The Hope Exchange

In this episode of The Hope Exchange, host Kim Madsen sits down with members of the Willmar Stingers front office to explore how an amateur baseball team can become a powerful force for community connection. The conversation highlights how the Stingers prioritize relationships, youth engagement, and accessibility, creating an environment where baseball becomes a gateway to belonging, joy, and shared experience. Beyond wins and losses, the episode focuses on how intentional leadership, volunteers, and community partnerships help make the Stingers a summer tradition that brings people together.

🧩 10 Key Talking Points

In this episode of The Hope Exchange, host Kim Madsen sits down with Alana Ziehl for an important conversation about food insecurity and the critical role food shelves play in supporting individuals and families. Alana shares insight into how food insecurity impacts mental health, stability, and overall well-being, and why access to nutritious food must be approached with dignity and compassion. Together, they discuss how food shelves are evolving beyond emergency assistance to become community hubs of support, connection, and hope.

🧩 10 Key Talking Points

In this episode of The Hope Exchange, hosts Kim Madsen and Dr. Ashley Kjos sit down with HR leadership to discuss the evolving role of Human Resources in supporting employee mental health and workplace wellness. The conversation explores how HR teams are moving beyond policies and compliance to become key partners in creating psychologically safe, supportive work environments. From early intervention to navigating difficult conversations, this episode highlights how compassionate HR practices can positively impact both employees and organizational culture.

🧩 10 Key Talking Points

In this episode of The Hope Exchange, Kim and Dr. Kjos are joined by Neeva from PACT for Families, a collaborative that helps connect children and families to support when they're at risk of falling through the cracks. Neeva shares her own journey from Gulfport, Mississippi to rural Minnesota and what drew her to public health work with vulnerable populations. Together, they discuss how inter-agency partnerships and upstream mental health care can stabilize homes and improve outcomes for children. Through warmth and wisdom, Neeva reminds us that systems can feel overwhelming — but real help often starts with a simple co...

In this episode, Kim Madsen and Dr. Ashley Kjos sit down with Sara Carlson, Executive Director of the Willmar Area Community Foundation, to explore how thoughtful giving, local partnerships, and community-rooted initiatives are transforming mental health support in west central Minnesota. From mural projects to Kids Connection, Sara shares how investing in connection creates long-term hope and healing.

In this powerful conversation, hosts Kim Madsen and Dr. Ashley Kjos welcome Megan and Sarah, experienced counselors from Woodland Centers' Substance Use Program, to discuss early intervention in youth substance use. The episode highlights the importance of communication, patience, and recognizing behavioral changes in teens. Megan and Sarah share practical ways for parents and caregivers to open judgment-free conversations with their kids and offer insight into warning signs like changing peer groups, slipping grades, and increased secrecy. This discussion serves as a compassionate guide for those looking to identify and address substance use issues early, before they escalate into...

In this episode of The Hope Exchange, hosts Kim Madsen and Dr. Ashley Kjos talk with school social workers Meganand Dionne about the evolving role of mental health professionals in schools. The conversation explores how school-based social work has moved from being reactive to deeply proactive—integrated into hallways, classrooms, and morning routines. Megan and Dionne share real-world experiences of building trust with students, collaborating with teachers, and breaking down stigma around mental health. It’s a meaningful look into how small daily moments can foster connection, regulation, and resilience for students of all ages.

In this heartfelt episode, Kim and Ashley sit down with Reggie, a client of Woodland Centers’ WIN program, to explore his personal journey navigating employment and mental health. Reggie shares his honest struggles with confidence, the challenge of getting back behind the wheel, and how working with his job coach helped him find stability and self-worth. Through his story, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the power of persistence, community support, and the importance of individualized job placement. It’s a story of quiet strength and hope—and a reminder that meaningful work can be a cornerstone of recovery.

In this episode of The Hope Exchange, Tina Schenk, Social Services Director for Meeker County, joins hosts Kim Madsen and Ashley Kjos to discuss the power of collaboration in supporting public health and social services. From prevention programs and community training to strong partnerships with organizations like Woodland Centers, Tina highlights how Meeker County is working to meet community needs and empower residents to thrive.

EPISODE TALKING POINTS
Meet Jaime & Kayla
Kim introduces her guests: Woodland Centers therapist Jaime Bremseth and student Kayla Davis, both of whom have built a meaningful therapeutic relationship through school-linked services.
What Is School-Linked Mental Health?
Jaime explains her dual placement across school districts, providing therapy directly on school grounds and offering accessible support to students during the day.
Why Therapy in Schools Matters
The group discusses how integrating services into schools helps break stigma and eliminate barriers like transportation, scheduling, and accessibility for families.
Kayla’s Journey Begins
Kayla shares th...

EPISODE TALKING POINTS

Meet Jaime & Kayla
Kim introduces her guests: Woodland Centers therapist Jaime Bremseth and student Kayla Davis, both of whom have built a meaningful therapeutic relationship through school-linked services.

What Is School-Linked Mental Health?
Jaime explains her dual placement across school districts, providing therapy directly on school grounds and offering accessible support to students during the day.

Why Therapy in Schools Matters
The group discusses how integrating services into schools helps break stigma and eliminate barriers like transportation, scheduling, and accessibility for families.

Kayla’s Journey Be...

In this episode, host Kim Madsen sits down with Sarah Vonderharr, Executive Director of Pact For Families Collaborative, to explore how five rural Minnesota counties banded together to create a seamless safety net for children and families facing mental-health or substance-use challenges. Sarah recounts the Collaborative’s legislative origins and explains its wrap-around philosophy, which keeps family voice & choice at the center while coordinating schools, county services, nonprofits, and healthcare providers. Listeners hear about signature programs—Road to Success for high-schoolers and Journey to Independence for young adults—that teach budgeting, cooking, hygiene, and career skills; discover how federally funded...

In this episode, host Kim Madsen sits down with Sarah Vonderharr, Executive Director of Pact For Families Collaborative, to explore how five rural Minnesota counties banded together to create a seamless safety net for children and families facing mental-health or substance-use challenges. Sarah recounts the Collaborative’s legislative origins and explains its wrap-around philosophy, which keeps family voice & choice at the center while coordinating schools, county services, nonprofits, and healthcare providers. Listeners hear about signature programs—Road to Success for high-schoolers and Journey to Independence for young adults—that teach budgeting, cooking, hygiene, and career skills; discover how federally funded...

1. Meet Angie Richardson

Angie Richardson, Marketing and Community Impact Coordinator at Woodland Centers, joins the show to discuss the life-saving importance of naloxone training. In addition to leading community education efforts, Andy also conducts internal and external trainings that promote awareness and reduce stigma.

2. Why Naloxone Training Matters

Woodland Centers offers community-based naloxone training to raise awareness, improve access, and fight stigma around overdose response. Naloxone (also known as Narcan) can reverse opioid overdoses and gives individuals the chance to survive and access further care.

3. It’s Not Just for “Addicts”

A...

Show Notes:

In this inspiring episode, Kim and Ashley sit down with Sheila and John from West Central Industries to explore the powerful connection between employment and mental well-being. With deep experience supporting individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges, Sheila and John walk us through how employment services like the WIN Program (Work Environment Now) help people rediscover purpose, self-worth, and connection.

From initial referrals to long-term support, the team provides individualized, compassionate job placement and coaching across Kandiyohi, Chippewa, and Meeker counties. Their work is centered on meeting people where they’re at—rega...

Hosts Kim Madsen and Ashley Kjos are joined by Karen Meyer, Director of Crisis Services, and Kelly Rosendahl, Crisis Supervisor at Woodland Centers. They discuss the extensive crisis services available, including mobile crisis, mental health urgent care, and residential crisis programs, highlighting the importance of timely mental health support.

Key Points Discussed:

Woodland Centers Crisis Services:

Woodland Centers provides comprehensive crisis services, including mobile crisis response, residential crisis facilities for adults and youth, and mental health urgent care.

Karen and Kelly share their extensive experience and the evolution of...

Episode Overview:

In this episode, hosts Kim Madsen and Ashley Choitz welcome Yolanda, Managing Attorney at Minnesota Legal Aid, for an enlightening conversation about Medicaid (Medical Assistance), helping listeners better understand its importance, eligibility requirements, and recent changes impacting coverage.

Key Points Discussed:

Understanding Medicaid:

Medical Assistance serves as essential health coverage primarily for low-income individuals and families.

Woodland Centers relies significantly on Medicaid to provide essential mental health and substance use services.

Who Qualifies for Medicaid?

Yolanda emphasizes that Medicaid...

Episode Overview:

In this episode, hosts Kim Madsen and Ashley sit down with special guest Chelsea from Woodland Centers to discuss the critical role of naloxone (Narcan) in combating opioid overdoses.

Key Points Discussed:

Woodland Centers' Involvement:

Woodland Centers began its involvement with naloxone training about three years ago, starting with staff becoming trainers.

Expanded services to become "access points," providing free and anonymous naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips at their locations.

Importance of Naloxone:

Naloxone reverses the effects of opioid overdoses and saves...

In this episode of The Hope Exchange, Kim and Ashley dive into an informative discussion about Woodland Centers, its mission, and how it serves the community. They provide an in-depth look at the services offered across seven counties and 14 school districts in Minnesota, including mental health care, substance use programs, and the unique approach to providing whole-health support for individuals of all ages. The conversation touches on the process of seeking help, from initial assessments to different treatment options available.

Throughout the episode, the hosts address common concerns about mental health care, such as stigma, access, and...

Welcome to The Hope Exchange

Join Kim Madsen, Chief Impact Officer, and Ashley Kjos, CEO, as they kick off this brand-new podcast from Woodland Centers. Here’s what you can expect:

What is The Hope Exchange?

Who Is It For?