The DMF Podcast

Lessons in Leadership: Lifting Up the Next Generation of Leaders ft. Stacia Sytsma

Greater Moorhead Business Association Stacia Sytsma, fresh into her role six months ago, had to navigate learning a new board and a new board president and was tasked with a full organizational rebrand all within her first 180 days. Join us for a discussion about how she relied on the skills her mentors taught her to help her accomplish it all.

Lesson in Leadership: Change Takes Work ft. Marcia Werner

Professional change implementation coach Marcia Werner helps others learn how to transition through major life changes. But she’s a coach willing to live by example. Listen in to see what it’s like to move your entire family to a country where you don’t speak the language.

Lesson in Leadership: Building Transformational Relationships ft. Jason Kemp

Minnesota State University Moorhead Head Coach Jason Kemp returns home to coach a vaunted Dragons team, a team that also gave him his start in coaching. Listen in to see how he teaches his players to possess “One Heart Beat,” and see how he develops his student athletes.

Lesson in Leadership: A Purpose-Driven Career in Public Service ft. Chief Helmick

In this episode, our host Pastor Devlyn Brooks sits down with Moorhead Police Chief Chris Helmick. Chief Helmick might be the most assuming man in the room, but don’t let his assuming nature fool you. Inside, there is a devoted public servant, who is deeply passionate about leading and helping his team to grow. Come along for the conversation, as he shares the challenges and joys of assuming the top post of a small city police department.

Empowering The Next Generation ft. Mark Heinert

In this episode our host Whitney Isaacson sat down with Executive Director of Youthworks, Mark Heinert. Youthworks is a nonprofit creating a safe place for all youth to belong and be heard. Mark shares some great advice on how we can walk alongside youth and not just tell them what to do, but teach them how to address challenges, start planning, and set goals for themselves to thrive. Take a listen and be encouraged on how we can empower the next generation!

Carrying The Light Forward ft. Julie Christianson

In this episode, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sat down with Executive Director of Landon's Light, Julie Christianson. Landon’s Light is providing hope and joy to children across our region who are going through serious medical illness. And Landon’s Light started with Landon Solberg, a young boy that was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. In this episode, Julie shares with us that Landon had a special light with him that shined bright even through his difficult medical journey, and how Landon's Light is touching many lives, encouraging others to have courage and confidence through life’s toughest battles.

Inspiring Hope and Mental Health Awareness ft. Elizabeth Medd

In this episode our host Whitney Isaacson sat down with Elizabeth Medd, the Founder and Director of the 463 Foundation. The 463 Foundation is on a mission to reduce the mental health stigma, build hope, and spread suicide prevention resources. Elizabeth shares with us in this episode how we can start to have more open communication with our kids around mental health, some tips for parents and kids to bounce back from life’s hard moments and how to find healthy expression of emotions.

Seeking Integration Throughout Our Lives ft. Todd Holdman

In this episode, our host Pastor Devlyn Brooks sits down with software engineer by trade, musician by heart, Todd Holdman. Todd has spent the past decade on a journey toward “integration” in all aspects of his life. He relays the joy this journey has brought him after he finally figured out that he wasn’t one person at work and a different person at home. But in reality, he was called to just be the authentic “Todd” God called him to be all of the time.

Empowering Lives and Furnishing Homes ft. Jenessa Fillipi

For someone emerging from homelessness, it is one thing to secure housing but it’s another to then have to meet other basic needs and make decisions on whether or not you pay rent, buy groceries for your family, or get a bed to sleep in. In this episode, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sat down with Jenessa Fillipi, Founder and Executive Director of Down Home. Down Home works to stabilize those emerging from homelessness by furnishing homes and building community so clients are supported, stable, and in nurturing homes. Down Home is a turning point for those emerging from homelessness to provide wellbeing in all other areas of life, with that first step of transforming an empty space into a beautiful home. Take a listen and be inspired by a changemaker in our community!
 
 
 

Lessons in Leadership: The Church is Not Dead ft. Pastor Mary Suomala Folkerds

In this episode, our host Pastor Devlyn Brooks sits down with Pastor Mary Suomala Folkerds who leads a big church of almost 3,000 members. But, here’s the catch: Her church is still growing! And as Pastor Mary states, she wants to bust the myth that the church is dead. What’s her church’s secret sauce? Well, maybe no one thing. But the start is that the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd focuses on creating joy and being excellent in what they do. And it must be working! Check out more insights about the state of today’s church in this "Lead with Light" episode!