Loneliness is a big deal, and it's become an actual epidemic. And, while it may seem simple to combat (the opposite of loneliness is belonging and community, right?), creating belonging and community can actually be much harder. 

This is what Emma McIntyre is all about. She builds events that create belonging — from farmers markets to winter festivals to senior socials — and this episode is all about how small towns can replicate these ideas at any scale by focusing on comfort, connection, and purpose. It's a roadmap for how to build community in ways that actually stick. 

About Emma:
Emma McIntyre, originally from North Dakota, is the Manager of Development and Partnerships at Folkways, an organization dedicated to building community through experiences, placemaking, and creative programming. After graduating college, she intentionally chose to return to North Dakota to help strengthen her home state through meaningful community-building projects.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Emma and Folkways use placemaking to combat loneliness with intentional design, not just "fun events"

• The real metrics that matter: dwell time, collisions, intergenerational experiences

• Why belonging is a public health issue — and what communities can do about it

• How small towns can adapt big-city ideas like farmers markets and themed gatherings

• The power of personal traditions to build connection at the micro level

Links + Resources Mentioned:
https://www.folkways.org/
https://creativemornings.com/cities/FAR

Sponsor Spotlight: The Yellow Bird
The Yellow Bird is a longtime favorite and friend of Growing Small Towns and our Executive Director, Rebecca.

The Yellow Bird is a family-owned, all-natural skincare company committed to keeping things pure, simple, and safe. Their products are made with real ingredients you can pronounce (and actually read on the label), free from synthetic chemicals, and gentle enough for the whole family—especially anyone with allergies or sensitivities.

Founded by Nicole, who grew up in a home that prioritized holistic living, The Yellow Bird was born from a simple truth: what we put on our skin matters. Their mission is to make effective, affordable skincare using minimal yet powerful ingredients like coconut oil and essential oils. You can shop their full line online, including on Amazon.

Use https://www.theyellowbird.co/?ref=REBECCAUNDEM when you shop! 

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:

1. "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. 

2. "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!