Episode 117

• What is Fierce Freedom?
• Human trafficking vs sexual assault
• Trafficking in the Chippewa Valley
• What one can do to help

Guest: Jenny Almquist, Executive Director of Fierce Freedom
Beer Enjoyed: Paulaner Oktoberfest

Episode 116

• Inspiration for Reboot Social
• Sourcing materials for an arcade bar in a pandemic
• Blazing One’s own trail in a family run business
• Advice to folks looking to buy a car today

Guest: Charlee Markquart, co-owner Reboot Social
Beer Enjoyed: Moon Man, New Glarus Brewing Company

Episode 115

• How students and staff have bounced back from COVID
• Will 2022-23 be a ‘normal’ school year?
• Managing a growing student population
• Transitioning to the Middle Border Conference

Guest: Dr. Heidi Eliopoulos, Superintendent Altoona Public Schools
Beer Enjoyed: Mango Farm Hazy IPA, Coronado Brewing Company CA

Episode 114

• The role of Congressional staffers
• How the work of Congressional staffs differs from Congressional committees
• Effective ways to connect with your member of Congress
• Living in DC vs living in the Chippewa Valley
• How your member can assist you and your family when you visit DC

Guest: Jeanne Kuehl, U.S. Congressional Staffer
Beer Enjoyed: Spencer Monk’s Reserve Ale

Episode 113

• What qualifies as a veterinarian emergency?
• Relationship with traditional vet clinics
• Caring for a pet owner as well as their pet
• Procedures developed for humans now available to animals

Guest: Dr. Kara Nelson, Founder of Allied Emergency Vet Services

Episode 112

• How EAU came to be an Essential Service Airport and what that means
• The Sun Country’s proposed service schedule to EAU
• The challenges of servicing larger aircraft
• How buses may play a role in offering ticketing and screening passenger in route to MSP.

Guest: Charity Zich, Director Chippewa Valley Regional Airport
Beverage Enjoyed: Blu, by Grainbelt

Episode 111

• Is the Chippewa Valley attractive to young adults as a place to live?
• How the Chippewa Valley compares with larger communities for livability
• What the area lacks for young adults
• Favorite places to meet people

Guest: Sidney Gullickson and Mike Farrow
Beverage Enjoyed: Saison DuPont, Tourpes Belgium (Mike and Jerry), bottled water (Sidney)

Episode 110

• The history of John’s Auto Parts
• How the auto part business has changed in the past 50 years
• Services folks can perform on their own cars
• Electric vehicles

Guest: John Pederson, Owner of John’s Auto Parts
Beer Enjoyed: Leinie’s Honey Weiss

Episode 109

• Things that make the JAM experience unique
• What goes into putting on a music festival
• Signing talent for JAM
• Purchase of property for JAM relocation / expansion

Guest: Kathy wright, General Manager Country JAM USA
Beer Enjoyed: Sam Adams Summer Ale

Episode 108

• Updates on Downtown Projects
• Annexations to the City of Eau Claire
• Biggest Challenges facing Eau Claire in the next 5 years
• Impact of reduced air service to area growth

Guest: Aaron White, Economic Development Manager, City of Eau Claire

Episode 107

• Completion of River Prairie
• Working with Mayor Brendan Pratt
• City water restrictions
• Redeveloping ‘downtown’ Altoona
• Containers Up Project

Guest: Mike Golat, Altoona city Administrator
Beer Enjoyed: Palm Ale, Belgium

Episode 106

• Inflation, its cause and impact
• Stock Market and Bond Market Retreat
• Teaching Economic History to Students
• Interest in Economics as a Field of Study

Guest: Dr. Wayne Carroll, Professor of Economics UWEC
Beer Enjoyed: Three Philosophers, Ommegang Brewery Cooperstown, NY

Episode 105

• The goal with Pablo Group’s development projects
• Features tenants of downtown housing projects are looking for
• Is downtown Eau Claire reaching a housing saturation point?
• Managing the challenges of a tight labor market, sluggish supply chain, and rapidly raising costs

Guest: Jenny Fesenmaier, Director of Research and Development Pablo Group
Beer Enjoyed: Kwak, Belgian Ale

Episode 104

• A child’s interest in weather
• Moving around the country
• Preparing for extreme weather
• Climate change

Guest: Mike Dandrea, WEAU Meteorologist
Beer Enjoyed: Moonridge Brown Ale, Moon ridge Brewing Cornell, WI

Episode 103

• Why buy a baseball team?
• What changes (if any) should fans expect from your ownership of the Express?
• Carson Park improvements
• Balancing team ownership with operating a car dealership

Guest: Craig Toycen, Owner of the Eau Claire Express
Beer Enjoyed: The Farmer’s Daughter, Lucette Brewing Company

Episode 102

• Challenges of being an entrepreneur at a young age
• The role of family in a small business
• Impact of the army in forming Tommy
• Advice to others considering opening a small business

Guest: Thomas Rocque, Founder and CEO Rocque Ridge Guides and Outfitters, Lake Holcombe, WI
Beer Enjoyed: Badger Porter, Sand Creek Brewery Black River Falls, WI

Episode 101

• The differences between banks and credit unions
• Consolidation in the financial services industry
• Growing a career from an entry level employee to CEO
• Maintaining strong ties to the Chippewa Valley as RCU expands

Guest: Brandon Riechers, President and CEO of Royal Credit Union
Beer Enjoyed: Leinenkugel’s Northwoods Amber

Episode 100

• How top musicians are drawn to UWEC (Quentin’s personal story)
• Why UWEC is so success in teaching musicians to work past graduation
• The role of Robert Baca in the UWEC Jazz program
• The start and evolution of the Eau Claire Jazz Festival

Guest: Quentin Volk, Executive Director Eau Claire Jazz, Inc.
Beer Enjoyed: Anti-Resin Hazy IPA, Six Point Brewery, Brooklyn NY.

Episode 99

• Review of time as Alice in Dairyland
• Challenges of being Alice during COVID
• Future of the role of “Alice in Dairyland”
• Future plans of Julia

Guest: Julia Nunes, Alice in Dairyland
Beer Enjoyed: Non-Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Episode 98

• The role of the Foundation and Blugold Real Estate
• Expanding the footprint of UWEC beyond its traditional campus
• Major project reviews: Priory, Haymarket, Pablo, Sonnentag Complex, Simpson Field

Guest: Kimera Way, President UW Eau Claire Foundation
Beer Enjoyed: Spotted Cow, New Glarus Brewery

Episode 97

• What does a chamber of commerce do?
• What unique role does Chippewa Falls play in the Chippewa Valley?
• How has the city of Chippewa Falls changed in the past 25 years?
• Thoughts on the future of the community.

Guest: Mike Jordan, Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce President
Beer Enjoyed: Smithwick’s, Irish Red Ale

Episode 96

• Brewing your own beer
• How inflation is impacting the asphalt industry
• Need for self-sufficiently and product diversification
• The role of the Bank’s Board of Directors
• The role of the Chairman of the Board

Guest: Darrin Senn, Owner and CEO of Senn Blacktop and Northwestern Bank Board Chair
Beer Enjoyed: Snow Bank Hefeweizen – Jerry Kuehl’s home brew and Goose Island Bourbon Country Brand Classic Cola Stout

Episode 95

• Preparing your own taxes vs hiring a bookkeeper, an independent CPA, or a large firm
• Tax issues resulting from COVID
• Hiring folks to work in the Chippewa Valley
• Surviving the brutal tax season
• Changes to the CPA profession over time

Guest: Traci Hollister, CPA Partner Wipfli LLP
Beer Enjoyed: Lindeman Lambic

Episode 94

• Challenges of building a new home today
• Most popular housing choices
• Finding land for development
• Building materials and quality vs 30 years ago
• Advice for those looking to build

Guest: Adam Ashley, Owner Ashley Constructi
Guest Host: Greg Misfeldt
Beer Enjoyed: Bundaberg Ginger Beer

Episode 93

• Changing business of college athletics
• NCAA and its role with UWEC athletics
• New facilities
• Success of Blugold woman’s athletics

Guest: Dan Schumacher, Director of Athletics UWEC
Beer Enjoyed: Leinenkugel’s Sunshine Light Beer

Episode 92

• The Impact of COVID on the travel industry
• How a travel agent can help you navigate travel issues including COVID
• Current popular domestic and International travel destinations
• Travel outlook post-COVID

Guest: Denise Petricka, President of Higgins Travel Leaders
Beer Enjoyed: Sol Beer of Mexico

Episode 91

• Adding the Ken Vance dealerships to the Chippewa Valley Mazda’s umbrella
• The supply chain issues impact on the auto industry
• Transition to electric vehicles
• How COVID has changed the car buying experience

Guest: Jamie Leibrandt (guest host), SVP & Senior Lender NB & Bill Bertrand, President Chippewa Valley Mazda
Beer Enjoyed: Wolfe’s Neck IPA, Maine Beer Co.

Episode 90

• State of Northwestern Bank
• Why has NB remained independent?
• Biggest challenges facing community banks
• Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank
• 2022 Chippewa Valley Economic Forecast

Guest: Jerry Jacobson, President & CEO of Northwestern Bank
Beer Enjoyed: Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss & Toasted Bock

Episode 89

• What makes UWEC such a great environment for music students?
• How do you teach jazz?
• What is it like touring with a name orchestra?
• Do you have more fun performing or teaching?

Guest: Robert Becca, Professor of music and Director of Jazz Studies UWEC
Beer Enjoyed: Shugga, LaGunitas Brewing

Episode 88

• Has COVID had an impact on obesity?
• What works to prevent obesity?
• How does Wisconsin or the Chippewa Valley compare to the rest of the nation in Obesity statistics?
• Is there hope?

Guest: Dr. William Klish, Child Obesity Expert
Beer Enjoyed: Guinness Draught Stout

Episode 87

• What are Visit Eau Claire's target market?
• Eau Claire tourism success during COVID
• The impact of the Sonnentaq Center
• How does Visit Eau Claire market?

Guest: Benny Anderson, Executive Director of Visit Eau Claire
Beer Enjoyed: Lazy Hazy Ale, Lazy Monk Brewing

Episode 86

• What is Valley Sports Academy?
• How will VSA impact local youth athletes?
• The impact of VSAon the Chippewa Valley

Guest: Brian Seubert and Chase Hoople, Valley Sports Academy
Beer Enjoyed: Goose Island, Bourbon Country Brand Stout

Episode 85

• Navigation of COVID on campus
• Staffing challenges
• New building updates
• Future issues for UW-Eau Claire

Guest: UWEC Chancellor Jim Schmidt
Beer Enjoyed: Gunpowder IPA, The Brewing Projekt

Episode 84

• Transitioning from corporate employee to small business owner
• Operating a small business under COVID restrictions
• Balancing work and family
• Celebrating the Chippewa Valley as a great place to work and live

Guest: Adam Condit, Owner Blue Ox Running
Guest Host: Tracey Smiskey, NB Eau Claire Market President
Beer Enjoyed: Leinenkugel Chocolate Dunkel

Episode 83

• An Artistic Renaissance Man
• Working as both a rural farmer and a sophisticated media personality
• Would you even consider living anywhere other than Wisconsin?
• Thoughts on the role of internet influencers

Guest: Michael Perry, NY Times Bestselling Author, Humorist, Singer/Songwriter, and Intermittent Pig Farmer
Beer Enjoyed: Nanny State NA Happy Ale, Brewdog Winchester, OH

Episode 82

• Comparing technical school education in Florida vs Wisconsin
• Difficulty in finding students with a shrinking graduation pool and booming employment market
• Most popular programs at CVTC
• What is great about the Chippewa Valley and what is missed about Florida

Guest: Dr. Sunem Beaton-Garcia, President Chippewa Valley Technical College
Beer Enjoyed: Spotted Cow, New Glarus Brewing Company

Episode 81

• What is the role of the Chamber of Commerce?
• How has COVID changed the way the Chamber conducts business?
• Keeping the Chamber politically neutral.
• Health of small businesses in the Chippewa Valley

Guest: Dave Minor, President, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce
Beer Enjoyed: Belhaven Black Scottish Stout

Episode 80

• Covid Update
• Impact of COVID delays on educational progress
• Stress of a growing student population
• Parent/School Board interaction
• School as a social service provider

Guest: Heidi Eliopoulus, Superintendent, Altoona Public Schools
Beer Enjoyed: Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest Marzen

Episode 79

• What does the Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest celebrate?
• What is the role of the Festmeister and Festmeistern?
• How do you mix traditional German tastes with local tastes?
• What is the future of the festival?

Guest: Tasha Weiss, Programs Director for the CF Area Chamber of Commerce
Beer Enjoyed: Glutenberg Blonde (Gluten-Free Beer), Glenberg Brewery Montreal Canada

Episode 78

• Project recap for Downtown Eau Claire
• Status Update on the Cannery District
• Managing the Community's Growth
• Directing the City in the Absence of a City Manager

Guest: Aaron White, Economic Development Manager, City of Eau Claire
Beer Enjoyed: Inner Sanctum, Potosi Brewing Company

Episode 77

• The story behind the Pablo's ability to stay solvent during COVID
• How has COVID changed the live performance industry
• Who determines the safety precautions for each show?
• What is the status of the local arts community outside of the Pablo?

Guest: Jason Jon Anderson, Executive Director Pablo Center
Beer Enjoyed: HackerPschorr Oktoberfest

Episode 76

• What is the role of the County's Public Health Director?
• What authority does the Health Department have and where does this authority come from?
• How do you speak about COVID with your family?
• What are health issues beyond COVID?

Guest: Angela Weideman, Chippewa County Health Director
Beer Enjoyed: Paulaner Hefeweizen

Episode 75

• Current City Projects
• Growth of the Chippewa Valley as a Region
• Finding workers for the Chippewa Valley

Guest: Brad Hentschel, City Planner - City of Chippewa Falls
Beer Enjoyed: La Trappe Quadrupel

Episode 74

• How to balance starting a business with small children at home
• Developing educational toys
• Starting a business in the Chippewa Valley
• Best Toy in the World!

Guest: Tomi Stoyanova, Owner of ToyVentive
Beer Enjoyed: Danrak Virgin

Episode 73

• What does WIN Technology do?
• COVID's Impact on web traffic?
• How has Perigon assisted non-for-profits and school?
• Where are internet speeds going?
• How is WIN helping it's clients to limit hacking and other web intrusions?

Guest: Scott Hoffman, CEO of WIN Technology
Beer Enjoyed: Houblon Chouffe, Belgian IPA

Episode 72

• What are the primary factors in a home's valuation?
• What type of home improvements generates the most value from an appraisal perspective?
• Is it getting difficult to find comparable sales to support today's sales prices?
• Is the quality of new construction changing over time?

Guest: Todd Meinen, Real Estate Appraiser
Beer Enjoyed: Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

Episode 71

• What makes the fair a 'State' fair?
• Improvements to the fairgrounds
• Selecting food vendors
• Scheduling challenges
• Future of the fair

Guest: Rusty Volk & Chuck Frenette, Northern Wisconsin State Fair
Beer Enjoyed: Belhaven Scottis Ale, Belhaven

Episode 70

• What is Kubb?
• What was the inspiration behind creating the US National Kubb Championship?
• The Tournament format
• Spectator Insights

Guest: Eric Anderson, Director US National Kubb Championships
Beer Enjoyed: Things We Don't Say Haza IPA, The Brewing Projekt

Episode 69

• How do you plan for future transportation needs?
• Significant proposed projects in the Chippewa Valley
• How are projects proposed and ranked
• Transportation needs and planning beyond the automobile

Guest: Eric Anderson, Senior Planner at West Center WI Regional Planning
Beer Enjoyed: Things We Don't Say Hazy IPA, The Brewing Projekt

Episode 68

• Growing up in Chippewa Falls
• What makes Chippewa special?
• Vietnam Era vs Today
• How did Cray Computer Change Chippewa?
• What do you see as the future of the Chippewa Valley?

Guest: Jerry Jacobson, President Northwestern Bank and Jake Leinenkugel, Sultan of Suds
Beer Enjoyed: Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss




Episode 67

• River Prairie Update
• Growth Beyond River Prairie
• Residential Developments
• Population Growth
• Annexation
• Old Altoona vs New Altoona

Guest: Mayor Brendan Pratt, City of Altoona
Beer Enjoyed: Modicum Original, Modicum Brewing Co. Altoona, WI

Episode 66

• Becoming a Doctor
• Practice size opportunities and challenges
• Genesis of ReforMedicine
• Making healthcare affordable

Guest: Dr. David Usher, ReforMedicine Direct Pay Family Medicine Clinic
Beer Enjoyed: Hacker Pschorr Weisse Beer

Episode 65

• History of Northern Cross Arm
• COVID and the lumber industry
• Working with your spouse
• Advice to young business owners

Guest: Pat & Joy Bischel, Northern Cros Arm Company
Beer Enjoyed: Prague, Premium Pils from the Czech Republic

Episode 64

• When did the current housing boom start?
• How many homes are currently available to buy in the Chippewa Valley?
• What home improvements are most folks looking for?
• Trends for the housing market in the future.

Guest: Scott Wolfe, Century 21 Real Estate
Beer Enjoyed: Gunpowder IPA, The Brewing Projekt

Episode 63

• How does Chiropractic Medicine differ from traditional medicine?
• Practicing in your hometown
• Partnership with the Chippewa Falls Area Public School
• Your role in the greater Chiropractic community

Guest: Dr. Lona Cook, Cook Chiropractic Center
Beer Enjoyed: Scotch Ale, Great Dane Brewing




Episode 62

• Who is Alice in Dairyland?
• What is the most fun thing about being Alice?
• How COVID has impacted your Alice experience
• Relevancy of Alice in the future

Guest: Julia Nunes, Alice in Dairyland
Beer Enjoyed: Wollersheim Sparkling Grape Juice and Badger Porter, Sand Creek Brewing




Episode 61

• Surviving COVID as a music venue
• Greatest shows
• Current state of the live music industry
• Off-season for the Fest
• Passion for cancer awareness

Guest: Wade Asher, Chippewa Valley Music Festivals - Countryfest and Rockfest
Guest Host: Jamie Leibrandt, Northwestern Bank
Beer Enjoyed: Michelob Golden Light

Episode 60

• Transition from Television to Business Owner
• Working with your spouse
• Owning a business while raising a family
• Break-Through Coaching

Guest: Sarah Stokes, Stokes | Herzog Marketing & Consulting
Beer Enjoyed: Cosmopolitan

Episode 59

• Reporting on your hometown
• Being a local celebrity
• Changes in the news industry
• Changes in the Chippewa Valley

Guest: Judy Clark, WEAU TV - 13
Beer Enjoyed: American Saison, Boulevard Brewing Tank 7

Episode 58

• Covid Impact of Local Travel
• The CV Regional Airport Experience
• Other Airport Services
• How airport usage increases potential service

Guest: Charity Zich, CV Regional Airport Manager
Beer Enjoyed: Leine's Summer Shandy

Episode 57

• History of Larson Construction
• Building Bridges in Wisconsin
• Moving back from Boston
• How family considerations can change careers

Guest: Megan and Tim MacLaughlin-Barck, Larson Construction
Beer Enjoyed: Pauwel Kwak

Episode 56

• Farming in 2021 The Work Day in a Modern Farm
• Technology on the Farm
• The next generation; is there a future in farming?
• Favorite Farm Toys

Guest: Jake Rooney & Stacie Zeman, Rooney Farms
Beer Enjoyed: Guinness Draught Stout

Episode 55

• The Inspiration of the Bridge Lighting Project
• Finding Time for Community Projects
• Strength of Rotary and Service Clubs

Guest: Pat Thoney, Phoenix Park/Rotary Bridge Lighting Project
Beer Enjoyed: Leffe Belgian Ale (Blonde)

Episode 54

• What does Audio Architects do?
• Evolution of Hardware to Digital
• Computers are the center of everything
• Favorite projects

Guest: Andy Pierson, Darin Wagner, Nancy Carlson - Audio Architects
Beer Enjoyed: Founder KB5, Barrel Aged Stout

Episode 53

• What is functional medicine?
• Transitioning to a Private Practice
• How has COVID impacted your practice?
• Easy things we all can do to feel better and be healthier

Guest: Dr. Kristie Gering, Owner of Spero Wellness Clinic
Beer Enjoyed: St Bernardus Abt 12, Belgian Abbey Ale & New Grist (Gluten Free), Lakefront Brewery Milwaukee

Episode Fifty Two

• The Launch of 'Baby Think It Over'
• The evolution of RealityWorks
• Where do you get your product ideas?
• Passion for Employee Stock Ownership Plans

Guest: Tim Boettcher, President, Realityworks & Mary Boettcher, CFO & VP of Finance, Realityworks
Beer Enjoyed: Delirium Tremens Golden Ale

Episode Fifty One

• The onset of COVID on the lodging industry
• Keeping guests safe
• Outlook for 2021

Guest: Erin Lorberter, General Manager, Country Inn & Suites of Chippewa Falls
Beer Enjoyed: Blue Moon Light Sky and Mudpuppy Porter, Central Waters Brewing

Episode Fifty

• What is Colab?
• Who is a typical Colab client?
• Is Eau Claire a good place to start a business?

Guest: Elaine Coughlin, Community Manager at Colab
Beer Enjoyed: Sprecher Root Beer & Abbey Triple

Episode Forty Nine

• Review of banking industry in 2020
• The Fed, what is it?
• Jerry Jacobson's role on the Minneapolis Fed
• Post COVID changes in banking
• Why do you love Ozzy and his band?

Guest: Jerry Jacobson, President Northwestern Bank
Beer Enjoyed: Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss, and Goose Island Bourbon Country Brand Stout

Episode Forty Eight

• The Evolution of Rock & Tait
• Keeping crew safe during COVID
• Building relationships with customers
• Branding Rock & Tait

Guest: Kane Rockow, Rock and Tait Exteriors
Beer Enjoyed: Duvel, Belgian Golden Ale

Episode Forty Seven

• What is the Chippewa Valley Clinic
• The role of the clinic within the community
• Tailgate Party Fundraiser sponsored by Banker with a Beer

Guest: Maribeth Woodford, Executive Director, Chippewa Valley Clinic
Beer Enjoyed: Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss

Episode Forty Six

• Officiating, the Highs and Lows
• Irvine Park Christmas Village
• Erickson Park Expansion
• New Park Projects

Guest: Dick Hebert - Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director
Beer Enjoyed: Rush River Amber Ale, Oddbell Kolsch, Mobcraft Brewing, Leinenkugels, Northwoods Lager

Episode Forty Five

• Transitioning from an attorney to a school administrator
• Operating a school during COVID
• Viability of Catholic Schools going forward

Guest: Molly Bushman, President - McDonell Area Catholic Schools
Beer Enjoyed: Chimay Grande Reserve

Episode Forty Four

• Huffcut Growth & Expansion
• Common Threads in Operating Multiple Businesses
• Valley Sports Academy

Guest: Brian Seubert, Owner of Huffcut Concrete, Lake Wissota Golf and other businesses
Beer Enjoyed: Chocolate Bunny, Rhinelander Brewing Co. and Hopalicious, Ale Asylum, Madison, WI

Episode Forty Three

• What Makes a car collectable?
• What to look for when purchasing a collectable vehicle.
• What’s more fun, buying a new collectable vehicle or selling one you already own?

Guest: John Zmuda, retired business owner & automobile collector
Beer Enjoyed: Zywiec – Poland’s Premium Beer

Episode Forty Two

• Gluten Free Beers
• Keeping a business culture consistent in multiple locations
• Cyber Insurance
• Covid Coverage/Business Interruption Insurance

Guests: Darrel Zaleski, Owner of Spectrum I