Podcasts about Twin cities

In this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark flies solo to share how the Contractor Coalition Summit has seriously leveled up his business game. He chats about everything from getting paid for pre-construction work and using AI, to building a powerful brand and connecting with awesome industry folks. If you're on the fence about going, Mark's stories and practical tips make it sound like this Summit is a total game-changer for builders looking to up their game! Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode:  Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/  Adaptive  Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev  Where to find the Host:  Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/  Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/  Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Minneapolis singer, rapper and writer Dessa has risen to fame over the past two decades through her genre-defying solo performances and collaborations with groups like the Minnesota Orchestra and Doomtree.Dessa is releasing a new single “Camelot” off her new EP on Friday. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share a sneak peek of her new project and reflect on her two decades in the Twin Cities music scene and beyond.

A recent raid on a construction site in St. Paul has alarmed neighbors and immigrant advocates. ICE confirmed agents arrested four people who were working on a roof project on Thursday. A spokesperson for the agency said three of the four had criminal convictions but did not provide names or further information. MPR News has not independently verified those details. At a vigil, immigrant advocates said arrests like these are creating a climate of fear. MPR News host Nina Moini talked to Merle Payne about how this moment is impacting people working in the Twin Cities who could be subject to immigration arrests. Payne is executive director of the worker advocacy group, CTUL.

Within a week, there was vandalism at a Minneapolis synagogue and a fire and break-in at a Minneapolis mosque. We talk to faith leaders from both houses of worship about their concerns around targeting religious institutions. After ICE agents arrested a construction crew while they were working on a roof in St. Paul, concerns are growing within the immigrant community. We check in with an advocacy group about what they are hearing from immigrant workers. Plus, the Crown Prince of Norway is in the Twin Cities. We talk to the Norway House about the significance of his visit and Minnesota's deep ties to the country.

How do you reinvent the world's most basic item—a T-shirt—and make pants that actually fight back against plumber's crack? In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark sits down with Alexander Chou, co-founder of Harnish Workwear, to talk about premium workwear, design snags, field testing with framers, and why durability shouldn't mean looking like a walking sandbag. From sourcing Cordura to building a cult following in Canada, this episode has everything: branding, community, custom tags, and a spam-surfing sidetrack you didn't see coming. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode:  Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/  Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/ **Anyone who signs up to CCS between 10/6/2025 and 10/13/2025 gets a free apparel kit from Harnish Adaptive  Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev  Where to find the Guest:  Website: https://www.harnishworkwear.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harnishworkwear/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harnishworkwear Where to find the Host:  Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/  Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/  Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Childcare is a huge challenge for many families, and this is of course true for small towns. When Alex and Tyler's daycare closed their small town of Ottertail, MN (pop. 500), Tyler half-jokingly said, “We should just start our own daycare.” Well, that's pretty much what that did. Two days later, he had a plan and three years later, they're opening a nonprofit daycare to serve their community that could change how rural communities approach childcare. And we are so here for it! About Tyler & Alex: Tyler and Alex Rupe have been married for nearly a decade, bringing together roots from Grand Forks, North Dakota and the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Shortly after their wedding, the couple relocated to Ottertail and quickly fell in love with the close-knit community. In 2020, Tyler purchased Battle Lake Refrigeration, Heating & Cooling, while Alex has built a career in marketing and event planning before recently becoming Executive Director of the Ottertail Community Center. Together with their two children and their beloved Labrador, Daisy, the Rupes have become integral members of the Ottertail community. They share a profound passion for community service and are dedicated to creating positive, lasting change that will benefit generations to come, working actively to strengthen the bonds that make their adopted hometown such a special place to live and raise a family.  In this episode, we cover: How a childcare crisis (and a joke!) sparked a community movement Why they chose the nonprofit route The “pod model” for childcare The role of collaboration and philanthropy Why a community center is next!  Links + Resources Mentioned: Website: https://www.ottertailcommunityproject.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ottertailcommunityproject Sponsor Spotlight: Brodie Mueller and The Market on the Plaza In small towns, coffee is more than caffeine. It's community! Market on the Plaza roasts beans locally in Aberdeen, in small batches for the freshest, richest cup to start your day or for an afternoon pick-me-up. Stop in to grab a bag for home or linger over a cup with neighbors. Proudly local, always welcoming. This week's Small-Town Shout-Out is: Raymond, SD, population 789. Katie shares that last year, they hosted the first Raymond Redwing days, complete with a color run, vendors, live music, food, the works! It was such a hit that this year's event is already in the works. There is so much love and work involved in these kinds of events, so we know it's no small feat, but it's such an amazing way to build community and celebrate small towns. Snaps to Raymond! We Want to Hear From You! Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We're have two “participation dance” elements of the show: “Small town humblebrags”: Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things.  “Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges”: Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that.  If you've got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you!  Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!  

Paul Allen, the host of 9-noon on KFAN and the voice of the Vikings, joins The Alec Lewis Show to give his thoughts on the Vikings' matchup with the Cleveland Browns. They talk about the offensive line injuries, Kevin Stefanski, the Browns' defensive line, quarterback Carson Wentz, the London trip and more. This show is presented by First Resource Bank, which serves the needs of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. For more information, here is their website:   https://myfrbank.com/    And here is a link to all of their locations!   https://myfrbank.com/locations-hours/    Sponsored By: Minnesota Lottery (mnlottery.com/)   Sponsored By: UNRL (unrl.com)   Email for other sponsorship/endorsement inquiries: aleclewis54@gmail.com 

In today's episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Sophie Edwards, who began her journey in 2023 competing in Wellness before switching to Bikini in her second show. After facing last callouts at NPC Nationals, Sophie committed to a long off season, came back stronger in June 2025 to win the overall, and just two weeks later earned her Pro card with a class win at USAs.   TOPICS COVERED -The road to Pro  -Switched coaches during prep -Having a support system -Being driven -Giving back to the sport -Changes in the divisions -Traveling on prep   CONNECT WITH CELESTE: Website: http://www.celestial.fit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html   CONNECT WITH SOPHIE:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sme_fit_/   TIME STAMPS 1:00 introduction 2:49 Pro in two years 4:53 life before competing 8:54 wellness to bikini 11:35 being a coach and hosting posing clinics 15:34 transition from self-coached to having a coach 21:10 bouncing back after tough placing 24:30 going through a break up in prep 29:00 changing coaches 32:05 feelings of winning 36:37 leaning on your support system 40:40 becoming a coach 43:18 advice for competitors   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES   LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM   FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE

This time, Chris Mozena (aka 'The Guy' at The Hook and Ladder) stops by to talk about the plight of the independent arts venue, something we've been discussing a lot on the show lately. The Hook is an incredible volunteer-run, non-profit space with the primary goal of providing artists with a spot to do what they do. In our view, this is a crucial piece of cultural infrastructure in the Twin Cities. The Hook is doing it's first-ever fundraising drive and this one really matters. Find out how to help and keep the scene strong. Listen, act and thank you!

Builder. Dad. Almost burnout casualty. Tyler Grace joins Mark for a raw conversation on why “doing what you love” can still land you in the ER. They dive into stress, ego, profitability, and how Tyler finally drew a line between life and business. Come for the honesty, stay for the dad jokes—and leave with a better plan for your own business sanity. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode:  Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/  Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/ Adaptive  Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev  Where to find the Guest:  Website: http://trghomeconcepts.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trghomeconcepts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-grace-25687a24 Where to find the Host:  Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/  Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/  Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

10-2 Adam and Jordana 10a hour

From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what's exciting in local art. Their recommendations are lightly edited from the audio heard in the player above. Want to be an Art Hound? Submit here.Meander through artists' studios along the upper Minnesota River ValleyMusician Clark Machtemes of Waconia recommends the Meander Art Crawl, a three-day, self-guided tour of artists' studios across western Minnesota. This year's event features 42 artists in towns including Ortonville, Appleton, Madison, Milan, Dawson, Montevideo, Granite Falls and Canby.The Meander runs:Friday: 12 – 6 p.m.Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.Sunday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.Machtemes notes that several towns will also host evening musical performances. (Find a map here.)The quiet beauty of the everydayMinneapolis painter Ken Johnson recommends Justin Terlecki's solo show, “Hidden Place,” on view at Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis through Oct. 11.Ken says: It's a series of nine paintings in oil. They're scenes reproduced from photographs and from his remembered events of places and friends: sleeping, exploring the outdoors, eating — all relatable. He's creating a living history through these subtle artworks. His oils are in muted blues and greens. It's best seen in person because he uses these small brushes, and you can actually see these little brush strokes.— Ken JohnsonKick-start spooky season with Theatre 55's production of ‘Sweeney Todd'St. Paul's Heather Foxx says she first discovered Theatre 55 — a Twin Cities theater company featuring actors aged 55 and older — through Art Hounds. After appearing in some of their past productions, she plans to be in the audience for their fall show, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”Heather says: This fall, they're kicking off the spooky Halloween season with “Sweeney Todd,” filled with beautiful, eerie, haunting melodies, with actors and actresses of 55 and older.— Heather Foxx

4pm Hour: Jason talks with listeners about Minneapolis starting up a speed camera program. Will it slow drivers down? Then he's joined by journalist Rick Kupchella about his new documentary debuting tomorrow night on the state of the Twin Cities.

Jason talks to journalist Rick Kupchella who's created a new documentary on the state of the Twin Cities - business, education and more - that debuts tomorrow night.

Alec Lewis, the Minnesota Vikings beat writer at The Athletic, talks about being in London, the Vikings' injury situation, penalties, the offensive line, "sign stealing," playing the Browns and much more. This show is presented by First Resource Bank, which serves the needs of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. For more information, here is their website:   https://myfrbank.com/    And here is a link to all of their locations!   https://myfrbank.com/locations-hours/    Sponsored By: Minnesota Lottery (mnlottery.com/)   Sponsored By: UNRL (unrl.com)   Sponsorship inquiries: aleclewis54@gmail.com 

Welcome back for S5E10 of Inside Cyclones Hockey!The Clones had a tough start to the home season, dropping both games to West Bend at home this last weekend. Mark breaks down the home series, what went wrong, and what positives to take out of the weekend, looking forward. Eiji Hofmann also joins the pod for a great interview with Mark, talking all things hockey!Now, from the Eye of the Cyclone... Intro, West Bend series breakdown (1:34-21:04)Minnesota Moose Series Preview (21:52-32:00)Eiji Hofmann interview (33:10-54:58)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Printable Home Schedule: https://www.wausaucyclones.com/52524-2/Purchase Single Game, Group Tickets, Founders CLub & Flex Packages Here: https://www.wausaucyclones.com/tickets-2/Don't Miss a Second of Cyclones Action this Season! Sign up for our Email Newsletter here: https://www.wausaucyclones.com/newsletter/Tender Signings & Other News: https://www.wausaucyclones.com/category/news/Make sure you follow the Cyclones across your favorite social media @WausauCyclonesYou can find Mark on Instagram, X, and TikTok @mwrsports_Go Clones!!

This time, Chris Mozena (aka 'The Guy' at The Hook and Ladder) stops by to talk about the plight of the independent arts venue, something we've been discussing a lot on the show lately. The Hook is an incredible volunteer-run, non-profit space with the primary goal of providing artists with a spot to do what they do. In our view, this is a crucial piece of cultural infrastructure in the Twin Cities. The Hook is doing it's first-ever fundraising drive and this one really matters. Find out how to help and keep the scene strong. Listen, act and thank you!

Lots of buzz for this film with Sydney Sweeney in the lead roll. Details from the Executive Director of the Twin Cities Film Festival Jatin Setia.

Luke checks-in from the Twin Cities, where he's going to farmers markets, alarming restaurant patrons, and writing strongly-worded letters to the editor.

In this out-of-the-box episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark sits down with Chief Todd Milburn of Edina to talk jobsite theft, neighborhood safety, and what builders and homeowners should really be thinking about when it comes to security. They dive into public safety tech (like license plate readers), the rise of crime-of-opportunity, and how the police force recruits like a modern business. Come for the garage door break-ins, stay for the chipmunk invasion and Faraday cage jokes. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode:  Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/  Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/ Adaptive  Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev  Where to find the Guest:  Website: www.edinamn.gov/274/Police Where to find the Host:  Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/  Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/  Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Minnesota teachers have done a three-peat for the National Rural Teacher of the Year.The National Rural Education Association bestowed the honor last year to Melissa Oberg, who teaches special education in Grand Marais. In 2023, it went to Morris teacher Jenny Maras. This year's honoree is Jeff Granrud. He teaches math at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School. That's a district of about 1,300 students an hour west of the Twin Cities in Wright County. Granrud joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about his nearly 30-year career in teaching.

Today, Ted samples out some of the tastes of Southern France with some syrah and gayda recommendations and some zinfandel tastes also - something to help with the warmer temperatures ahead as the summer temps into fall wind down! If you want to try today's selection or check out what Ted and his team over at Haskells has in stock - visit any of the 11 locations in the Twin Cities metro area or visit haskells.com

We play Blink Rank, fall edition, talk best spots in the Twin Cities, and more!

We play Blink Rank, fall edition, talk best spots in the Twin Cities, and more!

In this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with Paul Krumrich for a super honest chat about the rollercoaster of being an entrepreneur. Paul opens up about his own big mistakes, like taking on risky debt and being maybe a little too honest with his team during rough times. They both talk about why willpower matters more than skills, the funny (and not so funny) side of failure, and how learning from flops is actually the key to winning in business. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode:  Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/ Lake Society Magazine:  Website: https://www.lakesocietymagazine.com/ Where to find the Guest:  Website: https://www.greenwaysolar.org/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenway_solar/ Where to find the Host:  Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/  Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/  Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

What happens when a public servant becomes a tech founder to solve the problems they face every day? This week, we're joined by Nichole Sterling, the Mayor Pro Tem of Nederland, Colorado, and the founder of MyTownAI. Her journey offers a unique perspective on how technology can reshape civic decision-making from the inside out.Nichole shares the origin story of MyTownAI, a venture born from the "pain" of watching her own small-town staff navigate a maze of disconnected sources - zoning maps, municipal codes, county websites, and even Zillow, just to answer a simple question like, "What can be built on this parcel of land?". To address this, she developed MyTownAI, an intelligent data hub that consolidates information and utilizes low-cost digital twins to enable municipalities to run simulations, ranging from modeling the impact of zoning changes to exploring economic development strategies.The platform is designed to serve the vast, often-overlooked majority of American communities: the 83% of towns with fewer than 10,000 people. By providing accessible AI tools to under-resourced governments, Nichole is driven by a powerful vision for the future of the public sector."I want to see local governments become the next wave of innovation. If you think about it, just that a very small disruption at the local government level has the potential to make huge waves." - Nichole SterlingThis episode concludes with an exploration of how a tool built for government can create a more transparent and collaborative ecosystem for all. MyTownAI aims to enhance civic participation by giving citizens direct access to information and a platform to co-create ideas for their communities. For architects and developers, it represents a future where they can quickly find community-aligned opportunities, accelerating a process that is often opaque and slow. Ultimately, Nichole's work challenges architects to evolve their value proposition from being navigators of a complex system to becoming strategic partners in a data-empowered, citizen-driven future.Guest:Nichole Sterling is the Mayor Pro Tem of Nederland, Colorado, the founder of MyTownAI, and the co-founder of the nonprofit Women Defining AI. As a public servant and civic tech founder, she is focused on leveraging artificial intelligence to empower small and under-resourced municipalities. Her work aims to make government more efficient, transparent, and innovative by providing accessible tools for data analysis, scenario planning, and civic engagement.Is This Episode for You?This episode is for you if:✅ You are an architect or planner who feels the pain of navigating fragmented municipal data. ✅ You are interested in how AI and digital twins can be applied at the local government level. ✅ You want to understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing small towns. ✅ You are inspired by stories of non-technical founders solving real-world problems. ✅ You believe technology can enhance civic participation and create more collaborative communities.

The Twin Cities business community is preparing for one of the year's most anticipated gatherings: the EPI Regional Summit. In this week's episode of Poised for Exit, we're joined by Todd Krough, President of the EPI Twin Cities Chapter and Wealth Advisor with UMB Bank, for an inside look at what attendees can expect on October 9 at Union Depot in St. Paul.Todd reflects on the evolution of the Owners Forum into today's Regional Summit and why the Twin Cities Chapter continues to grow in reach and impact. This conversation highlights how the Summit has become a cornerstone event for connecting business owners and advisors, offering fresh insights, meaningful connections, and perspectives that extend well beyond the day itself.This conversation provides a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the Regional Summit such a powerful opportunity, from the energy of the Twin Cities business community to the unique lineup that blends learning, networking, and inspiration. If you're considering attending, or simply want to understand what sets this event apart, this episode offers the perfect preview of what's ahead!Learn more & get involved:

Alec Lewis, the Minnesota Vikings beat writer at The Athletic, records live from Dublin after a travel day. He talks J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, keys in the Steelers game, Irish breakfast, Vikings-Steelers fan breakdown and more. This show is presented by First Resource Bank, which serves the needs of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. For more information, here is their website:   https://myfrbank.com/    And here is a link to all of their locations!   https://myfrbank.com/locations-hours/   Sponsored By: Minnesota Lottery (mnlottery.com/)   Sponsored By: UNRL (unrl.com/)   Sponsorship inquiries: aleclewis54@gmail.com

We play Blink Rank, fall edition, talk best spots in the Twin Cities, and more!

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and attorneys for the state are appealing a ruling that upended a new legal ban on binary triggers. Federal prosecutors today charged a Twin Cities woman with stealing $14 million from a state autism program.That story and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Todd Melby. Music by Gary Meister.

A film festival highlighting the work and culture of Arab and SWANA people, or those with roots in Southwest Asia and North Africa, is happening this week. Wednesday kicks off the 19th Twin Cities Arab Film Festival put on by the local organization Mizna. Michelle Baroody, Mizna's film programming curator, joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the festival.

Ben Michel is the founder and principal of Ridgeview Property Group, a real estate investment firm focused on value-add multifamily properties in the Twin Cities. After a decade as a multifamily broker, Ben transitioned into investing during the pandemic and has since grown Ridgeview's portfolio to $25 million in assets. He specializes in heavy-lift renovations using construction debt, transforming underperforming properties into long-term holds that generate stable returns.     Make sure to download our free guide, 7 Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask, here.     Key Takeaways A decade as a broker provided Ben with credibility and deal-analysis skills that investors trusted. Raising capital requires confidence, credibility, and broad connections—not just a handful of close contacts. Expanding his outreach from 50 contacts to thousands transformed his ability to raise funds. Coaching and mentorship were critical for learning construction loans, renovations, and repositioning strategies. Long-term success depends on planning for market cycles with reserves, staggered debt maturities, and strong operations.     Topics From Broker to Investor Ten years as a multifamily broker built experience analyzing deals and observing operators. First investment came from converting a failed listing into a purchase with an investor partner during Covid. Early Capital Raising Lessons First deal funded by a single $1 million investor—a stroke of luck. Learned the hard way that a tiny investor list made future raises difficult. Expanded his outreach by adding thousands of past contacts to his newsletter, enabling a $2.2M raise. Mentorship and Scaling Immediately hired a mentor to learn construction debt, repositioning, and property branding. Shifted from “softball” deals to larger renovations requiring professional systems. Twin Cities Market Strategy Avoids restrictive areas like St. Paul (rent control) and focuses on stable suburbs. Considered Nashville and Bentonville but doubled down locally due to his network and knowledge. Value-Add Execution Renovates 1960s–70s properties with $18–25K per-unit budgets. Upgrades include flooring, cabinets, granite, stainless appliances, dishwashers, and modern lighting. Strategy creates long-term, easier-to-manage assets with better tenant profiles.    

In this episode of the Voice of Influence podcast, host Andrea chats with Dustin Black, a seasoned creative professional with over 25 years of experience helping organizations of all sizes articulate their identity and implement result-driving strategies. Having worked with both Fortune 100 companies and scrappy startups, Dustin has learned that brand success doesn't come down to budget—it's built on alignment, clarity, and consistency. He believes every organization deserves a powerful brand, not just those with massive resources. Andrea and Dustin talk about his journey from growing up in Nebraska to becoming a creative director in Minneapolis, including the pivotal decision that led him to the Twin Cities. They explore the importance of leadership, creativity, and collaboration in advertising, as well as the role of building strong teams and adapting to new technologies like AI. Dustin also offers advice for young professionals entering the field and shares personal stories, including his unique hobbies and creative endeavors outside of work. Find the show notes here:   https://www.voiceofinfluence.net/372   Mentorship Guide - This VOI guide and journal for mentors and mentees includes 12 sessions covering key topics young professionals need to set themselves up for success at work.

Homelessness has been top of mind for many leaders in the Twin Cities metro area in recent weeks. On Sept. 15, seven people were injured in a shooting at a homeless encampment in south Minneapolis that was on private property. Since then, one person has died from their injuries. It's raising questions about how to best prevent and respond to homeless encampments.David Hewitt, Hennepin County's Housing Stability Director joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about leadership on homelessness at the county level, the types of services they provide and the work they do surrounding homelessness.

Former State Sen. Nicole Mitchell has been sentenced to six months in jail following her burglary conviction over the summer. MPR News reporter Mathew Holding Eagle III joined Minnesota Now live from Becker County with the latest updates.A shooting at a south Minneapolis homeless encampment last week left many Twin Cities area leaders questioning how to navigate encampment policies. We heard how one leader with Hennepin County's homelessness prevention team is thinking about what types of resources are effective.Native American activist Leonard Peltier is back home after nearly 50 years in prison. Our documentary brings you his reflections on how Indian activism has changed in that time.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Achat Sha'alti” by Paul Schoenfield and Carol Wincenc.

Alec Lewis, the Minnesota Vikings beat writer at The Athletic, recaps the Week 3 demolishing of the Bengals. Lewis goes over scenes from the locker room after Isaiah Rodgers's performance. He talks about Carson Wentz's debut. He mentions Dallas Turner, Levi Drake Rodriguez, the offensive design, Brian Flores's disguise and much more. This show is presented by First Resource Bank, which serves the needs of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. For more information, here is their website:   https://myfrbank.com/    And here is a link to all of their locations!   https://myfrbank.com/locations-hours/    Sponsored By: Minnesota Lottery (mnlottery.com/)   Sponsored By: UNRL (unrl.com/)   Sponsorship inquiries: aleclewis54@gmail.com 

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with Martin Davies O'Connor from Mill City Restoration for a lively chat about Martin's fascinating career path—from punk rock and Excel training to importing tequila from Mexico and ultimately running a successful commercial painting business in Minnesota. They dive into the realities of entrepreneurship, the challenge of cash flow (especially in commercial construction), the importance of work-life balance, and why understanding your numbers is key for any business owner. It's an energetic, honest conversation full of great stories and practical advice for anyone interested in building a business or just curious about unique career journeys! Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode:  Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/  Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/ Adaptive  Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev  Where to find the Guest:  Website: https://www.millcityrestoration.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MillCityRestoration/ Where to find the Host:  Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/  Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/  Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

We've heard it, and you probably have too: “People don't want to move to rural communities.” Or, “Talented people don't want to live in small towns.”  Well, we're happy to say we know that's not true, and so does Alissa Henriksen. This episode is all about attracting talent to our small towns, how not to write people off, and why sometimes it's good for a business to run on vibes.  About Alissa: Alissa Henriksen is the co-founder and co-president at Grey Search + Strategy, where she leads the community-centric team culture and drives revenue goals for the company centered on personal relationships with clients, partners and prospects. With over 20 years in executive search and recruitment, Alissa guides Grey in serving hundreds of clients, 20+ strategic partners and 50+ community organizations, contributing over 1,000 hours of service annually in the Midwest market.  After working for a large recruiting firm, Alissa founded Grey Search + Strategy with her husband in 2008 and never looked back. Her collaborative leadership fosters innovation and drive while her expertise drives measurable results and a memorable client experience. The company consistently ranks on the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Twin Cities Top 25 Search Firms list. It was named one of American's Top Small Businesses by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for economic and community impact in 2023. In 2024, the company was honored with Twin Cities Business Reader's Choice in Executive Recruiting, Star Tribune Best of MN awards, and inclusion on the Inc. 5000 and Inc. Regionals Midwest lists.  Currently, Alissa serves on the board for TeamWomen and its executive committee. She was named to Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 40 Under 40 list in 2019 and inducted into The Reading Center's Hall of Fame in 2021. In 2024, Alissa was named a Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women magazine and won the Empowering Women award from Finance & Commerce magazine. She is also a two-time recipient of the Twin Cities Business Notables in Executive Recruiting honor in 2024 and 2025.  A graduate of South Dakota State University, Alissa played volleyball on a full scholarship. She was a double major in Business Economics and Spanish. Outside of work, Alissa mentors young entrepreneurs and enjoys spending time with her family outdoors – especially on one of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes – and traveling to new places together.  Alissa is dedicated to driving success for women leaders and the broader community. She welcomes opportunities to connect with like-minded, professional women in the Twin Cities.  In this episode, we cover: Why the myth that “talented people don't want to move to small towns” is false The role of community “vibe” and culture in attracting talent Top workforce trends small towns can leverage, from flexibility to workplace environment How authentic leadership helps retain and inspire people The opportunities and limitations of AI in recruiting Links + Resources Mentioned: Grey Search Website:https://grey-search.com/ Grey Search LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greysearch Sponsor Spotlight: Brodie Mueller and The Market on the Plaza In small towns, coffee is more than caffeine. It's community! Market on the Plaza roasts beans locally in Aberdeen, in small batches for the freshest, richest cup to start your day or for an afternoon pick-me-up. Stop in to grab a bag for home or linger over a cup with neighbors. Proudly local, always welcoming. This week's Small-Town Shout-Out is: Plankinton, SD! Our friend Carl asked us to shout out his small community because of their small businesses. We know that small businesses are the heartbeat of small towns, and we're so glad to celebrate when small businesses are flourishing. Way to go, Plankinton! We Want to Hear From You! Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We're have two “participation dance” elements of the show: “Small town humblebrags”: Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things.  “Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges”: Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that.  If you've got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you!  Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!

Josh has our Quick Takes for this Friday and we discuss the Costco warning for their prosecco, Twins TV hitting more twists and turns leaves us all with streaming fatigue, Farm Aid is invading the Twin Cities and much more with Quick Takes!

When Stephanie Hansen sold her Twin Cities printing and direct marketing business - she faced a crisis. Who was she? What did she want to do? A decade later, she's just published her second cookbook, and her Emmy-award winning TV show "Taste Buds with Stephanie" is syndicated all over the United States. Stephanie talks with Jason DeRusha about finding her lane from the perspective of an eater and a home cook. The "True North Cabin Cookbook - Vol. 2" is in bookstores everywhere

In this Q&A episode, Mark sits down with his friend Mike Weaver for a really honest chat about learning from mistakes—both at work and in life. Mike opens up about a big blunder early in his career that taught him why being upfront with clients matters so much, and he also shares his incredible journey losing 170 pounds (seriously impressive!). It's a fun, down-to-earth conversation with plenty of laughs, hard-earned wisdom, and tips for turning your biggest fails into wins. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode:  Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/  Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/ Adaptive  Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev  Where to find the Guest:  Website: https://www.emser.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michealweaver289/ Where to find the Host:  Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/  Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/  Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Roughly 10 years ago, a podcast host named Jonathan Goldstein and his friend Gregor flew to Los Angeles. Goldstein was there to help his friend confront the famous musician, Moby, over a set of CDs he'd borrowed and never returned.Goldstein created a hit show through these types of interactions, helping people talk through troubling moments from their pasts. The podcast called Heavyweight was released in 2016.Goldstein now lives in the Twin Cities. On Thursday, he and his team launched a new season. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about it.

Welcome back to the Sorry to Interrupt podcast! Sean is back to recap the Yankees' series win over the Twins as he gives his observations from the 3-game set and his thoughts on some key players. Lastly, Sean looks at the updated Playoff picture and previews this weekend's 4-gane series against the Orioles in Baltimore. Everyone enjoy the pod!

Paul Dehner Jr., who covers the Cincinnati Bengals for The Athletic, joins The Alec Lewis Show to talk about the forthcoming Minnesota Vikings and Bengals matchup. They discuss Carson Wentz, Jake Browning, the Vikings' offense, the Bengals' defense, Christian Darrisaw, Harrison Smith, Trey Hendrickson, Ja'Marr Chase vs. Justin Jefferson, Tee Higgins and much more. This show is presented by First Resource Bank, which serves the needs of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. For more information, here is their website:   https://myfrbank.com/    And here is a link to all of their locations!   https://myfrbank.com/locations-hours/    Sponsored By: Minnesota Lottery (mnlottery.com/)   Sponsored By: UNRL (unrl.com/)   Sponsorship inquiries: aleclewis54@gmail.com 

The Great Debate Series: Who is the greatest College Football transfer? I A Texas Trent Tank in the Twin Cities excites fellow mustached man Manny I Can the Fighting Irish kiss a playoff berth goodbye?

Mayors from up and down the Mississippi River are gathering in the Twin Cities this week for their annual conference. The event, organized by the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, brings together local leaders from 107 cities across 10 states that border the river.It marks the first time these mayors have met in person since federal funding cuts reduced support for disaster mitigation and assessment, which are tools many river communities rely on as they face more frequent flooding, drought and other climate-related threats.Colin Wellenkamp, the executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, and Red Wing Mayor Gary Iocco joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what's on the agenda for mayors who lead cities along the Mississippi River corridor.

"I belong to my lover, and my lover belongs to me; he feeds among the lilies."~ Song of Solomon 6:3Why isn't my sex life going the way I hoped it would?How do I talk to my spouse about sex after we've gotten into ruts?Is it possible to have more sex and better sex in our marriage?In Episode 82 of This Whole Life, Kenna is joined by Vonda Tiede, LMFT and Daniel Merboth to kick off a powerful three-part series on “Holy Sex” in marriage. Together, they dig deep into the “good news” about sex from a faith-filled, psychologically-informed perspective. Through candid conversations, the trio explores the prevalent myths and cultural lies surrounding sex, the harms of "obligation sex", and the importance of mutuality, communication, and healing within intimacy. They highlight how a couple's sexual relationship reflects God's creative genius and the need for curiosity and grace—not shame or rigid expectations. With personal stories, practical insights, and a compassionate challenge for listeners to reimagine intimacy, this episode offers hope, encouragement, and a fresh perspective on cultivating joy and connection in marriage. Whether you're newly married, have been married for years, or want to better support holy marriages, this episode invites you to approach sexuality as a sacred gift of love.Vonda Tiede is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice in Minnesota. Vonda lives outside the Twin Cities of Minnesota with her husband, and together they have 6 children.Daniel Merboth is currently pursuing a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Daniel lives in Minnesota with his wife and two children.Episode 82 Show NotesChapters:0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards15:17: Falsehood about sex in marriage26:21: The consequences of "obligation sex"34:45: Moving from obligation sex to open communication45:17: It's not just about an orgasm1:01:50: Challenge By ChoiceReflection Questions:What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?When and how did you learn to communicate about sex? What were you taught about conversations involving sex?What falsehoods and obstacles keep spouses from being joyfully connected in their sex life?What "great news" about sex did you draw from this episode?How can you move toward greater connection and closeness in your emotional and sexual relationships with your spouse?Send us a text. We're excited to hear what's on your mind!Register for Figuring It Out: Real-Life Skills for Healthy Minds, Relationships, and Habits, a live, online course for anyone who's ready to thriveSupport the showThank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters! Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.Follow us on Instagram & FacebookInterested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for IntegrationMusic: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, host Mark Williams chats with Jen Veralle and Sarah Whicher about the behind-the-scenes journey of launching the AIA Minnesota Homes by Architects tour, now celebrating its 18th year. They dive into how the tour started, what makes it unique, the challenges and successes they've experienced along the way, and how the event has fostered community, education, and a love for residential architecture. With stories from the early days, insights about building a successful home tour, and a look at how the tour continues to evolve, this episode is an inspiring peek into the power of collaboration and creativity in the architecture community. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode:  Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/  Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/ Adaptive  Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev  Where to find the Guest:  Website: https://www.homesbyarchitects.org/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homesbyarchitectstour/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hbatour Jen Veralle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenveralle/ Sara Whicher's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiselarchitecture/ Where to find the Host:  Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/  Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/  Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc