Recent content from Gail Rosenblum
Who inspires you? Readers reply with those who buoy us through tough times
Family members, friends and pets all step up to help.
Inspired Newsletter Intro
This week, we take you into the brutally competitive, dog-eat-dog world of "Shark Tank" where …. Oh, I'm kidding: We wouldn't take you there (even…
Problem Solvers: Pilot program allows approved Minnesota legal paraprofessionals to represent and advise clients
The two-year pilot aims to increase access to legal help in certain housing and family matters.
North Loop's Avivo Village offers shelters from the storm
Nearly one year after Avivo Village opened in the North Loop, one of its champions talks about its many successes.
After losing a baby, grieving moms donate breast milk to give other newborns the best chance at life
Donors to Minnesota Milk Bank find joy, and sometimes healing, in their gift
Retired Twin Cities executive coach challenges us to focus on 'purpose' this year
Rethinking resolutions: How about thinking more broadly this year?
Sisters age 5 and 6 ID'd as killed in house fire near Bemidji
The girls, ages 5 and 6, were visiting their grandmother while their mother was preparing for Christmas.
Minnesota men help others "man up" to cancer with support and friendship
Two Minnesota cancer survivors are among 18 members selected to promote the growing men's cancer support community
University of Minnesota students create nonprofit to donate unused medications to those who can't afford them
U start-up also cuts down on medical waste.
Photographer John Noltner continues his quest to find peace in America
To counter a growing divisiveness he witnessed as he traveled, he launched "A Peace of My Mind," a multiyear, multimedia arts project sharing stories of the courage and kindness of everyday people.
Richfield woman's handmade cards remind the grieving they aren't forgotten
Twenty-five years and hundreds of cards later, Mary Jane Steinhagen reminds us of the healing power of empathy.
University of Minnesota neuroscientist digs into research on how we can build back trust in institutions, each other
Iris Vilares has long been fascinated by social relationships, and she believes that at the core of all of them is trust. Or lack thereof.
Minnesota's SHIP promotes healthy eating for all our kids
Kristine Igo, director of the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership, shares ideas to ensure that all our kids grow up healthy.
Minneapolis author seeks understanding by studying 'unexamined bias'
Jessica Nordell's "The End of Bias" dives deep to help us transform ourselves and our world.
Brooklyn Park father of two shifts focus from golf course to classrooms, encouraging kids to be nice
Bryan Skavnak is founder of Be the Nice Kid, a business venture that engages students in storytelling and activities designed to build character, courage and compassion.
My Team Triumph is back on course for the Twin Cities 10k and 5k
Minnesota chapter founder and president Ben Delkoski shares more about the organization and why finishing isn't even the most thrilling part.
Bemidji-based Able To Vote is working to increase voter turnout in disability community
For Grace Gouker Littlefield, the 2021 election isn't just about the candidates. It's about who gets to vote for them. After about six years of…
For 20 years, Eden Prairie neighbors have remembered 9/11 with sweet tradition
More than $66,000 in donations later, the Olympic Hills 9/11 Lemonade Stand has become an annual fundraiser.
For chair of Cook County's Oral Health Task Force, dental health is overall health
Paul Nelson champions comprehensive and early dental care for everybody.
Minneapolis forgiveness expert: 'Anger is a doorway to our power but not a house we can live in'
Author of "The New Kitchen Mystic" and "Unconditional Forgiveness," Mary Hayes Grieco is gearing up for a forgiveness workshop specific to these times.
Twin Cities Habitat wins $836,000 HUD grant to keep low-income seniors safer in their own homes
He talks about how the grant will make home indeed a sweet place for hundreds of homeowners.
Minnesota State University, Mankato's sports psychologist tackles mental performance pressures of Olympic scale
A professor in sports psychology at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Cindra Kamphoff has worked with USA Track and Field.
Minneapolis-based Climate Generation helps teachers, parents talk about climate change with kids
Lindsey Kirkland was raised in a farming community in Iowa and "always felt a connection to the land and animals." She pursued a degree in…
31 years after suicide attempt, Chicago woman returns to Faribault to reclaim her life
After years of healing, Jennifer Green returned to Faribault to find peace.
Men, the doctor will see you now and would really like to
Nobody needs a bigger nudge unless they're really sick. Even then, they might not be candid about what ails them.
Center for Victims of Torture director retires after 9 years of leading healing work
Curt Goering was exposed to humanitarian work at an early age. His father managed reconstruction projects in Europe, rebuilding homes and communities after World War II.
Inclusive play specialist Jill Moore of Golden Valley makes sure everyone gets to play
Moore was born with spina bifida and is a full-time wheelchair user. She also swims, plays basketball, skis and has completed 12 marathons.
Inspired Problem Solver Willie Dominguez is a friend to fathers
He shares ideas for luring in reluctant dads to embrace their essential role as role models.
6 grateful Minnesota graduates thank the special person (or pet) who helped them
In their own words, six grateful high school grads pay homage to the special person (or pet) who guided them through COVID-19 and got them to the finish line.
Hennepin County places 700th formerly homeless person in permanent housing
It's a welcome story amid homelessness and housing insecurity, which can feel intractable — too big and complex to get our collective heads around.
Twin Cities therapist explains why, for many, the CDC's new mask guidelines just make us more anxious
Kirsten Lind Seal, a Twin Cities licensed marriage and family therapist, also weighs in on mask shaming, "cave syndrome" and how we turtles can best move forward.
Gender reveal: COVID was particularly cruel for working moms
The multiple fallouts from COVID-19 will be revealed for years. But one reality is clear now: Working mothers were particularly punished by the coronavirus pandemic.…
Twin Cities World Jubilee fair trade sale May 1 will honor partnerships with women across the globe
Fair trade partnerships have made a world of difference for women across the globe.
Minneapolis consultant sees Living Room Conversations as a way to rebuild respectful discourse
Jessica Shryack has pulled about 1,000 people out of their bubbles as a local facilitator for the national nonprofit.
In retirement, Minneapolis man takes on stubborn foe: Buckthorn
For 27 years, Jim Nicholas of Minneapolis was a data analyst with the Minnesota Hospital Association.
Psychiatrist Dr. Dionne Hart speaks out about huge gaps in mental health services among communities of color
The latest chapter in Inspired's Race and Equity series explores mental health disparities.
Minneapolis Step Up program gets COVID creative to keep offering youth internship opportunities
Heidi Sundquist, who has developed Step Up internships with her employer, Accenture, shares more about this summer's ambitious goals.
U therapist offers advice for how to be our better selves while waiting for COVID-19 vaccine
William J. Doherty has seen pretty much everything in his more than four decades as a therapist. He's helped to heal marriages on the brink…
New lung cancer screening guidelines means potentially millions more lives can be saved
Pain has piled up in this long pandemic year, not just in deaths but in growing mental health concerns and alcohol consumption. Another public health…
Minneapolis writer-turned-caregiver writes the meditative book she wished she'd had
Patricia Hoolihan was one of several caregivers for her grandchildren during the pandemic.
Creativity and fun helped Minneapolis financial services company succeed during COVID-19
Nobody would describe the past year as fun and games, but that doesn't mean levity is out the window. With workers experiencing Zoom fatigue and…
Born in Minnesota, a child of immigrants: 'The story of my life is the product of my parents' dreams'
Raie Gessesse, a Minnesota advocate for racial and gender equity, is the first in the Star Tribune's 'Inspired Conversations' dialogue about race. Her story begins with her parents, born and raised in Ethiopia.
Minnesota's Children's Justice Initiative celebrates 20 years of protecting vulnerable children
It is a national model for how to find safe, stable and permanent homes for abused and neglected children.
Leadership guru Pam Borton taps decades as a basketball coach to help executives find purpose
Former U women's coach sees leadership potential in everyone.
University of Minnesota educator wants us to talk openly and honestly about sex
She's eager to help us practice as the newly named Joycelyn Elders Endowed Chair in Sexual Health Education at the University of Minnesota.
In recovery from perilous addictions, young adults share their stories through Change the Outcome
The opioid crisis has only intensified during the pandemic. The American Medical Association reports increased opioid-related deaths in more than 40 states, including Minnesota. Alcohol…
West St. Paul journalist shares 35 uplifting stories about politicians taking the high road
Kevin Hendricks is author of the self-published "Better Politics, Please: 35 Stories of Politicians Who Value Hope Over Hate."
Minnesota Women's Press celebrates 35 years of reporting about and by women
As MWP celebrates its 35th anniversary, its leader reflects on its bold reporting, financial challenges and exciting plans for 2021.
As 2020 ends, problem-solving Minnesotans offer reasons for hope
This year threw our Problem Solvers challenges beyond all challenges but they still hunkered down and got to work.
Macalester senior makes eye movement therapy accessible and affordable with an app
Mental health problems have only increased due to the isolation and stresses of COVID-19. But this 22-year-old is lessening the burden for many with an app.
Community advocate praises North Loop's tiny shelter model as first step in combatting homelessness
Community advocate and organizer Sheila Delaney knows we're running out of time.
A program to improve health in Twin Cities' Black community begins with healing power of soul medicine
A Minneapolis center partners with counties and health care providers to tap into the resiliency of the Black community to improve health and financial stability.
St. Paul founder of the Good Kid Project says kindness toward animals is key to developing empathy
Want to raise good kids? Then teach them to be kind to animals. That's the goal for Nick Coughlin.
Excelsior recovery coach warns of insidiousness of opioids, and also shares the hope of healing
Meet a nationally certified intervention professional, recovery coach and doting father.
These Minnesotans' ordinary acts of kindness have made life a little easier during COVID
In our sixth and final installment of Heroes of the Pandemic, we turned these pages over to you, our readers, to tell us about regular people who made an impact.
Minneapolis Stairstep Foundation leader sees opportunities to rebuild in this difficult time
In the midst of a worldwide pandemic and cries for racial justice, his message seems particularly urgent and his comforting approach especially welcome.
Minneapolis man creates Facebook page to inform others with disabilities about how to vote
Michael Sack, who has cerebral palsy and uses a motorized wheelchair, realizes that this foremost civic duty is easier for some than for others.
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Minnesota's Proof Alliance leader wants all pregnancies to be alcohol-free
Research has shown since 1974 that alcohol during pregnancy harms a developing fetus, but she learned most people "did not have the facts."
Twin Cities therapists emphasize need to prepare purposeful COVID 'bubbles' before winter
Experts concerned about single individuals left out of social circles.
Mpls. veterinarians offer free pet care to dogs and cats of owners facing homelessness
The pop-up clinic gives pets free basic medical care, including vaccinations and heartworm testing, as well as medications for skin and eye infections.
Avatars join effort to help Minnesota teachers identify worrisome behaviors in their students
During the pandemic, teachers face a doubly tough task of identifying students — mostly behind screens instead of desks — showing signs of psychological distress.
Normandale graduate, 18, returns to campus to make sure other students have food, housing
Ainsley Schwerr graduated from Normandale Community College in May — then went right back. When COVID-19 hit, the 18-year-old from Eagan put her continuing…
U's microbiology research facility key to national 'moonshot' effort to fight COVID-19
Dr. Timothy Schacker shares how the U launched its testing program, contributed to drug studies and even created a low-cost ventilator.
U's Michael LuBrant pivots to teach death rituals to mortuary science students in COVID world
He guides future funeral directors through end-of-life rituals.
Children's Minnesota resource navigator drawn to helping families much like hers
Community Connect is an initiative of the Children's Minnesota health care system partly funded by a grant from Kohl's Cares.
AchieveMpls launches student support fund to address trauma of pandemic, George Floyd killing
AchieveMpls has launched the MPS Student Support Fund to offer mental health counseling, school-based programs and interventions to let students know how deeply they are valued.
Facing hardship during COVID, these Minnesotans find comfort in levity
These Minnesotans regained control and strength during pandemic times in an unusual way: laughter.
Head of Mpls. Domestic Abuse Project builds on rich history of helping in new COVID reality
DAP has worked to end intergenerational violence for more than 40 years, with bold and inventive strategies that bring everyone to the table for success.
As recycling surged in Twin Cities with COVID-19, Eureka pivoted to respond
How did the company manage the inevitable surge in recycled material coming from homes and apartments now doubling as offices, day cares and more?
Blue Cross gender services consultant brings years of work in transgender community to new role
It's rare for a major health insurance company to create a position called "gender services consultant."
New leader of Minneapolis' Be The Match breaks down stem-cell process, busts myths
The international nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis provides lifesaving blood stem cell therapy to people of all ages around the world.
In the age of COVID-19, Minn. author looks to 'poetry therapy' to soothe the soul
It turns out poetry as an agent of healing was recognized in the ancient world over 2,000 years ago, she says.
Minneapolis trainer on race and trauma shares ideas for how we talk to each other now
In this wrenching moment for our city, he encourages us to continue to have productive conversations.
Midwest union leader talks safety, shopping smart and his hope for life after COVID-19
Utecht is president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663, a union of more than 13,000 members in Minnesota and Iowa, including 1,850 at the JBS pork plant in Worthington.
