100 episodes

Rural Matters is a biweekly, 30-minute podcast about rural education, business, and health. The podcast’s mission is to increase awareness, inform discussion, and expand the dialogue on the most important issues facing rural stakeholders every day. Guests on the podcast include rural education decision-makers, rural business owners and entrepreneurs, and rural health care representatives. The National Rural Education Association and the Center for Rural Affairs are marketing partners.

Rural Matters Michelle Rathman

    • Education
    • 4.7 • 30 Ratings

Rural Matters is a biweekly, 30-minute podcast about rural education, business, and health. The podcast’s mission is to increase awareness, inform discussion, and expand the dialogue on the most important issues facing rural stakeholders every day. Guests on the podcast include rural education decision-makers, rural business owners and entrepreneurs, and rural health care representatives. The National Rural Education Association and the Center for Rural Affairs are marketing partners.

    The Legacy of Poverty in Disadvantaged Rural Communities With the University of Michigan’s Luke Shaefer

    The Legacy of Poverty in Disadvantaged Rural Communities With the University of Michigan’s Luke Shaefer

    In this episode, Michael chats with returning Rural Matters guest Luke Shaefer, Faculty Director of Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, Kohn Professor of Social Justice and Social Policy, professor of social work, and co-author of The Injustice of Place, which explores the legacy of poverty in disadvantaged rural communities across the U.S.
    Together, they discuss the impetus and research behind the book, what “disadvantage” truly means in the context of dozens of rural American communities, and much more. This episode is sponsored by Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan. For more information, visit poverty.umich.edu.  
    Order Luke’s book, The Injustice of Place, at bit.ly/3L2vKSw. 
    The views stated by podcast guests do not necessarily reflect those of our sponsors.

    • 28 min
    Taking Action to Resolve Water Insecurities in California (Part IV of Self-Help Series)

    Taking Action to Resolve Water Insecurities in California (Part IV of Self-Help Series)

    In the fourth and final installment of our 2023 series with Self-Help Enterprises, Michael chats with the following rural water, housing, and health experts: Tami McVay, Director of Emergency Services at Self-Help Enterprises; Meghan Tosney, Assistant Deputy Director at California’s State Water Board’s Division of Financial Assistance; Eddie Ocampo, Program Director with the Community Sustainability Department at Self-Help Enterprises; and Paul Gosselin, Deputy Director for Sustainable Groundwater Management at the California Department of Water Resources.
    Together, they discuss emergency services and response work in California during a period of drought, the nonprofit role in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, helping families find viable solutions for safe and affordable drinking water, and much more. 
    This episode, and the entire series, is sponsored by Self-Help Enterprises. For more information, visit www.selfhelpenterprises.org. 
    The views stated by podcast guests do not necessarily reflect those of our sponsors.

    • 31 min
    Advancing Rural Communities Through Apprenticeships and a Stronger Public-Sector Workforce (Part IV of Ascendium Series)

    Advancing Rural Communities Through Apprenticeships and a Stronger Public-Sector Workforce (Part IV of Ascendium Series)

    In the fourth installment of our latest series with Ascendium, Michael chats with Dr. Mallory Dwinal-Palisch, Chancellor of Reach University and CEO of Craft Education System, and Mary Wurtz, Policy Analyst at The Council of State Governments Center of Innovation. Together, they discuss their work to bolster the rural public-sector workforce, the power of apprenticeships in advancing rural communities, and much more. This episode, and the entire series, is sponsored by Ascendium Education Group. For more information, visit www.ascendiumeducation.org and www.ascendiumphilanthropy.org.
    CSG Launches New Initiative to Expand Civic Sector Apprenticeship Programs in the States: www.csg.org/2022/10/04/csg-launches-new-initiative-to-expand-civic-sector-apprenticeship-programs-in-the-states 
    Expanding Rural Apprenticeship in Maine: csg-erc.org/rural-apprenticeship-in-maine 
    The views stated by podcast guests do not necessarily reflect those of our sponsors.

    • 35 min
    Addressing Key Challenges in Rural Community Services (Part III of Self-Help Series)

    Addressing Key Challenges in Rural Community Services (Part III of Self-Help Series)

    In the third installment of our 2023 series with the Self-Help Enterprises, Michael chats with the following rural water, housing, and health experts: Jessi Snyder, Director of Community Development at Self-Help Enterprises; Olivia Gomez, Family Resource Community Liaison at Planada Elementary School District and board member of Self-Help Enterprises and the Planada Community Services District; Patrick Isherwood, Director of Asset Management at Self-Help Enterprises; and Graciela Soto, CEO of Altura Centers for Health.
    Together, they discuss the current community services needs in rural communities, needs around infrastructure, health care, and much more. This episode, and the entire series, are sponsored by Self-Help Enterprises. For more information, visit www.selfhelpenterprises.org. 
    The views stated by podcast guests do not necessarily reflect those of our sponsors.

    • 38 min
    Bolstering Rural Housing and Community (Part II of Self-Help Series)

    Bolstering Rural Housing and Community (Part II of Self-Help Series)

    In the second installment of our 2023 series with the Self-Help Enterprises, Michael chats with the following rural development experts: Betsy McGovern-Garcia, Director of Real Estate Development at Self-Help Enterprises; Jennifer Gomez, City Manager for the City of Farmersville, California; and Adrianne Hillman, Founder and CEO of Salt + Light Works. Together, they discuss rural housing and community development, rural housing services and partnerships, the connection between rural housing and transportation, and much more. This episode, and the entire series, is sponsored by Self-Help Enterprises. For more information, visit www.selfhelpenterprises.org. 
    The views stated by podcast guests do not necessarily reflect those of our sponsors.

    • 36 min
    Strengthening Rural Postsecondary and Workforce Outcomes (Part III of Brookings Series) with Education to Employment Partners’ Jeffrey West

    Strengthening Rural Postsecondary and Workforce Outcomes (Part III of Brookings Series) with Education to Employment Partners’ Jeffrey West

    In the third and final installment of our 2023 series with the Brookings Institution, Michael chats with Jeffrey West, Executive Director of Education to Employment Partners, where he works to bring people, information, and resources together to improve the quality of educational attainment and career development services in South Texas. Together, they discuss how one partnership, UpSkill Coastal Bend, is helping the region achieve better rural postsecondary and workforce outcomes, how data is working to drive decision-making and action in the region, and much more. Plus, we share a clip from the Brookings Institution’s podcast, Reimagine Rural, hosted by Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow in the Center for Sustainable Development at Brookings. This episode, and the entire series, is sponsored by the Brookings Institution. For more information, visit www.brookings.edu.
    Reimagine Rural podcast: www.brookings.edu/reimaginerural
    The views stated by podcast guests do not necessarily reflect those of our sponsors.

    • 19 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
30 Ratings

30 Ratings

glass half full mom ,

Important Perspective

As president of a rural community college, I appreciate this podcast. The view from rural America is an important perspective on policy matters related to education, infrastructure, health & wellness, and economic vitality. Thank you.

showfan888 ,

Great job

I grew up in Boston and now live in LA and have zero experience living in a rural area, which is why I like this podcast. It’s educational about the issues that matter in rural America, and that should matter to the rest of the country too. The host is positive and enthusiastic and does a great job explaining all of the topics.

jbrewer3 ,

Love this!

Can’t believe I’ve only now just discovered this podcast! It’s incredible the knowledge of the hosts and guests that are on. I especially appreciate the discussions about rural schools - the issues we are facing today and the future we can look forward to. So thankful for this content and please keep up the good work.

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