Stories in Life. On the Radio with Mark and Joe.
Mark and Joe interview people with stories that affirm your belief in the goodwill, courage, determination, commitment and vision of everyday people.
Our primary goal is that, through another person's story, you will find meaningful connection no matter your place in life. We intend that the stories we select will be inspiring and maybe help you laugh, cry, think or change your mind about something important in your life.
Episodes
31 episodes
One Backpack, Maps and the Open Road - How Travel Built My Faith In Humanity
What would you learn if you crossed international borders with only a 26-liter backpack and a belief that most people are kind? We sit down with friend Dean Fromm, a Colorado based traveler who’s visited 109 countries, to unpack how light gear,...
A Diver’s Field Guide To Visiting Lake Superior Ship Wrecks
Lake Superior is not just cold, it’s demanding. The weather can turn fast, the waves hit differently than the ocean, and a shipwreck that felt “familiar” a decade ago may have collapsed into something sharp, dark, and dangerous today. We sit do...
Minnesota Superintendent of the Year: Dr. Laurie Putnam’s Vision for Hope, Truth, Unity and Growth
Superintendent Laurie Putnam shares her inspiring vision for public education, emphasizing hope, truth, unity and growth in the St. Cloud Area Schools District. Through candid discussions on leadership challenges, the importance of diverse repr...
Heaven on Earth: The Gift of Enduring Friendship with Skipper Gary Anderson
Death often reveals what truly matters in life. When our friend Gary Anderson passed unexpectedly last October, we found ourselves reflecting on the extraordinary power of enduring friendship and its ability to shape our lives in profound ways....
Walking from Mexico to Canada - A Perspective On What Matters Most in Life.
What happens when you strip away the complexities of modern life and spend five months walking 2,650 miles through some of America's most breathtaking landscapes? Mary and Jason Kosch did exactly that when they hiked the Pacific Crest Trail fro...
The Search for Ancestors - Anton and Alice Wolak From Galicia Poland
Honoring Stories: Our Year of Connections and Music in 2023
Join us, your hosts Mark and Joe, as we look back on a year where Stories in Life shared tales of human spirit and determination. We reflect on connections made across 20 countries and bonds with over a thousand followers who've become pa...
Engine Out - A Harrowing Journey on Lake Superior
When the gentle hum of an engine gives way to eerie silence, the vast expanse of Lake Superior transforms from a peaceful oasis into a formidable beast. This is the chilling setting that Mark and Julie Wolak bravely stepped into, and their figh...
Providing Mental Health Care in Schools with Dr William Dikel - Part One
Embark on an enlightening exploration of the complex world of children's mental health with us, as we sit down with child psychiatrist, Dr. William Dikel. As a vanguard in child psychiatry, Dr. Dikel offers a wealth of knowledge on how ou...
Providing Mental Health Care in Schools - It's Complicated! PART TWO with Dr. William Dikel
This is the second episode featuring child psychiatrist, Dr. William Dikel. Dr. Dikel pulls back the curtain on the often overlooked role that education systems play in addressing the mental health needs of children and youth. Dr. D...
Celebrating 99 Years of Courage, Resilience, and Joy with guest, Bill Kruschel
Join us as we share the remarkable life of Bill Kruschel, an extraordinary 99-year-old, whose journey from a World War II Navy medic to a beloved member of the White Bear Lake community is nothing short of inspiring. This episode paints a vivid...
Wisdom from the Hearts and Minds of Three Siblings: Bill (99) Dee Dee (98) and Fritz Kruschel (96) - Sharing Optimism, Values and Friendship
In this episode you will be transported to 1932, right in the middle of the Great Depression, as we sit down with the incredible Kruschel siblings: Bill, Dee Dee, and Fritz, ages 99, 98, and 96. We promise you’ll learn not only about their stru...
An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence - Wisdom Shared from Meg Kissinger
Meg Kissinger, a distinguished journalist and Pulitzer Prize finalist, takes us on an intimate journey through her life and work as she shares stories from her memoir, "While You Were Out." Raised in a family shadowed by mental health and addic...
Beyond Traditional Bonds: Exploring Authentic Male Friendship with Neil J Meyer
Finding genuine male friendships and expressing emotions can be a complex journey, especially when faced with societal expectations. Join us for a heart-to-heart conversation with our lifelong friend, Neil J Meyer, as we break down the intricat...
Confronting Global Climate Change: Adaptive Strategies for Families with Dr. Lorin Robinson
Explore the future of with Dr. Lorin Robinson, a distinguished journalist and author, as he unveils the real-world strategies needed to combat the relentless march of global warming. Dr. Robinson, who has spent years dissecting the complexities...
The Power of Storytelling: Connecting Lives and Leaving a Legacy - The Vision
Have you ever wondered how the power of storytelling can impact our lives and create a lasting legacy for future generations? Join Joe Boyle and Mark Wolak as we discuss the importance of sharing stories of hope and resilience, and how these na...
From Passion to Profession: The Dirt Candy Designs Story
What if you could take your love for biking and nature to create a unique and thriving business? Meet Adam and Mica Harju, the dynamic duo behind Dirt Candy Designs, who turned their passion into a successful bike trail building company, buildi...
A Couple's Ride to Success: Inside the World of Trail Building with Dirt Candy Designs
Imagine if you could combine your passion for mountain biking and nature with your entrepreneurial spirit and relationship goals? Our guests, Adam and Mica Harju from Dirt Candy Designs, are doing just that. As a trail-building couple, they too...
Transformative Innovation and Global Leadership Insights from Darrell Mann
Ever wondered how systematic innovation can transform organizations and businesses for enhanced decision-making? We had the honor of visiting with Darrell Mann, an expert in this field who has worked across various industries and continents wit...
Unlocking the DNA of Success: Exploring the Power of Relationships Between Trends and Innovation with Darrell Mann
What if we told you that the secret to successful innovation lies in understanding the relationships between trends? In our enlightening conversation with Darrell Mann, a world-renowned expert in systematic innovation, we uncover the third part...
Truth and Leadership in the Age of AI: A Discussion with Darrell Mann
What if embracing failure could unlock the secrets to innovation? Join us as we sit down with Darrell Mann, a global consultant and expert in systematic innovation, and unpack the idea of learning from failure to drive success. We also dive int...
Stranded on Lake Superior: A Sailor's Tale of Teamwork and Ingenuity
This week, we're on board with Gary W. Anderson, a sailor and friend, with a serious knack for adventure and an unforgettable story. We set our course to Lake Superior, the largest fresh water lake in the world, where Gary and his crew find the...
From the Farm to Front - A Young Soldier's Story of Courage at the Battle of the Bulge (Part One of Three)
You're about to embark on a memorable journey through time, as we sit down with my Uncle Alphonse Wolak to share his unforgettable experiences serving in the now famous Eighth Air Force during World War II. From the moment he enlisted at Fort S...
From the Farm to Front - A Young Soldier's Story of Courage at the Battle of the Bulge (Episode Two of Three)
Ever wondered what it was like to be a side gunner in World War II? Prepare to be transported back in time as we hear from Alphonse Wolak, a B-24 Liberator gunner, who lived through the harrowing experience of being shot down and captured by Ge...