Connections gives us the chance to examine a wider perspective that may just inspire us to DO something!
Engaging conversations will explore both the celebrations of living as well as the challenges we face—stories of who Twin Citians are, what we think about, and what we get out and “do” is the heart of our show. Woven into these stories may be possible innovative solutions, we may address our disconnects, find new ways of looking at our questions, or we may just take time to enjoy who we are and the wonderful ways we are connected. Our show is mostly Twin Cities based, although we do occasionally host national and international guests.
Thought leaders, artists, educators, nonprofit advocates, scientists, healthcare professionals, community organizers, politicians, business innovators . . . are just a sampling of the guests you may hear when listening to Connections Radio.
Listen in, join the conversation and “get connected”.
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Connections gives us the chance to examine a wider perspective that may just inspire us to DO something!
Engaging conversations will explore both the celebrations of living as well as the challenges we face—stories of who Twin Citians are, what we think about, and what we get out and “do” is the heart of our show. Woven into these stories may be possible innovative solutions, we may address our disconnects, find new ways of looking at our questions, or we may just take time to enjoy who we are and the wonderful ways we are connected. Our show is mostly Twin Cities based, although we do occasionally host national and international guests.
Thought leaders, artists, educators, nonprofit advocates, scientists, healthcare professionals, community organizers, politicians, business innovators . . . are just a sampling of the guests you may hear when listening to Connections Radio.
Listen in, join the conversation and “get connected”.
Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Susan Hart Gaines to discuss her new book: "Prioritize Your Self-Care: Reclaiming Your Path to an Extraordinary Life” (2025 New York, Aviva Publishing). Susan is a certified life coach at Wild Hart Coaching, founder and owner of Embody Minneapolis, and a previous "Connections Radio" guest. In our culture, taking care of ourselves can be challenging. Everything else can seem more important—yet without the foundation of our own care, nothing else works well or it breaks down. Susan spreads this message for being self-care warriors : "You matter. Your care matters. This book is the reminder.” - www.WildHartCoaching.com • https://a.co/d/7Vi0SM1 (hardcover) • https://a.co/d/hf2w9F0 (Kindle)
Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with songwriter Joe Bigalke, who's thrilled to release worldwide his recent single, “No Matter Where You Are,” on Rock the Cause Records—whose CEO Scott Herold joins us along with producer Mark Woerpel. (Co-written with 3-time Grammy nominated songwriter, Jamie Floyd, the new song features vocalist Brooke Elizabeth.) We hear a number of Joe's beautiful recordings—exploring how they came to be with the creative forces behind Joe Bigalke Music. - www.JoeBigalkeMusic.com • www.iRocktheCause.org • https://MarkWoerpelMusic.homesteadcloud.com
Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit a 4th time with University of Connecticut's Professor of English, well-known author, and humorist, Gina Barreca. (Rick sought her out years ago after seeing her book on women, academia, and humor: "They Used to Call Me Snow White... But I Drifted.”) Our broadcast follows the 4th book in her edited “Fast Women” series: "Fast Famous Women: 75 Essays of Flash Nonfiction" (Woodhall Press). Her book about 75 famous women—written by 75 great authors—is a delight with insights about women, fame, and our culture at large. Our conversations with Gina about significant subjects are always a blast. - www.GinaBarreca.com • www.WoodhallPress.com
Hosts Laurie Fitz, Mia Roberts, and Rick Bernardo visit with Nara Logics' CEO and Board Member, Jana Eggers, for this 2nd broadcast following our 3/1/25 show about AI: In the people-centric restaurant industry, how is AI impacting the business today and how will it in the future? Most every one of us has experience on various sides of the restaurant table. If you want to begin coming to grips with AI—its past, its implications, and its future possibilities—now's your chance. - www.NaraLogics.com • www.ChooseRestaurants.com
Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with Nara Logics' CEO and Board Member, Jana Eggers, for "What the Heck Is A.I.?" If you want to begin coming to grips with AI—its past and its future implications—now's your chance. With over 30 years of technology and leadership experience from Intuit, Lycos, American Airlines, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and startups that you’ve never heard of, Jana is a frequent speaker, writer, and mentor on AI and startups. (She is also a marathoner and an Ironman.) - www.NaraLogics.com
Host Laurie Fitz with co-hosts Rick Bernardo and Mickaylee Shaughnessy visit with artists from Phoenix Theater's coming 2/16–3/2 production, "Stolen Focus.” Guests include: Brenda Varda (Writer) • Mickaylee Shaughnessy (Actor/Co-host) • Mike Dee (Actor) • Sandi Flahn (Actor). Based on "Stolen Focus" by Johann Hari, the creative cast have devised an evening that brings the 'circus' of digital life into a story that may seem familiar to many. Offering dramatic lenses orbiting the heart of human connection, it truly is a theater production for our time.
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www.PhoenixTheaterMpls.org • www.simpletix.com/e/stolen-focus-tickets-193118
Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit Rick’s former Pacific School of Religion colleague, Reverend Steve Garnaas-Holmes—who, among other United Methodist ministry pursuits, performed all over the country with The Montana Logging and Ballet Company. It's just one extension of his longtime experience as a composer, musician, actor, comedian, and poet. Last year April 27, 2024, our discussion about art and spirituality benefited from his years of performances zany and beautiful—often at the same time—with his years of perspective both circumspect and deep. This time we go deeper, including what we might do to survive trying times. - www.UnfoldingLight.net / www.reverbnation.com/MontanaLoggingandBalletCo
Continuing our series on “Library Connections,” Laurie Fitz joins co-hosts Sally and Susan from the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)—the largest of MN’s regional library systems with more than 100 library locations across the greater Twin Cities area. We include previews on their holiday programming, their highly-used Libby app (www.Libbyapp.com), recommended recent books, and their metro-wide "Winter Reads" adult reading program—coming January and February. We also feature library staff, with: Paula LaFrenierre, Adult Services Coordinator from Scott County Library / Kelsey Johnson-Kaiser, Youth and Families Services Manager from Saint Paul Library / Jessica Schenk, Program Coordinator from Carver County Library about volunteer opportunities / and Chayse Sundt, Manager with Anoka County’s St. Francis Library. - This was a 5-part MELSA series, 2nd Saturdays of the month. - www.MELSA.org • SusanTheeLibrarian@gmail.com
Co-hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join climate scientist, author, artist, and mother, Anna Farro Henderson, PhD, to discuss her recently launched book, "Core Samples: A Climate Scientist's Experiments in Politics and Motherhood" (2024, University of Minnesota Press). After our 10/5/24 broadcast, hear this part 2 of our wide-ranging, fun discussions on the fascinating yet essential intersections of science, politics, parenting, and art: "Using Our Stories to Support Action on Climate Change.” - www.AnnaFarroHenderson.com • www.upress.umn.edu/9781517916046/core-samples
Laurie Fitz is joined by co-hosts Sally and Susan from the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)—the largest of MN’s regional library systems with more than 100 library locations across the greater Twin Cities area. Hear about their great “smARTpass” program—its origins and regional arts partners with guests from Walking Shadow Theatre Company, American Swedish Institute, University of MN Dept. of Theatre Arts & Dance, and First Avenue & 7th St. Entry club properties—often including free tickets! - This 5-part MELSA series is 2nd Saturdays of the remaining months this year. - smARTpass.melsa.org • www.MELSA.org • SusanTheeLibrarian@gmail.com
Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with musician Libby McLaren—singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, performer, and music teacher (Rick met her long ago as they each performed at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park Bandshell). We hear some of her most recent album with partner Robin Flower, "One Plus One"—and discuss her deep and wide history and future of musical connections. - www.LibbyMclaren.com • www.FlowerandMclaren.com • www.youtube.com/@celialibbysexcellentharmon5598
Laurie Fitz interviews Jeffrey Morris, a black director based here the Twin Cities. Jeffrey will be part of or the Twin Cities Film Festival discussion on two documentaries in production. Laurie and Jeffrey explore his take on the future and our collective opportunity to choose hope and face challenges with respect, dignity and strong moral fiber. By looking back at the science fiction of the 60's - 70's there are lessons to be learned in moving forward. Jeffry was inspired by Star Trek, Space: 1999 and others, and he is touching a nerve with his thoughts on space exploration in the future. Both "The Eagle Obsession" and "Return to Tomorrow" documentaries are discussed, “The Eagle Obsession.” is a documentary feature that follows FutureDude Entertainment founder, director, and writer Jeffrey Morris on a globetrotting adventure as he investigates the origins and ongoing fascination with the iconic Eagle Transporter from the classic sci-fi series Space: 1999. The documentary Return to Tomorrow,” explores the impact of past visions of the future on an entire generation and features interview highlights with industry giants like William Shatner (“Star Trek”), Barbara Bain (“Space 1999”), Space X pilot Dr. Sian Proctor, and Astronaut Charles Duke, (the youngest person to walk on the Moon) as they share their hopeful vision. https://futuredude.com/about-us/
Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo sit with Joan Deming and Jes Ahlemeier, who reflect on their time volunteering in Palestine—working with Tent of Nations—contributing toward peace and healing in a war-torn region. Hear more about their experiences of sacred grounds, including foundations of justice and peace. - www.TentofNations.com • https://fotonna.org
Laurie Fitz is joined by co-hosts Sally and Susan from the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)—the largest of MN’s regional library systems with more than 100 library locations across the greater Twin Cities area. Hear about this month's “Teentober,” including Alyssa Stevenski from Ramsey County Library Youth Services. Then hear about MELSA’s table at the Twin Cities Book Festival, 10/19, including guest authors Andrea Christenson and Joe Field. - This 5-part MELSA series is 2nd Saturdays of the remaining months this year. - www.MELSA.org • https://TwinCitiesBookFestival.com • SusanTheeLibrarian@gmail.com
Host Laurie Fitz joins climate scientist, author, artist, and mother, Anna Farro Henderson PhD, to hear and discuss her coming book, Core Samples: A Climate Scientist's Experiments in Politics and Motherhood (2024, University of Minnesota Press). Hear our wide-ranging, fun discussion on the fascinating yet essential intersections of science, politics, parenting, and art. - www.AnnaFarroHenderson.com • www.upress.umn.edu/9781517916046/core-samples
Connections gives us the chance to examine a wider perspective that may just inspire us to DO something!
Engaging conversations will explore both the celebrations of living as well as the challenges we face—stories of who Twin Citians are, what we think about, and what we get out and “do” is the heart of our show. Woven into these stories may be possible innovative solutions, we may address our disconnects, find new ways of looking at our questions, or we may just take time to enjoy who we are and the wonderful ways we are connected. Our show is mostly Twin Cities based, although we do occasionally host national and international guests.
Thought leaders, artists, educators, nonprofit advocates, scientists, healthcare professionals, community organizers, politicians, business innovators . . . are just a sampling of the guests you may hear when listening to Connections Radio.
Listen in, join the conversation and “get connected”.