Uncovering Kansas Uncovering Kansas

What would it be like to integrate the arts into a thriving and sustainable rural community? This is the question that drove my guest today to create the School for Rural Culture and Creativity in Mattfield Green.
I’m talking with Matthew Regier, an artist, homesteader, and co-founder of the School. Our conversation is wide ranging – talking art, religion, rural culture, homesteading, and how all of these things come together in rural communities.
 
The School for Rural Culture and Creativity
Matthew Regier – Matthew’s website
Land Institute
 
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Kansas is full of very interesting people and my guest today is probably at the top of the list. I’m talking with Vincent Rodiguez, a coffee roaster, chocolate maker, and bicycle manufacture based in Lenexa. I’m taking you to coffee and chocolate school with Vincent.

One of the things I took away from my conversation with Vincent is that when we are curious and want to learn about something, it can take us to interesting places. We shouldn’t worry about being the best at something – we should only worry about whether or not we are learning something.

Vincent’s life philosophy is an inspiration to me, and I hope you feel the same.

Show Notes:
Maps Coffee and Chocolate website
Maps Instagram
Maps Facebook
Kansas Breweries and Distilleries episode
Kansas wineries episode
Unbound Gravel episode

What You’ll Learn in this Episode
How to roast coffee How to make chocolate What is craft chocolate? What is production chocolate? How roasting coffee and chocolate are different The difference between chocolatiers and chocolate maker What is lecithin and how is it used in chocolate
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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  
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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
 
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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
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Send us a recommendation for an episode