Get Deep Podcast

Julie Tesch: Coming Home to Rural Minnesota

In this episode of the Get Deep Podcast, we sit down with Julie Tesch, President and CEO of the Center for Rural Policy & Development, for a personal conversation about agriculture, leadership, adversity, and the future of rural Minnesota.

Julie takes us back to growing up on a southern Minnesota dairy farm before following a career that took her into agricultural education, national FFA leadership, and eventually Washington, D.C. After years spent experiencing rural America from both inside and outside of it, she ultimately found her way home and into a role dedicated to understanding and strengthening rural communities.

Julie also shares one of the most difficult chapters of her life, speaking candidly about surviving a sexual assault, the profound impact it had on her in the aftermath, and the changes that followed. Today, she speaks publicly about that experience, using her own story to bring greater awareness to an issue that affects far too many people.

It’s a wide ranging conversation about resilience, leadership, community, and how the experiences we never choose can shape what we do with the life that follows.

🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:

Community Bank Mankato and Vanderberg Clean

#GetDeepPodcast #JulieTesch #RuralMinnesota #SouthernMinnesota #Agriculture #Leadership #GreaterMinnesota #WesOtto #AaronJones

Dan Vance: From Tragedy to Storytelling, and a Life Spent Understanding People

In this episode of the Get Deep Podcast, we sit down with Dan Vance, former editor of Connect Business Magazine, ghostwriter, syndicated columnist, and mental health therapist, for a remarkable conversation about the experiences that shaped a life dedicated to understanding people and telling their stories.

Dan begins with the tragedy that forever changed his childhood. At just seven years old, he survived the car accident that claimed the lives of both of his parents, forcing him to begin a new life with his aunt and uncle. That story sets the stage for a conversation filled with resilience, perspective, and unexpected turns.

From there, Dan shares how he left a successful sales career to pursue writing after the encouragement of his wife, who worked for the National Security Agency. What followed were lean years, a breakthrough piece published in USA Today, and the opportunities that ultimately led him to Connect Business Magazine, where he spent nearly 19 years documenting the people and businesses that shaped Southern Minnesota.

We also explore his ghostwriting career, fascinating stories about life alongside someone working in the NSA, and the path that eventually led him to become a mental health therapist serving individuals living with serious mental illness.

This is a conversation about resilience, journalism, purpose, and the remarkable places that a simple curiosity about people can lead.

🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:

Community Bank Mankato, Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery, and Vanderberg Clean.

#GetDeepPodcast #DanVance #ConnectBusinessMagazine #SouthernMinnesota

Christine & Randy Lantinen: Sweet Success, Big Risks, and the Business Behind Maud Borup

In this episode of the Get Deep Podcast, we sit down with Christine and Randy Lantinen, owners of Maud Borup, one of Minnesota’s largest candy and gourmet food manufacturers. Today, the company generates more than $50 million in annual revenue, employs 500+ people, and operates across three locations, supplying products to major retailers throughout the country.

Christine shares the incredible story of buying the historic Maud Borup brand after losing her job, making a handshake deal over coffee, and walking into meetings just days later as the new owner. Together, she and Randy recount how they transformed a small candy company into a nationally recognized manufacturer through creativity, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

We also dive into the unique partnership that has helped fuel their success. Christine describes herself as the “magic” behind product development and customer relationships, while Randy has long been the “money,” leading operations, manufacturing, and the systems that keep the business running. Along the way, they share lessons on navigating risk, earning the trust of retailers, building a culture of innovation, and balancing marriage with business ownership.

This is a conversation about resilience, creativity, calculated risk, and what it takes to build a Minnesota company that continues to sweeten lives across the country.

🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:

Community Bank Mankato, Vanderberg Clean, and Chankaska Winery & Distillery

#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #MaudBorup 

In this episode of the Get Deep Podcast, we sit down with Jesse Hicks, the new President and Chief Advancement Officer of Loyola Catholic School, for a conversation about leadership, faith, football, fundraising, and coming home.

Jesse’s story starts in the halls of Loyola, where he was once a student himself. He reflects on the people, values, and experiences that shaped him during those formative years — including his time on the football field, which eventually led him to play college football at Saint John’s University under legendary coach John Gagliardi.

From there, Jesse walks us through his professional life, including how he landed his first job in development at Loyola and the career that followed across education, healthcare, philanthropy, and institutional advancement. Along the way, he shares stories from each chapter — the lessons learned, the mentors who shaped him, and the moments that helped define his approach to leadership and service.

We also dive into the bigger picture: what it means to return to Loyola at this stage of his career, how advancement work is really about relationships and trust, and what he believes the future of education — and Loyola specifically — can look like in the years ahead.

🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:

Community Bank Mankato, Vanderberg Clean, and Chankaska Winery & Distillery

#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #JesseHicks #LoyolaCatholicSchool #Leadership #Education #Mankato #WesOtto #AaronJones

In this episode of the Get Deep Podcast, we sit down with Jeremy Thomas, owner of Unique Classic Cars and Unique Marine in Mankato, for a conversation about cars, risk, nostalgia, and building a business around things people truly care about.

Jeremy shares how Unique Classic Cars grew from a small lot with just a handful of vehicles into a nationally respected classic and specialty car operation, trusted by buyers and sellers from across the country. From restoring, consigning, buying, and selling classic cars to expanding into the marine world with Unique Marine, Jeremy has built a business rooted in passion — but powered by systems, instinct, and a deep understanding of what makes people connect with a machine.

We talk about the rise of Unique Classic Cars, the company’s appearance on the History Channel’s Dirty Old Cars, and what it takes to run a business where every vehicle has a story. Jeremy also shares what it’s been like working with everyone from everyday collectors to celebrities like Charlie Sheen and professional athletes.

And then there are the cars themselves. Jeremy walks us through some of the most famous vehicles he’s owned, including a car connected to one of The Godfather shooting scenes and Johnny Cash’s final car. He also reveals the surprise he found inside Johnny Cash’s car after purchasing it — a story that had not been publicly shared until this episode.

This conversation goes well beyond horsepower and chrome. It’s about nostalgia, storytelling, entrepreneurship, restoration, and why classic cars are never really just cars.

🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:

Community Bank Mankato, Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery, and Vanderberg Clean

#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #JeremyThomas #UniqueClassicCars #UniqueMarine #Mankato #ClassicCars #Entrepreneurship #WesOtto #AaronJones

Megan Hoogland: Art, Identity, and the Evolution of Tattoo Culture

In this episode of the Get Deep Podcast, we sit down with Megan Hoogland, nationally recognized tattoo artist and owner of Mecca Tattoo in Mankato, for a conversation about artistry, identity, and building a career in an industry that transformed dramatically around her.

Megan shares her early entry into tattooing while still living in Waseca and reflects on what it was like coming up during the era when tattoos shifted from taboo and counterculture into mainstream self-expression. Over the years, her work has earned recognition in major industry magazines and built relationships with artists and creatives across the country—connections that continue to shape both her art and her perspective today.

We also dive into the deeply personal side of tattooing: the trust between artist and client, the stories people carry into the chair, and the moments that stay with you long after the ink heals. Megan talks about her newfound passion for “blasting over,” the evolution of her artistic style, and the creative freedom that comes with decades in the industry.

Of course, we also had to ask about the most awkward tattoo she’s ever given.

Beyond the art itself, Megan discusses the community-focused work she’s involved in, the culture she’s built at Mecca Tattoo, and what keeps her creatively inspired after all these years.

This is a conversation about reinvention, craftsmanship, human connection, and what it means to leave a permanent mark—both artistically and personally.

🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:

Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery, Vanderberg Clean, and Community Bank Mankato

#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #MeganHoogland #MeccaTattoo #TattooArt #Entrepreneurship 

Emily Giddings: Curiosity, Confidence, and the Business of Feeling Better

In this episode of the Get Deep Podcast, we sit down with Emily Giddings, founder of Giddie Skin Med Spa, for a conversation that goes well beyond skincare.

From a homeschooled upbringing to a passion for travel—and even raising buffalo—Emily has always followed her curiosity. That same mindset shows up in how she’s built her business and approached an industry that’s constantly evolving.

We dive into the world of medical aesthetics, including the innovation shaping the field today. Emily shares insight into advanced treatments—from skin-focused services to more specialized offerings like vaginal rejuvenation and treatments for penile dysfunction—breaking down what these services are, who they’re for, and why conversations around them are becoming more normalized.

We also explore the artistic side of her work and the level of trust required between provider and patient—how outcomes aren’t just about technique, but about understanding the person, making thoughtful decisions, and helping people feel confident in their own skin.

Emily also shares the story behind her new location on St. Andrews Drive and what this next chapter means for Giddie Skin.

🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors: Vanderberg Clean, Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery, and Community Bank

#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #MinnesotaBusiness

Josh Vanderberg: Building a Business Leaders Can Trust

In Episode 147 of the Get Deep Podcast, we sit down with Josh Vanderberg—President and CEO of Vanderberg Clean and a second-generation leader in Southern Minnesota’s janitorial industry.

Josh’s story begins in Mankato, learning the business from his grandparents, founders of Sharon’s Cleaning Service in the 1970s. But early in this episode, he opens up about something far more personal—his mother’s mental health struggles and how those challenges shaped his resilience, faith, and drive to build something stable and meaningful.

Today, Vanderberg Clean is far more than a residential carpet cleaning company. Over 90% of its work serves commercial clients across Southern Minnesota. Under Josh’s leadership, the company delivers more than a clean environment—it delivers confidence. Confidence that your facility will be handled professionally. Confidence that your space will remain secure. Confidence that the job will be done right, every time.

We also dive into scaling, culture, and Josh’s commitment to learning from leaders in every industry to continually improve his team and systems.

This is a conversation about faith, growth, resilience, and building a company local leaders can trust.

🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:

Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery, Community Bank, and South Central Small Business Development Center

#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #MinnesotaBusiness #Entrepreneurship

Sheryl Meshke: Leading America’s Dairy Cooperative, One Block of Cheese at a Time

In this episode of the Get Deep Podcast, we sit down with Sheryl Meshke—President and CEO of AMPI (Associated Milk Producers Inc.), the nation’s largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative specializing in American-style cheese. From humble beginnings on a Good Thunder farm to leading an operation that markets 10% of the nation’s American cheese, Sheryl’s story is one of grit, generational values, and strategic leadership in the world of agriculture and food systems.

Sheryl reflects on her small-town upbringing, growing up alongside her brothers on the family farm—doing chores, operating equipment, and learning firsthand the work ethic that would shape her path. With deep roots in 4-H and public speaking, she credits her high school speech coach with instilling the confidence that carried her into journalism, communications, and ultimately, executive leadership.

We dive into Sheryl’s unique path from newspaper reporter to agricultural publisher, and how a timely connection launched her career at AMPI—an organization she’s helped lead through market volatility, innovation milestones, and literal fires. From creating the Dinner Bell Creamery brand to becoming a global exporter of processed cheese, Sheryl shares what it means to steward a farmer-owned cooperative through rapid change while keeping values at the center.

She also walks us through the realities of milk as a 365-day commodity, the importance of young leadership on AMPI’s farmer board, and the role cooperatives play in America’s food future.

Stick around for insights into rural leadership, food systems, and the “trophies” AMPI proudly puts on the mantle—from cheese competition medals to feeding families across the globe.

🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:

⁠Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery⁠, Community Bank, ⁠iWealth⁠, and South Central Small Business Development Center

#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #MinnesotaBusiness #DairyLeadership

Justin Montemurno: Systems, Strategy, and the Power Behind the Power

In this high-voltage episode of the Get Deep Podcast, we sit down with Justin Montemurno—a Southern Minnesota native whose journey from wrench-turning teen to global infrastructure strategist is anything but ordinary. Justin shares his story of growing up in St. James, tinkering with engines, learning from uncles, and developing the work ethic that would power a career spanning technical sales, engineering, and global energy infrastructure.

We dive into Justin’s early experiences in manufacturing and process improvement at Kato Engineering, where he helped redesign workflows that massively increased output—and caught the attention of leadership. From there, he took the leap into technical sales, finding his sweet spot translating complex systems into strategies clients could actually understand.

Now working with IPS, Justin operates at the intersection of business development, engineering, and hyper-scale infrastructure, helping to design and deliver the massive power systems that fuel data centers, cloud computing, and the AI revolution. He breaks down exactly what a data center is, why power demand is spiking globally, and what it all means for the future of tech—and your electric bill.

This episode is packed with insight on leadership, problem-solving, power systems, and the long game of building infrastructure that keeps the modern world running.

🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:

Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery, Community Bank, and iWealth

#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #MinnesotaBusiness #DataCenters