Not Your Average Neighbor

Some conversations deserve another listen. In this episode of Not Your Average Neighbor , Ann Roushar revisits four meaningful conversations from Seasons 1 through 4. Featuring Chris Taylor, Kyle Atkinson, Liz Burgin, and Stefanie Munsterman, this collection explores how we communicate, connect with others, care for ourselves, and recognize our worth beyond what we accomplish. From choosing kindne...

What happens when your podcast's social media page disappears? If you're Ann Roushar, you build a whole new front porch! In this spontaneous solo episode of Not Your Average Neighbor, Ann joins us from Arvada, Colorado, with an unexpected announcement, plenty of laughs, and stories from her latest family adventure. After the podcast's social media page was permanently removed, Ann shar...

What does it take to bring hundreds of Iowa REALTORS® together under one roof—and what happens behind the scenes to make it all possible? For Season 5, Episode 2 of Not Your Average Neighbor, Ann takes the podcast on location at the Iowa REALTORS® Convention in Des Moines for conversations with four of the people helping make the association, its events, and its impact possible: Gavin Blair, Greta...

What does “caring for your neighbor” look like when it becomes part of public service? In this episode of Not Your Average Neighbor, Ann Roushar sits down with Iowa State Representative Lindsay James for a conversation about her journey from ministry and chaplaincy to the Iowa State House and her campaign for Congress in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. About the Guest Rep. Lindsay James is an o...

Adam Meier is an up-and-coming Iowa comedian bringing the observations, awkward moments, and everyday absurdities of being a 26-year-old to the stage. Performing at local bars, comedy showcases, showrooms, and theaters across Iowa, Adam has been steadily finding his voice in the state's growing stand-up comedy community. His comedy is rooted in the things happening around him—from family stori...

This episode’s guest is none other than Not Your Average Neighbor host Ann Roushar! Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Ann is the voice and personality behind Not Your Average Neighbor, a podcast built around celebrating the people, stories, and perspectives that make our communities anything but average. For this special Episode 9.5, Ann trades her interviewer seat for the spotlight and shares another...

Jess Spidle is a licensed Iowa REALTOR® with Your Best Life Real Estate Partners, bringing a relatable, genuine, and client-first approach to real estate. Known as Your HOMEgirl, Jess believes that sometimes a less traditional approach is exactly what’s needed to get the job done. Whether you’re buying your first home, selling, or simply trying to figure out your next move, Jess wants to make real...

What does it mean to make history—and then use your seat at the table to help others be heard? In Season 4, Episode 8 of Not Your Average Neighbor, Ann sits down with Angel Ramirez, Iowa State Representative for House District 78 in Cedar Rapids and the first Latina ever elected to the Iowa State Legislature. Born in California and raised in Arizona, Angel came to Cedar Rapids as a first-generatio...

From Hawaii to Iowa: Food, Travel & Finding Community with Char Cahill What happens when you trade island life in Hawaii for life in Iowa—and decide to embrace everything your new community has to offer? In Season 4, Episode 7 of Not Your Average Neighbor, Ann sits down with her new friend Char Cahill, a tech professional, traveler, foodie, lifelong learner, and recent Iowa transplant whose cu...

🎙️ How an orange hat, a wooden spoon, and TikTok completely changed one woman's life. What started as funny videos during the early days of TikTok turned into a global community, over 152,000 followers, lifelong friendships, and eventually... meeting the man who would become her husband. In this episode of Not Your Average Neighbor, Ann Roushar sits down with Karina Jacobson, better known onli...

Everyone experiences seasons of stress, but what happens when overwhelm becomes your normal? In this episode of Not Your Average Neighbor, Ann Roushar sits down with Stefanie Munsterman, founder of The Spark Movement, to explore burnout, boundaries, ADHD, executive function challenges, and why so many people feel responsible for carrying everyone else's burdens. With more than 15 years of experien...

What happens when a high school Spanish teacher retires after 33 years... and discovers a passion for stand-up comedy? In this episode of Not Your Average Neighbor, Ann sits down with Cedar Rapids comedian Mindy Kruckenberg to talk about her journey from the classroom to the comedy stage. Mindy shares how teaching teenagers unexpectedly became the perfect training ground for comedy, why she fell i...

Welcome back to Not Your Average Neighbor! This week, Ann Roushar sits down with Megan Ruffles, founder of The Chic(ish) Chick and creator of a thriving lifestyle brand with more than 1 million followers across social media. Known for her popular "Hostess Bootcamp" series, Megan has helped thousands of people discover that hosting doesn't have to be intimidating, expensive, or perfec...

In this episode of Not Your Average Neighbor, Anne sits down with Stephanie Schumacher, a mortgage industry leader who has spent more than 20 years helping individuals and families achieve their homeownership goals throughout Eastern Iowa. Stephanie began her career at Hills Bank with no prior banking experience and worked her way into mortgage lending, where she discovered her passion for helping...

Season 4 kicks off with plenty of laughs as Ann Roushar sits down with Cedar Rapids comedian and show producer Josh Staley. For more than a decade, Josh has been performing stand-up comedy throughout Iowa while helping create opportunities for local and regional comedians. As the producer behind the Laugh Local series, he's become a driving force in building and supporting the area's growi...

In this bonus episode of Not Your Average Neighbor, Anne sits down with entrepreneur, business leader, and community builder Briana Mills for a conversation about innovation, leadership, and creating businesses rooted in real-life needs. Briana shares the story behind Flight Ready Parking — Iowa’s first indoor off-site airport parking service — and how a personal travel frustration turned into a s...

In this inspiring episode of Not Your Average Neighbor , Ann sits down with local real estate developer and community visionary Eric Gutschmidt to talk about the project that has everyone in Cedar Rapids talking — Rainbow Road . Eric shares how he transformed neglected homes into vibrant, colorful spaces designed to bring people together and spark community pride. From bold paint choices to permac...

In this heartfelt and deeply meaningful episode of Not Your Average Neighbor , Ann sits down with certified celebrant and funeral director Amy Heart from Murdoch Funeral Homes to talk about grief, healing, funeral planning, and the importance of community support during life’s hardest moments. Amy shares her personal journey into funeral service, what it means to help families celebrate life in de...

In this powerful Episode 8 of Not Your Average Neighbor, we sit down with Tara Louisa Allen to explore what it truly means to turn life’s challenges into stepping stones for growth. Tara opens up about her personal journey—one shaped by adversity, resilience, and a deep commitment to healing. This conversation dives into the moments that tested her, the mindset shifts that changed everything, and...

In this solo episode, Ann takes the mic alone for the very first time—and delivers a refreshingly honest, funny, and heartfelt conversation about something we all need but often avoid: vacation. From unexpected life stress to the chaos of everyday responsibilities, Ann shares why stepping away isn’t just a luxury—it’s essential for your mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. Through pers...

In this episode of Not Your Average Neighbor, we’re joined by the vibrant, unapologetic, and inspiring Alexandra Braasksma—a Cedar Rapids realtor, educator, mom, and self-proclaimed “wig enthusiast” who’s redefining confidence on her own terms. From navigating early career uncertainty to stepping into leadership in real estate, Alex shares how she built a life rooted in authenticity—even when it m...

In this fun, honest, and insight-packed episode, Ann welcomes back fan-favorite guest Kyle Atkinson, a coastal Delaware real estate expert, productivity coach, and “real estate bestie.” From TikTok fame to coaching agents and building thriving businesses, Kyle shares what it really takes to succeed—without losing yourself in the process. The conversation dives into everything from time-blocking an...

In this powerful episode of Not Your Average Neighbor, Anne sits down with licensed therapist Liz Burgin to explore what it truly means to protect your peace. From navigating life transitions to managing anxiety spirals, Liz shares practical, real-life tools to help you reset, ground yourself, and build healthier coping mechanisms. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or simply look...

In this episode of Not Your Average Neighbor, host Ann Rochar welcomes back one of her favorite guests, Skyler Slifka, for an honest and entertaining conversation about adventure, family, and finding your place in the world. After selling their home in Iowa, Skyler and her family packed up a fifth-wheel camper and spent nearly a year traveling across the United States before ultimately settling in...

Season 3 kicks off with Rina Jensen and Kendra Aarhus, the Co-Founders of You Conferences, a women-centered movement dedicated to helping women step boldly into who they are becoming. Through transformative events and intentional community, Rina and Kendra create spaces where women can experience powerful “aha” moments, build confidence, and grow into authentic leadership. Beyond You Conferences,...