Connections Radio

Laurie talks with Fulbright Fellow recipient Laura Migliorino today about how art can make a difference in life.

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit Rick’s former Pacific School of Religion colleague, Reverend Steve Garnaas-Holmes—who, among other United Methodist ministry pursuits, performed 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. Last year April 27, 2024, our discussi...

Continuing our series on “Library Connections,” Laurie Fitz joins co-hosts Sally and Susan from the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)—the largest of MN’s regional library systems with more than 100 library locations across the greater Twin Cities area. We include previews on their holiday programming, their highly-used Libby app (www. Libbyapp.com), recommended recent books, and their me...

Co-hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join climate scientist, author, artist, and mother, Anna Farro Henderson, PhD, to discuss her recently launched book, “Core Samples: A Climate Scientist’s Experiments in Politics and Motherhood” (2024, University of Minnesota Press). After our 10/5/24 broadcast, hear this part 2 of our wide-ranging, fun discussions on the fascinating yet ess...

Laurie Fitz is joined by co-hosts Sally and Susan from the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)—the largest of MN’s regional library systems with more than 100 library locations across the greater Twin Cities area. Hear about their great “smARTpass” program—its origins and regional arts partners with guests from Walking Shadow Theatre Company, American Swedish Institute,…

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with musician Libby McLaren—singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, performer, and music teacher (Rick met her long ago as they each performed at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park Bandshell). We hear some of her most recent album with partner Robin Flower, “One Plus One”—and discuss her deep and wide history and future of musical connec...

Laurie Fitz interviews Jeffrey Morris, a black director based here the Twin Cities. Jeffrey will be part of or the Twin Cities Film Festival discussion on two documentaries in production. Laurie and Jeffrey explore his take on the future and our collective opportunity to choose hope and face challenges with respect, dignity and strong moral…

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo sit with Joan Deming and Jes Ahlemeier, who reflect on their time volunteering in Palestine—working with Tent of Nations—contributing toward peace and healing in a war-torn region. Hear more about their experiences of sacred grounds, including foundations of justice and peace. – www. TentofNations.com • https://fotonna.org

Laurie Fitz is joined by co-hosts Sally and Susan from the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)—the largest of MN’s regional library systems with more than 100 library locations across the greater Twin Cities area. Hear about this month’s “Teentober,” including Alyssa Stevenski from Ramsey County Library Youth Services. Then hear about MELSA’s table at the Twin…

Host Laurie Fitz joins climate scientist, author, artist, and mother, Anna Farro Henderson PhD, to hear and discuss her coming book, Core Samples: A Climate Scientist’s Experiments in Politics and Motherhood (2024, University of Minnesota Press). Hear our wide-ranging, fun discussion on the fascinating yet essential intersections of science, politics, parenting, and art. – www. AnnaFar...

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…

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…

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 Celebra...

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…

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). –...

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…

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...

This week we cover Ashti’s Journey to Jazz, coming soon to Children’s Performing Arts this month! Host Laurie Fitz is joined by composer Thomasina Petrus and author and playwright Carmen Rubin.

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 /...

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.…

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…

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 techni...

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

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…