THE KOSH
THE KOSH
Timber Smith
THE KOSH spotlights interesting people associated with Oshkosh, WI and the surrounding Fox Cities area.
Episode 190: Laurice Snyder - Certified Birth Doula
Get to know Laurice Snyder,In this episode of THE KOSH  we interview Laurice Snyder, a multifaceted entrepreneur and community advocate who operates Rooted Wings LLC. The conversation traverses Laurice's professional evolution from a social worker and educational equity coordinator to her current dual roles as a human-centered leadership consultant and certified birth doula. Central to the discussion is Laurice’s commitment to systemic change, particularly in improving maternal health outcomes for underrepresented families by ensuring they feel heard, safe, and empowered during the birthing process. Through a series of reflective segments, Schneider emphasizes the power of curiosity over judgment and the importance of representation in allowing individuals to envision and achieve their fullest potential. Ultimately, the dialogue serves as an inspiring exploration of how authentic service and advocacy can bridge gaps in healthcare and leadership to foster a more compassionate, connected community.If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: [email protected]: ⁠https://madisonconsultants.com/Sys/PublicProfile/87428141
Sep 7
1 hr 45 min
Episode 189: Christian Blanton - Neenah School Board Member
Get to Know Christian Blanton,This episode of The Kosh podcast features an interview with Christian Blanton, a community advocate who recently made history as the first African-American woman elected to the Neenah Joint School District School Board. The conversation explores her journey from a Chicago upbringing to local leadership, driven by a desire to address systemic inequities such as school gerrymandering and the lack of cultural representation in education. Kristen emphasizes the importance of authentic belonging, advocating for practical support like hair care services for students and the integration of Black arts and culture through the newly formed African-American Chamber of Commerce of Northeastern Wisconsin. Ultimately, the dialogue serves as a call to action for residents to investigate local systems, ask difficult questions, and move from being passive citizens to active leaders who shape their communities.If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: [email protected]: https://aacnw.org/
Aug 24
1 hr 42 min
Episode 188: Kaci Chalfant - Faith & Family
Get to know Kaci Chalfant.In this episode Kaci Chalfant, a resident of the Fox Cities region who recently returned to Wisconsin after living in the South, highlights her deep commitment to faith and family, detailing her experiences with homeschooling, restoring an 1823 farmhouse, and managing her husband’s chiropractic practice in Omro. A portion of the dialogue focuses on Kaci’s advocacy for natural birthing and midwifery, where she emphasizes the importance of women reclaiming autonomy over their healthcare during delivery. Throughout the interview, Chalfant champions the idea of radical authenticity, arguing that individuals should remain consistent in their values across all areas of life. Ultimately, the episode serves as a tribute to Kaci's intentional, traditional lifestyle that she has cultivated since her return.If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: [email protected].
Aug 8
1 hr 39 min
Episode 187: Rick Crosson - US House Wisconsin District 8 Candidate
Get to know Rick Crosson.Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Rick Crosson joins THE KOSH to discuss his run for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, exploring leadership, global stability, and why restoring genuine community connection is key to moving past political division.If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: [email protected]:https://www.rickcrosson.com
Jul 24
1 hr 33 min
Episode 186: Vicki Updike - Founder & CEO of New Sage Strategies
Get to know Vicki Updike.In this episode, Vicki Updike, an executive coach and former President of the iconic company Miles Kimball, explores the arc of her professional life, beginning with her decision to "boomerang" back to Northeast Wisconsin to prioritize family and ending with her transition from corporate leadership to founding New Sage Strategies. A central theme of the conversation is the complexity of leadership, specifically the "heavy load" and isolation of the "big chair" and the unique societal double standards women navigate in high-level positions. Vicki advocates for a culture of authentic advocacy and radical curiosity, urging listeners to see others for who they truly are rather than listening only to respond. Ultimately, this episode serves as an inspiring call for professional vulnerability and a reminder of the importance of supporting the next generation of leaders through mentorship and collaborative women’s leadership conferences.If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: [email protected]:https://www.newsagestrategies.com/
Jul 7
1 hr 19 min
Episode 185: Teri Rose - Author of Adventures with Sam and Saint: Holiday Celebrations
Get to know Teri RoseThis podcast episode features Teri Rose, an Oshkosh resident and author who discusses her journey in literature and education. As a school door monitor, Teri was inspired by the need for representation and inclusivity to write her children's book, Adventures with Sam and Saint: Holiday Celebrations. The text highlights her creative mission to provide a multicultural introduction to global traditions through interactive characters that students of all backgrounds can color and claim as their own. Throughout the conversation, Rose emphasizes the importance of community connection, sharing her personal motivations as a mother and her deep commitment to ensuring every child feels seen and celebrated within the classroom.If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: askthekosh.comLinks:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1645386295?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_mwn_dp_YNJMFESNFWF795A6QF8Z&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_mwn_dp_YNJMFESNFWF795A6QF8Z&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_mwn_dp_YNJMFESNFWF795A6QF8Z&bestFormat=true
Jun 23
1 hr 9 min
Episode 184: Spencer Jones - CEO of Jonesin’ for
Get to know Spencer Jones.This podcast features Spencer Jones, a former music educator turned entrepreneur and mindset coach based in Wisconsin’s Fox Cities region. The conversation transitions from lighthearted banter about local weather and Jones’s unique background in middle school teaching and kayak fishing to a deep exploration of professional burnout and the "internal operating system." Jones details his personal journey through a "rock bottom" mental health crisis, which inspired his business, Jonesin’ for, where he now helps leaders identify warning signs of fatigue and emotional resentment. The purpose of the text is to provide listeners with actionable strategies, such as the Daily Energy Audit, while emphasizing the core philosophical message that individuals possess inherent worth beyond their professional productivity.If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: [email protected]:https://wearejonesinfor.com/
Jun 12
1 hr 24 min
Episode 183: Micah Troedel - Youth Leader
Get to know Micah Troedel.In this episode Micah Troedel, an insightful high school senior and president of the Black Student Union at Oshkosh West, talk about lighthearted topics like Troedel’s athletic pursuits and his love for English literature to a profound exploration of the literacy crisis affecting local youth. Troedel emphasizes that improving reading skills requires a community-wide effort, cultural shift, and increased representation in education so that students see themselves in their mentors. Through reflections on imposter syndrome, the importance of mentorship, and his personal journey as an Ethiopian adoptee, Troedel illustrates how leadership is rooted in the power to positively influence others. Ultimately, the text serves as a call for intentional investment in the youth to ensure long-term community growth and systemic change.If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: [email protected].
May 25
1 hr 34 min
Episode 182: Mahima Grover - Instructor of Yoga, Meditation & Dance
Get to know Mahima Grover.In this episode meet Mahima Grover, an Indian immigrant and entrepreneur in the Fox Cities who owns the M-Effect yoga and dance studio. The conversation explores Grover's diverse professional evolution from a corporate trainer and pharmacist in India to a community leader focused on holistic wellness through traditional practices. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to Grover’s philosophical breakdown of yoga and meditation, where she distinguishes between the physical "mat work" and the deeper pursuit of mind management and self-realization. Grover emphasizes the cultural values of openness and discipline, sharing personal anecdotes about overcoming adversity and the importance of finding inner peace amidst life's chaos. Ultimately, the source serves as an inspirational narrative on the power of consistency and detachment, encouraging listeners to move beyond their perceived limitations to discover their true potential.If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: [email protected]:⁠https://themeffect.org/
May 2
1 hr 58 min
Episode 181: Dr. Manohar Singh - Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Get to know Dr. Manohar SinghIn this episode of "The Kosh" podcast, Chancellor Manohar Singh of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, a leader who blends academic stewardship with a profound spiritual heritage. Chancellor Singh shares about his personal history as the youngest of seven brothers in India to his philosophical views on the limitlessness of human potential and the necessity of sovereignty and humility. Dr. Singh explores the transformative power of education, sharing that universities must serve as inclusive spaces that foster human connection and communal abundance rather than mere individual gain. Ultimately, the dialogue serves as a testament to the universality of love, illustrating how a leader’s diverse global experiences can inspire a resilient and unified community spirit within the Fox Cities region.If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: [email protected]:https://www.uwosh.edu/
Apr 20
1 hr 46 min
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