What happens after the cameras stop rolling?

On this episode of the Twin City Tales Podcast, Wymond Wong sits down with McCrae Olson, the Minnesota native Big Brother fans came to know as the “Pizza Boy” from Season 15.

Long before Big Brother, McCrae was already fascinated by cameras and storytelling. Growing up around St. Francis and Oak Grove, Minnesota, he developed a love for filmmaking, studied video production, worked at QCTV, and began building a creative career.

Then an almost spur-of-the-moment audition at the Mall of America changed everything.

McCrae entered Big Brother as a superfan, won the first Head of Household and Power of Veto, and spent 84 days living in a house where cameras and microphones captured nearly everything.

Wymond and McCrae revisit what it was actually like living inside that environment, how different the game felt compared to watching it from home, and the surreal experience of finally leaving the house and discovering that the outside world had continued moving while millions of viewers had been watching theirs.

They also talk about returning to Minnesota, suddenly being recognized in everyday life, and trying to figure out what comes after an experience like Big Brother.

But McCrae’s story did not begin or end with reality television.

Today, his creative interests continue behind the camera through photography, video production, podcasting, editing, and his longtime passion for filmmaking. McCrae talks about the projects and experiences that brought him back into creative work and why, if given the opportunity, he would still love to write and make movies.

The conversation expands into Minnesota’s film community, social media, modern marketing, nostalgia, authenticity, and the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence.

McCrae and Wymond discuss using AI as a tool without allowing it to replace creativity, why audiences may eventually place greater value on work they know was created by real people, and why staying adaptable matters in an increasingly automated world.

From a Minnesota kid playing with cameras, to the Big Brother house, to finding his way back behind the camera, this episode explores who McCrae Olson is when Big Brother isn’t watching.

CONNECT WITH McCRAE OLSON

Twitter / X:

https://twitter.com/mccraechum

ABOUT TWIN CITY TALES

Twin City Tales is hosted by Wymond Wong and features conversations with the people behind the stories.

From entrepreneurs and community leaders to athletes, creators, entertainers, and people who have simply lived an interesting life, Twin City Tales goes beyond what someone does to discover how they became who they are.

Remember, you can’t go wrong with Wymond Wong on your Twin City Tales Podcast.

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Twin City Tales is proudly powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric, a locally owned Minnesota home service company serving homeowners throughout the Twin Cities.

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Shannon Starry of Four Point Construction joins host Wymond Wong on the Twin City Tales Podcast for a conversation about career evolution, leadership, relationships, business operations, and the experiences that shape how we serve others.

Shannon’s professional journey has crossed several industries, including banking and financial services, accounting, real estate, business operations, management, and professional networking through BNI. Those experiences eventually led her into the construction industry and her work with Four Point Construction.

Based in Circle Pines, Minnesota, Four Point Construction serves homeowners, property owners, and communities throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding areas with roofing, siding, gutters, storm damage restoration, commercial roofing, windows, doors, insulation, decking, and other exterior construction services.

In this episode, Wymond and Shannon talk about the lessons that carry from one chapter of a career into the next. They explore leadership, communication, relationship-building, operations, professional growth, and why strong systems and genuine connections matter in business.

Shannon’s story is also a reminder that careers do not always follow a straight line. Experience in banking can strengthen your understanding of business and people. Real estate can deepen your perspective on homes, property, and relationships. Networking can teach the value of connection. Operations brings those skills together through people, processes, communication, and execution.

Whether you work in construction, real estate, operations, entrepreneurship, leadership, or simply enjoy learning more about the people behind Minnesota businesses, this episode offers another look at the experiences that shape the professionals serving our communities.

CONNECT WITH SHANNON STARRY & FOUR POINT CONSTRUCTION

Four Point Construction Website:

https://4ptco.com/

Four Point Construction Contact:

https://4ptco.com/contact/

Shannon Starry on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonstarry/

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Apple Podcasts:

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Twin City Tales is hosted by Wymond Wong and powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric, a locally owned Minnesota home-service company serving homeowners throughout the Twin Cities.

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

In this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with CJ and Katy Norman, the husband-and-wife Realtor team behind Norman Homes at Pemberton RE, for a conversation about real estate, investing, entrepreneurship, marriage, and building a business together in Minnesota.

CJ and Katy are based in Mound, Minnesota, and work throughout the Lake Minnetonka area, the western suburbs of Minneapolis, and the greater Twin Cities. But their path into real estate started before Norman Homes.

CJ moved from the Chicago area to Minneapolis in 2017 after spending years in corporate sales and strategy. Purchasing a side-by-side duplex in Minneapolis became a turning point that helped lead him toward a career in real estate.

Katy also came from a corporate and software sales background and purchased her first duplex in Minneapolis in her twenties. Growing up around real estate investing gave her an early perspective on property not only as a place to live, but also as a long-term financial decision.

Together, CJ and Katy turned those experiences into Norman Homes, where they now help people buy, sell, and invest throughout the Twin Cities with a particular focus on Mound, Lake Minnetonka, and the western suburbs.

Wymond talks with CJ and Katy about their individual journeys into real estate, investing in property, working together as a husband-and-wife team, building Norman Homes, serving clients through major life decisions, and what they have learned from creating a business together.

There is also a podcast connection between the three of them. CJ and Katy host Key Conversations, their own podcast through Norman Homes, where they discuss real estate, homeownership, local businesses, and conversations with professionals throughout the Twin Cities.

This time, CJ and Katy move from the hosts' chairs into the guest chairs to share more of their own story.

At its heart, this conversation is about more than buying and selling houses. It is about taking opportunities, learning through experience, building something together, and creating a career around relationships, communication, and helping people make important decisions with confidence.

If you are interested in Twin Cities real estate, Lake Minnetonka real estate, Minnesota Realtors, real estate investing, duplex investing, husband-and-wife businesses, entrepreneurship, local business, homeownership, or stories about the people building businesses and communities throughout Minnesota, this episode of Twin City Tales is one to watch.

Norman Homes Website:

https://www.norman-homes.com/

Learn More About CJ & Katy Norman:

https://www.norman-homes.com/get-to-know-cj-and-katy-norman-homes

Norman Homes YouTube:

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

Key Conversations Podcast:

https://www.norman-homes.com/key-conversations-podcast-cj-katy-norman

Twin City Tales 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, water treatment, 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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Royal Supply owner Missy Wilson joins Wymond Wong to share how she went from juvenile corrections and disability services into an industry she knew almost nothing about, bought into a business during COVID, navigated a difficult family-business split, learned to repair commercial cleaning equipment herself, and rebuilt Royal Supply from the ground up.

On this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Missy Wilson, owner of Royal Supply, for a story about career reinvention, family, entrepreneurship, resilience, and learning to lead when you don’t have all the answers.

Missy grew up in Crystal, Minnesota, four houses away from the fire station where her dad worked for 23 years and on land with deep family roots. Her grandparents once farmed inside the Crystal city limits, and some of Missy’s earliest memories include working around the farm and selling tomatoes.

Her first career had nothing to do with janitorial supplies.

After earning a sociology degree, Missy worked in juvenile corrections and later spent more than a decade supporting adults with disabilities. Those years taught her lessons about people, patience, service, empathy, and perspective that would eventually follow her into entrepreneurship.

Then came an unexpected opportunity to become involved with Royal Supply.

Missy bought into the company in April 2020—just as COVID was changing the world around her.

Less than a year later, a family member and business partner left the company, creating another major turning point. Missy suddenly found herself trying to protect the business, maintain customer relationships, learn an industry she was still new to, and determine whether she could actually make it work.

Instead of walking away, she went to work.

Missy began calling manufacturers and suppliers and asking them to teach her. She learned the products, the equipment, the customers, and eventually the technical side of the business.

Today, Missy can work hands-on with commercial cleaning equipment herself, including vacuums and floor scrubbers. Royal Supply currently provides repair services for automatic scrubbers, carpet extractors, floor machines, vacuums and numerous other types of cleaning equipment.

She and Wymond also discuss what it means to build a business with family, lessons she learned from watching her mom become an entrepreneur, the relationship she maintains with Royal Supply’s previous owner, and the difficult realities that can arise when family and business collide.

The conversation goes deeper into imposter syndrome, self-doubt, loneliness in entrepreneurship, customer service, resilience, courage, and finding an advantage inside the very obstacles that once seemed capable of stopping you.

Missy also reflects on what she wants Royal Supply to become, the reputation she hopes to leave with customers, and—more personally—what she hopes her children someday remember about how she built the business.

Royal Supply is currently a woman-owned janitorial supply and cleaning-equipment business based in Elk River, Minnesota. The company emphasizes expertise, customer service and building lasting relationships.

Learn more:

https://royalsupplymn.com/

Twin City Tales is powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric.

This episode of Twin City Tales is dedicated to the memory of legendary University of Minnesota baseball coach John Anderson.

Host Wymond Wong sits down with longtime friend and fellow Hopkins High School graduate Tim McIntosh for a conversation that spans Minnesota baseball, Major League Baseball, friendship, mentorship, career transitions, and the next chapter after professional sports.

Tim’s baseball journey began in Minnesota before taking him to the University of Minnesota, where he played under Coach John Anderson.

During the summer of 1985, Tim starred for the Chatham A’s in the Cape Cod Baseball League, hitting .392 while leading the league in batting average, hits, and doubles. He returned to the Gophers the following spring and put together a standout 1986 season, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors and Big Ten Tournament MVP before the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the third round of the MLB Draft.

Tim eventually reached the Major Leagues and played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Montreal Expos, and New York Yankees. His unforgettable 1985 season on Cape Cod was later recognized with induction into the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame in 2017.

In this conversation, Tim and Wymond revisit their shared roots at Hopkins High School, Tim’s years playing for the Gophers, the influence John Anderson had on his development and life, and what it took to reach professional baseball.

They also explore a part of an athlete’s story that is often talked about far less: what happens when the game ends.

Tim shares his transition out of professional baseball, how he found his way into real estate, the story behind his first real estate sale many years ago, and how the lessons he learned through baseball continue to influence the way he approaches relationships, competition, preparation, and service today as a REALTOR® with Edina Realty.

At the heart of this episode is a conversation about baseball, friendship, mentorship, transition, and finding purpose in the next chapter.

CONNECT WITH TIM McINTOSH

Facebook:

Tim McIntosh Major League Realtor

Edina Realty:

https://www.edinarealty.com/tim-mcintosh-realtor

About Tim:

https://www.edinarealty.com/tim-mcintosh-realtor/about

ABOUT TWIN CITY TALES

Twin City Tales shares the journeys of Minnesota entrepreneurs, professionals, athletes, community leaders, and people with stories worth telling.

Hosted by Wymond Wong.

Twin City Tales is powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric.

#TwinCityTales #TimMcIntosh #JohnAnderson #GopherBaseball #MinnesotaBaseball #MLB #CapeCodBaseball #MinnesotaGophers #TwinCities #MinnesotaPodcast

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:

https://www.facebook.com/61574674384654/

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

https://www.twincityheatingandair.com/

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

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