Where Community and Conversation Connect
Welcome to The Alliance Connection, the official podcast of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance. Each week, we bring you engaging conversations with the people, businesses, and organizations driving progress in Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa. Whether you're a local resident, business owner, or visitor looking to learn more about our thriving community, this podcast is your insider’s guide to everything that makes Fort Dodge a great place to live, work, and grow. New episodes drop on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.
🔍 What You’ll Discover on The Alliance Connection
Local Business Spotlights: Meet the entrepreneurs and innovators shaping our local economy.
Community Initiatives: Learn about exciting projects and partnerships enhancing quality of life.
Economic Development Updates: Stay informed on the latest news in job creation, infrastructure, and regional growth.
Events and Happenings: Get the scoop on can’t-miss events, festivals, and member programs.
Leadership Insights: Hear from city and county leaders, educators, and influencers making an impact.
Listen to the Alliance Connection Podcast
- #14 - Dr. Jesse Ulrich & Brady O'Brien | The Future of Learning at Iowa Central October 1, 2025Astra and Katy sit down with Dr. Jesse Ulrich and Brady O'Brien from Iowa Central Community College. They discuss upcoming events at Decker Auditorium, how ICCC shapes the Fort Dodge community, the upcoming November 4th vote, and more! 🔗 Follow Iowa Central Community College: Website: https://www.iowacentral.edu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iowacentral/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iowacentral/ X: https://www.twitter.com/IowaCentral TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iowacentral YouTube: […]
- #13 - Corey Jansen | Building in Fort Dodge: Baker Group Arrives September 17, 2025Katy sits down with Corey Jansen this week to discuss the arrival of Baker Group to Fort Dodge, their upcoming ribbon cutting, their involvement with GFDGA, and more! 🔗 Follow The Baker Group: Website: https://www.thebakergroup.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bakergroup63/ Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/baker-group X: https://www.twitter.com/bakergroup63 Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user122056763 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Buena Vista University - https://www.bvu.edu 🍎 […]
- #12 - Matt Johnson & Todd McCubbin | Inside the Better Way Project September 3, 2025Matt Johnson and Todd McCubbin of the Better Way Project stop by to discuss what the Better Way Project is, how it formed, how it aims to help our community, and much more! 🔗 Follow The Better Way Project: Website: https://www.betterwayproject.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBetterWayProject Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheBetterWayProject X: https://www.twitter.com/TheBetterWayFD YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLH04k7L0b1oTIHZWnL9JHw 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: […]
- #11 - Matt Johnson | Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Golf Outing 2025 August 20, 2025Matt Johnson joins Astra and Kamisha to discuss the 2025 Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Golf Outing, how the event has changed over the years, the networking opportunities available, fun games to play, prizes to be won, and more! 🛑 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Buena Vista University - https://www.bvu.edu 🗓️ Check Out the GFDGA […]
- #10 - Craig Schlienz | Downtown Country Jam 2025 August 6, 2025Craig Schlienz sits on the Shellabration board that organizes the annual Downtown Country Jam. We discuss how the first Downtown Country Jam came to be, the HUGE response for this year's concert, possible upcoming changes to the Downtown Country Jam, and more! 🗓️ Downtown Country Jam - Saturday, August 9th, 2025: Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1146199760326825 🎙️ Follow […]
- #9 - Leah Glasgo | Healthcare Leadership and Community Impact July 16, 2025Leah Glasgo is the President and CEO of UnityPoint in Fort Dodge, Iowa. We discuss her journey to becoming the President and CEO of UnityPoint, the services UnityPoint provides, being one of the region's largest employers, how UnityPoint stays up-to-date with changes in healthcare, and more! 🔗 Follow UnityPoint: Website: https://www.facebook.com/UnityPointHealth/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnityPointHealth/ X: https://www.twitter.com/UnityPointNews […]
- #8 - Debi Durham | The Vision Behind Iowa's Economic Momentum July 2, 2025Debi Durham, Iowa's Director of Economic Development Authority and Iowa's Finance Authority, stops by to discuss her journey, how Fort Dodge was recently named a Thriving Community, workforce attraction, targeted industries, and more! 🔗 Follow Iowa's Economic Development Authority: Website: https://opportunityiowa.gov/about/iowa-economic-development-authority Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iowaeconomicdevelopment/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iowa-economic-development-authority-ieda-/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/IowaEconomicDev 🔗 Follow Iowa's Economic Development Authority: Website: https://opportunityiowa.gov/about/iowa-finance-authority […]
- #7 - Julie Thorson & Jen Lane | Inside Friendship Haven: Senior Living with Heart in Fort Dodge June 18, 2025Julie Thorson (President/CEO) and Jen Lane (Director of Engagement) work at Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Astra and Katy sit down with them to discuss the history of Friendship Haven, the upcoming "Legacy Week", celebrating 75 years in our community, and more! 🔗 Follow Friendship Haven: Website: https://www.friendshiphaven.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendshipHavenFortDodge/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendshiphavenfd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/friendship-havenfd/ […]
- #6 - George Berger | Built to Move: Inside the World of Force America June 4, 2025George Berger works at Force America in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Astra and Katy discuss how Force America came to be, how it has changed over the years, their upcoming relocation in Fort Dodge, being employee-owned, and much more! 🔗 Follow Force America: Website: https://forceamerica.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forceamerica YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forceamericainc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/force-america/ X: https://x.com/forceamerica 🛑 Special Thanks […]
- #5 - Terry Allers | 2025 GFDGA Ambassador of the Year Award Winner May 21, 2025Terry Allers is the owner of Allers Associates Architects, PC in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Terry is also the winner of the 2025 Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Ambassador of the Year Award. Astra and Katy sit down with Terry to discuss how it felt to win the award, what drives Terry to support his local […]