Stream of Consciousness with Dan: Stories from the Midwest

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with someone who’s been part of my story for a long time — my friend Colton Cox. We grew up together, went through school together, and somehow ended up on two different paths that still share the same heartbeat: curiosity, creativity, and the desire to make something meaningful. Colton is a music teacher, a multi-instrumentalist, and someone who’s alwa...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation with Émilie Landry, everything feels easy — warm, funny, generous, and full of those little moments where two people from different worlds find common ground. We talk about her music, her writing, and the heart behind what it means to be Acadian — We laugh A LOT, especially when I try to speak (and sing) in French. There’s a moment where I take a swing at a ve...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, I’m talking about sacrifice — the kind that’s quiet, costly, and lived out long before anyone sees the results. I start with Hustle and Rise , two stories that show how belief always demands something from you. Then I bring it closer to home: my sister’s run with Kearney High, and the miles my parents have poured into her journey — the late nights, th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rod Berger — journalist, education analyst, global interviewer, and author of The Narrative Edge . Rod has spent years traveling the world, sitting across from leaders, innovators, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. But what stands out most isn’t the résumé — it’s the way he listens, the way he honors people, and the way he finds m...

Send us Fan Mail Paul O’Sullivan of Greywind joins me for a fun, wide‑ranging conversation about the band’s origins, their influences, and what life on the road has taught them. We talk touring stories, creative inspiration, and the energy behind Greywind’s sound.  Make sure to follow Greywind across all socials and stream their music — they’re doing incredible things. Instagram: @greywindband Web...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s Friday’s w/ Dan moves through a lot of ground — the courage we see in sports, the quiet endurance of everyday life, and the deep sense of belonging that comes from the people and places that shaped us. Daniel shares updates on his upcoming Wisconsin cheesemaker series, reflects on the legacy of a friend’s mother who passed away, and closes with a moment of scripture an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Angie Hawkins — Inner Glow Coach, speaker, and author of Running in Slippers — for one of the most honest and grounded conversations I’ve had on this show. Angie opens up about the moments that shaped her, including the night she nearly lost her life, and the long, courageous path that followed. She also reads a passage from her book that captures...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dan sits down with Shauna Dahlgren, a Work Incentive and Community Outreach Specialist with Easterseals Nebraska. Shauna spends her days helping people navigate systems that can feel overwhelming and intimidating — and she does it with a steadiness and clarity that makes a real difference in people’s lives. This conversation explores the human side of that work: w...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Fridays w/ Dan , we slow down and take a breath together. From the quiet meaning of Valentine’s Day to the emotional punch of the Olympics, this episode is all about presence, resilience, and the moments that remind us who we are. I share a powerful boiling‑water analogy from my conversation with David McKee — a simple, human way to understand emotional regulation tha...

Send us Fan Mail Nebraska singer‑songwriter Andrea von Kampen joins me for a grounded, thoughtful conversation about creativity, place, and the stories behind her music. We talk about how nature, memory, and the Midwest shape her songwriting, and what she’s exploring in her work right now. A gentle, human episode with an artist whose voice and perspective stay with you. http://www.youtube.com/@Dan...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s Friday’s w/ Dan brings a little Friday the 13th fun, some joy from the people I love, and a whole lot of sports. I talk about celebrating Merritt’s first birthday (and getting some Wells time), cheering on my sister as she coaches Kearney High and continues her amazing work as a speech pathologist, and gearing up for the Daytona 500 with a cool new NASCAR safety update...

Send us Fan Mail Daniel Gray joins me for a conversation that’s honest, grounded, and full of heart. We talk about the moments that shaped him, the chapters he’s had to rebuild, and the perspective he’s gained along the way. Daniel has a way of telling his story that feels both personal and universal, and this episode carries that same energy — steady, reflective, and deeply human. We also talk ab...

Send us Fan Mail -For the first Fridays w/ Dan, I’m keeping it raw. This week I talk about the opening NASCAR race, watching Bates Motel with my wife, and how curling somehow became one of the most grounding parts of my week. There’s also a moment about how small the world can feel in the best way — the kind of thing that hits you out of nowhere and sticks with you. No script. No heavy editing. Ju...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Julie Barth — a writer, mother of six, and the force behind two powerful advocacy efforts born from the deepest parts of her family’s story. Julie speaks with a clarity and steadiness that make even the heaviest moments feel human and approachable. Our conversation moves through grief, resilience, creativity, and the quiet strength that emerges whe...

Send us Fan Mail This bonus episode features a conversation with Chris Thomas, the founder of String — a real‑time, audio‑first platform built for live conversations and community without the noise of traditional social media. Based out of Sydney, Australia, Chris walks through the vision behind String, how the platform works, and what he hopes it will become. This is a raw, lightly edited version...

Send us Fan Mail Paul Granger has spent years sitting with people in their hardest moments, offering presence instead of answers and compassion instead of quick fixes. In this conversation, he reflects on what it means to walk with others through pain, how to stay grounded when life feels heavy, and why listening can be one of the most powerful forms of care. We talk about identity, faith, doubt,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Stream of Consciousness , I sit down with Willie Thornton for a conversation that stays with you long after it’s over. Willie opens up about the experiences that shaped him — the hard seasons, the healing, the creativity that grew out of survival, and the moments that taught him who he is. What unfolds is an honest, vulnerable dialogue about resilience, identity...

Send us Fan Mail Two hours of conversation flew by like nothing. In this episode, I sit down with Acadian singer‑songwriter Joey Robin Haché for a deep, honest, and wide‑ranging talk about music, identity, language, and the winding path that shapes an artist’s voice. We get into his creative process, the stories behind his albums, and the moments that pushed him toward the musician he is today. Th...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Dan sits down with Russell Van Brocklen — a New York State–funded dyslexia researcher and educator who has spent decades studying how the dyslexic brain learns. What follows is a clear, grounded, and deeply informative exploration of dyslexia that blends science, lived experience, and practical insight in a way that’s accessible to everyone. Russell breaks do...

Send us Fan Mail Canadian indie artist Michael Saulnier joins Dan for a warm, open conversation about creativity, community, and the winding path that led him from early bands to Peanut Butter Sunday and his solo folk work. Michael reflects on his Acadian roots, the cultural rhythms that shaped his voice, and the people who kept him grounded along the way. This episode is a gentle dive into music,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Father Adam Urban joins me for a grounded, honest conversation about vocation, community, and the quiet ways faith shapes our daily lives. We talk about the joys and challenges of parish ministry, the importance of showing up for people in their hardest moments, and the surprising places grace tends to appear. Father Adam also shares personal reflections on prayer...

Send us Fan Mail Aly from Angels Among Us joins Dan for a gentle, hope-filled conversation about what it really looks like to support families walking through pediatric cancer. They talk about the heart behind the mission, the everyday realities families face, and the small, human moments that keep this work grounded in love and community. You’ll also hear about one of their biggest upcoming event...

Send us Fan Mail Chef Dave Powers brings big stories and even bigger heart to this episode. Daniel and Dave dive into Irish food culture, creativity in the kitchen, and the role community plays in shaping who we become. They also highlight Learn Local and the Culinary Ability Awards — two initiatives changing lives through food, education, and inclusion. A lively, meaningful conversation you won’t...

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode explores the Hebrew word  yir'ah  - a word often translated as "fear" but better understood as awe and holy reverence. We look at its scriptural roots in Proverbs 9:10 and reflect on how a posture of awe can shape our daily lives. The episode closes with a short prayer inviting God to form in us the kind of reverence that leads to wisdom. buymea...

Send us Fan Mail Chef and storyteller Luke Zahm joins me for a wide‑ranging conversation about food, community, and connection. We explore how meals become memories, the role of authenticity in creative work, and the power of sharing stories that matter. This episode runs over an hour of rich, heartfelt dialogue you won’t want to miss. Driftless Café Wisconsin Foodie Home - SeedSavers North Americ...