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
- The Chippewa Valley’s strengths as a business start-up community
- The impact of COVID on business start-up activity
- The impact of government support and tax policies
Guest: Elaine Coughlin, Director of Investments and Entrepreneurship at the Pablo Group
Beer Enjoyed: Sprecher orange and cream soda(s), Leinie’s Honey Weiss
Episode 138
- The evolution of office equipment
- Office of the future
- Digital storage vs Paper storage
- Coolest gadget in your office
- Pulse on the local economy
Guest: Dave Johnson, VP of Product Print and Strategic Accounts, EO Johnson Business Technologies
Beer Enjoyed: Smithwick’s Red Ale
Episode 137
- Current status of the Chippewa Valley housing market
- Need for a real estate agent despite tight home supply
- Selling your home yourself
- Impact of higher interest rates on demand / affordability
- Most desirable listings
- Home improvements that deliver the highest resale value
- Growth in the construction of apartments / twin homes
Guest: Scott Wolfe, Century 21 Metro Realty
Beer Enjoyed: Bell’s Robust Porter
Episode 136
- Crime in the Chippewa Valley
- Public’s attitude towards police
- Recruiting new officers
- Ways that citizens can protect themselves and assist law enforcement
- The value of home electronic surveillance equipment
Guest: Chief Matthew Kelm, Chippewa Falls Police Department
Beer Enjoyed: Conway’s Irish Ale, Great Lakes Brewing Co
Episode 135
- Inspiration to start Village.com website
- Identifying activity providers
- Scaling up website for other communities
- Screening of activity providers
- Offering grants / scholarships for participants
Guest: Noah Plewa, Owner and CEO of Village.com
Beer Enjoyed: Tank 7 American Saison, Boulevard Brewing Company
Episode 134
- Pablo Attendance post-COVID
- Acts which draw well
- Pricing acts for the Eau Claire market
- Securing acts
- Staffing issues
Guest: Jason Jon Anderson, Executive Director Pablo Center for the Arts
Beer Enjoyed: Rodenbach Grand Cru, Beligium
Episode 133
- Keys to achieving financial security
- Good habits to start in 2023
- Ways to keep couples on the same financial page
- Advice for weathering a recession
- Joining a Dave Ramsey financial program
Guest: Chris and Annalie Thies, Instructors for Dave Ramsey Financial Planning
Beer Enjoyed: Leinies Northwoods Lager and New Glarus Moon Man
Episode 132
- Significant personal or business tax changes for 2023
- Preparation you (as the filer) can do that your accountant would greatly appreciate
- When do you need a CPA vs a bookkeeper / tax preparer?
- Encouraging young people to enter the accounting profession
- Advice for improving your tax filing experience.
- Moving to another state for tax considerations
- Most misunderstood or underutilized deductions.
Guest: Craig Olsen, Principal Accountant, Clifton Larson Allen
Beer Enjoyed: Carolus Imperial Dark
Episode 131
- Top Events coming to the Chippewa Valley in 2023
- Has Eau Claire retained its status as a tourist draw post COVID?
- Planning for the opening of the Sonnentag Center
- Expanding Eau Claire’s role as a Midwest music destination
- Attractions that locals take for granted that tourists flock to
Guest: Benny Anderson, Executive Director Visit Eau Claire
Beer Enjoyed: Baltic Porter, Lazy Monk Brewing
Episode 130
- Stability of Northwestern Bank
- Chippewa Valley Economic forecast for 2023
- Upcoming Changes for Northwestern Bank
- Fed Interest Rate Increase(s)
- Crypto Currencies
Guest: Jerry Jacobson, President and CEO of NB
Beer Enjoyed: Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss
Episode 129
- Moving from California
- Irvine Park Christmas Lights / Village
- Status of the Chippewa Falls public pool
- Erickson Park
- Public Park Support from the Community
Guest: John Jimenez, City of Chippewa Falls Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry
Beer Enjoyed: Modelo Especial
Episode 128
- New museum opening and important dates
- What spaces will be new and what ‘classic’ exhibits will be retained in the new museum?
- What will happen to the Play Spaces?
- Status of the day care and 4K classroom
Guest: Michael McHorney, Executive Director Children’s Museum of Eau Claire
Beer Enjoyed: Goose Island Bourbon Country Aged Stout
Episode 127
- The impact of the low unemployment rate of CVTC’s enrollment
- Most popular areas of study
- The impact of the new west campus facilities
- Long term need for degrees and certifications
Guest: Dr. Sunem Beaton-Garcia, President Chippewa Valley Technical College
Beer Enjoyed: Delirium Noel
Episode 126
- Role of a municipal attorney
- Legal role in revitalizing downtown Eau Claire
- Eau Claire projects beyond downtown
- Jeffers Road Park Development
Guest: Steve Nick, Eau Claire City Attorney
Beer Enjoyed: Paulaner Salvator Double Bock
Episode 125
- How did the red wave turn into a red ripple?
- What did the Wisconsin election results tell us about state politics?
- Donald Trump announces his campaign
- Wisconsin as a purple state
Guest: John Frank, Political Analyst
Beer Enjoyed: Orval Trappist Ale
Episode 124
- Coming projects to Chippewa Falls
- Housing options in the city
- Purchase of State owned land
- Potential areas of redevelopment
- Status of the Chippewa Falls sand plant
Guest: Brad Hentschel, City of Chippewa Falls Planner
Beer Enjoyed: Vanilla Porter, Breckenridge Brewery
Episode 123
- Current status of the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic
- Finding specialized care for those unable to afford it
- Rewarding aspects of volunteering
- Raise Spirits, Give Hope in a box fundraiser
Guest: Dr. Brent Wogahn, Chippewa Valley Free Clinic Volunteer
Beer Enjoyed: Fire Tire, New Belgium Brewery
Episode 122
- Growing up as an entrepreneur family
- Lessons learned in running a small business
- Selling a business
- Role as a NB Board of Director member
- What NB clients should know about our Board
Guest: Heidi Boxx, Entrepreneur and NB Board Member
Beer Enjoyed: Paulaner Oktoberfest
Episode 121
- The evolution of Chippewa Falls in the past 25 years
- The relationship between Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire
- The Chamber as a driver of tourism
- Most rewarding project
- Vision of the Chippewa Valley in the next 10 years
Guest: Mike Jordan, President of the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
Beer Enjoyed: Golden Draak, Amber Quadruple Ale
Episode 120
- The Childcare Shortage Crisis
- Challenges Operating a Daycare
- Transitioning a Child into the Daycare Environment
- Advice to Parents Looking for Daycare Options
Guest: Garret Bresina, Owner Kids USA Learning Center
Beer Enjoyed: Leinie’s Oktoberfest
Episode 119
- What is the purpose of service clubs
- Unique role service clubs play in our community
- How does Rotary differ from other service clubs
- How is Rotary changing to meet the needs of younger members
Guest: Karen Hebert, Past District Governor Rotary International
Beer Enjoyed: Nitro Milk Stout, Left Hand Brewing Company
Episode 118
- Latest Trends in Brewing
- Creating an Experience at Leinie’s Lodge
- Types of folks who visit the Lodge
- The story behind Captain Jack Helles Bock
Guest: Lindsey Everson, Leinie Lodge Manager
Beer Enjoyed: Leinenkugel Juicy Peach and Captain Jack Helles Bock
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