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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. |
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Latest Episode
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Regen Ryan Loves Coconut Milk Ice Cream!Sometimes you meet someone out in the wild, they introduce you to their music, and you discover something you didn't even know you were missing.
That's how I met Regen Ryan, and I had no idea what conscious hip-hop was until he introduced me to his music. Now I'm over here thinking, how have I never heard anything like this before?! Ryan's music is entertaining, incredibly creative, and packed with lyrics that are fun, thought-provoking, and educational. He brings together his passions for regenerative farming, health and wellness, and spirituality in a way that feels entirely his own. There's a lot to learn in his music, but it doesn't feel like a lecture. It makes you want to listen, think, and maybe see the world a little differently. In this conversation, we get to know the person behind the music, what inspired him to bring these worlds together, and how his love for regeneration goes beyond the soil and into how we care for ourselves, connect with others, and move through life. I really loved getting to know Ryan and hearing more about the heart behind what he creates. I also had the opportunity to photograph his album shoot out in the woods. This is one of those conversations that reminds you how much there is to discover when you stay curious and let people introduce you to something new. And if you've never listened to conscious hip-hop before, this might be a pretty great place to start. Listen in, check out Regen Ryan's music, and see what happens when hip-hop meets healing, wellness, and a little regeneration. Find Regen Ryan: Listen to his music on SoundCloud or find him on Apple Music. |
Featured Guest of the month
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I sat down with Leslee Lane Hoyum after meeting her while photographing Lakselaget’s July luncheon, and let me just say… this woman has DONE some things.
Leslee is one of the women behind Lakselaget, a group of Norwegian-American women that was founded in 2002 to bring women together around Norwegian heritage, culture, friendship and community. I showed up to photograph the luncheon thinking I was going to take some pictures, eat some really good Norwegian food and hang out with some Norwegian women.
What I didn’t expect was to discover this whole community that I somehow had no idea existed.
As a Norwegian woman with Norwegian ancestors myself, getting to meet these women and hear their stories made me realize there was a whole part of my heritage I hadn’t really connected with.
And Leslee’s story is pretty incredible. She has spent decades building community and strengthening connections between Minnesota and Norway, with involvement in organizations like Ski for Light, Sons of Norway, Norway House, Mindekirken and the Norwegian-American Historical Association. She has also been recognized for her work with the St. Olav Medal from King Harald V of Norway.
But beyond the accomplishments, I wanted to know what makes Leslee tick.
We talk about Lakselaget, Norwegian heritage, community, the things she’s accomplished over the years, and what it means to keep these traditions and connections alive.
I walked into that luncheon as the photographer and left feeling like I had stumbled into a piece of my own history.
Come hang out with us and meet Leslee.
Leslee is one of the women behind Lakselaget, a group of Norwegian-American women that was founded in 2002 to bring women together around Norwegian heritage, culture, friendship and community. I showed up to photograph the luncheon thinking I was going to take some pictures, eat some really good Norwegian food and hang out with some Norwegian women.
What I didn’t expect was to discover this whole community that I somehow had no idea existed.
As a Norwegian woman with Norwegian ancestors myself, getting to meet these women and hear their stories made me realize there was a whole part of my heritage I hadn’t really connected with.
And Leslee’s story is pretty incredible. She has spent decades building community and strengthening connections between Minnesota and Norway, with involvement in organizations like Ski for Light, Sons of Norway, Norway House, Mindekirken and the Norwegian-American Historical Association. She has also been recognized for her work with the St. Olav Medal from King Harald V of Norway.
But beyond the accomplishments, I wanted to know what makes Leslee tick.
We talk about Lakselaget, Norwegian heritage, community, the things she’s accomplished over the years, and what it means to keep these traditions and connections alive.
I walked into that luncheon as the photographer and left feeling like I had stumbled into a piece of my own history.
Come hang out with us and meet Leslee.
