Best Dave Mathias Podcasts (2025)

1
Stephanie Johnson, The Garage Bikes + Brews 29:56

10d ago29:56

29:56

Is The Garage Bikes and Brews a bike shop first, or a brewery first? If you ask co-owner Stephanie Johnson, the answer is: both. Stephanie is a River Falls native who married a fellow River Falls native, Matt. The duo co-own The Garage, which opened in 2020 and is set to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The space offers a unique vibe where visitors…

1
Interesting at the speed of culture (with Nick Tran) 53:28

11d ago53:28

53:28

Is TikTok the most interesting platform in the world? What’s at the heart of its success – and what does it mean to be more interesting in a post TikTok world, when the audience on TikTok is “10x bigger every day than the Super Bowl”? In this week’s episode, Adam meets Nick Tran, former Global Head of Marketing at TikTok and advisor to a new genera…

1
Creating character at Dishoom (with Sara Stark) 57:52

20d ago57:52

57:52

For 10 years Sara Stark was part of the team helping the founders of Dishoom build their restaurant brand and business – a brand that is as rich, engaging and layered as so many other restaurants are superficial and glib. It’s a conversation about stories, and curiosity, and inventiveness, and layering, and pushing the idea. About a continual commi…

1
Mark Klapatch-Mathias, UWRF and Earth Fest 32:44

26d ago32:44

32:44

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly popular topic, and there's been growing support for sustainability efforts in the St. Croix Valley in particular — and in River Falls specifically, where Earth Fest will be held for the fourth year in a row on April 26th. On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we're joined by Mark Klapatch-Mathias, t…

1
The question is more important than the answer (with Warren Berger) 54:08

27d ago54:08

54:08

Warren Berger began exploring how to ask better questions through a journalistic interest in innovation. He’s come to believe the importance of questions is much broader than that, and has come on to champion the development of better questioning skills in everything from education to our personal relationships. He has written widely on the topic, …

1
How to tell a big story in just 90 seconds (with Louisa Preston and Luisa Baldini) 58:55

1M ago58:55

58:55

How do you engage an audience in something that really matters in just 90 seconds? Where do you start? How do you overcome the ‘curse’ of everything you know? In this episode Adam talks with two former BBC reporters, Louisa Preston and Luisa Baldini, about how they become experts in being compelling in 90 seconds, in careers where they covered ever…

1
Lee Kroll and Jim Dahl, St. Croix Valley Food Bank 29:05

1M ago29:05

29:05

The St. Croix Valley Food Bank has an ambitious goal for 2025: to provide over five million pounds of food to the four-county region in Western Wisconsin that it serves. That number might seem like a lot, but it's what is needed to help address the growing issue of food insecurity in the region. On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Lee Krol…

1
The five components of interesting (with Jeffre Jackson and Dave Nottoli) 1:08:42

1M ago1:08:42

1:08:42

This week Adam talks to renowned planners David Nottoli and Jeffre Jackson about their research into ‘interestingness’ in advertising. Drawing from their experience David and Jeffre share their definition of the five key components of interesting: How incongruity reinforces memory Why Don Draper might be wrong about emotions The significance of fis…

1
Does our attention define us? (with Faris Yakob) 57:21

2M ago57:21

57:21

Faris Yakob believes that attention is not merely the first step to engagement with something, but a fundamental shaper of who we are: if ‘we are what we eat’, then what we pay attention to comes to define us. The author of ‘Paid Attention’ and co-founder of Genius Steals, he and his wife Rosie have spent the last ten years as modern nomads, consul…

1
A healthy dose of horror (with Mathias Clasen) 41:06

2M ago41:06

41:06

That’s enough about humour and the lighter side of interesting. It’s time to step into the dark. This week Adam meets researcher Mathias Clasen, co-founder of the ‘Recreational Fear Lab’ and author of Why Horror Seduces and A Very Nervous Person's Guide to Horror Movies, to talk about what he’s learned from haunted houses and horror movies, and how…

1
Matthew Stepaniak, Limitless Cycling 38:12

2M ago38:12

38:12

When his mother suffered a stroke in 2018, Matthew Stepaniak wanted to find a way to keep her active both physically and mentally. As an avid cyclist himself, Matthew had the idea to bring cycling to those who couldn't otherwise enjoy it themselves. So he teamed up with Darren Dobier and the two co-founded Limitless Cycling, which helps individuals…

1
Stand up and make me laugh (with Chris Head) 40:39

2M ago40:39

40:39

Last week’s episode made the business case for humour - but how do we start to find our funny? This week Adam Morgan meets standup comedy writing and speaking coach Chris Head for a comedy masterclass. Chris shares practical experience and techniques he uses when working with comedians, how he helped stand-up Stepfania Licari push her personal stor…

1
The commercial case for humour (with Bridget Angear) 45:01

2M ago45:01

45:01

Is our business leaving money on the table by being too serious? In this episode, Adam speaks to Bridget Angear, legendary strategic planner and co-founder of Craig + Bridget, about her recent research “The Business Case for Humour in Advertising”. Adam and Bridget explore the evidence for the business effects of humour as revealed in the IPA datab…

1
Dave Knoke, Knoke's Chocolates and Nuts 34:59

3M ago34:59

34:59

After growing up on a farm in Lancaster, Wisconsin, Dave Knoke ventured to River Falls for college — and ended up never leaving the area. He eventually opened Knoke's Chocolates and Nuts in Hudson in 2000 and the store has been a staple of the community ever since. Knoke's has outgrown two different spaces over the years but has remained a fixture …

1
Break that routine (with Simon Peacock) 42:13

3M ago42:13

42:13

This week Adam meets award-winning improviser and director of the iconic Assassin’s Creed video games Simon Peacock to explore how the element of surprise makes his work and life more interesting. Beginning with Simon’s early success as a professional improviser in Montreal, they discuss the 10 commandments of good improvisation, why routine and re…

1
Why you need a third Spider Drop (with Heather McGill) 1:10:32

3M ago1:10:32

1:10:32

In this episode Adam talks to Heather McGill, Head of Spectator Experience at London 2012 and previously Tour Manager for the Spice Girls, about how to create more interesting shared experiences. Heather shares lessons about how to create more engaging spectator experiences for live tours and ‘global mega events’ such as the Olympics and Paralympic…

1
When Kerosene met Dull (with Peter Field) 40:41

3M ago40:41

40:41

A year into the project, what have we learnt about the real price of being dull? Adam opens Season 2 with one of the core collaborators on The Extraordinary Cost of Dull, marketing effectiveness expert Peter Field. Peter and Adam share how the Extraordinary Cost of Dull has grown from an idea that kickstarted our last season to a 3-year research pr…

1
Guy Whitehead, Lucky Guys Distillery 51:11

3M ago51:11

51:11

Guy Whitehead grew up in a small town in North Dakota — his graduating class had 14 kids — and has an affinity for small-town living. He and his wife eventually settled with their kids in Stillwater, but he ultimately chose Hudson when he decided to open up Lucky Guys Distillery in 2022. Guy credits his grandfather as the genesis for his passion of…

1
Shelly Smith, Our Neighbors' Place 24:03

3M ago24:03

24:03

We sometimes don't realize when others in our community — our neighbors — might need a little extra help, whether it's financially, finding housing, or other challenges. Shelly Smith and her team at Our Neighbors' Place in River Falls see these examples every day, and the small-but-mighty staff works hard to provide community members with the help …

1
Chris Kost, Hudson YMCA 32:02

4M ago32:02

32:02

For many in the Hudson community, the YMCA is a place to work out, go swimming, or play pickleball. But the Y offers so much more than that — from youth programs to camps to a sense of community for those who gather there. And Chris Kost is a big reason for the impact the YMCA has had on the local community over the past decade. Chris became the ex…

1
Officer James Wildman, Hudson Police Department 29:53

5M ago29:53

29:53

If you asked James Wildman as a kid what he wanted to be when he grew up, a police officer probably wouldn't have been his first answer. He grew up with a bit of a distrust for law enforcement, but later realized that he could help change the way people view police officers by becoming one himself. After a four-year stint in the marine corps with h…

1
The Santa Mailbox with Richelle and Gary Jader 24:12

5M ago24:12

24:12

When Richelle and Gary Jader first moved to Third Street in Hudson, they were warned about living on "Halloween Street." But it's been another holiday that has made the Jaders' home stand out. For the past six years, Richelle and Gary have been the stewards of the Santa Mailbox, a red mailbox that sits in front of their house and receives hundreds …

1
Christina Rose, Christina Rose Coaching 37:17

6M ago37:17

37:17

In an ideal world, we’d all go about life as our true authentic selves, living how we want and not necessarily caring about how society might define us. But for many people, embracing their authentic self isn’t that simple. That journey of self-discovery can take a long time for some people, including today’s guest, Christina Rose. Christina joins …

1
Sheri Marnell, St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center 31:07

6M ago31:07

31:07

Sheri Marnell has a passion for helping other companies thrive, and she gets to do that every day in her role as the director of the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center. The SCVBIC is an incubator for local companies that are looking to either get their business off the ground or grow their company before eventually graduating to their own …

1
Jess and Suzi Higgles, Joe to Go 42:34

7M ago42:34

42:34

At just 90 square feet, there isn’t a lot of room to operate inside of Joe to Go. But while the footprint of what owners Jess and Suzi Higgles affectionately call “the hut” is small, it’s filled with big ideas and big flavors. On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, hear from Jess and Suzi to learn all about Hudson’s smallest coffee shop — and…

1
Mayor Rich O'Connor and Larry Szyman, The Golden Rule Initiative 26:20

7M ago26:20

26:20

"Treat others as you want to be treated" is one of the basic interpretations of the Golden Rule, which has other variations throughout different cultures and religions. No matter the translation, the basic principle is the same: be kind to others. Hudson mayor Rich O'Connor fondly remembered learning about the Golden Rule as an elementary school st…

1
Angie Pilgrim and Heidi Herron, St. Croix Valley Foundation 23:42

8M ago23:42

23:42

The mission of the St. Croix Valley Foundation is simple: to enhance the quality of life in the St. Croix Valley. The foundation does that by offering numerous grants and scholarships to residents in six counties and two states in the St. Croix Valley — and it's based right here in Hudson at the new Alliance Center, a hub for local nonprofits (incl…

1
Jen Vieth and Abbey Holden, Carpenter Nature Center 37:02

8M ago37:02

37:02

Nestled into the woods in a quiet part of Hudson is the beautiful new building of the Carpenter Nature Center, which also has a location in Hastings, Minn. The center's two campuses are home to animals, hiking trails, and education materials for kids and adults alike. Each of the two locations boasts hundreds of acres of land that provide a great e…

1
Jamie Johnson, Hudson School Board 27:41

9M ago27:41

27:41

The Hudson School District has faced challenges in recent years. From the debate over a new high school to the COVID-19 pandemic that forced schools to go remote, tough decisions had to be made in order to do what was best for the Hudson students. Making those tough decisions isn't always easy, but it's something Jamie Johnson has learned to do as …

1
Melissa "Mei Mei" Abdouch, Mei Mei's Cookies and Creamery 25:24

9M ago25:24

25:24

Seven years ago, Melissa Abdouch had to pivot her career after losing her job in the corporate world. She decided to open Mei Mei's Cookies and Creamery in downtown River Falls, and the store has been a hit in the community ever since. On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Mei Mei joins to share more about the origins of her store, the lesso…

1
Tim Zais, North Hudson Pepper Fest 26:23

9M ago26:23

26:23

The North Hudson Pepper Fest has grown into a weekend-long celebration filled with food, music, a parade, and much more. But it started with humble roots: residents of North Hudson wanted to find a way to raise money to build a new school. That was 70 years ago in 1954, and the philanthropic mindset of Pepper Fest still exists today, with the nonpr…

1
Art Doyle, Art Doyle's Spokes and Pedals 28:42

9M ago28:42

28:42

Before he even graduated high school, Art Doyle had made a business out of repairing bikes. A modest bike repair business outside of Stillwater High School eventually led Art to opening his own bike shop downtown Hudson. Forty years later, Art Doyle's Spokes and Pedals remains an integral part of the Hudson community — and cycling remains a big par…

1
Farmer Greg and Farmer Andrew, White Pine Berry Farm 25:24

10M ago25:24

25:24

There's something special about being able to pick and eat your own farm-grown fruit. That's exactly the experience you'll get if you head east of Hudson just a bit to visit White Pine Berry Farm, where Greg and Andrew Zwald (known to regulars as Farmer Greg and Farmer Andrew) have continued to grow their U-pick operation since opening in 2012. On …

1
Amy Thurston, Historic Hudson, WI 24:35

10M ago24:35

24:35

At the height of the pandemic, Amy Thurston started going a bit stir crazy and decided to do something with the Hudson history books she had at home. Amy launched the Historic Hudson, WI Facebook page to share about the town's history — the people, places, and events that shaped the town over the past 150-plus years. Four years later, the page cont…

1
Val Aune, The Bees Knees 26:27

10M ago26:27

26:27

For five years, Val Aune owned and operated not one but two successful stores downtown Hudson. She became the owner of La Rue Marche in 2012, and five years later opened The Bees Knees, a gift shop that sells something for just about everybody. Val eventually sold La Rue Marche in 2022 to focus on The Bees Knees, and she has become a leader among t…

1
Derek Hom, Wilder Waffle Co. 28:15

11M ago28:15

28:15

If you were going to start your own food truck, what would you serve? For Hudson resident Derek Hom, the choice was simple: waffles. After the birth of his son, Derek quit his job to launch Wilder Waffle Co., a food truck serving delicious waffles in Hudson and the surrounding area. Since taking the leap of leaving his corporate job, Derek hasn't l…

1
Hudson Area Backpack & Food Program and Operation HELP 21:39

11M ago21:39

21:39

There are several great non-profits in the Hudson area helping residents with various challenges, and two of them will soon be under the same roof to better serve their clients. The Hudson Area Backpack & Food Program will be joining Operation HELP in the same facility as the two long-standing organizations will now have more space to operate. The …

1
Matt Darnold, Hudson Pride Co. 22:44

11M ago22:44

22:44

A lightbulb clicked for Matt Darnold when the Hudson native attended a Pride Festival in Hastings, Minnesota: why couldn’t something like this take place in his hometown? So Matt set out to create Hudson Pride Co., which last year hosted the first annual Valley Wide Pride Fest at Lakefront Park. The goal was to offer a safe space to members of the …

1
Ben and Hannah Jung, Hudco To Go 20:32

11M ago20:32

20:32

If you're like me, you sometimes don't feel like cooking dinner (or don't have time) but you still want a home-cooked meal. That's where Hudco To Go comes in. As a newer arrival to the Hudson food scene, Hudco To Go offers home-cooked meals that you can bring home and heat up. Chef Ben Jung and his wife Hannah opened Hudco to Go downtown Hudson ear…

1
Tera Busker 21:14

12M ago21:14

21:14

Four years ago, Tera Busker suffered a boating accident that caused her to be hospitalized for more than a week. While celebrating the 4th of July on her family's pontoon, a boat sped through a no-wake zone and ended up causing Tera and her niece to get pulled under the pontoon. Tera suffered multiple injuries when the propeller hit her under the w…

1
Hudson Community Expo 2024 30:23

12M ago30:23

30:23

Every year for the past 21 years, the Hudson Community Expo has brought together local businesses and organizations under one roof, giving residents a chance to learn more about these groups and network with others in the community. This year's event was held on May 5th at Hudson High School and featured dozens of businesses, non-profits, and craft…

1
Kelsa Wirth, High Acuity Foster Care 14:38

12M ago14:38

14:38

May is National Foster Care Month, so on this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we hear from foster care advocates on why this service is so important. First, Kelsa Wirth, a community support coordinator for high acuity foster care in several counties in western Wisconsin (including St. Croix County) shares more about the high acuity foster care…

1
Pete Foster, Barker's Bar & Grill/San Pedro Cafe/Pedro's Pizza Lounge 35:15

1y ago35:15

35:15

As a kid growing up in Hudson, Pete Foster recalls the food scene in town being good, but not great. Fast forward many years later, and Pete's three restaurants — Barker's Bar & Grill, San Pedro Cafe, and Pedro's Pizza Lounge — have all played a big part in helping transform the restaurant scene downtown Hudson into something special. On this week'…

1
Jess and Jonathan Pressley, Ember and Bean Roasting Co 37:41

1y ago37:41

37:41

Jess and Jonathan Pressley, owners of Ember and Bean Roasting Co, have a slogan they abide by at their shop: great coffee takes time. The coffee sold at Ember and Bean is indeed great, and an order at the shop might take a bit more. But the wait is worth it. On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we're talking coffee with Jess and Jonathan, w…

1
Angel Duratti, Angel's Pet World 24:12

1y ago24:12

24:12

Throughout her life, Angel Duratti has had plenty of pets. But she wasn't allowed to have any as a kid, even though she loved animals. Once she and her husband Al got their first dog together, Angel's love of pets grew to a new level — and the couple eventually opened Angel's Pet World in Hudson. More than 20 years since opening the pet store, Ange…

1
Rick Reams, RJ's Meats 27:17

1y ago27:17

27:17

Rick Reams' life came full circle when he and his wife purchased what eventually became known as RJ's Meats in 1987. It not only brought Rick back to Hudson after spending four years in the Air Force, but he was taking over the store he worked at as a high schooler — known then as Jim's Meats. More than 35 years later, Rick has built RJ's into a st…

1
Jill McNamee, McNamee Real Estate Team 31:10

1y ago31:10

31:10

Jill McNamee became a realtor at an interesting time in the real estate world — during the 2008 housing crisis. But while many realtors were leaving the industry, Jill was just getting started. She knew that making connections would be valuable as she built a name for herself, so she did what she could to meet as many people as possible in the Huds…

1
Nichole and Rick Frazer, Black Rooster Bistro 39:59

1y ago39:59

39:59

The already impressive food scene in Hudson was made even stronger with Rick and Nichole Frazer opened Black Rooster Bistro in the old Winter Stube space in 2022. The timing was right for Rick — the former chef at The St. Paul Grill — and Hudson native Nichole to fulfill Rick's dream of opening a restaurant in the town in which he lived. On this we…

1
Rita Thofern, Friends of Willow River & Kinnickinnic State Parks 41:36

1y ago41:36

41:36

Willow River State Park has been a vital part of the Hudson community since it officially opened in 1971. Friends of Willow River & Kinnickinnic State Parks was established as a non-profit in 1990 and has helped maintain the park, offered educational programming, staffed the nature center, and more for decades. On this week's episode, we're talking…

1
Renee Frey, Power of 100+ | Women of St. Croix Valley 21:21

1y ago21:21

21:21

Sometimes, there is power in numbers. That's certainly the case when more than 100 local women from the Hudson area get together and all contribute $100 that goes towards helping a local non-profit. The group is called Power of 100+ | Women of St. Croix Valley, and it meets twice a year to bring awareness and money to groups who could use the funds…

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