Shows
Bridge Out AheadRevisit: Built Strong: The Road to Mental Health Advocacy with Cre Larson
Trigger Warning: Heavy themes of depression, mental health, child loss.
On this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, Bridger sits down with Cre Larson, a powerhouse in mental health advocacy whose story weaves together faith, grit, and a deep commitment to serving others. As Executive Director of First Call for Help, Cre has spent more than 30 years walking alongside individuals and families in their hardest moments—turning her own personal loss into a mission to bring hope and healing.
From her early days in social services to leading an agency that now impacts communities across Minnesota, Cre...
2026-02-0336 minBridge Out AheadRevisit: She Turned Her Pain Into Purpose | Jessica’s Story of Becoming An Author
Trigger Warning: Childloss, Pandemic Journey, and Grief. We completely understand if this you would like to wait until next week to join us again!
When life unraveled, Jessica didn’t set out to be strong—she just wanted to make sense of the pain.
What began as journal entries in the thick of grief after child loss and illness, fear during a pandemic, and chronic illness through slowly became the foundation of her writing. In this conversation, she shares how loss reshaped her view of purpose, creativity, and what it truly means to heal.
Th...
2026-01-2737 minBridge Out AheadRevisit: She Couldn't Pick a Path...Until This One Changed Everything!
Adrianne’s career journey has been anything but typical. From trying multiple paths that left her feeling stuck to finally discovering her purpose in business consulting on LinkedIn, she’s navigated twists, turns, and a few dead ends along the way.
In this episode, we unpack the zig-zag of Adrianne’s career, diving into the lessons she learned about persistence, self-discovery, and the power of finding work that actually clicks. If you’ve ever felt like nothing is working, this story will remind you that sometimes it takes trying everything before the right path reveals itself.
Key To...
2026-01-2039 minBridge Out AheadRevisit:Building Trust, One Title at a Time
On this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, Bridger sits down with Jenny Giving, a powerhouse in title services with deep roots in family values, bold leadership, and an unstoppable work ethic.
From running her family’s furniture store as a teen to navigating 17 years in banking, Jenny’s journey is full of pivots—and purpose. Today, she leads with heart and hustle in the world of title work, balancing motherhood, leadership, and legacy.
Key Topics Covered:
Title Work 101: What it actually is—and why it matters more than you think
Career Leaps: Making bold moves after...
2026-01-1329 minBridge Out AheadRevisit: Out of Pain, Into Purpose: How Jed LaPlant started his band Wild HorsesIn this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, host Bridger Hopkins sits down with musician and frontman Jed LaPlant of Wild Horses. Jed opens up about what it really takes to build a band from the ground up—balancing the art of songwriting with the grind of booking tours, managing money, and treating music like a business.
2026-01-1055 minBridge Out AheadBuilding Resilient Businesses and Communities with Leah Geisler of Wildwood Design Co.In this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, we talk with Leah Geisler, owner of Wildwood Design Co., about building a business while navigating the complexities of family life and community involvement. Leah opens up about her experiences in architectural design, balancing her personal passions, and the lessons she’s learned through setbacks and growth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a community-builder, or someone navigating life’s unexpected turns, this conversation offers insights, inspiration, and practical advice for creating resilience in both work and life.
Topics Covered:
Leah’s journey as a single mother of six and new...
2025-12-301h 15Bridge Out AheadWhat It Really Takes to Build a Scratch Kitchen in a Small Town | The Pines Restaurant StoryToday on Bridge Out Ahead, we’re sitting down with Kyle and Amanda Lussier, the husband-and-wife team behind The Pines Restaurant — a from-scratch kitchen that’s quietly redefining what dining can look like in northern Minnesota.
From long days in hospitality to the leap into ownership, Kyle and Amanda share the real road behind building a restaurant from the ground up: the planning, the financial pressure, the doubt, the invisible labor, and the perseverance it takes to keep showing up when most restaurants don’t survive the first few years.
This conversation goes beyond food.
We...
2025-12-221h 14Bridge Out AheadFrom K9 Officer to Entrepreneur | Joe Burns on Service, Resilience & Building Top Dog FuelIn this episode, we sit down with Joe Burns — law enforcement officer, K9 handler, and founder of Top Dog Fuel — for a conversation about resilience, responsibility, and the quiet ways purpose takes shape over time.
Joe’s story begins in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where early loss and hardship forced him to grow up fast. Those formative years didn’t harden him — they sharpened his sense of responsibility, discipline, and care for others. What followed was a path rooted in service, leading him into law enforcement and K9 handling, where protecting people became more than a job — it became a cal...
2025-12-1658 minBridge Out AheadWhat It Takes to Be a UFC Fighter: Alvin “Goozie” Hines Breaks Down Mindset, Training & LifeIn this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, We sit down with Alvin “Goozie” Hines—a professional mixed martial artist competing at the highest levels of UFC and MMA. Known for his discipline, focus, and calm intensity, Goozie brings a perspective on fighting that goes far beyond what happens inside the cage.
This conversation looks at what’s under construction in the life of a fighter:
the mindset, the discipline, the sacrifices, and the quiet parts of the journey most people never get to see.
Bridger guides the episode through questions like:
What does a d...
2025-12-091h 11Bridge Out AheadMarketing the Dirt: How Brett Mohler Builds the Earthworks BrandIn this second half of Brett’s interview, Bridger pulls the curtain back on what it really looks like to market an Earthworks business in 2025—where gritty job-site footage meets strategy, storytelling, and consistency.
This is the episode where listeners finally understand how content fuels growth for trades-based businesses.
WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS: How Brett Thinks About Marketing (Even When He Said He “Wasn’t a Marketing Guy”)
The Anatomy of Earthworks Social Content
Brett’s Workflow for Capturing It All
The Marketing ROI of Showing Up Online
Lessons fo...
2025-12-0237 minBridge Out AheadHow Do You Create Your Dream Job? With Brett Mohler of Yeti Earthworks LLCIn this week’s episode, Brett Mohler of Yeti Earthworks LLC gets real about what it looks like to know you’re built for more and actually do something about it. From long days on job sites to building a legacy his family can be proud of, Brett didn’t wait for the “right moment.”
He followed the nudge, trusted his wife’s encouragement, and went all-in on creating a company rooted in integrity, hard work, and damn good results. If you’ve ever felt that pull toward a bigger life, this one’s going to hit home.
Tap...
2025-11-2540 minBridge Out AheadPaving the Path: Grit & Resilience for Rural Opportunity – with Jen AlgerThis week on Bridge Out Ahead, Bridger sits down with Jen Alger, Scholarship Program Manager at the Blandin Foundation, for a conversation that feels like a deep breath for anyone who’s ever tried to carve out a future from a small town.
Jen opens up about her own winding path — from early dreams to major detours, returning to college as an adult, and finding her calling in helping rural students build futures that actually fit their lives. Her story is honest, grounded, and packed with the kind of perspective you only get from living it.
To...
2025-11-1854 minBridge Out AheadWhat Firefighting Taught Sam About Starting His BusinessWhat happens when the discipline of firefighting meets the drive of entrepreneurship?
In this episode, Grand Rapids firefighter and Fire Fitness owner Sam Karkela shares how service, teamwork, and resilience shaped both his time on the fireline and his journey as a small-business owner.
We dig into the story behind Fire Fitness — from its roots in community restoration to the lessons learned through setbacks, growth, and grit. Sam opens up about how losing a corporate job during COVID became the spark for something far more impactful: a gym built on purpose, people, and pride.
...
2025-11-1136 minBridge Out AheadFaith Over Fear: How Dr. Shari Aultman Built a Chiropractor Practice That Survived CovidWhen the world shut down, Dr. Shari Aultman had a choice: close the doors of her small-town chiropractic office—or double down on faith.
In this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, Shari shares how she built Healing Hands Chiropractic Center from scratch, became the first woman chiropractor in her region, and kept her practice alive through one of the hardest seasons for small businesses.
You’ll hear how her deep roots in faith, family, and community helped her navigate fear, lead with purpose, and keep serving patients when everything felt uncertain.
✨ In this episod...
2025-11-0456 minBridge Out AheadWhat It Takes To Start A Winery In Minnesota With Tia Marie of Unwined & Smoke on the WaterOn this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, host Bridger Hopkins sits down with Tia Marie—retired teacher turned serial entrepreneur—to talk about what it really takes to build spaces that bring people together.
Tia’s story isn’t just about starting two beloved gathering spots in northern Minnesota—UnWined and Smoke on the Water—it’s about the spark that started it all: a dream spoken out loud at a birthday party and the courage to keep showing up when there was “no easy button.”
From teaching in classrooms to serving her community one glass at a time, T...
2025-10-2838 minBridge Out AheadShe Turned Her Pain Into Purpose | Jessica’s Story of Becoming An AuthorTrigger Warning: Childloss, Pandemic Journey, and Grief. We completely understand if this you would like to wait until next week to join us again!
When life unraveled, Jessica didn’t set out to be strong—she just wanted to make sense of the pain.
What began as journal entries in the thick of grief after child loss and illness, fear during a pandemic, and chronic illness through slowly became the foundation of her writing. In this conversation, she shares how loss reshaped her view of purpose, creativity, and what it truly means...
2025-10-2232 minBridge Out AheadYou Don’t Have to Be Strong Alone — Jessica Johnson’s Journey Through Grief to GrowthToday’s guest, Jessica Johnson, is a storyteller in every sense of the word — not just with her writing, but with the way she’s lived through loss, motherhood, and the kind of rebuilding most people never see.
In this episode, we talk about what happens when life doesn’t just fall apart — it keeps falling apart. Jessica opens up about navigating tragedy, rediscovering her voice, and why true purpose often begins where self-sufficiency ends.
🛠️ What We Cover:
Surviving the seasons no one prepares you for
The difference between strength and isolation
How motherhoo...
2025-10-1437 minBridge Out AheadThe Custom Home Business Model in 2025: New Obstacles, Real Margins Part 2 With Earl Williams"Cheap today, expensive forever—that's the trap."
Timbercraft Homes President, Earl Williams is back, and we're going straight into the trenches.
If you're in construction, thinking about starting a build company, or wondering why your margins disappeared—this is for you.
What we cover: Where time actually goes in a modern custom home business
The "value" decisions that become long-term costs
Which trades control your schedule in 2025
The one change that cut callbacks in half
Local housing problems and practical solutions
Where the cust...
2025-10-0743 minBridge Out AheadLeading with Principle: Earl Williams’ Journey from Builder to VisionaryLeading with Principle: Earl Williams’ Journey from Builder to Visionary Ever wondered how a small construction company survives economic ups and downs while staying true to its values?
In this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, host Bridger Hopkins sits down with Earl Williams, President of Timbercraft Homes, to share his journey from hands-on builder to visionary leader, and how putting principle before profit has guided every decision.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Earl’s early years: from setting trusses with his grandpa to running a custom home business The pivotal “basement-to-breakthrough” week during the Great...
2025-09-3044 minBridge Out AheadEpisode 8: How To Start A Childcare Center in Minnesota: Rob & Krista's Journey Starting Roots and WingsPray. Wait. Trust.
Rob and Krista Sjostrand are building Roots & Wings Early Learning Center in Grand Rapids, Minnesota—a faith-anchored childcare with an outdoor-first design. Krista brings 25 years in the classroom; Rob brings business and a passion for the woods. Together they’re tackling a childcare shortage that costs local families and employers millions every year.
We talk calling vs. career, how delays became preparation, and why excellence doesn’t have to mean burnout. By the end, you’ll see why Roots & Wings isn’t just another daycare—it’s workforce infrastructure with trails, faith, and high stand...
2025-09-2358 min
Bridge Out AheadEPISODE 7: "She Couldn't Pick a Path...Until This One Changed Everything!"Adrianne’s career journey has been anything but typical. From trying multiple paths that left her feeling stuck to finally discovering her purpose in business consulting on LinkedIn, she’s navigated twists, turns, and a few dead ends along the way.
In this episode, we unpack the zig-zag of Adrianne’s career, diving into the lessons she learned about persistence, self-discovery, and the power of finding work that actually clicks. If you’ve ever felt like nothing is working, this story will remind you that sometimes it takes trying everything before the right path reveals itself.
Key To...
2025-08-2639 min
Bridge Out AheadEpisode 7 Promo: “She Couldn’t Pick a Path… Until THIS Changed Everything” With Guest: Adrianne Reiners
Episode 7 Promo: Tomorrow, we’re diving into Adrianne’s zig-zaggy career path(We're talking from coffee shop to oil changes to her career now!) — all the twists, turns, and “uhhh nope, not for me” moments that eventually led her to discover business consulting (shoutout to LinkedIn ).
Proof that purpose isn’t a straight line… it’s more of a zig zag!
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2025-08-2500 minBridge Out AheadEpisode 6: The Mission Behind First Call For HelpIn this follow-up episode of Bridge Out Ahead, host Bridger Hopkins reconnects with Cre Larson, a dedicated mental health advocate and Executive Director of First Call for Help. For over 51 years, this remarkable organization has been a lifeline for Minnesota families—and Cre shares the heart, history, and impact that keep it moving forward.
From personal triumphs over unimaginable loss to leading a team that serves communities across the state, Cre opens up about her journey, the challenges of mental health work, and the resilience that fuels her mission. Listeners will hear about the programs, partnerships, and pe...
2025-08-1918 minBridge Out AheadEPISODE FIVE: Built Strong: The Road to Mental Health Advocacy with Cre LarsonTrigger Warning: Heavy themes of depression, mental health, child loss.
On this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, Bridger sits down with Cre Larson, a powerhouse in mental health advocacy whose story weaves together faith, grit, and a deep commitment to serving others. As Executive Director of First Call for Help, Cre has spent more than 30 years walking alongside individuals and families in their hardest moments—turning her own personal loss into a mission to bring hope and healing.
From her early days in social services to leading an agency that now impacts communities across Minnesota, Cr...
2025-08-1236 minBridge Out AheadEpisode Five Sneak Peak: First Call For Help With Cre LarsonSneak Peak of Episode Five!
In this episode we take you inside the heart and mind of Cre Larson—mental health advocate, Executive Director of First Call for Help, and a voice of unshakable hope. In this sneak peek, Cre shares how life’s hardest moments shaped her calling, and why she believes every story deserves to be told and holds the power to help someone else heal.
Trigger Warning Before Listening: Depression, Child loss.
2025-08-1136 minBridge Out AheadEPISODE FOUR:Building Trust, One Title at a TimeOn this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, Bridger sits down with Jenny Giving, a powerhouse in title services with deep roots in family values, bold leadership, and an unstoppable work ethic.
From running her family’s furniture store as a teen to navigating 17 years in banking, Jenny’s journey is full of pivots—and purpose. Today, she leads with heart and hustle in the world of title work, balancing motherhood, leadership, and legacy.
Key Topics Covered:
Title Work 101: What it actually is—and why it matters more than you think
Career Leaps: Making bold moves af...
2025-08-0429 minBridge Out AheadEPISODE ONE: Out of Pain, Into Purpose: How Jed LaPlant started his band Wild HorsesIn this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, host Bridger Hopkins sits down with musician and frontman Jed LaPlant of Wild Horses. Jed opens up about what it really takes to build a band from the ground up—balancing the art of songwriting with the grind of booking tours, managing money, and treating music like a business.
2025-08-0355 minBridge Out AheadEpisode Three: All Angles: Detours, Distance & Doing It DifferentlyOn this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, host Bridger Hopkins is joined by the powerhouse trio behind All Angles Real Estate Media—Tom Hadrava, Renae Novak, and Joe Conaway.
With backgrounds in IT, dental hygiene, and music, this creative team took the road less traveled to build a remote-first real estate media company that spans from Florida to Northern Minnesota.
2025-08-0338 min
Bridge Out AheadEpisode Two: From IT Desk to Drone Deck: Tom Hadrava’s Road to Real Estate MediaToday, Bridger Hopkins is joined by the trio behind All Angles Real Estate Media—Tom Hadrava, Renae Novak, and Joe Conaway. With backgrounds in IT, dental hygiene, and music, they built a remote real estate media company connecting Florida to Northern Minnesota.
2025-07-2244 min