That's So Minnesota

She was living with her family in Chicago when a trip to Minnesota's north country captured her imagination. First moving to Winton, Minnesota and then taking over the Isle of Pines resort in the early 1980's, Dorothy Molter starting brewing root beer to serve her guests. Thousands of bottles later, The Root Beer lady poured herself, and her homebrewed soda, into the hearts of thousands of Minnesotans.  Join host Diane Sandberg as we learn more about this historical figure from the North's past, on "That's So Minnesota!"

Toni Stone lived in Saint Paul in the 1930's, and while she didn't stay long, she certainly left her mark on baseball. She started playing with the boys on a team for local Catholic church, and ended up playing professionally in the Negro Leagues.    Join host Diane Sandberg as we learn about what it took for this woman to to earn her place at the plate, on 'That's So Minnesota.' 

Sigurd F. Olson was an author and a passionate environmentalist, credited with helping to preserve the wild places in northern Minnesota. Join host Diane Sandberg in a conversation with Sig's biographer David Backes about the love of the wild and our responsibility to become our true selves. 

There's a place in Minneapolis that is making a lot of noise, but you still might not have heard of them: Orfield Laboratories. Join host Diane Sandberg in a conversation with the founder of the labs still making [sound]waves with two World Records and a new induction into the National Register of Historic Places. 

Join host Diane Sandberg for a walk in the Minnesota woods. Three local experts talk mushrooms, the native tree headed for extinction and the importance of spending time in nature. 

In the early 1900's, a police chief in St. Paul named John J. O'Connor changed the city for decades with his new ways of policing. We ride along on a tour from the Wabasha Street Caves, learning about the gangsters in Minnesota's capitol city. 

In the fall, have you ever driven through St. Paul or Roseville and seen the signs by the road, advertising a booya? Host Diane Sandberg sits down for a ladleful of Minnesota food history on this savory Midwestern soup in this week's episode of That's So Minnesota!

A farewell message from your redheaded host Ellery McCardle. But the podcast isn't going anywhere. Hear who's taking over the microphone.

Minnesota has a lot of roadside attractions. But there's one that has become truly iconic; the World's Largest Ball of Twine made by one man. For decades, Francis Johnson rolled twine until the ball got so big, he had to move it onto his front lawn. Every year, people from all over the world visit Darwin, Minnesota to see it. Host Ellery McCardle talks with Darwin Mayor Josh Johnson about the life and legacy of Francis Johnson, and how he rolled his creation into the record books.

Ever since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, books about race and racial injustice have been flying off the shelves of stores. One in particular, called "A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota" has gained renewed attention. It was published in 2016, and in it, 16 Minnesota writers give their raw account of what it's like being a person of color in Minnesota. This week, Host Ellery McCardle and KARE 11 Sunrise Anchor Gia Vang talk with the book's editor Sun Yung Shin about the struggles many people face in Minnesota.

Every year, some 40 million people visit the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. It's an iconic shopping, dining and entertainment complex that is feeling the brunt of COVID-19. MOA closed for a few months in the spring, and has slowly reopened. So, what's the impact of the pandemic on this international tourist destination? Host Ellery McCardle talks with Jill Renslow, SVP of Marketing and Business Development, about the changes, and what's to come for the so-called "Mega Mall."

The Minnesota accent is hard to miss, with our catchy phrases like "You betcha" and "Oh ya." We're often made fun of in pop culture for what we say and how we sound. This week, Host Ellery McCardle talks with Keely Wolter, a Twin Cities voice coach. She talks about why we sound the way we do, and the challenge of teaching actors how to obtain and get rid of the Minnesota accent.

We've said it before, Minnesotans have a lot of pride for their state, and a lot of that has to do with their Scandinavian background. From embracing the outdoors, to the interesting food traditions and way they speak. Host Ellery McCardle talks with Ethan Bjelland from Norway House about how these traits became so iconic to Minnesota.

His songs will live forever, and he is adored by Minnesotans. This week on the show we talk about Prince. From his childhood growing up in Minneapolis, struggling to make it on the local airwaves as a Black musician, to his rise to stardom and sudden death. Host Ellery McCardle talks with Andrea Swensson, of The Current about writing about Prince, meeting him, and continuing to uncover his legacy.

When you live in Minnesota, chances are pretty high that someone from out of state will say to you, "Oh, I could never live there, it's too cold!" Yes, it does get very cold here at times, but the summers can get pretty hot, too. But where does Minnesota rank with the rest of the U.S. when it comes to our blustery winters? Host Ellery McCardle talks with longtime KARE 11 Meteorologist Belinda Jensen.

You've probably heard the phrase "Minnesota Nice." Turns out, it can mean very different things. Minnesota natives see it as a representation of being polite and welcoming. People not from Minnesota often don't see it that way, and often have a hard time adapting to life here. Why is that? Host Ellery McCardle talks with Corey Bonnema and Jerilyn Veldof, authors of "Minnesota Nice?: A Transplant's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Minnesota." They have tips on how to decode Minnesota life (including our passive-aggressive behavior), and be successful while living here.

Where else can you stand at the start of a major river? That's something Connie Cox of the Minnesota DNR asks us all to think about. The Mississippi River begins at Itasca State Park in Minnesota, which also happens to be the state's oldest park. But preserving this land didn't come easy. Host Ellery McCardle talks with Connie about the park's history and how it went from doomed to protected.

Minnesota is known for its abundance of public land, including it's 75 state parks and recreation areas. Each one has its claim to fame, and the park system as a whole has a variety of landscapes from waterfalls to high cliffs to prairies, lakes and more. Host Ellery McCardle talks with DNR Naturalist Connie Cox about the history of Minnesota state parks, and she reveals some hidden gems you need to check out.

The Northern Lights are mystical, magical and hard to find. Yet, they attract people to Northern Minnesota, specifically, to Cook County, which has some of the darkest skies in our nation. So, how can you view them yourself? Host Ellery McCardle gets insight from Visit Cook County's Kjersti Vick. 

Minneapolis vs. St. Paul. It's a divide that has raged on for more than a century. Today, it's more a lighthearted debate, but back in the day, things got contentious on either side of the Mississippi River. So, how did this rivalry form? Host Ellery McCardle talks with two representatives from the Minnesota Historical Society. Dave Stevens works at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, and Jessica Sutherland is with the James J. Hill House in St. Paul, to square off in a friendly debate, and give some historical insight.

Minneapolis is known for embracing the arts with numerous museums around the city. But one piece of work has stood out for more than 30 years. In the late 1980s, the Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture has become a Minnesota icon. So, how did it become so famous? Host Ellery McCardle talks with Siri Engberg, of the Walker Art Center, about the history of this sculpture and its legacy.

There's a mystery in Minnesota that is getting some attention these days. The story of the Klein brothers. In 1951, three boys went missing from a Minneapolis park, and they were never seen again. Author Jack El-Hai has been connected to this story for many years, and recently published an emotional book about this case called "The Lost Brothers: A Family's Decades-Long Search." Host Ellery McCardle talks with Jack about why he has stayed connected with this family for so long.

Hayes Scriven is only a few months into his job as the new Lighthouse Keeper at Split Rock, but he's already discovering new things about this iconic park along the North Shore. He still can't believe he got the job, but at the same time he's finding a connection to this place in a way he never imagined. Host Ellery McCardle talks with Hayes about his vision for the park, and living a lifestyle few Americans have ever experienced.

For decades, Northwest Airlines was the hometown airline for Minneapolis-St. Paul, employing thousands of people. But by 2009, it fell into bankruptcy and merged with Delta Air Lines. For many Minnesotans, NWA brings a sense of nostalgia as it opened up this part of the country to global travel, and so much more. Host Ellery McCardle talks with Bruce Kitt, Executive Director of the Northwest Airlines History Center, to talk about the company's legacy. Put two aviation nerds in one room, and they won't stop talking!

Every summer, millions of people go to the Minnesota State Fair, also known as "The Great Minnesota Get-Together." The fair is massive with a seemingly endless amount of food, music and events. So, how did this annual festival that started in the 1800's become a world-renown 12-day affair? Host Ellery McCardle talks with General Manager Jerry Hammer about how the State Fair became a staple of the summer, a big change at the gates starting this year, and he talks about the biggest food flop.

News about COVID-19 is constantly changing. The number of patients infected in the U.S. is rising every day. There's a lot of uncertainty in this world right now, and we're all finding ways to cope. This week, we take a break for our regular show to talk about how Minnesotans are staying positive through it all. We want you to join our campaign of positivity. Tell us the good that's happening in your community by using the hashtag #SendTheLove.

Glensheen Mansion is the most visited historic home in Minnesota. The 39-bedroom estate sits on the shore of Lake Superior in Duluth, and was built more than 100 years ago by a wealthy mining family. Host Ellery McCardle talks with Director Dan Hartman about how his team has transformed the way people view the home, some of the odd things they're still finding today, and yes, he talks about the infamous murders.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Minnesota was one of the top off-site filming locations in America. Big films such as "Purple Rain," "Grumpy Old Men," "Mallrats" and other cult classics were filmed here. But then all of a sudden, these big projects stopped coming to Minnesota, and work hasn't picked up ever since. So what happened? Host Ellery McCardle talks with MN Film & TV's Melodie Bahan who says the story starts with Canada.

This tax season, add another form to your list to fill out because it's a Census year. And in Minnesota, there's a lot on the line this time around because the state could lose a U.S. House seat, depending on the final count. The last time Minnesota lost a Congressional seat was in 1960. In a time of deep political divisions, what does this mean for voters and their political voices on the national level? Host and KARE 11 Sunrise Reporter Ellery McCardle talks with Susan Brower, who is Minnesota's State Demographer.

Minnesota is home to Voyageurs National Park, which boasts a wolf population that has remained largely the same for decades. Researchers are studying the wolves at the park to understand what they do during the summer, and how that differs from their travels and eating habits during the winter. Host Ellery McCardle talks with researcher Thomas Gable from the University of Minnesota.

Minnesota has so many chefs from so many cultures. Not just good chefs, but great and world renowned ones. So how did the Twin Cities get to be a hub of culinary magnificence? Host Ellery McCardle gets insight from Hmong chef Yia Vang. He's making a name for himself in the culinary world, on the heels of his new restaurant Vinai. Yang talks about being born in a refugee camp in Thailand, moving to Minnesota and the struggles of embracing his Hmong culture.

Minnesota. Otherwise known as 'Minne-SNOW-ta.' No, it doesn't snow here all of the time. But yes, it gets cold. People actually say 'Uff da,' eat hotdish (not casserole, seriously, don't mess that one up), and kids play 'Duck, Duck, Gray Duck' (not goose). Minnesotans embrace their uniqueness, no matter how quirky it is. That's So Minnesota is a podcast about the culture, the mystery, and stories from The North Star State. Your always-curious host, and KARE 11 Sunrise Reporter, Ellery McCardle chats with Minnesotans to find out what makes this state unique, and the mannerisms we love to make fun of. Full episodes premiere on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.