Best Lena Olson Podcasts (2025)

1
The Murder of Ruth Munson w/ Roger Barr 1:24:57

9M ago1:24:57

1:24:57

One of Minnesota's most fascinating unsolved murder cases began on the morning of December 9, 1937, when firefighters discovered the charred body of 31-year-old Ruth Munson in an abandoned Saint Paul hotel. As the investigation deepened, evidence would surface that suggested that Ruth had lived a very secret life. My guest, Roger Barr, is the autho…

1
The 1916 Iron Ore Strike w/ Gary Kaunonen 1:35:24

1y ago1:35:24

1:35:24

On June 2, 1916, forty mostly immigrant mineworkers at the St. James Mine in Aurora, Minnesota, walked off the job. This seemingly small labor disturbance would mushroom into one of the region’s, if not the nation’s, most contentious and significant battles between organized labor and management in the early twentieth century. My guest, Gary Kaunoe…

1
The Scandalous Rise & Stunning Fall of Minneapolis' Metropolitan Building w/ Larry Millett 1:08:45

1y ago1:08:45

1:08:45

My guest is prolific author Larry Millett. His knowledge of Twin Cities architecture and history is unequalled in Minnesota, and he has used his knowledge to write some of the best local history books in the last thirty years. We initially discuss downtown Minneapolis' lost crown jewel, the spectacular Northwestern Guaranty Loan Building (which wou…

1
Camilla Hall & the SLA w/ Rachael Hanel 53:37

1+ y ago53:37

53:37

It was a question asked by many Minnesotans in 1974, including her parents. How could Camilla Hall, the sweet and caring daughter of a small-town Lutheran pastor, become a member of the radical Symbionese Liberation Army? The abductors of Patty Hearst? The gun-toting militants who would end up battling police to death in Los Angeles? My guest is aw…

1
The Duluth Murder of Lena Olson w/ Jeffrey Sauve 1:12:59

2y ago1:12:59

1:12:59

In August of 1894, a young woman was found brutally murdered on a sand dune at Minnesota Point in Duluth. Over the next two years both Duluth and Minneapolis detectives would hunt for her killer across the country, until finally finding him in the Pacific Northwest. My guest is Jeffrey Sauve, author of "Murder at Minnesota Point". He shares details…

1
The Storied (& Unsavory) History of Minnehaha Falls w/ Karen E. Cooper 1:18:10

2+ y ago1:18:10

1:18:10

Since the mid-19th century one of the great tourist destinations in Minnesota has been Minnehaha Falls. Already known for its beauty, its fame intensified when Henry Wadsworth Longfellow immortalized it in his poem "The Song of Hiawatha". But Minnehaha Falls has had a dark side as well. In the late 19th century it became a place synonymous with dru…

1
Minnesota Caves & Tunnels w/ Greg Brick 1:39:40

3y ago1:39:40

1:39:40

Have you ever wondered whether Pig's Eye Parrant's notorious Fountain Cave saloon is accessible to visitors? Was there really a tunnel between Nina Clifford's brothel and the original Minnesota Club? Did Jesse and Frank James hide out in any Minnesota caves before or after their botched Northfield bank raid in 1876? What really exists under downtow…

1
The Assassination of Hole in the Day w/ Anton Treuer 52:49

3y ago52:49

52:49

On June 27, 1868, Hole in the Day (Bagonegiizhig) the Younger left Crow Wing, Minnesota, for Washington, DC, to fight the planned removal of the Mississippi Ojibwe to a reservation at White Earth. Several miles from his home, the self-styled leader of all the Ojibwe was stopped by at least twelve Ojibwe men and fatally shot. Hole in the Day's death…

1
Ryan Rowley: From Army Ranger to Real Estate 57:29

3y ago57:29

57:29

Father Matthew Young talks with Ryan Rowley, a real estate agent in Newport, Kentucky, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq in the Army's 1st Ranger Battalion and how that has effected his life and how embracing his own struggles is helping others.

1
Lena Hill: What Kindness, Compassion, Please, and Thank You Can Do 43:15

3y ago43:15

43:15

Fr. Matthew Young joins recently retired 911 operator and dispatcher Lena Hill who organized and maintains and electronic group of about 6,000 people solely for the purpose of connecting people who have a need with what they need.

1
Matt Olson: A Sliver of Hope Saved My Life 1:10:42

3+ y ago1:10:42

1:10:42

A recently retired 31 year fire service veteran, Matt Olson, speaks with Fr. Matthew Young about managing and overcoming adversity caused by his mother's suicide, being sexually abused by a priest and no one believing him, job related trauma and stress, alcoholism, and suicidal ideation.

1
Joe Bowman: How Ticks Saved My Life 58:55

3+ y ago58:55

58:55

Fr. Matthew Young talks with Battalion Chief Joe Bowman of the Covington Kentucky Fire Department. We talk about how he pursued fire engines as a kid on his big wheel, growing up without a positive father figure, serving in Iraq in the US Army, leadership, carrying around pain, the toughest Fire and EMS runs, the changing landscape of the fire serv…

1
The 1894 Murder of Kitty Ging w/ Shawn Francis Peters 1:22:43

3+ y ago1:22:43

1:22:43

On December 3rd, 1894, a dressmaker named Catherine "Kitty" Ging was found shot to death on a snowy Lake Calhoun road in Minneapolis. Police patched together clues and evidence, which ultimately led them to the front door of a charming, scheming scoundrel named Harry Hayward. My guest is Shawn Francis Peters, author of "The Infamous Harry Hayward: …

1
Brandon Gray: Heroin Under the Mattress 1:00:22

3+ y ago1:00:22

1:00:22

Fr. Matthew Young talks with Firefighter/EMT Brandon Gray. A career firefighter with Independence KY Fire Protection District, Brandon is also a singer/songwriter. Brandon performs three of his original songs. We discuss being a follower of Jesus, faith, heroin overdoses, traumatic incidents, managing stress, adoption a child, racism, and resurrect…

1
Special Edition: Tornadoes in Western Kentucky 37:32

3+ y ago37:32

37:32

In this special episode, Fr. Matthew Young talks with Steve "Bubba" Hendley who has served the people of Western Kentucky in law enforcement for over 40 years. After being hunkered down with his wife and holding on for dear life in Mayfield, KY with an F3 tornado outside, Steve reports on the loss of life and property there, current relief efforts,…

1
Chris and Kelly Hall: As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us 59:49

3+ y ago59:49

59:49

In Episode 4, Fr. Matthew Young sits down with Chris and Kelly Hall. In October 2021, Chris, a sheriff's deputy in Boone County, Kentucky, had his life flash before his eyes when he was intentionally struck by an oncoming fleeing vehicle that left him injured in the roadway. He and his wife Kelly discuss that experience along with its effects on th…

1
Audrey Owczarzak: All Around Badass 1:12:58

3+ y ago1:12:58

1:12:58

In Episode 3, Fr. Matthew Young sits down with Audrey Owczarzak and discusses what it was like for her growing up in poverty, her time deployed to Iraq as a United States Marine, being one of 5% of career firefighters who are women, how she has people in the City of Newport Kentucky and beyond to raise and distribute charitably over $120,000 in goo…

1
Jo Terry: PTSD And My Husband's Suicide 44:40

3+ y ago44:40

44:40

In this heartbreaking and inspiring episode, Fr. Matthew Young sits down with Jo Terry. In 2017, after a storied and heroic career as a firefighter, Jo's husband Chip violently shot and killed himself, shocking his wife, family, friends, and coworkers. Jo tells her story honestly and openly including how she's determined to help save the lives of o…

1
Terry Foster, RN: Service, Comedy, and Care 1:03:45

3+ y ago1:03:45

1:03:45

Fr. Matthew Young sits down with Terry Foster, a registered nurse for over four decades and talk about service to and with others, compassion, what is was like to be at the Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire in May 1977, COVID-19, and how being a follower of Jesus impacts his work and life. Terry is quite the comedian and so be prepared to laugh as wel…

1
Saint Paul Memories & Murder w/ David Butwin 53:22

4y ago53:22

53:22

The upscale Highland Park neighborhood in Saint Paul in the late 1940s was a fun place to grow up in. But there was a dark side to the area as well. A trio of gruesome murders of young women happened in a fifteen month period, which shocked the respectable community. The most memorable for the author was the 1948 murder of seventeen-year-old Gerald…

1
The Wabasha Street Caves w/ Deborah Frethem 59:27

4+ y ago59:27

59:27

On this episode, I get a little more informal than usual, as I chat with Deborah Frethem, long time tour guide at the Wabasha Street Caves (the old Castle Royale Nightclub). We swap tour guide and ghost stories, in honor of the sad, recent closing of the Caves. Deborah, along with Cynthia Schreiner Smith, are co-authors of a book called "Alvin Karp…

1
Grand Rapids' Ruby Slippers Heist w/ Rob Feeney 1:13:50

4+ y ago1:13:50

1:13:50

My guest, Rob Feeney, suddenly found himself the middle of one of the most fascinating criminal investigations in Minnesota history - the theft of one of the famous pairs of Ruby Slippers, worn by Minnesota native Judy Garland in the classic film The Wizard of Oz, out of a Grand Rapids museum in 2005. Rob talks about the historical significance of …

1
The Murder of Thomas Tollefson w/ Beverly J. Porter 47:59

4+ y ago47:59

47:59

In the summer of 1887, Thomas Tollefson was shot to death as he operated his mule-drawn streetcar in the Cedar Avenue-Lake Street neighborhood of Minneapolis. Police settled on two brothers as the murderers - members of a family that ran a notorious saloon nearby called The Hub of Hell. My guest is Beverly J. Porter, author of "The Hub of Hell: A T…

1
Bonus Episode: Quarantine Edition 57:06

5y ago57:06

57:06

Lena and Katie catch up in quarantine covering which rom coms are helping them cope, how they're staying busy, and why TV and movies are extra important right now. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
Old Minneapolis's Infamous Skid Row w/ James Eli Shiffer 43:59

5y ago43:59

43:59

Before the early 1960s, when much of Minneapolis was razed to make way for ugly parking ramps and office buildings, another world existed. Decrepit 19th century buildings in an area of downtown called Skid Row housed lowbrow bars and flophouses, and a man named John "Johnny Rex" Bacich, owner of the Sourdough Bar, reigned supreme over a gaggle of b…

1
The 1972 Virginia Piper Kidnapping w/ William Swanson 1:03:34

5y ago1:03:34

1:03:34

The F.B.I. refers to the 1972 Virginia Piper kidnapping as the most successful kidnapping in American history. In July of that year, Virginia Piper, socialite wife of Bobby Piper, the CEO of Piper, Jaffray and Hopwood, was abducted from her home, taken to Jay Cooke State Park near Duluth, and tied to a tree. The ransom demand was one million dollar…

1
Valentine's Day with Miraya Berke 1:00:04

5+ y ago1:00:04

1:00:04

Katie and Lena are joined by founder of the Rom Com Fest, Miraya Berke, to wrap up the season with Valentine's Day! They chat about high school sweethearts, Valentine's Day celebrations and the 36 questions to fall in love. Find Miraya Berke on twitter: @mirayaberke Follow Rom Com Fest on twitter: @romcomfestival and instagram: @romcomfest You can …

1
Groundhog Day with Adam Dubowsky 1:04:31

5+ y ago1:04:31

1:04:31

Lena and Katie are joined by guest Adam Dubowsky to relive the great rom-com Groundhog Day. Even though they hate small talk with people from high school, they chat about what they'd do in Purgatory, weather as a metaphor and the powerful music of Coldplay. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
Last Holiday with Taneka Stotts 1:08:50

5+ y ago1:08:50

1:08:50

Lena and Katie are joined by Taneka Stotts (Steven Universe) to rewatch Queen Latifah's Last Holiday. They cover graceful poop jokes, the trouble with health insurance, and the most epic snowboard chase of all time. You can find Taneka on Twitter: @TanekaStotts Check out her work at: https://tanekastotts.com/ and http://lovecircuits.com/ Support th…

1
The Holiday Calendar with Christina Lee 49:43

5+ y ago49:43

49:43

Katie and Lena are joined with guest Christina Lee to chat about the Netflix Original "The Holiday Calendar." This week they cover NYE toasts, celebrity kid stars, and travel bloggers. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
The Knight Before Christmas 54:01

5+ y ago54:01

54:01

Katie and Lena catch up with each other while discussing Netflix original, The Knight Before Christmas. They talk about switcheroo movies, Lady Alexa Play and their personal quests in life. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
The Life & Death of Minnesota's Colorful Nellie King w/ Jerry Kuntz - A True Crime History Podcast 50:25

5+ y ago50:25

50:25

My guest is Jerry Kuntz, author of "Minnesota's Notorious Nellie King: Wild Woman of the Closed Frontier". He tells the story of a larger-than-life and beautiful young con-artist, pretend detective, singer and cross-dresser, who lights up Twin Cities papers with her outrageous exploits. He also explains how he was able to track down her elusive pas…

1
Last Christmas with Tara Hernandez 59:21

5+ y ago59:21

59:21

Katie and Lena are joined by Tara Hernandez (Young Sheldon) for Paul Feig's newest movie Last Christmas. They could teach a college course on the movie but instead talk adult illness, immigration and the Casper Test. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
Let It Snow with Erin Byrne Siskind 1:00:48

5+ y ago1:00:48

1:00:48

Happy New Year! We’re keeping the holiday spirit going with Let It Snow. Katie and Lena chat with guest Erin Byrne Siskind about a town with no parents, apology pigs and the Netflix Cinematic Universe. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
Love Actually with Vick Ravindran 1:12:54

5+ y ago1:12:54

1:12:54

Merry Christmas from Lena and Katie who are joined by guest Vick Ravindran to talk about holiday favorite Love Actually! Katie can’t get her head out of the gutter, Lena perfects her Alan Rickman impression, and Vick offers hope for Karl and Sarah in the sequel of our dreams. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
The Family Stone with Leah Pablo 1:05:04

5+ y ago1:05:04

1:05:04

Lena and Katie are joined by guest Leah Pablo to chat about The Family Stone. This week they get sidetracked when Katie breaks a coffee table, they gush about Young & Hungry and swiping right on real life. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
The 1912 Alice Matthews Murder Case Part Two 34:57

5+ y ago34:57

34:57

In this second part of the 1912 Alice Matthews Murder case, a serious suspect finally emerges, a young man named Alfred Driskell, but it takes four confessions for the police to finally him seriously. And throughout his journey to convince authorities of his guilt, many questions arise as to Driskell's sanity. Become a Most Notorious patron at: www…

1
Holiday in Handcuffs with Ruby Kostur 1:02:23

5+ y ago1:02:23

1:02:23

Strap in for a wild ride on Holiday in Handcuffs! Lena and Katie are joined by guest Ruby Kostur (Vanderpumped Podcast) to discuss Clint Eastwood, generational wealth, and plenty of shenanigans in this ABC Family classic. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
The Holiday with Nina Concepcion 1:08:25

5+ y ago1:08:25

1:08:25

Lena and Katie talk about one of their favorites, The Holiday, with guest Nina Concepcion (Schmotts). They go over their unconventional celeb crushes, Nancy Meyers' kitchens, and unrequited love. Check out Nina's comedy series Schmotts here: https://www.schmotts.com/ Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
The 1912 Alice Matthews Murder Case Part One 39:51

5+ y ago39:51

39:51

In March of 1912, a brutal murder of a young woman just off of Cedar Avenue rocked the city of Minneapolis. In part one of this episode, I narrate the story of the initial investigation of the slaying of Alice Matthews, just feet from her front door. Become a Most Notorious patron at: www.patreon.com/mostnotorious Learn more about your ad choices. …

1
While You Were Sleeping with Stephanie Maxwell LaRue 1:06:14

5+ y ago1:06:14

1:06:14

'Tis the season for holiday romcoms! Lena and Katie kick off the holidays with While You Were Sleeping. They lay out their opinions on love at first sight, being the awkward romcom lead in high school, and switching gender roles in movies with guest Stephanie Maxwell LaRue. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
The Mysterious 1951 Minneapolis Disappearance of the Klein Brothers w/ Jack El-Hai - A True Crime History Podcast 36:55

5+ y ago36:55

36:55

On this new episode of Minnesota's Most Notorious: Where Blood Runs Cold, I speak with author Jack El-Hai about his book, "The Lost Brothers: A Family's Decades-Long Search". In it, he explores the mysterious disappearance of three little brothers in a Minneapolis park in November of 1951. While the police would consider it a drowning, their parent…

1
Minnesota 1918: Fire, Flu and War w/ Curt Brown 52:51

5+ y ago52:51

52:51

The year 1918 goes down as probably the most horrific in Minnesota history. A flu epidemic, a world war and the deadliest fire in the state's history all hit within months of each other, and often the resulting tragedies overlapped for suffering families. My guest is Curt Brown, author of "Minnesota 1918: When Flu, Fire & War Ravaged the State". He…

1
10 Things I Hate About You with Whitney Ralls 1:06:27

5+ y ago1:06:27

1:06:27

In their final episode of the season, Lena and Katie get into a fave: 10 Things I Hate About You. With guest Whitney Ralls, they discuss the film's portrayal of femininity, forgiving Heath Ledger, and their fave quotable moments. We'll be back with season two soon!! Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
Say Anything with Charlie Mihelich 1:03:48

5+ y ago1:03:48

1:03:48

Lena and Katie watch John Cusack classic Say Anything for the first time. With guest Charlie Mihelich they chat about undefined relationships, misleading iconic moments, and prom-posals. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
The Wedding Banquet with James Sweeney 57:52

5+ y ago57:52

57:52

Lena and Katie discuss Ang Lee's 1993 feature "The Wedding Banquet" with guest James Sweeney ("Straight Up"). The trio tackles correct pronunciations, queer cinema, and family drama in the kitchen. Be sure to check out James' romcom "Straight Up" in theaters spring of 2020! Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
Forgetting Sarah Marshall with Conner McCabe 1:02:53

5+ y ago1:02:53

1:02:53

Lena and Katie reconnect with guest “Champagne Guy” aka Conner McCabe to discuss Forgetting Sarah Marshall. This week they cover refreshing male nudity, love buddies, and Katie and Conner’s real life meet cute. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
Minneapolis Madams with Penny A. Petersen - A True Crime History Podcast 1:22:08

5+ y ago1:22:08

1:22:08

While most of us know that prostitution existed in Minneapolis in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fewer of us know where the red-light districts were, and what life would have been like for the madams and prostitutes who worked in these bordellos. My guest is Penny A. Petersen, author of Minneapolis Madams: The Lost History of Prostitution …

1
Never Been Kissed with Rachel Chapman 1:00:05

5+ y ago1:00:05

1:00:05

Lena and Katie lean in to the Drew Barrymore fave Never Been Kissed with guest Rachel Chapman ("You've Got Hanks" podcast). They give lip service to high school memories, crushing vs. crunching, and maybe the Ryans Gosling and Lochte drop by... Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

1
She's the Man with Jillian Davis 59:27

5+ y ago59:27

59:27

Hold onto your stick-on sideburns ‘cause Lena and Katie are back with Amanda Bynes’ classic She’s the Man with guest, Jillian Davis (The Pemberley Podcast). This week they talk gender norms, soccer gymnastics, and of course debutant balls. Support the showBy Lena Olson and Katie Chilson

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Lena Olson Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide