Listen Local

This week on the Listen Local Podcast , we're joined by Brainerd Public Schools Superintendent Chip Rankin! Chip takes us through his incredible journey in education, from teaching and coaching to becoming a principal and eventually superintendent. We dive into his time at Pequot Lakes, what brought him back to Brainerd, the challenges facing education today, and his vision for the future of Brain...

Hellooooo Listen Local Fam! Fun one for you today as we welcome Mike Foy back to the Podcast to talk EVERYTHING about him and his brother Chris' NEWEST venture POSTAL Pizza & Tacos! You know the Foy Bros from Dough Bros and of course Ernies on Gull AND Main Street Ale House, but today's is ALL - or mostly - about Postal. When can we expect it opening, what some of the feature will be and much...

Hello Listen Local Fam! The Listen Local guys are back with plenty to catch up on! This week, they recap trips to Austin and Nashville, Cooper’s first birthday and Briggs’ upcoming big day, and the surprisingly awesome fall weather and best spots to see the colors around the BLA. Plus, they preview the first-ever Crosslake Oktoberfest and the Minnesota Governor’s Debate coming to Madden’s Resort,...

Hello Listen Local friends and family! On today's show, Eric Perkins joins the crew to talk all things Travel Perks! Perk dives into the idea behind the travel series, some of the incredible locations he’s visited, his favorite moments so far, and what makes each episode unique. He also touches on why tourism, especially in Minnesota, was missing the "travel perks style" of series.&...

Big Fall events continue   here in the Lakes Area  THIS Weekend! 🍂  Today, we’re talking all things Crosslake! First, we chat with Dave Anderson to talk about the first-ever Crosslake Oktoberfest (Oct. 16–17) featuring The Dweebs, wiener-dog races, stein holding, 17 local stops and a massive Oktoberfest tent  (thanks to our wonderful friends at Party Time Rental...

Hello Listen Local Fans, let's going to get right into it ! This shorter episode is pretty straight forward... Football, Fall Festivals, and Fun in the BLA ! Tune in now! And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance , Craguns Legacy Courses , Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes A...

Hello Listen Local Family! School is back, there's a brisk feel in the air, and I think we can finally say "summer 2026" has come to an end. But, even though summer might be over, the local businesses are still up and running. Businesses that include our amazing Listen Local Sponsors. So, we thought there's no better time to do an appreciation episode for all of those wonderful sponsors. Without t...

Listen Local Fam, let us tell ya... Last week was a blur! From Live from BIR for the NHRA Nationals to Live at the CRMC Championship. It was A WEEK. So much happened, with so many good interviews so we HAD to do a BEST OF recap show. Guests on this episode include NHRA Driver Maddi Gordon (9:53), NFL Legend Adam Thielen (22:18), American Idol's Superstar Chris Tungseth (49:35), 'Good Good Golf' an...

Hello Listen Local Friends and Family! Lets get right to it! On todays show the guys recap the past week, which was full of local Golf Scrambles, a trip outta the country and some good ol' Lake Life. Then the crew is joined by their pal Bailey McMahon with Thrivent to talk about their HUGE involvement with the CRMC Championship. Bailey breaks down everything they'll be a part of and even some teas...

Attention Listen Local Fam... Do we have a show for you today! It is ALL about BIR Nationals today (which is one week away), so we thought "why not have some of the biggest names in racing history??" So we did. Kristi and Sara from BIR connected the podcast with absolute LEGENDS Ron Capps and Tony Stewart. Pure entertainment. While there were a ton of topics discussed - which include why Ron tells...

Hello Listen Localers! The summer fun has not slowed down yet here in the BLA, and some would argue there is still so much fun left to be had! And by some, we mean us here at Listen Local. From Fair season kicking off to planning for events like BIR Nationals and the CRMC Championship at the BEAUTIFUL Cragun's Legacy Courses... there is still A TON going on in summer's final month, and the LL dive...

Helloooo Listen Local Fam! Things are still hot hot hot in the BLA. And the events just keep on happenin, and man do we have another weekend of fun ahead of us! From a big Friday - Saturday - Sunday of live music over at Ernies on Gull to the Pequot Lakes Street Dance with our pals the Wyld Ryce to one of the main summer events on the Whitefish Chain, Rock'n on Whitefish with DJ Paul Nelson. We ca...

Hello Listen Local Fam, Today's show is all about our friends at Craguns. Jack. Carrie. The CRMC Championship. Whats NEW around the Resort. All of it. Tune in. And as always, thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance , Craguns Legacy Courses , Party Time Rental, Bens Marine and Motorsports and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs! Instagram: ListenLoca...

Hello Listen Local Friends and Fam! On today's show it's Colton and Isaiah manning the ship as Jacob is out on another BlazeAir Tourism shoot. Saying that... he of course can't stay away the whole time, so he calls in and gives a little update! Then, Isaiah dives into this week's guest. The One. The Only. The Chamber Board Chair, Mr. Colton Maher. PS... Colton did not know this was coming. They di...

Hello Listen Local Friends and Fam! We made it people... the 4th of July weekend is behind us, and what a weekend it was! On today's show the LL guys recap the 4th and all of the BLA festivities, THEN... catch up with THE Reese Glover. Reese talks about his time at Lakes Jam, his new Single "Swift County Fair" that just dropped, his upcoming shows and more! Thanks Reese for taking a break from you...

Happy 4th of July week everyone! On today's show Isaiah, Colton and Jacob do a deep dive recap on Lakes Jam '26. Hear about what they loved and what they didn't love so much. But most importantly, HUGE thanks to Lakes Jam for having us out again, already CAN'T WAIT for next year... I mean, DIERKS BENTLEY?!? LET'S GO! Then... the LL crew gets into EVERYTHING America 250 4th of July! From where to w...

Hello Friends...CAN WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE... IT IS LAKES JAM WEEK PEOPLE! Isaiah and Jacob are recording this show from the (insert new sponsor here) Mobile Studio from the Lakes Jam Listen Local Headquarters. On the first on-site show from Lakes Jam 2026 the crew chat with Kaitlyn Schroeder (Borgstrom) of Jacob's Voice. You have heard us talk a ton about our friend Jacob Borgstrom and Jac...

Hello Listen Local Fam! On today's show the WHOLE CREW (yes even Colton) heads out to Crosswoods Golf Course to catch up with Mike and Savannah about all things Crosswoods, including their BRAND NEW course "The Farm." They chat about why The Farm is going to be one of the most unique courses in the BLA, how it all came to be, and why it complements the other courses at Crosswoods. Mike also gives...

Hello Listen Local Fam! We are back in studio this week after our couple of weeks doing Facebook LIVE shows. The summer craziness is officially upon us, from all the Live music happenin' to a crazy weekend of Octane Autofest at BIR with Chris Forsberg and the CBoys to beautiful weather for golf and lakelife. Our guest on today's show to talk about all of it, as well as Lakes Jam prep of course, th...

Hello Jammers! Another episode, and another Lakes Jam Artist. This time it's Main Stage Performer Ashland Craft! Ashland talks about her time performing or touring with the likes of Ashley McBride, Morgan Wallen, Hardy and many other big names. She also discusses her favorite songs, being both a writer and singer plus why she enjoys performing at Festivals. Then after Ashland signs off, Ken tells...

Well... Hello Listen Local Listeners... I know we say it A LOT but wow, do we have a show for you today. Guests stopped by that even we didn't know were going to! First and foremost, huge thanks to BIR and the Wheelie Bar for letting us set up shop before the Brainerd Chamber Business After Hours. Our first guest was one you've got to know well over the past couple of months on both this podcast a...

Helloooo Listen Local Listeners! On today's show, Isaiah and Jacob head out to the Official Golf Course of the Listen Local Podcast, the Beautiful Craguns Legacy Course! While recording at The Legacy, Cragun's Director of Golf Jack Wawro joins the show to chat about: *UPGRADES all around the resort and in the Legacy Pro Shop *Some potential unrl news... *Some potential wild news... *What to expect...

Happy Fishing Opener Weekend Listen Local Fam! On today's episode we catch up with someone who knows fishing very well, Nick Lindner. Nick, whose family is arguably the most recognized fishing family in Minnesota, talks about growing up a Lindner, if he always knew he'd be working in the fishing/angling industry, what it's been like branching off from typical TV media into growing his YouTube and...

Hello Listen Localers! So a last second cancellation from a guest means you get just some good ol' banter from the fellas on today's show. And, per ususal they were a bit all over the board. Some Kentucky Derby betting discussion - plus some hypothetical gambling talk in general - to who American Idol talk to Prom Memories and more. After that the guys dive into Local Happenings and some events yo...

Hello Jammers! Fun one again this week as Isaiah, Jacob, Ken and Mike chat with BOTH Midwest CMO Artist Rachel Neal AND BIR's Sara Walker and Michael Morgan. Very full show, full of great info, and one you'll definitely want to tune into! And remember GET YOUR TICKETS NOW for Lakes Jam 2026. You can buy tickets at Lakes Jam website or get actual physical tickets at Cash Wise Liquor, Kwik Trip and...