Montana’s Fear of "California-Style Zoning" Spurs Reform

Grappling with a recent housing crisis, Montanans are having to reckon with a new reality: that they’re where LA was at 100 years ago, and they’ll have to reform their zoning codes if they want to avoid becoming LA in the future.

Mere's Magic Universe and Tea

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller connects with a new community and its residents through exploring downtown and some local businesses.

The Block Party

This Sunday, a Strong Towns member invites our Neighborhood Storyteller to see how his neighborhood alliance is building community…with a block party!

Burned Into Memory: Community Building in a Remote Fire Tower?

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller gets an unexpected—and delighted—visitor at her fire lookout tower.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenJuly 26, 2022neighborhood storyteller, community, children, montana

A Different Kind of Neighborhood

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller has set out to rejoin an old community of hers—one suspended in towers 8,000 feet above sea level.

A Love Letter to the Farm Share

Our Neighborhood Storyteller’s local farm share has given her access not only to great food, but to great friends, as well.

The Artist Date

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller explores the important joy of simply being in public amongst one’s community members.

Searching for Mr. Stavros

A small house, framed by lilacs, in a walkable neighborhood—and the charm of sharing that space with a neighbor who seems to always be out and about.

Gone with the Wind

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller is doing what she can to improve her neighborhood—even if Montana’s weather doesn’t want to cooperate.

Sew Much to Learn

This community ed teacher shares an important lesson about iterating to success: starting with something imperfect now and working your way toward perfection.

I Found My People...in a Completely Different Town

When a community is strong, it can make even an “outsider” feel welcome.

Sharing the Love in Downtown Missoula

Valentine’s Day never inspired our Neighborhood Storyteller…until she was recruited one year to write poems for total strangers in her community.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenFebruary 15, 2022neighborhood storyteller, montana, community, arts

In for the Night

Two neighbors share a small moment of connection through their plans—or lack thereof—on New Year’s Eve.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenJanuary 11, 2022neighborliness, neighborhood storyteller, montana, pets

"A Nurse and a Writer Walk Into a Bar in Montana..."

Say hello to Strong Towns’ new Neighborhood Storyteller, Karla Theilen!

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenJanuary 4, 2022montana, neighborhood storyteller

The Typewriter Mailbox: Small Ways to Bring Joy to a Neighborhood

This house came with a unique instruction: “Change the mailbox message every week, or people will get upset.”

Top StoryKarla TheilenDecember 10, 2021neighborliness, community, montana, neighborhoods

Musselshell Watershed: Centered on the Next Generation

The generational ranch model has been wobbling since WWII, but here's how one small community in Montana is keeping grazing land as working lands, as well as bolstering opportunities for young producers.

Top StorySamuel WesternJune 3, 2021resource trap, RBC Series, series, montana, rural, agriculture, success stories, community

Big Horn County, Montana: Leaving Coal Behind

Natural resources have been a mixed bag for Big Horn County, Montana, but local Crow (Apsáalooke) leaders are working to turn the narrative around.

Top StorySamuel WesternJune 2, 2021resource trap, RBC Series, montana, community, education, tourism, series

"Not for Camera View"

An urban photographer reflects on the reactions he got when he started capturing what the American urban landscape is really like—parking lots, declining neighborhoods, tract homes, and all.