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KFAI's MinneCultureLife on the Back ChannelThe Mississippi River is one of the defining geographic features of our state. The river's headwaters begin up north in Lake Itasca and meander for 650 miles through the cities, bluffs, forests and iron ranges of Minnesota, before crossing the border into Wisconsin and Iowa. The River has long captured our imagination. And, for many, it has provided a home.Boathouse communities, though less common today, have long formed up and down the river. These enclaves of shanty boats and floating homes provide affordable living and organic community for residents. Producer Gina Favano spent 10 years...2025-05-0125 minKFAI's MinneCultureBring Me Your CucumbersThe M.A. Gedney Pickling Company was established in Minneapolis in 1881 by a man named Matthias Gedney. The Gedney Company contracted with hundreds of Minnesota farmers to grow the cucumbers used for their pickle products. Many of the farmers, in turn, ended up paying their children to pick the cucumbers as part of their summer chores, using the money to pay for school clothes and other needed items for the family. In the later 20th century, the Gedney Company identified itself as the Minnesota Pickle. The company partnered with the Minnesota State Fair to...2025-04-2419 minKFAI's MinneCultureAs American As Chinese FoodChinese food is a staple of the American diet. But the story of how Chinese food became popular in the United States – and specifically in Minnesota – is a story of racism, mixed identity, adaptation, and cultural preservation. This story from producer Sheila Regan traces the history of Chinese cuisine in Minnesota — from the Canton Cafe in the 19th century to iconic establishments like the Nankin Cafe, from canned chow mein products produced in Duluth to the beloved fast casual Leeann Chin. Minnesota’s relationship with Chinese food is both complicated and delicious....2025-04-1723 minKFAI's MinneCultureThe Woman Who Helped Control the Spread of Tuberculosis in MinnesotaTuberculosis is a highly contagious and infectious disease. As the Trump administration freezes foreign aid, tuberculosis is resurgent worldwide. In Minnesota, the numbers are falling with 21 Minnesota counties reporting a total of 160 new cases of active tuberculosis last year. But those numbers are still chilling when you consider that there was a time when TB was the leading cause of death. Before antibiotics were discovered and offered a cure for TB, the only weapon available to stop its spread was to identify and isolate the sick.Here in Minnesota...2025-04-1020 minKFAI's MinneCultureThe Long, Dark Shadow of Minnesota's Eugenic Sterilization ProgramBetween 1925 and 1945, 2,204 people — 77% of whom were women — were eugenically sterilized in Minnesota. Minnesota's sterilization program targeted "sexually promiscuous" women and impoverished people. The intended goal of the program was to lessen poverty and welfare costs by ending the family lines of people deemed "immoral" or "feebleminded." A woman named Rose DeChaine was sterilized by this program. But her sterilization didn't end or fix any of her family's problems. Instead, Rose's time in the system set off a chain of hurt and dislocation that continues to echo throughout her family into the present day.2025-04-0339 minKFAI's MinneCultureGhost of the Upper Mississippi RiverIn the Mississippi River, between the Franklin Avenue and Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridges, sits an abandoned ruin. The ruin is almost invisible from the river bank. You may never know it exists unless you’re paddling directly on top of it, or avoiding its edges in a motor boat. The ghostly structure was once a fully operational lock and dam, the very first built on the Upper Mississippi River: The Meeker Island Lock and Dam.In the season 9 premiere, producer Lydia Moran inspects this industrial ruin to understand why and how the slow mo...2025-03-2723 minKFAI's MinneCultureSeason 9 premieres March 27!Season 9 of MinneCulture drops on March 27. This season features:lots of local food historystories about life and commerce along the Mississippi Rivera Minnesota woman who developed a new form of contact tracing for tuberculosisa barber and fiddler who helped run the Underground Railroad in Minnesotaa haunting story about Minnesota's 20th century sterilization programa jingle for pickles that will get stuck in your head....and so much more!Stories by Michelle Bruch, Gina Favano, John Gwinn, Lydia Moran, Sheila Regan, Matthew Schneeman, and Alison Young. Hosted by John Gebretatose. Edited by Julie...2025-03-1801 min
Candy EarsGUEST ARTIST: Julie Censullo's ProcrastinationJulie Censullo is an audio producer based in Minneapolis, MN. As a freelance creative, she is really really good at executing large media projects and really really bad at doing minor, everyday tasks. You can find more of her work at www.juliecensullo.com.Created for “Small Packages: The Art and Practice of Short Audio Storytelling”, a course by Talia Augustidis and Jules Bradley.2025-02-2503 min
Out ColdBumps in the NightFrankie has gained a following for her podcast that shares real-life, true horror stories. But how true are the stories that Frankie tells her audience? Bumps in the Night was written by Julie Censullo. Starring Rachel Buhman, Wesley Erickson, Danielle Lynch, Cody Madison, Lucas Nafziger, and Kristen Ragnacci. Additional voice acting by Jex Arzayus, Craig Gemmill, Siri Hellerman, Laura Hild, Britt Johnson, Janelle Kloth, Angelique Lisboa, Carolynn Oaks, Sullivan Ojala Helmbolt, Laura Ricci, Will Schroeder, Jacob Walter, and everyone who attended our season 2 premiere party in Minneapolis. Sound Design by Julie Censullo. Edited by Sophie Ni...2024-12-0827 minOut ColdFright or FlightOn a particularly turbulent flight, Nate tries to convince himself that everything is okay. But something (or someone...) is telling him it isn’t. Fright or Flight was written by Jacob Walter. Starring Kelsey Dilts McGregor, Chip Gehring, Britt Johnson, and Will Schroeder. Additional voice acting by Margy Hoff. Sound Design by Julie Censullo. Edited by Sophie Nikitas. Additional editing help from Rachel Buhman, Cody Madison, Carolynn Oaks, and Will Schroeder.Music by Blue Dot Sessions, Free Music Archive, and Randy Dever. Additional audio from freesound.org and Audio Jungle. Series art by James...2024-12-0115 minOut ColdBrain MagnetsDesperate for a cure for her insomnia, a young woman tries an experimental treatment at a mysterious clinic. But while her sleep begins to improve, she starts to suspect that her doctors may not have her best interests in mind. Brain Magnets was written by Sophie Nikitas. Starring Siri Hellerman, Janelle Kloth, Angelique Lisboa, and Sullivan Ojala Helmbolt. Additional voice acting by Julie Censullo, Alex Magnolia, and Sophie Nikitas.Sound design by Julie Censullo. Edited by Sophie Nikitas. Additional editing help from Rob McGinley Meyers, Nancy Rosenbaum, Britta Greene, Rachel Buhman, Cody Madison, Carolynn Oaks, W...2024-11-2433 minOut ColdAnechoicHow long could you last in the quietest room on earth? Anechoic was written by Cody Madison. Starring Justin Betancourt, Cody Madison, and Lucas Vonasek. Additional voice acting by Julie Censullo. Sound design by Julie Censullo. Edited by Sophie Nikitas. Additional editing help from Rachel Buhman, Ryan Klima, Adam Mellerup, Carolynn Oaks, Will Schroeder, and Jacob Walter.Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Randy Dever. Additional audio from freesound.org. Series art by James Napoli. Special thanks to Solomon’s Porch and the Coven co-working space. This show was recorded at the studios of K...2024-11-1816 minOut ColdSeason 2 is coming soon....Guess who's baaaaaaack?! Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss a single terrifying second of Out Cold season 2. Premieres November 17 at 7pm. Out Cold a spooky anthology series created by Julie Censullo and Sophie Nikitas and produced independently in Minneapolis, MN. Season 2 features: Justin Betancourt, Rachel Buhman, Kelsey Dilts McGregor, Wesley Erickson, Chip Gehring, Britt Johnson, Siri Hellerman, Janelle Kloth, Angelique Lisboa, Danielle Lynch, Cody Madison, Lucas Nafziger, Sullivan Ojala Helmbolt, Kristen Ragnacci, Will Schroeder, and Lucas Vonasek. Additional voice acting by Jex Arzayus, Craig Gemmill, Laura Hild, Margy Hoff, Alex Magnolia, Carolynn Oaks, La...2024-10-3101 minKFAI's MinneCulture'Sissy' as in SisterIn the 1970s, lesbian and feminist organizations popped up in cities across the nation. Minneapolis and Saint Paul were no exception. Here in the Twin Cities, the Amazon Feminist Book Store, Lesbian Resource Center, and Lesbian Feminist Organizing Committee all provided space and community for newly out lesbians and queer women.At the same time, a small network of transgender women started their own type of organizing, one that relied more on mutual support than a physical meeting place.But these groups weren’t mutually exclusive. In the late 1970s...2024-04-0448 minKFAI's MinneCultureThe Instant Theater ZeitgeistTake a dive into comedic history in this story about the beginnings of the Brave New Workshop. The Brave New Workshop was founded by a former circus former named Dudley Riggs. In the mid 20th century, a new kind of humor was taking the world by storm, and Riggs tapped into the zeitgeist of improvisation that had no limits. KFAI's Sheila Regan weaves together the voices of past and present company members, archival audio, and an interview with Riggs himself in this celebration of comedy that speaks to its time. MinneCulture is hosted by...2024-03-2820 minKFAI's MinneCultureThe Phantom Caller of the Twin CitiesKSTP-AM is one of Minnesota’s oldest and formerly most successful radio stations. By the 90's, it had been mostly forgotten, as fans flocked to FM. While music fans enjoyed the stereophonic sounds on the other side of the dial, a new form of radio program began to emerge. Before long, talk radio flourished across the United States, and nowhere was it strong than at “The Talk Station.” Fueled by a desire to shake up the radio landscape, Hubbard Broadcasting’s Ginny Morris took charge of the station and hired a new set of voices i...2024-03-2123 minKFAI's MinneCultureMinnesota vs. Big TobaccoMinnesota was the first state to take Big Tobacco to trial in 1998. The biggest lawsuit in the state’s history forced the tobacco industry to take down cigarette billboards and release millions of internal documents that filled a Minneapolis warehouse.When vaping e-cigarettes gained popularity among youth in the late 2010s, the Minnesota Attorney General’s office sued again, this time against market leader Juul Labs and the company’s Big Tobacco investor Altria. The lawsuit lifted thousands of new tobacco documents into the public archive.KFAI's Michelle Bruch talked...2024-03-1430 minKFAI's MinneCultureSaving Minnesotan Old Time MusicMike Sawyer fell in love with old folk music in his 20s, picking up the banjo and playing at festivals and jams around the state. But after a while, he began to wonder why nearly all the songs he and his fellow musicians were playing came from Appalachia and the South. What happened to early musical traditions from Minnesota? Now, Mike’s on a mission to uncover the roots of Upper Midwest folk music and keep it alive for future generations.This documentary was produced by Britta Greene and Ja...2024-03-0732 minKFAI's MinneCultureWhen Danger Strikes in the Boundary WatersEvery year, people on a canoe trip to Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) need to be rescued from a dangerous situation. In modern times, the call for help can come from a cell phone, a satellite phone, or an emergency beacon like a Garmin inReach. But it wasn't always this easy to help people who recreate across the canoe-country wilderness. In this story from KFAI producer Joe Friedrichs, we learn about the history of search and rescue operations inside the most visited wilderness area in the nation, the Boundary Waters. --...2024-02-2928 minKFAI's MinneCultureLost in the SongsPeter Jesperson is a music legend. Born in Minnesota, Jesperson was a seminal figure in the Minneapolis punk and new wave scene of the 1970's and 1980's. He co-founded Twin/Tone Records, worked at Oar Folkjokeopus record store and the Jay's Longhorn bar, and is credited with discovering the Replacements. He later served as the band's manager.In "Lost in the Songs," producer Todd Melby interviews Jesperson about his love affair with music, his relationship with the Replacements, and his addictions.---Breakmaster Cylinder...2024-02-2225 minKFAI's MinneCultureSeason 8 premieres Feb 22!MinneCulture is BACK for season 8! This season, we are bringing you 7 brand new audio documentaries about the people, places, and cultural phenomena that make Minnesota...well, Minnesota. Make sure you're subscribed to MinneCulture so you don't miss any of these fascinating stories about our state. Season 8 is produced by Michelle Bruch, Joe Friedrichs, Britta Greene, Todd Melby, James Napoli, Sheila Regan, Kira Schukar, and Kyle Shiely. Hosted by John Gebretatose and edited by Julie Censullo. MinneCulture is a production of KFAI. Support for MinneCulture is provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. 2024-02-0901 min
The ZooIntroducing: Out ColdIt's been a while! I'm back with a new project: Out Cold, a spooky anthology series. Here's an episode for you to get a taste of the series. You can listen to the rest of the series here:Apple PodcastsSpotifyMore about this episode of "Out Cold":Zoe enters the downtown Minneapolis skyway and discovers a bizarre lunch hour culture.Out Cold is a spooky anthology series created and produced by Sophie Nikitas and Julie Censullo."The Lunch Rush" was written, directed, and mixed by Sophie...2024-01-0416 min
Doctor+Storytelling with Dr. Meghan Rothenberger"If you give care, you receive care."In the season 1 finale of Doctor+, we are sharing a recording of a conversation from the 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Minnesota Chapter of ACP. Doctor+ host Tseganesh Seleameab spoke with Dr. Meghan Rothenberger about her passion for storytelling. Dr. Rothenberger also shares a personal story about a special woman she cared for early in her career. About the guest: Dr. Meghan Rothenberger is an infectious disease physician and medical educator. She attended medical school at Johns Hopkins and completed h...2023-12-2725 min
Doctor+Sailing with Dr. Anne Pereira"It opened up my mind in terms of realizing how much joy one can find if you have the opportunity to learn something new."Hosts Tseganesh and David speak with Dr. Anne Pereira about sailing.About the guest: Dr. Anne Pereira is a palliative medicine physician and leadership coach at Hennepin Healthcare. She received her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Vassar College and her medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School. After completing her internal medicine residency and chief residency at Hennepin, she pursued...2023-12-2029 min
Doctor+Horse Showing with Dr. Ann Isaksen"You give and you get so much from your job in medicine, but I think it's important to remember those other passions and give them equal time."Hosts Tseganesh and David speak with Dr. Ann Isaksen about showing and riding horses.About the guest: Dr. Ann Isaksen serves as a hospitalist member at Hennepin County Medical Center, caring exclusively for patients admitted to the hospital and working with primary physicians to ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home. Outside of her medical practice, Dr. Isaksen loves...2023-12-1328 min
Doctor+Cryptocurrency with Dr. Chris Aakre"It gives your the flexibility so that when go to do things outside of medicine, you have the ability to do that."Hosts Tseganesh and David speak with Dr. Chris Aakre about cryptocurrency. About the guest:Dr. Chris Aakre graduated from University of Minnesota Medical School in 2011. Afterwards, he completed residency, chief residency, and clinical informatics fellowship at Mayo Clinic Rochester before joining the division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic. He discovered bitcoin and related digital assets in 2011 from another technologically inclined radiology co-resident. Over...2023-12-0625 minOut ColdThe CollectionAn older man embarks on an audio tour at his dead wife’s favorite museum, only to discover the gruesome history of how the museum came to be.Out Cold is a spooky anthology series created and produced by Sophie Nikitas and Julie Censullo."The Collection" was written, directed, and mixed by Sophie Nikitas and Julie Censullo. This episode stars Maurita Anderson, Denzel Belin, Rachel Buhman, Sean Dillon, Angelique Lisboa, Erik Ostrom, Sullivan Ojala Helmbolt, Sara Morse, Jen Scott, and Sophie Nikitas. Editing help from Rob McGinley Myers. Music by Randy Dever, Anna Van Sice, and...2023-11-3021 min
Doctor+Foraging with Dr. Karoline Lange"Being in nature and being more connected to the environment has made me more whole as a person."Hosts Tseganesh and David speak with Dr. Karoline Lange about foraging. About the guest:Karoline Lange is an internist and primary care physician at Allina. Dr. Lange grew up in Germany and completed medical school in Goettingen, Germany. Being a dual citizen, she decided to move to Minneapolis for internal medicine residency at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in 2014 and completed residency in 2017. She enjoys spending time in local parks hiking...2023-11-2932 minOut ColdRemember ThisOn Christmas Eve, Nora is driving to her boyfriend’s parents' house. But the drive – and her own memories – are not as straightforward as they seem. Out Cold is a spooky anthology series created and produced by Sophie Nikitas and Julie Censullo."Remember This" was written, directed, and mixed by Julie Censullo. This episode stars Anna Van Sice, Angelique Lisboa, Mark Ujifusa, Sophie Nikitas, Chip Gehring, Kristen Dare, Bo Lopez, Will Schroeder, and Kelsey Dilts McGregor. Additional voice acting by Rachel Holm. Editorial support by Sophie Nikitas, Cody Madison, and Will Schroeder. Music by Ran...2023-11-2317 min
Doctor+Beekeeping with Dr. Aaron Rutzick"Similar to the way I practice and understand medicine...I feel like sometimes the less I do to [the bees], the better off they are." Hosts David and Tseganesh speak with Dr. Aaron Rutzick about beekeeping.About the guest:Aaron Rutzick is board-certified in internal medicine. Dr. Rutzick is a teaching physician, mentoring medical students and residents from the University of Minnesota Medical School. His interests are in the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure and coronary disease. Outside...2023-11-2230 minOut ColdWild!!Amanda knows what’s best for everyone around her. So when she begins passing out on her long training runs, she convinces herself it’s all under control. Out Cold is a spooky anthology series created and produced by Sophie Nikitas and Julie Censullo (@juliecensullo). "Wild!!" is written and read by Amelia Colwell. Editorial support by Sophie Nikitas. Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Randy Dever. Additional audio from freesound.org and Splice.com, as well as Alison Suchanek of @wildlifegrove. Series art by James Napoli. Special thanks to Miguel Vargas, Nora Doherty, Katie...2023-11-1619 min
Doctor+Podcasting, Media, and Storytelling with Dr. Tseganesh Selameab and Dr. David Hilden"We really all are wounded healers. And as we seek out our own healing, we become better physicians."On this episode of Doctor+, hosts Tseganesh and David interview each other about their pluses of storytelling, podcasting, and radio hosting. About the guests:Dr. Tseganesh Selameab (pronouns she/her) is a wife and mother of three amazing girls who practices primary care in St. Paul. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed her Internal Medicine residency in Boston at...2023-11-1533 min
Doctor+Crafting with Dr. Amy Greminger"It is so incredibly therapeutic for me to claim a different part of my identity."Hosts David and Tseganesh speak with Dr. Amy Greminger about sewing, knitting, and other crafts.About the guest:Amy Greminger is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus. Her clinical work is with hospice in the Duluth area. Amy enjoys teaching just about anything at the medical school, and is particularly enthusiastic about teaching about the many gifts that holistic end of life care...2023-11-1516 min
Doctor+Medical Improv and Graphic Medicine with Dr. Ankit Mehta"Medical improv teaches you to do unscripted, collaborative storytelling to the best of your capacity."On the series premiere of Doctor+, hosts Tseganesh and David speak with Dr. Ankit Mehta about medical improv, narrative medicine, and graphic medicine. About the guest:Ankit Mehta is a hospitalist with HealthPartners and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota (UMN). He is certified in CHEST/Society of Hospital Medicine POCUS (Point of Care Ultrasound). He has a keen interest in the intersection of arts...2023-11-1530 minOut ColdBad ReceptionWhile packing up the home of her deceased mother, Caroline sends voice notes to her partner Maddie. But what Maddie hears on the other end isn’t quite what Caroline intended to share. Out Cold is a spooky anthology series created and produced by Sophie Nikitas and Julie Censullo."Bad Reception" was written, directed, and mixed by Julie Censullo. This episode stars Carolynn Oaks, Laura Ricci, Jen Scott, Jacob Walter, and Julie Censullo. Editorial support by Sophie Nikitas, Cody Madison, Carolynn Oaks, and Laura Ricci. Music by Randy Dever and Blue Dot Sessions. Additional music fro...2023-11-1025 minOut ColdThe Lunch RushZoe enters the downtown Minneapolis skyway and discovers a bizarre lunch hour culture. Out Cold is a spooky anthology series created and produced by Sophie Nikitas and Julie Censullo."The Lunch Rush" was written, directed, and mixed by Sophie Nikitas. This episode stars Diana Chao, Kristin Dare, Sophie Nikitas, Robert Sager, Anna Van Sice, and Eric Weathers. Editing help from Rob McGinley Myers and Julie Censullo. Music by Randy Dever, Anna Van Sice, and Blue Dot Sessions. Additional audio from freesound.org and Splice.com. Series art by James Napoli. Special thanks to Miguel Vargas, N...2023-11-1015 min
Doctor+Welcome to Doctor+Welcome to Doctor+, where we explore the adventures, hobbies, and activities of Internal Medicine doctors.We often recognize doctors for their clinical work, research ,and academic achievements. But we don't always get to hear about the other sides of their lives: their “pluses." On the Doctor + podcast, Dr. David Hilden and Dr. Tseganesh Selameab spend a few minutes getting to know their colleagues in a new way. We hope these conversations allow us to build community and start seeing the many ways all our pulses connect.Doctor+ premieres on Wednesday Novem...2023-11-0600 minOut ColdSomething is coming November 9....A new horror anthology series by Julie Censullo and Sophie Nikitas is coming November 9, 2023 at 8pm CT.2023-10-1301 min