Rachel and Aleisha explore how artists in Minnesota are responding to the seismic social and political upheaval caused by Operation Metro Surge — the large-scale immigration enforcement campaign that has deployed thousands of federal agents across the Minneapolis–St. Paul area and broader Minnesota. While the ICE agents are using brutal tactics to intimidate the community, we're also seeing courage, joy, and love in the many ways the community is resisting — including through art.

Some of the artists discussed include: Brass Solidarity, Singing Resistance, Noah Levy & Friends, Powderhorn Sled Rally, Dan Savage, Octavia E. Butler. If you'd like to donate to local organizations supporting people impacted by ICE's actions, we highlighted a few: La Vina church and Stand With Minnesota.

Minnesota Minds co-host Rachel Lauer interviews fellow co-host Aleisha Theisen about her wellness and creativity coaching for writers and other professionals. They also discuss what they enjoyed most about Season 2. If you'd like to follow Aleisha's coaching practice, you can check it out at the sites below. To join the 5-day wellness and creativity challenge, email her at aleisha at connectiontowellness.com.

www.connectiontowellness.com

https://www.instagram.com/connected_to_wellness/

You can learn more about the Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota, which Rachel discussed in this episode, at this website: https://twincitiesballet.org/

We sit down with Ellie Palmer, who wrote the romantic comedy novel she was looking for when she was diagnosed as a BRCA1 gene mutation carrier. As she recovered from a preventative mastectomy, she found herself drawn to romance novels, and she decided to write one with a protagonist who'd faced the same daunting medical situation she had. The result? A sweet, poignant, and funny "Four Weekends and a Funeral," set in the Twin Cities and Duluth. Hear about her writing process and what's next for this Minnesota author.

Follow Ellie on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elliepalmerwrites/

Stay up-to-date on her latest author news at www.elliepalmerwrites.com

Minnesota jewelry designer Larissa Loden seems to thrive when she has multiple creative endeavors going at once. Her self-titled business has stores in St. Paul and the Mall of America as well as an online shop. She also co-hosts the podcast “The World's Okayest Entrepreneur” and supports other entrepreneurs as a certified business coach. She didn’t always see herself as a business owner, though. She started her career as an art teacher. Over time, she followed her intuition and craving for more autonomy, and her once-small side project of jewelry designing took off. Now you can find people across the country wearing her fun, irreverent pieces. Hear the story of this evolution and the inspiration behind some of her most-sought-after pieces in this episode. 

Find Larissa Loden’s jewelry at larissaloden.com. Follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/larissaloden/

Minneapolis-based artist Victor Yepez began his career in Quito, Ecuador, where he attended college and quickly found an eager audience for his found-art sculptures, vivid paintings, and community-driven murals. When he moved to Minnesota, he continued his passion for public art and community involvement. His murals brighten many once-dreary walls and corners of the city, and he teaches classes throughout the Twin Cities to help others discover their own connections through art.

⁠https://www.victoryepezarts.com/⁠

⁠https://www.facebook.com/victoryepez.arts⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/victoryepezarts/⁠

Born in Stillwater, MN, novelist, poet, and professor Patrick Hicks' life and work have taken him across the globe. He has written more than 10 books, including three historical fiction novels centered on the Holocaust. Now, Patrick is turning his eye homeward with "Greater Minnesota," a blend of history and travelogue that crisscrosses the North Star State.

Join us as we uncover:

You can read more about his works at https://patrickhicks.org/.

A proud citizen and lifelong resident of the Grand Portage Anishinaabe Nation in northeast Minnesota, Travis Novitsky has been photographing the woods, waters, and night sky of the north shore of Lake Superior for more than 30 years. His passion for photography and the beauty of mother nature is awe-inspiring and shines through his body of work. Travis also is the photographer for the book "Spirits Dancing - The Night Sky, Indigenous Knowledge & Cultural Connections to the Cosmos." Additionally, he co-produced "Northern Nights, Starry Skies," an award-winning documentary, and his creative work was featured in the film.

We had a great time chatting with him about his journey as a photographer and his process of discovering the places featured in his incredible photos, as well as his processes for creating them.

Learn more at:

http://www.travisnovitsky.com/

Minnesota native Maddy Siriouthay is using her design and technology skills to spread sex positivity in a world that often pushes back against it. She takes us through her start as a co-founder of Ovee Health, a sexual and reproductive health hub, to her current role as senior content manager for Unbound Babes, a sexual health and wellness brand in NYC. She shares how she uses creativity -- not only to create and manage content but also to push back against sexist institutional challenges.

Welcome to season two of Minnesota Minds: Cultivating Creativity!

Our first guest of the season is the hilarious Ben Katzner. Ben shares his story of starting his standup comedy career in St. Cloud, MN, then moving to New York City – only to be met a few years later with the Covid-19 pandemic. This of course upended life as we know it, and it forced stand-up comedians to get extra creative in how they continued their line of work. Ben also has published a graphic novel for kids, “Hello My Name Is Poop.” He now lives in Minneapolis, where he works as a full-time standup comedian and co-hosts the podcast, “Troll Hole,” featuring comedic stories of internet trolls.

Follow Ben here:

https://www.instagram.com/shaqkatzner/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9HwLt8K7e7d6fek2dAlt5w

https://www.youtube.com/@TrollHolePodcast

https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Ben-Katzner/186600325

https://www.instagram.com/darlingscomedyshow/

This season flew by! We're so grateful to our guests and listeners for making this a super fun and rewarding experience. In the season one wrap-up, we discuss what it was like to get to know some of Minnesota's fascinating multidisciplinary creatives and what we plan to carry into the next season. In the meantime, follow us for updates at: https://www.instagram.com/minnesota_minds_podcast/.