Real Talk with Rick

From records management to elections administration, Rick sits down to chat with David Teigland about his role as City Clerk. We additionally learn about David’s nontraditional career path, his Kevin Bacon number, and how well he fares in a surprise round of elections trivia.

Rick talks aviation with Bob Jasperson, director of the Wings of the North Air Museum. Bob shares about his journey into aviation, the museum's history, and its fascinating link to a 1969 Minnesota Vikings game.

Thousands of residents pass by the Eden Prairie Water Treatment Plant along Highway 5 each day. Have you ever wondered what goes on inside?

Water Treatment Plant operations supervisor Joe Dusek chats with Rick as he provides a quick glimpse of what his team does, insights about our water, and the three most common questions he receives on tours — one of which is completely unrelated to water and all about Joe.

Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation director Jay Lotthammer is also Real Talk With Rick’s self-proclaimed biggest fan. Jay makes his podcast debut, reflecting on 35 memorable years in public service, what’s next for him, and how he became known as “Jay Lobhammer” around the office.

Michael Bui is a long-time Eden Prairie resident who, along with his wife, owns Mochi Dough, Bober Tea and the Pho Mai restaurant at the Asia Mall. We learn about how he and his family got their start in the industry, and how he balances a full-time job on top of running his restaurants. Michael also hints at an exciting new addition coming to the mall.

Megan Munoz, a recreation supervisor who oversees fitness programs at the Community Center and throughout the City, chats with Rick about growing up in Iowa and bunny yoga. We also find out what book genre she and Rick just cannot agree on.

Pauline Sager, an investigative aide with the Eden Prairie Police Department, has dedicated the last 43 years to helping Eden Prairie residents as a certified financial crimes investigator. As the longest-tenured employee to serve the EPPD to date, she has a number of stories to share with Rick, including her first interview with the City, some of the most memorable cases she’s worked on, and her evolving get-togethers with a group she refers to as the 76ers.

Brian Ryks, executive director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, chats with Rick about Flying Cloud and MSP airports, aviation trends, and some of his own personal experiences with travel.

Rick talks with Jim Schedin, the City’s zoning administrator. In addition to hearing about some of the more interesting calls he’s received over the last 32 years of working with Eden Prairie, we learn how a rattlesnake in Georgia may have influenced his career path.

From organics recycling to renewable energy, we learn more about Jennifer Hassebroek’s role as the City’s sustainability coordinator. Rick additionally chats with her about Brewster, Minnesota, her varied musical interests and a trip with her friends that has become a tradition.