Episodes
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As you might know, a lot has changed for me (Joel) since I started making this show. My whole professional world -- heck my whole life -- has changed. In 2023, I started a new creative studio and consultancy called Vivace, teaming up with my long-time collaborator Ryan Sheppard.
So, for this episode of Connection Request, we decided to do something a little different. The team thought it might be a good idea to share some of the lessons we've learned so far and put me in the hot seat for once. And Ryan.
So, I'm handing the host mic over to another friend and collaborator Mimi Hayton. Together, we dive into the journey of building Vivace— the highs, lows, and in-betweens. We chat about the values that guide us, from prioritizing relationships over revenue to building a community to balancing personal life with professional ambition. And give a peek into what comes next for us.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Connection Request is a platform to explore ideas related to creative entrepreneurship, purpose, and the future of work.
Hosted by Joel Leeman and produced by Vivace Studios, the podcast features in-depth conversations with creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs offering listeners a mix of practical insights and personal reflections. The companion newsletter is Joel’s reflective space to build in public and explore creativity, connection, and innovation.
Follow @connectionrequest on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and podcast platforms everywhere. To pitch the show, email [email protected]. New episodes are released bi-weekly.
☕️ Connection Request is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection
Connect with the show
Twitter: @ConnectRequestInstagram: @connectionrequestYouTube: @connectionrequest TikTok: @connectionrequest LinkedIn newsletter: Connection RequestEmail: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: @joelleeman LinkedIn: @jleeman Instagram: @joelleeman TikTok: @joelleemanVivace Studios
Vivace Studios makes media for the internet and is part of Vivace, a b2b global creative studio and consultancy.
Special thanks 🙏
Marie IannazzoJoe IannazzoMimi HaytonRyan SheppardJeanette JuettenLaura Kuglitsch -
In this episode of Connection Request, Joel Leeman sits down with Alex Lieberman, co-founder of Morning Brew and StoryArb, for a deep dive into the scrappy moves and creative strategies behind building companies. From cutting out superhero goggles from his underwear to scaling and selling Morning Brew, Alex shares candid insights into the art of storytelling, entrepreneurship, and why he stepped back from Morning Brew to launch his latest venture, StoryArb.
Tune in to hear Alex’s take on building in public, finding the right balance between creating and building, and his vision for the future of content. Plus, a sneak peek into his Pixar movie idea and a rapid-fire Q&A that showcases his wit and wisdom.
This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, content creators, and anyone curious about the journey of building businesses that last.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Connection Request is a platform to explore ideas related to creative entrepreneurship, purpose, and the future of work.
Hosted by Joel Leeman and produced by Vivace Studios, the podcast features in-depth conversations with creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs offering listeners a mix of practical insights and personal reflections. The companion newsletter is Joel’s reflective space to build in public and reflect on creativity, connection, and innovation.
Follow @connectionrequest on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and podcast platforms everywhere. To pitch the show, email [email protected].
New episodes are released every Friday.
☕️ Connection Request is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection
VIVACE STUDIOS
Vivace Studios makes media for the internet and is part of Vivace, a b2b global creative studio and consultancy.
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Missing episodes?
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Today on the show I’m talking to John Arms. He’s a Fractional CMO, Co-Founder of Voyageur University, and author of a new book called Revolt: The rise of fractional and the death of full-time. Or, as some folks in the fractional community like to call him, the Mayor of Frackville.
In today’s conversation, we dive deep into the world and movement known as Fractional.
For those who aren’t familiar with the term, a fractional executive refers to someone occupying a permanent leadership seat in a company in a fraction of the time thought necessary. In our conversation, John walks us through the basics of the fractional movement - how it differs from consulting, what kind of professions its for, characteristics of someone who is a good fit for fractional, and what it really looks like day-to-day to be part of this world.
We also talk about some of the megatrends that got us to this point – all the way back to 1970, Milton Friedman, and shareholder economics, through to the Great Resignation, Quiet Quitting, and the rise of the Fractional economy. I’ve gotta say, the picture John paints of the future is a really exciting one. If you’re interested in learning more about the world of Fractional, I highly recommend you go grab a copy of his book (link below).
📕 John's book, Revolt: The Rise of Fractional and the Death of Full-Time -- https://bit.ly/4a8IFNF
Fill out our listener survey to help us make the show better: https://forms.gle/myjg43kAGg2tv8vE7
New episodes released every Thursday, right here on YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.
☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection
Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequest TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectionrequest Email: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelleeman/About Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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Today on the show, I’m talking to Kristin Mitchell, the founder and creative director of Gathered in Style, a boutique event planning business based in New York City. Kristin is a magician when it comes to events. You might call her an event scientist.
If you were to scroll through her Instagram page, you’d see a K-pop themed birthday party, an elevated state fair soiree, a private dinner in a small grocery store, a pasta pool party, and my new favorite thing – a churro umbrella.
We talk about Kristin’s career journey, from planning high profile events like Reuters Newsmakers and client events at the Aspen Ideas Festival and the Super Bowl - to going off on her own to start her own business. We also trade stories of both of our experiences at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington DC, including the time NFL linebacker Von Miller stood me up at the airport.
Kristin shares some excellent advice on what she’s learned running her own business and creating a brand from scratch, as well as practical tips for anyone who’s looking to take their next gathering to the next level. She also shares her philosophy on why we should celebrate everything, how to catch a vibe, and how she learned to love business. And her love for accountants.
New episodes released every Thursday wherever you get podcasts.
☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection
Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequest TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectionrequest Email: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelleeman/About Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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Today on the show, I’m chatting to Kris Ehresmann, the architect of Minnesota’s COVID-19 pandemic response, and the former long-time director of the Infectious Disease Division of the Minnesota Department of Health.
Kris spent more than 30 years of service in public health before retiring, and played key roles in many public health issues both in Minnesota and nationally. Minnesota leaders have called her “an extraordinary public servant”, a “true leader”, and responsible for cultivating “a new generation of talented public health leaders.”
We talk about what she learned during the global pandemic, a time she describes as being a frog in a pot of boiling water. We also talk about other outbreaks during her career, why public health is linked to social justice, as well as what public health has taught her about the world. She also details the biggest learning experience of her career and how the pandemic taught her how to swear. And, she describes some of the immense challenges of the politicization of public health and public service, and what she’s been up to since retiring.
New episodes released every Thursday wherever you get podcasts.
☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection
Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequest TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectionrequest Email: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelleeman/About Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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Today on the show I’m talking to Dale Whittaker. He’s a Senior Advisor at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and has spent his career working in academia at institutions including Texas A&M, Purdue University, and the University of Central Florida. He’s also a watercolor artist and plays a mean harmonica.
I wanted to pick Dale’s brain on the state of higher education around the world, both from his perch inside institutions, and now outside as part of the Gates Foundation. We talk about how education relates to careers today, how artificial intelligence will impact the future of learning, and how education remains one of the strongest levers and predictors of economic mobility. We also dig into some of the various alternative learning movements, like coding bootcamps and Google certifications, and unpack the real value of higher education today.
Dale also tells the story of his time as president of the University of Central Florida, which ended in a very public battle with Ron Desantis and the Florida legislature. I’m grateful to him for being so open about that journey and what he learned from a traumatic period in his career journey. I also of course ask him for his thoughts on Desantis’s prospects for the presidency.
New episodes released every Thursday, right here on YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.
☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection
Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequest TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectionrequest Email: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelleeman/About Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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Today on the show I’m talking to Tim Niver, the restaurateur behind beloved Minnesota restaurants Mucci’s Italian and Saint Dinette, owner of Mucci’s Frozen Food, and host of Niver Niver Land, a podcast about the changing restaurant industry.
Tim has worked in restaurants for a long time, working here in Minnesota, as well as New York, Colorado, and a stint in Las Vegas opening up the Bellagio. I’ve long been a fan of Tim’s as we chat about in today's conversation. I especially appreciate how open he is about the ups and downs of his industry, through his podcast, social media, and interviews he does with the media. He displays that openness and vulnerability in our conversation as we talk about what success looks like in his field, what he’s learned from going through the pandemic, and how the restaurant industry is still changing dramatically today.
We also chat about his multiple business and creative adventures, going toe to toe with Muhammad Ali, and his dream guest for Niver Niver Land.
New episodes released every Thursday, right here on YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.
☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection
Connect with Tim
https://www.youtube.com/@niverniverland3707 https://www.instagram.com/tim_niver/ https://www.muccisitalian.com/ https://www.saintdinette.com/Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequest TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectionrequest Email: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelleeman/About Connection Request Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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Today on the show, I’m talking to Taylor Misiak. She’s an LA based actor best known for starring as Ally on DAVE on FX, the comedy starring the rapper and comedian Dave Burd, better known as Lil Dicky. She also starred in Lil Dicky’s music video Pillow Talking alongside Dave and John C. Riley, and has acted in shows on Netflix, Paramount Plus, and NBC.
The actors’ strike has now been going on for more than 100 days, so I wanted to understand from Taylor’s perspective what SAG-AFTRA is fighting for, what the strike has been like for her, and the knock-on effects for the industry. Her decade has also been marked by mega movements in the industry like the streaming wars, MeToo, the pandemic, and now artificial intelligence, so we unpack all of that too.
We spend time digging into what being on DAVE has meant for her career, how collaborative the show has been, and how she was able to help shape her character. We also talk about why despite her recent success she feels like an underdog, and the characters she still wants to play. And we chat about why she loves working on short films, sketches, and how she’s been writing and pitching her own material.
Taylor also is the co-host of Table Flipping, a podcast about reality TV, so we had to get into some of her thoughts on reality TV, including why she thinks 90 Day Fiancé is actually a better show than DAVE(!).
Stick around for the rapid fire for her thoughts on the Golden Bachelor and her favorite celebrity run-in.
New episodes of Connection Request are released every Thursday, right here on YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.
☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection
Connect with Taylorhttps://www.instagram.com/taylormisiak/https://twitter.com/taylormisiakhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm5357286/
Connect with the show Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequest TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectionrequest Email: [email protected]
Connect with Joel Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelleeman/
About Connection Request Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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Today on the show we’re talking to Mandi Jung, better known as Sabocat on TikTok, aka Fox News' #1 worst nightmare.
Mandi is a public school teacher who has grown a large following on TikTok sharing both her thoughts and resources on teacher unions, the intersection of capitalism and education, and other critical issues in her space. I love Mandi’s joy and passion for both students and teachers alike, and I think you’ll hear that come through in the interview.
We discuss what the broader public gets wrong about teachers, her friendship with Minnesota’s attorney general, the far right’s push to delegitimize public education, and about what it’s like to get roasted by Fox News and mentioned by Donald Trump.
We also get into why she started her TikTok out of spite, her run-in with Dave Matthews, and do a quick round of hot takes on important issues like book bans, free lunch, and critical race theory. New episodes released every Thursday, right here on YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.
☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection
Connect with Sabocat
https://www.tiktok.com/@sabocat https://twitter.com/sabocat_teacherhttps://www.instagram.com/sabocat_teacher/https://www.sabocatteacher.com/Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequest TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectionrequest Email: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelleeman/About Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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Welcome back to Season 2! We have an amazing line-up of guests on the show for you. We’re chatting with the architect of Minnesota’s pandemic response, a prominent teacher-tiktoker, a senior advisor at the Gates Foundation, an actress from the TV show Dave, and so many more. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss an episode.
In today’s episode, we’re talking with Erin Flavin, owner of Minnesota’s first non-alcoholic beverage shop, Marigold (now with 2 locations) as well as the owner of her salon, Honeycomb. She is on a mission to make NOT drinking cool. And if her first year in business is any indication, she’s well on her way.
We chat about how the pandemic made her rethink a lot, including her relationship with alcohol. We also discuss how she’s moved throughout her career in both hair and entrepreneurship. And, we get a first-hand look at the rise of the NA movement, both in Minnesota and across the US.
By the way, Marigold has a bunch of great events going on to celebrate Sober October, including a weekly golden hour. More here: https://shop.honeycombmpls.com/pages/events
New episodes released every Thursday wherever you get podcasts.
☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection
Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequest TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectionrequest Email: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelleeman/About Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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Welcome to the final episode of Season 1!
Today on the show, I’m talking to Andrew Seaman, Senior Managing Editor for Jobs & Career Development at LinkedIn News, who helms LinkedIn's wildly popular Get Hired and Get Ahead newsletters and the Get Hired podcast.
Few people have as unique of a perch as Andrew does, waking up every day and reporting on the world of work and careers, with a mission to help people succeed in what they do. Plus, he knows a thing or two about career journeys, having moved from one of the world’s oldest media companies to one of the newest, and even pitching his own job to his bosses.
I wanted to pick Andrew’s brain to glean some of the biggest insights he’s discovered on the world of work, as well as ask him to reflect on his own career. We talk about how generative AI will affect work, what it’s like to work for a news team owned by a tech company that’s owned by another tech company, and get his thoughts as a former medical journalist on the COVID-19 coverage. Stick around for the rapid fire where he shares the best and worst career advice he’s ever received, and his favorite interviewee.
References
SPJ Code of EthicsA Conversation With Bing’s Chatbot Left Me Deeply Unsettled (New York Times)Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequestInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequestTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@connectionrequestEmail: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleemanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/Instagram: https://instagram.com/joelleemanAbout Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. In Season 1 we hear from a drummer turned coffee entrepreneur, a journalist who popularized the term “doomscrolling,” an executive who’s plotting her next chapter, and much more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.shrugcontent.com/connection-request
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Today on the show, I’m chatting with Rob Sartain, a creative executive based in London, who most recently led the in-house Content Studio at the London Stock Exchange Group, and has more than 20 years building brands and communication platforms.
Rob and I both left LSEG earlier this year, and I wanted to catch up with him to see how things are going, and how he’s thinking about his career in this moment of transition.
We talk about it all, including how he went from being an employee at a bank to an executive at a financial services company, and we also unpack how he’s had to overcome being an introvert throughout his career. We also chat about the Great Redundancy Express, a quote about advertising from 1923, and unpack how general artificial intelligence might affect creative professions around the world.
Rob’s played a really important role in my career, which we talk about, and I was so grateful for him coming on the show and being so open and thoughtful about some of life’s big questions.
Connect with Rob
Substack: https://thebobtree.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robcsartain/Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequestInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequestTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@connectionrequestEmail: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleemanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/Instagram: https://instagram.com/joelleemanAbout Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. In Season 1 we hear from a drummer turned coffee entrepreneur, a journalist who popularized the term “doomscrolling,” an executive who’s plotting her next chapter, and much more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.shrugcontent.com/connection-request
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Today on the show, I'm chatting to Minnesota state Senator Erin Maye Quade, who is also the Special Projects Advisor at Gender Justice.
She’s the third black woman ever elected to the Minnesota legislature, and when she was elected representative in 2016, she was the only Democrat to flip a State house seat from red to blue. She also made national headlines in her last campaign for, incredibly, giving a speech while in labor.
The senator shares her organizing origin story, as well as tells the story of how now Attorney General Keith Ellison gave her the initial nudge to run for office. Plus, why she sees ADHD as her super power, why she feels our political labels aren’t always helpful and why working in customer service jobs were the single best thing that prepared her to serve as a state legislator.
We also unpack the historic legislative season in Minnesota, and her plans to “regulate the heck out of Artificial Intelligence.”
Connect with Senator Erin Maye Quade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinMayeQuade Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinmayequade/Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequestInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequestTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@connectionrequestEmail: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleemanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/Instagram: https://instagram.com/joelleemanAbout Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. In Season 1 we hear from a drummer turned coffee entrepreneur, a journalist who popularized the term “doomscrolling,” an executive who’s plotting her next chapter, and much more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.shrugcontent.com/connection-request
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If you’ve seen headlines about the media industry this year, chances are none of them have been very positive. According to Axios, we’ve already hit a record number of media job cuts in 2023 at more than 17,000 as of June 1, and seen digital media darlings like BuzzFeed News close and Vice Media file for bankruptcy.
But amidst that very bleak outlook, there are smaller, more niche outlets that are not only finding their way but succeeding.
That’s why I wanted to sit down with Em Cassel, a co-owner and editor at Racket, and the final editor-in-chief of its predecessor, City Pages, a beloved alt weekly newspaper right here in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
We talk through Em’s career that brought her to Minneapolis, and chat about that fateful day in 2020 when the Star Tribune decided to fold City Pages entirely. We also discuss how Em and a few colleagues decided to start a publication from scratch, and nearly two years in how it’s going and what makes for a Racket story.
Along the way, we chat about Tay Zonday, Spam, rotisserie chickens, an anonymous commenter named Taco Mike, and why it’s important to listen to those pushes from the universe every now and then.
Stick with us until the rapid fire, where I grill Em on some of her favorite food and beverage spots in the Twin Cities right now, and force her to choose between Minnesota icons Bob Dylan and Prince. We go deep on both media and Minnesota, but I think there’s lots to be learned for all of us from the way she’s approached her career.
Articles referenced
‘Chocolate Rain’ at 15: A 4,000-word interview with Tay Zonday about…everythingIt’s time for Twin Cities chefs to embrace spamLocal grocery store rotisserie chickens, rankedWhat the hell has been going on at MPR?Let’s take a ride with a Minneapolis bike busThe last good website (CJR)Connect with Em
Racket: https://racketmn.com/author/em-casselTwitter: https://twitter.com/biketroubleConnect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequestInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequestTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@connectionrequestEmail: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleemanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/Instagram: https://instagram.com/joelleemanAbout Connection Request Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. In Season 1 we hear from a drummer turned coffee entrepreneur, a journalist who popularized the term “doomscrolling,” an executive who’s plotting her next chapter, and much more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.shrugcontent.com/connection-request
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We have a special episode for you! We're featuring an episode of our sister show Climate Money Work. If you like what you hear, go follow the feed for more conversations like this one. We'll be back next week with a regular episode of Connection Request. ***Few people have had a front row seat to watch the world of sustainability shifting over the decades, but Tim Mohin certainly has. As he puts it, he’s been around the world of sustainability since before we had that word.
Starting out his career in environmental policy at the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Senate, Tim went on to lead sustainability initiatives at several Fortune 500 companies including Intel and Apple, and eventually served as CEO of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), along with a range of other positions delivering impact in the sustainability space. He now serves as a Partner and Director at Boston Consulting Group, and writes a weekly ESG and Climate newsletter for nearly 30,000 subscribers.
He joins us today on Climate. Money. Work. as the first guest in our three-part series on careers in sustainability. Tim describes how sustainability has moved from an activist movement to a mainstream one thanks to the investor community, and also shares what’s top of mind right now for business leaders, investors, regulators, consumers, and workers. He also gives some excellent advice on how those who want to further their career in sustainability can progress, and shares what advice he’d give to his younger self.
Join us for our next episodes where we’ll hear from sustainability executive recruiters on how they see the space taking shape.
To view a transcript of this episode, visit https://www.keesaschreane.com/podcast.
For show feedback, pitches and business enquiries, please email [email protected].
Follow Keesa
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keesac.schreane2215 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keesa-c-schreane-fsa-cams-6b45bbb/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeesaCamille Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keesaschreane/Keesa’s latest book, Gambling on Green: https://www.keesaschreane.com/gambling-on-green-book
About Keesa
Keesa Schreane is a highly in-demand author, keynote speaker, and consultant, whose expertise includes ESG, risk analysis, sustainable finance, and corporate reporting. Her work has appeared in outlets including Black Enterprise, Bloomberg, CNBC, CBS, Essence, FinTech TV, and Latina, and she serves on numerous boards and committees, including Ceres President’s Council.
About Climate Money Work
Climate Money Work is veteran podcast host and author Keesa Schreane’s new podcast, which explores complex climate, workplace, governance and social issues. Throughout each episode, Keesa will both host compelling conversations with experts and offer her own insights on how corporates, investors, and regulators might find solutions — and common ground.
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Today on the show I’m talking to Keesa Schreane, an author, speaker and consultant who has written not one but two books covering the complex issues of corporate culture, compassion in the workplace, ESG, as well as sustainability.
You can see and read her in outlets including Black Enterprise, Bloomberg, CNBC, CBS, Essence, and more, and she serves on numerous boards and committees, including Ceres President’s Council. As we’ll talk about, we also have worked together in various capacities - I’m the producer of her new podcast Climate Money Work.
We talk about Keesa’s journey to get to where she is, how she went about writing a book on top of having a demanding day job, and she gives some great advice on the art of consistency, the different kinds of power, and her connections to both Kevin Durant’s mom and Dr. Maya Angelou. I also ask for her thoughts on how the corporations who pledged support are doing three years after George Floyd’s murder.
Stick with me for the Coda, where I talk about teachers and what they have meant to me throughout my life.
Connect with Keesa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keesa-c-schreane-fsa-cams-6b45bbb/Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeesaCamilleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/keesaschreane/Website: https://www.keesaschreane.com/Climate Money Work podcast: https://www.keesaschreane.com/podcastConnect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequestInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequestTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@connectionrequestEmail: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleemanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/Instagram: https://instagram.com/joelleemanAbout Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. In Season 1 we hear from a drummer turned coffee entrepreneur, a journalist who popularized the term “doomscrolling,” an executive who’s plotting her next chapter, and much more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.shrugcontent.com/connection-request
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Casey Hall is the President of Lumberjack Social, and a FORCE in the world of social media. He’s also a highly in-demand conference speaker, digital consultant and former attorney.
We talk about a LOT in this episode, including how Casey went from attorney to social media expert, how he approached being laid off, what it was like to start his own consulting business and his thoughts on the state of social media in 2023. Also, giant jenga sets, Chip Danger, and one of the wildest stories he remembers from his time in corporate that involves the musical Chicago.
Stick around for the Coda, where I share a few tips on how to battle imposter syndrome.
Connect with Casey
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyhall/Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyHall_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseyhall/Website: https://www.lumberjack.social/Chip Danger YouTube shorts: https://www.youtube.com/@chipdangershorts3650Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequestInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequestTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@connectionrequestEmail: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleemanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/Instagram: https://instagram.com/joelleemanAbout Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. In Season 1 we hear from a drummer turned coffee entrepreneur, a journalist who popularized the term “doomscrolling,” an executive who’s plotting her next chapter, and much more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.shrugcontent.com/connection-request
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“Some of the best work I’ll ever do will never be seen by people.”
Risa Dorken is best known to the world for playing Nurse Amy Driscoll on General Hospital, TV’s longest running soap opera that just celebrated its 60th anniversary.
But I know her first and foremost as the very talented actress I went to middle school and high school with. It was clear then that she was gifted and even more dedicated than the rest of us, and it’s been so fun to watch her career unfold.
I wanted to learn from Risa what it’s actually like to work in Hollywood, an industry known for being highly competitive and full of so many ups and downs. She was so honest, open, and vulnerable, and as you’ll hear her say, she doesn’t feel like she’s yet reached the pinnacle of her career. She was also incredibly open about her journey with bipolar. For 90’s kids, I also ask her what it’s like working with Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century.
Inspired by Risa, I share my own journey with mental health in the Coda.
Connect with Risa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risadorken/Twitter: https://twitter.com/RisaDorkenConnect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequestInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequestTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@connectionrequestEmail: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleemanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/Instagram: https://instagram.com/joelleemanAbout Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. In Season 1 we hear from a drummer turned coffee entrepreneur, a journalist who popularized the term “doomscrolling,” an executive who’s plotting her next chapter, and much more.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.shrugcontent.com/connection-request
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“This life I'm living does feel like some alternate timeline that I entered a cheat code to enter into.”
Eric Radloff is a musician and teacher living in LA who records under the name Okudaxij. He also happens to be a good friend who I’ve wanted to interview like this for a long time. Eric first became known as the front man for Bear Attack, a band he started with friends and classmates while studying at the University of Southern California in LA. The band developed a sizable following, and even landed some of their music on the hit TV show Pretty Little Liars. Even though that project is no longer active, that doesn’t stop almost 45,000 people from streaming them on Spotify every month.
When Bear Attack ended, Eric started a new project called Okudaxij - we’ll explain the name near the end of the episode. Pitchfork has hailed his new project as “joyfully capturing the oddities of life in a way that’s genuinely sentimental.”
In our conversation, which is dropping on the same day his first child is due, we talk about how parenthood may recontextualize his career, how he thinks about success as an indie musician, what going on his first national tour was like, and his relationship with social media as an artist.
Music featured in episode
Courtesy of Okudaxij
Easy to LoveBeautiful AnimalI Think We Could Do ItWho Knocks?We Belong TogetherEric’s recommendations
MitskyMunaSnail MailRequiem (Gabriel Fauré)I Think We Could Do It (Okudaxij)Lou RoyConnect with Okudaxij/Eric
Bandcamp: https://okudaxij.bandcamp.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0wIxPvolrHsK2udiqMME3h?si=qdidcT0-T5u0lztNKvFnjAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/okudaxij/Twitter: https://twitter.com/okudaxijFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/okudaxijBear Attack: https://omgbearattack.bandcamp.com/Connect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequestInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequestTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@connectionrequestEmail: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleemanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/Instagram: https://instagram.com/joelleemanAbout Connection Request
Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. In Season 1 we hear from a drummer turned coffee entrepreneur, a journalist who popularized the term “doomscrolling,” an executive who’s plotting her next chapter, and much more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/connection
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SK Coffee is a coffee roaster that sources single-origin micro-lots, exploring unique and rare profiles from around the world. Beginning in 2018, SK has quickly made a name for itself in the coffee community and beyond thanks to their dedication to a high quality product. Founder, owner and namesake Sam Kjellberg joins me to talk about how he went from musician to coffee entrepreneur, how he thinks about the intersection of business and art, and the emotional toll of being an entrepreneur.
In the Coda, I reflect on travel, vacation and the importance of taking a break.
Sam’s recommendations
Braiding Sweetgrass: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17465709-braiding-sweetgrassFleet Foxes - A Very Lone Solstice: https://youtu.be/3VB24LYsE60Composer Arvo Pärt: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvo_PärtConnect with Sam and SK Coffee
Website: https://skcoffeeplease.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.k.coffee/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skcoffeepleaseConnect with the show
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequestInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionrequest/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectionrequest TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@connectionrequest Email: [email protected]Connect with Joel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleemanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeman/Instagram: https://instagram.com/joelleemanAbout Connection Request Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. In Season 1 we hear from a drummer turned coffee entrepreneur, a journalist who popularized the term “doomscrolling,” an executive who’s plotting her next chapter, and much more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/connection
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