Bridge Out Ahead

Trying to figure out how to turn your hobby into a business? Andy Klockow shares his journey from homebrewer to brewery owner, revealing the pitfalls and wins along the way. You’ll hear how he identified the need for a brewery in Grand Rapids, the logistics of building and running a production space, and the lessons learned from juggling family and work. You’ll discover the importance of understan...

Fighter In this episode, MMA fighter Alvin "Goozie" Hines shares his journey from a challenging childhood to fighting in the UFC, and discusses his new initiatives to help fighters with financial literacy and personal development. Discover insights on fight preparation, mental resilience, and building a legacy beyond the cage. Full Video: https://youtu.be/2Hne27-f_h0 Key Topics Goozie’s personal s...

Trigger Warning: Heavy themes of depression, mental health, child loss. On this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, Bridger sits down with Cre Larson, a powerhouse in mental health advocacy whose story weaves together faith, grit, and a deep commitment to serving others. As Executive Director of First Call for Help, Cre has spent more than 30 years walking alongside individuals and families in their hard...

Trigger Warning: Childloss, Pandemic Journey, and Grief. We completely understand if this you would like to wait until next week to join us again! When life unraveled, Jessica didn’t set out to be strong—she just wanted to make sense of the pain. What began as journal entries in the thick of grief after child loss and illness, fear during a pandemic, and chronic illness through slowly became the f...

Adrianne’s career journey has been anything but typical. From trying multiple paths that left her feeling stuck to finally discovering her purpose in business consulting on LinkedIn, she’s navigated twists, turns, and a few dead ends along the way. In this episode, we unpack the zig-zag of Adrianne’s career, diving into the lessons she learned about persistence, self-discovery, and the power of fi...

On this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, Bridger sits down with Jenny Giving, a powerhouse in title services with deep roots in family values, bold leadership, and an unstoppable work ethic. From running her family’s furniture store as a teen to navigating 17 years in banking, Jenny’s journey is full of pivots—and purpose. Today, she leads with heart and hustle in the world of title work, balancing mo...

In this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, host Bridger Hopkins sits down with musician and frontman Jed LaPlant of Wild Horses. Jed opens up about what it really takes to build a band from the ground up—balancing the art of songwriting with the grind of booking tours, managing money, and treating music like a business. 

In this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, we talk with Leah Geisler, owner of Wildwood Design Co., about building a business while navigating the complexities of family life and community involvement. Leah opens up about her experiences in architectural design, balancing her personal passions, and the lessons she’s learned through setbacks and growth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a community-builder...

Today on Bridge Out Ahead, we’re sitting down with Kyle and Amanda Lussier, the husband-and-wife team behind The Pines Restaurant — a from-scratch kitchen that’s quietly redefining what dining can look like in northern Minnesota. From long days in hospitality to the leap into ownership, Kyle and Amanda share the real road behind building a restaurant from the ground up: the planning, the financial...

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Burns — law enforcement officer, K9 handler, and founder of Top Dog Fuel — for a conversation about resilience, responsibility, and the quiet ways purpose takes shape over time. Joe’s story begins in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where early loss and hardship forced him to grow up fast. Those formative years didn’t harden him — they sharpened his sense of responsib...

In this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, We sit down with Alvin “Goozie” Hines—a professional mixed martial artist competing at the highest levels of UFC and MMA. Known for his discipline, focus, and calm intensity, Goozie brings a perspective on fighting that goes far beyond what happens inside the cage. This conversation looks at what’s under construction in the life of a fighter: the mindset, the d...

In this second half of Brett’s interview, Bridger pulls the curtain back on what it really looks like to market an Earthworks business in 2025—where gritty job-site footage meets strategy, storytelling, and consistency. This is the episode where listeners finally understand how content fuels growth for trades-based businesses. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS: How Brett Thinks About Marketing (Even When H...

In this week’s episode, Brett Mohler of Yeti Earthworks LLC gets real about what it looks like to know you’re built for more and actually do something about it. From long days on job sites to building a legacy his family can be proud of, Brett didn’t wait for the “right moment.” He followed the nudge, trusted his wife’s encouragement, and went all-in on creating a company rooted in integrity, hard...

This week on Bridge Out Ahead, Bridger sits down with Jen Alger, Scholarship Program Manager at the Blandin Foundation, for a conversation that feels like a deep breath for anyone who’s ever tried to carve out a future from a small town. Jen opens up about her own winding path — from early dreams to major detours, returning to college as an adult, and finding her calling in helping rural students...

What happens when the discipline of firefighting meets the drive of entrepreneurship? In this episode, Grand Rapids firefighter and Fire Fitness owner Sam Karkela shares how service, teamwork, and resilience shaped both his time on the fireline and his journey as a small-business owner. We dig into the story behind Fire Fitness — from its roots in community restoration to the lessons learned throu...

When the world shut down, Dr. Shari Aultman had a choice: close the doors of her small-town chiropractic office—or double down on faith. In this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, Shari shares how she built Healing Hands Chiropractic Center from scratch, became the first woman chiropractor in her region, and kept her practice alive through one of the hardest seasons for small businesses. You’ll hear how...

On this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, host Bridger Hopkins sits down with Tia Marie—retired teacher turned serial entrepreneur—to talk about what it really takes to build spaces that bring people together. Tia’s story isn’t just about starting two beloved gathering spots in northern Minnesota—UnWined and Smoke on the Water—it’s about the spark that started it all: a dream spoken out loud at a birth...

Trigger Warning: Childloss, Pandemic Journey, and Grief. We completely understand if this you would like to wait until next week to join us again!   When life unraveled, Jessica didn’t set out to be strong—she just wanted to make sense of the pain.   What began as journal entries in the thick of grief after child loss and illness, fear during a pandemic, and chronic illness through slowly became t...

Today’s guest, Jessica Johnson, is a storyteller in every sense of the word — not just with her writing, but with the way she’s lived through loss, motherhood, and the kind of rebuilding most people never see. In this episode, we talk about what happens when life doesn’t just fall apart — it keeps falling apart. Jessica opens up about navigating tragedy, rediscovering her voice, and why true purpo...

"Cheap today, expensive forever—that's the trap." Timbercraft Homes President, Earl Williams is back, and we're going straight into the trenches. If you're in construction, thinking about starting a build company, or wondering why your margins disappeared—this is for you. What we cover: Where time actually goes in a modern custom home business The "value" decisions that become long-term costs Whic...

Leading with Principle: Earl Williams’ Journey from Builder to Visionary Ever wondered how a small construction company survives economic ups and downs while staying true to its values? In this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, host Bridger Hopkins sits down with Earl Williams, President of Timbercraft Homes, to share his journey from hands-on builder to visionary leader, and how putting principle befo...

Pray. Wait. Trust. Rob and Krista Sjostrand are building Roots & Wings Early Learning Center in Grand Rapids, Minnesota—a faith-anchored childcare with an outdoor-first design. Krista brings 25 years in the classroom; Rob brings business and a passion for the woods. Together they’re tackling a childcare shortage that costs local families and employers millions every year. We talk calling vs. c...

Adrianne’s career journey has been anything but typical. From trying multiple paths that left her feeling stuck to finally discovering her purpose in business consulting on LinkedIn, she’s navigated twists, turns, and a few dead ends along the way. In this episode, we unpack the zig-zag of Adrianne’s career, diving into the lessons she learned about persistence, self-discovery, and the power of fi...

In this follow-up episode of Bridge Out Ahead, host Bridger Hopkins reconnects with Cre Larson, a dedicated mental health advocate and Executive Director of First Call for Help. For over 51 years, this remarkable organization has been a lifeline for Minnesota families—and Cre shares the heart, history, and impact that keep it moving forward. From personal triumphs over unimaginable loss to leading...

Trigger Warning: Heavy themes of depression, mental health, child loss. On this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, Bridger sits down with Cre Larson, a powerhouse in mental health advocacy whose story weaves together faith, grit, and a deep commitment to serving others. As Executive Director of First Call for Help, Cre has spent more than 30 years walking alongside individuals and families in their hard...