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Ep. 83 How the Media Can Help Small Towns

Updated: Oct 7, 2021



When our founder, Rebecca, was invited to be a guest on Studio 701, a lifestyle show featuring all things North Dakota, she knew she wanted to invite the host and producer, Amber, to be a guest on our podcast! Amber shares the story of how she created the show, how she thinks about media now, and offers some great ideas for those of us living in small towns to ensure our stories and voices are heard.

About Amber:

I’m a small-town North Dakota girl at heart who hails from New England, ND. My three siblings and I learned from wonderful teachers and coaches in NE, including both my parents. From the southwest part of the state, I moved to the far northeast part of the state where I attended and graduated college from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Majoring in Mass Communication, I got the TV bug at my internship with UND’s Studio One and have been all about news ever since.

My first job in TV was working in the majestic Black Hills for nearly three years as a reporter and fill-in weekend anchor at KOTA-TV in Rapid City, SD. From there, I was hired as the weekend anchor and weekday reporter at KXMB-TV in Bismarck, ND. At KX News I would go on to report, produce, and anchor for both the evening shows and the morning show, Good Day Dakota. I’ve been recognized by the Associated Press and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association for writing and reporting.

My nearly nine-year run at KX News ended with the birth of my first beautiful baby, Daisy. I chose to stay home with her and freelance write and edit. Eventually, I delved into nonprofit work, becoming the executive director of the Bismarck Library Foundation, Inc. My husband and I have since been blessed with a second beautiful baby, Everett. Although my hands are full with my two babes, my dog Chewie, my cat Bear, my hubby Matt, and an occasional volleyball match- I’m very excited for my newest adventure…

Studio 701 is a lifestyle show on KX News that celebrates all things about living in the 701! I’m so excited to be the host and producer of this lifestyle show, designed to entertain viewers of this great state that I love so much. If you have ideas for segments or interviews, please contact me at aschatz@kxnet.com



In this episode, we cover:

  • How to pivot when your life requires a change

  • The role media plays in our lives

  • How to filter the news for your good

  • Ways small towns can get their stories and voices amplified

Links and Resources Mentioned:

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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, please click on the images below for 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!




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