{'byline': 'by Laura Oakes', 'hosts': '', 'byline_sources': '', 'audience_id': '', 'original_station': [{'station': 'wccoradio', 'path': 'wccoradio/news/local/closer-look-with-laura-oakes-what-like-doing-what-you-love'}], 'syndicated_items': '', 'original_item': {'_index': 'published-content_v44', '_type': '_doc', '_score': None, '_source': {'date': '2026-02-09T11:00:00.000+00:00', 'lead': [{'data': {'title': 'Twin Cities collage artist Kristi Abbott hides images in a larger piece', 'thumbnail_url': 'https://s2.dmcdn.net/v/Z-jOg1fXbAyxLZdxm', 'id': 'x9ze4oa', 'created_time': 1770391648, 'mode': 'vod', 'private_id': 'kMgt5Azn90tjRREQOHo', 'owner': 'x2yitaa', 'description': "It’s probably safe to say that if you've been to one of the many annual art fairs held each summer in the Twin Cities, you’ve seen collage artist Kristi Abbott and her equally colorful work. She explains to WCCO's Laura Oakes a new project she's taking on featuring the members of Metallica.", 'channel': 'fun', 'tags': ['WCCOAM', 'Minnesota', 'Twin Cities', 'Art', 'Art Fair', 'Music', 'Imagery', 'Collage', 'Artwork', 'Metallica', 'WCCO', 'A Closer Look'], 'private': False, 'addPublic': True}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/dailymotion/instances/cml9tzklr0011357v677466a3@published'}], 'slug': 'closer-look-with-laura-oakes-what-like-doing-what-you-love', 'tags': ['A Closer Look', 'Laura Oakes', 'Art', 'Artists', 'Music', 'Theater', 'Orchestra', 'Minnesota Orchestra', 'Art Fair', 'Minneapolis', 'Guthrie Theater', 'Food', 'Fine Dining'], 'feeds': {'msn': True, 'rss': True, 'postup': True, 'facebook': True, 'newsfeed': True, 'sitemaps': True, 'frequency': True, 'smartNews': True, 'apple-news': False, 'smart-news': True, 'most-popular': True, 'reversechron': True, 'google-news-feed': True}, 'hosts': [], 'adTags': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/ad-tags/instances/cml9twh1a000a01ppdybzbosn@published'}, 'byline': [{'hosts': [], 'names': [{'name': 'Laura Oakes', 'slug': 'laura-oakes', 'text': 'Laura Oakes'}], 'prefix': 'by', 'sources': []}], 'teaser': 'A Closer Look with Laura Oakes: Taking the Leap.', 'authors': ['Laura Oakes'], 'content': [{'data': {'text': 'What is it like to really follow your passion? To take the leap, and actually decide to make a living doing what you love?', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9twh1a000e01ppnpv9qkyt@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&amp;feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7959376_2026-02-05-193016&amp;withPlaylist=false&amp;theme=dark&amp;playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&amp;feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7959376_2026-02-05-193016&amp;withPlaylist=false&amp;theme=dark&amp;playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cml9z0ddr0032357vyrwdyjt9@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'In this month\'s <a href="https://www.audacy.com/wccoradio/acloserlook">&quot;A Closer Look&quot; with Laura Oakes</a> we meet five local artists who did just that.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvb6000g357vblqtp3qg@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Their tools are many - and as we find out, their calling is clear.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9z02b1002t357vwbphk3ak@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>ACTOR, THEATER FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR TYLER MICHAELS KING</strong>', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvcg000h357v0bgy9unv@published'}, {'data': {'text': "It's no surprise he's one of the Twin Cities' most sought-after stage actors as evidenced by pretty much any review you read of his work at the world-renowned Guthrie Theater.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvdq000i357v84lltzou@published'}, {'data': {'text': "But what's really driving Tyler Michaels King right now is growing his own theater company, Trademark. It all started when this admitted “ham” was just a kid in 1990s Bloomington, watching Jim Carey and Robin Williams movies, marveling at their ability to transform their voices, contort their faces, change their entire personas on a dime - and knowing then and there that this was his calling.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvex000j357vz1lzo06g@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'His first taste of the stage? A production of &quot;Annie&quot; in middle school.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvga000k357vz9ii646s@published'}, {'data': {'text': "“I played 'Al the apple seller,' and I had two lines,” King says. “Apples, apples, two for a nickel, apples! - and I was hooked.”", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvhm000l357v7vgafv0u@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Soon he was off to college at Minnesota State University in Moorhead to study Theater Arts. Michaels King credits his mentor Craig Ellingson for setting him up for the success he's enjoying today.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyviy000m357vtqwpg6jg@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;He taught me everything,&quot; says Michaels King. &quot;I mean, he said, 'you're going to learn how to choreograph, direct, act, how to hang a light, how to build a costume.' And I think that education really, really brought me into a multi-hyphenate sort of state. Being an actor, being a director, being an artistic director now, it really taught all of our classmates to be self-sufficient,&quot; he says.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvk9000n357vgtsnmx00@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'And that self-sufficiency eventually brought Michaels King back to the Twin Cities, and the moment that changed his life.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvpy000q357vyyqvxn6w@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;I was 22 when I graduated college, and I said to myself, 'by the age of 27, if I'm not making a majority of my living doing theater, I have to reassess.' And when I turned 26, I got a role at Chanhassen Dinner Theaters doing &quot;Bye Bye Birdie.&quot; And I was able to leave my three part-time jobs and do that solely... still living at home and still building it up. It was like, 'oh, shoot - it's happening -like six months before my deadline.' And that was a huge turning point.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvrc000r357vf9cpnhnc@published'}, {'data': {'text': "A turning point that also paved the way for a world of opportunity Michaels King is grateful for every day, and one that allows him to embody that chameleon he'd always wanted to be.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlb21jnr0054357vqeriml0v@published'}, {'data': {'text': '&quot;I think the first time I saw you here, you were Ariel in The Tempest?&quot; asks Oakes.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvsq000s357vvhm1y1sx@published'}, {'data': {'text': '&quot;The Tempest, yeah.&quot;', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlb21f4q004s357vwxeu0be9@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Michaels King has played the racy emcee in &quot;Cabaret&quot; at Theater Latté Da, King Richard, and &quot;A Christmas Carol's&quot; Bob Cratchit, just to mention a few of his more recent roles. They're all over the place - just the way Michaels King likes it.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlb21heh004y357vf8f0kamo@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;I really do like it. I'm definitely one of those actors who doesn't like to play myself,&quot; King adds. &quot;I like the transformative aspect of the theater. I like to put on a different persona or a different perspective or a different ideology or, you know, just simply a brain space or a different physicality, right? And you know, selfishly, I find more of myself in those roles. I get to explore myself.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmlb21mk6005a357vfddvl9ut@published'}, {'data': {'alt': 'Michael Sutton of the Minnesota Orchestra.', 'url': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aiu-media/WebSuttonMichael-949d470d-2800-4f5d-8d71-58214972d30f.jpg', 'width': 1600, 'credit': '(Courtesy of the Minnesota Orchestra)', 'height': 1600, 'caption': 'Michael Sutton of the Minnesota Orchestra.', '_version': 1, 'imageLink': None, 'rendition': None, 'sizeInBytes': '116330', 'borderToggle': None, 'componentVariation': 'image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/image/instances/cmlb22l6y005g357vbzl6bgvd@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>PROFESSIONAL VIOLINIST MICHAEL SUTTON</strong>', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvu1000t357viycnitjp@published'}, {'data': {'text': "For a violinist who started training professionally at the age of 2, it's not surprising the Minnesota Orchestra's Michael Sutton never really had a major turning point that told him music would be his life's work.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvvh000u357voql8sqlq@published'}, {'data': {'text': '&quot;I never really considered any other options,&quot; explains Sutton. &quot;I put all my eggs in this basket by the time I was about 8. I knew that this came naturally to me, that I was good, and it got me praise from adults and attention from girls.&quot;', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvww000v357vss9hwt1c@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Another self-described &quot;ham,&quot; this son of classically-trained parents wasn't exactly your typical south Minneapolis kid.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyvy6000w357vny872tpt@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;I was kind of surrounded by all kinds of things because, I mean, Dad being a founding member of the Minnesota Opera, I knew the opera world, and we'd have parties at our house, cast parties and things,&quot; Sutton describes. &quot;And so I'd see all these people coming in, and the same thing would happen for the early days of A Prairie Home Companion. So all those people would come to the house and I would invariably get out my violin, you know? My little tiny violin, and play for them because I wanted to show them that I could do that too, of course. So it was a great upbringing.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yywb8000x357vd9j6peyq@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Yet despite some of the highbrow perceptions and stereotypes that may come to mind when you think about a young violin phenom who needs to wear gloves to protect his hands, there was an extroverted, self-deprecating goofball - with a tremendous sense of fashion by the way - crying to get out.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yywce000y357vrqdc3k5w@published'}, {'data': {'text': '&quot;I was kind of a rebel,&quot; he says. &quot;I mean, this would have been the mid 80s, so there was kind of a punk rock sentiment among me and my friends. I got a leather motorcycle jacket that I loved so much. I kind of had a strange haircut. It was always wet, a wet look kind of thing.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yywdq000z357vzc03xgnl@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIpfWORQWhU">Flock of Seagulls</a>?', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yywf30010357v44z8a10y@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“Not quite. I had a buddy that did that too, but no, mine was just kind of always wet with hairspray or gel or something,” he adds.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yywl40011357vtia2w1o8@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Sutton's humor and childlike exuberance is a hallmark of his nearly 30 years with the Minnesota Orchestra. So much so that he's become the social media face of the orchestra's effort to lure younger fans, even hosting a fake game show.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yywmo0012357vlom1q9re@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rocZZQ8tloo?si=mMSliglcteKdykGN" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rocZZQ8tloo?si=mMSliglcteKdykGN" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmlb1svk8003c357vqls2k026@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Or starring in an online series called &quot;Mic'd Up Michael,&quot; where we hear him muttering his inner-most thoughts during rehearsal.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yywo10013357v2142o74j@published'}, {'data': {'text': "All sillies aside, Sutton is an accomplished performer who enjoys what he calls the ‘slow, patient work' and sometimes months it takes to learn and perfect a particularly difficult piece.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyws50015357vmfr3wr23@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'He does take his job very seriously, but at the same time, knows the value of lightening up.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yywtc0016357vzwye4p4j@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;Life's too short to not laugh at things when they're genuinely funny and people are entertaining you,&quot; Sutton adds. &quot;And so I'm hopefully helping people just relax and be. We have more fun and I think we play better when things aren't so rigid.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yywuw0017357vkf83kll9@published'}, {'data': {'alt': 'Each Kristi Abbott print comes with a map indicating where to find all of her hidden treasures. There are 128 in this collage of the New York City skyline.', 'url': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aiu-media/NYCSkylineConsolidatedsmall-bf915fbc-9fb6-4593-8645-1662012c4569.jpg', 'width': 2400, 'credit': '(Image courtesy of Kristi Abbott)', 'height': 1067, 'caption': 'Each Kristi Abbott print comes with a map indicating where to find all of her hidden treasures. There are 128 in this collage of the New York City skyline.', '_version': 1, 'imageLink': None, 'rendition': None, 'sizeInBytes': '581770', 'borderToggle': None, 'componentVariation': 'image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/image/instances/cmlb2xjlg005n357v80z1cra0@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>COLLAGE ARTIST KRISTI ABBOTT</strong>', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yywyl0018357vjw27toha@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Maybe the fire engine red ponytail caught your eye, or you picked up on the Australian accent, which always seems so fun and welcome in these parts.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyx17001a357v25xl14so@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Regardless, it’s probably safe to say that if you've been to one of the many annual art fairs held each summer in the Twin Cities, you’ve seen collage artist Kristi Abbott and her equally colorful work.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyx2g001b357v8wn7yeds@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;So I've got my golds, my silvers, my metallics, my flesh tones,&quot; she describes. &quot;These are my blues, look at all those blues. I decided to do Audrey Hepburn and then hide 18 women within her hair, her eyes, her clothing. And that was the very first piece I ever did with the hidden imagery, and people loved it.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyx3q001c357vmatocqcw@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Each Kristi Abbott print comes with a map indicating where to find all of her hidden treasures, and while Audrey’s hair held 18 of them, Abbott says her sales skyrocketed once she started including the maps.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyx7j001d357vercakaa4@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Abbott is from Sydney, Australia, her dad a native Minnesotan. So when she found herself miserable in a corporate job at the age of 30, she took a chance on coming to the Twin Cities to make her art, and a fresh start.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxf2001f357vildzzibq@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;It was absolutely scary,&quot; Abbott explained. &quot;I think the one thing that drove me is the fact that my parents are entrepreneurs. They ran their own business for years and they've been very successful, and so I saw them constantly taking risks and taking chances. So I think it was part of my DNA. And for me it was also like, 'I don't want to wake up at 60 and say, what if?'&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxgn001g357vkxzjdmaq@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'So Abbott hit the art fair circuit hoping for the best. At first sales were not exactly brisk and doubt began to creep in. She remembered how she told herself she’d give it three years to see if she could make it, and almost three years to the day....', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxhx001h357v1xniva4s@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;I actually went back to Australia for a trip to visit my parents, and I sat down with them and I'm like, 'guys, I just don't know if this is working out. I think I may have to go get another job.' And they're like, 'oh, OK, well if that's what you need to do, that's what you need to do.' And it made me feel sick, but I was prepared to,&quot; she says. &quot;And the very next day I got an email from the Edina Art Fair, and they had selected me as their featured artist. And I got selected for another featured artist role that same year in Duluth, and I started doing these outdoor fairs.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxj7001i357vun812zx1@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Now, Abbott has been able to buy her own house where she’s raising her young son, has several commissioned projects she’s working on, and couldn’t be more grateful.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxkr001j357vlc52tmb7@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;And it was almost like I think I had to reach that point of, do I really want this enough, you know? And being almost at the bottom and going, OK, shit, I've put everything I can into it, and then all of a sudden there was just this light that told me the dream is achieved.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxm4001k357vuh1uv2xs@published'}, {'data': {'alt': 'The So Yen cheesecake - eagerly devoured by Laura Oakes.', 'url': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aiu-media/IMG5509-1-1c3083ab-8636-4c87-9f37-fb0f0c77e85d.jpg', 'width': 480, 'credit': '(Audacy / Laura Oakes)', 'height': 640, 'caption': 'The So Yen Japanese cheesecake - eagerly devoured by Laura Oakes.', '_version': 1, 'imageLink': None, 'rendition': None, 'sizeInBytes': '44328', 'borderToggle': None, 'componentVariation': 'image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/image/instances/cmlb2zwra005u357vkn1r9d7m@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>BAKERY ENTREPRENEUR AND CHEF YEN FANG</strong>', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxne001l357vn4f1dp7u@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;This is definitely not your average donut. The texture is on another level. This is just amazing. I can't believe I've never thought of anything like this before.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxop001m357vvy676tj7@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'The words of a So Yen Desserts TikTok fan are just a tiny example of the social media buzz that still has Yen Fang shaking her head.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxq7001n357v6ru1cqw6@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;My very first thing was actually the Japanese cheesecake,&quot; says Fang. &quot;I loved it, but I couldn't find it here. And so after multiple attempts of finding a recipe online to play with, I couldn't get it to be exactly what I wanted until I finally started tweaking this and that, and then I got one that really worked for me.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxrj001o357vykw5jium@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'And that was just the start. Fang kept baking, kept tweaking, took a life-changing &quot;donut discovery&quot; trip to France, and started filling orders for her own take on delectable, oozing, brioche donuts out of her house, and selling them online under the name SoYen Desserts.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxsu001p357vfgmw7xya@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;'So' is for my daughter, her middle name is Soraya, and then 'Yen' is for myself,&quot; Fang explains. &quot;I started posting and then a lot of friends and family, you know, they've eaten that before, whether it's in New York or Japan. And so they started asking because they can't find it anywhere either. So I started doing that and then by the time I knew it, people were placing orders. I remember I had zero followers. Then I went to like 200 and I was just screaming for joy, telling my husband, 'oh, I got 200 followers!'&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxu6001q357veauf27fs@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<a href="https://www.instagram.com/soyendesserts/?hl=en">Now on Instagram alone</a>, So Yen Desserts has nearly 10,000 followers.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxvj001r357vpqu5ct9z@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR4s3fbDpFu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:99.375%;width:-webkit-calc(100% - 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7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR4s3fbDpFu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by So Yen (@soyendesserts)</a></p></div></blockquote>\n<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>', 'isIframe': False, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR4s3fbDpFu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:99.375%;width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR4s3fbDpFu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"></div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"></div> <div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" 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transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"> <div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"></div></div></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"></div></div></a><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR4s3fbDpFu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by So Yen (@soyendesserts)</a></p></div></blockquote>\n<script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmlb31tjo0061357vf7vusnh3@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Before she could blink, Fang’s husband convinced her to take a chance and open up her own, small-batch bakery in St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood. Life hasn’t been the same since, as Fang told CBS News.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxwr001s357vwps77o67@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'It took a lot of trial and error before we could find the perfect donut recipe,&quot; Fang said. &quot;And so, I tested it out and it was crazy. Lines were like crazy.&quot;', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxy5001t357vdbi5loua@published'}, {'data': {'text': "As in 'around the block' crazy. Every weekend hoards of people clamor for those donuts.… And to think it all started when she took a cake decorating class at Michael's Arts and Crafts as an outlet from her job in the corporate world.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyxzf001u357vgz45pmaa@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;I found a baking class on decorating cakes, and I remember taking the class over at Michael's and looked at my cake and thought, 'oh my God, this is horrible.' This is like such amateur decorating, you know.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyy0r001v357v5wfs3f53@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Not anymore.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyy24001w357v9var8j2i@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;Living your dreams and being able to step foot into it and making it come true, that's only once in a lifetime,&quot; Fang adds. &quot;And I just believe that everyone should take that risk. If you have something that you truly want to do it, do it. If it fails, it's OK.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyy3d001x357vcsqbv2wq@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coming up on Monday, our next "A Closer Look" with <a href="https://twitter.com/LauraWCCO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LauraWCCO</a> will feature a look at five Minnesotans who are following their artistic dreams from the theater to art fairs - that includes musician Erik Koskinen went from framing homes to a full-time musician. <a href="https://t.co/fXkCFdcRRL">pic.twitter.com/fXkCFdcRRL</a></p>— News Talk 830 WCCO (@wccoradio) <a href="https://twitter.com/wccoradio/status/2019807381555957923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>', 'isIframe': False, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coming up on Monday, our next "A Closer Look" with <a href="https://twitter.com/LauraWCCO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LauraWCCO</a> will feature a look at five Minnesotans who are following their artistic dreams from the theater to art fairs - that includes musician Erik Koskinen went from framing homes to a full-time musician. <a href="https://t.co/fXkCFdcRRL">pic.twitter.com/fXkCFdcRRL</a></p>— News Talk 830 WCCO (@wccoradio) <a href="https://twitter.com/wccoradio/status/2019807381555957923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmlb3321h0068357vexu3hrod@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>MUSICIAN, SONGWRITER AND RECORDING ENGINEER ERIK KOSKINEN</strong>', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyy4r001y357vyg3yk3ek@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Musician Erik Koskinen is in a good spot right now. A successful solo career, in demand by other artists who want him for live shows or to record their latest records in his studio, a cozy little joint on Main Street in a tiny southern Minnesota town. The studio sports an entire wall showcasing the many amazing guitars he's collected.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyy7b0020357vgjkwqlqz@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;This I have not played at a gig,&quot; Koskinen explains. &quot;Somebody just brought this to me and gave it to me. Yeah, it's like a late 50s or early 60s Silvertone strattone, they called them. And I haven't figured it out yet. So I mess around on it, but I haven't actually played it live.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyy8l0021357vna2iwh8f@published'}, {'data': {'text': '&quot;Would you say that each of these guitars has its own personality and you really do need to figure it out and find it?&quot; asks Oakes.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyy9z0022357vk055iqvf@published'}, {'data': {'text': "&quot;100%, yeah. It's an adventure. That's why there's so many guitars in here.&quot;", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyybk0023357v6tnvzhcv@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Koskinen loves to perform, write songs, record them, collect and learn how to play new instruments, and tell stories. In fact he is quite adept at spinning a yarn or two during his live shows - captivating his audiences with his slow, sincere, &quot;can't make it up&quot; tales.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cml9yyycs0024357vbhnxex8u@published'}, {'data': {'text': "He's definitely no stranger to hard work, sometimes to his detriment. Burning the candle at both ends as he framed houses during the day, played music at night and barely slept. 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