So Much More, A Mall of America® Podcast

Ep. 52: Office Party: Your Path to MOA

In this episode of So Much More, our four hosts talk all things Mall of America®. The lively discussion began with the journey that each of the hosts to the Mall. Each person had a unique pathway to their positions with unexpected twists and turns.
Dan Jasper started in non-profit nursing homes and shares his creative professional journey including his first national pitch to The Tonight Show…which worked! Grant had a background in department stores and marketing agencies and was quick to point out that every professional journey meanders and is an adventure.
With roots in the Hollywood film industry and then working for the Minnesota Film Commission, Chris began his MOA® path as a business development specialist. His roles morphed into a creative and imaginative leadership position. Jill began as a part-time intern while still in college. Upon graduation, she joined the MOA team full-time and has never looked back.
The conversation covers how the Mall is a ‘living lab,’ continually trying new things. The four discuss why this place is so special, and share memorable moments, including when Chris was recruited to introduce Arnold Schwarzenegger on stage at Mall of America.
If you like stories, and professional growth tips, this episode is for you.
Host: Jill RenslowCo-Hosts: Chris Grap, Grant Buntje, Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep: 51: Let the Summer of Games Begin!

Mall of America® is excited to host the Summer of Games…all summer long! Our hosts, along with special guest Kylie Passe, share the fun that is in store for guests visiting MOA® this summer.
The Summer of Games hub at the Mall is in the Atrium, Level 1, in the north entrance. The area has been reimagined to look and feel like an Olympic sport stadium, complete with a giant graphic of a track on the floor. Guests can participate in a host of activities such as an over-sized bags tournament and minute-to-win-it games including card throwing, cup stacking + cookie face roll challenge.
Unique events throughout the summer boast Twiggy the water-skiing squirrel, break-dance competitions, 3X3 basketball competition, BMX bike demo + much more! Select attractions including Climb Zone and Fair on Four are participating by hosting competitions. Plus, guests have the chance to get slimed at Nickelodeon Universe. 
From mystery prize cards to ‘fun on us’ community takeovers, the guests share all the exciting summer details. They also talk Olympics, their favorite sports + which ‘dream’ sports they would like to see in the Olympics, and even participate in as an athlete.
For more information on Summer of Games @MOA: https://mallofamerica.com/summer. 
To learn how to register to get slimed at Nickelodeon Universe: https://mallofamerica.com/events/view/33141. 
Guests: Kylie Passe, Experiential Events Coordinator at Mall of America
Hosts: Jill Renslow, Chris Grap, Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 50: Lori & Julia, Legendary Radio Host's Farewell Tour

Lori Barghini and Julia Cobb, local legendary radio hosts on myTalk FM 107.1, are featured on this episode as part of their farewell tour after 22 years hosting The Lori & Julia Show. They are best friends turned sisters-in-law and despite being as Minnesotan as Paul Bunyan, they speak fluent Hollywood and can bring it with the best of them! 
They are joined by host Chris Grap and Sara Rogers, a style expert, wardrobe consultant + frequent guest on The Lori & Julia Show. Lori and Julia share stories, memories + laughs throughout the conversation, like one of their favorite celebrity appearances at the Mall was Donny Osmond. They also share how they once lived inside Mall of America for three days and taped their radio show!
The conversation with Sara Rogers turns to fashion, trends + topics they have covered together in the fashion world over the years. Their friendship began when the three met at a local fashion show and blossomed into helping women find the fashion that is right for them.
Lori and Julia share how they started working together, which predates their radio show + how they’ve grown over the years. They are pioneers in the radio industry demonstrated by the fact that they were one of the first female-led talk radio shows that focused on women’s issues.
For more information on The Lori & Julia Show, visit: https://www.mytalk1071.com/shows/lori-julia/. 
To learn more about Sara Rogers, visit: https://sararogers.com/meet-sara-rogers/. 
Guests: Lori Barghini and Julia Cobb, legendary radio hosts; and Sara Rogers, style expert and wardrobe consultant
Host: Chris Grap
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 49: From X-mas Jammies to The Amazing Race...The Holderness Family

With eight million online followers and more than two billion total views, Penn and Kim Holderness are funny, incessant + very genuine online content creators. They have been featured on national and international media, are best-selling authors, award-winning podcast hosts + were winners on Season 33 of The Amazing Race. They first rose to internet fame when their X-mas Jammies holiday video card garnered more than fifteen million views in one week.
Penn and Kim, while at Mall of America to sign their latest book "ADHD Is Awesome", sat down for this episode of So Much More to share stories and insights from the book and their incredible journey as internet stars. 
4:45 How Xmas Jammies blew up the internet, and what it meant to their journey.8:30 Why they wrote this NY Times bestselling book, "ADHD Is Awesome".12:57 What it’s like being honest and vulnerable with online content.13:50 What they have learned from including their children in online content and how that has changed over time.18:05 The Amazing Race, what it was like, why they did it, and what the most difficult challenge was.24:40 Why pickleball truly vibes with their philosophy and life.26:12 Share their knowledge about Minnesota in a round of rapid-fire questions.
For more information on Penn and Kim Holderness and their projects, books + podcasts, visit: https://theholdernessfamily.com/. 
Guests: Penn and Kim Holderness; content creators, award-winning authors, podcast hosts, loving parents.
Host: Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 48: Remembering Vietnam Veterans

Often referred to as ‘the forgotten war’, the Vietnam War was an integral part of a challenging time in our nation’s history. Our guests, Brand Lindsay, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, and Tom Lyons, USAF veteran and host of The Minnesota Military Radio Hour, discuss a special event hosted at Mall of America® to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war.
Veterans of this war, many of whom were drafted, did not return home to a welcome party. Lindsay and Lyon share the focus behind this three-day event and the important components that Vietnam War veterans, their families + the public will see. The event will include a resource fair for veterans, a special screening of "Welcome Home! A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans" at B+B Theatres, an oral history presentation + a smaller scale recreation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that is in Washington, D.C.
The guests also stress the importance of supporting all veterans and their families. They share the history of the Beyond The Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) program and how it benefits impacted service members and their families. Mall of America has been a proud BTYR company for years.
For more information on the special MDVA Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration visit: https://mallofamerica.com/events/view/33083. 
Guests: Brad Lindsay, Commissioner at Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and Tom Lyons, USAF Vietnam Veteran, author, host of The Minnesota Military Radio Hour, and Founder/Principal at Faelon Partners, Ltd.
Host: Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 47: Under the Big Top with Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR

Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR is performing under the Big Top at Mall of America®. Our guests are Artistic Director Johnny Kim, and Duo Trapeze Artist Xander Taylor. BAZZAR is currently staged outside the north entrance of Mall of America and has been showered with rave reviews.
Johnny and Xander share their backgrounds and what life is like joining the circus. They can be on the road performing around the world for up to 45 weeks per year. They may be away from families, friends + home, but they find adventure and joy in exploring new cities, experiencing new cultures + meeting new people. Both have a long history of performing. In fact, Xander shares that prior to joining the circus he attended the “Hogwarts” for circus training in Montreal.
Both guests are quick to share that the Big Top experience is magical – audience members feel as though they are part of the show because it is such an intimate setting. In the case of BAZZAR, the audience truly helps bring the story together in an exciting ending.
BAZZAR invites audience members to discover a world where simple instruments and vocals create a dreamy music that blends with costumes inspired by different time periods. The array of breathtaking acts includes fire juggling, trapeze, rope artists, Indian pole, hair-suspension + tight wire performers.
 
Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/bazzar.
 
Guests: Johnny Kim, Artistic Director and Xander Taylor, Duo Trapeze Artist at Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR
 
Host: Daniel Jasper
 
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 46: Small Beginnings + Large Dreams

Daniel Johnson and Ricardo Hernandez Espinoza have quite a bit in common. They are entrepreneurs; took a risk to open their own business; started small and have big dreams. And they both enjoy bringing smiles to their customers and helping create a better world.
Following the unrest in 2020 and COVID, Mall of America created a 5,000 square foot space called Community Commons. It was a retail collective created to help support BIPOC owned business that had been hurt by these two events. It was a space for these businesses to establish themselves, gain exposure to millions of guests and rebuild their dreams. That’s where Daniel and Ricardo met – along with dozens of other impacted business owners and entrepreneurs.
Community Commons was open for more than two years and helped dozens of small businesses. Many of these businesses have opened their own in-line spaces at Mall of America including Johnson, owner of LEVELS Fashion (level 3 near Nordstrom) and Hernandez Espinoza, owner of La Michoacana Purepecha (level 2 near the Rotunda.) Led in conversation by host Jill Renslow, both Daniel and Ricardo share stories of their professional journeys, what it means to be located at Mall of America + their dreams for future growth…and those dreams are big!
Levels Fashion
La Michoacana Purepecha 
Guests: Daniel Johnson, owner of LEVELS Fashions, and Ricardo Hernandez Espinoza, owner of La Michoacana Purepecha.
Host: Jill Renslow; Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 45: It's All About Food-The Great Connector

Stephanie March knows about food and the local dining scene. It has been a significant part of her life and career. As Executive Editor of New Media + Food at Mpls. St. Paul Magazine, March has a reputation of telling a delightful story, especially when it comes to food. Along with host Jill Renslow and co-host Carrie Charleston, this episode is packed with stories about how food is the great connector.
 
In addition to her outstanding writing, March also co-hosts a live broadcast/podcast about cooking, travel, eating + food culture called The Weekly Dish. She has worked in the hospitality industry early in her career and was a restaurant consultant. March and Charleston share how they first connected in the restaurant scene and how their relationship has grown.
 
This episode also talks about the adventures of dining at Mall of America as well as the Minnesota State Fair and other Twin Cities locations. They look at what is hot and what’s missing in the dining scene. All three share how food has helped shape who they are today. And they talk about their can’t-miss dining experiences. March also talks about her newest project, Pickle by Steph March on Substack.
 
Pickle by Steph March: https://picklebystephmarch.substack.com/.
MSP Magazine: https://mspmag.com/eat-and-drink/the-feed.
Weekly Dish podcast: https://www.mytalk1071.com/shows/weekly-dish/.
Mall of America dining: https://mallofamerica.com/foodanddrink.
 
Guests: Stephanie March, writer, editor, podcast host, and Executive Editor of New Media + Food at Mpls. St. Paul Magazine; Carrie Charleston, Vice President of Leasing at Mall of America
 
Host: Jill Renslow
 
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 44: Water-Skiing Squirrels to A-List Celebrities

Events experts Meri Ryan and Sierra Goerg share the storied history + behind-the-scenes tales of events at Mall of America. In 2023, the Mall hosted more than 370 events, and is set to surpass that mark in 2024. This team helps imagine, create + implement these amazing guest experiences.
Like the entire events team, Meri and Sierra have super personas. Meri – known as the Pineapple Powerhouse – began as an events intern in 2012 and joined the team full time in 2015. Her early event memories include the One Direction autograph signing, the appearance of the Hunger Games cast + the 100th Birthday Celebration for the Girl Scouts – and all the cookies you could ever imagine!
Sierra’s persona is the Sparking Superhero and her first claim to fame was being in the audience for One Direction including holding a sign which stated, “Harry, prom?” It didn’t work. But she did later land a spot on this world-class events team. Her favorite event memory was a pop-up performance by Ed Sheeran at the Lego Store.
Meri is the mastermind behind bringing Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel to Mall of America. From Sumo wrestlers to drag shows the conversation spans the gamut. If you want to know the ins and outs of events at the world’s greatest mall you won’t want to miss this episode.
To learn more about Mall of America events, visit our events page. 
Guests: Meri Ryan, Senior Experiential Events Manager and Sierra Goerg, Experiential Events Specialist at Mall of America
Hosts: Chris Grap, Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 43: Falen Bonsett, Radio Show Host + Social Media Personality

“It’s an unpopular opinion, but I don’t like Chicago. I’ve seen the Bean, the museum, the aquarium. Don’t really like the pizza.” And away we go…. On this episode, KDWB radio host and social media personality, Falen Bonsett, tells it like it is! Falen shares stories and more than a few laughs with our audience.
Joined by Chris Grap and Sara Johnson, the trio discuss a 12-plus year partnership between Falen and the Mall of America, as well as many of the celebrities and unique events that have taken place during that time. Along with other timely issues like finding your place in school, raising a family, how to live with social media, + of course, shopping.
At the Mall, Falen has found a second home. And like so many other local fans of the Mall – she has her favorite route during her visits including where to park (insider tip – it’s the North surface lot), which stores she hits along the way + where to grab a good bite to eat. To cap off the conversation, Falen chimed in, “Mall of America has been the best partnership of my life!”
To learn about Falen’s show visit the KDWB website. 
Guests: Falen Bonsett, Host of the Falen & Colt show on 101.3 KDWB; Sara Johnson, Integrated Marketing Director at Mall of America
Host: Chris Grap
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.