The Growing Small Towns Show

We love when we find people who support small towns doing big things in ways we’ve never seen before, and this episode features two people and a business that is doing just that. Jasmin and Cassidy are two sisters behind an organization called Realizing Rural that offers important services like grant-writing, project management, graphic design, and marketing to small towns and the organizations in them who may not have the staff to support those tasks but who need them to grow.    About Jasmin and Cassidy:   Jasmin Fosheim and Cassidy Blade are sisters living in rural South Dakota. Both balancing new families and serving their community in various capacities, Jasmin and Cassidy are passionate about the advantages of rural life. This passion and belief that rural is an asset, not a detriment, led them to create Realizing Rural. Since 2020, Realizing Rural has provided grant writing, project management, marketing, and consulting services for rural businesses, organizations, and communities in North Dakota, South Dakota, and beyond with the mission of shifting the rural narrative from surviving to thriving.   “We grew up running barefoot along the gravel roads of the Black Hills, chasing butterflies with nets and gathering wildflower bouquets. Our most formative childhood memories were built around fishing poles and fire pits, curled up in camping chairs and tucked into hammocks, making s'mores and reading books, all surrounded by those we loved most. It was in those moments that our love for rural was sparked. And it was in those fields and streams and tents and trails that we gained the curiosity that carries us, the compassion that comprises us, and the love that leads us. It was in those moments, years before the creation of our business, that we began realizing rural.”   In this episode, we cover: What Realizing Rural does and how they help Why grant money isn’t really “free money” and why alignment with the funding or the project is so important  Why communities shouldn’t hesitate or beat themselves up if they need help with grant writing or project management Their journey with imposter syndrome The difference between doing things you’re good at vs. things you love Links and Resources Mentioned: Realizing Rural website: www.realizingrural.com Realizing Rural Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realizingrural Article on Time Management Quadrant: https://lindsay-jopson.medium.com/a-powerful-tool-to-show-us-where-to-spend-our-time-a8e564656bdf

We are so excited for another crossover episode with one of our most favorite people: small-town nonprofit expert and fun-haver Patrick Kirby. Hosted by Patrick, this episode is all about how to shift mindsets and rethink rural giving for small-town nonprofits.    In this episode, we cover: How the Rural Bus Tour works and… Why you need one of your own Why nonprofits are so important for small towns The thorny problem of self-limitation in the nonprofit world, both financially and… In the way that nonprofits think about the future   Links and Resources Mentioned: Uncharitable Movie: https://uncharitablemovie.com/ Do Good Better Consulting Podcast: https://www.dogoodbetterconsulting.com/dogoodbetterpodcast

This episode is about dreams, missions, storytelling, and how Cory Hepola combines all of those things into his life as a storyteller and documentarian and how he uses his gifts and skills to highlight small towns.    About Cory:   Cory Hepola is an Emmy Award Winning TV Anchor and Documentarian.    Currently, he serves as the Vice President of Communications, Growth & Strategy at The Brookshire Company where he helps businesses around the world reach their fullest potential through strategic connections, high-impact storytelling and inspiring purposeful partnerships.     A dynamic leader led by his core values and mission to empower others, Cory has earned two Emmy Awards for Outstanding TV Anchor at KARE 11, been named “100 People To Know” by Twin Cities Business Magazine as the creator & host of his own daily show on iconic WCCO Radio, developed and hosted the popular docuseries “Rural By Choice” and ignited a 3rd party Campaign for Governor of Minnesota.    Last year, Cory was honored by his alma mater, Concordia College, with the “Sent Forth Award” which is presented “to a young alumni who has made an impact early in their career, emphasizing service to others and demonstrating a strong vocational commitment.”   In this episode, we cover: Cory’s road from broadcast journalism to his current role The power of learning more about yourself and your own mission, and planting the right seeds Why he’s so passionate about rural America Why rural America isn’t what many people think it is How the way we communicate has changed, and why it matters Links and Resources Mentioned: Brookshire’s Community Venture Network: https://brookshireco.com/services/community-venture-network/ Rural By Choice: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuZ3BsRIR3ZIM83HKbgu-CYi_R60WwdHz Episode 112 with Erik Osberg: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode112

Jeff Siegler is back with an incredibly thought-provoking episode about built places, communities, assumptions, and loneliness, and why designing our spaces and cities and towns to promote community is so important. This episode has it all: hot takes, hard truths, hard-to-discuss-but-mega-important ideas, and solutions to forge a better path forward.    (Please tell us you also read that last sentence like Bill Hader's SNL character Stefon on Weekend Update.)    About Jeff:   Jeff Siegler is a writer, speaker, and consultant concerned with the powerful role place plays in our lives. He is the founder of the civic pride consulting firm, Revitalize, or Die and co-founder of the organization Proud Places. After obtaining his Masters in Urban Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University, Jeff went to work on Main Street. First as a downtown manager, and later as the Ohio Main Street State Coordinator. His first book, “Your City is Sick" is scheduled to be released on September 1st.. Jeff and his wife Amber and their four kids call Pittsburgh home.     In this episode, we cover: Why we need to be intentional about our communities Why beauty actually isn’t all that subjective How the “urban” and “rural” labels can contribute to divisiveness and blind spots How much our built environment affects our health A better way forward Links and Resources Mentioned: Your City is Sick Website (almost ready! Keep checking back!) YourCityisSick.com Ann Sussman's Cognitive Architecture  Ep. 99 with Jeff - How to Combat Apathy in Your Small Town: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode99 

Strong small-town businesses are the backbone of our communities, and when our local small businesses are thriving, so are we. Aly Robins is a rural resident, business coach, and marketing expert and she joins us in this grab-a-pen episode all about business foundations, marketing, mindset shifts, and how small-town businesses can use all of them to put themselves on a path to growth and success.    Seriously, grab a pen and some paper, you’re going to want to take notes!    About Aly: Aly Robins is a digital marketing strategist and business coach for agriculture and rural businesses. She grew up on a ranch outside of Helena, Montana, and got a bachelor's degree in rangeland management. After feeling unfulfilled working at her 9-5 job, she decided to take her marketing business full-time. Now, she helps her clients set up their business for sustainable growth so they can have a bigger impact on their family and community. She believes that when you can make good money you can then do amazing things in your life and for others around you.   In this episode, we cover: What good marketing is and why you need to do it What a marketing funnel is and how you can use it in your business How to take yourself out of the equation to better serve your customers and grow your business The four foundations of business Why small towns should care about any of this! Links and Resources Mentioned: Aly’s Website: https://www.alyrobins.com/ Snowy Mountain Marketing: https://snowymountainmarketing.com/

When Haley Moen was getting her master’s degree in plant science, she planned to continue on to get her doctorate—a dream she’d held since 10th grade. But she realized that would likely take her away from her beloved North Dakota, and that it might mean she would have to spend her time in a lab. As a farm kid who loves her roots the wide-open North Dakota spaces, that wasn’t what she wanted. She decided to embark upon a journey to build a vineyard and a winery in her hometown of Oakes, North Dakota, and this episode is about the whole process.    Instead of “Go big or go home,” she said “Go big AND go home,” and we’re so here for it.     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: Why it’s okay to change your mind When “just start” isn’t the best advice How to have a vision and hold it in the face of criticism or unbelief Why community and a support network is so helpful for entrepreneurs How to communicate the vision to those who can’t see it Links and Resources Mentioned: Hearthside Vineyard and Winery: https://www.facebook.com/HearthsideWinery

Mental health in small our small towns is one of the issues that is top of mind here at Growing Small Towns, and we know that is true for many of you in your communities, too. It’s an issue that can be really difficult to tackle, and we feel so lucky to have Monica on the show to talk about it with us, share her expertise, and give us all some actionable items and things we can pay attention to in order to help ourselves, our families and friends, and our communities   About Monica: Monica Kramer McConkey has 25 years of experience in the behavioral health field as a counselor, program supervisor and administrator. She has a Masters Degree in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Minnesota.  The focus throughout her career has been to increase access to, and remove the stigma often attached to mental health services in rural underserved areas.  Monica travels throughout the country educating and speaking through her business Eyes on the Horizon Consulting helping individuals and organizations improve resilience and mental wellness.     In this episode, we cover: Why mental health can be so challenging in small towns The four protective factors for mental health Physical Social Psychological Spiritual One thing small-town residents can do today to address mental health in their own community Links and Resources Mentioned: Eyes on the Horizon Consulting: https://www.eyesonthehorizon.org/ Eyes on the Horizon Consulting on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eyesonthehorizonconsulting/ Surgeon General’s advisory about loneliness and isolation

This week’s episode is a special sort of follow-up to last week’s episode about remote work in our small towns, and it’s special because it’s featuring a member of the Growing Small Towns team! Cassidy has been with Rebecca and Growing Small Towns for four years as a remote virtual assistant, and this episode takes our listeners through the whole story and how being a virtual assistant opened the door for so many other things.   About Cassidy Cassidy (but call her Cass) is a wife, mother, first-generation rancher, communicator, and yes—virtual assistant! She lives on a large cattle operation in Colorado with her husband and three boys. Because the life of a working cowboy and his family often involves a lot of moving, at least in the early years, after the birth of her second son Cassidy set out to build a business that would go with her wherever life took them, and virtual assisting was her first remote gig, and Rebecca was her first client! Since then, her business has grown to more VA clients and more recently has evolved into agriculture consulting, communications, and speaking.     In this episode, we cover: How Rebecca and Cass even got introduced (thanks, internet!) What a virtual assistant does (and why you might need one) How to have a successful relationship with a VA or remote employee What being a virtual employee can do for small-town residents  How to find your own virtual gig or hire someone virtually How weird it is for Cass to be writing all of these posts about herself in third person (kidding, but also accurate and delightfully silly.)  Links and Resources Mentioned: Cassidy’s LinkedIn (her most active online home): https://www.linkedin.com/in/casskjohn/ Cassidy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casskjohn/ Cassidy’s Website: www.casskjohnston.com

Remote work is, to use a buzzy buzzword, a game-changer for small communities. One of the only good things to come out of the pandemic, the rise in remote work opportunities means people can move to small towns without having to quit their job or ask their spouse/partner to do the same, which is, well, fabulous for us! Danielle Teigen is kind of an expert in small-town remote work—it’s kind of her actual life—and she’s here to talk us through what that can look like and share the possibilities, and how to highlight what makes our small towns great so more people want to move here.    About Danielle Danielle Teigen is a professional communicator with more than a decade of experience in journalism, public relations, digital content creation, and marketing. She is the author of two nonfiction history books and the managing editor of Forum Communications' parenting brand. After living in Fargo for nearly 16 years, she recently moved back to her small hometown in South Dakota with her husband and three children.    In this episode, we cover: How Danielle got into remote work What remote work means for small towns The value of personal recruitment How to get the attention of a news outlet How to recruit people like Danielle to your small towns Links and Resources Mentioned: The Forum: https://www.inforum.com/ Danielle’s article she mentions about her small town’s jelly maker: https://www.inforum.com/news/south-dakota/small-favor-turns-into-big-business-for-homemade-jelly-maker

If you have listened to our show for any length of time or follow us on social media, you know that here at Growing Small Towns the traditional approach to economic growth just doesn’t get us real excited. While it’s great if a big business does want to come to your town and build an office or something, we like to think outside that particular box. What we like to focus on is how our communities feel and make others feel and what kinds of mentalities are holding us back from realizing our full potential, both as individual humans and as small town communities. This episode is all about those feelings and mentalities and it all shows up in practice.    In this episode, we cover:  Two big feelings we at GST like to generate: juicy connection, and brain/heart swell Why we as humans love an either/or, black and white scenario, and why those scenarios aren’t the most productive Three of Those Scenarios: Audacity OR pragmatism  Love/Acceptance of What IS OR Desire to Make it Better We’re the Most Unique-ist OR We’re Just Like Everyone Else   Links + Resources Mentioned Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert   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!

Startup Colorado is a 501(c)(3) that works with rural entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders throughout the state to cultivate successful environments to start and grow businesses in the places that they call home. They have an amazing, effective approach to supporting entrepreneurs in rural places and if you are involved in this work and their Communications and Editorial Director, Margaret Hedderman, is here to tell us all about it.    About Margaret Before relocating to the Front Range, Margaret managed the marketing and events programs for several independent businesses and startups in Durango, CO. She specializes in developing strong community initiatives to not only support business growth, but also foster creative connections and opportunities. In 2016, she conceptualized and created the annual Women Outside Adventure Forum and Colorado Trail Days festival. She is also a writer of creative non-fiction, screenplays, and the odd bit of fiction. Margaret recently earned her MA from the University of East Anglia in England. Originally from rural New Mexico, she considers the empty, quiet places of Colorado home.   In this episode, we cover: What an entrepreneurial ecosystem is and why it’s so complicated The importance of partnership and trust Why it can be helpful to emphasize regionality  How storytelling fits into rural entrepreneurial ecosystem building How an online community can work in tandem with in-person efforts    Links and Resources Mentioned: Startup Colorado Website: https://startupcolorado.org/ Startup Colorado Facebook: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode99 Startup Colorado Podcast  

What does it look like to write your own rural narrative, and how can you actively incorporate that idea into convincing people to move to your small town? Well, we happen to have Erik Osberg to tell us all about it. He’s his county’s (and perhaps the country’s only) Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator and yes, it’s the coolest.    About Erik Erik Osberg is the Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator for Otter Tail County which is in west-central Minnesota. In 2016 Otter Tail County embarked on an effort to create a position that would take advantage of the "Brain Gain" phenomena through resident recruitment efforts. Through a series of grants and other funding mechanisms, Otter Tail County created the Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator position and Erik was tasked with the experiment of creating what is believed to be the first nation's first such job in January 2017. Erik is a self-described social-media zealot and believes in a simple, yet effective approach to marketing.  His wife is a principal at Freshwater Education District in Wadena, MN. They have three children, ages 11, 13 & 16. Erik is also the Chair of the 2020 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener planning committee. The Governor's Opener will be held in Otter Tail County in May of 2021. And given a choice, Erik would rather be fishing.   In this episode, we cover: The “Brain Gain” idea What it means to “Write your own rural narrative.” His community’s approach to rural resident recruitment and the role a rural narrative plays in that process.  Why most change is positive but it’s rarely easy—and why that’s normal One thing every single person can do right now to start rewriting their own rural community’s narrative     Links and Resources Mentioned: Episode 75 with Ben Winchester: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode75 Episode 99 with Jeff Siegler: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode99 Otter Tail County’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ottertailcounty Daily Yonder article: https://dailyyonder.com/rural-brain-gain-in-otter-tail-county-minnesota-state-community-technical-college/2023/01/19/

Happy New Year! We’re so excited to be back, although we’re not quite sure how we got here. Because we’re more mindset folks than resolution folks around these parts, this episode is all about things to try this year for all of you small-town changemakers. When we have a new goal or are ready to embark on a new journey, we need to make sure we’re starting with sustainability in mind, meaning that we aren’t setting ourselves too many new things or habits, and that the processes we are using are going to be helpful, buildable, and conducive to long-term success vs. failure. We think of these things in two broad categories: subtle mind   We think of these things in two broad categories Subtle mindset shifts Simple process tweaks   Subtle mindset shifts for 2023:  Prioritize your joy Don’t take things personally Show yourself radical compassion   Simple process tweaks for 2023: Take your holiday cards and each week (pick a day that works for you), choose 3 and send them a note of appreciation for their role in your life. Schedule time to improve the area of your life that’s holding you back the most.  ChatGPT - embrace AI for good   Links + Resources Mentioned Patrick’s post: https://www.dogoodbetterconsulting.com/post/the-future-of-nonprofits-how-to-ensure-your-skills-are-ai-proof My blog post: https://rebeccaundem.com/blog/the-future-is-herehow-small-town-small-businesses-can-embrace-ai Jordan Peterson’s ChatGPT Query video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUkTz_1uzSs   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!

Happy December! Today we’ve got a solocast and it’s all about what holds small towns back. There are five things, and Rebecca is here to talk through all of them.     So what are those five things that hold small towns back? Constraint-led thinking Underestimating the cost of doing nothing Treating today’s decisions as if they’re only about us An unwillingness to right-size ideas Accepting sliding standards   Links + Resources Mentioned How to Combat Apathy In Small Towns with Jeff Siegler: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode99 How to Host a Community Cleanup Event with Aaron Baker: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode102 Keeping Your Fire Lit in a Small Town with Rebecca Undem: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode103   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 for another (crossover!) episode with one of our most favorite people: small-town nonprofit expert and fun-haver, Patrick Kirby. This episode is all about how small town nonprofits can raise more money and create a bigger impact.    About Patrick Patrick Kirby is the Founder of Do Good Better Consulting and a believer that “we’ve always done it this way” is the most dangerous phrase in the English language.    Patrick has spent over a decade working in nearly every capacity in the nonprofit industry, for organizations of all shapes and sizes, and strives to ‘Do Good Better’ every day. From organizing $10,000 cure walks to $1 million galas, Patrick’s passion lies in creating creative solutions to make fundraising less boring.   He cut his donor relations/fundraising teeth as the Alumni Coordinator at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, MN, before trying his hand as a manufacturing sales rep to companies such as Target and Best Buy. Tired of being yelled at for uncontrollable international shipping issues in both English and Chinese, Patrick re-joined the world of nonprofit work as the Sr. Development Director at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation MN/Dakotas Chapter before taking the Chief Development Officer position at the Anne Carlsen Center.   He earned his B.A. in “B.S.” (politics) at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, and is hopelessly addicted to super nerdy Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels and old school SquareSoft ® RPG Nintendo games. Patrick married out of his league to his wife Shannon, has three ridiculously adorable children named Spencer, Preston, and Willow, and lives in West Fargo, ND.   In this episode, we cover: The unique struggles of small town non-profits Why we need to be more intentional with our giving  Why we need to say no to form letters What steps to take to transform your fundraising What the future of impactful, aligned philanthropy looks like   Links and Resources Mentioned: Do Good Better Consulting Website: https://www.dogoodbetterconsulting.com/ Do Good Better Consulting Podcast: https://www.dogoodbetterconsulting.com/dogoodbetterpodcast

You may have heard about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) since it’s a hot topic for many companies today, but how can we apply those principles to our small towns in a meaningful and intentional way? Rebecca and Cecily talk about what embracing diversity in small towns looks like, and how to have these own difficult but valuable conversations in your own sphere.   About Cecily Cecily Engelhart is an Ihanktonwan & Oglala mother, artist, coach, media nerd, foodie, bookworm, and kitchen dancing enthusiast. She was raised in South Dakota; her school years spent with her mother in the small college town of Vermillion and summers with her father, grandparents, and innumerable cousins on the Yankton Sioux Reservation along the muddy banks of the Missouri River. All her fondest memories relate to cooking delicious food, being in the sunshine, playing favorite games, and watching movies. She is unwaveringly passionate about how methods of expression shape our understanding of ourselves and each other. Her personal and professional work have consistently coalesced around storytelling in its various forms, most often through cooking, design, writing, and filmmaking. Through all her contributions to the world, she seeks to be a good relative, a good future ancestor, and a responsible steward of Unči Maka.   In this episode, we cover: How diversity affects the growth of our small towns Why wanting our communities to improve does not equal throwing them under the bus We don’t know what we don’t know, and that’s okay.  Intentional, nuanced engagement vs. checking a box or tokenism Ways to increase the diversity of your own circle   Links and Resources Mentioned: Seven Fires Community, a nonprofit that Cecily is a part of launching: www.sevenfirescommunity.org  The consulting company Cecily works for: www.hopenationconsulting.com/transformational-coaching  Cecily’s small business: https://www.facebook.com/rosiematho/

Melissa Nelson is a woman after our own hearts here at Growing Small Towns. She is a lifelong small-town girl and rural champion who uses her love of agriculture, community development, and creativity to inspire ways to get involved in small towns. About Melissa Melissa Nelson is a Nebraska farm and cattle gal who transplanted to Northwest Iowa after college to build an agricultural education non-profit and marry an Iowa farm boy. Her farm background and creative, entrepreneurial spirit allow her to put a unique spin on everyday items in her small business, Hungry Canyon. Melissa assisted in the foundation of the non-profit, Siouxland Agriculture in the Classroom and served as Director of the organization from 2013-2018. In 2018, she began serving as Externship Coordinator for the Applied Agricultural and Food Studies Department at Morningside University. Melissa and her husband Mark have two boys--Roy and Charlie-- seventh generation farm kids and lovers of tractors and cows. They live on a farm near Correctionville, Iowa. In this episode, we cover: How passion can inform how we get involved in our small communities Amazing ideas for small town events Fostering the next generation of small-town champions How a simple idea can be the catalyst for a small business How to get involved when you’re new in town Links and Resources Mentioned: The Hungry Canyon Website: https://www.hungrycanyondesign.com/ Hungry Canyon IG: https://www.instagram.com/hungrycanyon/ Rural Route Ramble: https://www.facebook.com/RuralRouteRamble/

This is the second part of our two-part series with Phil Eich about storytelling. The first episode was the why, and here is the how! This episode is one of the most actionable we’ve ever recorded—it has all you need to go out and start telling your own community’s story. About Phil Phil Eich is the founder of Storyville, an agency born in Saginaw dedicated to telling the stories of our cities to cultivate community pride, support small businesses, and attract and retain talent and investment. Through interviews, writing, photography, videography, and podcasting, Storyville's human-centered approach to civic marketing shines a light on communities across the country and their greatest strengths: their people. In this episode, we cover: The principles of storytelling Why motivation matters The elements of a Storyville Story Practical tips and tricks to get started Links and Resources Mentioned: Part 1 of this series: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode105 The Storyville Website: storyvillesocial.com Storyville Newsletter: storyville.substack.com Otter.ai

Storytelling is kind of having a moment: everywhere we go, we hear about “sharing your story.” The thing is that it’s really excellent advice—when it’s done well. This is part one of a two-part series all about why storytelling is so important for small towns, and why you should care. About Phil Phil Eich is the founder of Storyville, an agency born in Saginaw dedicated to telling the stories of our cities to cultivate community pride, support small businesses, and attract and retain talent and investment. Through interviews, writing, photography, videography, and podcasting, Storyville's human-centered approach to civic marketing shines a light on communities across the country and their greatest strengths: their people. In this episode, we cover: The meaning and power behind real storytelling The principle that makes successful storytelling work How warmth and competence are both necessary elements of trust How to convince people that storytelling is impactful, worthwhile, and has a place for small towns How storytelling can help provide the foundation for everything our small towns need to thrive Links and Resources Mentioned: The Storyville Website: storyvillesocial.com Storyville Newsletter: storyville.substack.com Otter.ai

Welcome back to the new season of the Growing Small Towns Podcast! Oh man, we are so excited to be back with a routine and a schedule and new episodes and new things in the works, we just can’t even. This episode is a solocast with Rebecca talking about loving on our locals—sure, we want to invite people into our small towns, but are we doing that at the expense of the people who already live there? In this episode, we cover: Why businesses that mean it when they say “Our people are our most important asset,” are the ones who are going to be the most successful, and why our small towns should think like those kinds of businesses Becoming tourism-focused at the expense of the small town’s culture and residents Why we need to reward the regular Joes (and Jolenes, obviously) for the amazing things they’re doing—big and small—that make our small towns better places to be How we can increase the “20” in the 80/20 rule How the rule-enforcing entities of small towns (necessary! We need those!) can become less roadblock-y and more set-the-tone-y.   Links + Resources Mentioned How to Combat Apathy In Small Towns with Jeff Siegler: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode99   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   A Note to Our Listeners: We are taking a break until mid-September because we are working on some big things behind the scenes that we can't wait to share with you. Stay tuned and follow us on Facebook or Instagram to get the latest news!   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!