Leadership isn't all kumbaya. The truth is, real leadership, the kind that moves the needle on something as daunting as closing the health gap, is risky. It requires disrupting the status quo, disappointing your own people, and absorbing the discomfort that comes with change. But as this episode makes clear, the cost of avoiding that risk is even higher.In this episode, hosts Ed O'Malley and Susan Kang are joined by returning guest Kenny Wilk to unpack why exercising leadership is inherently risky, what it looks like in practice and why the reward on the other side is worth it.HighlightsWhile many individuals placed in leadership roles believe they’re exercising leadership, it’s actually exceedingly rare. Leadership is risky because it’s about disruption, and how it requires disappointing your own people at a rate they can absorb. The risk-reward mismatch in health equity: the 30,000 Kansans with the most influence must take risk to benefit the people with the least, such as the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).The remarkable turnaround of the University of Kansas Health System, from one of the worst-rated hospitals in the nation (below the 5th percentile in patient satisfaction) to consistently above the 90th percentile.Kenny's personal framework for staying motivated to lead on issues that don't directly benefit him: gratitude, paying it forward and finding deep satisfaction in others' success.The "Salad Week" story from the 2002 Kansas legislative budget crisis. A vivid example of leaders forcing uncomfortable conversations their own caucus didn't want to have.The Kansas Capitol restoration decision: why Kenny and Senate counterpart Steve Morris refused to defund it even in a financial crisis and why it paid off.Examples of risk in what Kansans experience every day, but could deliver a great payoff. How embracing the opportunity to challenge one another with different ideas can introduce new ways of thinking. Chapters1:19 – Review, Preview and Big Picture 2:57 – Introducing Chapter 10: [Leadership] is Risky5:33 – How Leadership Involves Disruption and Loss7:50 – Leadership Requires Disappointing Your Own People9:33 –  KHF Strategy as an Example12:21 – Risk vs. Reward in Health Equity14:31 – Kenny on the risks and transformation of the Kansas Health System16:14 – From Worst to Best: Culture Shift19:05 – Metrics and Momentum Wins21:07 – The Risky Turnaround Story23:08 – Pay It Forward Mindset26:19 – Hallmark Promotion Risk27:58 – Post-9/11 Budget Crisis30:14 – Salad Week Disruption32:55 – Capitol Restoration Resolve34:50 – Everyday Risk Examples37:10 – Acceptance and Pushback39:01 – Make Leadership Ubiquitous40:10 – Resources and Final Challenge42:45 – Closing and Next ChapterResourcesKansas Leadership Center (KLC) — kansasleadershipcenter.orgProud but Never Satisfied — book about the transformation of the University of Kansas Health System - https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/proud-but-never-satisfied University of Kansas Health System — kansashealthsystem.comLeading 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/leadinghealthAnd be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.

Are those viral "tax hack" videos on your feed actually genius — or are they setting you up for an audit?Every week, social media serves up a fresh batch of financial advice that sounds too good to be true. In today’s episode, I break down some of the most popular tax strategy videos circulating right now, separating the solid concepts from the dangerous oversimplifications. From the real difference between how employees and business owners get taxed, to the rules around business travel write-offs and how debt is treated by the IRS — you'll walk away knowing exactly what questions to ask before you follow any advice you see online.HighlightsBusiness owners spend first, then pay taxes on net profit — employees pay taxes on gross income before they see a dimePhantom expenses like depreciation reduce your taxable income without cash ever leaving your business — and that's the powerful strategy most videos skip overYou can reimburse yourself as a business owner for home office use, mileage, and health insurance — expenses employees simply can't write offBusiness travel write-offs require intent proven before the trip, not after — the IRS looks at purpose and time spent, not just receiptsDebt is not taxable income — when you borrow money, it hits the balance sheet, not your P&L, so there's no tax event until you generate profitReal estate and stocks are taxed very differently from business income — savvy entrepreneurs use real estate to preserve wealth they've built through their businessA lot of the advice floating around online is good in concept — it just lacks the detail and documentation needed to hold up if you're auditedChapters0:00 – Welcome to Fabrice Reacts2:22 – Employees vs. Owners: How Taxes Work Differently2:57 – Phantom Expenses & Depreciation4:01 – Reimbursements and Write-Offs for Business Owners5:48 – Business Travel Write-Off Rules6:44 – Proving Intent and Documentation9:04 – Debt Is Not Taxable Income9:27 – P&L vs. Balance Sheet Basics11:49 – Real Estate, Stocks, and Business13:44 – Genius or Tax Fraud? Wrap-UpWant to keep more of what you earn? If you’re a 7-6-5 business owner ready to move from financial chaos to CFO-level comfort, visit www.simplifymynumbers.com to schedule a call with our team. Subscribe and leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help us grow the community, and be sure to share this episode with a fellow founder.This show is designed to be used for educational and informational purposes. For your own situation, be sure to contact a tax professional directly.This show is part of the ICT Podcast network. For more information, visit ictpod.net

What if the best hiking in Kansas has been right under your nose the whole time?Jeri Brungardt co-founded Women Hiking Kansas and Beyond in 2019 with a simple idea: stop losing track of friends who wanted to tag along on hikes and just make a Facebook group. What happened next surprised even her. Twelve strangers showed up to that first hike — none of them personal friends — and the group has grown to over 12,000 followers since. Jeri shares how the group scouts trails, what gear actually matters, why rattlesnakes dictate their summer schedule, and how hiking has become an unexpected source of community for women going through life's hardest moments.HighlightsWomen Hiking Kansas and Beyond started in 2019 and now has over 12,000 Facebook followers — grown entirely organically with no paid advertisingThe co-founders personally hike every trail before taking the group, checking parking, safety, and seasonal hazards like rattlesnakes at Horse Thief CanyonThey use the AllTrails app to discover new trails across the stateThe group is open to any female 12 and older; their oldest participant is in her upper 80s and outpaces most of the groupMonthly hikes are free; overnight trips charge a $20 fee managed through EventbriteTheir annual September trip to Estes Park, Colorado has been running every year since 2020Jeri recommends hiking poles for everyone — they reduce strain on your back and help probe water crossingsAlways bring sunscreen, a hat, water or electrolyte drinks, and a small first aid kitThe group has attracted women from 12 different states to their Colorado tripCindy Kuhnauer, the co-founder, also runs Fearless and Female, a self-defense business out of WichitaSydney defends Spangles with her whole chest (and eats it in the Walmart parking lot so her kids don't find out)Chapters0:00 — Madeline's softball ear muff situation2:13 — Podcast intro2:49 — Meet Jeri Brungardt3:25 — How Women Hiking Kansas and Beyond got started5:06 — How they pick trails and scout locations safely7:10 — What "hiking" actually means for this group8:02 — Upcoming Salina hike (Marty Bender Nature Area + Audubon Society)9:18 — Beginner tips: gear, shoes, water, and safety13:32 — Age range and the community the group has built15:31 — Jeri's personal hiking backstory17:17 — Favorite trails in Kansas17:07 — Trail diversity across Kansas19:57 — Jeri's backstory and career at Wesley Medical Center22:34 — The health benefits of walking23:52 — Beyond Kansas: Estes Park, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas City26:26 — How much work goes into running the group (+ Eventbrite)31:04 — Rapid fire: shoes and hats32:27 — Weather safety and what to do when it's 100 degrees33:59 — Rails-to-Trails and connecting with other hiking groups36:42 — Hiking with kids and different trail personalities39:45 — Future plans for the group43:25 — How the group grew through COVID and the power of one Facebook page47:55 — Stories From a Hat: parking lots, prairie dogs, Spangles, and soup flights53:34 — Outro and where to find Ask a KansanResourcesWomen Hiking Kansas and Beyond — Facebook Group AllTrails — alltrails.com — trail-finding app mentioned by JeriKanopolis State ParkElk City State ParkMonument Rocks / Castle RockTallgrass Prairie National PreserveFearless and Female — self-defense business run by co-founder Cindy Coughenour, based in WichitaLearn more about the podcast at askakansan.com!This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net

What if the key to growth this summer was intentionally chasing no's? That's exactly what I've been doing — and it's changing how I approach risk, rejection, and going after what I want in business and life.After working with a coach last fall on vocational dreams, I was introduced to a goal that stopped me in my tracks: collect 100 no's. The idea is simple but powerful — the more asks you put out there, the more opportunities you create. This episode unpacks that concept, explores why "no" is actually clear and kind, and walks through how I've gamified rejection for myself this summer using a tracking spreadsheet.HighlightsRejection doesn't mean you're not good enough — it means "not right now" or "not for me," and those are two very different thingsA "maybe" is actually worse than a "no" — a no is clear, and clear is kindReframing "no" as a doorway to an eventual yes from somewhere else shifts everythingThe Summer of 100 No's has two goals: get comfortable taking risks, and get okay with rejectionCollecting 100 no's means you'll likely find 10 yeses — and those yeses move your business forwardThe mistake in my first business wasn't the branding or the website — it was avoiding the ask out of fear of rejectionWhen I started The Thread, I did it differently: I ran a focus group before building anything and made the ask to everyone I metMarketing pulls people to you; going out and asking brings people in — and that's the skill worth developingChapters0:00 – Summer of 100 No's1:45 – Gamify Rejection2:10 – No Is Clear & Kind3:18 – Spreadsheet and Asks4:22 – Two-Part Goal6:59 – Expect Yeses Too7:34 – First Business Lesson10:55 – Building The Thread12:21 – Challenge and Wrap UpResources MentionedSummer of 100 No's SpreadsheetConnect with Audra on LinkedIn — @AudraDinellWant to learn more?The ThreadBe sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedInThis 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.

Your website is your digital business card, and when it's built with the right framework, it introduces you, builds trust, and converts visitors into paying clients — even while you sleep. Here's exactly what needs to be on it.HighlightsWhy you have five seconds (or less) to capture a visitor's attention — and what to say in that windowThe difference between a portfolio and social proof, and why you need both on your siteHow to build a landing page that's easy to scan, scroll, and act onWhat supporting pages (About, Services, FAQ, Case Studies) actually do for your buyersWhy your call to action should appear everywhere — and why there should only be oneThe shift from SEO to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and how AI is changing how clients find youThe fastest tools to build your website today, including AI-powered buildersWhy "done" beats "perfect" — and how to iterate your way to a great site over timeChapters0:19 – Website As Business Card1:14 – Avoid the Perfectionism Trap1:59 – Hook Visitors in Five Seconds3:50 – Portfolio: Show Your Proof5:44 – Reviews & Testimonials7:15 – Landing Page Layout7:55 – Extra Pages for Detail9:29 – One Clear Call to Action11:52 – AI Search & Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)16:06 – Tools to Build Fast18:38 – Publish Then Iterate20:53 – The Two-Hour Website Challenge21:13 – Holiday Break & Wrap UpResources MentionedSquarespace – Drag-and-drop website builder with templatesWix – Drag-and-drop website builder with templatesShopify – E-commerce platform for product-based businessesChatGPT – AI tool that can help draft and build website contentClaude – AI tool that can help draft and build website contentGemini – AI tool that can help draft and build website contentBe sure to subscribe and leave us a review!For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dadRemember, build the business, but be the dad!This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.