S5:E17 - Engaging Kids to Contribute with Craig Cegielski and Tyson Rohrscheib
Release Date: 09/08/2025
S6:E14 - Mental Health Awareness in Small Towns with Chris “Rhino” Swenson
The Growing Small Towns Show
We’re closing out Part 1 of Season 6 with an episode about something near and dear to our hearts, and oh-so-important in rural and ag communities: mental health. For Mental Health Awareness Month, Rebecca sits down with therapist Chris Swenson — owner of Rhino Wellness Center and host of the Rhino Resilience podcast — to reframe what strength really looks like in rural communities. (Yes, we know that May is technically Mental Health Awareness Month, but we recorded this episode in May, so it counts, right?) Chris breaks down his four-pillar Rhino Resilience framework, explains...
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S6:E13 - How to Harness Creativity to Create Value in Small Towns with Jordan DeGree
The Growing Small Towns Show
Some people are just wired to make things better–in their businesses, their communities, their small towns–even when it's hard, and nobody around them quite gets it. This episode is for those people. We get it. Today’s guest, Jordan DeGree, gets it. And he has created the Rural Ideas Network to connect you with other people who get it, too. Today’s episode is what support and connection can look like, and where you can find them. About Jordan: Jordan DeGree is an entrepreneur, social innovator, artist, and comedian. No, just kidding about the comedian part. He's experimented with...
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S6:E12- Recruiting and Retaining Teachers in Small Towns with Amy Jacobson
The Growing Small Towns Show
Amy Jacobson is the Director of UND's Special Education Resident Teacher Program, and on today’s episode, she breaks down two innovative pathways that have trained roughly 600 special education teachers for North Dakota schools since 1997, including one designed for people who don't even have an undergraduate degree yet. The programs combine paid, year-long internships with layered mentorship and heavily subsidized graduate education, creating a model with remarkable retention rates in rural communities. Whether you're in North Dakota or not, this episode is full of transferable ideas for...
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S6:E11 - How Thinking Like a Futurist Can Benefit Small Towns with Rebecca Ryan
The Growing Small Towns Show
Rebecca sits down with futurist Rebecca Ryan for a conversation about why and how small towns need to stop planning for the past and start envisioning multiple possible futures. They discuss the PHOEBE energy assessment, the three futures framework, and why traditional stakeholder-based visioning often fails. It's one of those episodes that both challenges how you think while also encouraging you to work in your strengths, build trust over polish, and remember that the future isn't something that just happens to us—we happen to it too. About Rebecca: Rebecca Ryan is a noted top 50...
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S6:E10 - Connecting Students and Employers with the Career Carousel
The Growing Small Towns Show
This episode is about Oakes, ND’s first-ever Career Carousel, a speed-dating-style event that connected 52 high school juniors and seniors with 14 local employers for four-minute rotational conversations. The goal was to give students a safe, constructive space to practice professional interactions, learn about local opportunities like tuition reimbursement or who’s hiring in Oakes, and help employers connect with future talent. The pilot was a hit, which we’re tickled about, and we’re so excited because reaching even one student makes these efforts worthwhile. In this episode, we...
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S6:E9 - Growing Entrepreneurs in Small Towns with Andrew Button
The Growing Small Towns Show
What actually moves a small town forward? It’s not a lack of ideas, it’s a lack of execution. This episode digs into the mindset shift from planning to ownership, showing how consistent action, local investment, and focusing on the people who show up can create real momentum over time. It’s a practical, experience-based take on how we make things happen on the ground. About Andrew: After a 15-year career working in rural North America with the various businesses and economic development organizations, Andrew founded Mashup Lab (www.mashuplab.ca); a for-more-than-profit company...
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S6:E8 - Wisdom From 30 Years of Economic Development with Bob Wurl
The Growing Small Towns Show
What actually drives economic development in small towns? In this episode, Bob Wurl shares how community banking, long-term thinking, and a willingness to act—not just plan—have shaped his own small town’s success. It’s a practical look at what happens when people stop waiting for change and start building it themselves About Bob: Bob Wurl grew up in Hankinson, ND. He holds a B.S.B.A. degree with a major in Accounting from University of North Dakota and completed the Graduate School of Banking Program at the University of Wisconsin in 1995. He has 45 years of banking...
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S6:E7- Vacant Properties in Small Towns with Liz Kozub
The Growing Small Towns Show
Vacant and deteriorating properties are a challenge facing communities across the country—but small towns are not powerless to address them. In this episode, Liz from the Center for Community Progress shares practical strategies communities can use to inventory vacant buildings, navigate ownership challenges, and turn neglected properties into opportunities for revitalization. The conversation explores how data, partnerships, and creative thinking can help small towns reclaim the spaces that shape their future. About Liz: Liz Kozub is an Associate Director for Technical Assistance at the...
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S6:E6 - Foodies, Families and Unexpected Paths with Shawn and Aiden Ulmer
The Growing Small Towns Show
This episode features a local Oakes father/son duo and we’re so excited to introduce them to you! Shawn and Aiden Ulmer of the Angry Beaver Lodge share the story of a third-generation restaurant business and the unexpected path that brought Aiden back to Oaks. They discuss generational transitions, evolving bar culture, and the role local businesses play in creating community. This is a conversation about what draws people back to small towns and the active role communities can play in facilitating it. About Shawn and Aiden: Shawn grew up in Valley City, ND. He fell in love with the...
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S6:E5 - How Lack of Accessible Transportation is Impacting Aging in Place in Rural Communities with Nicole Jones
The Growing Small Towns Show
Nicole Jones is the founder of Little Red Riding Hood, Inc., and today she joins us to talk about the hidden crisis of senior transportation in rural communities. Her story shows how one human moment can spark a solution that strengthens healthcare access, local economies, and community belonging. This episode is a testimony to how one moment and one person can inspire change, and a reminder to protect those who came before us so we can be stronger, more whole communities. About Nicole: I am a 35-year-old who has made it her life's mission to help seniors in rural areas after finding a...
info_outlineWe are kicking off the second part of Season 5 with a bang and sharing one of the coolest programs we’ve had the pleasure of learning about: Cardinal Manufacturing. Led by our guests, Craig and Tyson, Cardinal Manufacturing is a high school class *and* a full-fledged business that allows students to not only do actual work but learn the skills involved in running a business, from how to walk through a door with confidence and give a good handshake to how to quote jobs, do the work, and submit invoices.
Like…can you even?! It’s the coolest program and we can’t wait to share it with you.
About Cardinal Manufacturing:
Cardinal Manufacturing began in the Eleva-Strum School District during the 2007-2008 academic year when instructor, Craig Cegielski, approached the School Board about the potential of pursuing an in-school manufacturing business similar to one he started in his prior position in the school district of Antigo, WI.
The school board approved and since that time Cardinal Manufacturing has gone from its infant stages to a company with significant annual sales and national notoriety. The growth of the program has attracted national and international attention and Cardinal Manufacturing has attended national tradeshows and hosted celebrity guests including Wisconsin's Governor, Scott Walker. Cardinal Manufacturing has served hundreds of customers from private individuals to clients throughout the state of Wisconsin and other parts of the country. A number of students have gone directly to skilled employment positions after high school, but most choose to go on to post-secondary education through technical college or the university system. Chippewa Valley Technical College and UW-Stout have taken a particular interest in the program. Cardinal Manufacturing has also built strong relationships with a number of private companies and professional organizations which have been supportive through donations, advice, publicity opportunities, and projects.
In-school programs such as Cardinal Manufacturing serve as a grassroots economic development effort. Not only do these programs expose students to career opportunities in manufacturing and teach students soft skills for future employment, but they also work toward changing the attitudes of counselors and parents to be more open to the idea of encouraging students to look at manufacturing careers. Students get hands on opportunities to try out these roles before making an expensive decision in choosing a post-secondary program. In other words, kids get the chance to try welding, machining, construction, production management, accounting, office management, and marketing prior to committing to a major or area of study. The services provided through the program are worthwhile and valuable to the customers who pay for the service.
Cardinal Manufacturing is a year-long two credit class which offers more than a standard classroom instruction. Students in this class gain the real life experiences of problem solving, running a business, and working in professional career roles. Students must apply to be part of this program and manufacturing employees have successfully completed both Metal Working I and II. The application process includes creating and submitting a resume, project portfolio, and a letter of recommendation. Once accepted, student participants are assigned a role that may include:
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Quoting jobs
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Ordering materials
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Manufacturing parts
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Quality control and inspections
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Shipping product
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Receiving product and materials
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Invoicing
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Customer service
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Accounting
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Marketing
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Maintaining work hours
Besides the great experience gained, the students receive a profit sharing check at the end of the school year based upon number of hours worked and other measurement tools. Only a portion of Cardinal Manufacturing earnings are paid to students after expenses and upcoming needs are covered. Most of the money earned supports the purchase of materials, equipment and facility needs to continually grow and improve Cardinal Manufacturing.
About Craig:
Craig Cegielski, a native of Marshfield, WI, developed a passion for manufacturing early on through high school technical education classes and hands-on work at a local machine and fabrication shop. He earned his degree in Technology Education from the University of Wisconsin–Stout and began his teaching career at Antigo High School, where he launched the successful student-run business, Red Robin Machining. After a brief return to industry, Craig joined Eleva-Strum High School as a Technology Education teacher. In 2007, he founded Cardinal Manufacturing, a student-run business designed to give students real-world experience in the trades. With over 20 years of dedication to technical education, Craig continues to lead and expand Cardinal Manufacturing, helping prepare students for successful careers in manufacturing.
About Tyson:
Tyson Rohrscheib is a Technology Education teacher at Eleva-Strum High School, where he has taught since 2019. An Eleva-Strum alumnus, Tyson began his training in Machine Tool and Die at Chippewa Valley Technical College before earning his degree in Technology Education from the University of Wisconsin–Stout. He brings a strong background in machining and hands-on learning to his teaching, preparing students for real-world careers in manufacturing and engineering. Outside of the classroom, Tyson is active on his family farm, managing a herd of 40 beef cattle and working on metalworking projects in his home shop.
In this episode, we cover:
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What Cardinal Manufacturing is and how it started
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How exposing kids at a young age is key to getting them interested in a career
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Why technical skills are the least important thing they teach
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How the local community supports Cardinal Manufacturing and the students
Links + Resources Mentioned:
Website: Cardinal Manufacturing
Video Gallery: Watch Here
Facebook: @CardinalManufacturing
Instagram: @cardinal_manufacturing
YouTube: Cardinal Manufacturing Channel
Sponsor Spotlight: Brodie Mueller and The Market on the Plaza
In small towns, coffee is more than caffeine. It’s community! Market on the Plaza roasts beans locally in Aberdeen, in small batches for the freshest, richest cup to start your day or for an afternoon pick-me-up. Stop in to grab a bag for home or linger over a cup with neighbors. Proudly local, always welcoming.
This week’s Small-Town Shout-Out is:
Freeman, South Dakota! Shelly says, “We love to fest!” Freeman hosts THREE annual Fests and they’re all completely volunteer-run. Like, three *every year!* This is amazing and cool and hats off to Freeman for having the community enthusiasm and buy-in to host multiple events every year. Heck yeah Freeman!
We Want to Hear From You!
Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we’ve decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We’re have two “participation dance” elements of the show:
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“Small town humblebrags”: Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things.
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“Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges”: Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we’ll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We’re suave like that.
If you’ve got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can’t wait to hear from you!
Get In Touch
Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org
Subscribe + Review
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!