BEAR Discussions

In this episode of BEAR Discussions, Charlie Walker and Karen Smith sit down with Adam Baalrud, owner of the New Auburn Cheese Company, to discuss his journey from the food science and dairy industry to launching a...

Host Charlie Walker sits down with Kelli Cook, founder of The Yoga Plant in Chippewa Falls, to talk about how saying yes to everything led to burnout—and how learning to say no transformed her energy, her business, and...

Tune in to this episode with host Charlie Walker and cohost Ken Pearson of Jackson County Economic Development & Tourism for a conversation with David Epstein, recorded in Jackson County. Listen as owner of Mosser Lee...

Nine‑time American Ninja Warrior and entrepreneur Maggi Thorne joins host Charlie Walker and co‑host John Gatto to share how she learned to see every setback as opportunity, not opposition. From starting as a custodian...

In this episode of the CEDC Bear Discussions podcast, Charlie Walker sits down with Momentum West Executive Director Steve Jahn to discuss the power of partnerships in economic development. Learn how collaboration among...

Join hosts Charlie Walker and cohost Ron Haas, President of the Stanley Chamber of Commerce, on the BEAR Discussions Podcast as they sit down with retired U.S. Army veteran Dan Osborn, owner of Wisconsin Veterans Farm &...

Join hosts Charlie and Lisa on the Bear Podcast as they interview Matt and Shawna Gwiazda, owners of Mag Stainless in Cadott, Wisconsin. Tune in to hear their journey building a nationally recognized stainless steel...

Charlie and Ken discuss the unique challenges of rural and home‑based businesses, the power of community banks, and how to build a banking relationship before you really need it.

Host Charlie Walker is joined by Nick Ford from UW–Stout’s Manufacturing Outreach Center for a conversation about supporting small and mid-size manufacturers in western Wisconsin. They explore lean and TWI-based...

Joe Roshell of Orion Defense Systems joins BEAR Discussions to share how “old boys” mentoring, smart partnerships, and steady learning helped him build a growing commercial roof-coatings business through volatile early...

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker and therapist Andrea Polnaszek of the Boylan Sisters to talk movies, books, Wisconsin’s growing film industry, and how stories connect communities.

Charlie sits down with Brandon Mitchell of Block 49 Meats to explore how a family legacy evolved into a modern meat business. Brandon shares the realities of launching a startup, the challenges and rewards of building a...

This episode features Amanda Novak, entrepreneur and founder of NovaSky Marketing LLC, a company guided by creativity, strategy, and leading from the heart. We talk about Amanda’s path into entrepreneurship, how she...

In this episode of BEAR Discussions, we sit down with Scott Coller of Gesund Health Data, the HATCH 25 winner, for a conversation centered on the power of mentorship. Scott shares how guidance from mentors shaped his...

Host Charlie Walker, joined by co-host Karen Smith, sits down with B and L Transload and Warehousing, LLC and Springbrook Express LLC of New Auburn to talk about their journey in the trucking and transload industry. The...