Topeka Insider

Molly Howey, newly appointed CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership, shares her vision for economic development and community growth in Topeka. With 14 years of experience in the organization, Howey brings both institutional knowledge and fresh perspective to continue the momentum building in Shawnee County.

• Born and raised in Overbrook, Howey graduated from Washburn University and now lives north of Topeka
• The Greater Topeka Partnership encompasses four entities: Go Topeka (economic development), Visit Topeka (tourism), Downtown Topeka, and the Chamber of Commerce
• Economic development in Topeka focuses on creating prosperity through quality employment, workforce development, entrepreneurism, and business attraction
• Topeka's net promoter score has improved from -48 to +15, showing positive shifts in community perception
• The Link Innovation Center, opening in early 2026, will provide lab space for entrepreneurs in animal health and ag tech industries
• Topeka's location in the "animal health corridor" (between Columbia, MO and Manhattan, KS) represents 60% of the world's GDP in animal health
• Quality of life benefits include short commute times, affordable living, outdoor recreation, and diverse lifestyle options within minutes of downtown
• The city offers a unique combination of being "large enough that you've got what you need, but small enough that if you have an idea, you can make an impact"
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Apply now at choosetopeka.com if you're thinking about making a move. Choose Topeka can get you up to $15,000 to relocate, whether you're buying or renting. Topeka and Shawnee County are ready to welcome you.
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0:00 - Meet Molly Howey, GTP's New CEO
6:00 - From Overbrook to Economic Development
17:38 - Understanding Economic Development in Topeka
24:00 - Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiatives
36:22 - Community Perception and New Promoter Score
42:30 - Quality of Life in Topeka
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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/
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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.

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For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram! 

Lindsay Lebahn, Director of Plug and Play Topeka, shares how global innovation is thriving in America's heartland by connecting entrepreneurs, corporations, and investors through their unique accelerator program. 

• Plug and Play operates 62 locations globally with Topeka focusing on animal health and ag tech
• The accelerator connects startups with MVPs to corporate partners, mentors, and universities
• Their founder's first investment was trading office space above his rug shop for equity in Google
• Startups going through the program are typically working on technologies 5 years from market
• Topeka offers unique advantages including affordable housing while still being near Kansas City
• Lindsay held a Guinness World Record for the world's largest award show at AT&T Stadium
• Being a "yes person" has been key to Lindsay's career progression and success
• Entrepreneurs need to reach out and ask for help, especially in the Midwest where people want to assist
• Topeka's biggest challenge is confidence in itself and recognizing its inherent advantages
• Young people often get stuck because they want success to be easy and obvious when it rarely is

Reach out to Lindsay through her socials or email - she's always happy to connect for coffee, lunch, or to discuss how Plug and Play might help your business.
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0:00 - Meeting Lindsay Lebahn
3:43 - Understanding Plug and Play's Global Innovation Model
10:49 - The Entrepreneur's Journey and Support System
22:25 - From Nashville to a Guinness World Record
38:40 - The Power of Saying Yes in Your Career
49:00 - Topeka's Untapped Potential and Midwest Confidence
1:00:53 - Rapid Fire: Life in Topeka and Advice

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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! 

Zach Watkins shares his journey from Washburn walk-on linebacker to head coach, revealing how his 20-year connection to the program shapes his coaching philosophy and vision for the future.

• Coming full circle from player to head coach at Washburn University
• Building a program on five pillars: family, accountability, discipline, toughness, and respect
• Completing over 2,000 hours of community service in five months
• Creating accountability groups and football nights at every campus sport
• Managing 36 scholarships across a roster of 125+ players
• Developing relationships with every player through individual meetings
• Recruiting philosophy: "If you're good enough, they'll find you"
• Moving to morning practices to prioritize family time for coaches
• Implementing a single-digit jersey system where players vote for teammates who best represent program values
• Washburn NFL alumni success stories including Corey Ballantyne (Colts) and Kyle Hinton (Falcons)

Join us for our first game Saturday, August 30th against Truman State at 1 pm!

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0:00 - Welcome Coach Zach Watkins 
10:18 - From Player to Coach Journey
18:00 - Pro Pathways and Washburn NFL Alumni
25:28 - First Year as Head Coach
33:47 - Building Community Connection
41:47 - Family-First Coaching Philosophy
51:39 - Roster Management and Recruitment
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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! 

Curtis Sneden, Director of Development at the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA), shares exciting developments happening at Topeka's two airports and their adjacent industrial park. He reveals plans to bring commercial airline service back to Topeka Regional Airport, with flights potentially starting in early 2026 to destinations like Orlando, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.

• The MTAA operates both Topeka Regional Airport (formerly Forbes Field) and Philip Billard Airport, plus an industrial park with development potential
• Data shows approximately 1,400 Topekans drive to KCI daily, creating strong market demand for local commercial air service
• Airlines have shown significant interest in Topeka after years of indifference, with point-to-point carriers eager to serve the market
• Plans include building an 80,000-square-foot aircraft maintenance hangar to attract MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) companies
• The project would create skilled aviation jobs, with potential partnership with Washburn Tech for mechanic training programs
• Existing airport tenants include Verus Aviation (corporate jet management), Millionaire (fixed-base operator), military units, and museums
• Topeka's collaborative approach to economic development helps attract businesses with seamless support across organizations
• The "Kansas Aerospace Triad" concept connects Topeka, Wichita and Salina as centers of aviation excellence in Kansas
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0:00 - Meet Curtis Sneden, MTAA Director
11:14 - Airports Overview and Current Operations
19:24 - Commercial Air Service Coming to Topeka
39:08 - Economic Development and MRO Opportunities
46:24 - Topeka's Growth and Breaking Down Silos
58:32 - Rapid Fire Questions
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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! 

India Yarborough, Topeka's newest PR pioneer, shares her journey from Mississippi journalist to founding Local Lens PR, the city's first public relations firm dedicated to helping small businesses find their voice. She explores the critical distinction between marketing and PR while explaining how her business fills a gap in the local market for strategic communications.

• Moved to Topeka in 2019 as a reporter for the Topeka Capital Journal, having never visited Kansas before
• Found Topeka to be the "perfect small city" with unique qualities that convinced her to stay for six years and counting
• Worked at the Greater Topeka Partnership for over three years before identifying the need for dedicated PR services for small businesses and nonprofits
• Launched Local Lens PR in February 2023 after participating in Omni Circle's entrepreneurial programs
• Explains that PR focuses on building relationships and trust while marketing focuses primarily on selling products
• Works with clients ranging from Omni Circle Group to Trident Homes, which is bringing 3D printed housing to Topeka
• Acknowledges AI's role in PR work while emphasizing the need for human creativity and refinement
• Wishes more Topekans would believe in themselves and their community's potential

If you're looking for PR support for your small business or nonprofit, visit locallensPR.com or find India at the Omni Circle office space in Topeka.

This episode is proudly brought to you by Choose Topeka! If you've been thinking about relocating to Shawnee County, Topeka might just pay you to move. Seriously. You could get up to $15,000 to live and work in Shawnee County. Check it out at ChooseTopeka.com.

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0:00 - Introduction to India Yarborough
3:44 - From Mississippi to Topeka
9:18 - Discovering Topeka's Hidden Gems
15:35 - Career Journey: Journalism to PR
22:12 - Launching Local Lens PR
28:31 - PR vs Marketing Explained
35:51 - Client Spotlights and 3D Printed Homes
43:28 - AI's Impact on PR Work
52:18 - 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! 

Coach Brett Ballard shares his journey from player to head basketball coach at Washburn University and reveals how he's built a winning program focused on developing players both on and off the court.

• Growing up in Hutchinson, Kansas before becoming a preferred walk-on at KU under Roy Williams
• Volunteering for Bill Self after graduation to get his foot in the coaching door
• Being part of KU's 2008 national championship team as a staff member
• Building Washburn into a program that's reached five NCAA tournaments in seven eligible seasons
• Leading the team to the Division II Final Four this past season
• Creating a culture where players learn life skills alongside basketball development
• Teaching players to handle feedback and criticism - a skill that serves them well beyond basketball
• Recruiting players with strong character foundations from good families
• Explaining the "why" behind coaching decisions to today's generation of players
• Balancing competitiveness with enjoyment of the game
• Excitement about Washburn's $5 million renovation of Lee Arena
• Looking ahead to coaching his son who will attend Washburn next year

Come support the Washburn basketball program and check out our summer camps for boys and girls in grades 2-8 at wusports.com/camps!
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0:00 - Coach Ballard's Introduction
8:47 - From Player to Coach at KU
16:36 - Building Excellence at Washburn
32:58 - Preparing Players for Life Beyond Basketball
43:08 - The Reading and Leadership Philosophy
50:58 - Responding to Player Challenges
57:30 - Last Season's Success and Future Goals 
1:06:06 - Challenges of Coaching Today's Generation
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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! 

Dennis Dinwiddie shares his 15-year journey as Director of Conservation at the Topeka Zoo, where he oversees initiatives protecting endangered species locally and globally. Through partnerships with other zoos and conservation organizations, the Topeka Zoo funds rangers in Sumatra, supports black-footed ferret reintroduction, and creates habitats for monarch butterflies.

• Topeka Zoo funds a ranger in Sumatra's Leuser Range, the last stronghold for fewer than 400 remaining Sumatran tigers
• Monarch butterflies have declined by 90% in 15-20 years due to loss of milkweed, their only egg-laying plant
• The zoo hosts an annual native plant sale the day before Mother's Day offering milkweed and native flowers
• Black-footed ferrets, once declared extinct with only 18 individuals remaining, are now being reintroduced with the zoo's help
• "Dino Days" features life-size animatronic North American dinosaurs throughout the zoo until October
• Construction will soon begin on a $7.5 million tiger exhibit featuring Sumatran tigers, king vultures, and an education center
• The zoo now exclusively serves bird-friendly coffee grown under rainforest canopies without deforestation

Visit the Topeka Zoo for Dino Days now through October, and watch for the new tiger exhibit coming soon!

This episode is proudly brought to you by Choose Topeka! If you've been thinking about relocating to Shawnee County, Topeka might just pay you to move. Seriously. You could get up to $15,000 to live and work in Shawnee County. Check it out at ChooseTopeka.com.

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0:00: Conservation at the Topeka Zoo

8:45: Saving the Sumatran Tigers

17:35: Disappearing Monarch Butterflies

26:15: Dinosaur Days at the Zoo

36:45: Prehistoric Kansas and Ancient Oceans

43:50: Why Topeka is the Perfect Size

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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! 

Matt Pivarnik reflects on nearly a decade of service as CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership and the remarkable transformation the community has experienced during this time. From becoming the first city in America to measure its Net Promoter Score to seeing dramatic improvements in hope, health, happiness, and prosperity metrics, Topeka's renaissance demonstrates the power of changing community mindset.

• Topeka was the first city to measure its net promoter score, rising from -47 to +1
• Major developments transforming Topeka include Westridge Mall's conversion to a corporate campus and two significant downtown housing projects
• Community perception matters – when people speak negatively about their city, they're engaging in self-loathing
• "Winners focus on winning and losers focus on winners" – communities must define success on their own terms
• Topeka boasts unique selling points including central location, the 8th cleanest air in North America, and genuine "Kansas nice" culture
• The Greater Topeka Partnership team is poised to continue momentum after Pivarnik's departure
• Anyone can make a difference in their community through prayer, positive engagement, and considering public service

"I've actually made a commitment that I'm going to pray for Topeka every day for the rest of my life. Will you join me?"
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0:00 - Praying for Topeka's Future
5:10 - What Makes a Community Thrive
9:12 - From Negative to Positive: Topeka's Journey
17:24 - Major Projects Transforming the City
21:30 - Unique Selling Points of Topeka
35:00 - Passing the Baton with Confidence
40:01 - Call to Action: Serving Your 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! 

Evert Nelson, chief photojournalist at the Topeka Capital Journal, shares his journey from growing up in Topeka to capturing iconic moments that have appeared in Time Magazine and Sports Illustrated. His unique perspective on visual storytelling and finding extraordinary narratives in everyday events gives us insight into the power of photojournalism.

• Born in Costa Rica but raised in Topeka, Evert knew he wanted to be a photojournalist from fourth grade
• Influenced by his uncle Andy Nelson who worked for the Christian Science Monitor in Washington DC
• Photographed the Colorado Rockies for two seasons, capturing unique shots from inside the stadium logo
• His photo of Arike Ogunbowale's game-winning shot appeared as a double-truck spread in Time Magazine
• 85% of his work is assigned while 15% comes from his own story ideas that regularly land on the front page
• Passionate about mountain biking and the growing trail systems around Topeka
• Recently purchased his grandparents' house which has a connection to PT's Coffee founder Jeff Taylor
• Grows gourds for birdhouses and is restoring his grandfather's 1983 GMC truck
• Believes in promoting and improving what Topeka already has rather than focusing on what it lacks
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0:00 - Meet Evert Nelson: Chief Photojournalist
7:09 - Path to Photojournalism Career
11:53 - Notable Sports Photography Experiences
21:31 - Creating Art Through Photojournalism
27:47 - Topeka Events and Mountain Biking
35:48 - The Topeka Insider Podcast Story
44:24 - Rapid Fire Questions and Homelife
51:13 - Favorite Local Places and Projects
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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! 

Eric Patterson turned his childhood sneaker obsession into Saved Soles, Topeka's first high-end sneaker store where faith and footwear create unexpected community. This 23-year-old entrepreneur shares his journey from selling lemonade door-to-door to opening a thriving business in Westridge Mall.

• Saved Soles specializes in buying, selling, and trading high-end sneakers like Jordans, Nikes, and Yeezys
• The store has been operating in Westridge Mall for about nine months with plans to expand to a larger location
• Patterson explains how certain sneakers become valuable collectibles, with some models selling for thousands
• Growing up as a pastor's kid, Patterson integrates his faith into his business practices and name
• His first entrepreneurial venture was "Little Eric's Pink Lemonade" at age 8, turning $80 into $500
• Patterson's father taught him important business lessons like "if you don't make a sale, you can make a friend"
• The new, expanded Saved Soles location will feature a custom shoe lab where customers can personalize their footwear
• Despite skeptics saying a sneaker store wouldn't work in Topeka, the business has thrived through local support
• Patterson recommends Price Package for burgers, a food truck at 21st and California for tacos, and Doughboy's Pizzeria
• He's completed over 100 escape rooms across the country, becoming a self-described "escape room connoisseur"

Visit Saved Soles at Westridge Mall in Topeka or find them on Instagram, Facebook, and especially Snapchat, which Patterson says is still their biggest audience.
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0:00 - Welcome to Saved Soles Sneaker Store
5:00 - The High-End Sneaker Market Explained
11:36 - Saves Soles: Business Growth and Expansion
18:33 - Early Entrepreneurial Beginnings
27:15 - Faith's Role in Business Success
36:02 - Topeka Business Insights and Challenges
39:13 - Rapid Fire: Local Favorites and Hobbies

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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!