Today we had the fantastic pleasure of speaking with John Noltner about his passion project "A Peace of my Mind", his upcoming book "Portraits of Peace" and the journey that has led Him across the country and the globe searching for the things that bind us together in the face of a polarized world. 

“In a world that asks us to focus on the things that can separate us, A Peace of My Mind invites us to explore the common humanity that connects us.”

Originally hailing from Wisconsin, then Minnesota for the past 30 year John and his wife Karen now travel the country as peace-seeking nomads collecting stories from all walks of life, actively engaging in conversations and practicing 'deep listening'. 

"A Peace of My Mind is a multimedia arts project, created by award-winning photographer John Noltner, that uses portraits and personal stories to bridge divides and encourage dialogue around important issues. Through exhibits, workshops, lectures, on-site studios, and distance learning, A Peace of My Mind leads transformative experiences that help a polarized world rediscover the common humanity that connects us."

For more about the 'A Peace of my Mind' project: https://apomm.net/

To pre-order your own 'Portraits of Peace' : https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506471211/Portraits-of-Peace

Today we asked our friend Chris Hyslop to come back to the show to help us wrap our heads around what has been happening in Myanmar since the February military coup that removed the democratically elected government. 

We cover the history leading to this moment, what has happened and why we as American's should care about global affairs. Chris has spent his career working all over the world most recently working for the United Nations in Myanmar. Chris currently lives in Montana has works with the Montana World Affairs Council. 

Show Links:

https://www.newsandguts.com/it-never-ends-arizona-auditors-want-to-go-door-to-door-to-validate-ballots/?fbclid=IwAR21WPCJhFv_v_tjNmkgaBEe4Opi0mf1A5GOaYPOQv9819tjUn7RAlZsSes

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/08/1004264531/fake-covid-vaccine-cards-keep-getting-sold-online-using-one-is-a-crime

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/california-homeopathic-doctor-fake-vaccine-card-charges_n_60f1837ae4b022142cf7a7da?fbclid=IwAR2Tzw6c7dTy8BNkVB4YibE3sFZ7X3ufLgy2qdkFdngkF-sOchlCKXGYT60

https://www.startribune.com/klobuchar-holds-georgia-field-hearing-in-voting-rights-push/600079424/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/07/16/illinois-police-lying-ban/?fbclid=IwAR3dWtfUJg8VpqzJ8ivAkR2I8bHWW-PQz1OVEnFkVFRE0qZpE7KXByn042g

https://www.startribune.com/from-st-cloud-to-fargo-worth-veer-off-i-94-for-these-restaurants-lake-country-minnesota-where-to-eat/600075592/

Today we discuss the "Critical Race Theory Mania" sweeping our country.. What is it? What it is not? How is it used? Why is this being discussed now? 

One thing is complete clear: Everybody take a breath.

Also, 'What the heck' is with people getting bit on the butt by animals and Texas Dems skip town!?!

But five time Olympian raises funds to provide childcare for Olympic Athletes and 'Guerilla Garden' is MN Nice!

Show Links: 

https://thegrio.com/2021/07/12/allyson-felix-to-cover-childcare-costs/?fbclid=IwAR3b2tr6g5N53qSPAwvWm5vZLO935RuukRe13H9K56IyycrHgQ3cZ4n4GaM

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/critical-race-theory-battles-are-driving-frustrated-exhausted-educators-out-n1273595?fbclid=IwAR19NgdkQ0e6KQga9Jtkef2dUWP4-6GHO4EoyDkBZUU4U_Aa_y_rY6TBGCk

bit.ly/CRTbreakdown

https://apnews.com/article/europe-austria-environment-and-nature-f6197c876b74881cca252980f8ed98c0?utm_medium=AP_Europe&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/10/us/texas-primary-voter-arrested.html

https://www.startribune.com/wisconsin-national-guard-unit-headed-to-southwestern-border/600075863/

https://www.startribune.com/guerrilla-gardens-take-root-across-twin-cities/600074788/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/critical-race-theory

Today we are joined by our good friend and super-fan Kristin as we dig into the top headlines occupying our brain space: This week President Biden made his first big trip abroad for the annual G7 Summit & his first face to face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A Federal Judge throws out a employment lawsuit that claimed a hospital could not require covid vaccinations. 

Also what the heck is with Pride haters and Chicago is about to have a bananas summer scavenger hunt. But kids will be in the Olympics, an anonymous donor makes a 'reparations payment' and Lin Manuel Miranda teaches us all how to apologize. 

Show Links: 

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-hides-hundreds-of-250-gift-cards-around-city-to-celebrate-reopening/2530405/?fbclid=IwAR14IiZ1vP--f2CTWCKmH8y6i41FKQMwezOlmV78g6kmxfVvSJ12iM0mYBc

https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/sky-brown-kokona-hiraki-qualify-for-olympics-48369514?fbclid=IwAR24pePSYg6LecWi7gYRSGd-oyDNMmcgndILtj9RNceESygu-dXj-bKNijg

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/06/13/methodist-vaccine-lawsuit-dismissed/?fbclid=IwAR3KtHsIZFIFBaC4UUWd3L6-5tBVoitDNngd7nbdTLW0XECLlizQKu0HYxo

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/03/1002580136/a-black-nonprofit-in-kentucky-got-a-6-figure-reparations-payment-from-a-white-he?fbclid=IwAR0x6vILR87lzOrSLieYQSdUUnceSQvWbkVDfe49HAMT-9c_GdKywpWfLNc

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/06/02/video-boat-fire-harassing-prideflags/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=wp_main

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2021/06/10/americas-image-abroad-rebounds-with-transition-from-trump-to-biden/

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/16/biden-putin-russia-cyberattacks-494888

This past week we had the absolute pleasure to sit down with Nancy XiáoRong Valentine. Nancy is a West Central MN native who has spent plenty of time 'away' but continues to return to the area she calls 'home'. We enjoyed our conversation so much largely due to the absolute calm and wise insight this young woman exudes. 

Nancy is a self-taught water-medium artist and though often referred to as “the creative kid” throughout her lifetime, it wasn’t until 2016 that she officially launched her creative career.

With nothing but natural artistic inclination, self-determination and children’s craft-quality watercolor supplies as the only tools in her bag, Valentine signed a lease with the Kaddatz Artist Lofts and began to pursue painting. Much of Valentine’s artistry draws technical inspiration from her Chinese heritage and focuses on abstract themes of beauty, hope and resilience. She strives to reveal hidden connections to her audience through organic impressionistic design using mediums such as watercolor, gouache, Chinese and India inks on paper.

Valentine believes that artistry and arts advocacy work in tandem and stays heavily involved in the Otter Tail County, MN creative community. In 2020, Valentine was named a Blandin Community Leadership Institute Cohort Member, Lake Region Arts Council Cohort Artist, and currently serves as the Vice President of the Kaddatz Galleries Board of Directors.

This conversation is apart of a "Story Mapping" project in collaboration with the Rethos organization, Springboard for the Arts & the Ottertail County Historical Society.

https://www.nancyxvalentine.com/about

Show Links:

https://www.newsweek.com/receptionist-excluded-pizza-wins-money-1589537?fbclid=IwAR1MXPrOG9TlAmhKBvH7koV0cJBuJndpexOq9EzlKSFz3XUQwavu1l6yV4w

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/nation-world/boy-buys-spongebob-popsicles-on-amazon/507-cdabda98-eff2-4715-a8c3-85b5c98aa2e2?fbclid=IwAR1BFMgtp3Vz2NgJYEyRX85V_eUEI4EOmDZydPCcfJJNEi2s4POQqCn-mmY

https://www.nancyxvalentine.com

https://www.relevantmagazine.com/current/buzzworthy/a-woman-who-didnt-know-she-was-pregnant-gave-birth-midflight-with-the-help-of-three-nicu-nurses/

Today we dig into the top headlines occupying our brain space: Republican Representative Liz Cheney is voted off the GOP Leadership and the ensuing disillusionment of the party and debating Biden's 2 Trillion dollar infrastructure, what IN it, what IS it and more. 

Bonus: LIVE HOT Take to Governor Walz ending of MN Mask Mandate.

Double Bonus: Mike hates TIC TOK

Show Links: 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/05/09/coronavirus-bodies-trucks-new-york/?fbclid=IwAR0wbdIDETXTjq4hkZFm3UlIFhta1-GxGMjCIqV_V9Fqcajc2p7ibyhuJoY

https://www.newsandguts.com/in-wake-of-pipeline-hack-price-at-pump-reaches-six-year-high-and-gas-demand-surges/?fbclid=IwAR27T66sP7E_B72nOahcbBxT-DxZDNdGqjOrBUKBrz9ICzU8Z_xPBRtIoow

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/08/politics/colonial-pipeline-cybersecurity-attack/index.html

https://www.startribune.com/after-going-dark-for-more-than-a-year-guthrie-theater-to-reopen-its-doors-in-july/600056102/

https://www.newsandguts.com/golden-globes-cancelled-tom-cruise-returns-trophies-nbc-axes-2022-telecast/?fbclid=IwAR2e4GYZ8TggKCY55eefLXpDk5NblJ2-MTNQnN8cTXgP1jA2KDTyKjafl-0

https://www.fox9.com/news/duck-hatches-from-free-range-egg-woman-bought-from-grocery-store?fbclid=IwAR3luFGKu1V5k8xOfW9tDwPndAfVDKzzgRqHssLcXGyqQSxeq2L2n76FiQ0

https://www.npr.org/2021/05/11/995849954/renewable-energy-capacity-jumped-45-worldwide-in-2020-iea-sees-new-normal?fbclid=IwAR0wbrosIPssKzCkOcZ_YM7ZhWrkkZIePKOfoYO1fHt19etPg0hDRPEuKG8