Finding Fire

Two Hot Takes is a podcast where Morgan and her team of co-hosts  scavenge Reddit and the rest of the internet to give their two hot takes on the juiciest dating, relationship, life, and AITA stories. Two Hot Takes Founder, Morgan, joins the Finding Fire Podcast. During this episode we talk about taking leaps of faith, capturing momentum when going viral, and scaling back when needed.  Hopefully y...

Join us in an honest, come as you are conversation, with Joel Freeman, Fitness Trainer and Beachbody Super Trainer. He is someone who has pursued his passion, made a living out of it, all while pursuing health. Joel Freeman is someone who makes us feel like health and fitness are possible. He is someone who motivates. He is someone who is down to earth. Someone you would grab a glass of whiskey wi...

In this episode we sit down with Ryan Sistad, Executive Director, of Better In Our Back Yard. Better In Our Back Yard was created to provide organic, citizen-led forum content, educational resources and advocacy to support responsible industrial development projects and companies in northern Minnesota. Ryan and Better In Our Backyard advocate for projects and companies, including Enbridge’s Line 3...

In this episode we sit down with Dave Schaeffer, the Executive Director, of Chester Bowl in Duluth MN. Chester Bowl is one of Duluth’s greatest treasures. A forested, hilly oasis in the Central Hillside neighborhood, the park has provided a safe and welcoming environment for generations of Minnesotans in which to enjoy the great outdoors. Dave thrives to  promote sustainable, quality programs for...

This is the FINALE, episode six of six, of the Yellow Bike Hero Roasts Series. During this episode we hear from Shaun, Zach, Jonny, Julie and Shannon. In this episode the group discusses overcoming hardships and uncertainty throughout their own journeys they've had to endure, as well as the last year during covid.  If you've listened to the past five episodes you've been able to hea...

It's a way of thinking. It’s a way of working. It’s about looking at the problem and reframing it in ways which generate unique solutions. It’s about looking at a subjective situation and creating exciting answers for the questions that did not yet exist. No matter the personality of the brand, making a connection with your audience and being remembered is key.

A dangerous lifestyle came crashing to a halt. Learning how to love transformed that life into something better than it ever could have been. With a beating heart, that life goes on and finds love along the way. Alcohol felt like the perfect companion to Julie. While she thought it unleashed the best version of herself it was quickly leading her down a path of isolation from all of the people who...

From losing it all to leading a successful business, life can muster up the largest of storms, but through the wind, rain and waves, keeping a hand on the wheel and eyes on the horizon will steady the ship. Drugs and alcohol were Jonny’s oldest and most familiar friends, the ever present comfort after the passing of his parents, a salve for wrong life choices and failed career paths. Rehab started...

From beekeeper to boxing champion, it’s all about fighting differently and fighting smarter, but most importantly, staying in the fight. Playing with lemurs, spearfishing the coral reefs, beekeeping and many other magical adventures in Madagascar were how Zach spent his early years. This boyhood dreamland kept his mind and body busy with new things to learn and unseen places to explore.  But, the...

After a long career of making changes within the system, it was time to pivot to making systematic changes. With a vision focused on where to have the greatest impact, a new fire is burning! As the son of a police officer and born a rebel, entering the justice system as a lawyer seemed to be the right fit. Shaun launched his career as a trial lawyer with a heart for public service. It turns out th...

Joe Shelerud, co founder of Ad Advance, an Amazon advertising agency, is obsessed over finding the most effective Amazon advertising strategies and building a system around them. In this episode, we dive into how an introverted chemical engineer developed a local team-based culture to help Amazon sellers grow their business globally. 

Story North Productions is a Duluth, Minnesota-based full-service video production company serving Minnesota, Wisconsin and beyond. Story North Productions is the result of dreaming, drive and determination. Wife and husband duo, Annie and Kevin, built the business to cater to the demand for high quality visual storytelling.  During this episode, we talk with Annie and Kevin about their background...

Vikre Distillery in Duluth, MN, was one of the first distilleries in the state. They craft superior spirits that thoughtfully blend tradition and innovation. “The pristine beauty of Lake Superior, the North Woods and the Boundary Waters are distilled in the flavor of everything we make.” – Vikre Distillery During this episode, we sit down with Emily Vikre, Co-Founder, CEO & Arbiter of taste. W...

For over 30 years Bob Burg has been successfully showing entrepreneurs, leaders, and sales professionals how to communicate their value and accelerate their referral business. Although for years he was best known for his sales classic, Endless Referrals , it’s his business parable, The Go-Giver , coauthored with John David Mann that has created a worldwide movement. While part of a four-book serie...

“Jump in. You can talk yourself out of so many things and have so many excuses, but you have to start somewhere. Even if it’s not exactly perfect or ready, jump in and do it.” During this episode of the Finding Fire Podcast, we talk with Emily Ekstrom, owner of Hucklebeary Duluth. Emily talks about her journey to entrepreneurship (from working with American Girl and being a top seller for Crocs),...

Have you ever heard of an Infertility Doula? We had not either, until we met Tia Chapinski and Daniella Virijevic, authors of The Infertility Doula, “A Friendly Guide For When It’s Hard To Get Pregnant,” that is set to release on June 8.  Join us for our podcast as we dive into the infertility journey, their personal experiences, and their passion for helping others who are trying to conceive. To...

On today’s episode of the Finding Fire Podcast, we sit down with Lexy, owner of Lift Bridge Bagels and On 93 & Grace, located in the Twin Ports (Duluth, MN and Superior, WI). We talk with Lexy about entrepreneurship, the power of community and her passion for helping others. We hope you enjoy our episode with Lexy!

As Promised, from our last episode when I said I would drop my best crash and burn cold call, I delivered and then some. On this episode I went back and found some old recordings of cold calls that didn't go in my favor, and shared them with you to enjoy. Strive to get better and be get comfortable with being uncomfortable. 

Every Photo Has a Story, With Joe Polecheck On today’s episode of the Finding Fire Podcast, we sit down with Joe Polecheck, Owner of Joe Polecheck Photography and Co-Owner of Point Horizon Marketing, a local marketing firm in Hermantown, MN. We talk with Joe about his journey to entrepreneurship, his passion for photography and how every photo Joe has taken has a story behind it. Just ask him!  To...

An Uncontrollable Desire To Create - with Sam Nielsen, Water Color Artist and Urban Sketcher On today’s episode of the Finding Fire Podcast, we sit down with Sam Nielsen, watercolor artist, urban sketcher, entrepreneur and owner for Art by SJ Nielsen. Sam talks about her journey and experience leading up to being an entrepreneur. We also talk to Sam about her passion for art, how and why she got i...

On today’s episode of the Finding Fire Podcast, we sit down with Mike Smíšek, Founder & Creative Director of Šek Design in Duluth, MN. During this episode, we dive deep into branding and all the ingredients that make a brand, not just the logo. 

“I thought, what am I going to do for the rest of my life? I honesty woke up in the middle of the night and just had this realization that I need to do what I love, and I’m going to pour myself into what I love doing.” On today’s episode of the Finding Fire Podcast, we sit down with Anna and Nathanael Bailey, owners of Bailey Builds in Duluth, MN. We talk with Anna and Nathanael about leaving thei...

This episode is an unexpected chat that happened after our podcast with Shannon from Yellow Bike Coffee. We talk about our journey thus far, being consistent, and what the path ahead looks like. 

On today’s episode of the Finding Fire Podcast, we sit down with Shannon Tanski Cornelius, entrepreneur and Co-Founder/Owner of Yellowbike Coffee in Hermantown, MN. We talk with Shannon about her entrepreneurial journey, the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur, how she kept her business afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic and much more. We know you’ll enjoy this episode with Shannon!  Shannon...

The cost of not pursuing your passion, featuring Bailey Aro “At what cost are you not pursuing that thing that keeps tapping on the door? It’s all about mindset at the end of the day. If you’re willing to be uncomfortable and to not know all the answers, I think that’s really powerful.” On today’s episode of the Finding Fire Podcast, we sit down with Bailey Aro, Minnesota Entrepreneur, Photographe...