The Growing Small Towns Show

Hosted by Rebecca Undem

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Oct 2026

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The future of small towns doesn't depend on us finding more people; we need to better engage the ones who are already there. Each week, join Rebecca Undem, small-town champion and rural entrepreneur, as she chats with people who are doing their part to grow their community. You'll hear ideas and learn ways to better support your business community, create a sense of belonging for all, and foster a rich arts and culture scene in your small town. If you live in a small town, care deeply about your community, and share the belief that "if you're not growing, you're dying", this is the podcast for you.

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November 9, 2026Episode 2058 min

S6:E20 - Making Your Downtown Better 365 Days a Year with Lisa DiVirgilio Arnold

You know the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"? Well, for this week's podcast guest, her version was, "When you have to close your business space and consider selling the entire business, pause and then go viral on the internet and build something new instead." Doesn't roll off the tongue quite as nicely, but it makes for a much better story, even if you're one of those people that's weirdly passionate about lemonade. Lisa DiVirilio Arnold, of aforementioned viral fame, is the founder and CEO of Small Town Startup, and we're unbelievably glad to have her on the show. She joins Rebecca to share how her business began, how it grew, and that pivot when she had to close her beloved coworking space this summer. About Lisa: Lisa DiVirgilio Arnold is the founder and CEO of Small Town Startup and creator of Downtown 365, a program that helps community leaders and small business owners take practical steps toward building thriving downtowns. Drawing on her experience as an entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and former Springfield, Tennessee alderman, Lisa connects downtown revitalization with the everyday realities of running a business and leading a community. Through Downtown 365, she helps communities turn ideas into action, support local businesses, and build momentum that lasts beyond a single event or initiative. In this episode, we cover: How one shop owner's sad look sparked Small Town Startup Why some small-town success stories stay hidden (and why that hurts everyone) The Instagram post that took Lisa from 2,000 to 21,000 followers The five things that make or break a downtown How Downtown 365 gets a 78% completion rate when most online courses never get finished Links + Resources Mentioned: Downtown 365 Waitlist Small Town Startup Small Town Startup Substack Say hello to our podcast sponsor! This season of the Growing Small Towns Show is brought to you by Ideal Soil Solutions. Based in Ideal, South Dakota, Ideal Soil Solutions works alongside growers to build farms that are healthy, productive, and profitable, for this season and for the generations still to come. Their approach is built on the five principles of soil health: armor the soil, disturb it less, keep a living root in the ground, add diversity, and bring livestock back into the system. They're also building their dealer network across South Dakota and North Dakota with local businesses that already have growers' trust in their communities. They bring the products, training, marketing, and support; you bring the relationships. Stronger soil builds stronger farms, and stronger farms build stronger small towns. Find a dealer near you, or find out how to become one, at IdealSoilSolutions.com . Ideal Soil Solutions: rooted in your community. We have a membership! Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those leading change in small-town America. For $30/month, you'll get twice-monthly live calls with Rebecca, access to a private network of fellow small-town changemakers, replay recordings, frameworks, and early access to GST events. It's for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better leadership. Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All support. We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message with our audience! Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We have two "participation dance" elements of the show: Leave us a Love Note! 💌 What do you love about your town? It could be a person, an event, or some random thing that made you say, "I love that." Call 701-203-3337 and tell us about it, and we may share your Love Note on the show. "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that. If you've got a love note or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you! Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!

November 3, 2026Episode 1953 min

S6:E19 - Theatre for Charity with Chrissy Hogue Bartels

What if the arts could support local causes in our small towns? What if your next fundraiser wasn't a gala or drive, but a play?? That's exactly the idea behind Theatre for Charity, and the foundation of the mission that our guest, Chrissy Hogue Bartels, is leading. Twenty years ago, Chrissy turned a $500 benefit production into $30,000 for a local crisis center in two nights. Now she's built that moment into Theatre for Charity, a model where 70% of proceeds go to local nonprofits. How does it work? Well, she's here to tell us and we are *fascinated.* The arts are often the first thing cut from budgets and schools, and Theatre for Charity is a real example of how we can keep the arts in our small towns. Chrissy and Rebecca talk about working with partners, profit splits, galas, and why good stories move people to give–and how any small town with an empty stage could try it. About Chrissy: Chrissy Hogue Bartels, M.F.A., is an actor, producer, and author, and a member of Actors' Equity and SAG-AFTRA. She is the Founding Artistic and Managing Director of Bluff City Stage in Dubuque, Iowa, a professional theatre for charity that pays artists fairly and directs most of each production's net proceeds to a local nonprofit partner. It all started with a 2005 benefit play she produced with her sister that raised $30,000 in two nights, thanks to a three-minute appeal from the stage. Her new book, Theatre for Charity, shows small towns how to do the same, and comes out December 1, 2026. In this episode, we cover: How a $500 play raised $30,000 in two nights (way more than ticket sales, btw) The three partners every Theatre for Charity needs The 70/15/15 split that makes the model work Why matching the play to the cause matters How small towns with an empty stage can get started Links + Resources Mentioned: Everything in one place (book, talks, and more): https://linktr.ee/chrissyhoguebartels LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissyhoguebartels/ Say hello to our podcast sponsor! This season of the Growing Small Towns Show is brought to you by Ideal Soil Solutions. Based in Ideal, South Dakota, Ideal Soil Solutions works alongside growers to build farms that are healthy, productive, and profitable, for this season and for the generations still to come. Their approach is built on the five principles of soil health: armor the soil, disturb it less, keep a living root in the ground, add diversity, and bring livestock back into the system. They're also building their dealer network across South Dakota and North Dakota with local businesses that already have growers' trust in their communities. They bring the products, training, marketing, and support; you bring the relationships. Stronger soil builds stronger farms, and stronger farms build stronger small towns. Find a dealer near you, or find out how to become one, at IdealSoilSolutions.com . Ideal Soil Solutions: rooted in your community. We have a membership! Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those leading change in small-town America. For $30/month, you'll get twice-monthly live calls with Rebecca, access to a private network of fellow small-town changemakers, replay recordings, frameworks, and early access to GST events. It's for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better leadership. Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All support. We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message with our audience! Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We have two "participation dance" elements of the show: Leave us a Love Note! 💌 What do you love about your town? It could be a person, an event, or some random thing that made you say, "I love that." Call 701-203-3337 and tell us about it, and we may share your Love Note on the show. "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that. If you've got a love note or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you! Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!

October 26, 2026Episode 181 hr 17 min

S6:E18 - Municipal Hospitality: What It Is + Why It Matters More Now Than Ever with Chris Gilbert

What if we thought of residents of our communities as customers? And what if this is actually easier for small towns? Well, today's guest makes the case for both of those things. City manager Chris Gilbert nearly walked away from 27 years in local government until a memorable birthday dinner showed him what public service was missing: gratitude. He joins Rebecca in-person in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to unpack municipal hospitality, the idea that residents are customers of place and that taking care of your people inside City Hall is how you take care of the community outside it. About Chris: Chris Gilbert has spent more than 25 years in local government and still believes there's a lot to love about the work. He serves as Township Administrator and CEO of Springfield Township in Hamilton County, Ohio, and founded Municipal Hospitality to help other local government teams turn everyday interactions into moments that matter. Spend some time with Chris and you'll hear a few stories, have some laughs, and start seeing new possibilities in the work you already do. He helps teams create a culture where people feel seen, valued, and cared for. His goal is simple - help public employees enjoy the work, find deeper purpose in it, and make their communities feel more like home. In this episode, we cover: How a text from a restaurant owner kept Chris in public service and sparked the idea of municipal hospitality Why residents are "customers of place," and what that means for taxes Why customer-first organizations have to be employee-first organizations How to build the trust you need before you need it The two interview questions Chris asks every applicant, from paramedic to public works director Links + Resources Mentioned: Municipal Hospitality: municipalhospitality.com Chris' LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-gilbert-2494a098 Say hello to our podcast sponsor! This season of the Growing Small Towns Show is brought to you by Ideal Soil Solutions. Based in Ideal, South Dakota, Ideal Soil Solutions works alongside growers to build farms that are healthy, productive, and profitable, for this season and for the generations still to come. Their approach is built on the five principles of soil health: armor the soil, disturb it less, keep a living root in the ground, add diversity, and bring livestock back into the system. They're also building their dealer network across South Dakota and North Dakota with local businesses that already have growers' trust in their communities. They bring the products, training, marketing, and support; you bring the relationships. Stronger soil builds stronger farms, and stronger farms build stronger small towns. Find a dealer near you, or find out how to become one, at IdealSoilSolutions.com . Ideal Soil Solutions: rooted in your community. We have a membership! Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those leading change in small-town America. For $30/month, you'll get twice-monthly live calls with Rebecca, access to a private network of fellow small-town changemakers, replay recordings, frameworks, and early access to GST events. It's for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better leadership. Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All support. We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message with our audience! Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We have two "participation dance" elements of the show: Leave us a Love Note! 💌 What do you love about your town? It could be a person, an event, or some random thing that made you say, "I love that." Call 701-203-3337 and tell us about it, and we may share your Love Note on the show. "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that. If you've got a love note or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you! Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!

October 20, 2026Episode 1732 min

S6:E17 - Helping People Love Their Towns More with Rebecca Undem

In this solo episode, Rebecca gets back to the heart of Growing Small Towns' mission: helping communities be places people love to call home. Not like, not enjoy, LOVE. Drawing on Marcus Buckingham's new book, Design Love In, she explains why love is the most powerful force in business and in life, and why every community decision should center around it: Will this lead to more people loving living here? Plus, how to leave us a Love Note about your town because nothing makes us happier than hearing what makes your small town amazing. Big or small, we wanna hear 'em all! (Look at us, rhyming in the show notes 💅) In this episode, we cover: The two feelings Rebecca chases: heart swells and brain sparks (and what those mean!) Why only a "five" rating changes how people behave Marcus Buckingham's definition of love at work The one question every community decision should pass Why love may be the most AI-proof thing we have Links + Resources Mentioned: Marcus Buckingham's Design Love In: https://www.designlovein.com/ Say hello to our podcast sponsor! This season of the Growing Small Towns Show is brought to you by Ideal Soil Solutions. Based in Ideal, South Dakota, Ideal Soil Solutions works alongside growers to build farms that are healthy, productive, and profitable, for this season and for the generations still to come. Their approach is built on the five principles of soil health: armor the soil, disturb it less, keep a living root in the ground, add diversity, and bring livestock back into the system. They're also building their dealer network across South Dakota and North Dakota with local businesses that already have growers' trust in their communities. They bring the products, training, marketing, and support; you bring the relationships. Stronger soil builds stronger farms, and stronger farms build stronger small towns. Find a dealer near you, or find out how to become one, at IdealSoilSolutions.com . Ideal Soil Solutions: rooted in your community. We have a membership! Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those leading change in small-town America. For $30/month, you'll get twice-monthly live calls with Rebecca, access to a private network of fellow small-town changemakers, replay recordings, frameworks, and early access to GST events. It's for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better leadership. Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All support. We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message with our audience! Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We have two "participation dance" elements of the show: Leave us a Love Note! 💌 What do you love about your town? It could be a person, an event, or some random thing that made you say, "I love that." Call 701-203-3337 and tell us about it, and we may share your Love Note on the show. "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that. If you've got a love note or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you! Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!

October 12, 2026Episode 241 hr 28 min

S6:E16 - Helping Communities to be Open for Business with Jessica Meyers

Jessica Meyers of Porchlight is back, and we're so glad about it because they specialize in building tools for actually-small towns (5000 or fewer), so there's no need to right-size or adapt for smaller communities. She and Rebecca dig into two of those tools: a simplified certification that helps communities show they're open for business, and a community app that puts calendars, jobs, city info, and the school lunch menu in one place. Can you imagine how handy that would be in your community?!? They also cover the why and the who behind the tools, and how communities can apply them. If you're a small town, this episode is for you. If you're interested in trying these tools, we have a coupon code (yay coupons!): "GST" will get you $250 off your community's Porchlight certification! About Jessica: Originally from Winner, SD (pop. 2,852), Jessica Meyers was raised in Winner and Vermillion, SD, and earned her bachelor's degree at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. Jessica and her husband followed the ﬂight pattern of many young adults and left the small towns of SD for bigger cities. After 10 years of living in some of the largest cities in America, she now lives in Sioux Falls, SD, with her family. In her professional career, Jessica has worked in several industries, including publishing, sales, and healthcare recruiting, where she has run multi-million dollar organizations and won multiple national awards across industries. Pairing over 20 years of sales and recruiting experience, she decided to go out on her own. Jessica is co-founder and CEO of PorchLight, who provides workforce development and economic development services to rural communities. Jessica created the ﬁrst-of-its-kind PorchLight Certiﬁcation and created the platform where rural economic development and job opportunities connect. Just recently, PorchLight launched PorchLight Connect, an app made exclusively for rural communities. In 2025, Jessica was awarded the Innovation at the Leading Edge award by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses summit in Washington DC for her efforts connecting her workforce development innovations to rural economic development. In this episode, we cover: Why the first version of Porchlight's certification was too hard (and why it's okay if the first version needs improving!) How one certification led to a childcare center in a town of 800 What happens when only insiders can navigate your town How a 79-year-old who doesn't text got a community app built How many American communities are actually very small towns (it's a lot!) and what that means for how we help Links + Resources Mentioned: Porchlight Certification: https://porchlight-services.com/porchlight-certification/ (Remember, use code "GST" to get $250 off your certification!) Say hello to our podcast sponsor! This season of the Growing Small Towns Show is brought to you by Ideal Soil Solutions. Based in Ideal, South Dakota, Ideal Soil Solutions works alongside growers to build farms that are healthy, productive, and profitable, for this season and for the generations still to come. Their approach is built on the five principles of soil health: armor the soil, disturb it less, keep a living root in the ground, add diversity, and bring livestock back into the system. They're also building their dealer network across South Dakota and North Dakota with local businesses that already have growers' trust in their communities. They bring the products, training, marketing, and support; you bring the relationships. Stronger soil builds stronger farms, and stronger farms build stronger small towns. Find a dealer near you, or find out how to become one, at IdealSoilSolutions.com . Ideal Soil Solutions: rooted in your community. We have a membership! Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those leading change in small-town America. For $30/month, you'll get twice-monthly live calls with Rebecca, access to a private network of fellow small-town changemakers, replay recordings, frameworks, and early access to GST events. It's for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better leadership. Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All support. We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message with our audience! Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We have two "participation dance" elements of the show: Leave us a Love Note! 💌 What do you love about your town? It could be a person, an event, or some random thing that made you say, "I love that." Call 701-203-3337 and tell us about it, and we may share your Love Note on the show. "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that. If you've got a love note or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you! Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!

October 5, 2026Episode 151 hr 13 min

S6:E15 - Farming, Family + the Future of Small Towns with Nick Jorgensen

What do investing in family businesses and investing in small towns have in common? Well, a lot, as it happens. We're kicking off our first episode of the second part of season 6 with Nick Jorgensen, a fourth-generation rancher and the CEO of the multifaceted Jorgensen Land & Cattle Partnership. This episode is about what it looks like to build a family business in a small town that not only offers opportunities within the family but for the larger community as well, and how to keep adapting and learning new skills while investing in the community and people around you. About Nick: Nick Jorgensen is chief executive officer of Jorgensen Land & Cattle Partnership, a fourth-generation family operation he runs with his father, cousin, and uncle. The operation includes a registered Angus cow herd and commercial bull program, a certified seed business, no-till crop production, the Lazy J Sporting Club, which provides guided pheasant hunts, and Ideal Soil Solutions. Jorgensen previously served on the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council and as the FCSAmerica Board Chair and Vice Chair. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from South Dakota State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Dakota Wesleyan University. In this episode, we cover: Why refusing to take a risk is still taking a risk How leasing a few extra bulls turned into 6,500 a year What a closed Wells Fargo in Winner, SD became Why Nick never wants to tell his kids "no room for you" How a rancher who can't code builds his own business software with AI Links + Resources Mentioned: Ideal Soil Solutions: https://idealsoilsolutions.com/ Jorgensen Land & Cattle: https://jorgensenfarms.com/ Lazy J Sporting Club: https://lazyjclub.com/ Say hello to our podcast sponsor! This season of the Growing Small Towns Show is brought to you by Ideal Soil Solutions. Based in Ideal, South Dakota, Ideal Soil Solutions works alongside growers to build farms that are healthy, productive, and profitable, for this season and for the generations still to come. Their approach is built on the five principles of soil health: armor the soil, disturb it less, keep a living root in the ground, add diversity, and bring livestock back into the system. They're also building their dealer network across South Dakota and North Dakota with local businesses that already have growers' trust in their communities. They bring the products, training, marketing, and support; you bring the relationships. Stronger soil builds stronger farms, and stronger farms build stronger small towns. Find a dealer near you, or find out how to become one, at IdealSoilSolutions.com . Ideal Soil Solutions: rooted in your community. We have a membership! Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those leading change in small-town America. For $30/month, you'll get twice-monthly live calls with Rebecca, access to a private network of fellow small-town changemakers, replay recordings, frameworks, and early access to GST events. It's for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better leadership. Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All support. We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message with our audience! Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We have two "participation dance" elements of the show: Leave us a Love Note! 💌 What do you love about your town? It could be a person, an event, or some random thing that made you say, "I love that." Call 701-203-3337 and tell us about it, and we may share your Love Note on the show. "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that. If you've got a love note or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you! Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!

June 3, 2026Episode 1453 min

S6:E14 - Mental Health Awareness in Small Towns with Chris "Rhino" Swenson

We're closing out Part 1 of Season 6 with an episode about something near and dear to our hearts, and oh-so-important in rural and ag communities: mental health. For Mental Health Awareness Month, Rebecca sits down with therapist Chris Swenson — owner of Rhino Wellness Center and host of the Rhino Resilience podcast — to reframe what strength really looks like in rural communities. (Yes, we know that May is technically Mental Health Awareness Month, but we recorded this episode in May, so it counts, right?) Chris breaks down his four-pillar Rhino Resilience framework, explains mental health as biology (a regulated nervous system with an accelerator and a brake), and shares practical, do-anywhere tools for staying calm and steady. It's a warm, honest reminder about some pretty important things: you can be both strong and struggling, that you're not broken, and that connection is what pulls us out of isolation. About Chris: Chris "Rhino" Swenson is a licensed mental health therapist, speaker, and founder of Rhino Resilience. For more than 20 years, he has worked with rural individuals, families, and communities, helping people build practical resilience skills for the challenges of modern rural life. He hosts the Rhino Resilience Podcast and is passionate about strengthening rural communities from the inside out. In this episode, we cover: Why rural suicide rates run two and a half to three and a half times higher than urban areas (why awareness alone isn't enough without practical next steps) Chris's four pillars of Rhino Resilience and how they redefine strength to include recovery and reaching out (not going it alone) How understanding your nervous system as biology (an accelerator and a brake) can dissolve the stigma around mental health Simple, accessible tools you can practice anywhere — breathwork, micro-resets, and grounding — and why you have to build them before you need them How a single moment can can a life Links + Resources Mentioned: Website: https://rhinoresilience.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCso1ch-Kaa_2IXZPJSZFZoQ FB page: https://www.facebook.com/RhinoResilienceOfficial Podcast: https://rhinoresilience.com/podcast/ Want to get your business in front of our audience? We are looking for podcast sponsors! Each season, we feature a select group of Small Business Partners—brands that share our mission to celebrate small-town life and big ideas. With a 4–6% average Facebook engagement rate (well above the industry average), 2,600+ loyal followers, and 45,000 monthly content views, we have an amazing, highly engaged audience of people who can't wait to learn more about you. When we feature you, your story, and your product/service, it's like a friend's recommendation, because it is. Want to know more? Reach out to us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org We have a membership! Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those leading change in small-town America. For $30/month, you'll get twice-monthly live calls with Rebecca, access to a private network of fellow small-town changemakers, replay recordings, frameworks, and early access to GST events. It's for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better leadership. Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All support. We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message just like we did with Terri's (with your permission, of course!) Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We're have two "participation dance" elements of the show: "Small town humblebrags": Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things. "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that. If you've got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you! Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!

May 4, 2026Episode 1358 min

S6:E13 - How to Harness Creativity to Create Value in Small Towns with Jordan DeGree

Some people are just wired to make things better–in their businesses, their communities, their small towns–even when it's hard, and nobody around them quite gets it. This episode is for those people. We get it. Today's guest, Jordan DeGree, gets it. And he has created the Rural Ideas Network to connect you with other people who get it, too. Today's episode is what support and connection can look like, and where you can find them. About Jordan: Jordan DeGree is an entrepreneur, social innovator, artist, and comedian. No, just kidding about the comedian part. He's experimented with several different ventures and enjoys solving problems, creating value, and helping people. Jordan and his team launched the Rural Ideas Network, a nonprofit organization, in 2021. They continue to evolve how it supports and connects rural innovators in small communities across the country. Some random stats - Jordan has 3 kids, an $11M real estate portfolio, was awarded a Governor's Volunteer Award, has a 4.96 star host rating on Airbnb, changed his major 4 times in college, has helped hundreds of rural ventures since 2021, teaches a stained glass class most Tuesdays, and has successfully avoided joining LinkedIn. He's at his best helping people think outside the box and finding new opportunities to create value. You can learn more about Jordan at JordanDeGree.com. In this episode, we cover: The origin story of the Rural Ideas Network — and what five years of experimenting built into RIN 2.0 Why "Rural Innovator" is a bigger tent than you might think The new Rural Innovator Awards, the wildcard category, and the October 8th Summit date you'll want to save Rebecca's honest reflection on almost quitting — and what pulled her back Why "where you're standing determines what you see" might be the most useful thing you hear this week Links + Resources Mentioned: Rural Ideas Network: https://ruralideas.net/ Growing Small Towns Club: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/club Want to get your business in front of our audience? We are looking for podcast sponsors! Each season, we feature a select group of Small Business Partners—brands that share our mission to celebrate small-town life and big ideas. With a 4–6% average Facebook engagement rate (well above the industry average), 2,600+ loyal followers, and 45,000 monthly content views, we have an amazing, highly engaged audience of people who can't wait to learn more about you. When we feature you, your story, and your product/service, it's like a friend's recommendation, because it is. Want to know more? Reach out to us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org We have a membership! Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those leading change in small-town America. For $30/month, you'll get twice-monthly live calls with Rebecca, access to a private network of fellow small-town changemakers, replay recordings, frameworks, and early access to GST events. It's for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better leadership. Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All support. We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message just like we did with Terri's (with your permission, of course!) Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We're have two "participation dance" elements of the show: "Small town humblebrags": Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things. "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that. If you've got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you! Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!

April 27, 2026Episode 1237 min

S6:E12- Recruiting and Retaining Teachers in Small Towns with Amy Jacobson

Amy Jacobson is the Director of UND's Special Education Resident Teacher Program, and on today's episode, she breaks down two innovative pathways that have trained roughly 600 special education teachers for North Dakota schools since 1997, including one designed for people who don't even have an undergraduate degree yet. The programs combine paid, year-long internships with layered mentorship and heavily subsidized graduate education, creating a model with remarkable retention rates in rural communities. Whether you're in North Dakota or not, this episode is full of transferable ideas for any small town looking to think outside the box about recruiting and retaining the professionals they need most. About Amy: Amy Jacobson, Ed.D. is the Director of both the Special Education Resident Teacher Program and the Accelerated Bachelor of General Studies and Master of Education in Special Education at the University of North Dakota. With over two decades of experience in special education, she leads statewide efforts to recruit, train, and retain special education teachers, particularly in rural and high-need areas. Dr. Jacobson earned her Doctor of Education in Teacher Education from the University of North Dakota, along with a master's degree in special education. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Mayville State University. In her role, she collaborates with school districts, state agencies, and university partners to oversee program development, funding, and teacher placement. She also coordinates an accelerated pathway program designed to support paraeducators and others in becoming licensed special educators. Prior to her current position, Dr. Jacobson served as a special education teacher and department leader at the secondary level, where she worked extensively with students with diverse learning needs. She is also an experienced faculty member and advisor, having taught numerous graduate courses and mentored master's students. Her work focuses on strengthening the special education workforce through innovative preparation models, mentorship, and partnerships across North Dakota. In this episode, we cover: How UND's Special Education Resident Teacher Program combines grad school with a paid, year-long classroom internship and how that helps retention The creative dual-enrollment pathway Amy built for people who want in but don't have a completed bachelor's degree that helps them earn two degrees in roughly four years Why 75–85% of resident teacher candidates today have zero education background — and why that's a feature, not a bug Practical ideas any community can steal: apprenticeship programs, dual credit for high schoolers, and employer-matched tuition through local economic development Why strong special education in rural schools isn't just good for schools but the whole community Links + Resources Mentioned: Special Education Resident Teacher Program: https://education.und.edu/academics/tlpp/rtp-special-ed.html General Studies Degree with Master's in Special Education: https://und.edu/programs/general-studies-ba-special-education-med/index.html Want to get your business in front of our audience? We are looking for podcast sponsors! Each season, we feature a select group of Small Business Partners—brands that share our mission to celebrate small-town life and big ideas. With a 4–6% average Facebook engagement rate (well above the industry average), 2,600+ loyal followers, and 45,000 monthly content views, we have an amazing, highly engaged audience of people who can't wait to learn more about you. When we feature you, your story, and your product/service, it's like a friend's recommendation, because it is. Want to know more? Reach out to us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org We have a membership! Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those leading change in small-town America. For $30/month, you'll get twice-monthly live calls with Rebecca, access to a private network of fellow small-town changemakers, replay recordings, frameworks, and early access to GST events. It's for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better leadership. Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All support. We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message just like we did with Terri's (with your permission, of course!) Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We're have two "participation dance" elements of the show: "Small town humblebrags": Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things. "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that. If you've got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you! Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!

April 20, 2026Episode 111 hr 4 min

S6:E11 - How Thinking Like a Futurist Can Benefit Small Towns with Rebecca Ryan

Rebecca sits down with futurist Rebecca Ryan for a conversation about why and how small towns need to stop planning for the past and start envisioning multiple possible futures. They discuss the PHOEBE energy assessment, the three futures framework, and why traditional stakeholder-based visioning often fails. It's one of those episodes that both challenges how you think while also encouraging you to work in your strengths, build trust over polish, and remember that the future isn't something that just happens to us—we happen to it too. About Rebecca: Rebecca Ryan is a noted top 50 professional futurist, economist, best-selling author and entrepreneur. She is the founder of NEXT Generation Consulting through which she partners with government leaders across the country. Looking a generation ahead, she outlines strategies in urban planning, economic development and workforce development to ensure communities are well equipped for future trends and challenges. Rebecca is a graduate of Drake University with a certificate in Strategic Foresight from University of Houston; she is the Resident Futurist at the Alliance for Innovation and on the Executive Committee of the global Association of Professional Futurists. In this episode, we cover: How Rebecca Ryan became a professional futurist and why that career path even exists The PHOEBE assessment and its four energy patterns: Visionary, Collaborator, Organizer, and Driver Why most strategic plans are just last year's document with updated dates The three futures framework: expectable, challenging, and visionary Why trust is the invisible force multiplier that makes or breaks community work Links + Resources Mentioned: Keynotes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQcg7ED38gI Substack: https://rebeccaryanfuturist.substack.com/ Training: https://rebeccaryan.com/what-we-do/training/think-like-a-futurist YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccaryan620 Want to get your business in front of our audience? We are looking for podcast sponsors! Each season, we feature a select group of Small Business Partners—brands that share our mission to celebrate small-town life and big ideas. With a 4–6% average Facebook engagement rate (well above the industry average), 2,600+ loyal followers, and 45,000 monthly content views, we have an amazing, highly engaged audience of people who can't wait to learn more about you. When we feature you, your story, and your product/service, it's like a friend's recommendation, because it is. Want to know more? Reach out to us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org We have a membership! Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those leading change in small-town America. For $30/month, you'll get twice-monthly live calls with Rebecca, access to a private network of fellow small-town changemakers, replay recordings, frameworks, and early access to GST events. It's for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better leadership. Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All support. We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message just like we did with Terri's (with your permission, of course!) Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We're have two "participation dance" elements of the show: "Small town humblebrags": Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things. "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that. If you've got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you! Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!