Topeka Insider

We sit down with Coach Damon Parker to trace how a girls’ wrestling experiment became the largest team in the world and why a funeral changed his path toward founding the Jones Project. The conversation moves from culture and leadership to mental health, ownership, and hope.

• Building a program that prioritized family, voice, and belonging
• Why girls’ wrestling exploded and how leadership sustains it
• Turning down trophy talk to focus on culture
• The single‑parent stat and what support looks like
• Student leaders holding teammates and coaches to account
• The resignation, grief, and the birth of the Jones Project
• Three critical steps for teen mental health
• Social media as a lifeline for students in crisis
• 29029 endurance climbs and fundraising with “bricks”
• Community, goals, and guardrails for mental health
• Topeka’s strengths, local spots, and date‑night rituals
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This podcast has been brought to you by Choose Topeka. If you're thinking about making a move, Choose Topeka can get you up to fifteen thousand dollars to relocate. Apply now at ChooseTopeka.com
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0:00 - Opening Banter & Sponsor
0:39 - Meet Coach Damon Parker
2:58 - Early Teaching And Coaching Years
5:02 - Rebuilding Washburn Rural Wrestling
6:31 - Birth Of Girls’ Wrestling In Kansas
7:19 - Building The Largest Girls’ Team
8:18 - Choosing Girls Over Boys Program
9:11 - The Single‑Parent Statistic And Its Meaning
11:26 - Coaching For Needs And Relationships
13:34 - Culture Over Trophies
16:28 - Teaching Real Family And Conflict
19:00 - Wanting It For Them Vs. Their Choice
22:07 - Student Leadership That Holds Everyone Accountable
25:56 - Introducing The Jones Project
27:28 - Resignation, Loss, And A Wake‑Up Call
30:02 - Launching A Free School Tour On Mental Health
33:05 - Word‑Of‑Mouth Growth And Impact
35:02 - Social Media As A Safety Net
37:10 - 29029 Everest Challenge As Fundraiser
40:12 - Carrying Bricks And Washington Post Spotlight
42:20 - Habits For Mental Health: Community And Goals
44:17 - The Three Critical Steps: Not Alone, Get Help, Own The Work
48:08 - Why Ownership Matters In Recovery
50:10 - Life In Topeka: Community And Schools
53:15 - Local Favorites, Food Gaps, And Date Night
1:03:33 - Closing And Where To Find The Jones Project
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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 trace Paul Wagner’s path from a shared professorship at Washburn to leading the Sunflower Striders and unpack how Topeka’s running scene grew from race-first to community-first. Practical training tips, trail highlights, and the real costs of putting on local races round out a lively, useful conversation.

• why a shared teaching role made space for family and service
• how running clubs shifted from PR chasing to social connection
• conversation pace, run‑walk, and simple plans that work
• Topeka routes from Deer Creek to Lake Shawnee and Shunga
• trail running skills, fueling, and staying present on technical terrain
• what it takes to stage a race, from volunteers to sponsors
• Boston qualifying, big-race energy, and destination events
• weekly meetups, paces for all levels, and post‑run spots
• Topeka’s future: riverfront vision, connectors, and a marquee race
• how to join Sunflower Striders via Facebook or Fleet Feet
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This episode is brought to you by Washburn University.

Graduates of Shawnee County High Schools and homeschools are eligible for the Thrive Scholarship at Washburn University. Other local graduates may qualify for the Promise Scholarship so you can go to college tuition free. Washburn is just right, just for you. Learn more at washburn.edu
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1:41 - The Job-Share Experiment At Washburn
7:20 - Campus Growth And Athletics Momentum
8:40 - What A Running Club Really Is
13:45 - Social Running, Tech, And Timing Evolution
18:10 - Trails, Ultrarunning, And Run‑Walk Method
24:00 - Marathon Class, Group Ethos, And Community
28:20 - Weekly Meetups, Paces, And Routes
34:20 - Trail Systems, Long Routes, And Events
41:35 - Boston Qualifying, Big Races, And Costs
47:20 - Shoes, Mileage, Triathlons, And Training Load
54:30 - Experience Over Speed And Race Economics
1:01:20 - Topeka’s Race Potential And Trail Vision
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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 trace Tara Dimick’s path from Washburn to TK Business Magazine and Compass, exploring how a premium print brand thrives alongside a full-service agency that acts like an embedded marketing team. Along the way we unpack entrepreneurial mindset, hiring creatives, and why Topeka’s underdog energy fuels real growth.

• TK Business Magazine acquisition story and evolution
• Why print still works when quality is high
• Advertiser-funded model and multi-channel distribution
• Letting experts lead and avoiding micromanagement
• Building Compass as a plug-in marketing department
• Strategy, content, media buying, and execution end-to-end
• Entrepreneur strengths, failure tolerance, and momentum
• Topeka’s scrappy identity and community advantages
• Practical advice for starting a business locally
• Local favorites, rapid fire, and where to find TK and Compass

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This podcast has been brought to you by Choose Topeka. If you're thinking about making a move, Choose Topeka can get you up to fifteen thousand dollars to relocate. Apply now at ChooseTopeka.com
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0:00 - Cold Open, Sponsor, And Guest Intro
0:39 - Tara’s Washburn Roots And Sports Culture
3:20 - Entrepreneurial Upbringing And Mindset
9:28 - Acquiring TK Business Magazine
12:05 - Why Print Endures And How It’s Funded
17:12 - Let Great People Do Great Work
24:32 - Launching Compass Marketing And What They Do
30:10 - Clients, Community, And Growth Strategy
34:00 - Why Topeka: Underdog Energy And Belonging
39:10 - Chaos, Strengths, And The Entrepreneur’s Drive
45:15 - Practical Advice For New Founders
49:25 - Rapid Fire: Local Favorites And Hot Takes
52:42 - Where To Find TK And Compass
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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 sat down with Cynthia McCarvel, Strategic Partnerships Director at the Topeka Zoo, to unpack how Zoo Lights grew from a winter idea into a citywide tradition. From 28 miles of LEDs to volunteer crews, soundscapes, igloos, and access programs, we trace the people and plans behind the glow.

• role of strategic partnerships and community ties
• why a small zoo is a strength for families
• memberships and reciprocal discounts driving value
• origins, growth, and yearly redesign of Zoo Lights
• scope and logistics of power, LEDs, and frames
• corporate and school volunteers wrapping trees and testing lights
• in-kind support from electricians, lifts, and fabricators
• themed music for holidays around the world
• igloos, Santa’s Forest, and photo ops that invite sharing
• promotions including Wild Wednesdays and Museums for All
• rentals and concierge service for private nights
• challenges like reindeer transport and permits
• ticket prices, dates, and how to visit

Everyone, go visit the Topeka Zoo Lights!
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0:00 - Meet Cynthia And Her Role
1:04 - How Sponsorships Power The Zoo
3:30 - Why A Small Zoo Works Big
5:15 - Membership Value And Regional Draw
5:48 - Zoo Lights Origins And Impact
8:10 - Community Partners And Igloos
10:20 - The Scale Of The Lights
12:05 - Power, Logistics, And Setup
14:05 - Volunteers, Lifts, And Design Teams
16:00 - Sound, Music, And Global Theme
17:50 - Business Rentals And Annual Cycle
19:20 - Planning Ahead And Topping Last Year
21:00 - What’s Worked, What’s Hard: Reindeer
22:40 - Santa’s Forest And Photo Ops
25:10 - Social Buzz, Tunnels, And Stats
26:40 - Local Favorites And Rapid Fire
28:30 - Tickets, Access, And Promotions
30:00 - Favorite Displays And Closing 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 trace Pilar’s path from Columbia to Topeka and explore how language, culture, and community shape learning. Dual language classrooms, the seal of biliteracy, and the difference between language needs and disabilities take center stage with practical tips for families and curious adults.
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0:35 - Meet Dr. Pilar Mejía And Her Journey
3:25 - From Fashion To Education In Kansas
6:08 - Degrees, Endorsements, And Kansas Schools
10:24 - Language, Culture, And Family Roots
12:25 - Accents, Dialects, And Spanish Varieties
14:50 - Life In Topeka And Why She Stayed
18:40 - What Topeka Needs: Languages And Food
21:56 - Learning Tools: Duolingo Vs Rosetta Stone
24:20 - Kids, Plasticity, And True Immersion
30:17 - Diversity In USD 501 And Languages
33:08 - Dual Language Model And World Languages
36:15 - Placement, Heritage Speakers, And Equity
38:00 - Challenge: Staffing And Teacher Shortages
41:18 - Language vs Disability: Getting It Right
46:00 - Open Hearts, Open Minds, Community
48:15 - Rapid Fire And Closing Moments
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This podcast has been brought to you by Choose Topeka. If you're thinking about making a move, Choose Topeka can get you up to fifteen thousand dollars to relocate. Apply now at ChooseTopeka.com

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 talk with Dan Garrett, Director of Communications and Media Relations for the City of Topeka, about how a modern city communicates through storms, potholes, rumor mills, and the daily work that rarely makes headlines. He shares practical tools residents can use, why tone matters online, and where Topeka is quietly moving forward.

• path from TV reporter to city communications lead
• what city PR covers across social, media, and web
• potholes versus construction trade‑offs and winter patching
• SeeClickFix for reporting issues that get real responses
• managing the 100‑year snow and a misunderstood police action
• when humor backfires and why tone must fit the moment
• video series on city history and department spotlights
• momentum planning, city flag adoption, and regional interest
• reaching offline residents with banners, libraries, and Channel 4
• local life: food, trails, haunted woods, and favorites
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0:00 - Dan’s Path To Topeka
2:15 - From TV News To City Hall
4:25 - What City PR Actually Does
7:05 - Potholes, Construction, And Public Expectations
11:10 - Reporting Issues: The SeeClickFix App
12:45 - The One‑In‑A‑Hundred‑Year Snowstorm
17:15 - Handling Backlash And Media Pressure
21:30 - Humor, Tone, And City Social Media
25:40 - Video Series: History And Behind The Seal
28:10 - National Attention And Correcting Rumors
32:40 - Momentum, Governance, And Real Progress
35:30 - Beyond Social: Reaching Offline Residents
38:00 - Life In Topeka: Food, Trails, Events
42:00 - Rapid Fire: Local Picks And Pet Peeves
46:20 - Where To Follow And State Of The Community
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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 Hazel Hill’s Nick Xidis to explore award-winning bean-to-bar chocolate, the craft behind single origins, and why serving people is the true business model. From sensory tasting tips to cocoa market shocks, we dig into flavor, process, and community.

• family heritage from Greek immigrant chocolatier to Topeka maker
• where to buy Hazel Hill and seasonal gifting cycles
• single-origin cocoa, inclusion bars, and flavor terroir
• full bean-to-bar steps from ferment to temper
• how to taste chocolate like a pro with simple method
• small business mindset: service before product
• cocoa price spikes, tariffs, hedging, and inventory strategy
• community support, local advocacy, and making a difference
• rapid-fire local favorites in food and trails
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0:00 - Awards, Names, And A Sponsor Shout
0:40 - Meet Nick Xidis Of Hazel Hill
3:16 - Origins Of Hazel Hill And Family Roots
7:56 - Where To Find Hazel Hill And Busy Seasons
11:45 - What Hazel Hill Makes And What They Don’t
16:05 - Enjoying Chocolate And What “Best” Means
19:45 - Tasting Award Winners And Single Origins
24:05 - Whiskey And Spice: Inclusion Bar Deep Dive
28:10 - Why Chocolate Is Harder Than Coffee
29:44 - From Fruit To Bar: The Full Process
36:10 - Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Powder, And Use
38:18 - Business Wisdom: Serve People First
44:10 - How To Taste Chocolate Like A Pro
51:00 - Date-Night Tasting Kits And Palate
53:20 - Immigration Story And Candy land Legacy
1:00:00 - The Hard Part: Cocoa Prices And Tariffs
1:06:15 - Hedging, Inventory, And Advocacy
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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 talk with Marsha Pope about how the Topeka Community Foundation grew from a $10,000 idea to a $120 million engine for local change and why the team moved from quick fixes to upstream solutions. We explore impact investing, mental health, housing, and the power of data to guide funding.

• Origin story of the Topeka Community Foundation and Junior League roots
• How donor-advised funds stay local and responsive
• Endowments, spending policy, and grant making basics
• From apples to upstream: reframing health through zip code data
• Social determinants of health and Shawnee County mapping
• Mental health, housing, community safety as health priorities
• Impact investing examples, including fixing predatory contracts for deed
• Leadership pipelines, student social enterprise, and collaboration culture
• What Topeka needs for identity and civic pride
• How to apply for grants or impact loans and who to contact

Find us on Facebook and Instagram, and visit TopekaCommunityFoundation.org for grant guidelines and details
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0:00 - Meet Topeka’s Community Foundation
2:35 - How a $10K Idea Became $120M
6:50 - What Donor-Advised Funds Do Locally
11:30 - Marcia’s Path Into Philanthropy
16:45 - Community Development Is Economic Development
22:40 - From Apples to Upstream Solutions
27:45 - Zip Code vs Genetic Code
33:10 - Mapping Health and Targeting Need
36:50 - Mental Health, Housing, and Safety Priorities
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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 Cody Foster, cofounder of Advisors Excel, to unpack how a back-office platform grew to support hundreds of advisers, why he’s betting on West Ridge Mall, and what it takes to lead through scrutiny and slow timelines. The conversation moves from annuities to anchor tenants to the quiet rituals that keep leaders grounded.

• AE’s model as the back office for independent advisers
• Simple explanation of annuities and retirement income
• How AE earns: thin margins, scale, managed assets
• Culture, events, and building a service-first team
• Handling criticism and narrowing feedback that matters
• Mastermind habits, men’s groups, and consistency
• Restaurant and hotel bets to seed downtown Topeka
• West Ridge Mall constraints, ownership, and HVAC reality
• Redevelopment vision, three entries, office anchor
• Retail headwinds, anchors, and a two- to three-year horizon
• Why invest locally and how small actions compound
• Practical ways to support Topeka’s momentum

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0:00 - Opening Banter & Setup
0:39 - Introducing Cody Foster
2:25 - Origins: Washburn, Partnership, AE
5:16 - What Advisors Excel Actually Does
8:55 - Growth, Culture, And The Weight Of Scale
12:42 - Handling Criticism And Staying Focused
15:15 - Men’s Community, Rituals, Masterminds
19:30 - Restaurants, Hotel, And Downtown Bets
23:45 - West Ridge Mall: Constraints And Vision
28:10 - Tenants, Timelines, And Retail Reality
33:20 - Economics, Bonds, And Misconceptions
37:20 - Why Invest In Topeka
41:05 - Practical Ways To Help Your City
44:20 - Rapid Fire: Local Life & Tastes
49:25 - Podcast Craft And Final Takeaways
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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 ---   / topekainsider 
Instagram --   / 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! 

The Topeka Insider podcast celebrates its one-year anniversary with a special episode featuring hosts Justin and Jon being interviewed by their behind-the-scenes producer, Gabriel from Butel Media Group.

• Justin and Jon share the origin story of how Topeka Insider came to be, including Justin purchasing the domain five years before they started
• The podcast began as a mission to change Topeka's perception problem by highlighting amazing local people
• Both hosts bring different perspectives – Justin as a lifelong resident and Jon as a transplant who fell in love with the city
• The team discusses their continuous improvements to the podcast's quality over the past year
• Hosts reflect on favorite guests including Andrew Beckler, Brett Ballard, and zoo staff members who shared fascinating facts
• The podcast recently secured sponsorship from the city of Topeka, validating their community impact
• Justin and Jon share their favorite local restaurants, golf courses, and date night spots
• The team discusses what Topeka is missing – including specialty restaurants that do one thing exceptionally well

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0:00 - Celebrating One Year of Topeka Insider
5:32 - Birth of the Podcast Concept
17:24 - Finding Purpose in Changing Topeka's Perception
28:19 - Transplant vs. Native Perspectives 
43:40 - Favorite Episodes and Memorable Moments
1:03:12 - Rapid-Fire Questions About Topeka Life
1:13:25 - What Topeka Is Missing

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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!