Connections Radio

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit again with artist and writer, Anne Sawyer, this time about a touching recent project: Minneapolis’s Southeast Seniors Memoir Project. With recorded examples from Tricia, Karen, and Darla, we learn about the genesis and growth of this venture leading to a wonderfully crafted book and podcast. Drawing upon memories…

This week host Laurie Fitz is joined by comedian Lizz Winstead!

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit again with Mark Woerpel, who co-arranged and co-produced the Rickey Medlocke Band’s new release, “Never Run Out of Road”—c/o Rock the Cause Records in support of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Movement. That song’s proceeds benefit the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center – www.niwrc.org – We&#82...

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Blackfoot’s and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Rickey Medlocke to talk about his new single with the Rickey Medlocke Band, “Never Run Out Of Road”—in support of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement. We’re joined by musician/producer, Mark Woerpel—about his work on this song and related music—as well as visiting with Rock the Cause Records...

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit U.Conn. Professor of English, well-known author, and humorist, Gina Barreca, for a 3rd time following her 3rd and recent book in her edited “Fast Women” series: “Fast Fallen Women: 75 Essays of Flash Nonfiction” (Woodhall Press). Our fun conversation covers the ground of authentic values with integrity. We…

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with High School for Recording Arts’ executive director, Tony Simmons, and Rock the Cause CEO, Scott Herold. We discuss High School for Recording Arts’ life-giving work to connect and reconnect parts of the Twin Cities and various generations alike—through the power of education, communications, and music with its…

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit preacher, comedian, and author, Susan Sparks. Reverend Sparks and Rick met years ago as she was in transformation from trial lawyer to comedian and a student at Union Theological Seminary, while Rick was teaching at the Graduate Theological Union’s “Summer Program on The Arts in Worship and Spirituality,” which Susan attended. Since 2007, Susan...

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join health/life coach, photographer, author, and sound alchemist, Charity Barlass, for a unique experience: a “Sound Bath.” During this meditative experience we are “bathed” in sound waves—produced by singing bowls, chimes, a rain stick, and Charity’s voice. The sense of relaxation, wellbeing, awareness—and, yes, connection—is certain yet hard...

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with legendary ”Sounds of Blackness” musical director, Gary Hines, along with Rock the Cause’s CEO, Scott Herold—to hear and discuss their powerful, inspiring voice-of-justice music and to reflect upon Martin Luther King, Jr. –

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join internationally-known folk troubadour and organizer, Larry Long, for a 4th broadcast—this one about his new album, “Sweet Thunder,” with support from Rock the Cause Records, as well his coming 1/13 “American Roots Revue” at The Dakota. Join our lively discussion weaving contrapuntal flows of music, history, and social justice. – www. LarryLong.o...

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo discuss the art and practice of healthy holiday connections—reframing or reformulating stories as we might need in order to flourish. We talk about possibilities for recreating our relationships and selves, featuring selections from Rick’s holiday music with Spirit Garage, Laurie’s history managing holidays, and Rick’s comedic “A Bernardo Bedtime…

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with legendary “Sounds of Blackness” musical director, Gary Hines—to hear and discuss their inspiring, powerful voice-of-justice music. – www. SoundsofBlackness.org

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join U.Conn. Professor of English, well-known author, and humorist, Gina Barreca, following-up our 9/23 show about the release of the 3rd and recent book of her edited “Fast Women” series: “Fast Fallen Women: 75 Essays of Flash Nonfiction” (Woodhall Press). As we check-in on what makes life deeply meaningful, our fun…

Laurie Fitz joins the ReConnect Rondo Youth Council about their “Voices of Rondo Podcast” series that discusses the Rondo community’s history and how we can work to rebuild and reconnect communities depleted of resources and destroyed by displacement through segregationist public policy. Tim Hunt, ReConnect Rondo’s Director of Marketing & Communications, and Scott Herold, with the ...

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Yvette Erasmus, PsyD., for fourth in the series: “Everything Changes When You Do.” We discuss how to re-frame our stories—especially for coming holidays—to help transform self-sabotaging habits and disconnected relationships into deeper connection, meaning, and purpose. As we continue exploring our processes and inner maps, hear our discussion about the too...

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join The Cafe Meow owner and cofounder, Jessica Burge, for the story of their growing enterprise—the first cat café in Minnesota (New Hope and Roseville locations). Listen-in about how The Cafe Meow is serving the Twin Cities community through their often purrrrfect cat lounge experiences, café products, feline fostering and…

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join U.Conn. Professor of English, well-known author, and humorist, Gina Barreca, to discuss the 3rd and recent book of her edited “Fast Women” series: Fast Fallen Women: 75 Essays of Flash Nonfiction (Woodhall Press). These 75 new essays are about the dangerous and enthralling ways women fall—and how they…

Laurie talks with music artists about the Powderhorn music fest.

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo again join well-known folk troubadour and organizer, Larry Long, about the Mississippi and his reissued, remastered album, “Run For Freedom,” with support from Rock the Cause CEO, Scott Herold, for this 3rd broadcast about their album. A beautiful tapestry of working-class anthems from a bygone era, the album’s songs still speak urgently to matters of just...

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with singer, rapper, writer, Dessa, and local musician, Nathaniel Harris, to share their music and discuss “Scenes and Skills Behind the Music that Moves Us.” Dessa’s new full-length album, “Bury the Lede,” comes out Sept. 29th. And she just completed an Aug. 3rd–5th run with the MN Orchestra (to be available for on-demand…

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Yvette Erasmus, PsyD., for third in a series at the start of recent and coming months: “Everything Changes When You Do.” Hear our vital discussion about her work and tools we all can use toward transformation with authentic power for individuals, relationships, and social systems. – YvetteErasmus.com

Laurie is joined by Tabitha Montgomery as they preview the Powderhorn Art Fair, along with special guests.

Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo again join well-known folk troubadour, Larry Long, about his reissued and remastered album, “Run For Freedom,” with support from Rock the Cause CEO, Scott Herold, for this 2nd broadcast about their album. A beautiful tapestry of working-class anthems from a bygone era, the album’s songs still speak urgently to social and environmental justice today! &#8211...

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo again joined essayist, poet, and author Mark Liebenow for our “Diversity of Love Connections” series. We explore more with Mark about learning to live and love—including some healing at Yosemite—holding grief in one hand and joy in the other. –  www. MarkLiebenow.com  /  www. WidowersGrief.blogspot.com

Host Laurie Fitz is joined by Yvette Erasmus, PsyD. LP. Learn more at https://yvetteerasmus.com/