Success is rarely built in one defining moment. More often, it's built one job, one challenge, and one leap of faith at a time.

On this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Kari Hefnider, owner of the Kari A. Hefnider Agency, an American Family Insurance agency in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, for a conversation about resilience, entrepreneurship, confidence, gratitude, and protecting what matters most.

Kari's story begins growing up in Brooklyn Park and Maple Grove, where she developed a strong work ethic at an early age. Her career would eventually take her through landscaping, restaurants, refrigeration, nearly two decades in the auto glass industry, and ultimately into entrepreneurship and insurance.

Kari shares what it took to make a major career change, build her own insurance agency, and succeed in industries traditionally dominated by men. She and Wymond also explore the lessons that shaped her along the way—including overcoming fear, becoming more self-reliant, practicing gratitude, and learning why, as Kari puts it, you have to love yourself first.

The conversation goes far beyond business.

Kari discusses a frightening experience while traveling that changed the way she viewed personal safety, why she decided to learn karate, and how confidence can be developed through the challenges we face.

They also talk about what protecting people truly means beyond simply selling an insurance policy, Kari's recognition through the MetroNorth Chamber's 2026 Excellence in Business Awards, and the importance of supporting and uplifting women in the community. Kari's agency also recently celebrated 16 years serving the community.

And there's plenty of fun along the way—from golf, scuba diving, travel and cars to an unforgettable Mickey Mantle autograph on a doily.

You'll also hear what Kari would tell her 18-year-old self today and the message she hopes every young woman listening can take away from her story.

🌐 Kari A. Hefnider Agency:

https://www.karihefnider.com/

🔹 American Family Insurance – Kari Hefnider:

https://www.amfam.com/agents/minnesota/coon-rapids/kari-hefnider

🔹 Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/KariHefniderAgency/

Kari's official agency site lists her Coon Rapids office and describes her approach as going beyond simply providing a policy to helping protect the people and things that matter most to her clients.

🎙️ Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4CMNpdMlcuXmXwAxr1a7c4

🎧 Twin City Tales Podcast:

https://twin-city-tales-podcast.cohostpodcasting.com/

📘 Facebook:

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Twin City Tales shares the stories of entrepreneurs, business leaders, athletes, community champions, and extraordinary people throughout Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

Twin City Tales is hosted by Wymond Wong and powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric.

🏠 Twin City Heating, Air & Electric

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Remember: You can't go wrong with Wymond Wong on your Twin City Tales Podcast.

#TwinCityTales #KariHefnider #MinnesotaPodcast #TwinCities #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #Insurance #CoonRapidsMN #Resilience #PersonalGrowth

On this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Minnesota Vikings legend Greg Coleman for a powerful conversation about football, faith, leadership, perseverance, family, and learning how to “flip the field” when life changes unexpectedly.

Greg grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, with a vision of one day reaching the NFL. After playing college football at Florida A&M University, he became the first African American punter in NFL history. He later spent 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, built a respected broadcasting career, and was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

In this episode, Greg reflects on the challenges of breaking barriers, the people who shaped his journey, and the role faith has played throughout his life. He also shares lessons from his book, PUNT: Flip the Field and Get a Leg Up on Life, which explores how to respond to adversity, embrace change, maintain the right attitude, and prepare for the next opportunity.

Wymond and Greg also discuss:

• Growing up in Florida and developing the vision to play in the NFL

• Becoming the first African American punter in league history

• His years with the Minnesota Vikings

• Transitioning from professional football into broadcasting

• Faith, leadership, attitude, and perseverance

• The mentors who influenced his life

• His marriage, family, and life today

• Writing PUNT: Flip the Field and Get a Leg Up on Life

• His induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame

• Giving back through the Greg Coleman Celebrity Golf Tournament

• The legacy he hopes to leave for future generations

Greg also recently spoke to the team at Twin City Heating, Air & Electric, where his message about leadership, preparation, attitude, and perseverance made a lasting impression.

Whether you are a Minnesota Vikings fan, a student of NFL history, a business leader, an athlete, or someone navigating change, Greg Coleman’s story offers a meaningful reminder: one difficult play or chapter does not have to determine the outcome of your story.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GREG COLEMAN

Official website:

https://gregcoleman8.com/

Greg Coleman Celebrity Golf Tournament:

https://www.ymcanorth.org/colemangolf

PUNT: Flip the Field and Get a Leg Up on Life:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM5Y62MB

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Music credit: “Thanks” by Chris Hawkey.

#GregColeman #MinnesotaVikings #TwinCityTales

On this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Tracy Fallon, a Twin Cities-area mid-life reinvention coach, speaker, and founder of Prioritize and Thrive Coaching.

Tracy’s story begins on a Wisconsin farm, where her early upbringing shaped her work ethic, perspective, and understanding of life’s seasons. From there, she moved to Minnesota for school at the University of Minnesota, building a life and career in the Twin Cities before stepping fully into the work she does today: helping women navigate midlife with clarity, confidence, and self-trust.

But as Tracy would say, midlife does not have to be a crisis. It can be an opportunity.

In this conversation, Tracy shares how major life transitions, career shifts, identity changes, and seasons of uncertainty can become a turning point instead of a stopping point. Through her work with Prioritize and Thrive Coaching, Tracy helps women who feel stuck, restless, overwhelmed, or off-course understand who they have become and move forward with intention.

This episode is for anyone in Minnesota, the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Blaine, Coon Rapids, or the surrounding metro who has ever wondered, “What’s next for me?” Tracy’s message is simple but powerful: you are not broken, you may have simply outgrown the life you built, and your next chapter can be created on purpose.

Connect with Tracy Fallon:

Website: https://www.prioritizeandthrive.com/

About Tracy: https://www.prioritizeandthrive.com/tracy

Services: https://www.prioritizeandthrive.com/services

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyfallon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracy_coachingyou2thrive/

This podcast is powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric.

In this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Tony Peltier, the owner of Tony Goes There and My Day DJ, two Minnesota businesses built around trust, service, safety, and creating a better experience for people across the entire Twin Cities metro area.

Tony is best known throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding Twin Cities metro as the friendly professional driver behind Tony Goes There, a local personal driver and MSP airport transportation service. He serves clients across Hennepin County, Anoka County, Ramsey County, Washington County, Dakota County, and beyond, including cities like Blaine, Coon Rapids, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Edina, Woodbury, Eagan, and more. His mission is simple: help people—especially women traveling alone—feel safe, comfortable, and cared for when getting where they need to go.

But Tony’s story does not stop behind the wheel. He is also the DJ behind My Day DJ, providing wedding DJ services and event entertainment throughout the Twin Cities metro. From Minneapolis weddings to St. Paul receptions and celebrations across the suburbs, Tony brings energy, professionalism, and a passion for music and dancing to every event.

In this conversation, Tony shares the story behind Tony Goes There, what inspired him to create a safer transportation option in the Twin Cities, how his background in music shaped his journey, and what it takes to build a trusted local business serving communities across the metro area.

Whether you are searching for MSP airport transportation, a personal driver in Minneapolis or St. Paul, or a wedding DJ anywhere in the Twin Cities metro, this episode highlights the person behind the business and the purpose behind the service.

Tony Goes There:https://www\.tonygoesthere\.com/

Book a Ride:https://www\.tonygoesthere\.com/book\-now

My Day DJ:https://www\.mydaydj\.com/

Facebook:https://www\.facebook\.com/tonygoesthere

Instagram:https://www\.instagram\.com/theretonygoes/

LinkedIn:https://www\.linkedin\.com/in/tonygoesthere/

BBB Profile:https://www\.bbb\.org/us/mn/brooklyn\-park/profile/airport\-transportation/tony\-goes\-there\-llc\-0704\-1000045050

This Podcast is Powered by Twin City Heating Air and Electric.

In this episode of Twin City Tales Podcast, Wymond sits down with Anh Huynh, the baker and heart behind Sprinkle of Hope Bakery in Blaine, Minnesota.

Anh shares her story of growing up in Vietnam, why and how she ended up in Minnesota for college, and how her path has blended science, creativity, service, and community. From her passion as a biochemist to her love for baking custom cakes, Anh’s story is a beautiful reminder that business can be built with purpose.

They also discuss Anh’s passion for foster children and foster parents, how she gets involved in supporting families and shelters, the touching story of college scholarships, and the meaning behind Sprinkle of Hope Bakery.

For custom cake and bakery inquiries, reach out to Sprinkle of Hope Bakery:

Phone: (763) 485-1031

Facebook: Sprinkle of Hope Bakery

Instagram: @sprinkleofhope_bakery

This podcast is powered by Twin City Heating Air and Electric.

On this episode of Twin City Tales, Wymond sits down with Dan Langton, owner of MN Stripes, a parking lot striping and pavement marking business based in Ramsey, Minnesota.

Dan shares what it was like growing up in Ramsey, how he first got into striping, and what eventually led him to start MN Stripes. He talks about the path into a trade most people see every day but rarely think about, and what it takes to build a business from the ground up.

This episode also gets personal as Dan opens up about his weight loss journey after gastric bypass surgery. He shares the discipline it takes to make a life-changing decision like that actually last, including the mindset behind not “eating your way through the surgery” and continuing to do the work after the surgery is done.

This conversation is about business, discipline, personal growth, and the kind of consistency it takes to change your future.

For business inquiries, MN Stripes provides parking lot striping, pavement marking, restriping, new layout striping, ADA marking updates, line removal, sweeping, sealcoating, crack filling, and parking lot maintenance services.

Learn more about MN Stripes:

MNStripes.com

763-350-6257

This podcast is powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric.

Built Here, Stays Here. Feel The Difference!

#TwinCityTales #MNStripes #DanLangton #RamseyMN #ParkingLotStriping #PavementMarking #MinnesotaBusiness #TwinCitiesBusiness #SmallBusinessStory #Entrepreneurship #WeightLossJourney #GastricBypassJourney #Discipline #PersonalGrowth #BuiltHereStaysHere #TwinCityHeatingAirElectric

In this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Twila Marie Johnson for a deeply personal and courageous conversation about survival, healing, identity, and the long journey of finding your voice.

Twila shares parts of her story of surviving abuse, navigating painful chapters, and learning how to keep moving forward even when life felt overwhelming. This conversation touches on generational trauma, identifying abuse, the impact abuse can have on a person’s body and spirit, and the strength it takes to persevere through circumstances that no one should have to face.

Wymond and Twila also talk about her career path, including her time working at Merwin Drugs, and the life experiences that helped shape the woman she is today. Her story reflects the complicated reality of trying to build a future while also carrying the weight of trauma, illness, recovery, and survival.

This episode also explores the importance of finding support. Twila speaks to the power of being believed, being seen, and having people who can help you remember your worth when you are walking through some of life’s hardest moments.

Twila is also the author of Becoming: A Memoir of Silence, Survival, and the Courage to Speak, a book centered on her journey of survival, courage, and reclaiming her voice. Her work and her story remind us that healing is not always simple, but speaking the truth can become part of the path forward.

At its heart, this conversation is about courage. It is about surviving what was meant to break you, naming what happened, finding support, and becoming the person you were always meant to be.

If you are interested in stories of resilience, healing from abuse, generational trauma, women’s stories, personal growth, courage, memoir writing, finding your voice, or powerful conversations about survival and hope, this episode of Twin City Tales is one to watch.

Learn more about Twila Marie Johnson:

www.twilatheconnector.com

Buy Becoming: A Memoir of Silence, Survival, and the Courage to Speak on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Memoir-Silence-Survival-Courage/dp/B0GY19WT9M

This episode is powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric, your trusted home comfort experts serving homeowners throughout the Twin Cities.

Whether you need heating, cooling, electrical, indoor air quality, water heater, water softener, or home comfort service, Twin City Heating, Air & Electric is here to help keep your home safe, comfortable, and running the way it should.

Twin City Heating, Air & Electric Website:

https://twincityheatingandair.com/

Twin City Heating, Air & Electric Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TwincityHeatingandair/

Twin City Heating, Air & Electric YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@twincityheatingandair

#TwinCityTales #TwilaJohnson #TwilaTheConnector #BecomingMemoir #SurvivorStory #SurvivingAbuse #HealingJourney #GenerationalTrauma #FindingYourVoice #CourageToSpeak #Resilience #WomenWhoInspire #TwinCities #MemoirAuthor #PoweredByTwinCity

In this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with John Estrem, CEO of Hammer & NER, for a meaningful conversation about service, humanity, leadership, and the belief that every person is worthy of respect, love, and care.

John shares the story of how he grew up and the values that shaped the way he sees people, community, and responsibility. A major influence in his life was his mother’s example of volunteering and helping those in need. Her actions helped plant the seeds for John’s own path of service and his lifelong commitment to showing up for others.

Wymond and John talk about what inspired him to step into nonprofit leadership, what it took to learn how to run a nonprofit organization, and the lessons that come from leading with both heart and responsibility. John’s journey is not just about managing an organization. It is about understanding people, building trust, and staying grounded in the mission of helping others live with dignity.

This episode also highlights the work of Hammer & NER and the incredible care they provide for adults with disabilities. John shares why going above and beyond matters, why humanity must stay at the center of the work, and how Hammer & NER continues to support people in living full, meaningful, and connected lives.

At its heart, this conversation is about compassion in action. It is about seeing the value in every person, leading with purpose, and building a community where people are respected, supported, and cared for.

If you are interested in nonprofit leadership, disability services, community care, volunteerism, faith in humanity, service-driven leadership, or inspiring stories from people making a difference in the Twin Cities, this episode of Twin City Tales is one to watch.

Learn more about Hammer & NER:

www.Hammer.org

This episode is powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric, your trusted home comfort experts serving homeowners throughout the Twin Cities.

Whether you need heating, cooling, electrical, indoor air quality, water heater, water softener, or home comfort service, Twin City Heating, Air & Electric is here to help keep your home safe, comfortable, and running the way it should.

Twin City Heating, Air & Electric Website:

https://twincityheatingandair.com/

Twin City Heating, Air & Electric Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TwincityHeatingandair/

Twin City Heating, Air & Electric YouTube:

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#TwinCityTales #JohnEstrem #HammerNER #HammerAndNER #NonprofitLeadership #DisabilityServices #AdultsWithDisabilities #TwinCitiesNonprofit #MinnesotaNonprofit #CommunityCare #Volunteerism #Humanity #Compassion #Respect #Dignity #TwinCities #PoweredByTwinCity