Building Bridges and Empowering Native Youth - Conversations with Kansas Middletown

Join us in this inspiring episode as Rick Hanson chat's with Kansas Middletown, a community champion from Lower Brule, South Dakota. We explore the importance of cultural understanding, youth empowerment, and the power of authentic connection to create positive change in our communities.

In this episode:

• Kansas shares his journey from growing up on the reservation to becoming a community leader and public speaker
• The impact of sports and storytelling in breaking stereotypes and building bridges
• How Native American youth can be inspired and empowered through opportunity and representation
• The significance of conversations around mental health and suicide prevention
• Lessons learned from notable figures like Billy Mills and interactions with celebrities like Gary Vee
• Practical ways to foster kindness, courage, and community support in everyday life
• Kansas's vision for Native tourism, cultural exchange, and creating generational wealth

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and the purpose of this conversation 00:31 - How Kansas's background and leadership journey began 01:44 - Embracing culture, heritage, and shared humanity 05:10 - Experiencing San Francisco and connecting with influential figures 06:44 - The Native youth flag football events and their significance 08:02 - The power of sports in uniting communities and inspiring young people 09:27 - Insights from Gary Vee interview and Native representation 11:11 - Sharing stories of celebrity encounters like Billy Mills 13:07 - Overcoming mental health challenges and the importance of open dialogue 16:42 - Building opportunities in sports, academia, and entrepreneurship 19:00 - Challenging stereotypes and encouraging visitation to reservations 20:29 - Billy Mills's impact and the meaningful connections made 24:04 - Kansas's motivation rooted in resilience and community service 25:01 - Embracing risk and the journey to personal growth 28:28 - The role of community, family, and leadership in Native empowerment 33:34 - The universality of problems and the importance of compassion 36:14 - Making small gestures count and supporting each other daily 39:16 - The significance of random acts of kindness and meaningful communication 45:06 - Kansas's vision for bridging racial divides and fostering understanding 52:59 - Living your dreams daily and helping others do the same 54:23 - Final thoughts on gratitude, community, and continuous growth

Resources & Links:

• Billy Mills - Official Website
• Gary Vee - Marketing Expert

Connect with Kansas Middletown:

Facebook @Kansas Middletent

Instagram @siouxperman605

Connect with Rick Hanson and Don't Die Rusty

Facebook: @Rick Hanson, @Don't Die Rusty

Instagram @rickhanson24, @dontdierusty

Email: [email protected]

Remember: The good life is living your dreams every day, making meaningful connections, and lifting others along the way. Keep chasing your dreams, and don't die rusty!