Uncovering Kansas

Did you know that Emporia Kansas is considered to be the disc golf capital of the world? I didn't realize it until I talked with my guests Doug Bjerkaas and Jackie Morris from Dynamic Discs, an Emporia Kansas business that sells discs and other disc golf equipment and operates events for the popular sport disc golf. I like to focus a few episodes each season on Kansas businesses that have a nation...

My guest today, Wichita native Jennifer Strong McConachie, has traveled around the world competing in global endurance sports. Today, we are going to talk about how she uses the Kansas outdoor landscape and weather to prepare for these competitions around the world. Whether you are sporty or not, you'll get a lot of ideas from Jennifer for adventures you can take in Kansas. Unless you are already...

Hero worship is a characteristic of American culture. For good and bad, it is something our society lives with. Athletes, music stars, and actors or actresses are visible roles in our modern society. And that constant visibility often encourages people to feel like they know these people and fosters a desire to imitate them.  Our kids see these visible people as the definition of success and meani...

Uncovering Kansas was founded based on the idea that we frequently overlook the great things that are right in our back yard. As a matter of fact, right on the home page of our website is this quote from Dagobert Runes: People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home. ​ My guest today, Lisa Stewart is going to tell us about her experience meeting pe...

The Saturday after Thanksgiving has become Small Business Saturday - a day set aside to encourage people to shop in small businesses. At Uncovering Kansas, we want to encourage you to not only shop small, but to shop local. Shop Kansas! Back in late summer, we asked you to nominate your favorite local business for an upcoming episode. We've selected 2 of these shops for today's episode. We'll be d...

Happy Fall Kansas! And welcome to our October episode. We are carrying through the Halloween theme from the previous episode. When Geoff originally pitched the idea, I was sort of like "Wha? Say it again." He wanted to focus on spirits. Several meanings contained within the word spirit. Not only the spirits we usually think about when we prepare and celebrate Halloween but the holiday spirit and t...

There is a stereotype about the crotchety old person who watches out their window and when kids step one foot onto their lawn, they run out onto the porch, shaking their fist and yelling 'get off my lawn you hooligans!' Well, today we are going to learn about a Kansan who has impacted our culture simply because she wasn't the kind of person who would fall into that stereotype. Instead of shaking h...

This month, Rachel talks with Ryan Biergert, festival co-chair of Svensk Hillingsfest, a festival that celebrates our state's Swedish Heritage, hosted in Lindsborg. According to the Kansas Historical Society, the first Swede arrived in Kansas in 1864, and he encouraged others to emigrate and file claims for land in what is now Lindsborg Ks. By 1890, there were 17,000 Swedes in Kansas.  Lindsborg i...

This month, Rachel talks with Tim Bascom, author and Executive Director of the Kansas Book Festival. The Kansas Book Festival is a great opportunity to learn about Kansas - authors who are from Kansas or write about Kansas or topics that are germane to Kansans. Spending a day at the festival will no doubt open your eyes to something new.    After covering the festival, Rachel and Tim talk about Ti...

If you haven't listened to our September 2020 episode which was an interview with public officials from Pittsburg Kansas about how they were managing the pandemic, I'd encourage you to go back and listen to it.  This episode is a follow-up to see how things have changed since that interview. We've all been through this shared experience, and although it meant something a little different to all of...

Our topic today is a very important, very heavy one: mental health. I'm going to introduce you to a very important and innovative program in Kansas that is working to make the stigma that surrounds talking about mental health issues a thing of the past.    Zero Reasons Why is a program that is teaching teens the skills they need to be able to make mental health a normal part of our daily lives. Yo...

Built in 1877, the Oak Grove Schoolhouse has been a gathering place for the community of Lincoln Township for generations. In this episode, Rachel talks with Cary Pruitt and Roger Pruitt from the Oak Grove Schoolhouse Historical Society.  Part Family history, part Kansas history, partly a story about family legacy, we think you'll find this episode to be informative, entertaining, and important. ...

This month, Rachel talks with Connie Blanke about Prairiesta, a festival that happens every 10 years in Russell, Kansas. Whether you are able to make it out to the festival or not, you'll learn a lot about community spirit, the importance of honoring our history, and what it takes to put together a festival. Prairiesta website Deines Cultural Center Episode: Big Kansas Road Trip - The Experience

In this episode of Uncovering Kansas, Rachel interviews guest Kirk Sharp of the Gordon Parks Museum. For many the name Gordon Parks will be familiar. To others, only a vague recollection. And for some the name will be unknown entirely. No matter which group you are in, come along for the ride and join in and listen as Rachel learns about Gordon Parks and uncovers only a fraction of the eventful li...

In this episode, Rachel chats with Kansas resident and fellow podcaster Landon Huslig of Wichita Life ICT. They discuss cultural aspects and details of Wichita and create from the specific a backdrop for a broader, more personal, discussion about their passion and support of Kansas, generally, including a similar objective each has for their respective podcast.    Wichita Life ICT website (and pod...

In this month's episode of Uncovering Kansas Rach talks with Grammy-nominated musical artist Jan Kraybill. If y'all could have seen Rachel's eyes when she slotted this interview. She doesn't geek out over too many things. Rachel is pretty level-headed. But she does enjoy a classical music concert, there's no denying that.  When Geoff, our co-producer, listened to the initial post-production he smi...

In this month's episode, Rachel talks with Deb Kohn and Cheryl Germann, Co-Coordinators of the Poetry Out Loud program in Kansas. They uncover the way that Kansas students can compete while also learning about poetry and performance.  Kansas Poetry Loud website Watch Sarah Katsiyiannis, Khadija Ceesay, and Santiago Vasquez Poetry Out Loud Kansas Facebook page Twitter: @KSPOL "Flight Path" a poem b...

In this month's episode, Rachel talks with Tony Helfrich, Director of Adventure Programs at McPherson College. They uncover the way that a passion for Kansas outdoors can add to the richness of experience for students at McPherson, while also teaching them life skills along the way.    McPherson College Bulldog Adventures - @mcbulldogadv (instagram & twitter) Shotgun Sports Program -  @mcshotgunsp...

In this month's episode, Rachel talks with Stephen Bridenstine of the Flint Hills Discovery Center. Rachel uncovers the draw of the place. Hint: it sounds as though it caters to all ages, nature lovers and science lovers. The center is located in Manhattan, KS and so it can be both a destination in its own right as well as temporary exploratory stop as you and your family are out wandering the Sun...

Hello, Kansas! Uncovering Kansas Podcast co-producer Geoff here, with this month's show notes.  I pitched the idea for this month's episode to Rach back in late May and, paraphrasing now, it went a little something like this: "Not now," I had said. "I understand things are still in a fragile state. But when we start to come out of the pandemic, I think we should send out invitations to several com...

Rachel sits down with kristopher swanson from The Neighboring Movement, a Wichita based community development organization to talk about how to uncover the unique assets you have in your own neighborhood. There is a parallel between the mission of Uncovering Kansas: to inspire Kansans to learn more about the gifts we have within our state, and the mission of the Neighboring Movement: to connect pe...

Your co-producer, Geoffrey, here with show notes for the latest episode of Uncovering Kansas. Rachel talks with the hosts of the WORST COMIC PODCAST EVER. A fabulous episode of nerdom and the sharing of shared passions.   If I were writing a comic book script for these guys and their show it would begin like this:   Summary Three longtime friends have a shared interest: comics. They decide to prod...

Greetings Uncovering Kansas listeners and supporters. June 2020's episode is about art and science and connections. Rachel sits down and talks with Kelly Yarbrough, an artist and a Kansan by choice. Of course, Kelly discusses her artistic process. She also talks about how the seasons and science of Kansas influences her creative effort. What becomes apparent is that Kelly is a connector. Whether a...

There is no 'they' that fixes what needs fixing, or improves what needs improving. There is 'us.' You. And me. Kansans understand this. In this month's episode Rachel talks with Lisse Regehr of Thrive Allen County, an organization convening, coordinating, and championing the ideas and efforts of Allen County residents. Listen to examples of a community converting an abandoned cement factory into u...

In April 2020's episode of Uncovering Kansas, Rachel talks with Kansan Sage Scott, a travel blogger. They talk about travel vs vacation; of inspiring someone to travel and explore rather than attempting to influence visiting a specific spot or locale; and they give shout-outs and share BIG love for Abilene and Nicodemus Kansas.  Sage Scott arrived in Kansas via a circuitous route. But she is plugg...