THE KOSH

Get to know Vicki Updike . In this episode , Vicki Updike, an executive coach and former President of the iconic company Miles Kimball, explores the arc of her professional life, beginning with her decision to "boomerang" back to Northeast Wisconsin to prioritize family and ending with her transition from corporate leadership to founding New Sage Strategies. A central theme of the conver...

Get to know Teri Rose This podcast episode features Teri Rose, an Oshkosh resident and author who discusses her journey in literature and education. As a school door monitor, Teri was inspired by the need for representation and inclusivity to write her children's book, Adventures with Sam and Saint: Holiday Celebrations. The text highlights her creative mission to provide a multicultural intro...

Get to know Spencer Jones . This podcast features Spencer Jones, a former music educator turned entrepreneur and mindset coach based in Wisconsin’s Fox Cities region. The conversation transitions from lighthearted banter about local weather and Jones’s unique background in middle school teaching and kayak fishing to a deep exploration of professional burnout and the "internal operating system...

Get to know Micah Troedel . In this episode Micah Troedel, an insightful high school senior and president of the Black Student Union at Oshkosh West, talk about lighthearted topics like Troedel’s athletic pursuits and his love for English literature to a profound exploration of the literacy crisis affecting local youth. Troedel emphasizes that improving reading skills requires a community-wide eff...

Get to know Mahima Grover. In this episode meet Mahima Grover, an Indian immigrant and entrepreneur in the Fox Cities who owns the M-Effect yoga and dance studio. The conversation explores Grover's diverse professional evolution from a corporate trainer and pharmacist in India to a community leader focused on holistic wellness through traditional practices. A significant portion of the text is...

Get to know Dr. Manohar Singh In this episode of "The Kosh" podcast, Chancellor Manohar Singh of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, a leader who blends academic stewardship with a profound spiritual heritage. Chancellor Singh shares about his personal history as the youngest of seven brothers in India to his philosophical views on the limitlessness of human potential and the necessity...

Get to know Alec Lefeber This episode of THE KOSH features Alec Lefeber, a multifaceted community leader and AI professional who provides a deep dive into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and local civic engagement. Alec explains his career in technology, where he translates complex technical concepts into accessible business tools, while also sharing his personal journey of movin...

Get to know Kimberly Barrett, Ph. D. This episode of THE KOSH features Dr. Kimberly Barrett, a retired higher education executive and author who discusses her career in higher ed, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI )  , and her recently published memoir,  Rethinking Race . Throughout the conversation, Kimberly reflects on the social construction of race, a realization sparked by her personal ex...

Get to know Megan Mulholland . In this episode Megan Mulholland, a communications expert and entrepreneur who specializes in crisis management and strategic storytelling, shares her professional evolution from journalism to high-level public relations, emphasizing the critical need for proactive incident command systems and authentic transparency within businesses and local government. Beyond her...

Get to know Ryne Lodl. In this episode, Ryne Lodl, Vice President of Sales at Encompass Security, discusses the critical importance of cybersecurity awareness for both businesses and individuals. He explains the technical complexities behind data breaches, noting the significant delay between an incident occurring and public notification due to the lengthy forensic analysis required. Lodl emphasiz...

Get to know Sierra Burchby. This episode of The Kosh highlights Sierra Burchby, a prolific thirteen-year-old student and author from the Fox Cities region. The conversation shares Sierra’s impressive literary journey, during which she has already published four books ranging from Minecraft-themed fiction to young adult supernatural thrillers. Beyond her writing, Sierra discusses her aspirations fo...

Get to know Michael Patton. In this episode, Michael Patton—co-founder and director of the Cyber Security Center of Excellence at UW Oshkosh —explores the critical intersection of human behavior and digital safety. Patton argues that effective protection requires more than just software; it requires an understanding of social engineering and the psychological motivations behind cybercrime. Beyond...

Get to know Sandy Drexler. In this episode of "The Kosh" podcast, Sandy Drexler, the Executive Director of Tri County Dental Clinic, discusses the vital connection between oral health and overall physical well-being. Drexler details her professional journey from English major to nonprofit leader, emphasizing her commitment to community service and the clinic’s mission to provide free car...

Get to know Liz Cannon, Ph. D & Amney Castaneda, Ph. D. This podcast episode features  Dr. Liz Cannon and Dr. Amney Castaneda , the founders of  Somewhere Over the Moon Trainings. They discuss their career-long dedication to  LGBTQ+ advocacy and education . The conversation explores the shifting landscape of  higher education and social justice , highlighting how storytelling serves as a vital...

Get to know Molly Smiltneek. This episode features  Molly Smiltneek , an  immigration attorney  and  school board member , to discuss her multifaceted role in the Oshkosh community. The conversation highlights Smiltneek’s transition from a  special education advocate —driven by her children's experience with dyslexia—to a systemic leader focused on  literacy equity  and  student representation...

Get to know Dr. Chu May Paing. This episode features an insightful interview with Dr. Chu May Paing, a cultural anthropologist and the Executive Director of the Winnebago Area Literacy Council (WALC). Dr. Chu discusses her personal history as a first-generation immigrant from Myanmar and emphasizes WALC's vital mission in serving the Fox Cities region's substantial refugee and immigrant po...

Get to know Tina Haffeman. This episode features Tina Haffeman, an influential community activist from the Oshkosh area. The conversation begins with Haffeman’s deep involvement in local social justice initiatives. A major theme explored is the struggle to establish resources like the  Day-by-Day Shelter , highlighting the pervasive issue of "Not In My Backyard" ( NIMBYism ), and Haffema...

Get to know Gordon Hintz. This episode is a lively conversation with  Gordon Hintz , the Winnebago County Executive and former state legislator. The conversation flows through discussions about the local community, personal life, and public service. A key theme emerges around  Hintz's dedication to public service  and his evolution from state partisan politics to a non-partisan, administrative...

Get to know Brandon Bjorkman. This podcast episode features Brandon Bjorkman, a content creator and "epic dream magician" with a background in radio, TV, and film. The discussion explores Brandon's work, particularly his involvement with  Discover Oshkosh  and the "Why I Love Oshkosh" video series, emphasizing the importance of  storytelling and authentic connection  in con...

Get to know Kourtney Kositzke. This podcast episode features guest Kourtney Kositzke, who discusses her role as the  Education and Community Program Manager at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass  in Neenah, Wisconsin. Kositzke highlights the museum's unique status as an  admission-free art museum , specializing in glass art since 2012, and emphasizes its commitment to  community engagement a...

Get to know Darryl Eschete. This podcast episode of "The Kosh" features an interview with  Darryl Eschete, the Director of the Oshkosh Public Library . The conversation delves into the  evolving role of modern libraries  beyond just books, highlighting their function as  community centers, providers of diverse media and digital resources, and vital "third spaces"  where people...

Get to know Liz Last. This podcast episode features an engaging conversation with Liz Last, Executive Director of Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods, focusing on the  power of community building and local engagement  in the Fox Cities region. The discussion highlights how Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods  develops and supports neighborhood associations  by providing resources like "Good Neighbor Gran...

Get to know Yaw Asare & Orson Fournillier. This episode features  Orson and Yaw, the entrepreneurs behind Gold Coast Candy and Brittle Daddies . The podcast, focused on individuals with ties to the Kosh and Fox Cities area, explores their business journey, personal philosophies, and the challenges of the confectionary industry. Key themes include the  importance of community, local business, a...

Get to know Curtis Dewitt. This podcast episode of "The Kosh" features Curtis Dewitt, a local entrepreneur and artisan. The conversation covers Curtis's personal journey, including his past struggles with addiction and incarceration, and how these experiences ultimately fueled his passion for  Dwitz Creations , a business focused on custom novelty items like tumblers and T-shirts. Be...

Get to know Tara Brzozowski. This podcast episode features Tara Brzozowski, an Oshkosh native and communication professional, engaging in a  conversational and wide-ranging discussion about community, professional experiences, and effective communication . The interview progresses through segments like "What in the World is Going On With," "Word Association," and "Hidden G...