The Historical Diversions Podcast: Oral History in the 21st Century.

Dr. Angela Cooper

Dr Jeff Meldrum Description

Craig John was a quartermaster on board the USS John S. McCain from 1993 to 1997, even being part of its commissioning!

He details his journey into the Navy, being part of the navigation crew on a destroyer, traveling the world, his life post-service, and much more!

Examples of his work as a Principal Architect can be found through Baker Associates, at www.bakermn.com/

Chris John was a torpedoman on the USS Nimitz in the 1990’s, but more recently he was a former candidate for Burnsville City Council.

In this episode, he tells us about how he became active in local government by serving on the Burnsville Economic and Development Commission, and chairing the Planning Commission in Burnsville.

We then discuss his 2022 City Council campaign (and how he enjoyed it?), and his future plans to run in 2024.

He also talks about the differences between local and federal government, misconceptions that many of us have about local government, and answers some tough questions from your host!

Chris John’s platform can be found on his website at www.chrisjohn4burnsville.com

Chris John was a torpedoman on the USS Nimitz in the 1990’s, and he has fascinating stories to tell.

In this episode he details his deployment in 1993-1997 on board the USS Nimitz. He discusses the fallout of the Gulf War, and how the US wasn’t done with Iraq after 1991. What was life on an aircraft carrier like? He tells us all about it!

He discusses promotions, living in close quarters, serving on a ship with women on board (what?!), never getting to Australia, and how the Nimitz Carrier Group got sent to Taiwan as a show of force to China! He also talks his one Navy regret, why he left active duty, and what it was like for him after leaving the service.

Chris John is also running for Burnsville City Council in 2024; check out his platform on his website at www.chrisjohn4burnsville.com

Chris John was a torpedoman on the USS Nimitz in the 1990’s, and he has fascinating stories to tell.

We talk with Chris about why he joined the navy during high school, what naval basic training is really like, having a twin brother in the same service (no really!), being literally flat footed, being assigned to the USS Nimitz, and much more!

Chris John is also running for Burnsville City Council in 2024; check out his platform on his website at www.chrisjohn4burnsville.com

The American shopping mall was as American as apple pie in the late 20th century. The shopping mall was the place to be, and Jeff Carver was in the middle of it.

In this episode he discusses his journey after he “left” Maplewood Mall. We cover his marketing work at By Design, Jumpin Jax, and his own companies: Carver Marketing Concepts and Soletrex. He then comes full circle by picking up his trumpet again, and working to become the musician he is today!

We also get philosophical with the importance of being aware, how his experiences shaped his worldview, and how many businesses may be causing their own demise.

Support Jeff Carver by visiting his website at www.jeffcarvermusic.com and checking him out when he performs live!

The American shopping mall was as American as apple pie in the late 20th century. The shopping mall was the place to be, and Jeff Carver was in the middle of it.

In this episode he discusses his typical days (there weren’t any!), a bomb scare, keeping cool while implementing plans on tight timelines, his brief tenure as Marketing Director at Rosedale Mall, and his award winning Friday Family Fun Night program!

He also discusses the importance of catering to families, the pitfalls of company models, the importance of training, and the opening of the Mall of America!

Support Jeff Carver by visiting his website at www.jeffcarvermusic.com and checking him out when he performs live!

The American shopping mall was as American as apple pie in the late 20th century. The shopping mall was the place to be, and Jeff Carver was in the middle of it.

Jeff Carver was the marketing director for Maplewood Mall in suburban Minnesota from the mid-1980s to mid- 1990s. This was a far cry from his work today as a professional trumpet player!

In this episode he discusses his journey from award-winning High School Band Director, to his starting roles at Maplewood Mall. He needed to find out how to balance the needs of customers, merchant associations, and owners. He also tells of those who helped him along the way.

Support Jeff Carver by visiting his website at www.jeffcarvermusic.com and checking him out when he performs live!

In this episode of Historical Diversions: History Over Drinks, we speak to Jonathon Fury. He is an Iraq war veteran, and old friend of your host.

In Part 2, we continue the discussion of life on a military base in Iraq, his mental health struggles coming back to the US after deployment, and his Sports Nerd Podcast!

Check out the Sports Nerd Podcast on your favorite podcast app!