Stream of Consciousness with Dan: Stories from the Midwest
Stream of Consciousness is a Midwest-rooted podcast where honest, inspiring conversations take center stage. Hosted by Dan in Omaha, Nebraska, each episode explores the stories, values, and voices that shape our communities - from athletes and creatives to local business owners who bring heart and hustle to the region.Whether it's legendary NFL nose tackle or the soul behind a beloved neighborhood kitchen, Stream of Consciousness invites guests to share their journeys, challenges, and reflections in a space built on authenticity and connection. Â
Stream of Consciousness # 74 - Taylor Madison Damion - EMBERHONEY
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What happens when a musician decides that self-discovery is just as important as songwriting?
This week, I sit down with Taylor Madison Damion of EMBERHONEY for a conversation that starts with music and quickly expands into identity, creativity, personal growth, and the stories we tell ourselves. We discuss the experiences that shaped her, how her worldview influences her art, and why understanding yourself may be the most important creative process of all.
Along the way, we explore songwriting, cultural influences, finding your voice, and what it means...
Stream of Consciousness #73 - Benjamin Stewart - Slowly, Slowly
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Benjamin Stewart joins me from Melbourne for a conversation about Slowly Slowly, his solo work, and the emotional engine behind his songwriting. We talk early days, creative evolution, the pressure and beauty of writing honestly, and the seasons that shaped albums like Race Car Blues, Blueprint, and Jellyfish.
There’s vulnerability, humor, and a little US vs. Aussie food debate for good measure — the good, the strange, and the stuff that makes you question entire nations.
It’s thoughtful, grounded, and full of the insight only Ben can give. Whethe...
Stream of Consciousness #72 - Mishkin Fitzgerald
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Mishkin Fitzgerald joins Dan for a vivid, wide‑ranging conversation that moves through the heart of her creative world — from the dark theatrical pulse of Birdeatsbaby to the immersive, ritual‑rich soundscapes of her band Crimson Veil. Mishkin opens up about the emotional engines behind her songwriting, the discipline and vulnerability that shape her art, and the strange beauty that emerges when music becomes a place to transform and tell the truth. Along the way, she and Dan dive into the delightful chaos of British‑isms, compare UK and US food quirks, and share th...
Stream of Consciousness #71 - Johnny Manchild
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Recorded at Edge of the Universe Café in the Benson neighborhood of Omaha — just hours before Johnny Manchild, frontman of Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards' show at Reverb Lounge — this conversation feels like two Midwestern artists sitting down and telling the truth. Dan and Johnny dive into the beautiful mess of creativity: the pressure, the burnout, the reinvention, the moments that nearly break you, and the ones that pull you back. It’s hip, emotional, raw, and honest in a way you can’t fake.
And because i...
Stream of Consciousness Episode #70 - Jono Mata - Sly Withers
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Dan sits down with Jono Mata of Sly Withers for a conversation that drifts from teenage busking in Perth to the band’s evolution into one of Australia’s most quietly fearless alt‑rock outfits. Along the way, they swap US/Australian slang, debate weird food combinations, and basically have a ton of fun. It’s a warm, funny, grounded chat with one of modern Australian rock's most thoughtful voices.Â
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Stream of Consciousness #69 - Gail Graeve & Teresa Mardesen - Heartland Honors 9/11
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In this special conversation, Dan sits down with Gail Graeve, VP of Social Impact at Mutual of Omaha, and Teresa Mardesen, Executive Director of SHARE Omaha, to talk about Heartland Honors 9/11 — an 11‑day initiative dedicated to service, remembrance, and honoring first responders on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Together, they explore how the project came to life, why service is the language chosen for remembrance, and what it means for the Heartland to show up with intention. Gail and Teresa share the stories, part...
Stream of Consciousness #68 - Tijana Tucic
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 This conversation with Tijana Tučić is one of the most powerful episodes I’ve ever recorded. Born in Yugoslavia in 1977, Tijana grew up in a world that was breaking apart — war, scarcity, fear, and the kind of instability most people never experience. She became a single mother, worked factory shifts, fought through depression, and somehow found the strength to rebuild her life from the ground up. Today she’s a Quality Manager, Lean Consultant, and personal‑development coach writing her first autobiography. Her story is raw, honest, and full of the kind of resilien...
Stream of Consciousness #67 - Kyle Knall
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 Chef Kyle Knall joins the show to talk about a career shaped by Southern roots, New York precision, and a deliberate choice to build something meaningful in Milwaukee. From his early days cooking under Frank Stitt, to fourteen years at Gramercy Tavern, to opening Birch and earning James Beard nominations, Kyle’s story is one of craft, community, and quiet confidence. We get into the wood‑fired philosophy behind his food, the move that surprised everyone, and how he’s shaping the next chapter of Midwest dining.Â
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Stream of Consciousness #66 - Justin Warner
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Chef Justin Warner has never fit neatly into a box — and that’s exactly why this conversation works. From his Food Network rise to his boundary‑pushing culinary experiments, Justin has carved out a lane that’s equal parts curiosity, chaos, and craft. In this episode, he opens up about the creative instincts that drive him, the risks he’s taken, and the strange, wonderful ideas that somehow turn into real food people actually want to eat.
We talk about the evolution of his career, the way he approaches flavor, and how he kee...
Stream of Consciousness #65 - Mike Walker - Lakefront Brewery
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Mike Walker has spent nearly fourteen years inside one of Milwaukee’s most iconic breweries, and in this conversation he opens the doors to Lakefront in a way most people never get to hear. We talk about the culture behind the taps, the creativity that goes into beer development, and what it really takes to run the on‑site side of a brewery that’s become a Midwest institution.
From the legendary Lakefront tours to the heartbeat of Milwaukee’s beer scene, Mike shares stories, memories, and the moments that shaped his path...
Stream of Consciousness #64 - Kurt Bush
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This episode of Stream of Consciousness w/ Dan dives into a fast‑moving, no‑nonsense conversation with coach Kurt Bush — a coach who works with people from every walk of life, not just athletes. We get into what real coaching looks like today: cutting through excuses, building trust, challenging people without breaking them, and knowing when to push versus when to pull back. Kurt talks about how he found his lane, what keeps him grounded, and why the smallest conversations often end up being the ones that change someone’s direction.
We break...
Friday's w/ Dan #16
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 This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, we talk about a week that felt heavier than most. The sudden loss of Kyle Busch, a driver woven into the fabric of my childhood, brings a reminder of how fragile life really is. From there, we shift into the perseverance of Apollo 13 — what it means to keep going when everything goes wrong, and how that mirrors the daily work of sobriety. And we close with a small act of kindness that meant more than the giver probably realized: two fishing poles waiting in the backseat after...
Stream of Consciousness #63 - Rebekah Henshel - Henning's Cheese
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 This episode of Stream of Consciousness w/ Dan features a conversation with Rebekah Henshel from Henning’s Cheese, part of the family behind one of Wisconsin’s long‑standing cheese companies. We talk about what it’s like to grow up around a multi‑generation family business, what people don’t see behind the Henning’s name, and how much work goes into keeping a place like that running in today’s world. Rebekah shares stories about family, responsibility, and the day‑to‑day reality of life inside a legacy brand. It’s an easygoing, honest lo...
Stream of Consciousness #62 - Caroline Crocker
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In this episode of Stream of Consciousness w/ Dan, Dr. Caroline Crocker joins the show for a conversation that moves effortlessly between science, story, and the human heart. A former microbiologist, professor, CEO, and international speaker, Caroline brings a lifetime of experience shaped by her family’s World War II history and her own journey through truth, trauma, faith, and resilience.
We talk about what it means to inherit stories, how trauma echoes across generations, why she writes the way she does, and the surprising places life has taken her — from the...
Friday's w/ Dan #15
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This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, we start with family and legacy. I talk about my Uncle Jim, who passed in 2018 in a tragic accident near the farm he loved. In his honor, my family created the James R. Backes Memorial Scholarship, awarded each year to a hardworking FFA student at Westin High. We just had the ceremony Wednesday night — my dad presented, two of his brothers were there, and a close family friend joined us. It was one of those nights that reminds you how love and legacy carry forw...
Stream of Consciousness #61 - Al Bekkum - Nordic Creamery
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 This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, I sit down with Al Bekkum of Nordic Creamery — a licensed cheesemaker, buttermaker, and the heart behind one of Wisconsin’s most beloved family dairies. We talk about his family’s century‑long farming legacy, the craft behind award‑winning cheese and butter, life in the Driftless Region, and what it takes to keep a small creamery thriving. It’s a conversation about tradition, hard work, and the pride of making something by hand that brings people together.Â
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...Friday's w/ Dan #14
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 After a week in the hospital, I’m recording from Brodhead, Wisconsin, where I’m staying with my parents and rebuilding my strength. In this episode, I talk about being discharged, starting AA, and reaching two weeks of sobriety. From quiet walks to waking up clear‑headed, I’m learning what choosing a new path really looks like. If you’re struggling, I hope this reminds you that change is possible and you don’t have to do it alone.Â
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Friday's w/ Dan #13
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This week’s episode comes from Methodist Hospital in Omaha, where I’m recovering after years of alcohol abuse finally caught up with me. I talk honestly about facing the reality of my condition, beginning sobriety, and reconciling with God, my family, and myself.
I also share real gratitude for the doctors, nurses, techs, and staff who are helping keep me alive. It’s a raw, unpolished episode about hitting a turning point and choosing to fight for your life one day at a time.
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Episode 60 - Steve Stetter - Decatur Dairy
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Today we’re heading to Decatur, Wisconsin to talk with someone who’s been shaping the state’s cheese story for decades. Steve Stettler is a Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker, but what really stands out is the way he approaches the work — steady, consistent, and rooted in the community around him.
Decatur Dairy isn’t flashy; it’s a place built on craft, good milk, and people who care about doing things the right way. Steve’s spent his life in that rhythm, and this conversation gets into the heart of what...
Friday's w/ Dan #12
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 This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, I share an update on Chuck Bigler, who recently suffered a serious stroke but has now been moved out of the ICU and is receiving good care at St. Mary’s in Madison. If you’d like to send prayers or a card, his family welcomes them at PO Box 508, New Glarus, WI. I also talk about learning the Our Father in Swahili, celebrate Brian Voltaggio’s first-ever individual competition win, and give a shoutout to my Great Aunt Joan for a small kindness that meant a lot. It...
Stream of Consciousness #59 - Marieke Penterman - Marieke Gouda
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In this episode, we head to Thorp, Wisconsin, to explore the story behind Marieke Gouda — a creamery built on Dutch heritage, Wisconsin soil, and a relentless commitment to craft. We talk about the traditions, techniques, and passion that turned a family dream into one of the country's most celebrated cheesemakers.
It’s a conversation about roots, resilience, and what it takes to create something that feels both deeply personal and unmistakably Wisconsin.
Home - Marieke Gouda- Wisconsin Cheese, Farm, Store, and Cafe in Thorp, WI
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Stream of Consciousness #58 - Nelson Schrock - Kingston Creamery
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In this episode, I sit down with Nelson Schrock, General Manager of Kingston Creamery in Cambria, Wisconsin. Nelson brings a quiet, grounded presence as he talks about the craft of cheesemaking, the values that guide their work, and what it means to run a small, tradition‑driven creamery in the heart of dairy country.
It’s a conversation about community, heritage, and the kind of steady leadership that doesn’t need attention to make an impact. If you love Wisconsin stories and the people who keep its tradit...
Friday's w/ Dan #11
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This week’s episode sits in that space where heaviness and hope overlap. I talk about the unexpected losses that hit close to home, the people who shaped me, and the reminders of how quickly life can change. But I also share the light that broke through — my novella moving into the editing stage, and the good news I learned about my second cousin’s acceptance to UW–Green Bay.
We close with Psalm 30:5 and a prayer for everyone carrying something heavy right now. It’s an episode about grief, gratitude, and the sm...
Stream of Consciousness #57 - Elle Williams - Carr Valley Cheese
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In this episode of the Wisconsin Makers Series, Daniel sits down with Elle Williams, Director of Sales and Brand Development at Carr Valley Cheese and a licensed cheese grader (#489) — one of the rare people in the state who can literally taste quality at a professional level.
Elle brings a blend of deep Wisconsin roots, technical expertise, and genuine love for the craft of cheesemaking. Together, we explore how Carr Valley has carried more than a century of tradition forward, what it means to grade cheese wi...
Friday's w/ Dan #10
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This week’s Friday’s w/ Dan goes deep. I talk about Augie Nieto, the impact he left behind, and why his story hit me harder than I expected. I share my own connection to ALS through my fraternity brothers, the work we did, and the people we lost. I take a moment to reflect on Lou Gehrig’s iconic speech — a reminder of what real courage looks like. Then I shift into a conversation about leadership with Kurt Bush and the E + R = T framework that’s been shaping how I think about grow...
Stream of Consciousness #56 - Magic Barclay
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Magic Barclay has lived through more than most people could imagine — and she’s turned every chapter of that story into a mission to help others heal. In this episode, Magic opens up about the physiology of trauma, the patterns our bodies hold onto, and the practical steps people can take to reclaim their health. It’s a conversation about survival, resilience, and the science behind why our past shows up in our present. Honest, direct, and deeply human.
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Stream of Consciousness #55 - Chuck Bigler - Puempel's Tavern
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This one’s a little surprise drop. I sat down with Chuck Bigler of Puempel’s Tavern in New Glarus, Wisconsin — a place with more history and character than just about anywhere in the state. Chuck talks about what it means to keep a place like Puempel’s alive, the stories behind the walls, and the people who make it feel like home. It’s an easy, honest conversation with someone who’s been part of the heartbeat of New Glarus for years.
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Friday's w/ Dan #9
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This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, we explore courage in its quietest and most unexpected forms. From the remarkable adaptability of octopuses, to the mystery and responsibility surrounding Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, to the everyday courage shown by the people we love — especially my mom on her birthday — this episode weaves together science, reflection, and faith. We close with a prayer for strength, comfort, and the steady kind of courage we all need.
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https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZHWgVJf5Dadq6c1jHFrNC?si=90a...
Stream of Consciousness #54 - Joey Widmer - Widmer's Cheese Cellar
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In this episode, I’m kicking off the first stop on my Wisconsin Cheese Tour — a project that’s part storytelling, part hometown pride, and part celebration of the people who make this state what it is. Growing up in Wisconsin, cheese was more than food; it was part of the landscape. So today, we start exploring the creameries, the makers, and the cows behind it all. This is the beginning of a new series of episodes, and I’m excited to bring you along for the ride.
 Widmer's Cheese Cellars of Wiscon...
Friday's w/ Dan #8
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In today’s Friday’s w/ Dan, we start with a simple moment of kindness that turned into something unforgettable — a woman, a case of Spotted Cow, and a reminder of how small gestures can ripple. Then we honor Master Sergeant Noah L. Tietjens and the legacy he left behind. And finally, we talk about Rookie — a story that carries real weight and real heart. This one means a lot.
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Stream of Consciousness #53 - Keith Gensure - Pine Creek Academy
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Pine Creek Academy doesn’t make songs so much as they make moments — the kind that hit you in the chest before you even realize why. In this episode, Daniel sits down with vocalist and rhythm guitarist Keith Gensure to talk about the band’s rising momentum, the emotional architecture behind their sound, and the creative instincts that shaped tracks like “Dandelion.”
Keith opens up about the early days of the band, the lessons he carried from past projects, and the moment Pine Creek Academy finally locked into the i...
Friday's w/ Dan #7
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This week’s episode is all about the quiet, meaningful moments that snuck up on me — the ones that didn’t make any noise but somehow carried the most weight. We start with the real story of St. Patrick and how his life of humble faithfulness ended up shaping my whole week. From there, we talk about a Wichita State freshman who reminded me what it looks like to do the unglamorous work, a simple handwritten note from a podcast guest that hit deeper than I expected, and a moment with my sister that l...
Stream of Consciousness #51 - David McKee
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In this episode, I sit down with David McKee for a conversation that unfolds the way the best ones do — naturally, honestly, and with a surprising amount of depth hiding in the quiet moments. We talk about resilience, mindset, the boiling‑water analogy, and the small internal shifts that can change the way you move through the world. David brings this grounded blend of psychology, neuroscience, and lived experience that makes everything feel both practical and human.
It’s less of an interview and more of a thoughtful meander — two people comparing notes on...
Stream of Consciousness #50 - Normand Pothier
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In this episode, I talk with Normand Pothier of Peanut Butter Sunday — the Acadian punk band out of Baie Sainte‑Marie, Nova Scotia that’s been carving out their own lane with heart, grit, and zero pretense. We get into how the band came together, what drives their sound, and why their music feels like a love letter to the place they’re from.
With permission from the band, I also share a clip of “Mermaid” from their 2025 self‑titled album — a track that shows exactly why they’re impossible to forget.
If y...
Friday's w/ Dan #6
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In this week’s Friday’s w/ Dan, we sit with the quiet kind of goodness that rarely makes headlines but holds the world together. It’s National Good Samaritan Day, which feels like the perfect backdrop for a conversation about small, steady acts of care — the kind that show up in families, in faith, and in the everyday moments we usually overlook.
I talk about Beacon, my seventeen‑year‑old childhood dog, and the way my parents have loved her with this gentle, unwavering devotion. I share what it means for Sam and...
Stream of Consciousness # 49 - Colton Cox
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In this episode, I sit down with someone who’s been part of my story for a long time — my friend Colton Cox. We grew up together, went through school together, and somehow ended up on two different paths that still share the same heartbeat: curiosity, creativity, and the desire to make something meaningful.
Colton is a music teacher, a multi-instrumentalist, and someone who’s always had music woven into who he is. We talk about the early sparks that shaped him, the move to Kansas City, the classroom, and what it rea...
Stream of Consciousness # 49 - Colton Cox
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In this episode, I sit down with someone who’s been part of my story for a long time — my friend Colton Cox. We grew up together, went through school together, and somehow ended up on two different paths that still share the same heartbeat: curiosity, creativity, and the desire to make something meaningful.
Colton is a music teacher, a multi‑instrumentalist, and someone who’s always had music woven into who he is. We talk about the early sparks that shaped him, the move to Kansas City, the classroom, and what it really m...
Stream of Consciousness # 48 - Emilie Landry
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In this conversation with Émilie Landry, everything feels easy — warm, funny, generous, and full of those little moments where two people from different worlds find common ground. We talk about her music, her writing, and the heart behind what it means to be Acadian — We laugh A LOT, especially when I try to speak (and sing) in French. There’s a moment where I take a swing at a verse from Complainte de la Butte, and Émilie is kind enough to tell me my French is actually pretty good.
It’s a conversa...
Friday's w/ Dan #5
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This week on Friday’s w/ Dan, I’m talking about sacrifice — the kind that’s quiet, costly, and lived out long before anyone sees the results. I start with Hustle and Rise, two stories that show how belief always demands something from you. Then I bring it closer to home: my sister’s run with Kearney High, and the miles my parents have poured into her journey — the late nights, the early mornings, the gas station coffees, the unwavering support that never asks for credit. And because it’s Wisconsin, I talk about the chee...
Stream of Consciousness #47 - Dr. Rod Berger
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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rod Berger — journalist, education analyst, global interviewer, and author of The Narrative Edge. Rod has spent years traveling the world, sitting across from leaders, innovators, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. But what stands out most isn’t the résumé — it’s the way he listens, the way he honors people, and the way he finds meaning in the moments most of us overlook.
We talk about the craft of storytelling, the responsibility that comes with asking questions, and the path that led him fr...
