In this special no-guest episode, Julea and Sara flip the script and put themselves in the hot seat! From bear-themed personality icebreakers to rapid-fire questions, they share their quirks, weird talents, and unpopular food opinions (celery lovers, beware).

You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories about their first impressions of each other, favorite past podcast guests, small-town adventures, and the unique work they do in community and economic development. Plus, they dish on their current obsessions, future plans, and some hilarious “only in Montana” moments.

Whether you’re here for the laughs, the small-town charm, or just to find out what bear you might be, this episode is pure unscripted fun.

🎧 Listen now and tell us in the comments: What kind of bear are YOU?

#BearWithUs #Podcast #SmallTownLife #Montana #CommunityDevelopment #BehindTheScenes #PodcastHosts

In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Joette Woods—Liberty County Commissioner and current president of the Montana Association of Counties (MACo). From her early days as an EMT to her current role representing rural Montana on state and national stages, Joette shares what it's really like to serve in local government. We talk about small-town resilience, the challenge of budgeting with limited resources, why listening matters, and how to lift others up without needing credit. This one’s full of heart and Hi-line wisdom.

In this episode, Julea and Sara sit down with Kati Purkett from the Hill County MSU Extension Office to explore the powerhouse behind local youth development—4-H—and all the incredible programs the Extension office offers. From food safety classes and culinary education to youth mental health, livestock projects, and the Great Northern Fair, Kati shares how Extension touches nearly every corner of our community.

We also dive into the beloved 4-H Chuck Wagon, what goes into raising animals for auction, why MontGuides are a hidden gem, and how to rent one of the best event spaces in town. Whether you're a fair junkie, former 4-Her, or just curious about rural community life, this episode is packed with stories, laughs, and local pride.

🐷 🐮 🍟 Come for the cheese fries, stay for the impact.

Find Hill County MSU Extension on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSUHillCountyExtension/

Want to learn more about the Extension Office? Check out their website!

https://www.montana.edu/extension/hill/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLkrnFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0OFBjZFNGVDJ0UFBwTjBVAR5cT74YR4gQxAvL5K0bkBDlqf1djNJHWo9hlEhB4TOSJ5bEC8WdDX3HKzqYgg_aem_KAzBN1uQwkwpDMJt5mNJAQ

In this episode of Bear With Us, we’re joined by Heather DePriest, Board President of Chinook’s Friends of the Pool and Park. Heather shares how her kids bringing home a literal piece of the town pool kickstarted a major community project. From that moment on, she and a dedicated group of volunteers have been working hard to save and upgrade Chinook’s beloved pool and park. We talk about their big goals, the challenges of pool funding (spoiler: it’s tough), and their upcoming BrewFest fundraiser—complete with beer, music, and good vibes. If you love small towns doing big things, this one’s for you.

For tickets to Brewfest, info on the foundation or to make a donation, please visit https://chinookfriends.org/ or connect with them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/friendsfoundationchinook

In this premiere episode of Bear With Us we sit down with the Executive Director of Bear Paw Development, Paul Tuss, to discuss his journey from small-town Opportunity boy to legislative powerhouse.