Twin Cities Podcast

Cy Dodson is an award-winning filmmaker and the owner of production company Triumph Pictures, LCC where he specializes in documentary style marketing. Cy’s most recent documentary Beneath the Ink was a hit on the film festival circuit winning dozens of awards. The Emmy Nominated and Academy Qualified film profiles Billy Joe White and his tattoo shop that covers up racist imagery. Beneath the Ink is a timely look at hate and racism in the western foothills of this Appalachian region that reveals heartfelt stories of change and redemption. His past two films with My Last Breath and The Ragman - A Hobo's Story Untold garnered a total of 7 Film Festival Awards and a Midwest Regional Emmy for Best Documentary.

Rubén Rosario is an award-winning columnist for the Pioneer Press. He came to the Twin Cities in 1991 after spending 11 years at the New York Daily News. Rubén talks about his early days as a young reporter in New York covering crime and going undercover for a story about the 1980’s crack epidemic. This was a wide-ranging conversation that covered 9/11, the proposed End-of-Life Option Act in Minnesota, his cancer diagnosis, advice to young journalists, and his Puerto Rican roots.

Mary Mack and Tim Harmston are comedians that happen to be married. Mary is a self-described folk humorist who is a favorite on radio shows and podcasts, including Marc Maron's WTF Podcast and New York's 2 Dope Queens. Her voice has also been heard in the cult favorite Aqua Teen Hunger Force on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. She had her national TV debut on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham and NBC's Last Comic Standing and has appeared on TBS' Conan and NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly. In 2003, Tim won Acme Comedy Company’s Funniest Person in the Twin Cities competition and has worked in some of the best clubs and theaters from Los Angeles to New York City. He has made TV appearances on Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central, and NBC’s Last Comic Standing.

Brandon Schuh is an entrepreneur and the host of Risk Radio. Risk Radio is an interview style podcast examining what is new in the insurance and risk management world along with changes & disruption. Brandon is a commercial insurance producer and risk management advisor for Christensen Group. Prior to working for CG - Brandon spent six years working for Hays Group Inc - which was one of the nation's largest insurance brokerages - now a division of Brown & Brown. Enjoy!

Nathan Barclay is a pianist with intellectual disabilities. He began playing the piano when he was five years old and without ever reading sheet music he learned to memorize and play songs by ear. Master of Keys is Nathan’s piano playing name and fans of his can find him at the St. Paul Menards on Saturday afternoons performing for customers. He also entertains at a local senior center and is available for hired gigs. Nathan is a shining example about the potential that people with disabilities have in our society. Enjoy!

John Long is on a mission to lessen the political divide in the United States with his mobile news app Gnomi. Gnomi offers transparent, simple and clear slant grading of top news articles. John employs a proprietary grading system that combines human graders, algorithms and machine learning to produce an objective and true slant on news articles. He hopes this new found transparency in news media will provide citizens with a better understanding of current issues, lessen the political divide amongst those with different views and produce a feeling of safety for all to voice their opinions. Enjoy!

Thirty three percent of older US adults describe themselves as chronically lonely. James Falvey is helping to change that in the Twin Cities. James is the executive director of Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) Minneapolis, a non-profit that is part of a national network of volunteer-based organizations committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly. The organization was founded by a French nobleman Armand Marquiset in 1946 after World War II. He was dedicated to serve isolated and lonely older adults who had lost their families in the war. Today, LBFE has a chapter in nine countries throughout the world and seven in the United States. Enjoy!

Andrew Yang is running for president of the United States in 2020 as a democrat. His core message centers around the idea of universal basic income (UBI) which would provide every U.S. adult citizen with $1,000 per month. Andrew has served as the CEO, cofounder, or executive for several technology and education companies and was one of the first candidates to announce his bid for the White House. In the interview, Andrew details the urgent need for UBI and promotes his plan, which he calls the Freedom Dividend, as a way to help offset the forthcoming negative effects caused by automation and artificial intelligence. His recent book, The War on Normal People, acts as a wake up call to radically rewrite our social contract and reimagine our economic future. He is a fascinating person with bold ideas. This episode is worth a listen. Enjoy!

Fred Melo is a reporter for the Pioneer Press. He covers St. Paul including the mayor’s office, city council, and anything else Fred finds newsworthy. The Boston native began working for the paper in 2005 by covering crime in Dakota county. In the episode, Fred talks about the hidden gems of St. Paul, big stories over the years, and his role of being a citizen and a reporter living in St. Paul. We also talk about the state of the Pioneer Press. During his tenure at the paper, Fred has witnessed a sharp decline of staff members due to cuts by ownership, a common theme for many publications across the nation. Enjoy!

Erin Rufledt is the founder of Luminary Lab, a brand strategy company that helps businesses of all sizes craft compelling stories. She has worked with all types of clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies, global humanitarian organizations and leading nonprofits. In 2015, Erin traveled the world living in 12 different cities over the course of 12 months and aptly dubbed her adventure the 12 Places Project. In the interview, we talk about the thrilling and unsettling feeling of life on the road. We also discuss how to navigate life’s big questions. And she’s from the jump rope capital of the world! Enjoy!

Stephanie Varone is a recording artist well-known for her powerful National Anthem performances. The Kansas City native has performed for the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, as well as most pro teams in the Twin Cities. The singer, songwriter gained notoriety with her self-titled album that combined an earthy old school sound with a love for country, pop, classic rock, and soulful blues. In addition, Stephanie continues to draw in crowds as the edgy lead singer for "Starlette's Web", which pays tribute to women in pop, rock, and country from the 80's to today. Enjoy!

Audrey Kingstrom is the President of the Humanists of Minnesota. In this wide-ranging conversation, Audrey details the core tenants of humanism and the small but many differences between similar non-religious groups. Audrey talks about the importance for science-based discussions, living an ethical life, an emphasis on nature, and so much more. Enjoy!

Hindolo Pokawa is the founder and executive director of Sierra Leone Foundation for New Democracy, a non-profit dedicated to healing and rebuilding communities of Sierra Leone that is much needed after the country’s civil war. As a child in Sierra Leone, Hindolo experienced the brutal violence, economic destruction, and social disintegration of civil war. After finishing high school as an adult in Zimbabwe, where he fled once the war escalated, he later entered the United States on a student visa and earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Global Studies, with a Minor in African-African American Studies, focusing on Peace and Governance. Today, Hindolo’s role has been to build local communities’ capacity to see themselves as part of the solution to socio-economic problems, producers of knowledge, and agents of change. Enjoy!  Hindolo's Favorites in the Twin Cities Favorite Meal Under $15: Ghandi Mahal and Breaking Bread Cafe Favorite Public Space: The Wedge Table and the Seward Co-op Favorite Annual Event: Walk For A Child and Mayday Parade How would you describe the Twin Cities: “A melting pot.” State of the Union Message: “The United States has been a great place for me and I would like to give back. And the best way I would like to give is to create an opportunity where we can set aside our differences and a non-adversarial approach can become the basis for our engagement. And the Sierra Leone Foundation for New Democracy needs your support."

Fred Haberman has been working to take the organic food movement mainstream for more than 20 years. In our conversation, we talk about that state of that movement and the pressing challenge to sustainably feed 10 billion people by 2050. Along with his wife Sarah, the duo started a full-service marketing agency where they tell the stories of pioneers who are making a difference in the world. His agency has worked with some of the top brands in the country including, Organic Valley, Annie's, Earthbound Farm, Daiya, Volvo, Allina Health, Boston Scientific, and many more. Fred also discusses his newer company called Urban Organics that applies the practice of aquaponics to produce many types of vegetables and fish. Oh, did I mention he is the founder of the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships that takes place annually in Minneapolis? This guy is endlessly fascinating. Enjoy! FRED'S FAVORITES IN THE TWIN CITIES FAVORITE MEAL UNDER $15: Cossetta: Sausage Pizza FAVORITE PUBLIC SPACE: The lakes in Minneapolis FAVORITE ANNUAL EVENT: U.S. Pond Hockey Championships HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TWIN CITIES: “If you like the outdoors, and you love biking, and you like a good food scene, it's extraordinary. I love it." MOST FASCINATING PERSON YOU KNOW: Bob Sheehy, CEO of Bright Health STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE: “We have to begin thinking about and solving immediately for how we are going to sustainably feed 10 billion by 2050."

Duke Pieper was a youth hockey phenom who seemed destined for a long career on the ice. On the night of his first high school varsity game as a freshman, Duke suffered a cavernous hemangioma, better known as a brain bleed, and was ultimately given a 5 percent change to live.  In his compelling book, I'm Alive: Courage, Hope, and a Miracle, Duke recounts his difficult and courageous struggle to survive, battling months of paralysis, multiple surgeries, massive nerve damage, and countless other setbacks. During our conversation, Duke opens up about the difficulty of giving up the sport he loves, living with physical limitations, and his plans for the future.  Be sure to check out what Duke is up to by visiting the Pieper Hope and Courage Foundation. Enjoy!  DUKE'S FAVORITES IN THE TWIN CITIES FAVORITE MEAL UNDER $15: Republic: Burger & Fries FAVORITE PUBLIC SPACE: Rosland Park (Edina) & Public Hockey Rinks FAVORITE ANNUAL EVENT: Fourth of July HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TWIN CITIES: “It's the state of hockey. People love their hockey around here." MOST FASCINATING PERSON YOU KNOW: My father STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE: “If you can get your mind right and get the right attitude, you can overcome anything and do whatever you want to do in your life."

Amelia Reigstad is a public relations practitioner and newly-minted faculty member at the University of Minnesota. She developed Crosspoint Communications, a full service consultancy agency from a grassroots level in 2007 and taught a variety of public relations and communications courses at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, the University of Victoria, and the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Amelia is currently completing her Ph.D in media and communications and recently published her initial findings of a study that explores gender differences in the public relations industry. We dedicated most of our conversation to the key learnings of this fascinating study. Enjoy! SOME TOPICS DISCUSSED: Her transition from the PR world to academia Running her own consultancy business Differences in communication styles of men & women The concept of Performativity Gender vs. personality Negative stereotypes of a PR practitioners Work-life balance for mothers A table of diverse minds Competition among female colleagues AMELIA'S FAVORITES IN THE TWIN CITIES FAVORITE MEAL UNDER $15: Washington Square Grill: Mango Martini (& maybe some french fries) FAVORITE PUBLIC SPACE: White Bear Lake FAVORITE ANNUAL EVENT: MN State Fair HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TWIN CITIES? “I would describe the Twin Cities as culturally sound in wide variety of ways. I couldn’t have chosen a better place to move to outside of Canada.” STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE “I really feel the US has a lot to learn in regards to how other countries do things."

“Most of us want kindness. We start there.”  Lori Myren-Manbeck is the founder and CEO of Inclusivi-tee, a subscription-based t-shirt company that donates to “forward-focused” non-profit organizations. Lori holds a PhD in Geriatric Psychology and has enjoyed a fulfilling career providing care to vulnerable individuals. Today, Lori’s passion for “taking care of each other” has never been stronger. In November of 2016, Lori noticed a deeper level of concern about the environment and social inequality.  She quickly decided she had to do more. Equipped with little business experience, Lori established her non-profit and has faced a bittersweet challenge ever sense. The entrepreneur talks about taking the biggest risk of her life, and despite years of trying to hide from the world, she is now out front leading with her heart.  Enjoy!  Editor's Note: The audio introduction states that Inclusivi-tee donates 100% of its profits, and the business model did commence this way. However, they recently shifted to 50% as part of their learning process.  TOPICS MENTIONED: Raising $25,000 on Kickstarter Planned Parenthood criticism Her experiences with the United Church of Christ Feeling invisible in her youth Documentary - Word of Honour: Reclaiming Mandela’s Promise Spirituality and shared consciousness. 2016 U.S. Presidential Election Common ground is shared kindness 2017: A year of saying yes LORI'S FAVORITES IN THE TWIN CITIES FAVORITE MEAL UNDER $15: Qdoba (nachos and queso dip) FAVORITE PUBLIC SPACE: Lake Riley FAVORITE ANNUAL EVENT: Bayfront Blues Festival MOST FASCINATING PERSON YOU KNOW? Nancy Chakrin HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TWIN CITIES? “Wonderful place for art, culture, and theatre. You can always find something unique and fun to do.” STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE “It is imperative that we continue to watch out for each other and take care of each other."

“You cant do this work from a desk.” Chris Serres is a reporter for the Star Tribune covering social services and issues affecting society’s most vulnerable populations. In the interview, we discuss his reporting on individuals with mental illness and the elderly. More specifically, we explore his eye-opening work that exposed statewide injustices happening to these two groups and their families. His 2015 series of articles, titled “A Matter of Dignity,” explored Minnesota’s archaic and dehumanizing healthcare system for those with mental illness. In honor of their work, Chris and his colleagues were named finalists for the Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting.  More recently, Chris penned a five-part series that took a deep look at Minnesota’s elderly care industry called “Left to Suffer.” What he found was an alarming number of crimes committed against senior citizens and thousands of allegations receiving little to no attention from state authorities. Our conversation focused primarily on these two projects, however we discuss several journalism-related topics.  Among those include Chris’ approach to immersing himself in the lives of his subjects, current shortfalls of media, giving people hope, and much more.  Enjoy!  Topics mentioned: Ageism Journalism building communities MN Consumer Workgroup Report on Elder Abuse Differences between nursing homes and assisted living facilities Care giving being undervalued “Freedom is an endless conversation.” Let Us Now Praise Famous Men by James Agee and Walker Evans Unconventional interview settings Finding new ways to tell stories Shaming people to do the right thing The Twin Cities bubble CHRIS' FAVORITES RELATED TO THE TWIN CITIES Favorite Meal Under $15: Taco Taxi Favorite Public Space: Minneapolis Institute of Art Favorite Annual Event: St. Paul Winter Carnival Half Marathon How would you describe the Twin Cities? "There are a lot of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons, but you have to take advantage of it." State of the Union Message “I'm a big believer that you can make life whatever you want. Recognize your own potential and ignore those that think you can’t achieve it.”

“The scariest part of the journey is before you actually start.” Dr. Beth Westie is the founder and creator of the 12 Week Female Fat Solution. She has made it her mission to change the way women view their health. Alongside my wife and special co-host, Sara Gove, we have a wide-ranging conversation with this fascinating entrepreneur who is full of passion, charisma, and knowledge. Dr. Beth talks about her mission to educate women about the nuisances of the female body and how that affects their health differently than men. She explains that most of the information about diet and nutrition in circulation today has been based on the male body, and that women have been left without a proper roadmap. Dr. Beth addresses the frustration a lot of women feel in trying to live a healthy lifestyle. We also explore the challenges that Dr. Beth has faced in charting this new path. For many years, she ran a successful chiropractic medicine practice, but when she realized “the pull” toward this new area of women’s health was too powerful to ignore, she sold her practice. This decision tested old friendships she had in the industry, but it also dared her to live a more fulfilling life. And if you’re interested in goat farming, we got you covered. Enjoy! Topics mentioned or discussed: Importance of eating protein during breakfast Burn Boot Camp in Eden Prairie Eastern medicine The exclusion of women from medicinal research The calorie myth Inches over pounds The Minnesota Vixen Ashwagandha and other adaptogens Dr. Beth's YouTube Channel BETH'S FAVORITES RELATED TO THE TWIN CITIES Favorite Meal Under $15: The Wind Mill Cafe (omelet, hash browns, & coffee) Favorite Public Space: Minnesota River Favorite Annual Event? MN State Fair How would you describe the Twin Cities? "Lots of art, history, culture, great food, nicest people ever, almost to a fault." State of the Union Message “Find your passion and follow that to no end.”

“We grew up in a community where people were dying every day.” In this episode of Twin Cities Podcast, Mike welcomes Basil Aujo to speak about his incredible journey from Cameroon, Africa to Minnesota. Basil talks about the realities of growing up in a poor African village with limited resources and little access to healthcare. Basil was raised by his grandmother who preached the importance of education and community service. Those two pillars serve as a framework for the inspiring life Basil has created for himself in the Twin Cities. In 2016, MN Governor Mark Dayton appointed Basil to the Minnesota State Board of Trustees where he holds a leadership position and represents the student voice. He is also the chairman and executive director of a non-profit called the International Institute for Caring, where he focuses on education, human rights, immigration, and mental health, among other challenging issues. This is a remarkable story about opportunity, vision, and serving others. Enjoy! TOPICS MENTIONED OR DISCUSSED: Education as an investment The impact of AIDS in Cameroon Serving in the Red Cross at age 11 Basil’s first TV images of the U.S. Fear of the Cameroon government Depression and isolation North Hennepin Community College Metro State University Basil’s vision for the future Non-profit success stories BASIL'S FAVORITES IN THE TWIN CITIES Favorite Meal under $15 MamaTi's Favorite Public Space: Downtown Minneapolis How would you describe the Twin Cities? "I like to use my eyes when I'm downtown. I would tell them about buildings, roads, and shopping. The Twin Cities is a real place for business" State of the Union Message “Building confidence in immigrants is an investment in our nation.”

“It didn’t start with a message, it started with curiosity.” Andy George is the host and creator of How To Make Everything (HTME), a popular YouTube video channel that features Andy attempting to make everyday items from scratch by hand. What started out as pure curiosity into the components of ordinary products has given Andy a regional Emmy award, an appearance on the Rachel Ray show, and nearly 30 million videos views. Perhaps more fascinating than the success of HTME, is Andy’s back-story and how this once “quiet” and “timid” kid made a conscious decision to redefine himself. He became dissatisfied with how he was living his life and started to make changes. Take a listen to this remarkable story of transformation, tenacity, and curiosity. Enjoy! TOPICS MENTIONED OR DISCUSSED: His $1,500 sandwich that went viral Video of Andy falling into a cranberry pit His five-month trip around the world Embracing failure and providing a narrative Active problem solving Raising silk worms in his apartment Stress-induced migraines YouTube and demonetizing content Focus on the platform Patreon Collaboration with Grant Thompson (@thekindofrandom) ANDY'S FAVORITES IN THE TWIN CITIES Favorite Meal under $15 Pho 79 Favorite Public Space: Theodore Wirth Park Favorite Annual Event Northern Spark State of the Union Message “Open yourself up, be curious, and look into spots you never even thought about.”

“I think bucket lists are limiting.” Shayla Hoheisel (IG: @livingonaoneway) is a world traveler, YouTube video blogger, and entrepreneur, but more importantly she is creating the life she wants for herself. And she wants you to do the same. The Lakeville, Minn., native caught the travel bug a few years ago and decided to take it up full time. After a few months on the road, her friends and family wanted frequent updates so she started a video blog called Living on a One Way. The blog has now exploded to more than 6,000 YouTube subscribers and is closing in on one million views. This charismatic nomad details her voyage in a comical and entertaining fashion. Even when Shayla talks about personal issues, her delivery remains light-hearted, but still genuine. Equipped with her optimism and gut feelings, Shayla does not hesitate to meet people and create new experiences. She talks about the importance of pushing past her fears and brining a good attitude toward every situation. Above all, Shayla believes in the power of connecting and networking with people. She actually reached out to me about coming on the podcast ... and I'm glad she did. Enjoy! TOPICS MENTIONED OR DISCUSSED: Sitting at different lunch tables in high school Repairing yurts at Burning Man (@BurningMan) Working a surf camp in Costa Rica Selling tacos & cocktails in Puerto Rico Helping refugees in Greece The breast pump & Botox video Three things she looks for when traveling Using Instagram to map her trips Common misconceptions about her She owns a van that lives on the west coast Shayla's Ted Talk SHAYLA'S FAVORITES IN THE TWIN CITIES Favorite Meal under $15 Giant coffee from Starbucks Most Fascinating Person You Know: Her sister and nephew How Would You Describe the Twin Cities “Breweries and music" State of the Union Message “Consciously create the life you want."

“There’s no such thing as a once in a lifetime trip.” Meet Jared Kamrowski. Jared recently quit his full-time job as a federal bank examiner to focus solely on his passion project, Thrifty Traveler (@thriftytraveler). To put it simply, Thrifty Traveler is a website that posts daily flight deals and offers valuable insight on numerous topics including, credit card rewards, traveling on a budget, and many other helpful pieces of money saving content. Jared talks about the decision to leave a comfortable career to venture out on his own and what it feels to be his own boss. He walks us through a typical day, which starts around 5 a.m., and how he aggregates daily flight deals for the website and his subscribers. Jared is also a credit card rewards ninja and he provides us with helpful tips on the traveling hacking game. Over the last several years, he has signed up for more than 100 credit cards and has more points than he knows what to do with. A few minutes spent exploring his social media will give you an idea of the places that his points have taken him. We cover many topics in this podcast and I’m sure you will find several gems of useful info that you can apply right away. He even busted a huge travel myth that I regarded as common fact! Enjoy! TOPICS MENTIONED OR DISCUSSED: How he caught the travel bug Credit score myths Odd criticism he receives from online trolls Thrifty Traveler’s tipping point moment The journey to obtain the name Thrifty Traveler The reddit feed called Churning Traveling to and from Cuba His favorite travel spot JARED'S FAVORITES IN THE TWIN CITIES Favorite Meal under $15 Tennessee Hot Chicken at Revival Favorite Public Space Lake Harriet Favorite Annual Event: Anything Oktoberfest How Would You Describe the Twin Cities “People who move here stay here." State of the Union Message “The world is a massive place, beautiful place, full of wonderful people, and they might appear different on the first meeting. People are more alike than they are different. If you just sit in one corner of the world for your entire life, and you never go out and you never see or meet or talk to any of those people ... I think its going to warp your understanding of the world. I think its absolutely essential to be a good person, global citizen, to go out and push yourself out of that comfort zone, live life, take that vacation. Do not be that person in your office that thinks themselves a hero because they didn’t take a vacation last year. "

“Shirts are for work.” Justin Sutherland (@jsnaps1084) is the Executive Chef at Handsome Hog (@handsome_hog), which is a contemporary southern restaurant with a pig-centric menu in St. Paul’s trendy Lowertown district. Handsome Hog opened its doors in March of 2016 and has been rated as one of the top restaurants in the Twin Cities ever since. Justin takes his classical cooking skills and applies it to southern comfort food with a major focus on seasonal ingredients and locally sourced foods. Oh, and more than 100 different bottles of bourbon await you behind the amber glowing bar! In his early 20’s, Justin quickly realized that a desk job would not satisfy his professional ambitions. He made a snap decision to enroll in culinary school and went on to hone his techniques at many well-known Twin Cities’ restaurants including WA Frost, Meritage, and the now closed Brasserie Zentral. When you consider the fact that Justin was gifted an Easy-Bake Oven at the age five, despite his father’s protest, it’s simple to see how the love of food and cooking is very much apart of his DNA. What a fun conversation with an easy going, talented, and overall great dude! Enjoy! TOPICS MENTIONED OR DISCUSSED: An education on the term Heritage Hogs His love for world travel – especially Costa Rica Serving his penance in the WA Frost patio kitchen His struggle with Excel spreadsheets Love of live music His brother’s clothing line Hybrid Nation The balance of professional & personal life The current minimum wage debate Justin Sutherland's Favorites in the Twin Cities Favorite Meal under $15 The burger at Parlor Bar; pizza at Pig Ate My Pizza Favorite Public Space Minnehaha Park Favorite Annual Event: Rock The Garden & Soundset  How Would You Describe the Twin Cities “It's not as cold as they tell you it is ." State of the Union Message “Always try new things. You never know what you're going to find unless you just get out there and do it.”

Briana Bierschbach (@bbierschbach) is an award-winning journalist currently working for MinnPost (@MinnPost) as a political reporter. In this episode, Briana gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what its like to cover the people, policy, and purple politics of the Minnesota Legislature. She describes her role at MinnPost as trying to help people make sense of what’s happening at the state capitol, and focusing on the "why" of the story as opposed to the what. Briana analyses the strong civic engagement that many Minnesotans exercise, and the reasons for such high voter turnout year after year. She also talks about how covering politics has made her a better citizen, actively seeking opinions that are different from her own. Of course, we talk some national politics as well, diving into the Trump phenomenon, the 2018 midterms, and the affect Washington has on Minnesota affairs. If you can’t find Briana at the state capitol, you might spot her at the old timey movie house in Columbia Heights called The Heights Theater (@HeightsTheatre) or riding her bike to a local brewery. Enjoy! TOPICS MENTIONED OR DISCUSSED: Early challenges of covering politics as a young woman Cool girl bangs and an eyebrow ring The necessary evil of Twitter Gaining politicians’ trust Closed-door meeting stakeouts Press pool camaraderie The Minnesota State Band Political eco chambers Third parties BRIANA'S FAVORITES AROUND THE TWIN CITIES Favorite Meal Under $15 Chimborazo - Encocados or Llapingachos Favorite Public Space Stevens Square Favorite Annual Event: Tilia Augtoberfest Block Party Most Fascinating Person You Know MN Governor Mark Dayton How Would You Describe the Twin Cities “It's a really great hidden gem that selfishly want to remain hidden ." State of the Union Message “Be nicer to each other and talk to each other.”

“There’s nothing worse than regret.” Have you ever felt that itch to start something new or take a professional risk? If the answer is yes, then I recommend you listen to the story of Mickeli Bedore (@mickelibedore). Mickeli is the Founder and CEO of Bedore Business Group (@BedoreGroup), which is an outsource sales company that is comprised of highly experienced and talented sales professionals. Mickeli is also the co-founder of an outdoor adventure company called Otium (@OtiumOutdoors). Before starting both companies at the same time, Mickeli was a rockstar salesman for many years in Corporate America. He enjoyed a lucrative and comfortable career performing a job he was born to do. However, that enjoyment faded when Mickeli began to feel the entrepreneurial tug. This tug intensified with the impending birth of his soon-to-be daughter. Mickeli started to ask himself, “what kind of eyes do I want her to look in to?”  To which he replied, “I want her to see a man on fire.” Enjoy! Topics mentioned or discussed: “Good sales people talk the least, but listen the most.” “The best sales people have a process and/or a system that they run each and every time without waiver.” A pivotal conversation with his high school guidance counselor Selling frozen pizzas with his uncle “Doctors are the best sales people” Sandler Sales Training (@SandlerTraining) Music as a passion and creative outlet Lessons learned from a brief career in the music industry The Potty Song for his daughter The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss (@tferriss) The E-Myth MICKELI'S FAVORITES RELATED TO THE TWIN CITIES: Favorite Meal Under $15 The Crooked Pint - Loaded Tater Tots Favorite Public Space Como Conservatory Favorite Annual Event: Saint Patrick's Day in St Paul Most Fascinating Person You Know Steve Imhoff (@rareformprops) How Would You Describe the Twin Cities “If February didn’t exist, everyone would live here.”  State of the Union Message “Don’t believe everything that you think. The path to 'I can do it' or 'I can’t' intersects between your ears.”

“No revolution can be won with negativity.” Craig Minowa is a composer and the lead singer of the indie rock band Cloud Cult (@CloudCult), and also the co-founder of Earthology Records. Cloud Cult has produced 11 albums in two decades, and in 2004, was named Artist of the Year at the Minnesota Music Awards. Earthology Records was the first record label in the U.S. to create 100% postconsumer recycled CD packaging. In 2002, Craig and his wife Connie unexpectedly lost their two-year old son Kaiden. This tragedy sent the couple into a long period of isolated grieving, where Craig wrote more than 100 songs to deal with the loss. He discusses the realities of this life event, music as a form of personal medicine, and the importance to talk about Kaiden and death in general.  Craig draws inspiration from “the big picture” issues of life and tries to develop music that recognizes the beauty in everyone and everything.  Craig and I recorded this interview at Papa Charlie’s in Lutsen, Minnesota, just hours before the band performed live in front of a sell out crowd on Feb. 11, 2017. Enjoy! Some topics mentioned and discussed: Technology progressing faster than spirituality A music industry drunk with ego Presence and mindfulness How our society lacks the necessary tools to handle and talk about death His frequent wandering into the woods Understanding the purpose of life CRAIG'S FAVORITES RELATED TO THE TWIN CITIES: Favorite Restaurants Birchwood Cafe, Sea Salt Eatery and Thai Basil Favorite Public Space Along the Mississippi River near the University of Minnesota Favorite Annual Event: Northern Spark Most Fascinating Person You Know Dan Greenwood (former Cloud Cult drummer) State of the Union Message “We've really got to focus on the unity, love and neighborliness.”  He also referenced Obama's final speech as President

“As a reporter, you never want to be a part of the story.” Amelia Rayno (@AmeliaRayno) is a food, travel, and features reporter for the Star Tribune. Prior to her current role she covered the University of Minnesota Athletic Department, mainly the Gophers’ men’s basketball team, for six years. In August of 2015, Amelia penned a very personal article detailing the sexual harassment she endured at the hands of former Gopher Athletic Director Norwood Teague, all-the-while having to report on the athletic department for her job. Amelia talks about the difficult decision to go public with her story and opens up about the realities for females who work in a male-dominant environment, like sports. Despite her horrid encounters with Norwood Teague, Amelia has fond memories of her time on the Gophers beat. She talks about the great stories that surround college basketball, the opportunity to develop as a sports journalist, and what it was like to cover legendary head coach Tubby Smith. Amelia also paints a hilarious picture of what she acts like on press row when trying to finish a game story on deadline. (Hint: don't text her!) Today, Amelia writes about two passions aside from sports: food and travel. You will spot her byline on many of the latest happenings on the Twin Cities’ burgeoning food and booze scene. For her travel stories, I recommend checking out Amelia’s blog called (Traveling) Out of Bounds, where she details her adventures, the good, bad, and the ugly. Oh, and bigfoot! She is on a mission to uncover the big, hairy truth about bigfoot, perhaps with her pale Bobo from the Animal Planet’s TV show Finding Bigfoot. We kick off the interview with this topic. Enjoy! p.s. I'd like to give a shoutout to Common Roots Cafe in Minneapolis for hosting this interview. SOME TOPICS MENTIONED AND DISCUSSED: Her obsessive journaling as a kid Internships at the Boston Globe and Detroit News A recent trip to Cuba and stepping back in time Sid Hartman and his chocolate ice cream Covering the Final Four Being "in over her skis" during the first year covering college hoops Sports writers and their relationship with deadlines Live-tweeting and fans' expectations The ability to say "yes" to a dream AMELIA'S FAVORITES RELATED TO THE TWIN CITIES: Favorite Restaurants Hola Arepa - Arepa and the cocktail special Favorite Public Space Dog Park at Minnehaha (does she even have a dog?) Favorite Annual Event: Oyster Festival at Meritage Most Fascinating Person You Know Sid Hartman State of the Union Message "Put your phones down and have real experiences. Be in the moment."

“I have these periods where I just live life and grow. I explore new things about life, and when I’m ready, I make an album about that.” Brother Ali (@BrotherAli) is best known as a hip-hop artist with the local record label Rhymesayers Entertainment, but those who only know Ali for his music are missing out on the entirety of this fascinating human being. “Music is not my undying love. It is one of many,” he said. Ali and I spent nearly three hours together and he spoke intelligently about several topics that spanned well beyond music. He expanded on his ideas and experiences that we normally sample in his well-crafted lyrics. Some of his more controversial songs have pointed harsh criticisms in the direction of the United States, dominant culture, and men. However, Ali notes that he never critiques a group that he is not apart of. “My critique is always in the mirror,” he said. Ali spoke about the importance of truth and reality. This was on full display when he provided an in-depth analysis of what he calls the myth of black pathology and also details his view on white mythology. Self-love was another reoccurring message throughout our conversation. Ali unpacks this large concept using Minnesotans as a case study and explains why he believes the Gopher State struggles to achieve true self-love. There were many other fascinating and entertaining portions of this episode with which I could probably write a series of books given the amount of content we covered. If you’re at all interested in the person that is Brother Ali, then this podcast is worth your time. Enjoy! SOME TOPICS MENTIONED AND DISCUSSED: Rapping at his grandmother’s funeral at age 8 Settling in the Twin Cities at the age of 15 Converting to Islam as a teenager The hip-hop scene in the 90’s The many players that make Rhymesayers thrive ( How the ego starts wars, not religion The theme for his upcoming album “It’s a Brother Ali type of day” Louis Farrakhan and Alex Jones Interview The movie Rosewood Berry Gordy and the creation of Motown BROTHER ALI'S FAVORITES RELATED TO THE TWIN CITIES: Favorite Restaurants Brasa, Victor's, Pizza Luce, World Street Kitchen, Dogwood coffee Favorite Public Space Nokomis Favorite Annual Event: Soundset Festival Most Fascinating Person You Know I Self Devine State of the Union Message There are many beautiful things about Minnesota that should be celebrated and appreciated, but there’s also a very deep denial about our guilt complex and we’re terrified to face that truth. Disclaimer - this is an attempt to paraphrase Ali’s 25-minute answer. It is not a direct quote. Please listen to the entire audio to understand his full message.

“It’s all about sharing it with somebody.” To be a nerd essentially means to be an expert in something, which is a perfect way to categorize Justin Severson (@stpaulrockcity), a self-described comedy nerd. Justin is the host of No Laugh Track Podcast, the official podcast for Minneapolis-based Acme Comedy Company, where he interviews headlining comics on a weekly basis. Justin’s guests are a collection of world-class comedians that have appeared on David Letterman, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Showtime, HBO, Netflix, etc. The St. Paul native talks about why he thinks comedy is some of the greatest art ever created and also provides us with many of his all-time and current favorite performers. Justin and I dive into some of the commonalities that he sees in comics (his answers might surprise you) and even offers up a few hilarious stories about some big name comedians. He talks about how comedy has helped him push through a few rough patches in his own life and discusses the role that comics play in today’s society. Oh, did I mention this guy really REALLY likes comedy? Enjoy! SOME TOPICS MENTIONED AND DISCUSSED: How Justin prepares for and conducts his interviews Dane Cook overload Bill Cosby (enough said) The experience of seeing stand-up live Dos and don’ts when going to a comedy club The nice chairs at Acme His go-to first date The upcoming comedy documentary ‘I Need You To Kill’ JUSTIN'S FAVORITES RELATED TO THE TWIN CITIES: Favorite Meal Under $15: Large Mostaccioli from Cossettas with two pieces of garlic bread Favorite Public Space: Cherokee Park (west side) as a kid. Como Park as and adult. Favorite Annual Event: State Fair Most Fascinating Person You Know Louis Lee, the owner of Acme State of the Union Message: "Stop being assholes to each other."

“There’s never going to be another Walter Cronkite, and that’s okay.” Tom Weber hosts a daily show on Minnesota Public Radio called MPR News with Tom Weber that focuses on topics and people related to Minnesota. Tom believes some of the best journalism in history is happening right now, but unfortunately he says we are also experiencing some of the worst. He gives us his take on the future of media and how the industry is currently undergoing a major transformation. He talks about interviewing high-profile figures and what he sees from his “unique chair.” Tom also dives into the art of the interview and provides some wisdom on how he extracts great answers from his guests. If you’re looking for some post Presidential election good vibes then listen to Tom’s State of the Union message at the end of our chat where he delivers an uplifting message. Enjoy! SOME TOPICS MENTIONED AND DISCUSSED: His love for the Chicago Cubs (FYI...this was recorded before the World Series win) How and when Tom caught the media bug Covering Illinois politics as an intern in Springfield His 3:30 a.m. wake ups when working at St. Louis Public Radio Allowing your lens to be part of the discussion as a media member He mentions Terry Gross, Brian Lerher, David Axelrod, and Ira Glass as interviewers he admires How MPR handled the death of Prince TOM'S FAVORITES RELATED TO THE TWIN CITIES: Favorite Meal Under $15: Punch Pizza (Build your own) Favorite Public Space: Minnehaha Park Favorite Annual Event: Luminary Loppet State of the Union Message: "Things are really not that bad. On a fundamental, one-to-one level, people are not monsters."

“We started with a seed and a big dream.” Dr. Andy Bachman is the CEO/President and Co-Founder of LeafLine Labs, one of just two authorized providers of medical cannabis in the state of Minnesota. Dr. Bachman is a board-certified physician with more than a decade of emergency room medical experience. It was in the ER that Dr. Bachman saw firsthand the epidemic of opioid misuse in this country. After years of watching addiction and overdose rates soar, Dr. Bachman felt a responsibility to give his beloved Minnesotans an alternative. In May of 2014, Minnesota became the 22nd state in the nation to legalize medical cannabis, but it was the first state to provide governance under the Office of Medical Cannabis inside the MN Department of Health. According to Dr. Bachman, many states are beginning to model Minnesota's program, which is one of the more highly restrictive in the country. Today, Dr. Bachman and Leafline Labs treats a patient roughly every 30 minutes for one of ten qualifying conditions that have been approved by the state. These include individuals with cancer, HIV/AIDS, Tourette's Syndrome, ALS, intractable pain, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis/muscle spasms, epilepsy/seizures, inflammatory bowl disease, and terminal illnesses. Enjoy the conversation! SOME TOPICS MENTIONED AND DISCUSSED: Historical world use of cannabis Hemp plants at Fort Snelling How Minnesotan’s can acquire medical cannabis Leafline Labs' 42,000 sq.-ft. growing facility in Cottage Grove The stigma surrounding cannabis in the US Current clinical research Dr. Bachman's hope to treat patients with PTSD and Autism, among others His horticulture background being a member of the Bachman family ANDY'S FAVORITES RELATED TO THE TWIN CITIES: Favorite Meal Under $15: Pizza Luce (The Wrangler) Most Fascinating Person(s) You Know: Bill George (former CEO of Medtronic) Favorite Public Space: First Avenue Favorite Annual Event: Basilica Block Party & Macy's Flower Show with Gardens by Bachman's State of the Union Message: "Inaction is not innocence."

“Let your freak flag fly.” Christiaan “Bacon” Tarbox is an award-winning journalist, freelance graphic designer, published musician, and co-creator of a Minneapolis cable access television show (And Now It's). He is all of these impressive things despite being born with Asperger’s Syndrome (ASP). In the interview, Christiaan provides an in-depth look at what it’s like to live with ASP and how he was able to suppress the many ticks and abnormalities that dominated his childhood. More importantly, he addresses the common misconceptions about ASP and autism that have been perpetuated by popular media for decades. The Maple Grove native turned a corner in his life after college when he moved to Uptown in Minneapolis at the age of 23. It was in that artistic community that Christiaan found like-minded creators who helped enable his originality. During this monumental period of growth and self-discovery, Christiaan’s ASP regressed so much that it plays only a minor part in his life. Individuals with autism or ASP are unique in their diagnoses and struggles and Chris strongly emphasizes this fact. He provides loads of great insight that will no doubt help spread truth, awareness, and compassion. This is definitely worth your time! Enjoy! SOME TOPICS MENTIONED AND DISCUSSED: His love for Star Wars, pro wrestling, and comics The benefit of transition centers The famed animal expert Mary Temple Grandin who has autism His journalism awards – Minnesota Newspaper Association His band headlining at the Cabooze and Turf Club And Now It’s – his cable access TV variety show Self-proclaimed “King of Karaoke” in Minneapolis - look for him at Vegas Lounge CHRIS' FAVORITES RELATED TO THE TWIN CITIES: Favorite Meal Under $15: Mesa Pizza (Mac & Cheese Pizza) Most Fascinating Person(s) You Know: Hamil Griffin-Cassidy (@TheRealHamil) Bobby Kahn (@kobbybahn) Favorite Public Space: Downtown Minneapolis Favorite Annual Event: Twin Cities Pride Parade State of the Union Message: "You are an integral cog in the machinery of the cosmos."

“I don’t think there’s anybody in the world that has jumped off of more docks on Lake Minnetonka than I have.” If Minnesota were to crown a modern day renaissance man, Josh Leddy would be the odds on favorite. Josh is the founder of Life’s A Beach Shoreline Services, a full service lake weed management company on Lake Minnetonka. Josh and his crew utilize good old fashion manual labor and pull the weeds by hand rather than using harmful and ineffective chemicals. He created the business in 2004 as a way to make summer money when he was home from college. A few years later the idea took off and today Josh serves roughly 350 homes on Minnesota’s most popular lake. Also in the interview, Josh provides details on his new brewery schedule to open in May of 2017 called Back Channel Brewing Collective. Josh plans to specialize in sour beers and also use the brewery as a means to educate people about the ecosystem of Lake Minnetonka. If that’s not enough, Josh has been running a youth hockey league for the past decade called XL Hockey League. This once-a-week, no-check league was created to give student-athletes an opportunity to continue playing hockey while focusing on another sport. This one has it all. Enjoy! Some topics mentioned and discussed: Different types of milfoil and lake weed and the effect they have on Lake Minnetonka Lake Minnetonka serving as ground zero for all other lakes in Minnesota Composting lake weeds to the benefit of local farms and home gardens His work with the Natural Resources Research Institute at the Univ. Minnesota-Duluth The struggle to have his voice heard by the DNR His epic cross-country brewery tour The downside of specialization in youth sports josh's favorites related to the twin cities: Favorite Meal Under $15: Surly Beer Hall: (Baked Beans & Todd the Axe Man) Most Fascinating Person(s) You Know: Neil Sheehy (@ICEHockeyAgent) (Former NHL player and current NHL Agent) Favorite Public Space: Downtown Minneapolis Favorite Annual Event: Fourth of July on Lake Minnetonka State of the Union Message: "Don't underestimate where your answers and solutions can come from."

"The path we are on is probably unsustainable." Deepinder Singh is the CEO of 75F (@75f_oi), which is a massively innovative climate control company. He took home first place at the 2014 MN Cup, the largest state-wide startup competition in the nation, and has presented at Google Demo Days. He was also named a Titan of Technology by the Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal. The genius behind 75F is its use of sensors and a cloud-based software to maintain comfortable temperature levels in office buildings, save consumers up to 70 percent in energy costs, and increase air quality. Our conversation took place in 75F headquarters, located in Burnsville, Minnesota, which is hands down the coolest workplace I’ve ever seen. Deepinder was born and raised in India and has been tinkering with gadgets since the age of four. That obsession turned into a career that brought him to Canada where he was hired by Verizon Wireless as a Network Engineer. If you use Verizon there is a 95% chance that your data goes over a network that Deepinder built. For real! Some topics mentioned and discussed: Energy conservation and consumption Tips on how we can conserve energy in our every day lives Opinions on higher education Advice for young entrepreneurs His involvement with the Canadian National Shooting Team Successful treatment of autism for his daughter His love/hate relationship with Steve Jobs deepinder's favorites related to the twin cities: Favorite Meal Under $15: Tiger Sushi (Mall of America) Most Fascinating Person(s) You Know: Scott Litman & Dan Mallin (MN Cup Founders) Favorite Public Space: Ames Center (Burnsville) Favorite Annual Event: Ice Festival State of the Union Message: “The resources on this world are not infinite. We need to keep something for the future of our children and the only way we can do that is to cut back on the amount of resources we are using. The path we are on is probably unsustainable.”

“Think less, feel more.” Anne Rapp and Brandon Quittem (@theyoganomads) were tired of feeling like cattle being herded into a life they didn’t want. Working in “Corporate America” left them feeling unfulfilled, stressed, and dissatisfied. The two first met during a week-long on-boarding session at Oracle for new software sales reps. They were paired together for a training exercise, but blew off the assignment to talk about travel. (Do you sense any foreshadowing here?) The duo eventually became a couple and had also begun a deep dive into yoga. Over the next several months, yoga provided Anne and Brandon with a high level of clarity and awareness. They became much closer and started to ask themselves significant questions about their lives. These experiences on the mat also offered a stark contrast as to what they were enduring in 9-5 office culture. With all of this self-discovery swirling about, Anne and Brandon decided to make a change. Cue the good tunes, beer and some Pizza Luce (the Wrangler) at Anne’s Uptown apartment one night, and you have a recipe for The Yoga Nomads. Not long after this momentous evening, the pair purchased one-way tickets to India and backpacked across Asia for the next year. They blogged about their adventures and became one of the first (if not the first) traveling yoga blog in the world. Today, the Yoga Nomads seek to empower fellow yoga instructors, specifically how they can turn their passion for yoga into a sustainable business. Some topics mentioned and discussed: Breakfast smoothies and healthy eating habits How to make money off a travel blog How Anne and Brandon tag team the business Trade-offs and sacrifices with a traveling lifestyle Tips when attempting to work and travel Helpful travel habits and routines Meditation boot camp (this will blow your mind!) Foraging for mushrooms Anne and Brandon's favorites related to the Twin Cities: Favorite Meal Under $15: Brandon: United Noodles (the ramen) Anne: Tao Natural Foods (Avocado plate or sweet potato burrito) Most Fascinating Person You Know: Brandon: Mickeli Bedore (CEO of the Bedore Business Group) Anne: Her Mom (how cute) Favorite Public Space: Brandon: Lake of the Isles and Theodore Wirth Park Anne: Anelace Coffee House Favorite Annual Event: Brandon: Basilica Block Party Anne: Twin Cities Marathon State of the Union Message: Brandon: "If more people do what they love, everything will be better." Anne: "Think less, feel more."

“There’s a taste revolution going on around the world right now, and everyone wants better.” If you enjoy craft beer, then this episode is a must listen! Ilan Klages-Mundt (@insightilan) is the co-founder/maestro of Insight Brewing, which occupies a 20,000 square foot facility and tap room in Minneapolis. Some of their well-known beers include Hell Chicken, Troll Way, Sunken City, Lambton Dragon, and Devil’s Companion. During college, Ilan tasted a craft beer in Denmark that literally changed his life. The Belgium beer, named Westvleteren 12, was voted No. 1 on a Top 50 beer list, and Ilan had purchased two expensive bottles to sample. After his first sip, Ilan’s lip began to quiver because he had never tasted anything so good before. From then on he knew his calling was craft beer. Ilan read stacks of books about brewing and then traveled the world for a year working at different breweries in England, Japan, Denmark, and Belgium. He had pulled together $3,400 and bought a one-way ticket to England were he began at Fuller’s Brewery. With minimal funds, he traded his labor for food and a place to sleep at each location. The grunt work was difficult and exhausting but necessary for Ilan to understand every detail of the brewing process. Upon his return to Minnesota, Ilan moved in with his aunt and began the daunting task of starting his own brewery. In spite of his passions, he lacked the business skills needed for such a costly endeavor, so he partnered with a few local business leaders who each provided a unique and complementary area of expertise. After nearly a year of raising capital, largely via small increments from friends and family, Insight Brewing became a reality in November of 2014. His desire to share great tasting craft beer with the people of Minnesota is in full swing, and Ilan continues to collaborate with breweries around the globe. I hope you enjoy our conversation! Some topics mentioned and discussed: Illan’s passion for music, specifically playing and teaching the cello Insight Brewing’s plan to acquire a new 17,000 sq. ft. facility Hilarious world travel stories The idea of simplicity when it comes to brewing beer Losing out on a $25,000 fellowship that he planned on using during his year of travel Difficulties in raising capital and dealing with naysayers Alcohol culture in the U.S. versus other nations The effect prohibition had on local breweries The state and national craft beer market Parallels between the food and craft beer revolution Ilan's favorites related to the twin cities: 1. Favorite Meal Under $15: Pizzeria Lola - Korean BBQ Pizza 2. Fascinating Person You Would Like to Have Dinner With: R.T. Rybak 3. Favorite Public Space: Minnehaha Park and Fort Snelling 4. State of the Union Message: "People have to be able to work together. We are so so so much more similar than we are different."

“The brain that you have before the moment is different than the brain you have in the moment.” Handing out sports bar coupons while wearing hot pants and tube socks wasn’t exactly how Molly Mogren pictured her life after college as an entry level marketing professional. She had aspirations of becoming a food and travel writer, so she quit her demeaning gig and composed a well-crafted e-mail to a local chef named Andrew Zimmern who had just launched a new TV show called Bizarre Foods with the Travel Channel. In the e-mail, Molly detailed her desire to work for Andrew and three weeks later she was on board as an intern. She eventually moved into a full-time role, and the duo collaborated together for eight years, co-authoring books, hosting a podcast and building the Andrew Zimmern brand. Molly truly appreciated working for her celebrity friend, but there came a time when she needed to came back to her own voice. After reading a quote from former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt that said “Do one thing every day that scares you,” Molly did exactly that for an entire year. She even created a blog called Hey Eleanor!, which detailed her daily experiments that ranged in intensity from skydiving to riding the bus. The blog has morphed into an open journal of sorts, where Molly freely writes about what she experiences, feels, and thinks. Molly now makes a living as a successful freelance writer, working out of her home and setting her own schedule. She has a strong portfolio of clients and has been tinkering with a few book ideas. If you’re looking to launch a freelance career, this is a must listen. At the time of this recording, Molly was “supremely pregnant” and the temperature was 92 degrees, so I’d like to thank her for allowing a strange man (me) into her home and turning off the air conditioner to avoid background noise while we chatted. Enjoy! Some topics mentioned and discussed: Molly's internship with the Minnesota Twins Her daily writing habits and schedule Advice for those looking to start a freelance career The importance of finding adventure in your every day life The power of “no” Her enthusiasm for amateur wrestling MOLLY's favorites related to the twin cities: 1. Favorite Meal Under $15: Pho Tau Bay (green papaya salad & spring rolls) 2. Most Fascinating Person You Know: Nora McInerny Purmort 3. Favorite Annual Event: WRESTLEPALOOZA 4. How would you describe the Twin Cities to someone who has never been here: "The best place you don't know anything about. If you don't get why it's great here, we don't need you." 5. State of the Union Message: "Be nice to other people and be open-minded."

Nate Beck is the owner of Natedogs, which is a hot dog cart that has been serving up delicious wieners for the past five years in the Twin Cities. In fact, Natedogs' tagline is "quality wieners, MN farms" because Nate acquires his hormone-free dogs from local farms. He has been dubbed by several local and national publications as “Best Hot Dogs in America” and even listed as one of the “Best Food Trucks in America.” The professionally trained singer uses his background in the arts to create a unique experience for his customers at the cart that emphasizes one-on-one interactions and will more than likely end in a big bear hug. Nate talks about the startup stages of the business and shares his process for creating the nostalgic Natedogs brand. He also talks about how he recently sold 1,295 hot dogs in one day during the 2016 Art-a-Whirl event. He provides a rather convincing and passionate opinion about America’s dependence on ketchup, calling it the “sauce of shame,” and also details a few hilarious customer reactions when they realize he doesn’t offer ketchup. Nate also explores the sometimes ungrateful world of food service and provides us with a few simple reminders for when we dine out. Near the end of the interview, Nate tells the story about how he consumed eight foot-long hot dogs in one day at the Minnesota State Fair, which was a mere portion of his food intake for that particular day. This was truly an epic tale and interview! Enjoy! Some topics and people mentioned: Red Table Meats Kramarczuks Birkenstock Shoes Holmberg Design Mill City Fineries The Bow Tie Shoppe Ordway Animal Human Society Filson Surly Beer Hall Ignite Minneapolis For Grace - Documentary on Netflix NATE's favorites related to the twin cities: Favorite Meal Under $15: World Street Kitchen (Caramelized Lamb Belly Yum Yum Rice Bowl) Favorite Public Space: Como Park Dinner with Famous Twin Cities Person: Stephanie March Favorite Annual Event: Minnesota State Fair Most Famous Person to Buy a Hot Dog: Alan Page and Dawes the Band State of the Union Message: "If you're not investing in people then none of it matters"

Frank DiCristina has many abilities when it comes to natural healing, but his bread and butter is sound therapy. With the use gongs and metal singing bowls, Frank tries to help people who usually view his services as a last resort. They’ve exhausted all other options and look to Frank for some type of relief at the Center for Harmonious Living in Deep Haven, MN. “When a person comes to me they’re ready,” said Frank. Frank began his treatments in 2004 and has since been tutored by some of the most well-known leaders in the field such as Slim Spurling, Suren Shrestha and Dr. Mitch Nur. Frank was recently invited to instruct a group of medical professionals about the benefits of sound therapy at the Avera Cancer Institute in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Frank discusses electromagnetic exposure and how the extreme saturation of cell phones, Wi-Fi, laptops, digital signals, etc… can be harmful to our health. He also dives into his work as a building biologist and how many of the older homes can be negatively affecting a person’s well-being. All of this is covered during the initial meeting with Frank when new clients arrive for their first visit. He takes a universal approach when trying to help his clients, which is why Frank describes his many areas of expertise as interconnected. The biggest theme Frank has noticed throughout his many clients is they are not getting enough sleep and relaxation. WCCO-TV reporter Angela Davis found his work interesting enough that she ran a four-minute long feature story on Frank and his treatment method in December of 2015. Enjoy! Some topics and people mentioned: The Boston School of Electronic Music Frank Perry Dr. Hubert Lim Dr. John Beaulieru (Book: Human Tuning) Raga Valerie Hunt(Book: Infinite Mind) The Singing Bowl Guy on SoundCloud FRANK's favorites related to the twin cities: Favorite Meal Under $15: Andale Taqueria and Mercado Favorite Public Space: Lake Calhoun Dinner with Famous Twin Cities Person: Al Franken State of the Union Message: "Be conscious"

“Go after that weird thing you want to do.” –Chuck Olsen Chuck Olsen was one of the internet’s first video bloggers and today is the co-founder and CEO of the Minneapolis-based virtual reality company Visual. Chuck is arguably the go-to person for all things virtual reality in the Twin Cities, and his company made headlines recently after releasing a 360-degree video app with music-streaming giant Rhapsody. He forged a successful career in early internet technology, working several years for Twin Cities Public Television (TPT), and then went on to form a citizen journalism non-profit called The Uptake. With Visual, Chuck has collaborated with the likes of the Minnesota Lynx, Mall of America, the University of Minnesota, musician Talib Kweli, and the Newborn Foundation, among many others. Chuck opens up about his passion for using virtual reality as an engine to promote social good and talks about a recent trip to China with a local non-profit. He provides a clear and vivid glimpse into the future of how virtual reality will be integrated into our daily lives and explores several industries already utilizing the technology. And he called me the Podmaster! Enjoy! Some topics and people mentioned: GoPro Blogumentary Jeff Jarvis Jake Lodwick Minnesota Original Taylor Clarik Secrets of the City Zombie Pub Crawl Bre Pettis Steve Garfield Mary Lahammer Microsoft HoloLens Magic Leap Chuck's favorites related to the twin cities: Favorite Meal Under $15: The Tin Fish Favorite Public Space: Sheridan Memorial Park Dinner with Famous Twin Cities Person: Al Franken Favorite Annual Event: Northern Spark and Art-A-Whirl State of the Union Message: "Go after that weird thing you want to do"

Michael Welsh owns Sky Candy Studios, a local video production company that focuses on aerial photography/videography, and shares his expertise on all things drones. Michael talks about how he bought his first drone off an impulse buy from Brookstone and then skipping out on college to start his company. We discuss the different industries that benefit from drone technology and how Amazon is investing heavily into drones and its use for delivering packages. We even talk about one of his best marketing tools which is his vehicle that he calls the "Sky Cube." I start off the interview with this. Enjoy! Some topics and people mentioned: The Open Road Creative Project New York City Drone Film Festival Creative Mornings (MSP) Basilica Block Party Favorite Meal Under $15: Haute Dish Favorite Public Space: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Dinner with Famous Twin Cities Person: Prince and Tom Thibodeau State of the Union Message: "Drones are not evil"

Mike explores the topic of polyamory with Jennifer who co-hosts a podcast called Poly in the Cities, which deals with the daily realities of living a polyamorous lifestyle. Jennifer talks about misconceptions in the mainstream public regarding polyamory, when she was first introduced to the idea, being married while being poly, hosting a podcast and much more. Jennifer deserves a lot of credit for agreeing to be on Twin Cities Podcast. She shares many personal aspects and stories about her life. This is what being brave and vulnerable sounds like. Some of the topics and people discussed: Dr. Elisabeth Sheff Reddit - Dead Bedroom Mojo Upgrade Episode 28: Jennifer is Getting a Divorce Grizzly Adams #OwnYourShit Favorite meal under $10: The Lowbrow Favorite public space: Lake Harriet Enjoy!

In the first episode of Twin Cities Podcast, Mike discusses his motivation for starting a long-form interview podcast. He talks about the value he gained from listening to well-known podcasters such as Dan Carlin, Tim Ferriss, Joe Rogan, and Marc Maron. Mike details the very night when the idea for Twin Cities Podcast was born, which involved a booze-filled summer evening with his brother-in-law Paul. He also talks about his hopes for the listeners and how the guests on TCP might help them in their personal journey. Enjoy!