Rural Reach, Urban Roots: Two Sides, One Engine

In this episode of Paths to Prosperity, Crystal Froese interviews Christopher Brown, creator and host of Cross Border Interviews and Municipal Affairs.

Christopher draws on insights from hundreds of conversations he has had with community leaders, elected officials, and economic development professionals across Canada, sharing his perspective on the narratives that are shaping communities and things that are holding them back.

This conversation explores how communities depend on one another for success, and what opportunities emerge when we move beyond outdated thinking, challenge assumptions, and Christopher offers a fresh and informed perspective.

Is the urban-versus-rural debate distracting us from the real opportunity?

Paths to Prosperity is a platform for exploring how communities can build resilient, inclusive, and future‑ready economies.

Through thought leadership, practical insights, and conversations with leaders from across Saskatchewan and beyond, Paths to Prosperity examines the forces shaping local and regional economies—and the choices communities can make to navigate change with confidence.

Our focus is on what works, what’s emerging, and what leaders should be thinking about now.

To go deeper on the ideas shaping Saskatchewan’s future, https://seda.ca/about/paths-to-prosperity/ for more podcasts, thought leadership, and resources from the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance.

Why Saskatchewan’s Urban and Rural Economies Rise Together

Listen in as Crystal Froese explores the myth of “urban versus rural,” taking a closer look at how Saskatchewan’s economy actually functions — and how many of our systems are still designed in ways that separate communities instead of aligning their strengths.

Saskatchewan already has one of its greatest advantages: a strong culture of collaboration, deep connections between communities, and a shared interest in long-term prosperity.

Through a thoughtful exploration of growth, collaboration, and regional interdependence, this episode challenges outdated thinking and reflects on what Saskatchewan could achieve when communities move forward together — asking an important question...

Is Saskatchewan missing an opportunity hiding in plain sight?

Paths to Prosperity is a platform for exploring how communities can build resilient, inclusive, and future‑ready economies.

Through thought leadership, practical insights, and conversations with leaders from across Saskatchewan and beyond, Paths to Prosperity examines the forces shaping local and regional economies—and the choices communities can make to navigate change with confidence.

Our focus is on what works, what’s emerging, and what leaders should be thinking about now.

To go deeper on the ideas shaping Saskatchewan’s future, https://seda.ca/about/paths-to-prosperity/ for more podcasts, thought leadership, and resources from the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance.

We invest in roads.
We invest in buildings.
We invest in infrastructure.

What if we treated capacity the same way?

In a province where one person can be the CAO, economic development officer, planner, grant writer, and crisis manager all at once, capacity is no longer a “soft” issue. It is core economic infrastructure.

In this episode of Paths to Prosperity, Crystal Froese has a conversation with Brenda Herchmer—community builder, systems thinker, and founder of the Campus for Communities of the Future.

Brenda has spent decades working across local government, post-secondary, and social purpose organizations, helping communities move from siloed thinking to connected ecosystems. She’s led national-recognized initiatives, co-chaired global networks like CatalystNow, and authored multiple books focused on leadership and systems change.

Brenda Herchmer will also be speaking at the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance Summit: “From Silos to Systems: Connecting the Dots to Local & Provincial Prosperity”
📅 October 27–28, 2026
🔗 https://seda.ca/2026-provincial-summit/

In this episode they unpack:

Why good ideas stall—even when funding exists
The real reason communities are stuck in “heroics” instead of sustainable delivery
And what it actually looks like to treat communities as ecosystems, not silos.

Paths to Prosperity is a platform for exploring how communities can build resilient, inclusive, and future‑ready economies.

Through thought leadership, practical insights, and conversations with leaders from across Saskatchewan and beyond, Paths to Prosperity examines the forces shaping local and regional economies—and the choices communities can make to navigate change with confidence.

Our focus is on what works, what’s emerging, and what leaders should be thinking about now.

To go deeper on the ideas shaping Saskatchewan’s future, https://seda.ca/about/paths-to-prosperity/ for more podcasts, thought leadership, and resources from the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance.