Brews & Cruise Podcast

🏥 Healthcare or Profits? Is Patient Care Taking a Back Seat?

This week on the Brews & Cruise Podcast, Chris Jacobson sits down with Nicole Franck, a longtime local nurse who spent 17 years working at Mayo Clinic in La Crosse and now works in hospice care.

Nicole is also the founder of Project 1883, a new advocacy initiative focused on giving nurses, CNAs, patients, families, and healthcare workers a voice.

🎙️ In this episode, we dive into:

🏥 How healthcare has changed over the past two decades

💰 The growing influence of corporate healthcare and financial pressures

👩‍⚕️ The challenges nurses and healthcare workers face behind the scenes

🗣️ Why some healthcare workers may be afraid to speak up

🔎 The mission behind Project 1883 and its efforts to document and verify healthcare experiences

❤️ Hospice care, end-of-life doulas, and the importance of treating patients with dignity

Has healthcare become more focused on profits than patients? Nicole shares her perspective, experiences, and hopes for creating meaningful conversations about the future of healthcare in our communities.

Whether you're a healthcare worker, a patient, or someone who has watched a loved one navigate the healthcare system, this is a conversation worth hearing.

🎧 Listen now to this week's episode of Brews & Cruise!

#BrewsAndCruisePodcast #Project1883 #NicoleFranck #Healthcare #Nursing #PatientAdvocacy #HospiceCare #CorporateHealthcare #WinonaMN #LaCrosseWI

What's next for Winona Area Public Schools?

This week on the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with Brad Berzinski, Superintendent of Winona Area Public Schools, to discuss the future of education in Winona and some of the exciting things happening throughout the district.

One of the biggest topics is the upcoming Capital Projects Levy renewal. Brad breaks down what the levy funds, how it impacts local taxpayers, and what could happen if voters choose not to renew it.

We also discuss:

🎓 Career & Technical Education – New classes in mechatronics, firefighting, construction, and computer science that are preparing students for real-world careers.

💰 Forging a Future – How $326,000 in community donations is helping expand industrial technology opportunities.

🏫 Preschool & Early Childhood Education – The importance of giving young learners a strong start.

🤝 Community Education – Programs and opportunities available to Winona residents of all ages.

🏆 Winhawks Athletics – Celebrating an exciting fall sports season, including the boys soccer team's historic first trip to state!

Brad also shares his perspective on the challenges facing public education,

Winona Area Public Schools

https://www.winonaschools.org

👻 The most-listened-to guest in Brews & Cruise Podcast history is BACK!

Lacey Korb returns to join host Chris Jacobson for another fascinating conversation about haunted history, ghost stories, and the dark secrets of Fountain City, Wisconsin!

After her first appearance became the most popular episode in Brews & Cruise history, Lacey is back to uncover more of the mysterious past surrounding this small Mississippi River town.

From reported paranormal activity at the historic Fountain City Auditorium and The Landing to the area's lesser-known history of prostitution and brothels, we explore stories that many locals may have never heard before.

We also discuss our experiences participating in Winona's Cemetery Walk, new reports of paranormal activity at Pieces of the Past, and other fascinating pieces of local history.

Are these simply stories passed down through generations, or could there be something more to them?

Whether you're interested in Wisconsin history, paranormal encounters, or the hidden stories of small-town America, this is a conversation you won't want to miss!

🎙️ Guest: Lacey Korb

🎧 Host: Chris Jacobson

📍 Featured Locations: Fountain City, Wisconsin & Winona, Minnesota

Have you ever experienced something paranormal in the area? We'd love to hear your story!

Subscribe to Brews & Cruise Podcast for new episodes every Monday!

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Winona Historical Society:

https://winonahistory.org/event/winona-walking-tours-haunted-2/2026-10-25/

The Corner Store:

https://www.thecornerstorefc.com/events

What does it take to overcome addiction, rebuild your life, and turn personal struggles into a mission to help others?

On this episode of Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with Rick Utley, co-founder of Doc's Recovery House in Rochester, Minnesota, for an honest and inspiring conversation about addiction, recovery, and the power of second chances.

Rick shares his personal journey through addiction and recovery, the challenges he faced along the way, and what inspired him to co-found Doc's Recovery House. We explore how the organization helps individuals struggling with substance use, provides a supportive environment for recovery, and gives people the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

We also discuss the stigma surrounding addiction, the importance of family and community support, inspiring recovery stories, and the impact Doc's Recovery House is making throughout southeastern Minnesota.

Plus, we talk about the organization's annual golf tournament, community fundraising, and ways you can help support its mission.

Whether you've personally experienced addiction, know someone who has, or simply believe everyone deserves a second chance, this is a conversation worth hearing.

🌐 Learn more about Doc's Recovery House: https://www.docsrecoveryhouse.org

🎙️ Brews & Cruise Podcast — Real People. Real Stories. Real Conversations.

Subscribe, follow, and share this episode to help spread awareness about addiction recovery and the importance of second chances.

#BrewsAndCruisePodcast #DocsRecoveryHouse #AddictionRecovery #RickUtley #SecondChances

💔 6 Years Without My Wife: Grief, Fatherhood & Finding Love Again | Seth Brantner

What happens when you lose the love of your life, but still have children to raise and a future to figure out?

In this emotional and deeply personal episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with Seth Brantner to discuss losing his wife, Erica, and the challenges of navigating grief, raising children, and learning to live and love again.

Six years later, Seth opens up about the guilt, unanswered questions, emotional struggles, and lessons he's learned along the way.

In this episode, we discuss:

💔 Losing a spouse and the reality of life afterward

👨‍👧‍👦 Parenting children through grief while grieving yourself

🧠 Survivor's guilt, regrets, and the constant "what ifs"

⏳ Why grief doesn't have an expiration date

❤️ Finding happiness again without feeling guilty

💑 Dating and finding love after losing a spouse

🎄 Navigating birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays

💪 Healing from trauma and rebuilding your identity

Seth also shares how he's kept Erica's memory alive for his children, the mistakes he's made along the way, and what he wishes more people understood about losing someone they love.

Moving forward doesn't mean forgetting. And finding happiness again doesn't mean you loved them any less.

This is a conversation for anyone who has experienced loss, is struggling with grief, or wants to better understand how to support someone going through it.

🎙️ Brews & Cruise Podcast with Chris Jacobson

New episodes every Monday at 6 AM!

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and Pandora.

💬 We'd love to hear from you: What's one thing you wish more people understood about grief?

👍 Like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear Seth's story.

#BrewsAndCruisePodcast #SethBrantner #GriefAndLoss #LifeAfterLoss #Widower #FindingLoveAgain #GriefHealing

Steve Patterson returns to Brews & Cruise to talk about his campaign for Minnesota Governor and what’s next for the Moderate Majority of Minnesota.

After falling short of the signatures needed to get his name on the ballot, Steve explains what happened, his write-in status, and where the campaign goes from here.

We also dive into what being a political moderate actually means, including Steve’s views on immigration, gun control, marijuana, abortion, taxes, and other issues facing Minnesota.

Plus, Steve opens up about mental health, the stigma around getting help, his concerns with the current mental healthcare system, and we lighten things up with what’s happening with comedy at Lansing Corners.

Whether you agree with him, disagree with him, or fall somewhere in the middle, this is an open conversation about Minnesota politics and giving voters another option.

Moderate Majority of Minnesota

https://moderatemajorityofmn.org

Big changes are happening in Winona!

This week on the Brews & Cruise Podcast, we’re joined by Alex from Winona Axe & Arcade, along with Nikos and Felicia from DGE (Dingee Group Enterprises).

We talk about the new ownership at Winona Axe & Arcade, changes coming to the venue, axe throwing, leagues, and what they have planned for the future.

Then we dive into everything happening with DGE — from the 420 Event and Back 2 School Event to The Foodery, the upcoming Y2K Event, November Food Drive, their work with Tree Huggers Cannabis products, and plans surrounding a local Youth Center.

It’s an episode packed with local business, upcoming events, community involvement, and big ideas for Winona!

Grab a brew (or THC drink), kick back, and enjoy!

One swing. One perfect shot. $5,000 on the line. ⛳💰

In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, I’m telling the full story of my first-ever hole-in-one—and the shot just happened to be worth $5,000!

It all happened during a golf tournament supporting Doc’s Recovery House in Rochester, Minnesota, a nonprofit recovery community organization that provides recovery housing, peer support, and resources for people pursuing recovery from substance use disorder.

I take you back to the tee box and walk through the shot, the moment we realized the ball was actually in the cup, the celebration that followed, and what it felt like realizing I had just won five grand.

But hitting the hole-in-one was only the beginning.

I also break down what happened afterward—the verification, paperwork, waiting, and the entire process of actually collecting a $5,000 hole-in-one prize.

It was already an incredible day supporting an organization doing important work in the community. Adding a once-in-a-lifetime golf shot made it a day I’ll never forget.

Learn more about Doc’s Recovery House:

Doc's Recovery House

https://www.docsrecoveryhouse.org

What’s really happening between the United States and Canada—and what does it look like from both sides of the border? 🇺🇸🇨🇦

Nearly two years after his first appearance, Paul Van Eijl returns to the Brews & Cruise Podcast for a friendly and timely conversation about the changing relationship between two longtime neighbors.

We dive into tariffs and trade, Canada’s reaction to the “51st state” comments, Canadian boycotts of American products, the U.S.–Canada trade deficit, and just how much our two countries actually rely on each other. Paul also breaks down the importance of Canadian resources like potash, aluminum, and uranium and why they matter south of the border.

This isn’t about choosing sides—it’s a conversation about understanding both sides. We compare what Canadians are seeing and hearing with the perspective here in the United States and look at where this relationship could be headed in the future.

And after the serious stuff, we lighten things up with a Canada & USA rapid-fire round! 🍻

Two countries. Two perspectives. One conversation.

Grab a drink and join us for another episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast!

Cody Zitzner joins the Brews & Cruise Podcast to talk about betting on himself, building a car detailing business, and how much his life has changed along the way.

Cody takes us back to how he got started in car detailing and what it took to turn it into a growing business. We talk about the opportunities that have come his way, the impact social media has had on his business, and the difference between where he was in 2025 and where he is today in 2026.

But this conversation goes well beyond detailing cars.

Cody opens up about his sobriety journey, the role fitness and discipline play in his life, his interests outside of work, and how family and parenthood have changed his priorities. We also talk about his ultimate goals, what success means to him today, and what he's working toward next.

Plus, we finish things off with rapid-fire questions covering cars, business, fitness, and life.

It's a conversation about entrepreneurship, personal growth, sobriety, family, and what can happen when you're willing to bet on yourself.

🎙️ Brews & Cruise Podcast