Get Deep

Ashley and Nick Rehder, Founders of Ruby Ranch Barn: Join us for a conversation with Ashley and Nick Rehder, founders of ⁠Ruby Ranch Barn⁠, a nine-acre property just east of Pemberton, Minnesota, where education and community meet in fresh, hands-on ways.In this episode, Ashley and Nick share about their journey building Ruby Ranch from a dream into a space for connection and experiential learning, hosting workshops, events, and summer camps for all ages. They talk about Little Rubies, their preschool/kindergarten farm and nature program for ages 3-6, that uses nature as the daily classroom, complete with animal interaction, garden and pond time, and walks through their trials. They also open up about integrating their personal home on the farm into the operation, pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into a fast flip that expanded what they could offer to the community.As Ruby Ranch continues to grow (with 29K followers on Instagram!), Ashley and Nick reflect on the values that drive their work, the joy of seeing people connect through nature, and how they’re helping redefine what learning looks like in Southern Minnesota. 🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery⁠⁠⁠, ⁠iWealth⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Community Bank⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠South Central MN SBDC⁠#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota#WesOtto #AaronJones#RubyRanch #LittleRubies #farmandnatureschool

Art Westphal: Coaching Legend and Advancement Leader at Bethany LutheranJoin us for an in‑depth conversation with Art Westphal, a cornerstone of Bethany Lutheran College athletics and institutional advancement. Over decades, Art has shaped programs as head coach of both baseball and men’s basketball, led as athletic director, and now pours his passion into advancing the college mission as a Senior Development Officer.  In this episode, Art reflects on resurrecting Bethany’s baseball program in 1984, earning multiple Coach of the Year honors in Region XIII, and building winning basketball teams that claimed division titles and state tournament berths.  He also shares what it was like balancing coaching, administration, and campus life through transformational years at Bethany.Now in advancement, Art discusses the shift from the court to stewardship—how he channels lessons from coaching into fundraising, alumni relations, and institutional growth. We also explore his roles in community foundations, the joys of mentorship, and the legacy he hopes to leave.  🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors: ⁠⁠Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Community Bank⁠⁠#AaronJones #WesOtto #GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #BethanyLutheran #ArtWestphal #CollegeAthletics #Advancement

Jenna Fromm: CEO of Palmer Bus Service and Community-Focused LeaderClimb aboard for a conversation with Jenna Fromm, a second-generation owner and the driving force behind Palmer Bus Service. From cleaning bus floors as a teenager in St. Clair to co-leading a fleet that spans communities across Minnesota, Jenna’s journey is rooted in faith, family, and fierce dedication to safety and service.In this episode, Jenna reflects on her early days behind the wheel, her time as a teacher and mother of four, and the moment she and her sister Hollie took the reins of the business from their parents. She shares the values that keep Palmer Bus on the road—from integrity to treating every student like their own—and how those values earned them the 2024 National School Transportation Association’s Contractor of the Year award in their 50th year of operation.Stay tuned for stories of leadership, legacy, and how Jenna balances responsibility and gratitude on every route she travels.🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:⁠Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery⁠ and ⁠iWealth⁠#GetDeepPodcast #WesOtto #AaronJones

On this episode of the Get Deep Podcast, we sit down with Allen Eskens, Mankato’s own best-selling author and former criminal defense lawyer. Allen shares how his years in the courtroom shaped his storytelling, the discipline it takes to master the craft of writing, and the real-life experiences—and daydreams—that fuel his imagination. We also talk about his breakout first novel, The Life We Bury, which became a best seller and set the stage for his writing career, as well as his newest release, The Quiet Librarian. Find Allen’s full collection of books at https://alleneskens.com/books🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors: ⁠Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery⁠ and ⁠Community Bank⁠#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #AaronJones #WesOtto #AllenEskens

Jenny Barnes & David Hruska: Life, Loss, and “Dam Pie” at the Rapidan Dam StoreIn this heartfelt episode, we sit down with siblings Jenny Barnes and David Hruska—second-generation owners of the beloved Rapidan Dam Store. Known far and wide for their famous “Dam Pie,” Jenny and David reflect on a childhood spent along the Blue Earth River, the family legacy they inherited, and the joy of serving travelers from around the globe.In June 2024, their world changed when flash flooding eroded the Rapidan Dam, claiming their family home and forcing the demolition of their iconic store. With deep emotion and unshakable resilience, Jenny and David recount the loss—and the community support that followed.But this story doesn’t end in tragedy. Jenny and David have reopened the Dam Store in Mankato, in the former Wagon Wheel Café location, and they share what the move has meant, what’s changed (and what hasn’t), and their hopes for the future.Stick around for stories of serving pie to the Minnesota Vikings and Timberwolves—moments that prove joy and generosity are still on the menu.🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery and iWealth#GetDeepPodcast #DamPie #RapidanDamStore #WagonWheelCafe #WesOtto #AaronJones

Andy Donahue: Minnesota State Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Join us for a conversation with a statewide leader who has dedicated his career to supporting small businesses. Andy’s journey has taken him from his early days at Wells Fargo, to serving as a regional SBDC director in Wisconsin, and ultimately back to his hometown of Duluth to lead Minnesota’s SBDC network. Across nine regional centers, Andy and his team help entrepreneurs at every stage—whether launching a startup, expanding their operations, or navigating the challenges of long-term growth and sustainability. In this episode, he shares the collaborative efforts driving local economic development and the inspiring stories of working shoulder-to-shoulder with small business owners.🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors: Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery, South Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and Community Bank#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #AaronJones #WesOtto

Tim Johnson: Owner/Operator of High Spirits Liquor and Hooligan’s Neighborhood Pub, cornerstones of Mankato’s local retail and hospitality scene. Join us for a conversation with a local entrepreneur who has spent years creating spaces where people gather, connect, and make memories. Tim shares his journey of building and running successful businesses, the unique relationships that have shaped his career, and stories from his one-of-a-kind team—including a current NHL player who returns to work at Hooligan’s between contracts!🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors: Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery and iWealth#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #AaronJones #WesOtto

Tom Miller: memorial sculptor and owner of Monuments by Miller. Join us for a conversation with a master craftsman whose work is etched into the very fabric of Mankato! Tom reflects on his path as a sculptor and storyteller—shaping stone and legacy alike. As one of the most visible artists in the region, he shares the stories behind some of Mankato’s most iconic monuments, including the Winter Warrior at the Blue Earth County Library and the Buffalo at the intersection of Front and Main. Stay tuned for minute 1:22:20, where Tom recounts his unforgettable trip into an abandoned marble quarry with “Mad Mountain Jim” and the discovery of the very stone used for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors: Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery and Community Bank#GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #AaronJones #WesOtto

Mike McGowan: third-generation owner of ⁠⁠McGowan Water Conditioning and longtime volunteer firefighter. Join us for a conversation with a hometown business owner who’s been keeping Southern Minnesota’s water clean for over 70 years. Mike breaks down his sink-or-swim journey stepping into the family business—navigating generational pressure while carving out a path of his own. From water systems to fire calls, he shares about leadership, responsibility, and serving his community. Stay tuned for minute 1:42:31, where Mike reflects on how firefighting has evolved and how rural departments are finding new ways to work together.🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:⁠⁠Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery⁠⁠⁠ and iWealth #GetDeepPodcast #SouthernMinnesota #FamilyBusiness #AaronJones #WesOtto

Carter Person: co-owner of Cork & Key, and partner in the ATOM hospitality group! Join us for an expansive conversation with seasoned entrepreneur Carter Person. With deep roots in a family dedicated to hospitality and community, Carter shares what it was like growing up in the family business — giving us an honest breakdown of the rewards and challenges of working closely alongside relatives. From catering for the Vikings to unexpected setbacks, our guest shares firsthand industry insight that reflect his career immersed in service, growth, and community. Stay tuned for minute 8:27, where Carter shares the story of one of his earliest infamous moments at family-run Tav on the Ave

Nicole Panko: owner of Ember Wellness Studio! Join us for a conversation rooted in health and wellness - at the heart of our community! Nicole’s entrepreneurial experience extends beyond her current venture, and we were so engaged with how her previous business successes led her to creating the community at Ember. From her own journey to healthier living to the lessons she’s learned from testing her own limits, our guest’s wealth of knowledge shines in this open and honest interview. Stay tuned for minute 48:59, where Nicole shares how she weeds through her wealth of ideas for which concepts to develop - and which to let go

Jeff Holmin: our local award-winning taxidermy expert and owner of North Star Taxidermy! Join us for an unforgettable conversation with our guest this week, who shares with us how his appreciation for the natural world at a young age translated into a robust career in taxidermy. Fully embracing a trade (and art form) that most would find difficult to perform, we loved hearing Jeff’s unique perspective into honoring life in all its forms. From his strangest taxidermy requests to the thrill of competition, Jeff is truly an expert in his field! Stay tuned for minute 29:21, where our guest explains the intricacies that go into successfully preparing a large game animal for preservation.

Shane Bowyer: professor of management at MSU Mankato and local community pillar! Our guest this week has an incredible range of expertise in the business sector; overseeing the Northwoods League Baseball Franchise as a general manager, owner of the Sports Institute training facility, and so much more right here in our community. Join us as Shane takes us through his most memorable experiences, and the core mission of service that’s kept him active in Southern Minnesota. Stay tuned for minute 1:44:03, where Shane shares some of his favorite experiences working with the Minnesota Vikings

Tim Huebsch: Solutions Manager of Global Business Solutions at General Mills! Join us for an immersive conversation with a corporate industry leader! From our guest’s roots in rural Southern Minnesota, his early interest in tech, and his quick career ascension, our guest’s engaging manner of storytelling kept us thoroughly riveted. Tim also has impressive entrepreneurial record; his attitude of humility and gratitude has truly enriched our community through board service covering scholarship outreach, sponsorship of the arts, and more. Stay tuned for minute 23:39, where Tim shares his own perspective into the “transformational power of art”

Della Schmidt: President and Chief Executive Officer for Greater Mankato Growth! Join us for an in-depth conversation with a community champion who has built a legacy supporting regional growth. With an impressive record in Southern Minnesota, Della has such a wealth of knowledge for navigating difficult interpersonal dynamics, leading by example, and kickstarting local economies. Her humor and wit during this conversation reminded us just how lucky Mankato is to have her at the helm of GMG. Thank you, Della, for sharing your story with us!

Joe Holtmeier: owner of Holtmeier Construction, Dirt Merchant Inc, and Pentagon Materials! Join us for a winning conversation with a Southern Minnesota community pillar! This multi-faceted entrepreneur takes us through the ins and outs of a legacy in construction. From unexpected collaborations to the responsibilities of a good leader, Joe takes us through his story spanning multiple continents (and industries!) Stay tuned for minute 1:18:30, where our guest shares why the mission of staying local is so essential for his employees

Jim & Lauren Parejko - owners of LocAle Brewing Company! Join us for an engaging conversation with this husband-and-wife entrepreneurial team! With craft brewing on the rise, our guests this week offer incredible insider expertise into the local market and common misconceptions regarding the industry. Navigating family and business is no small feat, and we loved hearing how Jim and Lauren have found that essential balance! Stay tuned for minute 1:34:01, where Jim shares one of his favorite aspects of winning home brew competitions (hint: it’s not the accolades!)

Matt Sharping - owner of Phenom Genetics Inc, co-owner of Sankey Pro Rodeo, and connoisseur of all things rodeo! Join us for a wild ride this week with our champion guest Matt Sharping. From authentic living to entrepreneurship, Matt takes us through his transformative journey into all aspects of the world of bull-raising (and riding!). What started as a random bid on a single heifer has turned into a full-time lifestyle for our guest. For anyone interested in the country and cowboy lifestyle, this one is for you! Stay tuned for minute 1:04:10, where Matt explains what makes rodeo bulls so unique in the way in which they approach the arena.

April Graff: dietitian and author! Join us for an engaging conversation with our new favorite nutritional expert. Our guest this week has a wealth of experience in the heath and wellness arena. With a focus on a practical lifestyle approach and joy through eating well, April shares her most pivotal moments throughout her career working in the community. Keep your eyes open for April’s cookbook, “Uncomplicate Your Plate”, coming to a provider near you! Stay tuned for minute 54:01, where April shares her favorite aspects of her job as a dietitian

Jen Stuvek: owner of Aurora Chiropractic! Join us for an incredible story of education, health and wellness in our community. Jen shares how she realized some of her longterm goals as a chiropractic doctor early on in her career, and her truly serendipitous journey to Mankato. From her upbringing in Alaska to her very first clients, we were totally captivated by our guest’s engaging conversation. Special thanks to our guest co-host this week, Andy Wilke!