Iron Range Adventures Podcast

Ep 2.05 | From Teacher to Entrepreneur - The Journey of Melissa & Mikal Brown

In this episode of the Iron Range Adventures Podcast, Mike and Melissa Brown share the story behind Sunrise Deli, the Reed Building, and the many businesses they’ve built together in Hibbing. From entrepreneurship, marriage, and family sacrifice to revitalizing downtown and investing in the future of the Iron Range, the Browns open up about what it really takes to chase big dreams in a small-town community. This conversation is honest, funny, heartfelt, and full of insight for anyone who believes in hard work, local business, and building something meaningful where they call home.

Ep 2.04 | Built to Last: Kendall Cook’s Story of Family and Grit

In this episode of the Iron Range Adventures Podcast, Steve sits down with Hibbing builder, family man, and community leader Kendall Cook. As owner of Ingenuity Builders and a board member with Crescendo Orchestra, Kendall shares a life shaped by hard work, craftsmanship, music, faith, family, and deep roots in the Iron Range. From learning skills at home as a kid, to building his own house and discovering his passion for carpentry, to raising a large family and walking through adoption, Kendall opens up about what it really means to build something that lasts. This conversation dives into perseverance, leadership, legacy, youth music, the realities of running a business, and why choosing family over success on paper may be the most important decision a person can make. This is an honest, thoughtful episode about grit, sacrifice, love, and the kind of life that leaves a mark far beyond wood and walls.

Ep 2.03 | More Than Coffee: Resilience, Grief, and Building North Haven on the Iron Range

More Than Coffee: Resilience, Grief, and Building North Haven on the Iron Range Podcast Description In this powerful episode of the Iron Range Adventures Podcast, Steve sits down with Denise and Jeff, the couple behind North Haven Coffee, for a conversation that goes far beyond business. Together, they share what home means on the Iron Range, how deep loss shaped their marriage, and what resilience really looks like when life does not go the way you planned. From navigating grief, healing, therapy, and hardship to taking a leap into entrepreneurship after a life-changing accident, Denise and Jeff open up with honesty, strength, and heart. This episode is about love, family, community, and choosing to keep going. It is also about the vision behind North Haven Coffee, a mobile coffee business built to be more than a place to grab a drink. Their hope is to create connection, conversation, and a sense of belonging wherever they go. If you have ever walked through grief, wondered whether to take a risk, or needed a reminder that healing and joy can exist at the same time, this conversation will stay with you. In this episode: * What “home” really means on the Iron Range * Walking through grief as a couple * Why therapy matters * The quiet strength of Iron Range families * Starting North Haven Coffee after hardship * Building a business centered on community, not just coffee If you want, I can also turn this into a YouTube description, a shorter Spotify version, or give you 10 clickable title variations in your Iron Range Adventures style.

Ep 2.02 | Pete Kero - From Mines to Mountain Bike Trails

What if abandoned mine pits weren’t the end of the story… but the beginning? In this episode of the Iron Range Adventures Podcast, Steve sits down with Pete Carroll — environmental engineer, co-creator of Redhead Mountain Bike Park, Minnesota Book Award-winning author of Mindscapes: Reclaiming Minnesota’s Mine Lands, and longtime community volunteer. Pete grew up on the Marquette Iron Range in Upper Michigan before making his way to Minnesota’s Mesabi Range. With a deep love for the outdoors and a background in environmental engineering, he saw something different when he looked at reclaimed mine lands — not closed sites, but incredible opportunity. We talk about: * The 13-year journey behind Redhead Mountain Bike Park * How mining and recreation can coexist and strengthen each other * The human stories behind mine land transformation * Vision, long-term thinking, and the power of journaling * Why “Sisu” persistence matters when chasing big ideas * The underrated quality of life on the Iron Range Pete shares how reclaimed landscapes can inspire renewal — not just environmentally, but economically and culturally. From scuba diving and mountain biking to swimming and disc golf, the Iron Range is quietly becoming a model for how former mining communities can evolve without forgetting their roots. If you care about community development, outdoor recreation, mining heritage, or simply building a life you love waking up to — this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 📚 And don’t forget to pick up Pete’s award-winning book Mindscapes — link in the description.

Ep 2.01 | From Rural Roots to International Stages: The Journey of Steve Solkela

FROM RURAL ROOTS TO INTERNATIONAL STAGES: THE JOURNEY OF STEVE SOLKELA In this powerful and honest episode of Iron Range Adventures, we sit down with Steve Solkela— the wildly entertaining one-man band, comedian, and performer who has taken his small-town beginnings all the way to international stages, including performances connected to Minnesota and Finland. Most people see the high-energy entertainer. The accordion. The punchlines. The laughter. But in this conversation, Steve shares the deeper story. We explore: * 🎵 The evolution of the one-man band and how he incorporates multiple instruments into one unforgettable act * 🌲 How rural roots and family support shaped his artistic courage * 💰 The real challenges of self-promotion and financial stability in the entertainment industry * 🧠 The mental model of resilience required to survive as a performer * 😂 Why humor isn’t just entertainment — it’s survival This episode pulls back the curtain on the life of a performer. Steve speaks candidly about success, failure, mental resilience, and what it means to “give it everything,” even when the path isn’t easy. > “Humor is the purpose of life.” > “I am in fact a failure, but I gave it everything.” > “Life’s not easy, but humor helps us survive.” We also dive into practical advice for aspiring small-town artists chasing big dreams — and the undeniable importance of community support in sustaining local arts. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a creative career from the Iron Range — this episode is both inspiring and grounding. ---------------------------------------- 🎧 LISTEN & SUPPORT Follow Steve Solkela'supcoming shows and support his music and merchandise. Share this episode to inspire the next generation of small-town creators. And consider hiring or supporting local performers — because strong communities invest in their artists. 📍 Listen on Spotify 📍 Follow Iron Range Adventures on Facebook