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Showing episodes and shows of
Justin Armbruster
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Topeka Insider
How Raising Cane’s Turns First-Time Guests Into Caniacs In Topeka, KS | Kansas Leadership Team
We sit down with the Raising Cane’s Kansas leadership team to unpack how “one love” turns chicken fingers into a loyal fanbase in Topeka and beyond. We talk training, culture, community work, and the small operational choices that make the experience feel identical every single time. • leadership starting in the restaurant as fry cook and cashier • earning collars and building credibility through hands-on training • pandemic lessons and respect for restaurant operations • what “one love” means and why fans call themselves Caniacs • the origin of the Raising Cane’s name and the Cane mascot story • why Top...
2026-04-17
44 min
Topeka Insider
Inside Trash Mountain Project: Topeka Leaders, Global Impact | Dave Henry
We sit down with Dave Henry, executive director of @Trashmountain , to unpack how local-led partnerships transform communities living on the edges of trash dumps. We trace his path from pastor and professor to nonprofit leader, and why education is the non-negotiable engine of long-term change.• scale of dump communities worldwide and daily survival work• why TMP partners with local Christian leaders instead of sending staff abroad• countries served and how language access and culture shape impact• core supports such as nutrition, medical access and education• education protected through funding cuts and its long-term outcomes•...
2026-04-03
48 min
Brave and Strong and True
99. Six Alumni In Search Of A Podcast
It’s been a few months since I dropped a new episode, the longest gap since we launched four years ago, so when Theresa Brown and Leslie Monaco asked if they could put together an alumni group for an episode, I agreed. Multi-guest interviews work best when each guest is at their own remote location; however, for this particular interview, all six guests would be together in the same location, gathered around the built-in microphone of a single laptop computer. Being so hungry to produce an episode after a three-month drought, I agreed. Three group members already appeared as...
2026-03-30
1h 05
Topeka Insider
How Unified Leadership Across The City Is Transforming Topeka | Molly Howey
We share how a unified partnership model accelerates real wins for Topeka, from downtown housing to an aviation jobs strategy at Forbes Field. We also dig into Washburn’s rapid growth, youth sports momentum, and how small signals turn visitors into residents and founders.• How the Chamber, tourism, economic development, and downtown teams work as one• Visitor-to-resident pipeline and new immigrant-founded businesses• Housing demand across affordable, market-rate, and executive segments• Six-year downtown apartments deal with modern amenities• Shift to holistic economic development focused on place• MRO hangar strategy at Forbes Field and job creation
2026-03-20
30 min
Topeka Insider
Recruiting, Culture, and Competing for Championships In Topeka, KS | Brett Ballard
A fast start meets a firm identity as Coach Brett Ballard shares how Washburn rebuilt around culture, clarity, and community support. We dig into Lee Arena’s $8M renovation, recruiting with purpose, and why process beats outcomes on the path to March.• returners setting standards and new players buying in• high expectations after Elite Eight and forging a new identity• Lee Arena renovation and game-night atmosphere• campus facility upgrades and practice quality• coaching highs, stress, and teaching life through sport• process over outcomes and daily controllables• recruiting pitch built on people, resources, and c...
2026-03-06
30 min
Outside The Box
Winning With Service: How A Top Realtor Builds Loyalty | Susie Wargin
We dig into a relationship-first blueprint for real estate growth with Susie Wargin, a top producer and Broncos sideline reporter who wins repeat and referral business by investing upfront in client experience. From pre-inspections to post-close handyman hours, she shows how small, useful touches build trust and scale.• learning from a trailblazing mom at RE/MAX and the power of relationships• why real estate is counseling during life changes and how to show up• morning routines, time blocking, and scheduling messages for focus• repeat and referral systems that compound over time• monthly value: Homebot, h...
2026-03-06
46 min
Topeka Insider
From Topeka, KS To 61 Million YouTube Views | Andy McKee
We trace Andy McKee’s path from Topeka guitar classes to a 61 million view breakout, touring the world while keeping family first. He plays Drifting and Africa live, explains fingerstyle, alternate tunings, and shares advice for learners and working musicians.• switching from electric riffs to solo acoustic fingerstyle• discovering altered tunings and percussive guitar• the YouTube front-page moment and CandyRat strategy• collaborations with Josh Groban, Toto circles, and Prince• composing by ear and arranging songs for one guitar• timing, practice habits, and practical learning advice• touring model, stage presence, and audience connection•...
2026-02-20
1h 06
Outside The Box
Service Sells: Turning Clients Into Lifelong Fans | Nick Bailey
We sit down with Nick Bailey to unpack why repeat and referral businesses beat lead-chasing, how to shift from order taker to advisor, and where tech actually earns its keep. The through line is service that reduces stress and stays memorable long after closing.• career path across agent, franchise, portals, T360• why money-making activities drive survival• moving from transactions to lifetime value• buyers need real advisors again• financing literacy and inspection strategy• tech vs toy and AI that saves time• brokerage leadership, culture and fit• practical service that anticipates needs• tracking R...
2026-02-06
49 min
Topeka Insider
From Wyoming To Washburn: Building Teams & Culture In Topeka | Lora Westling
We talk with head coach Lora Westling about building a program on high standards and real care, recruiting with intention in the portal era, and why joy and discipline can live side by side. Stories span Wyoming winters to Washburn wins and the energy of a campus that shows up.• Path from Wyoming to Washburn and coaching roots• People-first coaching and teaching the college athlete• Defining success beyond social media and comparison• Discipline as care and meeting players where they are• Recruiting tips, film, camps and playing with energy• Transfer portal, NIL and shifting...
2026-02-06
50 min
Topeka Insider
Championship Culture & Mental Health Movement | Damon Parker
We sit down with Coach Damon Parker to trace how a girls’ wrestling experiment became the largest team in the world and why a funeral changed his path toward founding the Jones Project. The conversation moves from culture and leadership to mental health, ownership, and hope.• Building a program that prioritized family, voice, and belonging• Why girls’ wrestling exploded and how leadership sustains it• Turning down trophy talk to focus on culture• The single‑parent stat and what support looks like• Student leaders holding teammates and coaches to account• The resignation, grief, and the birth of t...
2026-01-23
1h 07
Topeka Insider
Movement With Meaning: Running, Teaching, & Community In Topeka | Paul Wagner
We trace Paul Wagner’s path from a shared professorship at Washburn to leading the Sunflower Striders and unpack how Topeka’s running scene grew from race-first to community-first. Practical training tips, trail highlights, and the real costs of putting on local races round out a lively, useful conversation.• why a shared teaching role made space for family and service• how running clubs shifted from PR chasing to social connection• conversation pace, run‑walk, and simple plans that work• Topeka routes from Deer Creek to Lake Shawnee and Shunga• trail running skills, fueling, and staying pres...
2026-01-09
1h 04
Topeka Insider
TK Business Magazine To Compass: Building Community-Driven Marketing in Topeka | Tara Dimick
We trace Tara Dimick’s path from Washburn to TK Business Magazine and Compass, exploring how a premium print brand thrives alongside a full-service agency that acts like an embedded marketing team. Along the way we unpack entrepreneurial mindset, hiring creatives, and why Topeka’s underdog energy fuels real growth.• TK Business Magazine acquisition story and evolution• Why print still works when quality is high• Advertiser-funded model and multi-channel distribution• Letting experts lead and avoiding micromanagement• Building Compass as a plug-in marketing department• Strategy, content, media buying, and execution end-to-end• Entrepreneur strengths, failure...
2025-12-26
52 min
Topeka Insider
Lighting Up Our Community: Inside Topeka Zoo Lights | Cynthia McCarvel
We sat down with Cynthia McCarvel, Strategic Partnerships Director at the Topeka Zoo, to unpack how Zoo Lights grew from a winter idea into a citywide tradition. From 28 miles of LEDs to volunteer crews, soundscapes, igloos, and access programs, we trace the people and plans behind the glow.• role of strategic partnerships and community ties• why a small zoo is a strength for families• memberships and reciprocal discounts driving value• origins, growth, and yearly redesign of Zoo Lights• scope and logistics of power, LEDs, and frames• corporate and school volunteers wrapping trees and testing...
2025-12-12
30 min
Topeka Insider
How Learning Languages Builds Community And Opportunity | Dr. Pilar Mejía
We trace Pilar’s path from Columbia to Topeka and explore how language, culture, and community shape learning. Dual language classrooms, the seal of biliteracy, and the difference between language needs and disabilities take center stage with practical tips for families and curious adults.________________________________________0:35 - Meet Dr. Pilar Mejía And Her Journey3:25 - From Fashion To Education In Kansas6:08 - Degrees, Endorsements, And Kansas Schools10:24 - Language, Culture, And Family Roots12:25 - Accents, Dialects, And Spanish Varieties14:50 - Life In Topeka And Why She Stayed18:40 - What Topeka Needs: Languages And...
2025-11-28
1h 06
Topeka Insider
Beyond the Comments: What It Really Takes To Communicate For Topeka | Dan Garrett
We talk with Dan Garrett, Director of Communications and Media Relations for the City of Topeka, about how a modern city communicates through storms, potholes, rumor mills, and the daily work that rarely makes headlines. He shares practical tools residents can use, why tone matters online, and where Topeka is quietly moving forward.• path from TV reporter to city communications lead• what city PR covers across social, media, and web• potholes versus construction trade‑offs and winter patching• SeeClickFix for reporting issues that get real responses• managing the 100‑year snow and a misunderstood police action
2025-11-14
48 min
Topeka Insider
From Bean To Bar: How Hazel Hill Builds Flavor, Wins Awards, And Serves A City | Nick Xidis
We sit down with Hazel Hill’s Nick Xidis to explore award-winning bean-to-bar chocolate, the craft behind single origins, and why serving people is the true business model. From sensory tasting tips to cocoa market shocks, we dig into flavor, process, and community.• family heritage from Greek immigrant chocolatier to Topeka maker• where to buy Hazel Hill and seasonal gifting cycles• single-origin cocoa, inclusion bars, and flavor terroir• full bean-to-bar steps from ferment to temper• how to taste chocolate like a pro with simple method• small business mindset: service before product• cocoa price spik...
2025-10-31
1h 07
Topeka Insider
How The Topeka Community Foundation is Driving Lasting Change | Marsha Pope
We talk with Marsha Pope about how the Topeka Community Foundation grew from a $10,000 idea to a $120 million engine for local change and why the team moved from quick fixes to upstream solutions. We explore impact investing, mental health, housing, and the power of data to guide funding.• Origin story of the Topeka Community Foundation and Junior League roots• How donor-advised funds stay local and responsive• Endowments, spending policy, and grant making basics• From apples to upstream: reframing health through zip code data• Social determinants of health and Shawnee County mapping• Mental health, hous...
2025-10-17
40 min
Topeka Insider
From Advisors Excel To The Mall: Why Topeka Is Worth It | Cody Foster
We sit down with Cody Foster, cofounder of Advisors Excel, to unpack how a back-office platform grew to support hundreds of advisers, why he’s betting on West Ridge Mall, and what it takes to lead through scrutiny and slow timelines. The conversation moves from annuities to anchor tenants to the quiet rituals that keep leaders grounded.• AE’s model as the back office for independent advisers• Simple explanation of annuities and retirement income• How AE earns: thin margins, scale, managed assets• Culture, events, and building a service-first team• Handling criticism and narrowing feedback that...
2025-10-03
1h 12
Topeka Insider
Topeka Insider: The Journey of a Local Podcast's First Year | Justin & Jon
The Topeka Insider podcast celebrates its one-year anniversary with a special episode featuring hosts Justin and Jon being interviewed by their behind-the-scenes producer, Gabriel from Butel Media Group.• Justin and Jon share the origin story of how Topeka Insider came to be, including Justin purchasing the domain five years before they started• The podcast began as a mission to change Topeka's perception problem by highlighting amazing local people• Both hosts bring different perspectives – Justin as a lifelong resident and Jon as a transplant who fell in love with the city• The team discusses their continuous...
2025-09-19
1h 18
Topeka Insider
Small Town Roots to CEO of Greater Topeka Partnership | Molly Howey
Molly Howey, newly appointed CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership, shares her vision for economic development and community growth in Topeka. With 14 years of experience in the organization, Howey brings both institutional knowledge and fresh perspective to continue the momentum building in Shawnee County.• Born and raised in Overbrook, Howey graduated from Washburn University and now lives north of Topeka• The Greater Topeka Partnership encompasses four entities: Go Topeka (economic development), Visit Topeka (tourism), Downtown Topeka, and the Chamber of Commerce• Economic development in Topeka focuses on creating prosperity through quality employment, workforce development, entrepreneurism, and bu...
2025-09-05
48 min
Topeka Insider
The Connector: How Plug and Play Bridges Startups and Corporations | Lindsay Lebahn
Lindsay Lebahn, Director of Plug and Play Topeka, shares how global innovation is thriving in America's heartland by connecting entrepreneurs, corporations, and investors through their unique accelerator program. • Plug and Play operates 62 locations globally with Topeka focusing on animal health and ag tech• The accelerator connects startups with MVPs to corporate partners, mentors, and universities• Their founder's first investment was trading office space above his rug shop for equity in Google• Startups going through the program are typically working on technologies 5 years from market• Topeka offers unique advantages including affordable housing while still being near...
2025-08-22
1h 08
Topeka Insider
The Long Game: 20 Years From Walk-On To Washburn University Head Football Coach | Zach Watkins
Zach Watkins shares his journey from Washburn walk-on linebacker to head coach, revealing how his 20-year connection to the program shapes his coaching philosophy and vision for the future.• Coming full circle from player to head coach at Washburn University• Building a program on five pillars: family, accountability, discipline, toughness, and respect• Completing over 2,000 hours of community service in five months• Creating accountability groups and football nights at every campus sport• Managing 36 scholarships across a roster of 125+ players• Developing relationships with every player through individual meetings• Recruiting philosophy: "If you're good enough, they'l...
2025-08-08
51 min
Topeka Insider
The Long Game: 20 Years From Walk-On To Head Football Coach | Zach Watkins
Zach Watkins shares his journey from Washburn walk-on linebacker to head coach, revealing how his 20-year connection to the program shapes his coaching philosophy and vision for the future.• Coming full circle from player to head coach at Washburn University• Building a program on five pillars: family, accountability, discipline, toughness, and respect• Completing over 2,000 hours of community service in five months• Creating accountability groups and football nights at every campus sport• Managing 36 scholarships across a roster of 125+ players• Developing relationships with every player through individual meetings• Recruiting philosophy: "If you're good enough, they'l...
2025-08-08
51 min
Topeka Insider
The Sky's No Limit for Topeka's Development | Curtis Sneden
Curtis Sneden, Director of Development at the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA), shares exciting developments happening at Topeka's two airports and their adjacent industrial park. He reveals plans to bring commercial airline service back to Topeka Regional Airport, with flights potentially starting in early 2026 to destinations like Orlando, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.• The MTAA operates both Topeka Regional Airport (formerly Forbes Field) and Philip Billard Airport, plus an industrial park with development potential• Data shows approximately 1,400 Topekans drive to KCI daily, creating strong market demand for local commercial air service• Airlines have shown significant interest in Top...
2025-07-25
1h 09
Topeka Insider
From News Reporter to PR Pioneer: Giving Topeka’s Small Businesses a Voice | India Yarborough
India Yarborough, Topeka's newest PR pioneer, shares her journey from Mississippi journalist to founding Local Lens PR, the city's first public relations firm dedicated to helping small businesses find their voice. She explores the critical distinction between marketing and PR while explaining how her business fills a gap in the local market for strategic communications.• Moved to Topeka in 2019 as a reporter for the Topeka Capital Journal, having never visited Kansas before• Found Topeka to be the "perfect small city" with unique qualities that convinced her to stay for six years and counting• Worked at the Gr...
2025-07-11
55 min
Outside The Box
Mastering The Fundamentals: How To Win in Modern Real Estate | Marci Press
Marci Press shares her journey from legal secretary to successful realtor, having sold over 1,000 homes in Central Ohio since 2004. She reveals how picking up the phone and maintaining genuine connections with clients creates lasting success in real estate.• Started real estate career as a single mom of three while working full-time as a legal secretary• Worked both jobs simultaneously for a year before taking the leap to full-time real estate• Emphasizes the importance of fundamental practices like phone calls alongside modern marketing• Maintains consistency in outreach through multiple channels including social media and traditional postcard...
2025-07-04
29 min