Connect the Dots

In our series “Connect the Dots,” community elders in Minnesota share their wisdom and lessons learned about what really matters in life. MPR’s senior economics contributor Chris Farrell has been interviewing people 70 years old and older for insights that might prove useful to younger generations.

More from Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer

Minnesota Now full show and segments | Thank You, Stranger | Vital Signs | State of Democra-Z | Professional Help

At 70, artist Jimmy Longoria still paints with ambition
For our series “Connect the Dots” we’re asking community elders to share part of their life story and some of the lessons they’ve learned along the way about what matters in life.
‘Compassion is everything’: A transgender lawyer and advocate looks back at her career
Ellie Krug was a civil trial lawyer for almost 30 years in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She said coming into her transgender identity and moving to Minneapolis bolstered a new career in advocacy.
At 99 years old, Kathleen Tousignant has a lot of life lessons to share, reflect
In the MPR News series Connect the Dots, we’re asking community elders to share their wisdom and lessons learned about what really matters in life. And 99-year-old Kathleen Tousignant certainly fits the bill.
She was abused in Catholic school, then Sister Bernadette became a nun
Sister Mary Bernadette Newton grew up in Eau Claire, Wis. She went to Catholic school, and she was abused in the first and fifth grade. She never thought she would become a nun after that, but then it became her life’s calling.
From prison to Harvard: John Poupart's journey to becoming founder of the American Indian Policy Center
In the MPR series Connect the Dots, we’re asking community elders to share their wisdom and lessons learned about what really matters in life.
Bill English's rise from 3M's first Black salesman to chief diversity officer
We’re starting a new series — it’s all about Minnesotans over 70 with wisdom and lessons to share. First up, we hear from the first Black salesman at 3M.