Side by Side

RE-RELEASE: Camden Blatchly, Center on Rural Innovation data analyst, explains the complex story behind rural and urban classifications and why place isn't so easily defined

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:04:48 -0500

While we’re working on new episodes for Season 3, revisit one of our favorite conversations, originally released on June 18, 2025.

Ellen talks with Camden Blatchley, a data analyst with the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI). Camden discusses the complexities of defining rural and urban areas in the United States, and describes the differences between the two most commonly used definitions: one developed by the Census Bureau and the other by the Office of Management and Budget. Camden explains how these differing definitions can paint different images of rural America and reinforce narratives about rural and urban areas as a binary, when in reality they are a complex, diverse, interconnected continuum of geographies, people, and economic conditions. Camden also highlights his work on the Rural Aperture Project and the necessity for more accurate storytelling and policymaking that reflect the true state of interdependence of rural and urban areas.

Episode Highlights:

03:51 The Many Definitions of Rural

10:25 Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Rural America

15:42 Economic Realities and Misconceptions of Rural America

18:09 Rural-Urban Connections

More Information:

Center on Rural Innovation, https://ruralinnovation.us/

The Rural Aperture Project, https://ruralinnovation.us/resources/mapping-and-data-analytics/the-rural-aperture-project/

Defining Rural America, The Consequenes of How We Count, https://ruralinnovation.us/blog/defining-rural-america/

Who lives in rural America? How data shapes (and misshapes) conceptions of diversity in rural America, https://ruralinnovation.us/blog/who-lives-in-rural-america-part-i/

Who lives in rural America? The geography of rural race and ethnicity, https://ruralinnovation.us/blog/who-lives-in-rural-america-part-2/

The reclassification of rural counties and what it means for rural America, https://ruralinnovation.us/blog/the-reclassification-of-rural-counties-and-what-it-means-for-rural-america/

Questions, comments, want to get in touch? Email us at sidebyside@umn.edu. We share your feedback with funders and stakeholders about the value of this podcast and how you engage with the insights and information.

Side by Side host Ellen Wolter explains why its important for you to share your feedback

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500

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If you enjoy Side by Side, your feedback helps us tell its story and continue bringing these conversations to life. Thank you for taking the time to support this podcast.

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Civic Bridgers founder Libby Stegger and students Angelina Rueda and Sumaya Yassin share stories about bridging across Minnesota's rural, urban, and suburban communities

University of Minnesota Extension — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 08:23:35 -0500

In final episode of season two, Ellen talks with Civic Bridgers founder Libby Stegger and students Angelina Rueda and Sumaya Yassin about bridging across rural, urban, and suburban spaces in Minnesota. Angelina and Sumaya discuss their experience in the Rural-Urban Campus Bridging Initiative and Libby shares how the Civic Bridgers organization builds connections across the state.

Episode Highlights:

03:14 Civic Bridgers and the Campus Bridging Initiative

08:40 Experiences and Insights from Participants

15:23 Challenges and Rewards of Bridging

26:19 Aspirations and Recommendations for Bridging Work

More Information:
Civic Bridgers, www.civicbridgers.org
Libby Stegger Bio, https://www.civicbridgers.org/meet-the-team

Angelina Rueda is a recent graduate from Winona State University with a passion for sociology. Last spring, she participated in the Campus Bridging Initiative to promote the Urban-Rural exchange. Currently, Angelina is a Program Engagement Fellow for Engage Winona as part of a fellowship program with Civic Bridgers and Americorps Vista.

Sumaya Yassin is a third-year student at St. Catherine University, majoring in Public Health with a concentration in Health Sciences and a minor in Aging and Longevity. In the spring of 2025, Sumaya joined the two-weekend exchange program with the Campus Bridging Initiative. This program facilitates exchanges between students from the College of Saint Benedict and St. Catherine's University to engage in discussions about Urban and Rural immersion.

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Jen Ford Reedy unpacks Bush Foundation book club pick, The Power of Bridging, and shares her optimism for how bridging can be a path forward

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0500

“Bridging is a practice where members of different social groups are not only brought into contact, but build social connections and rapport.”-john powell

“It's not perfect. It's not hypothetical. It's not something you can do all the time. But I think in terms of the kind of world that we are trying to bring into existence, bridging, until we fully realize that we are connected, bridging is necessary.” –john powell

“Bridges are made to be walked on.” -bell hooks

In this episode, Ellen talks with Jen Ford Reedy, president of the Bush Foundation, about john powell's book, The Power of Bridging. They explore the concepts shared in the book and how they apply to working across rural, urban, and suburban communities.

The Bush Foundation is offering free copies of john's book to anyone in their grantmaking region—Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. Request your copy here.

Episode Highlights:
03:03 Bush Foundation's Book Club and Its Impact

14:44 Rural and Urban Dynamics

20:08 Bush Foundation's Approach to Bridging

30:29 Challenges and Skills in Bridging

37:46 Optimism and Cultural Change

43:02 The Necessity of Bridging for Change

More Information:

https://www.bushfoundation.org/people/jen-ford-reedy/
https://belonging.berkeley.edu/
https://obiu.org/course/bridging-bookclub
https://communityactionpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/john-powell.pdf

https://belonging.berkeley.edu/practice-bridging

https://standtogether.org/

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john a. powell, author of The Power of Bridging, explains what bridging is (and what it isn't) and why it is necessary

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Ellen talks with john a. powell about his book, The Power of Bridging, and the concept of bridging and the importance of recognizing our interconnectedness. john explains the harmful practices of breaking and othering and explores the bridging necessary for rural, urban, and suburban communities. john also shares ways individuals and leaders can foster a bridging mindset.

Please Note:
The Bush Foundation is offering free copies of john's book,The Power of Bridging to anyone in their grantmaking region—Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. Request your copy here.

More Information:
john a. powell Bio, https://belonging.berkeley.edu/john-powell
Othering and Belonging Institute, https://belonging.berkeley.edu/
Belonging Without Othering: How We Save Ourselves and the World, https://belonging.berkeley.edu/belonging-without-othering
Belonging Without Othering Podcast with john a. powell and Stephen Menendian, https://belonging.berkeley.edu/podcast-belonging-without-othering

Episode Highlights:
04:20 The Reality of Interconnectedness

11:59 Defining Othering and Breaking

18:41 The Consequences of Othering

35:32 Bridging and Belonging: A Path Forward

44:40 Challenges and Misconceptions of Bridging
54:05 The Role of Leaders in Bridging

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RE-RELEASE: Nick Jacobs, author of The Rural Voter, shares his findings and explains how the 'gap effect' leads to simple stories about rural and urban spaces

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

While Ellen takes a break for Labor Day, revisit this episode originally released on September 4, 2024 during Season 1.

In this episode, Ellen interviews Nick Jacobs, co-author of The Rural Voter, about the nuances of rural America and how they are often overlooked when we consider the complex relationship between rural and urban spaces. They discuss the methodology behind Nick’s research and the challenges of surveying rural populations. They also delve into "rural resentment" and the persistent misconceptions about rural and urban communities, despite examples of shared commonalities.

Episode Highlights:

04:50 Challenges in Surveying Rural America

09:56 The Gap Effect

19:07 Rural Resentment vs. Rural Rage

29:00 Economic Integration in Rural Communities

33:42 Shared Sense of Fate

More Information:
Nick Jacobs bio, https://web.colby.edu/nfjacobs/

The Rural Voter, https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-rural-voter/9780231211581

New Book on Rural America Started with a False Conclusion, Then Looked For Evidence-The Daily Yonder, https://dailyyonder.com/commentary-white-rural-rage-which-came-first-the-title-or-the-research/2024/03/06/

How ‘Rural Studies’ Is Thinking About the Heartland - The New York Times (nytimes.com), https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/29/business/rural-studies-american-politics.html

UMN Extension Rural-Urban Interdependence, https://extension.umn.edu/community-development/rural-urban-interdependence

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Drs. Jill Amsberry and Chris Fallert explain how the University of Minnesota Medical School and CentraCare's new St. Cloud campus is a rural-urban partnership that will transform rural health care and strengthen the region

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Drs. Jill Amsberry and Chris Fallert explain how the University of Minnesota Medical School and CentraCare's new St. Cloud campus is a rural-urban partnership that will transform rural health care and strengthen the region

Ellen talks with Drs. Jill Amsberry and Chris Fallert to discuss the launch of the new University of Minnesota Medical School Regional CentraCare St. Cloud campus in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The new St. Cloud campus, developed in partnership with the CentraCare health care system and the University of Minnesota, aims to address the shortage of rural physicians by recruiting and training students from rural areas.

CentraCare is the largest provider of rural health care in Minnesota, serving an 18-county region across central, western, and southwestern parts of the state. In addition to the Twin Cities campus, this will be the first regional campus for the University of Minnesota Medical School since the Duluth campus opened in 1972.

Jill and Chris also share how this unique rural-urban collaboration holds significant potential to positively impact communities across the region by highlighting how the partnership between CentraCare and the University of Minnesota is not only expanding healthcare access and improving quality of care but also strengthening the region’s social, human, political, and economic capital.

Episode Highlights:
02:03 Goals and Vision for the New Campus

07:10 Challenges in Rural Healthcare

13:11 Faculty and Student Recruitment

28:28 Community Impact and Development

More Information:
Dr. Chris Fallert Bio, https://med.umn.edu/bio/christopher-fallert
Dr. Jill Amsberry Bio, https://www.centracare.com/doctors/profile/jill-amsberry/
University of Minnesota Medical School, https://med.umn.edu/
CentraCare Health System, https://www.centracare.com/

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Tane Danger and Tryg Throntveit, co-creators of “Sketches of Minnesota,” describe exploring Minnesota and bridging community divides through humor

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Ellen talks with Tane Danger and Tryg Throntveit to discuss their collaborative project, "Sketches of Minnesota" which launched last year. Tane and Dane (along with an incredibly talented improv comedy cast) visited communities across Minnesota to gather local stories and transform them into live improv comedy shows. Tane and Tryg share how "Sketches of Minnesota" celebrates the culture, history, and individuality of Minnesota’s urban, rural, and suburban communities, and the connections Minnesotans share.

Episode Highlights:

03:26 Danger Boat Productions: Using Improv for Civic Engagement

06:32 Creating Sketches of Minnesota: The Journey

10:29 The Impact of Humor in Community Building

21:38 Community Reflections and Feedback

23:08 Selecting and Visiting Communities

29:08 Themes and Stories from Minnesota

35:49 Unexpected Positive Outcomes

42:56 Rural and Urban Interdependence

More Information:
Trygve Throntveit is Research Professor in Higher Education at Ball State University and Co-Founder and Director of the Twin Cities-based Institute for Public Life and Work. Until recently, he served as Director of Civic Renewal at the Minnesota Humanities Center, where he co-developed and directed the Sketches of Minnesota project.

Tane Danger Bio, https://www.dangerboat.net/tane-danger
Sketches of Minnesota Season 2 Tour, https://www.mnhum.org/program/sketches-of-minnesota/

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Brothers Brad and Rod Anderson reflect on farming in Goodhue County, suburban growth, and shifts in rural–urban relationships over 50 years

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Ellen talks with brothers Brad and Rod Anderson about growing up on their sesquicentennial family farm in Goodhue County, Minnesota, during the 1950s and 60s. Brad and Rod share about changes in agriculture and rural life over the last 50 years. While Brad remained on the family farm to run it, Rod moved to Eden Prairie in the 1970s, and describes its evolution from a small village to one of Minneapolis-St.Paul’s largest suburbs. Rod and Brad share how many small family farms have evolved into fewer, larger farms and how land use has shifted to accommodate new forms of development. Brad and Rod, who have followed different paths as a county commissioner and a Lutheran pastor, also reflect on the connections and divides between rural and urban communities, questioning if these areas are more connected now than they were decades ago.

Episode Highlights:

05:45 Growing Up on the Family Farm

12:59 The Evolution of Farming

24:59 Rural and Urban Connections

31:05 Hopes for Future of Rural Minnesota

More Information:
Brad Anderson Bio, https://goodhuecountymn.gov/commissioners/members/2/
Rod Anderson Bio, https://gustavus.edu/profiles/pastorrodanderson

Anderson Family Farm, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QoesDLuN_pz4sGzUuX7ZbdAyQSO0akBZ/view?usp=sharing

Eden Prairie Stories: From Farm to Suburb
Cafe at "The Wye", Eden Prairie, 1970s
https://www.eplocalnews.org/2022/07/17/the-preserve-which-aimed-to-be-a-new-town-turns-50/#jp-carousel-20338
https://gis.edenprairie.org/edenprairietales/?data_id=dataSource_14-Eden_Prairie_Tales_Locations_8237%3A2&page=Barbara-Eigen

Questions, comments, want to get in touch? Email us at sidebyside@umn.edu. We share your feedback with funders and stakeholders about the value of this podcast and how you engage with the insights and information.

Want to stay in touch? Sign up for our newsletter here.

RE-RELEASE: Nadine Bill discusses Red Lake Nation College's expansion to Minneapolis and connecting rural and urban Native communities

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500

While Ellen takes a mid-season break to enjoy Minnesota's beautiful summer, revisit this episode originally released on October 9, 2024, during Season 1.

In this episode, Ellen talks with Nadine Bill, Executive Director of Red Lake Nation College's new site in downtown Minneapolis. Nadine shares the college's history, its commitment to language and cultural preservation, and the new Minneapolis site's objectives to expand education access to urban Indigenous communities. Nadine talks about Red Lake Nation College's goal to create a 'tribal college without borders,' addressing accessibility, and engaging both rural and urban Native students. She describes what many fail to understand about the relationship between rural and urban spaces as it relates to Native communities--including the impact of assimilation, Native American boarding schools, and the Indian Relocation Act of 1956. Moving forward, Nadine shares her hopes for the new Minneapolis site to serve as a hub for both Native and non-Native communities to learn and collaborate.

Episode Highlights:

04:29 History and Evolution of Red Lake Nation College

08:06 Expansion to Minneapolis: Vision and Execution

22:47 Connecting Rural and Urban Native Communities

29:33 Using Technology To Increase Access

36:09 Misconceptions About Rural and Urban Native Communities in Dominant Narratives

40:19 Opportunities at the New Minneapolis Site

More Information:

Red Lake Nation College, https://www.rlnc.edu/

Red Lake Nation College-Minneapolis, https://www.rlnc.edu/minneapolis

Minnesota Compass Native American Profile https://www.mncompass.org/topics/demographics/cultural-communities/native-american

The TRUTH Project: Towards Recognition and University-Tribal Healing, https://sites.google.com/view/truthproject/about?authuser=0

Uprooted: The 1950s plan to erase Indian Country (American Public Media Reports), https://www.apmreports.org/episode/2019/11/01/uprooted-the-1950s-plan-to-erase-indian-country

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Dr. Tom Horan describes industry clusters across Minnesota and how business ecosystems can build rural and urban prosperity

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Ellen talks with Dr. Tom Horan about his research on industry clusters in Minnesota and the economic and community benefits that they bring to both rural and urban areas. He also discusses Granite Partners, a company that embodies the cluster approach, supporting local economies by acquiring and retaining businesses in central Minnesota. Tom highlights the importance of recognizing and fostering rural-urban economic connections to drive future regional development and entrepreneurship.

More Information:
Dr. Tom Horan Bio
Granite Partners Case Study
Medical Device Industry Cluster in Greater Minnesota: Spatial Impacts and Illustrative Case Study
Greater Minnesota Medical Device Cluster Study StoryMap

Episode Highlights:
04:13 Defining Industry Clusters

08:31 Economic and Community Impact of Industry Clusters

12:30 Granite Partners' Approach and Success

21:28 Rural-Urban Interconnectedness

23:03 Future Research and Implications

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Richard Young and Lucas Grindley discuss rural-urban interdependence in Lexington, KY and the value of an urban service boundary

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Ellen talks with Lucas Grindley from Next City and Richard Young from Civic Lex. Lucas and Richard discuss their respective organizations and their dedication to strengthening urban and rural areas through solutions journalism and transforming civic engagement. They also share about their collaboration on the 2024 Next City Vanguard Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, which explored rural-urban interdependence, its complexities and opportunities. Conference discussions focused on themes such as rural-urban balance, using Lexington's unique urban service boundary as a case study, the importance of reckoning with historical context, and the need to transform regional planning efforts beyond government institutions.

More Information:
Richard Young Bio, https://www.rbryoung.com/civiclex
Lucas Grindley Bio, https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasgrindley/
CivicLex, https://civiclex.org/
Next City, https://nextcity.org/
Lexington, KY Urban Service Boundary, https://civiclex.org/big-issues/urban-service-boundary
2024 Next City Vanguard Conference

Episode Highlights:
03:00 Next City and CivicLex

08:57 Lexington's Unique Urban-Rural Dynamics

16:23 Historical and Cultural Insights

21:53 Urban Service Boundary Explained

29:22 False Dichotomies in Growth and Preservation

33:59 Regional Planning and Economic Development

38:42 LGBTQ+ History and Rural-Urban Connections

42:17 Changing Perceptions of Kentucky

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Extension foresters, Eli Sagor and Angie Gupta, explain how healthy forests rely on rural-urban collaboration

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Ellen talks with Extension foresters, Eli Sagor and Angie Gupta, about the significant impact forests have on rural and urban communities. Eli and Angie discuss the importance of collaboration and mutual understanding between urban and rural areas in maintaining healthy and productive forests, which are crucial for both economies and ecological balance. They also share their participatory science work that helps communities track environmental changes amid climate shifts.

Episode Highlights:
03:21 Forestry and Climate Ready Woodlands

09:44 Forestry in Rural Areas

17:46 Urban and Rural Forestry Connections

24:55 Climate Change and Forestry

30:09 Community Engagement and Participatory Science

More Information:
Angie Gupta Bio, https://forestry.umn.edu/people/angela-gupta
Eli Sagor Bio, https://forestry.umn.edu/people/eli-sagor
Climate Ready Woodlands, https://z.umn.edu/ClimateReady

Extension Participatory Science, https://z.umn.edu/ParSciTIPS

iNaturalist, https://www.inaturalist.org/
Sustainable Forests Education Cooperative, https://sfec.cfans.umn.edu/

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Chris Estes highlights how asset-based strategies can drive regional cooperation and elevate the role of rural communities in rural-urban partnerships

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Ellen talks with Chris Estes, co-executive director of Aspen Institute's Community Strategies Group, which supports rural communities, particularly those that have historically been overlooked. Chris emphasizes a shift from a deficit-based approach to an asset-based approach in community development and the benefits of rural-urban regional collaboration. He highlights successful strategies and models for regional cooperation that foster local ownership and nurture the intrinsic value of rural areas and their contribution to urban areas.

Episode Highlights:
03:07 Asset-Based Community Development

04:45 Interdependence of Rural and Urban Areas

06:38 Challenges in Rural Economic Development

15:19 Innovative Regional Models

20:04 Wealth Building and Local Ownership

26:25 Thrive Rural Framework

29:26 The Importance of Rural Data

More Information:
Chris Estes Bio, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/chris-estes/
Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/community-strategies-group/
Thrive Rural Framework, https://www.aspencsg.org/thrive-rural-development/
Four Principles for Fostering Community Well-Being with Asset-Based Development, https://www.aspencsg.org/four-principles-for-fostering-community-well-being-with-asset-based-development/

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Nora Hertel, founder of Project Optimist, explores how regional solutions-focused journalism can rebuild trust and connection

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Ellen talks with journalist Nora Hertel and her news initiative, Project Optimist. Project Optimist, founded by Nora, aims to bring positive and constructive perspectives through solutions-based journalism, addressing regional issues with an evidence-based approach. Nora explains how the challenges faced by local newspapers and the rise of digital media prompted her to start Project Optimist, emphasizing how these factors contribute to a lack of understanding between rural and urban areas. Nora shares her extensive experience in journalism and provides her perspective on the sensationalism in national cable news and the loss of community connection due to the decline of robust local journalism. Nora also discusses the complexities of modern journalism, how her efforts to foster community through “Shades of Purple” dialogues on divisive issues, and how more nuanced, solutions-focused reporting can help bridge the understanding between different areas.

Episode Highlights:
05:07 Challenges in Journalism

11:57 The Rise of Solutions Journalism

16:41 Project Optimist's Mission and Impact

24:17 The Fractured News Ecosystem

28:52 Future of Journalism

More Information:
Nora Hertel Bio
Project Optimist, https://www.projectoptimist.us/
Shades of Purple: Dialogue Across Difference, https://www.projectoptimist.us/conversations/

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Tim Marema of The Daily Yonder reflects on the changing news ecosystem and how the loss of local news can impact the way rural and urban communities see each other

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Ellen talks with Tim Marema, editor of The Daily Yonder, a digital news platform that provides news, information, and storytelling about rural America. Tim shares how the news ecosystem has changed since he started as a journalist 30 years ago and how it has become much more fragmented and nationalized as news deserts in rural areas increase and local journalism overall declines. Tim reflects on how the loss of local news impacts the way rural and urban communities see each other, what today’s news ecosystem does get right, and why a new model of nonprofit news organizations is bridging the information gap between rural and urban communities.

Episode Highlights:

03:25 Challenges in Rural Journalism

10:03 Evolution of Local News

23:42 The Role of Nonprofit News Organizations

More Information:
Tim Marema Bio, https://nationalpress.org/speaker/tim-marema/
The Daily Yonder, https://dailyyonder.com/

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Camden Blatchly, Center on Rural Innovation data analyst, explains the complex story behind rural and urban classifications and why place isn't so easily defined

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Episode Highlights:

03:51 The Many Definitions of Rural

10:25 Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Rural America

15:42 Economic Realities and Misconceptions of Rural America

18:09 Rural-Urban Connections

More Information:

Center on Rural Innovation, https://ruralinnovation.us/

The Rural Aperture Project, https://ruralinnovation.us/resources/mapping-and-data-analytics/the-rural-aperture-project/

Defining Rural America, The Consequenes of How We Count, https://ruralinnovation.us/blog/defining-rural-america/

Who lives in rural America? How data shapes (and misshapes) conceptions of diversity in rural America, https://ruralinnovation.us/blog/who-lives-in-rural-america-part-i/

Who lives in rural America? The geography of rural race and ethnicity, https://ruralinnovation.us/blog/who-lives-in-rural-america-part-2/

The reclassification of rural counties and what it means for rural America, https://ruralinnovation.us/blog/the-reclassification-of-rural-counties-and-what-it-means-for-rural-america/

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David McCollough III describes how the American Exchange Project builds connections between rural, urban, and suburban students

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500

In the first episode of season 2, Ellen talks with David McCullough III, co-founder and CEO of the American Exchange Project (AEP). David discusses the origins and objectives of AEP, a program that sends high school graduates on week-long exchanges to different parts of the country. The program, inspired by international exchange initiatives after World War II, aims to foster cross-cultural understanding among rural, urban, and suburban students by building personal connections, which are key to overcoming prejudice, ignorance, and othering.

Episode Highlights:

02:54 How the American Exchange Project (AEP) Works: Activities and Experiences

12:11 The Impact of AEP on Students

22:37 The Historical Importance of Exchange Programs

More Information:
https://www.americanexchangeproject.org/

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Bonus Episode: Family Pod

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:30:00 -0500

In this special bonus episode, Ellen takes a break from working on season two to chat with her siblings, Megan and Keith, about their experiences growing up in rural Montana and North Dakota and their journey to urban spaces. Megan, Ellen, and Keith reminisce about their unique childhood from being the only girl in fifth grade to walking home from school with the cows and loving the wide open lands. They ponder why they all ended up in cities, the stereotypes and misconceptions people have about both rural and urban spaces, and how community building looks very similar no matter where you live.

Little Megan, Ellen, and Keith

Megan, Ellen, and Keith's "backyard" growing up

Megan, Ellen, and Keith's "driveway" growing up

Questions, comments, want to get in touch? Email us at sidebyside@umn.edu. We share your feedback with funders and stakeholders about the value of this podcast and how you engage with the insights and information.

Sign up for our newsletter here.

John Noltner challenges stereotypes and fosters dialogue by helping communities tell their stories

University of Minnesota Extension — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600

In the final episode of Side by Side's first season, Ellen talks with photographer John Noltner, founder of ‘A Peace of My Mind,’ a storytelling project that captures personal stories and portraits to foster dialogue across divides. John discusses the human tendency to avoid challenging preconceived notions and how storytelling deepens our understanding of each other and breaks down stereotypes. John reflects on his experiences from Skid Row in Los Angeles to the deep South of Mississippi and border towns in Texas, highlighting the interconnectedness of rural, urban, and suburban spaces and the immense pride that individuals have for their communities.

Episode Highlights:
03:44 John's Background and Origins of "A Peace of My Mind"

07:51 The Impact of Feeling Seen

10:50 Common Ground in Rural and Urban Communities

18:46 The Danger of a Single Story

20:40 Surprising Stories from Mississippi and LA

27:45 Sharing Stories and Creating Impact

More Information:
A Peace of My Mind, https://apeaceofmymind.org/

Stories from New York Mills, MN:

https://apeaceofmymind.org/2023/12/20/belonging-2-0/

Stories from skid row in Los Angeles, CA, https://apeaceofmymind.org/2021/07/06/vincent-turner/

Stories from Oxford, MI, https://apeaceofmymind.org/2023/04/18/duncan-gray/

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Brigid Tuck explores what would happen if Minnesota's rural economy disappeared

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Ellen welcomes colleague Brigid Tuck, an economist at the University of Minnesota Extension, who sheds light on a 2011 study demonstrating economic interdependence between rural and urban areas in Minnesota. Conducted in collaboration with Minnesota Rural Partners, the study highlights how economic changes in either region can significantly impact the other, particularly in the agribusiness and manufacturing sectors. Brigid describes how Minnesota's urban areas benefit economically from improved prosperity among its rural neighbors and vice versa. Additionally, the discussion covers the ever-evolving definitions of 'rural and 'urban' that affect research methodologies and policy decisions. Brigid also shares her insights into what people get wrong about rural and urban communities in Minnesota.

Episode Highlights:

05:04 Key Findings from An Economic Rural-Urban Interdependence Study

11:22 Defining Rural and Urban Areas

18:09 Common Misconceptions About Rural and Urban Areas

More Information:
Brigid Tuck Bio, https://experts.umn.edu/en/persons/brigid-a-tuck

Urban vs. rural? More like urban and rural together, study says | UMN Extension, https://extension.umn.edu/vital-connections/urban-vs-rural-more-urban-and-rural-together-study-says

Greater Minnesota and Twin Cities 7-County Metro Area Jobs by Industry, 2024, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wEhyR3CMPD7E91dYdNzj9W_8ky00yL4j/view?usp=drive_link

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Tony Pipa discusses the need to modernize rural policy and make the connections between rural and urban areas visible

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In this week's episode, Ellen talks with Tony Pipa senior fellow at the Brookings Institution about the significance of rural policy and its outdated approaches. Tony discusses the essential role rural areas play in providing energy, food, and manufacturing for urban centers, emphasizing the need for a cohesive national rural strategy. Tony also highlights the Reimagining Rural Initiative at Brookings, which seeks to modernize rural policy. He underscores the importance of understanding rural-urban interconnectivity in policy-making and shares experiences from international settings where rural-urban ties are better integrated. The episode also explores how regional coalitions and economic projects can foster collaboration between rural and urban areas to ensure sustainable growth and economic vitality.

Episode Highlights:

02:51 Reimagining Rural Policy

05:07 Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Policy

11:59 Building Rural-Urban Connections

25:17 International Perspectives on Rural-Urban Interdependence

31:30 Changing the Narrative: Rural and Urban Interdependence

35:57 Tony's Podcast: Reimagine Rural

More Information:
Tony Pipa Bio, https://www.brookings.edu/people/anthony-f-pipa/
Reimagine Rural Policy Initiative, https://www.brookings.edu/collection/reimagining-rural-policy/
Tony's Reimagine Rural Podcast Series, https://www.brookings.edu/tags/reimagine-rural/

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Brian Dabson explains rural-urban interdependence and its importance in developing more effective policies

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Ellen talks with Brian Dabson, a rural policy researcher, and one of the few analysts exploring rural-urban interdependence in the United States. Brian explains the significance of rural-urban interdependence as being essential for economic and social development. He shares the limitations of current definitions for rural and urban and the need for refined metrics, research, and policies to truly capture the value of rural spaces, particularly in the face of climate change. Insights about economic development, environmental preservation, and cultural approaches to land use highlight the complex dilemmas of rural-urban policy. Brian also shares insights from international models and suggests that America's policy can learn from such frameworks to address rural-urban connections more effectively.

Episode Highlights:

05:53 What is Rural-Urban Interdependence?

07:52 Alternative Rural Metrics

10:53 Valuing Rural Contributions

23:01 Economic Priorities vs. Environmental Values

25:22 Rural Protection Zones: A Global Perspective

29:04 Challenges in Rural-Urban Research

34:06 Exploring New Regionalism

More Information:
https://www.briandabson.com/about/

Select Articles by Brian Dabson
Regional Solutions for Rural and Urban Challenges

Collaborative Rural Development and Regional Economic Activity

Our Shared Fate, Aspen Institute

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Nadine Bill discusses Red Lake Nation College's expansion to Minneapolis and connecting rural and urban Native communities

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Episode Highlights:

04:29 History and Evolution of Red Lake Nation College

08:06 Expansion to Minneapolis: Vision and Execution

22:47 Connecting Rural and Urban Native Communities

29:33 Using Technology To Increase Access

36:09 Misconceptions About Rural and Urban Native Communities in Dominant Narratives

40:19 Opportunities at the New Minneapolis Site

More Information:

Red Lake Nation College, https://www.rlnc.edu/

Red Lake Nation College-Minneapolis, https://www.rlnc.edu/minneapolis

Minnesota Compass Native American Profile https://www.mncompass.org/topics/demographics/cultural-communities/native-american

The TRUTH Project: Towards Recognition and University-Tribal Healing, https://sites.google.com/view/truthproject/about?authuser=0

Uprooted: The 1950s plan to erase Indian Country (American Public Media Reports), https://www.apmreports.org/episode/2019/11/01/uprooted-the-1950s-plan-to-erase-indian-country

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Jane Leonard provides insight into Minnesota’s rural and urban communities connections and disconnections

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Ellen connects with Jane Leonard, former president of Growth & Justice. Jane has worked across various sectors in Minnesota since 1979, including journalism, rural and economic development, and technology advancement. Jane shares her experiences from her early days as a journalist in a small town to leading statewide initiatives focused on rural development and rural-urban interdependence. She discusses the changing dynamics between rural and urban areas over the decades, highlighting both the connections and disconnections. Jane talks about previous initiatives like the Thriving by Design Minnesota Equity Blueprint that aims to foster intentional understanding of rural-urban interdependence in Minnesota and the need to foster relationships across different geographies to address common challenges such as housing and child care.

Episode Highlights:

02:05 Jane Leonard's Early Career

05:31 Rural and Urban Connections and Disconnections

12:00 Thriving by Design Network

19:48 Historical Perspectives on Rural-Urban Dynamics

22:27 Promoting Rural-Urban Connectedness

More Information:
Jane Leonard Bio, https://www.trilliumfamilyfoundation.org/bios/jane-leonard#:~:text=Jane%20Leonard%20is%20a%20nationally,thrive%2C%20rural%20and%20urban%20together.

Minnesota Equity Blueprint, Thriving by Design-Minnesota Rural and Urban Together, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TWlUB1J9ODbQl_fXOIobg4_znWhFb0mX/view?usp=sharing

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Che "Rhymefest" Smith reflects on cultural communion and how he bridges between Chicago and Cody, Wyoming

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, artist and rapper Che "Rhymfest" Smith discusses his experiences growing up in Chicago and his transformative experiences in Cody, Wyoming. Che reflects on how art can foster cultural communion and play a key role in bridging differences.

Episode Highlights:

02:15 Che's Chicago Roots and Early Influences

06:45 Founding the Art of Culture

12:42 Cultural Communion and Rural Connections

14:22 Experiences in Cody, Wyoming

18:59 Bridging Rural and Urban Spaces

30:10 Running for Chicago School Board

38:58 Final Thoughts

More Information:
Art of Culture, https://www.artofculture.org/

Che "Rhymefest" Smith, https://www.cheworldwide.com/bio/

Che "Rhymefest" Smith Bridging the Divide Conference Transforming Narratives Session, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIPdHhZV0w8&list=PLkFZB_XMYMJYmQoyhE9_XLAS1PD1vZlEK&index=2

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Julie Tesch and Jake Loesch discuss the "Interconnected" series and the shared challenges facing rural and urban Minnesotans

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Ellen talks with Julie Tesch from the Center for Rural Policy and Development and Jake Loesch from Citizens League. Julie and Jake discuss their "Interconnected" conversation series, which explores shared challenges between rural and urban communities and opportunities for designing effective statewide systems. Since 2020, the Interconnected series has covered topics such as childcare, workforce development, housing, and most recently, youth mental health. Julie and Jake share insights they have gained from the series including the importance of collaborating between rural and urban communities, breaking down stereotypes, and fostering nuanced conversations.

Episode Highlights:

05:24 Exploring the Interconnected Series

10:09 Addressing Misconceptions and Stereotypes

14:43 Impact and Surprises from the Interconnected Series

31:49 The Importance of Nuance

More Information:
Center for Rural Policy and Development, https://www.ruralmn.org/

Citizens League, https://citizensleague.org/

Interconnected Series, https://mailchi.mp/ruralmn/inteconnected-conversation-series

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Tuleah Palmer & R.T. Rybak explore the importance of rural-urban interdependence in Minnesota

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0500

R. T. Rybak and Tuleah Palmer lead the most urban and rural Minnesota foundations. They both wrote editorials in the Star Tribune in 2023 about the importance of rural-urban interdependence in Minnesota. In this conversation, Ellen Wolter moderates a discussion between Tuleah and R.T. about the intricate interdependence between rural and urban Minnesota. They delve into personal stories, economic insights, historical context, and the shared commitments needed to foster cohesive policy developments that encompass all of Minnesota.

Episode Highlights:

01:33 Meet Tuleah and R.T. and Where They Call Home

07:48 Economic Interdependence

09:50 Historical Context and Philanthropy

12:51 Challenges and Opportunities in Rural-Urban Relations

29:59 The Role of Media and Perception

43:13 Future Directions and Collaborative Efforts

More Information:
Tuleah Palmer Bio, https://blandinfoundation.org/about/our-people/staff-members/tuleah-palmer/#:~:text=Born%20in%20Deer%20River%2C%20Minn,rich%20soil%20of%20Aitkin%20County.

R.T. Rybak Bio, https://www.minneapolisfoundation.org/team/

Tuleah Palmer's editorial can be found here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20230627130358/https://www.startribune.com/minnesotas-future-urban-and-rural-minnesota-need-each-other-more-than-ever/600285459/

R.T. Rybak’s editorial can be found here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20230801164203/https://www.startribune.com/minnesotas-future-rugged-togetherness-has-always-been-states-secret/600293810/

Questions, comments, want to get in touch? Email us at sidebyside@umn.edu. We share your feedback with funders and stakeholders about the value of this podcast and how you engage with the insights and information.

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Nick Jacobs, author of The Rural Voter, shares his findings and explains how the 'gap effect' leads to simple stories about rural and urban spaces

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Ellen interviews Nick Jacobs, co-author of "The Rural Voter," about the nuances of rural America and how they are often overlooked when we consider the complex relationship between rural and urban spaces. They discuss the methodology behind Nick’s research and the challenges of surveying rural populations. They also delve into "rural resentment" and the persistent misconceptions about rural and urban communities, despite examples of shared commonalities.

Episode Highlights:

01:00 The Beginnings of "The Rural Voter"

04:50 Challenges in Surveying Rural America

09:56 The Gap Effect

19:07 Rural Resentment vs. Rural Rage

29:00 Economic Integration in Rural Communities

33:42 Shared Sense of Fate

More Information:
Nick Jacobs bio, https://web.colby.edu/nfjacobs/

The Rural Voter, https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-rural-voter/9780231211581

New Book on Rural America Started with a False Conclusion, Then Looked For Evidence-The Daily Yonder, https://dailyyonder.com/commentary-white-rural-rage-which-came-first-the-title-or-the-research/2024/03/06/

How ‘Rural Studies’ Is Thinking About the Heartland - The New York Times (nytimes.com), https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/29/business/rural-studies-american-politics.html

UMN Extension Rural-Urban Interdependence, https://extension.umn.edu/community-development/rural-urban-interdependence

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Former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp explains why rural and urban America should care about each other

University of Minnesota Extension — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In our first episode, former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, now Director of University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics (IOP), discusses the vital connections between rural and urban America. She shares her experiences growing up in a small town and explains the goals behind IOPs recent Bridging the Divide conference to bring rural and urban Americans together. The conversation touches on the importance of authentic storytelling and the ways in which rural and urban spaces need each other.

Episode Highlights:
00:26 Sen. Heitkamp on Rural-Urban Connections

01:42 Growing Up in North Dakota

04:37 The One Country Project

08:13 Sen. Heitkamp's Seminar, "Policies and Politics to Heal America's Regional Divide"

09:06 Economic and Cultural Contributions of Rural America

13:11 Institute of Politics Bridging the Divide Conference Reflections

22:45 Future Initiatives and Hometown Internships

23:49 Challenges and Misconceptions of Rural America

30:43 Sen. Heitkamp's Love of Extension

More Information:
Heidi Heitkamp, Institute of Politics, https://politics.uchicago.edu/fellows/former-fellows/heidi-heitkamp

Institute of Politics, Bridging the Divide Conference, https://politics.uchicago.edu/get-involved/bridging-the-divide

Sarah Smarsh and Rhymefest: Transforming Narratives, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIPdHhZV0w8

UMN Extension, How to shift the rural-urban discussion toward an appreciation for interdependence, https://extension.umn.edu/community-news-and-insights/how-shift-rural-urban-discussion-toward-appreciation-interdependence

UMN Extension, Rural-urban interdependence resources, https://extension.umn.edu/community-development/rural-urban-interdependence

Benya Kraus, mentioned during this conversation, served on the planning committee for IOP's Bridging the Divide conference. Benya is the co-founder of Lead for America, https://www.leadforamerica.org/ and is now President & CEO at the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.

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Welcome to Side by Side, a new University of Minnesota Extension podcast exploring the connections between rural and urban spaces

University of Minnesota Extension — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 08:54:51 -0500

Side-by-Side definition:

1. beside one another

2. in the same place, time, or circumstance.

What does it mean for rural and urban communities to live side by side? Rural sociologists have described urban and rural fates as being shared. Yet, we too often focus on rural and urban spaces as separate and divided entities.

The rural-urban conversation is much more complex than we are led to believe. To prosper together, we will need to better understand how rural and urban communities are connected, to be each other’s allies, to learn from each other, and to work together to meet today’s biggest challenges.

Join University of Minnesota Extension host Ellen Wolter as she explores the interdependent relationship between rural and urban spaces and talks with guests including Heidi Heitkamp, Tuleah Palmer, RT Rybak, Julie Tesch, Jake Loesch, Nadine Bill, Rhymefest, Tony Pipa, Brian Dabson, and Brigid Tuck about why this complex and necessary relationship matters.

Season 1 episodes coming soon! Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to hear the first episode when it releases on August 28th!

For more information or to reach our team, connect with us at sidebyside@umn.edu.