Uncovering Kansas

Today, I’m talking with Joseph Shephard from Lead for America, a national organization founded by a Kansan and headquartered in Wichita. Lead for America’s tag line is Start Where You Live – and of course I have to learn more about any organization that is trying to keep Kansans in Kansas. I thought this episode was going to be about Lead for America, but it is just as much about highlighting a young Kansan who is out there every day doing work that makes a difference for Kansas and our nation. Kansas is lucky to call my guest today a Kansan. Although he wasn’t born here, he has fully embraced us and is making a difference in our state. If you leave this episode without being inspired, I’ll be very surprised. Joseph’s story is one of overcoming challenges and odds, being supported by a community, and taking all of this and turning into the best possible version of himself. Show Notes: Lead for America website Director of National Service – Scott McFarland Director of Recruitment – Meghan Carver What You’ll Learn in this Episode ● What is digital equality and inclusion? What is the mission of Lead for America How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

You may have noticed that this month’s episode is a little shorter than normal. That’s because it didn’t start out as an episode. The Kansas Turnpike Authority contacted us about doing a public service announcement about a change they are making in July. They want to get the word out and thought our podcast would be a good avenue for that. So, the plan was to record the PSA and then include it in the introduction of a couple of episodes. But, at the end of the conversation I had with Steve Hewitt, the CEO of the KTA, I thought it was such an interesting conversation that it should be its own episode. And, so here we are. This month, you are going to learn about the upcoming change to our turnpike system – we are going cashless in Kansas – but you’ll also get a bit of the behind the scenes of how the turnpike system works. Show Notes: Kansas Turnpike website Cashless Tolling website BoredRoom Blues (song by Geoff) What You’ll Learn in this Episode ● Kansas Turnpike is moving to cashless payments in July 2024 ● History of the Kansas Turnpike ● Behind the scenes of the Kansas Turnpike

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Conner Hampton, Executive Director of Flagship Kansas Tech, an organization who’s mission is to propel the tech sector within the state through continuous efforts in awareness, education, and the workforce. Flagship Kansas website Ad Astra Summit website Episode: Goodland Tech Dare to do Dirt - podcast with Rolf Potts and Marci Penner What You’ll Learn in this Episode About the mission of Flagship Kansas About the state of technology in the Kansas education system About the Ad Astra conference How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

In my day job, I’ve been working in the software industry for going on 10 years, and so when I hear business incubator, my mind immediately pictures a room full of developers in hoodies with headphones on typing away in the dark at a computer. But today, you and I are going to learn about a different type of business incubator in Kansas - a business incubator for wineries. We also talk with a couple who have recently started their own vineyard and are working with the incubator to launch their first wines. You are going to learn a lot about the Kansas Wine industry in this episode! Show Notes: 456 Winery Valley Trails Winery Facebook Page Highland Community College Viticulture and Enology program What You’ll Learn in this Episode About the emerging wine industry in Kansas About a business incubator that focuses on incubating wineries The types of grapes that grow well in Kansas The difference between viticulture and enology How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

We’ve interviewed several authors over the years on Uncovering Kansas. And, through that process I met my guests today, Tracy Million Simmons owner and publisher of Meadowlark books and Cheryl Unruh (un roo) a well known, prolific writer who is also the editor of the 105 Meadowlark Reader, a Kansas Journal of Creative Nonfiction. When I first heard about Meadowlark Books, I was excited to hear that we have a publisher in Kansas focused on Kansas authors. As you know, my goal is to help Kansans learn more about our state, a great way to do that is to read books published by Kansas authors. I’ve got to wrap up this introduction and get on with the show so that I can start working on my next submission for the 105 project….. Find Links to the show notes at Uncovering Kansas How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

In this episode, I’m going to take you behind the scenes to see what it is like to be responsible for the travel and tourism bureau for a city in Kansas. My guest is Julie Roller Weeks, the Director of Abilene Convention and Visitor's Bureau. What You’ll Learn in this Episode A behind the scenes look at the role of a Director of Tourism and Vistors Bureau That the Eisenhower Library is one of 14 Presidential Libraries National Archives and Records Administration Eisenhower is the 34th president from the 34th state How Abilene became the home of the world’s largest belt buckle How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

There are 1,200 Master Gardeners in the State of Kansas. But in June, there will be Master Gardeners from across the country coming to Kansas for their conference. Ever wonder what the best tomatoes are to grow in Kansas? Or how to manage Japanese Beetles. Well all of these things have one thing in common: the K-State Extension office. One of the things we like to highlight on the podcast is events that bring in people from outside of Kansas. Whether drawing from other states across the US or pulling in people from other countries, these events are not only good for the Kansas economy, they are a chance for us to show off our state, teach people about who we are as Kansans, and hopefully do a little bit of stereotype busting. In June, Overland Park will be hosting the International Master Gardener Conference for 2023. My guest today is Dennis Patton, a Horticulturist with the Johnson County Extension office. Dennis is also one of the chairs for the Conference, along with 2 other dedicated gardeners who are volunteers. Links from the Show Notes: International Master Gardener Conference website Events open to the public To learn more about becoming a Master Gardener: search for your county + extension office to see if your local county has a program. Episode 0504: Monarch WatchEpisode 0209: Kaw Valley Farm Tour What You’ll Learn in this Episode: What is a Master Gardener What training is needed to become a Master Gardener What is the International Gardener Conference? What are the events that are open to the public at the International Gardener Conference What is the Kansas Extension program How do you access Kansas Extension programs How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

If you are a cyclist, you already know what Unbound Gravel is. If not, today, I’m going to take you into the world of cyclists and how Emporia Kansas has created an event that draws people from 45 different countries. I love to highlight how Kansans make their visions come true. Today’s episode is a great example of a small group of people who came together around their passion for cycling in the flint hills. Fast forward 17 years, and now Unbound Gravel brings in 4,000 riders the weekend after Labor Day. My guests today are Ben Sachs is the Race Director and Kristi Mohn is the Marketing Manager. You’ll hear how Kristi has been involved with the event from the beginning and Ben since early on and it is a great conversation to understand how the event got started, and what it has become today. I was really interested to hear what it takes to plan the event, and especially the routes for the races. The other thing that was so interesting to me is how the towns along the way participate. As Ben says - hope to see you at the Finish Line! Show Notes: Unbound Gravel website Dynamic Discs Episode Volunteer with Unbound Gravel What You’ll Learn in this Episode What is Unbound Gravel? How Unbound Gravel started How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

Setting Kansas up to succeed in the future means diversifying into industries that have not traditionally been associated with our state. In today’s episode, you are going to learn about a Goodland company that is doing just that. I like to highlight Kansas companies that are having an impact outside of Kansas. Today’s guest is not only doing that, but they are also working to change some of the fundamental issues that we are currently facing in Kansas. We are losing people to other states because of jobs. We are unable to fill all of the jobs we have in Kansas because of lack of the correct skills. We are in the process of transitioning into a state with a vibrant technology industry. GoodlandTech is a Kansas company that is addressing all of these huge challenges at once with their business model. My guest today is Ben Coumerilh, one of the founders of Goodland Tech. I met Ben at the Ad Astra Technology conference back in September in Wichita and was grateful that he agreed to be a guest. I always enjoy my conversations with our guests, but this one is really close to my heart because we talk about a topic I’m passionate about. I hope you enjoy it as well. Show Notes: Goodland Tech website Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center website Northwest Kansas Technical College Building a Bookshelf website Contact Geoff here What You’ll Learn in this Episode About Kansas business Goodland Tech What a workforce development company does About Building a Bookshelf How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

We are going to time travel in today’s episode. My guest, Ann Anderson is the author of Posts of a Mid-Century Kid, a memoir about 1950s and 60s Kansas. Today’s episode is as much about our ability to be present and appreciate what we have - in all aspects of life - as it is an episode about Kansas. There are so many quotes from Ann in this episode that I would love to pull out and put on a t-shirt. I am certain that one of them will make an impression on you - leave you with goosebumps. Show Notes Ann’s Website Ann’s Facebook Page Posts of a Mid-Centry Kid - link to Bookshop.org where you can buy the book and support a Kansas bookshop at the same time Topeka Kansas Lake Shawnee What You’ll Learn in this Episode About Author Ann Anderson and her book Posts of a Mid-Century KidAbout Topeka Kansas circa 1950s and 1960sWhat to do outdoors in TopekaPopular 1950s recipes How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

I’m trying to help the Kansas Office of Broadband get the word out about the Federal Communications Commission broadband funding deadline that is January 13 2023. It requires that you take action by the 13th to help ensure that Kansas get the appropriate allocation of Federal funding to invest in high-speed internet. The funding will be based on a map that determines what portion of each state has access to broadband. The issue is that the map is not always accurate. What the Kansas Broadband Office is asking all Kansans to do is to make sure you are accurately represented on the map. The reason is that the FCC shows KS at ~5% unserved. We are more likely closer to 15% unserved, and that difference will have a direct negative impact on the dollars we receive … potentially 100’s of millions of dollars! We can challenge/change this map, but it will take a strategic concerted effort across the state and through our networks. So - here is what you need to do: Go tohttps://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/challenge/It has all of the instructions. But, I got some information from Morgan Barnes with the Office of Broadband Development that may be helpful.When you get to the map, you are going to check your location to make sure your house or location has the service location pin in the right space. Some places have shown outbuildings or barns as points of access. When looking at your internet service provided. Review the list of broadband providers and services. If you are unable to access the speeds or services listed, click the Availability Challenge link. If you find that either of these things is wrong on the map, you’ll want to click on the link for “Location Challenge” or ‘Availability Challenge” depending on what the issue is. The other way you can help is to get the word out. Please tell your family, friends and neighbors About this and ask them to take action. And, if you have older relatives who that may not feel comfortable using site you can help complete this challenge. Again, the deadline for making challenges to the map is January 12th 2023 so time is of the essence here. Websites: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/challenge/ Broadbandmap.fcc.gov

We’ve reached the last episode of the year, and today I’m talking with Branden Dross, the City Manager for the city of Herington Kansas. I have been interested for a while in better understanding what the role of a city manager is, and so I took the opportunity to learn more for myself while sharing what I learn with you. That is the best part of having a podcast. When I want to know more about something, I can do that, record it, and share it with you. So, I hope you walk away from this episode with a better understanding about what a city manager is, what its like to run a city, and more about Herington Kansas, a small town on Hwy 56 west of Council Grove and Hwy 77 south of Junction City. Show Notes Herington Kansas Bookshop.org What You’ll Learn in this Episode What the role of the city manager isAbout Herington KansasAbout the Flint Hills Trails expansionThat people fly into the Herington airport to eat at the restaurant thereAbout the revitalization plans for the WPA era pool and bath house How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

My guest today, Joe Summers describes Guerilla Art like this - you make a thing and put it out into the world for people to find. Joe works with his students and children to create robot sculptures that they then take to different locations around the state and leave behind for someone to find. This episode is about Joe and his robot art program, but it turns out to be a travel episode as well because Joe covers so many Kansas towns and sites as part of his program. Rules for leaving robot art in the world: At least an hour from the houseNobody could see youDrop off is a place that is arts focusedAttach a note to them Go get breakfast at a local restaurant Get to Know a Kansan Linn CountyChanute KansasLawrence KansasMass Street Soda ShopLucus KansasGoodland Kansas- Giant Van Gogh paintingOriginal Jayhawkers How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

Today I’m joined by Shelley O’Brien and Mary Boller, two Kansans working in the State’s library system. Reading is my primary hobby - I’m currently sitting at 76 books read so far in 2022 - so as you can imagine, this episode is going to be one I remember for a long time. What I’m hoping you take away from today’s episode is what my guest, Mary Boller says - that libraries have become the hub of the community. If you still think that libraries are just about books, you need to get out to your local branch and see what has changed. Supporting our local Kansas libraries is a great way to support our local communities. So, I’m hoping you find out something you didn’t know, and that we maybe spark something new for you today. Show Notes Northwest Kansas Library System Northeast Kansas Library System 7 regional library systems Golf Course Superintendents Association Talking books program Lawrence Library recording studio STEAM Punk Makerspace Lab Dane G Hansen Foundation Which libraries you can get a state park pass Prairie Dog State Park The School for Rural Culture and Creativity What You’ll Learn in this Episode How the Kansas library system is organizedHow the Kansas library system coordinatesThat libraries are much more than just booksThat it is ok to talk above a whisper in a library!What Family Place Libraries are all aboutHow the Kansas Library system and Kansas Parks system is working together to encourage people to get out and go to the state parks.Some of the challenges of being a rural library How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

Have you ever dreamed of just taking off and traveling the world? That’s exactly what my guests today did. 1 year, 24 countries, 4 continents…. Their Instagram account says it all: Kansas Meet World. I can’t wait for you to meet this Kansas family and learn about their gap year. This trip was about so many things - seeing the world, learning how to support locals, experiencing other religions, figuring out what you can and can’t live with, and how important it is to live your life connected to those who are most important to you.. It happens to me very often that I’m someplace outside of Kansas and I run into Kansans. For the Lewison family, it happened in places like Zanzabar. We may be a fairly small population, but we show up in a lot of exotic places! What I ultimately take away from my conversation with the Lewisons is that it is important to explore the world AND our home in Kansas. Kansas Meet World Instagram What You’ll Learn in this Episode How a family of 5 traveled the world for a yearWhat is a whirling dervish?About the Kansas Burger in PortugalHow the Kansas school system allowed kids to travel the world and still stay in school How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

From 0 murals to 25 murals in 2 years seems like an impossible task, but that is exactly what they’ve done in Clay Center Kansas. Today I’m talking with Brett Hubka who has been spearheading the effort. I’m no art expert, but I feel like I’ve noticed a resurgence of murals in towns across the country and it is a welcome trend. Coming into a new town, looking at the murals on the downtown buildings give you a sense of the history of the town, the things that are important, and an overall sense of what the town is like. Over the years, we’ve interviewed or highlighted artists across the state, and it is really a testament to the people of Kansas that we have such a rich art tradition in our state. So, this episode is about art, and about how a town can come together to accomplish something amazing in as little as 2 years. It is also about how much pride Kansans have in our state and how much life is being lived in our smaller rural communities. Show Notes Mural Movement Facebook Page Mural Movement Instagram - Mural Movement Clay Center Mural Interactive Map Clay Center Kansas 15-24 Brewhouse website Tasty Pastry Bakery - they don’t have a website Little Mill Creek Trail Get to Know a Kansan Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Festival Gypsum Hills Episode 0108: Big Kansas Road Trip Bill Snyder Stadium Dwight D Eisenhower Museum Kansas Speedway Learn a little more about Dwght D Eisenhower in this episode: Kansans Favorite Kasans What You’ll Learn in this Episode How the Mural Movement got started in Clay CenterHow many murals are there in Clay Center?How a brewery and the mural movement partneredWhy Clay Center Kansas is a great place to live How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

Today’s episode came from a trip we made to Sabetha Kansas to have lunch at the Brick Street Furniture Company and Wine Lounge. Friend of the podcast, Kate Miller from Hiawatha recommended that we eat there. And, now I’m recommending it to you too. While we were at Brick Street, Dustin recommended to us that we take a trip 5 miles north of Sabetha to Sycamore Springs. He mentioned that they were revitalizing the skating rink and we should stop in and see it. We thought - sure - let’s check this place out. You don’t hear about skating rinks much anymore. So, we thought we were heading to a small little town with a skating rink. What we found was something we could have never imagined. You’ll learn more about it in this episode, where I interview Kent Grimm. As I say at the end of the interview - I set out to tell our listeners about this really cool place that Geoff and I found on a somewhat spare of the moment trip. But, what this episode is really about is someone who has taken on the challenge of saving a piece of history and modernizing it so that it can continue to be relevant into our future. Show Notes Sycamore Springs White Tails Ranch website What You’ll Learn in this Episode What you’ll experience if you go to Sycamore Springs in Sabetha, KansasHow the Grimm family is revitalizing Sycamore SpringsAbout Old Albany Days and threshing bee in Albany, KansasThe oldest working pipe organ in Kansas is in Albany, Kansas How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode

We have been doing our format of Get To Know a Kansan for a while now, and thought it would be fun to focus an episode on the stories behind the people that have been named when we ask ‘who is your favorite Kansan from history?” So, in this episode, I’m going to talk about the accomplishments of Amelia Earhart, John Stuart Curry, Dwight D Eisenhower, and William Stafford. What You’ll Learn in this Episode What Amelia Earhart accomplishedAbout the impact John Stuart Curry had on the Regionalism Art MovementHow many major events in American history were impacted by Dwight D EisenhowerAbout the impact William Stafford had on poetry in America How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode