Talk:Josh Liljenquist

Correction to birth date

Hi! Thank you again for taking the time to start this draft. I really appreciate your help and the work you’re putting into it. I just wanted to kindly clarify one small detail: the current “born 2002/3” information isn’t accurate. My correct date of birth is December 29, 1997, and I’m completely comfortable with the full date being included publicly. Of course, please handle it however you think is most appropriate under Wikipedia’s sourcing guidelines. Thank you again for helping with this. NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 23:17, 26 July 2026 (UTC)

Find me a good source to back this up and I'll add it. Minnastronomer (talk) 05:22, 27 July 2026 (UTC)

Thank you! I found a stronger independent source that supports the birth year. The Fairmont Sentinel reported on March 1, 2024 that I was 26 years old, which is consistent with my December 29, 1997 birth date:

https://www.fairmontsentinel.com/news/local-news/2024/03/01/tiktoker-aspires-to-help-others/

My official website FAQ provides the full date:

https://joshliljenquist.com/faq

I understand the Fairmont Sentinel article directly supports the year rather than the exact day and month, so please use whichever level of detail you believe is appropriate under Wikipedia’s sourcing guidelines. Thank you again. NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 05:47, 27 July 2026 (UTC)

Curated independent sources for draft development

Hi! Since I am the subject of the draft, I want to keep my conflict of interest clear and leave all editorial decisions to uninvolved editors. I organized the strongest independent sources by the part of the biography they may support. I have many additional mentions and interviews, but I am only listing the most substantial and distinct sources here to avoid overwhelming the page or duplicating coverage.

Early career

• Mankato Free Press, “TikTok influencer just likes to make people laugh” — early TikTok career, Minnesota State University, content style, and initial audience growth.
• Fairmont Sentinel, “TikToker aspires to help others” — Fairmont background, Minnesota focus, and family influences.

Career, methods, and public reception

• Minnesota Star Tribune, January 2024 profile — detailed reporting on the food-distribution model, production and funding, business effects, recipient reactions, and criticism.
• Associated Press, October 2024 feature — national discussion of “kindness content,” consent, recurring participants, crowdfunding, and ethical criticism.
• CCX Media, August 2024 profile — work with Brooklyn Park businesses and broader community approach.
• KARE 11, 2024 profile — broader community work and support for local organizations.

Selected independently reported projects

• CBS Minnesota — Lotus food-distribution project and reported effect on the restaurant.
• CBS Minnesota — Starkey Cares hearing-aid project involving Eric Foster.
• Pioneer Press — Sheena Harrison and her son, the fundraiser, housing outcome, and longer-term planning.
• Sports Illustrated — collaboration with J.J. McCarthy on a Twin Cities food giveaway.
• We Are Mitú — taco-truck food-distribution project.

St. Paul parks dispute

• MPR News — strongest overall account of the restriction, appeal, and rescission.
• Axios Twin Cities — detailed reporting, city documentation, and community perspectives.
• PEOPLE — national reporting and corroboration of the rescission.

Public reception

• Minnesota Star Tribune, May 2026 — broader examination of audience support, criticism, and online reactions surrounding Minnesota influencers.

I am happy to provide direct links, screenshots for paywalled material, or specific passages when useful. Please use, reject, shorten, or reorganize any of these according to your independent judgment and Wikipedia’s sourcing and due-weight policies. Thank you. NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 02:17, 28 July 2026 (UTC)

Photo and Source Update Request

== Request to add Infobox Photo and 2026 Career Sources ==

Hi everyone! I have two updates I would love assistance from independent editors to neutrally add to the live page.

1. Infobox Photo: I have successfully uploaded an official personal headshot to Wikimedia Commons to be used as the primary image for the biography infobox.

• File name: File:Josh Liljenquist official portrait 2025.jpg

1. New Independent Coverage: I would like to submit two recent articles regarding my philanthropic work and creative outreach for editors to neutrally integrate into my career section:

• Local Press Coverage: A July 2026 feature by Carson Press documenting an outreach project assisting a family in North Dakota: https://www.gspublishing.net/carson-press-news/stories/from-social-media-to-small-town-hope,63846
• Project Coverage: A feature detailing a creative audio track release titled "Humanity": https://onthedial.net/2026/08/the-greatest-hit-radio-has-never-played-is-called-humanity/

Thank you so much to the community for your help organizing and building this biography! NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 16:25, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

Small correction to my earlier source description: the Carson Press article “From social media to small-town hope” concerns the Topeka, Kansas community-support story, not a North Dakota family. I wanted to correct that so editors have an accurate description of the source. Also, the On The Dial piece is commentary rather than independent hard-news reporting, so I would not suggest relying on it as an independent source. Thank you. NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 00:56, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

Correction to my correction above: I rechecked the original Carson Press/Grant County News source, and my original description was correct. “From social media to small-town hope” concerns an Elgin, North Dakota mother/family, not the Topeka, Kansas story. I had conflated it with a separate Topeka article. Sorry for the confusion, and I wanted to make sure the source description here is accurate. NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 00:59, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

Edit request: Add more specific categories

I am Josh Liljenquist, the subject of this article, and therefore have a conflict of interest. I am requesting review by an uninvolved editor.

Please consider adding the following categories to the article:

• [[Category:People from Fairmont, Minnesota]]
• [[Category:People from Chaska, Minnesota]]
• [[Category:American TikTokers]]
• [[Category:YouTubers from Minnesota]]

The article's existing sourced text states that Liljenquist was born in Fairmont and moved to Chaska after college. The infobox and article also document his substantial TikTok and YouTube activity. An editor may determine whether the broader existing category, American social media influencers, should remain after adding the more specific TikTok category. Thank you. NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 20:52, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

This is complete. Categories are added. Dflovett (talk) 22:25, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

COI edit request: expand career and public reception with independent 2024–2026 coverage

COI disclosure

I am Josh Liljenquist, the subject of this article. Because I have a conflict of interest, I am submitting this request on the talk page for uninvolved editors to review rather than editing the article directly.

I welcome editors to review, rewrite, shorten, reorganize, or decline this suggestion as needed to ensure that any resulting material complies with Wikipedia's neutral point of view, due weight, reliable sourcing, and biographies of living persons policies.

Requested location

Please consider adding the proposed paragraph to the Career section, immediately after the paragraph discussing the J. J. McCarthy collaboration and before the paragraph concerning the St. Paul parks dispute.

Proposed wording

Liljenquist's work has been discussed in reporting about the social-media genre known as "kindness content." He told the Associated Press that he makes his recording equipment conspicuous and considers consent important; the Minnesota Star Tribune reported that his food-distribution projects provided direct assistance to recipients and increased business for some participating restaurants, while revenue from the videos was used to support additional outreach and production. The reporting also described criticism of kindness content concerning privacy, potential exploitation, monetization, transparency, and power imbalances between creators and the people being filmed.

Sources

• Associated Press: On TikTok, 'kindness content' is a booming genre. But is it always kind? — Supports the description of the broader "kindness content" genre, Liljenquist's statements regarding visible recording equipment and consent, and discussion of concerns involving exploitation, transparency, crowdfunding, and monetization.

• Minnesota Star Tribune: Minnesota TikTokers serve food to the unhoused. Is it social media clout or altruism? — Supports the reporting on Liljenquist's food-distribution projects, direct benefits to recipients, increased business for participating restaurants, the use of video revenue to support additional outreach and production, and criticism involving privacy and unequal power dynamics.

Reason

The current Career section primarily presents individual projects in chronological order. I believe a short, balanced summary of substantial independent reporting about the broader methods, documented effects, and criticism surrounding this style of content would provide readers with useful context.

The sources and proposed wording are offered only for independent editorial review. Editors have full discretion to modify the language, change the placement, use only portions that meet Wikipedia's inclusion standards, or decline the request. NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 23:20, 14 August 2026 (UTC)

I'll look into it. Minnastronomer (talk) 03:37, 15 August 2026 (UTC)

Correction request: reference 13 MPR News URL

I am the subject of this article and have a conflict of interest, so I am requesting that an uninvolved editor make these corrections. Reference 13 currently identifies the source as MPR News and gives the MPR headline, but the linked URL incorrectly points to People.com. The correct MPR News URL is: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/04/24/st-paul-bans-then-rescinds-ban-on-kindness-influencer-josh-liljenquist. Also, the sentence in the same paragraph says “a unlicensed event”; this should be “an unlicensed event.” Thank you. NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 01:01, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

Edit request: August 2026 Kansas kidney donor coverage

• What I think should be changed:I am requesting a brief Career-section addition about the August 2026 Steven Mills kidney-donor effort in Garden City, Kansas.
• Why it should be changed:The current Career section ends with events from April 2026. This August 2026 effort is later activity that received independent coverage from both KMBC 9 and KAKE. Because it involved using my social-media reach to publicize a living-kidney-donor search, I thought it may be a relevant update for an uninvolved editor to consider.
• References supporting the possible change (format using the "cite" button):

NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 01:24, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

References

"Kindness influencing"

"Kindness influencing" isn't currently mentioned on this article, but I think it would make sense for it to be added in here (both positive and negative reactions to it.) In particular, this is a good article that isn't currently referenced on here:

https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/instagram-influencers-josh-liljenquist-darts-b2632679.html

Here's another one that documents the trend against Liljenquists's style of content and persona from before the St. Paul parks ban:

https://www.startribune.com/mn-influencers-john-osullivan-josh-liljenquist-and-angry-man-chris-ostroushko/601833148

Dflovett (talk) 17:10, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

If you don't add it yourself, I will when I have time. Minnastronomer (talk) 21:42, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

I see you added them in @Minnastronomer! Nice work. I am still unsure whether to add the specific phrase "kindness influencing." Dflovett (talk) 17:59, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

Find good sources for it to justify an inclusion is all. Minnastronomer (talk) 18:08, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

COI edit request: Live to Love and development of production/outreach team

I am Josh Liljenquist, the subject of this article, and therefore have a conflict of interest. I am requesting that uninvolved editors review the following newly published sourcing rather than editing the article myself.

The changes below are separate and optional; an editor may accept one without accepting the others. Editors are welcome to shorten, rewrite, relocate, or decline any part of this request.

A. Live to Love

Please consider the following concise addition, if editors believe it is due:

Liljenquist uses the phrase "Live to Love" to describe the mission behind his social-media and community-support work. He has said that the phrase is not the name of a nonprofit.

KSTP/Twin Cities Live independently introduced Liljenquist as the creator behind Live to Love. A September 18 profile in The Blast reports Liljenquist's explanation that the phrase describes the mission behind his work and is not the name of a nonprofit.

B. Ben Steine / team development

Please consider:

As his work expanded, Liljenquist began working with a small production and outreach team that includes videographer and editor Ben Steine.

The Minnesota Star Tribune describes Steine as a videographer who works with Liljenquist, and The Blast describes his videography, editing, and co-production role.

C. James Cowan Jr.

Please consider:

In 2026, James Cowan Jr., whom Liljenquist had previously featured in fundraising and assistance videos, later joined Liljenquist's team in an outreach role.

The Blast reports the progression from Cowan being featured in videos to joining the team; the more detailed employment description appears in Liljenquist's quoted comments, so the proposed wording is intentionally limited. I am not proposing sensitive details about Cowan's health, legal, housing, or family history.

D. Jacob Liljenquist (lower-priority Early life option)

If editors believe the family relationship has sufficient biographical relevance, please consider:

Liljenquist grew up with his older brother, Jacob.

The relationship is identified in The Blast and is consistent with earlier Fairmont family reporting.

Editors are welcome to shorten, rewrite, relocate, or decline any of these suggestions. Thank you. NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 00:15, 20 September 2026 (UTC)

References

Some updates, fixes, and source ideas

Hey everyone. I'm Josh Liljenquist. Just dropping a note here to keep my conflict of interest clear. I want to leave all actual editing decisions up to independent editors. Thanks a ton for all the work you've already put into the page. I really appreciate it!

I wanted to put a few remaining suggestions, fixes, and sources into one spot so they're easier to look through. I've linked the old talk sections where I already brought some of this up.

1. Quick citation fix: MPR News link

Right now, citation 17 is labeled as an MPR News article by Feven Gerezgiher, but clicking the link takes you to a PEOPLE article instead. Could someone replace that URL with the correct MPR News article? MPR displays a publication date of April 25, 2026.

Correct source:

• https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/04/24/st-paul-bans-then-rescinds-ban-on-kindness-influencer-josh-liljenquist

This goes with the existing talk-page section titled:

• Correction request: reference 13 MPR News URL

The old section heading refers to citation 13, but it is now citation 17.

2. Material from previous requests

The kidney donor search in Kansas: I went to Kansas to help a pastor named Steven Mills raise money for his medical and living costs and bring attention to his search for a living kidney donor. The campaign has raised over $60,000. If the coverage supports a brief mention in the Career section, I would appreciate someone reviewing it. The news sources and fundraising information are in my previous request. This suggestion concerns the fundraising and donor search, rather than a completed transplant.

Existing talk section:

• Edit request: August 2026 Kansas kidney donor coverage

James Cowan Jr. and team expansion: I'd also appreciate someone looking at James's story, specifically how he received housing assistance and later joined my outreach team. This Is Topeka reports that he was facing the loss of his housing over a lease issue, received housing assistance, and subsequently started working with us. The report is based on my public announcement. This connects to the remaining team information in my team-development thread.

This Is Topeka:

• https://thisistopeka.com/2026/07/joshlilj-brings-life-changing-mission-to-topeka-next-week/

Existing talk section:

• COI edit request: Live to Love and development of production/outreach team

3. A few other sources worth checking

If more background or context would be useful, these published sources may support additional material:

• Video style and local businesses: CCX Media describes the food-distribution format and how local businesses contribute. It also includes my account of my mother's influence when I was growing up.
  https://ccxmedia.org/news/charitable-tiktoker-visits-brooklyn-park-businesses/
• Financing background: The January 2024 Star Tribune profile covers historical funding and production.
  https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-tiktok-food-unhoused-homeless-social-media-clout-charity-altruism-facebook-instagram-viral/600336333
• Azeza Kasham campaign: MPR News interviewed Azeza and reported fundraising exceeding $600,000 for housing and accessible transportation needs.
  https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/04/24/st-paul-bans-then-rescinds-ban-on-kindness-influencer-josh-liljenquist
• The Sheena collaboration: The International Network of Street Papers article discusses the campaign with Samuel Weidenhofer and the housing follow-up shown in the videos, as part of a broader examination of kindness content.
  https://www.insp.ngo/articles/lived-experience/the-kindness-influencers
• Production crew details: The Blast's September 18, 2026 interview discusses Ben Steine's filming, editing, and co-production roles. This relates to the existing team-development request.
  https://theblast.com/852733/josh-liljenquist-reveals-best-part-viral-tiktok-story-happened-after-video-ended/
• First-person essay: KevinMD published an essay I wrote in September 2026. I understand this is a primary source and not an independent news profile, but it verifies the publication if editors consider that relevant.
  https://kevinmd.com/2026/09/what-can-lived-experience-actually-teach-us-about-helping.html

It's completely up to editors what is worth adding, shortening, reorganizing, or leaving out based on the sourcing and Wikipedia's guidelines. These are suggestions, and reviewing individual items would also be appreciated.

Thanks again for taking a look! NorthStarJoshL26 (talk) 05:29, 28 September 2026 (UTC)