Episodes

Get to know Teri Rose This podcast episode features Teri Rose, an Oshkosh resident and author who discusses her journey in literature and education. As a school door monitor, Teri was inspired by the need for representation and inclusivity to write her children's book, Adventures with Sam and Saint: Holiday Celebrations. The text highlights her creative mission to provide a multicultural introduction to global traditions through interactive characters that students of all backgrounds can color a...

Get to know Spencer Jones . This podcast features Spencer Jones, a former music educator turned entrepreneur and mindset coach based in Wisconsin’s Fox Cities region. The conversation transitions from lighthearted banter about local weather and Jones’s unique background in middle school teaching and kayak fishing to a deep exploration of professional burnout and the "internal operating system." Jones details his personal journey through a "rock bottom" mental health crisis, which inspired his bu...

Get to know Micah Troedel . In this episode Micah Troedel, an insightful high school senior and president of the Black Student Union at Oshkosh West, talk about lighthearted topics like Troedel’s athletic pursuits and his love for English literature to a profound exploration of the literacy crisis affecting local youth. Troedel emphasizes that improving reading skills requires a community-wide effort, cultural shift, and increased representation in education so that students see themselves in th...

Get to know Mahima Grover. In this episode meet Mahima Grover, an Indian immigrant and entrepreneur in the Fox Cities who owns the M-Effect yoga and dance studio. The conversation explores Grover's diverse professional evolution from a corporate trainer and pharmacist in India to a community leader focused on holistic wellness through traditional practices. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to Grover’s philosophical breakdown of yoga and meditation, where she distinguishes between t...

Get to know Dr. Manohar Singh In this episode of "The Kosh" podcast, Chancellor Manohar Singh of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, a leader who blends academic stewardship with a profound spiritual heritage. Chancellor Singh shares about his personal history as the youngest of seven brothers in India to his philosophical views on the limitlessness of human potential and the necessity of sovereignty and humility. Dr. Singh explores the transformative power of education, sharing that universiti...

Get to know Alec LefeberThis episode of THE KOSH features Alec Lefeber, a multifaceted community leader and AI professional who provides a deep dive into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and local civic engagement. Alec explains his career in technology, where he translates complex technical concepts into accessible business tools, while also sharing his personal journey of moving to Denver and eventually returning to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to "plant roots." As a candidate for City...

Get to know Kimberly Barrett, Ph.D. This episode of THE KOSH features Dr. Kimberly Barrett, a retired higher education executive and author who discusses her career in higher ed, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI ) , and her recently published memoir, Rethinking Race . Throughout the conversation, Kimberly reflects on the social construction of race, a realization sparked by her personal experience raising a biracial, multiethnic son whose physical appearance challenged her own preconceived ...

Get to know Megan Mulholland . In this episode Megan Mulholland, a communications expert and entrepreneur who specializes in crisis management and strategic storytelling, shares her professional evolution from journalism to high-level public relations, emphasizing the critical need for proactive incident command systems and authentic transparency within businesses and local government. Beyond her career, the conversation explores her personal values of loyalty, empathy, and adventure, highlighte...

Get to know Ryne Lodl. In this episode, Ryne Lodl, Vice President of Sales at Encompass Security, discusses the critical importance of cybersecurity awareness for both businesses and individuals. He explains the technical complexities behind data breaches, noting the significant delay between an incident occurring and public notification due to the lengthy forensic analysis required. Lodl emphasizes that most security failures stem from human error, such as phishing or social engineering, and hi...

Get to know Sierra Burchby. This episode of The Kosh highlights Sierra Burchby, a prolific thirteen-year-old student and author from the Fox Cities region. The conversation shares Sierra’s impressive literary journey, during which she has already published four books ranging from Minecraft-themed fiction to young adult supernatural thrillers. Beyond her writing, Sierra discusses her aspirations for medical school, her passion for equestrian sports, and her commitment to volunteering at a snake r...

Get to know Michael Patton. In this episode, Michael Patton—co-founder and director of the Cyber Security Center of Excellence at UW Oshkosh —explores the critical intersection of human behavior and digital safety. Patton argues that effective protection requires more than just software; it requires an understanding of social engineering and the psychological motivations behind cybercrime. Beyond his technical expertise, Patton discusses his deep community roots as a university educator and the ...

Get to know Sandy Drexler.In this episode of "The Kosh" podcast, Sandy Drexler, the Executive Director of Tri County Dental Clinic, discusses the vital connection between oral health and overall physical well-being. Drexler details her professional journey from English major to nonprofit leader, emphasizing her commitment to community service and the clinic’s mission to provide free care to low-income veterans and children. The conversation highlights the "long game" of dental hygiene, advocatin...

Get to know Liz Cannon, Ph.D & Amney Castaneda, Ph.D. This podcast episode features Dr. Liz Cannon and Dr. Amney Castaneda , the founders of Somewhere Over the Moon Trainings. They discuss their career-long dedication to LGBTQ+ advocacy and education . The conversation explores the shifting landscape of higher education and social justice , highlighting how storytelling serves as a vital tool for fostering human connection and empathy . Through their business, the guests provide specialized trai...

Get to know Molly Smiltneek. This episode features Molly Smiltneek , an immigration attorney and school board member , to discuss her multifaceted role in the Oshkosh community. The conversation highlights Smiltneek’s transition from a special education advocate —driven by her children's experience with dyslexia—to a systemic leader focused on literacy equity and student representation . A significant portion of the dialogue explores the current challenges of immigration , emphasizing the erosio...

Get to know Dr. Chu May Paing. This episode features an insightful interview with Dr. Chu May Paing, a cultural anthropologist and the Executive Director of the Winnebago Area Literacy Council (WALC). Dr. Chu discusses her personal history as a first-generation immigrant from Myanmar and emphasizes WALC's vital mission in serving the Fox Cities region's substantial refugee and immigrant population with critical resources like English and citizenship classes. A key thematic focus centers on the n...

Get to know Tina Haffeman. This episode features Tina Haffeman, an influential community activist from the Oshkosh area. The conversation begins with Haffeman’s deep involvement in local social justice initiatives. A major theme explored is the struggle to establish resources like the Day-by-Day Shelter , highlighting the pervasive issue of "Not In My Backyard" ( NIMBYism ), and Haffeman's "prickly" tenacity in overcoming it. The discussion delves into the complexities of homelessness and afford...

Get to know Gordon Hintz. This episode is a lively conversation with Gordon Hintz , the Winnebago County Executive and former state legislator. The conversation flows through discussions about the local community, personal life, and public service. A key theme emerges around Hintz's dedication to public service and his evolution from state partisan politics to a non-partisan, administrative role as County Executive, where he focuses on improving local government visibility and effectiveness. The...

Get to know Brandon Bjorkman. This podcast episode features Brandon Bjorkman, a content creator and "epic dream magician" with a background in radio, TV, and film. The discussion explores Brandon's work, particularly his involvement with Discover Oshkosh and the "Why I Love Oshkosh" video series, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and authentic connection in content creation. Key themes include maintaining mental clarity amidst chaos , the value of collaboration and diverse perspectives ...

Get to know Kourtney Kositzke. This podcast episode features guest Kourtney Kositzke, who discusses her role as the Education and Community Program Manager at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass in Neenah, Wisconsin. Kositzke highlights the museum's unique status as an admission-free art museum , specializing in glass art since 2012, and emphasizes its commitment to community engagement and art education , particularly for children. The conversation also delves into upcoming events, such as the...

Get to know Darryl Eschete. If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email askthekosh@gmail.com ⁠https://www.oshkoshlibrary.org/

Get to know Liz Last.If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email askthekosh@gmail.com https://gohni.org/

Get to know Yaw Asare & Orson Fournillier. If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email askthekosh@gmail.com. Link: ⁠https://www.goldcoastcandy.com/

Get to know Curtis Dewitt. If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email askthekosh@gmail.com. Link: https://www.facebook.com/p/Dewitts-Creations-61571392615836/

Get to know Tara Brzozowski. If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email askthekosh@gmail.com. Link: https://www.showcasecomms.com/