Excelsior!

Kendall Diveley Loves Pho!

Of course Kendall loves pho… because I do too. It was only fitting that the title of this episode came naturally after realizing yet another thing we have in common.

This episode felt like meeting my personality doppelgänger. For years, people have told Kendall Diveley and me that we have the same energy, similar personalities, and needed to meet someday. We both throw events, have a mission to build a vibrant community, and love bringing people together through connection and conversation. Well… we finally met, and it instantly made sense.

We also discovered we both grew up shy and withdrawn in school, and both had to find our voices later in life. Now we each use that voice to create spaces where people feel seen, welcomed, and inspired.

We dive into Kendall’s incredibly inspiring project, The Sociable Circuit—a one-of-a-kind event where speakers discuss a topic while the audience can toss marshmallows if they have questions. It’s creative, hilarious, interactive, and exactly the kind of community-building energy the world needs more of.

I had so much fun chatting with Kendall and getting excited about everything she’s creating. Listen to her story, learn who she is, and hear why I’m so excited for us to team up and do more together in the future. This is an episode full of laughter, inspiration, and two women passionate about making the world a little brighter.

 

Sociable Circuit | Utepils Brewing

The Social Circuit Co (@socialcircuit.co) • Instagram photos and videos

 

see more at www.excelsiorp.com

Chicky Dabs Loves Red Sauce!

This is an episode you don’t want to miss.

I caught up with my favorite comedian, Chicky Dabs—a well-known Twin Cities comic—who also happens to be five months pregnant, and we got into everything.

We talked babies, life, and what it’s like being on stage while pregnant. She shared stories from her first visit to the Comedy Mothership, including meeting Pauly Shore, and her unforgettable run-in with Tony Hinchcliffe from Kill Tony… where she may have accidentally pissed him off 😅

 

✨ And if you want to see her live—I’m hosting a comedy show with Chicky headlining on June 6th. Grab your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986179068059?aff=oddtdtcreato

Password required—message me to get access 🎟️

 

www.excelsiorp.com

Richard Anderson Loves Lobster!

I sat down with Richard Anderson—truly a Minneapolis icon—and from the moment he walked in, he was dressed head to toe in color. It felt like the perfect reflection of who he is and what he brings to this city.

One of my favorite moments from our conversation was when he shared that so much of his success is because of women—the support, the belief, and the opportunities they gave him along the way. It was such a powerful reminder of how community shapes us.

Today, you can see his influence all over Minneapolis. Through his decorating, his flowers, and the spaces he transforms, he’s constantly adding beauty and life to the city. He’s not just creating art—he’s shaping the energy of the community in such a positive, lasting way.

Richard is a reminder that when you fully step into who you are, you don’t just change your own path—you make the world around you more vibrant too.

✨ Check out upcoming events at www.Excelsiorp.com

Eva Johnson Loves Steak!

Before we ever met in person, Eva Johnson and I already had mutual—circling each other on the internet, realizing we knew a million of the same people, and bonding over our shared love language: dive bars. 

Eva is the creative force behind Grandpa’s Pool House—a sexy, playful indoor pool house tucked away in Stanchfield, Minnesota. It’s the kind of place that feels like a hidden world… a photographer’s dream, a cinematic backdrop, and honestly, a full-on vibe. This gem has quietly become a go-to for creatives and even film productions, all in a small town just outside Cambridge.

She’s living proof that you can build something wildly unique from nothing but vision and grit. Eva shares how she brought this dream to life on her own—and didn’t stop there. She recently opened a wedding chapel in North Saint Paul called The Garter Toss—the “dive bar of wedding chapels.” Think: unapologetically fun, affordable, a little rebellious, and completely stripped of the pressure that weddings usually carry.

And in true life-meets-art fashion, we also bonded over something deeper—we both had babies around the same time. Wilhelm didn’t make it into the studio, but her 9-month-old absolutely stole the show.

 

Host Bachelorette Party | Vintage Vacation Rental | Minnesota

The Garter Toss

 

www.excelsiorp.com 

Peter Qualley Loves 1919 Root Beer!

Finally—a new barber fills the seat.
But this isn’t just a haircut…

In this episode of Excelsior!, I sit down with Peter Qualley, the new barber in St. Francis, Minnesota. Over a shared love of 1919 Root Beer, we go beyond the chair and into his story—who he is, how he grew up, and the values that shaped him.

This conversation is about more than the craft. It’s about purpose, identity, and what it means to show up for a community.

Find out who Peter Qualley really is.

 

St Francis barber shop@ Facebook

/https://www.stfrancisbarbershop.com/

 

find more at www.excelsiorp.com

Jairid Rossow Loves Sam's Club Pizza!

Jairid Rossow, a Minneapolis-based oil painter, stopped by my studio to talk about his art and creative process. Known for classical still lifes and plein air landscapes, Jairid shared his perspective on painting, photography, and the ways artists translate real life into their work.

This episode was recorded with just one mic in a relaxed question-and-answer style, like two artists chatting in the studio. You might also hear Willow moving around in the background, keeping the conversation grounded and natural.

Join the Patreon

www.Excelsiorp.com

IG: jairidrossow Website: www.jairidrossow.com 

www.britleighp.com

 

 

 

Mona Penny Loves Cheez-its!

In this episode of Excelsior!, I sit down with the incredibly talented and up-and-coming singer-songwriter Mona Penny. Mona is currently pursuing her music career and is also a dedicated K-pop dancer. We talk about who she is as an artist, how she got started in music and dance, and what it means to follow your creative path and dreams.

This episode is extra special to me because Mona is my stepdaughter. Her little brother Wilhelm was hanging out with us while we recorded, which made it feel really casual and fun. We chat about art, creativity, and what it’s like growing up as an artist.

We also created a large conceptual photoshoot together—so keep an eye on my Patreon to check out the images and behind-the-scenes from that shoot.

 

Follow Mona Penny 

Tiktok: @mona._.dance2 

Instagram: @mona._.penny 

YouTube: @monamadness 

 

See more episodes here www.excelsiorp.com

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The Baby's Asleep!

The Baby is ASLEEP” and for the first time ever, my husband Jerred is on the podcast 🎙️

This episode is basically me getting to talk all about him — what he does for work, what he’s been building lately, funny stories, life updates, and just who he is as a person.

It’s light, it’s fun, and it’s just us hanging out and letting you get to know him a little more.

Minneapolis Artists 2026!

This episode is a little different — I did a quick check-in call with a handful of past Excelsior! Podcast guests to see what they’ve been up to lately and what they’re working on heading into 2026.

We talk about what’s inspiring them right now, what they’re creating, and the exciting things on the horizon in their lives and businesses. I wish I could’ve checked in with even more people, but here are a few amazing guests I got to catch up with!

Featuring: Cassidy Anderson, Haley Stampp, Paulie Skaja, Josh Berini, Kara Roepke, Andrew Lentz, David LeDuc, and Nik Linde.

Lonesome Dan Loves Soft Pretzels!

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lonesome Dan in my studio for a truly special conversation. A calm, sweet soul, Dan shares his journey as a talented guitarist who has the rare gift of reinterpreting piano music on guitar while also composing his own songs.

Joining us was my husband, Jerred—a longtime fan of Dan’s music—and our 7-month-old son, Wilhelm, making for a warm, personal, and family-filled session. Dan talks about his love for playing music, his creative process, and what drives him to bring new life to both old classics and his original compositions.

True to his nature, Dan even played a few songs for us in the studio, because, as he says, he likes to play more than anything. His story, his music, and his gentle presence left us feeling inspired, and it’s clear why so many in Minneapolis are drawn to his talent.

Tune in to hear Lonesome Dan’s journey, his music, and a heartfelt look into the life of one of our city’s most cherished musicians.

 

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