Ask A Kansan

Ask A Kansan
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast focusing on the perspectives, lives, and stories of Kansans to provide greater insight into the state we all call home.

  1. In the Grain: Kansas to Ecuador and Back with Tanner Johnson | Kansas Carver

    5d ago

    In the Grain: Kansas to Ecuador and Back with Tanner Johnson | Kansas Carver

    What happens when a kid from Lindsborg, Kansas follows his heart to a cloud forest in Ecuador — and then returns after staying for nearly 20 years? Tanner Johnson's answer to that question is one of the most unexpected, quietly profound stories we've heard. He built a bamboo house, married into a local family, taught English to kids from kindergarten through 12th grade, and somewhere along the way, picked up a knife and started carving wood. Now he's back in Kansas, reunited with his family, and using his art to honor the memory of Jewish people lost to the Holocaust — one face at a time. Highlights Podcast listener Greg Victors (the Wichita Wardancer) inspired a collaboration with Manhattan High School Orchestra director Cody Toll — exactly the kind of cross-Kansas connection Ask A Kansan was made to createTanner grew up in Lindsborg, studied anthropology at K-State, and ended up in an Ecuadorian cloud forest as a volunteer on a bird study — and never really leftHe lived for years with no internet, no foreigners within 50 miles, and learned Spanish entirely by immersion in a rural communityHe built his own bamboo house, asked for his wife's hand from her brothers (her father had passed), cleared nearly two acres of land with his 90-something-year-old grandfather-in-law, and planted 110 trees during a pandemic military lockdownGrowing violence and crime in Ecuador in 2023 pushed him to bring his family back to Kansas — they got married here, bought a house, and are now all togetherHis daughters arrived in Kansas with almost no English and had to sink or swim in the school system — and thrivedHis woodcarving specialty is realistic faces, with a particular focus on honoring the memory of pre-Holocaust Jewish communities, inspired by Roman Vishniac's photography book A Vanishing WorldA face-to-face encounter with antisemitism solidified his decision to pursue a degree in Jewish studiesHe's carved over 650 pieces in five years — all by hand, no power carving toolsSydney debuts the new podcast segment: Fart or Art? Chapters 0:05 — A Surprise Ask A Kansan Connection 1:23 — Meet Tanner Johnson 3:23 — From Hobby to Woodcarver 5:16 — Lindsborg Roots and Music 6:37 — Anthropology to Ecuador 11:08 — Choosing a Life Abroad 12:51 — Forest Life and Family 16:34 — Pandemic Reality Check 19:07 — Back to Kansas Together 23:24 — Finding Woodcarving Style 25:58 — Tools and Tropical Hardwoods 26:58 — Relearning the Knife 27:25 — Counting 650 Carvings 28:25 — Finding Purpose in Memory 32:01 — Art Form and Antisemitism 35:11 — Choosing Jewish Studies 36:54 — Spiritual Beliefs Explained 39:11 — Hand Tools and Roughouts 41:07 — Where to Find Tanner 43:12 — Hosts Reflect on the Interview 44:04 — Fart or Art Game 52:20 — Episode Wrap and Plugs Resources Tanner Johnson Woodcarver — tannerjohnsonwoodcarver.comTanner on Instagram — @tannerjohnsonwoodcarverA Vanished World by Roman Vishniac — the photography book that shaped Tanner's Holocaust memorial carving focusZen Mind Jewish Mind — the book Tanner credits for shaping his spiritual perspective Learn more about the podcast at askakansan.com! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

    53 min
  2. 4 Days in Kansas | Building Community Culture with Brad Anderson

    Jun 1

    4 Days in Kansas | Building Community Culture with Brad Anderson

    How do you build a city's cultural identity — and why does it matter more than you might think? We sit down with Brad Anderson, Executive Director of Salina Arts and Humanities, the only city department of its kind in Kansas. Brad shares why Salina has been investing in arts and culture since 1966, what's at stake as the city embarks on a new cultural plan called The Big Picture, and why the Smoky Hill River Festival — celebrating its 50th anniversary this year — is so much more than a street fair. Then our producer Alicia joins us to pull back the curtain on Four Days in June, a documentary film five years in the making that captures what the River Festival truly means to the people of Salina. Highlights Salina is the only city in Kansas with a standalone Department of Arts and Culture — on par with parks, public works, and policeThe new cultural plan "The Big Picture" will produce a 10-year roadmap for Salina's arts and cultural life by end of 202670% of Stiefel Theatre ticket sales come from outside Saline County — the arts are an economic engineThe River Festival turns 50 this year (May 11–14) — admission is $15 in advance, $20 at the gate, and kids 11 and under are FREEThe Festival Families First program provides free four-day wristbands to anyone who identifies as financially limitedFirst Treasures — the program where kids shop for art on their own — has been running for 25 years, and some of those kids are now adult patronsRoughly 2,000 volunteers buy their own wristbands and power the festival — without them, admission would be closer to $75Sculpture Tour Salina is in its 16th year; Boom Salina has brought over 35 murals to the city in just five yearsFour Days in June premieres July 9 with a private screening, then screens at the Salina Art Cinema July 10–15 Chapters 0:00 — Pre-show: Sydney's dad and his new drone 2:16 — Welcome & episode intro: a two-part show 3:13 — Meet Brad Anderson: lifelong Kansan, exec director of Salina Arts & Humanities 4:00 — What is Arts & Humanities — and what makes Salina unique? 10:30 — The Cultural Plan: from the Wolfe Report to The Big Picture 17:56 — Private sector arts: Sculpture Tour Salina & Boom Salina 20:00 — Art you don't have to love: the value of public sculpture and civil dialogue 24:05 — River Festival week is here 24:36 — What IS the River Festival? A 50-year origin story 27:18 — Pricing, access, Festival Families First & volunteers 31:06 — First Treasures: teaching kids to be art patrons 40:36 — Post-interview reflections: Brad in the community 42:30 — Meet Alicia: producer at Fyli, director of Four Days in June 45:39 — Four Days in June: the film's name, form, and philosophy 47:50 — How they chose their interview subjects & building a diverse perspective 51:00 — Where to see the film, streaming plans & cultural release strategy 53:20 — How to get involved & closing Resources Salina Arts & HumanitiesSmoky Hill Museum Smoky Hill River FestivalSculpture Tour SalinaBoom SalinaStiefel TheatreSalina Art Cinema — Screening Four Days in June4 Days in June — The documentary film Learn more about the podcast at askakansan.com! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

    57 min
  3. Keeping Auctions Alive with Lori Rogge | Chanting Kansan

    May 25

    Keeping Auctions Alive with Lori Rogge | Chanting Kansan

    What does it take to build a life — and a career — that touches nearly every corner of one state? This week we sit down with Lori Rogge, one of a handful of female auctioneers in Kansas, to talk about growing up across the state, learning the chant, and how a 22,000-acre Flint Hills ranch ends up on the internet. Highlights Sydney's grandfather was such a loyal auction customer that the auction house retired his bidder number — and it's now engraved on his gravestoneLori's parents, Gene and Connie Francis, founded Gene Francis & Associates in 1984 and have since built a global auction reach — including clients from Belgium, the UK, and Chihuahua, MexicoLori attended Worldwide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa — and her very first auction as an auctioneer was a $10,000 paintingThe auction industry has moved dramatically online; Gavel Roads Online Auctions launched in 2016 and was perfectly positioned when COVID hit in 2020There are only three or four female auctioneers in Kansas outside of Kansas CityThe SNL skit featuring auctioneer-speak went viral — and Lori loved every second of itThe National Auctioneers Association is actually headquartered in Overland Park, KansasJordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers) grew up in Leonardville, and his family's Nelson Family Community Foundation is active in the communityHistoric Lake Scott State Park in western Kansas sits on the only known Native American pueblo in Kansas, dating to the 1600sFlint Hills Trail State Park is the eighth longest rail trail in the entire United States Chapters 0:00 – Grandpa Auction Hoard1:09 – Bomb Shelter Safe2:21 – Welcome / Intro to Lori3:35 – Meet Lori Rogge4:05 – Growing Up Kansas8:25 – Why Leonardville10:40 – Career Path Shift13:58 – Building Online Auctions16:58 – Learning the Chant27:40 – Chant Mechanics35:51 – Reading the Room36:10 – Auctions Going Online (Estate Sales & Collectibles)33:27 – Estate Plans & Loyal Clients36:04 – From Onsite to Online37:00 – Auctioneers in Small Towns40:40 – Why She Gives Back44:16 – Rural Riley County Community Foundation49:19 – Women Grow the Farm52:02 – Hosts Reflect on Auctions52:54 – State Park Guessing Game44:09 – Historic Lake Scott State Park1:00:25 – Final Wrap & Call to Action Resources Mentioned Gene Francis & Associates – Lori's family real estate and auction company, founded in 1984Gavel Roads Online Auctions – Online auction bidding platform launched by the Francis family in 2016Worldwide College of Auctioneering – Where Lori earned her auctioneer's license; locations in Mason City, Iowa and ColoradoKSU Foundation – Kansas State University Foundation, where Lori worked in gift and estate planning from 2005 to 2015Kansas 4-H Foundation – Lori has consulted for this organizationNelson Family Community Foundation – Founded by the family of Jordy Nelson (K-State and Green Bay Packers), based in LeonardvilleFlint Hills Discovery Center – Manhattan, KS museum with an exhibit on the auctioneer chantNational Auctioneers Association – Headquartered in Overland Park, KansasRails-to-Trails Conservancy – Organization that rail-banked and helped develop the Flint Hills Trail beginning in 1995 Learn more about the podcast at askakansan.com! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

    1h 1m
  4. Spinning and Serving with DJ Carbon | Vibin' Kansan

    May 18

    Spinning and Serving with DJ Carbon | Vibin' Kansan

    What happens when a kidney stone saves your life and challenges you to chase your dreams? That's exactly what happened to James Bobetsky — known to most of Wichita as DJ Carbon. After 21 years in the corporate world, a cancer diagnosis, a surprise reconnection with his biological family, and a pandemic, Carbon made the leap to full-time DJ at 40. And he hasn't looked back since. Highlights Oak Grove Radio 98.5 out of Minneapolis now airs Ask a Kansan every Sunday at 9 AM — a shoutout to the station for helping expand the show's reach beyond the podcast worldDJ Carbon (James Mlavsky) has been a full-time DJ for seven years, based in Wichita — doing events, weddings, corporate gigs, and deeply embedding himself in the city's cultural sceneCarbon grew up on Long Island, NY, immersed in vinyl records, hip-hop, punk, and ska before moving to Wichita his senior year of high school — a move he initially hated and now wouldn't trade for anythingHe breaks down what it really means to "know your audience" and "read the room" — and why a DJ who shows up with a pre-planned set isn't really DJingA kidney stone led to a cancer diagnosis in 2018 — and while waiting for surgery, he discovered his biological family through 23andMe. Within six months: cancer surgery, meeting blood relatives for the first time, and getting marriedHe went full-time as a DJ in November 2019 — right before COVID — and pivoted to selling robot lamps to survive the shutdownCarbon has donated his time to dozens of nonprofits including Tallgrass Film Festival, American Cancer Society, Blood Cancers United (Wine About Cancer), Wichita's Littlest Heroes, Wichita Animal Action League, and the Humane SocietyFive days after kidney surgery — gauze, scars and all — he showed up to DJ a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society because he personally needed to be thereHis "DJ 101" social media series shares life and business lessons under the guise of DJ wisdom, and has generated more response than almost anything else he's postedHe names Carry Nation & The Speakeasy, Rudy Love Sr. and Jr., and the late Jenny Wood as the soundtrack of Kansas Chapters 0:03 – Radio Shoutout: Oak Grove Radio 98.5 airs the podcast1:27 – Show Intro & Tease: Introducing DJ Carbon2:44 – Meet DJ Carbon4:03 – Life as a Full-Time DJ5:35 – Music Roots and Influences8:39 – New York to Wichita11:14 – Keeping Up With Music16:04 – Know Your Audience21:39 – Going Full-Time After Cancer26:35 – Origin of DJ Carbon27:58 – Aux Cord Versus DJ29:47 – Nonprofit DJ Impact31:54 – Surgery Gig Dedication35:50 – Branding and Visibility38:37 – Family Life Balance37:57 – Consistency and Corporate Bookings38:37 – DJ 101 Mentorship41:09 – Kansas Soundtrack Picks44:32 – Where to Find DJ Carbon46:06 – Hosts Reflect on DJs47:40 – Where in the Rectangle? (State Parks Edition)48:05 – Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park50:38 – Mushroom Rock State Park52:15 – Elk City State Park54:38 – Final Wrap Resources Mentioned Oak Grove Radio 98.5 (Minneapolis) – oakgroveradio.com (airs Ask a Kansan every Sunday at 9 AM)DJ Carbon – Facebook, Instagram and  https://djcarbon.com/Wichita River Festival – https://wichitariverfest.com/Tallgrass Film Festival – tallgrassfilm.orgWichita's Littlest Heroes – wichitaslittlestheroes.comWichita Animal Action League – https://waalrescue.org/Humane Society of the United States – https://kshumane.org/Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy – https://www.cnsict.com/Rudy Love Sr. & Rudy Love Jr. – https://rudylove.com/Jenny Wood – https://jennywoodmusic.com/ Learn more about the podcast at askakansan.com! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

    56 min
  5. Language, Culture, and Community with LeLan Dains | UnBound Kansan

    May 11

    Language, Culture, and Community with LeLan Dains | UnBound Kansan

    What happens when a white guy from a small Kansas town becomes the bridge-builder between Spanish-speaking and English-speaking communities — and somehow also changes the global cycling industry along the way? LeLan Dains is one of the most fascinating people we've had on this show, and honestly, we almost undersold him. As the executive director of Kansas Spanish Speakers, LeLan has spent years breaking down barriers, building trust with immigrant communities, and proving that opportunity doesn't leave rural Kansas — it waits there for the right person to claim it. Oh, and he co-founded what is now the world's premier gravel cycling event. From Emporia. On gravel roads. We told you. HIGHLIGHTS LeLan's motto for Kansas Spanish Speakers: "Sí, cómo no" — yes, of course. Whatever you need, they'll help you get there or find someone who can.Kansas Spanish Speakers serves both Spanish speakers AND English speakers — because a bridge needs two solid banks. They offer immigration documentation help, health insurance navigation, driver's license assistance, Spanish classes, custom business training, and community workshops.LeLan's origin story: he froze like a deer in headlights trying to order in Spanish at a Mexican restaurant after six months of studying — and that embarrassing moment sparked an entire nonprofit.The Kansas Health Foundation invested $1 million over 10 years in Kansas Spanish Speakers through their Building Power and Equity Partnership. Since 2022, Kansas has moved up three consecutive spots in national health rankings.LeLan addresses the elephant in the room — yes, he's a blue-eyed white guy leading a Latino-serving nonprofit. His answer is honest, thoughtful, and worth hearing.The issue of children being used as translators for their parents in medical, legal, and financial situations — why it's inappropriate, and what Kansas Spanish Speakers is doing about it.Emporia became the first certified Welcoming Community in Kansas, with LeLan's organization leading the effort. Dodge City and KCK have since followed.LeLan co-founded Dirty Kanza — now rebranded as Unbound Gravel — which draws 5,000+ riders from 40+ countries to the Flint Hills every year. The event literally crashed the internet and now runs on a lottery system.Gravel cycling didn't exist 15 years ago. Unbound Gravel helped create the entire category — and now the Tour de France has a gravel stage.Kansas has 98,000 miles of gravel roads. That's not a typo.LeLan's message to rural Kansas kids: a blank canvas isn't empty — it's an opportunity to paint whatever you want.CHAPTERS 0:00 — Ditch Flower Season 0:55 — Numb Fingertips Story 1:36 — Stratica Salt Rock 4:17 — Welcome to Ask a Kansan 5:16 — Meet LeLan Dains 6:31 — What Kansas Spanish Speakers Does 7:20 — Services and Programs 8:36 — How It All Started 10:16 — Going Statewide 13:04 — Partners and Health Impact 16:53 — Imposter Syndrome and Privilege 19:43 — Rebrand and Mission Shift 22:27 — Spanish Dialects and Slang 26:05 — Working With Businesses 32:15 — Kids as Translators 38:24 — How Service Changes You 41:39 — Learning English Together 40:32 — Rural Kansas Roots 42:28 — Recreation Career Path 43:12 — Coming Home to Build 46:35 — Unbound Gravel Explained 48:26 — Why the World Comes 54:49 — Where to Learn More 56:35 — Post Interview Reflections 58:24 — Mystery Knick Knack Game 1:05:50 — Final Wrap and Thanks RESOURCES Kansas Spanish SpeakersUnbound GravelKansas Health FoundationBuilding Power and Equity Partnership (Kansas Health Foundation)Kansas Leadership CenterBig Brothers Big SistersWelcoming AmericaMaxwell Wildlife RefugeStrataca — Kansas Underground Salt MuseumEmporia State UniversityFrost Valley YMCACarmichael Training SystemsCurious Kansan NewsletterKansas Spanish Speakers intro videoLeading Health Podcast - from the Kansas Health FoundationLearn more about the podcast at askakansan.com! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

    1h 6m
  6. Arts Advocacy with Sarah VanLanduyt | Creative Kansan

    May 4

    Arts Advocacy with Sarah VanLanduyt | Creative Kansan

    What does it really take to keep the arts alive in Kansas — and why does it matter more than you might think? Sarah VanLanduyt wears a lot of hats. As Executive Director of the Arts Council of Johnson County, a Kansas Arts Commissioner, and Board Chair of the Kansas Arts Network, she's one of the people quietly fighting to make sure the creative industries across the state have the funding, infrastructure, and advocacy they need to thrive. In this conversation, we unpack how arts funding actually works at the state level, why artists need advocates in their corner, and how the Kansas Arts Network has built something remarkable in just a few years. HIGHLIGHTS Sarah's winding path from history and museum management into the arts world — and why the two have more in common than you'd thinkHow the Arts Council of Johnson County operates between the nonprofit and government worlds with just a team of twoThe Kansas Arts Commission's grant funding model and why it's a dollar-for-dollar match with local communitiesHow Sarah helped grow the Kansas Arts Commission budget from roughly $100,000 to significantly more through grassroots advocacyThe Kansas Arts Network annual conference and the culture of openness and collaboration it's built across the stateWhy the arts are more than aesthetic — they support mental health, workforce development, veteran transition, and community identityThe importance of artists and policy thinkers working together to communicate a compelling storyKansas outlaws: the Dalton Gang, John Wesley Hardin, Henry Newton Brown, William Quantrill, the Bloody Benders, and Mysterious Dave Mather — plus two truths and a lie for each CHAPTERS 0:00 – Intro: The Pale Blue Dot Pin & Carl Sagan 1:50 – Welcome & Guest Tease 3:30 – Meet Sarah VanLanduyt 4:07 – Sarah's Kansas Roots & Journey 5:20 – Why the Arts? Her Unexpected Path 7:57 – The Arts Council of Johnson County: Mission & Work 10:12 – The Kansas Arts Commission: Funding & Sarah's Role 15:03 – The Kansas Arts Network & Statewide Collaboration 23:36 – Avoiding Burnout & Refueling the Tank 25:52 – Hope for the Future of Arts in Kansas 27:01 – Making the Case for Arts to Legislators 29:26 – How Art Sparks Community Connection 34:08 – Where in the Rectangle: Outlaws of the Old West 34:48 – The Dalton Gang & Coffeyville 37:21 – John Wesley Hardin in Abilene 39:18 – Henry Newton Brown: Marshall Turned Outlaw 41:37 – William Quantrill & the Lawrence Raid 44:25 – The Bloody Benders: Kansas' Frontier Horror Story 46:23 – Mysterious Dave Mather of Dodge City 50:39 – Outro & How to Bring Ask a Kansan to Your Organization RESOURCES Arts Council of Johnson County: https://www.artsjoco.orgKansas Arts Commission: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/kansas-creative-arts-and-industries-commission-kcaic/Kansas Arts Network: https://kansasartsnetwork.orgSalina Arts & Humanities: https://www.salinaarts.com Learn more about the podcast at askakansan.com! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

    52 min
  7. Discover the Flint Hills with Stephen Bridenstine

    Apr 27

    Discover the Flint Hills with Stephen Bridenstine

    What do fire, bison, and star bonds have in common?   They're all part of this week's conversation about the Flint Hills — and honestly, it's one of those episodes that makes you want to book a trip to Manhattan, Kansas immediately. We sat down with Stephen Bridenstine, Director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center, to talk about what it really takes to understand one of the most unique — and misunderstood — landscapes in America. Stephen came to Kansas by choice (his words), and 12 years later, he's still here and still learning.  Highlights A young sports broadcaster from Quinter, Kansas is going viral for taking audience-submitted phrases and slipping them seamlessly into live play-by-play — and it is absolutely worth your timeStephen Bridenstine moved to Manhattan, Kansas sight unseen, driving a moving van down Highway 177 with everything he owned — and the first thing he saw was the Flint Hills Discovery CenterThe Flint Hills Discovery Center isn't just a history museum or a nature center — it intentionally tells an interconnected story spanning 13,500 years of human and natural historyRanching in the Flint Hills actually mimics what bison did for thousands of years — and it's essential to the health of the tallgrass prairie ecosystemFire isn't a threat to the Flint Hills. It's a tool. Stephen once had to explain this live on the Weather Channel.The Discovery Center's star bond project was so successful, the bonds were paid off years ahead of schedule — which funded a second museum right across the streetThe Flint Hills Festival draws over 9,000 attendees and is the one day per year the Discovery Center is free to the publicThe Flint Hills covers 4 million acres — roughly the size of New Jersey — stretching from the Nebraska border to OklahomaSydney went to boarding school in Missouri, where a third of her class was international students. Gus's claim to fame was "most likely to do something sciencey." Chapters 0:00 – Hilarious Sports Broadcaster from Quinter2:42 – Podcast Intro & Guest Tease3:15 – Meet Stephen Bridenstine3:48 – Kansan by Choice: Stephen's Story5:34 – Life in a College Town8:15 – From the Park Service to Museum Work11:13 – Inside the Flint Hills Discovery Center11:49 – Exhibits and Visitor Flow15:42 – From Educator to Director19:33 – Learning the Flint Hills22:35 – Flint Hills Festival Highlights25:55 – How the Discovery Center Was Built28:29 – Downtown Redevelopment Wins30:22 – Planning a Flint Hills Trip31:33 – Public Prairie Access Tips33:43 – Stay Overnight and Explore34:36 – Ranching Mimics Bison37:13 – Fire as a Tool38:14 – Discovery Center Events40:07 – Kid-Friendly Highlights at the Center41:10 – Celebrity Guessing Game (Kansas Edition)49:20 – Scholars Bowl Deep Cuts51:38 – Final Thanks and Plugs Resources Mentioned Flint Hills Discovery Center — Manhattan, KansasTallgrass Prairie National Preserve — Strong City, Kansas (National Park Service & The Nature Conservancy)From the Land of Kansas — Kansas-made products program (featured in Episode 53)SB Mowing — Spencer, Kansas-based viral mowing content creatorBlank.in.a.ship — TikTok account of the Quinter sports broadcaster featured at the top of the episodeJim Richardson on Episode 20 of Ask A Kansan Learn more about the podcast at askakansan.com! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

    52 min
  8. Made Right Here with Sammy Gleason | From the Land of Kansas

    Apr 20

    Made Right Here with Sammy Gleason | From the Land of Kansas

    What's actually in that "Made in Kansas" gift box — and why it matters more than you think. Kansas has been growing, raising, and producing world-class products for nearly 50 years under one of the most underrated state trademark programs in the country. Sammy Gleason from the From the Land of Kansas program joins us to unbox the special Kansas 250 gift box — and what comes out of it tells a surprisingly complete story about who we are as a state. From kettle corn and sandhill plum jelly to red wine chocolate sauce and freeze-dried space ice cream, we explore the hidden gems that Kansans are making right in our own backyard. Then we get into something a little more contentious: the Kansas state flag. We share flag designs from our team and from our listeners — and make the case for why the flag you fly says more about a state than the seal printed on it. Highlights The Kansas 250 special edition gift box and everything packed inside it — including who packed it and why that mattersFrom the Land of Kansas is a 48-year-old state trademark program that's free to join for any Kansas farm, ranch, or small businessProducts need an agriculture tie to qualify — even candles have to contain lavender or soyThe online marketplace at fromthelandofkansas.com ships Kansas products to 46–47 states during the holiday seasonRetail stores carrying 3 or more From the Land of Kansas products can become members — including Prairie Land Market in Salina and Wilkins Acres in AbileneProduct gaps the program is looking to fill: sunflower seeds and crackersKansas wine is growing — a wine trail is in the works in the Manhattan/Alma areaThe program's gift boxes were a first among state branded programs — and other states followed their lead50th anniversary of the program is coming up in about 2 yearsThe North American Vexillological Association's five rules of good flag design — and how the Kansas state flag stacks upHighlights from Manhattan, Kingman, and Park City's flag designs — and why they workFlag redesign submissions from the Ask a Kansan team and listeners Chapters 0:00 – Cold Open: Funny Socks1:16 – Episode Intro & Made in Kansas Preview2:10 – Sammy Gleason Joins the Show2:37 – Kansas 250 Gift Box Unboxing6:53 – What Is From the Land of Kansas?7:30 – Sammy's Career Path to the Program9:25 – Kansas Roots and How She Got Into Marketing12:45 – Membership Process and the Online Marketplace14:56 – Road Trips and Small Town Cafes21:08 – Beyond Food: Non-Food Products and Other State Programs22:01 – How the Trademark Sticker Works24:08 – What Products Are Missing25:10 – Shelf Stable and Pop-Up Considerations26:13 – Flint Hills Pints & Freeze-Dried Space Ice Cream27:21 – Making Kansas Products Stand Out28:40 – Kansas Wine Tour Ideas31:30 – Retail Partners Across Kansas28:48 – Shipping Gift Boxes Nationwide30:11 – Next Big Program Goals31:05 – What Kansas Producers Are Like32:52 – Post-Show Product Curiosities33:36 – How to Be a Podcast Guest34:23 – Flag Design Rules Recap36:06 – Best Kansas City Flags39:31 – Team Flag Redesigns44:22 – Viewer Flag Submissions48:13 – Why Flags Matter50:03 – Submit Your Flag Design51:20 – Final Wrap & Thanks Resources From the Land of Kansas — state trademark program for Kansas-grown, raised, and produced productsSchlaegel's Popcorn — kettle corn featured in the Kansas 250 gift boxCocoavino — red wine chocolate sauce, Overland ParkFlint Hills Pints — Kansas ice cream, including new freeze-dried space ice creamPrairie Land Market — local Kansas products retailer in Salina, From the Land of Kansas memberWilkins Acres — Kansas products store in Abilene, From the Land of Kansas memberBoot Hill Distillery — value-added Kansas grain products, Dodge City Learn more about the podcast at askakansan.com! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A podcast focusing on the perspectives, lives, and stories of Kansans to provide greater insight into the state we all call home.

Information

  • Creator
    Ask A Kansan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Ask A Kansan

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