This Must Be The Place

For my Money: It's the Theater: Minneapolis' famed downtown strip + this week in MN history!

Tis the season — and for our money, that means bundling up and heading straight to the historic theater district in Minneapolis. In this episode, we dig into the history, rumors, and mysteries behind one of Minneapolis’ oldest “natural wonders”… which, spoiler alert, is not natural at all — but it is absolutely wonderful.
But that’s not all… We also dive into This Week in MN History, another round of Boomtimes, and the festive (and slightly dangerous?) world of Hanukkah gambling traditions,  from dreidels to chocolate coins to the high-stakes art of family bragging rights.
Still nursing a turkey hangover? Not anymore. Shake it off and jump into the holiday season with us on this episode of This Must Be The Place.
Questions or comments? Reach us at:
📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889

Ep 41: A litany of Fv$k Ups. History of Rondo and I-94

This week we dive deep into the history of Saint Paul’s legendary Rondo neighborhood — once the heart of the city’s Black community, full of thriving businesses, churches, and culture — and how the construction of I-94 tore through it, displacing hundreds of families and reshaping Saint Paul forever.
We talk legacy, loss, and what it means for how we build (and rebuild) our cities today. Plus, another installment of This Week in Minnesota History, and of course BooMTiMeS as we keep it coming from the land of 10000 lakes.
Tune in, learn something new, and see your city with fresh eyes.
 
https://rcodemn.org/
https://www.tpt.org/interstate-94-a-history-and-its-impact/video/tpt-co-productions-interstate-94-history-and-its-impact/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyixQ8l0_18
 
Questions or comments? Reach us at:
📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889
00:00 Intro (CASEY Messes up sound again until 13min)
01:00 Andrew’s Welcome
06:30 Math is hard
09:30 Neighborhood Watch - Rondo
10:20 Neighborhood watch is a feel
13:15 The sound finally is fixed
13:30 A litany of fuck ups (the story of Rondo)
15:05 History of Rondo
16:50 Great Quote about Rondo
17:30 Minnesotas Black WallStreet (I-94)
25:16 George Herold
28:05 Rondo public resources and archives
30:50 Reconnecting Rondo - ReThinking I-94
34:00 Possible unintended consequences
36:22 KTCA Documentary on Rondo
38:00 Rondo Days
40:02 This Week In Minnesota History
40:25 Winona Ryder, Volsted Act, Calvin Griffith
46:10 Jon Grunseth
49:02 BooMTiMeS
54:44 Play the music
 

Ep:40 A conversation with Kaohly Her and her improbable run for Saint Paul Mayor

This week on the pod: Kaohly Her shares the deeply personal story behind her decision to run for Mayor of Saint Paul, a campaign sparked by the tragic murder of her close friend and colleague, Melissa Hortman.
In this wide-ranging and emotional conversation, she talks about her journey from escaping Laos after the Secret War to becoming a state representative who’s authored and passed major legislation.
Kaohly opens up about how her refugee experience shaped her values, her commitment to public service, and her vision for a Saint Paul that’s experiential, inclusive, and open for business.
We cover it all, from laughs to tears and everything in between, plus a few detours through BoomTimes, the NBA, The Chair Company, Community Ed, Hmong Village, and the glory days of tube televisions.
Don’t miss this honest and inspiring look at leadership, resilience, and the future of Saint Paul.
https://www.kaohlyforstp.com
Questions or comments? Reach us at:
📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889
 
00:00 Intro and how Casey messed up audio for the first 9 minutes
01:33 Theme Song
02:17 Kaohly Her - income as a litmus test for politics
06:24 Introducing Representative Her
08:15 Kaohly’s origin story
09:00 FIXED AUDIO - politics is a privilege
10:30 how public schools shaped political future
12:09 RIsk Taker 13:10 What is a Fourteener?
15:30 Hiking a mountain as a life metaphor
16:15 Background as a refugee
19:45 Liberation is tied to one another
21:53 Is Saint Paul Stalled out?
22:38 How do we “unstick”?
26:15 “Either Or” politics.
27:20 St. Paul as a city ready to do business.
29:00 providing needed resources thru snowballing
32:00 how do you get investment in downtown Saint Paul?
35:30 Plan for experiential downtown
37:30 balancing social services with public safety
42:00 Showing up for collaborative work
44:00 Collaborating with School Board
48:45 Dealing with immigration and federal policies around ICE
51:15 Our Police protecting Our residents
54:40 Underdog Story
59:10 Mellisa Hortman’s Murder and why Kaohly is running
01:02:15 Better outcomes thru competition
01:03:40 No Excuses Leading thru Covid, George Floyd and Trumpism
01:08:30 kaohlyforstp.com
01:10:10n BooMTiMeS
01:11:20 Kaohly owns a tube TV with rabbit ears
01:11:51 Live Action with Orchestra “Avatar”
01:12:25 Shohei Ohtani
01:15:10 St Paul Community Ed Hmong Village and Hmong Museum
01:17:55 The Chair Company
01:18:45 The NBA is BACK.
01:20:06 Outro

EP: 39 Minneapolis Needs Real Leadership — Dr. DeWayne Davis Isn’t Afraid to Say Why

This week we sat down with Dr. DeWayne Davis, and let me tell you — this one goes deep. We talk about everything from his upbringing and early influences to how those experiences shaped his worldview and his vision for the future of Minneapolis.
Dr. Davis has lived a life. From his personal journey through faith and identity to his work as a pastor and community leader, his story connects the dots between the personal and the political in a way that’s rare and real.
This isn’t a campaign stump speech — it’s a raw, thoughtful conversation about what leadership actually looks like, how cities change, and what it takes to build something better.
If you care about Minneapolis, or just love hearing smart people wrestle with big ideas, this is your episode. Tune in, drop a comment, and tell us what hit you the hardest.
 
Questions or comments?
Reach us at:📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889 00:00
Intro - a conversation with DeWayne Davis
01:15 DeWayne Davis
02:11 This is DeWayne’s Life
07:10 “Preaching” in the age of social media
07:50 History of engagement thru Sermons as trusted viewpoint
13:10 “Living where People Live”
19:11 Political Capital to invest in Minneapolis
24:40 Gnats vs Mosquitos
25:30 Going up against “The Frey Machine”
26:00 Growing up in Mississippi and a history of American Violence
31:40 Good faith conversations even when you disagree.
33:40 Joe Biden’d debate as the catalyst for running for mayor
36:40 how do you pay for your agenda?
41:10 The idea of false choice
42:35 Rent Control and History of housing
48:00 Expanding the conversation
50:00 Property tax and lack of imagination
52:00 The “WE” in solutions
53:40 Thoughts on MPD
01:04:30 Reallocation and Prioritization in current federal climate.
01:06:06 Accountability and Transparency thru information.
01:10:10 MPLS Public Schools and the idea of 3rd spaces
01:20:30 BooMTiMeS King of Ashes
01:22:04 Backlash Presidents
01:23:40 Agnes Obel and FleetWood Mac Rumors documentary
01:25:55 RIP D’Angelo 01:29:00 VOTE Nov. 4th

Dirty Casey, PowderHorn Park, Mayoral Previews and Tunnels for George Floyd

This week’s episode takes a deep dive into Powderhorn Park in South Minneapolis. We explore the neighborhood’s unique vibe, culture, art, politics, and architecture—unpacking what makes it one of Minneapolis’s most vibrant and beloved communities.
 
Shout to the homie Sascha on his upcoming documentary about PowderHorn Park (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8h9hUnWL4Y)
 
Plus, we share a sneak peek at two exciting upcoming guests: the candidates running for mayor in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, respectively.  If you have questions for either comment, email us below. 
 
Questions or comments? Reach us at:
📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889
 
00:00 Intro
01:10 Andrew's Welcome (Next and the "boner song")
02:55 I'm a dirty Casey
06:30 Upcoming Guest Preview
06:55 Kaohly Her (St Paul Mayoral Candidate)
10:30 Dr. DeWayne Davis (MPLS Mayoral Candidate)
15:12 Send in your Questions
16:00 Neighborhood Watch - PowderHorn Park
18:47 Upcoming Powderhorn Park documentary
19:30 The feel of Powderhorn
24:30 Housing stats
26:30 The park itself
30:45 PowderHorn Art Fair
33:08 George Floyd Square
38:10 May Day Parade
40:30 Porchfest
42:10 Pillsbury House and Theater
43:30 Places we dig (food and other)
45:30 This Week In MN History
47:40 BooMTiMeS - One Battle after another, Weapons, Andrew's TV Picks
55:40 Roll The Music

Ep 37. Loring Park, Habitat 4 Humanity and White People Music.

This week’s episode takes us to Loring Park—one of downtown Minneapolis’ most vibrant neighborhoods, a safe haven for the LGBTQ community, and the epicenter of Twin Cities Pride.
We dive deep into Andrew’s love–hate relationship with “white people music,” then shift gears to talk about Habitat for Humanity and what it was like helping build their new community, The Heights, on Saint Paul’s East Side.
And of course, we wrap things up with a little BoomTimes, where Andrew scoffs at The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity: www.tchabitat.org
Questions or comments?Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.comVoicemail: 612.234.1889

Ep: 36 Is the Housing Market Crashing?!! plus the 25th anniversary of the Greenway

Is the Twin Cities housing market crashing? Short answer: NO. Don’t buy into the hype from national headlines. Florida and Texas may be skewing the data, but what’s happening here in the Twin Cities is a completely different story.
 
We break down why our market is still strong—covering everything from our diverse economy, top-rated schools, and unbeatable quality of life, to the persistent lack of housing inventory. Spoiler: it’s definitely not a buyer’s market, and nowhere close to collapsing.
Plus, we take a ride down the iconic Midtown Greenway—one of the nation’s premier bike trails. From Bde Maka Ska to the Mississippi, we explore the history, charm, and current state of this world-class pathway that makes other cities jealous.
And of course… BooMTiMeS and plenty more along the way.
Questions or comments?
Reach us at:
📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889

Ep: 35 Friends of the Pod, Lex-Ham neighborhood and Summit Ave Regional Trail

This week we dive into a true Minnesota classic: tater tot hotdish 🥘✨. We’re calling on YOU to send us your best recipes—because we’re cooking them up, taste-testing, and rating them live on the pod!
Plus: 🚲 The latest on Saint Paul’s Summit Ave regional trail bike lane project
🏡 Spotlight on the Lexington-Hamline neighborhood
🙌 Shoutouts galore to our friends of the pod
 
Hit play, join the conversation, and don’t forget to drop your hotdish recipe in the comments!
Questions or comments?
Reach us at:📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889
 
00:00 Welcome
00:40 Intro
02:30 Tater tot hotdish – an exploration
08:20 Listener hotdish recipe submissions
09:20 Shoutout Lynette
10:00 The People’s Realtors
13:10 Restaurant etiquette
16:37 Andrew is not going camping
20:45 Neighborhood Watch – Lex Ham
23:20 Romantic community feel
24:00 Old houses
26:24 Lex-Ham stats
28:30 Macalester College – Diversity vs. Internationalism
32:00 Local housing supply vs. National trends
33:20 Mario Kart as life
34:14 SART Summit Ave Regional Trail
41:00 Saint Paul is amazing (and backwards)
47:11 Until next week

We Went to Taylor’s Falls (In Our Minds) and Got Completely Sidetracked

This week we figuratively hit the road to Taylor’s Falls — one of Minnesota’s best-kept summer secrets.
We cover everything from hiking Interstate State Park to wandering the mind-bending Franconia Sculpture Park, putting way too seriously at mini golf, eating at a drive-in literally called The Drive In, and even debating the ethics (and weird joy) of deer petting zoos.
We’re also joined by A-Man for Boomtimes, get into some actually good new TV shows, settle the score on Top 5 MCs vs. Desert Island Catalogues, and wander off-topic more times than we care to count.
Questions or comments? Reach us at:
📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889
00:00 Intro
01:02 Feeling Minnesota
02:35 Chris Cornell or Kelly Oubre
03:15 Temple of the Dog
04:29 When did we stop cheering for Robin Hood?
05:54 TAYLORS FALLS
06:16 Andrew’s Computer is broken again.
09:15 Jillian Messes up
10:00 Interstate State Park (rules of camping)
12:04 The last time Casey Camped
14:50 Potholes of Interstate Park
18:45 Taylor’s Falls (the sights and eats)
19:10 The Drive-In
20:32 Adventure Falls Mini Golf
22:30 Antique and Crystal Stores
23:20 The Falls themselves 26:18 Fawn Doe Rosa
28:15 Franconia Sculpture Garden
29:45 The Drive to Taylor’s Falls
30:30 First Annual TMBTP Day Trip
31:49 BooMTiMeS with A-man
35:00 Stick
37:00 Cars - Top 5 Pixar Movies
38:32 Hit Makers (The Music Love Island)
41:15 Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist Alfredo 2
42:20 Erykah Badu at the Fillmore
43:30 Supreme Clientele
44:09 Top 5 Mcs the New list
45:06 A-man’s Top 5
45:30 Longevity at a high level vs. Apex
47:15 Window’s of Excellence
49:20 Top 5 vs Desert Island?
51:00 Andre 3000 hot flute take
52:15 Renaming Edmund Blvd
54:20 New Breakfast Burrito spot

The Witches: Prospect Park, The Witch’s Hat & Sandwich Wars

This week, we spin a tall (and mostly true) tale about one of Minneapolis’ quirkiest and most beloved neighborhoods: Prospect Park—a place born from a whispering hill, a lost organist, and a water tower with a taste for the stars. It’s the kind of story that feels like a dream and smells faintly of river fog and optimism. Think Vonnegut, but with more zoning questions.
We explore how Prospect Park came to be (and nearly floated away), why its streets curl like old-timey mustaches, and what it means to build a neighborhood on eccentricity, hope, and light rail proximity.
Oh—and because we’re professionals—we conduct a hard-hitting sandwich showdown between two Twin Cities icons: 🥖 Lu’s legendary Banh Mi vs 🐖 The Iron Ranger’s molten hot Porchetta. One is crispy, punchy, and herb-forward. The other is a meaty fever dream. Only one can reign supreme.
 
Come for the history, stay for the sandwiches, and maybe you’ll hear the faint echo of an organ on Tower Hill… 🔔 Like, subscribe, and tell your neighbor who still calls it “Southeast” to tune in.
#ProspectParkMPLS #TwinCitiesPodcast #BanhMiVsPorchetta #ThisMustBeThePlace
Questions or comments? Reach us at:📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889
00:00 Intro
00: 29 This week Lu’s Bahn Mi and The Iron Ranger’s Porchetta
04:04 First Bites
07:42 BoomTimes
07:53 The Big Lebowski
10:00 RIP Malcolm Jamal Warner
14:15 Shout out Sy Smith
17:13 South Park VS Trump
18:30 Neighborhood Watch (Prospect Park)
20:51 Where it is
23:08 The History of the best kept secret for Mechanics in the city.
28:00 Stats and diversity in people, architecture and prices
34:40 Malcom Yards
36:54 Prospect Park A STORY
42:00 A little bit of Real Estate
46:52 Outro