This week on the Brews & Cruise Podcast, we share a powerful comeback story rooted in passion, family, and unfinished dreams.

I sit down with J.R. Larkie, a lifelong musician who has been writing songs and singing since childhood—but like many creatives, life stepped in. Between serving as a volunteer firefighter, coaching baseball, and raising five kids with his amazing wife, music was put on hold.

Everything changed when one simple question from one of his children reignited a fire that never truly went out.

In this episode, J.R. opens up about his journey through music, including major auditions with American Idol and The X Factor, an unforgettable moment when Tim McGraw personally called him, and what it took to finally record and release his first album.

This conversation is about more than music—it’s about second chances, believing in yourself, and proving that it’s never too late to chase the dream you started years ago.

🎶 The dream didn’t die—it was just waiting.

If you love inspiring stories, honest conversations, and real-life journeys, this episode is for you.

J.R. Larkie Music

https://www.facebook.com/jrlarkiemusic/

Sponsor Jacobson Real Estate Co.

https://jacobsonrealestatecompany.com

Brews & Cruise Podcast

https://brewsandcruisepodcast.com

In this episode I sit down with the founder of Northern Pine Fitness - Matt Browne - for an honest, no-BS conversation about building a healthy lifestyle that actually lasts.

We dive into his fitness origin story — how he got started, what inspired him, and how Northern Pine Fitness grew from an idea into a thriving gym. From certifications and early challenges to lessons learned along the way, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it takes to turn passion into purpose.

We also tackle why most New Year’s resolutions fail by February, the biggest mistakes people make, and why motivation alone isn’t enough to create real change. You’ll hear practical advice on consistency, strength training, recovery, sleep, stress management, and accountability.

On the nutrition side, we break down simple, realistic strategies for everyday life — including protein intake, portion control, hydration, meal planning, and a sustainable “no-BS” nutrition framework anyone can follow.

Plus, we get real about common roadblocks like emotional eating, all-or-nothing thinking, and social pressure. We also discuss today’s trending wellness topics, including GLP-1 weight-loss medications, sauna vs. cold plunge recovery, and long-term health strategies.

To wrap things up, we highlight Northern Pine Fitness’s training and nutrition programs, jump into a fun rapid-fire round, and close with encouragement for anyone ready to take control of their health.

If you’re tired of starting over and want real results without gimmicks, this episode is for you.

🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.

👉 Follow, rate, and share to support the show!

Northern Pine Fitness

https://www.instagram.com/northernpinefitness/

Sponsor

Jacobson Real Estate Co.

https://jacobsonrealestatecompany.com

Brews & Cruise Podcast

https://brewsandcruisepodcast.com

In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with speed puzzling expert Noelle Marshall to explore the fast-paced world of competitive jigsaw puzzling.

Noelle shares how she discovered speed puzzling, why it has grown in popularity, and what it takes to compete at a high level. From training and time management to family involvement and community, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at a unique and inspiring hobby.

Plus, Chris puts Noelle to the test with a live puzzle challenge — timing her as she assembles a puzzle during the interview. Can she beat the clock?

You’ll also hear a special moment as Noelle surprises Chris’s daughter, Lainey (“Lil’ Brew”), with a puzzle of her own.

This fun, family-friendly episode blends competition, creativity, and conversation — perfect for puzzle lovers, podcast fans, and anyone who enjoys discovering new passions.

Speed Puzzling Website

https://www.speedpuzzling.com

Sponsor

Jacobson Real Estate Co.

https://jacobsonrealestatecompany.com

Brews & Cruise Podcast

https://brewsandcruisepodcast.com

In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with Matt Tyler, lead singer of Red Dirt Road, along with their roadie Bird, for an honest look at what life is really like on the road.

From nonstop travel and late nights to loading gear and playing show after show, Matt and Bird share behind-the-scenes stories about the grind, dedication, and passion it takes to build a career in music.

They also talk about their upcoming album, their exciting new record deal, and the hard work it takes to keep pushing forward in today’s competitive music industry.

This episode dives into:

• Touring life and road stories

• Behind-the-scenes band life

• The reality of chasing a music dream

• New music and future plans

• The hustle of independent artists

If you love music, artist interviews, and real conversations about following your passion, this episode is for you.

Red Dirt Road Website

https://www.reddirtroadband.com

Sponsor:

Jacobson Real Estate Co.

https://jacobsonrealestatecompany.com

Brews & Cruise Podcast

https://brewsandcruisepodcast.com

In this powerful and emotional episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with a local DJ Trivia host, Jason Rusert, who opens up about his journey from being a lifelong introvert to stepping into the spotlight after a recent autism diagnosis.

For most of his life, he stayed quiet, unsure of where he fit in. After finally receiving clarity through his diagnosis, everything began to make sense — the struggles, the silence, and the feeling of being different. Instead of letting it hold him back, he used it to understand himself, build confidence, and find his voice.

Today, he hosts DJ Trivia nights around the area, bringing people together, creating community, and standing behind a microphone he once never imagined himself holding.

This conversation dives into autism awareness, mental health, late diagnosis, personal growth, confidence building, and what it’s really like to go from the background to the spotlight.

If you’ve ever felt out of place, misunderstood, or unsure of who you are — this episode is for you.

🎙️ Real people. Real stories. Real growth.

DJ Trivia

https://www.djtrivia.com

Sponsor

Jacobson Real Estate Co.

https://jacobsonrealestatecompany.com

Brews & Cruise Podcast

https://brewsandcruisepodcast.com

On this week’s episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson welcomes Austin Repinski, co-owner of Bacon Salt, into the Speakeasy Studio for a flavorful conversation about turning a love for bacon into a growing food brand.

Austin shares the origin story of Bacon Salt, how the idea came to life, and why bacon flavor has such a loyal following. He takes listeners behind the scenes of owning a product-based business, including marketing, meeting customer demand, traveling to shows, and the real challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.

The episode also dives into the fun side of the brand—creative ways to use Bacon Salt, exploring the different flavors, and the novelty gifts that have helped the company stand out.

Whether you’re a foodie, aspiring entrepreneur, or just someone who believes bacon makes everything better, this episode delivers inspiration, insight, and plenty of flavor.

Bacon Salt

https://baconsalt.com

Sponsor

Jacobson Real Estate Co.

https://jacobsonrealestatecompany.com

Brews & Cruise Podcast

https://brewsandcruisepodcast.com

What started as a simple custom soap idea in 2018 has turned into a full-scale family business.

In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down in the Speakeasy Studio with husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Aaron and Missy Brooks, founders of 1924 Custom Soapery in Sparta, Wisconsin.

Over the past seven years, Aaron and Missy have grown their brand far beyond bars of soap—expanding into skincare, shampoo, laundry products, pet care, and more. They share the real story behind that growth: the late nights, the slow seasons, the learning curves, and the consistency it took to turn a side project into a thriving small business.

🔥 In this episode, we dive into:

• How 1924 Custom Soapery began
• Expanding from soap into full personal and home care product lines
• Building a brand while still working full-time jobs
• Turning a small business into a true family operation with their two sons
• Balancing entrepreneurship, marriage, and parenthood
• Lessons learned from seven years of growth, mistakes, and momentum

Aaron and Missy open up about what most people don’t see—the behind-the-scenes grind of entrepreneurship, the trial and error, and the mindset required to keep showing up when progress feels slow.

If you enjoy small business stories, family-run brands, Midwest entrepreneurs, and honest conversations about building something from the ground up, this episode is for you.

🍻 Tune in, get inspired, and hear what it really takes to grow a business from scratch.

1924 Custom Soapery

https://shop1924.com/?srsltid=AfmBOordW6lwDsoojb11fKLxU26MWlhCnI-6Qdw_HCdxCYPBX00bQiEd

Sponsor Jacobson Real Estate Co.

https://jacobsonrealestatecompany.com

Brews & Cruise Podcast

https://brewsandcruisepodcast.com

In this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, Max Ruff and Brandon Emmons join me in the Speakeasy Studio for an honest conversation about addiction, sobriety, and rebuilding life after rock bottom.

Max shares his journey through addiction and what it’s taken to maintain over a decade of sobriety, while Brandon opens up about navigating recovery in his first year clean. Together, they reflect on the downward spiral that led them to rock bottom—and the turning point that changed everything.

Through faith, finding God, and committing to personal growth, both men have restored their health, rebuilt their lives, and rediscovered purpose.

This episode explores:

• Addiction and recovery
• Long-term sobriety vs early recovery
• Faith and spiritual transformation
• Hitting rock bottom and starting over
• Hope, healing, and second chances

A powerful, honest conversation for anyone in recovery, supporting a loved one, or looking for inspiration to start the new year with perspective and purpose.

Sponsor

Jacobson Real Estate Co.

https://jacobsonrealestatecompany.com

Brews & Cruise Podcast

https://brewsandcruisepodcast.com

From Sobriety to the Kitchen: Building Average Dad Cooking

In this end-of-year episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, Brandon Osburn of the Average Dad Cooking Channel joins the Speakeasy Studio for an honest and inspiring conversation about rebuilding life one day—and one meal—at a time.

Brandon shares his journey through sobriety and fitness, how cooking became an outlet for creativity and healing, and how being a dad of three led him to create the Average Dad Cooking Channel. What started as simple, relatable meals for his family has grown into a loyal online community and brand built on authenticity—not perfection.

We dive into fatherhood, discipline, content creation, brand partnerships, and what’s next for the Average Dad Cooking Channel, while keeping it real about setbacks, consistency, and showing up every day.

If you’re a parent, a creator, or someone looking for motivation and perspective heading into the new year, this episode will hit home.

🎧 Pour a drink, press play, and finish the year with a conversation about purpose, progress, and finding joy in the everyday.

Average Dad Cooking Channel

https://linktr.ee/TheAverageDad?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Sponsor

Jacobson Real Estate Co.

https://jacobsonrealestatecompany.com

Brews & Cruise Podcast

https://brewsandcruisepodcast.com

What does it really take to launch a marketing campaign that captures attention — and what happens when it suddenly takes on a life of its own?

On this episode of the Brews & Cruise Podcast, Cynthya Porter joins the Speakeasy Studio for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about marketing strategy, storytelling, and the pressure that comes with viral success. Cynthya shares her journey in marketing, the award-winning work she’s been recognized for, and how strategic thinking plays a bigger role than most people realize.

We dive deep into the now-infamous “Miami of Minnesota” campaign — how it was created, why it exploded online, and what most people don’t know about what happened after it went viral.

The conversation also turns to current events in Winona, as Cynthya offers insight into the ongoing Boathouse Restaurant controversy, discussing messaging, perception, and the realities of navigating public opinion when emotions run high.

This episode blends marketing expertise, local insight, and honest conversation you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you’re into branding, viral campaigns, or understanding the stories behind the headlines, this is a must-listen.

Drink: Truly Seltzer

Cynthya Porter

https://www.cynthyaporter.com

Miami of Minnesota

https://www.miamiofminnesota.com

Sponsor

Jacobson Real Estate Co.

https://jacobsonrealestatecompany.com

Brews & Cruise Podcast

https://brewsandcruisepodcast.com