Hello Listen Local Listeners!! Hope everyone has had a great week. Speaking of great weeks, and really great years, give it up for the Pequot Lakes Volleyball team for bringing home a State Championship! On that note, the crew catches up with one of the Team's Captains, Ella Kratochvil who breaks down everything from what this past week has been like for them, what they've seen from around the community and "going out on top." Ella also talks about what made this year's team special and what it meant to see all of the fans down at the Xcel Energy Center last week. Thanks so much to Ella for taking time to hop on the show, and congrats again to her and the whole team on their amazing season! Also on this show, the guys talk about the events happening this weekend, including some more details regarding the Grand Brewfest. We'll be out there and hope to see all of you as well! Annnnnd... before they sign off, the crew HAD to get a little SKOL discussion in there. I mean... how about those Vikings?!? All of that and more on the latest episode of the Listen Local Podcast! Thanks to all of you, our amazing listeners, and of course thank you so much to our sponsors Hanneken Insurance, Lakes Area CPAs, Outlet Recreation Crosslake, Posture Pro Chiropractic and our presenting sponsor Tyler Gardner with Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Happy Veterans Day! On this episode the Listen Local guys catch up Emma Nelson, Assistant Director of Food and Beverage at Grand View Lodge. Emma comes on the show to talk about the recent and upcoming events at GVL, including the Grand Brewfest who they are actually partnering with Lakes Area Heroes on. Find out all about that, and so much more happening at Grand View. Next, Pequot Lakes Chief of Police Mike Davis comes on to talk Veterans Day. Chief Davis, who was a Paratrooper in the Army, tells us about some of his most memorable stories while in the Military and also what Veterans Day means to him. He also discusses how recruitment has changed over the years. Thanks again to Mike for hopping on this Veteran's Day show and more importantly, thanks for his service! Also discussed on this episode, local sports STATE updates, hunting, the Vikings and much, much more! Thanks to all of you, our amazing listeners, and of course thank you so much to our sponsors Hanneken Insurance, Lakes Area CPAs, Outlet Recreation Crosslake, Posture Pro Chiropractic and our presenting sponsor Tyler Gardner with Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Happy Hunting Opener Weekend! On this jam-packed episode of the Listen Local Podcast the guys chat with 3, yes THREE different guests. Everything from Non-profits to Events to yes... Hunting Opener! First, the crew welcomes Amy Gray, Executive Director of Kinship partners onto the show. While the main reason Amy stopped by was to discuss their upcoming "Taste of the Lakes" event at Grand View Lodge on Friday, November 10th. If you've never been, we'd highly recommend attending this year. Some of the BEST chefs in the area, from your favorite BLA restaurants will be competing. Amy also talks about how you can get involved in Kinship Partners, and..... she even tells us the story behind the Chicken-Wing-Gate involving our friends Mike and Chris Foy. Next... It's that time of year again... Best Christmas Ever is upon us, so the guys call up their pal and President of BCE, Don Liimantainen. Don talks about some of the events they will be doing, as well as nominations this year, and what the fastest growing State this year has been. Always great talking BCE with Don. Last, but certainly not least... our hunting expert Jordan Yira from Woods to Water Land Services stops by to talk all things Hunting Opener. Tips and Tricks, best hunting "snack," how the "sit" has been, and what he expects from this season. Thanks to all of you, our amazing listeners, and of course thank you so much to our sponsors Hanneken Insurance, Lakes Area CPAs, Outlet Recreation Crosslake, Posture Pro Chiropractic and our presenting sponsor Tyler Gardner with Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Halloween Weekend is here!!! Who is ready for some halloween talk?!? We get into where you can enjoy trunk or treating, halloween parties, costume contests, haunted trails and so much more! Other than that.... not gonna lie, this one was sort of all over the place. Topics discussed were: Best halloween movies? What will the most popular costume be? Local sports update Other events in the area Are the Vikings good again? Packers week - Isaiah headed to Green Bay Jacob's trip to the woods Colton's trip to the cities Baby Face Nelson All of those, and really just a bunch of good ol' silliness. Thanks to all of you, our amazing listeners, and of course thank you so much to our sponsors Hanneken Insurance, Lakes Area CPAs, Outlet Recreation Crosslake, Posture Pro Chiropractic and our presenting sponsor Tyler Gardner with Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Happy Friday Everyone!! We feel like a broken record, but what another amazing fall week! The colors in the BLA are still incredible. This episode, which was recorded in the Ox Cart room at Main Street Ale House with our pal Mike Foy, is by far our longest one yet! Among the many topics discussed, some of the main points were: NEW MENUs at Main Street, Ernies, and Dough Bros What new or returning menu items are the guys looking forward to? The neverending fall colors and best places in the BLA to enjoy them A story of accidentally getting a bit inebriated from eating pie Listen Local's LIVE SHOW from the Babinski Foundation's Fall Fest Is Jacob finally adopting a monkey? Or Cat? Or world's 2nd largest Frog? "Best of the Brainerd Lakes" contest and how all three of the Foy's restaurants raked in the awards. Local sports update And honestly... so much more that we don't remember. So... definitely tune in and catch things that Jacob probably forgot to cut out! Thanks to all of you, our amazing listeners, and of course thank you so much to our sponsors Hanneken Insurance, Lakes Area CPAs, Outlet Recreation Crosslake, Posture Pro Chiropractic and our presenting sponsor Tyler Gardner with Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Helloooooo Listen Local fam! Hope you all had a great week, and who is ready for Fall Festival Weekend at the Babinski Foundation?! But… Before we get into that, the Listen Local crew headed north to Pine River for this episode to visit our friends at Damsite Supper Club. Owner Rob Walton and Manager Ellie Buschmann talk about everything from what all went into opening the restaurant to the type of atmosphere you're going to get when you come into Damsite. Plus, hear about some of their “specialties,” events, Vikings Game days and more. Also, Rob - who is a Pine River native - tells us why opening a restaurant in Pine River meant so much to him. Thanks to both Rob and Ellie taking time to come on the show! Then… Colton, Isaiah and Jacob dive into everything you need to know regarding this weekend's Babinski Fall Festival! They are even joined by Marketing Director Isabel Glover. Isabel breaks down all of the fun - and spookiness - everyone can expect while out there. She also explains more of what the LL crew's role out there, including judging the apple pie baking contest. Annnnd…. They are even going to have an “exotic animals” petting zoo there. There will also be music, games, auction, hay maze and sooooo much more. But, most importantly, The Babinski Foundation will be open and you will be able to adopt dogs and cats on-site that day! So if nothing else, go out and find your future furry family member. Thanks Isabel and The Babinski Foundation for joining this episode and Listen Local is super stoked to be out there this weekend. Among other local happening and news this weekend around the BLA, we have the Pequot Lakes Football homecoming game, our pal Reese Glover performing at both Woodlore Cider and Roundhouse Brewery, Powerball winner(s) in Crosby, and how possibly the last weekend to go out and enjoy the fall colors. So get out and enjoy! Thanks to all of you, our amazing listeners, and of course thank you so much to our sponsors Hanneken Insurance, Lakes Area CPAs, Outlet Recreation Crosslake, Posture Pro Chiropractic and our presenting sponsor Tyler Gardner with Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Hello everybody!! Hope you are all doing well! It FINALLY feels like fall-weather is here. Man, do we have an episode for you all! Not only does our pal and sponsor Dr. Andy Vantreese fill-in for Colton, but with Fire Prevention Week coming up the Listen Local crew felt it was the perfect time to bring on Pequot Fire Chief Mike Schwankl and Nisswa Fire Chief Shawn Bailey.Both talk about everything from events coming up - including open houses at the Nisswa Fire Department next Tuesday Oct. 10th and Pequot Fire Department on Wednesday the 11th - to fire prevention, the importance of checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly, and how both cities are looking to hire firefighters. On that note of Nisswa and Pequot needing firefighters, both Chiefs make their pitch to Jacob on why he should join their department. While one of them offers the cover of the firefighters calendar and a brand new ladder truck, the other offers being right next door to his favorite spots Main Street Ale House and Ye olde Pickle Factory. So, as you can imagine, Jacob is eating up this recruitment process... In all seriousness though, if you have ever thought of joining a fire department, stop by or reach out to your local fire chief. Like Pequot and Nisswa, many are looking to hire more firefighters. Thank you so much to Chiefs Bailey and Schwankl, and we highly encourage our Listen Local listeners to stop by the open houses next week! Thanks to all of you, our amazing listeners, and of course thank you so much to our sponsors Hanneken Insurance, Lakes Area CPAs, Outlet Recreation Crosslake, Posture Pro Chiropractic and our presenting sponsor Tyler Gardner with Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Good day, BLA! On this episode the crew gets a little serious. Well for a little bit at least...Joining Jacob and Isaiah on this show is Mayor Tyler Gardner - who is filling in for Colton - along with Pequot Lakes Chief of Police Mike Davis. The topic for today... The new laws affecting School Resource Officers (SRO), and how that is leading many Police Departments removing their SROs from schools. This is one of the most informative episodes we've had on Listen Local as Chief Davis really breaks down the guidelines of this new law, and how there is a ton of "grey area" with the verbiage. Also, as Mayor, Tyler gives us a view from a city's perspective as well. After Chief Davis leaves, it seemed like the seriousness of the show did as well... It gets a little unhinged as Jacob, Tyler and Isaiah discuss everything from Tyler getting in a heated facebook dispute to Jacob's singing skills to Isaiah's feelings about patty melts... Oh and the Vikings blaming the fans for their latest loss. Also before the guys sign off, they chat about some local events this coming weekend, a sports update and another Lakes Jam artist announcement! Thanks to all of you, our amazing listeners, and of course thank you so much to our sponsors Hanneken Insurance, Lakes Area CPAs, Outlet Recreation Crosslake, Posture Pro Chiropractic and our presenting sponsor Tyler Gardner with Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

School is back, and so are we! On this episode Isaiah and Jacob catch up with Jessica Gangl - the Executive Director of the Brainerd Public Schools Foundation - to talk about all things back-to-school! Among many other conversations, Jessica tells us about some of the projects her and the BPSF have been working on and some of their upcoming events! Other discussions during this episode include Gel Pens, Oregon Trail, P!NK, Sister Wives, Toby Keith and just other pure randomness. Also on this show we touch on some current events, local happenings and sports updates! Thanks to all of you, our amazing listeners, and of course thank you so much to our sponsors Hanneken Insurance, Lakes Area CPAs, Outlet Recreation Crosslake, Posture Pro Chiropractic and our presenting sponsor Tyler Gardner with Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN

Well... we've officially hit the fall weather. AND WE'RE HERE FOR IT! On that note, no better time for the Nisswa Fall Festival and Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge. Just like many of Nisswa's events this one is always a hit. And to talk about it, we have Kalie Jay from the Nisswa Chamber stop by for everything we need to know about Saturday's event. From Medallion Hunts to Bags Tournaments to Live Music and of course the BBQ Ribs! All of that any more. Plus Colton, Isaiah and Jacob chat about other current events and BLA happenings. Hope you enjoy the episode AND GET OUT TO NISSWA ON SATURDAY! Thanks to all of you, our amazing listeners, and of course thank you so much to our sponsors Hanneken Insurance, Lakes Area CPAs, Outlet Recreation Crosslake, Posture Pro Chiropractic and our presenting sponsor Tyler Gardner with Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation! Instagram: ListenLocalMNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMNNorthwoodsAgent Facebook:Listen Local MNBlazeAirMNWoodsToWaterMN