We underestimate the power of love–or maybe limit the places where we deem it appropriate–but that’s silly because love is the most powerful motivator on the planet. We believe that love can actually be the key to unlocking the answers to some of our biggest questions and challenges in small towns. In this episode, Rebecca talks about all the ways that love can make our communities better places and what it looks like to show up with love. In this episode, we share three challenges for you to start using love as a force for good and change in your communities:

1. Focus on doing more of what you love

2. Ask yourself: What would make me love my town more?

3. Pour out your love on the people who do the things that make you love your small town more. 

Links + Resources Mentioned: Jeff Siegler’s book: Your City is Sick. Deb Brown’s book: From Possibilities to Reality: Save Your Small Town with these Uniquely Do-able Ideas, Projects, and Success Stories Inland Northwest Partners Cougar Cheese Sarah Kane of LaCrosse Community Pride Terri Cooper of Medical Lake Medical Lake’s Vacant Buildings Ordinance 

Small-Town Shout-Out! This week’s shout-out is for the town of Medical Lake, Washington, and its mayor, Terri Cooper. In their small town, they have strong code enforcement policies around vacant buildings on Main Street to eliminate people owning buildings and just sitting on them and letting them fall apart. That takes tremendous courage and bravery because there’s no way that was universally popular. This is a bold, audacious move that is rooted in love and pride of place. They want their business district to be vibrant, to look good, and to be the kind of place where people want to have a business and that people want to visit. We salute them, their courage, and their love for the community! New Segment Alert! We think 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 introducing two new parts to the show: 

1. “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. 

2. “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 [email protected]

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