Excelsior!

Chat with Britt Brat who is the lead singer of Varmints Minneapolis band.

I sit down with one of my favorites, Laura Larsen, co-owner of Hounds Tooth Grooming in Saint Paul! Laura has been my trusted dog groomer (and on-call nail trimmer!) for years, so it was such a joy to have her in the studio. She recently took the leap into business ownership with two partners, opening Hounds Tooth Grooming, where they offer a more personalized, one-on-one grooming experience desig...

What happens when you combine a conversation about the Akashic Records with a very energetic one-year-old? A fun episode filled with great conversation and a few unexpected moments! This week I'm joined by Britta, an Akashic Records Reader and founder of Aligned & Undefined. We talk about what the Akashic Records are, how she became an Akashic Records reader, what a session looks like, and how...

I got to sit down with Dan Rosen — singer, guitarist, writer, and creator of the Twin Cities band 🔪 — for a really fun episode of Excelsior! We talked about music, writing, creativity, art, and so much more. Dan and I have been working together on visuals for the band’s upcoming album release, and I get the honor of creating their album photos. They are incredibly talented, and it’s been awesome...

Of course Kendall loves pho… because I do too. It was only fitting that the title of this episode came naturally after realizing yet another thing we have in common. This episode felt like meeting my personality doppelgänger. For years, people have told Kendall Diveley and me that we have the same energy, similar personalities, and needed to meet someday. We both throw events, have a mission to bu...

This is an episode you don’t want to miss. I caught up with my favorite comedian, Chicky Dabs—a well-known Twin Cities comic—who also happens to be five months pregnant, and we got into everything. We talked babies, life, and what it’s like being on stage while pregnant. She shared stories from her first visit to the Comedy Mothership, including meeting Pauly Shore, and her unforgettable run-in wi...

I sat down with Richard Anderson—truly a Minneapolis icon—and from the moment he walked in, he was dressed head to toe in color. It felt like the perfect reflection of who he is and what he brings to this city. One of my favorite moments from our conversation was when he shared that so much of his success is because of women—the support, the belief, and the opportunities they gave him along the wa...

Before we ever met in person, Eva Johnson and I already had mutual—circling each other on the internet, realizing we knew a million of the same people, and bonding over our shared love language: dive bars.  Eva is the creative force behind Grandpa’s Pool House—a sexy, playful indoor pool house tucked away in Stanchfield, Minnesota. It’s the kind of place that feels like a hidden world… a photograp...

Finally—a new barber fills the seat. But this isn’t just a haircut… In this episode of Excelsior!, I sit down with Peter Qualley, the new barber in St. Francis, Minnesota. Over a shared love of 1919 Root Beer, we go beyond the chair and into his story—who he is, how he grew up, and the values that shaped him. This conversation is about more than the craft. It’s about purpose, identity, and what it...

Jairid Rossow, a Minneapolis-based oil painter, stopped by my studio to talk about his art and creative process. Known for classical still lifes and plein air landscapes, Jairid shared his perspective on painting, photography, and the ways artists translate real life into their work. This episode was recorded with just one mic in a relaxed question-and-answer style, like two artists chatting in th...

In this episode of Excelsior!, I sit down with the incredibly talented and up-and-coming singer-songwriter Mona Penny. Mona is currently pursuing her music career and is also a dedicated K-pop dancer. We talk about who she is as an artist, how she got started in music and dance, and what it means to follow your creative path and dreams. This episode is extra special to me because Mona is my stepda...

The Baby is ASLEEP” and for the first time ever, my husband Jerred is on the podcast 🎙️ This episode is basically me getting to talk all about him — what he does for work, what he’s been building lately, funny stories, life updates, and just who he is as a person. It’s light, it’s fun, and it’s just us hanging out and letting you get to know him a little more.

This episode is a little different — I did a quick check-in call with a handful of past Excelsior! Podcast guests to see what they’ve been up to lately and what they’re working on heading into 2026. We talk about what’s inspiring them right now, what they’re creating, and the exciting things on the horizon in their lives and businesses. I wish I could’ve checked in with even more people, but here...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lonesome Dan in my studio for a truly special conversation. A calm, sweet soul, Dan shares his journey as a talented guitarist who has the rare gift of reinterpreting piano music on guitar while also composing his own songs. Joining us was my husband, Jerred—a longtime fan of Dan’s music—and our 7-month-old son, Wilhelm, making for a warm, p...

In this episode, I sit down with one of my local idols and one of the most talented singers I know — the incredible Jelly from the locally legendary band The Jelly Project. Having her in my studio was such an honor, and to make it even sweeter, our sons joined us for the conversation! We dive into the rise of The Jelly Project, their impact on the local music scene, why they eventually went their...

This week, I sit down with personal trainer Walter Foster-Bolton to talk about his unbelievable journey over the past year. After discovering he had a rare heart condition that nearly took his life, Walter was told he could never lift weights again — a devastating blow for someone whose life revolved around fitness. But Walter’s story didn’t end there. Through a series of wild twists and an unshak...

This episode’s a little different — it’s a walk-and-talk with Sxulz (Elliott), a young local rapper who’s bringing fresh energy to the scene. We recorded this on the way to his photo shoot for some new promo shots, and the conversation just flowed. Elliott talks about what the music scenes like right now, why he loves creating, and how things have changed since he first started. It’s real, unfilte...

This episode is a little different than usual. Back in August, I had the honor of photographing George’s 70th birthday celebration — a day filled with laughter, stories, and so much love from the people who knew him best. During the party, I decided to record a few of those memories, not knowing just how special they would become. George has since passed, and this episode is shared as a celebratio...

Ever wonder what hypnosis really is? Spoiler alert: it’s not about clucking like a chicken! In this episode, Britleigh chats with certified hypnotherapist Joshua Peters about how hypnosis actually works and how it can help you break bad habits, calm anxiety, and tap into your most powerful self. It’s all about rewiring the mind in the coolest way possible. Tune in for a mix of science, stories, an...

This one’s a little different from my usual Excelsior! episodes. It’s a throwback to when I was pregnant — and so was my friend, Dani Lo! We decided to hit record and just chat about what it’s really like being first-time “geriatric” moms-to-be (yes, that’s the term they use, and yes, we laugh about it a lot). It’s raw, funny, and very real — two friends talking about pregnancy brain, cravings, bo...

This episode is extra special to me. Originally recorded in 2023 for my former podcast We’re Over Here Now, it captures a side of the legendary Minneapolis artist Scott Seekins that most people never get to see. While many know Scott for his iconic presence in the city’s art scene, few realize just how much he loves nature, especially fishing and snake hunting (strictly for observation, never harm...

In this special episode of Excelsior!, I take a break from guest interviews as I prepare for an exciting new chapter—motherhood! While on maternity break, I'll be diving into topics I love, and this time, I’m joined by my studio mate, Nik Linde, for a laid-back chat about what it’s like to be a photographer in 2025. Nik and I share a space at Sturdy Studios, and as fellow photographers, we have pl...

Have you ever met someone whose energy is so magnetic that you can’t help but be drawn to them? That’s exactly how I felt when I met Kimberly Perrine. She’s one of those rare individuals who lights up the room with her dynamic personality and unwavering authenticity. Kimberly is a true force of nature—someone who dives into passion projects wholeheartedly, no matter how many hours are in a day. As...

In this episode, I sit down with Joseph Antognoli, AKA The Famous Italian Artist, whose captivating art installations have made waves in Minneapolis and beyond. Known for transforming spaces like the exterior of his home and even his bedroom into immersive artistic experiences, Joseph's artistry pushes boundaries and redefines creative expression. We also discuss his flair for designing stylish, o...

In this episode of Excelsior!, I sit down with Paulie Skaja, a dynamic entrepreneur, author, and speaker who is dedicated to empowering others and building lasting connections. I first met Paulie at a networking event, where her speech truly moved me. So much so that I bought her book, and it helped me refocus on my own business in ways I hadn’t expected. In this conversation, we dive into Paulie’...