Former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak joins me for an unfiltered conversation about what it really means to lead a city and why authenticity is now the most powerful tool in politics. We cover the emotional cost of leadership, the changing face of Minneapolis, and how social media is reshaping civic power.

If you care about democracy, media, or the future of cities, this episode is for you.

No edits. No prep. One hour. Let’s go.

Chapters

00:00 Intro, One Hour, No Edits

01:48 “Disheveled” as a Media Strategy

04:15 The Power of Authenticity in Politics

08:23 Are TikTok Creators the New News Anchors

13:10 R.T.’s Career from Journalist to Mayor

17:00 Why He Ran for Mayor and Thought He’d Lose

21:45 Pajama Party Protests and Playful Politics

25:02 “I Was in Over My Head”

30:30 Trauma, Therapy, and the Emotional Toll of Public Service

36:12 The Cultural Shift in Minneapolis Politics

39:50 Should Outsiders Run for Office

44:10 How the Minneapolis Foundation Actually Works

50:40 Donor-Advised Funds Explained Simply

53:15 The Future of Minneapolis: Hope or Decline

56:33 Downtown Real Estate Collapse and Reinvention

59:58 Why Minneapolis Is Better Than Portland

I sat down with longtime Minnesota media voice Jason DeRusha – WCCO Radio host, former TV anchor, and media personality – for a lively and candid conversation about his career, the state of journalism, and the messy line between authenticity and ego.In this conversation we cover:00:00 – The Jason Cam & innovating early in media07:00 – Ego vs. arrogance: why Minnesotans hold themselves back12:00 – Skyways, tourism, and why Minneapolis struggles with growth20:00 – The origins of Good Question and what he learned from it30:00 – Living with a public persona vs. being yourself41:00 – Social media, sponsored content, and the authenticity trap50:00 – The business of being a media personality57:00 – The future of local news and digital creatorsJason shares stories about buying his own billboard, why ego isn’t a dirty word, and how Minnesota could better tell its own story to the world.If you enjoy thoughtful conversations with people shaping Minnesota’s culture, subscribe for more episodes of One Hour Detours.

I so enjoyed my conversation with Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. Currently running for his third term, Mayor Carter has overseen crisis to crisis all while leading a city that also serves as Minnesota's political capitol.

In this conversation we speak about:

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction & running for a third term

01:18 – From “best job in the world” to “crisis bingo”

11:09 – Parenting, school safety & the Minneapolis shooting

14:15 – Why St. Paul is pushing to ban assault rifles

19:05 – The Second Amendment & political rhetoric

29:23 – Florida 2000: arguing the right to vote

33:38 – Public engagement & governing differently

39:16 – Race in Minnesota vs. the South

42:02 – Guaranteed income, rent control & medical debt relief

47:14 – Homelessness, downtown St. Paul & foot traffic

49:53 – Skyways, safety perceptions & downtown competition