In this episode, Rebecca talks with longtime friend and former economic developer Justin Neppl about what it really means to reimagine economic development for small towns. For years, economic development has focused on the same things, but the future looks different. This episode is about collaboration, trust, and people-centered leadership and how they can come together to update traditional models to make futures brighter for our small towns. About Justin: Justin Neppl is

Sometimes things are rough, whether it’s for a little bit, a season, or longer. This episode is straight from our founder and leader, and she’s sharing reflections and encouragement for anyone who’s felt exhausted, uncertain, or overwhelmed by the weight of showing up for their community or business. It’s lovely work, but it can also feel heavy and lonely, so if you’ve ever felt that way, this episode is for you. In this episode, you'll hear: That your energy is a limited res

Childcare is a huge challenge for many families, and this is of course true for small towns. When Alex and Tyler’s daycare closed their...

One of the most common concerns we hear from small-town leaders and residents is the idea of the “brain drain,” or the fear that young...

We’ve heard it, and you probably have too: “People don’t want to move to rural communities.” Or, “Talented people don’t want to live in...

Housing development is a key focus for many small towns, and for good reason: we need places for people to live! But, sometimes...

We are kicking off the second part of Season 5 with a bang and sharing one of the coolest programs we’ve had the pleasure of learning...

This is a first on the podcast and a great ending to the first part of Season 5 (we’ll be back in September with more episodes!) One of...

This episode is about the rural lawyer shortage, why it’s happening, why it matters, and what we can do about it. This is a new-to-us...

We focus a lot on belonging here at Growing Small Towns, and one of the most important groups (that sometimes gets neglected by...

When we think of politics, I think a lot of us feel intimidated or like there isn’t room for us in the process–we’re not “political,” or...

Meredith is easily one of the most interesting and unusual people we’ve ever had on the podcast, and her story is a testament to just how...

This episode is a listener-submitted Small Town People Problem, and it’s one we hear a lot: What do we do about local negativity? How do...

We underestimate the power of love–or maybe limit the places where we deem it appropriate–but that’s silly because love is the most...

Each season, we’re going to have a few episodes that directly address your small-town people problems. For our first one, we’re starting...

The “Returner” phenomenon is a very real thing: people leave their small towns as young people and come back later when they’re ready to...

There is a concept that’s been a part of our mainstream discussion for a long time now. It’s the idea of living authentically. It’s...

Deb Brown is one of our favorite people in the world, and we’re so glad to have her on the show with us to share her words, her new book...

Joy can feel a little soft, or a little touchy-feely, but helping people find joy is a catalyst for positive change. This week’s guest is...

Awhile back, we were having a conversation with Brodie on the podcast and he mentioned that he hires based on a “vibe check,” and given...