A Pitch for Building Community with Will Bardenwerper

Episode 104. In this episode, Kate sits down with author Will Bardenwerper to talk about baseball. Now, before you think this doesn’t tie in to some of the major themes we’ve been exploring on the podcast—think again. Will’s new book ‘Homestand: Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America’ is a love letter to small towns, communities, and coming together to build friendship and camaraderie across generations, political ideologies, and classes in “third places” like small town baseball stadiums. Will lays out what is happening to minor league baseball and the small towns that have housed teams for decades as private equity firms gobble them up, what happens when AI takes over scouting, and when concessions are just a click away on an iPhone. Kate and Will tug at themes around community, efficiency, and loneliness. This story of consolidation and small town triumph will be familiar to listeners who have found similar themes across agriculture, manufacturing, and so much more.&nbsp;Find Will:&nbsp;Homestand: Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America by Will BardenwerperInstagram: @willbardenwerperX: @wbardenwerperWebsiteResources Mentioned:Bowling Alone by Robert PutnamFront Porch Republic&nbsp;Related Episodes:Episode 75: Building an Agriculture We Can Live In with Cole MannixEpisode 88: Weaving a New Vision for American Manufacturing and Small Town Resilience with Steven KurutzEpisode 96: The Complexity of Simplicity with Jill WingerSponsored By:REDMOND REAL SALTMine to Table Salt from Utah, Redmond Real Salt is packed full of 60+ Trace Minerals and is a staple in my kitchen. Find their salt, Re-Lyte Hydration Powder, and so much more here. Use code MINDBODYSOIL_15 for 15% off!redmond.lifeFIELD COMPANY CAST IRONUSA made cast iron. Light, thin bottomed, and smooth - just like vintage cast iron. My go to for everything from small skillets to big dutch ovens.&nbsp;fieldcompany.com/kate_kavanaughBAHÉ FOOTWEARBarefoot, zero-drop, gorgeous running shoes, sandals, and hiking boots that are grounded. Meaning you can reap all the benefits of the electron flow from earth to your body while you’re getting in your steps. Use the code ‘Kate10’ for 10% off.&nbsp;Support the Podcast:<a href="https://katekavanaugh.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...