Uncovering Kansas 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:
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal
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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:
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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:
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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
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Buy a Kansas Travel Journal 
Send us a recommendation for an episode