147 | Blessings & Bullsh*t – The Top 5 Best & Worst Parts of Small Town Living with Haley Gradert

Small town life: it’s peaceful and isolating. Sacred and frustrating. Full of deep roots and outdated norms. In this episode, I’m joined by my internet-turned-real-life soul sister, Haley Gradert, for a no-filter, heart-wide-open conversation about what it actually looks like to live, work, raise kids, and chase dreams in rural, agricultural communities.

We love where we live. But we also have some things to say about it.

We showed up with a list of our top 5 best and worst things about small town life... and as you can imagine, we didn’t exactly stick to the script. From grocery store grievances to childcare deserts, soul-level quiet to the ache of raising kids in a community that doesn’t always reflect your values—we cover it all with laughter, honesty, and a few spicy footnotes.

This one’s for the woman who loves her small town and questions it. Who feels deeply rooted and deeply restless. If you’ve ever felt like you belong—and don’t quite fit—you are so seen here.

What We Cover:

• How two women from Florida & Illinois ended up in ag and rural life
• Small town clout wars (how tiny is your town?!)
• Petty grievances: sad restaurants, bad takeout, no gluten-free options
• Navigating childcare, healthcare, and mental health deserts
• The magic (and challenge) of slow, quiet country life
• Safety, connection, and community in rural spaces
• Raising kind, inclusive kids in homogeneous environments
• Unlearning hustle culture, toxic masculinity, and rigid norms
• Rethinking faith, politics, and identity
• Why loving your town doesn’t mean you can’t challenge it

Connect with Haley:

• Website: thetoughlovesociety.com
• Instagram: @toughlovehaley
• Threads: @toughlovehaley

Connect with Emily:

• Instagram: @emilyreuschel
• Facebook: Emily Reuschel
• LinkedIn: Emily Reuschel
• Website: emilyreuschel.com

If you found yourself nodding along, laughing out loud, or feeling seen in all the best ways—don't keep it to yourself. Subscribe, leave a review, and send this episode to your ride-or-die rural bestie (or the one who still thinks Casey’s pizza counts as fine dining).

Your support helps us keep having real, hilarious, heart-expanding conversations like this—and brings more women into the kind of community we all deserve.

Resources and Links:

• Sign up here to get the inside scoop to my book writing journey!
• Interested in sponsoring Gather in Growth? Apply here
• Book me as a speaker for your next event - email inquiries to [e-mail] or schedule a call here
• Gather in Growth Podcast Production – Produced by Jill Carr Podcasting |