Daniel Johnson and Ricardo Hernandez Espinoza have quite a bit in common. They are entrepreneurs; took a risk to open their own business; started small and have big dreams. And they both enjoy bringing smiles to their customers and helping create a better world. Following the unrest in 2020 and COVID, Mall of America created a 5,000 square foot spa…

Stephanie March knows about food and the local dining scene. It has been a significant part of her life and career. As Executive Editor of New Media + Food at Mpls. St. Paul Magazine, March has a reputation of telling a delightful story, especially when it comes to food. Along with host Jill Renslow and co-host Carrie Charleston, this episode is pa…

Events experts Meri Ryan and Sierra Goerg share the storied history + behind-the-scenes tales of events at Mall of America. In 2023, the Mall hosted more than 370 events, and is set to surpass that mark in 2024. This team helps imagine, create + implement these amazing guest experiences. Like the entire events team, Meri and Sierra have super perso…

“It’s an unpopular opinion, but I don’t like Chicago. I’ve seen the Bean, the museum, the aquarium. Don’t really like the pizza.” And away we go…. On this episode, KDWB radio host and social media personality, Falen Bonsett, tells it like it is! Falen shares stories and more than a few laughs with our audience. Joined by Chris Grap and Sara Johnson…

This episode features Mall of America team members who are all working moms. With a wide range of work and parenting experience, they share insights on finding balance in their lives. They also openly discuss the challenges and joys of being a working parent. Jill Renslow, host of So Much More podcast, has a daughter who is a senior in high school …

Patric Richardson knows laundry. He has a passion for it. You might even call him The Laundry Evangelist – everyone does! He has been featured on national media, was HGTV's The Laundry Guy + author and owner of Mona Williams boutique at Mall of America. His philosophy: I love helping people take care of personal belongings and making the world a cl…

Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton are the hosts and co-CEOs of Omni Talk, a podcast and retail blog for retailers, by retailers. They understand the world of retail better than anyone. Both had leadership roles with the Target Store of the Future program, are entrepreneurs + have boundless energy and enthusiasm. Their experience includes writing, podc…

Sheletta Brundidge is an Emmy award-winning comedian and talk show host, commentator, influencer + activist, and The Boss Lady at ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com. Sheletta and her son, first-time author Andrew Brundidge, are our guests to talk about Autism Acceptance Month. Sheletta’s three youngest children all have Autism. Her oldest, Andrew, does not. …

Our guests are energy and efficiency experts! John Marshall is Regional Vice President at Xcel Energy. He and his team manage strategic relationships across three states in seven hundred communities. Also joining us is Rich Hoge, Chief Operating Officer at Mall of America, who leads the waste and recycling efforts at the Mall among a host of other …

Perhaps best known for his bold illustrations that riff on everyday icons with stylized takes on all things Minnesota, from the BWCA to Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, artist Adam Turman is a true state treasure. Adam works with major brands such as Mall of America, Surly Brewing + Pepsi, independent businesses + private collectors to make art pa…

On this episode, two of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, Julian ‘Zeus’ McClurkin and Joey ‘Hot Rod’ De La Rosa join us for a fun-filled conversation. Zeus is one of the most decorated Harlem Globetrotters, holding six Guiness World Records, and he’s performed mind-blowing trick shots including his favorite location…Mall of America! Hot Rod is…

On this episode, hosts Grant Buntje and Chris Grap welcome their colleague and co-delight creator, Sara Johnson, the Integrated Marketing Director at Mall of America. Since the day it first opened in 1992, Mall of America has been surprising and delighting guests in unique ways and these team members help lead those efforts. Curious why and how the…

What happens when inventive minds get together? They create a universe… specifically, Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America. This week our hosts welcome special guests who were part of the team that brought NU to life, Ron Hines, Vice President of Experiences at Paramount and Brian Spielman, Vice President of Attractions at MOA. We invite you to …

The snow has melted. The birds are chirping. Spring Break is finally here! Our So Much More hosts are eager to share the options, stories + insider tips for a Spring Break adventure at Mall of America. Need pointers on how to plan a visit to MOA that fits within your budget? Curious what unique events or celebrities are visiting the mall? Want to f…

It’s our pleasure to sit down with Matt “Nur-D” Allen, a fresh new Hip Hop artist and one of the fastest rising stars in Minnesota’s music scene. Nur-D has been sharing his energy infused musical performances at Mall of America® and beyond. Want to know how he turned his love for comic books and pro wrestling into a music career? How he ended up cr…

Our guests are Kim Cassens and Joe Cassens, the mother and son team who brought the delicious flavors of Nothing Bundt Cakes to Mall of America and other locations. Want to know how a party gift can turn into a career? How a family can work together and enjoy it? How a bundt cake became a national obsession? This episode is for you! Nothing Bundt C…

Our guests are Adam Kado and Hosie Thurmond, creators of Slice Brothers Pizza, a new Mall of America fan favorite! They brought the classic NY slice of pizza to Minnesota– and people are loving it! Kado and Thurmond are longtime friends whose individual journeys reshaped their initial dreams as business owners and redefined what dreams means to the…

Guests at Mall of America often see news stories on shopping, attractions, holidays and even celebrity events. The public gets to experience the Mall through these stories, but rarely gets to see behind the curtain and experience the story from the reporter's point of view. Today, we are honored to talk with Allison Kaplan and find out how she comb…

L.L. Bean is the epitome of an American success story. This family owned and operated business began in 1912 and has built a multi-generational and very loyal fan base. And its iconic store has been at Mall of America for ten years. Steve Smith, President and CEO at L.L. Bean is joined by Guy Booth, L.L. Bean Store Manager at Mall of America–togeth…

This episode is all about the numbers—in a fun way. If you’ve ever been curious about how many parking spaces there are, how many rolls of toilet paper are used, or how many rides are taken at Mall of America in a year—this one is for you. Between our two guests, Rich Hoge and Brian Spielman, both long-time leaders at Mall of America, they have mor…

Celebrating the unsung heroes of the hospitality industry. That’s the focus of this discussion—and the stories shared during the conversation are memorable. Guests Bonnie Carlson and Jim Cunningham—both long time hosts and visionaries behind the nationally industry leading Diamond Service Awards—share what prompted the creation of the ceremony, how…

Who better to share the story–and the future vision–of Mall of America than someone who has been connected from the first days of construction, John Ghermezian. As President of Mall of America, and a member of the family who owns and operates the Mall, Ghermezian brings keen insights and learnings about this successful operation. Ghermezian shares …

This episode features three of the most accomplished female leaders in the Twin Cities. Wendy Blackshaw of MN Sports and Events and Tanya Dreesen of the Minnesota Vikings who are joined by host Jill Renslow of Mall of America. Dreesen began her career in newspapers in Canada, then in Denver and finally to the Twin Cities publishing industry. Along …

Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America is the premier indoor theme park in the nation. With millions of visitors and rides every year, Nick U delivers smiles and screams (the good kind) all year round. To stay fresh, it’s important to add new rides and attractions so guests continue to return. Ron Hines, VP of Themed Entertainment at Nickelodeon v…

If there’s one phrase that captured the nation this year, it is “Hi, Barbie!” This is quickly followed by the same phrase from multiple people. And it’s always said with enthusiasm, a big smile, and an unstoppable sense of optimism. That is why opening the Malibu Barbie Café experience at Mall of America makes perfect sense! Derek Berry, President …

In this episode, we explore the Mall’s commitment to supporting its community through nonprofit events, initiatives, and partnerships. We visit with Sara Durhman, Director of Community Relations, who shares her experience organizing and hosting events that benefit the Bloomington Community. This includes planning and hosting charity events and worl…

Ep. 20: Behind the Wonder Anyone who has visited Mall of America during the busy holiday season understands why this is a must-visit destination. The events, concerts, activations, décor, and great shopping help make the season bright. But there is one ‘hidden gem’ at the Mall that many may not be aware of… the Candy Cane Institute (CCI). This epis…

The holiday season is often filled with families gathering, enjoying meals and gift giving. But that’s not the case for everyone. In this special episode of So Much More, our guests are working hard to bring that joy to those most in need. Our guests, Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Tyree Stevens of the U.S. Marine Corps and Program Coordinator for the Twin …

It really is the most wonderful time of the year. And at Mall of America, we are in the holiday spirit! This episode features two special guests, Matt McCormack the CRM + Loyalty Manager for Mall of America alongside Chris Grap who takes a break from his co-hosting duties to talk all things holiday. Chris and his team collaborate with other Mall te…

Boasting hundreds of holiday trees, giant size ornaments and enchanted snowflakes…. What really goes into decorating Mall of America for the holiday season? In this episode our special guest, John Schouveller, Maintenance Manager at Mall of America, shares how he and his team take on the incredible task of decorating a 5.6 million square foot build…

Hooray! The four hosts of So Much More, Jill Renslow, Chris Grap, Grant Buntje and Daniel Jasper shares stories from the first 15 episodes and look forward to the quickly approaching holiday season. This episode captures fun podcast episode stories along with lessons learned from our amazing variety of guests. Among the most memorable episodes and …

Eric Pehle – nationally recognized for his work in strategic public relations and crisis communications – is our featured guest in this episode. He started his professional journey in broadcast journalism and transitioned to the PR agency world. Pehle has been connected to Mall of America before the Mall even opened in 1992. Prior to grand opening …

Our guests in this episode both lead social media for international brands. Bari Rosenstein Tippett is the Social Media Manager for Auntie Anne’s and Jamba at Focus Brands LLC. Melanie Dietsch is the Social Media Manager for Mall of America including platforms for Nickelodeon Universe (MOA) and Crayola (MOA). During this conversation, Bari and Mela…

Our guest in this episode is an author, illustrator, entrepreneur, and self-taught designer. Christopher Straub climbed to fame as a fan favorite during season six of Project Runway. But that was not the start – or the pinnacle – of his creative career. During this fascinating conversation Straub shares stories ranging from the many projects, he ha…

The question has perplexed corporate leadership for more than a year now – how to balance hybrid and in-office work. While there are no easy answers, our special guest in this episode, Roshini Rajkumar, tackles this and other questions with a goal of creating healthy company culture. Hosts Jill Renslow and Dan Jasper welcome Rajkumar to share her i…

Our guest in this episode is an award-winning writer and performer, Grammy-nominated composer and a frequent public speaker on the subject of creativity… and he was a co-founding performer of Blue Man Group. Chris Wink, CEO and Founder of Wink World, joins our hosts Chris Grap and Grant Buntje to share his insights into the new experience he has cr…

There is a science – and an art – behind the thrill of fear. In this episode, Sean Chung, Creative Director for American Monsters shares why they chose Mall of America to launch a new breed of haunted house, Onionhead’s Revenge. A chillingly fun conversation lets listeners know what to expect when they visit Onionhead’s Revenge at Mall of America t…

Minnesota has long been home to legendary sports figures (think Harmon Killebrew, Kirby Puckett, Neal Broten, Paul Molitor, Cindy Nelson, Fran Tarkenton, Lindsay Whalen, Randy Moss and so many more), but is has also played host to legendary sporting events and championships. Everything from two Super Bowls to World Series playoff games, to champion…

Friends who watch this episode are in for a treat! Our guest, Sasha Cassadine, outshines the room in her beautiful outfit and even more beautiful personality. Born and raised in Memphis TN, Sasha made her way to the Twin Cities and has never looked back! As a sought-after drag performer, Sasha shares her story of how she became a performer as well …

This episode’s guests have been a part of the Mall of America journey from Day 1, literally. Bonnie Carlson and Jan Kroells – both with the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau – were at the iconic meeting when the Ghermezian family first presented their grand idea for ‘America’s Mall’ to city leaders, inquisitive media, and curious citizens.…

In this episode of So Much More, we have a wide-ranging conversation with Kam Talebi, the Founder and CEO of Kaskaid Hospitality and Carrie Charleston, VP of Leasing for Mall of America. Kaskaid owns and operates restaurants including CRAVE, UNION, Salsa A La Salsa, Avenida, Zio Italian, Burger Burger, BLVD Kitchen, Urban Eatery, Revival Public Hou…

With more than 32 million annual visitors, 10,000 employees and the busiest transit hub in Minnesota, Mall of America is, in almost every way, a bustling city. The Mall is fortunate to be at the center of Bloomington, Minnesota one of the most exciting cities in the nation. And on this episode, Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse shares insights into what …

Spectators and fans rarely get a true peak inside the ring. In this episode, fans – and yet-to-be-fans get that rare chance to hear from a local Minnesota legend and share in his passion for this sport. Arik started F1RST Wrestling in 2007 and has hosted a wide variety of wrestling sporting events – often in unique venues such as First Avenue, and …

Two long-time security professionals at Mall of America, explore the topic of safety and security at the nation’s largest mall. With more than 32 million visitors each year, this massive shopping destination can pose unique challenges for the team dedicated to protecting all who enter. We speak with Will Bernhjelm, Vice President of Security, and K…

In this episode we visit with John Ghermezian, a member of the visionary family that created Mall of America. John shares his family’s inspiring story of how they turned their dream into a reality in Minnesota. He discusses the challenges they faced along the way and how they overcame those challenges with the help of a dedicated team, and a strong…

In the inaugural episode of So Much More, we introduce our four hosts and discuss the inspiration behind the podcast. The hosts share their personal journeys and experiences that have led them to create this podcast, and why they are passionate about sharing stories of people and brands that have overcome challenges to achieve success. We also disc…