EPISODE · Aug 6, 2025 · 26 MIN
Ep. 108: Turning Pages, Changing Lives – Literacy, Learning Differences & Community Strengths
from So Much More, A Mall of America® Podcast · host Mall of America®
In this episode, we shine a light on literacy, learning differences, and how we can all help strengthen our communities. The Mall of America Foundation is proud to host two powerful events this weekend: Building a Culture of Reading—a resource-rich gathering for educators—and Turning Pages, Changing Lives—a free and fun celebration of literacy for children, families, and friends featuring award-winning authors. Joining us is special guest Alissa Henriksen, Co-President and Founder of Grey Search + Strategy. Diagnosed with a learning difference as a child, Alissa shares how that challenge became a lifelong strength. Now a successful executive and entrepreneur, she offers practical advice for business leaders, parents, and individuals of all ages: how to lean into your superpower, lead with empathy, and unlock hidden potential. 1:30 Mall of America Community Foundation – it’s vision and purpose 5:00 Building a Culture of Reading, and Turning Pages Changing Lives events 8:45 Alissa’s tie to literacy – a story with challenges and successes 13:00 The courage to share your own story, hope for others 15:15 Literacy events represent the doors to opportunity 18:00 The keys to leaning into your ‘superpower’ even as an adult 21:15 The need to dig deeper in business: all about Grey Search + Strategy 23:00 Advice for the person dealing with learning differences Guests: Alissa Henriksen, Co-President and Founder of Grey Search + Strategy; Sara Durhman, Corporate Social Responsibility Director at Mall of America To find out more about Alissa and Grey Search + Strategy visit www.linkedin.com/in/alissahenriksen/ and www.grey-search.com/ To learn more about MOA events and foundation visit www.mallofamerica.com/events and www.moacommunityfoundation.org Hosts: Jill Renslow Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.
What this episode covers
In this episode, we shine a light on literacy, learning differences, and how we can all help strengthen our communities. The Mall of America Foundation is proud to host two powerful events this weekend: Building a Culture of Reading—a resource-rich gathering for educators—and Turning Pages, Changing Lives—a free and fun celebration of literacy for children, families, and friends featuring award-winning authors. Joining us is special guest Alissa Henriksen, Co-President and Founder of Grey Search + Strategy. Diagnosed with a learning difference as a child, Alissa shares how that challenge became a lifelong strength. Now a successful executive and entrepreneur, she offers practical advice for business leaders, parents, and individuals of all ages: how to lean into your superpower, lead with empathy, and unlock hidden potential. 1:30 Mall of America Community Foundation – it’s vision and purpose 5:00 Building a Culture of Reading, and Turning Pages Changing Lives events 8:45 Alissa’s tie to literacy – a story with challenges and successes 13:00 The courage to share your own story, hope for others 15:15 Literacy events represent the doors to opportunity 18:00 The keys to leaning into your ‘superpower’ even as an adult 21:15 The need to dig deeper in business: all about Grey Search + Strategy 23:00 Advice for the person dealing with learning differences Guests: Alissa Henriksen, Co-President and Founder of Grey Search + Strategy; Sara Durhman, Corporate Social Responsibility Director at Mall of America To find out more about Alissa and Grey Search + Strategy visit www.linkedin.com/in/alissahenriksen/ and www.grey-search.com/ To learn more about MOA events and foundation visit www.mallofamerica.com/events and www.moacommunityfoundation.org Hosts: Jill Renslow Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.
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Ep. 108: Turning Pages, Changing Lives – Literacy, Learning Differences & Community Strengths
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