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This week on the Listen Local Podcast, we're joined by Brainerd Public Schools Superintendent Chip Rankin! Chip takes us through his incredible journey in education, from teaching and coaching to becoming a principal and eventually superintendent. We dive into his time at Pequot Lakes, what brought him back to Brainerd, the challenges facing education today, and his vision for the future of Brainerd Public Schools. 📚🏫 🇺🇸 We also talk about Chip's impressive military career, including his recent promotion to Brigadier General in the Minnesota National Guard, and how his military experiences have shaped his leadership style. 🎃 Plus, we've got your Top 6 Local Happenings for Halloween weekend around the Brainerd Lakes Area! 🎧 Tune in for a great conversation with one of the Lakes Area's most accomplished leaders! And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Hellooooo Listen Local Fam!Fun one for you today as we welcome Mike Foy back to the Podcast to talk EVERYTHING about him and his brother Chris' NEWEST venture POSTAL Pizza & Tacos!You know the Foy Bros from Dough Bros and of course Ernies on Gull AND Main Street Ale House, but today's is ALL - or mostly - about Postal. When can we expect it opening, what some of the feature will be and much much more!Then the crew, including Mike, chat about Local Happenings this weekend, and of course... gotta get some Vikes talk in.Thanks again to Mike for joining, and CAN'T WAIT for POSTAL!And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Hello Listen Local Fam! The Listen Local guys are back with plenty to catch up on! This week, they recap trips to Austin and Nashville, Cooper’s first birthday and Briggs’ upcoming big day, and the surprisingly awesome fall weather and best spots to see the colors around the BLA. Plus, they preview the first-ever Crosslake Oktoberfest and the Minnesota Governor’s Debate coming to Madden’s Resort, as well as dive into the Vikings’ 5-0 start and giving Colton & Isaiah plenty of grief over his preseason prediction that they wouldn’t even win eight games. SKOL 😈🍻🍁🏈 And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Hello Listen Local friends and family!On today's show, Eric Perkins joins the crew to talk all things Travel Perks! Perk dives into the idea behind the travel series, some of the incredible locations he’s visited, his favorite moments so far, and what makes each episode unique. He also touches on why tourism, especially in Minnesota, was missing the "travel perks style" of series.  Plus, the LL crew and perk talk about his partnership with BlazeAir Productions, what goes into bringing Travel Perks to life, where you can watch the series, and what could be coming next 🌎🎥 Another fun conversation with one of Minnesota’s most recognizable personalities! And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Big Fall events continue here in the Lakes Area THIS Weekend! 🍂  Today, we’re talking all things Crosslake! First, we chat with Dave Anderson to talk about the first-ever Crosslake Oktoberfest (Oct. 16–17) featuring The Dweebs, wiener-dog races, stein holding, 17 local stops and a massive Oktoberfest tent (thanks to our wonderful friends at Party Time Rental)! Then, we talk to Heather Jones to preview Crosslake Days (which is happening THIS WEEKEND), including the Chili Cook-Off, Lost Chili Pepper Hunt, Street Dance and everything happening around town. Plus, a Local Happenings that includes Haunted Mini Golf and other upcoming Halloween attractions, Lakes Area Heroes events and more! And of course some SKOL talk of course 😈 And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Hello Listen Local Fans, let's going to get right into it!This shorter episode is pretty straight forward... Football, Fall Festivals, and Fun in the BLA!Tune in now!And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Hello Listen Local Family! School is back, there's a brisk feel in the air, and I think we can finally say "summer 2026" has come to an end. But, even though summer might be over, the local businesses are still up and running. Businesses that include our amazing Listen Local Sponsors. So, we thought there's no better time to do an appreciation episode for all of those wonderful sponsors. Without them, this show would not be possible! Those 2026 sponsors include: Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Listen Local Fam, let us tell ya... Last week was a blur! From Live from BIR for the NHRA Nationals to Live at the CRMC Championship. It was A WEEK. So much happened, with so many good interviews so we HAD to do a BEST OF recap show. Guests on this episode include NHRA Driver Maddi Gordon (9:53), NFL Legend Adam Thielen (22:18), American Idol's Superstar Chris Tungseth (49:35), 'Good Good Golf' and PGA of America Golfer Mason Greene (1:11:08), plus some of the Cragun's Top Dawgs... ALL ON ONE SHOW. Tune In. It Was Fun. And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Hello Listen Local Friends and Family!Lets get right to it! On todays show the guys recap the past week, which was full of local Golf Scrambles, a trip outta the country and some good ol' Lake Life. Then the crew is joined by their pal Bailey McMahon with Thrivent to talk about their HUGE involvement with the CRMC Championship. Bailey breaks down everything they'll be a part of and even some teasers... He then chats about how important BLA community events are to Thrivent and why he enjoys being "out and about in the Lakes Area." All of that and MUCH MORE from Bailey. Plus some fun Local Happenings this weekend including Nationals at BIR.So tune in! And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Attention Listen Local Fam...Do we have a show for you today! It is ALL about BIR Nationals today (which is one week away), so we thought "why not have some of the biggest names in racing history??" So we did. Kristi and Sara from BIR connected the podcast with absolute LEGENDS Ron Capps and Tony Stewart. Pure entertainment. While there were a ton of topics discussed - which include why Ron tells his friends and family that if they choose to come to one race a year that BIR is the one AND Tony diving into why he hopes to never have to race his wife Leah Pruett - one thing that was very clear... these guys LOVE BIR and the BLA. So... Listeners... GET YOUR TICKETS TO BIR NATIONALS NOW. And remember, EVERY ticket is a Pit Pass! Tune in to hear all about it. And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Hello Listen Localers! The summer fun has not slowed down yet here in the BLA, and some would argue there is still so much fun left to be had! And by some, we mean us here at Listen Local. From Fair season kicking off to planning for events like BIR Nationals and the CRMC Championship at the BEAUTIFUL Cragun's Legacy Courses... there is still A TON going on in summer's final month, and the LL dive into it all.So tune on in! And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Helloooo Listen Local Fam! Things are still hot hot hot in the BLA. And the events just keep on happenin, and man do we have another weekend of fun ahead of us! From a big Friday - Saturday - Sunday of live music over at Ernies on Gull to the Pequot Lakes Street Dance with our pals the Wyld Ryce to one of the main summer events on the Whitefish Chain, Rock'n on Whitefish with DJ Paul Nelson. We caught up with DJ Paul on today's show to get all the deets on Rock'n on Whitefish. Also, if you CAN'T make it, find out how you can still donate to a wonderful cause by checking out their facebook page! Then, after Paul signs off, the guys go into 'Sport Mode' and chat about all of the latest with the Vikings, Twins, Wild and Wolves. And of course some of the other 'Happenings' in the BLA. And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Hello Listen Local Fam, Today's show is all about our friends at Craguns. Jack. Carrie. The CRMC Championship. Whats NEW around the Resort. All of it. Tune in. And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Hello Listen Local Friends and Fam! On today's show it's Colton and Isaiah manning the ship as Jacob is out on another BlazeAir Tourism shoot. Saying that... he of course can't stay away the whole time, so he calls in and gives a little update! Then, Isaiah dives into this week's guest. The One. The Only. The Chamber Board Chair, Mr. Colton Maher. PS... Colton did not know this was coming. They dive into his role there, why the Chambers in general are important to their communities, how to best utilize the Chamber if you are a local business and more! Before signing off they dive into a BUSY upcoming weekend in the BLA in this week's Local Happenings segment. And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Hello Listen Local Friends and Fam! We made it people... the 4th of July weekend is behind us, and what a weekend it was! On today's show the LL guys recap the 4th and all of the BLA festivities, THEN... catch up with THE Reese Glover.Reese talks about his time at Lakes Jam, his new Single "Swift County Fair" that just dropped, his upcoming shows and more! Thanks Reese for taking a break from your day job and joining the show. After Reese signs off, Colton, Jacob, and Isaiah chat about: *The Mahers - and Bartellas - WINNING 4th of July in Pequot Lakes *Iconic Fest this Weekend*A teaser for CRMC Championship weekend *Plans for Listen Local at BIR Nationals So tune on in! And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirProductionsWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN