What if the way we’ve been trying to help individuals who need it is actually holding us back from solving complex Health challenges?  Most of us have given to a food pantry, volunteered at a coat drive, or helped a neighbor in need. While those acts matter, to truly move the needle on Health in Kansas, individual acts of kindness aren’t enough. The 30,000 Kansans in positions of authority — elected officials, school leaders, business owners, pastors — have a unique power to shift not just how we help people, but the scale at which we help them. That's the heart of Chapter 13: Working Systemically. Joined by conversation catalyst, Kari Bruffett, President and CEO of the Kansas Health Institute, we unpack what it really means to think beyond the individual, how a simple framework can help you identify bigger leverage points, and why systemic change doesn't have to be harder, just different. Highlights The difference between an individual mindset and a systemic mindset is illustrated through Kansas examples regarding secondhand smoke, fair hiring practices and food desert policy.  The "2x2" framework: a quadrant that maps out individual vs. systemic thinking against upstream vs. downstream action and why the upper-right quadrant is where Kansas needs more energy. Why charity is essential but not sufficient and how the 30,000 can shift the conversation. Kansas's extension of postpartum Medicaid eligibility to one year is a real-world example of systemic change that benefits individuals and the broader health system. How communities in the Pathways to Healthy Kansas program have evolved from downstream charity to upstream, systemic work Lawrence's "A Place for Everyone" initiative is a model for systemic thinking around housing and the unhoused population. Why systemic thinking doesn't remove individual responsibility — it levels the playing field so people can exercise it. How implementing the Five Whys questioning process can help identify the root cause problem and potential solutions by thinking systematically.  Chapters 0:48 — Welcome & Introduction 5:28 — Individual vs. Systematic Examples 7:40 — 2x2 Framework 9:36 — Upstream vs. Downstream Efforts 15:33 — Kari Bruffet Joins the Talk 20:06 — Leaders Who Propel Different Thinking 21:17 — Kansas Postpartum Medicaid Example 24:41 — Community Upstream Success 27:39 — Why Systems Trigger Pushback 32:56 — Systems Involve More Than Government 35:15 — Five Whys in Action 37:16 — System Level Thinking Equals Different Thinking 38:44 — Key Takeaways Resources Kansas Health Institute — Kari Bruffett's organization, which produces research and policy analysis on health in Kansas America's Health Rankings — referenced as the "north star" for measuring Kansas's health progress Work Systemically Grid 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.

Kansas State University touches all 105 counties in this state — training the veterinarians who protect our livestock, the biomanufacturers building tomorrow's jobs, and the students who choose to stay and build their lives right here in Kansas. On this episode of Ask a Kansan, Gus and Sydney sit down with Dr. Richard Linton, president of Kansas State University, to talk about what it really means to lead a land-grant institution built to serve every corner of the state. We get into the mentors who shaped him, the napkin sketch that mapped out his entire career decades before he became a university president, why athletics might matter more in Manhattan, Kansas than almost anywhere else in the country, and the story of how he and his wife once snuck onto campus incognito before he ever took the job. We close out with his hopes for what Kansas and K-State will look like 100 years from now. Highlights Dr. Linton's path from food microbiology at Virginia Tech to university leadership, shaped by mentors like Dr. Merrill Pearson and Randy Woodson K-State's scale: over 21,000 degree-seeking students, three campuses (Manhattan, Salina, Olathe), and engagement across all 105 Kansas counties A breakdown of what a university president's week actually looks like — "friend-raising and fundraising" Major initiatives shaping K-State's Next Gen strategic plan: biomanufacturing, water resource management, and nuclear energy The origin and meaning of "land-grant university," and what "next-generation land-grant" means for K-State today The value of a K-State degree, explained through three numbers: 81% financial support, 97% job/grad school placement, 67% above-average starting salaries Community college partnerships (Dodge City, Garden City, Manhattan Technical College) and support for first-generation students The "brain drain" challenge — why Kansas keeps roughly 75% of in-state students but only 40–45% of out-of-state students Why athletics matters so much to K-State's economic impact ($2.3 billion total, $486 million from athletics) and student enrollment The National Agro and Biodefense Facility (NBAF) and K-State's unique BSL-4 biosecurity capabilities The story behind the $260 million agricultural initiative — raising $84 million in four months after 90% of people called the goal impossible Dr. Linton's own education story and the mentors who shaped his career How K-State's campus culture stood out to Dr. Linton and his wife before he even took the job His vision for Kansas and K-State 100 years from now Chapters 0:00 – First K-State Game Memories 0:53 – Madeline Meets Purple Pride 1:55 – Welcome to Ask a Kansan 4:44 – Meet President Rich Linton 5:24 – Mentors and Food Science Path 7:32 – From Research to Administration 11:43 – K-State Scale and Reach 14:48 – A Week in the President's Life 18:59 – Community Listening and Initiatives 21:22 – Next-Gen Land-Grant Explained 26:15 – Biomanufacturing Defined 27:39 – Value of a K-State Degree 31:59 – Community College and First-Gen Paths 33:52 – Brain Drain and Keeping Kansans 34:43 – Keeping Grads in Kansas 35:50 – Jobs and Economic Pull 36:50 – Athletics vs Academics 38:04 – Why Sports Matter 41:51 – A President as Fan 43:32 – NBAF and Biosecurity 45:42 – Next Gen K-State Plan 49:11 – Ag Initiative Fundraising 52:18 – Education and Mentorship 55:10 – K-State Culture Story 59:18 – 2126 Vision and Legacy 1:01:13 – Host Wrap and Takeaways 1:02:58 – Subscribe and Support 1:03:59 – Final Thanks and Goodbye Resources Mentioned Kansas State University Learn 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 way you've shown up for the people you love has quietly changed — and that's actually okay? This week, Audra reflects on a simple moment (last-minute ice cream sandwiches vs. planned-out chocolate banana popsicles for her son's birthday treats) that cracked open a much bigger conversation about navigating seasons of change, letting go of guilt, and learning to sit with discomfort instead of controlling your way around it. Highlights Audra compares showing up for her son's first-grade birthday treats (homemade chocolate-dipped banana popsicles) versus his fifth-grade birthday treats (last-minute Kroger ice cream sandwiches) — and how the joy was the same despite looking completely different. Why we talk ourselves out of embracing change by judging our current selves against who we used to be. The three things Audra is personally processing while going through her own season of change (including the recent evolution of "the thread"). Letting go of the need to explain your choices to others before making a change. Learning to examine the stories you tell yourself about your identity and success — even the positive ones. Building your capacity for discomfort instead of over-controlling outcomes, including how her emotional agility certification has helped. Practical ways to "anchor back to yourself" during uncertain seasons — stillness, movement, or connection. Chapters 1:04 — Happy August: back-to-school fatigue and why you're not alone 2:28 — A tale of two birthday treats: first grade vs. fifth grade 5:15 — This season of change: why we resist embracing it 8:12 — Three things Audra is processing through her own transition 9:36 — Letting go of "what will people think?" 12:32 — Examining the stories you tell yourself 14:16 — Getting comfortable with discomfort 17:46 — Closing thoughts for the week 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.

Should you actually be working fewer hours in your business? In this episode, I dig into the "manager" role from Michael Gerber's E-Myth framework and why having only a few hours a week to work on your business might actually be your biggest advantage. I walk through how Parkinson's Law shapes the way we use our time, and break down the systems every side-hustler should be tightening up — from admin and invoicing to marketing, client onboarding, and delivery. If you've ever felt like your business is running you instead of the other way around, this one's for you. Highlights The three roles every solo business owner plays: technician, manager, and owner Why Parkinson's Law works in your favor when you only have limited hours to run your business Revisiting the boundaries concept and the Easy Ates (automate, delegate, eliminate) framework Auditing your admin systems: invoicing, proposals, scheduling, and financial reporting Tightening up marketing and client onboarding to make it easier for people to work with you Streamlining client delivery and documenting standard operating procedures Investing in the right tools to buy back time instead of overspending on unnecessary software Chapters 0:00 – Welcome and Recap 1:17 – Meet the Manager Role 1:50 – Parkinson's Law Advantage 2:41 – Time Boundaries and Easy Ates 3:45 – Systems and Admin Efficiency 6:02 – Marketing and Client Onboarding 7:27 – Streamlining Client Delivery 8:54 – Lean Tools and Wrap Up Resources Mentioned QuickBooks — for online financial reporting vs. manual spreadsheets Calendly — scheduling tool for eliminating back-and-forth emails Acuity Scheduling — alternative scheduling tool Google Business Profile — for managing your online listing, photos, and reviews Claude — AI automation tool mentioned for handling manual work Zapier — automation tool for connecting workflows 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.

Are you holding onto something that's keeping your next opportunity from finding you? What if the secret to growing your business — or stepping fully into your second act — isn't about adding more, but about letting go? In this episode, we explore the Law of the Vacuum: the powerful principle that says nature hates an empty space, and that when you intentionally release what's no longer serving you, something better rushes in to fill that space. We look at real examples from coaching, retail, and restaurants to show how this law plays out in business every day — and how it applies directly to your life as a second act business owner. Whether it's a draining client, an overstuffed menu, a cluttered garage, or a job that's crushing your spirit, making intentional space is often the most strategic move you can make. Highlights The Law of the Vacuum explained: Why you can't receive what's next while holding onto what no longer serves you How one business owner went from drowning in admin tasks to landing a new client at his very first coffee meeting — after delegating Why subtraction in a restaurant (cutting menu items) often leads to multiplication in profits The garage test: If your garage is full, a new car can't fit — and the same is true in your business and life How draining clients block ideal clients from finding you Why trying to add a second act on top of an already full life usually doesn't work Coach Lee's personal story: Being let go at 51 opened the vacuum that led to the second act he's living now Practical reflection questions to identify what you need to release right now Chapters 0:00 — Intro 1:05 — What the Law of the Vacuum Means 2:11 — Coaching Story: Delegation Wins 4:24 — Retail and Restaurant Examples 6:15 — The Garage & Closet Space Check 7:03 — Letting Go of Draining Clients 7:37 — Making Room for Your Second Act 9:51 — Coach Lee's Personal Turning Point 10:01 — What to Release and Next Steps 12:05 — Quiz Invite & Wrap Up Want to get more help from Lee with your business? Visit her website: https://leegray.actioncoach.com/ Identify your strengths and weaknesses as a second actor with our comprehensive Second Act Assessment. https://secondact.scoreapp.com This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. For more information, visit ictpod.net.