The Rural Leaders Podcast: Recent Episodes
National Grassroots Media Corporation
The Rural Leaders Podcast is a show that honors unsung heroes who overcome challenge and adversity to become catalysts of positive change in their communities. We'll interview leaders from across the spectrum of rural America, sharing seeds of inspiration, hope, & support in their efforts to build creatively engaged & active communities. Like friends gathering around the kitchen table after Sunday dinner, co-Hosts Dana Peterson and Richard Fordyce will join guests who are leaders from all regions of the country and talk about how they are making their rural community and country a better place to live and work.
Guest:
Phil Eich | Storyville - StoryvilleSocial.com
Show Notes:
On this thirteenth episode we’re joined by self-made storyteller Phil Eich with Storyville, a Bay City, Michigan-based agency dedicated to creating and promoting human-centered marketing. We talk about why rural communities may not be telling their stories and how storytelling can cultivate pride, identity, understanding and empathy while developing the economy and the community.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com
Produced & distributed by Angel Fenix Productions - AngelFenix.com**
Guest:
Natalie Hodge | Rudy's Girl Media - RudysGirl.com
Show Notes:
On this twelfth episode we kick off our Rural Storyteller Series with Natalie Hodge, owner of Rudy’s Girl Media from Martinsville, Virginia. We visit about her work telling the stories of small rural businesses surviving the pandemic and how storytelling is making a lasting impact for small businesses connecting them with vital resources.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com
Produced & distributed by Angel Fenix Productions - AngelFenix.com**
Guest:
Randy Klindt | Conexon - Conexon.us
Show Notes:
On this eleventh episode we conclude our Rural Connectivity Series with Randy Klindt, Partner at Conexon and CEO at Conexon Connect. Randy’s personal experience led to working out the financing for brining broadband to areas where there are just a few customers per mile. He shares the importance of having at least one champion leading the charge and brings hope that we can finish the job of getting rural America connected.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com
Produced & distributed by Angel Fenix Productions - AngelFenix.com**
Guest:
Seth Arndorfer | Dakota Carrier Network - DakotaCarrier.com
Show Notes:
On this tenth episode we continue our Rural Connectivity Series with Seth Arndorfer, CEO of Dakota Carrier Network in North Dakota. Seth shares how the fiber backbone came together across one of the lowest populous states of our country and how it’s provided unique abilities for schools, hospitals, government entities, and businesses across the state to jump into the digital age.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com
Produced & distributed by Angel Fenix Productions - AngelFenix.com**
Guest:
Mitchell Bailey | GRM Networks - GRM.net
Show Notes:
On this ninth episode we continue our Rural Connectivity Series with Mitchell Bailey, CEO of GRM Networks in North Central Missouri. Mitchell shares how local leaders catalyzed their entry into the fiber to the premise world and brings hope that it is possible to navigate state and federal funding opportunities to bring affordable connectivity to rural Americans.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com
Produced & distributed by Angel Fenix Productions - AngelFenix.com**
Guest:
Heather Hampton-Knodle | Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation - MontgomeryCountyIllinois.org
Show Notes:
On this eighth episode we kick off our Rural Connectivity Series with Heather Hampton-Knodle from Montgomery County Illinois. Heather shares her story of bringing fiber to the premises to her farm with a privately funded project that took perseverance and tenacity. The journey to connectivity brought lots of other benefits to her local community and engaged leaders at all levels.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com
Produced & distributed by Angel Fenix Productions - AngelFenix.com**
Guest:
Craig McCain | Louisiana USDA Farm Service Agency
Show Notes:
On this seventh episode we talk with Craig McCain from Louisiana. After learning about crawfish, we talk about a key he’s learned throughout his leadership experience. That is how important it is to focus on people and relationships. Craig shares how he’s seen communities invest in their people and make their communities better.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com
Produced & distributed by Angel Fenix Productions - AngelFenix.com**
Guest:
Bette Brand | Strategic Consulting LLC - StrategicConsultingusa.com
Show Notes:
On this sixth episode we talk with Bette Brand the CEO and Founder of Strategic Consulting LLC in Virginia. We talk about her experience with Farm Credit, USDA Rural Development, and as a consultant working with communities and companies gain access to capital and resources for projects of all kinds. We talk about several qualities she’s seen in rural leaders that help them be successful.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com
Produced & distributed by Angel Fenix Productions - AngelFenix.com**
Guest:
Aubrey Bettencourt | California Almond Alliance - AlmondAlliance.org
Show Notes:
On this fifth episode we talk with Aubrey Bettencourt with the California Almond Alliance where we learn about water in her home state. We talk about how leaders and policies try to balance today’s water needs with aging infrastructure and operational systems. And how important it is rural communities and agricultural producers to come together to find solutions together.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com
Produced & distributed by Angel Fenix Productions - AngelFenix.com**
Guest:
Bill Beam | Beam Farms - Beam-Farms.com
Show Notes:
On this fourth episode we talk with Pennsylvania farmer Bill Beam about what it’s like farming in the shadows of Philadelphia. Bill is an advocate of preserving farmland and we discuss how important that is to our nation’s current and future food needs.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com
**Produced & distributed by Fenix Media - FenixMedia.us
Guest:
Taya Spelhaug | Microsoft TechSpark - MicrosoftTechSpark
Show Notes:
On episode 3, we talk with Taya Spelhaug on how education about digital technology and software is reaching rural communities through Microsoft TechSpark. We discuss several initiatives around the country; as well as, the North Dakota efforts through trusted partners working in digital skilling, cybersecurity, and agricultural technology.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com KarlProgram.comFacebook.com/TransitionToCareer
**Produced & distributed by Fenix Media - FenixMedia.us
Guest:
Luke Thornton | Harper Industries - HarperIndustries.com
Show Notes:
On this second episode, Dana and Richard are joined by Luke Thornton from Harper, Kansas to visit about Luke's leadership perspectives expanding in the Kansas Agricultural and Rural Leadership Program, Harper Industries living out their mission to create opportunities in rural communities, and several school districts collaborating in the Transition to Career Program which prepares high-schoolers for careers.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com KarlProgram.comFacebook.com/TransitionToCareer
**Produced & distributed by Fenix Media - FenixMedia.us
Guest:
Lowell Kruse | Heartland Health (Mosaic Life Care) - MyMLC.com
Show Notes:
Welcome to the premiere episode of The Rural Leaders Podcast, featuring special guest Lowell Kruse. The Rural Leaders Podcast is a show that honors unsung heroes who overcome challenge and adversity to become catalysts of positive change in their communities. We'll interview leaders from across the spectrum of rural America, sharing seeds of inspiration, hope, & support in their efforts to build creatively engaged & active communities. Like friends gathering around the kitchen table after Sunday dinner, co-Hosts Dana Peterson and Richard Fordyce will join guests who are leaders from all regions of the country and talk about how they are making their rural community and country a better place to live and work.
Resource Links:
NationalGrassrootsMedia.com
**Produced & distributed by Fenix Media - FenixMedia.us