Kim Insley, Lynn Melling and Julie Bartkey interview guests full of interesting perspectives and sage advice.
As we round the corner on our second full year of navigating the COVID pandemic, the workforce is transforming before our very eyes. For this episode, we turn to an expert in the world of human resources, who - before the Great Resignation was even a thing - wrote a book called, “Fire Yourself”, which aims to inspire professionals to reignite their careers and live their lives with intention.
She is Lisa Brezonik, CEO of Salo - a talent firm based in Minneapolis. You can find her on LinkedIn.
Liz Heinecke is the author of numerous kids’ books as The Kitchen Pantry Scientist. She talks about the need to highlight women in science, how to make science interesting for kids - and the amazing things Marie Curie accomplished (often in the shadow of her husband).
You can find Liz on her website and Facebook at @KitchenPantryScientist.
In this episode, we’re talking about the workplace - how it’s changed since the start of the COVID pandemic, and how employers are having to navigate this new landscape, including what is now famously known as the Great Resignation.
Our guest is Lisa Hannum - founder and CEO of Beehive Strategic Communication - an agency in the Twin Cities.
A tragic accident as a teenager left her paralyzed. Tasha Schuh didn’t think she could go on. But by putting one foot in front of the other, she redefined her life and embodied what it means to be resilient. She now serves as a motivational speaker for schools and is passionate about helping teenagers overcome a mental health crisis facing our nation’s youth. She’s an author, a singer and songwriter.
Find her on her website, Instagram at @tashaschuh and Facebook at @tashaschuh99.
Television journalist Karla Hult adored her dad. When he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, she was forced to start a journey no family wants to embark upon. More than a decade later, she created an organization to help others starting down that path, sharing knowledge and experience from hard life lessons learned. We talk with her about So Many Goodbyes.
You can connect with Karla on Twitter @karlahult.
Lake Superior is one of our favorite places. Dr. Cody Sheik spends his days studying it. A microbiologist at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Large Lakes Observatory, he talks about the changes he is witnessing in the water, why it matters and what we can do about it.
He is also featured in the 515 Productions documentary film Freshwater (produced and directed by Lynn and hubby Ian), which will premiere on February 19th in Duluth. You can buy tickets here.
Kim, Julie and Lynn kick off 2022 and a new season of the podcast. They talk about evolving and growing over the past two pivotal years. From major life changes, to working remotely and finding balance. A huge thank you to our listeners for joining us on this unpredictable and unforgettable journey.
We like to laugh.
Business leader, entrepreneur and coach Claire Powell talks about building radiance from the inside out. After serving as CEO of heritage brand JW Hulme and other top executive stints, Claire decided to take a leap of faith and buy her own company, Bella Virtu Organics, an organic skincare line. And it all happened at the height of the pandemic. Why she did it, how she stuck with it and the key to building resilience along the way.
From Minneapolis to Hudson Bay, by canoe, Natalie Warren shares the story of retracing the route made famous by Eric Sevareid in his 1935 classic “Canoeing with the Cree”. Warren and her co-pilot Ann Raiho faced unexpected trials, some harrowing, some simply odd. And then Natalie wrote a book about it, called “Hudson Bay Bound”. Learn more at Natalie-Warren.com.
Shannon Watson is a long-time community builder and government liaison. She’s currently the VP of Public Affairs for the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. She also recently founded Majority in the Middle, a non-profit seeking a better way to restore civility in government. We talk about her vision, some tactics to achieve it and why she isn’t jaded after all these years.
Full disclosure: After our interview, Kim accepted a seat on the non-profit’s inaugural Board of Directors.
Rose McGee, founder of Sweet Potato Comfort Pie, joins us for a powerful conversation about racial injustice and healing the damage caused by race-based trauma. Her organization is focused on elevating marginalized voices and experiences. She shares how the sacred dessert, sweet potato pie, links us to history, soothes spirits and renews community.
Rose McGee, founder of Sweet Potato Comfort Pie
We are now one full year into the COVID-19 pandemic. One full year of having our worlds turned upside-down. The ramifications of the pandemic will be felt for years to come, and it will impact our lives in ways that we don’t even currently understand. We wanted to explore this idea, specifically as it relates to our mental health. This episode’s guest is an expert on the topic. Dr. Craig Sawchuk is a clinical psychologist at Mayo Clinic with a focus on improving the treatment of anxiety and depression in primary care. He shares his observations, makes it ok to feel not ok and offers helpful advice on navigating these uncharted waters.
Craig Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P.
Brian McDaniel, co-host of the popular and relevant podcast Wrong About Everything, joins us for a conversation about the current political landscape and where we go from here. A lobbyist, legislative staffer, attorney, republican and stand-up comedian, Brian shares his thoughts on the election and the months that have followed. He also talks about the ghost living in his house. For realz.
Brian McDaniel
One year after the world went into lockdown, the ladies reflect on what’s changed - and what hasn’t - over the past 12 months. (Note: recorded one week before the 4/20/21 Chauvin verdict.)
One year ago, the world was going into lockdown. Here’s what we were talking at the beginning of the pandemic. Podcast first published in June 2020.
You know him as the Savvy Traveler - Travel journalist Rudy Maxa has been showing us the world through his travel series “Rudy Maxa’s World" for 25 years. The ladies find out his top travel tips, secret best places to go, and get the story behind the story that jump-started Rudy's journalism career at the Washington Post more than 40 years ago.
The ladies are back at the Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis this week, keeping it light on the rooftop with some yummy, and very grown-up non-alcoholic drinks. Join the Hewing’s Rosey Amor to talk about the sober curious trend. We’ll also talk with Kari Gloppen, research scientist with the Minnesota Department of Health about warning signs you might be drinking too much, and also the complicated relationship with have with alcohol. (Program note: Episode was recorded prior to COVID-19-related closures and social distancing guidelines.)
In this week’s podcast, the ladies interview legendary Twin Cities journalist Bill Hudson of WCCO-TV. Bill shares his thoughts on his 40-year career in journalism, starting with an internship at WCCO. Find out how Bill believes journalism (and we) have changed in 40 years, plus, his thoughts on “fake news” and how you should be looking at the news you consume. Quick note: this was recorded in early March, before COVID closures, in front of a live audience at the Hewing Hotel.
Turner Berg is a creative who has forged a career in academia, as well as the arts. His non-profit, Massive Amounts of Good, connects the talents of artists with the needs of other non-profit organizations, often by creating charitable events that allow those organizations to grow. In this podcast, recorded as the pandemic was forcing people to shelter at home, Turner shared the challenges both artists and charitable organizations are facing in 2020.
Yia Vang came to his profession reluctantly, but he’s undeniably a superstar in the making. His Union Hmong Kitchen draws raves, and he’s earned a spotlight in Bon Appetit. For Vang, cooking is his way of honoring his parents’ story - and sharing the Hmong culture. Listen in for a fascinating conversation about food, passion, and what resilience really means.
