"You never stop growing up." Irene welcomes podcast producer + host Molly Bloom! Molly Bloom is the host of the American Public Media show Brains On! & the spin-off show, Smash Boom Best. Here is part one of the Brains On! series on emotions: Happy: All about feelings, pt. 1By Minnehaha Bend productions

Irene welcomes Susan Shehata! They talk about discovering a love of theater and the path that can open up. Susan also shares how she works on being present an dhow that brings her joy. Plus, she shares ways she works with clients to help them get unstuck. Susan Shehata, also known as The Space Guru™, is a nationally known Wellness Educator and Crea…

“The only way we can understand where we are, who we are, and what we are, is to look at the past and to pull all those threads and see how they’re all connected.” Irene welcomes Megan Dowd. Megan shares her early ambition to be a child actor on the television show 'Wishbone' and how that may have led to pursuing classical acting school. They also …

“If not me making decisions for myself then who?” Irene welcomes the brilliant Twila Dang. They talk about the power of podcasting, the beauty of expressing emotions, and why it is silly to feel bad about what brings you joy. Twila Dang is the Founder and CEO of Matriarch Digital Media.By Minnehaha Bend productions

“I don’t want to take the fun out of what I do because then I feel like its soulless.” Irene welcomes the delightful Anahita Champion to the show. They talk about getting into the career you thought you wanted and realizing it didn't fit. They also talk about finding joy and remembering that you are enough just as you are. Anahita Champion is an On…

"I only listen to happy songs!" Irene welcomes improvisor & podcaster Maria Bartholdi! They talk about wanting to make things that cause an emotional response, the power of shifter from fear to what's possible, and Maria talks about becoming who she wants to be in the world. Maria Bartholdi is a freelance editor, videographer, producer, host, espor…

Irene welcomes the multi-faceted Courtney McClean to the podcast. They talk about making music, listening to your own body, feeling all of your feelings, and making cool stuff. Courtney McClean is a comedic performer/writer, musician, storyteller, actress, and soothing podcast voice.By Minnehaha Bend productions

“It can’t just be money. It can’t just be work. It can’t just be hustle. Because that is exhausting.” Irene welcomes Hannah Wydeven. Together, Irene & Hannah talk about wanting to be viewed as competent, the expectations people do and don't have for women, and what it takes to be your own boss. Hannah Wydeven is an educator and owner of Solcana Fit…

Irene welcomes Andrea Pérez-Maikkula! They talk about being from Puerto Rico, doing health relief work in Haiti, and why names matter. (pronunciation tip: Ahn – DRE – uh / flip or roll the r if you can) Andrea Pérez-Maikkula is a multilingual global health professional with over a decade of experience in intercultural facilitation, community engage…

Irene welcomes Shanan Custer! Irene + Shanan talk about the power of slowing down and really thinking about what does or does not bring joy. Shanan talks about finding her voice, hearing her writing performed on stage, and the joy of Harry Styles and Rosemary Clooney. Shanan is an actor, writer, director, improvisor, educator, and voracious reader.…

“Some of the best things that have happened in my life are things I never anticipated.” Irene welcomes Nausheena to talk about growing up without seeing Muslim women in media or leadership roles. Nausheena talks about having immigrant parents, teaching Muslim women to organize and engage politically, they both talk about reacting to what other peop…

Irene welcomes Sam Baker Harris! Sam talks about finding her people in college and wanting to build a life that always has art at the center. They also talk about the joy of making people laugh, the importance of processing emotions through a hot bath, and what it takes to really find yourself. Sam Baker Harris an actor, director, improviser, coach…

“I still don’t think I have become something. I am many somethings.” Irene welcomes printmaker and graphic designer Elana Schwartzman. Elana talks about being drawn to letterpress printmaking & how she's embraced the ability to organize & work for social justice through her letterpress. They also talk about Lois Lane, making big decisions, & how to…

“I used to take a lot of joy in being rootless and I’m all about the roots now.” Irene welcomes Isabel Nelson. They talk about the journey Isabel is on as an artist, student, mother, administrator, community member, and white person. Isabel talks about big and small decisions that have impacted her life and they both talk about being emotionally ex…

Irene welcome singer, songwriter, musician, and actor Leslie Vincent. They talk about living dreams, finding joy in day jobs, and the surprising ways new doors can open when you make new decisions. Leslie Vincent is an actor, singer, and musician who grew up across the East Coast and the UK, thanks to the US military. After seeing her first musical…

"Not everyone deserves the full me." Irene welcome Tyrai to chat about going from being a classroom teacher to lead adults in learning about racism and sexism. Tyrai talks about the importance of the WNBA when she was a young basketball player, coming out to herself and her mother, and the joy she gets from being a parent. Tyrai Bronson-Pruitt is t…

"I'm neither a waif nor a wafer." Irene closes out 2020 by chatting with her mom, Laura Zabel. Laura Zabel is the Executive Director of Springboard for the Arts. She is also a frequent speaker on arts and community development at convenings such as the Aspen Ideas Festival, Urban Land Institute and Americans for the Arts. She was a 2014 Bush Founda…

Irene welcomes Dana Nelson to talk all about having big feelings, building family, and the importance of laughter. Dana Nelson is an innovative leader with a track record for identifying emerging ideas and nurturing their growth. Demonstrated ability to lead highly visible campaigns, large national startup organizations and manage multiple stakehol…

“The question behind every question we ask is, “am I normal, am I okay.” Irene welcomes author, podcaster, & Still Kickin' founder Nora McInerny onto the show. They talk about Nora's dreams of becoming Katie Couric or F. Scott Fitzgerald, the weirdness or careers, handling emotions, and how to not restrict your own access to joy. Nora McInerny has …

“Being an artist helps you get free and free other people.” Irene welcomes Docta E aka Dr. Elaine Richardson to talk about finding joy in singing, the endless journey towards self-love, and what it means to be a black woman in America. Elaine Richardson (aka Dr. E) was born in Cleveland, Ohio. An inspirational Ohio State University professor of edu…

“If I want to be a middle-aged woman dressed as a unicorn, I can just do that!” Irene talks with Allison about making decisions, finding joy, and being vulnerable. Allison talks about traveling, creating spaces for art, and why it is so important to be yourself. Allison Broeren is a storytelling, theater owner, marketer, and non-profit director. If…

“Times when I feel most accomplished are when I see former students accomplishing their goals.” Irene talks with Tish Jones about making decisions, getting inspired, standing inside integrity, and finding joy. Founder & Executive Director of TruArtSpeaks, Tish Jones is a poet, performer, educator and organizer from Saint Paul, Minnesota. She has pe…

“I think one of the things that I continue to work at… is being able to find joy in other people’s joy.” Laura Zimmermann is a writer, a storyteller, and a maker of cheesecakes. You might find her at a softball game, a jazz concert, or a nonprofit board meeting, but you'll never find her on a ladder or entering a triathlon. She is a multi-time winn…

"Make your own way to make your dreams happen." Irene talks with Colleen Somerville about pursing her dreams in musical theater, moving from rural Ohio to Minneapolis, becoming a mother, making her own work, and finding a passion for direct services and social justice work.By Minnehaha Bend productions

“It is a radical act to be yourself. It is a radical act to love yourself.” Irene talks to Sulia about decision making, transitioning from being an actor to being activities director at a senior center, and what it means to love one's self.By Minnehaha Bend Productions

“It’s kind of like the older I get the more boring my aspirations get." Ashley Fairbanks is an Anishinaabe artist, organizer and creative director. A citizen of the White Earth Nation, born and raised in Minneapolis, Ashley graduated from Minneapolis South High School and studied Ojibwe language and political science at the University of Minnesota.…

Irene has a conversation with her good friend Rachel about how Rachel got to where she is and what she learned along the way. Rachel Austin Bernstein is a Minneapolis-based actor, caregiver, and the founder of Love Labor Project, an organization that provides support to young adult caregivers.By Irene Weinhagen

Irene talks about Pets

Listen to 11 year old Irene give her thoughts on how to be a good cousin. Then she'll let you know what she's reading and watching.

Irene breaks down all you need to know in order to succeed at Rock, Paper, Scissors. Plus, new book and movie recommendations.

Irene talks about what she loves about comedy and what comedy even is.

Irene talks about birthday favorites from the past and about her upcoming celebration.

Irene goes deep on her love for the musical Hamilton and everything she's learned about Alexander Hamilton as a result.

Podcast Junior, aka Irene, talks about the fall return to school and whether or not she was excited to start school. She talks about making new friends and seeing old ones. And she gives a special shout out to Ghostbuster Leslie Jones for listening and supporting.

Irene saw the new Ghostbusters movie and she's excited to tell you all about it!

Irene talks about making crafts. And she does Best, Worst, Funniest and give her motivations for the week!

Irene talks about being born a vegetarian and what that means. She shares some of her favorite foods and recipes, gets into why its important to treat everyone the same no matter what they eat, and goes through her best worst and funniest. She also declares this the funniest episode of the podcast thus far. And has a bonus interview with her first …

Podcast jr. is a show hosted by 10 year old Irene. In this episode she tries to get at what a dad is and what a dad isn't She explores how many dads she knows and explains the difference between a mom and a dad. Plus she suggests some fun shows to watch and recommends the Nerdy Nummies cookbook.

On this episode, Podcast jr talks about small talk and wonders if all talk is small talk. She also talks about school testing, what are the good and bad parts of testing and suggests ways to make tests more fun. She also may or may not talk about farts.

Podcast jr., aka Irene, talks about why she likes podcasts and why she decided to make one of her own.