I So Appreciate You

02/28/2025

🌟 BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT 🌟

Mukhtar Ibrahim is the founding publisher and former CEO of Sahan Journal, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to reporting for immigrants and communities of color in Minnesota. Since its early days as a one-person newsroom in 2019, Sahan Journal has blossomed into a Twin Cities mainstay media organization. Mukhtar recently launched his own consulting firm, Sayid Group, and continues to be deeply involved in the community.

We had the chance to sit down with Mukhtar in 2023 to talk about the complexities of journalism and the importance of intentionally changing the dominant narrative.

🎧 Listen back to our conversation at https://hubs.ly/Q038BRv_0 or wherever you get your podcasts!

02/21/2025

🌟 BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT 🌟

Duchesne Drew has been at the helm of Minnesota Public Radio since 2020, serving as its President. In 2022 we sat down with Duchesne to talk about organizational leadership, especially when transitioning from white leaders to leaders of color.

🎧 Listen back to our thoughtful conversation at https://hubs.ly/Q037zwRN0 or wherever you get your podcasts!

02/14/2025

🌟 BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT 🌟

Rammy Mohamed is a highly acclaimed fashion designer, and the owner and creative force behind Ramadhan_designs. She is a person of many identities – a Muslim, Black, East African, Oromo, American, and Minnesotan woman – who is taking all aspects of her lived experiences and merging them into the beautiful clothes she creates.

In our insightful conversation with Rammy, we dive into her love of art and how she pays homage to her favorite artists alongside the cultural designs of her East African heritage.

🎧 Listen to the episode at https://hubs.ly/Q036qtVx0

02/07/2025

Happy Black History Month! 🎉

This month, we're reflecting on some insightful (and delightful) conversations we've had on the podcast over the years with local leaders and community changemakers.

It was an absolute joy to welcome award-winning broadcaster, comedian, business owner and autism advocate Sheletta Brundidge to the studio last season. This past week Sheletta led the third annual Black Entrepreneur's Day at the state capitol, an event she founded that has been a catalyst for economic empowerment in the community.

In the episode, Sheletta discusses how she taught herself to be confident and what advice she has for others who are trying to live authentically.

🎧 Listen at https://hubs.ly/Q035NzP30 or wherever you get your podcasts!

01/17/2025

We've worked with Monique Linder since the launch of our podcast, from engineering and production to recording in her incredible space. Here are a few fun facts about Monique:

⭐ She worked with Prince during his Las Vegas residency.
⭐ Last year she opened OMG Studios (OMG Media) in Saint Paul.
⭐ She's starting production on her sixth documentary film.
⭐ She plays a major role in talent recommendation, marketing and community engagement for entertainment at the Minnesota State Fair.

We're so lucky to work with Monique on I So Appreciate You! She recently sat down with Star Tribune's Jon Bream to talk about her fascinating life and work. Check it out! ⬇️

Scene Makers Q&A: The Twin Cities entrepreneur also produces movies and promotes State Fair concerts.

01/08/2025

Relevant question as we enter a frigid January...do you prefer subzero temps ❄️ or over 100°? ☀️

In season 3 of the pod, we sat down with Carmen Giménez and Ruby Oluoch to get their weather takes and chat about leadership transitions.

🎧 Listen back at https://hubs.ly/Q031B6dz0 or wherever you get your podcasts!

11/22/2024

Rammy Mohamed has always had a passion for fashion.

She is an acclaimed Twin Cities fashion designer and owner of Ramadhan_designs. Rammy has earned a reputation as a go-to designer for those seeking one-of-a-kind fashion pieces that make a lasting impression. But her journey to working and thriving in fashion wasn't without a few detours along the way.

🎧 Listen to our full conversation with Rammy about her story → https://hubs.ly/Q02Z9yW00

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from the ISAY team! 👻🎃🦇

When it comes to scary movies, season 3 guest Seena Hodges is a certified fan. What are your go-to Halloween flicks? 🍿

10/09/2024

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation recently celebrated the 18th annual Facing Race Awards in Saint Paul, where they honored this year's recipients: Ma Elena Gutierrez of Fe y Justicia MN, Tish Jones of Truartspeaks, Chef Jametta Raspberry of Roots for the Home Team and House of Gristle, and Larry Tucker of Kente Circle. 🏆

A few years ago, we had the pleasure of talking with Lulete Mola, a 2022 Facing Race Award recipient, about her work as co-founder and president of Black Collective Foundation MN. It was a wonderful conversation about the importance of Black-led change, specifically as it relates to philanthropy.

🎧 Listen to our episode with Lulete at https://hubs.ly/Q02SxyhK0 or wherever you get your podcasts!

▶️ The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation also released the video of this year's Facing Race Awards. Check it out at https://hubs.ly/Q02SxpKL0

09/13/2024

We're thrilled that Shannon O'Leary, Chief Investment Officer at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, has been honored as one of the 2024 Most Influential Women in Institutional Investing by Pensions & Investments! 🎉

We had the pleasure of chatting with Shannon last season about her passion to make the investment industry more inclusive and equitable, and how culturally and racially diverse teams produce better outcomes.

🎧 Listen now at https://hubs.ly/Q02PQ0Wy0 or wherever you get your podcasts!

08/27/2024

Minnesota State Fair season is upon us, and with over 500 different food options to choose from, food scientist Allison Hohn is here to help you choose the best of the best! 🍢🍟🍪🥙🌽

Allison's annual "Best State Fair Foods" lists have been helping guide fairgoers for several years, and beginning next year she will be launching an official mobile app. 📱

We had a great time talking with Allison on the podcast last year about her work as executive director of Naturally Minnesota and what it takes to establish a thriving ecosystem for food and product development in Minnesota. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

A food scientist has curated a list of the 50 best foods at the fair over the past decade, with new and classic items to try.