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Artwork for Curious Minnesota

Curious Minnesota

Star Tribune
Minnesota
Gambling
Maplewood
Lake Superior
Minnesota State Lottery
Pull Tabs
Boundary Waters
Northfield
Native American Casinos
Baking
Flour
Carleton College
St. Olaf College
Sports Betting
Mental Health Care
Climate Change
World War I
Leonard Bernstein
St. Paul
Peanuts On Parade

What do you wonder about the people, places and culture of Minnesota? Listen to our community-driven reporting project, which invites listeners to ask questions that our newsroom researches and answers.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes120Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Curious Minnesota

Latest Episodes

For thousands of years, Native Americans have quarried a sacred, soft red rock from a patch of Minnesota prairie. The site is now Pipestone National Monument. Reporter Jp Lawrence joins host Erica Pearson to share the story of this special place.

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Minnesota’s trout stamp, a special add-on to fishing licenses, brings in more than $1 million each year. The program funds fish hatcheries, restocking efforts and more. Reporter Anna Sago joins host Erica Pearson to share the history of the program a... more

YouTube

A scuplture called “The Scroll” once had a prominent spot in downtown Minneapolis. It stood in front of the old central library for more than 4 decades. Alicia Eler, the Minnesota Star Tribune's visual art reporter and critic, joins host Erica Pearso... more

YouTube

Harmony, Minnesota is home to the largest Amish settlement in the state. The "Old Order" community is also one of the most conservative of its kind in the country. Reporter Sean Baker joins host Erica Pearson to explain why and when the Amish selecte... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Anna Sago
Intern at the Minnesota Star Tribune who researched the trout stamp question.
Minnesota Star Tribune
Episode: Why do anglers need a special stamp to fish for trout in Minnesota?
Lisa Stevens
President of the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society
Episode: Why did the Excelsior Amusement Park on Lake Minnetonka close?
Jeff Sein
Listener and question submitter from Southwest Minneapolis
N/A
Episode: How did Minnesota become the birthplace of ski jumping in America?
Erica Pearson
Reporter who wrote about Minnesota's rest areas for Curious Minnesota
Star Tribune
Episode: Why are Minnesota’s roadside rest areas so nice?
Katie Galioto
Reporter covering city government for the Star Tribune
Star Tribune
Episode: Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?
William Johnson
Author of A Complete History of Peanuts on Parade
Episode: Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?
Greta Kaul
Journalist who wrote a story on Maplewood for Curious Minnesota
Star Tribune
Episode: Why does Maplewood have such an odd shape?
Jenna Ross
Arts reporter covering the Minnesota Orchestra for the Star Tribune
Star Tribune
Episode: Did union rules prevent Leonard Bernstein from joining the Minnesota Orchestra?
Brian Shalene
Minnesota resident and question submitter at the state fair event
Episode: What is Minnesota's deepest lake?

Hosts

Erica Pearson
Host of the curious community-driven reporting project, bringing forth listener questions and insights.
Eric Roper
Co-host involved in exploring Minnesota's quirky history and cultural narratives.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 288 ratings
  • Amish episode trite

    The episode about the Amish was trite. The big takeaway from the reporter is that they are not……all the same…they are…wait for it….individuals! Huh? Why in the world would anyone think they are all the same? I’d be offended if I were Amish. This also told us nothing about their lives. The inane interview questions did not help either.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    9021155405
    United States3 months ago
  • Fun and interesting local stories

    I’ve learned so much about Mn that I never would have without this show and the curious question askers!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    St. Paul Mom
    United States3 months ago
  • Such a fun show… but it’s not over, is it?

    There’s so much to learn about our great state. Love the variety and approachable nature. Please say it isn’t over!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SirPurgealot
    United States2 years ago
  • Learning a lot

    Thanks for the stories and the question you’re answering to help us understand Minnesota more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Goranger22
    United States2 years ago
  • Great show on Minnesotan history

    There aren’t a ton of other shows on Minnesota history specifically, so really appreciate this one. Normally not a huge fan of the star tribune but they did good here. They usually elicit topics to cover from listeners which is pretty cool cuz they always end up being fascinating. And since this is a newspaper, they typically have good sources to provide input

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    consciousdave
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

It is well-loved for featuring local stories that resonate with both lifelong residents and newcomers, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
While many reviews reflect a deep appreciation for local insights, some episodes face criticism for perceived oversimplification of complex topics.
Listeners appreciate the podcast's informative and engaging storytelling style, often highlighting its ability to connect them with Minnesota's unique history and culture.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What’s the story of Pipestone National Monument?
Q: So how did this site become a national monument in 1937?
It resulted from a history of mistreatment of Native Americans and legal battles, leading to an act signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
What’s the story of Pipestone National Monument?
Q: Can you describe this place for those of us who have not been there before?
Pipestone National Monument features prairie, a visitor center with cultural exhibits, and active quarries with pipe carvers present.
Introducing: Worth It
Q: How much does it cost to raise a child in Minnesota?
The cost is estimated between $200,000 and $300,000 from birth to age 18, though this is considered a low estimate for basic expenses.
Introducing: Worth It
Q: What are the exciting offers for new families discussed in this episode?
They discuss various incentives being proposed, such as a $5,000 credit to encourage families to have more children due to declining birth rates.
How much flour would it take to turn Lake Superior into bread?
Q: What are the logistical challenges of baking that much flour?
They determined it would require digging deep into the earth for heat, and noted that there isn't enough wheat globally to match the amount needed for the bread.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Curious Minnesota

What is Curious Minnesota about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast engages listeners in community-driven storytelling that focuses on the rich tapestry of Minnesota's culture, history, and societal quirks. Through thoughtfully researched episodes, it addresses a wide array of topics prompted by listener inquiries, often revealing lesser-known facts and stories that enrich the audience's understanding of their home state. From the state's unique traditions to its diverse cultures and local histories, the episodes not only educate but also spark curiosity and foster a deeper connection to Minnesota.

Where can I find podcast stats for Curious Minnesota?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Curious Minnesota. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Curious Minnesota and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Curious Minnesota get?

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What are the audience demographics for Curious Minnesota?

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How many subscribers and views does Curious Minnesota have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Curious Minnesota has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Curious Minnesota?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Curious Minnesota:

1. Minnesota Today
2. Minnesota Unraveled: Pulling on the Threads of Minnesota History
3. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
4. Pod Save America
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Curious Minnesota are there?

Curious Minnesota launched 6 years ago and published 120 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Curious Minnesota?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Curious Minnesota?

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What guests have appeared on Curious Minnesota?

Recent guests on Curious Minnesota include:

1. Anna Sago
2. Lisa Stevens
3. Jeff Sein
4. Erica Pearson
5. Katie Galioto
6. William Johnson
7. Greta Kaul
8. Jenna Ross

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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