100 Rural Women

In this episode of 100 Rural Women & Their Stories, Nevada Littlewolf shares her inspiring journey as an artist, community organizer, and Indigenous Anishinaabe woman leading. She reflects on her family roots, the leadership challenges she has navigated, and her work with Women Winning, offering valuable insights for women and leaders committed to strengthening communities. Throughout the conv...

In this episode, discover how Kris Shelstad is transforming her hometown through Madison Mercantile—a vibrant community gathering space where art, hospitality, and connection come together. Kris shares how she builds meaningful relationships in rural communities by understanding local dynamics, creating welcoming spaces, and bringing people together. She also reflects on her inspiring journey from...

In this episode, Delaine Anderson shares her journey from Southern California to becoming a rural family medicine physician. Along the way, she reflects on the importance of community, resilience, and self-care. Delaine offers thoughtful insights on rural health, mentorship, and the power of meaningful connections, reminding us that investing in our communities—and in ourselves—can create lasting,...

In this episode, we meet Savannah Barrett, Co-Founder of the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) and Exchange Director of Art of the Rural. Savannah shares her journey as a rural Kentuckian, community organizer, and national advocate for rural communities. She reflects on the lessons she learned from her family, the importance of place and belonging, and how meaningful relationships have shaped he...

In this conversation, we meet Julie Lucas, the executive director of Mining Minnesota. Teresa and Julie discuss Julie's journey from a small rural town to a career in the mining industry. She discusses the importance of community engagement, and the lessons learned about resilience and positivity. Julie emphasizes the need for rural women to support each other, the significance of local government...

In this episode, host Teresa Kittridge engages in a deep conversation with Staci Gilpin and Charity Anderson about the importance of empowering rural women and the work being done through their organization, Rural Pathways. They discuss personal influences, the realities of rural communities, and the significance of care infrastructure in supporting women's leadership. The conversation highlights...

In this conversation, Teresa Vetter, founder of American Rehab, shares her personal story of profound loss and grief following the death of her son. Her journey sheds light on the devastating impact of addiction on individuals and families, while also highlighting the transformative role of recovery resources. Teresa also shares the story behind building American Rehab and the support and hope it...

In this conversation, Taneum shares her journey that exemplifies the importance of connection, community, and civic engagement. Through her experiences with her grandmother, youth programs, and rural advocacy, Taneum illustrates how women can empower each other and make a difference in their communities. The key takeaway from this discussion is that every voice matters, and by supporting one anoth...

In this conversation, Teresa interviews Monica McConkey, a rural mental health specialist with over 25 years of experience in behavioral health. They discuss Monica's journey, the challenges faced by farmers, the importance of mental health support in rural communities, and the resilience learned from her grandmothers. Monica shares insights on empowering women, the significance of school counseli...

This week, Teresa is joined by Darcy McKenzie who shares her journey from her rural North Dakota roots to her career, transition into being a stay-at-home mom, and community leadership—an inspiring path that shows how everyday experiences can shape meaningful impact. Can one voice really make a difference? Darcy believes it can. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder that leadership isn’t just...

In this conversation, LaCora Bradford-Kesti stands out as a beacon of inspiration and empowerment. LaCora is the Vice President of Community Impact at the Women's Foundation of Minnesota. She embodies the essence of community-driven leadership and personal growth. In this podcast we explore her profound insights on independence, community engagement, and the importance of nurturing one's own poten...

In this conversation, Colleen Landkamer shares her journey of serving her community through elected county roles in Minnesota, national leadership positions, and as a Presidential appointment leading a federal agency. She reflects on the dynamic nature of public service and the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful community development. Colleen highlights the critical role of partners...

Welcome to the 100 Rural Women podcast with host Teresa Kittridge

Welcome to the 100 Rural Women Podcast! We're kicking off with an interview of your host, Teresa Kittridge. Throughout her career, Teresa worked in the legislature, served in local elected office, children’s book publishing, the renewable energy industry, and rural public policy development, in addition to pursuing a graduate degree in organizational leadership. In all this time, Teresa was often...