Episodes

  • TAYN Ep. 62 - Katie Cashman Fitzsimmons

    TAYN Ep. 62 - Katie Cashman Fitzsimmons
    Aug 11 2025
    Katie Cashman Fitzsimmons is exactly one half of The Cashman Auctionisters, the auctioneering sisters. Her partner in crime is her Bozeman-based sister Missy. Since 2016, Katie and Missy have auctioned at over 250 events for charities, non-profits, organizations, and individuals. Those auctions have brought in over $18,000,000, allowing those groups to further the good work they each do for their communities.

    Katie resides in Bismarck, North Dakota where she serves in her day job as the Director for Student Affairs for the North Dakota University System. In this role, she works with the 11 state colleges and universities (who enroll roughly 45,000 students) to advance all the initiatives that take place outside of the classroom. That includes substance misuse prevention, sexual assault prevention and intervention, student mental health, initiatives that support belonging and community, student health insurance, student access to voting, and many other things that pop up along the way. This would also involve briefing the State Board of Higher Education and developing policy that they approve which are in effect for the campuses. In addition to that, Katie serves on the legislative team for the System Office which consumes an inordinate amount of time every other year.

    Auctions and higher ed aside, her real full-time gig is wife to her firefighting husband Owen and mom to their three young kids, Maggie (9), Connor (8), and Tommy (5). Katie has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, used to enjoy running half marathons (ha! As if my joints would tolerate such abuse now), and holds the title of “First to all Fifty States” amongst her five siblings (but is tied with her sister Missy on the continent count). Katie loves playing cards, hiking, long walks paired with a podcast, baking, and spending time with her family. She is terrible at going to bed but really good at sleeping; she’s also terrible about planning meals but really good at eating; and she loves talking a bit game with Christmas lights but chickens out when it gets too cold and slippery.
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    36 mins
  • TAYN Ep. 61 - Amanda Yellow

    TAYN Ep. 61 - Amanda Yellow
    Jul 29 2025
    For nearly 12 years, Amanda has served as the Sales & Marketing Manager at the Bismarck Event Center, where she gets to do what she loves most: connect with people, support our community, work in the entertainment business and help bring unforgettable events to life. Before this role, she got her start at Agency MABU as a college intern, then joined the team full-time. From there, she took on a management role at AAA Travel and Insurance and later worked with Rasmussen College as a Professional Development Coordinator — each experience helping her to learn how to lead, collaborate, and grow.

    Amanda earned her bachelor’s degrees in Business Communications and Business Administration from the University of Mary, and went on to complete her Master’s in Management and Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University in Chicago. Along the way, she also became a proud graduate of the Bismarck-Mandan Leadership Academy and was honored to be named the Bismarck-Mandan Business & Professional Women’s Foundation “Woman of the Year” in 2016. Amanda was also the Sakakawea Award winner for the Young Professionals Network and most recently was recognized by the Dakotas-Manitoba Minnesota Optimist District in 2018 as the Optimist of the Year and then the Bismarck Optimist Club 2022 Outstanding Optimist of the Year.

    Outside of work, she loves giving back. Amanda has served on many different boards and volunteered in different capacities in the community, but some of her most favorite include coaching Basketball, Volleyball and Soccer for Bismarck Special Olympics, volunteering her time with the Bismarck Optimist Club on many different projects including the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Bowling Tournament and her previous involvement with the Young Professionals Network. In her free time, she enjoys camping, traveling and spending time with her husband, two kids and mini-labradoodle.
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    37 mins
  • TAYN Ep. 60 - Megan Dooley

    TAYN Ep. 60 - Megan Dooley
    Jul 14 2025
    Megan Dooley is an occupational therapist and the founder of Innovative Therapy Solutions & Consulting, a mobile outpatient clinic that brings therapy and support directly to people across North Dakota—especially in rural and underserved areas. She specializes in working with individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, dementia, brain injuries, and other neurological conditions, helping them stay safe, independent, and connected to their communities.

    Megan is a proud member of the Bismarck Parkinson’s Support Group Board and collaborates with the Alzheimer’s Association and North Dakota Brain Injury Network to offer education, support, and hands-on therapy to individuals and their care partners. Her passion lies in walking alongside families through life’s hardest transitions—offering both expertise and encouragement when it’s needed most.Whether she’s adapting a home to support aging in place, leading wellness groups, or mentoring other healthcare providers, Megan is rooted in the belief that strong communities start with neighbors looking out for each other.

    When she’s not working, Megan enjoys coaching and playing volleyball, boating, camping, and spending time with her family. She’s proud to call Bismarck/Mandan home and to be part of the network of helpers that keep this region strong.
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    31 mins
  • TAYN Ep. 59 - Janel Schmitz

    TAYN Ep. 59 - Janel Schmitz
    Jul 1 2025
    Janel Schmitz has called Bismarck home since she was six years old. She is married to Mayor Mike Schmitz, and they celebrated their 40 th anniversary in July 2024. Together they have two sons, Jason and David who is married to Kate and they have two children, Hazel and Harrison.
    Janel’s career has followed many paths. Graduating with a degree in dietetics in 1984, she washired by MedCenter One as a clinical dietitian. She accepted many opportunities at the hospitalin program development and eventually left dietetics to start a variety of programs including theDakota Children’s Advocacy Center, the first comprehensive program in the state to assessabused children.

    After 15 years at MedCenter One, she joined the nonprofit management world, working indifferent positions with Charles Hall Youth Services, Girl Scouts, the American Lung Associationand the American Red Cross. While at the American Lung Association, she played a significantrole in passing smoke free workplace legislation in North Dakota. During the 2011 floods, shemanaged national and international communications for the Red Cross. During this time sheachieved a master’s in business administration from the University of Mary.Working in the nonprofit sector concluded in 2011 when she accepted the Communications & Marketing Manager position at Bank of North Dakota where she is working today.

    She enjoys walking, working with her church, reading, wine tasting and hosting dinner parties.Mike and Janel love their new role as grandparents and are frequent visitors to their grands andchildren who all live in Minnesota.

    https://www.makeyourmarkbisman.com/
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    33 mins
  • TAYN Ep. 58 - Cory Thrall

    TAYN Ep. 58 - Cory Thrall
    Jun 17 2025
    Cory Thrall grew up in Bismarck before moving to McPherson, Kansas to pursue an undergraduate degree in Pastoral Ministry.  After graduating from Central Christian College, Cory and his wife moved to Olathe, KS, where he attended Nazarene Theological Seminary.  While living in Olathe, he was the resident manager of the Salvation Army Family Shelter, a homeless shelter that kept families together.   In 2002,they moved back to ND, moving to Grand Forks, where his wife worked on her PHD in AstroPhysics.  In order to help aging parents, they moved back to Bismarck.  They started attending Legacy UMC around 2008 and in 2010, Cory came on staff.  In 2014, he was appointed to Washburn, Turtle Lake and Center UMC churches and in 2016 Hazen and Beulah were added. 

    After COVID, he was appointed back to Bismarck as a church planter.  Cory planted a church called Mission Bismarck.  The focus of Mission Bismarck was to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in the community who had little interest in church or the church had little interest in them.  Mission Bismarck met at Comic Realms, a comic book store.  Where there was a need in the community, Mission Bismarck and those who believe in showing Jesus’ love rather than talking about it, were there.  In 2024, due to a quick change in the Dakota’s Conference staffing, Cory was appointed to Legacy UMC.  His appointment to Legacy brings with it the connections and workings of Mission Bismarck.  Legacy has embraced the immigrant and refugee population of our community.  Legacy UMC has included creative ways to worship that are unconventional.  Legacy is a place of welcome for all humans.  Cory believes that God loves all humans and he hopes to lead Legacy to love like God loves. 
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    33 mins
  • TAYN Ep. 57 - Deidre Hillman

    TAYN Ep. 57 - Deidre Hillman
    Jun 3 2025
    Deidre Hillman the founder of The 13th Hat, a corporate event planning company she launched in 2021 after serving as a state director for a nonprofit organization. With nearly 15 years of experience in event planning, Deidre thrives on creating memorable experiences—from fundraisers and galas to her personal favorite, conferences. She brings an energetic and strategic approach to every event, ensuring each one is both impactful and engaging.Deidre holds a Master’s in Business from the University of Mary and is a certified John Maxwell Coach, Facilitator, and Trainer, equipping her with the leadership skills to inspire and guide others in the event planning industry.Based in Bismarck, ND, Deidre lives with her husband, Matt, and their spirited daughter, Harper. When she’s not planning events, she dedicates her time to volunteering as a Wish Coordinator for Make-A-Wish and serving on the Dakota Zoo board. She and her family love adventuring together, with camping being their favorite summer tradition.
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    38 mins
  • TAYN Ep. 56 - Joan Klein

    TAYN Ep. 56 - Joan Klein
    May 20 2025
    Joan Klein was born and raised in Cebu City, Philippines. She moved to Salt Lake City, Utah with her mom, dad and brother at the age of 14 because of her mother's work relocation. Joan has an architectural background with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Woodbury University in Burbank, CA. She has worked in several architecture firms in Maine, North Carolina and North Dakota.

    In 2022, Joan and her co-founder started a non-profit called the North Dakota Asian- American Arts and Cultural Initiative. This non-profit is a platform for education, collaboration and celebration for Asian- American Arts and Culture. They have events that allow for an immersive experience for individuals and families in the Bismarck- Mandan community and beyond. Joan also volunteers for the Bismarck- Mandan Young Life. She is one of the leaders for the kids at Southern Central High School. As a committee member, Joan helps coordinate events for their fundraising efforts.

    Joan, her husband, son and daughter call Bismarck, North Dakota their home. She has a passion for architecture, photography, screen printing, drawing and several forms of paintings.
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    29 mins
  • TAYN Ep. 55 Jackie Stebbins

    TAYN Ep. 55 Jackie Stebbins
    May 6 2025
    Jackie M. Stebbins graduated with distinction from the University of North Dakota School of Law, and at age thirty-one, she became the senior partner of her own law firm, Stebbins Mulloy.
    She primarily practiced in family law, criminal defense, and civil litigation.

    Jackie was nationallyrecognized for her work by The National Trial Lawyers, Top 40 under 40 and Super Lawyers,Rising Stars. She was also named as a young leader in business and in her community by theBismarck Tribune’s and Prairie Business Magazine’s, 40 under 40.
    In 2019, when she was only thirty-five years old, Jackie retired from the practice of law after anear-death experience with a rare brain disease, autoimmune encephalitis.

    She later founded JM.Stebbins, LLC, as a writer and motivational speaker. Jackie is a frequent blogger on the JMStebbins blog and hosts the Brain Fever podcast. Her memoir, Unwillable: A Journey to ReclaimMy Brain, was published by Wisdom Editions in May 2022. Susannah Cahalan, author of the #1NYT bestselling book, Brain on Fire, praises Unwillable as “an inspiring story of a brilliantwoman’s battle with autoimmune encephalitis,” and that it’s “as moving as it is important.”Jackie lives in Bismarck, North Dakota with her husband, Sean, and their three children. In herfree time, she enjoys the great outdoors, exercise, reading, current events, and trying to be funny.
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    38 mins