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Excelsior! Podcast The image behind Excelsior! is a woman with Oculus glasses resting on her head—symbolizing the choice to see the world through someone else’s lens. Excelsior! is a long-form interview podcast designed to challenge the way we connect with our community. Each episode invites you to slow down, listen, and step into the real stories of Twin Cities artists and entrepreneurs—their journeys, struggles, and what drives them. Because community isn’t built from quick impressions—it’s built from understanding. This podcast exists to create that connection. By getting to know the people behind local businesses and art, we can make more intentional choices about who we support. It’s about putting our money into our people—uplifting, strengthening, and investing in the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the Twin Cities. Excelsior! is a platform, a perspective shift, and a growing archive of the voices that make this community vibrant. Get to know your community. Be inspired. Support local. |
Where to Listen
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Latest Episode
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Richard Leonard Schultz Loves Smarties!What happens when a photographer stops chasing the next picture and takes the time to really see the one in front of them?
In this episode of Excelsior!, I sit down with Twin Cities portrait and fine-art photographer Richard Leonard Schiltz for one of my favorite conversations about photography. We talk about film, slowing down, and the difference between simply taking a photograph and actually making one. Richard and I dive into the idea of quality over quantity — taking a moment to sit with life, wait for the right moment, and make one photograph that says something rather than taking a thousand pictures that don't. We also talk about the complicated relationship between art and business, working with people, making a living as a photographer, and why photographers don't have to see each other as competition. There is room for all of us to make our own work, tell our own stories, and contribute something different. Richard is also a fine-art photographer who does his own printing, and hearing him talk about the craft, process, and intention behind his work gave me a whole new level of respect for what he does. Mad respect for his skill. We also talk about Richard's work on Of Distance and Time – Yav Ntuj Qub Qab, a powerful project with MN Zej Zog documenting the stories and portraits of Hmong women and elders in Minnesota. The project captures Hmong mothers, grandmothers, aunties and other respected elders, preserving stories that might otherwise be lost. This conversation reminded me why I love photography in the first place — not because of how many images we can make, but because of what can happen when we slow down enough to make one really meaningful photograph. I absolutely loved hanging out and talking photography with Richard. This is an episode you don't want to miss. See his work here |
Featured Guest of the month
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This Month on Excelsior!: A Very Special Guest… Me!
Excelsior! is celebrating 5 years, so this month I’m turning the microphone around and becoming the guest!
I’m talking about the last five years, how Excelsior! has grown and changed, the people and stories that have made this journey so special, and what I’m dreaming up for the future.
Five years of conversations, creativity, community, and SO many amazing people—and honestly, I’m more excited than ever for what’s next.
Come celebrate 5 years of Excelsior! with me and hear what’s coming next. Here’s to the next chapter!
Excelsior! is celebrating 5 years, so this month I’m turning the microphone around and becoming the guest!
I’m talking about the last five years, how Excelsior! has grown and changed, the people and stories that have made this journey so special, and what I’m dreaming up for the future.
Five years of conversations, creativity, community, and SO many amazing people—and honestly, I’m more excited than ever for what’s next.
Come celebrate 5 years of Excelsior! with me and hear what’s coming next. Here’s to the next chapter!
