Twin City Tales Podcast

This episode of Twin City Tales is dedicated to the memory of legendary University of Minnesota baseball coach John Anderson.

Host Wymond Wong sits down with longtime friend and fellow Hopkins High School graduate Tim McIntosh for a conversation that spans Minnesota baseball, Major League Baseball, friendship, mentorship, career transitions, and the next chapter after professional sports.

Tim’s baseball journey began in Minnesota before taking him to the University of Minnesota, where he played under Coach John Anderson.

During the summer of 1985, Tim starred for the Chatham A’s in the Cape Cod Baseball League, hitting .392 while leading the league in batting average, hits, and doubles. He returned to the Gophers the following spring and put together a standout 1986 season, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors and Big Ten Tournament MVP before the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the third round of the MLB Draft.

Tim eventually reached the Major Leagues and played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Montreal Expos, and New York Yankees. His unforgettable 1985 season on Cape Cod was later recognized with induction into the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame in 2017.

In this conversation, Tim and Wymond revisit their shared roots at Hopkins High School, Tim’s years playing for the Gophers, the influence John Anderson had on his development and life, and what it took to reach professional baseball.

They also explore a part of an athlete’s story that is often talked about far less: what happens when the game ends.

Tim shares his transition out of professional baseball, how he found his way into real estate, the story behind his first real estate sale many years ago, and how the lessons he learned through baseball continue to influence the way he approaches relationships, competition, preparation, and service today as a REALTOR® with Edina Realty.

At the heart of this episode is a conversation about baseball, friendship, mentorship, transition, and finding purpose in the next chapter.

CONNECT WITH TIM McINTOSH

Facebook:

Tim McIntosh Major League Realtor

Edina Realty:

https://www.edinarealty.com/tim-mcintosh-realtor

About Tim:

https://www.edinarealty.com/tim-mcintosh-realtor/about

ABOUT TWIN CITY TALES

Twin City Tales shares the journeys of Minnesota entrepreneurs, professionals, athletes, community leaders, and people with stories worth telling.

Hosted by Wymond Wong.

Twin City Tales is powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric.

#TwinCityTales #TimMcIntosh #JohnAnderson #GopherBaseball #MinnesotaBaseball #MLB #CapeCodBaseball #MinnesotaGophers #TwinCities #MinnesotaPodcast

Minnesota Broker/Realtor Becky Connors joins host Wymond Wong on the Twin City Tales Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about building wealth, building a career, and what it truly takes to guide people through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

Becky shares stories from her upbringing and the unexpected career path that eventually led her into real estate. She discusses attending Northwestern in the Twin Cities before changing schools, graduating from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, and completing her degree while working a full-time job.

Her real estate journey began before she became an agent. Becky talks about working at a trust company in Long Lake and how the person who originally interviewed her remembered her after moving to another company. That connection led to a new opportunity lending money to builders and developers after securing financing from banks—giving Becky an early, behind-the-scenes education in construction financing, development, and the business of real estate.

Today, Becky is a Broker/Realtor with Keller Williams Classic Realty and has held her real estate and broker licenses for more than 35 years. Her experience includes construction financing, new construction, working with builders, guiding buyers through the building process, helping first-time homebuyers, and representing residential buyers and sellers throughout Minnesota.

In this episode, Wymond and Becky take a deep dive into:

• How Becky’s upbringing helped shape her work ethic

• Attending Northwestern and graduating from St. Thomas while working full time

• The job opportunity that introduced her to builders, developers, and real estate financing

• What it actually takes to build a lasting career as a real estate agent

• Why real estate can be a powerful tool for building long-term wealth

• The difference between simply having a real estate license and truly serving clients

• What Becky believes separates her from other Minnesota real estate agents

• Helping buyers understand new construction and the home-building process

• Guiding first-time homebuyers through unfamiliar decisions

• What homeowners should know before choosing an agent

• The realities of buying and selling real estate in Minnesota

• Relationships, education, communication, and trust in real estate

Whether you are thinking about buying a home, selling a property, building new construction, becoming a real estate agent, or using real estate to create long-term wealth, this episode offers practical insight from someone who has spent her career learning the industry from multiple sides.

CONNECT WITH BECKY CONNORS

For Becky’s current contact information and real estate services, visit:

https://connorsandcompany.com/

FOLLOW TWIN CITY TALES

Podcast Website:

https://twin-city-tales-podcast.cohostpodcasting.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/61574674384654/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/twincitytalespodcast/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4CMNpdMlcuXmXwAxr1a7c4

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/twin-city-tales-podcast/id1832492674

YouTube:

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

Twin City Tales is hosted by Wymond Wong and powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric, a locally owned Minnesota home-service company serving homeowners throughout the Twin Cities.

Twin City Heating, Air & Electric:

https://www.twincityheatingandair.com/

Remember: You can’t go wrong with Wymond Wong on your Twin City Tales Podcast.

#TwinCityTales #BeckyConnors #MinnesotaRealEstate #RealEstateAgent #BuildingWealth #HomeBuying #HomeSelling #NewConstruction #TwinCitiesRealEstate #RealEstatePodcast

On this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Minnesota entrepreneur, speaker, and Sandoval Services LLC owner Leo Sandoval for an unfiltered conversation about incarceration, addiction, felony convictions, faith, second chances, and building a new life through entrepreneurship.

At one point, Leo was facing more than 140 months in prison on cocaine-related charges. He shares how choices made at a young age led to multiple felony convictions, including two felony cases before the age of 15, and what he experienced while serving time in Minnesota—including time in St. Cloud.

Leo opens up about the realities of prison, the mindset it took to survive, and the barriers that follow people long after they have served their sentence. With employment opportunities limited by his record, entrepreneurship became more than a career path—it became a way to rebuild his identity, create opportunities, and take ownership of his future.

Today, Leo owns two businesses and leads Sandoval Services LLC, a Minnesota company providing towing, roadside assistance, snow services, and mobile mechanic repairs. He also gives back to his community and speaks to people who have been incarcerated, are returning home, or are heading down the wrong path—helping them redirect an entrepreneurial mindset toward legitimate business, leadership, and purpose.

Leo also shares the breaking point he experienced in St. Paul, how finding Jesus changed the direction of his life, and why faith now plays such an important role in the way he leads, serves, and helps others.

Wymond and Leo discuss:

• Facing more than 140 months in prison

• Receiving felony charges before the age of 15

• The reality of prison and serving time in St. Cloud

• Addiction, recovery, accountability, and personal transformation

• The challenges of finding work with a felony record

• Turning survival skills into an entrepreneurial mindset

• Building two businesses after incarceration

• Growing Sandoval Services LLC in Minnesota

• Towing, roadside assistance, snow plowing, and mobile mechanic services

• Faith, finding Jesus, and a life-changing moment in St. Paul

• Giving back and creating opportunities for justice-impacted people

• Helping others choose a more positive direction before it is too late

This conversation is about consequences, accountability, redemption, faith, entrepreneurship, and the belief that your past does not have to determine your future.

CONNECT WITH LEO SANDOVAL

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/LeoSandoval88

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leosandovalspeaks/

Sandoval Services LLC:

https://www.sandovalservicesllc.com/

Sandoval Services on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/SandovalservicesLLC/

FOLLOW TWIN CITY TALES

Podcast Website:

https://twin-city-tales-podcast.cohostpodcasting.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/61574674384654/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/twincitytalespodcast/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4CMNpdMlcuXmXwAxr1a7c4

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/twin-city-tales-podcast/id1832492674

YouTube:

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

Twin City Tales is hosted by Wymond Wong and powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric, a locally owned Minnesota home-service company serving homeowners throughout the Twin Cities.

Twin City Heating, Air & Electric:

https://www.twincityheatingandair.com/

Remember: You can’t go wrong with Wymond Wong on your Twin City Tales Podcast.

#TwinCityTales #LeoSandoval #PrisonToPurpose #SecondChances #Entrepreneurship #FaithJourney #LifeAfterPrison #MinnesotaEntrepreneur #Recovery #SandovalServices

Success is rarely built in one defining moment. More often, it's built one job, one challenge, and one leap of faith at a time.

On this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Kari Hefnider, owner of the Kari A. Hefnider Agency, an American Family Insurance agency in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, for a conversation about resilience, entrepreneurship, confidence, gratitude, and protecting what matters most.

Kari's story begins growing up in Brooklyn Park and Maple Grove, where she developed a strong work ethic at an early age. Her career would eventually take her through landscaping, restaurants, refrigeration, nearly two decades in the auto glass industry, and ultimately into entrepreneurship and insurance.

Kari shares what it took to make a major career change, build her own insurance agency, and succeed in industries traditionally dominated by men. She and Wymond also explore the lessons that shaped her along the way—including overcoming fear, becoming more self-reliant, practicing gratitude, and learning why, as Kari puts it, you have to love yourself first.

The conversation goes far beyond business.

Kari discusses a frightening experience while traveling that changed the way she viewed personal safety, why she decided to learn karate, and how confidence can be developed through the challenges we face.

They also talk about what protecting people truly means beyond simply selling an insurance policy, Kari's recognition through the MetroNorth Chamber's 2026 Excellence in Business Awards, and the importance of supporting and uplifting women in the community. Kari's agency also recently celebrated 16 years serving the community.

And there's plenty of fun along the way—from golf, scuba diving, travel and cars to an unforgettable Mickey Mantle autograph on a doily.

You'll also hear what Kari would tell her 18-year-old self today and the message she hopes every young woman listening can take away from her story.

🌐 Kari A. Hefnider Agency:

https://www.karihefnider.com/

🔹 American Family Insurance – Kari Hefnider:

https://www.amfam.com/agents/minnesota/coon-rapids/kari-hefnider

🔹 Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/KariHefniderAgency/

Kari's official agency site lists her Coon Rapids office and describes her approach as going beyond simply providing a policy to helping protect the people and things that matter most to her clients.

🎙️ Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4CMNpdMlcuXmXwAxr1a7c4

🎧 Twin City Tales Podcast:

https://twin-city-tales-podcast.cohostpodcasting.com/

📘 Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/61574674384654/

Twin City Tales shares the stories of entrepreneurs, business leaders, athletes, community champions, and extraordinary people throughout Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

Twin City Tales is hosted by Wymond Wong and powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric.

🏠 Twin City Heating, Air & Electric

https://www.twincityheatingandair.com/

Remember: You can't go wrong with Wymond Wong on your Twin City Tales Podcast.

#TwinCityTales #KariHefnider #MinnesotaPodcast #TwinCities #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #Insurance #CoonRapidsMN #Resilience #PersonalGrowth

On this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Minnesota Vikings legend Greg Coleman for a powerful conversation about football, faith, leadership, perseverance, family, and learning how to “flip the field” when life changes unexpectedly.

Greg grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, with a vision of one day reaching the NFL. After playing college football at Florida A&M University, he became the first African American punter in NFL history. He later spent 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, built a respected broadcasting career, and was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

In this episode, Greg reflects on the challenges of breaking barriers, the people who shaped his journey, and the role faith has played throughout his life. He also shares lessons from his book, PUNT: Flip the Field and Get a Leg Up on Life, which explores how to respond to adversity, embrace change, maintain the right attitude, and prepare for the next opportunity.

Wymond and Greg also discuss:

• Growing up in Florida and developing the vision to play in the NFL

• Becoming the first African American punter in league history

• His years with the Minnesota Vikings

• Transitioning from professional football into broadcasting

• Faith, leadership, attitude, and perseverance

• The mentors who influenced his life

• His marriage, family, and life today

• Writing PUNT: Flip the Field and Get a Leg Up on Life

• His induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame

• Giving back through the Greg Coleman Celebrity Golf Tournament

• The legacy he hopes to leave for future generations

Greg also recently spoke to the team at Twin City Heating, Air & Electric, where his message about leadership, preparation, attitude, and perseverance made a lasting impression.

Whether you are a Minnesota Vikings fan, a student of NFL history, a business leader, an athlete, or someone navigating change, Greg Coleman’s story offers a meaningful reminder: one difficult play or chapter does not have to determine the outcome of your story.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GREG COLEMAN

Official website:

https://gregcoleman8.com/

Greg Coleman Celebrity Golf Tournament:

https://www.ymcanorth.org/colemangolf

PUNT: Flip the Field and Get a Leg Up on Life:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM5Y62MB

FOLLOW TWIN CITY TALES

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/61574674384654/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4CMNpdMlcuXmXwAxr1a7c4

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/twin-city-tales-podcast/id1832538604

YouTube:

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

Twin City Tales is powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric, a locally owned Minnesota home-service company serving homeowners throughout the Twin Cities.

https://twincityheatingandair.com/

Built Here, Stays Here. Feel The Difference!

Music credit: “Thanks” by Chris Hawkey.

#GregColeman #MinnesotaVikings #TwinCityTales

On this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Tracy Fallon, a Twin Cities-area mid-life reinvention coach, speaker, and founder of Prioritize and Thrive Coaching.

Tracy’s story begins on a Wisconsin farm, where her early upbringing shaped her work ethic, perspective, and understanding of life’s seasons. From there, she moved to Minnesota for school at the University of Minnesota, building a life and career in the Twin Cities before stepping fully into the work she does today: helping women navigate midlife with clarity, confidence, and self-trust.

But as Tracy would say, midlife does not have to be a crisis. It can be an opportunity.

In this conversation, Tracy shares how major life transitions, career shifts, identity changes, and seasons of uncertainty can become a turning point instead of a stopping point. Through her work with Prioritize and Thrive Coaching, Tracy helps women who feel stuck, restless, overwhelmed, or off-course understand who they have become and move forward with intention.

This episode is for anyone in Minnesota, the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Blaine, Coon Rapids, or the surrounding metro who has ever wondered, “What’s next for me?” Tracy’s message is simple but powerful: you are not broken, you may have simply outgrown the life you built, and your next chapter can be created on purpose.

Connect with Tracy Fallon:

Website: https://www.prioritizeandthrive.com/

About Tracy: https://www.prioritizeandthrive.com/tracy

Services: https://www.prioritizeandthrive.com/services

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyfallon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracy_coachingyou2thrive/

This podcast is powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric.

In this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Tony Peltier, the owner of Tony Goes There and My Day DJ, two Minnesota businesses built around trust, service, safety, and creating a better experience for people across the entire Twin Cities metro area.

Tony is best known throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding Twin Cities metro as the friendly professional driver behind Tony Goes There, a local personal driver and MSP airport transportation service. He serves clients across Hennepin County, Anoka County, Ramsey County, Washington County, Dakota County, and beyond, including cities like Blaine, Coon Rapids, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Edina, Woodbury, Eagan, and more. His mission is simple: help people—especially women traveling alone—feel safe, comfortable, and cared for when getting where they need to go.

But Tony’s story does not stop behind the wheel. He is also the DJ behind My Day DJ, providing wedding DJ services and event entertainment throughout the Twin Cities metro. From Minneapolis weddings to St. Paul receptions and celebrations across the suburbs, Tony brings energy, professionalism, and a passion for music and dancing to every event.

In this conversation, Tony shares the story behind Tony Goes There, what inspired him to create a safer transportation option in the Twin Cities, how his background in music shaped his journey, and what it takes to build a trusted local business serving communities across the metro area.

Whether you are searching for MSP airport transportation, a personal driver in Minneapolis or St. Paul, or a wedding DJ anywhere in the Twin Cities metro, this episode highlights the person behind the business and the purpose behind the service.

Tony Goes There:https://www\.tonygoesthere\.com/

Book a Ride:https://www\.tonygoesthere\.com/book\-now

My Day DJ:https://www\.mydaydj\.com/

Facebook:https://www\.facebook\.com/tonygoesthere

Instagram:https://www\.instagram\.com/theretonygoes/

LinkedIn:https://www\.linkedin\.com/in/tonygoesthere/

BBB Profile:https://www\.bbb\.org/us/mn/brooklyn\-park/profile/airport\-transportation/tony\-goes\-there\-llc\-0704\-1000045050

This Podcast is Powered by Twin City Heating Air and Electric.

In this episode of Twin City Tales Podcast, Wymond sits down with Anh Huynh, the baker and heart behind Sprinkle of Hope Bakery in Blaine, Minnesota.

Anh shares her story of growing up in Vietnam, why and how she ended up in Minnesota for college, and how her path has blended science, creativity, service, and community. From her passion as a biochemist to her love for baking custom cakes, Anh’s story is a beautiful reminder that business can be built with purpose.

They also discuss Anh’s passion for foster children and foster parents, how she gets involved in supporting families and shelters, the touching story of college scholarships, and the meaning behind Sprinkle of Hope Bakery.

For custom cake and bakery inquiries, reach out to Sprinkle of Hope Bakery:

Phone: (763) 485-1031

Facebook: Sprinkle of Hope Bakery

Instagram: @sprinkleofhope_bakery

This podcast is powered by Twin City Heating Air and Electric.

On this episode of Twin City Tales, Wymond sits down with Dan Langton, owner of MN Stripes, a parking lot striping and pavement marking business based in Ramsey, Minnesota.

Dan shares what it was like growing up in Ramsey, how he first got into striping, and what eventually led him to start MN Stripes. He talks about the path into a trade most people see every day but rarely think about, and what it takes to build a business from the ground up.

This episode also gets personal as Dan opens up about his weight loss journey after gastric bypass surgery. He shares the discipline it takes to make a life-changing decision like that actually last, including the mindset behind not “eating your way through the surgery” and continuing to do the work after the surgery is done.

This conversation is about business, discipline, personal growth, and the kind of consistency it takes to change your future.

For business inquiries, MN Stripes provides parking lot striping, pavement marking, restriping, new layout striping, ADA marking updates, line removal, sweeping, sealcoating, crack filling, and parking lot maintenance services.

Learn more about MN Stripes:

MNStripes.com

763-350-6257

This podcast is powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric.

Built Here, Stays Here. Feel The Difference!

#TwinCityTales #MNStripes #DanLangton #RamseyMN #ParkingLotStriping #PavementMarking #MinnesotaBusiness #TwinCitiesBusiness #SmallBusinessStory #Entrepreneurship #WeightLossJourney #GastricBypassJourney #Discipline #PersonalGrowth #BuiltHereStaysHere #TwinCityHeatingAirElectric

In this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Twila Marie Johnson for a deeply personal and courageous conversation about survival, healing, identity, and the long journey of finding your voice.

Twila shares parts of her story of surviving abuse, navigating painful chapters, and learning how to keep moving forward even when life felt overwhelming. This conversation touches on generational trauma, identifying abuse, the impact abuse can have on a person’s body and spirit, and the strength it takes to persevere through circumstances that no one should have to face.

Wymond and Twila also talk about her career path, including her time working at Merwin Drugs, and the life experiences that helped shape the woman she is today. Her story reflects the complicated reality of trying to build a future while also carrying the weight of trauma, illness, recovery, and survival.

This episode also explores the importance of finding support. Twila speaks to the power of being believed, being seen, and having people who can help you remember your worth when you are walking through some of life’s hardest moments.

Twila is also the author of Becoming: A Memoir of Silence, Survival, and the Courage to Speak, a book centered on her journey of survival, courage, and reclaiming her voice. Her work and her story remind us that healing is not always simple, but speaking the truth can become part of the path forward.

At its heart, this conversation is about courage. It is about surviving what was meant to break you, naming what happened, finding support, and becoming the person you were always meant to be.

If you are interested in stories of resilience, healing from abuse, generational trauma, women’s stories, personal growth, courage, memoir writing, finding your voice, or powerful conversations about survival and hope, this episode of Twin City Tales is one to watch.

Learn more about Twila Marie Johnson:

www.twilatheconnector.com

Buy Becoming: A Memoir of Silence, Survival, and the Courage to Speak on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Memoir-Silence-Survival-Courage/dp/B0GY19WT9M

This episode is powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric, your trusted home comfort experts serving homeowners throughout the Twin Cities.

Whether you need heating, cooling, electrical, indoor air quality, water heater, water softener, or home comfort service, Twin City Heating, Air & Electric is here to help keep your home safe, comfortable, and running the way it should.

Twin City Heating, Air & Electric Website:

https://twincityheatingandair.com/

Twin City Heating, Air & Electric Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TwincityHeatingandair/

Twin City Heating, Air & Electric YouTube:

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

#TwinCityTales #TwilaJohnson #TwilaTheConnector #BecomingMemoir #SurvivorStory #SurvivingAbuse #HealingJourney #GenerationalTrauma #FindingYourVoice #CourageToSpeak #Resilience #WomenWhoInspire #TwinCities #MemoirAuthor #PoweredByTwinCity