Today, I’m talking with Joseph Shephard from Lead for America, a national organization founded by a Kansan and headquartered in Wichita. Lead for America’s tag line is Start Where You Live – and of course I have to learn more about any organization that is trying to keep Kansans in Kansas.

I thought this episode was going to be about Lead for America, but it is just as much about highlighting a young Kansan who is out there every day doing work that makes a difference for Kansas and our nation.

Kansas is lucky to call my guest today a Kansan. Although he wasn’t born here, he has fully embraced us and is making a difference in our state. If you leave this episode without being inspired, I’ll be very surprised. Joseph’s story is one of overcoming challenges and odds, being supported by a community, and taking all of this and turning into the best possible version of himself.

Show Notes:

Lead for America website

Director of National Service – Scott McFarland

Director of Recruitment – Meghan Carver

What You’ll Learn in this Episode

● What is digital equality and inclusion?

• What is the mission of Lead for America

How to Support the Podcast:

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You may have noticed that this month’s episode is a little shorter than normal. That’s because it didn’t start out as an episode. The Kansas Turnpike Authority contacted us about doing a public service announcement about a change they are making in July. They want to get the word out and thought our podcast would be a good avenue for that.

So, the plan was to record the PSA and then include it in the introduction of a couple of episodes. But, at the end of the conversation I had with Steve Hewitt, the CEO of the KTA, I thought it was such an interesting conversation that it should be its own episode. And, so here we are.

This month, you are going to learn about the upcoming change to our turnpike system – we are going cashless in Kansas – but you’ll also get a bit of the behind the scenes of how the turnpike system works.

Show Notes:

Kansas Turnpike website

Cashless Tolling website

BoredRoom Blues (song by Geoff)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode

● Kansas Turnpike is moving to cashless payments in July 2024

● History of the Kansas Turnpike

● Behind the scenes of the Kansas Turnpike

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Conner Hampton, Executive Director of Flagship Kansas Tech, an organization who’s mission is to propel the tech sector within the state through continuous efforts in awareness, education, and the workforce.  

Flagship Kansas website

Ad Astra Summit website

Episode: Goodland Tech

Dare to do Dirt - podcast with Rolf Potts and Marci Penner

What You’ll Learn in this Episode

• About the mission of Flagship Kansas

• About the state of technology in the Kansas education system

• About the Ad Astra conference

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