What starts as a joke in a high school classroom turns into a 30+ year career in professional rodeo.

In this episode of Mills County Roots, we sit down with Shawn “Boom Boom” Thompson, a professional rodeo clown and entertainer from Fremont County, Iowa, who’s performed across the country and is now returning to his roots at the legendary Sydney, Iowa Rodeo.

In this episode:
• How a class clown moment launched a lifelong career
• Inside the life of a professional rodeo entertainer
• The reality of bullfighting, barrels, and arena safety
• Traveling the country and performing in top venues
• Why the Sydney Rodeo is one of the most respected in the nation
• The deep connection between rodeo, patriotism, and community

From getting tossed by a bull on day one… to headlining his hometown rodeo… this is one of those stories that just hits.

📍 Featuring: Shawn “Boom Boom” Thompson
📍 Sydney, Iowa Rodeo – one of the top outdoor rodeos in the U.S.

In this episode of Mills County Roots, we visit Enspire Boutique in Malvern, Iowa and sit down with owner Julie Mount to talk about building a business that truly serves everyone.

From everyday basics to standout pieces, Enspire is designed to help people feel confident no matter their size, style, or budget.

In this episode:
• How Julie transitioned from teaching to owning two retail businesses
• The difference between Enspire Boutique and Enspire Couture
• Why affordability and inclusivity are at the core of the brand
• Styling tips for mixing, matching, and building a wardrobe
• Creating a welcoming shopping experience in a small-town community

Whether you’re looking for something casual, something bold, or just a place that feels good to walk into… this is a stop worth making.

What used to be a nursing home is now one of the most important community investments in Mills County.

In this episode of Mills County Roots, we visit the Lakin Foundation Child Development Center of East Mills in Malvern and sit down with Jasmine Zeitner and Brittney Rimel, Director of the center, to explore how this project came to life.

This conversation covers:
• How the community transformed an unused building into a modern childcare center
• Why Mills County faces a major childcare shortage
• Programs serving children from 6 weeks to 12 years
• The importance of early childhood education and intentional learning
• How families and the community can get involved

This isn’t just childcare. It’s infrastructure for the future of the community.

📍 Located in Malvern, Iowa
⏰ Open Monday–Friday, 6 AM – 6 PM