The Global Grit Experience

In this episode I give a little background of how I got into video, capturing stories around the world, and eventually, here, as a podcaster and host of The Global Grit Experience. Examples of videos mentioned in the podcast Volkswagen ID.4 Road Trip - What Fuels You- Ep.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ85tn5HDJ0 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - Soul Pursuits Ep.1 - https://youtu.be/mlRZ-lckRWs?si=_CAeZTq5fLGZhxHd Soul of of the Western Balkans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahpRDIo87n0&list=PLbXm1PcDvCSe_PjQUF6v1F51amDjI4cq7&index=24&t=2s Woodland League - Ireland: https://youtu.be/MUT6miz2Kys

How do we as humans balance our self-interest drive with environmental sustainability. There’s no easy answer but it’s definitely worth pondering, talking about, and hopefully acting on for the future of our natural world (and us). My guest today is Dr. Dennis Jacobs, retired physics professor, pilot, aeronautical engineer, sustainability educator, and author of multiple books. Subscribe and Follow The Global Grit Experience: Spotify Instagram Facebook Website Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I SO appreciate you!

How do you make stuff happen - like saving a beautiful area from development and creating instead an amazing nature-based park that the locals, wildlife, and tourists love? Let’s find out in this episode with guest, Polly Andersen. Polly’s love of nature led her to champion the Wannigan Regional Park in her hometown of Frazee, MN. Resources https://wanniganpark.com/ Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I SO appreciate you!

Honey bees! In this episode I chat with Sawyer Gilsdorf, professional beekeeper with Björn’s Colorado Honey in Boulder, Colorado (and my awesome nephew) to learn what’s involved with beekeeping year round in colder winter climates. And, of course, learn some amazing honey bee fun facts and their intricate matriarchal society. Resources: Björns Colorado Honey Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I appreciate you!

Emilia Skogen fell in love with birds at a young age and has been working with them ever since. In today's episode, I talk with her about why she's specifically working with three bird species in Minnesota and what conservation for them looks like through forestry management. Emilia is a Minnesota Public Lands Conservation Forester with the American Bird Conservancy. RESOURCES https://abcbirds.org/ https://abcbirds.org/ways-to-give/ https://abcbirds.org/get-involved/ Outdoor Heritage Fund work - Details about the three bird species Emilia works with, where the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) works, and how many acres of habitat ABC has worked with partner agencies to manage for birds so far. https://abcbirds.org/where-we-work/north-america/great-lakes-ohf-grants/ FREE FORESTRY FOR MINNESOTA BIRDS GUIDE https://www.birds.cornell.edu/landtrust/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ForestryForMNBirdsGuidebook.pdf EMILIA SKOGEN CONTACT INFORMATION Fee free to email or call Emilia if they'd like more information on any topics, or want to connect with ABC's private lands foresters on managing their land for birds and other wildlife: eskogen@abcbirds.org / (612) 439-2011 Contact Emilia for any information about ball cactus. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WI DNR MOSS (managed old-growth silvicultural study) https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/research/moss Audubon MN secretive marsh bird surveys https://www.audubon.org/umr/projects/monitoring-secretive-marsh-birds-minnesota Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I appreciate you!

In this episode I hit the North Country Trail with Matt Davis, the Regional Trail Coordinator for MN, ND and WI for the nonprofit, North Country Trail Association. We talk about this beautiful 5,000 mile trail, why public lands are important (in SO many ways), how they’re being taken away, sold, and at risk, and what we can do to stop this attack. Matt also shares a few summer tips to keep us safe and comfy hiking. Resources North Country Trail Association: northcountrytrail.org Sierra Club: https://www.sierraclub.org/issues/environment/public-lands Trust for Public Land: https://www.tpl.org League of Conservation Voters: https://www.lcv.org 5 Calls - An easy place to call your legislators to protect public lands: https://5calls.org/ Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I appreciate you!

Minnesota's AQI hit record highs recently during the wildfires making it feel apocalyptic with smoky, brown skies, evacuated homes, and air quality that made it dangerous and painful to breathe. Erika sits down in the midst of it with guest Julia Frost Nerbonne, Executive Director of Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light to talk about what it was like experiencing climate chaos firsthand and what diverse faiths are doing together to move forward with climate solutions. This conversation is real, inspiring, and hopeful. Resources: www.mnipl.org Julia@mnipl.org 651.301.8195 Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I appreciate you!

Erika sits down and talks with farmer Cody Kurowski at his Sower’s Harvest Farm in Fergus Falls, MN to find out what got him into farming, why he’s going the chemical-free route, and how you farm year-round in a frigid winter state like Minnesota. Resources: Sower’s Harvest Farm https://www.sowersharvestfarm.com/ https://www.facebook.com/sowersharvestfarm/ https://www.instagram.com/sowersharvestfarm/ Summer Veggie Recipes: https://pinchofyum.com/summer-produce-recipes https://www.bakedbymelissa.com/blogs/recipes/farm-stand-salad https://www.homechef.com/meals/farmstand-salad Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I appreciate you!

What's different with a food co-op and can we really trust the organic food label? Erika talks with farmer and Manna Food Co-op General Manager, Ryan Pesch. Ryan started Lida Farm near Pelican Rapids, MN in 2004 and brings unique perspectives as a farmer, business person, and healthy foods advocate that is relevant wherever you live. Ryan refers to it as the good food movement in today's episode. Resources: https://mannafoodcoop.com/ Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I appreciate you!

Love frogs? Toads? Kelly sure does and shares with us why. In today’s episode, Erika talks with Interpretive Park Ranger of 30 years, Kelly Blackledge to learn some fun facts about frogs, their sounds, how they survive in winter, and how they're doing out there. Resources: Frog & Toad Opera https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/frogs_toads/opera.html Record your sightings on HerpMapper https://www.herpmapper.org/ Minnesota Frog Watch https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/frogtoad_survey/index.html FrogWatch USA https://www.akronzoo.org/frogwatch-usa-volunteers Malformed Frogs Found in MN https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs-043-01/ Book: Peril in the Ponds: Deformed Frogs, Politics, and a Biologist's Quest by Judy Helgen (Author) Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience!

It's crazy how many toxic and hazardous 'cleaning' supplies we use in our homes. There's a better way. In today’s episode, Erika sits down with former Household Hazardous Waste Coordinator, Sandy Gunderson to talk about alternative cleaning supplies that are easy to make, better for us and the environment, and will save us lots of money. Cha-Ching! DIY Ways-TO-Clean-Green Resources: https://greenamerica.org/ways-to-clean-green https://homesteadingfamily.com/homemade-cleaning-recipes/ https://dakotavalleyrecyclingmn.gov/green-cleaners https://islandgreenliving.org/non-toxic-cleaning/ Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for being a part of The Global Grit Experience!

For this episode, I’ve invited Dr. Karen Branden back on the show to talk about a topic that’s been bugging me. Why do we as humans often not speak up and challenge things that we know, at least deep down, are wrong? It’s frustrating as hell why so many people in power are doing this, but how can we, our little spread out, but collective selves around the planet do things differently to make a difference? A recent podcast guest calls it having micro-courage and that intrigued me. In this episode Dr. Karen Branden talks about our human nature, societal upbringing, and experiments that shed some light on why we tend to stay silent, and most importantly, how we can break that pattern of 'group-think’ with a bit of micro-courage. You can listen to the podcast here or wherever you like to listen to podcasts. You can also follow The Global Grit Experience on IG and FB. I’d love to hear from you! Let me know what you think and any topics you’d like to hear about on the show. Follow The Global Grit Experience on Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Follow The Global Grit on Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit www.theglobalgritexperience.com

Jim Goodman, the owner of Bob’s Cabins in Two Harbors, MN has done what I think is very unusual in today’s world. He’s not bulldozing down a quaint getaway but instead restoring it AND building in energy efficiency and renewable energy to make it more affordable for guests to have extended stays. Having worked for most of his life in the energy field, Jim says its about ethics to pursue renewable energy and energy efficiency because it makes economic sense. He calls it the sweet spot…doing good and saving money. Jim's perspective and tactics are things you can incorporate too, in your home or business. Jim was born on the Iron Range, grew up in Two Harbors, MN, and worked at Bob’s Cabins on Lake Superior during high school. He’s a husband and dad, volunteers with the University of Minnesota Extension’s Northeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, and loves to bike, hike, and sail. For Bob's Cabins, he's all about progressing its operational smoothness through electrification and lowering its carbon footprint. You can learn about Bob’s Cabins below: https://www.bobscabinsonlakesuperior.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Bobscabins linkedin.com/in/jamesrobertgoodman

I've been hearing people saying lately how much they hate bugs or are scared of certain bugs and I’m like, I gotta do an episode on bugs…because we need bugs and they’re really so intricate and amazing. And, because I think it would be fun to learn a little bit more about them. My guest today is Jessica Wyn Miller. She’s an environmental entomologist and insect advocate. She’s the owner of Dragons Wynd that shares the wonder and fascination of the insects and the services they provide in our own yards and environments around the globe. She does a lot of talks and workshops and uses current research and interesting facts to help people laugh and inspire a respect for insect behavior, their heavy workload, and environmental needs. Jessica shares with us some bug fun facts, their role up the food chain for birds, fish, and turtles for example that we like to see in our yards, parks, lakes and rivers and how we can protect and nurture them to thrive. You can learn more about Dragons Wynd or reach out to Jessica below: jessica@dragonswynd.com dragonswynd.com https://www.etsy.com/shop/DragonsWyndInsects

Today we’re talking about planting for pollinators! A few years ago I received a Lawns to Legumes pollinator habitat grant through a MN statewide education program called Blue Thumb which is part of the nonprofit, Metro Blooms based in Minneapolis. Metro Blooms partners with communities and folks to create outdoor spaces that’s good for the water and land like installing rain gardens that filter and clean water and native plantings the provide habitat for pollinators. With the grant, I started my first pollinator garden which has been addictive and now has transformed a once entirely mowed backyard to about 3/4’s pollinator garden… and it’s SO much fun to see all the flowers and life back there. I’ve invited Megan and Jennifer from Metro Blooms to talk with us about how to plant for pollinators. Megan Reich is with the Education Team and Jennifer Ehlert is Vice President of the for-profit Metro blooms Design+Build that does residential and commercial design, installation and maintenance of native landscapes. But, No matter where you live, this can apply to you. Each of our little pollinator spaces, big or small are like stepping stones across the landscape to help for example, migrating monarch make their journey. And, it’s, I think, super fun. Here are a few resources: Metro Blooms Website: https://metroblooms.org/ Blue Thumb Website: https://bluethumb.org/ Blue Thumb Planting Templates: https://bluethumb.org/public-resources/ Lawns to Legumes Habitat at Home Sign Up: https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/habitat-at-home/ Lawns to Legumes Garden Tour Day: https://bluethumb.org/garden-tour-day/ National Wildlife Federation - Native Plant Habitats - https://www.nwf.org/Native-Plant-Habitats/Plant-Native

Sawyer Gilsdorf learned a few lessons on his snowy New Year's Day hike in the Colorado Rockies.

With declining natural shorelines from development, loon numbers have been hurting. People like my guest Mark Backes on Big Fish Lake in Minnesota are building loon nests to help them out. Hear what goes into making a loon nest, the success they're having, and some fun loon facts along the way. The loon calls you'll hear are recorded on Gull Lake from a friend of mine and Minnesota's 'Loon Lady', Sheila Johnston. Resources: https://www.facebook.com/TheLoonLady/ https://www.nationallooncenter.org/

We are at a critical time when many of our public and sacred lands across the U.S. are being threatened. Political decisions, like the recent, totally disgusting vote passed to undo protections that block copper mining in the Boundary Water’s watershed, are at risk of setting precedents for other wilderness areas, like Utah's Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument. We need to stand together, across state lines for wilderness protection. Today’s Guest is Chris Riccardo, the Midwest organizer with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). Hear about what's happening with the Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument, how congress is seeking to roll back protections, and what you can do (that's easy) to help. After listening, I hope you’ll take action and go to SUWA.org or make a quick call to your members of congress to vote NO on resolutions to undo the Grand Staircase-Escalante management plan. We gotta keep the pressure on together. For more info, Chris shared these resources: chris@suwa.org DC’s Switchboard: 202.224.3121 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/W1FceOMx_XQ https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/fbdd127c2bfb421a8fe56f579f252892 https://gsenm.org/april-2026-newsletter/

This was a Mother's Day of divine intervention.

Today’s episode on the challenge of balancing technology or screen time for the kids in our lives I think is really relatable to so many of us. But, how is this related to the Global Grit Experience that's about nature and the outdoors? Well, when kids and teenagers would rather be looking at a screen inside than doing something outside, we’re losing that important connection to nature and the outdoors in our kids. My guest today is FABULOUS to give us some info and tips (without shame) on how to help us with the ever changing technology pressure on our kids. Erin Walsh is the co-founder of Minnesota-based Spark & Stitch Institute. Her work has been featured in publications like the Washington Post, Minnesota Public Radio, Psychology Today, and Parents.com and she co-authored the bestselling Tenth Anniversary Edition of Why Do They Act That Way? And, her latest book, It’s Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence , is out now. Erin is also a parent herself and she gets it. Navigating technology for the kids in our lives is hard. But, she's hear to help. Take a listen. Erin also shared some resources with us below: Book: https://sparkandstitchinstitute.com/books/erin-walsh-its-their-world/ First Device Guide: https://sparkandstitchinstitute.com/learn/free-resources/first-device-guide/ New Device Agreement: https://sparkandstitchinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/First-Device-Agreements.pdf I'd Rather Inventory: https://sparkandstitchinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/Id-Rather-Inventory-2020.pdf