Magic City Hoagies Owner Brings Downtown Minot's Stories to the Microphone With the Magic District Hangout Podcast

Christine Staley is best known downtown for hoagies and ice cream. These days she is also known for a couch, a microphone and a growing list of Minot guests.

Staley, who opened Magic City Hoagies & Sweets in October 2014 and runs it today at 123 Main Street South, co-hosts The Magic District Hangout Podcast with Corey Long. Long is a familiar face downtown in his own right. He received Minot's 2026 Good Neighbor Award in April, and his community work includes the Downtown Business and Professional Association, the Minot Shrine Club, the Minot Fireworks Association, the city's Fourth of July celebration and the Fjord Folk Fest.

The format is simple: the two sit down to chat and chill with someone from the community and let them tell their story.

"I love learning about people, how they started something they are passionate about and connecting on a deeper level," Staley said. "And this podcast gives me an amazing opportunity to share stories further and with more people."

The guest list so far reads like a tour of the area. Minot musician Dakotah Faye, who released an EP called Magic City this spring, was the show's first interview. He has since teamed up with Staley on The Doghouse, Magic City Hoagies' Hoagie of the Month for October. Artist EJ Rose came on to talk creativity, community and art in the Magic City. Josh Wolsky, introduced by the show as an entrepreneur, civic advocate and keeper of Minot's story, joined for an episode covering everything from golf to City Council to building local media. Doug Woodall and his daughter Evie Woodall Johnson shared two generations of ranching at Big Sky Buffalo Ranch near Granville, which Doug and Duane Woodall started with 10 bison. Craig Rudland has also taken a seat on the couch.

The podcast has also stepped out of the studio. In September, Staley and Long broadcast live from Festival on Main in downtown Minot, streaming the show on Facebook over the lunch hour. The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce has featured the podcast in its Communicator newsletter as well.

A new episode has dropped every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Central since the show launched this spring. The podcast is made possible by Main Street America and American Express, and listeners can find it on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themagicdistrictpodcast

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMagicDistrict

Magic City Hoagies & Sweets is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Sweets open until 6 p.m.