The World Belongs To Those Who Show Up
In this heartwarming episode of Nostalgia Street, hosts Vince and Jeff sit down with Kristy Laue, the creative director at Lawrence and Schiller, to delve into the stories that shaped her childhood and career. From her upbringing in the small town of Jamestown, North Dakota, to her high school pranks and the quirks of growing up on a farm, Kristy’s tales paint a picture of a life filled with unique experiences and cherished memories.
Kristy grew up in Jamestown, a town of about 14,000 people, just five hours from Sioux Falls. Raised on a farm, Kristy describes her childhood as untethered, with the freedom to explore and the joy of being close to nature. She fondly recalls her days spent with minimal adult supervision, which often led to imaginative and sometimes mischievous adventures. The farm life also included a stint with bison farming, a nod to North Dakota’s agricultural diversity and her father's entrepreneurial spirit.
Kristy shares insights into her family dynamics, detailing the roles each sibling played. As the middle child, she was the achiever, striving for attention through good deeds. Her older brother, now an engineer, was the pragmatic one, while her older sister was the athlete, known for her outgoing nature. The youngest brother, the classic baby of the family, often got away with the most. These relationships shaped Kristy's formative years, teaching her the values of hard work, cooperation, and occasionally, sibling rivalry.
Despite the strong presence of '90s country music in her household, thanks to her parents, Kristy gravitated more toward pop music. Boy bands and radio hits of the era left a lasting impact on her musical tastes, though she maintains an appreciation for the country classics that defined her childhood summers.
High school in Jamestown was a blend of academic achievement and memorable pranks. Kristy recalls the infamous senior prank, “Operation Snuff the Buff,” where her class draped a sheet over the town's giant buffalo statue, Dakota Thunder, declaring their class pride. This act of rebellion, visible from across the valley, cemented their place in local lore.
The conversation transitions to a more personal reflection, as the guest shares memories from Jamestown. The local teen hangout, whimsically named "The Bunker," served as the venue for a memorable school dance on Y2K night. Despite the widespread fear, the night ended without incident, adding a nostalgic charm to the guest's recollection.
From there, the podcast explores more personal stories, including the guest's experiences as a band and choir kid. They humorously recount the intense summer field drills and the unexpected chores at International Music Camp, highlighting the blend of hard work and fun that defined those days. This segment is peppered with amusing anecdotes, such as flavoring Zima drinks with Jolly Ranchers and the unending supply of Surge and Tab.
Towards the end, the conversation becomes more introspective. Kristy shares a significant life lesson learned through her experiences: "done is better than perfect." This mantra, developed from a lifelong battle with perfectionism, resonates deeply. It's a reminder that striving for perfection can often impede progress and that doing your best in the moment is sometimes all that matters.
As the episode wraps up, Kristy highlights the influence of music in her current life. Though not involved in formal music activities, she enjoys singing to her kids and appreciates the musical environment fostered by their drummer husband. The episode concludes on a heartwarming note, with the guest reflecting on their musically inclined extended family and the joy of shared musical traditions.
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