Freepcast From The Free Press Media

When Melissa Ketchum spoke to Mankato Magazine a year ago, I thought at the time that it'd be great to have her on a venue where we could go a little deeper on who she is and how she's come to this unique point in her life. Melissa is very candid about her sobriety and her mental health, and the way she's dealt with challenges on those fronts is inspiring. Don't forget to rate us on iTunes and Spotify and leave us some comments!  

You won't find a kinder man or more beloved educator anywhere in Mankato than Pete Bloedel. The Bethany Lutheran College theater professor has been teaching for 27 years and, in that time, has created a unique theater education experience for students. He's also created one of the most anticipated theater-going experiences each fall with his "Theater Physics," which kicks off this weekend. In this episode of FreepCast, we dive into Pete's theater background, his moonlighting as magician/juggler and his music career with his band, The Divers.

Few people in Mankato are as connected to the local music as Justin "Fuzzy" Fasnacht. A lifelong Mankato resident, he's a proud townie who is as big a Mankato booster and cheerleader as you'll find. He's also the founder of the Internet radio station Fuzztalk Radio. Fuzzy has had some health issues recently, and in this episode of FreepCast he gets very candid about his life, his life choices, and how difficult this summer has been for him. It's a great conversation in which we learn Fuzzy was a straight-A student at Mankato East, he was a band geek, and a Lancer. We also learn he's aiming to get in shape as soon as his leg heals. Good luck, Fuzzy.

Just a quick note to let you all know we haven't abandoned you — the host's voice has just been, well, on sick leave. But now we're back and ready to start FreepCast-ing again! Next week we'll be recording two episodes. First we'll sit down with Justin "Fuzzy" Fasnacht, the godfather of the local music scene. Then later, we'll have a chat with Pete Bloedel, theater guru at Bethany Lutheran College and creator of Theater Physics, one of the most inventive hours of live entertainment in this town every year.

Pay Ryan is one of those people in our community who has done it all when it comes to theater and performing. He's taught, produced, written, directed -- everything, really. And he's just a great guy and even better storyteller. On this episode of FreepCast, Pat talks about life with Parkinson's disease, overcoming alcoholism, goofing around with the governor, writing and directing plays and being a creative force in southern Minnesota.

It's been five years since Isaac Kolstad had the bar fight that would change his life in profound ways. After that fight — which left him in a coma, and had some doctors doubting his chances of recovery — Isaac's life became an epic struggle. He had to relearn to walk and talk, and come to terms with his future being vastly different than the one he envisioned. Today he's upbeat, continuing with chiropractic and speech therapy, and will soon have his driver's license; one more step on the journey to normalcy. He talks about it all on FreepCast, including how much the community's support meant to his recovery.

Taking a break to do, like, actual Free Press Media work ... and vacation ... and screw around. Check back next week!

Dinah Langsjoen was born and raised in Mankato ... but that's probably her similarities with 'Kato folks ends. Her family was part of a peaceful religious cult, her father passed away when she was 9 months old, she's a single mother struggling to maintain her artistic drive and identity and ... she just found out she has breast cancer. Dinah has been keeping people up to date on her health via her Caring Bridge page. Check it out. You'll be glad you did.

Eric Jones is the leading man on the team that brings you all the great shows at the Mankato Civic Center, the new Grand Hall, and the Vetter Stone Amphitheater. Eric and FreepCast host Robb Murray go way back, all the way back to their college days at MSU. In this episode, Eric talks about growing up in Lake Crystal, playing bass in a Mankato band that almost made it, and some crazy stories of the hundreds of bands who have performed in Mankato.

If you've lived in southern Minnesota for any length of time in the last 18 years, you've probably heard the voice of Cari Moriarty coming out of your radio. You can hear her every weekday on the Big Hot Morning Show on Hot 96.7 FM, country station 101.5 FM and KXLP Classic Rock. She's fun, engaging and not afraid to speak her mind about life, her kids, her work and anything else.

Just a quick note to let you know we're still here, just took a few weeks off to focus on the actual work at the newspaper and magazine. Be back real soon!

Few people can boast of having a buffet of skills like Joe Tougas. Raconteur, writer, musician, journalist, actor — you name it, Tougas has done it. After a career working for The Reporter (Minnesota State University's student newspaper) and The Free Press, Tougas left the world of traditional media and struck out on his own. He's led a full life and collected a million stories along the way, some of which he shares on this episode of FreepCast.

With the Mavericks on their way to the national tournament, we sit down with esteemed hockey writer from The Free Press Media, Shane Frederick. Shane is an award-winning journalist and is covering his 19th season of Maverick hockey this year. Our conversation covers the Mavericks' dramatic win on Saturday, this year's team in general, its chances in the NCAAs, the magic of Mike Hastings and top Maverick players of all time.

Erik Koskinen is one of the rising stars in country music in Minnesota. Born in Colorado and raised in Michigan, he came to Minnesota a decade ago. Today he lives on a rural St. Peter farm with author Nicole Helget, and operates a recording studio in downtown Cleveland. In this episode, Koskinen discusses his early influences, playing packed-house shows at Nye's Bar, sitting in with City Mouse and the fact that he could build a house from the ground up if he had to.

Michael Cimino is as unique as his artwork. Raised in New Ulm, the muralist loves to push boundaries with his art. In this episode of FreepCast, we delve into his background, why he came to Minnesota State University, and why he gravitated toward mural art.

Few radio shows in Mankato are as unique as KMSU's Shuffle Function. This episode of FreepCast is long, but it's worth to hear about: ■ the Shuffle Function origin story ■ The Legendary Stardust Cowboy ■ They Might Be Giants ■ The Beatifics ■ Pledge Drive-a-GoGo

You know him as either the frontman for City Mouse or the city council member in North Mankato. In either case, Billy Steiner is Mankato icon.