In this special bonus episode, Ellen takes a break from working on season two to chat with her siblings, Megan and Keith, about their experiences growing up in rural Montana and North Dakota and their journey to urban spaces. Megan, Ellen, and Keith reminisce about their unique childhood from being the only girl in fifth grade to walking home from school with the cows and loving the wide open lands. They ponder why they all ended up in cities, the stereotypes and misconceptions people have about both rural and urban spaces, and how community building looks very similar no matter where you live.

Little Megan, Ellen, and Keith

Megan, Ellen, and Keith's "backyard" growing up

Megan, Ellen, and Keith's "driveway" growing up

Questions, comments, want to get in touch? Email us at sidebyside@umn.edu or share your feedback by completing a quick survey: https://z.umn.edu/9wtp. We share your feedback with funders and stakeholders about the value of this podcast and how you engage with the insights and information.

In the final episode of Side by Side's first season, Ellen talks with photographer John Noltner, founder of ‘A Peace of My Mind,’ a storytelling project that captures personal stories and portraits to foster dialogue across divides. John discusses the human tendency to avoid challenging preconceived notions and how storytelling deepens our understanding of each other and breaks down stereotypes. John reflects on his experiences from Skid Row in Los Angeles to the deep South of Mississippi and border towns in Texas, highlighting the interconnectedness of rural, urban, and suburban spaces and the immense pride that individuals have for their communities.

Episode Highlights:
03:44 John's Background and Origins of "A Peace of My Mind"

07:51 The Impact of Feeling Seen

10:50 Common Ground in Rural and Urban Communities

18:46 The Danger of a Single Story

20:40 Surprising Stories from Mississippi and LA

27:45 Sharing Stories and Creating Impact

More Information:
A Peace of My Mind, https://apeaceofmymind.org/

Stories from New York Mills, MN:

https://apeaceofmymind.org/2023/12/20/belonging-2-0/

Stories from skid row in Los Angeles, CA, https://apeaceofmymind.org/2021/07/06/vincent-turner/

Stories from Oxford, MI, https://apeaceofmymind.org/2023/04/18/duncan-gray/

Questions, comments, want to get in touch? Email us at sidebyside@umn.edu or share your feedback by completing a quick survey: https://z.umn.edu/9wtp. We share your feedback with funders and stakeholders about the value of this podcast and how you engage with the insights and information.

Want to stay in touch? Sign up for our newsletter here.

In this episode, Ellen welcomes colleague Brigid Tuck, an economist at the University of Minnesota Extension, who sheds light on a 2011 study demonstrating economic interdependence between rural and urban areas in Minnesota. Conducted in collaboration with Minnesota Rural Partners, the study highlights how economic changes in either region can significantly impact the other, particularly in the agribusiness and manufacturing sectors. Brigid describes how Minnesota's urban areas benefit economically from improved prosperity among its rural neighbors and vice versa. Additionally, the discussion covers the ever-evolving definitions of 'rural and 'urban' that affect research methodologies and policy decisions. Brigid also shares her insights into what people get wrong about rural and urban communities in Minnesota.

Episode Highlights:

05:04 Key Findings from An Economic Rural-Urban Interdependence Study

11:22 Defining Rural and Urban Areas

18:09 Common Misconceptions About Rural and Urban Areas

More Information:
Brigid Tuck Bio, https://experts.umn.edu/en/persons/brigid-a-tuck

Urban vs. rural? More like urban and rural together, study says | UMN Extension, https://extension.umn.edu/vital-connections/urban-vs-rural-more-urban-and-rural-together-study-says

Greater Minnesota and Twin Cities 7-County Metro Area Jobs by Industry, 2024, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wEhyR3CMPD7E91dYdNzj9W_8ky00yL4j/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, want to get in touch? Email us at sidebyside@umn.edu or share your feedback by completing a quick survey-
https://z.umn.edu/9wtp. We share your feedback with funders and stakeholders about the value of this podcast and how you engage with the insights and information.

Want to stay in touch? Sign up for our newsletter here.