.

• Christmas Conundrums: The hosts discuss the question of the morning: how far along are you on shopping, decorating, or baking? James McCarty is awaiting a message from his grandmother regarding what cookies he has to bake and bring to Christmas. Jace Denman is working on shopping for his wife's birthday (10 days before Christmas) and Christmas.

• The Science of Stank: A bizarre story surfaces from a 1998 gastroenterologist's study: women's flatulence allegedly smells worse than men's due to a significantly higher concentration of hydrogen sulfide , a compound scientists believe may help slow or reverse Alzheimer's effects.

• NBA and NHL Updates: The Minnesota Timberwolves (15-8) host the Phoenix Suns , and the Minnesota Wild (15-9-5) wrap up a four-game road trip against the Seattle Kraken.

• Other Headlines: The show also covers the new 12-team FBS College Football Playoff bracket , the discovery of a seal under a dishwasher at a bar in New Zealand , and a high school basketball crowdfight at Hopkins that cut a game short.

The Jay Thomas Show from Monday December 8th, 2025.  Guests include your calls and emails and snowfall totals.

Join Mariah on Define a Fight as she talks with Penny Carpenter—a mother, grandmother, and rancher from the Texas Panhandle—who embodies resilience and grit. Penny shares her powerful journey of overcoming adversity, starting a new chapter at the age of 60, and finding purpose through faith and a new business venture.

Key Moments:

• Ranching Roots and Work Ethic: Penny shares her upbringing on a family ranch, crediting her strong, polio-stricken father for instilling a "can't never could" attitude and a deep appreciation for hard work and delayed gratification.

• The Storm of Adversity: After 34 years of marriage, Penny faced a difficult divorce and a severe drought. She recounts the emotional moment when she had to sell her 500 head of cattle, an act of obedience she felt was guided by the Lord.

• A New Season and Purpose: Stepping out of her comfort zone, Penny was unexpectedly led from ranching to a direct sales company. Despite having tried 22 other network marketing companies, she felt this was God's plan, confirmed by the phrase "Blue Ocean" (a concept of limitless, non-competitive growth) spoken at a Christian conference.

• The Power of Mindset: Penny stresses the importance of winning the battle "between our ears," choosing not to be a victim, and embracing a "fail forward" mentality. She encourages listeners to "rebuke any spirit of rejection, condemnation, offense."

• Finding Your Light: For those struggling, Penny advises starting with a relationship with the Lord and seeking advice from successful individuals who will act as "wings" rather than "anchors," emphasizing that growth only happens when you step out of your comfort zone.

The Coffee Club from Monday December 8th, 2025.  Guests include Melinda Goodman from Edible ND magazine and Stephanie Kohl from Birthday Bliss (inside the Daily Dos) in downtown Fargo.

The roar of engines is just the opening note. What started as a handful of car lovers swapping stories in the 1970s has become a weekend that fills Bowman’s Main Street, books every hotel, and draws families from across the Upper Midwest. We sit down with Ryan Shear and Kevin Hilton from the Dakota Territory Car Club to share how a leadership reset and a back-to-basics approach transformed a small-town show into a regional anchor between Bismarck-Mandan and Cool Deadwood Nights.

We dig into the club’s secret sauce: show up, help out, and make it easy for people to belong. Membership swelled from a few dozen to nearly 200, with more than half joining for the social life as much as the chrome. Along the way, the club turned community need into action—staffing parades, serving burgers at show-and-shines, running indoor trunk-or-treat when the weather bites, and raising over $14,000 in one evening for a local medical benefit. That service-first mindset powers a weekend designed for neighbors and travelers alike: Friday night socials with pre-registration and vehicle previews, a Saturday morning breakfast, streets lined with cars, and kids’ games that keep the youngest gearheads smiling.

We also spotlight the classic car auction that now caps at 50 lots for quality and pace. It’s a Main Street spectacle that draws bidders from across the country and sends cars to new garages far beyond county lines. When the sun drops, the stage lights up for a free concert funded by local donors and sponsors—a promise that keeps the event welcoming and the sidewalks packed. Expect practical details on dates, how to pre-register for free until June, where to consign for the sale, and why this weekend has become a can’t-miss stop on the summer calendar.

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Contact the team at Pifer's

Heroes of the Heartland from Sunday December 7th, 2025.  Eric talks about the intent of a political message and why it is Dangerous.

This episode of "The Hockey Guys" opens with a lively discussion about college hockey action, highlighting the #1 ranked Michigan Wolverines' dominant 3-0 shutout victory over Michigan State at Munn Arena, their first in 26 years. The hosts marvel at Michigan's tight, man-on-man defense and pressure. They also celebrate the North Dakota Fighting Hawks' 4-3 road victory over St. Cloud , noting the goals were scored by four different lines.

A key segment features a debate on the difference between Olympic-sized and NHL-sized ice sheets. Dr. Phil Johnson doesn't see a huge difference other than slight power play and behind-the-net adjustments , while Coach Dean Wilson notes the need for European players to "tighten up" the defensive zone due to the stretched-out space. Another host adds that bigger ice gives players a "half second" more time to make a play.

The show replays an "important and consequential" interview with Walt Kyle, family advisor at Newport Sports Management. Kyle, a former NHL assistant and Northern Michigan head coach, discusses the Transfer Portal, which was intended to help players who weren't succeeding but is now being leveraged by bigger programs to "steal" successful players from smaller schools. Kyle and the hosts agree that successful programs must build their culture through recruiting and developing freshmen, only supplementing the lineup with portal players. The discussion also touches on the surprising rule change allowing former minor pro players from leagues like the ECHL to play college hockey.

The hosts later speak with Travis Rybczynski, Head Coach at Bottineau Junior College. He shares his skepticism about family advisors, feeling they are often unnecessary for non-elite players, though he makes an exception for Walt Kyle's company, which only gets paid if a player signs an NHL contract. Coach Rybczynski also shares his philosophy on building team culture, stressing the importance of player-led leadership.

The episode concludes with a shout-out to the young Minnesota Gophers team, who had a split series with Ohio State. The hosts express confidence in Coach Bob Motzko's plan to develop this young team, predicting they will be a national championship roster in two years if the players stay. They highlight the success of "hot teams" like Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, which are "four deep" and getting goal scoring from all four lines.

Tonight Big Game James McCarty and Jace Denman are joined by Kevin Marshall, Host of FCS Nation, for their weekly conversation surrounding the subdivision. They recapped the first round of the playoff and previewed the second round of the playoff. Plus, they discuss Chris Klieman retiring from coaching Kansas State.