The Roadhouse

Ann Possis chatted recently with Bob Harris, author of "The International Bank of Bob," a delightful book about the world of microlending and the difference it makes in people's lives. Bob traveled the world visiting with people he'd made small loans to through Kiva, an online lending platform. What he found will make you laugh, cry, and be inspired.

Beth Dooley has covered the local food scene in Minnesota for over 25 years. She joined Matthew Brown May 31 to talk about her latest book, "Minnesota's Bounty: The Farmers Market Cookbook." She talked about why farmers markets and locally grown foods are so good, tips for shopping at a farmers market, and more.

Former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe chatted with Buck recently about football, marriage equality, and lots more. He just joined the Raiders after being let go by the Vikes.

Adam Harju, the "North Shore Bike Guy," stopped in to Studio A May 24 to talk all things bike. He does bike trail building, event promotion, advocacy for cycling, and more. Pedaling at Pincushion is June 1; the Lutsen 99er race is June 29.

Bob chatted recently with Melody Swenson, author of "Champions of Minnesota's Arrowhead: Boys Basketball State Tournament Teams." The book is very thorough, full of interesting stories and facts, and is a must for high-school basketball enthusiasts in our region. You can learn more about it here.

Kathy Rice stopped by The Roadhouse May 24 to chat with Bob about her new book, "The Pie Place Cafe Cookbook," just released by Lake Superior Port Cities Publishing. It's a wonderful mix of recipes, photos, and stories & memoir. You can learn more about it here.

Buck Benson & Ann Possis welcomed percussionist and educator Mark Powers to Studio A with buckets, pots & pans, and more in tow. He demoed his 'junk jam' and talked about how you can make music anywhere. Learn more at his website here. Photo courtesy Mark Powers.

Dr. Katherine Loflin joined Ann Possis May 17 to talk about her work in "placemaking". She advises elected officials, planners, businesspeople, and community leaders who are trying to improve their cities and towns. Learn about the three main qualities that attach people to a place, why they're important, and how they relate to business, tourism, and more.

Prof. Michael Wilson, assistant professor of anthropology and of ecology, evolution, and behavior at the U of Minn., joined Buck May 17 to talk about research on chimps and other primates, and what it might tell us about our human ancestors and who we are today. Prof. Wilson's blog, Monkey Business, can be found here. Photo courtesy Michael Wilson.

  Buck chatted May 10 with Prof. Aaron Doering of the Learning Technologies program at the U of MN. He recently returned from a two-week expedition in the Canadian Arctic, leading a crew of five whose mission is to work with Arctic communities to tell their climate change stories. The project is called North of Sixty.