That Podcast In Hutch

This week's episode is electrifying!I'm sure you'll get a real jolt out of it!It might be the most shocking episode yet!OK. Enough with the Dad jokes. This week's episode of That Guy In Hutch features a couple of stand out Allen STEM Magnet School students - and their coach - who are headed to the World KidWind Competition in Madison, Wisconsin after taking tops the Statewide Competition. You'll hear Clayton Hatfield, Milo Miller, and coach Keith Gable discuss the work that goes into designing a winding wind turbine, and all the skills the students learn in the process. Before we get into that, however, I am going to ask a favor. Allen STEM Magnet School has two teams headed to the world competition: the Whirlwinds (4th and 5th grade) and the Mavericks (6th-8th grades). Both teams won first place in their division at the state competition and need to raise about $15,000 to cover travel costs for the students and their sponsors. While these students learn a great deal in the KidWind competition, it's not something covered by normal school expenses. You can mail a check to to Allen STEM Magnet School: KidWind Team, 403 W 10th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501. The Checks can be made out to Allen PTO c/o KidWind Team. Alternately, you can also drop a check off at the Allen office. They also have a gofundme where the money goes directly to help with these expenses. That's how I'll donate this week, and I hope you will too!As you listen to this episode, I think you'll find the KidWind competition is a valuable and enriching experience for these students. I was most impressed with they way Clayton and Milo talked about the process of trial and error. As they develop their ideas and plans, they must put those ideas into practice; when they fail, they revise their plans and try again. Projects like this give students permission to be imperfect. It's teaching them how to think. How to problem-solve, and how to create. It was such a shining example of what is happening in our education systems—something that often isn't highlighted as prominently as it should be. I know you'll find this episode informative and adorable. And I hope when you listen you'll also consider supporting our local kids who are looking to do some really big things on a really big stage. For more information on KidWindwww.kidwind.orgkansasenergyprogram.org/events/2026-state-kidwind-challenge-salinafacebook.com/AllenSTEMKidWindkidwind.org/worlds/2026-2/For additional questions, contact the school at 620-615-4900

You’ve seen the work going on at the corner of 5th and Main over the past several years - and today I’m happy to sit down for a conversation with Laura Meyer Dick, developer of the Meyer Landmark building. In our conversation, you’ll learn about her motivation for renovating the once-dilapidated building - including her initial battle with the pigeons who had taken up residency in the building. You’ll also learn about her vision and spirit for downtown, and how the work she’s doing to redevelop the Meyer Landmark is building on the legacy of her father, Nation Meyer, who was a strong advocate for downtown Hutchinson. If you’ve been curious about what’s happening at the corner of 5th and Main, you’ll want to make sure to listen to this episode of That Podcast in Hutch

We’re wrapping up our series on Kansas Property taxes this week with Chris Courtwright, who served as the principal economist for the Kansas Legislature for 34 years. In that role, Chris provided lawmakers with unbiased and reliable economic data used to make key decisions about the state budget. He also led the twice-a-year Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, which the legislature and the governor use as a basis for their revenue and budget projections for the coming year. Few people possess Chris’s understanding of the history and the changes in Kansas tax policy. He is a wealth of knowledge, and he does a great job of helping unpack the complex history taxation in Kansas - including property taxes. I think you’ll learn a great deal from this episode. But one thing I hope you’ll take away from this episode is how the pinch you’re feeling today when you look at your property tax bill began years ago - initiated by people who made decisions on tax policy that have, and continue to, put the burden squarely on working families in Kansas. My conversation with Chris is Part 4 in That Podcast In Hutch’s multi-part series on property taxes. Part one is a conversation with Kansas Senator Mike Murphy, who introduced legislation this session aimed at eliminating property taxes in Kansas and replacing it with a surtax, which is a sort of sales tax on consumption. In Part 2, I visited with Reno County Appraiser Michael Plank, who discussed the property valuation process. In Part 3, I visited with former Hutchinson City Council member Jon Richardson about how policy affects city budgets, and in Episode 4, I visited with Chris Courtwright, the Kansas Legislature’s lead economist for 34 years. This package of episodes of TPIH contains a lot of valuable information for anyone who is interested in learning more about property taxes, tax appraisals, and the ways in which policy decisions from years ago are affecting you today. Now up, Chris Courtwright, and his insight on the history of taxation in Kansas. 

We’re continuing our series on Kansas Property taxes this week, with former Hutchinson City Council member Jon Richardson, who left the council in January.I asked Jon to talk about the difficulty of managing a city budget, especially when faced with a changing landscape - and mandates - from the state and federal governments. We discuss a number of different topics in our conversation, and the time flew by while we recorded. I am confident you’ll feel the same as you listen. It’s both important and enlightening to hear Jon’s takeaways and insights from his time on the council. It’s also a good reminder that at the local level, the people serving in elected capacity - your city council members, county commissioners, and school board members - are effectively neighborhood volunteers who care about their communities. They don’t make real money, typically aren’t politically driven, and often are tackling big, complex issues. And in a town the size of Hutchinson, any decision you make is bound to make one group or another upset. My conversation with Jon is Part 3 in That Podcast In Hutch’s multi-part series on property taxes. Part one is a conversation with Kansas Senator Mike Murphy, who introduced legislation this session aimed at eliminating property taxes in Kansas and replacing it with a surtax, which is a sort of sales tax on consumption. In Part 2, I visited with Reno County Appraiser Michael Plank, who discussed the property valuation process. In Part 4, I visit with Chris Courtwright, the Kansas Legislature’s lead economist for 34 years. This package of episodes of TPIH contains a lot of valuable information for anyone who is interested in learning more about property taxes, tax appraisals, and the ways in which policy decisions from years ago are affecting you today. Now up, Jon Richardson, and his experience on the Hutchinson City Council. 

We’re continuing our series on Kansas Property taxes this week, with Reno County Appraiser Michael Plank, who joined That Podcast in Hutch to discuss property valuations here and across the state. Like lots of people, you might still be reeling from the recent valuation statement that came in the mail. And like some, your first instinct might have been to cuss the county appraiser’s office - and I think a good number of people have done just that. But Michael helped me understand how those valuations are calculated, and how much of their work in the appraiser’s office is governed by laws dictated by the Kansas Legislature. He unpacks the complicated and heavily mathematical world of valuations in a way that is easy to understand. He even offers tips and suggestions on how to appeal your valuations. My conversation with Mike is part two in That Podcast In Hutch’s multi-part series on property taxes. Part one is a conversation with Kansas Senator Mike Murphy, who introduced legislation this session aimed at eliminating property taxes in Kansas and replacing it with a surtax, which is a sort of sales tax on consumption. Michael Plank unpacks valuations. In coming episodes I visit with former Hutchinson City Council member Jon Richardson and Chris Courtwright, who served for 34 years as the chief economist for the Kansas Legislature. This package of episodes of TPIH contains a lot of valuable information for anyone who is interested in learning more about property taxes, tax appraisals, and the ways in which policy decisions from years ago are affecting you today. Now up, Michael Plank, to help us better understand the valuation process. 

Property taxes seem to be on everyone’s minds these days. Residents dread opening their valuation statements for fear of what they’ll see. Politicians keep promising relief, and local governments try to balance meeting the wants and needs of their communities with ongoing demands for lower taxes. Yet, for something that affects so many of us, it’s an area that is complex and layered and can be difficult to understand. Today’s episode of That Podcast in Hutch kicks off a multi-part series in which we’ll try to unpack and simplify some of the discussion around property taxes in Kansas. Part one is a conversation with Kansas Senator Mike Murphy, who introduced legislation this session aimed at eliminating property taxes in Kansas and replacing it with a surtax, which is a sort of sales tax on consumption. I asked Mike to sit down with me not necessarily because I think his bill is the right approach to property tax relief, but because I think that ideas are worth exploring - especially when the public is expressing a dire need for a change. I’ve not been scared of too many ideas in my life, and I think we find better solutions when we entertain thoughts that challenge the status quo and the established order. Mike’s idea is a foundational system change, one that is rightly met with questions and concern. But it is, in my opinion, an important part of a broader conversation.In coming episodes, I’ll visit with Reno County Appraiser Michael Plank, former Hutchinson City Council member Jon Richardson, and Chris Courtwright, who worked for decades as the principal economists informing the Kansas Legislature on revenue and tax policy. These next few episodes of TPIH contain a lot of valuable information for anyone who is interested in learning more about property taxes, tax appraisals, and the ways in which policy decisions from years ago are affecting you today. First up, Sen. Michael Murphy on his plan to replace property taxes with a consumption surtax in Kansas. 

Not long ago, Hutchinson’s city manager responded to a comment with a question that stuck with me:Do you believe Hutch has peaked?Is this as good as it’s ever going to get?Or is there a brighter future worth investing in?That question sparked one of the most widely read essays here.Now, ahead of the March 3 sales tax vote, he’s joining me on the podcast for a real conversation about what this moment means for Hutchinson.Not just the tax.Not just the politics.But the history, and the trajectory.If you care about where this community is headed, I think you’ll want to hear it.

This week’s episode of That Podcast in Hutch takes a dive into something most of us have had to deal with at one time or another - Homeowner’s Insurance - with my friend Dave Inskeep, owner of Joe McGuire Insurance. In recent months, I’ve had a number of conversations with lenders, bankers, community advocates, and others about the critical need for more housing. This need spans the state, and across all income levels. There are a number of barriers that prevent needed development, and one of those that I think we don’t talk about often enough is the rising cost of insurance, policy changes that make it harder to adequately maintain a home, and the chilling effect all of that has on the housing and development market. According to a report by the Consumer Federation of America, the average price of homeowner’s insurance increased an average of $628 between 2021 and 2024. In Kansas, the average rate rose 14 percent, but as you’ll learn, that isn’t consistent across the state - some areas saw higher, and lower, rate increases. Kansas already had one of the highest insurance costs in the country, landing a spot among one of the seven most expensive states for insurance, which include Florida and Louisiana. On average, a homeowner pays more than $4,200 per year for coverage on a $350,000 home. Dave does a great job of walking me through a lot of the complexities of insurance, and, I think, gives us an honest assessment of what is happening in the insurance industry. If you own a home, plan to sell a home, hope to own a home, or have anything to do with homes, I think you’ll find this episode informative and enlightening. I know you’ll walk away knowing more about insurance than you did beforehand. Link to the Consumer Federation of America report - https://consumerfed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/OverburdenedReport.pdf

This week’s episode of That Podcast in Hutch features Haley Kottler, the anti-hunger campaign director for Kansas Appleseed. Haley has worked extensively on food and hunger policy in Kansas, and she shares some of her insights and experiences working to defend programs like SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP provides vulnerable families with an average of around $171 per month in food assistance, which is less than $2 per meal, per person. In our conversation, Haley pushes back against some of the prevailing myths that exist around safety net programs like SNAP, and explains how ensuring access to food has broader economic benefits to our communities, state, and country. Additionally, Haley shares some of SNAP’s history - including its ties to Kansas and its fierce defense by the late Kansas Senator Bob Dole. During the past 10 years, and continuing today, programs such as SNAP have come under heavy assault. Opponents have claimed SNAP is flooded with fraud and abuse, and have called for restrictions and in some cases elimination. Haley walks through her experiences and insight in working to help people understand the truth and the importance of programs like SNAP. I think you’ll not only enjoy this episode, I expect you’ll learn a great deal, too. I know I did! To learn more about the history of SNAP read Kansas Appleseed’s report.  https://www.kansasappleseed.org/snap-report/

It's one of my favorite times of the year - the opening of Farmer's Market Season!For this episode of That Podcast in Hutch, we visit with my friend Kelli Snider-Short. She serves on the board of the Reno County Farmer's Market and is the market's media manager. Saturday, May 3 is opening day of the market, so it was a perfect time to visit about the benefits of shopping local and supporting small business. And there's nothing more local or small about buying your food from the farmer's market. As you'll hear Kelli explain, each producer has been directly involved in growing the food you purchase. Whether it's vegetables and leafy greens, honey, meat, bread, or hand-crafted toys, the Farmer's Market is a dynamic place where value is found in a number of ways. If you're a regular Farmer's Market shopper, listening to Kelli will get you pumped for opening day. If you're new to the market, she'll help you understand why so many people love spending Saturday mornings at the corner of 2nd and Washington. For more information about the Reno County Farmer's Market, visit https://www.rcfmks.com/

This week’s episode of That Podcast in Hutch features my friends Emily and Will Ptacek. Emily suffered a traumatic brain injury during a traffic accident in Reno County. It left her with lasting injuries that will affect her cognition the rest of her life. In this episode, Emily and Will talk about what their lives looked like before the accident, and what it looks like now. It has required an intentional shift in the way they manage life and time, and it has required grace and patience. It has also required love, and I hope that is something that comes across in this episode. At its core, this episode is about the sort of resolute love required for two people to support each other through difficult times.But you’ll also learn that there’s humor after tragedy. There’s hope. And there’s resilience to start again. You’ll also hear how Emily built the tools she needed for recovery - by establishing a support group for traumatic brain injury patients in Hutchinson. The group meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m in the Hutchinson Public Library. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Emily and Will Ptacek. 

For this episode of That Podcast in Hutch, I bring in my friend Lindsey Hatfield - though anyone who grew up with her would recognize her by the name Lindsey Payne. I have been lucky to become friends with Lindsey over the past several years - and the more I visit with her the more I become interested in her life, and her story. She grew up in Hutchinson, attended Buhler schools, and lived the sort of life familiar to many people in and around this area. But right after graduation, she went off to Los Angeles to follow her dream of becoming a working actress. Fast forward to today - she's returned home to raise her family in her hometown. A Boomerang, who gave up the bright lights of the big city for the peace of Middle America. Here, she's found a home for her family and has dedicated her time to giving back to our community - including a run for public office in 2024. We talk about her experience in Los Angeles - what it's like to audition for movies, to work on a sitcom, and the challenges of managing a demanding career while raising a family. And we talk about how Dolly Parton influenced her life and inspired Lindsey to write, direct, produce, and star in her one-woman show "Dolly" - which she's performed in theaters around the country, including Hutchinson, and Los Angeles. I had a lot of fun recording this episode, and I think you'll have a lot of fun learning more about my friend Lindsey Hatfield.

In this week’s episode of That Podcast in Hutch, I visit with Lacey Stone-Tillman, whose family has owned the Medicine Shoppe for nearly 30 years. If you have ever used a local pharmacy for your prescription drugs, you’ll want to listen to this episode. If you are a proud supporter of free markets, you’ll want to listen to this episode. If you believe in shopping local, and in supporting hometown businesses, you’ll want to listen to this episode. While most people don’t know about PBMs - Pharmacy Benefit Managers - these middle men are working to increase the price of prescription drugs, forcing rural patients to use their mail order pharmacies, and killing locally owned pharmacies. While PBMs have been billed as a way to save consumers money by leveraging heavy negotiating power against pharmaceutical companies. What they are, in practice, is part of the consolidation and integration of a healthcare system that is driven far more by extracting profit from patients than in caring for them. You’ll hear Lacey talk about some of the methods and practices these PBMs use to deny payment to her family’s business. You’ll also learn how insurance companies are vertically integrating - in some cases making money on every level of healthcare, from the insurer to long-term care facilities, prescribing clinics, and everything in between. The cost to our communities is incalculable. Locally owned pharmacies are being pushed out of business at an alarming rate - forcing residents to travel for access to in-person pharmacies or to access PBM-owned online pharmacies. Lacey shared a few details about the effect on her family’s business - and our community - over the years.”I wanted to share with you a couple more details about Rick Stone's running of his business:-He has employed around 50 students (mostly from HCC) during his time owning The Shoppe. Many have been pharmacy students who go on to KU or other schools of pharmacy. Some of those now own their own pharmacies or work as pharmacists in many different parts of Kansas. Some of the students have gone on to become or are pursuing degrees as nurses, radiology techs, therapists and even farmers. -He created a section of a tiny Shoppe that he calls "Home Sweet Hutch." He has devoted it to locally made products where entrepreneurs can sell their goods for 100% profit. We take nothing from their sales and therefore, they do not need to raise prices for the customers to cover any upcharge. Even as his bottom line dwindles, he is committed to keeping this going. -It seems that at least twice a week, people from sports or dance teams, school fundraisers and charitable groups are asking him for donations. His motto has always been as long as they're local and they come in themselves to speak with him, he will make sure to donate to them. He has been having to make cuts to advertising and other services, but he keeps on donating to charitable organizations….My dad shows us the numbers each month. We are continually gaining new customers and we fill more prescriptions each month than the previous. As steadily as we are growing, that is how steadily we are also profiting less and less. We keep a super full staff to keep up with our ever-growing business, but profits shrink. I know we are not unique in this. More and more people want to support independent pharmacies, but they are being forced to close due to PBM pharmacy steering and audits.” And yet for all this is costing us as patients and consumers, there has been almost zero political will to address this growing concern. The reasons for this are varied - but the lobbying power for insurance providers and the PBMs they use and own is incredible. They form very personal relationships with key members of legislative leadership, while others have profited from the status quo of our extractive insurance practices. Additionally, these lobbyists and the firms that hire them, have unlimited resources to keep lawmakers from probing too much or fighting for change. Few lawmakers - in Kansas or at the federal level - have shown any interest in tackling an issue that adversely affects almost every single one of us. A handful of PBMs control 80 percent of the prescription drug market - yet there are few reporting requirements or regulations to ensure that patients and pharmacies are being treated fairly. As local pharmacies close, patients lose access to trusted information, and communities lose vested partners that support local employment, non-profits, and sports teams. The total cost of the abominable practices of insurance companies and their PBMs will never truly be known or undestood. I encourage you to listen to Lacey tell her family’s story and experience. I think you’ll be saddened and shocked, and hopefully, mad enough to want to force your leaders to want to finally do something about it. 

Artist Brady Scott didn’t hesitate when I asked if he’d join me in the somewhat crazy idea of recording an episode of That Podcast in Hutch in front of a live audience. He was all about it. We gathered at the Hutchinson Public Library on one of the coldest days of this winter in front of the brave souls who came out to listen. We had a great time recording in front of them - and I was happy that so many of them had questions for Brady after we recorded the show. If you’ve been in Hutchinson or Kansas in the past decade, you’ve likely come across Brady’s work. His murals can be found throughout Hutchinson, and as you’ll learn in this episode, throughout Kansas and around the country. Brady walked us all through his painting process, and his path to building a career in art, and offered a great deal of insight into his life. I think you’re going to really like this episode. Don’t forget that Brady’s collection “Haunted Landscapes” will be on display at City Arts in Old Town in Wichita. There’s a big artist reception of Friday, March 7 and his work will be on display for the entire month of March. For more information visit https://www.wichita.gov/172/CityArtsTo see more of Brady’s artwork, go to http://www.bscottart.com/ or follow Brady creative on instagram

Christopher and I first met McKenna while recording downtown during the Dog Days of Summer Third Thursday event last year. We wanted to record audio snippets of people talking about their dogs, when we noticed this teenager walking around with a parrot on her shoulder. When the thien 16-year-old McKenna sat down to visit with us, we quickly realized there was a much bigger story to be told. This wasn't just someone with a pet parrot - this was someone who has a passion for birds and is actively working to build a career in training big birds. You can hear that episode here It took a few months, but we finally brought McKenna into the studio to tell us more about her love of birds, and the adventures she's had traveling the United States learning how to raise, care for, and train birds. You can also follow McKenna's fun and light-hearted feathered tales at her Instagram - it's filled with cute pictures of birds and funny comedic bits. 

In this episode of That Podcast in Hutch, we try to shed a little light on an issue that touches a lot of people in Hutchinson and the surrounding area - the impasse between the Hutchinson Clinic and Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance. I sat down with Julie Schott, medical reimbursement specialist for the Hutchinson Clinic. She walked me through the issue from the perspective of Hutchinson Clinic and the medical providers who deliver care in our community. I know this has been a contentious issue in the community. Some people put more blame on the Clinic, and some place more blame on BCBS. I’ve been pretty clear in my previous statements on this that I think there’s blame to go around. I think we have a system problem in health care, and until we decide we’re ready to address that in a meaningful way, we’re likely to continue to have issues like this current strife between an insurance provider and  medical providers. I believe in giving everyone a chance to say their truth - and for this episode I gave an opportunity for the Hutchinson Clinic to clear the air a bit and try to set the record straight on some of its concerns about their relationship with BCBS. I have extended the same opportunity to BCBS, and I hope they’ll take me up on the offer. As I’ve always said, what I ultimately want is for the residents of Hutchinson and the surrounding area to have a viable healthcare system that will address their needs. I hope you’ll find this episode informative and insightful. I’m glad the Hutchinson Clinic was willing to sit down with me and tell their side of the story. And I hope you learn a little more about an issue that touches so many of us in this area. It’s hard to think about every question you might want to ask, or to think about every potential issue on the fly. If you have questions that I’ve missed, send them to me at [email protected]. Julie has assured me that she’s willing to answer any follow up questions, and I’m more than happy to sent them to her and report back to you. 

 I don't want to say that this week's episode gets a little heated, but I don't know what else you'd expect when we bring in the Hutchinson Fire Department and the Hutchinson Police Department to square off to win the trophy and bragging rights in the annual Battle of the Badges competition. It's all in the spirit of community service - and in raising awareness of the pressing need for blood donors. In this episode of That Podcast in Hutch I visit with Patrick Weathers, of the Hutchinson Fire Department, Ricky Garcia, with Hutchinson Police Department, and Tiffany Davison with the American Red Cross. They share their experiences with donating blood, and explain why it's important to recruit new donors all the time. Along the way, there's some fun sparing between the departments that are vying for the traveling Battle of the Badge's trophy. You can sign up to make an appointment to give from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, noon to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday Jan. 29. Go to RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or download the Blood Donor App on your phone - and then search Hutchinson to find more information. If helping others isn't enough reason to donate, there will be homemade chili and cookies each day - with fresh baked cinnamon rolls available on Jan. 29. 

I hope everyone had the chance to enjoy friends and family over the holiday season. I know I enjoyed the chance to slow down a bit and share time with my family. It's the most important part of Thanksgiving and Christmas for me. As we turn to the New Year and the start of 2025, our first episode of this season will begin by looking backwards to the end of 2024 - by turning the microphone around on me and bringing in guest host Jackson Swearer. Jackson asks me to reflect on my nearly 8 years of service in the Kansas Legislature, and we discuss some of the highs and lows of that experience. I think you'll enjoy the conversation and look back on the past year. 

This edition of That Podcast in Hutch brings in one of my closest friends and somewhat frequent guest Tyler Kershner.Tyler has a history of doing extraordinary things, such as riding his bicycle more than 200 miles in a day, fasting for extended periods of time, or in this case - walking 50 miles in a single day. He got the idea from President Teddy Roosevelt, who believed that officers under his command should be able to walk 50 miles in a 24 hour period. In that test of physical endurance the officers could break that walk up over any part of 24 hours. Tyler decided he wanted to do it straight through - walking 50 miles in one outing, with only small breaks during the day. He chose Hutchinson, and during his trek around town he learned a lot about the community - and about himself. I think you’ll find this episode intriguing - and will appreciate some of his insights and takeaways from his one-day adventure. 

This week’s episode of That Podcast in Hutch centers on the work of the United Way of Reno County and two dynamic people who help lead the organization - Executive Director Lacey Mills and Director of Community Impact, Valerie Taylor. We visit about the United Way’s ongoing fundraising campaign - which is a critical part of supporting our non-profit community in Hutchinson. The United Way is an important resource to help these on-the-ground agencies do the work needed to improve the lives of residents in Hutchinson, which in turn improves our community. Additionally, we talk about the United Way’s work on ALICE - which is an acronym for Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed. For too many families in our community, working isn’t enough to get by. These families are working hard, but the wages aren’t moving them to a place of sustainability. There are so many factors that work against people - and our conversation helps illustrate some of those challenges. I do want to say that I had some terrible technical challenges during recording - all due to my lack of experience with some relatively new equipment we’re using in the studio. But Christopher does miracles to make it all work out pretty well. I hope you enjoy this episode of That Podcast In Hutch. 

Producer Christopher takes over the podcast! he takes the recording equipment on the road and sets up at Sandhills Brewing during the launch of Jasons Prost for Probst Oktoberfest to ask attendees why they love Hutch.

This one is going to hurt. In this episode of That Podcast in Hutch, my friend Brandy Sheahan Harris talks about the loss of her son, Sebastian, to a fentanyl overdose. Sebastian passed away on April 15, 2022. He was 21 years old. Brandy tells us about her son, moving us through his young life and lets us see, through a mother’s eyes, Sebastian’s life. She also walks us through his struggles with addiction, and the hole his death has left in her family’s lives. I’ve known Brandy for a number of years. I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child.  Yet she has shown an incredible amount of resolve and courage in the years since Sebastian’s death. Anytime I’ve asked Brandy to travel to Topeka to testify on legislation related to fentanyl deaths, she has helped without hesitation. She testified in front of Senate and House Committees and did numerous television interviews - all things that I know were far outside of her comfort zone. I spent nearly 3 years talking with other legislators about the need to decriminalize fentanyl testing strips. It finally happened in 2023 and I was proud to lead that effort in the legislature. But it wouldn’t have happened without people like Brandy - who had the courage to speak through their loss. In 2024, we followed that by passing a Good Samaritan law, which allows people to call for medical aid during an overdose without fear of arrest or prosecution. This one is going to hurt. But I think it’s important to hear it. 

I was visiting with my producer Christopher Acker about our 3-part series on addiction, alcoholism, and sobriety earlier this week. We got some remarkable feedback on the series, and I’m really thankful for the people who took time to reach out to share how the episodes had touched them. As we started talking about the upcoming episodes - including this week’s show - Christopher pointed out that even though it wasn’t labeled as part of the series on addiction, it was still very much related. I hadn’t considered that, but he was absolutely right. Luci Hernandez, or Lucky Luci, tells her story of destruction, demolition, and rebuilding - both in the house she’s rehabbing into a home, and in her life that today looks a lot different than she had imagined when she first moved to Kansas. I first heard Luci’s story this June during Talk 20 at the Hutchinson Public Library. If you haven’t attended Talk 20 before, you’ve been missing out. At its core, Talk 20 is a way to show us the lives of neighbors - particularly those neighbors who might not ever tell their stories to a broad segment of the community. Luci told her story about moving to Kansas with a plan for the future, only to watch it all fall away from her. She had to figure out what she might do next, and from the remnants of the life she had imagined, she began to rebuild her home, and herself. Her story is one of resilience and hope, and I think you’ll find, as Christopher pointed out, that it’s very much a story of recovery. 

In this series of That Podcast in Hutch, we're taking a look at the use of alcohol and sobriety through several different lenses. To conclude our series on alcohol and sobriety, I visit with Seth Dewey, who works as a Health Educator at the Reno County Health Department. He has done incredible work to educate and inform our community about substance misuse. While Seth often speaks about various drugs, we talked in this episode about the parallels with alcohol abuse - which still remains one of the most abused drugs in Reno County. You'll have the chance to learn a great deal from Seth in this episode. 

Jason and Producer Chris head out to Third Thursday to hear from you! We heard from folks about their pets, their summer, or anything else they wanted to share.

In this series of That Podcast in Hutch, we're taking a look at the use of alcohol and sobriety through several different lenses. In this episode, I visit with Mike and Cammie Rumback. They share their story about dealing with alcoholism - Mike as an alcoholic and Cammie as a wife and mother trying to navigate life with someone addicted to alcohol. This is a story that's more common than I think we realize, and I appreciated the Rumbacks for opening up about something so painful and personal. 

In this series of That Podcast in Hutch, we're taking a look at the use of alcohol and sobriety through several different lenses. In this episode, I visit with former District Court Judge and Kansas Representative Steven Becker. He shares the story of his struggle with alcoholism, his time in treatment, and how those moments changed his outlook on life. I think you'll enjoy hearing this story, and this perspective, from Steve. He is open and vulnerable and honest about a difficult time in his life. 

This episode of That Podcast in Hutch reaches back a way - to about a year ago when former Hutchinson resident Slade Templeton dropped into the studio while visiting family, in the country from his home in Bern, Switzerland. Slade is an eclectic mix of interests and skills. He’s the author of horror books - his latest being Truth of the Shadows, which is described as “dark and spiraling journey into the abyss,” by the president of the Horror Writers Association. But his literary work is just the start. He’s a musician and record producer, as well as a designer and creator of Haunted Miniatures - offering spooky miniatures for dollhouse makers. In my conversation with Slade, we go back in time to his early years in Hutchinson. Along the way we touch on his experience with substance misuse, feelings of not quite finding your place in the world, and mental health crisis. But also about how he found his passion and place by embracing his true self. 

We're excited to launch our next season of That Podcast In Hutch! For this episode, we go back in time to 2022 - and the time that Sandhills Brewing had to sell an unimaginable amount of food in a ridiculous amount of time to keep its liquor license. Thankfully, our guest Pippin Williamson, was able to marshal his staff and the community to save this unique Hutchinson brewery from the reach of an antiquated 1980s law that requires any place that sells alcohol to make 30 percent of its sales from food. That effort a year ago led to an upcoming vote to remove what's known as the Food Rule from Reno County. This change would allow any business that wants to sell alcohol to operate as it sees fit - without the need to stand up a full scale restaurant in a place that's not a restaurant at all. Think breweries, on-site crafting shops, ax throwing, and a number of other local businesses. Pippin and I revisit some of the events of a year ago, and walk back to the present day - and the need to update Reno County law to meet the realities of today. If you've wondered what all those "Vote for Beer Freedom" signs are about - you can learn all about it on this episode of That Podcast in Hutch. Also - Here are some important dates. Last day to register to Vote - October 17First Day Advance ballots go out in the mail - Oct. 18First Day for early voting at the Reno County Annex - Oct. 23Can vote 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri until Nov. 5. Can vote early 8 a.m. to noon on Nov. 6Election Day is Nov. 7 Voting open to all Reno County residents. Go to https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview/ to check your registration and find your polling location. If you want to read a more complete history of liquor laws in Kansas - follow this link. 

In this episode of That Podcast in Hutch, I visit with my friends from Beyond Barriers - formerly known as Prairie Independent Living Resource Center. Erica Rivera, Kelly Miller, and Emerald - a black lab service dog - join me to talk about what it means to live life with a disability - but more importantly what it means to live life independently. One of the things that really stood out to me about this episode was our conversation about how having a disability isn't what we might normally consider. As we all move through life, our health conditions change. A disability can affect any of us at any time in our life - be it through an accident, a health concern, or simply through aging. But organizations like Beyond Barriers serve to help anyone with a disability secure the tools and resources needed to live life on their own terms. And as you listen to this episode, you'll learn how important it is for everyone to have what they need to live life on their own terms. To learn more about Beyond Barriers, visit https://www.beyondbarriersks.com/

In this episode of That Podcast in Hutch, I am interviewing my Mom. Every Christmas, my Mom brings up the story of the Fisher Price Happy Apple - my one and only Christmas present when I was just 11 months old. It's part of the lore of our family - that we were so incredibly poor the first year of my life, we couldn't afford a proper Christmas Tree or a proper Christmas at all. But my parents managed to scrape together enough cash to buy this one simple toy. By my Mom's account, I loved it and played with it constantly. But over the years, this Happy Apple has become a sort of symbol, and a reminder. And my Mom is very clear that of all the possessions she has (which isn't a whole lot) this toy is the most cherished. It's the one I'm duty-bound to keep after her death. And it's the one I'm supposed to think about as a way to remember our family's past. So I asked my Mom to talk about that period of time, and why this simple toy has meant so much to her over the years. She didn't stop there, and decided to tell a few other stories, too. Mostly about me. 

This week's episode of That Podcast in Hutch features Marla McKee and Anthony Frischenmeyer with Circles of Hope. According to its website, Circles of Hope "gathers people who are motivated to move out of poverty and matches them with middle-income and high-income volunteers who can support and encourage them on their journey."But as you'll hear in this conversation, Circles does much more than that. It expands understanding - between families in poverty and middle income families. And through those shared experiences and understanding, they learn from one another. Additionally, families have multiple training sessions, or "conversations" as Anthony prefers to call them, that help families develop the skills they'll learn as they move out of poverty and into stability, and middle class life. I've long been a fan of Circles of Hope and its work in our community. They are combating poverty at every level - but most importantly, they are doing it one family at a time, with compassion and love. Go here to check out the group's Facebook page. 

In this week's episode of That Podcast in Hutch, guest host Jackson Swearer returns again for a follow-up interview with That Guy in Hutch, Jason Probst.Earlier this year, I sat down with Jason for a two-part conversation about his life up until he joined the legislature. A lot of people seemed to enjoy those podcasts, and asked me if I would consider interviewing Jason again. What we have for you today is Part 3.This time, we pick up where the conversation left off, and discuss Jason's experience representing the 102nd House District since 2017. I asked him about life in the legislature, how the process of passing laws really works, how he has built relationships with different people during his time in Topeka, and more. We even talked about Teddy Roosevelt!Jason has an uncanny ability to explain complex issues in a way most people can understand. He is also more willing than most legislators to pull back the curtain and reveal to his constituents how things really work in Topeka. I always find our conversations enlightening, and I hope that listeners will too.

This week on That Podcast in Hutch, Tyler and I come together for another episode of What's the Big Idea. This time, we explore a little more deeply the big idea of whether consumer plastics such as water and soda bottles, could be repurposed  for use as filament in an at-home 3D printer. We speculate, and then pull in an answer from someone who actually understands the properties of this material far better than we do. Like we said at the outset, this experiment has always been about the big ideas - and whether we have to accept as final the things we think have been told are impossible 

For this episode of That Podcast in Hutch, I decided to publish a recent event I hosted, that featured Chris Courtwright. For 35 years, Chris was the chief economist with the Kansas Legislative Research Department. In that role, he helped inform legislators about the consequences of changes to tax and spending policies through his research and staffing of the taxation and appropriations committees. He also worked with the Consensus Revenue Estimating group - a group of various industry experts who gather twice a year to calculate the next year's economic conditions, and the amount of expected state revenue. The work of the CRE is by statute what the governor must base a budget on, and it's what legislators rely on as they deliberate spending decisions. In this presentation, Chris goes through a good history of tax policy in Kansas, and he points out how changes in one area of taxation often lead to increases in other areas. He also throws in some very interesting history - including a reference to a Reno County lawyer who later became Governor and an Appellate Court Judge. If you want to follow along with his slideshow, you can access that here. If you'd rather watch the presentation on video, I've uploaded it to Youtube

This election season, there has been a lot of chatter about education. Much of it centered around the idea that there's a lot going on behind the imposing walls of a child's school that parents aren't aware of, or involved in. And in that general conversation, there are few buzzwords that have been more thrown about than a three-letter acronym - SEL, which stands for Social and Emotional Learning. In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Evans, who is the Assistant Principal at Hutchinson Middle School - 7th grade. Melissa takes a deep dive with me into what SEL is, how it helps students, and how it's really nothing to be worried about. You'll learn that SEL is the relatively new formal name for a concept that has been used in education for quite some time - and that it's not being taught by some sinister cabal that's hoping to indoctrinate children. In fact, its use was requested after input from the Kansas business community, which told educators that they required a workforce that was more emotionally mature, and prepared to handle the rigors of daily work. This episode ranks among my favorites. Melissa does a fantastic job of demystifying not only SEL, but the relationships between students and teachers, and teachers and parents. If you have any sort of interest in education and the students in it - or if you've been curious, worried, concerned, or even alarmed by the idea of SEL - you will not want to miss this episode.

This week's episode of That Podcast in Hutch features Hailee Black - and the secret lives of teenagers. Well, maybe not secret as much as mysterious or misunderstood. Hailee is a soon-to-be 18 year old senior at Hutchinson High School. I first met her last legislative session when she travelled to Topeka with a group of JAG-K students. Hailee explains more about JAG in the podcast - but it's a fantastic program that helps prepare students for many aspects of adult life. It stands for Jobs for America's Graduates. I encourage you to learn more about this program - it's a great tool and addition for our students. We also talk about some of the stressors, issues, ideas, and misconceptions about today's teenagers. And I will warn you that some of the conversation is frank, pointed, opinionated, and even a little dark. I wanted to hear and learn about this perspective, and I think the best way to do that is to ask questions, and listen. So while I didn't know what Hailee might say, or even what questions I would ask, I did want her to have the freedom to answer my questions honestly, and in her own words. 

In this week's episode of That Podcast in Hutch, I visit with Sgt. Wesley Vaughn with the Hutchinson Police Department. Wesley has been a friend of mine for quite some time, and I've always enjoyed our conversations. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in a variety of areas. And everytime we visit, I leave feeling better informed, with a deeper understanding of our community, and the challenges faced by members of law enforcement. Plus, he's just a lot of fun to talk with. I encourage you to listen with intention to this episode. I think we cover some important topics - from the changes in law enforcement over the years, to the unique challenges encountered by a person of color who has built a career as a police officer serving our community. You'll also get some interesting and useful insights about gardening, as well as chicken and rabbit husbandry! 

This episode of That Podcast in Hutch has us revisiting one of my favorite guests and business - Pippin Williamson with Sandhills Brewing. Earlier this month, Pippin learned that his liquor license was in jeopardy because he hadn't met the 30 percent food sales requirement that was put in place by Reno County voters 36 years ago, in 1986. This week Sandhills launched an aggressive plan to sell as much food as possible to get the numbers into compliance with regulations. In one night, they sold over $16,000 in food - but he's still about $13,000 short of reaching the goal by the end of the month. So go buy some food!https://sandhillsbrewing.square.site/product/pizza-for-pickup/1228?utm_source=sqmktg_emailIn this episode, guest host Jackson Swearer visits with Pippin about the challenges he has faced as a small business, and the regulatory hurdles microbreweries encounter in Kansas. I talk about the history of Kansas liquor laws, how we got to this point, and what needs to happen to change the law. We don't do the three person format very often - and we don't record on location too much. But we did both for this episode. (As such, the sound is going to be a little more open than usual). I think you'll learn a lot from this episode, and walk away with a deeper understanding of both Kansas liquor laws and the mission and vision behind Sandhills Brewing. 

This week’s episode will be abbreviated, but I wanted to take a moment or two to reflect on the past year. That Podcast in Hutch is 1-year-old! The first episode of That Podcast in Hutch aired on Sept. 2, 2021. A year later, we’ve cranked out nearly 50 episodes that have covered a variety of topics - from truck drivers to chefs, former drug addicts, single moms, and experts who provided insight into some of the big questions we have around here. It's not always been easy. For everyone who works on this show, it's a labor of love. It's not our "job" and we're not making bank. We do it because we enjoy it, we like telling the stories, and we believe in it. That's a long way from where I was about 18 months ago, when I was somewhat reluctant to jump into podcasting. I've always been a writer - it's where I'm comfortable, and I can edit, change, and finesse things to my liking. We can edit podcasts, to be sure, but for the most part these conversations are raw and authentic. I've really enjoyed the past year of That Podcast in Hutch - and I'm looking forward to another year of storytelling. I hope you've enjoyed it too and that you'll stick with us for the next year. Listen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3Suj0t5wImKUSbaIWhomAq?si=5e1d0748899f4e92Listen on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1579734295?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=lt_pListen on Google - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoYXQtcG9kY2FzdC1pbi1odXRjaAhttps://linktr.ee/thatguyinhutch

This week's episode of That Podcast in Hutch takes me up the road a bit, to the Reno County hamlet of Yoder. If you're not familiar with Yoder, it's worth learning about - a small, Amish community in Reno County, most known for horse-drawn buggies and good food. But my recent visit took me to the Yoder Thrift Shop, located in the heart of downtown Yoder. As you'll learn, this store is much more than a thrift store - it's a passion project forged by a community determined to do all it can to help others. Through the sale of donated materials, this store has donated upwards of $80,000 to local charities and families. It's really a remarkable study of what is possible when a group of people put their minds and spirits to doing all the good they can. And that's certainly what I saw during my visit to the store. I think you'll enjoy this small road trip to Yoder, and the chance to learn more about the Yoder Thrift Store and its mission-driven focus. 

A few weeks ago, my friend Tyler sat down with me for a new segment we decided to call "What's the Big Idea." Our first topic of conversation centered on the recent chatter on the internet about what happens to wind turbines once they've reached the end of their useful life. The prevailing thought online is that the wind turbines are disassembled and disposed of in landfills or in some sort of green energy graveyard. The thought behind this is that perhaps wind turbines aren't all that green after all. Tyler and I wondered if that idea is based in fact - and if it is in fact true, does it need to be - or is there something else that could be done with them?Kimberly walked me through the life cycle of a wind turbine and provided good information about not only what really happens - but some of the interesting uses that have been developed to reuse and repurpose wind turbines. After our recording, she sent over a table of information from the Environmental Protection Agency about what we put into landfills. While there are many alternative uses for wind turbines once they've been decommissioned, some do end up disposed of in landfills. But it's a very small amount. Annually wind turbine blades account for somewhere between 70 and 133 tons solid waste in the U.S. - about .05 to .09 percent. By comparison, Americans annually toss out 30,630 tons of food, accounting for 22 percent of all solid waste. I hope, like me, you'll appreciate learning more about the reality of wind turbine disposal - as well as a deep and thoughtful answer to our questions about Big Ideas. 

This week's episode is going to be filled with flavor! On this edition of That Podcast in Hutch, Chef Daniel Downing sits down to discuss the art of cooking and his life as a chef. I've wanted to visit with Daniel for quite some time, after seeing some of the creative and delicious dishes he prepared as chef for Jillian's Italian Grill, which has since - and quite sadly - closed. He's now working with Salt City Brewing - and has likewise been working to bring his personal experience and techniques to the cuisine there. Then I started watching the show "The Bear," on Hulu. If you've ever worked in a restaurant, this show will bring back memories for you - probably both good and bad. The camera work does a great job of showing the chaos of a kitchen. The writing and characters are great, and they do a fantastic job of conveying the ever-present anxiety and pressure of the clock that exists in just about every commercial kitchen. In this episode, Daniel shares his journey from a child helping out with family meals, through his formal education in culinary school, to his work today at Salt City. I think you'll find the conversation an interesting insight into what life is like in a kitchen, as well as the thought and inventiveness that goes into creating new and unique dishes from scratch. Bon appétit! Daniel's professional Facebook Page, Chef at Large: Daniel Downing  https://www.facebook.com/sonntagbuffetInformation on The Bear - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14452776/

I'm really excited about this week's episode! I've brought in David Reed, curator with the Reno County Historical Society to talk about Time Capsules. On Aug. 15, people gathered outside Hutchinson City Hall to witness the unearthing of a time capsule that was buried in 1972. I was there, and it was exciting to see the old steel vault lifted out of the earth. It was equally sobering to see a new time capsule lowered and buried - to be opened in 2072, on Hutchinson's 200th Anniversary. David and I visit about what was found in the time capsule, the history of Hutchinson, the reason time capsules are such an important and interesting part of our culture, and why it's critical to document your photos and stories. There's even a reference to a time capsule placed in Massachusetts by Paul Revere and Sam Adams. Here's a Washington Post story on it and here's another story that provides the inscription on the silver platter believed to have been etched by Revere. If you have even a passing interest in history, I think you'll enjoy this episode. If you have an interest in family, community, and humanity, I know you'll enjoy it. I've included some links below with information about the Reno County Museum, and the City of Hutchinson's 150th Anniversary celebration on Aug. 18. Reno County Museum - https://www.renocomuseum.org/Stories about the time capsule unearthing - Hutch News - https://www.hutchnews.com/story/news/local/2022/08/15/hutchinson-opens-its-1972-time-capsule/10330959002/Hutch Post - https://hutchpost.com/posts/b8149b70-daa1-4c84-a441-2b83aa0b0c46Info about Hutchinson's 150th Anniversary celebration -https://www.hutchgov.com/?mobile=OFF&date=3-20-2021&contentId=53010cbb-9f93-49f8-a5bd-43f1b670c110&contentId=5f866895-1808-4a66-bc69-9712cd2e45f8https://www.hutchrec.com/hutchinson150th/#:~:text=The%20City%20of%20Hutchinson%20officially,incorporated%20city%20in%20August%202022.

That Podcast in Hutch introduces a new segment - What's the Big Idea. You ever have a conversation with friends, and find yourself asking one of those big "what if" sort of questions. Yeah, me too. All the time. With all sorts of people. So we've decided to turn those otherwise lost conversations into a podcast segment called "What's the Big Idea?"Basically we try to capture those big questions, explore them a little more, and if we can, find the answers to determine why they might, or might not work. At least that's what we did this week in a conversation about what happens to old wind turbine blades - and whether they have to be destined for the landfill. In other weeks, the Big Idea might be focused on big ideas or concepts. This big idea came from an internet meme arguing that wind turbine blades are bad for the environment because they are made of material that doesn't biodegrade easily - and therefore takes up space in landfills or wind turbine grave yards. Tyler wondered if that was true or not, and if there's not some creative use waiting to be found. Let us know what you think - and share your big ideas with us. We love to learn about new things, and we'd love to explore your big ideas, too. 

The call of the cicada is in some ways the sound of a Kansas summer. And children inspecting or playing with the discarded skin of a cicada is a sort of rite of passage in these parts. Greg Holmes has spent countless hours travelling around the country to record and video cicadas. And as you'll learn in this episode there are many different types of cicadas - all of which have unique sounds and behaviors.  Greg's work and study of the cicada landed him an invitation to work on the production of a new series published by the BBC and now streaming on Discovery+  -  The Mating Game. In this episode, you'll learn more about cicadas than you ever wanted to know. You'll also learn more about a few of Greg's other hobbies and passions - in what I hope you'll find as an interesting and insightful conversation. To view some of Greg's work, visit http://thelope.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/user/acejackalope/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0

In this episode of That Podcast in Hutch, I sit down with a familiar voice - Jackson Swearer. A few weeks ago, Jackson attended the Aspen Ideas Festival. This is a signature event of the Aspen Institute. Curious and engaging minds from around the world gather in Aspen for the festival to learn from experts, and each other, and to explore big ideas and questions of our day. The Aspen Institute's mission statement lays it out pretty well: "We drive change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the greatest challenges of our time."I wanted to ask Jackson about his experience, partly because I knew it would be a fun conversation. But also because I could tell how energizing the experience was from his uncharacteristically frequent and animated social media posts. We unpack some of what he learned at the conference, as well as how beneficial it is to a community like Hutchinson when we invest in people who can learn more about the world and bring that knowledge back to our town. 

In this week's episode of That Podcast in Hutch, I visit with my friend Tyler Kershner. We met years ago on the annual Biking Across Kansas event - and we've become close friends in the time since. We talk about some of the challenges that come with riding a bicycle across the state, as well as the unique experiences that keep us coming back year after year. We also share our stories about what prompted us to sign up for BAK in the first place - and what keeps us on our bikes after all these years. This is a fun conversation between two people who have an unusual love for cycling. I hope you enjoy sitting in. 

In this week's episode I visit with Katie Gibbons and April West, from Hutchinson's Milestone Clubhouse.You'll learn more about the mental health clubhouse model and the good it can do for those struggling with mental illness. I think you'll find that we're lucky to have this helpful tool in our community.

This week's edition of That Podcast in Hutch takes you to the brew room of one of my favorite places in the world - Sandhills Brewing in Hutchinson. I've long told people what's being done with beer at Sandhills is nothing short of art. Pippin Williamson visits with me about his interest in brewing, and some of the early experimentation that created a number of failures to get to the delicious craft beers that are now enjoyed at their two locations - one in Hutchinson and the other in Mission. But I think you'll find in this conversation that there's a lot more than meets the eye in brewing a good keg of beer. And there's more to a brewery than the beer that's served there. It's a community space, where people can meet, work, relax, and learn. And that's one of the things I've always enjoyed about breweries - including Sandhills. The atmosphere feels a lot like home. You'll also learn about the steps taken to move from basement home brewing to a full-fledged craft brewery - in a measured way that hoped for growth but recognized the risk of failure. I hope you'll enjoy this visit with Pippin as much as I enjoyed having it.