The Growing Small Towns Show

This is our first-ever LIVE podcast recording! This episode was recorded on the main stage of the 2024 Main Street Summit in Watford City, ND and features guests Pat Bertagnolli of Job Service North Dakota and Mike Knutson of Dakota Resources.   When we got asked to host this live show during the summit, we took to the socials—as we do—to ask what our people needed the most help with. Overwhelmingly, the idea of how to get more people involved in making our communities great emerged as the topic, so that’s what this episode is about and we’re so excited for you to hear from these two amazing guests!   About Pat:   A native of Montana, and a North Dakota resident since 2011, Bertagnolli earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Carroll College in Helena in 1990 and has held his certification as a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources since 2015. Prior to his appointment, Bertagnolli served in a variety of leadership roles in both human resources and operations, and most recently was the Community Enhancement Director in Watford City, ND.   Bertagnolli was first appointed to the Workforce Development Council in 2014 by then-Governor Jack Dalrymple. He continues to serve on this council, as well as the State Board for Career and Technical Education, Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Administrative Committee for Veterans Affairs, State Information Technology and Advisory Board, Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems committee, and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies.   In February of 2022, Governor Doug Burgum appointed Patrick Bertagnolli to serve as the Executive Director of Job Service North Dakota. Job Service North Dakota has a statewide footprint and impacts North Dakota’s workforce through many workforce programs to connect employers and job seekers, through the unemployment insurance program to provide benefits to eligible workers, and through the labor market information department which provides education and insights for informed decision making.   About Mike: Mike facilitates and orchestrates the Dakota Resources Community Learning Network. He also serves as a community coach for rural communities. He has spent 15 plus years working in rural community development. His commitment to rural communities began when he recognized that his own behaviors (i.e. – the lack of community involvement and buying locally) were contributing the decline of his community. Since 2008, Mike has operated his own business, MAK(e) Strategies, working primarily as a facilitator and coach in rural settings. Among his volunteer activities, Mike has served as the chairman of the board for Glacial Lakes Tourism, Dakota Wesleyan University Alumni Association, Rural Schools Collaborative, and Southeast SD Tourism. Mike grew up outside of Hartford, SD, and graduated summa cum laude from Dakota Wesleyan University.   In this episode, we cover:  Why the “Same Ten People” can be frustrating for people on both sides The idea of civic apathy and how it develops How to combat civic apathy What to do about Gen-Z (hint: they’re not really that different from generations prior) How recruiting volunteers goes hand-in-hand with recruiting new community members Links and Resources Mentioned: Ben Winchester’s episode: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode75 Jeff Sigler’s episode about combating apathy in small towns: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode99 Jeff Sigler’s episode about growing communities for humans: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode120 Job Service North Dakota: https://www.jobsnd.com/ Dakota Resources: https://dakotaresources.org/

Have you ever heard of the Norborne Soybean Festival? You might have, thanks to their recent recognition as the Cenex Hometown Throwdown Grand Prize Winner, but even if you haven’t, you’re going to love this episode. It’s about building amazing community events and what it looks like to swing for the fences.    About Kyle:   Kyle Durham is a sixth-generation farmer from Norborne, Missouri, an agricultural community of 700 residents. Kyle and his father farm 2,500 acres of soybeans and corn in the Missouri River bottoms.   In addition to farming, Kyle is involved with numerous local, state, and national organizations as a board member and volunteer. These include the United Soybean Board, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, his state and county Farm Bureaus, Trinity Lutheran Church, and the Norborne Soybean Festival. He also owns and operates The Slaboratory, a custom woodworking business in his hometown, specializing in unique handcrafted furnishings.   Kyle and his wife Courtney have two sons, Simeon, 16, and Elijah, 12.   In this episode, we cover:  What the Norbone Soybean Festival is  The Hometown Throwdown contest Their plans for the prize money How a good community event can be a catalyst for community involvement The power of the “microask”    Links and Resources Mentioned: The famous Hometown Throwdown video entry: https://www.facebook.com/NorborneSoybeanFestival/videos/1055942345557323 The Norborne Soybean Festival Facebook, home of the Festival Friday updates: https://www.facebook.com/NorborneSoybeanFestival A few articles about the contest and the festival:  https://www.kttn.com/norborne-soybean-festival-wins-hometown-throwdown-grand-prize/ https://www.kmzu.com/news/norborne-soybean-festival-crowned-best-in-the-nation-part-2/article_02d0a756-21d6-11ef-bf71-cb75605b6185.html https://www.agriculture.com/missouri-hometown-hero-kyle-durham-8385148

Mental health is something we’re incredibly passionate about here at Growing Small Towns, which most of you likely know by now given how much we love to talk about therapy and feelings and support around here! We are so appreciative of mental health practitioners like Jordyn Koski who are building practices aimed at helping our (sometimes secretly struggling) rural communities access better mental health.    About Jordyn:   I'm Jordyn Koski, therapist and Founder behind It's A Part Of, PLLC. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of North Dakota and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Minnesota. Providing individual therapy, family therapy, and couples counseling. I have had the opportunity to work within various systems including group home settings, inpatient hospitals, human service centers, and private practice. I have been able to see clients in all parts of their journey and appreciate being able to go alongside clients to work toward their goals in life. Outside of clinical work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, children, and family being outside and going on adventures. I love my circuit and I am an avid Pinterest enthusiast!    In this episode, we cover:  How to fight the stigma around mental health, especially in rural areas What telehealth is and how it can help Some of the most common questions and concerns about therapy What we can all do to support mental health in our communities How it’s all a part of life, and how therapy and mental health services can bolster resilience   Links and Resources Mentioned: It’s a Part of Website: https://www.itspartof.org/ It’s a Part of Insta: @itsapartof It’s a Part of Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091817127486

We all know about TED Talks and how wildly popular and cool they are. But, what about a TEDx event in RURAL AMERICA? Can you even?    We can’t, either, but Jeremy Ratliff could. This is an episode about audacious ideas, small towns getting it done, unexpected support, and dreaming big.    About Jeremy:   I grew up in the Midwest and graduated college from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My first radio job was at WTMJ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  I have worked with Cox Media Group since 2007, when I joined the WOKV news team in Jacksonville, Florida. During my radio career, I have been a producer, news anchor, host, Assistant News Director and Program Director. I have been on-air on multiple stations for years. I have lived in six different states, including here in North Dakota of course, where I have lived since November of 2020. I also host the Rendezvous Region Today podcast, which shares local stories here in northeast North Dakota. I have an amazing wife, two fantastic daughters, a dog and an outdoor cat.     In this episode, we cover:  How Jeremy even arrived in Cavalier, ND, and how his work has thrived since moving here How the TEDxCavalier event was born What moments he most remembers from the day Why you should never discount local support The value of surrounding yourself with positive problem-solvers   Links and Resources Mentioned: Twitter: Twitter.com/jeremyratliff Facebook: facebook.com/JeremyRatliffRadio Podcast: https://rendezvousregiontoday.podbean.com/ TEDxCavalier site: https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/56314

Oh, friends and neighbors, are we excited for this episode. We love education, and we love educators who love education, and we love a different take on education. This week’s episode checks every single boxes as we talk to a Superintendent who is doing things just a little differently in his North Dakota community.    About Cory:   Dr. Cory Steiner is currently the Superintendent of the Northern Cass School District for the past 10 years. He has been an administrator for 17 years. In his current role, he has worked with a dedicated and passionate group of educators to shift their entire system to personalized competency-based learning. He has served on the Governor’s Task Force on Innovation which has challenged North Dakota’s education system to think differently. Northern Cass was a finalist for the Yass Prize and they received $500,000 to develop a Full-Service Community School.     Dr. Steiner believes every learner can change the world; therefore, we must provide a world-class education. It is a moral imperative we change our educational system to one which is uncompromisingly learner-centered. He also serves on the Education Standards and Practices Board, The Village Family Service Center, Rural Cass Special Education, and the Southeast Education Cooperative Board of directors. He is an adjunct professor for the University of Jamestown and the University of North Dakota. He is married to his wife, Jess, and has two children, DelRae (22), and Kelsa (19).   In this episode, we cover:  How Northern Cass is different What people love about it  Why things being hard doesn’t mean they’re not working Why “Kids these days” are different, and why we should embrace that But what about college admissions?   Links and Resources Mentioned: Nice Bike book: https://nicebike.com/about-the-book/ Northern Cass School District: https://www.northerncassschool.org/

You know we love the idea of placemaking, Main Streets, and small things that have a big impact. Jaime Izuireta does, too, and has an architect and designer, he focuses not only on storefront design but the interaction between users and the built environment. This episode goes way beyond “How do we make Main Streets pretty?” to “How do we create an amazing Main Street experience?”   About Jaime:   Jaime J. Izurieta is an architect, designer and author focused on improving the quality of the interaction between users and the built environment. Jaime is the founder of Storefront Mastery, an award-winning creative agency that imagines and designs local experiences by working with place management organizations and local businesses. Jaime is also the author of Main Street Mavericks and The Ten No-B.S. Rules For Successful Storefront Design.    With over 20 years of experience as small business owner, urban designer, Placemaker, and economic development consultant, Jaime proudly serves communities all over the nation from Montclair, New Jersey.   In this episode, we cover:  What “street experience” means and why it matters Why it’s easy to “right-size” the idea of urban vitality  The difference between transactional and experiential Jaime’s advice for business owners about where to start when it comes to experience, their business, or where they can start when thinking about storefront design What every business owner can do to improve the street experience Links and Resources Mentioned: Storefront Mastery: https://storefrontmastery.com Main Street Mavericks: https://mainstreetmavericks.carrd.co SM's Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/storefrontmastery Jaime’s LinkedIn profile: https://linkedin.com/in/izurietavarea Book mentioned: Drawing for Architecture by Leon Krier

Most of us probably think we’re good neighbors. But…most of us probably actually aren’t. The Lost Art of Neighboring is something that David Burton is bringing back to help small towns and the people who live in them thrive.    About David:   David Burton has been a community development specialist with the University of Missouri Extension since 2001. He is headquartered in Springfield and creates educational programs focused on leadership and becoming an engaged neighbor.   In 2021, David created Missouri Good Neighbor Week. The Governor signed a bill making Missouri Good Neighbor Week official in 2022. Then, in 2023, Missouri Good Neighbor Week was named America’s Neighboring Program of the Year by Neighborhoods USA. His Engaged Neighbor program was also named the program of the year by the University of Missouri Extension.   MU Extension programs and events like "Neighboring 101," “Show Me Neighborhood Art Week” “Missouri Good Neighbor Week” and “Neighbor Kindness Day,” help to raise awareness about the importance of being an engaged neighbor and the positive impact each of us can have on our neighbors, our neighborhood and our community.   Born and raised in Ash Grove, Mo., David is proud to call the Ozarks home. He is a two-time graduate of Drury University (1988 and 2001) with degrees in political science, journalism, and integrated marketing and communication.   David is a prolific writer and still writes “Live and Learn” each week for the Greene County Commonwealth, and a monthly column on neighboring in the Springfield Daily Citizen.   David and his wife, Stacey, live in Republic. Their family includes their dog Otis and their two grown children: Lauren and Matthew (and his wife Megan). They are active at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, where David has served as Chairman of Deacons, twice chaired the pastor search team, and is preparing to lead their Neighborhood Mission Trips.    In this episode, we cover:  How David even got started in this whole neighboring thing Why we don’t need more good neighbors, we need more engaged neighbors Why grassroots neighborliness actually works  How to navigate change and push against the norm What we can each do about being neighborly in our own communities Links and Resources Mentioned: David’s website: engagedneighbor.com David’s blog: https://we-are-neighbors.blogspot.com/ University website where you can enroll in Neighboring 101 for $25 or find other Engaged Neighbor programs: https://extension.missouri.edu/ Missouri Good Neighbor Week: https://www.missourigoodneighborweek.com/ National Good Neighbor Day: https://nationalgoodneighborday.com/ Take the Engaged Neighbor Pledge: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EngagedNeighborPledge Subscribe to my Engaged Neighbor newsletter: https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/dotdigital/preferences/county/Greene/Preference-en.html?utm_campaign=1020591_Becoming%20an%20Engaged%20Neighbor%20-%20%20%20February%202024%2C%20Issue%201&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email&dm_t=0,0,0,0,0

Some of our favorite kinds of stories are the ones that feature people with a dream in their hearts to do something amazing in their small towns who then go ahead and get it done. This episode is about a dream, a restaurant, and the woman who made it happen.    About LeAnn:   LeAnn Moen always wanted to own her own restaurant, but between raising children and being active on the family's farm, the timing was never quite right. Once her children were grown, though, she knew it was time. She started looking for spaces in her small town of Twin Valley, Minnesota that could accommodate the picture she had in her head, and finally, the stars aligned, and the perfect space became available. After more than a year of renovations, LeAnn's dream became a reality last December with the opening of The Grove. The Grove is more than a restaurant--it's also a bakery, a cafe, and a gathering place for her community that has quickly become the vibrant local hub she's always dreamed of.    In this episode, we cover:  The vision LeAnn had for a business in her small town How that vision became The Grove Why, when things fall through, it can actually be a good thing Why sharing your vision with employees is so important What has surprised her in the first few months of running the business Links and Resources Mentioned: The Grove website: https://thegrovekitchen.com/ The Grove Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Grove-Kitchen-Coffee-and-Bake-Shop-100091526800096/?locale=af_ZA

We love small-town events (duh) and we love the people who make those events happen (also duh.) Thus, we love this whole episode. We get to talk to Jeremy Nelson about an amazing market he’s started and grown in his small town of Arthur, ND, and it's become kind of a whole thing. This episode is a transparent, honest look at what it looks like to do something big in a small town!   About Jeremy:   Jeremy was born in Northfield, MN and earned my BA in social studies secondary education in 2000 from Bethel College in St. Paul. He began his teaching career in St. Charles, MN, and spent six years teaching history along with several other courses, some of which were outside of his licensure area (welcome to small rural schools!), and helped create the girls' soccer program.    Jeremy married his wife, Amanda, on New Year's Eve 2003 and they moved to Fargo, ND, in June of 2007 to pursue a career opportunity for Amanda. He continued his teaching career at Park Christian School in Moorhead, MN that fall and is now wrapping up his 17th year at that school.    In 2017 they moved our family into a big old house in Arthur, ND, about 35 miles NNW of Fargo. In 2018, he received his Masters Degree in administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and in 2020 he stepped into the role of community coordinator for the City of Arthur, a fantastic side hustle that has allowed him to exercise his administrative chops. While in that position, he’s been in charge of a monthly newsletter, submitting grant requests for municipal projects, and organizing a variety of community events.    One big idea he brought to life is the Arthur Market, a farmer's and maker's market held three times each year. Started in 2020 as simply an event under the community coordinator position, the Arthur Market has grown to such an extent that during the winter of 2023/2024 he worked to establish it as a separate nonprofit LLC in the state of North Dakota. The heart of the organization is to support, promote, and collaborate with local small businesses in order to create a thriving rural community.   In this episode, we cover:  What the Arthur Market is and who it’s for Lessons he’s learned heading into year five of the market Why he decided it was time to create a separate nonprofit for the market Why impact is the lens he uses when thinking about community events Why having a sandbox mentality is so important Links and Resources Mentioned: Arthur Market Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093882913776 (Website coming soon!) Get in touch: thearthurmarket@gmail.com

What does it look like to enhance communities through art, partnership, and general change-making? Well, we can’t think of anyone better than Maggie Strong to talk to about it. Maggie loves to work with communities to spur the change they know they need, and do so in a way that makes communities better and more beautiful for all.    About Maggie:   Maggie Strong is a community builder. She founded Strong Consulting in 2016 to help organizations and communities think creatively and act strategically. A former economic development vice president and marketing executive, Maggie has 20 years of experience in strategic planning, communications, and public engagement. She gets excited about people and data and how combining the two can empower and position communities to achieve real change with lasting impact. Maggie works with civic and nonprofit clients to research, develop, facilitate, and implement strategic plans, assessments, and communication plans. She coaches community leaders, nonprofit executives, and their governing boards on how to be more effective and impactful. Maggie brings authenticity, humor, and urgency to her work and a deep respect for all people.   Maggie holds a bachelor's degree in arts management and a master's degree in business administration, both from Quincy University. She is an expert facilitator, trained in the McNellis Compression Planning® methodology, and is certified in Nonprofit Board Consulting through BoardSource. She is a lifelong learner, pursuing her certification as an AI Consultant for Nonprofits. She has served on several nonprofit boards primarily for organizations with missions focused on young people and the arts. Maggie and her husband, Aaron, spend their time raising their kind and courageous kids, Alex, Charlie, and Cecilia, and renovating their beloved 100-year-old bungalow in their hometown of Quincy, Illinois.     In this episode, we cover:  Why art is so valuable for small towns How to embrace the subjective nature of art (and other things) for small-town development What it means to “Be the Change” in small towns Why we don’t have to personally love something in order to recognize its value The power of partnership Links and Resources Mentioned: www.MaggieStrong.com (Under construction, but the new website should be up soon!) https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiestrong/ https://www.facebook.com/strongconsultingquincy

This is an episode about people and why how we treat them matters, as viewed through the lenses of politics and living in a small town. We cannot possibly agree on everything, and it feels as though nothing makes that clearer than politics. Given that we’re headed for another election season (yay*) we wanted to share this reminder that people should be at the center of everything we do, and a better future starts with us, at home, with how we treat one another and how we learn and grow and literally do better.    Don't worry--this isn't a high-horse episode wherein we preach on high from our cloud of perfection. We're human, too, and so we know how hard it can be to keep it classy and cool when big issues are on the line. It's about what we can all do, right now, today, to make our communities better places, starting with how we treat one another.    (*that’s real heavy sarcasm in case you hadn’t noticed.)   In this episode, we cover five things you can do right now to make your community better:  Notice and call out the use of labels Employ the Golden Rule Consider the implications of selective rights and privileges Beware the echo chambers  Make repairs Links + Resources Mentioned Ep. 92 with Winona and Tim: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode92 Role Call Talent Attraction Summit: https://www.rolecall.pro/talent-summit Putting People Back in Politics Blog Post: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/putting-the-people-back-in-politics   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!

Young people moving to our small towns—either coming back or relocating from somewhere else—is imperative not only so we know the newest slang but also to keep our towns growing and thriving. Having a person dedicated to bringing in new people and making their transitions easier is a proactive way to achieve this. We’re so excited to share this episode with our very own Relocation Specialist, TJ Roney!   About TJ:   My name is Taylor (TJ) Roney and I am the Relocation Specialist in Oakes, ND! I graduated from OPS in 2018 and then went on to NDSU for fashion and business. After pursuing a dream in Minnesota for a few years, I decided it was time to come back to Oakes and venture down a new path in life! It has been amazing being back here with all of my family and so many friends. I have many passions and hobbies that I enjoy spending my time doing, some of which include photography, sewing, ancestry, golfing, and jamming out to Taylor Swift (really any music!)   In this episode, we cover:  Why a pilot program is a great way to try out a new idea What problems TJ solves as a Relocation Specialist Why we can’t leave relocation efforts to employers Why Gen Z are the perfect candidates to move to small towns How to bring back people who have moved away, too Links and Resources Mentioned: Oakes’ Move Here Page: https://oakesnd.com/move-here.php

“Are Chambers of Commerce even relevant anymore?” In our humble (but not too humble opinion:) YES ABSOLUTELY.   While the idea of a Chamber of Commerce is an old one, an active, progressive Chamber can be an enormous benefit to small towns. We brought our very own Chamber Director to talk about everything she does and the benefits of an active, involved Chamber.    About Kausha:   Kausha lives on her family’s farm and ranch about 15 miles north of Oakes. She and her husband Chuck have been married for 30 years and have three children: Dalton, who is married to McKinzee, and their daughter Nellie Mae; Addison and her husband Parker; and their youngest son Garret.   They are so proud to say that their sons are part of the family farm/ranch and so that legacy will continue for the Magill homestead. Their daughter is also involved in agriculture and has started her own Ag Marketing business where she designs and produces bull sale catalogs along with other creative advertising for ag-related businesses.   Kausha was an English Teacher in her early days then worked side by side with her husband for several years until their sons were able to be involved in the day-to-day operations. Then, the wonderful opportunity to become the Oakes Area Chamber of Commerce Director became her part-time job, and she’s been serving in that capacity for nearly four years!   She can honestly say that she’s never had a day where she dreaded coming to work and finds her job to be incredibly rewarding. She get excited thinking about the fact that there are young people who are coming back to Oakes because it’s a thriving small town!   “We can actually boast that we don’t have an empty building on Main Street even though we aren’t immune to the challenges that come with being a rural community.”   She loves being able to help our chamber membership promote what they have whether that is merchandise, services, opportunities, or events for the public, as well as just promote Oakes as a whole.   In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family (especially her new granddaughter!) and work on puzzles and read in the winter. Her summers are usually filled with outdoor activities along with riding horses as much as she can!   In this episode, we cover:  What a Chamber of Commerce is, and how they’re funded What Kausha does to help local businesses and events Why seeing things through the eyes of a newcomer can be so helpful The power of being helpful and welcoming Why we should never discount the passion of transplants  Links and Resources Mentioned: Oakes Chamber Website: https://oakesnd.com/chamber Oakes Chamber Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakeschamber/ NDSU Extension Community Impressions: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-topics/leadership-and-civic-engagement/programs/community-impressions Irrigation Days: https://oakesnd.com/irrigation-days

We all want our small towns to grow and thrive, but often, we don’t offer enough support to the people who are integral in making this happen: the entrepreneurs. Kim Nagle is an author, coach, speaker, and entrepreneur who helps her clients start profitable businesses, and she’s here to share with us what supporting entrepreneurs could look like in our small towns. Hint: it’s magic.    About Kim:   Known as The DAMN Plan lady, Kim is definitely a woman with a plan. Her life’s work is evidence of her deep-seated love for all things entrepreneurial. She started her first business at 14 and has owned 6 businesses since. As a result of working with Kim, well over 250 clients have started profitable businesses they love.   Kim has been a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs since the late 1900’s. As the founder of the SBA-funded Minnesota Women’s Business Center she elevated women-owned businesses as powerhouse economic drivers in communities.   Kim is the author of The DAMN Plan® How To Find Freedom, Love, And Money In Your Business and soon-to-be-released Determined to Succeed. In her books, she presents lessons learned and core principles for success learned over 30 years of being in the trenches every day- doing the damn thing.   If you get a chance to work with Kim, she will show you how to magnify your determination, make decisions accordingly, and take action like your life depended on it. Because it does. Life on your terms is waiting. It's just one determined-decision away.   In this episode, we cover:  The #1 reason people don’t start businesses in small towns Why do businesses “fail,” and what is failure, anyhow? The power of “How can I help?” Why embracing the process is worth it The messages we give to our children Links and Resources Mentioned: More about The DAMN Plan Book: https://www.damnplan.com/the-damn-book LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thedamnplan Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedamnplan  Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedamnplan YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/KimNagle Free 30-minute Coaching Call with Kim: calendly.com/kimnagle/30mincall  Order The DAMN Plan®: www.amazon.com/dp/1952233518

When we last talked to Haley, she was pushing full steam ahead on building the beautiful Hearthside Vineyard & Winery. She’s still going full steam ahead but has had to push through some major, heartbreaking setbacks. This episode isn’t the bright, shiny one she (or we!) was hoping for, but it’s better because it’s real and it shows how hard entrepreneurs work to get their dreams off the ground. Real life is rarely bright and shiny, but hard-won victories taste even sweeter—literally, in Haley’s case, since her hard-won victories will end with a beautiful, amazing winery. This episode is for anyone who is building dreams and overcoming obstacle after obstacle to make them happen.    About Haley: Haley Moen, from Oakes, North Dakota, is the owner of Hearthside, a startup vineyard and winery. As a fifth-generation farmer who holds a Master of Science in Plant Science, Haley is well-equipped to make Hearthside thrive. Hearthside Vineyard and Winery was born from the love Haley has for her home state and the desire to explore growing less-heard-of crops in North Dakota. Haley will be dedicated to producing authentic North Dakota wines that truly reflect the uniqueness of the area. She is excited to share their wine with the world and can’t wait for people to try the fruits of their labor.    In this episode, we cover: What to do when a crisis hits The value of working through knee-jerk reactions  How to effectively outwork a “no” response when it should be a “yes.” When “what doesn't kill you makes you stronger” is the dang truth Why keeping clarity in the long game and the “why” is necessary to get through tough times Links and Resources Mentioned: Hearthside Vineyard and Winery: https://www.facebook.com/HearthsideWinery Haley’s past episode: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode118

Instead of bringing on a guest to end the year (or kick off a new one) we’re going to do a yearly recap and reflect on some things we’ve learned. If you’re a doer and a dreamer in a small town, this is for you.    10 Reflections From Us to You  (and from us to ourselves because we need to be reminded of these things on the regular)   Quit expecting people to behave in a way they don’t. Let them act how they’re going to act.  No one is ever unbiased. You included Try to not judge the closed-minded people the same way you feel judged by their unwillingness to look at new ways of doing things. Keep the invitation open. Community improvement isn’t a project, it’s a long game. It might look like a series of small projects but don’t lose hope if you don’t see immediate results, like you’d want to. Ideas aren’t enough; we need to execute.  You can have nice things in your small town. Audacity is aspirational.  All business is personal; quit saying it’s not. Community development is personal. Art is personal. What drives us is personal.  Whether you articulate the culture in your community intentionally or not, you DO have one.  All people yearn to feel important. Treating people as if they are important is not just stroking egos…it’s treating people with the most humanity possible.   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!

We are so excited to start a new kind of episode here on the Growing Small Towns show where we check in with some of our favorite past guests to find out what’s happened since we last had them on the show—which for some of our guests is a whole heckuva lot.    Brodie Mueller is the owner of The Market on the Plaza, among being a part of MANY other amazing things in his small town of Aberdeen, SD. This episode is part status check, part business convo, and part therapy sesh (as all the best conversations are.)    About Brodie Brodie Mueller, owner of Market on the Plaza, has lived in Aberdeen for nearly a decade. He has a Masters Degree in social work and has been involved in community building both downtown and city-wide through different groups and projects. The brewery is involved with various community projects and fundraisers throughout the year, gaining a reputation as a business that supports the community. As a fellow downtown business owner, Brodie is committed to making downtown better by supporting new ventures and The Market on the Plaza is a shining example of bringing new and innovative services to the neighborhood.   In this episode, we cover: What he’s learned about business going on year three with The Market on the Plaza How he creates buy-in and fosters loyalty among his team Why he prefers partnership and how to find partnership even if you don’t have one in your business How to create novelty in a business that also needs constancy The importance of building relationships as a business owner in a small town, and the Brodie Method for getting it done.  Links + Resources Mentioned Brodie’s past episodes: Episode 82 and Episode 72 The Market on the Plaza website: https://themarketontheplaza.com/ SD SportScene Podcast Shrink Rap the Podcast Minnesota Youth Ultimate Podcast The Energy Bus   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!

We are here with the longest episode in the history of Growing Small Towns because we just couldn’t stop talking to our next guest. Ben Muldrow caught Rebecca’s eye on Facebook, and he happens to have worked with Friend of the Pod Jeff Siegler. This is a long conversation but it’s so good - around every corner is yet another amazing concept or idea and we know you’ll love it as much as we did.    About Ben:   Ben Muldrow is a place branding and economic development expert who has spent the last 21 years assisting communities develop identities that attract investors and encourage private and public organizations to commit to community development projects that lead to economic vitality, environmental stewardship and social advancement.   As a partner at Arnett Muldrow & Associates and founding contributor at Proud Places, Ben has designed creative branding and marketing systems in over 800 communities across 40 states and 5 countries, making him a true global leader in place branding and cementing his ability to combine strategic planning, brand development, interactive marketing, public relations, and social media capabilities to preserve and promote the power of place.    In the Main Street world, Ben is known as a true innovator. Not only has been introduced the main street world to branding, he has introduced the ideas of Micro-retail incubation, Public Arts Master Plans, the Five Audiences of Main Street, and most recently he has created a template adopted across the country to communicate the effectiveness of our local programs. Ben has spoken at 15 National Main Street Conferences, Keynoted numerous State and Regional Main Street Conferences, and has spoken to over 250,000 people about the importance of America’s downtowns.    In this episode, we cover: Why the first thing he looks for in the communities he serves is passion The power of the “first slow clapper” What to do about the wet blankets - and how they can be an indicator of when you’ve arrived Gender roles and economic development Investing in schools vs. invitations Links and Resources Mentioned: Arnett Muldrow website: http://arnettmuldrow.com/ Your City is Sick: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/your-city-is-sick-jeff-siegler/1143949924

This episode is for, well, the dreamers. The people who believe big things are possible, even (especially!) in a small town.    In this episode, we cover ten mindset reminders to help:  Bolster you, our small-town dreamer Help you navigate difficult situations Provide some inspiration and hope And, really, just encourage you to keep those big dreams coming   Links + Resources Mentioned Nome Schoolhouse Episode   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!

We live almost in two worlds now: the real one that we move around in physically, and the one online. The internet can be an amazing and helpful thing, but it can also be incredibly problematic. How do we navigate that balance and make sure that how we show up in the real world is not overly influenced by the engineered spaces we encounter online? It’s a meaty topic, and we have an extra-long episode to talk about it!    About Chris: My name is Chris Burgess. I am a writer, editor, musician, teacher, songwriter, audio producer and a storyteller. I am also a former Navy Radioman holding a BA in Political Science, an MA in Medieval Studies, and an MA and PhD in English Literature with a focus on narrative emotion and rhetoric. I developed a deep appreciation for the relationship between leadership, storytelling, emotion and the art of persuasion through my academic studies. My tenure as the Campus Chief Steward for the graduate student union COGS/UE Local 896 at the University of Iowa provided real-world experience for these leadership skills. Upon completing my PhD in 2015, I explored the art of persuasion in the digital age, serving as an adjunct professor of English for six years. As a professor, I developed and taught a curriculum emphasizing persuasion, storytelling, critical thinking and digital and information literacy.   In this episode, we cover: The sense of groundedness that exists in the Midwest and how we could replicate that elsewhere Why authenticity is the most important part of storytelling What digital literacy looks like in an age where the algorithm is designed to divide us The antidote to division and bridge language vs. chasm language What a Doom Loop is and how to react to people who are stuck in one Links and Resources Mentioned: https://unlockingpersuasion.com https://dirtroadradio.com https://www.facebook.com/dirtroadradiostreaming