It's More Than a House!

It's More Than a House!

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It's More Than a House! episodes

  • Better Together with John Cass
    What does it take to build a stronger community? United Way of the Black Hills Executive Director John Cass joins Scott Engman to talk about leadership, trust and the power of truly listening to one another. Drawing from decades of leadership experience and travels around the world, Cass explores why nonprofits must break down silos, embrace collaboration and invest in the next generation of leaders. From building trust through accountability to finding new ways to address the needs of working families across South Dakota, this conversation is a reminder that our greatest impact happens when we work together.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
  • Building Bridges Through Compassion with John Ligtenberg
    In Episode 2 of Season 2, Scott Engmann welcomes John Ligtenberg, Executive Director of Love INC of the Black Hills, for a thoughtful conversation about compassion, collaboration, and the power of relationships to transform lives. For more than 25 years, Ligtenberg has helped mobilize churches across the Black Hills to meet practical needs while addressing something even deeper: the broken relationships that often lie at the heart of poverty. Together, Scott and John explore why lasting change isn't created through handouts alone, but through dignity, personal responsibility, authentic community, and hope. The conversation dives into nonprofit collaboration, leadership, faith, healthy conflict, volunteerism, and what it means to love your neighbor in an increasingly divided world. Along the way, Ligtenberg shares lessons learned from decades of servant leadership, why mission always outweighs efficiency, and how churches can work together to strengthen communities without losing sight of their purpose. If Season 2 is about abundance, this episode reminds us that some of life's greatest riches are found in relationships built on trust, compassion, and service.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
  • Choosing Abundance with General Jeff Marlette

    Season 2 of More Than a House begins with a powerful conversation about abundance, service, leadership, and community. Host Scott Engman sits down with retired South Dakota National Guard General Jeff Marlette, who is currently seeking a seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives for District 33.


    Marlette shares lessons learned from his upbringing in rural South Dakota, the values instilled by his mother, his decades of military and public service, and how faith has guided him through some of life's most difficult challenges. The conversation explores leadership, education, public service, artificial intelligence, the future of South Dakota, and what it means to live a life focused on adding value to others.


    As Season 2 launches its mini-series on abundance, this episode examines how courage, generosity, faith, and service create stronger communities and why building a thriving community requires more than just a house.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min
  • Understanding the Modern Mortgage: A Deep Dive with Brady MacIver

    In this episode, host Scott Engman sits down with Brady MacIver, mortgage loan originator and co-owner of Heritage Home Lending, to unpack the realities of homeownership in western South Dakota. Brady shares his path from Augustana University football standout to mortgage broker and Habitat for Humanity volunteer, and how his passion for people, numbers, and problem-solving shaped his career.

    Together, Scott and Brady explore the forces shaping today’s housing market — rising home prices, increased debt loads, interest rate challenges, and the limited inventory created by homeowners locked into low rates. Brady breaks down debt-to-income ratios, the sharp rise in average loan sizes, and why affordability has tightened for both first-time buyers and families hoping to move up. He also outlines practical strategies for buyers, including down payment assistance programs, equity planning, and creative paths like house hacking or purchasing duplexes.

    Listeners get an inside look at the unique dynamics of the Black Hills market, from aging housing stock and land development hurdles to out-of-state migration driving demand. Brady also highlights the importance of early financial planning, building credit, and the value of sitting down with a lender long before you’re ready to purchase.

    Ultimately, this conversation reminds us that buying a house is far more than a transaction — it’s a journey toward stability, community, and long-term wealth. And with the right guidance, even complex financial paths can lead to a place to truly call home.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  • Aging Gracefully - Jessica Olson CEO of Stay Graceful Home Healthcare

    In this episode, host Scott Engman sits down with Jessica Olson, CEO and founder of Stay Graceful, an in-home healthcare company serving clients from infancy through end-of-life. Jess shares how her personal experiences, nonprofit leadership, and time in the South Dakota Legislature shaped her passion for improving healthcare access and helping people safely remain in their homes.

    Scott and Jess explore the deep connection between healthcare, housing, and community, discussing the challenges families face when illness, disability, or aging suddenly make a home inaccessible. Jess sheds light on the real costs of home modifications, navigating complex paperwork, available state programs, caregiver burnout, and how her team provides reliable, person-centered care.

    The episode highlights why housing is far more than a physical structure, it’s stability, dignity, and independence, and how proper healthcare support can help people maintain that sense of home for as long as possible.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  • Making a Difference Every Day – from housekeeping to C-suite
    In this episode of It’s More Than a House, Scott is joined by one of America’s leading healthcare CEOs — a leader whose heart for people is as strong as her vision for excellence. Paulette Davidson has spent nearly a decade guiding Monument Health in Rapid City, helping it earn national recognition across 31 medical specialties. From her humble beginnings in Waukegan, Illinois, to her first job as a hospital housekeeper, Paulette’s journey to the CEO’s office is a story of grit, vision, and unwavering commitment to the community. We talk about her personal path, the future of healthcare in the Black Hills, lessons from the pandemic, and how Monument Health is working to ensure everyone — from rural patients to those without housing — receives quality care.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  • Build Your Vision - Starting and Growing a Legacy Company
    In today’s episode, Scott sits down with Jim Scull, founder of Scull Construction—a name synonymous with growth, craftsmanship, and community impact in Rapid City and across the region. From schools to hospitals to major infrastructure, Jim and his team have helped shape the physical and economic landscape of western South Dakota. In this conversation, they explore what it takes to build more than just buildings, the challenges facing the construction industry today, and Jim’s personal journey as a leader and visionary. If you’re passionate about development, community, or the people who build our world—this one’s for you. Let’s dive in!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 2 min
  • It's More than a House - Chaz Olson - Director South Dakota Housing
    This episode of It’s More Than a House features South Dakota Housing Director Chaz Olson in conversation with host Scott Engman. They discuss the agency’s mission to create affordable housing opportunities through programs ranging from first-time homebuyer assistance and down payment grants to financing for developers and special initiatives like the Governor’s House Program, where incarcerated individuals build affordable homes while learning trades. Olson outlines major efforts such as the $200 million Housing Infrastructure Program, the flexible Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF), and the innovative Grants for Grads program, which helps recent graduates purchase homes in South Dakota. The conversation also explores housing affordability challenges, growth trends, and the importance of housing in building strong communities.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  • From Houseless to Hopeful: Dr. Valeria Big Eagle on Healing, Homeownership & Indigenous Empowerment

    In this moving and insightful episode of It’s More Than a House, host Scott Engmann sits down with Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle—Habitat homeowner, Bush Fellow, and community leader—to explore the journey from houselessness to homeownership and the transformative power of education, culture, and safe housing. Dr. Big Eagle shares her story of growing up on the Yankton Sioux Reservation, becoming the first in her family to attend college, and how her Habitat home in Rapid City helped lay the foundation for healing generational trauma.

    Together, they discuss the unique housing challenges facing Indigenous communities, the importance of cultural identity in education, and the decolonizing work of organizations like Habitat for Humanity and NDN Collective. Dr. Big Eagle also offers powerful reflections on running for city council, embracing abundance while honoring traditional generosity, and finding strength through prayer and purpose.

    This episode is a call to listen, learn, and build a more inclusive community—because as always, it’s more than a house.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  • It's More than a House - From Gaza to Growth: Hani Shafai's Vision for Building Community
    In this powerful episode of It's More Than a House, host Scott Engmann sits down with South Dakota Hall of Famer and Dream Design International founder, Hani Shafai. Born in Gaza and now a prominent developer and philanthropist in the Black Hills, Hani shares his extraordinary life journey—from shepherding goats in Palestine to spearheading transformative housing and infrastructure projects in South Dakota. With heartfelt stories of resilience, mentorship, and faith, Hani discusses the roots of his work ethic, his philosophy of service-first development, and the values that continue to guide Dream Design. The episode also explores his personal losses amid the Gaza conflict, his thoughts on peace, and his call for compassionate global leadership. It’s a deeply moving conversation about hope, hard work, and what it truly means to build community.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 2 min

About It's More Than a House!

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Join us in building dreams. Because every family, every person, deserves a place to call home.

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