Happy Fall Kansas! And welcome to our October episode. We are carrying through the Halloween theme from the previous episode. When Geoff originally pitched the idea, I was sort of like “Wha? Say it again.” He wanted to focus on spirits. Several meanings contained within the word spirit. Not only the spirits we usually think about when we prepare and celebrate Halloween but the holiday spirit and the associated community spirit that often runs alongside the holiday. Halloween is, at least in Amer...
Oct 23, 2021•49 min
There is a stereotype about the crotchety old person who watches out their window and when kids step one foot onto their lawn, they run out onto the porch, shaking their fist and yelling ‘get off my lawn you hooligans!’ Well, today we are going to learn about a Kansan who has impacted our culture simply because she wasn’t the kind of person who would fall into that stereotype. Instead of shaking her fits and yelling at the neighborhood kids, she looked for a way to be more creative and more posi...
Sep 26, 2021•34 min
This month, Rachel talks with Ryan Biergert, festival co-chair of Svensk Hillingsfest, a festival that celebrates our state’s Swedish Heritage, hosted in Lindsborg. According to the Kansas Historical Society, the first Swede arrived in Kansas in 1864, and he encouraged others to emigrate and file claims for land in what is now Lindsborg Ks. By 1890, there were 17,000 Swedes in Kansas. Lindsborg is a town that celebrates its Swedish history, and not just during the festival. Visit any time of the...
Aug 22, 2021•32 min
This month, Rachel talks with Tim Bascom, author and Executive Director of the Kansas Book Festival. The Kansas Book Festival is a great opportunity to learn about Kansas - authors who are from Kansas or write about Kansas or topics that are germane to Kansans. Spending a day at the festival will no doubt open your eyes to something new. After covering the festival, Rachel and Tim talk about Tim’s experience spending part of his childhood in Ethiopia. Tim gives us a feel for what it is like to g...
Jul 25, 2021•47 min
If you haven’t listened to our September 2020 episode which was an interview with public officials from Pittsburg Kansas about how they were managing the pandemic, I’d encourage you to go back and listen to it. This episode is a follow-up to see how things have changed since that interview. We’ve all been through this shared experience, and although it meant something a little different to all of us, being able to follow the story of covid in one specific town gives us an appreciation of how we ...
Jul 10, 2021•19 min
Our topic today is a very important, very heavy one: mental health. I’m going to introduce you to a very important and innovative program in Kansas that is working to make the stigma that surrounds talking about mental health issues a thing of the past. Zero Reasons Why is a program that is teaching teens the skills they need to be able to make mental health a normal part of our daily lives. You are going to be impressed by my guest, Kyra Fuchs, who is a teen council member of Zero Reasons Why. ...
Jun 24, 2021•35 min
Built in 1877, the Oak Grove Schoolhouse has been a gathering place for the community of Lincoln Township for generations. In this episode, Rachel talks with Cary Pruitt and Roger Pruitt from the Oak Grove Schoolhouse Historical Society. Part Family history, part Kansas history, partly a story about family legacy, we think you'll find this episode to be informative, entertaining, and important. Oak Grove Schoolhouse website What You’ll Learn In This Episode: The mission of the Oak Grove Schoolho...
May 25, 2021•51 min•Season 4Ep. 5
This month, Rachel talks with Connie Blanke about Prairiesta, a festival that happens every 10 years in Russell, Kansas. Whether you are able to make it out to the festival or not, you'll learn a lot about community spirit, the importance of honoring our history, and what it takes to put together a festival. Prairiesta website Deines Cultural Center Episode: Big Kansas Road Trip - The Experience...
Apr 25, 2021•48 min•Season 4Ep. 4
In this episode of Uncovering Kansas, Rachel interviews guest Kirk Sharp of the Gordon Parks Museum. For many the name Gordon Parks will be familiar. To others, only a vague recollection. And for some the name will be unknown entirely. No matter which group you are in, come along for the ride and join in and listen as Rachel learns about Gordon Parks and uncovers only a fraction of the eventful life of this Kansas-born man. And if you’re like the Uncovering Kansas production team, then after lea...
Mar 24, 2021•39 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In this episode, Rachel chats with Kansas resident and fellow podcaster Landon Huslig of Wichita Life ICT. They discuss cultural aspects and details of Wichita and create from the specific a backdrop for a broader, more personal, discussion about their passion and support of Kansas, generally, including a similar objective each has for their respective podcast. Wichita Life ICT website (and podcast) Instagram, Twitter, Facebook: @WichitaLifeICT Dockum Drug Store Sit In Keeper of the Plains Wichi...
Feb 20, 2021•45 min•Season 4Ep. 2
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...
Jan 23, 2021•47 min•Season 4Ep. 1
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...
Dec 26, 2020•37 min•Season 3Ep. 12
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 R...
Nov 24, 2020•47 min•Season 3Ep. 11
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 ...
Oct 25, 2020•39 min•Season 3Ep. 10
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. Ho...
Sep 26, 2020•29 min•Season 3Ep. 9
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...
Aug 26, 2020•44 min•Season 3Ep. 8
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 t...
Jul 27, 2020•55 min•Season 3Ep. 6
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 ...
Jun 26, 2020•47 min•Season 3Ep. 6
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 i...
May 27, 2020•46 min•Season 3Ep. 5
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 worl...
Apr 19, 2020•31 min•Season 3Ep. 4
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 as interested citizens, we attended two different events. In this episode, Rachel talks with Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Dep...
Mar 22, 2020•41 min•Season 3Ep. 3
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 ...
Feb 22, 2020•44 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Rachel describes herself as a self-proclaimed Kansas Ambassador as does this month’s guests, 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 qua...
Jan 20, 2020•48 min•Season 3Ep. 1
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.
Dec 13, 2019•22 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Love frozen snacks? How about all natural ingredients, do they make you smile? Does the thought of a small business 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 are yes for all three and that’s why Rachel interviewed Ky Kanaman of KC Pop Co for the November ‘19 episode. KC Pop Co is a small batch manufacturer of ice-pops whose kitchen facility is located in Baldw...
Nov 17, 2019•17 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In September, we did an episode about the Kaw Valley Farm Tour. In this episode, you'll hear sounds from the tour and interviews we conducted at the farms
Oct 25, 2019•10 min•Season 2Ep. 11
This month’s episode features our Get to Know a Kansan format, where listeners about a fellow Kansan’s passion and can see Kansas through their eyes. Join Rachel as she learns about Nancy Overmyer’s passion for creating art and jewelry out of gourds. You’ll learn what it means to ‘love the 745s’ and how Nancy sees unique patterns in each gourd. Gooseberry Lane Facebook Page Sunflower Gourd Patch Silver Lake Kansas Lonnie Kruger Maple Leaf Festival Baldwin City Kansas Baldwin City Lumber Yard Art...
Oct 10, 2019•34 min•Season 2Ep. 10
What’s a honey tap? Is there lanolin in alpaca? You can learn the answers by listening to the podcast and by attending the Kaw Valley Farm Tour. This year’s tour is October 5-6, 2019. It is also the 15th anniversary, featuring 34 farms located in five counties. Attendees are able to get an insider view of working farms and ranches and get to know the people who produce the food they consume and the materials that go into the products they buy. Uncovering Kansas loves encouraging our listeners to...
Sep 03, 2019•39 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In this short BONUS episode for August 2019, Rachel talks with Bethany Falvey and Katrina Ringler of the Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS) about the special KSHS programming happening in Dodge City in September 2019.
Aug 27, 2019•12 min
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival, which takes place each September in St. Marys, Kansas. For 2019, the festival features Twelfth Night along with an artisan village of about 50 craft and food booths along a forest path. The festival is a volunteer led event, another example of the power of people coming together to make something happen. Our guest is Ben Moats, the President of the festival, and he and Rachel talk about the festival, the history of St. Ma...
Aug 06, 2019•31 min•Season 2Ep. 8
