The Growing Small Towns Show

Vacant and deteriorating properties are a challenge facing communities across the country—but small towns are not powerless to address them. In this episode, Liz from the Center for Community Progress shares practical strategies communities can use to inventory vacant buildings, navigate ownership challenges, and turn neglected properties into opportunities for revitalization. The conversation explores how data, partnerships, and creative thinking can help small towns reclaim the spaces that shape their future. About Liz: Liz Kozub is an Associate Director for Technical Assistance at the Center for Community Progress. As an experienced project manager and program developer, she has spent the past decade focused on helping communities develop policy solutions, partnerships, and innovative approaches to addressing systemic vacancy. Kozub draws on extensive experience building interlocal cooperation among underserved communities to support the places the Technical Assistance team serves, with a focus on land banks and code enforcement. Passionate about emboldening local leaders to make a difference in their communities, Kozub has fostered connections between grassroots leaders in community revitalization from Montgomery, Alabama to Reading, Pennsylvania; and helped local official strengthen their arguments for land banks in New Jersey and Indiana. Prior to joining the Community Progress team, Kozub was an instrumental member of the leadership team to form the Tri-COG Land Bank, a multi-municipal, community-driven land bank in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The Tri-COG Land Bank has since grown to become a national model for land banking in the United States. She also led the establishment of a multi-municipal code enforcement program to support small under-resourced communities. Kozub received a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International affairs, and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Allegheny College. She is based just outside of Buffalo, New York. In this episode, we cover: Why understanding who owns vacant properties is the first step toward solving the problem How communities can use code enforcement, land banks, and tax tools to address vacancy Why time is the biggest enemy of a vacant building Creative ways communities are using arts and community engagement to activate empty spaces How small towns can build partnerships to turn vacant properties into new opportunities Links + Resources Mentioned: Example project: Breathing Lights Example project: Dear Tamaqua and Tamaqua Area Community Partnership press: Tamaqua praised for arts, culture projects Resource: Creative placemaking in vacant properties example projects Resource: State of Land Banking Survey Snapshot Resource: Financial Impacts of Vacancy Report: Reevaluating Code Enforcement Event: Community Progress' Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference Event/Educational Resources: Community Progress' monthly webinar series Services: Technical Assistance Brochure, or reach out to Liz at [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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: "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. "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 [email protected] 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!

This episode features a local Oakes father/son duo and we're so excited to introduce them to you! Shawn and Aiden Ulmer of the Angry Beaver Lodge share the story of a third-generation restaurant business and the unexpected path that brought Aiden back to Oaks. They discuss generational transitions, evolving bar culture, and the role local businesses play in creating community. This is a conversation about what draws people back to small towns and the active role communities can play in facilitating it. About Shawn and Aiden: Shawn grew up in Valley City, ND. He fell in love with the restaurant industry while helping at the steakhouse his parents owned for most of his childhood. His entire life has been spent in the service industry. His love of food, drinks, and people makes him a natural. This fall marks his 25th year as the owner of the Angry Beaver Lodge in Oakes. On the off chance that Shawn is not at work prepping, creating new menu items, chatting up the customers, or catering a wedding reception, you will find him cheering on his beloved MN Vikings, sitting in a deer stand with his bow at the ready, or spoiling his granddaughters. Shawn's youngest son, Aiden (aka Chili), accepted the position of Front of the House Manager at the Angry Beaver Lodge this past September. Aiden was born and raised in Oakes; attended college at NDSU and the U of M. He spent a few years living in Fargo and in the heart of New York City, and loved having an abundance of entertainment, eateries, & nightlife at his fingertips. Like his dad, he grew up in the restaurant. Chili shares many of his dad's traits, including his father's deep voice (people love to hear his "Shawn impersonation") and his love of conversation, which makes Aiden a natural behind the bar. The transition back to Oakes and small town life was made easier by the number of friends who had also returned, the welcoming and progressive community, and the short distance to visit his brother & nieces. His love of travel & exploration has already taken him all over the world; if he's not busy whipping up a new cocktail recipe, he's undoubtedly planning his next trip. In this episode, we cover: How a third-generation restaurant family is navigating a new generational transition. Why younger generations are going out less (and what bars and restaurants are doing about it.) How craft cocktails, events, and experiences are replacing traditional bar culture. What actually brings young people back to small towns. Why community gathering places like restaurants matter more than we think. Links + Resources Mentioned: https://angrybeaverlodgeoakes.com/ 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 [email protected] 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: "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. "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 [email protected] 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!

Nicole Jones is the founder of Little Red Riding Hood, Inc., and today she joins us to talk about the hidden crisis of senior transportation in rural communities. Her story shows how one human moment can spark a solution that strengthens healthcare access, local economies, and community belonging. This episode is a testimony to how one moment and one person can inspire change, and a reminder to protect those who came before us so we can be stronger, more whole communities. About Nicole: I am a 35-year-old who has made it her life's mission to help seniors in rural areas after finding a blind senior man lost in the middle of the road. My passions include weight lifting, writing (I have a novel coming out soon as a hopeful way to raise funds for the company), and the Professional Women's Hockey League (go Montreal Victoire!). I live in the small town of Bigler, PA, with my four rescue cats, two turkeys, and twelve ducks. In this episode, we cover: How a chance encounter with a stranded senior sparked a rural transportation startup Why senior mobility is directly tied to rural economic health What makes rural transportation different from Uber or Lyft How technology can work with seniors instead of around them Why honoring aging residents is critical to growing small towns Links + Resources Mentioned: Website: www.LRRHINC.com Email: [email protected] Phone number: 412-376-5145 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleelizabethjones 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 [email protected] 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: "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. "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 [email protected] 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!

Many small-town people carry more than their fair share and, in some cases, tie their self-worth to how much they do for others or to their role in their small town (we're lovingly looking at you, farmers and ranchers and Heads of Everything). In this episode, therapist Anna and our host Rebecca explore burnout, boundaries, and why emotional awareness and resilience can coexist. It's a grounded conversation about choosing alignment over obligation and building healthier communities from the inside out. About Anna: Welcome! I'm Anna. I am dedicated to helping individuals and families find peace and healing through life's challenges using a holistic approach to therapy. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master's degree in Social Work, I have the privilege of supporting youth and adults facing anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship difficulties, trauma, behavioral concerns, ADHD, and other challenges. I integrate evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), mindfulness practices, and solution-focused techniques. These tools help youth and adults gain insight, develop effective coping strategies, and move toward a more emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually fulfilling life. I believe therapy is a safe space for honest reflection, growth, and healing. Whether you're feeling stuck or simply seeking support in achieving your goals, I'm here to walk with you on your journey in a supportive and compassionate environment. Let's connect—you deserve to feel supported and heard. Outside the therapy room, I find joy in spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, gardening, and enjoying a good cup of coffee. In this episode, we cover: How self-worth often gets tied to roles, productivity, and people-pleasing What burnout really looks like—emotionally and physically Why "grit" doesn't require suppressing feelings How shame and comparison keep people overextended Practical ways to notice when something no longer aligns Links + Resources Mentioned: Anna's website: www.betterdaystw.com 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 [email protected] 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: "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. "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 [email protected] 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!

What happens when a 25-year-old buys a quilt shop in a town of 1,800 people? (Spoiler: awesome stuff.) In this episode, our very own TJ Roney shares how entrepreneurship, creativity, social media, and community support collided to create unexpected momentum. It's a powerful reminder that rural opportunity doesn't always look the way we expect it to, and that young people are, in fact, interested in things that aren't on their phones. About TJ: Hey there, my name is TJ, and I'm a 25-year-old grandma! I love anything creative, and learned to sew when I was 5 years old. Thanks to my grandma teaching me, sewing has become one of my favorite hobbies and creative outlets. A year after I moved back to my hometown, in January of 2025, I was contacted about purchasing the quilt shop in town. When I was first approached to purchase the quilt store, I'll be honest, I didn't really want to! I was content not having the responsibility of a business for the time being, and I wasn't sure I wanted one of my favorite hobbies to become my job and risk no longer enjoying it. But often it's better to have taken a risk and learned from an experience than not to have taken a risk and looked back with regret. I'm so glad I made the decision to go for it. I have truly enjoyed every second of owning this store and look forward to all that is to come for me and my business! In this episode, we cover: How a hobby turned into an unexpected business opportunity Why small-town retail can work—and often does How social media became a growth tool, not the goal The role of mentorship and thoughtful succession What happens when young people are trusted to lead Links + Resources Mentioned: Website Link: https://www.quiltersmercantilend.com/ Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571935395357 TikTok Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@tj.roney?_r=1&_t=ZT-93Edvi6H7CR 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 [email protected] 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: "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. "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 [email protected] 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!