Native Edge
Welcome to Native Edge!
Join us as we discuss success stories, small businesses, access to capital, and the vibrant spirit of Indigenous business owners and leaders. But it's not all business here - we also know how to have a good time! So grab a seat, tune in, and let's dive into this dynamic world together!
Episodes
48 episodes
Ep.48 | Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas
We have a very special guest for episode 48 of The Native Edge podcast - Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas! Taboo was a major presence at RES 2026, where he participated in a conversation with Chris on the mainstage and performed an impromptu set at...
Ep.47 | ICIA's Mary Jane Oatman
The first episode from our RES conversations features Mary Jane Oatman, Executive Director of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association. Mary Jane - and yes, she confirms that is indeed her given name - chats with Chris and Yvette about how ...
Ep.46 | aLocal's Dr. Eric Trevan
We're back! Over the coming weeks we'll be sharing some fantastic interviews from RES, ranging from rock stars to distinguished tribal leaders. But first, we have a special episode recorded prior to RES featuring an old friend of the National C...
Ep.45 | 40 Under 40 with Erin Abrahamson & Skye Byrd
One of the best parts of the Reservation Economic Summit is recognizing the latest class of the Native American 40 Under 40 award winners. The awards reception will take place on the evening of Tuesday, March 24 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.<...
Ep.44 | Western Spirit Museum CEO Todd Bankofier
In the latest episode, Chris and Yvette visit the Western Spirit Museum in Scottsdale for a conversation with museum CEO Todd Bankofier. Yvette recently joined the Board of the museum - billed as Scottsdale's Museum of the West - and has person...
Ep.43 | National Center Board Chairman Derrick Watchman
Episode 43 features a very special guest - National Center Board Chairman Derrick Watchman. Chairman Watchman has served the organization for decades, and his involvement with The National Center goes back nearly 40 years, when he first attende...
Ep.42 | OXDX Founder Jared Yazzie
For Episode, 46 Chris and Yvette welcome OXDX founder Jared Yazzie to the Mesa studios. Jared shares his journey from an engineering student at the University of Arizona to finding his true passion in graphic arts and screen printing - and beco...
Ep.41 | aaniin's Chelsee Pettit
Happy New Year and welcome back to the Native Edge! We're kicking off 2026 with a very special guest - 2025 Native Woman Business Owner of the Year, Chelsee Pettit. Chelsee came all the ...
Ep.40 | Season Wrap and Holiday Traditions with The National Center Team
As we wrap season 2 of the The Native Edge during the holiday season, The National Center team reflects on their favorite traditions - some unique, and many shared despite growing up in places as different as Washington state and South Louisian...
Ep.39 | Holiday Episode at the Native Art Market
We're bringing you a special episode of the Native Edge, recorded at the Native Art Market in Scottsdale, Arizona. Co-founder Heather Tracy and her mother Denise Rosales joined us d...
Ep.38 | Banana Baller Jordan Brewer
For episode 38, we welcome baseball player Jordan Brewer, who will soon suit up for the inaugural season of the Loco Beach Coconuts - one of the six teams that compete in "Banana Ball." Jordan joined us virtually to discuss his career path, fro...
Ep.37 | Hip Hop Artist Nataanii Means
For episode 37, co-hosts Nicole Watson and Yvette Fielder welcome hip hop artist Nataanii Means (Oglala Lakota, Diné, Omaha) to the Mesa studio. Nataanii shares his journey from the Navajo Reservation to becoming a successful musician, and expl...
Ep.36 | Aambé CEO Ron "Hawk" Spoerl
For the third installment of our Native American Heritage Month series, we welcomed Ron "Hawk" Spoerl, President and CEO of Aambé Corporation, to our Mesa studio. Aambé is a platinum sponsor of RES 2026, and is doing incredible work across Indi...
Ep.35 | Inter Tribal Council of Arizona's Maria Dadgar
In our second episode of Native American Heritage Month, Chris and Yvette welcome Maria Dadgar, Executive Director of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA), to The National Center's headquarters. It's a familiar location for Maria, who spe...
Ep.34 | Cahokia's Eunique Yazzie
In episode 34, guest hosts Nicole Watson and Mikaela Garcia welcome Eunique Yazzie to the studio. Eunique (Diné) has a background in graphic arts, and is a founding member of Cahokia, LLC. Cahokia, located in downtown Phoenix, is a cultural spa...
Ep.33 | Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity's Sebastian Aleman
We head back to the State of Arizona for episode 33 of The Native Edge podcast, where Chris and Yvette welcome Sebastian Aleman, Legislative and Tribal Liaison for the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity. Sebastian discusses his office's rol...
Ep.32 | UNITY's Mary Kim Titla
For Episode 32 of the Native Edge Podcast, Chris is joined by guest co-host Nicole Watson for a conversation with UNITY Executive Director Mary Kim Titla. UNITY and The National Center have long had a close relationship, including sharing offic...
Ep.31 | Director of Tribal Affairs for AZ Governor Katie Hobbs, Jason Chavez
We're back in our Mesa studio for Episode 31 of The Native Edge podcast, and Chris and Yvette welcome a special guest - Jason Chavez, Director of Tribal Affairs for Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs.Jason has a background in voting and electi...
Ep.30 | National Center Policy Consultants Kate Boyce and Ryan Seelau
Congress is back from its August recess, so we thought it would be a great time to introduce our policy team!Chris sat down with Kate Boyce and Ryan Seelau, who along with Dr. Ian Record lead The National Center's policy and advocacy eff...
Ep.29 | Cooking Demonstration with Chef Denella Belin
For episode 29, we welcome back Chef Denella Belin of Nella's Innovative Kreations for a first on The Native Edge - a cooking demonstration! Guest host Nicole Watson sat down with Chef Denella to talk about the growing food sovereignty movement...
Ep.28 | National Center Board Vice Chair Lillian Sparks Robinson
We're back in DC for Episode 28, where Chris chats with National Center Board Vice Chair Lillian Sparks Robinson. Chris and Lillian have known each other since they were both officials in the Obama Administration and continue to work together t...
Ep.27 | ANCSA Regional Association's Nicole Borromeo
We're continuing our series of interviews with leaders of Native organizations with an episode featuring Nicole Borromeo, President of the ANCSA Regional Association (ARA). Nicole and Chris caught up in our DC office while they were both in tow...
Ep.26 | NACA's Quinton Carroll
We are joined by Quinton Carroll, Executive Director of the Native American Contractors Association. Quinton is the last in a series of interviews we conducted from our Washington, DC office in May, and he's a fitting guest as NACA also shares ...
Ep. 25 | NAFOA's Cory Blankenship
For Episode 25, Chris and Yvette interviewed Corey Blankenship, Executive Director of NAFOA. This episode is the second of three we recorded from our Washington, DC office in May.Cory and Chris have known each other for decades, both hai...
Ep. 24 | IGA Executive Director Jason Giles
Episode 24 is the first of three interviews from The National Center's Washington, DC office, conducted over several days in May. And it just happens to be with the executive director of the organization (Indian Gaming Association) that owns ou...