Brews & Cruise Podcast

Welcome back to another episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast ! In this episode, host Chris Jacobson sits down with John Hazelton , a candidate for Winona County Sheriff, for an in-depth conversation about his career in law enforcement, years of experience as an instructor, leadership philosophy, and why he’s running to serve the people of Winona County. Throughout the episode, John discusses:...

What does a Sheriff’s Deputy actually do? What is the role of a County Sheriff? On this episode of Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with Charles Rolbiecki, candidate for Winona County Sheriff, to discuss his career in law enforcement, the responsibilities of a Sheriff’s Deputy, and what it means to serve the people of Winona County. Whether you’re interested in becoming a...

Samantha Kriesel , owner of Maid You Look Cleaning Co. , joins the Brews & Cruise Podcast to share how she built a successful cleaning company, the realities of entrepreneurship, leadership, branding, and growing a small business in the La Crosse and Winona areas. From growing up on her grandparents' farm to watching her father build his own business, Samantha explains how hard work, persevera...

In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with one of the most recognizable voices in Winona— Andy “Wojo” Wojciechowski . Known for his years of announcing local sporting events, supporting community organizations, and recently being named the 2026 Winona Steamboat Days Harbormaster , Wojo has been at the center of countless memorable moments throughout the c...

Skincare doesn't have to be confusing. In this episode of Brews & Cruise, Chris Jacobson sits down with esthetician and skin studio owner Hannah Zaborowski to talk about skincare, facials, acne, anti-aging treatments, professional skincare, entrepreneurship, and the biggest skincare myths people still believe. Whether you're struggling with acne, wondering if facials are worth it, looking for...

🎙️ Jeremy Littel of Kickass Beef Jerky and Gil Jordan of Uncle Gil’s Barber Shop return for PART 2 of their appearance on the Brews & Cruise Podcast! In this episode, Chris Jacobson sits down with Jeremy Littel, owner of Kickass Beef Jerky in Winona, Minnesota, and Gil Jordan, owner of Uncle Gil’s Barber Shop, to continue their conversation about entrepreneurship, small business ownership, com...

This week on Brews & Cruise, Chris Jacobson sits down with Jeremy Littel from Kickass Beef Jerky and Gilbert “Gil” Jordan from Uncle Gil’s Barber Shop for one of the most entertaining episodes yet. Jeremy talks about opening a brand new Kickass Beef Jerky location in Winona, Minnesota, along with the bourbon barrel experience he plans to bring into the store. Gil shares stories from growing up...

Minnesota politics impacts all of us — from our schools and small businesses to housing, taxes, public safety, and the future of our communities. In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with Minnesota State Senate candidate Cherie Johnson for an in-depth conversation about why she decided to run, the issues she’s hearing from constituents across the state,...

In this episode, we sit down with Winona's Angels a nonprofit organization helping families in need throughout Winona County, Minnesota. We discuss their mission, community impact, fundraising events, real family stories, and how they are changing lives locally. If you’re interested in: ✔️ Winona community stories ✔️ Minnesota nonprofits ✔️ Local charity organizations ✔️ Helping families in need ✔...

What does a Chamber of Commerce actually do—and how does it impact a city like Winona, Minnesota? In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast , host Chris Jacobson sits down with Christie Ransom, President & CEO of the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce , to break down how the Chamber supports local businesses, organizes major community events, and plays a key role in downtown development a...

This week on the Brews & Cruise Podcast, we welcome back a returning guest for the THIRD time—after a previous episode and even a trivia battle appearance. We dive into what dad life is really like, from the chaos to the best moments, and how becoming a parent changes everything. We also talk about hosting trivia nights at Two Fathoms Brewing—including some of the wildest moments and most comp...

Can you really build a successful clothing brand in a small town? In this episode of Brews & Cruise Podcast , host Chris Jacobson sits down with the two women behind 507 Company , a fast-growing clothing and lifestyle brand based in Winona, Minnesota. What started as a simple idea has turned into a full downtown storefront—and they’re breaking down exactly how they did it. From the early stage...

What if you didn’t graduate high school… and still became a bank Vice President and successful business owner? In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, Chris Jacobson sits down with Terri Klonecki to break down her unconventional path to success. As the 15th child in her family, Terri learned early how to be independent—and that mindset carried her from opening a hair salon at 21 to clim...

⛳️ With The Masters Tournament week here, this episode couldn’t come at a better time. Today, we sit down with one of the co-owners of Snowbird Golf, a growing golf apparel and lifestyle brand, to talk about what it really takes to build a brand from scratch. From the initial idea to launching products and growing a following, this is the real story behind starting a golf brand in today’s market....

Traveling with a baby… on a cruise?! 😳🚢👶 In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, Chris and Steph share what it was REALLY like taking their 9-month-old on a cruise vacation—from the airport chaos and flight experience to sleepless nights, diaper blowouts, and everything in between. If you’re a parent (or soon-to-be parent) wondering what it’s like to travel with a baby, this episode...

This week on Brews & Cruise Podcast , host Chris Jacobson sits down with two Southern Minnesota business owners who are making an unexpected move—running for Governor of Minnesota. Steve Patterson, owner of Lansing Corners Bar & Grill and Nature’s Grind Coffee Co, and JT Thompson, owner of Lucky Penny Garage, share their journey from small business ownership into the Minnesota governor rac...

In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast , host Chris Jacobson sits down with Lacey Korb , a haunted tour guide who shares the eerie history and chilling stories hidden throughout Winona, Minnesota . From historic homes to century-old cemeteries and the city’s infamous red light district, Winona has a past filled with mystery, tragedy, and unexplained encounters. Lacey takes us behind the...

On this week’s episode of Brews & Cruise , host Chris Jacobson sits down with Matt Schroeder , a Winona native whose career journey took him across the country working with major organizations before ultimately returning home. Matt shares his experiences working in the rapidly evolving worlds of e-commerce, digital media, and home entertainment , including projects involving Amazon, Walmart, N...

On this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with Amy Baker, founder of Tails of Hope, a nonprofit animal rescue that has saved over 3,000 dogs from high-risk situations. Amy shares the powerful story behind how Tails of Hope began and what inspired her to step into the world of animal rescue. She breaks down the full rescue process—from traveling south to pull...

This week on the Brews & Cruise Podcast, we share a powerful comeback story rooted in passion, family, and unfinished dreams. I sit down with J.R. Larkie, a lifelong musician who has been writing songs and singing since childhood—but like many creatives, life stepped in. Between serving as a volunteer firefighter, coaching baseball, and raising five kids with his amazing wife, music was put on...

In this episode I sit down with the founder of Northern Pine Fitness - Matt Browne - for an honest, no-BS conversation about building a healthy lifestyle that actually lasts. We dive into his fitness origin story — how he got started, what inspired him, and how Northern Pine Fitness grew from an idea into a thriving gym. From certifications and early challenges to lessons learned along the way, th...

In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with speed puzzling expert Noelle Marshall to explore the fast-paced world of competitive jigsaw puzzling. Noelle shares how she discovered speed puzzling, why it has grown in popularity, and what it takes to compete at a high level. From training and time management to family involvement and community, this episode o...

In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with Matt Tyler, lead singer of Red Dirt Road, along with their roadie Bird, for an honest look at what life is really like on the road. From nonstop travel and late nights to loading gear and playing show after show, Matt and Bird share behind-the-scenes stories about the grind, dedication, and passion it takes to bu...

In this powerful and emotional episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with a local DJ Trivia host, Jason Rusert, who opens up about his journey from being a lifelong introvert to stepping into the spotlight after a recent autism diagnosis. For most of his life, he stayed quiet, unsure of where he fit in. After finally receiving clarity through his diagnosis, every...

On this week’s episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast , host Chris Jacobson welcomes Austin Repinski , co-owner of Bacon Salt , into the Speakeasy Studio for a flavorful conversation about turning a love for bacon into a growing food brand. Austin shares the origin story of Bacon Salt, how the idea came to life, and why bacon flavor has such a loyal following. He takes listeners behind the scen...