Side by Side

Nov 04 2024 12 ep. 35 mins 2
Side by Side Podcast artwork

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines “side by side” as the state “of existing beside one another” and “of being in the same place, time, or circumstance." What does it mean for rural and urban communities to live side by side? Join University of Minnesota Extension staff as we explore the interdependent relationship of rural and urban spaces and why this necessary and complex relationship matters.

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

Aug 09 2024 2 mins  
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 l

Episode 1: Former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp explains why rural and urban America should care about each other

Aug 27 2024 33 mins  
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 t

Episode 2: 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

Sep 03 2024 37 mins  
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 persisten

Episode 3: Tuleah Palmer & R.T. Rybak explore the importance of rural-urban interdependence in Minnesota

Sep 11 2024 52 mins  
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 st

Episode 4: Julie Tesch and Jake Loesch discuss the "Interconnected" series and the shared challenges facing rural and urban Minnesotans

Sep 18 2024 37 mins  
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 topi

Episode 5: Che "Rhymefest" Smith reflects on cultural communion and how he bridges between Chicago and Cody, Wyoming

Sep 25 2024 43 mins  
In this episode, artist and rapper Che "Rhymfest" Smith discusses his experiences growing up in Chicago and his transformative experiences in Cody, Wyoming. He reflects on how art can foster cultural communion and play a key role in bridging differences. Che talks about the importance of service and justice and shares how his organization, Art of Culture, empowers youth to connect

Episode 6: Jane Leonard provides insight into Minnesota’s rural and urban communities connections and disconnections

Oct 02 2024 31 mins  
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

Episode 7: Nadine Bill discusses Red Lake Nation College's expansion to Minneapolis and connecting rural and urban Native communities

Oct 09 2024 44 mins  
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

Episode 8: Brian Dabson explains rural-urban interdependence and its importance in developing more effective policies

Oct 16 2024 43 mins  
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,

Episode 9: Tony Pipa discusses the need to modernize rural policy and make the connections between rural and urban areas visible

Oct 23 2024 43 mins  
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 Ini