Excelsior!

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.

 

see more at www.excelsiorp.com

Lisa is a realtor AND the woman behind Perfect Virtual Assistants, where she helps businesses find the right virtual assistant to make life a little easier. We talk about how it all works, answer questions about hiring a VA, and get into Lisa’s journey from working as a server to becoming the boss lady she is today.

I LOVE Lisa! We’ve had so much fun running into each other at business networking events, and she brings that same bright, positive energy to this episode. We laugh a lot, talk about staying positive, not worrying so much, running a business, and so much more.

sit down with two of my favorite musicians and lovebirds, Hayley Anne and Morgan, of the Minnesota band Ditch Pigeon! We talk about all things music, art, their lives, and their newest album, Burger Vision.

I saw them perform in early August and was in awe of what they’ve created. From their collaborations to the incredible work they put into this album, there’s so much to love about what they’re doing.

We get into the story behind Burger Vision, their creative process, and what’s coming next for the band.

 

see more on www.excelsiorp.com

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.

 

Lakselaget

 

Check out more on www.excelsiorp.com

 

You may recognize Worker B from your local co-op, but did you know they have a storefront tucked inside the Northrup King Building in Northeast Minneapolis?

I sat down with Jennifer Merrill, the newer owner of Worker B, and we had a lot of laughs while talking honey, skincare, Wisconsin’s wild west, and her State Fair pickle flavor—because apparently, there’s a lot more to Worker B than honey!

We laughed over some slightly spoiled wine, talked small business, and got into Jennifer’s story and what it’s like taking over a beloved local business.

Their storefront is such a fun place to visit. You can sample honey, check out their all-natural skincare, shop local honey products, and wander through the art-filled Northrup King Building.

Come for the honey, stay for the conversation—and find out what the heck that State Fair pickle flavor is all about!

In this episode, I sit down with cellist and musician Caitlin Benson to talk about her first solo album, Holly X.O., set to be released October 29.

And there’s something you might not expect: there’s no cello on it.

Caitlin opens up about the meaning behind this deeply personal project, who Holly X.O. is, where the name came from, and why this album feels like her most bare, vulnerable work yet.

We go beyond the music and into Caitlin’s personal journey with addiction, healing, and stepping into a completely new chapter of her life. Holly X.O. is heavily influenced by that journey, making this more than just an album. It’s a reflection of where she’s been, what she’s overcome, and the person and artist she is becoming.

This is a raw and honest conversation about music, identity, addiction, healing, and having the courage to create something completely your own.

Listen in and get to know Caitlin Benson and Holly X.O. before the album arrives on October 29.

 

hear more www.excelsiorp.com 

What happens when a photographer stops chasing the next picture and takes the time to really see the one in front of them?

In this episode of Excelsior!, I sit down with Twin Cities portrait and fine-art photographer Richard Leonard Schultz for one of my favorite conversations about photography.

We talk about film, slowing down, and the difference between simply taking a photograph and actually making one. Richard and I dive into the idea of quality over quantity — taking a moment to sit with life, wait for the right moment, and make one photograph that says something rather than taking a thousand pictures that don't.

We also talk about the complicated relationship between art and business, working with people, making a living as a photographer, and why photographers don't have to see each other as competition. There is room for all of us to make our own work, tell our own stories, and contribute something different.

Richard is also a fine-art photographer who does his own printing, and hearing him talk about the craft, process, and intention behind his work gave me a whole new level of respect for what he does. Mad respect for his skill.

We also talk about Richard's work on Of Distance and Time – Yav Ntuj Qub Qab, a powerful project with MN Zej Zog documenting the stories and portraits of Hmong women and elders in Minnesota. The project captures Hmong mothers, grandmothers, aunties and other respected elders, preserving stories that might otherwise be lost.

This conversation reminded me why I love photography in the first place — not because of how many images we can make, but because of what can happen when we slow down enough to make one really meaningful photograph.

I absolutely loved hanging out and talking photography with Richard.

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

 

See his work here

Explore more on www.excelsiorp.com 

New Excelsior! Episode with Magdalena Grace!

I sat down with Magdalena Grace to talk about all the things she does—from spirituality and personal growth to entrepreneurship, healing, empowerment, and her work helping people create more abundance and purpose in their lives.

We also dive into her Sacred Rage Workshop, which I actually got to experience myself! We talk about what it is, why rage can be such a powerful emotion, and what happens when we actually give ourselves permission to feel it.

A fun conversation about life, growth, finding your power, and a little bit of rage along the way!

My 1-year-old also made a quick appearance because…podcasting with a toddler. 

 

magdalenagrace Official: Instagram | Linktree

 

see more at www.excelsiorp.com 

This week I got to hang out with one of my favorite local comedians, Khadijah Cooper, who somehow manages to be both absolutely hilarious and the Director of Sexuality Education. We dove into comedy, sexual health, awkward conversations, and plenty of topics that might make your grandma blush.

To make things even more entertaining, my one-year-old decided to crash the podcast. Between the laughs, unexpected toddler moments, and conversations that are equal parts educational and ridiculous, this episode is a blast from start to finish.

Come for the comedy, stay for the sex education... and the surprise toddler co-host. You don't want to miss this one!

see more at www.excelsiorp.com

To celebrate the 5-year anniversary of Excelsior!, the microphone gets turned around as Analise, videographer for Excelsior!, interviews host Britleigh. Together, they reflect on the journey of building a community-centered storytelling platform, the power of art, creativity, photography, and the people who make Excelsior such a special place.

From behind-the-scenes moments to lessons learned over five years, this candid conversation is a celebration of community, connection, and the stories that bring us together.

Thanks for being part of the Excelsior! journey. Here's to the next chapter!

 

Learn more at www.excelsiorp.com