Power Pairs

We all have different roles in our lives. We might be a parent, a partner, a daughter, a coworker and a friend, and we show different sides of ourselves depending on which role we’re playing.

That’s what we’re exploring in “Power Pairs,” a series on MPR News with Angela Davis. We’re talking with people in the news — prominent Minnesotans who you may know of separately but who reveal something new when we sit them down together.

Maybe they’re married or siblings or best friends. They could be business partners or a parent/adult child dynamic duo.

Listen in as Angela talks with two people in a close relationship about how they support each other and how they’re working to build a better Minnesota.

Power Pairs is a series featuring prominent Minnesotans in a close relationship. You may know of them separately but they reveal a new side of themselves when they sit down together.
Power Pairs: Educator Angela Mansfield and artist Roosevelt Mansfield
Meet our first Power Pair of 2026. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with married couple Angela and Roosevelt Mansfield. She’s an educator. He’s a photographer and DJ. And they both care deeply about young people.
Power Pairs: A state senator and a superintendent both focused on serving their community
MPR News host Angela Davis revisits another conversation in her Power Pairs series — Laurie and Aric Putnam. She leads the school district in St. Cloud. He’s a Minnesota state senator. Both are deeply rooted in public service. 
Power Pairs: Filmmaker Daniel Bergin and sportscaster Lea B. Olsen
Forget sibling rivalry. Let’s talk about some sibling excellence. MPR News host Angela Davis revisits a conversation from her Power Pair series with award-winning filmmaker Daniel Bergin and his award-winning sister, sports broadcaster Lea Olsen. 
Power Pairs: A rabbi and a politician on what makes a strong marriage
Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman, the senior rabbi of Minnesota’s largest synagogue, and Frank Hornstein, a former representative in the Minnesota House, have been married for more than 40 years. MPR News host Angela Davis revisits a conversation she had with the longtime couple about religion, politics and the power of relationships.
Power Pair: A superintendent and a state senator focused on serving their community
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her next Power Pair — Laurie and Aric Putnam. She leads the school district in St. Cloud. He’s a Minnesota state senator. Both are deeply rooted in public service. 
Power Pair: Sportscaster Lea B. Olsen and filmmaker Daniel Bergin
Forget sibling rivalry. Let’s talk about some sibling excellence. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her next Power Pair, award-winning filmmaker Daniel Bergin and his award-winning sister, sports broadcaster Lea Olsen.    
Power Pair: The rabbi and the politician
Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman, the senior rabbi of Minnesota’s largest synagogue, and Frank Hornstein, a former representative in the Minnesota House, have been married for 42 years. MPR News host Angela Davis talks to the longtime couple about religion, politics and the power of relationships.
 Power Pair: Two violas, two orchestras and one marriage  
Meet a power pair with a harmonious relationship. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with married couple Maiya Papach, principal violist of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Rebecca Albers, principal violist of the Minnesota Orchestra.