Ask A 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 Gro...

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 b...

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, infras...

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 misun...

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 surpr...

What if the prairie — that "flat, boring" stretch you drive through on I-70 — is actually one of the most critical and disappearing ecosystems on the planet? Matt Bain, Director of Conservation for The Nature Conservancy in Kansas, makes a compelling case that the Kansas prairie isn't just beautiful — it's the foundation of clean water, healthy soil, thriving wildlife, and the ranching culture tha...

Did you know the best space museum in the world is right in your Kansas backyard? The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas, is far more than a place to see old rockets. It holds the most U.S. space artifacts outside the Smithsonian and the most Soviet artifacts outside of Moscow — and right now, with humanity heading back to the moon, there's never been a more exciting time to pay attention. Claire L...

Wichita State University has quietly become one of the most innovative applied learning campuses in the country — and most Kansans don't even know it. Sitting down with President Rick Muma on location at WSU, we get the full story: from his roots as a physician assistant on the front lines of the HIV epidemic, to becoming the only PA to ever lead a major university, transforming a former club golf...

What does it really mean to give yourself permission — to travel, to write, to call a place home? Rolf Potts has spent decades asking that question. A fourth-generation Kansan from Wichita, Rolf is one of the most recognized travel writers working today and the author of Vagabonding, a book that has quietly changed the way a generation thinks about long-term travel. But this conversation goes beyo...

What does it take to fall in love with a place that isn't even yours — and then dedicate your life to making sure everyone else loves it too? That's exactly what happened to journalist, historian, filmmaker, and storyteller Deb Goodrich. From covering crime courts in the Blue Ridge Mountains at age 21, to living inside a Topeka cemetery, to championing the forgotten legacy of America's first vice...

What does it take to turn Kansas into a thriving hub for film and storytelling? Sterling native Kiki Bush left Kansas for classical drama training in England and a successful acting career in New York—but the pandemic brought her home, where she discovered something unexpected. She's now fighting to bring film tax incentives to Kansas, directing her own projects, and proving that the state's "diff...

What does it take to bring Kansas history to life on the big screen? From dusty archives and reenactment camps to film sets across the prairie, history professor and filmmaker Ken Spurgeon has spent two decades mastering the art of visual storytelling rooted in the Great Plains. His latest feature, Sod and Stubble, filmed entirely in Kansas with a community that literally built a house for the pro...

Ever wonder where those grocery store flowers actually come from? Most of us never think twice about it—until we meet someone like Ashley Vail, who turned a pandemic chicken hobby into a thriving half-acre specialty cut flower farm in Kansas. From planting nearly 2,000 peonies to surviving 110 mph winds, Ashley's journey proves that flower farming is way more intense (and way more rewarding) than...

What does it take to transform a community when you're barely old enough to drive? Andres Mata was just 13 years old when he was appointed to Salina's Human Relations Commission, and that was only the beginning of his civic journey. Six years ago, at age 21, he founded the Kansas Civic Network with a simple belief: the resources to solve our communities' biggest challenges already exist—we just ne...

What happens when a school administrator discovers TikTok during a pandemic and decides Kansas deserves better representation? Steven Kimmi joins us to share his journey from isolation to becoming one of Kansas' most dedicated content creators. From sleeping in his car at Little Jerusalem to eating three burgers in one day, Steven reveals the adventures, challenges, and philosophy behind his missi...

What if your family farm could reach 250 million people worldwide? Greg Peterson of Peterson Farm Brothers fame turned a college project into a viral phenomenon that's been educating the world about agriculture for over 13 years. From nursing home performances as a toddler to appearing on national television just four days after posting his first farming music video, Greg's journey shows how passi...

As we mark Kansas' 165th birthday, we're exploring what it means to truly know and love this state. From hidden rock formations in the northwest to thrift stores that draw travelers from across the country, Kansas holds surprises even for those who've lived here their whole lives. We sit down with Colby Sharples Terry from Kansas Tourism to talk about her journey from wanting to leave Kansas to be...

What does it take to celebrate 250 years of American history—and why should Kansas be at the center of that celebration? This year marks the Sesquicentennial of the United States, and Kansas is going all in with year-long events, community challenges, and unique partnerships that showcase the resilience and spirit of Kansans. We sit down with Rosa Cavazos, Special Projects Coordinator for Kansas T...

What does it mean to stand in the gap for your community? Discover the journey, challenges, and unexpected stories behind Kansas State Troopers as we sit down with Joe Owen, lead recruiter for the Kansas Highway Patrol. From the rigorous training academy to the lighter side of law enforcement, and even a detour into ham radio, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and heartfelt moments that...

Do you have a passion for furry companions? Join us for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation with Brandon Sokol, director of Prairie Paws Animal Shelter in Manhattan, Kansas. Brandon shares the realities of shelter life, from the emotional challenges of animal rescue to the logistics of managing capacity, volunteers, and community partnerships. Discover how compassion, creativity, and teamwor...

What makes a place feel like home, and how do the stories of a state connect us all? From the warmth of a “grandma basement” to the wild adventures across Kansas, this conversation celebrates the people, places, and moments that have shaped a year of discovery. Join us as we reflect on favorite guests, behind-the-scenes stories, and the lessons learned from building a podcast rooted in community....

How can one organization ignite hope and transform the lives of children who need it most? Explore the heart and vision behind Ember Hope, and discover how dedicated people are making a real difference for kids and families—plus, hear the inspiring journey of a leader who found his calling in unexpected ways. Highlights Ember Hope’s mission: empowering and supporting vulnerable children Real stori...

What makes a place truly feel like home? That’s the question at the heart of this conversation with Beccy Tanner, a journalist whose passion for Kansas and its people has shaped her four-decade career. From the origins of small-town names to the stories behind Kansas’ most beloved folk song, we explore the spirit, history, and quirks that make the Sunflower State unique. Along the way, we uncover...

This special episode of Ask A Kansan is a bit different. We had the opportunity to take our entire crew out to Greensburg, Kansas to capture all the things that are happening there. In fact, we felt like it was a better episode to watch rather than listen to. So hit the link below to watch this special "on the road" edition of Ask A Kansan. But don't worry, we'll be back next week with our usual a...

How can one foundation transform an entire region? Discover the story behind the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and how its strategic giving, community focus, and unique leadership model have shaped Northwest Kansas for generations. From inspiring local initiatives to supporting rural communities, this conversation with Betsy Wearing reveals the power of philanthropy, the importance of strong nonprofit...