So Much More, A Mall of America® Podcast

Ep. 10: A Chillingly Fun Conversation

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 this Halloween haunting season.
Hosts Jill Renslow and Chris Grap dive into the storyline with Sean including finding out how this haunt is so different than any other our listeners may have experienced. This deeper experience is possible because it is story-based, completely immersive and guests – those who dare enter – can elevate their unique experience.
Sean shares stories of the actors and why they choose to work in this setting. During their typical work week, the actors hold other jobs ranging from office personnel to dentists. But what they have in common is a love for this type of work and a deep desire to fulfill their creative natures.
This conversation talks about the rise of experiential opportunities, why it continues to grow and what guests are yearning to find. And it explores the innate need of our species to be submerged into a story and become a character in the performance ourselves.
Whether you are a fan of fear, or simply want to dive deeper into the craft of storytelling and experience building, this episode is sure to please. So be sure not to miss this – if you dare.
Guest: Sean Chung, Creative Director for American MonstersHosts: Jill Renslow, Chris Grap
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 9: Minnesota: A Land of Sporting Legends

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 championship hockey, to the Ryder Cup, to skiing and more.
This episode featuring three dynamic leaders in the Twin Cities, Wendy Williams Blackshaw of MN Sports and Events, Tanya Dreesen of the Minnesota Vikings and Jill Renslow of Mall of America talk about how the community pulls together to attract these iconic events. They share personal stories of the hard work and excitement surrounding hosting massive, international events in Minnesota.
The fast-paced conversation covers successful past events, what is coming as well as how the community works to create and build state-of-the-art sporting facilities that help to attract world-class events and athletes. Wendy, Tanya and Jill also talk about the unique challenges faced by female leaders in a male-dominated profession.
Whether you are a sporting fan or simply want to learn more about community collaboration, this episode is sure to provide valuable things to consider.
Guest: Wendy Williams Blackshaw, CEO & President of Minnesota Sports and Events; Tanya Dreesen, Vice President of Partnership Activation, Events & Special Projects at Minnesota Vikings Football, LLCHosts: Jill Renslow
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 8: Glitter, Glitter...Everywhere!

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 as some of the misperceptions about the artform. From the first steps into the spotlight to directing shows, Sasha talks about what drag is and the deeper meaning behind it.
A large part of this episode’s discussion centers on acceptance, understanding, and how to make this world a better place. The conversation also talks about how brands react in the face of criticism and how that can change in the future. Of course, she also talks a good deal about her affinity for Mall of America – and the importance of hosting drag shows in this iconic venue.
Guest: Sasha Cassadine, Celebrity Performer, Hostess, and Show DirectorHosts: Chris Grap, Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 7: Selling a Destination...from Dream to Reality

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. They were at the groundbreaking in 1989, and of course, they were at the grand opening on August 11, 1992.
Bonnie and Jan share stories of celebrity appearances, favorite memories, their MOA traditions, and a few insider tips – things every Mall-fan can relate to. They also recall how many people didn’t think the Mall would be successful, and how that quickly was disproved.
In their professional role of promoting Bloomington MN as a destination, both guests talk about the value the Mall brings to this community. For listeners who may not have ventured beyond the Mall, they also share some of the hidden gems to be found within the city. 
For those who are life-long fans of Mall of America, first time visitors to Bloomington, or those would-be travelers with MOA on their dream wish-list, this episode contains great information for each of you.
Guest: Bonnie Carlson, President & CEO and Jan Kroells, Vice President of Marketing for Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau
Hosts: Jill Renslow, Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 6: How to Build A Dream…. One Dish at a Time

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 House, Muse Event Center, and many more. Carrie Charleston has a distinguished 20-year career in the leasing world and works closely with Kam on his locations at Mall of America.
But the conversation ventures way beyond food and the culinary scene. Kam shares his interesting foray into business which started in the IT field. Having successfully created a tech company, Kam transitioned into creating unique dining venues that offer great food and even better experiences.
Kam shares insights into how he first decided to create a CRAVE restaurant at Mall of America – he currently has three restaurants in the Mall along with a retail store – and how that deal was done with the owner of the Mall…on a napkin. He also touches on how the restaurant industry was impacted over the past few years and shares insights into how to attract and retain great employees.
Carrie shares some of her insights into the world of leasing and many of the challenges of the recent years. She also explains why restaurants are the fabric of our community. The discussion even ventures into new business ventures for Kam and his companies including launching a new beverage product. For those interested in learning how an entrepreneur takes a successful idea and continues to create more opportunities, this is the episode you won’t want to miss.
Guests: Kam Talebi, Founder + CEO of Kaskaid Hospitality and Carrie Charleston, VP of Leasing, Mall of America
Host: Jill Renslow

Ep. 5: A City Within A City

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 it takes to run a successful, growing city.
Mayor Busse has a passion for the City of Bloomington… and for Mall of America. Prior to being elected mayor, Busse was a city council member and deeply involved in community issues. And he’s been a huge fan of the Mall since it opened in 1992. He shares stories of his family connections to the Mall, including the fact that his wife, Heather, was the Entertainment Director for Camp Snoopy – and how she recruited him to run the annual Halloween Haunt – it’s a story you won’t want to miss!
Busse also speaks openly about what it’s like to run a city, work with local businesses – small and large – and the importance of having honest dialogues and working through any issues. He shares that Bloomington has a long tradition of taking well-calculated risks on big projects such as the building of Mall of America. Recently the city (and the entire state/nation) bid on World Expo 2027. While a finalist, the bid went to another country. But as the Mayor quickly points out, you must try. And the bid exercise will lead to exciting development opportunities in Bloomington, Minnesota.
This episode is perfect for political junkies, business managers and owners, fans of the Mall and anyone with a passion for their community.
Guest: Tim Busse, Mayor of Bloomington, Minnesota
Host: Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 4: In the Ring

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 of course, Mall of America. And when he brought his show to the Mall – the fans loved it.
In this episode, Arik shares with the hosts about how he got interested in the sport (hint, it started when he was a boy thanks to his grandmother), why he has such a passion for maintaining this unique form of sporting entertainment in Minnesota, and his philosophy of welcoming everyone.  He also shares unique insights into the history of professional wrestling, the showmanship and entertainment value, and the pure joy that it can bring to participants and fans alike.
F1RST Wrestling has performed live in the Rotunda at Mall of America in front of thousands of guests and is looking forward to a planned return this fall. If you are a fan of wrestling, a scholar of history, or just love to hear some great storytelling, you won’t want to miss this episode.
Guest: Arik Cannon, professional wrestler and Founder of F1RST Wrestling
Hosts:  Chris Grap & Dan Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 3: Safety is The Priority

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 Kenny McDonough, MOA Security K9 Lieutenant, who share their experience and insights into the complex security measures in place. They discuss the advanced technologies used to monitor the premises, the rigorous training programs for security personnel, and the specialized units within the department including an award-winning K9 team.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into the challenges of securing a large public space, the importance of technology and personnel in maintaining security, and how this impacts the daily lives of those who work and visit the mall.
Guests: Will Bernhjelm, Kenny McDonough
Host: Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 2: The Vision Behind the Mall

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 family support system.
We delve into the Ghermezian family’s motivation for building Mall of America, their values and how they have maintained their vision over the past thirty years. John explains how the Mall has built a culture that aligns with the family’s values and how that has been a driving force behind the success.
Listeners will gain insights into the importance of having a vision, building a strong company culture and persevering through obstacles. Jill Renslow leads the conversation with John.
Guest: John Ghermezian, Triple Five Corp.
Hosts: Jill Renslow, Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 1: Welcome to SO MUCH MORE, A Mall of America® Podcast

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 discuss the types of stories and topics we hope to explore in future episodes. From personal development and entrepreneurship to leadership and learning; we are excited to delve into a wide range of topics and share inspiring stories from a diverse group of guests.
And yes, we share some fun and very unexpected stories from our own professional and personal lives, giving listeners a glimpse into the personalities and backgrounds of the hosts. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in personal development, entrepreneurship, and the pathway to success.
Hosts: Jill Renslow, Grant Buntje, Chris Grap, Daniel Jasper
Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.