The Rural Impact

The Rural Impact

Hosted by: Michelle Rathman

A Podcast that Connects the Dots between Policy and Rural Everything.

Episodes

The Upheaval of Federal Health Policy with Julie Rovner

Season #9

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...
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Connecting Health Outcomes to Congressional Districts with Ben Spoer, PhD

In this extra episode of The Rural Impact, Michelle Rathman interviews Ben Spoer, PhD, about the Congressional District Health Dashboard, a crucial tool designed to provide health data at the congressional district...
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A Conversation about Reaching Rural Voters with Jess Piper

Season #9

Just after returning to the studio after two back-to-back episodes where Michelle spent time at the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Policy Institute and the National Association of Community Health Centers'...
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Rural Impact on the Road in D.C-2025 Health Policy Issues & Urgent Priorities Part 2

Season #9

A Programming Note: This episode was recorded in February of 2025. As it drops on March 13, 2025, it's important to note that topics and issues raised about Medicaid funding, Congressional Appropriations, a potential...
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Rural Impact on the Road in D.C-2025 Health Policy Issues & Urgent Priorities Part 1

Season #9

Guests: Joan Alker, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Children and Families, Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy Gina Capra, Chief Education Officer, National Association of...
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Exploring Fragile Neighborhoods with Dr. Seth Kaplan

Season #9

In this extra episode, Michelle sat down with Dr. Seth D. Kaplan, a leading expert on fragile states, societies, and communities, and the author of Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a...
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2025 & The Impact of Policy Shifts with Dreama Gentry

Season #9

In the third episode of the new series, 2025 & The Impact of Policy Shifts, Michelle sat down with Dreama Gentry, President and CEO of Partners for Rural Impact, a national intermediary that mobilizes rural...
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2025 & The Impact of Policy Shifts with Mark Lieberman and David Ardrey

Season #9

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...
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2025 & The Impact of Policy Shifts with Larry Levitt and Edwin Park

Season #9

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,...
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Looking Back and Forward - Preparing for 2025

Season #8

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,...
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What's Your Impact Episode with Gretchen Schmidt, PhD, Charles Lloyd, Ed.D. & Mark S. Bonta

In this special What's Your Impact? Episode, Michelle begins with a review of the multi-episode series "Pathways and Policies to Ensure Rural Learners Succeed in Place and Why it's Essential for America's Future" and...
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Seeds of Doubt - The Politicization of Public Health with Matthew Jacob and Dr. Brian Castrucci

Season #8

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...
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