People and Places and How We Use Spaces

Most people know Goodwill as a place to donate unwanted items or hunt for a great thrift-store find. But behind every donation and every purchase is a much bigger mission: helping people build skills, find meaningful work, gain independence, and create better futures.

In this episode, Lisa Christenson sits down with Michael Wirth Davis, President and CEO of Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota, to uncover the story behind the organization and the business model that makes its mission possible. Michael shares how Goodwill has grown from just five stores and a $7 million budget when he joined the organization, to more than 40 stores, roughly 2,000 employees, and a $160 million operation.

Michael also shares his own unexpected path to leadership, his passion for teaching and mentoring future nonprofit leaders, and a few unforgettable stories about some of the strangest things ever donated to Goodwill.

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From the World Cup stage to transforming communities, Tony Sanneh has built a life around purpose, people, and impact. The former U.S. Men’s National Team player shares how soccer shaped his discipline and resilience—and how a life-changing trip to Haiti inspired his transition from professional athlete to nonprofit leader.

Today, Tony is creating opportunities for thousands through youth programs, mentorship, education, food distribution, and workforce development. He shares powerful lessons on leadership, accountability, community, and why some of life’s greatest wins happen long after the final whistle.

The Sanneh Foundation

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Libby Finn, co-owner of Ragstock, shares the story behind the iconic Minnesota retailer and her own unexpected path into the family business. After beginning her career in New York—Libby eventually moved to Minnesota, worked at Target, and later joined Ragstock. She reflects on balancing career and motherhood, stepping into a multigenerational business, and the responsibility that comes with carrying forward a family legacy.

Libby also discusses how Ragstock has stayed relevant by constantly adapting to changing trends, customers, and retail environments. From vintage clothing and e-commerce to college campuses, malls, and creative leasing strategies, she explains why flexibility and a willingness to keep learning are essential in retail.

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In this episode, Carl Runck, the Co-Founder of Monarch Development Partners, takes us on his journey from growing up in rural Minnesota to helping shape some of the Twin Cities’ most recognizable developments. Carl shares how an early interest in architecture evolved into a passion for development, the mentor who helped him discover his career path, and the hard lessons he learned entering the industry just before the Great Recession.

Carl takes us behind the scenes of pivotal projects, what changing market cycles taught him about timing, and knowing when even a strong vision needs to adapt.

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What happens when family, hard work, creativity, and a willingness to take a risk come together?

In this episode, Lisa Christianson sits down with brothers Salah Bedeiwi and Ahmad Alawadi to share their journey from Egypt to Minnesota and the entrepreneurial path that has taken them from their family’s restaurant business to creating handcrafted pastries that people are traveling miles to experience.

The brothers share how their upbringing and family roots shaped their approach to hospitality and business, and how their desire to create something truly different led them overseas to study French pastry techniques and specialty coffee.

It’s a conversation about remembering where you came from, pursuing what you love, refusing to take shortcuts, and building a business around an experience people won’t forget.

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Behind a successful career in commercial real estate, Robert Fulford carries a story few would ever expect.

In this deeply personal conversation, Robert shares the experiences that shaped his memoir, Normal Human Beings—from a turbulent and abusive childhood to professional success, addiction, devastating family conflict, and ultimately a journey toward healing and forgiveness. Along the way, he reflects on the people who stepped into his life at critical moments, including a mentor whose simple offer to pray with him became a turning point that helped change the direction of his life.

Robert also opens up about rebuilding after hitting rock bottom, finding strength through faith, returning to the fundamentals of hard work, and learning that forgiveness isn't about excusing what happened—it's about freeing yourself from carrying it forward.

This is a powerful conversation about resilience, redemption, relationships, and the choice we all have to create a different future from the one our past might predict.

Buy the book! Normal Human Beings

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LeeAnn Rasachak's story is one of resilience, purpose, and paying opportunity forward. Raised by parents who fled Laos after the Vietnam War and rebuilt their lives from nothing in Minnesota, LeeAnn learned early that hard work, community, and perseverance can transform generations. Those lessons shaped a successful corporate career before ultimately leading her to WomenVenture.

LeeAnn shares how a failed entrepreneurial venture became one of her greatest teachers, why she believes no business owner should have to build alone, and how WomenVenture is helping thousands of entrepreneurs across Minnesota turn ideas into sustainable businesses through coaching, education, mentorship, and access to capital. 

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In this episode, we sit down with entrepreneur, CPA, and Austin Fowler founder Stephanie Fowler to discuss the journey from Big Four accounting to building a nationally recognized luxury bag brand. 

Stephanie shares how one everyday frustration sparked a business idea, why she wasn't afraid to start without experience, and how persistence, thoughtful leadership, and a willingness to "figure it out" helped turn her vision into reality. 

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, working parent, or someone waiting for the "right time" to take a leap, this conversation will encourage you to start before you're ready—and trust that you'll figure it out along the way. 

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In this inspiring episode, I sit down with one of Minnesota's most influential business leaders, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, for a conversation about leadership, family, purpose, and the responsibility that comes with influence.

Marilyn reflects on her remarkable journey from being one of the first women to serve on corporate boards to leading Carlson Companies through a period of tremendous global growth.  

She opens up about balancing family and career, the importance of staying true to your values, and why purpose-driven leadership matters now more than ever. 

This episode is filled with powerful stories, practical leadership lessons, and a reminder that true success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by the lives we impact along the way.

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 In this deeply personal episode, Lisa sits down with two of the most influential people in her life—her parents, Larry and LuAnn Fransen. Together, they reflect on the family stories, values, and experiences that shaped generations. From Larry's father's remarkable journey from Sweden to Minnesota and the transformation of a small corner grocery store into a thriving garden center, to Luann's unexpected success as a young musician and performer, this conversation is filled with stories of perseverance, hard work, and opportunity. 

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