Ever wonder what the difference between a fiddle and a violin actually is — or why Kansas has such a rich but largely undocumented fiddling tradition?  We sit down with Derrick Doty, the Flint Hills Fiddler, a musician, historian, and music teacher based in Manhattan, Kansas. Derrick is the 2023 Kansas State Banjo Champion, a former barber in Council Grove who turned barbershop stories into historical research, and — perhaps most unexpectedly — a coffin builder. He treats us to live fiddle and banjo performances, shares the story of a John Henning banjo from 1880s Emporia that may be the first built for steel strings, and even serenades us with a Pete Seeger song updated with his own modern verses. Along the way we explore Kansas's musical history from territorial Free-Staters singing "The Kansas Immigrant" to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, the Exoduster banjo players who toured the state, and why traditional music still matters today. Highlights Derrick explains the real difference between a fiddle and a violin (spoiler: it's mostly about how you use the word, not the instrument itself) The story of how "Flint Hills Fiddler" started as an email address and became a persona Derrick's great-grandfather fiddled for barn dances in Osage County, inspiring him to take up the instrument decades later Live fiddle performance on the podcast — a first in nearly 80 episodes Why Derrick uses black horsehair on his bow instead of white (it grabs the string better and costs less) The Kansas Immigrant: a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier set to the tune of Auld Lang Syne that became the anthem of Free-Staters traveling to Kansas How 12 years of cutting hair in Council Grove turned a fiddler into a historical researcher Derrick is the 2023 Kansas State Banjo Champion, winning with "classic banjo" style instead of the more common bluegrass or clawhammer styles The story of Link and Perry Lowery, Exoduster banjo players from Emporia who toured Kansas in the 1880s and '90s A rare John Henning banjo from 1880s Emporia with its fifth-string tuner on the tailpiece and a steel brace running through the neck — possibly the first banjo built for steel strings Three ensembles: Tallgrass Express String Band, Bodark (an old-time trio named after the Osage orange tree), and Grandpa Snazzy (a mandolin club recreation with a banjorine) Derrick builds handmade coffins — it started with a doll coffin replica from the 1850s and grew into a full-fledged side business A live performance of Pete Seeger's "What Did You Learn in School Today?" with Derrick's own updated verses about AI data centers and senators Maude Wagner of Emporia: the United States' first known female tattoo artist, born in Kansas in 1877 Chapters 0:00 — Auction Bass Case Mystery 2:14 — Today's Guest 4:01 — Meet the Flint Hills Fiddler 5:26 — Fiddle vs Violin Explained 7:03 — Kansas Roots and Learning Fiddle 10:26 — Fiddle Tradition and Dance Culture 12:47 — Derrick Plays the Fiddle 14:28 — Instrument Story and Bow Hair 18:42 — Music History in Kansas 21:18 — Barber Shop to Historian 22:53 — Banjo Champion Origins 25:19 — Banjo History in Kansas 27:01 — Banjo Performance and Gear Talk 30:47 — Teaching Roots and Routine 32:32 — Tallgrass Express Origins 33:48 — Bodark Old Time Trio 34:33 — Grandpa Snazzy Mandolin Club 36:10 — Mandolin Orchestra Revival 36:56 — Weirdest Gig Stories 38:13 — How He Builds Coffins 40:16 — Why Handmade Coffins 42:08 — Pete Seeger Song Performance 45:06 — Future of Traditional Music 46:44 — Episode Reflection 48:28 — Kansas Tattoo Pioneer Tale 52:11 — Kansas Would You Rather 54:16 — Bridge Counting Challenge 54:59 — Credits Resources An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge John Greenleaf Whittier Pete Seeger Humanities Kansas  Flint Hills Academy of Music  Tallgrass Express String Band Fili Creative  Everyday Lights Forge Podcast Learn more about the podcast at askakansan.com! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

Has your relationship with health and fitness become more about punishment than care? That's the question at the heart of today's conversation. Kendra Moody returns to the show—not in her role as COO of The Thread, but as founder of Restore Health Coaching—to talk about what it really takes to build a sustainable wellness lifestyle, especially for women navigating their second act. We cover why so many women put their health on hold, the mindset shift from punishing your body to nourishing it, and practical steps for eating more protein, moving daily, and staying hydrated. Kendra also breaks down GLP-1 medications and what women in their 40s and 50s should prioritize for longevity. HIGHLIGHTS Why women tend to neglect their health while raising families or climbing the career ladder—and when that pattern finally shifts The mindset shift from "how hard can I go and how little can I eat" to "how do I care for my body, not punish it" Why eating more protein (not less food) is one of the most common changes Kendra helps women make How meal prepping is really about making it easier for your future self to stay committed to your goals Why the all-or-nothing mindset is a trap—and how to enjoy treats without throwing in the towel Three priorities for women in their 40s and 50s: protein, movement, and hydration What GLP-1 medications actually do, why they aren't a forever solution, and why building foundational habits alongside them matters A rapid-fire round of "Do This, Not That" covering intermittent fasting, hard workouts, lifting weights, and rest days Why lifting weights won't make women bulky—and why it's essential as we age How to find 20 minutes you didn't know you had (hint: check your phone) CHAPTERS 1:38 — Why Health Gets Neglected 3:48 — What Wellness Really Means 5:35 — Mindset Shift to Restore 7:36 — Eat More Protein 9:00 — Meal Prep and Treats 13:32 — All or Nothing Trap 15:29 — Where to Start Today 17:57 — Protein, Movement, Hydration 21:51 — GLP-1s Explained 26:26 — Do This, Not That 32:19 — Find Restore Health RESOURCES MENTIONED Restore Health Coaching — Kendra Moody's health coaching practice  (also on Instagram at @restore.healthcoaching) Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

Ever lost a potential client because you took too long to respond? While you're at your day job, at your kid's game, or just living life, leads could be slipping away — and the faster you reply, the more likely you are to win their business. Today we're building on last week's intake form setup by automating the next critical step: scheduling that first meeting with a new lead. No more email ping-pong. No more chasing. Just a simple, two-step automation that captures inquiries and gets them on your calendar — even when you can't pick up the phone. Highlights Why being the first to reply can make or break whether a lead becomes a client A simple two-step automation: form submission triggers an auto-reply email with a scheduling link Using Zapier or Make.com on their free tiers to set up the trigger-and-action workflow Choosing a scheduler app — Google Calendar or Calendly — both offer free tiers with a single meeting type Keeping your discovery call to 30 minutes and using the BANT framework (budget, authority, need, timing) to qualify leads Setting availability windows and linking your existing calendar so you're never double-booked Leveling up: adding screening questions to the scheduler, taking deposits for paid consultations Advanced automations: automated follow-up emails for leads who don't book, and no-show rescheduling emails Chapters 0:19 — Intro & Recap: Last Week's Intake Form 1:07 — Why Speed Matters When Responding to Leads 2:07 — Automating the Scheduling Process 2:36 — Setting Up Trigger & Email with Zapier or Make.com 5:31 — Scheduler Apps: Google Calendar & Calendly 7:01 — Setting Availability & Linking Your Calendar 8:15 — Why Automated Scheduling Is So Powerful 8:55 — Leveling Up: Screening Questions & Deposits 10:37 — Automated Follow-Ups & No-Show Emails 11:57 — Wrap-Up & What's Coming Next Week Resources Mentioned Zapier Make.com Calendly Google Calendar Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

Encouraging collaboration is fine. To close the Health Gap, you need to shift from “encouraging” to using your leadership and authority to “create” collaboration. In this episode, we dive into the approaches to creating collaboration — anchoring it in a specific goal, requiring it rather than merely encouraging it and sharing power with those who have lived experience of the challenge.  Returning guest Kenny Wilk helps define what collaboration really means. We walk through the book's progress formula (right people + good information + healthy process = progress), and explore why friction in the room is actually a sign you're on the right track.  HIGHLIGHTS Why "everybody values collaboration" is true, and why almost nobody does it well. How people in authority can anchor collaboration around a bold, specific objective instead of leaving it vague. The difference between listening to people with lived experience and actually empowering them at the table. What does creating collaboration actually mean, and how does it differ from encouraging collaboration?  The progress formula: right people + good information + healthy process = progress Why friction in the room is a good sign, and why rooms full of people who already agree are a blind spot. Kenny's reflection on acceptance: "Not agreement, acceptance. Not unanimity, acceptance."  The difference between compromise (each side gives something up) and collaboration (you create something better than either side originally wanted). The rowboat and sail metaphor: ten people rowing together beat one person rowing alone, but when the captain asks what expertise the crew brings, they invent the sail. Kenny's challenge to listeners: identify 10 people who haven't read the book, send them a copy with a personal note, and pass it along. Ed's practical tip for people in authority: just start asking questions. "Do we have all the right people? What information do we need? What should our process be?" CHAPTERS 2:03 — Why Collaboration Matters 2:36 — Anchor a Clear Goal 5:31 — Require Not Encourage 8:53 — Next Level: Lived Experience 12:07 — Kenny Joins the Show 14:25 — Defining Collaboration Better 17:36 — Progress Formula Explained 20:40 — Friction Means Progress 21:54 — Friction Reveals Blind Spots 22:51 — Acceptance Before Agreement 25:49 — Compromise Versus Collaboration 29:40 — Rowboat and Sail Metaphor 32:26 — Practical Steps to Spark Collaboration 36:25 — Ask the Right Questions 37:44 — Takeaways and Next Chapter Resources Your Leadership Edge  Send a Copy of Leading Health To Your Network  Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way.  Don’t have a copy of Leading Health? Claim your copy and learn more about the movement at kansashealth.org/leadinghealth Continue the discussion with these resources: Book Clubs Speakers and Workshops Share Your Story And be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.

What happens when a kid who learned to cook crack cocaine by age five ends up as a corporate executive in small-town Kansas?  Our friend Rafael Mendez sits down to share one of the most remarkable personal journeys we've ever heard on this podcast. From a childhood in Miami shaped by the drug trade, foster care, and a serious criminal charge as a teenager, Rafael found an unlikely lifeline through college at Kansas Wesleyan — a place he'd never heard of and almost didn't stay at. He opens up about the people who refused to give up on him, the tough love that changed his trajectory, and how a background check after graduation led him to law school at Washburn. We also talk about his career in the consumer packaged goods industry, what brought him back to Salina to work at Blue Beacon, and how programs like Leadership Salina and Leadership Kansas are building networks that strengthen communities across the state. Rafael's story is a powerful reminder that the people who show up for us — sometimes when we least deserve it — are the ones who make all the difference. Highlights A viral TikTok donut shop in Winfield, Kansas, kicks off the episode with a laugh Rafael shares his first childhood memory at age five: building a crack pipe from a medicine bottle and household materials His parents, Cuban immigrants who arrived during the Mariel boatlift, were deeply involved in the Miami drug trade Both parents went to prison, and Rafael and his siblings entered the foster care system — an experience he describes as financially exploitative and abusive Rafael was arrested at 16 and charged as an adult with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer A friend's mother visited him in jail, helped with his legal case, and personally funded applications to roughly 80 colleges Kansas Wesleyan was the first school to call — Rafael had never heard of Salina and almost didn't stay Jane Anderson delivered what Rafael calls "the biggest white lady lecture" he'd ever received — and his GPA never dropped below 3.5 after that He was elected student body president and helped secure record funding for student clubs A criminal background check became a persistent obstacle after graduation, prompting Rafael to pursue law school He bombed the LSAT but was accepted to Washburn through the CLEO (Council on Legal Education Opportunity) program — a Thurgood Marshall initiative Despite interest from a top-10 law school (Iowa), Rafael chose Washburn out of loyalty to those who took a chance on him After law school, he built a career in the consumer packaged goods industry, including a stint at Tillamook He and his wife Renee felt called back to Salina six years ago to join Blue Beacon Leadership Salina (class of 2021) helped him build a professional network from zero after returning to Kansas Leadership Kansas took him to communities across the state, from Garden City's dairy farms to Big Brutus in Pittsburg Rafael wrote and submitted a proposal — without consulting anyone — to bring a Leadership Kansas session to Salina for the first time His core message: it's all about relationships, and surrounding yourself with the right people Chapters 0:00 — TikTok Donut Shop Find 1:07 — Kansas Accents And Ike 2:12 — Guest Intro 3:51 — Meet Rafael Mendez 4:33 — From Miami To Kansas 6:39 — Cuba Roots And Miami 9:35 — Foster Care And Arrest 13:11 — College As A Lifeline 15:02 — First Days In Salina 18:02 — Grace And Giving Back 22:11 — Wesleyan Changed Me 29:26 — Background Checks And Law School 32:36 — Bombing the LSAT 33:55 — CLEO Summer Law Prep 35:30 — Choosing Washburn 36:46 — Miami Career Detour 38:14 — Back to Salina 40:29 — Leadership Salina Network 44:15 — Leadership Kansas Tour 49:55 — Salina Session Proposal 55:11 — Relationships Matter Most 58:16 — Contact Rafael and Wrap Up Resources Mentioned Ike's Donut Shop Kansas Wesleyan University — kwu.edu Washburn University School of Law —https://www.washburn.edu/about/index.html Blue Beacon — bluebeacon.com Smoky Hill River Festival Jane Anderson / Friends of the River Foundation —https://www.smokyhillriver.org/ CLEO (Council on Legal Education Opportunity) —https://cleoinc.org/ Tillamook— tillamook.com Leadership Salina — https://www.salinakansas.org/leadership-salina.html Leadership Kansas — https://leadershipkansas.org/ The Cilantro Diaries by Tommy Espinoza Learn more about the podcast at askakansan.com! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net