Episode 32 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Jane Link. Jane is the Director of Engagement and Development for Dakota Children's Advocacy Center. Her work in promoting hope, health and healing make her a changemaker in our community.Jane Link has been the Director of Engagement and Development for the Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center since April 2021. She was born and raised in Bismarck and graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2000 with a B.A. in Communications, specializing in Public Relations. Jane has over 15 years of experience in fundraising, advertising and business management. She enjoys helping the DCAC grow by increasing community awareness and support.Jane was the General Manager of the Dakota Wizards, the President of the Bismarck Bobcats, and the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Dacotah Speedway prior to working for DCAC. Janes boys keep her very busy - she has four of them. Her  husband is a Nurse Anesthetist at Sanford Health. She has an adorable 3-year-old golden doodle who loves to cuddle when she finds time to sit on the couch.

Episode 31 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Julie Jeske. Julie is a board member and volunteer for Rebuilding Together, an organization that provides assistance for people who own their own homes but because of physical limitations or income properly maintaining it can become an impossible task. Julie serves in a number of roles that impact our community. Julie has been a volunteer with Rebuilding Together since 2018. Currently, she serves on Rebuilding Together’s grant writing, bowling fundraiser  and public relations committees.Julie has been a resident of Bismarck since 2008 and works at Bravera Bank as a private banking officer. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from University of Jamestown and holds a Master of Business Administration from University of Mary. She was elected to the Bismarck Park and Recreation District board of commissioners in 2010 and will complete her fourteenth year on the board in June. She’s a member of the Bismarck Optimist Club and the current vice president. For the past five years Julie has been involved with Capital City Christmas and chairs the  Breakfast with Santa event. Julie and her husband have three grown children, one adorable granddaughter and two dogs. She loves to run and has completed 27 marathons – including two Dopey Challenges and one international marathon along with 16 half marathons. She’s also an avid golfer and enjoys tennis, biking, hiking  and pickle ball.

Episode 30 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Jim Barnhardt. Jim is the founder of The Dream Center which offers a variety of programs to those in need in our community.  By providing services that many take for granted, The Dream Center provides Help for Today. Hope for Tomorrow.Jim is married to Cindy and has 2 grown daughters and a grandson. Jim is a lifelong resident of the Bismarck/Mandan area. He has worked in retail business his entire adult life. Jim considers himself fortunate to have traveled extensively over the years, and firmly believes Bismarck/Mandan is the best place to live. Jim’s story of creating a Dream Center in the city of Bismarck started in 2016, when he woke with a vision for a meal ministry and services to help those in need firmly planted in his mind. After many meetings with community leaders, Jim and Cindy chose to partner with The Banquet in his quest to serve the people of our community. Jim got involved first as a Banquet Board Member  and then served as Banquet Board Chairman. In 2019,  Cindy and Jim made a trip to the Dream Center in Los Angeles to confirm Jim’s Dream Center application sent several months earlier. By May, Dream Center Bismarck was officially sanctioned. Fast forward to today, Dream Center Bismarck is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to “Find a Need & Fill It”. In 2019, the Dream Center Adopt-a-Block program was started in Bismarck and currently serves up to 1,000  households each week. In May of 2021, Jim and Cindy made the commitment to build the new 24,300 square foot Dream Center Bismarck facility  with construction completed in April of 2022. Today, The Dream Center Bismarck has gone far beyond Jim’s expectations. Tens of thousands of hours of meaningful volunteer opportunities are provided for the community and community needs are being met on a much larger scale than Jim ever anticipated. Jim believes no one should be food insecure, and the low-income people of our community deserve a chance to improve their life. Jim is semi-retired from his retail business and plans to spend the next several years leading Dream Center Bismarck in filling unmet community needs.

Episode 29 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Mandy B. Anderson. Mandy is a life and leadership coach who inspires women daily.Mandy B. Anderson, a highly skilled Certified Executive Coach and captivating TEDx Speaker, is the brilliant Co-Founder of RAYMA Team™, a renowned life and leadership coaching company. With her invaluable expertise, she played a pivotal role in the development of their groundbreaking leadership curriculum, RAYMA Foundations™, which revolves around the core values of RAYMA: Resilience, Authenticity, a Yes mindset, Motivation, and Assertiveness. This innovative program seamlessly merges the power of effective life coaching techniques with timeless principles of leadership. Born with a life-threatening disease called Cystic Fibrosis, she has devoted her life to turning disappointments into meaningful experiences and overcoming the obstacles life throws at her. In addition to her remarkable achievements, Anderson has also earned the prestigious title of Best-Selling Author for her critically acclaimed book, Dangerous Hope: Planting Something Meaningful in the Soil of Disappointment. This exceptional literary work garnered a 2022 Illumination Book Award, solidifying Anderson's position as a true literary luminary. When she's not transforming lives and inspiring others, Anderson can be found running, biking, or enjoying a steaming cup of coffee while viewing a beautiful sunrise in Mandan, North Dakota, where she resides with her loving husband, Nate, and their adorable goldendoodle, Indigo.

Episode 28 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Megan Carranza. Megan saw a need in the community and founded Carranza Immigration Law. Carranza Law is a high quality law firm dedicated to United States immigration and nationality law. Megan Carranza is an immigration attorney who lives and works in Bismarck. She dedicates her law practice exclusively to United States immigration and nationality law.Megan is a graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law and the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University.In undergraduate school, Megan majored in Spanish, minored in Latino/Latin American Studies, and studied in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Spain. In 2005, she began working in immigration law as a paralegal. Later, Megan handled immigration-related congressional inquiries for U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp.Last year, Megan founded Carranza Immigration Law to fulfill her dream of providing high-quality immigration legal services in central North Dakota. Part of Megan’s work includes contracting with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota to provide pro bono legal assistance to asylees, refugees, and immigrants in North Dakota.In her free time, Megan enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three children.

Episode 27 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Kevin Cavanaugh. Kevin is a business owner who gives back  to our community as well as a teacher focusing on the need for building entrepreneurs.

Episode 26 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Dr. Jacob Retzer. As the owner of Unbound Physical Therapy, Dr.Retzer works with people across the lifespan. His drive to treat the whole person has allowed him to stand out in his profession, and his dedication to giving back is what makes him standout as a changemaker in our community.Dr. Jacob Retzer is owner of Unbound Physical Therapy. He grew up in the mountains outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico where he enjoyed spending time outside hiking, camping, hunting, biking and snowboarding. When not outside his time was spent training in martial arts and competing at an international level in TaeKwonDo. After graduating high school he attended the University of New Mexico where heI received his bachelors degree in biology and psychology. Jacob then received his doctorate in physical therapy at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.Upon completing his doctorate, Jacob and his family moved to rural Montana where he honed his skills as a therapist working with individuals across the lifespan. He was able to work with outdoor athletes, weekend warriors, crossfitters, gymnasts, highschool athletes, and those who wanted to get back to daily activities without restriction. Being a primary care provider in a rural area helped solidify the importance of treating the whole person including nutrition, sleep, mental health and not just the physical ailments that they are experiencing.After four years in Montana Jacob decided to move back to Bismarck where he worked in multiple settings before deciding to open his own clinic. This decision came from the desire to provide individuals with the highest level of one on one care helping them to take control of their health. His goal is to help patients alleviate pain, increase performance and assist them in becoming the best version of themselves through increased knowledge in various areas of patient care including strength and conditioning, manual therapy, dry needling and pain science. He enjoys working with clients of all ages and impairments but has a high interest in outdoor athletes, especially archery hunters.When not in the clinic, he enjoys being outdoors with his wife and their two children, camping, hiking and hunting. He also enjoys participating in Crossfit and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Episode 25 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Sarah Dahl. Sarah is a change maker in our community due to seeing a need for services and filling that need by starting her own non-profit, Power of Play. Power of Play provides comfort through play for pediatric patients.Sarah Dahl is the president and founder of Power of Play Foundation whose mission is to provide comfort through play for pediatric patients in Bismarck and Mandan. Sarah (Wehmhoefer) Dahl was born and raised in Bismarck, ND. She attended Northridge Elementary, Hughes Middle School, and Century High School. She studied Biology, Cytotechnology, and Molecular Biology at the University of North Dakota and received her Master of Business Administration from University of Illinois. She worked as a laboratory director, physician educator, and a childrens' hospital project manager for 12 years. With her husband, Dr. Brian Dahl, Sarah is raising her two kids, Graham and Vivia, in Bismarck. Sarah realized the importance of access to toys and items of comfort in the pediatric areas of health care after seeing the profound effects these items made on her daughters' recovery after brain surgery at an out of state hospital in 2017. She began to collect items and place them throughout the healthcare systems in Bismarck. Power of Play Foundation was created in 2019 and currently serves both Bismarck pediatric inpatient units, OR's, emergency departments, and multiple clinics in Bismarck/Mandan. Her goal is to grow the Power of Play Foundation so that all levels of healthcare for pediatric patients are able to foster the best environment of comfort and support possible here in Bismarck/Mandan.In addition to supporting Power of Play's mission, Sarah is a part-time elementary librarian at her kids' school, serves on her church council, is a Sunday school teacher, a Cub Scout leader, Critter Care Companion at the humane society, and tennis player. She is grateful to raise her kids in the wonderful community she grew up in and be witness to the generosity and support of our community over the years.

Episode 24 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Robert Fuller. As a teacher, coach and professional athlete, Robert makes an impact daily in our community.Robert Fuller grew up in North Pole, Alaska. After high school, he went to college in Arizona before transferring to the University of Mary. He played football at the University of Mary. He also went on to play in the Indoor Football League for a team in Madison, Wisconsin. He has coached at the high school, college, and Indoor Football League levels. He is an IFL Hall of Fame Inductee. Robert has been competing in powerlifting competitions for 16 years. In 2023, he was the gold medalist for the North American Championship in Puerto Rico. Robert is currently in his tenth year teaching at Wachter Middle School and is also a football coach at Bismarck High School.

Episode 23 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Zoe Wergeland Manstrom. As the Executive Director of the American Red Cross of ND, she believes in the power of strong communities and having an impact on those in a time of need. Zoe the Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Western North Dakota. The Western North Dakota chapter supports communities in the counties of Adams, Billings, Bottineau, Bowman, Burke, Burleigh, Divide, Dunn, Emmons, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, McHenry, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Mountrail, Oliver, Renville, Sheridan, Sioux, Slope, Stark, Ward, Williams; as well as the Mandan, Hidatsa, & Arikara Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes) and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission.Zoe earned an MBA from the University of North Dakota and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and International Studies from North Dakota State University. Zoe believes in the power of strong communities and enjoys spreading the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross throughout Western ND.

Episode 22 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Jenny Maatala. Jenny is a change maker in our community due to seeing a need for services and filling that need by starting her own non-profit, Soul 57. Soul 57 provides grief support at no cost to children who have lost a parent, caregiver or sibling. Jenny has a background in English, Marketing, and Communications, working with both publishing houses and nonprofits in their marketing departments. Her love of writing and editing has provided a steady source of freelance opportunities over the last eight years as a stay-at-home mom, taking on clients for proofreading and copyediting services to keep her professional skills from getting too rusty. Jenny earned an MFA in Writing from Queens University of Charlotte, her specialty being writing therapy, and in September 2023 she opened the doors to Soul 57, a nonprofit that provides group therapy to youth who've lost a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver, as well as workshops providing ongoing tools using art, music, writing, and recreation. When she isn't reading, writing, or spending time with the fam, Jenny is teaching cycle class at the Bismarck YMCA or Mandan Family Wellness Facility.

Episode 21 of "These Are Your Neighbors" features Tyler Auck. Tyler was asked to be a guest because of his passion for helping others who suffer from the disease of addiction and mental health issues. Tyler is a changemaker in our community by showing people through his personal experiences that fulfilling your dreams after a life of destruction is possible.Tyler Auck was born and raised in Bismarck, ND. He has a Bachelor’s of Science and is currently an Addiction Counselor on a specialized team. He is a husband, father and most importantly a proud member of the recovery community. Tyler is also the author of Broken Gifts, a memoir of his tumultuous life. He has a passion for helping other people who suffer from the disease of addiction and mental health issues. He strives to help people build strong foundations of hope, survival, strength and recovery. His goal is to show people, using his personal experiences, that full filling your dreams after a life of destruction and pain is possible.

Episode 20 of "These Are Your Neighbors" features Robyn Myers. Robyn epitomizes the fact that one is never too old and it is never too late to begin any adventure. By not letting age define her, not settling for what is expected of her and always taking that leap of faith, Robyn is a changemaker in our community.Robyn Myers came to North Dakota in 2016 to care for elderly parents. She grew up in California and then spent 30 years in Florida prior to arriving in Bismarck, The move provided an opportunity to reinvent herself, taking a new direction as she entered into her 60s. She hasn’t paid much attention to age, her attitude being this- one is never too old or too late to begin any adventure. If something piques an interest, explore it!Her younger years, found her living aboard a sailboat, sailing and windsurfing around the San Francisco Bay Area and the Gulf of Mexico. In her 40s, she decided to go back, start and finish college. Her kids were young and with all the obligations that go with raising them, she knew she wouldn’t finish school for some time. That fact was not a deterrent. Ten years later she had a degree in accounting and she CPA designation.Once in Bismarck, she started a small business, A Blue Speckled Egg, rummaging for discarded furniture, painting and reselling, saving many old unique pieces from the land fill. Her interest in woodworking led to a trip last year to upstate NY and the Hamerston College of Carpentry for Women. One of the best experiences of her life thus far. At loose ends, as she approached her 70s, she was encouraged by family and friends to looking into a modeling agency, Natalie Sparrow Mgmt, out of Fargo, taking another leap of faith, she is now a 60 Plus model with every intention of seeing where this next adventure takes her.Her message to people, mostly to women of all age is simple. Don't let age define you, don't settle for what is expected of you, have no fear of change and, most of all, always, always take that leap of faith.

Episode 19 of “These Are Your Neighbors” features Senator Erin Hill-Oban (Erin Oban). Erin is a known change maker for the residents of Bismarck. Erin has built a reputation as a champion for public schools and teachers, working families, kids and marginalized North Dakotans.Erin Oban grew up in a farm family in Ray, North Dakota, a small, rural community in the heart of agriculture and oil country. Oban moved to Bismarck to further her education and received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Mary.Erin’s professional career began as a middle school math and technology teacher and, upon leaving the classroom, gained experience in nonprofit management, politics and government, and regional educational leadership.In 2014, Erin ran as an underdog for and was elected to the North Dakota Senate to represent central Bismarck’s District 35. She was re-elected in 2018. Her leadership in the Senate included service as Assistant Senate Minority Leader and earned recognitions from local and statewide associations as well as selections to national seminars and fellowships. Throughout her legislative service, Erin built a reputation as a champion for public schools and teachers, working families, kids, and marginalized North Dakotans, for being open and accessible, for valuing relationships and engaging in honest, direct debate and dialogue, and for doing and saying what needs to be done and said, even when it’s hard.In March 2022, Erin received an appointment from President Joe Biden to continue public service as the state director for USDA Rural Development in North Dakota, a federal agency dedicated to improving the economy and quality of life in rural and Tribal communities. She and her husband, Chad, enjoy traveling, hosting friends and family, and raising their son and favorite little human, Evin.

Episode 18 of “These Are Your Neighbors” features Kelsey Zottnick. Kelsey is the Executive Director of Tracy's Sanctuary House, a beacon of hope and light for those in need. Kelsey's compassionate heart and drive for making a positive impact make her a change maker in our community. Kelsey Zottnick is the dedicated and passionate Executive Director of Tracy's Sanctuary House, a role she has embraced for the past seven years. Previously, Kelsey was on the board of directors since it's inception in 2005. With a heart full of compassion and a drive for making a positive impact, Kelsey has led the organization through various challenges and triumphs, ensuring that Tracy's Sanctuary House remains a beacon of hope and support for those in need. Kelsey's love to help people expands to her other job as a Realtor. She loves guiding people and families through the process of buying or selling their home.Beyond her professional commitments, Kelsey is a wife and loving mother to two wonderful children who inspire her every day. Her love for family extends to her second family – the Tracy's Sanctuary House community.Kelsey's energy and creativity extend beyond her professional realm. She finds joy in sipping a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, conversing with friends, traveling and home remodel projects. She is always following interior design blogs and adding her own spin to her home that her and her husband, Steve, are remodeling.Kelsey's dedication to Tracy's Sanctuary House, real estate, her love for her family, and her appreciation for life's simple pleasures make her truly a wonderful leader and individual.

Episode 17 of “These Are Your Neighbors” features Lt. Col. Nicollette Daschendorf, Commander of the North Dakota Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion (North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting and North Dakota National Guard). Lt. Col. Dashendorf knows the value of a diverse force and in her episode discusses life as a citizen soldier. She was chosen as she is a changemaker because she is an integral part of assisting others to make the decision to serve our country.Lieutenant Colonel Nicolette K. Daschendorf enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard on January 22, 2000 and was assigned to 141 st Engineer Combat Battalion (ECB) in Valley City as a human resource specialist. In 2003, she mobilized and deployed with the unit to Iraq- for Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004 to 2005. Upon returning from deployment, Daschendorf attended Officer Candidate School and graduated in 2007. She was commissioned as a Quartermaster officer and was assigned to Company A, 231st Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) as a platoon leader. Daschendorf has served in a variety of other positions to include company-level executive and operations officer and commanded Company B, 231st BSB and the 231st BSB Logistical Support Element during its overseas deployment (Operation Inherent Resolve/ Operation Enduring Freedom) to Afghanistan 2014 to 2015. She held positions in the North Dakota Army National Guard’s G-3 and 136 th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion staff before assuming command of the North Dakota Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Oct. 1, 2021.Daschendorf’s military education includes Quartermaster basic officer leadership course, Ordnance Captain Career Course, Officer Strength Management Course, a Intermediate Level Education- Advanced Operations Course, and Pre-Command Course. She earned her Bachelor's degree in business management and a Master's degree in project management from the University of Mary.Her military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (5 awards); Joint Commendation Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal (5 awards); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; and Iraqi Campaign Medal. She is also authorized the Valorous Unit Award. Daschendorf resides in Bismarck, N.D. with her husband Travis, and 3 boys.

Episode 16 of “These Are Your Neighbors” features Lindsey Lauf Peterson. Lindsey is the owner of Radiate Wellness, a business offering personal training as well as group fitness classes. Her ability to make everyone feel welcomed and empowered through fitness is why Lindsey is a changemaker in our community.Lindsey is the owner of Radiate Wellness which offers group strength training classes, personal training, employee wellness services, and nutrition/wellness coaching. Lindsey graduated from NDSU with a degree in Exercise Science and has been a certified Exercise Physiologist for almost 20 years. She’s been based in Bismarck for the majority of her career, managing various gyms/programs/organizations around town. She’s been personal training and teaching group fitness since the beginning of her career and has always had a passion for helping people. When she started having kids, she knew she wanted to get out of management and back to working directly with people. She has always had a strong interest in the role psychology and mental health play in health behaviors. This led to pursuing her certification as a Health & Wellness Coach through Well coaches. While she was working as a wellness coach, it became abundantly clear to her how confused people are when it comes to nutrition. So, while pregnant with her third child, she pursued her certification as a Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach. Also, along the way, she acquired a Pre- & Postnatal Certification through Girls Gone Strong because she was appalled by the lack of information (or, really, misinformation) out there regarding pregnancy and postpartum exercise. All of these things lead to the birth of Radiate Wellness.Outside of her part-time work with Radiate Wellness, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, experimenting in the kitchen and traveling.

Episode 15 of "These Are Your Neighbors" featuring Sashay Schettler will be playing this week.Sashay Schettler is a citizen of the MHA Nation, her Hidatsa name is Owl Women. Her parents are Dave and Rhonda Schettler, formerly of Halliday and Twin Buttes but have been residents of Bismarck for over 40 years. Ms. Schettler is the first full time Director of Indigenous Education for Bismarck Public Schools, a monumental moment for Bismarck Public Schools and the state of North Dakota. In her previous role, she served as a Cultural Responsive Coordinator for BPS. Ms. Schettler serves on a variety of community committees and boards, including but not limited to the Bismarck Human Relations Committee, Youthworks Board of Directors and the National Johnson O'Malley Association Board of Directors. Her published scholarly writing focuses on a healthy contemporary construction of Indigenous Identity and Indigenous Education in PreK-12 public school settings. Through her work with her established team, Sashay aims to change the narrative of Indigenous education within public school systems. She aims to close the opportunity gap for Indigenous students and empower them to be leaders within their communities and beyond.

Episode 14 of “These Are Your Neighbors” features Dr. Jason Thoms. Jason was invited to be a guest because of his work in the field of music. Jason is a professional musician and has been nominated for two Grammys. Jason is the Director of Choral Activities at Bismarck State College as well as the Executive Director of Dakota Pro Musica. Jason is a change-maker in our community because he advocates bringing music to people who are underserved or in marginalized communities. In doing this, people are able to raise their voices in song, and share their stories, cultures, and personal identities.Dr. Jason Thoms is a fifth-generation professional musician. He is a graduate of St. Olaf College and Michigan State University and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting. Jason has been a professional conductor for over 25 years. He has conducted ensembles in 49 US States, Canada, Germany and Italy.Jason has been a professional singer for over 20 years with some of the top professional choral ensembles in the US. Jason has performed as a professional soloist at Carnegie Hall on four occasions. Jason has also been a part of two choral performance groups that have been nominated for a grammy. Jason was one of the featured soloists in one of the choral performances that was nominated. Jason is a published composer. He has written many choral and choral/orchestral compositions for a variety of ensembles. Jason is currently the Director of Choral Activities at Bismarck State College as well as the Executive Director of Dakota Pro Musica.

Episode 13 of “These Are Your Neighbors” features Senator Sean Cleary. Senator Cleary was invited to be a guest on the program because of his work in public service. This work includes being the youngest senator in this legislative session as well as previously working for Senator Hoeven and Governor Burgum. In his first year in the legislature, Senator Cleary became known as a change-maker because of his advocacy efforts specifically in the area of Human Services.Sean Cleary was elected to the North Dakota State Senate in November 2022, where he serves on the Human Services and State and Local Government Committees. He represents District 35 in the center of Bismarck, where he was born and raised, and now lives with his wife and their daughter. When the Legislature is not in session, Sean works as a grant writer for the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, an organization dedicated to sharing the beauty of western North Dakota with visitors from throughout the country. He previously served on the staff of North Dakota Senator John Hoeven and Governor Doug Burgum. He is a board member for North Dakota Assistive, an organization that provides assistive technology to people throughout the state.