In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Conrad Wendland, owner of the historic Hi-line Theater in Rudyard, Montana. From working on film sets in Los Angeles to returning home to farm and revive a beloved small-town movie theater, Conrad shares his incredible journey and passion for storytelling, community, and preserving rural Montana traditions. We talk about: The history of the Hi-line Theater Mystery Movie Wednesdays Fossil Fest in Rudyard The magic of movie theaters in small t...
Jun 8
52 min
🎙️ Bear With Us Podcast | MSU Northern, Morgan Hall & Building the Future Welcome back to Bear With Us, the podcast from Bear Paw Development where we highlight the people, projects, and partnerships shaping North Central Montana. In this episode, Julea is joined by guest co-host Stephanie Larson to talk all things MSU Northern—from student experiences to the powerful impact of investing in higher education. They sit down with Melanie Skoyen, Managing Director of the Northern Alumni Fou...
Apr 1
43 min
Rooted in Chinook, Growing in Havre & Blooming Where You're Planted: an Interview With Tomi Simenson
In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Tomi Simonson, owner of Shores Floral, to talk about what it really means to bloom where you’re planted 🌸 Rooted in Chinook and now growing into Havre, Tomi shares her journey from part-time employee to business owner, the leap of expanding into a second location, and the realities of entrepreneurship in rural Montana. From weddings and wildflowers to risk-taking and resilience, this conversation is full of heart, hustle, and Highline pride. ...
Feb 12
45 min
In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Montana State Senator Russ Tempel to talk about life in the legislature, advocating for rural communities, and the realities of representing one of the largest and most diverse districts in the state. From county commissioner to the Capitol, Senator Temple shares how decisions made in Helena ripple across the Hi-Line and North Central Montana. We dive into what a legislative session really looks like, the challenges rural lawmakers face, and ...
Jan 28
51 min
In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Whitley Nelson, the newly appointed town clerk for Fort Benton, to talk about her unexpected path into local government and what it’s really like behind the scenes at City Hall. From working in different cities and industries to landing back in Montana, Whitley shares how she found her way to Fort Benton, stepped into public service, and took on one of the most essential (and often misunderstood) roles in small-town government. We talk about ...
Jan 14
53 min
In this special episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Havre’s outgoing mayor, Doug Kaercher, and incoming mayor, Wade Bitz, for a candid conversation during a pivotal moment of leadership transition. Together, we reflect on where Havre has been, the challenges and accomplishments of recent years, and what lies ahead as the city enters its next chapter. Doug shares lessons learned from decades of public service, while Wade discusses what motivated him to step into the mayor’s role and what...
Jan 1
50 min
In this episode of Bear With Us, we dive into the heart of Havre’s new community brand and what it means to the people who call this place home. Joined by Karina Densmore of Havre Local, we read real community responses collected during the brand launch celebration—funny, heartfelt, nostalgic, and uniquely Havre. We talk about: ✨ The new “Stay for the Story” brand ✨ Favorite Havre memories and places ✨ Local events and hidden gems ✨ How community pride shows up every d...
Dec 10, 2025
52 min
Welcome to this special interview with John Morgan - where we dive deep into how we can rethink downtown Havre, lift up small businesses, and breathe new life into our community. In this episode, we talk about the big ideas behind the Havre Urban Renewal Plan: how TIF districts can unlock investment, the importance of façade improvements, why walkability and downtown safety matter, and the role local folks have in shaping our shared future. What we cover: · What an U...
Nov 30, 2025
59 min
What can you do with one dollar and a big dream? In this episode of Bear With Us, we talk with Kalyn Joyce, leader of of Spire Health, about how she and her team are transforming a vacant lot in Geraldine, Montana, into a new community wellness center. Kalyn shares her journey from idea to action — from growing up in a small town to coming home and creating a space that brings health, connection, and revitalization to her community. We discuss perseverance, rural pride, and what it takes to t...
Nov 5, 2025
37 min
In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Amy Revious, Bear Paw Development’s new Food and Agriculture Development Center (FADC) Director! Amy shares her journey from Bozeman to the Hi-Line, her passion for supporting rural communities, and her vision for strengthening Montana’s local food systems. From farm-to-school programs and agritourism to creative ways local producers can grow their businesses, Amy dives into the opportunities and challenges facing Montana’s food and ag sector—...
Oct 22, 2025
48 min
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