This week is the June edition of Incentives & Instincts, a recurring series in which Justin speaks with economist and friend Bryce Ward about some of the broader challenges facing our society. And this month, the theme is population decline.People around the world are having fewer babies and it’s being framed as a bit of a crisis. The question Justin ha…

This week’s guests are David Spear and Julie Cajune of A VOICE: Art, Vision and Outreach in Community Education. This nonprofit organization’s mission is to foster individual, group, community and cultural expression through art, outreach and education. A VOICE has served the Flathead Nation for 20 years.In this conversation, David talks about how he made it from New York to Polson, and how he built trust with students on the Flathead Nation. David explains some of the specific projects students have worked on, and how art - like sports - can serve as a bridge for success. Justin asks both David and Julie about their plans for the future.

This week’s guest is Eleanor Kiloh, British Consul General and senior representative of the British government in Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Alaska. Eleanor recently toured Montana and we were fortunate to get some time on her schedule.In this conversation Eleanor explains what diplomacy actually is and gives advice for those considering the career path on how to jump in. She talks about how Montana and the UK are finding resonance in quantum technology, and how state governments can get involved in international collaboration.