Voices of Upstream: Recent Episodes
Upstream Initiative
Minnesota is filled with natural wonders—our lakes, fields, forests, parks and open spaces. Join Upstream director Andy Goldman-Gray and a new guest weekly for conversations about what makes our places special, and how we care for the natural places that make Minnesota beautiful. You’ll learn more about Minnesota’s natural places and the people who care for them.
In this episode, Andy and Karla Patrick, one of Upstream's 2023 Unsung Caretakers talk about her giving garden and how being outdoors can benefit both your health and resilience.
You can help recognize the people who take care of Minnesota's natural places. Learn more about how you can nominate a 2024 Unsung Caretaker here.
In this episode, Andy and Ashleigh Harris, an Upstream Unsung Caretaker discuss how caring for place can literally start in your own backyard.
In this episode, Andy speaks with Sam VanWechel-Meyer just ahead of a trash dash challenge, a community cleanup effort in Fergus Falls. VanWechel-Meyer is one of Upstream's Unsung Caretakers but also works as a Community Development Specialist for https://wcif.org/.
Join Andy and Henry Labounta, one of this year's Upstream's Unsung Caretakers as they discuss his work caring for Lake of the Isles and the new preventative measures he's taking to reduce pollution in waters across the state.
In this episode, Andy takes a break from speaking with Unsung Caretakers and has a conversation with Elizabeth Wente. Wente is an old friend of Upstream's who helped identify the uniquely Minnesotan narratives about caring for our natural places.
In this episode, Andy speaks with Dr. Roxanne Biidabinokwe Gould, associate professor of Indigenous education in the College of Education at University of Minnesota, Duluth. Dr. Gould is of Grand Traverse Band Odawa/Ojibwe heritage and in addition to her work at the University of Minnesota Duluth, she serves on the governing council for Makoce Ikikcupi, a land justice recovery program.
In the first episode of Voices of Upstream season three, Andy speaks with unsung caretaker Angelina Amerigo, better known as Miss Minnesota 2023. Amerigo is recognized as an unsung caretaker who started the One Bottle, One Straw, One Bag at a Time initiative.
In this episode, Andy speaks to Heather Boschke, an artist and author about birding, acceptable levels of camping and unlocking your full potential.
In this episode, Andy talks to Katie Nyberg, the Executive Director of the Great River Passage Conservancy. On the banks of the Mississippi River, the two discuss the presence the river has in St. Paul, the beauty of a summer cabin trip and how stewardship can be empowered by community.
In this episode, Andy talked with Instagram influencer @shantastic.life about hiking in Minnesota. She delves into how to get outside as a beginning hiker, her outreach efforts to get women hiking and Leave No Trace.
Andy talks to Aaron Hebeisen, an avid hunter and member of Backcountry Hungers and Anglers.
Foiled by the rain, Andy speaks to Minnesota's very own travel influencer Expedition Kristen on Zoom about Minnesota's hidden gems, how travelers can care for natural places and her dog, Ole.
Andy joins the illustrious Kieran Folliard at his Northeast Minneapolis Food Building to talk about community, whiskey and sustainably sourcing the food we need to thrive.
Andy joins Minnesota Farm Bureau’s Carolyn Olsen at Farm Fest to talk about agriculture, stewardship and organics, and what member organizations like Minnesota Farm Bureau is doing to share sustainable farming practices.
Andy finds a quiet part of Tamarack Nature Center to talk to Dani Prados and Margo Gray about their experience as Upstream Artist Fellows, and how they find inspiration for their creativity outdoors.
Edited by Ellie Lin.
Andy sits down in the kitchen of esteemed Minnesota CookBook author and farm to table OG Beth Dooley. They talk about how food and care for our place is so closely tied.
Edited byEllie Lin.
Even on the coldest days, Lake Superior is something to behold. Andy sits down with Divya Maiya, Upstream Organizing Committee member and Executive Director of South Asian Arts and Theater House from Grand Marais to talk about how this ex-pat appreciates the season and how finding joy in winter helps her love our natural places. From flash mobs on frozen lakes to skiing in a sari, Divya shares how she loves to be outside, and how SAATH is making their events and gatherings sustainable.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.
From the Loppet Foundation’s groomed trails at Theo Wirth Park, Andy sits down with Lauren Young, Head of Growth for Future Card. They talk about moving back home to Minnesota from the coast, and raising kids that appreciate and care for our natural places. They talk about not letting perfect be the enemy of good when it comes to personal decisions about caring for our place, and how we can use our purchasing power to help influence entire markets. Lauren shares how Future Card is rewarding and incenting consumers for buying sustainable products from responsible companies.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.
In this “lost” episode from a sunny day in June, Andy strolls around Lakewood Cemetery with Caren Dewar, Director of the Regional Council of Mayors. They talked about the role of local governments in caring for our natural places, finding peace in green spaces in the city, and how Caren engages mayors in creating a common sense of place in shared spaces.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.
Andy talks to Rhys Williams about the trial and error of starting Sweet Sage farm, taking what the land gives you and finding community everywhere in Minnesota.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.
Andy talks to Jenna Ray about being a good relative to our mother earth and all of the people in Minnesota and how the noises of nature are the soundtrack to her kids upbringing.
During this interview, Jenna talked about sportsmen and sportswomen, and Jenna wants to acknowledge that there is a whole range of gender expression that may not be represented by these terms.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.
Join Andy as he talks with Jason Adkins, head of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, about rowing on the Mississippi, caring for our waters, and how faith and stewardship of our natural places align.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.
Andy talks to Christina Norman about being on the water, growing up on the Range, and how travel with her family informed her appreciation for Minnesota and our beautiful places.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.
Andy talks to Raj in his raised bed garden, where Raj’s inner engineer definitely shows up. Raj shares stories of how global perspectives can inform our local approach to caring for our places.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.
Andy talks with Jordan Mayor Mike Franklin about what parks and green spaces mean to our communities, and how little habits we learn as kids stick with us forever.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.
Andy talks with Pahoua at Boom Island park in Minneapolis about long walks in the city, the public health benefits of green space, and finding your outdoors “thing” that can keep us busy when it’s cold out.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.
Andy talks with Ron Harris, Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Minneapolis in Hanson Park. They talk about how family influences our use of outdoor spaces, the importance of nature to health and resilience, and the opportunity working across difference presents to people who want to care for our natural places.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.
Join Upstream director Andy Goldman-Gray with Upstream founder John Larsen in his award-winning garden to hear about the genesis of Upstream, how care for place figures into architecture and the most creative chicken names you’ve ever heard.
Music by Austin Moffa. Edited by Ellie Lin.