Reframing Rural

53
Documentary #206

Reframing Rural is the award-winning documentary podcast founded in 2019 by writer, Montanan and farmer's daughter, Megan Torgerson. Reframing Rural does the much needed work of challenging stigmas about rural places by introducing listeners to working people, history and culture that don't always get the spotlight. Season 1 transports listeners to Torgerson's rural homeplace, a tight-knit agricultural community on the plains of far Northeast Montana. Season 2 sows hope in the future of the rural West and Heartland through interviews with rural activists, academics, artists and entrepreneurs. Season 3 combines narrative episodes with interviews to probe the status quo of agriculture, explore farm stress and the need for rural mental health care, the familial challenges of farm and ranch succession planning, the Indigenous roots of regenerative agriculture and the threats of rural gentrification and cultural extraction. Hosted and produced by Torgerson, Reframing Rural uses storytelling and conversation to reframe the narrative on rural America.

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Recent Reviews
  • Ty406
    Left of center
    She is a very good speaker but definitely spent sometime out of Montana.
  • Kev'56
    Fascinating and informative
    Having grown up in Billings Montana, then moving to Missoula in the mid-1970s, and now living in a very rural location in Stillwater County, I have a great appreciation for the insights that Megan shares during her podcast. I love her sense of neutrality with regard to politics, which is greatly needed in this day and age. This podcast is appropriate for anyone, whether urban or rural, as it sheds sensitive light on both environments.
  • Comedy Gold!
    Engaging America in Vital Conversations
    The work of “Reframing Rural” challenges the stereotypes of rural America and delves into topics which are at once illuminating and vitally important. In the current climate where people are quick to label one another, I hope this brings compassion to both sides of the conversation. At the heart of these stories, people want and need to live with dignity in America. No matter which side of the political spectrum a person is on, this perspective seems infinitely reasonable. I hope this podcast can soften views and allow a more nuanced conversation around what it is to be “American”. Let’s support compassionate and informed storytelling which can bring community and country together.
  • DJ Zor
    Awesome!
    These discussions are awesome. I grew apart from agriculture and rural living, but have always considered those things “home”. Having finally moved out of the big city to a small town a few years ago, the problems rural communities (especially in the West) are facing today are different than when I was growing up. This podcast is a great forum for today’s issues in rural America and I’m so glad to have found it.
  • riss g g
    god bless rural media
    so stoked on finding this podcast and seeing the questions and conflicts that show up in my home actually represented in media and social commentary with such nuance and curiosity. Eagerly awaiting more episodes!
  • kpfa0
    This American Life but make it Rural!
    I love this podcast so much. The host, Megan, approaches her interviews with curiosity and openness, and there is such a great, wide berth of perspectives from different rural people. As someone who grew up in MT and WY, it has really helped me understand my own stories and place in the world, and to get to know my neighbors and the challenges they face a bit more. She elevates rural values and the importance of our communities and the relationships we build, despite differences in religion, politics, and other backgrounds/beliefs. It creates a really impactful experience of human connection. The people she interviews are all so impressive. And, the production quality is chefs kiss, especially as the seasons continue. I cant get enough!
  • Rick Woodfork
    Outstanding Podcast!
    Great thought provoking insights into rural life. Awesome music and great production quality as well. It’s an awesome listen!
  • Finn6424
    Best podcast I’ve listened to!
    This is easily the best and most informative podcast I’ve ever listened to. It has a very high production quality with great background music. It has been so interesting to learn about rural community’s. Great job!
  • jessefaymes
    Beautiful telling of rare stories
    I love to see rural Montana represented in this complex and compelling style. A great glimse into a way of living that most people only know through sterotypes.
  • Bunny B!
    A necessary delight
    These stories are beautiful! Megan lovingly undoes urban and suburban assumptions about rural life and people. I grew up as the first generation in my family not working in some kind of rural context (although my family moved to a tiny amateur farm in Ridgefield, WA during my last couple years of high school). This project reminded me how much I love to be outside, away from crowds and being in deep relationship with land, water and the power of flora/fauna. Most of us city/town folk rely on rural labor everyday (food) but don’t really understand what it takes to work the land and be in tune with the cycles and seasons of farming. Much gratitude to this podcast for lifting up stories and building collective empathy.
  • DKMII
    A Great Listen!
    Transports you outside of suburbia, and into the America we all wish we were a part of!
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