12-16-25 Bonnie & Friends: Winds of Change: Blizzards, Ball Players, and the “Slop” Debate

Bonnie is officially back in the big chair after a holiday break, but Mother Nature didn't roll out the red carpet. The crew dives into a wild week of weather, local legal drama, and a major move for the Minnesota Twins that has fans talking. From the bizarre discovery of a doctor in a Dollar Tree freezer to the mysterious "Green Bridge" in agriculture, this episode covers the quirky, the serious, and the snowy.
Episode Highlights
-
The Return of Bonnie: Bonnie returns from her break—fully baked and wrapped for Christmas—just in time to face a Wind Advisory and a looming "Stay Home Thursday" blizzard warning from Dean.
-
Twins Talk: The Minnesota Twins sign veteran slugger Josh Bell to a $7 million deal. While his bat is a welcome addition, the team’s defense remains a concern for local sports enthusiasts.
-
Legal Showdown: A major lawsuit is brewing as Southern Valley Fire and Rescue sues the City of Fargo and Cass County over illegal annexation and tax revenue disputes.
-
The "Green Bridge" Mystery: Ag Director Bridgette Readel explains the "Green Bridge"—a cycle of wheat disease—and discusses how massive modern combines are putting historical bridges to the test.
-
The Dictionary's New "Slop": The crew debates Merriam-Webster's 2025 Word of the Year—"slop"—which now refers to low-quality AI content and digital junk rather than just pig feed.
-
Holiday Nostalgia: A deep dive into favorite Christmas smells and flavors, featuring a heated debate over soft vs. hard peppermint sticks and the "disappointment" of finding raisins in caramel rolls.
-
Winter Garden Prep: Horticulture educator Jill Patry previews the Winter Garden College and offers a "no-pressure" demo on making freezer jam.
The Business Blueprint Episode 005: Building Your 2026 Business Blueprint

As 2025 winds down, Joe and Clay take you inside the year-end reflection every business leader needs. In this energizing episode, they share how to look back on your wins, own your misses, and set powerful goals for 2026 using the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System).
You’ll learn how to craft a “Stop Doing” list that matters more than your to-do list, identify your company’s true priorities, and avoid the dreaded “scope creep.” From offsite planning sessions to SMART goals and scorecards, Joe and Clay give you a practical playbook for kicking off the new year with focus, alignment, and momentum.
The Coffee Club: “Non-Profit Tuesday” 12-16-25

The Coffee Club from Tuesday December 16th, 2025. Guests include co-Host Bonnie Amistadi and from Matthew's Voice Project Calli Adamson Bakken.
12-15-25 Prime Time Sports: The Wild trade for Quinn Hughes

Tonight Big Game James McCarty and Jace Denman break down the Minnesota Wild's blockbuster trade for star defenseman Quinn Hughes. They discuss what the trade means for the Wild and more.
Jay Thomas Show: “Patrick Kirby Guest Hosts” 12-15-25

The Jay Thomas Show guest hosted by Patrick Kirby Monday December 15th, 2025. Guests include Leah Reed, Ilana Xinos, Ryan Kell, Bethany Wall, Erick Roder, Jeremy Jorgenson and Sue Baron.
12-15-25 Weather an AG in Focus: It’s beginning to smell alot like Christmas!

Today's guest is Christmas Farmer Doug Hoffbauer of Duluth! ☁️Watch Weather & Ag in focus LIVE! 🌾 💬Leave a comment, 📞 701-293-9000, or 🌐 weather@flagfamily.com or AG@flagfamily.com Join WDAY Ag Director Bridgette Readel & Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki as they break down Weather and Agriculture topics.
12-15-25 Bonnie & Friends: Touchdowns, Trades, and the Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread

The Monday morning circus is in full swing as Jace and "Big Game" James McCarty step in for a vacationing Dean. It’s a bittersweet morning for Vikings fans; despite a thrilling 34-26 victory over the Dallas Cowboys led by a three-touchdown performance from J.J. McCarthy, the team has officially been eliminated from playoff contention. The guys debate the classic "Viking fan dilemma"—celebrating a win while watching your draft stock slip away.
Beyond the gridiron, the hockey world is buzzing after a blockbuster trade brought superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. James breaks down Hughes’ explosive debut, where he scored a goal and logged over 26 minutes of ice action, sparking hope that the Wild might finally be a true Stanley Cup contender.
The episode also takes a nostalgic turn as the hosts and callers share their favorite Christmas memories, ranging from 24-hour movie marathons to the smell of fresh-baked homemade bread. We also celebrate some massive milestones, including Dick Van Dyke turning 100 and Frank Sinatra posthumously topping the charts.
Episode Highlights
-
Purple Heartbreak: A deep dive into the Vikings’ win over Dallas and what J.J. McCarthy’s standout performance means for the future, even as the postseason dream ends.
-
The Quinn Hughes Era: Reaction to the Wild’s massive trade for the former Canucks captain and a recap of their dominant 6-2 win over the Bruins.
-
The "Serial Offender" Raccoon: A hilarious look at a Virginia raccoon that has broken into a liquor store multiple times—and now has its own merchandise line.
-
A Hollywood Tragedy: Remembering prolific director Rob Reiner following breaking news of his passing in Los Angeles.
-
Cattle & Cookies: Ag Director Bridget Riedel joins the show to explain the hidden costs of raising cattle and why butter is making a massive comeback in American kitchens.
-
Century of Change: Celebrating Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday by reflecting on the inventions of the last century—from rotary phones to the "greatest thing since sliced bread".
-
Timberwolves Resilience: How the "pack" took down the Kings despite losing Rudy Gobert mid-game due to undisclosed personal reasons.
The Coffee Club: “Small Business Monday” 12-15-25

The Coffee Club from Monday December 15th, 2025. Guests include Tera Walker of "Fresh" a juice business and more.
The Hockey Guys: College Hockey’s Transfer Portal Problem and the UND Legend

This episode of "The Hockey Guys" podcast, hosted by Jeff Bredahl (the wise one), Crazy Eddie, legend Dave Mornville, and Doc Phil Johnson, covers the latest in college hockey, coaching insights, and historical legends. The hosts open by discussing the cold weather and a recap of sparse game action, highlighting North Dakota's 4-1 victory over Omaha and the momentum they are building before the break. They celebrate UND goaltender Jan Spooner's nine-game winning streak and UMD Coach Scott Sandlin's 1,000th game coached.
A major segment features an interview with University of Wisconsin head hockey coach Mike Hastings, who discusses the challenges and positives of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and transfer portal systems. Coach Hastings emphasizes that the portal forces coaches to have "meaningful, caring conversations" with athletes but laments the loss of long-term team building.
The hosts also pay tribute to North Dakota's Ben Strinden, a prime example of commitment who developed from an under-the-radar freshman to a top player by sticking with the program. Historical records are discussed, including the eight goals scored by a single player in a college game and Tony Hercus's 116 points in a single season. The show closes with a reflection on the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Olympic team, the coaching philosophy of Herb Brooks, and a tribute to the late Ken Dryden.
Key Moments
-
North Dakota's Momentum: UND secured a 4-1 victory over Omaha, with goaltender Jan Spooner tying for fourth in the school's record books with nine consecutive wins.
-
Coach Mike Hastings Interview: The Wisconsin head coach discusses the impact of the transfer portal, noting that the negative side is the inability to build a team with long-term foresight. The positive side is that it forces coaches to be more honest and invest deeply in personal relationships with their athletes. He also suggests that contracts could help bring roster certainty for both coaches and players.
-
The Ben Strinden Story: The hosts laud North Dakota's Ben Strinden for his loyalty and commitment to the program, which allowed him to develop into a high-caliber player. His story is contrasted with the "dot-com mentality" of using the transfer portal immediately when things get tough.
-
College Hockey Scoring Records: The show highlights two seemingly unbreakable records: the eight goals scored by a single player in a college game (done twice, by Bob Wheeler Brown in 1952 and Bob Sullivan in 1948) and the 116 points in a single season held by Tony Hercus.
-
Miracle on Ice Reflection: The hosts discuss the 1980 U.S. Olympic team's victory, focusing on Herb Brooks's strategy of building the team on speed and outworking the Soviets. They also honor the memory of former Cornell goaltender and hockey mind, Ken Dryden, who passed away.
Year-End Land And Equipment Recap

Predictions pointed to a slowdown. The Upper Midwest answered with record-setting land sales, resilient equipment demand, and grassland values that surged on the back of a powerful cattle market. We break down why 2025 refused to dip and how smart marketing, live auctions, and confident buyers kept the momentum rolling.
We walk through the year, from a fast start in Pembina and Traill Counties to a standout run in Cass County, where multiple quarters hit five-figure per-acre prices. Minnesota held a tight $8,000 to $8,700 band across thousands of acres, and South Dakota delivered wins where they mattered most: local operators secured legacy tracts, irrigated ground topped expectations at $11,500 per acre, and pasture demand accelerated as supply tightened. In the Black Hills, a rare Custer County property with direct views of Mount Rushmore demonstrated how scenery, access, and adjacency to Custer State Park can create its own category of value.
On the iron side, the story was condition and representation. Magnum 310s, 8R410s, and S770 combines led a strong set of results, proving that clean, well-documented machines still command premium bids—even with historically high combine inventories. Livestock strength spilled into machinery, lifting loaders, balers, rakes, and portable panels. Most importantly, shifting our Upper Midwest sale from timed online to a live, multi-platform format unlocked fivefold growth, blended the urgency of the chant with nationwide reach, and showed exactly how to build competition without forcing consignors to move equipment.
You’ll hear how we structure complex multi-parcel ranches by following natural boundaries—water, fence, power, access—to protect legacy while widening the buyer pool. We also unpack a simple truth: fewer registered bidders doesn’t mean fewer buyers when confidence is high and information is clear. If you care about farmland values, pasture demand, high-horsepower tractors, and the future of live auctions, this recap is your roadmap for 2026.
Enjoyed the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a quick review. Share this episode with a friend who watches land and equipment markets as closely as you do.
Follow at www.americalandauctioneer.com and on Instagram & Facebook
Contact the team at Pifer's