Small Towns: Unscripted

Small Towns Unscripted
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Welcome to Small Towns: Unscripted, a podcast celebrating the heart of the Lake Chelan Valley community. Whether you're new to the area or from families who arrived here on covered wagons, this is a space for voices of all ages and backgrounds. We believe every connection, old or new, weaves a unique thread into our shared lives. Through authentic conversations, we aim to honor stories, bridge generational gaps, and foster genuine relationships. Join us in building a stronger, more vibrant community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Our mission is to build relationships.

  1. Jun 12

    From Mansfield to the World and Back: Seabee, Deep Sea Diver & Community Leader

    Welcome back to Small Towns Unscripted. I'm Russ McClellan. One of the things I enjoy most about this podcast is the opportunity to sit down with people whose life experiences provide a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. Today's guest is Thomas Tupling. Born in Chelan and raised in Mansfield as part of a multi generational farming family, Thomas grew up with a deep appreciation for rural communities, hard work, service, and personal responsibility. After graduating from Mansfield High School, he joined the United States Navy and served with the Seabees, deploying to Japan, Guam, Kuwait, and Iraq while earning his Seabee Combat Warfare qualification and achieving the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. What followed was a remarkable journey that took him around the world. Thomas attended Wenatchee Valley College and later Washington State University. He worked in Washington, D.C. for Senator Patty Murray's office, returned to Iraq as a private contractor, and eventually pursued a career in commercial diving after attending the Divers Institute of Technology in Ballard. His career took him from the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response to offshore construction and subsea projects throughout Asia, the Middle East, Mexico, and beyond. To further advance his career, he attended saturation dive school in Scotland and became qualified for deep water commercial diving operations in some of the world's most demanding environments. While traveling through Belgium, Thomas was present at Brussels Airport during the terrorist bombing that shocked the world. The experience ultimately contributed to a hearing issue that prevented him from passing the physical requirements necessary for commercial diving, forcing him to pivot once again and begin a new chapter. After seeing much of the world, Thomas returned home to North Central Washington where he continues serving his community today. He currently works for the City of Chelan, serves as a Mansfield Town Council Member, sits on the Douglas County Planning Commission, serves on the TREAD board, and volunteers as a youth baseball and basketball coach. His experiences in military service, international business, local government, community planning, and public service provide a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing rural communities. Most importantly, Thomas is a proud father to Nash and Stella. Whether he's hunting, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, riding motorbikes, paddleboarding, shooting bows, or simply spending time outdoors, he enjoys sharing those experiences with his children and helping them develop the same appreciation for the outdoors and small town values that shaped his own life. In this episode, Thomas and I discuss the growing challenges facing rural communities as local governments navigate Washington State's Growth Management Act, land use regulations, building codes, housing policies, and other mandates that originate in Olympia. We explore the many layers of government involved in these decisions and the difficult balance between protecting property rights, preserving community character, supporting economic growth, and complying with state law. We also take a deeper look at the role short term rentals play in local economies. While often controversial, we discuss how tourism helps support jobs, small businesses, tax revenue, and economic activity throughout North Central Washington. With agriculture facing significant economic challenges, we examine concerns that limiting short term rentals could have unintended consequences for communities that rely heavily on tourism. We also discuss why Douglas County has generally taken a more supportive approach toward private property rights and short term rentals than some neighboring jurisdictions. The conversation also explores the realities many veterans face after military service. Thomas speaks candidly about PTSD, traumatic experiences, and the challenges of transitioning back into civilian life after deployments overseas. He shares the story of a cousin he grew up with and admired, who enlisted in the military around the same time and was tragically killed by a sniper just weeks before his deployment was scheduled to end. Thomas reflects on how that loss affected him personally and how experiences like these continue to impact veterans long after their service has ended. Throughout the conversation, we encourage listeners to approach important issues with curiosity and an open mind. Whether discussing veterans' experiences, government policy, growth management, property rights, tourism, housing, agriculture, or economic development, we believe understanding the many layers and perspectives involved is essential to building stronger communities and creating opportunities for future generations. Please welcome Thomas Tupling to Small Towns Unscripted.

    1h 8m

  2. Jun 5

    Doug England: Resilience and Change Across a Lifetime of Farming, Family and Politics

    On this episode of Small Towns Unscripted, Russ McClellan and Nicole Turner sit down with a true pillar of the Manson and Lake Chelan Valley community — Doug England. Doug graduated from Manson High School in 1965 and has spent a lifetime helping shape the future of agriculture, local government, and the community he calls home. From serving 45 years as Manager of Manson Growers to serving three terms as a Chelan County Commissioner, Doug has witnessed firsthand the incredible transformation of farming, land use, and rural life in North Central Washington. His family's roots run deep. His grandmother was stockholder number one of Manson Growers, and Doug's story stretches back generations, from grandparents who traveled west from Missouri to establish a new life, to the challenges his own family faced after his father's devastating helicopter accident when Doug was just 14 years old. In this fascinating conversation, Doug shares stories of growing up in a large farming family, attending Washington State University, serving as an Army officer after ROTC, and returning home to dedicate his life to agriculture. He takes us through the evolution of the apple industry—from the days of hand lines, ladders, and 100 trees per acre, to today's high-density orchards with thousands of trees per acre and investment costs that can exceed $70,000 per acre to establish. We discuss the rich history of Manson Growers, the realities of supply and demand in agriculture, overproduction, variety changes, and the technology that has reshaped the industry. Doug also offers a candid perspective on government regulations, growth management, land-use planning, and what he describes as the "death by a thousand cuts" that many farmers face as layers of rules and regulations continue to accumulate. Most importantly, Doug reflects on the resilience required to survive in farming, where year after year families often faced uncertainty about whether they could continue working the land they loved. Through stories of hardship, perseverance, faith, and community, Doug reminds us why farming has always been more than a business—it's a way of life. With 25 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, a lifetime of public service, and decades of agricultural leadership, Doug England brings a unique perspective that spans generations. This is a conversation about history, family, farming, government, faith, common sense, and the future of rural America.

    1h 15m

  3. May 29

    Tugboats, Service & Sacrifice: Navy Veteran Norm Manly Helped Make Manson a Purple Heart Community

    Norm Manly has spent a lifetime serving others—first on the water, then in the community. Born and raised in Tacoma, Washington, Norm's love for the maritime industry began as a young boy riding tugboats with his father, Harry Manly, a tugboat captain. After graduating from Wilson High School in 1961, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a Quartermaster aboard a minesweeper during the early years of the Vietnam era. Following his military service, Norm embarked on a remarkable 42-year career with Foss Maritime, working his way from tugboats to leadership roles within one of the Pacific Northwest's most respected maritime companies. Along the way, he became a champion for maritime education, founding the Youth Maritime Training Association and helping thousands of young people discover careers on the water. His contributions earned him recognition as Maritime Man of the Year in 2004. After retiring, Norm and his wife Susan settled in Manson, Washington, where retirement quickly turned into a new chapter of service. From launching student mock interviews and job-shadow programs to revitalizing the Manson Grange, supporting local veterans through the American Legion, serving at North Shore Bible Church, and helping establish Manson as an official Purple Heart Community, Norm has become one of the driving forces behind countless community initiatives. In this episode of Small Towns Unscripted, hosts Russ McClellan and Nicole Turner sit down with Norm to discuss his journey from Tacoma tugboats to Lake Chelan community leadership, the importance of mentorship, service above self, building opportunities for young people, and what it truly means to leave a lasting impact on the place you call home. This conversation is filled with history, wisdom, humor, and a powerful reminder that one person's commitment to serving others can shape an entire community. Authenticity is the new currency. #SmallTownsUnscripted #NormManly #MansonWashington #LakeChelan #FossMaritime #MaritimeIndustry #Veterans #CommunityLeadership #PurpleHeartCommunity #AmericanLegion #YMTA #Mentorship #PacificNorthwest

    1h 14m

  4. May 22

    Jared England: The Fight to Preserve Farming in the Lake Chelan Valley

    Welcome back to Small Towns Unscripted. I’m Russ McClellan, alongside Nicole Turner, and today’s conversation may be one of the most important we’ve had yet because the apple industry truly is the heart and soul of our valley. Today we sit down with Jared England, President of Manson Growers and a fifth-generation member of a family whose roots in the Lake Chelan Valley date back to the late 1800s. Jared grew up in Manson, graduated from Manson High School in 1990, and comes from a family deeply connected to the history of farming in North Central Washington. His family helped build parts of the original irrigation ditch systems on the north shore of Lake Chelan using horses, dynamite, and wooden flumes. His father, Doug England, spent roughly 45 years at Manson Growers and also served as President before Jared eventually stepped into that same role. Jared and his wife are raising five kids, with their oldest now 22 and their youngest 14, and we talk about why he still believes it’s important for kids to grow up getting their hands dirty in the orchards, learning responsibility, work ethic, and character in a world increasingly dominated by screens and social media. In this episode, we dive deep into the history and future of the apple industry in North Central Washington. We discuss growing up in a small farming town where packed gyms, fierce rivalries, and strong community ties shaped generations of families. Jared shares insight into how the industry has evolved from traditional Red Delicious orchards to high-density Honeycrisp plantings with modern color-sorting technology, controlled atmosphere storage, and data-driven farming practices. We also talk about the enormous challenges facing growers today, including rising labor costs, seasonal overtime regulations, housing shortages, H-2A worker programs, increasing operational expenses, and the difficult economics of modern farming. Jared explains how orchard development can now cost up to $80,000 per acre and why economies of scale have become critical for survival. After spending nearly 20 years in corporate America following graduation from BYU, Jared eventually returned home to the valley and realized many orchardists were aging out of the business without enough operational support to continue farming. Through Manco, the orchard management company he operates alongside Manson Growers, Jared has helped provide labor coordination, housing, equipment access, chemical purchasing power, and operational efficiencies that have helped many small growers remain in business who otherwise may have been forced to remove orchards entirely. We also discuss consolidation in agriculture, the impact of international ownership, direct-to-consumer opportunities, heirloom apples, and how preserving orchards helps preserve the beauty, identity, and culture of the Lake Chelan Valley itself. This conversation goes far beyond apples. It’s about legacy, family, hard work, small towns, resilience, and adapting to change while trying to protect the communities and traditions that built this valley over generations. If you care about farming, the future of small towns, agriculture, entrepreneurship, or simply understanding the people behind one of America’s most iconic apple-growing regions, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

    1h 2m

  5. May 15

    Don & Judy Phelps: A Story of Family, Farming, Winemaking & Reinvention

    From East Coast roots to the vineyards of the Lake Chelan Valley, Don and Judy Phelps have lived a life shaped by hard work, reinvention, family, science, and a willingness to adapt through changing times. Don grew up in rural New Hampshire in a large family of ten children, with 24 years separating the oldest and youngest siblings. His parents carried the mindset and work ethic forged during the Great Depression and World War II era, and that mentality shaped the household he was raised in. Childhood wasn’t centered around endless free time—it was about responsibility, contributing to the family, and learning the value of hard work early in life. Raised on a farm where his father logged timber, Don developed a deep connection to the outdoors and dreamed of becoming a forester. After earning a forestry degree from the University of New Hampshire, he headed west toward Alaska with just $180 in his pocket, convinced it would be enough when gas cost 30 cents a gallon. He made it as far as Washington before running out of money, unknowingly beginning a lifelong connection to the Pacific Northwest. Judy’s upbringing was a completely different world. Raised in Hartford, Connecticut, she grew up surrounded by the diversity and culture of East Coast immigrant communities. A proud University of Connecticut Husky—“Go Huskies!”—Judy pursued biology before earning her master’s degree in Zoology, along with advanced studies in statistics and computer programming long before those skills became mainstream. Her research focused heavily on fish biology, including groundbreaking work studying how temperature impacts sex determination in fish populations during the 1980s. While science was her passion, statistics and computer programming became highly valuable skills that shaped much of her professional career. Long before they became husband and wife, their families were already connected. Don’s sister married Judy’s brother, and Judy actually knew Don’s children before she truly knew Don himself. Both had previous marriages, children, careers, and full lives before eventually finding each other later in life. Together, they blended two families into one after marrying in 2000. This episode explores the contrast between East Coast and West Coast life, from Judy’s memories of Hartford’s historic melting pot of cultures to Don arriving in the Chelan area in 1971 to work for the Forest Service out of Entiat. He shares stories of staying in a camper in Jerry Risley’s yard and renting a tiny lakeview place connected to Dave Hale’s family for just $400 per year—a version of Chelan almost impossible to imagine today. Over the years, Don’s career evolved from forestry to teaching to helping lead Hammond, Collier & Wade, one of the region’s prominent civil engineering firms. After the tragic plane crash that took Larry Wade’s life in Mexico, Don once again found himself navigating a major life transition. Then came wine. The first grapes in the Lake Chelan Valley were planted in the late 1990s, and the Phelps family became part of the early foundation of what would eventually become the Lake Chelan AVA. Judy took early retirement from Pfizer, studied winemaking through UC Davis, and together they transformed former orchard ground into vineyards. Their winery officially opened in the mid-2000s as the 9th winery in the Lake Chelan Valley. Their original winery name, Balsamroot, honored the iconic yellow flower covering Chelan hillsides each spring, but after a few years they realized the branding wasn’t resonating with visitors. Embracing the philosophy “differentiate or die,” they made the bold decision to rebrand with a name rooted deeply in the history and lore of Lake Chelan. Today, the family operates vineyards in the Lake Chelan Valley, a winery in Chelan, and an additional tasting room in Leavenworth. Their vineyards are now officially organic, and their son Julian, now the winemaker, is working on a proof of concept to potentially expand from organic vineyards into fully organic wine production as well. Through it all, Don and Judy have remained grounded in one simple belief: it takes great grapes to make great wine. Farming has always been Don’s true passion, and that passion helped shape not only their vineyards, but part of the story of the modern Lake Chelan wine industry itself. This episode is about far more than wine. It’s about family history, second chances, science, farming, forestry, entrepreneurship, and the evolution of the Lake Chelan Valley itself. This is Don and Judy Phelps on Small Towns Unscripted.

    1h 2m

  6. May 8

    Marty Morris: 74 Years in Manson | Farming, Family & Changing Times

    Marty Morris’ story is deeply tied to the history and transformation of Manson and the Lake Chelan Valley. Born in Chelan in 1949, Marty came from humble beginnings rooted in the old “fruit tramp” era of the American West. His father, a fur trapper from Nebraska, and his mother from South Dakota traveled the country following seasonal agricultural work before eventually settling in the Chelan Valley. Marty’s mother once rode horseback to school on the South Dakota plains — a reminder of how much life changed within a single generation. The Morris family moved to Manson in 1952 when Marty was just three years old. Alongside his family, Marty helped operate the Rocking M Chinchilla Farm, raising hundreds of chinchillas during the height of the luxury fur era. He attended Manson High School where he played football and baseball, and at just 15 years old was hired by Roger and Lydia Skeet to manage an apple orchard — property now known as Four Lakes Winery. That opportunity launched what would become a lifelong career in agriculture. Marty later studied horticulture at Wenatchee Valley College before farming more than 100 acres of apples and operating 11 wind machines during the peak of his orchard operation. He remembers a very different Lake Chelan — when a day at the beach cost 50 cents, when he learned to water ski on the Chelan side of the bay, and when Wapato Point had no homes at all. Years later, Marty would teach both his wife Rita and their children to water ski on those same waters. Marty met Rita when she was 21 and he was 23, beginning a partnership that would span decades. Together they adopted a son and daughter, raised horses and exotic parrots, and built countless memories tied to the valley. One of Marty and Rita’s horses, Scout — a gentle Paint horse perfect for children — became part of Russ McClellan’s childhood after Russ’ father bought Scout from the Morris family. Later, when Russ moved on to rodeo horses, Rita lovingly bought Scout back and cared for him until the end of his life. Service and leadership became defining themes throughout Marty’s life. Marty served seven years in the Army Reserves while his brother served ten. He also dedicated decades to the community, serving 12 years on the Pest Control Board, 9 years on the Lake Chelan Reclamation Board, and 6 to 7 years on the Manson Community Council. Marty became known as someone willing to volunteer his time and help shape the future of the valley he loved. Long before affordable housing became one of the valley’s biggest issues, Marty developed one of Manson’s earliest workforce housing projects known as “The Blue Cabins,” a 16-unit housing development created for local workers despite pushback from parts of the community at the time. Marty’s life also carried significant hardship. When he was just 13 years old, his father died from a heart attack at only 52 years old — a loss that forced Marty to grow up quickly and take on responsibility at a young age. Later in life, he endured another tragedy when his stepfather passed away following a hospital blood transfusion mistake during heart surgery in Seattle. Marty also spent 17 years caring for his mother until her passing, while continuing to build a life, family, business, and legacy in the valley. Like many longtime orchardists, Marty eventually faced the difficult economics of modern farming as orchards slowly transitioned into development property throughout the region. After decades in agriculture, changing economics and development pressures forced many growers — including Marty — to gradually sell portions of their orchard ground to sustain operations. Today, after a lifetime of farming, family, leadership, resilience, and change, Marty splits his time between Manson and Mazatlán while still carrying the memories, friendships, stories, and spirit of old Manson with him. His story is not just the story of one man — it is the stor

    1 hr

  7. May 1

    Built from the Ground Up: Will Poppie’s Story of Grit, Risk & Resilience

    Today on Small Towns Unscripted, we’ve got Will Poppie. Will’s story starts in Montana and Pullman, Washington. His dad was a civil engineer, his mom a veterinarian and cattle rancher—so from the beginning, he was raised around both precision and grit. After his parents divorced, he split time between Pullman and Arizona before eventually landing in East Wenatchee. And this is where things really started to take shape. By the time he was just 8 years old, Will wasn’t watching from the sidelines—he was already climbing onto a D8 dozer, working alongside his dad in the family construction business. That early exposure turned into a lifelong passion for equipment and excavation. He carried that path forward, even spending time in Alaska where his dad had moved the construction company. Back in East Wenatchee, he was also just a hardworking kid—working at the Cove Marina and at 7-Eleven, doing whatever it took. That work ethic showed up early. When his dad moved to Alaska, Will had a choice to make. At 16 years old, leaving behind his friends and life in the Chelan Valley wasn’t something he was ready to do. So he made a decision most people don’t make at that age—he emancipated himself and went out on his own. That independence shaped him. Over time, Will branched out on his own—working in different roles from employee to owner, managing everything from small excavation jobs to large-scale projects. He eventually spent about 18 years in Covington, where he not only built his career, but also raised two kids—a son and a daughter. Today, his son Billy works alongside him in the excavation business as a leader and foreman, and both of his kids have built impressive careers of their own. But that connection to the Chelan Valley never left. An opportunity eventually brought him back to North Central Washington, where he stepped into development—first partnering with family, and then launching his own project, The Ridge at Haystack. Since the mid-2000s, he’s been part of shaping the Lake Chelan Valley through excavation, development, and infrastructure work. Today, Will runs Central Services Inc., has expanded into owning a rock quarry, and has opened a gravel pit right here in Chelan—creating real advantages for the people he works with in land development. But what really defines Will’s story isn’t just the work—it’s the mindset. Like many of us, his path has been full of ups, downs, and steep learning curves. And at one point, it nearly ended. Will survived a devastating equipment accident—trapped between machines, suffering massive internal injuries, losing half his liver, and experiencing severe blood loss. Experiences like that change you. And in Will’s case, it built something deeper—gratitude, resilience, and a perspective on life that’s hard to shake. He leads with enthusiasm and optimism, believes life should be fun, and doesn’t take himself too seriously—which might be one of his greatest strengths. Will, really glad to have you on today.

    54 min

  8. Apr 24

    Real Life to Real Impact. The Christy Sloan Story of Helping Others Heal and Grow

    On this episode of Small Towns: Unscripted - Russ and Nicole are sitting down today with someone whose story really captures what it means to grow up in a small town, live through real life, and turn those experiences into something that helps other people. For those of you tuning in on Small Towns Unscripted, hosted by Russ McClellan and Nicole Turner with KW Frontline Real Estate, where we connect with people across the Lake Chelan Valley and beyond to share real stories, real journeys, and real conversations that bring our community closer together. As local real estate professionals in Chelan and Wenatchee, we’ve always believed that understanding people and their stories is at the core of what we do, and this podcast is an extension of that mission. Christy Sloan is a Chelan native, a 2001 graduate who grew up right here playing volleyball, golf, and cheerleading, experiencing both the fun and the challenges that come with small town life. She had a lot of great times growing up here, and like many of us, found herself in a little trouble along the way. Those moments, both good and difficult, ended up shaping the path she’s on today. She’s also a single mother of four and an entrepreneur, balancing real life responsibilities while building something meaningful out of her own experiences. Christy is a registered nurse, a nurse life coach, and the creator of the Sovereign Embodiment Method. Her work is deeply rooted in her own life experience, including her sobriety journey and the grief of losing her father to cancer. Through that, she came face to face with things like self-worth, self-abandonment, and feeling disconnected from who she really was. What she discovered is something simple, but powerful. Healing is not about fixing yourself. It is about learning how to understand your story, feel what is underneath it, and ultimately embrace all parts of who you are. She never lost sight of her vision or her calling, and today she approaches coaching from a holistic perspective, offering transformative work that helps people navigate life’s challenges, break free from patterns like people pleasing and over giving, and reconnect with their truth. Please check out her website and support her mission: https://www.christybrooke.com/ This is a conversation about growth, about ownership of your story, and about what it really looks like to come home to yourself.

    1h 20m
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About

Welcome to Small Towns: Unscripted, a podcast celebrating the heart of the Lake Chelan Valley community. Whether you're new to the area or from families who arrived here on covered wagons, this is a space for voices of all ages and backgrounds. We believe every connection, old or new, weaves a unique thread into our shared lives. Through authentic conversations, we aim to honor stories, bridge generational gaps, and foster genuine relationships. Join us in building a stronger, more vibrant community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Our mission is to build relationships.

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  • Creator
    Small Towns Unscripted
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  • Episodes
    79
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    © 2026 Small Towns: Unscripted
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