There is perhaps no body of water more Duluth than the St. Louis River, beat out only by the legendary Lake Superior, which it happens to flow into. Unfortunately, it is also happens to be one of the most heavily polluted waterways in the state and a Great Lakes Area Of Concern. One nonprofit organization is destined to change that, working to restore, protect and enhance the beautiful river year-round: the St. Louis River Alliance. Executive Director Kris Eilers is our guest this week, joining us to talk about their current projects, goals and the incredible wildlife you will see along the spectacular St. Louis River.

An Irish pub might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to the place we call home but Duluth does have the luck of the Irish in the form of a handful of lively and fun-loving pubs. One of the best? Carmody Irish Pub and Brewing. The spot opened in 2006 in a former livery stable from the 1880s, right in the heart of downtown Duluth. Its popularity is due in part to its owner Eddie Gleeson, who wanted a place to pay homage to his family. Now, nearly two decades later, Carmody is thriving, so much so that it became part of a big Hulu hit late last year. Even George Clooney has saddled up to the bar there! Eddie joined the podcast to talk all about the popular pub in this awesome episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

Picnic season is officially here and thanks to one Duluth local, picnics on Lake Superior will never be the same. Jamie Anderson started Events By Jam during the COVID-19 pandemic. While she doesn't remember exactly where she first heard of the pop-up picnic, she knew she wanted to bring the concept to the Northland and bring it she did, offering customized and luxurious picnics for whatever the occasion - and setting it all up for you, too! Get to know the founder + more about this unique business in this episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

In the heart of Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood sits not one but two incredible businesses, both unique and both brimming with feelings of community from the minute you walk through the door. That's no coincidence: both the Duluth Folk School and Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace were co-founded by Carmel DeMaioribus, a Wisconsin native who planted roots in the area years ago. She's made her mark since, helping to open and run the two popular businesses, one which teaches Northlanders everything from making your own herbal remedies to restoring old canoes. The other? A spot that dishes up an authentic Duluth experience in an entirely different way, a casual cafe serving up handcrafted food, delicious coffee and crisp brews. Carmel joins us on this episode to talk about how both businesses came to be and how they work together to help create the quintessential Northland experience.

September 14th of 2022 is a day staff at Lake Superior Medical Equipment will never forget. On a windy Wednesday, the team watched their storefront and original location of two decades go up in flames. The fire left the building a total loss and left the team operating out of a much smaller location in Cloquet, spending the eight months that followed rebuilding what was lost and coming back bigger and better than ever - and with a brand new store in Duluth. In this special kickoff to season four, we are joined by the hosts of this podcast, Tom Jamison & Yvonne Myers, as they tell this story in their own words for the very first time.

Whether a Northlander or a tourist or living on the other side of the world, we all know of Split Rock Lighthouse and for good reason. Split Rock is one of the most visited sites in Minnesota and one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country. If you've been there, you know exactly why. The iconic lighthouse opened in 1910 after a deadly shipping season and steadily became a national treasure along the way. Today, it is listed as a National Historic Landmark, sitting on twenty-five acres with a visitor center and a location as close to Lake Superior as you can get. No one understands the history and beauty of Split Rock Lighthouse more than the Site Manager, Hayes Scriven. He landed the role in 2019 with an already-impressive resume to his name and today, keeps the busy tourist destination running smoothly. He's also a photographer, using his job at one of the most beautiful places in the country as inspiration. He joined us to talk about all of this and more, from the history of Split Rock to navigating the COVID-19 pandemic to snagging his dream job in this new episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

Helping others see the beauty in Duluth isn't a tough gig, being that it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Destination Duluth has made it their mission to do just that, spreading the word about our magical city since its inception nearly a decade ago. Destination Duluth started as nothing more than an idea back in 2006, becoming a reality in May of 2013 with the launch of their official Facebook page. A few months later, a website followed. Today, Destination Duluth has become the go-to place for both locals and curious outsiders online, using spectacular pictures and one-of-a-kind storytelling to educate and inspire people about the city we love. The return? A booming online presence centered around the Zenith City and the positive growth of it, too. This episode dives into the history of Destination Duluth and how it became the juggernaut it is today with the Managing Director, Jerry Thoreson.

A wise person once said "if you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon" and if you've ever watched Grandma's Marathon taking place in real time, you know the statement rings true. The annual race is so much more than just 26.2 miles. From the months runners dedicate to training to the booming cheers from the crowd as the athletes pass by, a marathon brings out the best in both runner and spectator - and Grandma's Marathon brings out the best in Duluth. Zach Schneider, the Marketing and Public Relations Director for the race, joins us to talk all things Grandma's as we inch closer to the finish line in June.

It doesn't get better than incredible food and an amazing view (of Lake Superior, that is). Sir Benedict's Tavern On The Lake has both. The restaurant switched hands, in a serendipitous way no less, back in 2015 when Josh Stotts became the owner. The spot has continued to thrive ever since, with a menu that never misses, live music and the title of Best Outdoor Seating in Duluth. Everyone who walks through the doors of this classic English-style pub leaves happy, full and entertained and it's all thanks to Stotts, who joined us to talk about his fateful journey to taking over the business and how he shaped the menu. Spoiler alert: this episode will make you hungry!

Need an afternoon pick-me-up? Grab a cup of joe and join us for this brand new episode featuring Sam Levar, the General Manager of Duluth Coffee Company. Since joining the team in 2017, he has held countless positions there, from barista to sales management to the role he holds today. Born and raised in Duluth, he was the perfect person for the job, with over a decade of experience managing local businesses and counting. He helps keep everything running smoothly, just like the perfect blend, at one of Duluth's most well-known and popular businesses. Take that shot of espresso and (caffeine) buzz behind-the-scenes of Duluth Coffee Company with this brand new episode!