Podcast
Get Deep
Real Conversations with the People Building Southern Minnesota
Get Deep is the flagship podcast of Connect Business — a long-form interview series featuring the leaders, founders, risk-takers, and community builders shaping our region.
We don’t chase headlines. We tell stories. Every episode goes beyond job titles and press releases — starting at the beginning and moving into the work that defines today. Because leadership doesn’t start in the boardroom. It starts long before that.
What We Cover
The Origin Story
Where did this person come from? Who shaped them? What early experiences still influence how they lead today?
The Work
What are they building? What challenges are they navigating? What does the future of their industry look like in Southern Minnesota?
If someone is moving the region forward, we want to understand how. Guests include:
- Business owners and founders
- CEOs and executive leaders
- Healthcare and manufacturing professionals
- Financial and legal experts
- University presidents and coaches
- Nonprofit leaders and civic builders
Hosted By

Wes Otto
Founder, Otto Media Group
Entrepreneur, consultant, and founder of Otto Media Group, Wes also leads Connect Business. He brings strategic context, regional insight, and a deep understanding of Southern Minnesota’s business ecosystem to every conversation.
Wes naturally guides interviews into leadership philosophy, industry trends, and the broader implications of the work being done across the region.

Aaron Jones
Partner, J. Long’s
Aaron is a partner in J. Long’s — Mankato’s long-standing haberdashery known for its legacy of style and service.
He brings emotional intelligence, curiosity, and the ability to disarm guests with humor — leaning into the personal moments, the doubts, the failures, and the relationships that shape leaders long before their professional success.
Together, Wes and Aaron create conversations that are thoughtful, unscripted, and real.
No rushed segments. No surface-level interviews. Just depth.
Why It Matters
In a fragmented media environment, depth is rare. Get Deep creates space for thoughtful dialogue around the topics that define regional leadership:
- Leadership and resilience
- Entrepreneurship
- Mental health and personal growth
- Intergenerational business
- Innovation and infrastructure
- The future of regional industry
These are not soundbites. They’re stories with context. And context builds credibility.
Podcast Partners
Get Deep is made possible by the businesses and organizations that believe in the value of long-form regional storytelling. These partners share our commitment to Southern Minnesota’s business community.



Interested in sponsoring Get Deep? Get in touch.
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