THE SCOUTING LOUNGE
Representing conservatives progressively | Goosebumps, R.L. Stine & the ingenuity of the drama nerd | There's beef & then there's beef | A hand-me-down waterbed | Pain-point positives | Oct. 17, 2026 Nikki Gronli, Premier Playhouse's Emma Madeja & Oliver Mayes
U.S. House candidate Nikki Gronli joins Jonathan Ellis and Joe Sneve to discuss her campaign across South Dakota, the challenges facing rural communities and her approach to getting things done in Washington. The conversation covers local meat processing, physician residency funding, Social Security reform, bipartisan cooperation and what she's hearing from voters as she works to visit all 66 counties.
Then, Ellis and Sneve talk theater with Premiere Playhouse leaders Oliver Mayes and Emma Madeja, previewing Goosebumps the Musical and discussing the organization's history, upcoming productions and community education programs.
Episode highlights
00:05:45 — Nikki Gronli returns to The Scouting Lounge to discuss her congressional campaign and recent debate performance.
00:08:37 — Gronli talks about meeting voters at coffee shops, on main streets and across South Dakota.
00:10:09 — Her work with the USDA's Meat Processing Expansion Program and the push to expand local processing capacity.
00:13:12 — What smaller meat processing facilities could mean for cattle producers and rural communities, alongside the debate over large-scale operations such as Smithfield in Sioux Falls.
00:16:54 — A conversation with a Mitchell doctor prompts Gronli to discuss physician shortages and funding for medical residencies.
00:18:21 — The hosts discuss the University of South Dakota medical school's future and the possibility of a greater presence in Sioux Falls.
00:19:53 — Gronli's effort to visit all 66 counties, including a 1,400-mile campaign trip.
00:21:53 — Family life on the campaign trail, including a grandson eager to get his own yard sign.
00:29:31 — Gronli makes the case for building bipartisan relationships with lawmakers from neighboring states.
00:30:19 — Why she says Congress needs to get back to work, with discussion of federal budgeting and Social Security's long-term finances.
00:32:03 — Potential Social Security changes, including the payroll-tax income cap and corporate tax loopholes.
00:34:38 — The hosts and Gronli discuss the political climate, President Donald Trump's impact and the challenges facing Democratic candidates in South Dakota.
00:38:20 — Premiere Playhouse leaders Oliver Mayes and Emma Madea join the show to talk about Sioux Falls community theater.
00:39:35 — A preview of Goosebumps the Musical, running Oct. 30 through Nov. 8.
00:42:12 — What it takes to build sets, create costumes and bring a community theater production to the stage.
00:43:15 — The history of Sioux Empire Community Theater and its 2021 rebranding as the Premiere Playhouse.
00:46:49 — A look at upcoming productions, including Ghost the Musical, Rent, Jezebel and Dakota Skies.
00:50:58 — The Premiere Playhouse's education programs, from acting and voice lessons to playwriting workshops and creative wellness.
00:52:35 — Where to find show schedules, tickets and education opportunities at the Premiere Playhouse.
Subscribe to The Dakota Scout for independent South Dakota journalism and more episodes of The Scouting Lounge at thedakotascout.com. Check out all past episodes in tbe podcast archive.
In partnership with
Sound familiar?
Over 4 million people have had the same lightbulb moment.
Morning Brew is a free daily newsletter that breaks down what's happening in business, finance, and tech — clearly, quickly, and with enough personality to make it the best email in your inbox.
No yelling. No filler. Just the news, finally making sense.
