Connect: a podcast by the Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce

In this episode of Connect , Adam walks through a preview of Maximize Your Membership: a monthly session designed to help Chamber members make the most of their benefits. From navigating the Member Information Center to using Discover 37 , HoldregeChamber.com , and built-in marketing tools , this overview shows how to boost your visibility and get connected. While it’s not the same as the hands-on...

In this special throwback episode of Connect , we revisit Will Yank’s inspiring presentation on gratitude from the 2024 Nebraska Chambers Association Fall Conference in Holdrege. As we enter a busy holiday season, Will reminds us why gratitude is more than a mindset — it’s a strategy for staying grounded, leading well, and finding joy amid the rush.

In this short solo episode, Adam dives into the power of seasonal promotions, starting with one of the most famous examples: Starbucks and the Pumpkin Spice Latte. He explores how local businesses can use the same strategy of scarcity and seasonal excitement to draw in customers. It is not just about the product itself, but about the feeling and tradition you build around it.

In this episode of Connect , Adam teams up with Micah Huyser from the Nebraska Prairie Museum to tackle the corn maze at the upcoming Fall Festival. Along the way, they share what’s in store for this year’s festival, highlight other fall events in Holdrege, and give a sneak peek at the early planning already underway for WinterFest. Spoiler alert: they do eventually find their way out of the maze.

In this special episode of Connect: Backstage to Boardrooms , Adam takes us inside his day with Holdrege Middle School and High School JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) classes. Through stories from his 15-year music career and his journey to leading the Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce, Adam shows how skills, not job titles, open doors to opportunity. From editing audio and video to graphic des...

In this episode of Connect , we sit down with Holly Rahmann , Senior Director of Strategy and Communications at Phelps Memorial Health Center and 2024 Past President of the Holdrege Chamber Board . Holly shares her journey from Oklahoma to Kansas City and eventually to Holdrege, where she found both purpose and community. We dive into what it means for a rural town to have access to a critical car...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Brett Bebensee of Glenwood Telecommunications to explore his unique journey, from managing Holdrege’s former Shopko to leading the YMCA, and now serving local communities through high-speed fiber internet. We also dive into his passion for E-Sports, how video games are opening doors for students like Dane Sidel, and why tech matters in rural towns. Brett also s...

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Insurance From life insurance basics to understanding your auto coverage limits, this LevelUp! session with Stephanie Culver of Shelter Insurance is a straightforward walk-through of the insurance conversations you should be having, but might not know to ask about. This audio-only episode puts you in the seat of a typical client consultation, where Stephanie b...

In this special episode of Connect , Adam sits down with three familiar faces — Rebecca Anderson, Cassie Ehrenberg, and Luke Mills — who serve on the Iron Horse Arts District board and are a few of the creative minds behind the Iron Horse Arts Festival. Together, they reflect on the success of last year’s inaugural festival, share what made it so memorable, and preview what’s new in 2025 including...

In this episode of Connect , we sit down with ARKAI, an award-winning electro-acoustic duo that’s performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to NBA halftime shows, and now, Holdrege. They share their story of meeting at Juilliard, how one spontaneous jam session at a party led to forming ARKAI, and what it’s been like building a career that bridges classical tradition with cutting-edge creativity. Ho...

What happens after one festival ends and before the next one begins? A lot more than you might think. In this quick episode, Adam shares what goes on behind the scenes between Midsummer Festival and Winterfest—how events like these are planned, why they matter to our community and economy, and how local input shapes the process. You'll also hear a few common misconceptions about Chamber events...

In this episode, Adam sits down with Joel Pelster , Branch Director of the Don Sjogren Community YMCA , to talk about community connection, the importance of youth and family programming, and how the YMCA serves as a cornerstone in a town the size of Holdrege. Joel shares what it’s like to lead a nonprofit that touches lives across generations—through sports, summer activities, health programs, an...

After a weekend full of garage sales, sidewalk sales, and first-time entrepreneurs, Adam is reflecting on what really made this community-wide event so special. This episode captures the little moments—neighbors chatting, kids making their first sale, businesses showing up with heart—and the bigger message behind it all: that the best kind of commerce is rooted in connection. Whether you're a...

In this episode of Connect , we’re talking about what really builds success for small businesses—and it’s not the flashy stuff. It’s the quiet, consistent steps taken every day. From checking in with your team to calling one new customer, these simple habits add up to momentum, trust, and long-term growth. If you’ve ever felt like the little things don’t matter, this episode is your reminder that...

In this quick-hit episode of Connect , Adam shares five practical, high-impact things every business—big or small—should be doing right now to stay visible, build momentum, and stay connected. From updating your Google profile to setting 90-day goals and using AI for content ideas, this episode is packed with simple steps that make a real difference. Whether you’re running a storefront, a startup,...

In this episode, we chat with Rebecca Anderson from Lincoln Federal Savings Bank. As the Customer Service Supervisor, Rebecca shares her journey from moving to Holdrege to becoming a community leader. We discuss her involvement in the Chamber, her role at the bank, and what it’s like to be part of Holdrege’s vibrant business community. Tune in to hear how passion, purpose, and people power great c...

Join Adam for a quick drive-time chat as he heads to and from a TV interview about the Midsummer Festival (a Swedish Days Tradition!). He gives you a peek behind the scenes: from writing creative ads and crafting catchy copy to setting up Snapchat filters, coordinating stages and cabanas, and wrangling dozens of volunteers. It’s a reminder that every fun festival moment has a lot of planning behin...

In this solo episode, Adam shares what small towns like Holdrege can teach the world—about connection, resilience, and the power of showing up. From supporting local businesses to rallying around big ideas, rural communities often lead the way in creating real impact. Tune in for a reflection on the lessons we learn when we slow down, get involved, and grow together.

In this episode, Adam sits down with Jason Sidel, Plant Manager at embecta and a member of the Holdrege Chamber Board of Directors. Jason shares his personal journey — from his early career path to leading a major manufacturing facility right here in Holdrege. They talk about how his background shapes his leadership style, the importance of building a strong team culture, and what embecta’s work m...

In this episode, we share a recent presentation from Holdrege Area Chamber CEO Lori Larson, recorded live at the Holdrege Rotary Club. Lori walks through the benefits of replacing the old Chamber Check program with the all-new SPARK Gift Card, a local solution designed to better support businesses and track spending in our community. She also gave out SPARK Gift Cards to Rotary members to demonstr...

In this special solo episode, Adam shares everything you need to know about the 2025 Midsummer Festival — a celebration 50 years in the making. From window decorating contests and setlist voting to the grand parade, street festival, live music, and kids games, this Swedish Days tradition is packed with community pride and summer fun. Discover what's new, what’s back by popular demand, and how...

In this episode of Connect, we sit down with Micah Huyser, Director of the Nebraska Prairie Museum, to explore the rich history of Phelps County and the vital role of preserving memories in a fast-changing, digital world. From unique stories of the past to the importance of community-driven preservation efforts, Micah shares why keeping our local history alive matters more now than ever. We also d...

This episode of Connect is a little longer than usual, and it’s packed with stories, insight, and local connection. Join Adam for a special one-hour conversation with Luke Mills , Nebraska Country Music Hall of Fame artist and co-founder of FiJack Entertainment Coalition , recorded in the studio where FiJack artists create and collaborate. Luke and Adam first crossed paths over ten years ago as mu...

In this episode of the Connect Podcast , we’re bringing you an insightful session from a recent LevelUp! event, featuring local lawyer Luke Deaver leading a conversation on business succession planning . Whether you’re years from retirement or thinking about what’s next for your business, this episode breaks down why it’s never too early to start planning. Luke walks us through the key steps, comm...

In this episode of Connect , we sit down with Tony from NebraskaLand Aviation to talk about how his team supports local agriculture, the innovative services they offer, and what it takes to run a business rooted in both tradition and technology. We also dive into how NebraskaLand Aviation stays connected to the community and what it means to serve farmers across the region. Whether you're in a...