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Setting Kansas up to succeed in the future means diversifying into industries that have not traditionally been associated with our state.
In today’s episode, you are going to learn about a Goodland company that is doing just that. I like to highlight Kansas companies that are having an impact outside of Kansas. Today’s guest is not only doing that, but they are also working to change some of the fundamental issues that we are currently facing in Kansas. We are losing people to other states because of jobs. We are unable to fill all of the jobs we have in Kansas because of lack of the correct skills. We are in the process of transitioning into a state with a vibrant technology industry. GoodlandTech is a Kansas company that is addressing all of these huge challenges at once with their business model. My guest today is Ben Coumerilh, one of the founders of Goodland Tech. I met Ben at the Ad Astra Technology conference back in September in Wichita and was grateful that he agreed to be a guest. I always enjoy my conversations with our guests, but this one is really close to my heart because we talk about a topic I’m passionate about. I hope you enjoy it as well. Show Notes: Goodland Tech website Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center website Northwest Kansas Technical College Building a Bookshelf website Contact Geoff here Green Guitar Episode What You’ll Learn in this Episode
How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode 3/26/2022 Episode 0503: Dynamic Discs
Did you know that Emporia Kansas is considered to be the disc golf capital of the world? I didn’t realize it until I talked with my guests Doug Bjerkaas and Jackie Morris from Dynamic Discs, an Emporia Kansas business that sells discs and other disc golf equipment and operates events for the popular sport disc golf.
I like to focus a few episodes each season on Kansas businesses that have a national impact. Kansas has a deep history of businesses that grow beyond the state and, in a lot of cases, become a household name. Ever heard of Garmin? What about White Castle? These are just 2 businesses founded in Kansas that fall into the household name category. Dynamic Discs falls into this category. If you know about disc golf, then you know about Dynamic Discs - it is a household name within the sport. I didn’t realize that until earlier this year when something quite unexpected happened to me at my day job - you’ll hear more about it in the episode. This episode made me feel so good about the things we have going on in Kansas. The story about how Dynamic Discs grew from a dorm room start-up to an internationally known business is such an interesting story and then you throw in the community support that Dynamic Discs gives to Emporia and the community support that Emporia gives to Dynamic Discs. It’s just a great all-round story and I’m sure you will enjoy this episode. And, if you do, please tell your friends about it. It is the best way you can support the podcast. Also, you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And if you are a LinkedIn user, I’d love to connect with you there. You can find me at Rachel Berbiglia and just mention that you are a listener so I don’t ignore your connection request as spam. Show Notes Dynamic Discs website Halfway to Everywhere music festival What You’ll Learn in this Episode
How to Support the Podcast: Tell a friend about us Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Buy a Kansas Travel Journal Send us a recommendation for an episode 3/22/2020 Kansas Framework for Growth
Economic Development in Kansas is changing. A banner program and important effort driving this initiative is the Kansas Framework for Growth, a comprehensive strategy for economic growth in the coming 15-20 years. More than 1,000 Kansans have given their input into the process. We first heard of the strategy and program as citizens. And, wanting to engage in the process, we attended two different events. In this episode, Rachel talks with Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce, Patty Clark, about the outcome of the study and current status of the program.
Note: This episode was recorded before the effects (closures and self-isolation protocols, etc.) related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are unaware of any curtailments to the rollout process of the Kansas Framework for Growth and, because we believe in the importance of the effort, are releasing this episode per our original schedule for March. Please visit the website to discover how you can get involved and any impacts or changes to the calendar or events as a result of pandemic protocols. Kansas Framework for Growth Kansas Department of Commerce Kansas Main Street Program Get to Know a Kansan (links) Symphony in the Flint Hills Kansas State Parks (Cabin reservation info) Depot Theater Company Dodge City (Amtrak information) Dwight D. Eisenhower (Presidential Library) 2/15/2020 Goodlife Innovations CEO, Mike Strouse
Kansans,
Were you aware that there is a group of Kansans providing thought leadership in the area of caring for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and seniors? In this month's episode, Rachel talks with Mike Strouse, CEO of Goodlife Innovations. Remember KC Pop Co? They are one of Goodlife's innovative life enrichment and skill development programs. Rachel sits down to listen and learn (uncover) how they are delivering the kind of life people they support want to lead, and how other agencies are looking to them in order to implement similar models across the country. How do you more cost effectively deliver the kind of lives that people want to lead? That’s what it’s really about. ~Mike Strouse, CEO Goodlife Innovation 1/19/2020 Bryan Lisbona Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Allison
Rachel describes herself as a self-proclaimed Kansas Ambassador as does this month’s guest, Bryan Lisbona. Bryan is driven by the philosophy #lovewhereyoulive, and he invests in that philosophy and takes daily steps to live his truth. Through our conversation listeners will uncover details of Bryan and his family’s journey into small town life after their decision to leave one of the state’s (sub)urban areas. Listeners uncover the benefits of smaller towns, and why Kansas offers distinctive qualities of life such as knowing your neighbors, the ability - perhaps necessity - to get involved and impact your town in concrete ways, and living in communities whose energy wellspring is generated by the various personalities and characteristics and actions of the town-folk themselves, not by the depth of restaurant reservation wait-lists and number of new openings of entertainment venues.
We talked and uncovered A LOT, so the ‘links in the show notes” are pretty long! Iola, KS DeSoto, KS Space Station Nick Hague - Astronaut Kinfolk Created Kinfolk Creative Nace Brothers Garnett Chanute Humboldt Thrive Kansas Le Harp Gas, KS Kansas Sampler Foundation Uncovering Kansas: Big Kansas Road Trip 2019 episode Uncovering Kansas episode (featuring Gypsum Hills) Johnathan Adams Flint Hills Discovery Center Johnson County Museum  From Haldeman-Julius Family Collection
Rachel and Geoff briefly review highlights from the podcast's second (2019) season, and discuss our upcoming 3rd season and beyond. A few side projects are shared with listeners and then -- WOW! Rachel uncovers for our listeners an absolutely fascinating figure from Kansas history. A pioneer, in multiple ways, Emanuel Haldeman-Julius.
A state with socialist leanings (Kansas was a hotbed at the time). A Jewish man sympathetic to these, Emanuel Halderman-Julius served as editor for the Appeal to Reason before becoming, as many consider him to be, the inventor of the paperback book and, perhaps ironically as seen through the lens of the 21st century historical observer, the Henry Ford of the publishing industry. A true innovator and forward thinker in both business and culture, Haldeman-Julius and his wife took on each other's last names. With laser-like precision, using methods described in modern business vernacular as guerilla marketing, he created and built a publishing enterprise he wanted to see serve the working class reader—fulfilling their need for learning AND enjoyment. Clarification: In the audio, Rachel refers to William S. Burroughs and listeners might misinterpret his status as a Kansan. He was a Lawrence, KS resident (we were there!) though not a Kansas native. Links mentioned in episode: www.pmocoaching.com (new business-centric podcast on developing skills behaviors and attitudes hosted by Rachel) www.sixstringcpa.com (new audio-format short story series Geoff writes under his name) 11/17/2019 KC Pop Co
Love frozen snacks? How about all natural ingredients, do they make you smile? Does the thought of small businesses creating jobs that foster skill development and increased independence for people living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/D) make you smile from ear to ear? We're a 'YES' for all three and that’s why Rachel interviewed Ky Kanaman of KC Pop Co for the November ‘19 episode.
Enjoying an all natural ice pop for breakfast during the Kaw Valley Farm Tour. Believe it or not, that's how we discovered the Kansas business featured in this month's episode. Unexpected, yes. But what would you expect in the Land of Oz? KC Pop Co is a small batch manufacturer of ice-pops whose kitchen facility is located in Baldwin City, on Midnight Farm. We learned of KC Pop Co while participating on the Farm Tour, and fell for KC Pop Co’s mission and approach. Sure, it may be a little colder outside while you’re listening to this. But, this is Kansas. We may get a 66F day in January. And, besides, summer gets closer with each passing day and frozen natural treats will soon be needed. Even for breakfast, to which Rachel can attest. 7/9/2019 Chris Alexander
Most of us have experienced that always exhilarating, and sometimes frightening, feeling when we end up doing something we never quite expected doing. Chris Alexander's path took her from theater to stained glass to metal working. As co-owner of Alexander Artworks, Chris has found herself busier than she ever imagined as she and her co-owner husband try to keep up with orders. Rachel and Chris talk about metal working, the importance of personal connection, and what it's like to be a business owner in a small town. Chris' answers and responses during the Get to Know a Kansan section impressed, and Rachel captured her insights so our listeners can add to their list of places to check out when exploring Kansas.
Alexander Artworks Morris County Community Arts Council Strong City Rodeo Council Grove Wichita Washunga Days Bloody Bill Anderson Huffaker Family Kaw Mission Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park Rails to Trails Kanopolis Drive In Salt Mines Lost City of Etzanoa Dwight Eisenhower 1/12/2019 Get to Know a Kansan: Andy Wise
Andy Wise found himself unmotivated by the conference rooms at his office filled with blank walls. He longed to see whiteboards at his workplace covered in art. A trip to his local library gave him an idea to create a robot that could be attached to the white board and draw whatever picture it was asked to draw.
And, so Andy created what he calls a drawing robot. He is an example of someone participating in the Maker Movement – a DIY movement that started to gain momentum in 2005. Technology is often a component of this movement but it doesn’t have to be. We discuss Maker Spaces, locations designed for people to come together and work on projects. There are many of these found across Kansas: Andy refers to the Johnson County Library Makerspace in Overland Park. (Other examples are MakeICT in Wichita, and 712 Innovations in Topeka, and Fort Hays State Makerspace in the Forsyth Library.) Listeners with certain Kansas interests, will note my conversation with Andy Wise includes the following: Topeka, KS Linn, KS Barnes, KS Lawrence, KS Liberty Hall, Lawrence Kansas Manhattan, KS Kansas State Fair John Steuart Curry If you want to see the drawing robot in action, check out these links:
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Uncovering KansasThe podcast about culture, travel, people, history, and enterprise in Kansas. Archives
April 2023
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