Within Reason with Mike Matson

Aggieville has always been the backbone of student life here at Kansas State. Today, Dennis Cook, the executive director of the Aggieville Business Association, joins us to discuss the ongoing redevelopment of the "soul" of Manhattan.

We're joined by Kristin Brighton, the Manhattan-Ogden School Board President, who shares about her life with her own business, the local school board, and all of the life experiences that have lead her to where she is now.

Kathryn Focke is currently one of the five acting commissioners on the Riley County Commission. She was first elected in November of 2020, and subsequently re-elected last year. Today, we talk to Focke about what she sees in the future of Manhattan, and what it might take to attain that goal.

First responders are the most important people in a community, and it's important to keep up with what that community needs. Today, we talk to Josh Gering, the Assistant Director of Riley County Emergency Medical Services about their new facilities and what they plan to accomplish with that.

The director of the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, Michael Smith talks about the inaugural triannual exhibition and the process that it took to bring about the amazing collection of art. Smith shares about his role at the museum, what it takes to create the spaces that we see, and upcoming events at the museum.

We are visited today by Christina Nolte, the executive director of Good Shepherd Homecare & Hospice. The in-home care provider has been working to provide comfort to those in need for 45 years, and has strived to address the needs of individuals who need end-of-life care.

Five candidates are in the running for the Manhattan Ogden USD 383 school board, one of those candidates joins us today, Tom Drummond. Drummond describes himself as a veteran, father, husband, and educator fighting to see results in the local district.

Today's guest is the ninth candidate running for Manhattan City Commission, Martha Sweeney. She is well versed in a variety of topics with anything from finance to agricultural biology. With her candidacy, she's looking to represent all of Manhattan, and listening to the people's needs.

Biosciences are the key to a higher standard of living, and the forefront of this field is happening right here in Wamego, Kansas with Tritica Biosciences. This local lab is pioneering new processes that are looking to expand our knowledge of agriculture and synthetic bioscience.

Today we're joined by Kansas author Mike Durall. He has written three books, most recent of which is titled "Heartwarming Stories from the Kansas Plains" detailing the lives of local Kansans' lives and what makes this state home.

Women's rights, and especially the right to abortion, have frequently come under scrutiny over the last 6 months. Our guest today, Ashley All, has worked to protect Kansas' bodily autonomy through legislation and advocacy throughout the state.

Jim Genandt joins the show today to talk about his role as president of Manhattan Area Technical College. MATC leads the way in offering a technical education that offers practical skills that are highly valued.

In our effort to meet the nine candidates for the upcoming Manhattan City Commission, today we talk to Abena Taylor. With the election coming up this November, it's important to learn about our candidates, and what they want for the future of Manhattan, and how they plan to bring their promises to fruition.

We visit with Teresa Woody, the director of litigation at the state-wide advocacy group, Kansas Appleseed. The local group works to protect Kansas voter rights in an effort to fight what they call an alarming rise in voter suppression laws.

Everybody counts is a grassroots community effort organized at the start of 2014 focused on fighting Manhattan and Ogden growing homelessness issue. Everybody Counts works to provides tangible goods such as meals and toiletries to community care such as free medical and mental health services at the yearly Everybody Counts event.

We visit with Jared Meitler about the many rural Kansas counties experiencing population increase. Everything from fine arts and sports to student capacity is effected as population density ebbs and flows within the state, and it's up to the Rock Creek school board to tackle these upcoming issues.

Marshall Stewart, K-State VP for External Engagement joins Mike to discuss the DEI program closure, extension from a Land Grant University in 2025 and more.

On Friday's edition of Within Reason with Mike Matson, Mike spoke with Manhattan City Commission candidate Amber Starling.

The demand for childcare in our region outpaces the supply. With waiting lists long and funding short, some business leaders in Manhattan have taken it upon themselves to help. The Flint Hills Community Accelerator is an innovative structure that provides space and resources for childcare providers. Lisa Isaacson, executive director of the program, joins Mike today to break that vision down.

Manhattan Public Library director joins guest host Sarah Hancock of New Boston Creative Group on today's show to talk about the many resources and community events available at the library.

July is BIPOC (Black Indigenous & People of Color) Mental Health Awareness Month. On today's show, guest host Sheila Ellis-Glasper speaks with Dr. Jurdene Coleman to talk about Black joy, equity, and how BIPOC communities can regain trust in therapy services. Dr. Coleman founded Sage & Summit Therapy, and works as an Organizational Change Manager with Keystone Learning Services.

Sheila Ellis-Glasper -- speaker, consultant, founder of Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills and principal of SEG Media Collective -- guest hosts on today's show. She is joined by Tre Glasper, CEO of Tre's Squeeze, and Bailee Henry of Network Kansas to talk about the impact of youth entrepreneurship.

It's been a summer of discontent for the Riley County Commission. Commissioner Greg McKinley joins Mike to talk mill levies, housing, and city-county relations.

One of nine candidates vying for the three opening seats on the Manhattan City Commission, local realtor Scott Seel joins Mike on today's show to talk workforce housing growth, his nonprofit committee service and his belief that paving roads is a nonpartisan issue.

The Kansas Cowboy Poetry Championship occurs at the Flint Hill Discovery Center nine days from today. Kansas Poet Lariat Ron Wilson of Manhattan is this year's Chair. On today's show, we joins Mike to break down the event and the value of artistic expression honoring the American west.