Topeka Talk: Community Conversations

On this show, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough shine a light on the many people, programs and partnerships driving progress in Topeka, Shawnee County, and even northeast Kansas more broadly. With a particular focus on community, Topeka Talk: Community Conversations strives to be locals’ go-to resource for informative discussions that make a difference. MISSION — Topeka Talk: Community Conversations is a lively, informative podcast that aims to uplift important community voices, inform Topeka and Shawnee County residents about what’s happening in their own backyard, share information about worthwhile programs and events, and empower area residents by arming them with the tools they need to get involved and make a difference.

ARPA'S Impact in Topeka: How Funds are Supporting Mental Health Resources 12/07/2023

ARPA'S Impact in Topeka: How Funds are Supporting Mental Health Resources In this episode of the Topeka Talk podcast, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough wrap up their three-part series about how funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, commonly known as ARPA, are supporting local programs and making an impact in Topeka. If you missed the first two episodes, be sure to give them a listen! In this final episode of season two, Spiker and Yarborough are joined by Pam Evans, director of marketing and development for Family Service & Guidance Center, who shares how FSGC—a leader in children's mental health—benefitted from the funds and was able to open up its new Youth Crisis & Recovery Center. They talk about the new center, services available under its roof, and how FSGC is serving kids and families in the region. Stick around for the end of the episode to hear final thoughts on the ARPA process from Topeka City Council member Christina Valdivia-Alcala. It's an important community conversation you won't want to miss! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/28946023

ARPA's Impact in Topeka: Why one nonprofit is putting funds toward housing 11/02/2023

ARPA's Impact in Topeka: Why one nonprofit is putting funds toward housing In this episode of the Topeka Talk podcast, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough sit down with one of the local recipients of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, commonly known as ARPA. This episode is the second installment in a three-part series about how $10 million in ARPA grants are impacting social services in the Topeka area. Today's guest is Chris Palmer, executive director of . Palmer talks with the hosts about housing needs in the city—especially for individuals who are unhoused and those who are working but live below the poverty line—and dives into how ARPA funding allocated to Cornerstone is helping bridge the gap between housing need and inventory. Listen in to learn more from this community conversation you don't want to miss! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/28489727

ARPA's Impact in Topeka: How once-in-a-lifetime funds are making a difference 10/19/2023

ARPA's Impact in Topeka: How once-in-a-lifetime funds are making a difference In this episode of the Topeka Talk podcast, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough kick off a three-episode series about how funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, commonly known as ARPA, is impacting social services in the Topeka area. It's been about a year since the City of Topeka, through its governing body, allocated $10 million in ARPA funding to community organizations in Kansas' capital city. In episode one of the series, Spiker and Yarborough sit down with member Spencer Duncan, who helped spearhead the city's grant allocation process, to learn more about the local dissemination of ARPA funding, which key focus area emerged, and much more. Following the conversation with Duncan is an interview with Sarah Elsen, executive director of , who dives into how ARPA funding will impact child care providers, and families seeking care, in Topeka. Listen in to learn more from two community conversations you don't want to miss! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/28358192

Aid for Small Business: How GO Topeka Incentives can Help 09/07/2023

Aid for Small Business: How GO Topeka Incentives can Help In this episode of the Topeka Talk podcast, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough talk with two special guests about the funding supports available for small businesses in the Topeka area. Spiker and Yarborough are joined by Stephanie Norwood, GO Topeka's director of entrepreneurship and small business, and Pedro Concepcion, a local small business owner behind favorites like in Topeka's NOTO Arts & Entertainment District and , which supports many other local establishments. As a past recipient of , Concepcion shares his perspective on the program and how incentives open new doors for entrepreneurs. Norwood, meanwhile, gives listeners the inside scoop on how GO Topeka's Small Business Incentives program works. Whether you're a small business owner looking to grow or simply a curious consumer, listen to our latest episode to learn how ! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/27962847

An inside look at the Topeka Area Sports Commission game plan 07/06/2023

An inside look at the Topeka Area Sports Commission game plan In this episode of the Topeka Talk podcast, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough cover the , a committee formed in 2022 to advance sports offerings in the greater Topeka area. The pair is joined by Jake Farrant, owner and CEO of and chair of TASC, and Mike Bell, of , who serves as TASC director. They dish on the creation of TASC, their focus on both youth and adult sports, how to address local facility needs, and so much more! It's a community conversation you don't want to miss. Listen today for a peek at the sports commission's game plan — and follow to keep up with their progress along the way! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/27381426

Washburn University's playbook for keeping homegrown talent home 06/01/2023

Washburn University's playbook for keeping homegrown talent home In this episode of the Topeka Talk podcast, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough sit down with President Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek and Dr. Alan Bearman, Washburn's vice president for strategic enrollment management. Following an about new scholarship opportunities for Shawnee County students, they talk through what these scholarships provide, how they seek to address local talent needs, and so much more — including what may be on the horizon for this Topeka institution. Listen today to learn all about Washburn's effort to keep homegrown talent home. /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/27007215

Meet Your 2023 Top City Small Business of the Year 05/18/2023

Meet Your 2023 Top City Small Business of the Year In this episode of the Topeka Talk podcast, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough sit down with Matt McGivern, president of , our community's Top City Small Business of the Year! They dive into the company's history, past and future projects, community impact and more. This episode also introduces listeners to the other winners of Topeka and Shawnee County's 2023 Small Business Awards held in early May. Listen today to hear about the amazing work being done by a variety of local small businesses, and visit for more on this annual community event! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/26872920

Spotlight on Washburn Tech 04/06/2023

Spotlight on Washburn Tech In this episode of the Topeka Talk podcast, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough sit down with two leaders at the Washburn Institute of Technology — Mike Strohschein, dean, and Pam Masters, director of health occupations. Together, they talk all things Washburn Tech, including what programs the school offers, how the technical college is helping address the area's talent needs, and so much more! Listen to learn all about it. Then, visit to explore the institute's programs for yourself! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/26456787

Hear what's new at the Topeka Zoo 03/02/2023

Hear what's new at the Topeka Zoo In the second Topeka Talk episode of Season 2, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough are joined by Wrylie Guffey and Shanna Simpson, lead animal curators at the Topeka Zoo! The pair dishes details of the zoo's newest exhibit, Giraffe & Friends, which will be the largest habitat in its history. Listen to learn what you can expect from the new experience, and for a few fun facts about the zoo's furry friends, including how they get their names! For more on the zoo, visit . /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/26097474

Culture of Belonging: Meet the city's first DEI officer 02/02/2023

Culture of Belonging: Meet the city's first DEI officer To kick off Season 2 of Topeka Talk: Community Conversations, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough sit down with Ernestor De La Rosa, the City of Topeka's first Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer. Listen now to learn about Ernestor's path to finding Topeka, his plans and hopes for the role, and so much more! To contact the city's DEI Office, visit . P.S. We've got a great season ahead with lots of meaningful conversations in store, so be sure to stick around! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/25800033

Wrapping Season One with Festive Holiday Fun 12/01/2022

Wrapping Season One with Festive Holiday Fun In this episode of Topeka Talk: Community Conversations, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough wrap up Season 1 of the show with a roundup of the festive activities happening in Topeka/Shawnee County this holiday season! Listen to learn about what's popping up in December 2022 and to hear their plans for Topeka Talk Season 2. Check back here again in early February for more from the Topeka Talk podcast! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/25179732

Ford Center - Transforming a church into an innovation space 11/03/2022

Ford Center - Transforming a church into an innovation space In this episode of Topeka Talk: Community Conversations, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough take the show on the road for a collaborative episode with the ! Recorded in South by East’s , you’ll learn about that studio space, and how it aims to help everyone from the video expert to the podcast newbie hone their skills — all for an affordable price. Johnathan Sublet and Brail Watson, both pastors at a local church, also share the details of a new project called the Ford Center. So how will the Ford Center, once a church, be transformed into a space that lowers hurdles for growth and innovation in the city of Topeka? Give this episode a listen to find out! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/24887508

Momentum Driving Topeka/Shawnee County Forward 10/06/2022

Momentum Driving Topeka/Shawnee County Forward In this episode of Topeka Talk: Community Conversations, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough are joined by guests Michelle Cuevas-Stubblefield, SVP of strategy for the , and Tara Dimick, owner and publisher of and a Momentum 2027 tri-chair. The two women helped bring Topeka/Shawnee County’s first community strategy, Momentum 2022, to fruition, and as the plan sunsets this year, they’ll be helping to implement , the community’s next five-year holistic plan for growth. Listen now to learn about some of Momentum 2022’s wins, what Momentum 2027 is all about, and how community members can get involved! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/24598476

Topeka Talk on the Road at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library 09/01/2022

Topeka Talk on the Road at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library In this episode of Topeka Talk: Community Conversations, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough take their show on the road! This episode was recorded at the 's new , a community workspace that features two recording studios, a fully equipped digital art studio, meeting rooms, workstations with computer access, and much more. Library CEO Marie Pyko and Emerging Technologies Librarian Todd Smith join Spiker and Yarborough for a conversation about all the center has to offer. No matter one's skill level, this tech center aims to be a resource for all. /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/24218340

Changing Topeka's Culture of Property Maintenance 08/11/2022

Changing Topeka's Culture of Property Maintenance In this episode of Topeka Talk: Community Conversations, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough sit down with Topeka City Council member Karen Hiller and volunteers from to talk about a new citywide initiative designed to improve local property appearance, reduce vacant structures and support safer neighborhoods. Listen today to learn more about how Topeka is ! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/24019152

Bringing Talent to TopCity 07/07/2022

Bringing Talent to TopCity In this episode of Topeka Talk: Community Conversations, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough sit down with Rhett Flood, executive director of , and Cody Burger, chair of this year's program. The group chats about Topeka's citywide intern initiative, current talent attraction efforts in the capital city, how young professionals can get involved in the community, and much more. Listen today to learn about some of the innovative programs moving Topeka and Shawnee County forward! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/23649062

Juneteenth in Topeka 06/02/2022

Juneteenth in Topeka In this episode of Topeka Talk: Community Conversations, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough sit down with Mayor Mike Padilla and area resident Norma Avery, president of the . During their conversation, Mayor Padilla teases a special Juneteenth proclamation he plans to make at an upcoming meeting, and Avery shares everything you need to know about this year's local Juneteenth celebrations — plus, a little history about how she founded the family and friends celebration nearly 10 years ago. Give it a listen! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/23241134

A Look at Topeka Tourism 05/05/2022

A Look at Topeka Tourism In episode one of Topeka Talk: Community Conversations, hosts Gretchen Spiker and India Yarborough sit down with president Sean Dixon and local small-business-and-events advocate Alison Beebe, who manages the ever-growing Facebook group ! Their conversations touch on Topeka tourism and its impact in the area, the success of , and how a community can rally behind tourism campaigns and business endeavors. Check it out! /episode/index/show/goodpotato/id/23007824

Topeka Talk: Community Conversations

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