Within Reason with Mike Matson

As the school year wraps up, the USD 383 school board continues to work into the summer creating the best district possible for students. Today, President of the board, Jayme Morris-Hardeman joins the show to share how it feels to wrap up the 2025-26 school year, and what work will look like going into the summer months.

The Museum of Art and Light here in Manhattan is quickly becoming a local favorite of it's residents, and a crown jewel of the city. Today we're joined by Executive Director of MoAL Erin Dragotto, and Sydney Bouhaniche who is the Creative Director of Immersive Exhibhitions. They share what it means to them to get to share art with the community, and how the upcoming immersive Picasso exhibit will blend traditional art and modern technology.

As healthcare continues to be one of the fastest growing sectors within the US, hiring qualified nurses and doctors is one of the most important factors in providing the most comprehensive care possible. Today's guest, Terri Dean, Director of Talent Acquisition at Stormont Vail Health, joins the show to share what it takes to get qualified doctors to rural residents, and what she looks for in those qualified candidates.

As we get into Mental Health Awareness Month, we are joined by Pawnee Mental Health Services who provide community support for those struggling with mental illness. Mike Rezkalla, President and CEO of Pawnee Mental Health, as well as Community Services Director Shelli Schottler, join the show to share how PMHS provides that support, what they hope to accomplish in the future, and what people can do at home to improve their own mental health.

After three weeks into his stint as Manhattan City Commissioner, Andrew Von Lintel weathered a mental health episode due to both life and work stresses. As May is Mental Health Awareness month, Von Lintel joins the show to share what his experience was like, how he recovered, and what steps he's taken in order to maintain stability and public trust for the commission.

There are currently 13 candidates running in the Republican primary, gunning for the Governor's seat. That includes today's guest, Joy Eakins, who is a small business owner in Wichita. Joy shares what she would like to see from local government and what she's doing differently from other GOP candidates in order to secure her win.

As one of the oldest and biggest venues in the area, Wareham Hall is one of the crown jewels of Manhattan. As renovations continue to restore the theater, tons of planning and work hours has brought us just over a year away from reopening the doors. Today, Executive Director of the renovation project, Blade Mages joins the show to share how he's leading the creative effort behind the project.

As soldiers rotate to and from deployment, it becomes important to make the transition between civilian life and active duty as smooth as possible. Being ready and prepared for anything is the Big Red One's foremost mission, and today, Col. Matthew Kelly, as well as CMS Michael Gossman, join the show to talk about how they accomplish that goal.

Within Reason with Mike Matson: Molly Mendenhall + Kayla Knier, Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition

Within Reason with Mike Matson: Lieutenant Governor/Kansas Commerce Secretary David Toland

Within Reason with Mike Matson: John Ford, Riley County Commissioner

As medicine and technology advances, the line between science fiction and reality slowly blurs. Today's guests, Erin Plummer and Daniel Regier with Stormont Vail Health, join the show to talk about advancements in the medical field due to advanced robotics in the Da Vinci System, and how this machine is reducing surgical invasion and patient recovery time.

Riley county has spent a long while trying to decide how, or whether they even want to in the first place, to create a County Administrator position, keeping in line with the typical municipal government. Today, former Manhattan Mayor Mike Dodson, as well as retired Manhattan Chamber Executive Lyle Butler, join the show to talk about what they see as the pros and cons to implementing this new city position

As more candidates throw their hats in the ring, Sandy Spidel Neumann joins the show today to share her campaign. With what she says is currently lacking representation, she hopes to be elected the 1st District senate seat in order to bring needed change to federal governance.

The Run For the Roses fundraiser started a few years ago with the aim of benefiting the K-State Garden. Today, Terry Olson and Jan Stewart with the K-State Garden, join today's show to share what benefits the garden brings to the community and how the support provided by the fundraiser will continue to help the gardens prosper.

The KSU Foundation provides opportunities for students who wouldn't otherwise get those opportunities. Today, Sara Prince, the KSU Foundation Associate VP for Development, joins the show to talk about the K-State Day of Giving. The K-State DoG is a day meant to show school spirit and raise money for the school, providing the support needed to fund scholarships and new equipment.

Lauren Reinhold, a Laurence based attorney, is campaigning around Kansas running for the US House in the 1st District. She sees a lapse in governmental support for the working class as a guiding push to run for Congress. Today, Reinhold joins the show to share she hopes to bring if she is elected, and what she will bring back to her constituents.

As the first round of legislative sessions comes to a close, it's important to take a look back at what has been accomplished. Today, District 18's Senator Kenny Titus joins the show to give us that insight into the previous session, how he feels about the current state of the legislation, and what to keep an eye out for going forward.

heart health is important to everybody, but not everybody gets it right, and once you have a heart event then you need to work back up to full strength. Stormont Vail Health provides a safe and encouraging environment in order to get you back up to full health. Tiffany Naccarato with Stormont Vail Health joins today's show to share what a heart event might look like, and how people like her get you back to full strength afterwards.

It's imperative to keep skills alive, no matter how small or unimportant they might be. The "Domestic Science Club" aims to keep household skills alive and educate women in their careers, as well as creating a space for women to come together and build a sense of community. Nancy Bolsen and Lynda Bachelor, with the Manhattan DSC, join today's show to share how the club is accomplishing it's goal locally in educating the women of tomorrow.

As we grow closer to the race to decide our new Kansas Senator, we invited candidates to join the show and share motivations and campaign goals. Today, Democratic candidate and Johnson county immigration attorney, Anne Parelkar, joins the show to share what her driving forces and her goals if she is elected to office.

As we continue into the second year of President Trump's term, approval of the federal government is waning. Today's guests, leader of Indivisible MHK Phil Nel, as well as Manhattan Mayor Karen McCulloh, join the show to talk about the upcoming No Kings Protest slated for March 28th. They aim to allow people to voice disagreements and remind leaders that the will of the people still matters.

As a long time servant of the community, Susan Adamchak has recently started her second term as Mayor of Manhattan. Today, Mayor Adamchak joins the show to talk about what she's proud of accomplishing during her terms, and why she continues to support the community.

Manhattan is a rapidly growing community and is always getting new things to do. From new hotels to unique attractions to city walkability, Visit Manhattan is the Convention and Visitors Bureau that manages development across the city in order to promote a sense of community. Today, Marcia Rozell joins the show to share what their overall goal for Manhattan is, and what they are doing to achieve that.

With Laura Kelly's final term as Kansas Governor coming to an end, it's time to start looking forward at out next candidates. Today, GOP candidate for the position, Scott Schwab, joins to show to talk about why he's chosen to throw his hat into the ring, and what he plans to do if he is elected as Kansas Governor.

After the devastating fire at the local Big Brothers Big Sisters building, the leaders of the organization needed a new direction to keep the community support. Today, Michelle Sink and Kendahl Goetzman join the show to talk about how they recovered after the accident, and how they're planning to keep up the good work.

With International Women's Day on Sunday, we thought it important to shine some light on local leaders working to shine some light on gender equity. Usha Reddi and Megan join the show today to talk about how they create a diverse and inclusive world, and the event they're putting on to honor International Women's Day.

Colorectal cancer isn't something that we think about all that often but could effect anybody. Today's guest is Dr. Molly Disbrow who is a gastroenterologist with Stormont Vail Health here in Manhattan. Dr. Disbrow talks about how colorectal cancer screenings can catch trouble early and provide a peace of mind for patients.

Since Kansas State University's opening in 1863, Manhattan has been a booming college town. With the recent introduction of the "Edge 3.0" project, with a planned luxury condo building, hotel, restaurant, brewery, and a pocket park complex, many local residents have had concerns about the project. Today, Greg Willems, president and CEO of the K-State University Foundation, joins the show to talk about what the plan looks like, and how he thinks the new construction will benefit the community.

The Alliance of Former Chief Justices is a nonpartisan group of more than 50 retired state supreme court chief justices, a newly launched civic group with the intent to speak out about what they see as a lapse in constitutional liberty. Today, Lawton Nuss with The Alliance joins the show to talk about why he decided to join the civic group, and how he continues his advocacy for civil liberty and rule of law.

With the ground breaking set for March 10th, the Yuma Cultural Center is just around the corner. Sheila Ellis-Glasper joins the show today to share how she brought the Yuma Cultural Center to life, and how the Black Entrepreneur of The Flint Hills has provided for the minority communities looking to start a business.

Flowers are a great way to add a little life into your enviornment. Today, local florist Sara Larson, owner and lead designer of Wild & Blooming Floral & Events, joins the show today to talk about why she loves working with flora and what it's been like to present at the Philadelphia Flower Show.

Cardiac care providers are vital in diagnosing, treating, and managing heart conditions. Today's guest is Naomi Zwonitzer, an advanced practice practitioner in cardiology with the Stormont Vail Health Manhattan Campus, and she shares how she's bringing specialized care to the flint hills region.

It's the job of local government to provide things like public safety and road repair wherever and whenever it's needed. Here in Manhattan, managing that job goes to Danielle Dulin. City Manager Danielle Dulin joins the show today to talk about how the new commission is handling city taxes, and what it's like managing the bureaucracy of Manhattan.

The K-State Rodeo preserves and showcases western values such as toughness and connection to the land. With the K-State Rodeo right around the corner, we thought it important to bring on Rodeo Team Coach Christi Braudrick, as well as Sage Towes to talk about the rodeo, and what they plan on showing off.

The issue of indoor aquatics has been a long debated issue in Manhattan, and it seems like the issue is finally dying down. So today, Aaron Stewart, director of the Manhattan Parks & Recreation department joins the show to talk about what the future of indoor aquatics is, and the reasons as to why it's coming to a close.

The private sector produces goods and services, creates jobs, and powers overall economic growth. A local company, Shilling Construction, who provides asphalt and manufacturing services here in Manhattan works with the city to provide that infrastructure support that keeps our lives easier. Owner and CFO of Shilling Construction, Steve Altobello joins the show today to talk about what it's like fighting for public contracts and providing for the city of Manhattan.

Any good city needs to know where it's going in order to provide the best opportunities for it's residents. Director of Planning and Development for Manhattan, Stephanie Peterson, works for the city in order to develop a coherent and thriving community. Today, Peterson joins the show to share what guiding principles have brought us to where we are today, as well as where we are heading as a city.

Soldiers who go missing in action are hardest to grapple, with the disorientation and lack of closure for family members. The Kansas State University Missing in Action Recovery and Identification Project works to put names to old reports in an effort to bring that closure to families. D.J. Schaefer with the MIA Recovery and Identification Project joins the show today to share how he started the project, and how he completes his work along with other retired veterans.

With Kansas being one of the largest agricultural producers in the country, so staying on the cutting edge of production and sustainability. Today's guest, Aaron Harries, is the Vice President of Research and Operation with the Kansas Wheat Commission and works to provide Kansas farmers with the best information and supplies needed to provide the best food for the country.

Improving women's healthcare improves the lives of those around them, and strengthens overall community health. Today Obstetrician-Gynecologists with Stormont Vail Health, Anwar Khoury and Jarett Skinner, join the show to talk about the job of an OBGYN and how they help further women's health in the Flint Hills region.

The Flint Hills Breadbasket is a locally operated non-profit with the aim of providing increased food security for Manhattan community members. Executive director of the non-profit, Karla Hagemeister, joins the show to talk about their upcoming drive, "the SOUPer Bowl" which aims to bring awareness to the growing issue of poverty in the community, as well as supplies for those in need.

Kansas is facing a shortage of lawyers, both public and private, that are able to provide representation for defendants. Kansas Supreme Court Judge K-J Wall joins the show to share his knowledge on the issue, and what he thinks we can do to walk back the shortage.

The USD 383 school board, encompassing Manhattan and Ogden, has recently made the change to move school start times earlier. Superintendent of the 383 district, Eric Reid, joins the show today to talk about why they've chosen to make this change amid community pushback, and how they think the change will benefit both staff and students.

Personal health is always at the forefront of peoples minds, and the Kansas Health Foundation is here to help facilitate that effort. The health organization is the largest non-profit in the state, and invest in hospitals and people to encourage the growing effort towards personal care. Kansas Health Foundation president and CEO, Ed O'Malley, joins the show to share where the foundation is focusing it's efforts, and the outcome he is hoping for.

Everybody loves looking to the stars, but Steve Hawley has gotten closer than most. Hawley, a retired astronomer and NASA astronaut, joins the show today to talk about his experience within NASA and how that influenced his new book, "Eyes to the Stars: A Memoir for the Space Shuttle Generation."

Mental health support is one of the most important community safety nets employed, and Manhattan strives to provide that safety net for it's residents. Light MHK, a recent development of that net, is a non-profit with the aim of providing mental health services to the greater Manhattan area. Beth St. Amand and Dolly Gudder, with the non-profit, join the show to talk about how the organization works with local mental health providers to facilitate care to the community.

Emergency care is the first line of defense when it comes to medical intervention. Dr. Todd Crane, with Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus in Junction City, joins the show to share his experience as an ER physician. Dr. Crane talks about what it takes to become a physician, what it's like once you're in the field, and why he keeps doing what he does.

Women's history affects us all, especially here in the heart of the Midwest. Today we are visited by a Manhattan artist, Phyllis Garibay-Coon, as well as Linda Uthoff with the local chapter of the League of Women Voters. These women share their experiences with the non-profit, and how they work memorialize the Suffrage Movement.

Alzheimer's is a disease that continues to affect many families, and unfortunately there is no silver bullet. Today, Margaret Haden and Jamie Gideon with the Heart of America chapter of the Alzheimer's Association join the show to talk about the support that the nation wide organization provides, as well as the good that they provide right here at home.