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Spotlight
Welcome to 'Spotlight,' the podcast that shines a light on the incredible local businesses of the Twin Cities! In each bite-sized 15-minute episode, we dive deep into the authentic stories of the entrepreneurs, innovators, and dreamers who make our community thrive. From the bustling streets of Minneapolis to the vibrant neighborhoods of St. Paul, we bring you the unfiltered journeys, challenges, and triumphs of the people behind the businesses you love. Get ready to be inspired, entertained, and discover the true heart of the Twin Cities, one local business at a time. Tune in to 'Spotlight' and hear their stories!"
Episodes
69 episodes
Transform Your Life with Breath Work
What if the way you breathe is shaping your life?In this episode, Terri Peterson introduces soul breathing, a conscious breath work practice designed to support emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. She shares her personal journey fr...
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Episode 58
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21:10
The Power of Tantrums: Healing Through Expression
What if emotional release wasn’t something to suppress, but something to design for?In this episode, we explore the story behind House of Tantrums, a unique business built to give people a safe, judgment-free space to express big emotion...
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Episode 45
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15:16
From Hobby to Booked-Out Baker: The Sweet Journey of Sassyfras
What makes a cookie truly unforgettable—freshness, flavor, or that perfect soft bite?In today’s episode, Crystal spills the secret behind what makes SassyFras cookies stand out from the store-bought competition. From why freshness matter...
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Episode 34
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15:15
Navigating Real Estate with Phong Gao: Insights from a Seasoned Agent
The best time to buy isn’t “when the market is perfect”—it’s when you’re prepared.In this episode, Phong Gao shares how he went from engineering to real estate—and why clarity, relationships, and action matter more than timing.Pho...
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Episode 100
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15:49
From Guitar Dreams to Teaching Triumphs: Phil Olson's Musical Journey
Most people quit guitar because they’re taught what to play—not how music actually works.In this episode, Phil Olson shares how a childhood obsession with guitar turned into a teaching career that’s helped students around the wo...
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Episode 99
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15:22
Elevate Your Business: Effective Digital Marketing Strategies for Small to Mid-Sized Enterprises
Being online isn’t the same as being findable.In this episode, Laura Olson of Tried and True Digital Marketing breaks down why so many small businesses are “doing marketing”—but still invisible.Laura shares how small to m...
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Episode 98
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15:00
Unlocking Your Mindset: How Hypnotherapy Can Transform Your Life
Your mind isn’t working against you—it’s just been trained on the wrong thing.In this episode, Joshua Ray Peters breaks down why so many driven, self-aware people still feel stuck—and how aligning the conscious and unconscious mind creat...
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Episode 97
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16:12
Why Most Experts Stay Invisible (And How Speaking Changes Everything)
Most people don’t struggle with confidence—they struggle with claiming their voice.In this episode, Jenn Espinosa-Goswami, founder of Weightless, shares how personal transformation turned into a mission to help others be seen, heard, and...
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Episode 96
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15:55
The Business Model That Turns Everyday Work Into Real Impact
Some businesses clean houses. Others quietly change lives.In this episode, Cassie Edwardson shares how she built One Healthy Clean with a mission far bigger than spotless homes—creating healthier spaces, lighter hearts, and real impact.<...
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Episode 95
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17:25
From Corporate Burnout to Purpose-Driven Business: A Founder’s Wake-Up Call
Sometimes it takes almost losing your life to realize how you actually want to live it.In this episode, Abe Kao, owner of Clearbright Washing, shares the moments that reshaped his perspective on business, faith, and purpose.Abe op...
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Episode 94
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12:03
From Surviving to Thriving: The People Strategy Behind Sustainable Growth
Why do so many small businesses think they have a hiring problem… when they actually have an HR problem?In this episode, Nicki from People Solutions Hub breaks down what’s really behind turnover, low morale, and hiring struggles—and why ...
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Episode 93
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16:48
The Business Model No One Teaches: Community, Connection, Cash Flow
Not all growth comes from scaling—some of it comes from transformation.In this episode, Kelly Wagner, publisher of Edge Magazine, shares how community, connection, and purpose-driven experiences are reshaping both business and tourism.
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Episode 92
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15:57
From FDA Investigator to Your Compliance Coach
FDA compliance isn’t red tape—it’s the difference between staying in business and getting shut down.In this episode, Jessica Novak, founder of FDA Import Insights, pulls back the curtain on what really happens behind FDA regulations—and ...
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Episode 91
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13:44
Revitalizing Downtown St. Paul: A New Vision for Community and Growth
Cities don’t come back by accident—they come back by design.In this episode, Melissa Ferlaak, Director of Communications for the St. Paul Downtown Alliance, shares what it really takes to bring a downtown back to life.We talk abou...
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Episode 90
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8:26
The Quiet Crisis No One Talks About After Leaving Corporate
Your job title can disappear overnight—who you are can’t.In this episode, Travis opens up about walking away from corporate life and into strategic advisory work—and the identity shift that comes with it.We talk midlife reinventio...
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Episode 89
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9:42
The Magic of Coworking: Why Collaboration Beats Isolation
Community isn’t built through networking—it’s built through trust.In this episode, Jamie Rissi of Wellworth shares how a once-vacant Woolworth building became one of downtown St. Paul’s most intentional, people-first workspaces.Ja...
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Episode 88
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8:31
What 11 Years in Social Media Teaches You About Attention and Trust
Virality doesn’t equal value—alignment does.In this episode, Joe Ruiz Jr., owner of Social Eye Marketing, breaks down what most brands get wrong about social media growth.Joe shares his journey from the film industry into marketin...
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Episode 87
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15:10
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The Hidden Barriers No One Teaches First-Generation Entrepreneurs
The wealth gap isn’t about lack of ambition—it’s about lack of access.In this episode, Elvis Rivera shares how he’s using entrepreneurship and financial literacy to empower underserved communities and close the racial wealth gap.E...
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Episode 86
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10:41
A Founder’s Mission to End the Chaos of Rare Disease Care
Healthcare isn’t broken because people don’t care—it’s broken because the data doesn’t talk.In this episode, Emerson Villalta shares how his journey from studying food science at Cornell led him to build a health data solution for caregi...
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Episode 85
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9:47
The Psychology Behind Follow-Ups That Actually Get a Response
Email is loud. Text gets answered. And that changes everything.In this episode, Erik Hinds pulls back the curtain on how AI-powered SMS is quietly outperforming traditional marketing—and why most businesses are leaving serious money on t...
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Episode 84
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7:43
From Small Talk to Real Connection: The Skill That Opens Doors
Most opportunities don’t come from plans—they come from people.In this episode, Shahbaz shares his journey through the startup world, his love for HubSpot, and why curiosity is one of the most underrated business skills there is.W...
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Episode 83
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21:01
Think Bigger Than You’re Comfortable With (A Founder Wake-Up Call)
AI doesn’t replace founders—it exposes them.In this episode, we unpack what really matters at the intersection of podcasting, entrepreneurship, and AI—straight from the energy of Twin Cities Startup Week.A seasoned serial founder,...
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Episode 81
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9:59
20x Faster Hiring: The Video Screening Tool Changing Recruiting
Hiring isn’t broken — it’s just overwhelmed.In this episode, Nate shares how his startup Omber is cutting through the noise of modern hiring with video-first screening and AI-assisted insights.We talk about why recruiters are drow...
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Episode 80
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13:23
Why Building for an Exit Might Be Holding Your Business Back
Most founders are chasing exits. The real ones are designing growth.In this episode, Johnny Helmberger, founder and CEO of Madison Helm Inc., breaks down a radically different way to scale—one rooted in architecture, pre-sales, and s...
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Episode 79
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23:19
At the Frontlines of AI, Automation, and Human Connection
AI isn’t coming for your job—it’s coming for how you work.In this episode, we sit down with Andy McCarthy from Innova Solutions to talk about why adaptation—not fear—is the real competitive advantage.Andy shares how networking at ...
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Episode 78
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7:32
