The DMF Podcast

In this episode, our host Pastor Devlyn Brooks sits down with Pastor Mary Suomala Folkerds who leads a big church of almost 3,000 members. But, here’s the catch: Her church is still growing! And as Pastor Mary states, she wants to bust the myth that the church is dead. What’s her church’s secret sauce? Well, maybe no one thing. But the start is that the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd focuses on creating joy and being excellen...

In this episode, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sat down with Dr. Ryan Capouch. Dr. Capouch is a Fellow of the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association, serves as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor for Midwestern University, lectures on vision therapy, and was named North Dakota’s Young Optometrist of the Year in 2023. He also founded Lumen Vision, a pediatric clinic where he treats children, athletes, and bra...

In this episode, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sat down with the Development Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, Daniel Gannarelli. Daniel joined us for a fun conversation on the importance of unplugging from our busy lives and experiencing the historic old west character of Medora, the Badlands, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Take a listen and be inspired for your next trip as Daniel shares some insider favo...

In this episode, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sits down with Executive Director of the Emergency Food Pantry, Stacie Loegering, who is joining us today to share more on what is affecting food insecurity and how she is working towards food security so that people have access to nutritious food, and be able to get food in a socially acceptable way to live a happy and healthy life. Because as Stacie says "it’s not just about calories, ...

Spread Your Sunshine founder Addie Loerzel is an inspiration. College student, nonprofit founder, advocate for those with disabilities and one of the most effective spreaders of sunshine you’ll ever meet! Addie changes the notion of what a “leader” is through sheer determination, hard work and a joyous spirit. Enjoy this “Lead with Light” episode featuring someone who has been working to make positive change for children since she ...

In this episode, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sits down with Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota and Minnesota board member, Tod Ganje. Tod shares with us all about the important work they do to take WWII, Korean war and Vietnam Veterans to visit their respective memorials at our nation’s capital, at no cost to them. A mission centered around recognizing and appreciating our nation’s heroes with the thank you that they deserve. To...

Young children today are faced with so many pressures and influences telling them that they are not good enough unless they achieve this or achieve that. Creating a belief that in order to have worth, they have to constantly achieve or be someone other than who God created them to be. This is a standard that no one will never meet for themselves and does not foster a healthy environment for mental health. 

It is clear to say, and t...

In this episode, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sits down with Soul Solutions Recovery Center Executive Director, Patti Senn, as they discuss one of the most complex health topics, addiction, and different misconceptions around it. Soul Solutions exists to help each person find their pathway to recovery, while providing an atmosphere of connection, hope, and healing. In this conversation, Patti shares with us her thoughts and experien...

In this episode, our host Pastor Devlyn Brooks sits down with New Life Center Executive Director, Rob Swiers, who shares what he has learned about leadership in his 25 years in the nonprofit sector. This successful CEO shares keen insights about what makes him good at what he does, including knowing that he’s not Superman and building a talented team is critical to mission success. Listen in as Rob shares what he’s learned through ...

Have you ever realized that child abuse is happening every day in our communities? Approximately 1 in 4 children experience child abuse or neglect in their lifetime, and it is estimated that only 38% of child victims will disclose that they have been abused. Childhood can be a time of joy, laughter, and play. Many children learn to depend on others for safety, comfort, and love, but unfortunately, many others learn that the world i...

In a world where high-tech tools dominate every aspect of our lives, why has a 100-year-old teaching philosophy that encourages playing with wooden toys and doing math with your hands become more popular than ever? To answer that question, our host Whitney Isaacson brought in a local expert in Montessori education, Camille Brandt, Executive Director at Children’s Montessori. In this episode, Camille shares with us all about the Mon...

In this episode, our host Pastor Devlyn Brooks sits down with Executive Director of Dakota Medical Foundation, Pat Traynor, to discuss a new leadership program, hosted by Dakota Medical and Impact Foundations, that is teaching leaders how to offer a hopeful vision where there is doubt, despair, and a lack of direction – while also bringing civility and love where there is discord and difference of opinion. This new approach to serv...

In this episode of the DMF Podcast, our host, Whitney Isaacson, interviewed Sarah & Arlin Fisher, co-founders of the nonprofit Crosses for Cameron. Crosses for Cameron provides education, support, and hope through organ donation awareness and improves our community’s physical and emotional health through the Garden of Healing. They took their story of tragedy and turned it into a mission to spread awareness on how every donor h...

In this episode of the DMF Podcast, our host, Whitney Isaacson, interviewed Jana Bruhschwein, Executive Director and founder of Peace Academy, and Living Waters Director Elizabeth Strinden. They both shared Peace Academy’s approach to childcare, focusing on kids’ wellness.

Jana and Elizabeth work to nurture children, educate parents, and strengthen the community along the way. Bruhschwein is the Executive Director and founder of Pe...

Dr. Jason Schaff has been practicing as an optometrist at Valley Vision Clinic since graduating in 2008 with his Doctor of Optometry degree. He has a special interest in ocular disease, children’s vision and contact lenses and is committed to providing comprehensive eye care to patients of all ages using the latest technology in contact lenses and diagnostic testing.

In this episode, Optometrist Dr. Jason Schaff shared:

• The op...

In this episode of the DMF Podcast, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sat down with Jana Bruhschwein, Executive Director and founder of Peace Academy, and Kellie Knodel, assistant director and teacher at Peace Academy. Together, the two of them they have 45 years of experience in early childhood education.

Jana and Kellie are both advanced trainers in the Nurtured Heart Approach® and in this conversation they share all about what the Nur...