Dan Hegstad

Dan Hegstad is a professional whose career spans sales, broadcasting, public speaking, and documentary filmmaking. Hegstad studied journalism and broadcasting in college and worked in radio before transitioning to a 45-year career in sales and marketing. As a retired station manager of Lakeland PBS, he is also a videographer and owner of Easy Street Video Productions. Hegstad contributes to the Stay Human public radio show.

Hegstad is the author of "Next Steps — Tools for Transforming from Coping to Thriving" and works as a professional speaker and trainer. The book serves as a practical guide for individuals who have faced significant life challenges, such as addiction, health issues, divorce, and abuse, and are seeking to move forward. Each step in the book moves from theory and context to practical exercises. "Next Steps" draws on Hegstad's experience in sales, public television, and public speaking.

Hegstad has worked as a professional speaker and member of Toastmasters for nearly 30 years. His presentations address topics including "Taming The Stress Monster," "Attitude Is Everything," "Aging With Attitude," and "T'ai Chi For Health And Wellness." He is also a student and teacher of T'ai Chi and Chi Kung, connecting with audiences on themes of personal resilience, wellness, and self-improvement.

In addition to his work as an author and speaker, Hegstad has produced documentaries such as "Main Street of the Northwest — the story of the Northern Pacific" for Lakeland PBS. He also explored the history of oxcart trails in the Brainerd lakes area and produced "The Mètis and the Oxcarts of the Red River," which premiered on Lakeland PBS and is available on PBS and YouTube. Hegstad's documentaries focus on highlighting stories that might otherwise go unnoticed. Across his work in public speaking, wellness, and documentary filmmaking, Hegstad applies a storyteller's perspective and extensive professional experience.