Best Terri Bernstein Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 3 - Ben and Shirley Bernstein 57:50

3h ago57:50

57:50

This episode of the 'Ramblin' on the River' podcast covers the history and entrepreneurial spirit of the Bernstein family. Meet the Patriarch and Matriarch of the family, Ben and Shirley Bernstein, and hear about their love story during WWII. The podcast highlights the family's journey in the restaurant business, and shares humorous and heartfelt f…

1
Why did Minnesota erase much of its German culture? 20:24

2h ago20:24

20:24

Minnesota is known for its Scandinavian roots, which are apparent in everything from the Vikings football team to the Norwegian bachelor farmers of Lake Wobegon. But more residents report having German ancestry than Scandinavian. So why isn't that German heritage more reflected more in the state's culture? Reporter Greta Kaul joins host Eric Roper …

1
Episode 2 - A Summer on the Delta Queen 1:01:49

9d ago1:01:49

1:01:49

This episode of Ramblin' on the River, sponsored by BB Riverboats, begins with Alan Bernstein reminiscing about his experiences on the Delta Queen in 1970, including humorous and heartfelt stories about jobs, learning values, and even an unexpected brush with the law in Paducah, Kentucky. The hosts also discuss the significance of the Delta Queen i…

1
Episode 1 - Welcome to Ramblin' on the River! 1:07:35

17d ago1:07:35

1:07:35

A Bernstein Family Legacy: Steamboats, Stories, and Startups The inaugural episode of Ramblin on the River, presented by BB Riverboats, starts with a nostalgic look at summertime in the Ohio River Valley. Hosts Ben, Terri, and Alan Bernstein introduce themselves and the podcast, which will chronicle the stories and history of the Bernstein family's…

1
What is the oldest tree in Minnesota? 22:11

17d ago22:11

22:11

We've talked about some old things on the podcast, including the state's oldest building and one of the world's oldest rocks. Today's episode is about a journey to visit another Minnesota artifact: the state's oldest known tree. Star Tribune cartographer Jake Steinberg and photographer Anthony Soufflé join host Eric Roper to discuss their winter tr…

1
Emptying state institutions was supposed to help fix mental health care. What happened? 26:28

1M ago26:28

26:28

Like many states, Minnesota shuttered the controversial institutions that once housed mentally ill people. But the plan to replace these facilities with new types of treatment options remains incomplete. Reporter Chris Snowbeck joins host Eric Roper to discuss the important and complex history of mental health care in Minnesota. LINKS: Emptying sta…

1
How did gambling develop into a major industry in Minnesota? 16:00

2M ago16:00

16:00

Minnesotans wanting to gamble have many options these days. They can visit a Native American casino, buy scratch-off games at a gas station, yank open pull-tabs at a bar or even play bingo at a church fish fry. But this is a fairly recent phenomenon. Reporter Alex Chhith joins host Eric Roper to discuss the history of gambling in Minnesota. LINKS: …

1
Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul? 17:34

2M ago17:34

17:34

It was difficult to walk around downtown St. Paul in the early 2000s without running into Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and Charlie Brown. Over five summers, the "Peanuts on Parade" public art campaign peppered the beloved comic strip characters throughout creator Charles Schulz's hometown. Reporter Katie Galioto joins host Eric Roper to discuss the backgrou…

1
What Minnesota inventions have shaped modern life? 19:42

3M ago19:42

19:42

Pacemakers, Post-it notes and Spam rank among the state's best-known inventions. But creative Minnesotans devised hundreds of other products we take for granted. Reporter Brooks Johnson dug into this issue for Curious Minnesota and found so many interesting Minnesota inventions that he wrote two stories. LINKS: What Minnesota inventions have shaped…

1
What roles did Minnesota's Native American chiefs play? And who were some notable ones? 22:28

3M ago22:28

22:28

The familiar image of a stoic Native American chief wearing a headdress is in many ways a core American cultural stereotype. It has been memorialized in films and statutes, as well as exploited to sell cigarettes and motorcycles. But who are these celebrated figures of the past? Mark Boswell joins host Eric Roper to discuss the roles that Native Am…

1
Why does Maplewood have such an odd shape? 18:03

4M ago18:03

18:03

Maplewood arguably has the strangest border of any city in the Twin Cities metro area. Its L shape wraps around the northern and eastern edges of St. Paul. The origins of that border reveals an interesting history of development patterns in the east metro. Reporter Greta Kaul joins host Eric Roper to discuss how Maplewood was born out of leftover l…

1
How did Northfield become home to St. Olaf and Carleton colleges? 19:55

4M ago19:55

19:55

St. Olaf and Carleton colleges have left a big mark on the world. Their alumni have reached the highest levels of entertainment, the arts, politics and the legal system. A reader wanted to know how these two prominent private colleges ended up in Northfield, a small city just south of the Twin Cities metro area. Reporter Trey Mewes, who wrote a sto…

1
Did union rules prevent Leonard Bernstein from joining the Minnesota Orchestra? 19:48

5M ago19:48

19:48

Sometimes rejection is the beginning of an exciting new path in life. That's one takeaway from today's episode about Leonard Bernstein, who once planned to work at the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (now the Minnesota Orchestra). Reporter Jenna Ross joins host Eric Roper to discuss how Bernstein's complex relationship with his mentor nearly landed …

1
What does it mean when Minnesota courts sentence offenders to 'the workhouse'? 20:14

5M ago20:14

20:14

It's not uncommon in Minnesota to see a news story about someone being sentenced to "the workhouse." But what is a workhouse? It turns out Minnesota is one of the only states still using this term, which describes unique facilities that are neither jails nor prisons. Reporter Kim Hyatt joins host Eric Roper to talk about what happens in a workhouse…

1
What is Minnesota's deepest lake? 15:04

6M ago15:04

15:04

Sometimes, what seems like a simple question unravels into something much more complex and surprising than we expected. That was the case with the question behind today's episode, regarding the deepest lake in Minnesota. Reporter Chloe Johnson and graphics artist Jake Steinberg join host Eric Roper to discuss their reporting journey to find which l…

1
How did Minnesota become the nation's top turkey state? 16:33

6M ago16:33

16:33

Minnesota has been a national leader in turkey production since the 1950s, and No. 1 for the last two decades. That wouldn't have been possible without collaboration between farmers and researchers at the University of Minnesota. Christopher Vondracek joins host Eric Roper to discuss how Minnesota became such a turkey powerhouse. LINKS: How did Min…

1
How much flour would it take to turn Lake Superior into bread? 11:35

7M ago11:35

11:35

Our winning question from the State Fair required some serious mathematics to answer. But the bakers at Duluth's Best Bread were up to the challenge. Reporter Christa Lawler joined host Eric Roper to discuss the logistics behind the Lake Superior Loaf. LINKS: How much flour would it take to turn Lake Superior into bread? (October 2023 Curious Minne…

1
Did teenagers 'riot' when the Beatles stayed in downtown Minneapolis in 1965? 14:41

7M ago14:41

14:41

The Beatles' 1965 concert in Bloomington was a memorable evening for many young fans. But that event was just the beginning of a long night for some ardent followers of the Fab Four. Reporter Zoë Jackson joins host Eric Roper to discuss what happened in downtown Minneapolis after the show. LINKS: Did teenagers 'riot' when the Beatles stayed in down…

1
Did a Nazi sympathizer once represent Minnesota in the U.S. Senate? 22:04

8M ago22:04

22:04

Ernest Lundeen spent three decades trying to succeed in Minnesota politics. But it was his final years as a U.S. Senator representing the state that have defined his legacy, since Lundeen was spreading Nazi propaganda in the runup to America's intervention in World War II. Kevin Duchschere discusses his Curious Minnesota article on Lundeen with hos…

1
How did Kid Cann become Minneapolis' most infamous gangster? 22:34

8M ago22:34

22:34

Isadore Blumenfeld, a.k.a. Kid Cann, is the arguably biggest name in the criminal history of Minneapolis. He earned millions as a bootlegger during Prohibition and soon became a powerbroker in the city's corrupt political system. He was accused of many crimes -- which garnered big headlines in local papers -- but almost always beat the charges. Rep…

1
Was Moorhead once a drinking destination? 17:52

9M ago17:52

17:52

Different laws -- and cultures -- sometimes collide at the borders between states. An example of this occurred in the late 1800s in the twin cities of Fargo and Moorhead, at the North Dakota-Minnesota border. North Dakota's prohibition on alcohol sent many people across the river seeking booze in Moorhead. Reporter Reid Forgrave joins host Eric Rop…

1
Why did Spam become an international sensation? 17:19

9M ago17:19

17:19

Nearly 90 years since its invention in Minnesota, Spam's legacy extends far beyond the state. The pork product's importance during World War II gave it a large fanbase and spawned new international cuisine. Reporter Brooks Johnson joins host Eric Roper to discuss Spam's unique history. LINKS: Why did Spam become an international sensation? (August …

1
Why did Prince decide to live in Chanhassen? 20:15

10M ago20:15

20:15

Prince was raised in Minneapolis, but settled in Chanhassen as his career blossomed. Why Chanhassen? Star Tribune music critic Jon Bream, who has been covering Prince since the 1970s, explains the backstory behind the musician's decision to live in the western Twin Cities suburbs. LINKS: Why did Prince decide to live in Chanhassen? (June 2023 Curio…

1
State Fair attendees tell us their Minnesota questions 7:31

10M ago7:31

7:31

No event is more quintessentially Minnesotan than the State Fair. So it was important that Curious Minnesota be there to hear what was on fairgoers' minds. We set up shop at the Star Tribune's State Fair building on September 2. In the morning, we solicited questions from fairgoers. We put many of these questions on a large board. In the afternoon,…

1
Why is Minnesota such a hotbed of professional wrestling? 17:59

11M ago17:59

17:59

Minnesota features prominently in the history of professional wrestling. Minneapolis was a prominent "hub" for the sport before promotions like the WWE made it a worldwide sensation. Reporter Stephen Montemayor joins host Eric Roper to discuss pro wrestling's background in the state. LINKS: Why is Minnesota such a hotbed of professional wrestling? …

1
Curious Minnesota at the State Fair this Saturday 0:50

11M ago0:50

0:50

Saturday, September 2 is Curious Minnesota Day at the Star Tribune's State Fair building! Stop by anytime between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will be soliciting questions from fairgoers in the morning and asking people to vote on their favorite questions in the afternoon.By Star Tribune

1
Why did Minnesota once require margarine to be dyed pink? 20:18

11M ago20:18

20:18

The introduction of margarine in the United States in the late 1800s was very controversial in butter-producing states like Minnesota. Prompted by fears that margarine would undercut butter in the marketplace, lawmakers in Minnesota and elsewhere imposed taxes and regulations to tamp down margarine's success -- including a requirement that it be dy…

1
How did Tonka trucks get their start in Minnesota? 17:58

1y ago17:58

17:58

Many people alive today have memories of Tonka trucks, which have been an enduring element of the children's toy market for more than 70 years. Now owned by Hasbro, these realistic metal toys were invented and once manufactured in the western Twin Cities suburb of Mound. Reporter Nick Williams joins host Eric Roper to discuss how Tonka got its star…

1
Inside the mines and megamachines of the Iron Range 15:49

1y ago15:49

15:49

Minnesota's Iron Range essentially fueled America's success story as the country's largest source of iron ore. Curious Minnesota journeyed north to U.S. Steel's Keetac taconite mine to see how some of the state's largest machines make the raw ingredients for American steel. The trip was inspired by the Munson family's quest to find the state's larg…

1
Why didn't Minneapolis and St. Paul ever merge? 19:36

1y ago19:36

19:36

It was once considered "manifest destiny" that Minneapolis and St. Paul would become one city. A conjoined municipality would have a population similar to Seattle and Denver. But this idea never took off, despite simmering in the public discourse for many decades. The Star Tribune's Kevin Duchschere joins host Eric Roper to discuss why the central …

1
Why does Minnesota have municipal liquor stores? 12:25

1y ago12:25

12:25

In some parts of Minnesota, buying a case of beer or a bottle of wine means visiting a city-owned liquor store -- or "muni." Minnesota's law allowing cities to have a monopoly over liquor sales within their boundaries is unlike most other states. Host Eric Roper talks with Maya Marchel Hoff about the Prohibition-era history behind Minnesota's munic…

1
Why didn't Minneapolis gobble up its suburbs? 18:53

1y ago18:53

18:53

Minnesota's largest city, Minneapolis, is much smaller than cities elsewhere in the country that it considers peers -- like Seattle and Denver. This is partly because the city did not annex its surrounding suburbs. (It is also because Minneapolis and St. Paul never merged, a topic for a future episode.) Eric Roper joins host Ash Miller to discuss w…

1
Did a famed parks leader import gray squirrels to Minneapolis — and have the red ones killed? 16:20

1+ y ago16:20

16:20

Gray squirrels are so plentiful in cities today that it is difficult to imagine urban life without them. But their introduction to Minneapolis parks in the early 1900s was carefully orchestrated by park superintendent Theodore Wirth. Reporter Susan Du joins host Eric Roper to discuss how Wirth supplanted red squirrels with gray ones -- and the pitf…

1
Why was the utopian plan for Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside area never built? 24:11

1+ y ago24:11

24:11

The towers now known as Riverside Plaza are among the most recognizable buildings in Minneapolis. Their colorful panels make them easy to spot from the busy freeways that surround the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. But these buildings were supposed to be just the first phase an ambitious, utopian plan to transform this area. What happened? Adelie Be…

1
What happened to Minneapolis' famous Weatherball? 15:55

1+ y ago15:55

15:55

Many Minnesotans today grew up when the Weatherball was one of the most prominent landmarks of Minneapolis' skyline. The massive sign stood atop the Northwestern National Bank building between 1949 and 1983. John Reinan joins host Eric Roper to discuss where this well-known Twin Cities artifact ended up, and its history in downtown. LINKS: What hap…

1
How a Twin Cities ammunition factory dominated by women helped U.S. win WWII 15:21

1+ y ago15:21

15:21

Billions of bullets flowed from the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills in its heyday during World War II. The campus was home to about 25,000 employees during the war, about half of them women. Today it is one of the largest shovel-ready development sites in the metro area. Shannon Prather joins host Eric Roper to discuss the unique h…

1
Why was the Mall of America built in Minnesota? 13:46

1+ y ago13:46

13:46

The Mall of America is one of Minnesota's most well-known landmarks, three decades after it was built in Bloomington. But why was the country's largest indoor shopping center constructed in Minnesota? Nadine Manske joins host Eric Roper to discuss the history of this unique place. LINKS: Why was the Mall of America built in Minnesota? (December 202…

1
Why does Minnesota sometimes get colder than the North Pole? 8:35

1+ y ago8:35

8:35

Let's talk about Minnesota's favorite topic: The weather. Minnesota's bitter winters are part of the state's national identity. But how cold is it, really? Is it really colder than the North Pole? Ash Miller talks to Eric Roper about why the answer isn't as simple as it may seem. Why does Minnesota sometimes get colder than the North Pole? (Decembe…

1
How did Minnesota become a window manufacturing hub? 13:30

1+ y ago13:30

13:30

Minnesota's largest window companies, Marvin and Andersen Windows & Doors, are well known across the nation. The state actually has the second-highest concentration of window and door manufacturing jobs in the country. So how did Minnesota become a window hub? Reporter Nick Williams joins host Eric Roper to discuss the industry's history in the sta…

1
Why are there so many stucco homes in the Twin Cities? 15:26

1+ y ago15:26

15:26

About 45% of single-family homes in Minneapolis have stucco siding, along with nearly a third of the homes in St. Paul. What's behind this trend among older homes in the Twin Cities? Reporter Nancy Ngo joins host Eric Roper to discuss the reasons the region has so many stucco homes. LINKS: SURVEY: Help us improve the Curious Minnesota podcast Why a…

1
Minnesota companies once dominated the supercomputer industry. What happened? 16:48

1+ y ago16:48

16:48

Like in flour and lumber milling, Minnesota companies once dominated the field of supercomputing. Firms like Univac, Control Data and Cray Research built some of the fastest computers in the world. But their success didn't last, despite the growth of the computer industry overall. Evan Ramstad joins host Eric Roper to discuss the origins of these c…

1
Why did Finnish immigrants come to Minnesota? (And no, they're not Scandinavian) 18:21

1+ y ago18:21

18:21

Minnesota has more residents of Finnish ancestry than any other state. That's the result of mass immigration from Finland that occurred in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The story of Finns immigrating to Minnesota is distinct from the Swedes and Norwegians. Eric Roper, who wrote a story on this topic, discusses the reasons why with Ash Miller. LIN…

1
Did a TV debate decide one of Minnesota's most scandalous elections? 20:32

1+ y ago20:32

20:32

It has been more than 30 years since one of the most bizarre elections in recent Minnesota history. The Republican-endorsed candidate for governor, Jon Grunseth, withdrew from the race just days before Election Day amid a cloud of allegations. His last-minute replacement on the ballot, Arne Carlson, went on to defeat DFL incumbent Rudy Perpich -- t…

1
Who was Hennepin and why did Minnesota name so many things after him? 14:17

1+ y ago14:17

14:17

Father Louis Hennepin's name is prevalent around the Twin Cities. The state's most populous county is named after this 17th century Catholic priest, as are a prominent Minneapolis avenue and countless public facilities. So who was Father Hennepin? Kevin Duchschere joins Ash Miller to discuss Hennepin's travels in Minnesota, and why his name became …

1
Does Minnesota really have the 'World's Oldest Rock'? 25:55

1+ y ago25:55

25:55

Historical markers peppered around Minnesota help keep the state’s rich history alive. But few are as intriguing — and controversial — as the landmark for Minnesota’s most ancient artifact: the “World’s Oldest Rock.” Eric Roper and Ash Miller discuss the 3.5-billion-year-old history behind this claim on a historical marker in Granite Falls. And the…

1
How lumberjacks harnessed an 'ocean of pine' to build Minnesota 15:18

2y ago15:18

15:18

Minnesota's flour milling prowess is a well-known part of the state's history. But the area's milling legacy began with sawmills that turned the state's white pine trees into lumber. By 1905, Minneapolis was the top lumber market in the world. Transporting these logs to mills was no easy task. The Star Tribune's Christa Lawler joins host Eric Roper…

1
Why has the Park Board allowed the 'birthplace of Minneapolis' to deteriorate? 15:02

2y ago15:02

15:02

The John H. Stevens House in Minnehaha Park is arguably the most important structure relating to Minneapolis' origin story. But the exterior of the property is in rough shape after years of deferred maintenance. Eric Roper and Ash Miller discuss the unique history of the house, and why it has been allowed to deteriorate. LINKS: Why has the Park Boa…

1
Why did Scandinavian immigrants choose Minnesota? 16:39

2y ago16:39

16:39

Minnesota has more residents of Norwegian and Swedish ancestry than any other state, due to a wave of immigration from those countries in the 19th Century. But why did those immigrants choose Minnesota? Eric Roper and Ash Miller discuss the factors that caused people to leave Scandinavian countries in the 1800s, and how Minnesota became a major des…

1
Was Charles Lindbergh a Nazi sympathizer? 16:57

2y ago16:57

16:57

Any list of the most famous Minnesotans who ever lived should include Charles Lindbergh, who became a worldwide celebrity when he completed the first nonstop flight from New York to Paris in 1927. But Lindbergh's controversial statements and actions in the years preceding Pearl Harbor have become an enduring aspect of his legacy. The Star Tribune's…

1
Why isn't Minnesota's sacrifice at Gettysburg better remembered? 12:25

2y ago12:25

12:25

Some people believe that the battle of Gettysburg would have ended differently had it not been for the heroism of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry regiment. Their sacrifice in 1863 is a landmark event from Minnesota's early history as a state. Readers wanted to know why it isn't better remembered today. The Star Tribune's Kevin Duchschere joi…

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