The Rural Impact

Hosted by: Michelle Rathman

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

Episodes

2026 Farm Bill, Protected Lands and Medicaid Landmines with Joan Alker and Heidi Heitkamp

Season #12 June 18, 2026

In this power-hour conversation, Michelle begins by welcoming returning guest expert Joan Alker, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Center for Children and Families.  Joan shares recent research focused on...

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Views from The Field: Farm Bill 2026 with Blaire Bryant, Dakkia Bradshaw and Bruno Sabatier

Season #12 June 04, 2026

In this episode of The Rural Impact, Views from the Field: Farm Bill 2026, host Michelle Rathman speaks with Senior Legislative Director of the National Association of Counties Blaire Bryant and Commissioner Dakkia...

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Michelle's May Matters

Season #12 May 21, 2026

In this solo Memorial Day and early summer episode of The Rural Impact, host Michelle Rathman shares reflections from the road while attending the National Rural Health Association Annual Meeting and previews several...

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Rural Counties Responding to Policy Shifts: The Impact of Civic Engagement with Hope Harmon, Paul Heimel and Chuck Marohn Jr.

Season #12 April 09, 2026

In part one of this episode of The Rural Impact, “Rural Counties Responding to Policy Shifts: The Impact of Civic Engagement,” Michelle speaks with two rural leaders navigating complex policy challenges: Commissioners...

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