Hospice care is a somewhat misunderstood medical practice in this country.  People often think it’s all about dying, or the opposite- keeping a dying patient alive.  Neither of these perceptions are accurate.  In this episode, we are focusing on what hospice care entails by sitting down with the people who provide it – hospice nurses.

Rural areas have a higher need for hospice care as there are simply more people over the age of 65 living here.  The benefits of having hospice care available to a community are surprisingly large, even for the nurses who work there.  Hospice nurses learn to treat for quality of life rather than quantity of life and, therein, reevaluate their own healthcare directives.  They spend a good part of their practice educating and communing with families. They even experience mental and  spiritual growth in their own lives from performing these services.  And the remarkable events that take place around the time of a death have given many of these women a deeper sense of faith.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@middleofeverywherepod</a> and on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@rural_stories</a>.  Learn more about us at <a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">middleofeverywherepod.org.</a> Subscribe wherever you get your podcast.

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;Hospice care is a somewhat misunderstood medical practice in this country.  People often think it’s all about dying, or the opposite- keeping a dying patient alive.  Neither of these perceptions are accurate.  In this episode, we are focusing on what hospice care entails by sitting down with the people who provide it – hospice nurses.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Rural areas have a higher need for hospice care as there are simply more people over the age of 65 living here.  The benefits of having hospice care available to a community are surprisingly large, even for the nurses who work there.  Hospice nurses learn to treat for quality of life rather than quantity of life and, therein, reevaluate their own healthcare directives.  They spend a good part of their practice educating and communing with families. They even experience mental and  spiritual growth in their own lives from performing these services.  And the remarkable events that take place around the time of a death have given many of these women a deeper sense of faith.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Follow us on Instagram and Facebook &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;@middleofeverywherepod&lt;/a&gt; and on Twitter &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;@rural_stories&lt;/a&gt;.  Learn more about us at &lt;a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;middleofeverywherepod.org.&lt;/a&gt; Subscribe wherever you get your podcast.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

We hear how hospice nurses work to preserve the quality of our last moments of life.

Hospice care is a somewhat misunderstood medical practice in this country.  People often think it’s all about dying, or the opposite- keeping a dying patient alive.  Neither of these perceptions are accurate.  In this episode, we are focusing on what hospice care entails by sitting down with the people who provide it – hospice nurses.

Rural areas have a higher need for hospice care as there are simply more people over the age of 65 living here.  The benefits of having hospice care available to a community are surprisingly large, even for the nurses who work there.  Hospice nurses learn to treat for quality of life rather than quantity of life and, therein, reevaluate their own healthcare directives.  They spend a good part of their practice educating and communing with families. They even experience mental and  spiritual growth in their own lives from performing these services.  And the remarkable events that take place around the time of a death have given many of these women a deeper sense of faith.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" target="_blank">@middleofeverywherepod</a> and on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" target="_blank">@rural_stories</a>.  Learn more about us at <a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" target="_blank">middleofeverywherepod.org.</a> Subscribe wherever you get your podcast.

Who will be with Me at the End?

The end of the season is almost here and we have one quick request. 

Find us at our website at middleofeverywherepod.org. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@middleofeverywherepod</a> and on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@rural_stories</a>.

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;The end of the season is almost here and we have one quick request. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Find us at our website at middleofeverywherepod.org. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;@middleofeverywherepod&lt;/a&gt; and on Twitter &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;@rural_stories&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/strong&gt;  &lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

Our third season is almost over, and we have one quick request.  

The end of the season is almost here and we have one quick request. 

Find us at our website at middleofeverywherepod.org. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" target="_blank">@middleofeverywherepod</a> and on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" target="_blank">@rural_stories</a>.

A Little Ask

Women and girls in rural communities across the United States are being forever changed by substance misuse. Sadly, it’s a story with which many are becoming increasingly familiar. Why are women in rural places being incarcerated for substances at such high rates? What can communities do to intervene and help? What resources are available?

We explore these troublesome questions and find some equally troubling answers. We hear from a former substance misuser who shares a solution that helped change her life, and how her struggle with substances is a required background for her becoming a care provider to women currently trying to stay sober.  And we learn how her affliction has impacted other care providers in her community.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@middleofeverywherepod</a> and on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@rural_stories</a>.  Learn more about us at <a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">middleofeverywherepod.org.</a> Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;Women and girls in rural communities across the United States are being forever changed by substance misuse. Sadly, it’s a story with which many are becoming increasingly familiar. Why are women in rural places being incarcerated for substances at such high rates? What can communities do to intervene and help? What resources are available?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We explore these troublesome questions and find some equally troubling answers. We hear from a former substance misuser who shares a solution that helped change her life, and how her struggle with substances is a required background for her becoming a care provider to women currently trying to stay sober.  And we learn how her affliction has impacted other care providers in her community.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Follow us on Instagram and Facebook &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;@middleofeverywherepod&lt;/a&gt; and on Twitter &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;@rural_stories&lt;/a&gt;.  Learn more about us at &lt;a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;middleofeverywherepod.org.&lt;/a&gt; Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

We enter a women's sober-living house and hear about the struggle it took to get there.

Women and girls in rural communities across the United States are being forever changed by substance misuse. Sadly, it’s a story with which many are becoming increasingly familiar. Why are women in rural places being incarcerated for substances at such high rates? What can communities do to intervene and help? What resources are available?

We explore these troublesome questions and find some equally troubling answers. We hear from a former substance misuser who shares a solution that helped change her life, and how her struggle with substances is a required background for her becoming a care provider to women currently trying to stay sober.  And we learn how her affliction has impacted other care providers in her community.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" target="_blank">@middleofeverywherepod</a> and on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" target="_blank">@rural_stories</a>.  Learn more about us at <a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" target="_blank">middleofeverywherepod.org.</a> Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

The Beautiful Cherry Tree from the Depths of Despair

This week we're sharing a previously released episode from our first season.

We hear from a woman that embarked on a journey to save and rehabilitate a historic Black hotel from demolition. This journey was life-changing for her as it coincided with the rehabilitation of her own body after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Betty Dobson shares with us what it took to save the Hotel Metropolitan in Paducah, Kentucky and how the mission of saving the hotel and all its history helped with emotional healing as well as her own physical wellness. 

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@middleofeverywherepod</a> and on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@rural_stories</a>.  Learn more about us at <a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">middleofeverywherepod.org.</a> Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;This week we're sharing a previously released episode from our first season.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We hear from a woman that embarked on a journey to save and rehabilitate a historic Black hotel from demolition. This journey was life-changing for her as it coincided with the rehabilitation of her own body after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Betty Dobson shares with us what it took to save the Hotel Metropolitan in Paducah, Kentucky and how the mission of saving the hotel and all its history helped with emotional healing as well as her own physical wellness. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Follow us on Instagram and Facebook &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;@middleofeverywherepod&lt;/a&gt; and on Twitter &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;@rural_stories&lt;/a&gt;.  Learn more about us at &lt;a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;middleofeverywherepod.org.&lt;/a&gt; Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

A woman's personal health follows behind the health of the piece of Black history she's trying to preserve.

This week we're sharing a previously released episode from our first season.

We hear from a woman that embarked on a journey to save and rehabilitate a historic Black hotel from demolition. This journey was life-changing for her as it coincided with the rehabilitation of her own body after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Betty Dobson shares with us what it took to save the Hotel Metropolitan in Paducah, Kentucky and how the mission of saving the hotel and all its history helped with emotional healing as well as her own physical wellness. 

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" target="_blank">@middleofeverywherepod</a> and on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" target="_blank">@rural_stories</a>.  Learn more about us at <a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" target="_blank">middleofeverywherepod.org.</a> Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Re-release: Welcome to the Hotel Metropolitan!

OB deserts are a plague that seems to be infecting more and more of the United States, in rural areas in particular.  If you’ve never heard of an OB desert, you’re not alone.  OB deserts are counties that lack any hospital or birth center with obstetric care or any obstetric providers.   The US leads among developed countries in maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and these deserts are a likely contributor.  Some might say this is due to a healthcare system that caters to those with money and means.  So how do we protect mothers who lack the resources to access maternal care?  Mothers who, because of the way they live, may be at higher risk already?

In this episode, we’re featuring an innovative new program out of rural Indiana, that has taken steps toward decreasing the maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in their county, which has been declared an OB desert.  And it’s all headed up by the fire department.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@middleofeverywherepod</a> and on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@rural_stories</a>.  Learn more about us at <a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">middleofeverywherepod.org.</a> Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;OB deserts are a plague that seems to be infecting more and more of the United States, in rural areas in particular.  If you’ve never heard of an OB desert, you’re not alone.  OB deserts are counties that lack any hospital or birth center with obstetric care or any obstetric providers.   The US leads among developed countries in maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and these deserts are a likely contributor.  Some might say this is due to a healthcare system that caters to those with money and means.  So how do we protect mothers who lack the resources to access maternal care?  Mothers who, because of the way they live, may be at higher risk already?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we’re featuring an innovative new program out of rural Indiana, that has taken steps toward decreasing the maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in their county, which has been declared an OB desert.  And it’s all headed up by the fire department.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Follow us on Instagram and Facebook &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;@middleofeverywherepod&lt;/a&gt; and on Twitter &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;@rural_stories&lt;/a&gt;.  Learn more about us at &lt;a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"&gt;middleofeverywherepod.org.&lt;/a&gt; Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

How a rural Indiana county, which is an OB desert, invented a totally new model of care for their high risk mothers and babies.

OB deserts are a plague that seems to be infecting more and more of the United States, in rural areas in particular.  If you’ve never heard of an OB desert, you’re not alone.  OB deserts are counties that lack any hospital or birth center with obstetric care or any obstetric providers.   The US leads among developed countries in maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and these deserts are a likely contributor.  Some might say this is due to a healthcare system that caters to those with money and means.  So how do we protect mothers who lack the resources to access maternal care?  Mothers who, because of the way they live, may be at higher risk already?

In this episode, we’re featuring an innovative new program out of rural Indiana, that has taken steps toward decreasing the maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in their county, which has been declared an OB desert.  And it’s all headed up by the fire department.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/middleofeverywherepodcast" target="_blank">@middleofeverywherepod</a> and on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/rural_stories" target="_blank">@rural_stories</a>.  Learn more about us at <a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.org" target="_blank">middleofeverywherepod.org.</a> Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Angels in a Desert

Middle of Everywhere shares big stories from the small places we call home. Rich with examples of tribalism and kinship, skepticism and idealism, defeat and triumph, we tell stories of life in rural and small town America. Hosts Ariel Lavery, a transient American who has settled in small town Murray, Kentucky, and Austin Carter (Featured on Seasons 1 &amp; 2), a Murray and rural life native, take the pulse of an overlooked geographic news region. They provide a connection for those who have left, but still identify with small towns, and explore the growing appeal of rural life. A production from WKMS public radio, part of PRX’s Project Catapult with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Middle of Everywhere is a narrative podcast with episodes released bi-weekly. It’s available for download on all podcast platforms and online at <a href="http://middleofeverywherepod.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">middleofeverywherepod.com</a>. You can also connect with us on social media @middleofeverywherepod

Middle of Everywhere

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