'Tis the Season for Community
In this episode of The Hot Dish, hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp announce the 2025 Rural Champion Awards before highlighting the Christmas Spirit of Kellie Smith, a small-town entrepreneur from Perham, Minnesota. Kellie shares her inspiring story of creating a community space for those in need during the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of leadership and community support in rural areas. The conversation also touches on the significance of traditions and the spirit of giving in small towns.
Join us on The Hot Dish every week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country. The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.
Join us on The Hot Dish every week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country. The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.
- (00:00) - Celebrating Rural Champions
- (01:18) - Introducing Community Hero Kelly Smith
- (03:25) - The Heart of Perham: A Small Town's Spirit
- (04:19) - Creating a Community Giving Tree
- (07:28) - Community Response and Support
- (09:38) - Breaking Barriers: Accessing Help
- (12:48) - Unity in Diversity: Bridging Divides
- (14:22) - Inspiring Neighboring Towns
- (15:39) - Leadership in Rural Development
- (16:33) - Encouraging Community Involvement
- (19:16) - Christmas Traditions and Family Memories
- (28:25) - Creating Lasting Memories Over Material Gifts
Creators and Guests
Host
Heidi Heitkamp
U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp served as the first female senator elected from North Dakota from 2013 – 2019. he is the founder and Chair of the One Country Project, an organization focused on addressing the needs and concerns of rural America. Heidi was recently named the Director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, a university she has long been committed to and a place where she enjoys engaging with students over civic discussions while encouraging them to seek opportunities in public service to our country. Heidi also serves as a contributor to both CNBC and ABC News.
Host
Joel Heitkamp
He is an multi-award winning talk show host both regionally and nationally. Before radio, he served in the North Dakota Senate from 1995-2008.
Guest
Kellie Smith
Born and raised on a Colorado ranch, Kellie Smith followed her lifelong passion for service and creativity to Minnesota, where she now brings people together through thoughtful community-driven projects. A florist and event coordinator, she considers herself a curator of experiences designed to spark connection and joy. Guided by a belief in leading with “yes,” Kellie strives to create spaces—both big and small—that leave people feeling seen, supported, and uplifted.
