𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Cat Hoth and Anne Landers from Junior Achievement of Arizona to explore Money in Motion, a mobile financial-literacy simulation built specifically for rural and tribal communities. This hands-on experience brings budgeting, critical thinking, and real-world decision-making directly to students—from 3rd grade all the way through high school.
Cat and Anne detail how the simulation travels to even the most remote communities to deliver an immersive lesson on managing money, navigating wants vs. needs, planning for adulthood, and understanding future careers. They also share stories of student “aha!” moments, community partnerships, volunteer involvement, workforce implications, and what they hope the long-term impact will be for rural learners.
This episode is a rich look at how one mobile program is sparking real conversations around money, opportunity, and the “rural advantage” of tight-knit communities rallying behind their schools.
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬:
00:00 Introduction to Financial Literacy for Rural Families
02:13 Meet the Experts: Kat and Ann's Journey with Junior Achievement
04:59 The Impact of Hands-On Financial Education
10:28 A Day in the Life: Money in Motion Simulation
18:03 Adapting Financial Literacy for Different Age Groups
26:53 Impact of Financial Literacy Programs on Schools
27:29 Heartwarming Feedback from Schools and Families
29:31 Building on a Strong Foundation
30:44 Long-term Benefits and Strategic Partnerships
33:41 Challenges of Serving Rural and Tribal Communities
39:22 Community Engagement and Volunteer Impact
43:09 Connecting Financial Literacy to Workforce Development
46:15 How to Bring Financial Literacy Programs to Your School
51:01 The Rural Advantage and Final Thoughts
𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
This episode highlights how immersive, real-world financial literacy can transform the way rural and tribal students understand their futures. Through JA’s Money in Motion, kids practice budgeting, evaluating needs vs. wants, planning for families, and envisioning career paths—all within their own school gym.
Cat and Anne remind us that rural communities have a unique advantage: deep relationships, strong community bonds, and the agility to innovate quickly. When these strengths meet real-world learning experiences, powerful things happen for students.
Whether you’re a rural educator, school leader, or community partner, this conversation offers inspiration and practical insight into bringing relevant, meaningful financial education to your students.

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Alissa Hanrahan, principal in Chattooga County Schools (GA), to get real about what school safety actually looks like in rural districts today.
Alissa takes us far beyond hardware, handbooks, and compliance checklists. She opens the door to the daily culture work of safety—emotional intelligence, self-regulation, relationship capital, simple routines, and clear communication that holds when the pressure is highest.
Together, they explore threat assessment practices, mental health realities, crisis-ready routines, partnerships that fill resource gaps, and the emotional load leaders carry long after the event is over. If you're a rural school leader—or love someone who is—this episode is a must-listen.
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬:
00:00 Introduction to Rural School Leadership
01:35 Alyssa Hanrahan's Journey into School Safety
03:36 Building Relationships for School Safety
04:51 Effective School Safety Practices
10:08 Challenges in Rural School Safety
12:13 Addressing Mental Health in Rural Schools
19:09 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Crisis Management
22:31 Innovative Partnerships for Student Support
26:07 Evolving Understanding of Emotional Intelligence
27:52 Gathering and Acting on Feedback
28:41 Modeling Calm and Clarity for Safety
30:27 Identifying and Mitigating Risks
33:26 Effective Communication During Crises
35:42 Designing and Messaging Drills
37:23 Reunification Plans and Challenges
40:14 Maximizing Safety Dollars
42:35 Indicators of a Safe School Culture
45:06 Emerging Trends and Risks
48:52 The Rural Advantage
𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
This episode with Alissa Hanrahan offers a grounded, inside look at the real work of school safety in rural communities. Rather than focusing on equipment alone, Alissa pushes us toward the systems and habits that create security long before a crisis—relationships, emotional regulation, clear structures, human-centered partnerships, and honest feedback.
Her message is clear: 𝑹𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒓𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉, 𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒖𝒏𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅.
If you’re revising your safety plan, leading in a rural place, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is a powerful guide to building a culture that holds on your worst day.

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
In this inspiring episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Beth Benedix, a professor emerita, nonprofit founder, and producer of the documentary North Putnam. Together, they explore the intersection of rural schools, community identity, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Beth shares the surprising journey that led her into filmmaking, how her nonprofit The Castle shaped the documentary’s approach, and why North Putnam School District became the heart of this story. She reflects deeply on rural dynamics, culture building, the importance of relationship-driven education, and why rural communities hold powerful advantages in today’s polarized climate.
Whether you're a rural educator, community leader, or advocate, this conversation offers practical insight, hope, and a blueprint for strengthening school–community partnerships.
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬:
00:00 Introduction to The Rural Scoop
01:38 Meet Beth Benedicts: Educator, Author, and Film Producer
01:49 The Inspiration Behind the Documentary
04:59 Choosing North Putnam: A Case Study Approach
07:12 Beth's Rural Community Experience
10:24 Surprises and Insights from Filming
13:31 Interdependence of Schools and Communities
19:14 Culture Building in Rural Schools
22:24 Defying Deficit Narratives in Rural Education
27:23 Practical Impact and Action Steps
32:34 The Castle's Mission and Partnerships
45:09 Hope for the Future of Rural Education
46:46 The Rural Advantage: Relationships and Community
48:37 Conclusion and Call to Action
𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
This episode reminds us that rural schools are not isolated institutions—they are community epicenters. Through Beth’s experiences producing North Putnam, we see how intentional relationships, authentic storytelling, and asset-based thinking can shift narratives about rural education.
Listeners are encouraged to take this episode back to their teams and ask:
“What would it look like for our town to show up for its kids in new ways this year?”
Then choose just one step—and begin.
Rural advantage is not geography.
It’s belonging, shared responsibility, and the everyday decision to see each student clearly.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐡 & 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞:
Beth’s LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-benedix-48a4948/
The Castle
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecastlearts/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecastlearts/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.castle.community/
Website: https://www.castlearts.org/
The Stories from North Putnam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551043263950
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_stories_from_north_putnam/