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In this special conversation, Dan sits down with Gail Graeve, VP of Social Impact at Mutual of Omaha, and Teresa Mardesen, Executive Director of SHARE Omaha, to talk about Heartland Honors 9/11 — an 11‑day initiative dedicated to service, remembrance, and honoring first responders on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Together, they explore how the project came to life, why service is the language chosen for remembrance, and what it means for the Heartland to show up with intention. Gail and Teresa share the stories, partnerships, and moments that shaped the initiative, along with their hopes for what the community carries forward long after the 11 days are over.

A thoughtful, grounded conversation about memory, gratitude, and the power of collective action.

2026 Heartland Honors 9/11 | Honoring First Responders

Support Local Nonprofits in Omaha Metro | SHARE Omaha

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 This conversation with Tijana Tučić is one of the most powerful episodes I’ve ever recorded. Born in Yugoslavia in 1977, Tijana grew up in a world that was breaking apart — war, scarcity, fear, and the kind of instability most people never experience. She became a single mother, worked factory shifts, fought through depression, and somehow found the strength to rebuild her life from the ground up. Today she’s a Quality Manager, Lean Consultant, and personal‑development coach writing her first autobiography. Her story is raw, honest, and full of the kind of resilience you don’t learn — you earn. 

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 Chef Kyle Knall joins the show to talk about a career shaped by Southern roots, New York precision, and a deliberate choice to build something meaningful in Milwaukee. From his early days cooking under Frank Stitt, to fourteen years at Gramercy Tavern, to opening Birch and earning James Beard nominations, Kyle’s story is one of craft, community, and quiet confidence. We get into the wood‑fired philosophy behind his food, the move that surprised everyone, and how he’s shaping the next chapter of Midwest dining. 

Birch Restaurant

CASSIS — French Bistro & Wine Bar in Milwaukee’s Third Ward

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Chef Justin Warner has never fit neatly into a box — and that’s exactly why this conversation works. From his Food Network rise to his boundary‑pushing culinary experiments, Justin has carved out a lane that’s equal parts curiosity, chaos, and craft. In this episode, he opens up about the creative instincts that drive him, the risks he’s taken, and the strange, wonderful ideas that somehow turn into real food people actually want to eat.

We talk about the evolution of his career, the way he approaches flavor, and how he keeps reinventing himself without losing the spark that made people pay attention in the first place. It’s thoughtful, funny, and full of the kind of unexpected tangents that make Justin… Justin.

If you’re into food that breaks rules, creativity that refuses to sit still, or just love hearing passionate people talk about the work that lights them up, this episode is a blast.

Bokujo Ramen | Bokujo Ramen

Home | BB's Natural

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Mike Walker has spent nearly fourteen years inside one of Milwaukee’s most iconic breweries, and in this conversation he opens the doors to Lakefront in a way most people never get to hear. We talk about the culture behind the taps, the creativity that goes into beer development, and what it really takes to run the on‑site side of a brewery that’s become a Midwest institution.

From the legendary Lakefront tours to the heartbeat of Milwaukee’s beer scene, Mike shares stories, memories, and the moments that shaped his path. It’s a mix of craft, community, and Wisconsin pride — all told by someone who’s lived it from the inside.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes Lakefront Lakefront, or you just love hearing passionate people talk about the work they care about, this one’s a perfect pour.

Lakefront Brewery | Born in Riverwest Raised all over

Store - Lakefront Brewery Apparel & Gear | Shop Lakefront Brewery

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This episode of Stream of Consciousness w/ Dan dives into a fast‑moving, no‑nonsense conversation with coach Kurt Bush — a coach who works with people from every walk of life, not just athletes. We get into what real coaching looks like today: cutting through excuses, building trust, challenging people without breaking them, and knowing when to push versus when to pull back. Kurt talks about how he found his lane, what keeps him grounded, and why the smallest conversations often end up being the ones that change someone’s direction.

We break down communication, accountability, burnout, confidence, and the moments that test you as a leader and as a human being. Kurt doesn’t sugarcoat the job — the pressure, the expectations, the emotional weight — but he also shows why the work matters and how one honest interaction can shift someone’s entire trajectory.

If you’ve ever coached, been coached, led a team, raised kids, or just tried to show up better for the people in your life, this episode hits. It’s sharp, real, and full of the kind of insight that sticks with you long after the conversation ends.

Brimstone Coaching Group

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 This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, we talk about a week that felt heavier than most. The sudden loss of Kyle Busch, a driver woven into the fabric of my childhood, brings a reminder of how fragile life really is. From there, we shift into the perseverance of Apollo 13 — what it means to keep going when everything goes wrong, and how that mirrors the daily work of sobriety. And we close with a small act of kindness that meant more than the giver probably realized: two fishing poles waiting in the backseat after an AA meeting, a reminder that people still show up, even quietly. It’s an episode about grief, determination, healing, and the simple acts that carry us forward. 

http://www.youtube.com/@DanBackes-Omaha

https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZHWgVJf5Dadq6c1jHFrNC?si=32cc6cc73c8c4ceb

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 This episode of Stream of Consciousness w/ Dan features a conversation with Rebekah Henshel from Henning’s Cheese, part of the family behind one of Wisconsin’s long‑standing cheese companies. We talk about what it’s like to grow up around a multi‑generation family business, what people don’t see behind the Henning’s name, and how much work goes into keeping a place like that running in today’s world. Rebekah shares stories about family, responsibility, and the day‑to‑day reality of life inside a legacy brand. It’s an easygoing, honest look at heritage, small‑town roots, and what it means to be connected to something that’s been around longer than you have. 

Home | Henning Cheese

https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZHWgVJf5Dadq6c1jHFrNC?si=5b008cd81a574dfe

http://www.youtube.com/@dannybackes1986

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In this episode of Stream of Consciousness w/ Dan, Dr. Caroline Crocker joins the show for a conversation that moves effortlessly between science, story, and the human heart. A former microbiologist, professor, CEO, and international speaker, Caroline brings a lifetime of experience shaped by her family’s World War II history and her own journey through truth, trauma, faith, and resilience.

We talk about what it means to inherit stories, how trauma echoes across generations, why she writes the way she does, and the surprising places life has taken her — from the lab to the classroom to the stage. It’s thoughtful, grounded, and full of the kind of presence that makes you lean in.

A warm, honest conversation with someone who has lived many lives and still approaches the world with curiosity and compassion.

Dr. Caroline Crocker's Home Page--Rambling Ruminations

https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1768323039635344d43bab5cf

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This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, we start with family and legacy. I talk about my Uncle Jim, who passed in 2018 in a tragic accident near the farm he loved. In his honor, my family created the James R. Backes Memorial Scholarship, awarded each year to a hardworking FFA student at Westin High. We just had the ceremony Wednesday night — my dad presented, two of his brothers were there, and a close family friend joined us. It was one of those nights that reminds you how love and legacy carry forward.

From there, we shift gears into full‑on Wisconsin mode: cheese. America’s Dairyland did not disappoint. Fields of silos, cows everywhere, and more local creameries than you can count. I visited three, toured two, and learned how a few simple ingredients can turn into thousands of cheeses. And yes, I’m probably coming home with five pounds of it.

And finally, I talk about heading back to Omaha. Seeing my wife again after almost two weeks. Hoping my pets still remember me. Appreciating my parents but craving my own bed and my own setup. Plus, the nerves around my follow‑up doctor appointment Friday morning. It’s a mix of gratitude, anticipation, and a little bit of anxiety — all part of the journey.

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