Growing Destinations

Experience Rochester

Your go-to source for insightful discussions on destination development. The Growing Destinations podcast delves into the strategies, challenges, and successes that drive community growth. Each episode features in-depth conversations with local and national experts, uncovering universal themes and innovative practices that can be applied to any city or region. 

  1. 19 MAR

    A Conversation with Chancellor Lori Carrell - University of Minnesota Rochester

    On Growing Destinations, we’re joined by Chancellor Lori Carrell of the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR). Chancellor Carrell received the Rochester Mayor’s Medal of Honor in 2025 for her leadership in higher education and her impact on the city. Under her leadership, UMR has experienced significant enrollment growth and continues to expand its role as a downtown campus preparing the next generation of healthcare and research professionals. We discuss UMR’s unique place within the University of Minnesota system, its innovative approach to learning, and how the university’s growth is shaping the future of Rochester.

    24 min

  2. 5 MAR

    Two Worlds of Storytelling: Newsroom and Novel

    Caitlin Alexander is an Emmy award-winning anchor and Executive Producer at KTTC-TV in Rochester, Minnesota, and a published children’s author. While many viewers know her from the nightly newscast, Caitlin is also the writer behind the middle-grade paranormal novels She's Still Here and The Forever Bride, as well as the family-centered children's book Baby Celebrates Both: Christmas & Hanukkah. In this conversation, we discuss building a creative life in Rochester, balancing newsroom leadership with novel writing, and why telling brave, age-appropriate spooky stories for kids matters.

    15 min

  3. 13/11/2025

    Sweet Success: The Huxden Syrups Story with Erik Karow

    Erik Karow is founder and owner of Huxden Syrups. Erik's passion for flavor and creativity turned a simple idea into a growing business. What started as a creative side project has evolved into a brand known for its small-batch, handcrafted syrups that elevate coffee, cocktails, and culinary creations.  In this episode, Erik shares the story behind launching Huxden Syrups, what it's like being an entrepreneur in today's challenging business climate, and how he's planning to scale and grow while staying true to his craft.

    16 min

  4. 30/10/2025

    Finding Your Voice: Lessons from Hall of Fame Auctioneer Mike Jones

    Mike Jones is a Hall of Fame Auctioneer, educator and owner of America's Auction Academy and co-owner of the World Wide College of Auctioneering. Over the course of his career, he's done it all. He won the International Auctioneer Championship in 1998 and went on to serve as President of the National Auctioneers Association in 2004 and 2005. Through his leadership, mentorship and passion for the craft, Mike has helped shape the future of auctioneering both on the auction block and in the classroom.

    21 min

  5. 17/10/2025

    A Haunted House That Gives Back in Harmony, Minnesota

    In Harmony, Minnesota, a group of dedicated volunteers turn their love for Halloween into something extraordinary: a haunted house that helps fund local arts and music programs. Monster Bash, Inc. isn't your typical haunted attraction; it's a nonprofit organization that channels the thrill of the scare into real support for students and the arts.  Jay Masters, President of Monster Bash, Inc. shares how it all started, what keeps it going, and why this spooky tradition has become such a powerful force for good.

    19 min

  6. 10/10/2025

    A Year of Westopolis: Lessons from a Bold Destination Rebrand

    Becky Bakken is President and CEO of Westopolis, the destination marketing organization representing the Minnesota cities of St. Louis Park and Golden Valley, just minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Over the past year, Becky has led her team through a major transformation, rebranding from Discover St. Louis Park to Westopolis, to better reflect the vibrancy and connected spirit of both communities. She shares why the rebrand happened, what they've learned one year in, how the community has embraced the change and what's next for Westopolis.

    18 min

  7. 18/09/2025

    Discovering Place: Stories from a Life in Travel and Tourism with John DeLeva

    John DeLeva, Global Marketing Executive with Miles Partnership, has built a career that has taken him around the world. In this episode, he shares how building strong relationships and diving deep into the culture, food, and spirit of each place has shaped his approach to tourism marketing.  He also recounts his extraordinary travel journey, completing visits to every single county in the United States, and how that adventure continues to influence his work to this day.  Plus, hear how his passion for place extends to his own restaurant and cottages in the scenic resort town of Union, Washington.

    20 min

  8. 27/08/2025

    From Silicon Valley to Minnesota: A Journey of Reinvention

    Steve Grove is a leader whose career journey has spanned Silicon Valley, state government, and now the publishing world. Steve is the CEO and Publisher of the Star Tribune, Minnesota’s largest news organization. Before that, he served as Commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development, and earlier, he spent more than a decade at Google helping to build its news and civic engagement initiatives. Steve recently added another chapter to his story with the release of his memoir, How I Found Myself in the Midwest: A Memoir of Reinvention. In it, he shares the personal journey of leaving the fast-paced tech world, returning to his roots in Minnesota with his wife and twins, and rediscovering the power of community and place. Steve shares why he wrote this book now, what he hopes readers take away, and what the process of writing a memoir taught him about reinvention and about himself.

    21 min
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About

Your go-to source for insightful discussions on destination development. The Growing Destinations podcast delves into the strategies, challenges, and successes that drive community growth. Each episode features in-depth conversations with local and national experts, uncovering universal themes and innovative practices that can be applied to any city or region. 

Information

  • Creator
    Experience Rochester
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Growing Destinations
  • Show Website
    Growing Destinations