Meet Your Neighbor

In this episode, Realtor Steve sits down with  Mark Hayes , a Minnesota native who grew up in Burnsville and went on to build a long and meaningful career in architecture. Mark shares how he found his way into the profession, why he gravitated toward designing schools, and what it was like contributing to international projects—including his work on Kingdom Academy in Saudi Arabia. Now living...

In this episode, Realtor Steve sits down with Westbrook Village resident  Kirk Hanrahan , whose life story is as heartwarming as it is inspiring. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Kirk’s journey has taken him across cities, careers, and callings — including a time when he believed he might become a pastor. But at the center of Kirk’s life is a love story that began remarkably early. He met his wife,...

Show Description – Ladies of Westbrook Toy Drive (Featuring Margie & Lynn) In this special Thanksgiving-week episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , Steve sits down with Margie Newman and Lynn Greer, two remarkable women who help lead one of Westbrook Village’s most meaningful holiday traditions: the  Ladies of Westbrook Toy Drive . What began as a simple idea has grown into a powerful annu...

In this powerful episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , Realtor Steve sits down with author and researcher  Steve Trethewy , whose book  Please Don’t Shoot Me Again  explores a tragic real-life event that left a lasting imprint on the community. Trethewy didn’t witness the incident himself, but he has spent years interviewing those who were there — including the deputy responsible —...

Meet Your Neighbor – Featuring Mark Study In this special Veterans Day episode, we sit down with  Mark Study , a proud  U.S. Marine Corps veteran  who spent his career as a  crew chief on the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter , one of the largest and most powerful aircraft in the military. Mark shares stories from his years of service—leading, flying, and maintaining complex mis...

In this episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , Realtor Steve sits down with lifelong Humboldt, Iowa resident and successful business owner  Bill Peterson . From growing up in a family of seven to marrying his high school sweetheart, Bill’s story is rooted in small-town values and big-time ambition. He started out selling cars and soon built his own dealership—turning hard work and honesty into...

In this episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , I sit down with  Sally Kimmerling , who grew up Iowa City, Iowa , where entrepreneurship and family values shaped much of her life. After spending most of her years in Iowa, Sally has found a new chapter filled with sunshine and community here in  Westbrook Village . She shares stories from her entrepreneurial roots, what inspired her to make...

In this episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , we sit down with  Rick Spurrier , a Kansas City native whose journey is all about adventure, community, and connection. After a successful career in sales, Rick found his home here in Westbrook Village, where he’s embraced the lifestyle — from riding his Harley on long scenic drives to hitting the pickleball courts with friends. Rick also shares h...

In this episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , Realtor Steve sits down with  Lisa Culbertson  — a woman whose story is anything but ordinary. Originally from Portland, Lisa’s adventurous spirit has taken her down some incredible paths. She once worked  underwater for a utility company at a dam , laced up her skates for  roller derby , and even spent time  tap dancing  ...

Meet Your Neighbor: Vince Lodato From skate parks and surf breaks in Los Angeles to corporate offices in Seattle, Vince Lodato has lived a life full of rhythm, movement, and reinvention. His early passion for skateboarding and surfing led to his first true love — music — when he started a band that shaped his creative spirit. Vince went on to enjoy a successful career in business, eventually joini...

In this episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , Realtor Steve sits down with Cheryl Grampp — a Westbrook Village resident with an inspiring story. Originally from Bettendorf, Iowa, Cheryl made the move to Arizona at 18 and has called it home ever since. After a successful career in Human Resources at Discover Card, she discovered a new passion that truly lights her up: teaching dance. Cheryl shares...

In this episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , Realtor Steve sits down with  Jim Boell , who grew up in Iowa and built his career as an engineering consultant in Minnesota. A devoted family man, Jim has always been deeply involved in his children’s sports and the community around him. We recorded this conversation at Slim’s in Bemidji, Minnesota—famous for serving up some of the best burgers i...

This week on  Meet Your Neighbor , Realtor Steve sits down with Curt Burckhardt, a country boy from St. James, Minnesota, whose work ethic started early—raising rabbits and selling them to pay for his first two years of college. Curt went on to attend Macalester College, where he was a standout wrestler, losing only two matches in his career. He later built a successful career as a realtor an...

In this special episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , I sit down with my wife, Kjersten Merila, to talk about her journey from growing up as an only child in a small town in southern Minnesota to building a fulfilling career at Fairview Health, where she’s spent the last 19 years. We also discuss her college years at St. Scholastica in Northern Minnesota and her love for our home here in Westbrook...

In this episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , Realtor Steve sits down with  Gabe Rivas , entrepreneur and owner of  The Links Neighborhood Grill  in Westbrook Village. Originally from Los Angeles, Gabe brought his passion for food, hospitality, and community to the West Valley, where he built one of the area’s most popular gathering spots. The Links isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a pl...

This week on the  Meet Your Neighbor Podcast with Realtor Steve , we sit down with Dick Krapfl — a proud Nebraska native whose life has been defined by teaching, coaching, and competing. From shaping young athletes in the classroom and on the field, to living out his own passion for sports and competition, Dick’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and pride in his roots. As a longtime We...

Today on  Meet Your Neighbor  with Realtor Steve, I’m honored to sit down with my good friend, Keith Donaldson. Keith’s career journey is a remarkable one—he began at Discount Tire on the ground floor and, through dedication, leadership, and an incredible work ethic, rose to the highest levels of the company. By the end of his career, Keith was entrusted with traveling nationwide on the...

In this episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , we sit down with Mark Crouch—an Arizona native whose passion for golf started with his grandfather and never let up. From his time as an assistant pro at Westbrook Village Golf Club to launching his own coaching business, AZ Golf Gurus, Mark shares how he’s turned a lifelong love of the game into a career helping others improve theirs. Whether you’re a...

Meet Your Neighbor – Bud Coats This week on the  Meet Your Neighbor  podcast, we sit down with Bud Coats — a true Texas original. From the oil fields to the golf course, Bud brings grit, wisdom, and heart to everything he does. At 86 years young, he’s still swinging strong and regularly shoots under his age. In this shorter episode, Bud reflects on a lifetime of hard work, family, and hi...

In this episode, we sit down with the remarkable Donna Musech, a 91-year-old Westbrook Village resident whose life has been nothing short of extraordinary. Born and raised in Minnesota, Donna built a thriving career in fashion as a professional purchaser—making over 200 trips to New York City during her decades in the industry. But Donna’s story doesn’t stop there. At the age of 50, she packed up...

In this episode, we sit down with  Patty Owings , a proud Westbrook Village resident with a powerful story of entrepreneurial success and personal integrity. Originally from California, Patty built a thriving furniture business by treating her employees like family and always putting the customer first. She shares how hard work, strong values, and a commitment to doing the right thing helped...

In this episode of the  Meet Your Neighbor  podcast with Realtor Steve, we welcome  Emily Edwards , owner of  Dwelling Place Designs, LLC . Emily shares her inspiring journey from wedding planning to house flipping to launching her dream business in home remodeling. Though she’s not a Westbrook Village resident, Emily is a familiar face in the community—known for her exceptiona...

Episode Title: From Jersey to the Desert – Loretta Meeker’s Journey to Westbrook Village In this episode of  Meet Your Neighbor , Realtor Steve sits down with  Loretta Meeker , a proud Jersey girl with a warm heart and a story worth hearing. Loretta shares how her life on the East Coast eventually led her to Arizona — and how she found friendship, fulfillment, and a true sense of communi...

In this inspiring episode of the  Meet Your Neighbor  podcast, we sit down with Michelle McGee—a woman whose intellect, resilience, and determination have shaped an extraordinary life. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Michelle arrived in the U.S. in 8th grade speaking just 50 words of English. What might have been a setback for many became a stepping stone for Michelle, whose sharp mind and unsh...

This week on the  Meet Your Neighbor  podcast, we’re honored to introduce a couple whose warmth, energy, and love for life are as contagious as their laughter—Jeff and Paige. These two have brought something truly special to Westbrook Village—not just their incredible pickleball skills, but a spirit of joy, kindness, and connection that lifts up everyone around them. In this episode, you...