So Much More, A Mall of America® Podcast

Ep. 99: Your Summer, Your Way: Deals, Dora, and DIY Fun

Sun’s out, deals are on, and slime is flying! In this jam-packed episode of So Much More, we’re spilling the secrets behind Your Summer, Your Way at Mall of America. From crazy-good ride discounts (hello, Wednesdays in June!) to surprise giveaways, concerts, and yes—Twiggy the water-skiing squirrel—this summer is all about doing what you love. Hear from MOA marketing masterminds Sara Johnson and Kelsey Cunningham as they share insider tips, can’t-miss moments, and why summer at MOA just hits different.
 
1:00       The thought behind Your Summer, Your Way
2:45       Dora celebrates the Big 25!
4:15       Deals and ideas for the value-seeking visitors
7:00       Where to find great savings on brands, stores and more
8:00       Hidden free savings/happenings for families of all ages
9:00       Summer kicks off with a water-skiing squirrel (and more events)
13:30    Celebrating the Kids Choice Awards
15:45    Mystery Prize Cards return this summer!
18:00    Our hopes and wishes for MOA summer guests
21:30    Summer ‘this or that’ pop-quiz with no wrong answers
 
Click here for information on Your Summer, Your Way
 
Guests: Sara ‘SJ’ Johnson, Marketing Director at Mall of America; Kelsey Cunningham, Marketing Manager at Mall of America
 
Hosts: Jill Renslow, Daniel Jasper
 
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 98: Check-In and Chill-Out: Summer Travel at MOA

Summer at Mall of America is more than just sunshine and shopping—it's a full-scale hospitality adventure. In this episode of So Much More, we’re joined by Preston Lougheed of Terratron Hospitality and Kate Anastasi of Radisson Blu Mall of America to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to welcome thousands of summer travelers. From youth sports teams and international tourists to family vacations and last-minute getaways, Preston and Kate share what guests are asking for, how their teams prepare for the summer surge, and why this season brings out the very best in Minnesota hospitality.
4:00 A unique service for ‘shop til you drop’ guests5:15 The meaning behind the creative design at Radisson Blu8:15 Tips for summer hotel booking10:30 The best time to book your summer hotel room11:45 How to find great things to do during your visit14:45 How your kids can camp inside your luxurious room15:45 Booking timing tips to get the best value on your room reservation21:00 Summer travel trends and how to lean into it22:30 Fun celebrity stories…don’t tell anyone25:00 Check In or Check Out – a game of wits and opinions
For information on Radisson Blu Mall of AmericaFor information on AC Hotel Bloomington Mall of AmericaFor information on TownePlace Suites Minneapolis Mall of AmericaFor information on Element Bloomington Mall of AmericaFor information on Bloomington MN Travel and TourismFor information on Mall of America hotel partners
Guests: Kate Anastasi, Director of Sales and Marketing at Radisson Blu Mall of America; Preston Loughheed, Vice President of Operations at Terratron Hospitality
Hosts: Jill Renslow, Daniel Jasper
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 97: Jason DeRusha Brings the Heat, the Humor, and the Heart

Jason DeRusha is in the house! You know the name. You’ve heard the voice. You’ve read the tweets. For nearly 20 years, Jason DeRusha has been a trusted presence in Minnesota media-from the anchor desk at WCCO TV to drive time radio. But Jason is so much more than a journalist. He’s a curious connector, a civic convener, a podcasting pioneer, and a guy who can make you laugh, think, and crave a croissant in the same sentence.
In this episode, we peel back the curtain on Jason’s journey. How he’s navigated big transitions, stayed true to his values, and continued to build community through storytelling. Whether he’s shining a light on a local bakery or featuring the latest shops, Jason brings energy, empathy, and authenticity to everything he touches. 
1:31 Favorite Mall of America memories3:30 Jason’s career journey – always wanting to be a broadcaster4:45 The elements of crafting a good story7:00 Meaningful messages that impact lives8:00 Healthy tips for a healthy life: sleep, dining well, exercise12:00 How the younger generation communicates and uses social media15:00 His take on the local, international dining scene19:30 Jason shares thoughts on clothing and style23:30 In person sales experience makes the difference24:00 Messages that guide Jason in his public speaking26:15 Our guest and co-hosts share their Super Powers27:45 DeRusha or Delusional – is it true or false? A game
Guests: Jason DeRusha, broadcaster, content creator, storyteller
Hosts: Daniel Jasper, Sara Johnson and Emy Dominguez both Mall of America marketing professionals
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 96: Dave + Linda Mona, the Importance of Optimism

Dave and Linda Mona have shaped Minnesota’s story in more ways than one—through media, business, sports, philanthropy, and global travel. In this episode of So Much More, the Monas reflect on their remarkable careers: Dave’s evolution from journalist to PR trailblazer and Linda’s blend of creativity and commerce, including their beloved “Field of Dreams” store at Mall of America.
Together, they’ve helped bring the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four to the Twin Cities, mentored generations of professionals, and traveled the world—often with dozens of fellow adventurers in tow. They open up about their community work, the changing face of public relations, and the values that guide their lives. It’s a story of legacy, leadership, laughter—and a reminder that there is always so much more behind the names you know.
2:00 Linda shares the story of their 56 years together (it started with a draft)5:50 The kind of girl I should be dating…6:30 A strong connection to the University of Minnesota9:30 Dave’s origin in broadcast12:30 The origins of David L Mona & Associates public relations14:30 The importance of remaining optimistic19:30 The Public Relations Strategy behind the grand opening of Mall of America21:30 Four million baseball cards…what?26:30 Community involvement and Camden’s Concert30:00 Traveling the world with friends old and new35:00 This or That – a rapid-fire quiz
Guests: Dave + Linda Mona, entrepreneurs, business owners, volunteers, communicators, great representatives of Minnesota
Hosts: Daniel Jasper, Jill Renslow
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 95: Dynamic World of Publishing: Leadership Lessons from MSP Magazine

In this episode of So Much More, hosts Jill Renslow and Daniel Jasper sit down with two trailblazing leaders in Twin Cities media—Jayne Haugen Olson, Editor in Chief of Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine and President of Cities Media Group, and Shelly Crowley, Publisher at MSP Magazine. Longtime friends and collaborators with Mall of America, Jayne and Shelly share insights on the evolution of local publishing, the balance between editorial vision and business strategy, and how storytelling continues to shape community and commerce. It’s a lively conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of media from two women who are redefining it every day.

Ep. 94: Kids Take Over: Hilarious Truths from Take Your Child to Work Day

In this special episode of So Much More, recorded live on Take Your Child to Work Day at Mall of America, hosts Jill Renslow and Daniel Jasper turn the mic over to the next generation. With more than a dozen kids—ranging from age 4 to teens—as our guests, we asked the real experts what they think their adults do all day, what store they’d open if they had the chance, and how they'd start their workday if they ran the Mall. The answers are funny, occasionally profound, and totally unforgettable. Get ready to laugh, smile, and maybe even learn a little from the minds of the future.
1:00 The kids introduce themselves (some with excitement, others a bit shy.)3:30 Do our guests know why we celebrate Bring Your Child to Work Day?5:30 What does your adult do all day at MOA? 7:30 What would be the first thing you would do at MOA?9:00 What could our grownups learn from kids?10:00 What’s their favorite part of the day? (Eden’s cake pops and train ride were a hit!)11:30 What kind of ride would they build inside Nickelodeon Universe? (the dating game log chute?)13:30 What kind of store would they open at Mall of America?15:15 If you had your own podcast, what would you talk about?17:30 If you had a million dollars…. 19:00 Lightning round…what will they choose?
Guests: A bunch of excited kids whose adults happen to work at Mall of AmericaHosts: Jill Renslow, Daniel Jasper
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 93: The Content Creator Life with Hannah Swenson + Gwen Dinh

On this episode of So Much More, host Jill Renslow is joined by first-time cohost Brinley Zoller from the Mall of America social team and influencer program. Together, they sit down with two powerhouse content creators—Hannah Swenson and Gwen Dinh—to talk all things influencing. From how they got started to their favorite brand moments and the content that means the most, this episode gives an inside look at the real life of social media influencers. Whether you're a content creator, brand partner, or just love the scroll, this one’s for you.
1:30 Get to know our guests…fashion and style rapid fire4:00 A day in the life of social content creator at the Mall (including Ed Sheeran)6:00 Hannah shares her journey (including as an MOA fashion intern)8:15 Gwen talks about her path to influencer10:15 The art behind content creation, scheduling and timing13:00 The superpower of multitasking14:30 How a world-wide brand like Mall of America partners with content creators16:00 Content creator vs. influencer vs. O.G. blogger19:30 The pressure of being a ‘public persona’ on social media21:55 Favorite content creation experiences23:30 Advice for those hoping to begin a career as content creators25:15 Rapid fire closing questions
Hannah Swenson: https://www.instagram.com/whereshewore/ Gwen Dinh: https://www.instagram.com/gwenxanh/
Guests: Hannah Swenson and Gwen Dinh; social media content creators + influencersHosts: Jill Renslow and Brinley Zoller
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 92: Ladybugs & Landscapes: Bugged Out for Earth Month

Mall of America is green every day of the year. But we truly celebrate in April which is Earth Month. Boasting more than 30,000 live plants and hundreds of trees, people often wonder how we handle potential plant pests. On this episode of So Much More, we feature two guests who are integral to our most fun and educational event to honor Earth Month, our annual Ladybug release! [Hint: they take care of other pests.] James Everhart a.k.a. our Resident Bug Wrangler (and landscaper) joins Paulette Bonneur who attends with her amazing Girl Scout Troop every year. 
2:17 What the interior landscaping team does at MOA4:00 Releasing a hundred thousand ladybugs5:30 How the Girl Scouts got involved with ladybug release6:30 Harper – the Ladybug Princess8:50 Why you don’t need to be afraid of ladybugs13:45 Leadership development at the Girl Scouts18:30 How to learn more about the plants at MOA22:00 Quick quiz questions
To follow James on TikTok and Instagram look for: Garden of JamesTo learn more about Paulette visit: https://paulettebonneur.com/To learn more about Girl Scouts visit: https://www.girlscoutsrv.org/ To learn more about plants at MOA: www.mallofamerica.com/green 
Guests: James Everhart, Interior Landscaper/Gardener at Mall of America; Paulette Bonneur, Director of Girl Scout Leadership InstituteHost: Daniel JasperPresented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 91: Edyn's Cake Pops: Baking Up Business

Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”  Two years ago, 11 year old Edyn Esparza cold-called Mall of America asking if we would sell her cake pops.  The answer was yes and the rest as they say is history.  This episode tells the story of young entrepreneur Edyn Esparza and her Mall of America Foods Manager mentor, Barb Ross-Hayes as they embark on her journey from dream to reality.1:10 Barb tells the story of getting that fateful phone call3:50 Edyn shares how and why she wanted to sell cake pops at Mall of America5:00 Edyn’s mom Sharon shares what it’s like raising her determined daughter follow her dream7:20 Barb details what it took to make her dream a reality12:46 How Edyn juggles her business + being a full-time student14:15 Edyn’s cake pop baking trick15:15 Edyn describes the 3 flavors she sells:  Green Slime Vanilla, Purple Velvet, Orange and Purple Velvet
For information on Edyn’s Cake Pops:  @edyns_cakepops@mallofamerica @nickelodeonuniverse
Guest: Edyn Esparza, Owner and Creator of Edyn’s Cake Pops; Sharon Esparza, Edyn’s mom; Barb Ross-Hayes, Mall of America Foods Manager Hosts:  Jill RenslowPresented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 90: Ingrid Christensen: The Power of Using the Right Language

The right use of language has the power to foster connection between individuals and groups from all cultures.  Our guest, Ingrid Christensen, Founder and CEO of INGCO International has worked in the language industry for over 20 years.  First as an interpreter and eventually opening her own language service company to bridge translation gaps and connect cultures.   Connecting people through her book, The Language of Trust Ingrid shares why getting language right can literally be a matter of life and death.2:35 Ingrid’s career journey and how she learned by failure4:25 Language services her business INGCO International provides6:41 How Mall of America connects with different languages and cultures9:15 Making language the most equitable for everyone12:40 What tools should we be most cautious of when translating14:40 Mall of America hasn’t always gotten translation right  16:00 Ingrid talks about her book, ‘The Language of Trust’22:00    Being a translator holds a lot of responsibility.  How her interpreters are trained and vetted.24:12 Advice for young entrepreneurs26:00 Jill, Dan and Ingrid play a fun game, ‘Lost in Translation’
For information on INGCO International:  www.ingcointernational.comFor information on Ingrid Christensen: @ingridchristensen 
Guest: Ingrid Christensen, Founder + CEO of INGCO International, author, entrepreneur, speakerHosts:  Jill Renslow, Daniel Jasper