People and Places and How We Use Spaces

Hosted by Lisa Christianson

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Everyone needs a place to live, work and play. Join business owner/broker/investor, Lisa Christianson, as she has conversations with successful people who share their inspiring stories and how their interactions with commercial real estate have impacted their lives, businesses, clients, and the world. You will find insights into strategies for selecting, acquiring, leasing, financing, and investing in commercial real estate.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 11, 202646 min

Episode 93: Building a Business One Sweet Idea at a Time

What happens when family, hard work, creativity, and a willingness to take a risk come together? In this episode, Lisa Christianson sits down with brothers Salah Bedeiwi and Ahmad Alawadi to share their journey from Egypt to Minnesota and the entrepreneurial path that has taken them from their family’s restaurant business to creating handcrafted pastries that people are traveling miles to experience. The brothers share how their upbringing and family roots shaped their approach to hospitality and business, and how their desire to create something truly different led them overseas to study French pastry techniques and specialty coffee. It’s a conversation about remembering where you came from, pursuing what you love, refusing to take shortcuts, and building a business around an experience people won’t forget. Hook's Fish and Chips Send us Fan Mail

July 28, 202646 min

Episode 92: Beyond the Business Card; Robert Fulford's Story of Struggle, Forgiveness & Second Chances

Behind a successful career in commercial real estate, Robert Fulford carries a story few would ever expect. In this deeply personal conversation, Robert shares the experiences that shaped his memoir, Normal Human Beings —from a turbulent and abusive childhood to professional success, addiction, devastating family conflict, and ultimately a journey toward healing and forgiveness. Along the way, he reflects on the people who stepped into his life at critical moments, including a mentor whose simple offer to pray with him became a turning point that helped change the direction of his life. Robert also opens up about rebuilding after hitting rock bottom, finding strength through faith, returning to the fundamentals of hard work, and learning that forgiveness isn't about excusing what happened—it's about freeing yourself from carrying it forward. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, redemption, relationships, and the choice we all have to create a different future from the one our past might predict. Buy the book! Normal Human Beings Normal Human Beings website Normal Human Beings Facebook Robert's LinkedIn Send us Fan Mail

July 14, 202646 min

Episode 91: Leading with Heart; The Story Behind WomenVenture with LeeAnn Rasachak

LeeAnn Rasachak's story is one of resilience, purpose, and paying opportunity forward. Raised by parents who fled Laos after the Vietnam War and rebuilt their lives from nothing in Minnesota, LeeAnn learned early that hard work, community, and perseverance can transform generations. Those lessons shaped a successful corporate career before ultimately leading her to WomenVenture. LeeAnn shares how a failed entrepreneurial venture became one of her greatest teachers, why she believes no business owner should have to build alone, and how WomenVenture is helping thousands of entrepreneurs across Minnesota turn ideas into sustainable businesses through coaching, education, mentorship, and access to capital. LeeAnn's LinkedIn WomenVenture Send us Fan Mail

June 30, 202645 min

Episode 90: Stephanie Fowler on Building a Business, Raising a Family, and Betting on Yourself

In this episode, we sit down with entrepreneur, CPA, and Austin Fowler founder Stephanie Fowler to discuss the journey from Big Four accounting to building a nationally recognized luxury bag brand. Stephanie shares how one everyday frustration sparked a business idea, why she wasn't afraid to start without experience, and how persistence, thoughtful leadership, and a willingness to "figure it out" helped turn her vision into reality. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, working parent, or someone waiting for the "right time" to take a leap, this conversation will encourage you to start before you're ready—and trust that you'll figure it out along the way. Stephanie's LinkedIn Austin | Fowler Send us Fan Mail

June 16, 202644 min

Episode 89: Building a Legacy that Matters with Marilyn Carlson Nelson

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with one of Minnesota's most influential business leaders, Marilyn Carlson Nelson , for a conversation about leadership, family, purpose, and the responsibility that comes with influence. Marilyn reflects on her remarkable journey from being one of the first women to serve on corporate boards to leading Carlson Companies through a period of tremendous global growth. She opens up about balancing family and career, the importance of staying true to your values, and why purpose-driven leadership matters now more than ever. This episode is filled with powerful stories, practical leadership lessons, and a reminder that true success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by the lives we impact along the way. Send us Fan Mail

June 2, 202646 min

Episode 88: The Foundation of My Story; A Conversation with Mom and Dad

In this deeply personal episode, Lisa sits down with two of the most influential people in her life—her parents, Larry and LuAnn Fransen. Together, they reflect on the family stories, values, and experiences that shaped generations. From Larry's father's remarkable journey from Sweden to Minnesota and the transformation of a small corner grocery store into a thriving garden center, to Luann's unexpected success as a young musician and performer, this conversation is filled with stories of perseverance, hard work, and opportunity. Send us Fan Mail

May 19, 202641 min

Episode 87 - From Heartbreak to Harvest with Liz Fiedler Mergen

Liz's journey was never part of a carefully written business plan. A nurse practitioner by training, she unexpectedly found herself rebuilding a life she never imagined after the devastating loss of her husband. What began as a small roadside flower stand during the uncertainty of 2020 transformed into something far bigger: a thriving flower farm, event venue, educational platform, bestselling book, and a mission rooted in joy and resilience. In this conversation, Liz shares the remarkable story behind Sunny Mary Meadow —from growing flowers and growing a business to navigating grief, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and learning how to rebuild after life changes everything. Liz’s story is a reminder that even when life doesn’t go according to plan, something meaningful can still bloom. Send us Fan Mail

May 5, 202640 min

Episode 86: From Newsroom to New Ventures: How Allison Kaplan Stays Ahead of the Curve

In this episode, Lisa sits down with journalist and innovator Allison Kaplan for a wide-ranging conversation on storytelling, retail, and the evolving way we experience the world around us. Allison shares her journey from traditional print journalism to becoming a leading voice at the intersection of media, entrepreneurship, and retail. From launching her own platform to spotlight local businesses to building Mother Of , a brand that brings meaning and storytelling into fashion, she reveals how curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to evolve have shaped her career. Allison's LinkedIn Mother Of Northstar Insider Send us Fan Mail

February 24, 202635 min

Episode 85: From the Hardwood to the Heart of Minneapolis: Rich Melzer’s Full-Circle Mission

From the hardwood to the heart of Minneapolis, Rich Melzer’s journey is one of resilience and purpose. A former professional basketball player, Rich now serves as CEO of YouthLink, supporting young people experiencing homelessness. In this episode, he shares the pivotal moments that shaped his life — from being expelled in high school to experiencing homelessness in college — and how those challenges now fuel his leadership. This conversation dives into accountability, empowerment, and how creating the right spaces can change the trajectory of a life. Rich's LinkedIn YouthLink Get involved with YouthLink! Send us Fan Mail

February 10, 202641 min

Episode 84: Building the Future of Ghana with Kojo Boadi

Kojo Boadi’s journey begins thousands of miles from the coastline he is now helping transform. Born and raised in Ghana, he came to the United States at nineteen with a purpose that, even then, felt bigger than simply earning a degree. In this episode, Kojo shares how he’s working to reshape coastal communities in Ghana through bold, purpose-driven development. He pulls back the curtain on his flagship projects, including luxury hospitality and residential developments built on 300 acres of coastal land. Kojo’s story is a reminder that meaningful development isn’t just about profit—it’s about building opportunity, strengthening communities, and daring to pursue ideas that can change an entire region. Eleven Eleven Development Send us Fan Mail