Current Issue -

Fall 2026 Inspire(d) Editor’s Letter

By Aryn Henning Nichols | Fall 2026 Inspire(d)

For me, fall feels like the most dramatic season shift of the year. From life to death. Colorful to drab. Warm to cool… all signaling the time to cocoon up in hopes that we will emerge in the spring as a new, beautiful thing. This hope for a better future – knowing that we must allow time for rebuilding, growing, learning – is something I love about the slowing of seasons.

Perhaps it’s ironic that it was autumn when Inspire(d) Magazine first came to life – October 7, 2007. 19 years ago! We weren’t slowing down then (sorry mother nature) and we’re not slowing down now, even as we learn the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. 

These life lessons that happen in between the ups and downs sometimes feel the most impactful. And, as our issue’s theme suggests, there are lessons everywhere we go, if we know how to look for them.

Cover artist Jen Nahl has some experience with ebbs and flows in making her work meld with shifting seasons of life. She infuses her pottery with inspiration and love, tucking messages and fun colors into many of her pieces. There’s a real light and positivity to her artwork, and I love it.

Artwork by Jen Nahl / Rara Avis Pottery

Community Builders also bring light and positivity to the world. We started this section of the magazine for our tenth anniversary issue. When we stepped back to assess the work of our first decade, it became very clear that creating a community is one of the most important things we can do in this life. I believe connection – seeing the ways we are the same, even alongside our differences – is the answer to everything. Imagine all the things we could accomplish if we were all working together, in the same direction, building community for a better future. Our Community Builders this issue are Amanda Hess and her team from the Driftless Half Marathon; Hal Cropp from Lanesboro’s Commonweal Theatre; and Mariann Fant and Josh Ratel-Khan, who are leaders with Decorah Pride, amongst other things. 

In this issue’s infographic, I spend some time reflecting on 19 years of Inspire(d) Magazine, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. That kicks off Olivia Lynn Schnur’s mental health piece, highlighting ways we can explore who we are and how to grow and change as we move through our lives.

And we’ve got lots of other impactful stories in this issue:

The Future Focused column is from our daughter, Roxie, who turned 14 in August. She writes about learning the lesson that “perfect” is an illusion (wow, I love her).

Luther College student Phonnaphat Khamphinit spent the summer in her home country, Thailand, implementing her Growing Seeds for Peace project, a community farming initiative that won a $10,000 Projects for Peace grant this year. 

The Sum of Your Business interview is with Hillary and Dane Diede of Blossom Hill Orchard in Preston, Minnesota. Hillary and Dane have been focused on sweet pursuits in their communities since before they boomeranged to Southeast Minnesota in 2015!

Mary and Craig Thompson, our favorite conservation duo, are back with a piece about fall bird migration. I’m definitely adding “swandevous” to my vernacular and planning a trip to the Mississippi this season to watch the Tundra Swans. While I’m out and about, I might check out some of Marge Loch-Wouters fabulous fall hiking suggestions! 

Finally, our probituary features Elliott Christen, who spent 50 years as a teacher and administrator, and 30 of those as a sports announcer for the Decorah Vikings and Luther Norse. We love the wisdom that comes from these interviews – which have been a part of Inspire(d) from the very beginning – and we hope you do too!

Thanks for reading, friends. You inspire me, every dang day!

Looking forward,

Aryn Henning Nichols

In this issue, you’ll find:

19 Years of Inspire(d) Magazine! Impactful Education: Finding lessons everywhere we go. Artist Jen Nahl • Community Builders – Amanda Hess + the DHM team – Hal Cropp / Commonweal – Mariann Fant & Josh Ratel-Khan • 19 Lessons from 19 Years of Inspire(d) • Mental Health: Learning from Experience • Future Focused: Perfection is an Illusion • Paper Project: Heart Envelope • Growing Seeds (and Community) for Peace • Sum Biz: Blossom Hill Orchard • Bird Migration • Fall Hiking is Cool • Probit: Elliott Christen • And More!

Read the whole thing online here:

Listen to our FALL playlist while you read!

Listen to the Spotify playlist that Aryn put together while making this issue! Impactful Education: Finding lessons everywhere we go. <3

Support the Positive News Movement: Become a Member of Inspire(d)!

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