Re-release from our January 2020 conversation Wichita lost a prolific Leader. Wichita lost a fantastic Friend. "And if we get up thinking we are entitled, instead of thanking God for the blessings we have...we got up on the wrong side of the bed, I believe." -Nestor Weigand From the Book of Proverbs: Blessed is the man for whom a good family lives, to whom work is a pleasure, by whom his friends are encouraged, with whom others are comfortable, in whom a clear conscience abides. Rest in Peace Mr...
Nov 20, 2023•38 min
"Our culture is this, LOVE, nothing but love." Chef George Youssef A first generation Wichitan, a first generation American; George Youssef has his heart in everything he does. People are the most important part of his life and he works every day to be humble and to lead with love. I am grateful for this. I am grateful for his friendship.
Nov 13, 2023•1 hr 25 min
"Because someone gave me a 'Not Discount Card', I can no longer do the thing that is important, [which is] take care of their health" -- Dr. Brandon Alleman Entrepreneurs are like artists; the work they do must have meaning behind it. Dr. Brandon Alleman is dedicated to Direct Primary Care because "when you have physicians running the Practice you have Doctors who can choose to do what is best for their patient." Molly Breitnebach, CPA was compelled to work in the area of Direct Primary Care bec...
Nov 06, 2023•1 hr 14 min
"Its a GET UP AND GO kind of book." Vanessa Whiteside, Author Secret Wichita Entrepreneurs are created when action is taken on the idea/dream burning inside. Vanessa took action and her Life, her One Delightful Life, is the result. And in her second book, SECRET Wichita, she gives us the knowledge, history and culture that makes up our thriving community. Vanessa is living a life of purpose and she is fulfilling her curiosity so we can fulfill ours. Visit onedelightfullife.com and engage with he...
Oct 30, 2023•1 hr 8 min
"I believe that State Capitalism in the short term provides certain advantages because you can mobilize in a concentrated way a lot of resources to reach a specific objective. I believe the future is not State Capitalism or Shareholder [private] Capitalism, the future is what I call Stakeholder Capitalism which is capitalism combined with social responsibility." -- Klaus Schwab Klaus Schwab wants the world to participate in solving our problems and he has a few rules to make sure it's done right...
Oct 23, 2023•2 hr 32 min
Tommy Castor uses his unique abilities every day of his life in a career he pursued and you can hear it in his voice. You can hear that voice on local Sports Talk radio KFH 98.7 and Keeper of the Games podcast (@KOGpod). It is a joy to talk with people that love what they do. There is an inspiration and a connection that happens when you see their spark. Tommy is also VP for the Wichita Thunder and they drop the puck for their 32nd season in Wichita, USA on October 20th. We have professional spo...
Oct 16, 2023•55 min
"I live off the generosity of others" --Alex Bennett Art mimics life. Alex interacts with people in a place where we are arguably our most human-- a bar. We go to bars to be with people. We go to be a lone. We laugh and cry. A bar gives us what we need and it also can take it all away. Alex has spent his life with us in that bar. A professional at his craft-- being there for people who need a shot of humanity. In his first historical fiction novel, A Shot of Oakies, Alex Bennett takes us on a jo...
Oct 09, 2023•57 min
"You start seeing what looked like a coordinated attack." --Phil W. Magness Data Analysis is important. Data Analysis in a vacuum is dangerous. Phil Magness, Author & Economic Historian does extensive data analysis and uses it to explain economic and cultural events with the goal of achieving greater human freedoms. His data analysis lends significant credibility as he sets the record straight on inaccurate distortions of history. His book, The 1619 Project, A Critique is a vivd example of t...
Oct 02, 2023•55 min
"I watched this child slowly lose that spark in her eye." -- Stan Saiz, Founder Green Gate School Education is fundamental to human development, cooperation and success. Stan Saiz took action to create a place where kids can learn in the most human of ways; through play. Play is adaptive learning. School/Education in this country is controlled by a specific set of outcomes and when you look at those outcomes it is easy to conclude that our youth are NOT learning the way our country is teaching. ...
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr 27 min
"We thought we could do this and not just make it a hobby, so we started putting the pieces of the puzzle together." --Michael O'Shaughnessy, Co-Founder "It was one of the proudest days of my career when the first bottles of Keepers Heart were coming off that line and you know that it actually came from nothing..." --Brian Nation, Master Distiller It is a Family story. It is an Irish story. It is an American story. O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. is the maker of Keeper's Heart Irish+American whiske...
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr 30 min
"What's the Through-Line." -Robert Feeney, Ringorang.com Kansas Chamber of Commerce invests in young leaders through the statewide Kansas Emerging Leaders program. Engagement in leadership opportunities is critical for economic growth and continued creation of a Pro-Business environment. Along with Leadership Kansas, Kansas Emerging Leaders activates the talents of business people and exposes them to the opportunities, challenges and a path to take action. Entrepreneurship is the antidote for ec...
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 16 min
It is the fastest growing sport in the World! Pickleball spawned from a backyard game to a Professional sport that is attracting the best talent in racket sports. Matt Wright took his competitive drive from the tennis court to the pickle ball court and has competed at the highest level and won at the highest level since its inception. Matt's intellect has always helped him think in terms of where things are going, not where things are. He is one of my favorite people to talk with about sports an...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 4 min
When the Marion County Record, a small town Newspaper, was raided and had computers, devices and records seized by the Police it caused world-wide attention on this small Kansas town and publication. Our friend, Sam MacRoberts, Litigation Director for Kansas Justice Institute is the one I wanted to talk with. Sam and KJI represent those who cannot represent themselves against government over reach. KJI is not representing those in this case and they are representing the Constitution as Sam share...
Aug 28, 2023•1 hr 1 min
"People treat that insurance card like a discount card. It is NOT." Dean Jargo, CEO Fair Market Health When systems begin to fail we look for solutions so that the system can improve and continue to provide what it is designed to provide-- better outcomes. We have not done that with the system of health care in the United States. The system is failing and because of the control by the 2 biggest players (Federal Government and large Insurance Companies) we are not working to fix the system to cre...
Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 12 min
"Energy makes life better." -Warren Martin, Executive Director Energy is a requirement for humans to reach our full potential. Our world needs reliable energy. We need energy production to meet the growing demand of energy consumption. All resources are necessary. Artificial limitations restrictions on energy production coupled with artificial promotion of alternative energy methods is causing harm to humanity. And, as it is with restrictive government mandates, those at the bottom of the socio-...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr
"Think of us as the Tinder for Whiskey drinkers." -Dave Cunningham, Founder Whiskey Shelf & Flint Hills Group Dave is one of my favorite people in technology and software development. He Founded Flint Hills Group to create custom software solutions for clients all over the world. And this venture is his first consumer app and he is having so much fun with it. The Whiskey community loves their product. Dave made it even more fun by creating Whiskey Shelf and there are so many features that in...
Aug 07, 2023•53 min
"Every time we work with a new client we ask them for their inspiration." -Emma Schlittenhardt, Founder Hardt Studio It is a good idea when starting a business to make sure it is something you are good at... and if it is also your passion, then nothing can hold you back. Emma Schlittenhardt took her passion and built on it, pursuing an Architectural Degree, building businesses that compliment each other and collaborating with others to create beautiful Commercial and Residential experiences....
Jul 31, 2023•54 min
"There are two things we can control, our effort and our attitude." -Lily Wu, candidate for Wichita Mayor The right to Vote is fundamental to the fabric of our democratic Republic. It also shows a commitment to active citizenship. Lily Wu talks with us about the importance of civic engagement and shares what she has learned talking with Wichitans during her campaign. I am grateful for her resilience, positive attitude and commitment to listening to people so she can take informed action. And VOT...
Jul 28, 2023•32 min
"Wow, I am getting paid for this? This is my job..." -Jacob O'Connor Discipline. Hustle. Take Action. Jacob's young career and life have been defined by his "willingness to start" and focussed high level of effort. Wichita recruited him. The Wichita entrepreneurial community supported him. NXTUS identified his talent. And now, together, they focus on Capital, Customers and Collaboration.
Jul 24, 2023•57 min
" Very foolish people think that professional wrestling is totally real ." -Eric Weinstein
Jul 17, 2023•48 min
"I think it is crucially important for the criminal justice system to be transparent." -Director Mattivi Tony's courage to lead created his greatest opportunity for leadership. Tony Mattivi became the 13th Director of the KBI in 2023; appointed by Attorney General Kris Kobach. It was a phenomenal appointment by our Attorney General. The nature of our political system can lead to wonderful outcomes when the best people have the courage to participate and then contribute. The State of Kansas is th...
Jul 11, 2023•1 hr 9 min
"An apology email [to my Team] was the initiation to a culture of change..." -Alex Harb Entrepreneurs tell the story in the context of their business, their team, their customer, their unshakable belief in their mission. And excuses rarely seep into the conversation-- for the best entrepreneurs. Alex Harb thinks within his sphere of influence: what action does he need to take to give his people and organizations the best tools to succeed? He answers that question with the "never ending conversat...
Jul 04, 2023•58 min
"Not everyone knows how to turn a dollar into value for their cause." -Pete Najera The United Way of the Plains is 100 years old. This is an organization that has been effective removing barriers to help those who need a hand up with Basic Needs, Health, Education and Financial Stability. Pete Najera applies leadership to this benevolent non-profit with a history of diverse positions in armed forces, government and for-profit private business. Improving opportunities for people means removing ob...
Jun 26, 2023•46 min
"...it hit Wichita hard in 2022..." -Sheriff Easter We have been battling drugs flooding into our country across the southern border for decades. The war on drugs persists and we are losing. The call to action today is much scarier. It’s not just about illicit drug use or recreational drug use. Fentanyl kills people. Fentanyl knows no boundaries. Fentanyl kills quick. It is poisoning people to death. Drug cartels in Mexico are manufacturing millions and millions of pills to look just like common...
Jun 19, 2023•51 min
"Just because it is normal doesn't mean it is right." -- Tyson Drummond Tyson Drummond is an Accountant and that gave him a skill to begin his professional career. Entrepreneurs often detect their interest not determine it. Detecting that your interest is in improving human performance must be confusing at first to an Accountant whose job it is to get to one final answer. The human body is dynamic and we discover new ways to nourish it every day. Tyson Drummond has spent years working on a suppl...
Jun 12, 2023•1 hr 38 min
"Is it Choice or Control?" - Michael Austin Michael Austin is an Economist who uses logic, economics, history and thoughtful communication to help bring solutions to complex issues. People deserve to make choices in their own lives. Educating a child is certainly a choice worth giving a parent. Michael is spending a large part of his time and resources educating people on the Choices that should exist in education. "I don't know what you want but I want you to choose." Give people the confidence...
Jun 05, 2023•1 hr 19 min
"None of this is about me or Roy-- this is about our community." -- Dusty Buell, Tournament Director "These guys aren't just Professional Golfers, they are great guys." -- Roy Turner, Wichita Open Hall of Fame The Wichita Open is the best event on the Korn Ferry Tour, developmental tour for the PGA. This is because of a number of factors: the Fans, Community involvement, Sponsors, Volunteers, patrons. Every organization needs a Leader and the Leader of the Wichita Open for the last 20 years, Roy...
May 30, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Institutions are an inevitable consequence of human civilization. It is the work of individuals that created the institutions. So shouldn't institutions be more important than the individuals? What are the consequences of institutions who fail the individual because the institution puts itself ahead of the people it is designed to help? Now, individuals are fighting for the institution regardless of the negative outcomes the institution creates which might be deliberately faithless. And while it...
May 22, 2023•2 hr 22 min
"Keep talking to people-- that's where you learn." -Wendell Funk The organization that Activates entrepreneurs and independent business people is WIBA. Wichita, Kansas has a culture of entrepreneurship. Wendell Funk and his team have made it their mission to be the connectors, the resource and the action for Entrepreneurs. And the best way for you to fill a void in your business is to engage with WIBA. Every independent business and entrepreneur has multiple forces working against you so let WIB...
May 15, 2023•56 min
"It's a Gathering Place." -- Jimmy Vo "Not only are we doing things in the community, we are doing personal things." -- Cody Lonergan Bring together people who create. Bring them together to gather all of their talents-- cook, sing, write, speak, live, laugh love. This is Odd Fellow Hall. Jimmy Vo and Cody Lonergran are bringing all of these talents and our community is the beneficiary. And you never know what the Hall will bring. So you need to show up every week and take a peak at Odd Fellow H...
May 08, 2023•1 hr 10 min
