Rural Unrecognized

Hosted by Flagstaff County

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-CA

About the show

“Rural, Unrecognized is a podcast in which we showcase the inspiring stories of small business owners from the Flagstaff Region and beyond. We dive deep into the journeys of these entrepreneurs who have turned their dreams into a reality, and hear about the struggles, successes, and lessons learned along the way. Each episode, we will feature a different small business owner and discuss their unique experiences in starting and running their business. From brick-and-mortar shops to online stores, we'll cover a variety of industries and share valuable insights and advice for anyone looking to start or grow their own business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just interested in learning more about the small business community, "Rural, Unrecognized" is the podcast for you. Tune in and get inspired by the amazing stories of these passionate and dedicated individuals who are making a difference in their communities and beyond.”

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33 recent

October 20, 2026Episode 3227 min

The Detention Brewing Story

Send us Fan Mail Detention Brewing: Turning a Closed Village School Into a Craft Brewery, Honouring Garrett, and Why Life's Too Short to Be Miserable | Mark Langille What do you do when the only empty building in a village of 162 is the school you never got along with? Jessica sits down with Mark Langille, co-owner of Detention Brewing Co. in Rosalind, Alberta. The idea started over beers in New Zealand in 2017, while Mark and his wife Tammy were visiting their son Wyatt, who was working at a brewpub there. Back home, there were no buildings in Rosalind to start a brewery in, until Tammy asked, “What about the school?” Two months later, the school that had sat empty since 2013 was listed for tender. After multiple sleepless nights, they put in a bid (it turned out to be the only one) and kept the whole thing secret from the village until they took possession. Mark walks through what came next: Wyatt heading to Olds College for the brewmaster program and graduating in the middle of COVID, a used brewhouse from Blindman Brewing in Lacombe, and a first-choice name that turned out to belong to Molson. Tammy came up with Detention, and the school theme took over from there, from the No Running in the Halls red ale to tasters served in a lunch kit and a ten-page list of beer names on Mark's phone. They have won marketing awards with zero marketing training. It is also a conversation about what a taproom can do for a village with no store and no restaurant. Thursday has become Locals Day, run by a group text. Neighbours who lived down the road for 15 years are now close friends. There has been a prom in the taproom, and there is crokicurl in the parking lot every winter. Mark shares the story of their youngest son, Garrett, who passed away from muscular dystrophy at 17. The MD puzzle pieces are on every can, and taproom competitions, from a Saskatoon pie contest (Garrett's favourite) to salsa and the annual Christmas nuts and bolts, raise money for MD or the local food bank. Mark gets real about the business side too: more than 200 Alberta breweries competing for limited liquor store shelf space, why rural products cost more to make, and why you can't tell anyone they have to buy local. You can still share, refer and leave a Google review, all for free. His definition of community: “Willingness to do what is required without it being recognized.” Resources Mentioned Olds College Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program, where Wyatt trained as Detention's brewer: oldscollege.ca/programs/service-industry/brewmaster Blindman Brewing, Lacombe, Alberta: Detention's brewhouse was originally Blindman's: blindmanbrewing.com Go East of Edmonton, the regional travel guide Mark recommends for finding hidden gems: goeastofedmonton.com Cherry Lane B&B and Café, near Rosalind, which serves Detention beer: goeastofedmonton.com/…/cherry-lane-bb-and-cafe Double Dam Golf Course, just down the road from the brewery: chronogolf.ca/club/double-dam-golf-course Muscular Dystrophy Canada, the cause the Langilles have fundraised for through the Rosalind Halloween dance and taproom competitions: muscle.ca Connect with Mark Company: Detention Brewing Co. Website: detentionbrewing.ca Instagram: @detentionbrewing Facebook: Detention Brewing Co. Location: the former Rosalind School in Rosalind, Alberta (Camrose County). Taproom hours, events and retail locations are listed on the website. Learn More To learn more about Flagstaff County visit: www.flagstaff.ab.ca To learn more about our host, Jessica Janzen visit: jessicajanzen.ca Credits Host: Jessica Janzen Produced & Edited by: www.jcefilms.com

September 24, 2026Episode 3136 min

The Jewelled Cocoa Bean Story

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to make a chocolate that sells out in five minutes from a lakeside community of 600 people? Jessica sits down with Andrea, the self-taught chocolatier behind The Jewelled Cocoa Bean, just outside Lloydminster. A dental hygienist by trade and a mom of three, Andrea ran a custom cake business for two years, walked away when it took over every weekend, then fell down a Netflix rabbit hole of chocolate competitions and spent two years teaching herself before she ever sold a box. Andrea walks us through what actually makes chocolate "luxury": couverture chocolate with real cocoa butter, fruit purees imported from Europe, and the science of tempering, where one degree or a humid room can wreck a whole batch. She explains why she runs the business on launches instead of retail, why the VIP email list is the only way to guarantee you get a box, and why she is completely fine with that trade-off. It is also a conversation about raising three girls while running a business, the mom guilt she has never felt, the tempering machine that bought her time back, and showing up online as yourself. More people connect with mom Andrea and farm wife Andrea than with chocolatier Andrea, and one box gifted to a stranger in Saskatoon turned into a $700 order the next day. Resources Mentioned School of Chocolate on Netflix, hosted by chocolatier Amaury Guichon: the chocolate competition series Andrea and her kids watched that sparked the whole idea. netflix.com/title/81207686 The Jewelled Cocoa Bean VIP email list: sign up at the bottom of the website to get launch dates and times first, and sometimes early access before it goes on socials Connect with Andrea Company: The Jewelled Cocoa Bean Website: thejewelledcocoabean.com Instagram: @thejewelledcocoabean Location: a small lakeside community just outside Lloydminster, Alberta Learn More To learn more about Flagstaff County visit: www.flagstaff.ab.ca To learn more about our host, Jessica Janzen visit: jessicajanzen.ca Credits Host: Jessica Janzen Produced & Edited by: www.jcefilms.com

June 16, 2026Episode 3042 min

The Harty Locomotive Works Story

Send us Fan Mail How does a blacksmith in the middle of nowhere build a global business? The forge is the craft, but the phone is the storefront. Jessica sits down with Ethan Harty, a first-generation blacksmith who started at 11, dropped out of high school at 16, and now ships work around the world from rural Alberta. He breaks down Damascus steel, the 800-pound jobs and the steam locomotive he’s restoring on camera, and the one idea behind it all: social media is his “accessible storefront,” and the way to win on it is to provide value, not to sell. In This Episode • Becoming a first-generation blacksmith at 11, and dropping out at 16 to go all in • Why social media is his “accessible storefront,” with a direct link between videos and orders • The principle that beats marketing: provide value, don’t be pushy about selling • Damascus steel, 800-pound forging jobs, and restoring a steam locomotive on YouTube • What Rural Unrecognized means: being rural and recognized at the same time Connect with Ethan Harty • Website: ethanhartyblacksmith.com • YouTube: youtube.com/@EthanHarty • Instagram: @_ethanharty • Facebook: Ethan Harty Blacksmith Learn More Flagstaff County: www.flagstaff.ab.ca Host, Jessica Janzen: jessicajanzen.ca Credits Host: Jessica Janzen | Produced & Edited by: jcefilms.com

May 13, 2026Episode 291 hr 3 min

The KR Counselling & Psychotherapy Story

Send us Fan Mail KR Counselling and Psychotherapy: Breaking the Stigma & Building Mental Health in Rural Communities | Krysta Rathwell What if therapy didn't feel intimidating… but felt like coming home to yourself? In this episode of Rural Unrecognized , released for Mental Health Awareness Month , Jessica sits down with Krysta Rathwell , founder of KR Counselling and Psychotherapy in Forestburg, Alberta, a village of just 800 people in Flagstaff County. After 20 years in education, including a principalship, Krysta made the leap into full-time therapy practice. The village rallied around her so fully that the CAO and mayor literally built her an office above the medical and dental clinic in downtown Forestburg. Krysta walks us through the difference between a psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, and counsellor, and shares the personal wake-up call (a terrifying paralysis episode that turned out not to be a stroke) that reshaped how she shows up for her clients, her kids, and herself. She offers practical, honest tools you can actually use: how to define your self-care so it serves you, how to set boundaries that hold, and a simple phrase ("that's not my story") that protects your peace without closing your heart. This conversation explores narrative therapy, parenting in a digital era, the rural resources we often overlook, and what it really takes to slow down and tend to your mental health… one small, intentional step at a time. In This Episode The difference between a psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, and counsellor Leaving a 20-year career in education to follow her heart into full-time therapy Why the village of Forestburg built her an office, and what that says about rural community How narrative therapy helps clients separate themselves from labels like "anxious" or "depressed" The new Forestburg Connect Group, launching with two other local business owners to combat rural isolation Why "self-care" doesn't work unless your time is defined Krysta's personal health scare and the moment she realized she had to start serving herself, too Hard boundaries vs. soft boundaries, and the people-pleasing that gets in the way The "that's not my story" tool you can start using today Parenting in the digital era: modeling and admitting your mistakes Free, accessible mental health resources for rural families Krysta's joy-driven side hustle: coffee, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and small-town living Resources Mentioned Kids Help Phone: free, 24/7 support for young people across Canada by phone or text. Visit kidshelpphone.ca or text CONNECT to 686868 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 anywhere in Canada for free, confidential support. 988.ca Psychology Today: directory for finding therapists, psychologists, and counsellors. psychologytoday.com The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: recommended reading, especially for those navigating trauma Anxious People by Fredrik Backman: another favourite read Connect with Krysta Rathwell Instagram: @krcounsellingandpsychotherapy Psychology Today profile: search Krysta Rathwell, Forestburg, AB on psychologytoday.com Location: The Brick Centre, downtown Forestburg, Alberta (Flagstaff County) Learn More To learn more about Flagstaff County visit: www.flagstaff.ab.ca To learn more about our host, Jessica Janzen visit:

April 20, 2026Episode 2825 min

The Country Cupboard Farm Store Story

Send us Fan Mail What if shopping wasn’t something you rushed through… but something you experienced? In this episode of Rural Unrecognized , Jessica sits down with Trish Muirhead, founder of The Country Cupboard Farm Store , a unique rural destination just outside Sedgwick in Flagstaff County. What started as a simple love for wildflowers and a few backyard chickens quickly grew into a thriving farm store which is now home to 80+ chickens, sheep, ducks, and a thoughtfully curated selection of local products. Trish shares how her business evolved organically, without a rigid plan, and why she’s passionate about creating a space where people can slow down, connect, and truly experience where their food comes from. From feeding sheep peanuts to chatting with customers about local producers, The Country Cupboard is redefining what it means to “run to the store.” This conversation explores the shift away from hustle culture, the beauty of rural life, and the power of building something meaningful … one intentional step at a time. In This Episode: From wildflowers to a full farm store Growing from 6 chickens to 80+ Creating a shopping experience vs. convenience Leaving hustle culture behind Supporting local producers + sharing their stories The value of slowing down in a fast-paced world Visit The Country Cupboard Located just off Highway 13 near Sedgewick, Flagstaff County Connect with The Country Cupboard Instagram: @countrycupboardfarmstore Facebook: The Country Cupboard Farm Store Website: The Country Cupboard Farm Store Learn More To learn more about Flagstaff County visit: www.flagstaff.ab.ca To learn more about our host, Jessica Janzen visit: jessicajanzen.ca Credits Host: Jessica Janzen Produced & Edited by: www.jcefilms.com

March 16, 2026Episode 2723 min

The ZS Farms Story

Send us Fan Mail Sometimes innovation starts with a simple question: What if there’s a better way? In this episode of Rural Unrecognized , Jessica sits down with Bryan of ZS Farms , whose curiosity and willingness to think differently led him to rethink the way food is produced. What began with reading old books and asking new questions quickly turned into a bold decision to build a completely different kind of system…one that connects soil health, animal care, and food quality into a full-circle approach. Bryan shares the journey of challenging industry assumptions, taking risks, and building something new in rural Alberta. Along the way, he reflects on what it means to try something different when others are watching, how innovation often starts quietly, and why more entrepreneurs are beginning to rethink traditional systems. This conversation isn’t only about farming - it’s about curiosity, leadership, and the mindset it takes to build a better way forward. To learn more about Bryan and ZS Farms visit ZS Farms, Local Whole Grain Feed and Seed Instagram Facebook Viral Post mentioned in the episode To learn more about Flagstaff County visit www.flagstaff.ca To learn more about our host, Jessica Janzen visit Jessica Janzen | Keynote Speaker, Mindset Coach, Philanthropist, Mental Health Advocate & Joy Expert This episode was produced and edited by jcefilms.com

November 12, 2025Episode 2640 min

The Sarah Wells Story

Send us Fan Mail Olympian Sarah Wells joins Amanda after delivering her keynote at the Flagstaff Celebrate Success Gala to talk about what it really means to pursue excellence — not for applause, but for who we become in the process. Sarah shares how her journey from the track to the stage taught her that excellence isn’t about medals or titles, but about choices, resilience, and redefining success when the plan falls apart. From missing her second Olympic qualification to finding purpose in failure, Sarah opens up about identity, discipline, and why hope matters more than winning. Whether you’re chasing a business goal, raising a family, or just figuring out what’s next, Sarah’s message hits home: excellence is who we become when no one’s watching. To learn more about Sarah Wells: Website www.thesarahwells.com Instagram: @sarahwells400mh To learn more about Flagstaff County visit www.flagstaff.ab.ca To learn more about the host, Amanda Wager Amanda Wagner This episode was produced and edited by JCE Films

October 20, 2025Episode 2535 min

The Rusty Daisy Gift Co. Story

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Amanda sits down with Mandy, the “unapologetically real” florist and founder behind The Rusty Daisy Gift Co. in Daysland, Alberta. What starts as a conversation about running a floral and gift shop quickly blooms into a heartfelt discussion about figuring it out : motherhood, small-town business, and building a true sense of community. Mandy shares how her “village” helped her balance entrepreneurship and parenting, why loyalty matters in rural business, and how she’s built a store that’s as bright, cheeky, and down-to-earth as she is. If you’ve ever wondered how small-town businesses keep going through all the pivots and plot twists, then this one’s for you! To learn more about The Rusty Daisy Website : www.rustydaisy.ca Instagram: @rustydaisyco Facebook: Facebook To learn more about Flagstaff County visit www.flagstaff.ab.ca To learn more about the host, Amanda Wager Amanda Wagner This episode was produced and edited by JCE Films

September 23, 2025Episode 2437 min

The Hohm and Co Story

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized , we sit down with Tylene, co-founder of Hohm and Co . What started as a small family project selling at farmers’ markets has grown into a storefront in Hardisty, Alberta, with an online presence reaching customers across Canada. Tylene shares how the business is rooted in community, fueled by a passion for beautiful, Canadian-made products, and built with an intentional focus on organic growth. From juggling careers outside the shop to leaning on family support, Hohm and Co is proof that rural entrepreneurs can create city-quality experiences without leaving small towns behind. Tylene also reflects on the opportunities that come when you’re willing to take risks, say yes at the right time, and trust that even in rural Alberta, innovation and resilience can open unexpected doors. To learn more about Hohm and Co: Website Instagram Facebook To learn more about Flagstaff County visit www.flagstaff.ab.ca To learn more about the host, Amanda Wager Amanda Wagner This episode was produced and edited by JCE Films

September 2, 2025Episode 2349 min

The Align and Release Wellness Story

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural. Unrecognized. , Bobbi Delowsky talks honestly about how her career has changed over the years, from starting as a massage therapist to running her own wellness space called Align and Release Wellness . Bobbi shares how her interest in fitness grew out of her own need to take care of her body. She never planned to teach fitness, but after trying a class that pushed her way out of her comfort zone, something shifted. That moment helped her realize that movement could be powerful, emotional, and healing, not just physical. She also talks about the challenges of being in a small town, balancing business with family, and learning to trust herself when making big decisions. One of those decisions was buying a house and an old church to turn into a wellness space. She was scared, but she asked for support and went for it anyway. Throughout the conversation, Bobbi opens up about body image, confidence, and how hard it can be to start something new. But she also shows how worth it it is to show up for yourself, even if it’s just an hour at a time. To learn more about Align and Release Wellness: Facebook: The B Class Facebook: Massage Email Massage To learn more about Flagstaff County visit www.flagstaff.ab.ca To learn more about the host, Amanda Wager Amanda Wagner This episode was produced and edited by JCE Films