Within Reason with Mike Matson

The Flint Hills Discovery Center is here to inspire a love of learning in kids, and maybe even their parents too. The job of today's guest, Stephen Bridenstine, the Director at the discovery center, is to create a space for all members of the community to come together and immerse themselves in learning about the world around us.

It's that time of year to start seeing the Salvation Army out and about doing what they do best, giving back. Karla Johnson and Quanita Williams join the show today to talk about how the organization gives back to our local community.

Societal attitudes towards individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have vastly improved over the recent years. With an emphasis on inclusion, acceptance, and equal opportunity, Big Lakes Development Center aims to create the best life for individuals with special needs. Liz Holle, president and CEO of Big Lakes Development, joins the show this morning to share how the center i...

It takes a lot of work in the background to keep a city running as well as it can. From roadwork to public safety, The City of Manhattan's Public Works Department works to keep the gears oiled and the machine running. Brian Johnson, the City Engineer and now Director of the department, join the show to talk about ongoing projects in Manhattan as well as future improvements coming down the pipeline...

With the many factors pressing on Kansas farmers and ranchers, it's important to have somebody in your corner as a member of the agriculture community, and the Kansas Farm Bureau was created just for that reason. President of the Bureau Joe Newland and CEO Terry Holdren join the show to talk about what the organization provides for it's farmers, as well as how members are helping each other.

With Christmas coming up, it's time to get into the holiday spirit, and there's no better way to do that than with the Flint Hills Breadbasket Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade. Gina Snyder, executive director of Downtown Manhattan, Inc., and Karla Hagemeister, executive director of the Flint Hills Breadbasket, join the show today to talk about the upcoming parade and what the parade provides...

The Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation has noticed a need in the community, a need of dental care for those who can't afford the care themselves. The "Kansas Mission of Mercy" is a communal fund dedicated to providing free dental care to any Kansas resident. Niki Sadler is the executive director of the Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation, and Jill Ellner, a dentist with the Dental Health Group of...

As one of the best marching bands in the nation, The Pride is a crowing jewel of K-State. Dr. Frank Tracz, director of the comprehensive band program, is hanging up the hat after this year. We visit with Dr. Tracz to talk about his decorated career and what his next steps are.

On today's episode of Within Reason with Mike Matson, Combating loneliness and building new friendships with Liz Nelson and Dane Schmidt who work with the Manhattan Senior Center to keep seniors active and educated.

With kitchen table issues becoming more and more prominent, the budget has come under more and more scrutiny. One person who's a large voice on the issue is John Ford, a commissioner on the Riley County Commission. He joins the show today to talk about what he sees in the future of Manhattan, and how the city plans to pay for that future.

In order to provide the best care, it's important to have the most educated doctors possible, and the Kansas State University Physician Assistant Program aims to do exactly that. Today we talk to a recent graduate from the program, Michael Prichard, who works at the Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Clinic. Prichard will talk about what the program entails and the many benefits of a post graduate p...

Noxious weeds are not only obnoxious and unsightly, but they can also cause problems such as clogged waterways and pose health risks. Today, Michael Boller, the Director at the Riley County Noxious Weed Department, joins the show to talk about what his role as director entails and what we can do as a community to keep our land healthy.

The agriculture industry is one of the leading producers in the state of Kansas, and more importantly cattle farmers. With the struggles of these ranchers growing, it's important to make sure our producers are taken care of and are able to continuously produce. Our guests today are Kansas Livestock Association leaders Troy Sander and Scarlett Madinger, who join the show to talk about what it takes...

The mission of the Manhattan Community Health Foundation is to add value to the good works of Ascension Via Christi Hospital. Today, the Foundation Director Chris Spooner and Board Chair Andy Ellis join the show to talk about all of the good that the foundation brings and how they are keeping the medical field as modern and up to date as possible.

In the final stages of our lives, we want to be taken care of as best as possible. Good Shephard Homecare & Hospice, a local non-profit in the Manhattan area, does just that. Today's guest, the Executive Director of Good Shephard Christina Nolte, joins the show to talk to us about who and what the non-profit serves.

The Press is a community staple in Manhattan. Derek Richards is the driving force behind the historic music venue and the art that the venue provides. Today, Richards joins the show to talk about his journey from publishing office to music theater, and what the new renovations have in store for the venue.

Nurses are one of the most important people in a hospital. Without them, all of the little things don't get done, and patients wont feel taken care of. Chandra Schwab and Todd Walburn are nurse practitioners, who deal strictly with "wound care", join the show to inform about what they do as specific treatment nurses and how they aim to help their patients.

On his 93rd birthday, pillar of the community, Roger Reitz joins the show today to give us insight into his eventful life. He talks about what got him into his career, what drove him to community service, and why he continues even to this day.

With Veterans Day coming up, it's important to honor those who have put their lives on the line for what they believe. Shawn Hornung and Mike Riley, together with students from Wamego High School, help organize what are called "Honor Flights", which are designed to honor veterans, and give them a chance to visit important monuments and memorials built to honor their service.

One of the most important facilitators of growth is available housing in an area. Manhattan is trying to get ahead of that housing need with a workforce housing effort which plans to build 40 affordable homes. The Frontier Development Group is in charge of designing and building these homes, and Tyler Holloman, the President of the development group, joins the show today to talk about what "Infill...

Stormont Vail Health is at the forefront of medical technology. Dr. Daniel Regier and Dr. Patrick Landes, with Stormont Vail Health, join the show today to share how a new technology is helping breast cancer patients in their treatment.

With election results finishing up at 7:00 last night, Larry Fox, Jim Morrison, and Andrew Von Lintel are the new city commissioners. The school board also has three new members in incumbent Jayme Morris-Hardeman, Lew Faust, and Courtney Jane Hochman. We'll speak to 4 of the 6 winners from yesterdays elections on what they believe brought them to the front of the race.

In August, 2026, an election will be held throughout the state of Kansas to decide how justices should be appointed to the Kansas supreme court. Today, we're joined by Chris McGowne who is a Hays attorney, and chair of the Kansas Republican Party, as he talks to us about the next election and what we would be voting on.

It takes a lot of work to keep a pulse on what all goes down in Manhattan. That is exactly the job of today's guest, Megan Moser, executive editor of the Manhattan Mercury. Today we talk about an ongoing story about the Manhattan chiropractor, Clark Petersen, and his recent conviction on 51 counts of sexual misconduct.

Today we hear from the candidates for both the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 school board, and the Manhattan City Commission. Each candidate will give a short stump speech in order to give us a good overview of what each candidate will bring to the table if they are elected.