This Must Be The Place

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

Ep: 33 Everything is Prettier in Whittier: Art, Acronyms & A-holes

This week on This Must Be The Place, we dig into all things Whittier — the Minneapolis neighborhood that somehow manages to be both the birthplace of the city’s arts scene and the epicenter of mysterious acronyms. MIA, MCAD, CTC... we cover the ones you’ve heard of and make up a few more just for fun.
We also confront an uncomfortable historical truth: pretty much every revered institution from the 19th and 20th century has a sleazy white guy somewhere in the background. Neat! Andrew pitches alternative names for the Juicy Lucy while attempting to bridge the gender gap in American bar food.
Trivia is played, boom times are analyzed, and Casey tells the story of how he nearly lost his nieces and nephews in a shark attack,, and more.
Join us — for art, burgers, light trauma, and a bit of Whittier history.
Questions or comments? Reach us at:📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889
00:00 We Begin
00:45 ANDY INTRO
02:18 JUICY LUCY ALTERNATIVES
02:42 Neighborhood Watch Whittier
03:15 Slick Nick or Damp Mallory?
05:52 Burger Bitch and other truths
06:30 What’s in a trend?
08:30 New Sylvie-isms
09:25 Whittier
10:40 Boundaries, Borders and Stats
19:04 MCAD Minneapolis College of Art and Design)
25:30 Arts and counter culture politics
30:12 MIA (Minneapolis Institute of Art)
30:33 GIANTS exhibit
33:46 artists?
35:25 Oldest piece of art in MIA
35:55 late 1800s The Birth of Art in Minnesota
36:40 Creepy Troubled Architect of MIA
44:49 Children’s Theater (smoothest transition ever)
46:38 Whittier Triva
52:19 BoomTimes
53:15 THE WIRE
58:24 Savannah Georgia
01:03:52 Shark Attacks

Austin Hollins: From Gophers to Global Hoops & Beats

🏀🎶 This Must Be The Place is back! After a short break, top Twin Cities Realtors Casey Golden and Andrew Shields sit down with Austin Hollins — pro basketball player, musician, and former Gopher standout.
We dive into:
✔️ Life overseas playing pro ball
✔️ Austin’s passion for music and what’s next
✔️ Growing up in Memphis & choosing Minnesota
✔️ Favorite spots to eat, play, and chill in MN & Europe
✔️ Coaching dreams and life after basketball
Whether you're a Gophers fan, music lover, or just curious about life in the Twin Cities — this episode’s got something for you!
📍 Subscribe for more Twin Cities stories, culture, and real estate insights. #ThisMustBeThePlace #TwinCitiesPodcast #AustinHollins #Gophers #MNRealEstate #BasketballLife #LifeAbroad #Minneapolis #SaintPaul #TwinCitiesLiving
Questions or comments? Reach us at:
📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889
 
00:00 Lebron for KAT
01:38 Intro
02:02 Austin Hollins
04:27 Izmir Turkey
05:30 Casey Izmir Dog
10:41 Best Places Austin Played in Europe
13:45 Serbian Basketball Culture is nuts
21:00 Austin’s Favorite Airlines here and abroad
29:45 Coaching Career?
33:20 Andy’s take on Achilles injuries
37:48 IN defense of Joel Embiid
41:00 “PREACH” aka Austin Hollins talks about his new album
45:00 Austin’s food takes from around the world
50:50 French Food Sucks
55:45 Macalester Protest culture
56:30 Twin Cities food favorites
01:00:59 Austin as Billy Joel
01:01:10 Play the Music

Ep:31. Don't Sleep on Eat Street and a note on Escalation Clauses

Welcome to This Must Be The Place, the Twin Cities podcast hosted by top Minneapolis–Saint Paul Realtors Andrew Shields and Casey Golden. We spotlight the people, neighborhoods, and real estate that make the Twin Cities a great place to live.
On this week's episode we spend 30 minutes on 4 blocks of S. Minneapolis's Nicollet Ave, otherwise known as "Eat Street". Join us for our favorite spots to eat and an homage to Cheapo Records. We also dig into escalation clauses to let you know why and when to use them in your home purchasing or selling journey. TLDR... Come Correct.
Questions or comments? Reach us at:
📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889
 
00:00 Intro
00:49. Casey Tries to do Andrews Job
02:40 Andrew’s Weekly Hello
04:26 A plea to Sven Sundgaard
06:24 Escalation Clauses: What is it?
08:54 Andrew doesn’t like them
11:15 Muddying the water
13:42 we are your agents
14:40 Mallrats
15:25 Kevin Smith - M. Knight Shyamalan
16:20 Andrew butchers a name
17:12 Contact Us!
18:21 Neighborhood Watch (EAT STREET)
19:55 Is it Eat Street?
21:23 Andrew gets romantic about Eat Street
23:40 Pimento Jamaican Kitchen
24:30 DJ Willie Shu
25:07 Shout out Yoni
26:17 Do our memories affect our taste?
27:47 Quang - Andrew kills another name
29:30 Lu’s Sandwiches
30:52 How Colonization effects food
32:19 Rainbow Chinese
33:28 Glam Doll Donuts
35:11 Black Forrest
36:51 Google Yourself
37:25 Little Tijuana
38:55 The Copper Hen
39:16 Jasmine 26
41:04 A Love letter to CHEAPO RECORDS
44:11 BooMTiMeS
45:12 Department Q
46:58 Fugees The Score and Radio K
49:34 More Mispronunciations of things
50:40 Artisan home tour in Saint Paul
51:45 We Out.
52:44 Glam Doll Donut Dance

Summit Hill Knows No Chill | Relocation? Yes Please.

Welcome to This Must Be The Place, the Twin Cities podcast hosted by top Minneapolis–Saint Paul Realtors Andrew Shields and Casey Golden. We spotlight the people, neighborhoods, and real estate that make the Twin Cities a great place to live.
🎙 In this episode: We explore Summit Hill, one of Saint Paul's most iconic neighborhoods, known for its historic architecture, tree-lined streets, and walkable charm. Whether you're into classic homes, local shopping, or the city's rich cultural history, Summit Hill offers something for everyone.
🏡 We also share why we've focused our real estate careers on relocation to the Twin Cities — and how helping people find community, whether they're moving from out of state or just across town, is what drives us.
🚨 Plus: – Casey laces up his running shoes
🏃‍♂️ – We talk YouTube sensation Simgee and the wild world of Boomtimes
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes about Twin Cities real estate, lifestyle, neighborhoods, and the people who call Minnesota home.
#TwinCities #SaintPaulRealEstate #SummitHill #MinneapolisPodcast #RelocationSpecialists #HistoricHomes #MinnesotaLife #RealtorPodcast
 
Questions or comments?
Reach us at: 📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com
📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889

EP 29 Love Letters to Sandwiches & Windom

Hosted by Twin Cities top Realtors Andrew Shields and Casey Golden, This Must Be The Place is the go-to podcast for anyone curious about People, Places and Properties that make the Twin Cities special. 
 
On This Episode we read a mailbag letter and explore the Windom neighborhood in Minneapolis and briefly touch on "Love Letters" and wether we love them or not.  We also talk Sandwiches and make plans to have a definitive "sandwich off" for all the local favored spots!  Plus BoomTimes, Zipper Merges and Rule by old folks.
 
00:00 Intro
00:47 Welcome
03:49 Ageism?
08:15 Reading PA
10:26 Listener Email
12:21  Neighborhood Watch - Windom
13:30 Windom Geography
14:41 St. Paul Bagelry
16:00 Why Windom? Stats and Feels
17:30 Architecture and History
18:45 History - Richfield?
19:52 Henry Bachman
22:45 More Stats about Home Sale and Prices - Windom
27:57 William Windom
28:48 Dan Patch Railroad
29:20 2 truths and a lie - William Windom
31:45 Attractions, Shops and Places to Eat.
33:29 S. Lyndale Liquors - SANDWHICES
40:27 Real Estate Question - Love Letters?
45:30 BooMTiMeS
47:45 MallRat
49:21 Matty Matheson (cookie somethin)
50:30 Handmaid’s Tale Finale
54:10 Citizen Dick
54:22 Zipper Merge
56:20 Outro
 
Questions or comments? Reach us at:📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889

Ep:28 Unedited interview with "Trouble Boys" author, Bob Mehr. The Replacements & Lowry East

Hosted by top Twin Cities Realtors Andrew Shields and Casey Golden, This Must Be The Place is your go-to podcast about the people, places, and properties that make the Twin Cities unique.
This week, we’re joined by Bob Mehr, acclaimed author of Trouble Boys—a definitive biography of Minneapolis legends, The Replacements. Hailed as one of the 100 greatest music books ever written, Trouble Boys dives deep into the band’s roots in South Minneapolis' Lowry East neighborhood. We explore their story and the neighborhood’s transformation in this episode.
Next week, we’re heading to the Windom neighborhood—stay tuned!
Questions or comments? Reach us at:📧 Email: thismustbetheplacepod@gmail.com📞 Voicemail: 612.234.1889