Connections Radio Show – September 28, 2024

Laurie Fitz joins author Marcie R. Rendon, White Earth Ojibwe, to hear and discuss selections from her recent book, Anishinaabe Songs for a New Millennium (2024, University of Minnesota Press). Rendon was included on Oprah Winfrey’s 2020 list of thirty-one Native American authors. Her poem-songs evoke and keep alive a world still unfolding around us, reflecting our place…

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Connections Radio Show – September 14, 2024

Laurie Fitz is joined by co-hosts Susan and Sally from the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)—the largest of MN’s regional library systems, serving 8 member-libraries with more than 100 library locations across the greater Twin Cities area. Along with some of their indispensable team as guests, hear about the magic of these modern libraries and…

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Connections Radio Show – August 24, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with two leaders from Resources for Enriching African Lives (REAL): founder and executive director, Tsehai Wodajo, with board president and chair, Olga Tolle-Rodrigues. REAL’s local community has been transforming lives through education and empowering girls to be leaders in their communities in Ethiopia. Join them September 14 for their 20th Celebration Fundraising Gala (Union Depot, Saint…

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Connections Radio – August 17, 2024

Laurie Fitz is joined by co-hosts Susan and Sally from the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)—the largest of MN’s regional library systems, serving 8 member-libraries with more than 100 library locations across the greater Twin Cities area. Hear about the magic of these modern libraries and their systems for keeping us up on various media…

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Connections Radio – August 3, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit again with local musician, Nathaniel Harris—to share his growing “Circles of Musical Connection.” He’s built a Twin Cities following from the ground up, performing at festivals, on stages, at local Kowalski’s Markets, the Midtown Global Market, Lund’s and Byerly’s, and now weekly Sundays at Minneapolis’s Longfellow Grill (3–6 PM). – www.Facebook.com/NathanielHarrisLive

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Connections Radio – July 27, 2024

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with the Rev. Don Dewey, longtime minister, former Regional Minister of the Pacific Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Rick’s long ago former Pacific School of Religion classmate in Berkeley. We discuss many changes over the decades in churches’ nature and membership—and re-emerging evils of…

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Connections Radio – July 20, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with minister (United Church of Christ), musician, event producer, and Center for Courage & Renewal facilitator, Alan Claassen—one more remarkable person with whom Rick had the privilege of attending grad. school at Pacific School of Religion (in Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union). Alan has a rich history of skills and ways he makes a difference in connecting people far…

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Connections Radio Show – June 29, 2024

Host Laurie Fitz visits with the ReConnect Rondo Youth Council about their historical research, social analysis, restorative justice work, and professional communications. Through their podcasts they aspire to amplify stories that have been silenced, uncover the systemic racism that lies under the pavement, and continue the work that previous generations started. – www.ReConnectRondo.com / www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbRQ3xBjonZVmMQphTayvXpFFCh2tuvky

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Connections Radio June 8,2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with Mari Harris—award-winning singer/songwriter, actor, speaker, and a lover of life with a commitment to provide entertainment, empowerment, and love through the arts. She performs internationally on stage, in concert halls, on television, the internet, and the big screen—exciting and inspiring audiences with her voice, talent, and presence.…

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Connections Radio – May 25, 2024

Host Laurie Fitz interviews Lee Hawkins on his 10 part podcast series “What Happened in Alabama?” Born out of personal experiences of intergenerational trauma, and the impacts of Jim Crow that exist beyond what we understand about segregation award-winning journalist Lee Hawkins unpacks his family history and upbringing, his father’s painful nightmares and past, and…

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Connections Radio Show – May 18, 2024

Laurie Fitz celebrates Minnesota High School ProStart Champions who won 3rd place at the National ProStart Invitational. Guests include: National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation ProStart Leaders, Hospitality Minnesota CEO and President, Elk River High School ProStart Teachers, Elk River High School ProStart Management Champions and their key Mentor!   ProStart® is a career and technical education…

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Connections Radio – May 11, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with poet, fiction writer, and creative writing teacher, Rev. Patrick Cabello Hansel. The connections are wide and deep as we discuss his inspiring personal journey and community work towards radical hospitality, justice, and beauty. – www.ArteCabelloHansel.com / www.SemillaCenter.org

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Connections Raduio – April 27, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit Rick’s former Pacific School of Religion colleague, Reverend Steve Garnaas-Holmes—who, among other pursuits, happened to perform 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. Our discussion about art and…

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Connections Radio Show – April 20, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit again with artist and writer, Anne Sawyer, this time about a touching recent project: Minneapolis’s Southeast Seniors Memoir Project. With recorded examples from Tricia, Karen, and Darla, we learn about the genesis and growth of this venture leading to a wonderfully crafted book and podcast. Drawing upon memories…

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Connections Radio – March 16, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit again with Mark Woerpel, who co-arranged and co-produced the Rickey Medlocke Band’s new release, “Never Run Out of Road”—c/o Rock the Cause Records in support of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Movement. That song’s proceeds benefit the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center – www.niwrc.org – We’ll…

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Connections Radio Show – February 24, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Blackfoot’s and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Rickey Medlocke to talk about his new single with the Rickey Medlocke Band, “Never Run Out Of Road”—in support of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement. We’re joined by musician/producer, Mark Woerpel—about his work on this song and related music—as well as visiting with Rock the Cause Records’ CEO Scott Herold. – Proceeds benefit…

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Connections Radio – February 10, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit U.Conn. Professor of English, well-known author, and humorist, Gina Barreca, for a 3rd time following her 3rd and recent book in her edited “Fast Women” series: “Fast Fallen Women: 75 Essays of Flash Nonfiction” (Woodhall Press). Our fun conversation covers the ground of authentic values with integrity. We…

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Connections Radio – February 3, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with High School for Recording Arts’ executive director, Tony Simmons, and Rock the Cause CEO, Scott Herold. We discuss High School for Recording Arts’ life-giving work to connect and reconnect parts of the Twin Cities and various generations alike—through the power of education, communications, and music with its…

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Connections Radio – January 27, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit preacher, comedian, and author, Susan Sparks. Reverend Sparks and Rick met years ago as she was in transformation from trial lawyer to comedian and a student at Union Theological Seminary, while Rick was teaching at the Graduate Theological Union’s “Summer Program on The Arts in Worship and Spirituality,” which Susan attended. Since 2007, Susan has been…

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Connections Radio Show – January 20, 2024

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join health/life coach, photographer, author, and sound alchemist, Charity Barlass, for a unique experience: a “Sound Bath.” During this meditative experience we are “bathed” in sound waves—produced by singing bowls, chimes, a rain stick, and Charity’s voice. The sense of relaxation, wellbeing, awareness—and, yes, connection—is certain yet hard to describe. So we explore the experience and…

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Connections Radio – January 13, 2024

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with legendary ”Sounds of Blackness” musical director, Gary Hines, along with Rock the Cause’s CEO, Scott Herold—to hear and discuss their powerful, inspiring voice-of-justice music and to reflect upon Martin Luther King, Jr. –

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Connections Radio Show – January 6, 2024

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join internationally-known folk troubadour and organizer, Larry Long, for a 4th broadcast—this one about his new album, “Sweet Thunder,” with support from Rock the Cause Records, as well his coming 1/13 “American Roots Revue” at The Dakota. Join our lively discussion weaving contrapuntal flows of music, history, and social justice. – www.LarryLong.org / www.DakotaCooks.com/event/american-roots-revue-8 / https://larrylong.bandcamp.com/album/Sweet-Thunder

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Connections Radio Show – December 9, 2023

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo discuss the art and practice of healthy holiday connections—reframing or reformulating stories as we might need in order to flourish. We talk about possibilities for recreating our relationships and selves, featuring selections from Rick’s holiday music with Spirit Garage, Laurie’s history managing holidays, and Rick’s comedic “A Bernardo Bedtime…

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Connections Radio – November 4, 2023

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join U.Conn. Professor of English, well-known author, and humorist, Gina Barreca, following-up our 9/23 show about the release of the 3rd and recent book of her edited “Fast Women” series: “Fast Fallen Women: 75 Essays of Flash Nonfiction” (Woodhall Press). As we check-in on what makes life deeply meaningful, our fun…

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Connections Radio – October 28, 2023

Laurie Fitz joins the ReConnect Rondo Youth Council about their “Voices of Rondo Podcast” series that discusses the Rondo community’s history and how we can work to rebuild and reconnect communities depleted of resources and destroyed by displacement through segregationist public policy. Tim Hunt, ReConnect Rondo’s Director of Marketing & Communications, and Scott Herold, with the High School for…

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Connections Radio – October 7, 2023

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Yvette Erasmus, PsyD., for fourth in the series: “Everything Changes When You Do.” We discuss how to re-frame our stories—especially for coming holidays—to help transform self-sabotaging habits and disconnected relationships into deeper connection, meaning, and purpose. As we continue exploring our processes and inner maps, hear our discussion about the tools we…

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Connections Radio – September 30, 2023

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join The Cafe Meow owner and cofounder, Jessica Burge, for the story of their growing enterprise—the first cat café in Minnesota (New Hope and Roseville locations). Listen-in about how The Cafe Meow is serving the Twin Cities community through their often purrrrfect cat lounge experiences, café products, feline fostering and…

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Connections Radio – September 23, 2023

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join U.Conn. Professor of English, well-known author, and humorist, Gina Barreca, to discuss the 3rd and recent book of her edited “Fast Women” series: Fast Fallen Women: 75 Essays of Flash Nonfiction (Woodhall Press). These 75 new essays are about the dangerous and enthralling ways women fall—and how they…

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Connections Radio – August 26, 2023

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo again join well-known folk troubadour and organizer, Larry Long, about the Mississippi and his reissued, remastered album, “Run For Freedom,” with support from Rock the Cause CEO, Scott Herold, for this 3rd broadcast about their album. A beautiful tapestry of working-class anthems from a bygone era, the album’s songs still speak urgently to matters of justice…

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Connections Radio – August 12, 2023

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with singer, rapper, writer, Dessa, and local musician, Nathaniel Harris, to share their music and discuss “Scenes and Skills Behind the Music that Moves Us.” Dessa’s new full-length album, “Bury the Lede,” comes out Sept. 29th. And she just completed an Aug. 3rd–5th run with the MN Orchestra (to be available for on-demand…

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Connections Radio – August 5, 2023

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Yvette Erasmus, PsyD., for third in a series at the start of recent and coming months: “Everything Changes When You Do.” Hear our vital discussion about her work and tools we all can use toward transformation with authentic power for individuals, relationships, and social systems. – YvetteErasmus.com

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Connections Radio Show – July 22, 2023

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo again join well-known folk troubadour, Larry Long, about his reissued and remastered album, “Run For Freedom,” with support from Rock the Cause CEO, Scott Herold, for this 2nd broadcast about their album. A beautiful tapestry of working-class anthems from a bygone era, the album’s songs still speak urgently to social and environmental justice today! – https://www.LarryLong.org / https://larrylong.bandcamp.com/album/run-for-freedom / https://orcd.co/erdq5kk

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Connections Radio – July 15, 2023

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo again joined essayist, poet, and author Mark Liebenow for our “Diversity of Love Connections” series. We explore more with Mark about learning to live and love—including some healing at Yosemite—holding grief in one hand and joy in the other. –  www.MarkLiebenow.com  /  www.WidowersGrief.blogspot.com

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Connections Radio Show – June 24, 2023

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join well-known folk troubadour Larry Long about his reissued and remastered album, “Run For Freedom,” with support from Rock the Cause CEO, Scott Herold. A beautiful tapestry of working-class anthems from a bygone era, the album’s songs still speak urgently to social and environmental justice today. – https://www.LarryLong.org / https://larrylong.bandcamp.com/album/run-for-freedom / https://orcd.co/erdq5kk 

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Connections Radio Show – June 3, 2023

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Yvette Erasmus, PsyD., for first in a series at the start of coming months: “Everything Changes When You Do.” Hear our vital discussion about her work and tools toward transformation for individuals, relationships, and social systems. – YvetteErasmus.com 

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Connections Radio Show – May 13, 2023

Laurie Beth Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Rev. Randy Mayer from The Good Shepherd UCC near the Arizona-Mexico border—along with Plymouth Congregational Church of Mpls’s Betsy Cussler and Rev. Seth Patterson (Minister for Justice & the Arts)—for part 2 of: “Love Thy Neighbor: Forging connections in our disconnected Americas.” After our week in February visiting…

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Connections Radio Show – May 6, 2023

Hosts Laurie Beth Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Reverend Doctor Delle McCormick from near the Arizona-Mexico border, along with Plymouth Congregational Church’s Nancy Lee and John Humphrey for: “Love Thy Neighbor: Forging connections in our disconnected Americas.” After a week visiting people and places along this border, we share our concerns, care, and commitments surrounding people…

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Connections Radio – April 22, 2023

This Earth Day morning, hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo joined Terry Gips (co-founder and President of the Alliance for Sustainability) with Frances Moore Lappé (international best-selling author and sustainability pioneer with the Small Planet Institute). As we approach the Alliance for Sustainability’s 40th Anniversary 5/18 event, we explore the roots, values, and systems by which human…

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Connections Radio – March 11, 2023

This morning, Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo joined essayist, poet, and author Mark Liebenow for next in our “Diversity of Love Connections” series. We discuss with Mark learning to live and love holding grief in one hand and joy in the other. –  www.MarkLiebenow.com  /  www.WidowersGrief.blogspot.com  

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Connections Radio – February 18, 2023

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo this morning joined Maggie Huffman (www.TheRainbowOnion.com) and Reverend Dean J. Seal (www.ChaskaChurch.com) for next in our “Diversity of Love Connections” series! With Maggie, we discuss ways lovingly to distinguish and follow our careers or vocations. With Reverend Dean, we look at how love manifests in public—through just or unjust systems—and, for…

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Connections Radio – February 11, 2023

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo this morning joined Charity Barlass (www.instagram.com/IamCharityBarlass) and Kirsten Lind Seal (www.KirstenLindSeal.com) to kick off our “Diversity of Love Connections” series! We discuss love and the nature of self-care with compassion and vulnerability. We also look at love for couples—what it is and isn’t—and our expectations for relationships.

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Connections Radio January 28, 2023

After guests’ 2023 reflections 2 weeks ago, hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Diana-Christine Teodorescu (DCTeodorescu@SomnioQuam.org), Susan Hart Gaines (www.WildHartCoaching.com), and Susan Shehata (www.SusanShehata.com)—for the second of 2 parts on how we might move “From Being to Doing to the Results We Want.”

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Connections Radio – January 21, 2023

After our guests’ 2023 reflections and insights last week, hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo this morning joined Charity Barlass (www.instagram.com/IamCharityBarlass), Susan Hart Gaines (www.WildHartCoaching.com), and Diana-Christine Teodorescu (DCTeodorescu@SomnioQuam.org) on how we might move “From Being to Doing to the Results We Want.” And today’s the first day for www.ArtShantyProjects.org at Lake Harriet. 

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Connections Radio – December 17, 2022

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Brittany Parker, Creator of Locally Grown Comedy. We learn about this Minneapolis-based, award winning, comedy sketch show with high production and high moral values. Female-led, it features a diverse group of creators and talents that will make you laugh. We also get to hear examples of the creativity and…

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Connections Radio – November 19, 2022

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo again join writer, director, and choreographer, Stuart Pimsler (Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater). Following our previous 9/17 broadcast, we revisit his book, “The Choreography of Care,” exploring not only caregivers’ needs for healing, but also Stuart’s workshop activities and their power toward awareness and growth. – www.ChoreographyofCare.com   www.StuartPimsler.com

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Connections Radio Show – October 29, 2022

Hey Congressional District 3 voters!   Three of our top DFL candidates discuss economy, public safety, reproductive rights, and more on “Connections” where host Laurie Fitz goes in-depth with Incumbent Patty Acomb (SD 45B), Bonnie Westlin (SD 42), and Caitlin Cahill,  (SD 37A). You can listen to the show here!

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Connections Radio – October 15, 2022

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Laura Stearns for part 2 about her new book, “Shattered: Exposing the Open Secret of the Children’s Theatre Scandal,” and her coming book, “Daring to Heal: Growing Beyond Trauma through Awareness, Acceptance and Action.” – www.PaladinAdvocacy.com

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Connections Radio – October 1, 2022

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join 3 lead actors for Theater Latte Da’s new production of “Merrily We Roll Along”: Reese Britts * Dylan Frederick * Becca Hart. We discuss how the musical’s story of big professional and personal possibility—told historically backwards from 70s to 50s—meets their characters’ responsibilities and their heart of friendship.…

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Connections Radio Show – September 24, 2022

*This episode contains content that may be inappropriate for younger listeners.* Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join shameless sex therapist and holistic coach Jackie Golob, of Shameless Therapy. We explore not only our mental health surrounding sexuality, but also how we all might connect powerfully in that realm of human experience. – www.ShamelessTherapy.org  

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Connections Radio – September 17, 2022

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join writer, director, choreographer, and performing artist Stuart Pimsler (Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater). We discuss his book, The Choreography of Care, exploring caregivers’ vital needs and possibilities of enhanced healing and growth for all concerned—health providers, patients, and artists. – www.ChoreographyofCare.com  www.StuartPimsler.com

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Connections Radio – August 20, 2022

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join professional storyteller, poet, author, and consultant, Loren Niemi. In this second broadcast, we highlight his American School of Storytelling (www.AmericanSchoolofStorytelling.com), his consulting, and more poems from his recent book, “A Breviary for the Lost” (Amazon.com).

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Connections Radio – August 13, 2022

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join professional storyteller, poet, author, and consultant, Loren Niemi. In part one of two broadcasts, we feature windows into Loren’s fascinating life story, with poems from his recent book, “A Breviary for the Lost” (Amazon.com). 

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Connections Radio July 9 2022

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join mind-body-spirit coach, polymath artist, transformational healer, and social-spiritual connecter, Josine Peters. What does connecting in love look like? We talk about dealing with, being with, and connecting deeply with people in many areas of life’s paths. 

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Connections Radio June 4 2022

Laurie is joined by the High School for Recording Arts Executive Director Tony Simmons.  The discussion highlights HipHop Genius in education and the upcoming Deeper Learning Twin Cities Conference happening June 9-11, 2022 at the High School for Recording Arts.  To learn more, visit HSRA.org/twincities.22/

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Connections Radio Show – May 14, 2022

Hosts Laurie and Rick are joined by Nurse Carol Engelhart, Event and Fundraising Coordinator for Healthcare for All Minnesota ( www.HCA-mn.org ). We delved into the inspiring, wide, and deep connections for improving the well being of one and all—and MN could be the turning point. Their 5/20 picnic is on AM 950’s site!

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Connections Radio April 30 2022

  Hosts Laurie Beth Fitz and Rick Bernardo are joined by Scotty Herold—Rock the Cause CEO and Founder—and Kelsey McMahon, singer/songwriter (“Mousie”) and actress, as well as associate director, leading the Film, TV, Commercial License & Sync Division of Rock the Cause. We talk all things social justice and music—from the work with underserved youth…

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Connections Radio – April 23, 2022

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo discuss progressive religion and spirituality with guest Tom Esch, Chief Leadership Officer of Esch Consulting, LLC, in St. Paul, MN. Tom also performs in the role of Fr. Vito Incognido (in the spirit of Fr. Guido Sarducci).

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Connections Radio April 9 – 2022

This week on Connections Radio, Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo are joined by Scott Herold, Founder and CEO of Rock the Cause Records. The episode introduces listeners to 4 new tracks from Scott’s Rock the Cause label, from artists who make a difference. Scott also speaks about the phenomenal work of High School for Recording…

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Connections Radio – March 12, 2022

Continuing the conversation on our personal journey of ethics during as the war continues in Ukraine, Laurie Fitz is joined by her guest Rick Bernardo to discuss why liars are listened to, how to find our voice – with the many voices in our head, and explore how the arts can support our journey to…

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Connections Radio February 26 2022

In reacting to our global disasters, Laurie Fitz is joined by her guest Rick Bernardo to discuss ways to explore personal ethics, make connections and make a difference. Rick Bernardo is an ethicist, public health advocate, musician, actor, comedian and instructor of organizational leadership, business ethics and cyber-tech ethics at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.…

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Connections Radio Show – January 29, 2022

Derek Strong, Director of Military Programs for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, joins Laurie Fitz to discuss programs that support service member’s transition to civilian opportunities in the foodservice industry. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) has established an industry-training program that prepares transitioning service members for entry into a Restaurant Manager apprenticeship program or…

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Connections Radio January 22 2022

Laurie Fitz discusses health and well being in the restaurant industry with Nancy Olson a server and trainer in the restaurant industry and current graduate student at the University of Minnesota studying Integrative Health and Well Being Coaching.

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