The Rural Impact
Michelle Rathman
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Top 10 The Rural Impact Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Rural Impact episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Rural Impact for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Rural Impact episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
01/30/25 • 56 min
In part one of the second episode of the new series, 2025 & The Impact of Policy Shifts, Michelle sat down with Mark Lieberman reporter for Education Week covering K-12 school finance nationwide. He previously covered technology for EdWeek, digital learning and online education in the postsecondary world for Inside Higher Ed, and local news and culture in the D.C. area for a variety of outlets.
Michelle and Mark cover the financial struggles faced by rural schools due to funding cuts, particularly the implications of the Secure Rural Schools Act. They explore how these cuts can significantly impact school budgets, leading to potential layoffs and program reductions. The discussion shifts to the topic of private school choice, examining how it affects rural students and the challenges of limited private school options in these areas. The conversation highlights the complexities of education funding and the need for accountability in new educational policies.
Continuing the conversation, Michelle was joined David Ardrey, interim Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association, and Executive Director of the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS). His decade-long service to the NREA includes his recent Presidency of the NREA in 2023; numerous board positions, committees, and legislative work; and serving on the NREA Foundation board.
During their conversation, Michelle and David cover a wide range of critical rural education issues. They discuss the impact of potential cuts to the Department of Education, the challenges of funding disparities, the importance of research and policy in rural education, the interconnectedness of food security and education, and the urgent need for advocacy to support rural schools. David emphasizes the importance of prioritizing education to combat poverty and improve the quality of life in rural communities.
Resources:
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Looking Back and Forward - Preparing for 2025
The Rural Impact
01/02/25 • 11 min
In our first episode of 2025, Michelle offers a recap of several of our 2024 series and special episodes, including conversations with authors Elizabeth Carpenter-Song and Sarah Smarsh, researchers from New American, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, as well as conversations with leaders from several federal agencies, including the United States Department of Agriculture, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services.
In addition to a review of episodes past, Michelle gives listeners a sense of what can be expected of The Rural Impact's future, including more road trips starting in Washington, D.C., for the National Rural Health Association Policy Institute in February 2025.
Recognizing that the Biden-Harris Administration was responsible for over $460 billion in worth and opportunities for economic growth and capacity building for rural, we'll be closely following the impact of the Trump administration on rural on the topics of tariffs, immigration, climate, housing, health care policy, and education, noting that Project 2025, written by many in the first Trump Administration, calls for terms such as equity and climate change to be removed from policy considerations.
Lastly, Michelle shares that we will cover rural transportation and mobility challenges, aging in place, childcare, and a special series focused on the intersections of philanthropy and policy with an outstanding line-up of experts, researchers, authors, leaders, and policymakers, each of them helping us to connect the dots between policy and rural quality of life.
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01/16/25 • 45 min
In part one of the first episode of the new series 2025 & The Impact of Policy Shifts, Michelle sat down with Larry Levitt, Vice President for Health Policy at KFF. Levitt oversees policy work on Medicare, Medicaid, the health care marketplace, the Affordable Care Act, racial equity, women’s health, and global health. He previously was editor-in-chief of kaisernetwork.org, which was KFF’s online health policy news and information service and directed KFF’s communications. Prior to joining KFF, Levitt served as a senior health policy adviser to the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services, working on the development of the Clinton Administration’s Health Security Act and other health policy initiatives.
Michelle and Larry cover a wide range of issues focused on the critical role of Medicaid and Medicare in the U.S. health care system, including potential and anticipated federal funding cuts and the implications for vulnerable populations. They explore the enrollment trends in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, the impact of proposed changes on state-level health policies, and the challenges posed by Medicare Advantage plans for rural health care providers. The discussion emphasizes the need for advocacy and awareness around these issues as they affect millions of Americans.
Continuing the conversation, Michelle was joined by the Edwin Park, Research Professor at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, within the McCourt School of Public Policy. His work primarily focuses on Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act. Previously, he worked for 17 years at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, most recently as Vice President for Health Policy. He also was a health policy advisor for the White House National Economic Council, a Medicaid professional staff member for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and a health law attorney in private practice. In addition, he served on the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition team. He is also a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance.
During their conversation, Michelle and Edwin discuss the impending Medicaid cuts proposed by congressional Republican leaders and their potential impact on rural communities, state budgets, and social programs. They explore how these cuts could lead to significant reductions in healthcare access for vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas, and emphasize the importance of advocacy and community engagement in addressing these challenges.
Resources:
https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2025/01/15/medicaids-role-in-small-towns-and-rural-areas/ https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2827780?resultClick=1 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2815369?resultClick=1 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2823514 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/06/opinion/medicare-drug-price-negotiation.html
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Seeds of Doubt - The Politicization of Public Health with Matthew Jacob and Dr. Brian Castrucci
The Rural Impact
12/05/24 • 47 min
Today's show focuses on disinformation and its connection to public health and policy.
With the recent news that President-elect Trump has tapped Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., known not only for his family ties but primarily for his strong opposition to vaccinations and commitment to debunked conspiracy theories, and controversial views on supplements and food preparation practices, to take the lead at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), we invited two seasoned public health experts to join us for a conversation to discuss the impact of disinformation and the spread of misinformation on public health and what that could mean for public health policy.
Michelle begins the show with Matthew Jacob, a communications consultant who advises dental health organizations, children's advocates, and health foundations. He has consulted with diverse stakeholders, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the California Department of Public Health, and the Michigan Public Health Institute. Matt is a subject matter expert on communication for the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors. He has authored nearly a dozen dental health policy and communication articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Matt has delivered presentations about health communication to numerous audiences, including the National Academy of Medicine and the World Congress on Public Health.
During this conversation, Matt Jacob and Michelle discuss the pressing challenges facing public health leaders as they navigate a rapidly changing landscape. He emphasizes the importance of effective communication, building trust through community engagement, and the need for public health professionals to adapt their messaging strategies to resonate with diverse audiences, particularly in rural areas. Jacob also highlights the significance of advocacy and collaboration in ensuring the sustainability of public health initiatives.
In part two of this episode. Michelle speaks with Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, President and Chief Executive Officer of the de Beaumont Foundation. He is an epidemiologist, public health practitioner, and fierce advocate for the public's health. Brian joined de Beaumont as its third employee in 2012 and assumed the role of president and chief executive officer in 2018.
Michelle and Dr. Castrucci discuss the intersection of public health and policy, and the impact on rural America. He emphasizes the importance of the Senate's role in vetting health nominees, the challenges rural health systems face, and the critical need for health equity. Dr. Castrucci also addresses the impact of medical misinformation on public health, public health as an economic indicator that affects community health and offers advice for rural public health officials on advocacy and community engagement.
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02/01/24 • 45 min
In the third episode in our fourth series "Arriving at Thriving,” Michelle talks with Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow in the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution. Tony has three decades of executive leadership experience in the philanthropic and public sectors addressing poverty and advancing inclusive economic development in the U.S. and globally. He launched and leads the Reimagining Rural Policy initiative, which seeks to modernize and transform U.S. rural policy, and hosts the Reimagine Rural podcast, collecting the stories of rural towns across America that are experiencing positive change.
During this conversation, Tony and Michelle discuss growing interest and recognition that rural communities are a place that need investment, the vital role that rural communities can play within the larger context of our national economy, and legislation needed that would make capacity building money available for rural places.
Tony shares the importance of relationship and trust building in rural areas, the diversity in rural, as well as highlights from his podcast where he travels to rural locations including his hometown. He also shed light on the innovation, human capital, talent, and assets coming from rural places, and the necessity of investment, sustainability, and regeneration in these communities.
Show Resource: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/making-local-economies-prosperous-and-resilient-the-case-for-a-modern-economic-development-administration/
06/06/24 • 54 min
In the second episode in our Pathways and Policies to Ensure Rural Learners Succeed in Place and Why it’s Essential for America’s Future series, we begin our episode focused on “The Key to Opening Doors” with Kirstin Yeado, Senior Program Officer at Ascendium Education Group. In this role, Kirstin is responsible for strategic grantmaking to advance Ascendium’s Support Rural Postsecondary Education and Workforce Training focus area, which seeks to expand education and workforce training opportunities for rural learners.
During this discussion, Kirstin shares an overview of the landscape of post-secondary education opportunities in rural communities including identifying gaps and access to supports like transportation, childcare, mental health resources, or attending an institution with robust advising services. Michelle and Kirstin also discuss how philanthropy plays a role in closing gaps, breaking cycles, building capacity and partnerships, and growing pathways for rural communities to have access to education and training pathways.
Michelle also welcomes Shaniqua Corley-Moore, Head of Tech Talent Development, and Mike Gutman, Workforce Development Manager at the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI). Shaniqua drives national initiatives to boost rural tech skilling and employment. Her strategic partnerships with key educational and tech organizations are aimed at integrating regional workforce needs with national talent development strategies. Mike works as part of a team to build tech and digital talent pipelines in rural communities. In his role, he focuses on working with employers to understand hiring demands, building upskilling programs to meet those demands, and then enrolling students into those programs to graduate and get higher-paying tech and digital jobs.
In this second part, Shaniqua and Mike share how CORI is impacting rural workers and organizations by expanding their tech workforce through several key initiatives. They also discuss the importance of growing local talent, providing mentorship, understanding the obstacles rural employers face, building infrastructure and community partnerships, and developing responsive training programs. Finally, they highlight how philanthropy and federal dollars make it possible to do their work.
This episode of The Rural Impact podcast is sponsored by Ascendium. Ascendium believes that learning after high school has the power to transform lives. Driven by this belief, their philanthropy focuses on systemic change to elevate opportunity for learners from low-income backgrounds. Ascendium has a special interest in elevating rural postsecondary education and workforce training. They fund research and resources that can be used to ensure more rural learners have pathways to good jobs that lead to upward mobility. Want to connect with Ascendium? Visit their website at ascendiumphilanthropy.org, sign up for their newsletter, and follow them on social media.
In part one of the second episode of this series, Michelle met with Senior Policy Analyst Ivy Love and Senior Program Associate Tiffany Thai from the Center on Education & Labor at New America. Ivy Love's work focuses on community colleges, their students, and federal and state policies that support them. Before New America, Love worked as a policy analyst for the Association of Community College Trustees, as a lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis and Webster University, and as a refugee orientation educator at the International Institute of St. Louis. Love is a PhD candidate in higher education administration at Saint Louis University.
Tiffany Thai comes from a first-generation, low-income background. She is passionate about transformational learning and advancing educational equity for marginalized students and their communities.
Michelle, Tiffany, and Ivy explore the critical role of community colleges in providing bachelor's degrees, particularly in rural areas, and discuss the challenges these institutions face, including resistance to program expansion, varying state policies, and the importance of adult learners. They emphasize the need for employer engagement to address workforce shortages and advocate for policies that support community colleges in meeting local educational needs.
In part two of this episode, Michelle was joined by the Executive Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges and a Professor of Higher Education at Appalachian State University, Dr. Andrew Koricich. His research focuses on postsecondary education issues facing rural communities, with an emphasis on rural-serving postsecondary institutions.
Michelle and Dr. Koricich discuss the benefits of community college bachelor's programs (CCB) from an institutional and policymaker perspective. They highlight how CCBs can help rural community colleges address enrollment drops, build relationships with employers, and meet the workforce needs of their communities. They also emphasize the importance of providing postsecondary options for adults who want to pursue new careers. They also explore rural serving institutions' challenges, such as financial constraints, lack of support, and the need for collaboration and regional partnerships to expand CCB programs.
Ascendium sponsors this episode of The Rural Impact podcast, believing that learning after high school transforms lives. Driven by this belief, their philanthropy focuses on systemic change to elevate opportunities for learners from low-income backgrounds. Ascendium has a particular interest in elevating rural postsecondary education and workforce training. They fund research and resources to help ensure more rural learners have pathways to good jobs that lead to upward mobility. Learn more about their Rural Impact at ascendiumphilanthropy.org, sign up for their newsletter, and follow them on social media.
Coming to Terms with Housing and Homelessness in Rural Places with Jonathan Harwitz and Amanda Reddy
The Rural Impact
04/11/24 • 50 min
In the first episode in our fifth series, Coming to Terms with Housing and Homelessness in Rural Places, we begin our episode with the Housing Assistance Council’s (HAC) Director of Public Policy, Jonathan Harwitz. Prior to joining HAC, Jonathan was Director of Housing Community Development and Insurance Policy for the House Financial Services Committee. He also served as Managing Director of Federal Policy and Government Affairs at the Low-Income Investment Fund, a large national Community Development Financial Institution. Jonathan shared that in his over 20 years of public policy, he has always relied on HAC as a voice for rural housing.
During this discussion Jonathan shares HAC’s mission of helping rural communities address their needs for affordable housing, as well as an overview of the state of rural housing in America. Michelle and Jonathan also discuss HAC’s 2024 Rural Housing Priorities included the need for--and barriers to-- capacity building programs and well as funding and financing for rural housing.
In the second half of this episode, Michelle talks with Amanda Reddy, Executive Director of the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH). Over the last 15 years, Amanda has worked with communities to effectively prevent housing-related illness and injury by implementing evidence-based and equitable policies that improve housing quality. Prior to joining NCHH, Amanda was a research scientist with the New York State Department of Health, where she supported a range of programs focused on improving indoor and outdoor air quality in homes, schools, workplaces, and outdoor settings.
This Rural Impact conversation is very timely because April is National Healthy Homes Month, and during the conversation Michelle and Amanda discuss NCHH’s role in creating healthier home environments, and working to prevent environmental health hazards through awareness, education and policy. The two also talk about housing issues impacting the health and wellbeing of rural residents, and how unhealthy housing conditions contribute to a wide range of preventable illnesses and injury, and finally, the funding and legislation needed to make rural homes safe.
To learn more the Housing Assistance Council’s Policy and Advocacy Activities please visit: https://ruralhome.org/our-work/policy/
To learn more about the National Center for Healthy Housing’s Federal Funding for Rural Healthy Housing Fact Sheet please visit: https://nchh.org/resource/fact-sheet_federal-funding-for-rural-healthy-housing/
Policy Watch: As discussed in this episode, follow this proposed legislation:
Whole-Home Repair Act of 2024 - S. 3871
The Upheaval of Federal Health Policy with Julie Rovner
The Rural Impact
04/24/25 • 27 min
In this extra episode of The Rural Impact, Michelle Rathman is joined by Julie Rovner, KFF Health News Chief Washington Correspondent. Julie hosts the KFF Health News weekly health policy news podcast, "What the Health?" Previously, she spent 16 years as a health policy correspondent for NPR, where she helped lead the network's coverage of the passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Julie is the author of the critically praised reference book "Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z," now in its third edition. In 2005, she received the National Press Foundation's Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress.
Michelle and Julie delve into the current state of health policy in the U.S., focusing on the implications of recent cuts to health programs, the strategies regarding Social Security and Medicare, and the impact of Medicaid work requirements. They discuss the challenges the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) faces in the wake of massive layoffs and department consolidation, the potential consequences for public health at the state level, and how the confusion in health policy is impacting local health initiatives. The conversation highlights the urgency of these issues, the legality of the Trump Administration's withholding of Congressionally approved and allocated funding, and the staggering uncertainties for America's rural hospitals and health clinics to maintain essential health services.
In addition to our featured conversation, The Rural Impact is pleased to welcome The American Heart Association as a sponsor for this and future episodes! Here's why!
The AHA believes that everyone, no matter where they live, deserves access to high-quality care. That's why they created the Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator, a program designed to help rural hospitals improve cardiovascular care and patient outcomes. The Rural Accelerator provides no-cost access to quality improvement programs, data-driven insights, learning collaboratives, recognition opportunities, and expert-guided education to support 1000 rural hospitals nationwide in delivering evidence-based care.
Rural hospitals play a critical role in their communities. Enroll today and join the movement to improve rural heart health. Visit www.heart.org/ruralaccelerator to learn more.
The Impact of Collaboration Between Community Colleges and Civic Partnerships with Dakota Pawlicki and Elaine Morgan
The Rural Impact
10/24/24 • 44 min
In part one of the final episode of this series, Michelle met with Dakota Pawlicki, Director of Talent Hubs with CivicLab. In this role, he serves exemplary cross-sector partnerships focused on postsecondary attainment that have met rigorous standards for partnership health, equity, and systems change. He brings his expertise in postsecondary education, collective impact, stakeholder engagement, and change management to a network of nearly 100 partnerships, supporting their efforts to improve the human condition. Dakota also hosts Lumina Foundation's podcast Today's Students, Tomorrow's Talent, which features conversations with newsmakers and leaders in the field of learning after high school.
Michelle and Dakota begin the discussion by highlighting the work of CivicLab in advancing civic collaboration and improving postsecondary attainment in communities. He introduces the Talent Hub designation, a marker of an exemplary cross-sector partnership, and emphasizes the importance of context in community collaboration. Pawlicki shares examples of communities that have successfully addressed complex social challenges by redesigning their context and engaging multiple stakeholders. He also highlights the role of collaboration at the community level in addressing barriers to earning a college degree and achieving talent-related goals. Pawlicki advises communities to focus on role clarity, self-determination, and implementing practical solutions before seeking policy changes.
In part two of this episode, Michelle was joined by Elaine M. Morgan, CEO of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce. Elaine is a fifth-generation Berkeley County, SC, native with over 30 years of leadership experience. She is dedicated to fostering the region's economic growth and community development, working closely with local industries to help them expand, create jobs, and increase wages. Morgan's efforts have had a significant impact, mainly through her close collaboration with elected officials and business leaders to address emerging challenges and opportunities. A cornerstone of her work is the expansion of Community Resource Hubs across the county, offering residents critical services such as workforce training and telehealth.
In this conversation, Michelle Rathman and Elaine discuss innovative initiatives to revitalize rural communities in South Carolina, the importance of collaboration, the establishment of community resource hubs, and the challenges residents face in accessing employment and healthcare. Elaine shares insights on how these hubs are designed to meet the community's needs, the significance of measuring success through community engagement, and the role of policy advocacy in addressing essential needs.
Ascendium sponsors this episode of The Rural Impact podcast, believing that learning after high school transforms lives. Driven by this belief, their philanthropy focuses on systemic change to elevate opportunities for learners from low-income backgrounds. Ascendium has a particular interest in elevating rural postsecondary education and workforce training. They fund research and resources to help ensure more rural learners have pathways to good jobs that lead to upward mobility. Learn more about their Rural Impact at ascendiumphilanthropy.org, sign up for their newsletter, and follow them on social media.
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Rural Impact have?
The Rural Impact currently has 57 episodes available.
What topics does The Rural Impact cover?
The podcast is about News, Health & Fitness, Medicine, Podcasts and Politics.
What is the most popular episode on The Rural Impact?
The episode title 'Looking Back and Forward - Preparing for 2025' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Rural Impact?
The average episode length on The Rural Impact is 37 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Rural Impact released?
Episodes of The Rural Impact are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of The Rural Impact?
The first episode of The Rural Impact was released on Jun 2, 2023.
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