Episodios

  • TAYN Ep. 70 - Tom Gerhardt

    TAYN Ep. 70 - Tom Gerhardt
    Dec 2 2025
    Born and raised in Bismarck, Tom Gerhardt brings a lifelong passion for storytelling, community, and public service to his role as Executive Director of Dakota Media Access. He graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in television broadcasting and kicked off his career in sports at KMOT-TV in Minot. From there, he moved to KXMB-TV in Bismarck, where he spent the next two decades as a reporter, anchor, and eventually news director.

    Tom covered some of the region’s most memorable stories—everything from the 2011 Missouri River flood and the Craig Cobb saga to the Bakken boom, DAPL protests, wildfires, federal court coverage, and even Will Ferrell’s legendary Anchorman spoof at KXMB.In 2016, he stepped away from the anchor desk to join North Dakota United, advocating for teachers and public employees across the state. While there, he launched three education-focused podcasts, including The Cutting Ed(celebrating innovative teachers), Education Mindset (a real-time look at how educators adapted during COVID), and a deeper dive into teacher recruitment and retention.

    Tom later joined ND Assistive, where he led statewide marketing and communications efforts to help people access life-changing assistive technology.Today, at DMA, Tom is helping usher in a new era of community media—supporting local creators, elevating underrepresented voices, and strengthening civic engagement across Bismarck and Mandan. He’s also a proud Rotarian involved in the Youth Exchange Program and a board member for the North Dakota News Cooperative.When he’s not at DMA, you might find Tom out for a run (he’s completed 11 half-marathons and one full), hiking with his rescue dog, sipping coffee or bourbon, cheering on the WNBA with his wife Brenna, or spending time with their five kids.
    Más Menos
    33 m
  • TAYN Ep. 69 - Sarah Kolberg

    TAYN Ep. 69 - Sarah Kolberg
    Nov 17 2025
    Sarah Kolberg grew up in McKenzie, North Dakota. She is a news anchor and lifestyle host on KFYR-TV. She anchors Country Morning Today, co-hosts ND Today, and anchors First News at Noon. She loves sharing stories that highlight the people, places, and moments that make North Dakota home. This new adventure in news has been so much fun — and she doesn't even mind the early mornings!Outside of broadcasting, she’s been a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant for 20 years.

    She is passionate about skincare and helping women feel confident and connected — and playing with skincare and makeup never gets old!She is a wife, mom to two boys, and dog mom to Daisy and Ducky. When she’s not working, you can usually find her biking, running, or spending time outdoors with her dogs, family, and friends. She also love all things vintage and thrifting — or as she likes to call it, “treasure hunting.”
    Más Menos
    32 m
  • TAYN Ep. 68 - Kate Herzog

    TAYN Ep. 68 - Kate Herzog
    Nov 4 2025
    Our guest today is Kate Herzog. Kate grew up in Mandan, ND and graduated high school there. She then graduated from the University of North Dakota with honors, earning a BA in Communications while working at the Grand Forks Herald and living in Downtown Grand Forks. She moved back to the Bismarck area and worked for the Bismarck Tribune before volunteering and then working for the Downtown Business Association starting in 2010.
    From there she became the Chief Operating Officer, as well as the Founder and President of the Downtown Bismarck Community Foundation 501c3 development arm, and President and Founder of the North Dakota Downtown Coalition. She currently sits on numerous public and private committees and boards throughout the Bismarck and North Dakota region. She coaches high school girls golf and teaches junior golf lessons through her work on the DJGA board.Her passion is creating and supporting great communities. Over her time working in Downtown Development, Bismarck has seen a turnaround in Downtown property values (up 150M), jobs, businesses, walkability, livability and housing. In her spare time, she loves to golf, coach, drink too much coffee and spend time with her family and friends. She is revitalizing her small 1930s cottage home and enjoys bringing it to life.
    Más Menos
    35 m
  • TAYN Ep. 67 Sandy McMerty

    TAYN Ep. 67 Sandy McMerty
    Oct 21 2025
    Sandy is an innovative leader and communication strategist who is passionate about building engaging culture to get results. She currently serves as Deputy Secretary of the Office of the Secretary of State and has held leadership roles in multiple state agencies. She has been involved with Designer Genes of North Dakota, a Down syndrome support network, for the over 20 years helping individuals with Down Syndrome to earn, learn, and belong in our community. She currently serves as their board president.

    During her free-time, Sandy is back-up barista for her husband Matt. Together they own The Gifted Bean Coffee House, in the Bismarck Veteran’s Memorial Public Library. The Gifted Bean seeks to hire and inspire individuals with unique talents and abilities, like their son and future owner, Cristian, who has Down syndrome.
    Más Menos
    33 m
  • TAYN Ep. 66 - Cassie Staiger

    TAYN Ep. 66 - Cassie Staiger
    Oct 7 2025
    Cassie Steiger is the owner of Curated Travel Co., a travel agency she launched in 2014 to offer a more personalized, concierge-style approach to travel planning. What began with destination weddings and honeymoons has grown into custom European getaways, African adventures, cruises, and warm-weather escapes—always with the same high-touch service at its core.Born and raised in North Dakota, Cassie values the small-town pace of life but has always felt the pull to explore the world—and help others do the same.

    In 2021, she was named North Dakota Women’s Entrepreneur of the Year for her innovative response to the pandemic, launching a training program to empower other travel advisors. Today, she continues mentoring advisors while planning unforgettable trips for her clients.Now entering a new season of motherhood with one daughter off to college, Cassie is embracing the change with gratitude, intention, and a few more stamps in her passport. When she’s not working or traveling with her partner Brad, she’s cheering on her youngest daughter Avery in sports, catching up over coffee, visiting her granddaughter or practicing yoga—next stop: Mexico!
    Más Menos
    30 m
  • TAYN Ep. 65 - Jason Grueneich

    TAYN Ep. 65 - Jason Grueneich
    Sep 25 2025
    Jason Grueneich is fighting for HIV advocacy and recovery support in North Dakota. Drawing on his experience as an HIV-positive man who has experienced homelessness and addiction, he has helped launch and lead transformative initiatives: North Dakota’s HIV Peer Navigation Program, Bismarck’s first LGBTQ+ recovery group and the state’s first nonprofit dedicated to people living with HIV—Shine Bright & Live.

    Jason leads with vulnerability, wisdom and a strong belief in people’s capacity to heal. He is known for his magnetic presence, charismatic communication and ability to bring people together, even in tense situations. He chairs the North Dakota HIV Advisory Board, has shaped public policy around LGBTQ+ inclusion and HIV awareness and built coalitions that include doctors, police departments, libraries and faith leaders. He knows what it’s like to feel hopeless—and what it takes to walk through fire and emerge as a force for others.

    With his Bush Fellowship grant, Jason will focus on personal healing as a foundation for his growth as a leader, deepen his nonprofit leadership skills and develop a long-term vision for destigmatizing HIV in rural America.
    Más Menos
    33 m
  • TAYN Ep. 64 - Tim Lucas

    TAYN Ep. 64 - Tim Lucas
    Sep 9 2025
    Tim grew up in the Bismarck/Mandan community and returned to the area about 15 years ago.
    He has lived in four other states and has a very wide resume in terms of vocations which helpedprepare him to be able to relate with virtually any group of people. He serves as Pastor at 3:16Church in Mandan, ND; which he helped plant in 2017. He also serves the first respondercommunity through Crisis Care Chaplaincy. He holds positions on two non-profit boards andfinds time to get to the golf course occasionally too. He is married to his wife, Cindi, and theyhave a Doberman named Jake, whose Sleep Number is 53. He also has an adult daughter wholives in Fargo. Tim believes in getting involved in our community and serving others.
    Más Menos
    31 m
  • TAYN Ep. 63 - Sherrice Roness

    TAYN Ep. 63 - Sherrice Roness
    Aug 25 2025
    Sherrice Roness is the Students in Transition Coordinator or Homeless Liaison forBismarck Public Schools. She has been in this position for 9 years. She has been aLBSW (Licensed Social worker) in ND for 25 years. All 25 years of her career havebeen dedicated to working with at risk youth and their families. She has worked inmultiple positions including a School Social Worker on the Standing Rock Reservation, Coordinator of the South Central Juvenile Drug Court, In- Home Case Worker forBurleigh County Social Services, and a Guardian ad Litem for youth.
    Más Menos
    33 m