Trek Through Time

On this first ever two-hour live TTT broadcast from the KYMN studio, your host Kosmo Esplan voyages across 77 years of Defeat Days history with a wide variety of locals, townies, and festival enthusiasts who share their stories and provide some background on why the festival is an enduring facet of Northfield's identity.

Part #1 (00:00) – The Festival's Early Days w/ David Hvistendahl & Susan Hvistendahl

Part #2 (37:35) – The Townie Take w/ Chad Beumer, Sam Richardson, and Dick Waters

Part #3 (1:06:11)– Annual Traditions w/ Deb Anthony, Brad Ness, and Herman Transberg

Part #4 (1:32:48) – Bank Raid Commemorations w/ Russ Swanson & Earl Weinmann

On this Labor Day installment, Kosmo celebrates the upcoming DJJD celebration by discussing all things bank raid history with local history supercomputer Tim Freeland; in their freewheeling discussion, Mr. Host and Mr. Northfield dig into an assortment of trivia about the raid, Defeat Days, and other fascinating Northfield goodies.

To finish off August and celebrate the twentieth Triple Tee voyage, Kosmo explores stories behind the location that most of these episodes have been recorded in: the Scriver Building. With a trio of Northfield History Center comrades (Sean Allen, Aya Myint, and Henry Vrtis) joining to provide their expertise, the history clan dig into the iconic downtown staple's past, present, and future.

It's the final chapter of the "Trek Through Time" triad of Rock 'n' Roll Revival interviews this month! To cap it off, Kosmo Esplan virtually sits down with the man who started it all, Tom McKown, for a brief discussion about the very beginning of RRR and its journey into the Northfield zeitgeist.

To discuss the Northfield History Center's latest museum display, Kosmo travels onsite to the Ted Scott Exhibit Room to chat with executive director Sean Allen and exhibit curator Elleanna Gisvold about the organization's exciting spotlight on Rock 'n' Roll Revival. Remember to check out the grand opening (August 5 from 5-7pm); it'll be a rocking good time!

To celebrate the Northfield History Center's newest exhibit, frontman Kosmo Esplan lives fast and jams out to 30 years of the Northfield High School's iconic production of Rock 'n' Roll Revival alongside director Ray Coudret and choreographer Shari Setchell, who both rock this month's show like a hurricane with their fantabulous knowledge about the show's groovetastic history.

We're packing it in this time on Triple Tee! With this year's Vintage Band Festival approaching, it's quadruple the fun as Kosmo invites an impressive tetrad of old-timey music lovers into the time machine to discuss one of the most historic band celebrations in the country: join artistic director Paul Niemisto, board president Dan Bergeson, board VP Randy Ferguson, and board secretary Joy Riggs to discover the nineteen years of rich music culture at the heart of the VBF's impact.

In honor of the Riverwalk Market Fair's 15th anniversary, Kosmo invites Market Manager Derek Meyers, Board Chair Martha Kasper, and local vendor/artist Kathy Miller for triple discussion duty as they focus on the beloved Northfield event's history, impact, and involvement in the community, including an upcoming fundraiser (July 15th at Imminent Brewing). Plus, they bond over the delicious treats available every Saturday in Bridge Square.

(Video available exclusively on Spotify.) In this exclusive podcast interview with Karate Kid: Legends star Ben Wang, host/cinephile Kosmo Esplan and Northfield's first Hollywood actor discuss Ben's early immigration to Minnesota, the impact of local theatre and good mentors, and his pivot to pursuing professional roles in NYC and LA. Unsurprisingly, movies come up, as well.

On the occasion of Triple Tee's one-year birthday, Kosmo Esplan highlights another Northfield anniversary (albeit one with more digits) by recruiting publisher Rob Schanilec and editor Ronica Roberson to voyage across 20 years of the Entertainment Guide. The triad delves into the beloved Southern Minnesota magazine's memorable moments, including its 2005 sesquicentennial origin, the evolution of monthly issues, and its two decades of, well, "Guiding" the community.