The Rural Towns Project Podcast
In the Rural Towns Project Podcast, Dax Jacobson combines his day job as a business professor with his love for the rural American West he grew up in. He talks to the people who are actually trying to make a living in - and to the researchers, artists, and others inspired by - the rural towns of the American West. He hopes to help himself and others understand the past, appreciate the present, and positively impact the future of rural towns and the American West.
Episodes
43 episodes
Time traveling with Louis Williams (Navajo river guide and owner of Ancient Wayves) in Bluff (UT), Bears Ears, and beyond to connect with earth, air, fire, and water
In this episode, I talk to Louis Williams, river and backcountry guide and owner of Ancient Wayves (the only indigenous owned and operated outfit commercially permitted to provide guided tours within the Bears Ears National Monument). Louis sha...
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Episode 43
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28:58
I was amazed by the night skies in Bluff (UT). It turns out Bluff is a Dark Sky Community. I talk to Sarah Burak (Education Director for the Bears Ears Partnership) about dark skies, what a Dark Sky designation means, and about Bears Ears tourism
In this episode, I talk to Sarah Burak (Education Director for the Bears Ears Partnership) about what brought her to the Bluff (UT) area from Alabama and why she never left. We talk about her journey to the Bears Ears Partnership and what she d...
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Episode 42
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23:46
Canyon Smokehouse was so good I ate there twice when I was in Bluff (UT). I talk to the owner (and town manager), Erin Nelson, about how and why she started the restaurant and what it’s like to be a small business owner who is also the town manager
In this episode, I talk to Erin Nelson, owner of Canyon Smokehouse in Bluff (UT) and Bluff Town Manager. Erin shares how she came to live in Bluff and own Canyon Smokehouse (it involves dark skies, small town life, marrying a chef and chasing t...
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Episode 41
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34:13
Talia Hansen is the reason I was in Bluff (UT) recently. We talk about her role as Economic Development Manager for San Juan County and the importance of empathy, curiosity, and “jumping on the truck”
In this episode, I talk to Talia Hansen, Economic Development Manager for San Juan County. Talia shares a little of her traumatic childhood story of escape and survival and how she learned from it to take risks, “jump on the truck”, and to be c...
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Episode 40
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26:21
Inspired by my drive from Bluff (UT) through the Navajo Reservation, I talked to Michael Powell, author of Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation (which was the inspiration for the Netflix movie Rez Ball)
In this episode, I talk to Michael Powell, currently a staff writer for The Atlantic and author of Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation (which was the inspiration for the Netflix movie Rez Ball). Mi...
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Episode 39
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35:17
Bluff (UT) is incredible. Allison Yamamoto-Sparks (Visitor Services Manager for San Juan County, UT) talks about the impact of Bears Ears, COVID, and the current economic climate on tourism (and shares recommendations!)
In this episode, I talk to Allison Yamamoto-Sparks, Visitor Services Manager for San Juan County, UT. Allison gives an overview of the geography of San Juan County/Utah’s Canyon Country and describes her role (a little bit of everything related...
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Episode 38
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29:52
Curious about McCammon’s (ID) main street, I reached out to Marci Goodwin of SmartStart Business Development to learn more about rural main streets and rural microbusinesses
In this episode, I talk to Marci Goodwin, rural entrepreneur, rural microbusiness advocate, and co-founder of SmartStart Business Development. Marci talks about her entrepreneurial background (including starting an online home school science cu...
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Episode 37
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22:39
I wanted to know more about economic development in McCammon (ID) so I talked to Teresa McKnight, CEO of Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho (REDI)
In this episode, I talk to Teresa McKnight, CEO of REDI (Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho). Teresa shares her interesting background - from accountant at Pepperidge Farm in Cache Valley, Utah to technology transfer positions to l...
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Episode 36
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25:55
Thinking about the history of McCammon (ID) so I checked in with HannaLore Hein (Idaho State Historian) on America 250 projects and celebrations
Sticking with the theme of back where this all started, for the second episode of the return of the Rural Towns Project Podcast, I talk to my favorite historian, HannaLore Hein, State Historian for the State of Idaho and friend of the podcast. ...
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Episode 35
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25:54
McCammon, Idaho (back to my hometown): Checking in with Aaron Hunsaker, the Harkness Hotel, and downtown McCammon
And I’m back! I apologize. It’s been too long. Life got busy but my passion for the rural American West has only increased and I’ve got a number of other projects related to rural towns, rural entrepreneurship, and rural economic development go...
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Episode 34
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45:00
Bear Lake ID/UT: Part 2 with HannaLore Hein (Idaho State Historian) on the History of Bear Lake and the Development, Laws, and Legends (Bear Lake Monster!) of Water in the Bear Lake Valley and Beyond
As promised, this is Part 2 of my conversation with HannaLore Hein (Idaho State Historian) on the history of Bear Lake. As usual, HannaLore takes us on a well-researched ride on the history of place as this time we talk about the actual Bear La...
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Episode 33
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1:01:53
Bear Lake (Idaho & Utah): Natalie Randall (Executive Director of the Utah Tourism Industry Association) on the Transient Room Tax, Foreign Independent Travelers, Rural Growth Challenges, and All Things Rural Tourism
In this episode, I chat with Natalie Randall, Executive Director of the Utah Tourism Industry Association (UTIA). Natalie and I talk about her interesting background in tourism and economic development and what brought her to her current positi...
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Episode 32
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36:03
Bear Lake (Idaho & Utah): Mark Smoot (Owner of Epic Recreation, Bear Lake Lodge, and More!) on Being an Entrepreneur, the Importance of Collaboration and Relationships, and the Healing Power of the Great Outdoors
In this episode, I chat with Mark Smoot (Owner of Epic Recreation, Bear Lake Lodge, Sunrise Resort & Event Center and more!). Mark and I talk about what brought him to Bear Lake as a second career and what keeps him there (he’s become a ser...
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Episode 31
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40:20
Bear Lake (Idaho & Utah): HannaLore Hein (Idaho State Historian) on the History of Montpelier (Idaho), LDS Settlement Strategies, Mercantile Owner Edward Burgoyne, and Doing History
I’m taking a slightly different approach to podcast episodes as I work to align some of my professional and academic interests with my personal interest in the rural American West. Rather than focus on one particular town, I will be focusing on...
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Episode 30
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1:02:10
Richmond, Utah: Shawn Milne (Cache Valley Economic Development Director) on Balancing Growth and Educating Stakeholders in Rural Cache Valley
In this episode, I chat with Shawn Milne, Cache Valley Economic Development Director. Shawn is a friend and a graduate of Westminster College and one of the most interesting people I know. Shawn and I talk about his background as a small busine...
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Episode 29
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41:36
Richmond, Utah: Paul Erickson (Mayor of Richmond) on Richmond and Thoughtful Approaches to Public Service in Rural Communities
Hi. It’s been a minute. There have been some life and work changes keeping me busy the last several months but the Rural Towns Project Podcast is back! I’ll be sharing this episode and one more focused on Richmond, Utah that were recorded earli...
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Episode 28
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39:12
Arimo, Idaho: Cameron Blevins (Historian and Author) on His Book "Paper Trails: The US Post and the Making of the American West"
In this episode, I chat with Cameron Blevins, a history professor at the University of Colorado Denver. Cameron recently wrote the fascinating and important book,
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Episode 27
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32:10
Arimo, Idaho: HannaLore Hein (Idaho State Historian) on the History of Arimo and Stories about Chief Arimo, Turkeys, Cold Storage, Research and More
In this episode, I chat once again with HannaLore Hein (Idaho State Historian). The focus this time is Arimo, Idaho and as usual HannaLore has done some amazing research. She shares stories about Marsh Valley, the Hudspeth Cutoff, Chief Arimo, ...
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Episode 26
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58:10
Lewiston, UT: Rosie Williams (Manager of the Lewiston Theatre) on Family Movies, Cheap Tickets, and Cheap Concessions at a Rural Movie Theater
In this episode, I chat with Rosie Williams, Manager of the Lewiston Theatre, in Lewiston, UT. Rosie and I chat about her long history with the Lewiston Theatre and why she’s still there showing movies and still loving it. We talk about how the...
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Episode 25
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26:09
Lewiston, UT: Dale Buxton (AltaBank, formerly Lewiston State Bank) on Rural Banking and Rural Communities
In this episode, I chat with Dale Buxton of AltaBank (formerly Lewiston State Bank) in Lewiston, UT. Dale has been with the bank for over 30 years and in that time has spent time in pretty much every role, including President. Dale and I talk a...
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Episode 24
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25:49
Lewiston, UT: Jamie Andrus (Cache Chamber of Commerce) on Chambers of Commerce and the Booming Cache Valley Economy
In this episode, I chat with Jamie Andrus, President & CEO of the Cache Chamber of Commerce. Jamie and I talk about her background and rural roots and how she came to lead the Cache Chamber of Commerce. We talk about the important roles cha...
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Episode 23
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33:43
Malad, ID: Patrick Mullen (Arctaris Impact Investors) on Opportunity Zones and Rural Communities
And we're back! Sorry for the delay. In this episode, I talk to Patrick Mullen, Vice President of Arctaris Impact Investors. Patrick has a fascinating background in finance and impact investing with a recent focus on rural communities and Oppor...
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Episode 22
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40:22
Malad, ID: Chris Jensen (Daisy Hollow Floral) on Flowers, Family, and Community in Malad
In this episode, I talk to Chris Jensen, florist and owner of Daisy Hollow Floral in Malad, Idaho. Chris and his shop are beloved in Malad and throughout rural Southeast Idaho. We talk about how Chris came to be a florist and rural small busine...
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Episode 21
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26:09
Malad, ID: HannaLore Hein (Idaho State Historian) on the History of Malad and Stories about Politics, Voting Rights, Electricity and More
Welcome to Season 3 of the Rural Towns Project Podcast! Season 3 will have even more Idaho and Utah towns, even more episodes, and soon a companion newsletter and a few other things I’m working on so stay tuned. I’m starting Season 3 with Malad...
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Episode 20
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58:14
Garden City, UT: Jake Powell (USU Professor & GNAR Initiative Lead) on Rural Gateway Communities
In this episode, I talk to Jake Powell, a professor at Utah State University in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, and a leader of the newly formed GNAR (Gateway & Natural Amenity Region) Initiative. Jake and I talk about hi...
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Episode 19
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43:49