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
75 episodes
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...
Friday's w/ Dan #6
In this week’s Friday’s w/ Dan, we sit with the quiet kind of goodness that rarely makes headlines but holds the world together. It’s National Good Samaritan Day, which feels like the perfect backdrop for a conversation about small, steady acts...
Stream of Consciousness # 49 - Colton Cox
In this episode, I sit down with someone who’s been part of my story for a long time — my friend Colton Cox. We grew up together, went through school together, and somehow ended up on two different paths that still share the same heartbeat: cur...
Stream of Consciousness # 48 - Emilie Landry
In this conversation with Émilie Landry, everything feels easy — warm, funny, generous, and full of those little moments where two people from different worlds find common ground. We talk about her music, her writing, and the heart behind what ...
Friday's w/ Dan #5
This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, I’m talking about sacrifice — the kind that’s quiet, costly, and lived out long before anyone sees the results. I start with Hustle and Rise, two stories that show how belief always demands someth...
Stream of Consciousness #47 - Dr. Rod Berger
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rod Berger — journalist, education analyst, global interviewer, and author of The Narrative Edge. Rod has spent years traveling the world, sitting across from leaders, innovators, and everyday peopl...
Stream of Consciousness #46 - Paul O'Sullivan - Greywind
Paul O’Sullivan of Greywind joins me for a fun, wide‑ranging conversation about the band’s origins, their influences, and what life on the road has taught them. We talk touring stories, creative inspiration, and the energy behind Greywind’s sou...
Friday's w/ Dan #4
This week’s Friday’s w/ Dan moves through a lot of ground — the courage we see in sports, the quiet endurance of everyday life, and the deep sense of belonging that comes from the people and places that shaped us. Daniel shares updates...
Stream of Consciousness #45 - Angie Hawkins
In this episode, I sit down with Angie Hawkins — Inner Glow Coach, speaker, and author of Running in Slippers — for one of the most honest and grounded conversations I’ve had on this show. Angie opens up about the moments that shaped h...
Stream of Consciousness #44 - Shauna Dahlgren of Easterseals Nebraska
In this episode, Dan sits down with Shauna Dahlgren, a Work Incentive and Community Outreach Specialist with Easterseals Nebraska. Shauna spends her days helping people navigate systems that can feel overwhelming and intimidating — and she does...