ICTPODCAST

"I watched this child slowly lose that spark in her eye." -- Stan Saiz, Founder Green Gate School Education is fundamental to human development, cooperation and success.  Stan Saiz took action to create a place where kids can learn in the most human of ways; through play. Play is adaptive learning.  School/Education in this country is controlled by a specific set of outcomes and when you look at t...

"We thought we could do this and not just make it a hobby, so we started putting the pieces of the puzzle together."  --Michael O'Shaughnessy, Co-Founder "It was one of the proudest days of my career when the first bottles of Keepers Heart were coming off that line and you know that it actually came from nothing..."  --Brian Nation, Master Distiller It is a Family story.  It is an Irish story.  It...

"What's the Through-Line."  -Robert Feeney, Ringorang.com  Kansas Chamber of Commerce invests in young leaders through the statewide Kansas Emerging Leaders program.  Engagement in leadership opportunities is critical for economic growth and continued creation of a Pro-Business environment.  Along with Leadership Kansas, Kansas Emerging Leaders activates the talents of business people and exposes...

It is the fastest growing sport in the World! Pickleball spawned from a backyard game to a Professional sport that is attracting the best talent in racket sports.  Matt Wright took his competitive drive from the tennis court to the pickle ball court and has competed at the highest level and won at the highest level since its inception.  Matt's intellect has always helped him think in terms of wher...

When the Marion County Record, a small town Newspaper, was raided and had computers, devices and records seized by the Police it caused world-wide attention on this small Kansas town and publication.  Our friend, Sam MacRoberts, Litigation Director for Kansas Justice Institute is the one I wanted to talk with.  Sam and KJI represent those who cannot represent themselves against government over rea...

"People treat that insurance card like a discount card.  It is NOT." Dean Jargo, CEO Fair Market Health When systems begin to fail we look for solutions so that the system can improve and continue to provide what it is designed to provide-- better outcomes.  We have not done that with the system of health care in the United States.  The system is failing and because of the control by the 2 biggest...

"Energy makes life better."  -Warren Martin, Executive Director Energy is a requirement for humans to reach our full potential.  Our world needs reliable energy.  We need energy production to meet the growing demand of energy consumption.  All resources are necessary.  Artificial limitations restrictions on energy production coupled with artificial promotion of alternative energy methods is causin...

"Think of us as the Tinder for Whiskey drinkers." -Dave Cunningham, Founder Whiskey Shelf & Flint Hills Group Dave is one of my favorite people in technology and software development.  He Founded Flint Hills Group to create custom software solutions for clients all over the world.  And this venture is his first consumer app and he is having so much fun with it.  The Whiskey community loves their p...

"Every time we work with a new client we ask them for their inspiration." -Emma Schlittenhardt, Founder Hardt Studio It is a good idea when starting a business to make sure it is something you are good at... and if it is also your passion, then nothing can hold you back. Emma Schlittenhardt took her passion and built on it, pursuing an Architectural Degree, building businesses that compliment each...

"There are two things we can control, our effort and our attitude." -Lily Wu, candidate for Wichita Mayor The right to Vote is fundamental to the fabric of our democratic Republic.  It also shows a commitment to active citizenship.  Lily Wu talks with us about the importance of civic engagement and shares what she has learned talking with Wichitans during her campaign.  I am grateful for her resil...

"Wow, I am getting paid for this?  This is my job..."  -Jacob O'Connor Discipline.  Hustle. Take Action. Jacob's young career and life have been defined by his "willingness to start" and focussed high level of effort. Wichita recruited him.  The Wichita entrepreneurial community supported him.  NXTUS identified his talent.  And now, together, they focus on Capital, Customers and Collaboration.  

" Very foolish people think that professional wrestling is totally real ." -Eric Weinstein

"I think it is crucially important for the criminal justice system to be transparent."  -Director Mattivi Tony's courage to lead created his greatest opportunity for leadership.  Tony Mattivi became the 13th Director of the KBI in 2023; appointed by Attorney General Kris Kobach.  It was a phenomenal appointment by our Attorney General.  The nature of our political system can lead to wonderful outc...

"An apology email [to my Team] was the initiation to a culture of change..."  -Alex Harb Entrepreneurs tell the story in the context of their business, their team, their customer, their unshakable belief in their mission.  And excuses rarely seep into the conversation-- for the best entrepreneurs.   Alex Harb thinks within his sphere of influence:  what action does he need to take to give his peop...

"Not everyone knows how to turn a dollar into value for their cause." -Pete Najera The United Way of the Plains is 100 years old.  This is an organization that has been effective removing barriers to help those who need a hand up with Basic Needs, Health, Education and Financial Stability. Pete Najera applies leadership to this benevolent non-profit with a history of diverse positions in armed for...

"...it hit Wichita hard in 2022..." -Sheriff Easter We have been battling drugs flooding into our country across the southern border for decades. The war on drugs persists and we are losing. The call to action today is much scarier. It's not just about illicit drug use or recreational drug use. Fentanyl kills people. Fentanyl knows no boundaries. Fentanyl kills quick. It is poisoning people to dea...

"Just because it is normal doesn't mean it is right." -- Tyson Drummond  Tyson Drummond is an Accountant and that gave him a skill to begin his professional career.  Entrepreneurs often detect their interest not determine it.  Detecting that your interest is in improving human performance must be confusing at first to an Accountant whose job it is to get to one final answer.   The human body is dy...

"Is it Choice or Control?"   - Michael Austin Michael Austin is an Economist who uses logic, economics, history and thoughtful communication to help bring solutions to complex issues.   People deserve to make choices in their own lives.  Educating a child is certainly a choice worth giving a parent.  Michael is spending a large part of his time and resources educating people on the Choices that sh...

"None of this is about me or Roy-- this is about our community." -- Dusty Buell, Tournament Director "These guys aren't just Professional Golfers, they are great guys." -- Roy Turner, Wichita Open Hall of Fame   The Wichita Open is the best event on the Korn Ferry Tour, developmental tour for the PGA. This is because of a number of factors: the Fans, Community involvement, Sponsors, Volunteers, pa...

Institutions are an inevitable consequence of human civilization.  It is the work of individuals that created the institutions.  So shouldn't institutions be more important than the individuals?  What are the consequences of institutions who fail the individual because the institution puts itself ahead of the people it is designed to help? Now, individuals are fighting for the institution regardle...

"Keep talking to people-- that's where you learn."  -Wendell Funk The organization that Activates entrepreneurs and independent business people is WIBA.  Wichita, Kansas has a culture of entrepreneurship.  Wendell Funk and his team have made it their mission to be the connectors, the resource and the action for Entrepreneurs.  And the best way for you to fill a void in your business is to engage w...

"It's a Gathering Place." -- Jimmy Vo "Not only are we doing things in the community, we are doing personal things."  -- Cody Lonergan Bring together people who create.  Bring them together to gather all of their talents-- cook, sing, write, speak, live, laugh love.  This is Odd Fellow Hall.  Jimmy Vo and Cody Lonergran are bringing all of these talents and our community is the beneficiary.  And y...

"The moment we crossed the Boarder I realized I was responsible for my family." -- Max Emma, Founder When your personal Independence Day is marked by the first day you started making your own money and not taking a paycheck from your employer-- you have unlocked the power of Entrepreneurship.  And what makes Max's personal Independence Day even more amazing is that he grew up in the Soviet Union....

"We fundraise in our local community-- we have been successful reducing barriers by fundraising that way."   -Trent Jones, Executive Director First Tee provides opportunities for kids to play.  They are playing golf for sure but the opportunity for a kid, any kid, to engage with other kids in willful play is crucial to healthy development.  First Tee of Greater Wichita continues to privately raise...

"I competed for a spot."  -- Lily Wu Leadership takes courage in any aspect of life.  It is a selfless act.  And it gives us all a chance to positively affect one another-- a uniquely human attribute.  Lily Wu is a Leader.  She is humble, she is resilient, she has a genuine curiosity and interest in the success of people.  She proves that every day.   Her journey is a remarkable story.  I have lea...