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Artwork for Curious Minnesota

Curious Minnesota

Minnesota Star Tribune
Minnesota
Minneapolis
Lake Superior
Minnesota Star Tribune
Minnesota State Fair
Nicollet Avenue
Gambling
Minus 60 Degrees
Star Tribune
Southdale
Tower, Minnesota
Twin Cities
St. Paul
Maplewood
Minnesota Historical Society
Urban Planning
Ski Jumping
February 2, 1996
Cold War
Zombie Pub Crawl

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 monthlyEpisodes147Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Curious Minnesota

Latest Episodes

Once you start noticing Minnesota’s water towers, they seem to be everywhere — and some are impossible to miss. There’s one shaped like a giant ear of corn, another painted like a fishing bobber and an old tower transformed into an enormous Swedish c... more

YouTube

There’s a creek flowing beneath the streets of downtown Minneapolis — and most people walking above it have no idea it’s there.

Bassett Creek begins near Medicine Lake, winds through parks and neighborhoods, then disappears underground before passin... more

YouTube

Today, Two Harbors is known for its lighthouse, ore docks and scenic Lake Superior shoreline. But in the 1880s, part of its waterfront was home to a notoriously wild strip of saloons and brothels known as Whiskey Row.

So how did this rough-and-tumble... more

Before Christo and Jeanne-Claude became world famous for transforming landmarks and landscapes, they staged one of their strangest early projects in Minneapolis.

In 1966, the artists and a group of students built an enormous translucent package stuf... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Carson Hartzog
Reporter for Star Tribune covering the water-towers story
Star Tribune
Episode: Why does Minnesota seem to have so many water towers?
Jp Lawrence
Reporter covering Southwest Minnesota for the Star Tribune
Star Tribune
Episode: The incredible story of a 40-ton grain elevator that crossed a Minnesota river
Eva Herscowitz
loon expert, researcher
Loon research team
Episode: Why do loons sometimes charge swimmers?
Marty Pearson
Dad with a loon encounter story
Episode: Why do loons sometimes charge swimmers?
Alicia Eller
Reporter who researched and told the story of Arne Paulson's newsstand
Star Tribune
Episode: This mysterious tiny building in Minneapolis has a heartwarming backstory
Sam Thayer
Foremost expert on wild edible plants; author and educator
Episode: Can you eat the weeds in Minnesota lakes?
Linda Black Elk
Ethnobotanist, educator, and food sovereignty advocate
Episode: Can you eat the weeds in Minnesota lakes?
Alan Burgo
Chef, called himself the forager chef; James Beard Award winner
The Wild Harvest (TV show)
Episode: Can you eat the weeds in Minnesota lakes?
Maria Westerly
Local forager who teaches classes in foraging
Episode: Can you eat the weeds in Minnesota lakes?

Host

Erica Pearson
Host of Curious Minnesota, frequently guiding interviews and segment introductions

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 302 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year 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 States3 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 States3 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 States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some reviews call for broader coverage of Indigenous perspectives and more diverse guest topics.
People appreciate local focus and credible sourcing with a friendly, conversational tone.
Listeners praise its bite-sized, informative Minnesota stories and engaging interview style.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#64
Japan/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why does Minnesota seem to have so many water towers?
Q: Was there anything else that stood out or surprised you?
The ease of obtaining state data and the evolving appreciation for water towers as markers of place, not just infrastructure, stood out, along with a recurring theme of towers reflecting community identity.
Why does Minnesota seem to have so many water towers?
Q: How many water towers are there in Minnesota?
There are about 880 active elevated water tanks in Minnesota, not counting decommissioned ones or ground storage tanks, which total around 450, giving a sense of scale.
Why does Minnesota seem to have so many water towers?
Q: Did you find a way to compare state by state?
States typically don't publish a nationwide count of water towers, and Minnesota itself does not publish a statewide list, making direct comparisons harder; official numbers in Minnesota still exist and were accessible.
Why does Minnesota seem to have so many water towers?
Q: Why are there so many water towers?
The combination of practical needs for water pressure in a state with relatively flat terrain, plus a few towns using towers to visualize and brand themselves, explains much of the prevalence and visibility of these towers.
The secret creek flowing beneath downtown Minneapolis
Q: Is there any possibility of daylighting Bassett Creek in the future?
There have been schematic proposals and ongoing debates, but daylighting would be incredibly costly and pose liability issues, so it remains a speculative, aspirational idea rather than a current plan.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Curious Minnesota

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

A Minnesota-focused show that blends history, nature, and local culture through reader-driven inquiries. Episodes spotlight expert analysis (from loon behavior to archaeology), on-site reporting, and human-interest stories that illuminate the state's quirks, landscapes, and past. The format often pairs reporters with subject-matter specialists or local historians to unpack questions posed by listeners, yielding accessible, bite-sized episodes with a strong sense of place and community memory. A standout trait is its wide range of guests—from scientists and researchers to reporters and local foragers—delivering educational yet relatable storytelling about Minnesota's people and places.

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How many listeners does Curious Minnesota get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Curious Minnesota?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Curious Minnesota:

1. Minnesota Today
2. Points North | Great Lakes. Great Stories.
3. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
4. Here & Now Anytime
5. Pop Culture Happy Hour

How many episodes of Curious Minnesota are there?

Curious Minnesota launched 7 years ago and published 147 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?

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What guests have appeared on Curious Minnesota?

Recent guests on Curious Minnesota include:

1. Carson Hartzog
2. Jp Lawrence
3. Eva Herscowitz
4. Marty Pearson
5. Alicia Eller
6. Sam Thayer
7. Linda Black Elk
8. Alan Burgo

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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