Stream of Consciousness with Dan: Stories from the Midwest
Stream of Consciousness is a Midwest-rooted podcast where honest, inspiring conversations take center stage. Hosted by Dan in Omaha, Nebraska, each episode explores the stories, values, and voices that shape our communities - from athletes and creatives to local business owners who bring heart and hustle to the region.
Whether it's legendary NFL nose tackle or the soul behind a beloved neighborhood kitchen, Stream of Consciousness invites guests to share their journeys, challenges, and reflections in a space built on authenticity and connection.
Episodes
83 episodes
Stream of Consciousness #63 - Kurt Bush
This episode of Stream of Consciousness w/ Dan dives into a fast‑moving, no‑nonsense conversation with coach Kurt Bush — a coach who works with people from every walk of life, not just athletes. We get into what real coaching looks like today: ...
Friday's w/ Dan #16
This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, we talk about a week that felt heavier than most. The sudden loss of Kyle Busch, a driver woven into the fabric of my childhood, brings a reminder of how fragile life really is. From there, we shift into the ...
Stream of Consciousness #63 - Rebekah Henshel - Henning's Cheese
This episode of Stream of Consciousness w/ Dan features a conversation with Rebekah Henshel from Henning’s Cheese, part of the family behind one of Wisconsin’s long‑standing cheese companies. We talk about what it’s like to grow up around...
Stream of Consciousness #62 - Caroline Crocker
In this episode of Stream of Consciousness w/ Dan, Dr. Caroline Crocker joins the show for a conversation that moves effortlessly between science, story, and the human heart. A former microbiologist, professor, CEO, and international s...
Friday's w/ Dan #15
This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, we start with family and legacy. I talk about my Uncle Jim, who passed in 2018 in a tragic accident near the farm he loved. In his honor, my family created the James R. Backes Memorial Scholarship, ...
Stream of Consciousness #61 - Al Bekkum - Nordic Creamery
This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, I sit down with Al Bekkum of Nordic Creamery — a licensed cheesemaker, buttermaker, and the heart behind one of Wisconsin’s most beloved family dairies. We talk about his family’s century‑long farming legacy,...
Friday's w/ Dan #14
After a week in the hospital, I’m recording from Brodhead, Wisconsin, where I’m staying with my parents and rebuilding my strength. In this episode, I talk about being discharged, starting AA, and reaching two weeks of sobriety. From quie...
Friday's w/ Dan #13
This week’s episode comes from Methodist Hospital in Omaha, where I’m recovering after years of alcohol abuse finally caught up with me. I talk honestly about facing the reality of my condition, beginning sobriety, and reconciling with God, my ...
Episode 60 - Steve Stetter - Decatur Dairy
Today we’re heading to Decatur, Wisconsin to talk with someone who’s been shaping the state’s cheese story for decades. Steve Stettler is a Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker, but what really stands out is the way he approaches the work — steady, ...
Stream of Consciousness #59 - Marieke Penterman - Marieke Gouda
In this episode, we head to Thorp, Wisconsin, to explore the story behind Marieke Gouda — a creamery built on Dutch heritage, Wisconsin soil, and a relentless commitment to craft. We talk about the traditions, techniques, and passion that turne...
Friday's w/ Dan #12
This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, I share an update on Chuck Bigler, who recently suffered a serious stroke but has now been moved out of the ICU and is receiving good care at St. Mary’s in Madison. If you’d like to send prayers or a card, hi...
Stream of Consciousness #58 - Nelson Schrock - Kingston Creamery
In this episode, I sit down with Nelson Schrock, General Manager of Kingston Creamery in Cambria, Wisconsin. Nelson brings a quiet, grounded presence as he talks about the craft of cheesemaking, the values that guide their work, a...
Friday's w/ Dan #11
This week’s episode sits in that space where heaviness and hope overlap. I talk about the unexpected losses that hit close to home, the people who shaped me, and the reminders of how quickly life can change. But I also share the light that brok...
Stream of Consciousness #57 - Elle Williams - Carr Valley Cheese
In this episode of the Wisconsin Makers Series, Daniel sits down with Elle Williams, Director of Sales and Brand Development at Carr Valley Cheese and a licensed cheese grader (#489) — one of the rare people in the state wh...
Friday's w/ Dan #10
This week’s Friday’s w/ Dan goes deep. I talk about Augie Nieto, the impact he left behind, and why his story hit me harder than I expected. I share my own connection to ALS through my fraternity brothers, the work we did, and the people we los...
Stream of Consciousness #56 - Magic Barclay
Magic Barclay has lived through more than most people could imagine — and she’s turned every chapter of that story into a mission to help others heal. In this episode, Magic opens up about the physiology of trauma, the patterns our bodies hold ...
Stream of Consciousness #55 - Chuck Bigler - Puempel's Tavern
This one’s a little surprise drop. I sat down with Chuck Bigler of Puempel’s Tavern in New Glarus, Wisconsin — a place with more history and character than just about anywhere in the state. Chuck talks about what it means to keep a place like P...
Friday's w/ Dan #9
This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, we explore courage in its quietest and most unexpected forms. From the remarkable adaptability of octopuses, to the mystery and responsibility surrounding Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, to the everyday cour...
Stream of Consciousness #54 - Joey Widmer - Widmer's Cheese Cellar
In this episode, I’m kicking off the first stop on my Wisconsin Cheese Tour — a project that’s part storytelling, part hometown pride, and part celebration of the people who make this state what it is. Growing up in Wisconsin, cheese was more t...
Friday's w/ Dan #8
In today’s Friday’s w/ Dan, we start with a simple moment of kindness that turned into something unforgettable — a woman, a case of Spotted Cow, and a reminder of how small gestures can ripple. Then we honor Master Sergeant Noah L. Tietjens and...
Stream of Consciousness #53 - Keith Gensure - Pine Creek Academy
Pine Creek Academy doesn’t make songs so much as they make moments — the kind that hit you in the chest before you even realize why. In this episode, Daniel sits down with vocalist and rhythm guitarist Keith Gensure to talk abou...
Friday's w/ Dan #7
This week’s episode is all about the quiet, meaningful moments that snuck up on me — the ones that didn’t make any noise but somehow carried the most weight. We start with the real story of St. Patrick and how his life of humble faithfulness en...
Stream of Consciousness #51 - David McKee
In this episode, I sit down with David McKee for a conversation that unfolds the way the best ones do — naturally, honestly, and with a surprising amount of depth hiding in the quiet moments. We talk about resilience, mindset, the boiling‑water...
Stream of Consciousness #50 - Normand Pothier
In this episode, I talk with Normand Pothier of Peanut Butter Sunday — the Acadian punk band out of Baie Sainte‑Marie, Nova Scotia that’s been carving out their own lane with heart, grit, and zero pretense. We get into how the band came togethe...