Small Towns Big Stories

This year, the Rural Development Institute (RDI) is working with students from the Master of Arts in Rural Development program to host the Small Towns, Big Stories Podcast. This series will be created in preparation for the 2025 Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) Foundations for the Future of Rural Conference. Throughout the summer, we will be traveling across the Westman region of Manitoba to engage with community leaders and discuss rural realities in terms of community development. More specifically, we want to share personal perceptions on how communities are engaging in data.

Small Towns Big Stories is a society podcast hosted by Brandon University Research, with 8 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Brandon University Research hosts Small Towns Big Stories, a society show with 8 episodes published.

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  Episode #7

  Small Towns, Big Stories - Episode 7, Dimitris Tellidis

  Oct 21, 202525 minS1

  <p>Hello everyone! And welcome to the Small Town, Big Stories Podcast where we discuss rural life with community champions from across southern Manitoba. In the seventh episode of this podcast series, invited guest, Dimitris Tellidis, shares his insights on agriculture in Manitoba. Throughout his academic journey, Dimitris explored themes of technology and data in agriculture – such as plant genetic manipulation, crop protection, crop fertility and waste management. He has since worked as both an independent agronomist, as well as a member of larger consultant firms. Currently, Dimitris is a member of MNPs Agriculture Agronomy Services team in Brandon, Manitoba. Thr...

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  Episode #6

  Small Towns, Big Stories - Episode 6, Lana Cowling-Mason

  Oct 15, 202548 minS1

  <p>In episode six, invited guest Lana Cowling-Mason shares her expertise and perceptions of holistic rural community development. Lana is not only the community development coordinator and General Manager of the Community Futures West Interlake, she is also the Chair of the Program Committee, Member of the Community Edge Education Committee and Board Member of the Economic Developers Association. With over twenty years of experience working within the field of community development, Lana shares unique insights and perceptions of how different communities require tailored plans to reach and maintain place-specific goals.</p>

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  Episode #5

  Small Towns, Big Stories - Episode 5, Michael Asante

  Sep 11, 202518 minS1

  <p>In today’s episode, invited guest Michael Asante speaks to his work and expertise in community development. Michael maintains over a decade of experience conducting and implementing research relating to agricultural policy, international trade, economic development and infrastructure investment readiness. As the Research and Data Manager at the Rural Manitoba Economic Development Corporation here in Brandon, Michael’s shares his perception on the utility and importance of continuous community data collection. As a former researcher of the Rural Development Institute, Michael also shares how capacity to access and assess community data is vital for development work of any kind.<br...

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  Episode #4

  Small Towns, Big Stories - Episode 4, Marilyn Crewe

  Sep 4, 202520 minS1

  <p>In this episode, invited guest, Marilyn Crewe, describes how community members of Neepawa have worked together to adapt to the booming population and business growth. As Neepawa’s Economic Development Officer, a member of the Board of Directors for the Economic Developers Association of Manitoba, and a certified trainer for the Community Edge Program, Marilyn shares insights into the complexities of accessing resources and fostering a sustainable future for Neepawa.</p>

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  Episode #2

  Small Towns, Big Stories - Episode 2, Angela Pearen

  Aug 25, 202528 minS1

  <p>In episode two, invited guest, Angela Pearen, shares her experience in community development through education. As the Coordinator Agriculture Extension with the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture and Environment at Assiniboine College, Angela has worked with community members and students from across Manitoba interested to enhance skills and showcase new career opportunities within the world of agriculture. In this discussion, we explore the complexities of emerging technology and importance of data within the field of agriculture.</p>

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