Charity Spotlights • Conversations with Leaders • Event Previews
Charity Spotlights • Conversations with Leaders • Event Previews

the DMF podcast

Powerful, positive, life-changing content from
encouraging and hope-building people

Powerful, positive,
life-changing content from
encouraging and hope-building people

Dakota Medical Foundation

Sharing pathways to health & Hope

The DMF Podcast

Welcome to the DMF Podcast,
where you will find charity spotlights, conversations with community leaders,
and previews of upcoming DMF events.

Dr. Jason Schaff, O.D. • featured DMF podcast guest

Episode 11

Helping Kids See a Brighter Future

Monday, August 5th, 2024 • 33 minutes

featuring

Dr. Jason Schaff, O.D.

Optometrist at Valley Vision Clinic

Dr. Jason Schaff has been practicing as an optometrist at Valley Vision Clinic since graduating in 2008 with his Doctor of Optometry degree. He has a special interest in ocular disease, children’s vision and contact lenses and is committed to providing comprehensive eye care to patients of all ages using the latest technology in contact lenses and diagnostic testing.

In this episode, Optometrist Dr. Jason Schaff shared:

  • The opportunity for kids ages 4-7 to receive free eye exams with Vision Start
  • The importance of early vision detection among children
  • Why eye health is a vital part to our overall well-being
Mariah Prussia of Define the Fight on The DMF Podcast

Episode 10

Defining Your Fight

Monday, July 8th, 2024 • 33 minutes

featuring

Mariah Prussia

Founder of Define the Fight

In this episode of the DMF Podcast our host Whitney Isaacson sat down Mariah Prussia. Mariah is the founder of Define the Fight, a nonprofit empowering youth to lead from within through a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

Mariah shared how we can help our children define their fight and build resiliency in a world with so many factors against us. As well as how to teach kids to tackle life like an MMA fighter!

Episode 09

The Nurtured Heart® Approach

Monday, July 8th, 2024 • 29 minutes

featuring

Jana Bruhschwein & Kellie Knodel

of the Peace Academy

In this episode of the DMF Podcast, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sat down with Jana Bruhschwein, Executive Director and founder of Peace Academy, and Kellie Knodel, assistant director and teacher at Peace Academy. Together, the two of them they have 45 years of experience in early childhood education.

Jana and Kellie are both advanced trainers in the Nurtured Heart Approach® and in this conversation they share all about what the Nurtured Heart Approach is and why it’s important in early childcare. This approach to early childhood education focuses on creating connected relationships, emphasizing positive behavior, and transforming difficult emotions into abundant Inner Wealth.

Gerri Leach DMF podcast profile

Episode 08

Soul Solutions "Friendraising"

Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 • 1 hour 3 minutes

featuring

Gerri Leach

Soul Solutions Development Director & "Friendraiser"

This month, we welcomed Soul Solutions Development Director Gerri Leach, who talked about:

  • The unique family-centered approach that Soul Solutions takes to addiction treatment and recovery
  • Impact stories about how lives are being transformed through Soul Solutions’ work
  • How important it was to build a dedicated fundraising team to maximize their impact
Mary Beth and Mike Traynor • Matto Foundation

Episode 07

Preventing Addiction From Stealing Lives

Monday, January 22nd, 2024 • 33 minUtes

featuring

Mary Beth and Mike Traynor

Founders of the Matto Foundation

In this episode of the DMF Podcast, our host, Whitney Isaacson, spoke with Mary Beth and Mike Traynor, Founders of the Matto Foundation. The Matto Foundation is working to end addiction through community-fueled awareness and education. The Foundation educates kids and families to Delay, Decrease, and Defeat substance abuse and addiction.

Episode 06

Inspiration and Encouragement

Monday, January 22nd, 2024 • 50 minUtes

featuring

Coach Erv Inniger

Nonprofit Coach and Former Basketball Coach

Pat Traynor sits down with Erv Inniger to discuss attitude, simple fundraising tips, and positive leadership. Erv is a former NBA basketball player and is best known for his leadership as the head coach of the North Dakota State University men’s basketball team. He led the team to countless victories, including a 1981 North Central Conference title. He has also been key in numerous fundraising efforts, including successful capital campaigns. Coach Erv exhibits the same tenacious enthusiasm he had in his role as a basketball coach with local charities!

Episode 05

Are Phone Bans in Schools Beneficial?

Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 • 32 minUtes

featuring

Father Kyle Metzger

Shanley High School Principal

In this episode of the DMF Podcast, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sat down with Father Kyle Metzger. Father Metzger is the Fargo Shanley High School Principal, and he gets to help kids learn, grow, and delight in learning. Father Metzger shares how Shanley High School has adopted a new phone policy that bans phone use anytime during the school day. Father Metzger explains how Shanley High School is combating digital addiction in this way and the positive response they have gotten from students and parents on this policy.

Naomi Erkenbrack

Episode 04

Building Emotional Intelligence

Friday, December 1st, 2023 • 34 minUtes

featuring

Naomi Erkenbrack

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

In this episode of the DMF Podcast, our host Whitney Isaacson sat down with Naomi Erkenbrack. Naomi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Valley Christian Counseling and she provides support for patients in their development and relationships. Naomi dives into how trauma and attachment affect our emotional intelligence and shares with us the model for emotional intelligence.

Jeana Peinovich

Episode 03

Lend A Hand Up

Friday, December 1st, 2023 • 18 minUtes

featuring

Jeana Peinovich

Executive Director, Lend A Hand Up

In this episode of the DMF Podcast, our host Whitney Isaacson, sat down with Jeana Peinovich. Jeana is the Director of Lend A Hand Up. Lend A Hand Up helps families burdened by health issues and other trauma raise funds and rally community support. Jeana explains the importance of having crisis-relief programs like Lend A Hand Up and how you can help a family in need at LendAHandUp.org.

Lexi Kahnk

Episode 02

Why We Should Embrace Discomfort

Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 • 31 minUtes

featuring

Lexi Kahnk

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

In this episode of the DMF Podcast, our host Whitney Isaacson, sat down with Lexi Kahnk. Lexi is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist at Valley Christian Counseling. Lexi highlights in this conversation how easy it is for us to reach for technology to soothe ourselves when anything feels hard or uncomfortable, instead of dealing with our uncomfortable situations. Take a listen and hear about why we should all embrace discomfort.

Crystal Dunham

Episode 01

We All Need to Take Digital Addiction Seriously

Thursday, October 12th, 2023 • 17 minUtes

featuring

Crystal Dunham

Licensed Clinical Counselor

In this episode of the DMF Podcast, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sat down with Crystal Dunhum. Crystal is a Licensed Clinical Counselor at Valley Christian Counseling.  She gets to help her patients find wholeness in their mental health. Crystal shares the dangers of digital addiction and how digital addiction is impacting us today. 

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