inspired

Duo teams up to give patients time, tools and tenderness to talk about death

SHARI L. GROSS • shari.gross@startribune.com Bryan Piatt met end-of-life grief therapist Kelly Grosklags while working at KARE-11. Together, they cr

A powerful thing that came out of their time together was an educational film for medical providers on how to have difficult end-of-life conversations.

University of Minnesota graduate shifts therapy focus to less discussed mental health issue of job loss

Alejandra Aschittino-Rodriguez’s brush with death as a teenager propelled her into the mental health field.

Therapist helps jobless clients preserve sense of identity, stay optimistic.

Inspired Conversations on Race & Equity: St. Cloud's Jonathan Wong

Jonathan Wong works in human rights and board chair of Jugaad leadership program for minority community. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribu

Instead of moving to a more diverse city as many St. Cloud State graduates seem to do, Wong put down roots.

Teacher steps in to get student into graduation

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.

Man takes junkyard scraps, transforms them into new cars

Shipping containers, boats, even old fridges become transportation.

She didn't get to wear her wedding dress because of the pandemic. So she put it on to get her vaccine

D.C. bride's reception was canceled, so she wore her gown to get her vaccine.

Mendota Heights couple head to Nepal, giving back to the country where they met

Mendota Heights couple celebrate anniversary with a service project in Nepal — giving back to the country where they met.

Hennepin County places 700th formerly homeless person in permanent housing

Danielle Werder, team leader for the effort to end chronic homelessness in Hennepin County’s Housing Stability area.

It's a welcome story amid homelessness and housing insecurity, which can feel intractable — too big and complex to get our collective heads around.

Minnesota's expanding Buy Nothing movement is a gift to its members and to Mother Earth

Buy Nothing movement encourages people to rethink consumption through no-cost exchange of stuff and services.

In quieter Mexico City, rare bats make an appearance

As humans stay home, Mexican long-tongued bats re-emerge.

Colorful coffins lighten mood at New Zealand funerals

Auckland company builds custom, colorful coffins for a one-of-a-kind farewell.

Fraternity members pay off mortgage of longtime house cook

She was working 2 jobs in Louisiana to keep up when pandemic hit.

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, assures us that it’s normal to be feeling a bit of whiplash.

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.

In the wake of a devastating fire, beloved Grand Marais restaurant returns in a new form: food truck

A fire forced a Grand Marais family to regroup and reassess. Then they opened a new window.

University of Minnesota product design students experiment with reusable soap and clay for this year's final project

U students mold window latch prototypes using soap, clay.

Former all-star athlete from Minnetonka battles back against Parkinson's with boxing training techniques

Betty White took up boxing to battle back against Parkinson's disease.

Prior Lake cribbage board designer has serious mission to support others with mental health challenges

Living with bipolar disorder for about a decade, Jarod Gengler realized the power of the game to boost his mental health. Now, he's working to make sure others can benefit