The Hope Exchange

In this episode of The Hope Exchange , Kim Madsen welcomes Pablo Obregón, Director of Community Growth for the City of Willmar. Pablo shares his journey from Lima, Peru, to Willmar, Minnesota, and discusses the work being done to foster belonging, inclusion, and community connection throughout the region. The conversation highlights upcoming events including Juneteenth, the We Are Willmar Parade o...

In this powerful episode of The Hope Exchange , Ashley and Kim welcome Alicia Dixon from Ortonville, Minnesota. Alicia shares her remarkable journey from severe methamphetamine addiction, incarceration, trauma, and hopelessness to long-term recovery, faith, and community leadership. Alicia discusses the moment she reached her breaking point, the people who believed in her when she struggled to bel...

Episode Summary In this episode of The Hope Exchange , hosts Kim Madsen and Ashley Kjos welcome guests from Kandiyohi County Public Health for an in-depth conversation about the often unseen work happening behind the scenes to support local families and communities. Joining the show are public health leaders Jody , Patty , and Chris from Kandiyohi County Public Health. Together, they discuss the w...

In this episode of The Hope Exchange , Kim and Dr. Kjos are joined by Neeva from PACT for Families, a collaborative that helps connect children and families to support when they're at risk of falling through the cracks. Neeva shares her own journey from Gulfport, Mississippi to rural Minnesota and what drew her to public health work with vulnerable populations. Together, they discuss how inter-age...

In this episode of The Hope Exchange , host Kim Madsen sits down with members of the Willmar Stingers front office to explore how an amateur baseball team can become a powerful force for community connection. The conversation highlights how the Stingers prioritize relationships, youth engagement, and accessibility, creating an environment where baseball becomes a gateway to belonging, joy, and sha...

In this episode of The Hope Exchange , host Kim Madsen sits down with Alana Ziehl for an important conversation about food insecurity and the critical role food shelves play in supporting individuals and families. Alana shares insight into how food insecurity impacts mental health, stability, and overall well-being, and why access to nutritious food must be approached with dignity and compassion....

In this episode of The Hope Exchange , hosts Kim Madsen and Dr. Ashley Kjos sit down with HR leadership to discuss the evolving role of Human Resources in supporting employee mental health and workplace wellness. The conversation explores how HR teams are moving beyond policies and compliance to become key partners in creating psychologically safe, supportive work environments. From early interven...

In this episode of The Hope Exchange , Kim and Dr. Kjos are joined by Neeva from PACT for Families, a collaborative that helps connect children and families to support when they're at risk of falling through the cracks. Neeva shares her own journey from Gulfport, Mississippi to rural Minnesota and what drew her to public health work with vulnerable populations. Together, they discuss how inter-age...

In this episode, Kim Madsen and Dr. Ashley Kjos sit down with Sara Carlson, Executive Director of the Willmar Area Community Foundation, to explore how thoughtful giving, local partnerships, and community-rooted initiatives are transforming mental health support in west central Minnesota. From mural projects to Kids Connection, Sara shares how investing in connection creates long-term hope and hea...

In this powerful conversation, hosts Kim Madsen and Dr. Ashley Kjos welcome Megan and Sarah, experienced counselors from Woodland Centers' Substance Use Program, to discuss early intervention in youth substance use. The episode highlights the importance of communication, patience, and recognizing behavioral changes in teens. Megan and Sarah share practical ways for parents and caregivers to open j...

In this episode of The Hope Exchange , hosts Kim Madsen and Dr. Ashley Kjos talk with school social workers Megan and Dionne about the evolving role of mental health professionals in schools. The conversation explores how school-based social work has moved from being reactive to deeply proactive—integrated into hallways, classrooms, and morning routines. Megan and Dionne share real-world experienc...

In this heartfelt episode, Kim and Ashley sit down with Reggie , a client of Woodland Centers’ WIN program, to explore his personal journey navigating employment and mental health. Reggie shares his honest struggles with confidence, the challenge of getting back behind the wheel, and how working with his job coach helped him find stability and self-worth. Through his story, listeners gain a deeper...

In this episode of The Hope Exchange , Tina Schenk , Social Services Director for Meeker County, joins hosts Kim Madsen and Ashley Kjos to discuss the power of collaboration in supporting public health and social services. From prevention programs and community training to strong partnerships with organizations like Woodland Centers, Tina highlights how Meeker County is working to meet community n...

EPISODE TALKING POINTS Meet Jaime & Kayla Kim introduces her guests: Woodland Centers therapist Jaime Bremseth and student Kayla Davis, both of whom have built a meaningful therapeutic relationship through school-linked services. What Is School-Linked Mental Health? Jaime explains her dual placement across school districts, providing therapy directly on school grounds and offering accessible s...

In this episode, host Kim Madsen sits down with Sarah Vonderharr, Executive Director of Pact For Families Collaborative, to explore how five rural Minnesota counties banded together to create a seamless safety net for children and families facing mental-health or substance-use challenges. Sarah recounts the Collaborative’s legislative origins and explains its wrap-around philosophy, which keeps fa...

1. Meet Angie Richardson Angie Richardson, Marketing and Community Impact Coordinator at Woodland Centers, joins the show to discuss the life-saving importance of naloxone training. In addition to leading community education efforts, Andy also conducts internal and external trainings that promote awareness and reduce stigma. 2. Why Naloxone Training Matters Woodland Centers offers community-based...

Show Notes: In this inspiring episode, Kim and Ashley sit down with Sheila and John from West Central Industries to explore the powerful connection between employment and mental well-being. With deep experience supporting individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges, Sheila and John walk us through how employment services like the WIN Program (Work Environment Now) help people redisc...

Hosts Kim Madsen and Ashley Kjos are joined by Karen Meyer, Director of Crisis Services, and Kelly Rosendahl, Crisis Supervisor at Woodland Centers. They discuss the extensive crisis services available, including mobile crisis, mental health urgent care, and residential crisis programs, highlighting the importance of timely mental health support. Key Points Discussed: Woodland Centers Crisis Servi...

Episode Overview: In this episode, hosts Kim Madsen and Ashley Choitz welcome Yolanda, Managing Attorney at Minnesota Legal Aid, for an enlightening conversation about Medicaid (Medical Assistance), helping listeners better understand its importance, eligibility requirements, and recent changes impacting coverage. Key Points Discussed: Understanding Medicaid: Medical Assistance serves as essential...

In this episode of The Hope Exchange , Kim and Ashley dive into an informative discussion about Woodland Centers, its mission, and how it serves the community. They provide an in-depth look at the services offered across seven counties and 14 school districts in Minnesota, including mental health care, substance use programs, and the unique approach to providing whole-health support for individual...

Welcome to The Hope Exchange Join Kim Madsen, Chief Impact Officer, and Ashley Kjos, CEO, as they kick off this brand-new podcast from Woodland Centers. Here’s what you can expect: What is The Hope Exchange? A podcast focused on mental health, substance use, and wellness. A platform to provide guidance, inspiration, and connection for those navigating these challenges. A place where hope is exchan...