Topeka Insider

We sit down with Topeka Fire Chief Chad Longstaff to get a real look at what the job is like, from leadership decisions to the calls that hit hardest. We talk about why most responses are medical, what the department does beyond fires, and the small prevention steps that make the biggest difference at home.

• coming up through the ranks and shifting into department leadership 
• EMS making up most call volume and why residents call 911 more often 
• helping older residents stay safe at home and treating low-priority calls with dignity 
• station coverage, four-minute response goals, and why relocation matters 
• how engines and trucks differ plus hazmat, technical rescue, and other specialist teams 
• the calls that linger most, especially serious vehicle crashes and trapped patients 
• common causes of house fires and how fire investigations work in Topeka 
• free smoke detector program with Red Cross and why alarms matter most 
• Operations Red File on the fridge for fast medical info during emergencies 
• how to react when a fire engine approaches, including when you are unsure 

0:00 - Sponsor And Opening Banter
0:38 - Leading Topeka Fire Department
2:03 - EMS Calls And Rising Demand
7:14 - Stations, Special Teams, Response Times
10:37 - Returning As Chief And Staying Humble
14:25 - Staffing, Apparatus, Calls That Stick
20:54 - Fire Causes And Prevention Programs
26:04 - Shift Work, Sleep, And Stress
28:56 - Rapid Fire Topeka And Siren Driving
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Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider 
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Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram! 

We sit down with Nate and Kayla from H&A Sourdough Bakery and get a real look at the work behind naturally fermented bread, from keeping a starter alive to baking hundreds of loaves for big weekends. They share how a COVID-era health focus turned into a farmers market sellout streak and a brand-new storefront in Topeka.

• how H&A Sourdough gets its name and how the business starts
• what makes sourdough different from store-bought bread
• the farmers market prep schedule and what “the grind” looks like
• feeding starter, fermentation, and learning to read the dough
• scaling production at home with ovens, workspace, and a slicer
• core sourdough flavors, sourdough discard muffins, oil dips, and pricing
• storing bread, freezing slices, and making it last
• storefront launch details, hours, and how ordering works
• local partnerships, events, and why they stay out of gluten-free

Best way to connect with us is through social media, either Facebook or Instagram or text us at 785-633-4153.

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0:41 - Meet H&A Sourdough Bakery
2:20 - From Hobby To First Market
4:28 - The Science Of Sourdough Fermentation
8:12 - The Farmers Market Grind
13:25 - Starter Feeding And Why It Matters
17:47 - How COVID Fueled The Sourdough Boom
20:45 - Grand Opening And Storefront Plans
25:13 - Taste Test: Bread Muffins Dips
32:20 - Pricing Freshness And Freezer Tips
36:41 - How To Order And Catering Options
38:12 - Focaccia With Wine Bar Partnership
39:53 - Rapid Fire Topeka Favorites And Debates
48:20 - Gluten-Free Questions And Staying In Lane
50:34 - Where To Find Them And Wrap
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Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider 
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/

Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram! 

We sit down with Nathan, Dalton, and Trey, the co-founders behind Board and Barrel Wine Bar, to talk about building a small, intimate restaurant with a true scratch kitchen in Topeka. We dig into old world wine, what wine school actually teaches, and how they’re turning a big idea into a repeatable experience for guests and staff. 

• How three local founders meet through work, food, and community ties 
• What Board and Barrel serves for lunch and dinner plus cocktails, beer, and bottles to go 
• Why scratch kitchen prep makes service smoother and less stressful 
• The thinking behind a 30 seat room, tasting menus, and private chef experiences 
• What “wine school” involves and how it helps build a smarter wine list 
• How to guide non wine drinkers from sweet to off-dry to lighter reds 
• Why expensive wine is not always better plus where diminishing returns start 
• The pivot from bottle shop to drinking establishment after zoning rules 
• What Topeka still needs next: bakeries, small sandwich shops, entertainment venues, cocktail bars 
• The 90 percent that fails and the 10 percent worth scaling in any new business 

https://www.boardbarrelwinebar.com/
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0:00 - Cold Open On Scratch Cooking
0:38 - Welcome And Meet The Founders
2:58 - What Board And Barrel Is
6:41 - Building An Intimate Dining Experience
9:34 - What They Learned While Launching
12:32. -How The Co-Owners Divide Roles
13:56 - Wine School And Picking The List
18:15 - Helping Beginners Find A Wine
24:58 - How The Restaurant Idea Started
30:47 - What Topeka Still Needs Next
36:56 - Pivoting Until The 10 Percent Works
39:38 - Rapid Fire Topeka Favorites
45:46 - Reservations Plus Clubs And Subscriptions
48:00 - Final Thoughts And Closing
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Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider 
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/

Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram! 

We sit down with Nick Haney from Cider Days to unpack how Topeka’s biggest fall tradition keeps growing and why it still feels like a family reunion with 250+ vendors. We get into the behind-the-scenes work, the “farmers market on steroids” vibe, and the surprises that make people line up before the doors open. 

• the origin story and why Cider Days stays a family tradition 
• how a small family team plans a massive weekend event year-round 
• how the festival moved venues and scaled to 8,000 to 10,000 attendees 
• what kinds of vendors show up and how they keep variety high 
• ticket prices, early bird options, and why kids 13 and under get in free 
• what it really means to buy an established event brand 
• COVID-era changes and the crowd-pleasing pivot to apple cider slushes 
• the exotic petting zoo and why adults rush it first 
• setup week logistics from pipe and drape to giant inflatables 
• 45th anniversary upgrades like swag bags, main stage acts, and the Barenstain Bears 
• first-timer strategy for food, shopping, and must-see demos 
• rapid-fire Topeka favorites from restaurants to coffee shops 

Visit us on Facebook, Cider Days um on Facebook. We also have an event Cider Days 45th anniversary out there on Facebook as well. You can visit our website at www.ciderdays.com. 

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0:00 - Cold Open, Sponsor, Welcome
1:05 - Cider Days Origins And Family Tradition
4:08 - Moving Venues And Growing Big
6:12 - Vendors, Food, And Shopping Culture
10:12 - Tickets, Buying The Event, Backlash
15:29 - COVID Changes And New Crowd Favorites
16:33 - Exotic Petting Zoo And Camel Talk
18:55 - Behind The Scenes Setup Week
24:07 - 45th Anniversary Highlights And Main Stage
28:02 - Event-Day Fires, Parking, Future Dreams
31:51 - First-Timer Must-Dos And Live Demos
36:47 - Rapid Fire Topeka Picks And Wrap
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Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider 
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/

Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram! 

We sit down with John “The Iron Man” Cantrell and talk about what it costs to always be available, and why he is choosing a new season that puts God and family first. We also dig into mentors, mindset, and endurance, from prison habits to an 18 and 0 boxing career and what it takes to build Topeka without burning out. 

• shifting from saying yes to setting family centered boundaries 
• the “only be good at two things” idea and choosing priorities 
• getting opportunities through humility, hunger, and mentors 
• building habits in prison and applying AA wisdom to growth 
• creating a personal board of directors and inviting accountability 
• understanding strengths with Working Genius and avoiding the weeds 
• Open Skies and the power of shared worship to fight division 
• using free boxing events to bring the whole city together 
• endurance as a strategy in fighting, business, and life 
• revitalizing downtown and neighborhoods instead of chasing sprawl 
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0:00 - Cold Open And Big Picture
0:13 - Choose Topeka Relocation Support
0:42 - Welcoming John The Iron Man Cantrell
1:35 - Trading Constant Yeses For Family
6:57 - Mentors And Getting A Seat
12:21 - Prison Lessons And Daily Habits
19:16 - Life Board And Knowing Your Strengths
26:21 - Open Skies And Fighting Division
30:40 - Free Fight Nights And City Access
32:50 - Allen Field House Boxing Dream
34:47 - Endurance As A Fighting Strategy
38:37 - Getting Knocked Down And Getting Up
42:13 - Mental Reps And Preparation Wins
48:41 - Main Quest Priorities And Good Peopling
51:43 - Rapid Fire Topeka Favorites
58:39 - Revitalizing Neighborhoods And Closing
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Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider 
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/

Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram! 

We sit down with Topeka Police Chief Chris Vallejo to talk about what the job really looks like, why he believes he was sent to Topeka, and how purpose shapes leadership. We dig into crime trends, community trust, and the real-world tradeoffs behind staffing, budgets, and new policing technology.

• organized chaos of leading a police department and setting a clear vision 
• faith, purpose, and the decision to leave Austin for Topeka 
• what separates patrol work from the police chief role 
• community-oriented policing built through training and policy advisory input 
• why Topeka feels more like a community than a big city 
• crime perception versus reality and why “hot spots” matter 
• community violence interrupters and the PACT team approach 
• what a chief carries on the belt and why showing up in uniform matters 
• lessons from the Austin serial bomber case and how policing evolves over decades 
• staffing goals, budget constraints, and what keeps a chief up at night 
• technology in policing including body cameras, AI report writing, and license plate readers 
• rapid-fire favorites around town and what Topeka still needs to grow 
Like this podcast. 
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0:00 - Sponsor Message And Setup
0:41 - Monster Cheers And Guest Welcome
1:45 - Faith, Calling, And Why Topeka
5:46 - What A Police Chief Does
10:17 -  Topeka Vs Austin Community Feel
12:38 - Crime Reality And Recent Drops
15:00 - Violence Interrupters And The PACT Team
16:51 - What’s On The Duty Belt
20:06 - Austin Serial Bomber And Policing Changes
23:55 - Staffing Needs And Budget Limits
24:46 - Tech, AI Reports, And License Plate Readers
30:32 - Leading Under Pressure As Chief
32:13 - Police Cruisers And Practical Tradeoffs
35:06 - Rapid Fire Topeka Favorites
40:09 - What Topeka Still Needs Most
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Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider 
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/

Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram! 

We sit down with Rick Bean from the Top City Trail Alliance to map out Topeka’s natural surface trails and the volunteer work that keeps them open, safe, and fun. We talk everything from trail etiquette and erosion control to mountain biking gear, ultra-endurance “studs”, and a bigger vision for connecting the city through outdoor recreation.

• what the Top City Trail Alliance does and how it’s funded through volunteers and donations 
• what “natural surface trails” are and how they differ from paved paths 
• the four main Topeka dirt trail systems: Kaw River State Park, Cedar Crest, Skyline (Burnett’s Mound), and Dornwood 
• how trail difficulty changes with elevation, terrain, and loop design 
• how renegade trail building led to formal partnerships and MOUs with land managers 
• why stormwater control and erosion prevention decide whether trails last 
• “earn your dirt” and what it means for trail users 
• where to start with mountain biking gear, local bike shops, and realistic entry costs 
• favorite rides outside Topeka including Switchgrass in Kansas and Bentonville, Arkansas 
• local social runs, hikes, and group rides plus how to find them on Facebook 
• a practical case for trail connectivity across Topeka for families and commuters 
man, come out and and you know, if you don't want to be a member, that's fine. Come out and enjoy the trail system with us on our social nights. Yeah. You know, let's go hike, let's go do some running or biking or whatever you want to do. Uh, bring your dogs. They got to be on a leash, but bring your dogs and uh yeah, let's go do it. 
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0:00 - Cold Open And Sponsor Message
0:38 - Meet The Top City Trail Alliance
2:10 - What Counts As A Real Trail
6:09 - Topeka’s Key Trails And Difficulty
10:01 - How The Alliance Started
21:25 - Trail Building, Erosion, And Volunteers
25:57 - Best Rides Beyond Topeka
30:23 - Mountain Biking Starter Gear And Costs
37:29 - Ultra Races And Youth MTB Teams
44:30 - How To Join Runs, Rides, Hikes
45:55 - COVID, Health, And Outdoor Momentum
54:13 - Connectivity Vision For Topeka Trails
58:44 - Trail Safety And Final Invite
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Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider 
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/

Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram! 

We sit down with Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay to unpack what prosecutors really do, how he thinks about fairness, and why leadership in the justice system starts with ethics. We also get candid stories about jury trials, campaigning for an elected role, and the surprising moments when accountability helps people change.

• defining the DA’s role as courtroom advocate and elected prosecutor
• becoming the youngest elected district attorney in Kansas history
• growing up on debate and learning what TV gets wrong about the law
• why “winning” arguments at home can cost you more
• seeing violent crime up close while still believing in the community
• focusing on repeat offenders and accountability to reduce harm
• managing trials, COVID disruptions, and a large prosecution team
• jury duty stories from both sides of the courtroom
• what campaigning teaches about leadership and building a team
• laws he would change, including jury unanimity and prosecutor guidance
• rapid fire Topeka favorites and where to find him locally and online
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0:00 - Cold Open And Sponsor Message
0:41 - Meeting Shawnee County’s District Attorney
2:50. -What A DA Actually Does
4:40. -Becoming Kansas’ Youngest DA
8:14. -From Bullying To Debate
10:48 -Marriage Advice From A Prosecutor
14:52 - What Crime Looks Like Up Close
19:04 - Repeat Offenders And Smarter Penalties
21:32 - Trials Workload And The COVID Backlog
22:59 - Jury Duty Tips And Wild Stories
27:39 - Prosecutors Ethics And Dropping Charges
30:07 - Running For DA Door To Door
35:07 - Laws He Would Change Today
42:05 - The Pressure And Reward Of Justice
44:00 - Rapid Fire Topeka Favorites
50:31 - Where To Find Him And Redemption
53:43 - Final Thoughts And Thanks
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Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider 
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/

Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram! 

We sit down with Raul and Ariana from the Fiesta Topeka planning committee to talk about how Topeka’s biggest summer tradition runs and what it funds. We dig into the history, the food, what’s new this year, and why volunteers are the reason a 93-year festival still works. 

• Fiesta Topeka as a Mexican cultural celebration and Holy Family Catholic School fundraiser 
• What first timers can expect, including live music, carnival, vendors, and five days of events 
• How the committee operates year round and why the public only sees the finished product 
• The Fiesta royalty candidate program, food sale campaigns, and coronation ball 
• Attendance around 50,000, free entry, and how food and beverage sales power the fundraiser 
• New additions like the Fiesta Connect app, notifications, sign ups, and future vendor mapping 
• Oakland location details, neighborhood pride, church murals, and local history 
• Best food talk, tamales selling fast, and why mole and homemade tortillas matter 
• Local Topeka recommendations, food trucks, and rapid fire favorites around town 

We need volunteers to come and help us to continue this tradition. 
https://fiestatopeka.com/
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0:37 - Meet The Fiesta Topeka Leaders
2:48 - What Fiesta Topeka Really Supports
3:55 - What You’ll See And Do
6:30 - The All Year Work Behind Fiesta
8:33 - How Fiesta Royalty Campaigns Work
10:36 - 50,000 Visitors And Free Entry
12:39 - New Upgrades Like Fiesta Connect
14:55 - First Year Reality On The Committee
17:15 - Oakland Location And Neighborhood History
19:43 - Must Eat Foods And Tamale Traditions
29:13 - Their Day Jobs And Time Demands
32:15 - Rapid Fire Topeka Favorites
39:02 - Volunteer Need And Event Details
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Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider 
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/

Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram! 

We sit down with Kevin Moranz again and get a clear, beginner-friendly tour of Supercross from stadium tracks to the points system that decides a season. We also dig into how he funds a pro career as a privateer by building KMR into a real team, turning sponsors into partners, and balancing racing with business and content. 

• what Supercross is and how it differs from outdoor motocross 
• how qualifying, heat races, the LCQ, and the main event work 
• what it takes to earn a pro license and race at the top level 
• why sponsorships matter more than prize money for most riders 
• the difference between privateer, B-level, and factory support 
• building Champion Tool Storage KMR KTM from a hauler to a semi 
• the real workload behind a two-rider operation and traveling crew 
• injuries, head impacts, and how long a Supercross career can last 
• what Kevin learned from being separated from his phone 
• Topeka rapid fire picks and the Chipotle vs Qdoba debate 

If you are interested in being a part of or supporting go check out the website at https://kevinmoranz.com/
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0:00 - Cold Open And Welcome Back
1:40 - What Supercross Actually Is
6:40 - Qualifying Night Show And Points
12:00 - Going Pro From Amateur Racing
18:10 - Sponsorships And Making It Work
24:30 - Privateer Vs Factory Team Reality
31:30 - Building KMR Into A Two Rider Team
36:40 - Injuries Risk And Career Longevity
41:50 - Life Without Your Phone Feels Better
45:40 - Ten Year Vision Beyond Racing
48:40 - Topeka Rapid Fire And Food Debates
51:40 - Where To Follow Kevin Online
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Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider 
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/

Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram!