Rural Unrecognized

Send us Fan Mail How does a blacksmith in the middle of nowhere build a global business? The forge is the craft, but the phone is the storefront. Jessica sits down with Ethan Harty, a first-generation blacksmith who started at 11, dropped out of high school at 16, and now ships work around the world from rural Alberta. He breaks down Damascus steel, the 800-pound jobs and the steam locomotive he’s...

Send us Fan Mail KR Counselling and Psychotherapy: Breaking the Stigma & Building Mental Health in Rural Communities | Krysta Rathwell What if therapy didn't feel intimidating… but felt like coming home to yourself? In this episode of Rural Unrecognized , released for Mental Health Awareness Month , Jessica sits down with Krysta Rathwell , founder of KR Counselling and Psychotherapy in Fo...

Send us Fan Mail What if shopping wasn’t something you rushed through… but something you experienced? In this episode of Rural Unrecognized , Jessica sits down with Trish Muirhead, founder of The Country Cupboard Farm Store , a unique rural destination just outside Sedgwick in Flagstaff County. What started as a simple love for wildflowers and a few backyard chickens quickly grew into a thriving f...

Send us Fan Mail Sometimes innovation starts with a simple question: What if there’s a better way? In this episode of Rural Unrecognized , Jessica sits down with Bryan of ZS Farms , whose curiosity and willingness to think differently led him to rethink the way food is produced. What began with reading old books and asking new questions quickly turned into a bold decision to build a completely dif...

Send us Fan Mail Olympian Sarah Wells joins Amanda after delivering her keynote at the Flagstaff Celebrate Success Gala to talk about what it really means to pursue excellence — not for applause, but for who we become in the process. Sarah shares how her journey from the track to the stage taught her that excellence isn’t about medals or titles, but about choices, resilience, and redefining succes...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Amanda sits down with Mandy, the “unapologetically real” florist and founder behind The Rusty Daisy Gift Co. in Daysland, Alberta. What starts as a conversation about running a floral and gift shop quickly blooms into a heartfelt discussion about figuring it out : motherhood, small-town business, and building a true sense of community. Mandy shares how her “villag...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized , we sit down with Tylene, co-founder of Hohm and Co . What started as a small family project selling at farmers’ markets has grown into a storefront in Hardisty, Alberta, with an online presence reaching customers across Canada. Tylene shares how the business is rooted in community, fueled by a passion for beautiful, Canadian-made products, a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural. Unrecognized. , Bobbi Delowsky talks honestly about how her career has changed over the years, from starting as a massage therapist to running her own wellness space called Align and Release Wellness . Bobbi shares how her interest in fitness grew out of her own need to take care of her body. She never planned to teach fitness, but after trying a class th...

Send us Fan Mail Joanne McMahon has been a pillar in early childhood education in Flagstaff County for over 30 years, but when the pandemic hit, she tried something new: she brought her enthusiasm, experience, and spark to the screen. What started as a way to connect during COVID became Busy Bees Early Childhood Learning, an online program connecting families through playful, developmentally rich...

Send us Fan Mail What started as a casual afternoon class quickly turned into a full-blown pottery journey for Morgan, founder of Tiny Co Pottery. In this episode, she shares how a spontaneous workshop opened the door to a creative life rooted in intention, values, and community. Morgan walks us through the transition from dental hygienist to potter, how she unexpectedly found herself buying a kil...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized , we talk with Jill, Kristy, and Lynette—co-founders of Salted , a handcrafted caramel company based in Flagstaff County. What began as a small side project during the pandemic has grown into a thriving business rooted in intention, collaboration, and a willingness to take big risks. From investing in custom equipment to stepping away from oth...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized, we meet Tracey and John, the owners of JD Barrett Woodworking , a custom woodworking business that has found success in both urban and rural Alberta. Originally from the UK, John started his career as a joiner, specializing in doors, windows, and staircases before running his own renovation business. Seeking new opportunities and a better lif...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized, we sit down with Darek Graff, managing partner of Killam Home Hardware, to talk about small-town business, community values, and playing the long game in entrepreneurship. Darek shares how Home Hardware’s cooperative model allows his local store to maintain its independence while benefiting from the buying power of a larger organization. This...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized , we kick off 2025 with Brittany McMillan, owner of Bam Fitness , as our first guest of the year. Known for her no-nonsense approach, Brittany dives into the myths and realities of wellness, debunking diet culture while promoting nourishment and strength. She shares her journey from personal transformation to becoming a fitness coach, revealin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized, we chat with Kristin Kueber, a rural Alberta artist who has turned her love of painting into a growing business. Kristin shares how her small-town upbringing and connection to rural life have shaped her art, which captures the beauty of western and agricultural lifestyles. Her work speaks to the nostalgia and charm of country living, drawing...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized , we are joined by Andrea Kristin, an artist, author, and city mouse turned farm girl, as she shares the inspiring story behind Grey Arrow Farm. Andrea takes us through her journey of starting a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program with her husband, Dennis, and how their farm has grown into a thriving operation that brings fresh, orga...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized, we chat with James Boettcher, the CEO and "Custodian of Culture" at Righteous Gelato, a company that’s far more than just a gelato shop. James shares his unique entrepreneurial journey, from his early days of freelance graphic design to discovering his passion for gelato and community building. He discusses the values that guide his...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Rural Unrecognized," host Amanda chats with Kristin Graves, better known as the Garlic Goddess. Once a radiology technician, Kristin has traded in her hospital scrubs for coveralls, becoming a successful garlic farmer and author. Her new book, The Garlic Companion , is a must-have for garlic enthusiasts, packed with recipes, growing tips, and more, an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Amanda sits down with Jessica Hersey, the exceptional accountant behind Altitude Accounting. Jessica shares her inspiring journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial family to becoming a profit strategist and owner of her own accounting business. They delve into the intricacies of small business finance, especially in rural areas, and how Jessica's unique a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Rural Unrecognized," we chat with Laurie, the former owner of Laurie's Vintage Creations Home Decor in Viking, Alberta. Laurie's journey from a stay-at-home mom to a successful entrepreneur is a testament to the power of determination and pursuing one's passion. Laurie shares the significant milestone she achieved in January 2024: selli...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Rural Unrecognized, we sit down with Candace Patton, the founder of Sweet Three Designs, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and the challenge of overcoming burnout. Candace shares how her business started as a creative project with her daughters, making painted wooden earrings, and gradually grew to have products in around 40 stores across Canada. She discus...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Amanda Wagner sits down with Jennifer Fossen, the Communications and Marketing Manager of the Wild Rose Co-op, to explore the inspiring work they do and their innovative program known as Flagstaff Crafted. Jennifer shares her passion for supporting local businesses in rural Alberta and reveals how she got involved in economic development. Having worked for Fl...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we invite you to join us in a captivating conversation with Nikki Wiart, the owner of Lady’s Hat Farm. Nikki shares her inspiring story of transitioning from a journalist to a farmer florist, while also shedding light on the world of ethical flower farming.  As a journalist, Nikki noticed something intriguing – young individuals with no farming background were maki...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Amanda Wagner engages in a thought-provoking conversation with the remarkable Doreen Blumhagen, a farmer, mental health advocate, and incredible storyteller. Together, they delve deep into the essence of rural experiences and the power of mental wellness. As the founder of Country Road Chats, Doreen is passionate about fostering authentic and meaningful dialo...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for an extraordinary journey as you listen to this exclusive interview recording from the 2022 Flagstaff Celebrates Success Gala. Join host Amanda Wagner as she sits down with Graham Sherman, the mastermind behind Tool Shed Brewing Company. In this interview, Graham shares his inspiring journey and sheds light on the power of authenticity and storytelling in business. Fr...