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In this episode of the Around River City Podcast, I’m sitting down with Natalia and Stephanie to give you the ultimate guide to 420 on Front Street! 🌿✨ We’re diving into the immersive experience happening this Saturday, April 18th, at the La Crosse Center, from the 4:20 Smoke Out to the surreal garden transformation of the La Crosse Center. We’ll talk about the aroma sensory experiences, exactly what an "Alternative Bar" looks like, and yes... there will be PUPPIES! If you’ve been wondering how to ease into the experience while supporting local businesses, this episode is for you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ken and Sarah talk about the most mispronounced words of 2024, special holiday cocktails from local establishments and lots of fun to be had this weekend.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is part 1 of 2 conversations with Greg Parmeter and Nic Barilar from the UW-L Theater and Dance department.  Their latest production is Dr, Faustus by Christopher Marlowe.  This is the original "sell your soul to the devil" story.  And just in time for Halloween.  We'll talk about UW-L's Theater and Dance program, Marlowe, the never ending timeliness of Faustus and possibly, what's your soul worth nowadays, anyway?  Thanks for being part of the conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Midwest Family is proud to support Steppin Out in Pink, 2023 with the Gundersen Medical Foundation.   On this episode of Around River City I had the pleasure to sit down with this years Steppin Out advocate, Kirsten Bucher.  Kirsten's story is amazing.  A young mother who found a lump.  We talked a lot about that particular moment.  Now, Kirsten is a Physician Assistant in the department where she got her treatment.  It's a moving conversation with a very special person. You can support Steppin Out in Pink and get more information at www.steppinoutinpink.com or follow them on Facebook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a tale these two old pals have to share with you.  Ben Skinner and Chris Barton were born and raised right here in La Crosse.  They fell in love with the restaurant world here in town and as their talents grew they moved to Minneapolis and then Seattle.  But restaurants can be brutal places to work, and they each have the scars to prove it.  So, they came back home and thought "Hey....why don't we put restaurant quality food in jars?".  So was born Paulin's Provisions.  If you like delicious food, bawdy laughter and straight forward social commentary, you'll love this conversation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever talked with someone who's had a near death experience? Meet Lucas Herro.  I don't want to give away too much of his story so let's just say every single part of his life changed in a split second.  He was 22, now he's 32.  He was carefree, now he's in pain every day.  He was a firefighter, now he's an Olympian.  Check out this episode of Around River City and get to know Lucas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our conversation about blended families.  I'm  talking with two local authors, Kristine Valk and Asha Bianca about their book Stepping Stones; Blended Families and onus Parenting at it's Best.  What does "bonus" parent mean to you?  Did you just say or do something that you need to apologize for?  How much interaction should there be?  Who decides?  What do you even call that new person?  There are so many questions and this book helps you navigate through the complexities of a new, ready made family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristine Valk and Asha Bianca are 2 local moms in blended families.  As they talked about their shared experience they realized they wished there had been a book to help them navigate through the highs and lows of bringing families together.  The result is "STEPPING STONES, Blended Families and Bonus Parenting at it's Best".  It's not a "how to" book, that's for sure.  It's more of a guide and a friend to support you and your family.   In part 1 of my conversation Kristine and I sat down to talk about love, mistakes, joy and you know, normal family stuff.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick Longmire grew up in his dad's grocery store, Red's IGA in Spring Grove, MN.  Like a lot of high school guys he decided to pick up a guitar but it turns out it wasn't to look cool it was to fall in love with Texas Barbecue.  Several states, 2 kids and 1 supportive wife later, he's turning that love into Fat Pats Brewery and BBQ.  Maybe I should have called this one, What a Long Strange Trip It's Been. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I started one of those "how was your weekend" conversations with a co-worker the other day.  She proceeded to tell me how this may the her best Christmas ever.  All thanks a a tree, a dog and a new tradition.  I really wanted to share her story and she let me record our conversation.  That led to me wondering if anyone else has a good Christmas story.  Turns out, people love to share and talk about the holidays.  I talked with several co-workers and just asked them to tell me a Christmas story.  This podcast is the result.  There's no agenda, nothing to learn, no particular point other than people are interesting and Christmas is nice.  Enjoy these Christmas stories. DISCLAIMER:  If you're listening with young ones, you may want to skip this episode as we delve into some sensitive holiday subjects, if you know what I mean. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Erickson, Allison Krzych and Dominique Leuke.  Three people who embrace life in the grey area.  So much so that Luke helped create the theater group Grey Area Productions.  Allison is the interim Executive Director of the Pump House, the home of Grey Area and Dominique is acting in their current production, The Long Christmas Dinner", by Thornton Wilder.  So what do they mean by "grey area"? For one thing, it's where most of the fun happens but it's also about performances that ask questions more often that trying to answer them.  Stories that get you thinking and talking afterwards.  This is a fun conversation with a lot of good laughter and good ideas.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rob Thoen and Scott Stach both served in the Military.  They have very different stories that end up coming to similar conclusions.  They're both proud of their service, and glad to have served. We'll talk about life as a veteran, services that are there for all vets and with Rob, who served in active combat we'll talk about what it's like to be shot at.  It was a tough question to ask but I'm glad I asked. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have a new favorite question;  tell me about your ten year old self.  That's how Nicole and I began part 2 of our conversation here on Around River City.  We talked about how and why Nicole decided to become a Clinical Therapist.  Where she was born (we have something in common), and we talked about generations talking, learning and respecting.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I met Nicole when she came in to Midwest Family to record a commercial for another client.  That took about 5 minutes and then we talked for nearly an hour.  I knew we needed to get together again for the podcast.  When we did, we talked about some big ideas like the concept of "normal", the effects of the word "should", the question "why" and the joy in a nice glass of wine.  Nicole is a clinical therapist and co-owner of Brave Spaces Counseling and Wellness in La Crosse.  This conversation will really get you thinking about.....well...lets give it a listen and see where the ideas take you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wow....Betty is AMAZING.  I find myself using that word a lot to describe her.  Amazing.  Betty and her husband created the Kabara Cancer Research Institute at The Gundersen Medical Foundation.  She is also a survivor of multiple forms of cancer, including breast cancer....twice.  She's upbeat, optimistic and full of life.  Join Betty and me for this conversation, I don't usually say things like this but, I think you'll find it inspiring.  Actually, I know you will. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.