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Minnesota Fight Night

Brian Johnson and Sean Strauss

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Brian Johnson, a journalist and occasional boxing publicist, and Minnesota boxing historian Sean Strauss discuss the Sweet Science with a special focus on the North Star State. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: https://music.apple.com/us/album/ali-shuffle/334927560?i=334927635 Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-johnson492/support
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Welcome to Let’s Hear It, a podcast about foundation and nonprofit communications (among other things), hosted by non-relatives Eric Brown and Kirk Brown. Let’s Hear It is sponsored through generous contributions from the College Futures Foundation, the Lumina Foundation, the Prebys Foundation, and the Stupski Foundation. On Let’s Hear It, Kirk and Eric speak with leaders in the field about who they are, what makes them tick, and how they think about their work.
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Sometimes it's okay to take a moment away from the massive challenges and simply laugh. Thanks to Esteban Gast and the organization he works for, Generation 180, we can even laugh about climate. Well, actually, Esteban helps us better understand how we can take actions that matter, understand that we're not alone, and have a little fun along the wa…
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We are so excited about ComNet24 in Kansas City! When Sean Gibbons joined the Communications Network as its new leader a decade ago, he was tasked with leading an organization with 400 members and a staff of, um, himself and a ham sandwich. Today, the Network boasts over 4,000 members and a team of eight, reflecting Sean's infectious enthusiasm and…
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In this episode, Minnesota boxer Oscar Soto talks about his upcoming pro debut. A veteran of more than 100 amateur fights, Soto will face tough Roman Cruz (2-1) on the undercard of the June 22 Vivid Fights promotion at the DoubleTree Hilton Ballroom in Bloomington. Soto also chats about his storied amateur career, which included bouts with the like…
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In this episode, former MMA fighter and current trainer Nick Rogers talks about his combat sports journey, the revival of the Minnesota State boxing title, and the June 22 Vivid Fights promotion in Bloomington. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for purchase: music…
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As we approach World Refugee Day, it’s so good to know that there are people like Suzanne Ehlers who are making an extraordinary difference and people’s lives and providing real hope for the future. Suzanne is the Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR, a nonprofit organization that supports the United Nations Refugee Agency. It helps raise aw…
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In this episode, Minnesota boxer and former Upper Midwest Golden Gloves champion Jerred Bradford talks about his amateur career and previews his pro debut on the June 22 Vivid Fights card in Bloomington. Host: Brian Johnson. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. The full instrumental is available for p…
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In this episode, Minnesota boxer Slink Proper (9-1) talks about his June 29, ESPN-televised rematch with Nico Ali Walsh (9-1) grandson of Muhammad Ali. Also joining the conversation is Slink’s trainer, Quincy Caldwell. Ripped and ready to rumble, Slink is determined to prove that his upset win over Ali Walsh last August was no fluke. Host: Brian Jo…
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A huge thank you to Fatima Angeles, the Executive Director of the Levi Strauss Foundation, for joining us on the latest episode of Let’s Hear It. Fatima talks with Eric about the Levi Strauss Foundation's groundbreaking work in areas like reproductive justice, worker rights, immigrant rights, and democracy. Fatima discusses her 24-year tenure at Ca…
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In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, Minnesota boxer Corey Thompson (5-2, 4 KOs) previews his his June 22 fight against Mengistu Zarzar (10-9-1, 8 KOs). At stake is the vacant USA Minnesota Light Heavyweight title. The fight is the main event of a big Vivid Fights promotion at the Doubletree Hilton in Bloomington. Host: Brian Johns…
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Eleven years ago, David Callahan launched a most audacious project – a new publication that was going to get under the hood of philanthropy (to borrow from that great philosopher, Ross Perot) and expose the good, the bad, and the meh. Some folks chortled, some scoffed, and some cast their eyes heavenward in the hope that he would shed a little ligh…
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Join us for a truly extraordinary conversation with the amazing Heather McGhee, the author of The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together. Heather exposes the lie of so-called zero-sum thinking—where one person's gain is seen as another's loss—and flips it on its head by explaining how diverse coalitions can produce a …
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We’ve been doing this show for a while, and every so often the pieces just elegantly slide into place. In thirtyish minutes, Robert Pérez does this for us. Robert is the founder and Chief Exploration Officer of Wonder: Strategies for Good, a network of experts in messaging, storytelling, psychology and public-opinion research that works with founda…
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In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, Minnesota boxer Gavin Hendrickson (2-0-1) previews his April 13 fight at Treasure Island Casino. In what could well be the fight of the night, Hendrickson, of Richfield, faces Tyler Nystrom of Superior, Wisconsin (1-1). --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-john…
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In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, Minnesota heavyweight Colton Warner (6-2) talks about his upcoming fight at Treasure Island Casino in Welch, Minnesota. The event is April 13. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., fights start at 7:00. In addition, Warner shares his thoughts on other big fights coming up, including Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr …
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In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, Minnesota boxer Tony Woods (12-0, 10 KOs), talks about his upcoming fight with Deshawn Prather (17-1, 2 KOs) of Kansas City. The fight is Friday, April 12, in Springfield, Missouri. On the line is the vacant Universal Boxing Organization Continental Middleweight title. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,…
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Societies can’t thrive without sufficient levels of trust – trust in our elected officials, in our major institutions, the value of the dollar bill in our wallet, and even in our belief that our fellow motorists will abide by the traffic laws when we enter an intersection. You know where this is going, don’t you? We have a trust problem that threat…
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In this episode, we catch up with Minnesota boxer Tim Bender. A native of Florida now living and training in Minnesota, Bender won his pro boxing debut in impressive fashion last December. He returns to the boxing ring Saturday, April 13, as part of a live boxing, MMA and Muay Thai card at Treasure Island Casino. Bender faces a tough test in the pe…
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When Chris DeCardy took the reins of the Heinz Endowments last year, he was one of the very few former foundation communications directors to ascend to the lofty heights of president. And Chris has dived in with the energy of a teenager. Indeed, if there is a more energetic – nay, ebullient – foundation president in the land, we haven’t met them. C…
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Governments have money and foundations can take risks. Shouldn’t these be marriages made in heaven? Amazingly they’re not, but in California, we’re starting to see partnerships that are bucking the trend, which can be spectacularly good examples of how to make great collaborations work. On this episode of Let’s Hear It, Eric speaks with Elena Chave…
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Academy Award season is here, but while the rest of the world may be debating which half of the Barbenheimer phenomenon will take home the most trophies, at Let’s Hear It we’re putting all our chips on Best Documentary Short nominee “The Barber of Little Rock,” co-directed by Christine Turner and our dear friend John Hoffman. Eric and John reunite …
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In this episode of Let’s Hear It, our guest is none other than one of Hollywood’s most passionate and entertaining environmentalists – the amazing Ed Begley, Jr. As it happens, Ed and Eric go way, way, back, having worked together in Hollywood in the last millennium. Today, they’re both working in environmental communications, after a fashion, and …
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We are so delighted to present the legendary Anat Shenker-Osorio. Yes, that’s right, that Anat Shenker-Osorio. Maybe you’ve heard her on Ezra Klein, MSNBC, on her excellent podcast Words to Win By, or read her work in the New York Times, the Guardian, and more. On our latest episode of Let’s Hear It, Anat goes deep on how to create messages that wi…
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In this episode, highly ranked Minnesota boxer Ve Shawn Owens (14-4, 12 KOs) discusses his strange experience on a Dec. 2, 2023, boxing card in Mexico. Owens went into the ring thinking he was fighting an exhibition. But that’s not how it played out. In the 8th round, the referee stopped the “fight” after Owens was hit on the back of the head, givi…
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How many of us in the nonprofit world can track our interest in climate to nightmares we had about natural disasters at age ten? Anyone? Oh, right, just Don Chen, President of the Surdna Foundation, former director of the Cities and States program at the Ford Foundation, former CEO (and founder!) of Smart Growth America, and this week’s guest on Le…
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Here is another one of our favorite interviews - Shanelle Matthews, founder of the Radical Communicators Network, former communications director for the Movement for Black Lives, and now Distinguished Lecturer at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at City College at the City University of New York. Shanelle is simply amazing an…
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Today, we offer another one of our favorite interviews - a blast from the past with the inimitable Jim Canales, President and Trustee of the Barr Foundation. Jim is charming, funny, and one of they absolute nicest people in philanthropy. If you didn't get a chance to hear this conversation the first time, you're in for a treat.…
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Minneapolis fan favorite David Morrell Jr. is “the Carlos Monzon of our time.” So says Luis DeCubas Sr. in the press conference at the Armory shortly after Morrell’s second-round TKO win over a game Sena Agbeko. Now, Morrell says he wants to fight the “Mexican Monster,” David Benavidez, to cement his claim as the king of the 168-pound division. Hea…
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The W Foshay Hotel in downtown Minneapolis hosted a press conference Thursday in advance of Saturday’s PBC Showtime-televised card at The Armory in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Fight Night podcast was there, and we caught up with WBA “regular” super middleweight champion David Morrell Jr., who faces Sena Agbeko in the main event. We also chatted with…
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In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, popular Minnesota boxer Marlin “So Icey” Sims previews his fight on the Showtime Boxing finale show at The Armory in Minneapolis. Sims (8-2 with 4 KOs) will take on Charles “Lo Lo” Harris (7-1) of Rialto, California on the undercard of the December 16 PBC event. Headlining the card is a super mi…
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In our latest episode, we offer a fascinating conversation with Alison Smart, the Executive Director of Probable Futures - a nonprofit climate literacy initiative. Alison shares her organization's approach to democratizing climate science, making climate predictions accessible, and providing practical educational resources for anyone, anywhere, for…
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In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, we’re pleased to chat with Minnesota boxer Corey Thompson about his December 9 bout on the Big Q Promotions card at Element Gym in St. Paul. The Nordic Warrior (4-2) takes on Wayman “The Slim Reaper” Carter (4-7-1) of Topeka, Kansas. Also joining us is Daleco James, Thompson’s trainer and co-own…
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In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, we’re on location at the CMB Boxing Gym in Burnsville, where we chat with Minnesota boxers Leo Medel and Michael Demps. Both fighters will be in action this Saturday night, December 9, on the Big Q Promotions card at Element Gym in St. Paul. Medel (8-0 as a pro) will take on Andre Byrd (10-14-1)…
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In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, Coach Quincy Caldwell of Big Q Promotions and fellow boxing coach Shane Chanslor preview the Dec. 9 Big Q Promotions pro boxing card at Element Gym in St. Paul. Fresh off his win over Nico Ali Walsh, Minnesota boxer Slink Proper takes on Tray Martin in the main event. Big Q Promotions always put…
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In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, we catch up with Minnesota boxer Tim Bender. A native of Florida now living in Minneapolis, Bender will make his long-awaited pro boxing debut this Saturday, December 9, as part of a Big Q Promotions card at Element Gym in St. Paul. Bender, who has an MMA background, takes on Terrance Lee (2-1) …
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In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, we take a road trip to Element Gym in St. Paul, where we catch up with rising local super welterweight star Slink Proper (8-1, 4 KOs). Slink previews his Dec. 9 fight at Element Gym in St. Paul. In the main event, Slink takes on Tray Martin (3-6, 2 KOs) of Missouri. A fan favorite at Element, Sl…
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When Larry Kramer announced recently that he was leaving the Hewlett Foundation to run the London School of Economics, it marked the end of an extraordinarily productive tenure as the head of one of the world’s largest and most influential charitable foundations. In Larry’s nearly twelve years at Hewlett, he helped lead a new era of climate philant…
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In this episode of the Minnesota Fight Night podcast, super middleweight contender Sena Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs) previews his Dec. 16 fight against WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. at The Armory in Minneapolis. A native of Ghana now fighting out of Nashville, Agbeko is riding a five-fight winning streak, including an upset victory ove…
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As the new president of the groundbreaking consulting firm Spitfire Strategies, Jen Carnig, who succeeds the legendary Kristen Grimm, might feel a little like whoever takes Megan Rapinoe’s place. It might seem a little daunting and very hard on your hamstrings, but think of the possibilities! Jen may have big shoes to fill, but she’s obviously read…
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When our guest, Ashwath Narayanan, was 22, he launched Social Currant, a creative agency that is helping nonprofits and issue organizations use social media to reach audiences more effectively. By contrast, when co-host Eric was 22, he was working as a production assistant on low budget horror movies. So there’s that. Ashwath and his team of six fu…
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Minnesota cruiserweight boxer Marty “The Wolfman” Lindquist shows no signs of slowing down. On the undercard of a 15th Round Promotions event in Sioux City, Iowa, Lindquist (16-12, 12 KOs) returned to the ring in style Saturday with an impressive stoppage win over a game Maurice “The Beast” Elk (1-5, 1 KO). An ageless wonder, the 54-year-old Lindqu…
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On our latest episode of Let’s Hear It, we’ve snagged a giant in philanthropy. Our guest this week may well know more about philanthropy than any human walking the planet. Stacy Palmer created the Chronicle of Philanthropy thirty-five years ago, and since then her publication has simultaneously been philanthropy’s watchdog and its cheerleader (as i…
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Spending out, spending down, sunsetting – whatever you call it, it’s a tricky business. This year the Kendeda Fund will close its doors, having provided over one billion dollars in funding over the past thirty years. Their causes included girls’ rights, preventing gun violence, environmental sustainability, advancing racial equity, and supporting v…
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After a summer hiatus, the Minnesota Fight Night podcast returns with a new episode. Sean Strauss and Brian Johnson catch up on the latest boxing news, preview upcoming amateur cards, and talk about Sean’s new gig as president of the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame. Intro music: “Ali Shuffle,” by the Toler/Townsend Band. Special thanks to Deb Toler. …
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Going Commando with Nima Shirazi of Spitfire Strategies and Citations Needed This week on Let’s Hear It, cynical-ish and salty-tongued Nima Shirazi of Spitfire Strategies and the hit podcast Citations Needed endures a slightly arduous, minorly torturous time behind the mic with Eric. Nima’s career is full of exciting experiences, including his curr…
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We have an impactful episode deep-diving into how Tony Proscio, a thought leader in this space, has moved the needle on the innovation of language in nonprofit and foundation work. He and Eric partner to get granular on staying transparent with folks from the donor pipeline to the board room. *record scratch* Just kidding! This week on Let’s Hear I…
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Dive into the world of cricket and resilience with our exclusive interview featuring Andrew Strauss. Explore his remarkable journey through the highs and lows of the cricketing arena, while also delving into his role as a driving force behind the Ruth Strauss Foundation. Join us as we discuss not only the intricacies of the sport but also how he an…
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Discover the essence of leadership in our insightful interview with football legend Geoff Hurst. From his days under the guidance of visionary Alf Ramsay to unexpected tales that shed light on lesser-known facets of his life, Geoff shares the inspirational figures who shaped his journey. Join us to delve into the world of leadership and gain unique…
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As long as there has been art, there have been artists using their creativity to try to transform society for the better. On the latest episode of Let’s Hear It, Eric speaks with Tara Dorabji, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at the Center for Cultural Power, an organization dedicated to harnessing the power of creativity. Tara Dorabji and…
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