Episode 206

• The passion for pizza
• The road to opening Leona’s
• Impact of social media
• Staying resilient
• Opening plans

Guest: Jacob and Brittany Paulsrud, Owners of Covizza / Leona’s Pizza
Beverage Enjoyed: Wit’s Peak, Athletic Brewing

Episode 205

• Were the results of the recent elections a surprise?
• Pre-election polling
• Voting by economic class
• Partisanship of national media
• Impact of WI redistricting

Guest: John Frank, Political Analyst for WEAU
Beverage Enjoyed: La Croix sparkling water

Episode 204

• Types of entertainment Western WI enjoys
• Competing with other local venues and events
• Eau Claire’s selling / short comings with artists
• Last minute ticket buyers

Guest: Kathy Wright, Talent Buyer for the Pablo Center
Beverage Enjoyed: Three Philosophers, Quad Ale. Cooperstown NY

Episode 203

• Connecting UWEC with the community
• Why Eau Claire has blossomed into a music hub
• Reasons students choose UWEC for its music program
• AI and the viability of live music
• Jazz student internship program

Guest: Quentin Volk, Executive Director Eau Claire Jazz, Inc.
Beverage Enjoyed: Houblon Chouffe, Belgium IPA

Episode 202

• Functional Medicine
• Time spent with a Patient
• Medicating Children
• Physician Burnout

Guest: Dr. Laura Smith, Pediatrician with Spero Wellness Center
Beverage Enjoyed: Spindrift Sparkling Water

Episode 201

• Balancing Career with Family
• Working with Female Business Owners / Entrepreneurs
• Women in Leadership Roles
• Why Business Owners Look to NB for their Banking Needs

Guest: Lacey Logslett, VP of Business Banking at Northwestern Bank
Beverage Enjoyed: Stiegl Raspberry Radler, Salzburg Austria

Episode 200

• Return of United (Skyway) Airlines to EAU
• Maintaining Sun Country service to Fort Myers
• Need for regular, dependable flights both out of and into the Chippewa Valley
• Flight times and schedules

Guest: Charity Zich, Airport Director Chippewa Valley Regional Airport
Beverage Enjoyed: Schell’s Sangria, New Ulm Brewing MN

Episode 199

• Modicum Brewing Story
• Decision to Re-start Business
• Coffee Grounds Experience
• Future Plans

Guest: Eric Rykal, Owner of Modicum Brewery
Beverage Enjoyed: When I am King, Modicum Brewery

Episode 198

• Closing COVID Educational gaps
• AI in the Classroom
• Phones / Digital Screens
• Age Children Can Begin their Career Search

Guest: Dr. Heidi Eliopoulos, Superintendent Altoona Public Schools
Beverage Enjoyed: Voodoo Ranger, IPA New Belgium Brewing

Episode 197

• Trends in bank fraud Most frequent fraud where customers lose money
• Business fraud
• How folks can best protect themselves from fraud and identity theft
• How AI will both increase fraud and improve fraud decetion
• Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest 2024 

Guest: Andy Henning, AVP of Compliance at Northwestern Bank
Beverage Enjoyed: Paulaner Oktoberfest

Episode 196

• Completion of Construction In River Prairie Affordable Housing Efforts
• City Expansion / East Neighborhood Residential Development Downtown Container Park
• Update Water Availability Beverage

Guest: Mike Golat, City Administrator of Altoona
Beverage Enjoyed: Oktoberfest, Athletic Brewing

Episode 195

• The Sonnentag Center will change the entertainment options for Western WI
• How the Sonnentag Center complements existing sports / music venues
• What the guest experience will be
• Types of events to be offered
• Three-year goal for the Center

Guest: Wyatt Tinnen, General Manager of the new Sonnentag Event Center
Beverage Enjoyed: Driftless Glen Bourbon

Episode 194

• Improvements in Blacktop
• Substitutes for Oil in Blacktop
• Forecast for 2025 based on Projects out for Bid
• Why should Someone Bank with NB?
• Challenges the Bank Faces Staying Independent

Guest: Darrin Senn, Owner of Senn Blacktop and Northwestern Bank Chairman of the Board
Beverage Enjoyed: Goose Island Bourbon County Double Barrel

Episode 193

• What is AI?
• Issues with accessing AI in an office setting
• Opportunities that AI offers for productivity
• How AI usage is impacting WIN’s network

Guest: Scott Hoffman, CEO WIN Technologies
Beverage Enjoyed: Wolf, 3 Sheeps Brewing Company

Episode 192

• Jazz for a Cause
• Role of Open Door Clinic
• Impact on Clinic of HSHS Closure(s)
• Services Provided
• Eligibility Criteria

Guest: Barb Stevens, President of Open Door Clinic
Beverage Enjoyed: Curieux, Allagash Brewing Co. Portland Maine

Episode 191

• Updates on construction activity throughout the city
• Impact of the closing of St. Joseph’s hospital
• Plans for the Chippewa Falls public pool and Marshal Park
• Strength of Downtown
• City Comprehensive Plan Update

Guest: Brad Hentschel, City Planner for the City of Chippewa Falls
Beverage Enjoyed: Franziskaner Weissbier, Munich Germany

Episode 190

• Hoofbeat (formerly Country Fest)
• Force Fields, a new Electronic Dance Music Festival
• Farm Technology Days
• Improvements coming to the fest grounds
• Wade’s favorite fest memories

Guest: Wade Asher, Festival Promoter Chippewa Valley Music Festivals
Beverage Enjoyed: Busch Light

Episode 189

We discuss 7 mega trends that are impacting the Chippewa Valley:

• Population Growth
• Demography
• Urbanization
• Economic Shifts
• Digital Disruption
• Climate Change

Guest: Aaron White, Eau Claire’s Community Development Director
Beverage Enjoyed: Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale

Episode 188

• Using chiropractic procedures as an alternative to drug therapy
• Offering chiropractic care in public schools
• Treating children vs adults
• The role of parents in school-based treatments
• Tracking results

Guest: Dr. Amanda Blonigen, Co-Owner of On-site Chiropractic
Beverage Enjoyed: Strongbow Hard Gold Apple Cider

Episode 187

• The growth of Kwik Trip
• Providing healthy options in food deserts
• Corporate Culture
• Planning for EV’s

Guest: John McHugh, VP of External Relations for Kwik Trip, Inc.
Beverage Enjoyed: Kid Kolsch, New Glarus Brewing

Episode 186

• EV Range issues in cold weather
• Servicing EV
• Hidden costs of ownership
• Where electric vehicles make sense
• Mike’s role in Nemtec Racing

Guest: Mike Farrow, NB bankers and owner of Nemtec Tuning and Nemtec Racing
Beverage Enjoyed: Moon Man from New Glarus Brewing

Episode 185

• How Eau Claire is viewed by UWEC students
• Is Eau Claire a desirable location for students to live post-graduation?
• Are major metro areas still desirable for students starting careers?
• Housing Affordability
• The NB internship experience

Guest: Ashley Milletics, NB’s Marketing Intern
Beverage Enjoyed: Lindemans Framboise, Raspberry Lambic Beer

Episode 184

• How the sale of land to Walmart launched Gateway’s expansion on the NW side of Eau Claire
• The fading focus of job growth with economic development
• Value of ‘mega’ projects for the Chippewa Valley
• County T Expansion (Gateway Northwest)

Guest: Jeff Halloin, Attorney with Landmark Company and member of Gateway Industrial Park Corp.
Beverage Enjoyed: Leinenkugal’s Northwoods Amber

Episode 183

• Pairing beer with food
• West Coast craft brewing vs Midwest Craft brewing
• The 3rd and Vine experience
• What is special about Eau Claire

Guest: Jared Bilhorn, Owner of 3rd and Vine and Jerry Bauer, NB Director
Beverage Enjoyed: Giant Jone’s Dubbel Diest

Episode 182

• Managing the growth of Eau Claire
• Challenges facing the city
• Creating affordable housing, residential density
• Infrastructure “Wish List”
• Eau Claire 2045

Guest: David Solberg, Deputy Manager of the City of Eau Claire
Beverage Enjoyed: A&W Diet Cream Soda

Episode 181

• Maintaining customer loyalty and positive client experience with fewer staff
• Accounting Automation
• Keeping financial Data Secure
• Less about bookkeeping, more about data analytics
• Preparing your own taxes

Guest: Traci Hollister, CPA and Partner Wipfli, LLP
Beverage Enjoyed: Schofferhofer Grapefruit Wheat Beer

Episode 180

• Sun Country Results
• EAU’s status as an Essential Service airport
• Change in the travelers utilizing the airport
• Airport Construction Updates

Guest: Charity Zich, Airport Director Chippewa Valley Regional Airport
Beer Enjoyed: Leinie’s Summer Shandy

Episode 179

• How to Think about Health Care and its Financing
• Pivoting away from Employee Provided health Insurance
• Incentivizing Folks to Take Charge of their Own Health

Guest: Karen Hebert, Group Benefits Broker of Spectrum Benefits Solutions
Beer Enjoyed: Two Can Play at this Game, Tripping Animals Brewing, Doral, FL

Episode 178

• Operational Referendum
• Challenges of Socia Media
• Career Readiness
• Mental Health of Youth

Guest: Jeff Holm, Superintendent Chippewa Falls Unified School District
Beer Enjoyed: Sprecher Root Beer

Episode 177

• Moving from New Jersey (in a pandemic)
• An outsider’s view of the Chippewa Valley
• Why journalism?
• Relevancy of TV news in 2024

Guest: Leeann Stapleton, Morning News Anchor for WEAU
Beer Enjoyed: St. Hacker Pschorr Munich Gold

Episode 176

• The role trusts play in transferring wealth from one generation to the next
• Services offered by trust companies
• Supporting family members who are unable to support themselves
• End of Life Planning Issues

Guest: Jason Munz, Vice President of Trust Point
Beer Enjoyed: St. Fevillien Grand Cru

Episode 175

• 2023 Wisconsin Banker’s Association “Banker of the Year”
• Healthcare Task Force
• Economic Health of the Chippewa Valley
• Future of Community Banking

Guest: Jerry Jacobson, President and CEO of Northwestern Bank
Beer Enjoyed: Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss

Episode 174

• Coaching CEOs and Executives
• Stress in Leadership Positions
• Warning Signs of Stress
• Traits of a good CEO
• Suggestions for a healthy lifestyle for company leaders

Guest: Brent Hafele, CEO of Vibrancy Unlocked
Beer Enjoyed: Erdinger Dunkel, Erding Germany

Episode 173

• Current Information on the closing of Sacred Heart and St Joseph Hospitals
• History of the Hospital Sisters in the Chippewa Valley
• Likely impacts of the closures on the Chippewa Valley
• Benefits and Services being offered to existing patients and staff

Guest: Nick Berger, former Client Service Executive of HSHS (Hospital Sisters Health System)
Beer Enjoyed: Kwak Belgium Ale

Episode 172

• Trends in building construction
• Availability of materials and labor
• Working in the Chippewa Valley compared with the rest of the US
  Forecast for 2024

Guest: Peter Hoeft, Owner of Hoeft Construction
Beer Enjoyed: Montucky Cold Snack

Episode 171

• Trends in Chippewa Valley crime / security
• Effectiveness of security systems
• Monitoring a second home or your home when away
• Things everyone should do to protect their home / car

Guest: Chris Lokken Customer Service Manager, Tru Lock
Beer Enjoyed: Juneau Juice, Alaskan Brewing

Episode 170

• Types of products manufactured with a die
• Chippewa Valley position as epicenter of US die production
• Future improvements / trends

Guest: Doug Darrow, Owner of Allied Dies
Beer Enjoyed: Bundaberg Ginger Beer

Episode 169

• New school mascot
• Cyber Security Training Facility
• Record Enrollment
• Integration of programs with high schools and area universities
• Enhancing student extracurricular options

Guest: Dr. Sunem Beaton Garcia, President Chippewa Valley Technical College
Beer Enjoyed: Delirium Noel

Episode 168

• What is One Auto Group?
• Challenges / Benefits of selling vehicles of different manufactures.
• Role of a local dealership in the world of Tesla
• Are electric cars a good for the upper Midwest?
• Brands you would like to bring to the Chippewa Valley

Guest:Bill Bertrand, Co-Owner One Auto Group
Beer Enjoyed: Tweak, Avery Brewing Boulder CO

Episode 167

• The transition from CoLab to The Coven
• The role of entrepreneurship in the Pablo Group
• Colab’s place in the local entrepreneurial space
• Joining The Coven community

Guest: Elaine Coughlin, Director of Investment and Entrepreneurship, The Pablo Group
Beverage: Kul Mocks, NA Craft Mocktail

Episode 166

• Business Programs and services offered by Regional Planning
• What to prepare prior to meeting with WCWRP
• Favorite Start up Stories
• Advice for prospective entrepreneurs

Guest: Tobi Lemahiew, Fund Manager West Central WI Regional Planning
Beverage: Saranac Root Beer, Utica NY

Episode 165

• Turning your passion into your business
• Trends in youth sporting equipment
• Does spending more money for equipment yield better playing results?
• Will youth sports transition from school teams to club teams?
• The future of youth sports

Guest: Lance Gurney and Brian Stelle, Owners of Play It Again Sports
Beverage: Lazy Monk Scottish Ale

Episode 164

Chippewa Valley Growth:

• Opportunities and Challenges
• Retail
• Housing
• Transportation
• Career Opportunities

Guest:Tracey Smiskey, NB Eau Claire Area Market President
Beverage:Bourbon Barrel Stout, Central Waters Brewing Co. Amherst WI

Episode 163

• Status of elementary education post COVID
• Teaching students with learning gaps
• Falling ACT scores
• Advice for parents attempting to support their children academically

Guest: Dr. Heidi Eliopoulos, Superintendent Altoona School District
Beverage: Karmeliet Tripel, Belgium

Episode 162

• Role of Wisconsin Famers Union
• Kamp Kenwood
• Connecting consumers with the source of their food
• Development of Food Market in downtown Chippewa Falls
• Changing nature of farming

Guest: Jackie Boos, Facilities Director, Wisconsin Famers Union
Beverage: 3 Sheeps Pils (3 Sheeps Brewing Co - Sheyboygan) and Good City Pills (Milwaukee)

Episode 161

• Discussion on Mike’s new book ‘Forty Acres Deep”
• Prevalence of metal illness in the farming community
• Challenges / opportunities of self-publishing
• Wisconsin PBS Series:  ‘Michael Perry on the Road’
• Michael Perry and the Long Beds

Guest:  Michael Perry - Author, performer, musician, and occasional farmer
Beverage:  Guinness Non-Alcoholic Draught

Episode 160

• Project Updates
• Transit Center
• Block 7 (Menomonie Market Co Op & apartments)
• Cannery District
• Former Shopko Site
• Multi-family Housing
• Carson Park’s Future
• UWEC Projects

Guest: Aaron White, Community Development Director
Beer Enjoyed: Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock

Episode 159

• Development at Chippewa Crossings
• Wisconsin Farmer’s Union downtown market / relocation
• City expansion / industrial needs
• New battery factory
• State land transfer

Guest: Brad Hentschel, City of Chippewa Falls Planner
Beer Enjoyed: Paulaner Oktoberfest

Episode 158

• What is a food bank?
• Status of food security in western Wisconsin
• Newly expanded facility
• Volunteer status/opportunities

Guest: Suzanne Becker, Executive Director Feed My People Food Bank
Beer Enjoyed: Abita Amber Lager, Abita Brewing, Abita Springs, LA

Episode 157

• State of UWEC
• Value of a college education
• Impact of the new science building
• Sonnentag Center
• Simpson Field

Guest: Chancellor Jim Schmidt, UW Eau Claire
Beer Enjoyed: Gunpowder IPA The Brewing Projekt

Episode 156

• History of WWIB / WOG
• Operating a commercial Christian radio station
• Leaning into local
• Sports broadcasting
• Staying relevant

Guest: Greg and Sue Steward, Stewards of Sound WWIB / WOGO Radio
Beer Enjoyed: Fever Tree Ginger Beer

Episode 155

• The legacy of Olson's Ice Cream
• Working as a family team
• The Eau Claire location
• Culver's restaurants in Florida
• Advice to would be entrepreneurs

Guest: Dan and Jeremy Hunt, Olson's Ice Cream
Beer Enjoyed: Boddington's Pub ale, Manchester UK

Episode 154

• Transition from banking
• Relevancy of United Way
• Getting to root causes
• Identifying social needs and priorities
• Encouraging contributors and volunteers

Guest: Ryan Ludy, Executive Director United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley
Beer Enjoyed: Blood Orange Blonde, Brickfield Brewing Grantsburg, WI

Episode 153

• Evolution of Coffee Grounds
• Operating multiple businesses under one roof
• K-Point Brewery
• Keeping Coffee Grounds unique
• Future business plans

Guest: Eric Nelson, Owner of The Coffee Grounds
Beer Enjoyed: K Point Brewing Red Lager

Episode 152

• The history of Loopy's
• Developing the Loopy Dome
• Creating a venue out of the Chippewa River
• Giving back to the community
• Staying Relevant

Guest: Loopy (Bill Kleich), owner of Loopy's Grill and Saloon
Beer Enjoyed: Leinie's Summer Shandy

Episode 151

• Following Mike Jordan
• Retuning to Chamber work as the President
• New Chamber Initiatives
• Carving a unique space for Chippewa Falls in the Chippewa Valley

Guest: Eric Rygg, President Silver Springs Foods
Beer Enjoyed: Tangerine Space Machine Hazy IPA, New Holland Brewing Co.

Episode 150

• History of Huntsinger Farms
• Making horseradish, mustard, and sauces fun
• Keeping horseradish relevant for younger generations
• Hosting Farm Technology Days
• Future Plans

Guest: Eric Rygg, President Silver Springs Foods
Beer Enjoyed: Tangerine Space Machine Hazy IPA, New Holland Brewing Co.

Episode 149

• Role of the EC City Council President
• Proudest Accomplishment as city Council President
• Advice for governing in divisive times
• Best ways to get involved in city government
• Favorite Things / Places in Eau Claire

Guest: Kerry Kincaid, Leadership Scholar. Former EC City Council President
Beer Enjoyed: Trippel Belgian Style Ale, New Belgium Brewery

Episode 148

• Chippewa Valley commercial construction market
• Finding and maintaining workers
• Flooring supply chain
• Trends in commercial flooring
• Advice for new business owners

Guest: Jeff Stone, Co-Owner Swanson’s Flooring
Beer Enjoyed: DHacker Pschorr Weissbier, Munich Germany

Episode 147

• Impact of the pandemic on the growth of kubb
• U.S. Champion National Kubb Championship preparations
• Tips for spectators
• Where does kubb go from here?

Guest: Eric Anderson, Director US National Kubb Championship
Beer Enjoyed: Dare Mighty Things Hazy IPA, the Brewing Projekt

Episode 146

• Value in Working with a Marketing Firm
• Offices in San Francisco, New York, and Eau Claire. Why Eau Claire?
• Rediscovering the Chippewa Valley
• Growth Opportunities for the Community

Guest: Lee Caraher, President and CEO of Double Forte
Beer Enjoyed: Ending Machine Sour Ale, The Brewing Projekt

Episode 145

• Brewing Inspiration
• Differentiating Modicum from other Micro Breweries
• Path to Becoming an Entrepreneur
• Creating a Tasting Experience
• The Future of Craft Brewing

Guest:Eric Rykal, Owner/Brew Master Modicum Brewery
Beer Enjoyed:Modicum Original

Episode 144

• Safety of local financial institutions
• Competing in a tight labor market
• Matching employee life / work balance with customer’s service expectations
• Reaching out to Gen Z

Guest: Traci Holister, Partner and Financial Team Leader, Wipfli LLP
Beer Enjoyed:La Chouffe, Belgium Blond Ale

Episode 143

• History of Sand Mining in Wisconsin
• Protections put in place the help close the mines
• The ‘Gold Rush’ Days
• Current Sand Mining Status
• Legacy of Improved rail infrastructure

Guest: John Behling, President Weld Riley, S.C.
Beer Enjoyed: Tank 7 American Saison, Boulevard Brewing

Episode 142

• Homelessness statistics in Chippewa County
• The growth of housing insecurity
• Inspiration of Hope Village
• Tiny houses vs apartments
• First year results
• Future plans

Guest: Mike Cohoon, Executive Director Hope Village & Jessica Oleson Bue, Chippewa County Housing Authority
Beer Enjoyed: Reissdorf Kolsch Ale, Cologne German

Episode 141

• Cigan properties is more than Banbury Place
• History of Banbury Place Acquisition / Conversion
• Types of Businesses that operate out of the property
• On going building updates and tenant transitions

Guest: Jack and Max Kaiser, owners of Cigan Properties
Beer Enjoyed: Dupont Saison, Belgium

Episode 140

• What is podcasting?
• What makes a good podcast
• The importance of multiple revenue streams
• The importance of local media

Guest: Scott Montesano, Owner of Eau Claire Hometown Media and the Voice of the UWEC Blugolds
Beer Enjoyed: Le Chouffe, Belgian Blond

Episode 139

• How the Pablo Group encourages and supports start-up businesses
• Gauging the level of entrepreneurial activity in the Chippewa Valley