Living in McKenzie County
by The City of Watford City, North Dakota
Latest episode
Talking Healthcare with McKenzie Health
Talking Healthcare with McKenzie Health
About this podcast
Welcome to "Living in McKenzie County", an original content series brought to you by the City of Watford City and McKenzie County Economic Development.
In this series, join hosts Vawnita Best and Daniel Stenberg as we introduce you to those shaping our community through innovation, decision-making, and events. We'll explore the stories behind the people who are driving the growth in one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States during the 2010s.
McKenzie County, North Dakota, has been transformed by a revolutionary energy boom, but its roots run deep in agriculture and conservation. Today, it's a place where young families, longtime residents, and businesses can thrive, embracing the opportunities that this dynamic region has to offer.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 52 episodes
- Talking Healthcare with McKenzie Health · 1 h 37 min · Season 3 Episode 5In this episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast, host Vawnita Best is joined by McKenzie Health CEO Pete Edis, COO Leland Tong, and recruiter Jacob Davison to discuss…
- Workforce Development at the Bakken Area Skills Center · 1 h 16 min · Season 3 Episode 4Host Vawnita Best talks with Bakken Area Skills Center (BASC) leaders Diana Wilson, Julie Dragseth, and Scott Wisness about workforce development through work-based learning and…
- Homecoming Week in Watford City! · 58 min · Season 3 Episode 3Host Vawnita Best marks the 50th episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast by welcoming student council co-advisor Amy Polivka and student leaders Abby Ryberg, Clara…
- 4-H and the NDSU Extension Office · 1 h 13 min · Season 3 Episode 2In this episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast, Vawnita Best visits with McKenzie County NDSU Extension staff Ryan Odenbach, Shantell Dukart, and Kim Neprash. They…
- 100 years of Watford City Parks! · 1 h 36 min · Season 3 Episode 1Host Vawnita Best welcomes Watford City Park District Superintendent Robin Arndt, Rough Rider Center Director Sarah Fitzpatrick, and Park Board President Justin Johnsrud to kick…
- Building Community: Bakken MomCo & the Library · 39 min · Season 2 Episode 26Host Vawnita Best welcomes guests Irene Sealy, director of the McKenzie County Public Library, and Bakken MomCo leaders Emily Brown and Kat Hartel. They discuss McKenzie County…
- The Wolf Pack Booster Club · 50 min · Season 2 Episode 25Host Vawnita Best visits with guests Tim Fjeldahl, president of the Wolf Pack Booster Club, and Mitch Lunde, the new McKenzie County School District Athletic Director. They…
- Chamber of Commerce: Ribfest & More! · 1 h 0 min · Season 2 Episode 24In Season 2, Episode 24 of the Living in McKenzie County podcast, Vawnita Best sits down with Watford City Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Fish-Gumke, Lund Oil…
- From the 1980s Bust to Today's Shale Revolution · 1 h 42 min · Season 2 Episode 23How did McKenzie County keep the lights on in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s after the oil bust? Season 2, Episode 23 of the Living in McKenzie County podcast features community leaders…
- July Lineup: Events, Activities, & Homefest! · 47 min · Season 2 Episode 22Jessie Veeder-Scofield hosts this special episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast with guests Oksana Zvyagelskiy, Krystal Picklesimer, and Josh Nollmeyer to preview a…
- Let's Talk About Data Centers · 45 min · Season 2 Episode 21County Commissioners Howdy Lawlar and Craig Hystad, along with farmer and rancher Nathan Brenna and host Meghan Taunton recap an educational trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming with a…
- Williston Basin Petroleum Conference Recap & Industry Outlook · 1 h 20 min · Season 2 Episode 20Host Meghan Taunton welcomes McKenzie County Commissioner Joel Brown and North Dakota State Senator Dale Patten for a recap of the 2026 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in…
- Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Grand Opening! · 36 min · Season 2 Episode 19In the latest Living in Mckenzie County episode, Doug Bolken hosts Brock White with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation and Gretchen Stenehjem with the Theodore Roosevelt…
- Helping Your Business Thrive During Small Business Month · 53 min · Season 2 Episode 18In this episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast, host Meghan Taunton, McKenzie County Economic Development Director, welcomes Cyrena Weeks (Tri-County Regional…
- WCHS Students: The Programs & Initiatives Shaping Our Next Generation of Leaders · 1 h 26 min · Season 2 Episode 17Season 2, Episode 17 of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast features Watford City High School students as they share their experiences in leadership, Student Council, and…
- Signs of Spring: Golf Season & Sign Updates in Watford City · 1 h 17 min · Season 2 Episode 16In this episode of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast, host Vawnita Best is joined by City of Watford City staff including Tony Carmichael of Fox Hills Golf Course, Chief…
- Meet the Long X Development Team · 1 h 20 min · Season 2 Episode 15In this bonus episode of the Living in McKenzie County the Long X Development team explains how their shared work supports Watford City and all of McKenzie County. Team members…
- Planning McKenzie County's Future: A Look at Capital Improvement Plans · 1 h 13 min · Season 2 Episode 14This episode of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast features Watford City Engineer, Justin Smith, and McKenzie County Engineering Director, Grace Demars. They join host…
- NRCS and the Soil Conservation District · 1 h 7 min · Season 2 Episode 13In this episode of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast, host Vawnita Best welcomes Nikki Darrington with Natural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS), and Daniel Stenberg and…
- 2026 Watford City High School Hall of Fame Inductees! · 1 h 2 min · Season 2 Episode 12This episode of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast continues the February series on the Watford City High School Hall of Fame, featuring board members Brad Foss, Beau Wisness…
