Anh Huynh: The Biochemist Baker Behind Sprinkle of Hope Bakery

Anh Huynh: The Biochemist Baker Behind Sprinkle of Hope Bakery

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.

Dan Langton: MN Stripes, Ramsey Roots & the Discipline to Change Your Life

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 [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

Twila Marie Johnson: Surviving Abuse, Generational Trauma, Healing, and Becoming

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 [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 [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/ [https://twincityheatingandair.com/] Twin City Heating, Air & Electric Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwincityHeatingandair/ [https://www.facebook.com/TwincityHeatingandair/] Twin City Heating, Air & Electric YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twincityheatingandair [https://www.youtube.com/@twincityheatingandair] #TwinCityTales #TwilaJohnson #TwilaTheConnector #BecomingMemoir #SurvivorStory #SurvivingAbuse #HealingJourney #GenerationalTrauma #FindingYourVoice #CourageToSpeak #Resilience #WomenWhoInspire #TwinCities #MemoirAuthor #PoweredByTwinCity

John Estrem: Hammer & NER, Humanity, Nonprofit Leadership, and Caring for Adults with Disabilities

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 [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/ [https://twincityheatingandair.com/] Twin City Heating, Air & Electric Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwincityHeatingandair/ [https://www.facebook.com/TwincityHeatingandair/] Twin City Heating, Air & Electric YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twincityheatingandair [https://www.youtube.com/@twincityheatingandair] #TwinCityTales #JohnEstrem #HammerNER #HammerAndNER #NonprofitLeadership #DisabilityServices #AdultsWithDisabilities #TwinCitiesNonprofit #MinnesotaNonprofit #CommunityCare #Volunteerism #Humanity #Compassion #Respect #Dignity #TwinCities #PoweredByTwinCity

Jeannie Grimes: Leveling Up, Leadership, Boundaries, and Leaving Your Mark

In this episode of Twin City Tales, host Wymond Wong sits down with Jeannie GO Grimes, author, speaker, founder of The Level Up Leader, and creator of the Level Up Leader movement, for a powerful conversation about leadership, growth, boundaries, service, and what it really takes to step into your next level. Jeannie shares her story of growing up in Minnesota, attending Spring Lake Park High School, spending a short season living in Arizona, and eventually coming back to Minnesota to finish high school. Her journey has taken her through different chapters of life, including years in corporate America with Medtronic, where she gained real-world experience in leadership, people, systems, and personal growth before stepping into a bigger calling of her own. Wymond and Jeannie talk about what leadership really looks like in everyday life. This conversation goes beyond titles, positions, and job descriptions. It gets into the choices people make, the example they set, the courage it takes to grow, and the responsibility that comes with leading yourself before you lead others. Jeannie also shares her belief in consistent philanthropy, volunteer work, and showing up for the community in meaningful ways. For her, leadership is not just about personal success. It is about using your gifts, your voice, and your experience to help others find the courage to move forward in their own lives. A major theme in this episode is boundaries. Jeannie is a strong advocate for protecting your boundaries, knowing what you are called to do, and understanding that leveling up often requires sacrifice. As she explains through her message, when you grow into a new version of yourself, you may not be able to carry everything from the old version with you. To level up, you may have to release habits, comfort zones, relationships, expectations, or patterns that no longer match where you are going. This episode also highlights Jeannie’s book, Level the F Up*, which began as an outline in 2013 and later became something she felt called to write and pass on to others. The book centers around Faith, Foundation, and Fortitude, and invites readers to stop playing small, rebuild with intention, and lead their lives with clarity, confidence, and purpose. At its heart, this conversation is about becoming. It is about listening to the calling on your life, doing the work, serving others, protecting your peace, and having the courage to step into the next level even when it costs you something. If you are interested in leadership, personal growth, faith, boundaries, women in leadership, Minnesota authors, community service, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, or inspiring stories from people making an impact in the Twin Cities, this episode of Twin City Tales is one to watch. The Level Up Leader Website: https://thelevelupleader.org/ [https://thelevelupleader.org/] The Level Up Leader / MetroNorth Chamber Profile: https://business.metronorthchamber.org/activememberdirectory/Details/the-level-up-leader-4651490 [https://business.metronorthchamber.org/activememberdirectory/Details/the-level-up-leader-4651490] Buy Level the F Up* on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Level-UP-Find-Spark-Leave/dp/B0GS7932DN/ [https://www.amazon.com/Level-UP-Find-Spark-Leave/dp/B0GS7932DN/] This Podcast is Powered by Twin City Heating, Air & Electric Twin City Heating, Air & Electric Website: https://twincityheatingandair.com/ [https://twincityheatingandair.com/] Twin City Heating, Air & Electric Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwincityHeatingandair/ [https://www.facebook.com/TwincityHeatingandair/] Twin City Heating, Air & Electric YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twincityheatingandair [https://www.youtube.com/@twincityheatingandair]