Leveraged Storytelling with Arick Wierson

This week Minnesota shines a spotlight on itself in a fascinating conversation with Rick Huebsch of the University of Minnesota’s Technology Commercialization office (better known as Tech Comm). Arick and Rick discuss the amazing true story, that Minnesota does not tell loudly enough: The University of Minnesota is one of the country’s top producers of university-born startups, ranking alongside n...

On the latest episode of  Leveraged Storytelling , I sit down with Tom Burke, CEO of Vail Scientific, one of Minnesota's most exciting emerging medtech companies.  Arick and om discuss a silent healthcare crisis that most people have little awareness of:  sepsis . Despite causing more than 350,000 deaths annually in the United States and contributing to more than one-third of all hospital deat...

On the next episode of  Leverage Storytelling , presented by Tunheim, host Arick Wierson sits down with Professor Ali Ling from the University of St. Thomas  — she is one of the world’s leading voices on the economics and policy surrounding PFAS, the controversial “forever chemicals” used in everything from firefighting foam to advanced manufacturing.   Together, they unpack why PFAS has already b...

In this episode of  Leveraged Storytelling , host Arick Wierson sits down with Adam Platt, editor of  Twin Cities Business , a publication that has long helped shape Minnesota’s business conversation—and is now expanding its voice under his leadership.  They dive into what it means to cover business news in the state today. They Discuss walking the line between reporting and commentary and making...

In this episode of Leveraged Storytelling, host Arick Wierson sits down with Phil Steger, founder of Brother Justus Whiskey—one of the most quietly revolutionary whiskey brands to emerge in years.  Proudly born in Minnesota, Brother Justus is more than a whiskey—it’s a story in liquid form. As Arick explores in this episode, great whiskey isn’t just crafted, it’s told.  Behind the name is a remark...

In this episode of Leverage Storytelling, Arick Wierson sits down with Alison Brown, President and CEO of the Science Museum of Minnesota, for a lively, no-nonsense conversation about what it really takes to run one of Minnesota’s most iconic institutions in the age of endless distraction.  Brown doesn’t sugarcoat it: her biggest competition isn’t another museum. It’s “the couch.” It’s Netflix. It...

Season 2 of Leverage Storytelling, presented by Tunheim, continues with a standout Episode 2 featuring Tyler Lorenzen, CEO of Puris, the Minnesota/Iowa-based plant protein leader.  A former National Football League quarterback-turned-tight end, Tyler jokes that “NFL” stands for Not For Long. After retiring from pro football, he returned home to run his family’s agricultural business and helped sca...

Season Two of Leverage Storytelling kicks off with a jolt. In the premiere episode, host Arick Wierson sits down with Steve Grove, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune, for a candid, high-energy conversation about leadership, reinvention, and why local journalism is anything but dead.   Grove opens up about building one of the country’s most successful digital media models, the unexpect...

Few places capture the American imagination quite like the Mall of America — the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most recognizable landmarks on the planet.  In this episode of Leverage Storytelling, I sit down with Jill Renslow, MOA executive, to explore how this modern-day icon tells its story — through its merchants, attractions, and the millio...

In this episode, Arick Wierson sits down with Mike Nathan, one of the Twin Cities’ most prolific startup investors, best known for his work in healthcare ventures, but with a portfolio that spans everything from whiskey to tele-legal platforms.  A partner at Exit 156 Capital, Nathan has earned a reputation as a CEO whisperer — someone with an uncanny ability to read entrepreneurs and see around th...

In this episode of Leveraged Storytelling, host Arick Wierson sits down with Michelle Bellanca, CEO and co-founder of Claros Technologies, to unpack the science, stakes, and solutions around PFAS—the so-called “forever chemicals.” Bellanca explains why, while substitutes exist for things like nonstick cookware and food wrappers, PFAS remain irreplaceable in life-saving applications such as heart s...

What does it take to lead a country of 50 million people? According to Iván Duque Márquez — President of Colombia from 2018 to 2022 — it starts with becoming the nation’s storyteller-in-chief. In this special edition of Leveraged Storytelling (powered by Tunheim), host Arick Wierson sits down with Duque on the sidelines of the Biodiversity Alliance Summit in Georgetown, Guyana to unpack the craft...

Arick sits down with Ross Widmoyer, President & CEO of the historic Faribault Mill—one of America’s most iconic heritage brands. Together, they explore how a 150-year-old mill weaves its story into the modern era, balancing tradition with innovation. They also dive into a timely conversation about global trade and tariffs: how Faribault Mill, sourcing nearly all its materials within 20 miles o...

This week, we’re joined by Tyrre Burks—a former pro football player and the founder of Players Health, a company that’s transforming how we think about safety and support in amateur athletics.  Tyrre Burks has turned personal struggles and near-failures into a powerful narrative that fuels Players Health’s mission. By leveraging his personal story, Tyrre has built trust with investors, partners, a...

In this episode of Leveraged Storytelling powered by Tunheim, I sit down with Charlie Youakim, co-founder and CEO of Sezzle — the fastest-growing company on the NASDAQ this year and a proud Minnesota fintech built on values as much as velocity.  We dive into Sezzle’s core mission: helping the next generation of consumers build strong financial habits through its Buy Now, Pay Later platform — while...

Arick sits down with Jazz Hampton to explore how a startup born from tragedy—after the deaths of Philando Castile and George Floyd—became a breakout national story. As co-founder and CEO of TurnSignl, Jazz landed hundreds of top-tier media hits (NBC, PBS, USA Today, The Observer), using bold, mission-driven storytelling to expand from Minnesota to all 50. Now, as he sets his sights on Minneapolis...

On this episode of Leveraged Storytelling—presented by Tunheim—host Arick Wierson sits down with none other than Gene Munster, the tech investing legend and Wall Street seer. Gene is the go-to authority on Big Tech’s Magnificent Seven and a master at decoding what makes tech leaders truly iconic. In this episode, Arick and Gene dive into why storytelling isn’t just a soft skill for tech CEOs—it’s...

On the inaugural episode of Leveraged Storytelling, Arick sits down with Shelly Kohan to discuss her roles as a Contributor to Forbes, a Professor, and what makes a good story.