Bridge Out Ahead

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Hosted by Bridger Hopkins, Bridge Out Ahead explores the real, unfinished, and often overlooked moments that shape who we are and who we’re becoming. Through honest conversations, quiet insight, and thoughtful storytelling, each episode offers a glimpse into the challenges, pivots, and lessons that come with building something that matters. Whether you’re navigating a transition, leading through uncertainty, or simply figuring it out as you go—Bridge Out Ahead is here for the work-in-progress.

  1. FEB 3

    Revisit: Built Strong: The Road to Mental Health Advocacy with Cre Larson

    Trigger Warning: Heavy themes of depression, mental health, child loss. On this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, Bridger sits down with Cre Larson, a powerhouse in mental health advocacy whose story weaves together faith, grit, and a deep commitment to serving others. As Executive Director of First Call for Help, Cre has spent more than 30 years walking alongside individuals and families in their hardest moments—turning her own personal loss into a mission to bring hope and healing. From her early days in social services to leading an agency that now impacts communities across Minnesota, Cre shares how faith, vision, and a “never quit” mindset have carried her through life’s toughest seasons. Her journey is proof that even in the face of tragedy, something powerful can be built. Key Topics Covered: Faith in Action: How Cre turned the loss of her infant son into a lifelong calling Daily Grounding Practices: Gratitude, prayer, and the 0–10 depression self-check Leading Through Change: Navigating shifting funding and community needs Vision & Legacy: How First Call for Help is shaping the future of mental health in Minnesota Breaking Stigma: Why she calls herself “1 in 4” in the mental health conversation. 🛠️ Toolbox Takeaway: Life is always under construction build with intention Strong foundations come from gratitude, faith, and community You can’t pour from an empty cup self-check daily and protect your energy. ✨ If you’ve ever faced loss, led through change, or wanted to better understand the heart of mental health advocacy, this conversation will inspire you to keep building one step, one choice, and one act of service at a time.

    37 min

  2. JAN 27

    Revisit: She Turned Her Pain Into Purpose | Jessica’s Story of Becoming An Author

    Trigger Warning: Childloss, Pandemic Journey, and Grief. We completely understand if this you would like to wait until next week to join us again! When life unraveled, Jessica didn’t set out to be strong—she just wanted to make sense of the pain. What began as journal entries in the thick of grief after child loss and illness, fear during a pandemic, and chronic illness through slowly became the foundation of her writing. In this conversation, she shares how loss reshaped her view of purpose, creativity, and what it truly means to heal. This isn’t a story about triumph. It’s about transformation—about learning to look beyond yourself when everything falls apart, and finding beauty and purpose in what remains.

    38 min

  3. JAN 20

    Revisit: She Couldn't Pick a Path...Until This One Changed Everything!

    Adrianne’s career journey has been anything but typical. From trying multiple paths that left her feeling stuck to finally discovering her purpose in business consulting on LinkedIn, she’s navigated twists, turns, and a few dead ends along the way. In this episode, we unpack the zig-zag of Adrianne’s career, diving into the lessons she learned about persistence, self-discovery, and the power of finding work that actually clicks. If you’ve ever felt like nothing is working, this story will remind you that sometimes it takes trying everything before the right path reveals itself. Key Topics Covered: The career detours that taught Adrianne resilience and self-awareness How LinkedIn became the platform that opened new doors The mindset shifts that turned “failure” into stepping stones Strategies for identifying work that aligns with your strengths and values Advice for anyone feeling stuck or lost in their career path

    40 min

  4. JAN 13

    Revisit:Building Trust, One Title at a Time

    On this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, Bridger sits down with Jenny Giving, a powerhouse in title services with deep roots in family values, bold leadership, and an unstoppable work ethic. From running her family’s furniture store as a teen to navigating 17 years in banking, Jenny’s journey is full of pivots—and purpose. Today, she leads with heart and hustle in the world of title work, balancing motherhood, leadership, and legacy. Key Topics Covered: Title Work 101: What it actually is—and why it matters more than you think Career Leaps: Making bold moves after nearly two decades in banking Staying Grounded: How to lead when life feels chaotic Legacy Building: What Jenny hopes to pass on to her daughters and her Minnesota community Real Talk: Burnout, curveballs, and the joy of the “messy middle” 🛠️ Toolbox Takeaway: Honesty wins Hard isn’t bad—it’s where the best work gets done Be the problem solver people can count on ✨ If you’re someone who’s building something meaningful—through challenge, change, and a whole lot of heart—this episode is for you.

    30 min

  5. JAN 10

    Revisit: Out of Pain, Into Purpose: How Jed LaPlant started his band Wild Horses

    In this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, host Bridger Hopkins sits down with musician and frontman Jed LaPlant of Wild Horses. Jed opens up about what it really takes to build a band from the ground up—balancing the art of songwriting with the grind of booking tours, managing money, and treating music like a business.

    56 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    Building Resilient Businesses and Communities with Leah Geisler of Wildwood Design Co.

    In this episode of Bridge Out Ahead, we talk with Leah Geisler, owner of Wildwood Design Co., about building a business while navigating the complexities of family life and community involvement. Leah opens up about her experiences in architectural design, balancing her personal passions, and the lessons she’s learned through setbacks and growth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a community-builder, or someone navigating life’s unexpected turns, this conversation offers insights, inspiration, and practical advice for creating resilience in both work and life. Topics Covered: Leah’s journey as a single mother of six and new grandmother Running a business in the male-dominated field of architectural design Balancing family, long-distance running, and nonprofit work Lessons learned from setbacks, unexpected turns, and personal growth Strategies for building resilient businesses and meaningful communities Insights on work-life integration and managing high-demand responsibilities Listen in to hear Leah’s story of resilience, creativity, and community-building—and discover lessons you can apply to your own journey in business and life.

    1h 16m

  7. 12/22/2025

    What It Really Takes to Build a Scratch Kitchen in a Small Town | The Pines Restaurant Story

    Today on Bridge Out Ahead, we’re sitting down with Kyle and Amanda Lussier, the husband-and-wife team behind The Pines Restaurant — a from-scratch kitchen that’s quietly redefining what dining can look like in northern Minnesota. From long days in hospitality to the leap into ownership, Kyle and Amanda share the real road behind building a restaurant from the ground up: the planning, the financial pressure, the doubt, the invisible labor, and the perseverance it takes to keep showing up when most restaurants don’t survive the first few years. This conversation goes beyond food. We talk about: What it actually means to run a from-scratch kitchen The realities of restaurant economics diners rarely see Why service and remembering someone’s name can matter more than a perfect plate The emotional toll of entrepreneurship — and what keeps you grounded when the pressure peaks Building a business that serves both craft and community Kyle opens up about his culinary philosophy, the chefs who shaped him, and the trends he’d gladly leave behind. Amanda shares what intentional hospitality looks like in practice — and why being a gathering place comes with responsibility. We also dig into: What’s still under construction for The Pines How northern Minnesota’s food scene is evolving The legacy they hope to build beyond the restaurant itself Plus, we end with our required Toolbox Takeaway, rapid-fire food debates, and a fun game we’re calling “Among the Pines.” If you care about craftsmanship, small-town entrepreneurship, community-driven business, or what it really takes to build something meaningful — this episode is for you. 🎧 ABOUT BRIDGE OUT AHEAD Bridge Out Ahead is the podcast where we explore what’s under construction in life, business, and community — the detours, rebuilds, and the vision still ahead.

    1h 15m

  8. 12/16/2025

    From K9 Officer to Entrepreneur | Joe Burns on Service, Resilience & Building Top Dog Fuel

    In this episode, we sit down with Joe Burns — law enforcement officer, K9 handler, and founder of Top Dog Fuel — for a conversation about resilience, responsibility, and the quiet ways purpose takes shape over time. Joe’s story begins in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where early loss and hardship forced him to grow up fast. Those formative years didn’t harden him — they sharpened his sense of responsibility, discipline, and care for others. What followed was a path rooted in service, leading him into law enforcement and K9 handling, where protecting people became more than a job — it became a calling. But life doesn’t always move in straight lines. In this conversation, Joe shares how his drive to serve eventually expanded beyond the badge, inspiring the creation of Top Dog Fuel, a company reshaping convenience for working people across northern Minnesota. What started as an answer to a practical problem became a business built on reliability, trust, and showing up for others — the same values that shaped his career in public service. We talk about: Growing up in Grand Rapids and the early chapters that shaped his outlook How loss and adversity forged a deep sense of responsibility The moment service became part of his identity What drew him to law enforcement and K9 work How ambition evolved into entrepreneurship with Top Dog Fuel This is a grounded, honest conversation about how resilience is built — not in grand moments, but through steady choices, discipline, and a commitment to serve wherever you’re planted.

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hosted by Bridger Hopkins, Bridge Out Ahead explores the real, unfinished, and often overlooked moments that shape who we are and who we’re becoming. Through honest conversations, quiet insight, and thoughtful storytelling, each episode offers a glimpse into the challenges, pivots, and lessons that come with building something that matters. Whether you’re navigating a transition, leading through uncertainty, or simply figuring it out as you go—Bridge Out Ahead is here for the work-in-progress.

Information

  • Creator
    contact58v
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Bridge Out Ahead