Rural Revival

Scott Stebner of Scott Stebner Photography is a nationally published agricultural photographer and videographer. Or, to put it more simply, Scott creates photos and videos of people with grit. Scott’s sharing about some of the amazing projects he’s been involved with, why he has started to focus more on video, and why he’s not afraid to fail. Plus you’ll learn how an unlikely ag background led to...

Stephanie Bradley Fryer is a lawyer and cattle producer from both Stamford, Texas and Chattanooga, Oklahoma - who also happens to be a fifth generation landowner. She’s telling more about how she makes it work splitting her time between two places, and how she’s established her place as a woman in both ag and law. Her background and experience gives her a unique perspective as an ag lawyer, and sh...

Christy Jo of The Strawberry Patch and The Fruit Tea Chicks is sharing about her journey of learning to express herself though art, which eventually led to these two fun, creative businesses that she started out of Hartsville, Tennessee. With a fall show coming up in September and some exciting things on the horizon for The Fruit Tea Chicks, you’re gonna love our conversation with Christy Jo. Chec...

Music has always been a huge part of who Roger Cowan is, and he's sharing how that led to the start of his company, Dog Tired Guitars, on this week's podcast. We talk with Roger about why he believes in charity work and music education, and why the story behind the guitar is so important. Based in Perkins, Oklahoma (pop. 2,831), Roger builds custom guitars that inspire, and out of the most am...

If you are a creative in a small town, you’re going to love this episode of the podcast! We’re sitting down with JoAnna Robertson of Clarendon, Texas. JoAnna manages the Western Heritage Classic Ranch Horse Sale in Abilene, and operates a wedding and portrait photography business throughout the Texas Panhandle. She is amazingly talented and has had some amazing creative experiences, and we're exci...

This week we’re bringing you a very insightful interview from Jaime England, owner of The Market Place in Manning, Iowa. From physical therapist to home store and coffee shop owner, Jaime’s telling the story behind what motivated her to take on the biggest storefront on Main Street in Manning, Iowa. And it just so happens that this week they’re celebrating their three year anniversary! You’ll...

Georgia Clamping Company is putting a whole new spin on camping as we know it. Owners Nate and Bek Self believe that luxury and comfort should not be sacrificed while enjoying the great outdoors, and they are creating unique, one-of-a-kind getaways where people can explore on their own terms. You’ll see how this company really knows how to celebrate the things we love about rural areas and the out...

We are beyond excited to bring you this week's podcast interview with Katie Harvey Martinez of Harvey’s Diner in Redfield, Iowa (pop. 826). Katie's story is what first inspired us to start the Rural Revival podcast, and you will quickly understand why. From the Iowa farm to Broadway and back, Katie's life is one amazing adventure. But her most recent move back to Iowa to open Harvey’s Di...

This week on the podcast we’re taking you to an exciting new destination in downtown Grinnell, Iowa (pop. 9,151) in our interview with Angela Harrington, owner of Hotel Grinnell. Here she has led the charge in converting a former school building into an incredible contemporary boutique hotel. During the interview we found out Angela also happens to have a lot of experience in small town economic d...

This week on the podcast we’re taking you to an exciting new destination in downtown Grinnell, Iowa in our interview with Angela Harrington, owner of Hotel Grinnell. Here she has led the charge in converting a former school building into an incredible contemporary boutique hotel. During the interview we found out Angela also happens to have a lot of experience in small town economic development. C...

This week on the podcast we’re taking you to Boaz, Alabama to talk with the girls of The BoxTruck Boutique. From starting with their own individual businesses of shirts, clothes, jewelry, and home goods, they eventually combined to form what is now The BoxTruck Boutique. The business has taken off and they’ve never looked back! They’re also passing on what they’ve learned to their kids, who h...

Emma Hicks is the inspiring entrepreneur behind Iowa Gathering, Main + Second, and Camp Climb. From opening up a storefront to starting an online business to shooting a pilot for a TV show, Emma shares about what it looks like to build a life around what works for you and your family. She also speaks about having pride in your small town and the importance of a supportive community. Check out more...

Alice Pettyjohn is the owner of an art studio and boutique called Alice Circle, which offers everything from art classes and art parties to a variety of creative gifts and clothing. Alice is all about encouraging creativity through her art studio and shop, but you’ll see why this is more than just a creative business to Alice. She shares about how her passion turned into a full time job, the...

Today we bring to you a fascinating conversation with Linc Kroeger of Pillar Technology and The Forge in Des Moines, Iowa to talk about bringing tech jobs to rural America, and in this case, specifically to rural Iowa. Linc and his company are pioneering a concept that is truly forging the future and changing how we approach jobs and education in rural America. Check out more on the blog. SHO...

On this week’s podcast, we have the amazing opportunity to meet Karmen Smith: entrepreneur, author, speaker, prayer warrior, farmer, wife, and super mom. She talks about life with her husband Jason and their kids, their unexpected journey as entrepreneurs, what happens when you pray big, overcoming your fears with Facebook live (anyone??), turning your farm into a business, and doing scary things....

It all started with an Instagram post, when Alabama cotton farmer Mark Yeager posted a video of a forklift moving a cotton bale. His sister saw the video and commented, “I’d love to have some sheets made from that good looking Alabama cotton.” And with that, the idea for Red Land Cotton was born. Mark's daughter, Anna Brakefield, is sharing the story about how she and her dad decided to take on a...

Entrepreneurs at heart, Kasey and Jordana Henke have tried a little bit of everything when it comes to the world of vintage and junk, not only trying but succeeding in pretty much everything they've put their hand to. Today they own and operate Rescued Junk in Earlham, Iowa. They're sharing how they've grown their business and also had to learn to scale back along the way to make room for what mat...

As the go-to Realtor in central Iowa, Amy Lucht has a unique perspective on both the rural and urban markets in her area. In this conversation we talk about: - How this digital age we live in is giving people the ability to work and thrive in rural communities - What small communities are doing to attract people - How we can study what cities are doing and apply that to our small towns And here’s...

Devon Evers of Crossgrain Woodworking shares how his business got started when a picture of a hutch he had built for himself went viral on Facebook. Becoming an almost overnight entrepreneur has come with its share of risks and challenges, and Devon tells about some of the inspiration and lessons that have been part of this journey.  Be sure to check out the Crossgrain Woodworking Facebo...

April Wilks from Vintage Pickin' has built up an incredible business turning her family's farm into a twice-a-year vintage barn sale in Fyffe, Alabama. Not only that, but her business is now expanding, which you'll hear more about in the podcast. It's a true family business where everyone has jumped in to make this dream of Vintage Pickin' come true. April shares her perspective - including the jo...

Here we go! Thanks for joining us on this journey. Let's start a Rural Revival!