Hello to our wonderful Listen Local Listeners!

On today's show we catch up with the man who has been to the ends of the earth and back, with stories that could match the "most interesting man in the world," Mr. Ben Nestrud.

Backstories truly are the best, which make the guest segments so fun each time we have a new person on. In Ben's case we talk about all of the different lives he's lived - for lack of better term - and what led him to the Brainerd Lakes Area to settle down and start Ben's Marine and Motorsports.

Plus, hear how he "rescued" the Listen Local Mobile Studio a few weeks back, and has since become the official "mobile repair guy" of the Listen Local Podcast!

Thanks so much to Ben for coming in and telling his story which includes everything from his life in Okinawa, Japan with the Marines to testing the waters of MMA to landing right here in the BLA (with many stops along the way) and why he feels he found his "home" right here in Breezy Point, MN.

After the guest segment, Ben sticks around to chat with the crew for their Local Happenings segment which include talk about Crosby's (and Minnesota's) new scoring champ, this weekend's Antique Snowmobile Rendezvous, a Chick-Fil-A update, and a big Fleet Farm announcement.

Tune in for it all!

And HUGE thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs!

Instagram:

ListenLocalMN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN
NorthwoodsAgent

Facebook:
Listen Local MN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN

Hello Listen Localers!

Let's get right into it...
On today's show we catch up with Sheena and Andrew from the Jaycees to talk everything Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza! Included in that "everything" is:

*The Jig and Swig Pre-Party at Grand View Lodge
*Best Tips and Tricks
*Some of this year's Prizes
*Start/End Time
*Places to Park
*A few of the Rules and Regulations
*Where you can get tickets prior to event
*New/Returning Activities at Center Ice
*And the Listen Local guys even try and get hints for this year's "Catch of the Day"

Thanks again to Sheena, Andrew and the whole Jaycees crew for all of their hard work to make this event possible!

Also on today's show:
*The Packers lose in hilarious fashion... haha.
*Ice Fest Recap
*Some upcoming events in the BLA

Plus much more!

And HUGE thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs!

Instagram:

ListenLocalMN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN
NorthwoodsAgent

Facebook:
Listen Local MN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN

It is officially 2026 people!!!

On this season 7 kickoff, the guys (including Colton who has returned from the dead) are recording from the Ice in the Listen Local mobile studio. Saying that.. you will hear an interuption or two as they are also ice fishing, of course.

Some topics discussed on today's show:
*Colton's Return
*What constitues as a "season"
*NYE recap
*Ice Fest this weekend at Breezy Point Resort
*Prep for the Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza
*Best spot for a Prime Rib
*much more!

And HUGE thanks to our 2026 sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Craguns Legacy Courses, Party Time Rental and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs!

Instagram:

ListenLocalMN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN
NorthwoodsAgent

Facebook:
Listen Local MN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN

MERRY CHRISTMAS LISTEN LOCAL FAM!

On this episode, Isaiah and Jacob recap the past week - and past year - and then dive into everything Christmas, but with a little 'Listen Local Twist.'

Discussions such as "which local spot would make for a perfect Home-Alone-style boobie trap location" to "BLA's Naughty and Nice List" and much more, including some fun Christmas-themed events in the area!

This MAY be the last episode of the season (season 7 begins in early Jan), so from the whole Listen Local crew... THANK YOU to all of our wonderful listeners!

And as always... HUGE Thanks to our sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Hills Detailing Center, Craguns Legacy Courses, Pequot Lakes EDC, Refined Lending w/ John Kinkaede, Party Time Rental and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs!

Instagram:

ListenLocalMN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN
NorthwoodsAgent

Facebook:
Listen Local MN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN

Hi Friends and Family!

With season 6 of the Listen Local Podcast nearing its end, the LL crew thought they'd give you an extra long episode as Brainerd International Raceway joined the show. This 90-min episode still didn't have enough time to chat with them about all of the new things happening at BIR, so there will definitely have to be a 'part 2' of this down the road!
What IS discussed with Kristi, Ayden and Sara is:
*A NEW Track
*Ayden Copham Turning Pro
*The All-New BIR Marketing Crew (made up of a ton of local BLA businesses)
*Stories from SEMA in Vegas (the trip Jacob and BlazeAir joined)
*And soooo much more!

Then after the BIR team heads out, Jacob and Isaiah dive into a fun local happenings segment!

PLUS... BIG 2026 Sponsor News!

And as always... HUGE Thanks to our sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Hills Detailing Center, Craguns Legacy Courses, Pequot Lakes EDC, Refined Lending w/ John Kinkaede, Party Time Rental and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs!

Instagram:

ListenLocalMN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN
NorthwoodsAgent

Facebook:
Listen Local MN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN

Listen Local Fam, do we have a jam-packed show for today!

The busyness of BLA winter is in full-force. From the new-new at the Northland Arboretum to snow packed trails for snowmobiling to the fish houses headed out to their favorite spot on the lakes to even a MN Governor Candidate stopping by Pequot Lakes for a Meet and Greet.

First, the fellas catch up on whats been happenin in their lives past week, plus a little Vikings talk of course.

Then... the real fun begins.. The guys give Northland Arboretum Executive Director Trevor Pumnea to chat about everything new happening at the Arboretum this winter, INCLUDING a brand new ice skating trail through the woods. Something Jacob has wanted for years! Trevor tells us about what all went into that, the Sertoma Winter Wonderland back up and running, and the cross country ski and snowshoe trails looking pristine with all of this fresh snow. Thanks to Trevor for joining the show and can't wait to get out there.

Also, earlier this week, Jacob had a chance to catch up with Independent Governor Candidate Mike Newcome while he was in town for a Meet and Greet. Just a heads up the convo is much LESS about politics and much MORE about why he loves the Brainerd Lakes, and his ties to the area. Thank you so much to Mike for stopping by Traders and taking time to hop on the podcast!

Then... of course some Local Happenings, and there are a lot. From Santa's Bobbin in Pequot to Pine River's Parade of Lights to the Northern Pacific Center's Off the Rails Holiday Market and soooo much more!

And as always... HUGE Thanks to our sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Hills Detailing Center, Craguns Legacy Courses, Pequot Lakes EDC, Refined Lending w/ John Kinkaede, Party Time Rental and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs!

Instagram:

ListenLocalMN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN
NorthwoodsAgent

Facebook:
Listen Local MN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN

Hello Everyone!

Hope you all have had a great beginning to December.
Do we have a show for you today... Back in the studio, let's hear it for our favorite CPAs... Lakes Area CPAs and let's Make Taxes Fun Again! Chris and Caroline dive into A TON of tax tips that could really help you this tax season.
They also talk about their expansion around the Lakes Area - taking on more clients than ever - from Pequot to Aitkin to Brainerd there is definitely branch near you!

As always, thanks for Chris and the whole Lakes Area CPAs crew for being our main sponsors of the Listen Local Podcast!

After Tax Talk... we dive into some local happenings, including the Lie heard around the BLA (really the whole state) that took place in Nisswa after our beloved Festival of Lights.
**UPDATED... no surprise... said 'assult claim' has been dismissed.

Hear about that and so much more on this episode of the Listen Local Podcast!

And as always... HUGE Thanks to our sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Hills Detailing Center, Craguns Legacy Courses, Pequot Lakes EDC, Refined Lending w/ John Kinkaede, Party Time Rental and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs!

Instagram:

ListenLocalMN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN
NorthwoodsAgent

Facebook:
Listen Local MN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our wonderful Listeners!

On todays shorter episode, Jacob and Isaiah:

*Talk to Natalia Maher about Mn Traders Tinsel Bar TAKEOVER!
*Chat briefly about Jacob and Colton's time in Vegas (more stories to come next episode w/ Colton)
*What their Thanksgiving "go to" is (food, movies/shows, activities, etc.)
*Discuss the wonderful BLA Organizations/Non-Profits you can donate to during the Holidays

Plus much - well a little bit - more!

And as always... HUGE Thanks to our sponsors Pequot Lakes and Gull Lake Sanitation, Hanneken Insurance, Hills Detailing Center, Craguns Legacy Courses, Pequot Lakes EDC, Refined Lending w/ John Kinkaede, Party Time Rental and our PRESENTING SPONSOR Lakes Area CPAs!

Instagram:

ListenLocalMN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN
NorthwoodsAgent

Facebook:
Listen Local MN
BlazeAirMN
WoodsToWaterMN