Excelsior!

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.

 

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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

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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

 

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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!

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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

Who knew diapers could make for such a fun conversation? 💚

In this episode of Excelsior!, I sit down with Eric Forseth, the new owner of Do Good Diapers, a Twin Cities cloth diaper service that makes cloth diapering easy for busy families. As a customer myself, I can honestly say—I LOVE their service!

This episode was extra special because my one-year-old son, Wilhelm, joined us for the recording—and how fitting is that? He's been wearing Do Good Diapers since he was a baby! It was the perfect reminder of why I wanted to have Eric on the podcast in the first place.

Eric shares what it's like taking over the business, how their convenient pickup and delivery service takes the stress out of cloth diapering, and why choosing cloth is a win for both families and the environment. We also chat about entrepreneurship, building a purpose-driven business, and the small choices that can make a big impact in our communities.

Whether you're expecting a baby, raising little ones, curious about sustainable living, or just love hearing the stories behind amazing local businesses, this episode is for you!

 Learn more about Do Good Diapers: https://dogooddiapers.com

Chat with Britt Brat who is the lead singer of Varmints Minneapolis band.

I sit down with one of my favorites, Laura Larsen, co-owner of Hounds Tooth Grooming in Saint Paul!

Laura has been my trusted dog groomer (and on-call nail trimmer!) for years, so it was such a joy to have her in the studio. She recently took the leap into business ownership with two partners, opening Hounds Tooth Grooming, where they offer a more personalized, one-on-one grooming experience designed to keep every dog calm, comfortable, and cared for. They're already booking weeks in advance—and they're absolutely worth the wait.

We talk all things dogs, what it's like owning a small business, and Laura's journey to becoming a business owner. We also chat about her hobbies, her wonderfully goofy personality, and her experience as a queer woman entrepreneur creating a welcoming space for both pets and their people.

To make things even more entertaining, my one-year-old son, Wilhelm, joined us in the studio, so expect plenty of toddler cameos, laughs, and wonderfully chaotic moments throughout the episode.

This conversation is full of heart, humor, and a whole lot of dog love. I hope you enjoy getting to know Laura as much as I have over the years!

 

About — Houndstooth

 

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What happens when you combine a conversation about the Akashic Records with a very energetic one-year-old? A fun episode filled with great conversation and a few unexpected moments!

This week I'm joined by Britta, an Akashic Records Reader and founder of Aligned & Undefined. We talk about what the Akashic Records are, how she became an Akashic Records reader, what a session looks like, and how she helps people gain clarity through her readings. If you've ever wondered what the Akashic Records are all about, this episode is a great place to start.

Of course, my one-year-old son, Wilhelm, had plans of his own—running around the studio, exploring everything he could find, and making a few surprise appearances along the way. It made for some funny moments and a reminder that sometimes the best conversations happen when life doesn't go exactly as planned.

Enjoy this fun conversation with Britta as we learn more about the Akashic Records and the work she does.

Want to hear more?

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Connect with Britta
🌐 Website: www.alignedandundefined.com
📸 Instagram: @alignedandundefined
▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@alignedandundefined?si=7jpnaGZ7GRiT6P1A

I got to sit down with Dan Rosen — singer, guitarist, writer, and creator of the Twin Cities band 🔪 — for a really fun episode of Excelsior!

We talked about music, writing, creativity, art, and so much more. Dan and I have been working together on visuals for the band’s upcoming album release, and I get the honor of creating their album photos. They are incredibly talented, and it’s been awesome getting to know him through the creative process.

Funny enough, even though we’d already been collaborating on the art, this podcast chat was actually the first time we met in person.

🔪 has a new album coming soon, and I’m excited for everyone to hear what they’ve been creating.

 

Knife Emoji

hear more at www.excelsiorp.com