9/28/07: Lynn Jennissen: (Principal)

A small rural high school in Northern Minnesota. A diminishing population area. A first time principal. One month into the job. Sounds like this could be someone interesting to talk to… That's what we thought too. Lynn and Gene meet on the air to chat about the challenges, perceptions, realities and rewards associated with being a rural school administrator.

9/26/07: Lisa T. Bergren: (author of the acclaimed series, "The Gifted" )

Exactly 1 year ago, September 26, 2006, Lisa joined Gene in The Virtual Living Room to discuss her latest book… "The Begotten". At that time we found out that this was to be a trilogy, with a year wait for the next book. Well it is out, and it has been a very interesting ride for Lisa, as well as her characters. It's a fun conversation, and we can only wonder if these two will hook up again a year from now.

9/19/07: Paul Sherbow: (Believers Festival on the shores of the Gallee? Why not?)

Paul Sherbow owns and runs a Messianic on-line radio station from Israel. He has seen the very large and well attended New Age festival along the shores of the Galilee for too long. "Now", Paul says, is time for Christians to have a similar festival, and it has indeed been an interesting walk for this man who did NOT want to be the one to do this festival.

9/18/07: Beckie Aitken & Karen Shickell: (Keeping up a Historic Landmark)

OK, so a group of local citizens got together via the urging of a mother/daughter team and saved a community landmark from the impending wrecking ball. OK, so this group got the Federal government to agree that this place is worthy of a place on the National Historical Register. OK, so now it's time to pat themselves on the back...RIGHT? Wrong! That's when the work really begins. Listen in as Beckie Aitken, Executive Director & Karen Shickell, Board Member of International Falls, Minnesota's "Backus Community Center" fill us in on the remainder of the story.

9/17/07: Sage Hemstad & Julie Schumacher: ( What effect does a rural hospital foundation really have?)

The rural hospital is becoming a diminishing entity. Mostly because of funding. Unable to get enough patient income to sustain the necessary increase or updating of facilities and/or equipment. HOWEVER…this Northern Minnesota hospital has established an aggressive community effort to get the residents of International Falls and surrounding area's to take a feeling of ownership in their local hospital. AND IT"S WORKING!!! Listen in as Sage and Julie chat with Gene and learn lessons that are for much more than those concerned with rural health care.

9/12/07: Marjorie McKinnon: (Sexual Abuse: hurt, help, hope & healing)

Society is uncomfortable discussing this issue. The Church, as a whole, is uncomfortable discussing this issue. The answers generally take the tone of "Just get over it, and move on." It's not that easy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have classified sexual abuse as an epidemic. The numbers are staggering. What can we do? It starts by bringing the subject to light, and this is one of the, if not THE best places to begin. Marjorie is honest...painfully honest, about her past. But she also offers hope, help & healing. Start here.