For The Love Of Duluth

The season two finale of For The Love Of Duluth features a huge name in Duluth: Dan Hartman, the Executive Director of the DECC. He started the big job in summer of 2021 and ever since, has been making the epicenter of entertainment even bigger and better. His roots in Duluth run deep, having spent nearly a decade at the Glensheen and serving on the Duluth City Council for four years. He's also a...

How does one even begin to capture the excitement that comes with being aboard a vessel on Lake Superior? It takes an incredibly creative person and that is what makes Sarah Pohl the perfect person for the job. As the Social Media Manager for the Vista Fleet, and its sister companies, she is responsible for bringing both the Vista Queen and the Vista Star to life online. Known as Duluth's only flo...

Fans of all things scary, you are in for a (trick or) treat! Horror author Meg Hafdahl wanted to write the next great American novel but life had other plans for the popular writer. Growing up between Canada and Duluth, Meg decided to channel her love for things that go bump in the night into words instead. The results have been nothing short of spooktacular: she has penned a long list of books an...

You'd be hard-pressed to find two people as passionate as Jake and Valerie Scott, the couple behind Duluth's first ever cidery. Duluth Cider opened after a long and unique journey that took the couple from Duluth, where they met at UMD during their college years, to the East Coast to overseas and back to Duluth again, this time for good. For Jake, it was a full-circle moment when the doors of Dulu...

Some things are just meant to be and the Programs Director for the Chester Bowl Improvement Club is a great example of that. Sam Luoma has called Duluth home all his life, which instilled a love of outdoors in him from an early age. It seems the universe had that dialed in, as he became involved with one of Duluth's most beautiful and picturesque outdoor areas completely by chance. Back in 2004, a...

One of the most historic landmarks in the state is located in the heart of downtown Duluth. The North Shore Scenic Railroad has a long and storied history that takes off from the iconic Duluth Depot, bringing visitors to the Northland from all over the world. Ken Buehler is the man that keeps things on track as the General Manager of the North Shore Scenic Railroad and the Executive Director of th...

There's hard work and there's things that are just meant to be: Bent Paddle Brewing Company is a good mix of both. One of Duluth's most popular breweries (and that's an understatement!), the spot came to be thanks to the hard work of four co-founders who came together in a way that can only be described as destiny. One of those four founders is Laura Mullen, the Vice President of Outreach and Mark...

If you live in or have visited Duluth, there is no question you have been to Love Creamery. Now a flourishing business with two locations, the spot has become a fan favorite for residents and tourists. With one location in the heart of Canal Park and another in Lincoln Park, the business is sweeter than ever. The owner and founder of Love Creamery is Nicole Wilde. Her journey takes her from the Da...

If you've never been to Duluth's Best Bread, you are missing out on some of the finest treats and products the city has to offer. The story behind the booming business is just as fantastic. Started by two brothers, Duluth's Best Bread has grown from an idea to a hot spot with one location and another coming soon. Robert Lillegard, half of this dynamic duo behind the business, joined us to talk abo...

If you've had Locally Laid eggs, you know the quality is unmatched. It turns out the story behind the popular business is just as fantastic. Locally Laid is the brainchild of one Northland couple who came up with the idea for the company after going to the local co-op and discovering there were no eggs from the area. A lightbulb went off and Locally Laid was hatched - but it wasn't easy. Jason Amu...

You can never have too many tacos, especially ones that are authentic and sources with local ingredients. That is how they operate at Oasis Del Norte, a popular food truck and soon to be brick-and-mortar that specializes in traditional favorites. From tacos to tortas, this spot has become a massive hit in the Northland and within one bite it is easy to see why. Hailing from Mexico and following in...

The Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center is one of the busiest tourist attractions in Duluth. Located right on the shore of Lake Superior, it brings well over a million people to the grounds per year. It features interactive displays, a two-story steam engine and scale models, among many other fun and unique activities. Museum Technician and Park Ranger Kasey Helms is part of it all and joins us...

Frost River is a Duluth staple, specializing in waxed canvas packs, bags and accessories for all things Northland. Founded in 2001, it has quickly become the place people go to for all their outdoor needs and more. Their Marketing Manager is also a big fan, seeking out a job with the company prior to landing the role she has now. Stephanie Anderson joined us to talk about her love for the company...

Season two kicks things off with a very special guest: Jane Pederson Jandl, the Marketing Manager at the Glensheen. An iconic spot in Duluth, the mansion has a rich and storied history that dates back decades. The estate sits on twelve acres of land, has thirty-nine rooms and 27,000 square feet of space. Also known as the historic Congdon Estate, the mansion has a major place in history in the Twi...

Haley Cope's role as the CEO of Lake Superior Zoo was almost written in the stars. Falling in love with the zoo after a visit here during her childhood, Cope eventually landed a permanent job at the tourist destination in her adult life. Her passion and determination landed her the role of CEO in 2020, right in the middle of our global pandemic. She joined For The Love Of Duluth to talk about how...

Jay Walker is not your ordinary Duluthian. Why? He spends his day with fish and critters of all kinds and gets paid for it! The Executive Director of one of Duluth's most popular spots, Jay Walker's passion for public aquariums was sparked by a trip to an aquarium decades ago. The very same day as that visit, he decided he wanted to make a career out of that passion. By determination and hard work...

The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is one of the most exciting events to take place in the Northland every year and it happens right in our own backyard. One of the top winter attractions all Twin Ports residents look forward to, the race is as unique as the backdrop it is set against. Established in 1980, it is the premiere sled dog race series in all of North America. Someone who knows about...

Spirit Mountain is one of the most iconic places in Duluth, sitting high on a hill that overlooks the city. While you may think of it as snow business, Spirit Mountain operates year-round with amazing trails for winter sports lovers and an adventure park during the summer months. To keep everything running smoothly takes a very special person and that is where Jon Regenold comes in. A former Frees...

Duluth has breweries a plenty but Ursa Minor Brewing stands out for all the right reasons. The owner, Ben Hugus, joined us on For The Love Of Duluth to talk about the beloved hot spot. We touch on how they navigated business throughout the pandemic, their huge roster of brews and their famous homemade pizza. (Are you hungry just thinking about it?) Hugus also shares his life experience up to openi...

If you've ever been searching for something to do in Duluth, whether as a resident or as a tourist for the day, chances are you have visited Perfect Duluth Day. The website is described as "Duluth's Duluthiest website" which features endless stories about local events, unique lifestyle stories and of course, there famous event calendar. There is truly no better guest for the For The Love Of Duluth...

When you think of Duluth, you probably think of the amazing scenery and breathtaking beauty it has. Lisa Luokkala gets a front row seat to it every single day as the Executive Director of the Superior Hiking Trail Association. Lisa has been contributing to the city of Duluth for more than a decade, eventually landing the coveted gig she holds now. She joined us to talk about how she beat out fifty...

Have you ever been to the Jade Fountain? It is one of the coolest spots in Duluth. The spot transports you to a tropical island with a unique homage to the restaurant that was there before it. The owner, Kai Soderberg, is just as interesting, with a long and storied career in the food and beverage industry. His journey led him to Duluth, where he now owns the Jade Fountain. Meet the man behind the...

If you've been to Duluth or you call Duluth home, there's a good chance you've been to Vikre Distillery. Located in Canal Park, the spot has quickly become a go-to place for residents and tourists alike. Doug Kouma is part of the reason why. The Director of Consumer Sales and Visitor Experience joins us to talk about how he got here, why he up and quit his job as a corporate executive and how Vikr...

Heidi Pack leads the popular Northland band, Whiskey Trail. They are a household name in the area but the journey wasn't easy. Heidi takes us through her journey from growing up and singing in church, the highs and lows of the music industry, the evolution of the band and what it is like to chase the dream of becoming a country music star. 

For The Love Of Duluth is a new podcast brought to you by two Duluth residents. Throughout this show, they will touch on all things Duluth. From the food to the drinks to the amazing events and of course, the view, the duo will show you Duluth through their eyes. Here's a little preview!