Growing Destinations

Hosted by Experience Rochester

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Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Your go-to source for insightful discussions on destination development. The Growing Destinations podcast delves into the strategies, challenges, and successes that drive community growth. Each episode features in-depth conversations with local and national experts, uncovering universal themes and innovative practices that can be applied to any city or region.

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60 recent

May 21, 2026Episode 9924 min

Charlie Rybak Reflects on Media, Storytelling, Minnesota, and His Last Name

Charlie Rybak has worked across just about every corner of modern media, from traditional journalism to digital strategy to launching hyperlocal news platforms. Today he leads editorial innovation at Twin Cities Business and hosts a YouTube series featuring conversations with business leaders across the region. Charlie shares his career journey, what's actually working in business media right now and how he's thinking about telling the story of a state that's growing well beyond just the Twin Cities.

May 11, 2026Episode 9819 min

How A Rochester Brewery Is Building A World Cup Home Base

At Little Thistle Brewing in Rochester, Minnesota, community creativity and a real smart approach to experience-building are all on tap. This isn't just a neighborhood brewery. It's a gathering place, and increasingly, it's becoming something more: a hub for shared experiences that bring people together in ways that go well beyond what's in the glass. Steve Finnie, Co-Owner of Little Thistle, shares how his Scottish roots and passion for soccer are helping to shape a creative activation leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This conversation goes deeper than that. We'll talk about Steve's journey, the realities of running a brewery in today's environment and how thinking differently about programming, partnerships and place can turn a local business into a destination in its own right.

March 19, 202623 min

A Conversation with Chancellor Lori Carrell - University of Minnesota Rochester

On Growing Destinations, we’re joined by Chancellor Lori Carrell of the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR). Chancellor Carrell received the Rochester Mayor’s Medal of Honor in 2025 for her leadership in higher education and her impact on the city. Under her leadership, UMR has experienced significant enrollment growth and continues to expand its role as a downtown campus preparing the next generation of healthcare and research professionals. We discuss UMR’s unique place within the University of Minnesota system, its innovative approach to learning, and how the university’s growth is shaping the future of Rochester.

March 5, 202615 min

Two Worlds of Storytelling: Newsroom and Novel

Caitlin Alexander is an Emmy award-winning anchor and Executive Producer at KTTC-TV in Rochester, Minnesota, and a published children’s author. While many viewers know her from the nightly newscast, Caitlin is also the writer behind the middle-grade paranormal novels She's Still Here and The Forever Bride, as well as the family-centered children's book Baby Celebrates Both: Christmas & Hanukkah.In this conversation, we discuss building a creative life in Rochester, balancing newsroom leadership with novel writing, and why telling brave, age-appropriate spooky stories for kids matters.

November 13, 2025Episode 9515 min

Sweet Success: The Huxden Syrups Story with Erik Karow

Erik Karow is founder and owner of Huxden Syrups. Erik's passion for flavor and creativity turned a simple idea into a growing business. What started as a creative side project has evolved into a brand known for its small-batch, handcrafted syrups that elevate coffee, cocktails, and culinary creations. In this episode, Erik shares the story behind launching Huxden Syrups, what it's like being an entrepreneur in today's challenging business climate, and how he's planning to scale and grow while staying true to his craft.

October 30, 2025Episode 9421 min

Finding Your Voice: Lessons from Hall of Fame Auctioneer Mike Jones

Mike Jones is a Hall of Fame Auctioneer, educator and owner of America's Auction Academy and co-owner of the World Wide College of Auctioneering. Over the course of his career, he's done it all. He won the International Auctioneer Championship in 1998 and went on to serve as President of the National Auctioneers Association in 2004 and 2005. Through his leadership, mentorship and passion for the craft, Mike has helped shape the future of auctioneering both on the auction block and in the classroom.

October 17, 2025Episode 9318 min

A Haunted House That Gives Back in Harmony, Minnesota

In Harmony, Minnesota, a group of dedicated volunteers turn their love for Halloween into something extraordinary: a haunted house that helps fund local arts and music programs. Monster Bash, Inc. isn't your typical haunted attraction; it's a nonprofit organization that channels the thrill of the scare into real support for students and the arts. Jay Masters, President of Monster Bash, Inc. shares how it all started, what keeps it going, and why this spooky tradition has become such a powerful force for good.

October 10, 2025Episode 9217 min

A Year of Westopolis: Lessons from a Bold Destination Rebrand

Becky Bakken is President and CEO of Westopolis, the destination marketing organization representing the Minnesota cities of St. Louis Park and Golden Valley, just minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Over the past year, Becky has led her team through a major transformation, rebranding from Discover St. Louis Park to Westopolis, to better reflect the vibrancy and connected spirit of both communities. She shares why the rebrand happened, what they've learned one year in, how the community has embraced the change and what's next for Westopolis.

September 18, 2025Episode 9120 min

Discovering Place: Stories from a Life in Travel and Tourism with John DeLeva

John DeLeva, Global Marketing Executive with Miles Partnership, has built a career that has taken him around the world. In this episode, he shares how building strong relationships and diving deep into the culture, food, and spirit of each place has shaped his approach to tourism marketing. He also recounts his extraordinary travel journey, completing visits to every single county in the United States, and how that adventure continues to influence his work to this day. Plus, hear how his passion for place extends to his own restaurant and cottages in the scenic resort town of Union, Washington.

August 27, 2025Episode 9021 min

From Silicon Valley to Minnesota: A Journey of Reinvention

Steve Grove is a leader whose career journey has spanned Silicon Valley, state government, and now the publishing world. Steve is the CEO and Publisher of the Star Tribune, Minnesota’s largest news organization. Before that, he served as Commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development, and earlier, he spent more than a decade at Google helping to build its news and civic engagement initiatives.Steve recently added another chapter to his story with the release of his memoir, How I Found Myself in the Midwest: A Memoir of Reinvention. In it, he shares the personal journey of leaving the fast-paced tech world, returning to his roots in Minnesota with his wife and twins, and rediscovering the power of community and place.Steve shares why he wrote this book now, what he hopes readers take away, and what the process of writing a memoir taught him about reinvention and about himself.