Uncovering Kansas

In this month's episode of Uncovering Kansas Rach talks with Grammy-nominated musical artist Jan Kraybill. If y'all could have seen Rachel's eyes when she slotted this interview. She doesn't geek out over too many things. Rachel is pretty level-headed. But she does enjoy a classical music concert, there's no denying that.

When Geoff, our co-producer, listened to the initial post-production he smiled and nodded as Jan communicated a response she receives after mentioning she's from Kansas City to strangers she meets in her travels. Rachel and Geoff receive similar responses. In fact, the communication dynamic is so memorable and powerful Geoff included it in a story he wrote in November 2019. Be sure to listen close when Jan and Rachel start to discuss meeting new people while traveling. Have you received similar questions about the Kansas City area?

So, turn up your volume if you're going to multitask while listening, or grab your favorite set of earbuds and your beverage of choice. Find a comfy spot and settle in. Relax and listen to Rachel and Jan take a meandering audio backroads drive through the subjects of music, Kansas, travel and more.

And, as always, thanks for listening and sharing this podcast with others.

In this month's episode, Rachel talks with Deb Kohn and Cheryl Germann, Co-Coordinators of the Poetry Out Loud program in Kansas. They uncover the way that Kansas students can compete while also learning about poetry and performance.

Kansas Poetry Loud website

Watch Sarah Katsiyiannis, Khadija Ceesay, and Santiago Vasquez

Poetry Out Loud Kansas Facebook page

Twitter: @KSPOL

"Flight Path" a poem by Geoffrey Allison, read in this episode by Rachel Berbiglia

Building a Bookshelf

In this month's episode, Rachel talks with Tony Helfrich, Director of Adventure Programs at McPherson College. They uncover the way that a passion for Kansas outdoors can add to the richness of experience for students at McPherson, while also teaching them life skills along the way.

McPherson College

Bulldog Adventures - @mcbulldogadv (instagram & twitter)

Shotgun Sports Program - @mcshotgunsports (instagram & twitter)

Horsethief Canyon

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

In this month's episode, Rachel talks with Stephen Bridenstine of the Flint Hills Discovery Center. Rachel uncovers the draw of the place. Hint: it sounds as though it caters to all ages, nature lovers and science lovers. The center is located in Manhattan, KS and so it can be both a destination in its own right as well as temporary exploratory stop as you and your family are out wandering the Sunflower State.

This month's links are:

Flint Hills Discovery Center website

Greater Prairie Chickens

Lesser Prairie Chickens

Flint Hills Foundation

Flint Hills Learning Center - including maps

Hello, Kansas! Uncovering Kansas Podcast co-producer Geoff here, with this month's show notes.

I pitched the idea for this month's episode to Rach back in late May and, paraphrasing now, it went a little something like this:

"Not now," I had said. "I understand things are still in a fragile state. But when we start to come out of the pandemic, I think we should send out invitations to several communities across Kansas. Offer them a chance to share a little about their community's COVID story. However they want to tell it: it's their story, after all. Whatever they want to share. The good. Or the bad. The uplifting, or sad. People will shoot straight. They won't hide from the tougher bits they had to work through."

We recognize we aren't clear of the pandemic yet. There are new spikes. And concerns as winter approaches. There's still work to be done. Together. And that's why this may be the best time to share this episode. To remember the parts of the challenge met. The best efforts in the face of uncertainty. The human element.

We're grateful to everyone who follows and listens and shares this podcast with others. Because of you, we're growing. Because of you, we're in a position to share bits and pieces of Pittsburg's COVID-era story with the world. That's right, Kansas. Uncovering Kansas has listeners from outside the (mostly) rectangular-shaped heart located smack dab in the center of the United States of America—the place we call home. Folks is interested, as ya might say. So, again, THANK YOU.

Stay safe and healthy, and we hope you enjoy this month's episode.

Rachel sits down with kristopher swanson from The Neighboring Movement, a Wichita based community development organization to talk about how to uncover the unique assets you have in your own neighborhood. There is a parallel between the mission of Uncovering Kansas: to inspire Kansans to learn more about the gifts we have within our state, and the mission of the Neighboring Movement: to connect people with their neighbors as a way to help restore the social fabric and health of our neighborhoods.

Our hope is that this episode inspires you to get out and talk to your neighbors. Learn more about what unique gifts they have and build a relationship that creates a more enriching environment for you to live in.

Neighboring Movement website

The Neighbor Next Door Podcast

Asset Based Community Development Institute

Your co-producer, Geoffrey, here with show notes for the latest episode of Uncovering Kansas. Rachel talks with the hosts of the WORST COMIC PODCAST EVER. A fabulous episode of nerdom and the sharing of shared passions.

If I were writing a comic book script for these guys and their show it would begin like this:

Summary

Three longtime friends have a shared interest: comics. They decide to produce a comic books podcast and share it with the world. The content will be earnest. And smart. And, at times, when necessary, it will be serious because comic books, as a medium, are uniquely positioned due to their mix of both approachability and fantasy, to explore a multitude of topics impacting society writ large.

PAGE ONE

PANEL1 (half page)

We see an old dining room table set up in the middle of a room (garage, basement, backyard shed) acting as the gravitational center around which three different sized bodies orbit at varying degrees: three middle age men (John, Jerry, and Cullen). Cullen [see character description notes] carries an oversized Mac desktop, making ready to place it on the table. Jerry [see character description notes] untangles a rats nest of audio and ethernet cables already on the table, along with a couple microphones and mic stands. John [see character description notes] stands at the end of the table (farthest from viewer/reader), staring at the other two men. He holds a piece of chalk in the open palm of one hand. An old timey movable chalkboard looms behind him. We see PODCAST NAMES written across the top and several columns of suggested names underneath—all of which have been crossed out.

…

Listeners, the comic book themes I best remember are ones where the hero overcomes life's struggles through the help of a friend. Sometimes the friend is another superhero. Better still, it is not. It's a co-worker from the day job the hero's alter ego keeps. Or it is words of encouragement issued by the owner of an alimentari located in an Italian neighborhood who knew the superhero BEFORE the "powers" and is therefore unimpressed by them and just talks straight and tells the hero like it is.

I went to high school with the hosts and producers of the WORST COMIC PODCAST EVER, although we ran in different circles. Sure I dig their podcast content. But what I dig even more is their lasting friendship. Relationships that transcend and extend prove more powerful than special powers and abilities. It may be THE special power—the most powerful of all the superpowers. Knowingly or not, in addition to comic fandom content, Jerry, John, and Cullen share their special bond through the Worst Comic Podcast Ever. I appreciate that. Hell, I applaud it. Thank you, gents.

Worst Comic Podcast Ever website

The Hero Initiative

Planet Comicon - Kansas City

Smallville Comicon - Hutchinson (3rd weekend in June - non Covid years) Jon Robinson

Free State Comicon - Lawrence

Free Comic Book Day

Comic Book Artists in Kansas:

Megan Levins

Ande Parks

Greg Smallwood

Jason Aaron

Greetings Uncovering Kansas listeners and supporters. June 2020's episode is about art and science and connections. Rachel sits down and talks with Kelly Yarbrough, an artist and a Kansan by choice. Of course, Kelly discusses her artistic process. She also talks about how the seasons and science of Kansas influences her creative effort. What becomes apparent is that Kelly is a connector. Whether as an artist to her audience, or as a citizen in her role as a territory rep for the Kansas Creative Arts Industry Commission, or in her roles with the Tallgrass Artist Residency Program or as Director of Community Programming at Prairiewood Preserve, Kelly creates and facilitates connections that enrich her audience and greater community through the promotion of art and creativity. It's a great episode. We look forward to sharing it with you. As always, we share a few links below related to topics discussed in the episode.

Kelly's website

Tallgrass Artist Residency

Mattfield Green, Kansas

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

The Bank - contemporary art space

Matfield Station

Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission

There is no 'they' that fixes what needs fixing, or improves what needs improving. There is 'us.' You. And me. Kansans understand this. In this month's episode Rachel talks with Lisse Regehr of Thrive Allen County, an organization convening, coordinating, and championing the ideas and efforts of Allen County residents. Listen to examples of a community converting an abandoned cement factory into usable community space and volunteers shaping trails for health and wellness. Efforts undertaken to improve the lives and conditions not only of its residents but those who visit, those today and tomorrow.

In April 2020's episode of Uncovering Kansas, Rachel talks with Kansan Sage Scott, a travel blogger. They talk about travel vs vacation; of inspiring someone to travel and explore rather than attempting to influence visiting a specific spot or locale; and they give shout-outs and share BIG love for Abilene and Nicodemus Kansas. Sage Scott arrived in Kansas via a circuitous route. But she is plugged in now. Shining bright, lending her passion for, and experiences with, travel with the entire world. Please, listen to the episode. Share it with family and friends. And send us any comments or feedback you have.

We know everyone is self-isolating right now. And travel may not be possible right now. But before you know it, we'll be traveling and exploring again because of the efforts of dedicated people—in Kansas and elsewhere—to flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus.

Everyday Wanderer

Abilene Kansas

Brookville Hotel

Mr. K's Farmhouse

Volga German History Museum

Nicodemus Kansas

Brown vs Board of Education

Everyday Wanderer links to articles mentioned in the show:

Abilene

Nicodemus article

Kansas

Women's history month

Brown v Board

Life Lessons for your big 0 birthday