My Fellow Kansans

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From its bloody free-state beginnings to present-day, red-state conservatism, we ask: How did Kansas get here? My Fellow Kansans explores one of the most pivotal chapters in the state’s history — its hard turn to the right over the past three decades. A turn driven by abortion and other culture-war…

Kansas News Service


    • Jul 20, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 20m AVG DURATION
    • 50 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from My Fellow Kansans

    Summer of Mercy (Rebroadcast)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2021


    Remembering the abortion protests of the Summer of Mercy in Wichita, Kansas, thirty years later.

    My Fellow Kansans Special: People and the Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2020 55:26


    S3 Episode 6: Michelle Taylor, Silver Lake

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2020 13:10


    Getting married and having your first child is stressful enough. Try making those life changes during a pandemic. As a teacher.

    S3 Episode 5: Slai Hung, Garden City

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2020 11:58


    One western Kansas resident's recovery from COVID-19 was made worse by an unpleasant health care experience.

    S3 Episode 4: Ehlaina Hartman, Spearville

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2020 13:12


    What happens when the coronavirus comes between your senior year and dreams of a state championship?

    S3 Episode 3: Anil Gharmalkar, Jalon Evans-Gharmalkar And Tamarah Chancellor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2020 16:02


    A first-hand account of what it's like to be hospitalized with COVID-19, and how a family handled the situation.

    S3 Episode 2: Gabrielle Griffie, Wichita

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2020 13:55


    Besides the coronavrius, another urgent topic again surfaced this year: an end to racism.

    S3 Episode 1: Montella Wimbley, Wichita

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2020 13:40


    Hair has been quite the topic during the coronavirus. For the first episode of My Fellow Kansans: People and the Pandemic, we spoke with a salon owner.

    Coming Soon: Season 3 Of My Fellow Kansans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2020 1:36


    My Fellow Kansans is back with a new season: People And The Pandemic.

    BONUS: Kansas Drinkers Can Thank This Tough Guy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2020 27:46


    In this episode of KCUR's new podcast, A People's History of Kansas City , host Suzanne Hogan and Matthew Long-Middleton tell the story of the pugnacious Kansas sheriff and attorney general Vern Miller, whose antics seemed to be a throwback to the Wild West era but left a surprising legacy.

    Introducing Statehouse Blend Kansas 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2020 14:45


    In this episode of Statehouse Blend Kansas, host Jim McLean looks at the legislative session. Lawmakers are already at odds on the hot-button issues of abortion and Medicaid expansion. Republican leaders are pushing for quick passage of an anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution. Meanwhile, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning are joining forces to break a nearly decade-long stalemate on expansion.

    Introducing Statehouse Blend Kansas 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2020 14:45


    In this episode of Statehouse Blend Kansas, host Jim McLean looks at the legislative session. Lawmakers are already at odds on the hot-button issues of abortion and Medicaid expansion. Republican leaders are pushing for quick passage of an anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution. Meanwhile, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning are joining forces to break a nearly decade-long stalemate on expansion.

    S2 Bonus Episode: Free college and a town's prospects

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2019 20:11


    A town loses population one decade after the next. Then a wealthy native son makes a generous offer: I'll pay the college tuition of every kid who graduates from high school here. Beyond putting college in reach for more families, the donation hopes to draw people to Neodesha, Kansas. Except ... it might just encourage people already in the region to change addresses. And the town is short on housing.

    S2 Bonus Episode: Free college and a town's prospects

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2019 20:11


    A town loses population one decade after the next. Then a wealthy native son makes a generous offer: I'll pay the college tuition of every kid who graduates from high school here. Beyond putting college in reach for more families, the donation hopes to draw people to Neodesha, Kansas. Except ... it might just encourage people already in the region to change addresses. And the town is short on housing.

    S2 Episode 6: The Wild West, Cattle And Immigrants

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2019 32:07


    While population numbers decay across so much of the Great Plains in Kansas, Dodge City, Liberal and Garden City stand out as growth stories. Their cattle trade draws immigrants, and those newcomers drive change. Dodge City likes to play up its gunslingin' Wild West reputation, formed in its earliest days in the cattle business. Now giant industrial meatpacking plants define the economy of a modern cowtown.

    S2 Episode 6: The Wild West, Cattle And Immigrants

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2019 32:07


    While population numbers decay across so much of the Great Plains in Kansas, Dodge City, Liberal and Garden City stand out as growth stories. Their cattle trade draws immigrants, and those newcomers drive change. Dodge City likes to play up its gunslingin' Wild West reputation, formed in its earliest days in the cattle business. Now giant industrial meatpacking plants define the economy of a modern cowtown.

    S2 Episode 5: Even Remade, A Town Struggles

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2019 26:11


    Greensburg, Kansas, already found itself in a struggle for survival before getting leveled by a tornado in 2007. Then outside help and new hope emerged with the idea of rebuilding the town as a green, environmentally sustainable place. But the town's still lost more than a third of its population since the twister. It hopes for a rebirth, but powerful forces continue to drive depopulation even after its makeover.

    S2 Episode 5: Even Remade, A Town Struggles

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2019 26:11


    Greensburg, Kansas, already found itself in a struggle for survival before getting leveled by a tornado in 2007. Then outside help and new hope emerged with the idea of rebuilding the town as a green, environmentally sustainable place. But the town's still lost more than a third of its population since the twister. It hopes for a rebirth, but powerful forces continue to drive depopulation even after its makeover.

    My Fellow Kansans Live

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2019 0:55


    My Fellow Kansans is coming to Johnson County Library Nov. 13 for a live podcast event. Host Jim McLean will lead a discussion about rural issues with a panel of special guests, including state Rep. Eileen Horn. If you live in the area, we hope you'll join us. RSVP at KCUR.org/Kansans .

    My Fellow Kansans Live

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2019 0:55


    My Fellow Kansans is coming to Johnson County Library Nov. 13 for a live podcast event. Host Jim McLean will lead a discussion about rural issues with a panel of special guests, including state Rep. Eileen Horn. If you live in the area, we hope you'll join us. RSVP at KCUR.org/Kansans .

    S2 Episode 4: Ailing Rural Health Care

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2019 24:22


    The closing of a rural hospital marks a particular loss for a community — greater distances to travel for health care, fewer jobs, and the sense that a town is on the wane. This episode of the podcast looks at the forces that have led to an epidemic of shuttered small-town hospitals, and some things being tried to resuscitate rural health systems.

    S2 Episode 4: Ailing Rural Health Care

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2019 24:22


    The closing of a rural hospital marks a particular loss for a community — greater distances to travel for health care, fewer jobs, and the sense that a town is on the wane. This episode of the podcast looks at the forces that have led to an epidemic of shuttered small-town hospitals, and some things being tried to resuscitate rural health systems.

    S2 Episode 3: Rural And Shrinking, But Smartly

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 22:06


    Rural communities continue to empty out, victim to powerful economic forces that nudge people to larger cities and suburbs. If the depopulation in some places appears all but inevitable, some social scientists suggest it need not mean doom. There are ways to shrink smarter , focusing on improving the quality of life for people who remain rather than chasing businesses that might never come.

    S2 Episode 3: Rural And Shrinking, But Smartly

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 22:06


    Rural communities continue to empty out, victim to powerful economic forces that nudge people to larger cities and suburbs. If the depopulation in some places appears all but inevitable, some social scientists suggest it need not mean doom. There are ways to shrink smarter , focusing on improving the quality of life for people who remain rather than chasing businesses that might never come.

    S2 Episode 2: Bigger Farms, Ever Smaller Towns

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2019 27:23


    Many of Kansas' small towns look weathered, worn and neglected after more than a century of exodus. The unending trend toward bigger farms, and fewer farmers, has sped that depopulation. That rise of modern farming techniques continues to pose a threat to rural cities and towns, particularly across the commodity crop-growing Great Plains.

    S2 Episode 2: Bigger Farms, Ever Smaller Towns

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2019 27:23


    Many of Kansas’ small towns look weathered, worn and neglected after more than a century of exodus. The unending trend toward bigger farms, and fewer farmers, has sped that depopulation. That rise of modern farming techniques continues to pose a threat to rural cities and towns, particularly across the commodity crop-growing Great Plains.

    S2 Episode 1: Rural Problems and Prospects

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2019 24:36


    One decade after the next, since the days of the Homestead Act, remote Kansas cities and towns have seen their sons and daughters move on to bigger, more vibrant places. That's had profound impacts on rural economies, rural health care and the vibrance of communities whose past looks rosier than the future. Jim McLean examines the factors that could make a difference between towns withering away or making the best of a modern, rural reality.

    S2 Episode 1: Rural Problems and Prospects

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2019 24:36


    One decade after the next, since the days of the Homestead Act, remote Kansas cities and towns have seen their sons and daughters move on to bigger, more vibrant places. That's had profound impacts on rural economies, rural health care and the vibrance of communities whose past looks rosier than the future. Jim McLean examines the factors that could make a difference between towns withering away or making the best of a modern, rural reality.

    Coming Soon: My Fellow Kansans Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2019 1:55


    Rural Kansas has a storied past. But as once-thriving towns continue to shrink — does it have a future? That depends on who you ask. In season two of My Fellow Kansans, host Jim McLean explores rural Kansas to discover what the future holds for rural communities across the state.

    Coming Soon: My Fellow Kansans Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2019 1:55


    Rural Kansas has a storied past. But as once-thriving towns continue to shrink — does it have a future? That depends on who you ask. In season two of My Fellow Kansans, host Jim McLean explores rural Kansas to discover what the future holds for rural communities across the state. Our conversation begins October 18. Subscribe now.

    My Fellow Kansans: Live Roundtable

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2018 22:38


    Kansas voters elected a new governor, Democrat Laura Kelly, who wants to promptly expand Medicaid eligibility, resolve a long-running lawsuit with more school funding, and address a crisis in the state's foster care system. But her ability to fulfill that agenda will depend on how willing a more conservative Legislature is to work with her.

    My Fellow Kansans: Live With The Governor-Elect

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2018 58:01


    With the election of Democrat Laura Kelly as governor, it appears Kansas is trending back to the center. But voters sent a mixed message as conservatives regained control of the Legislature.

    My Fellow Kansans: Live Roundtable

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2018 22:38


    Kansas voters elected a new governor, Democrat Laura Kelly, who wants to promptly expand Medicaid eligibility, resolve a long-running lawsuit with more school funding, and address a crisis in the state's foster care system. But her ability to fulfill that agenda will depend on how willing a more conservative Legislature is to work with her. Following an on-stage conversation with the governor-elect, My Fellow Kansans host Jim McLean was joined by Washburn University political scientist Bob Beatty and Kansas News Service reporters Stephen Koranda and Celia Llopis-Jepsen for a live panel discussion of the dynamics heading into the 2019 legislative session. Beatty, armed with insights from a Fox News exit poll , said voters are looking for their elected officials to chart a center path.

    My Fellow Kansans: Live With The Governor-Elect

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2018 58:01


    With the election of Democrat Laura Kelly as governor, it appears Kansas is trending back to the center. But voters sent a mixed message as conservatives regained control of the Legislature. To cap off this season My Fellow Kansans, the incoming governor sat down with Jim McLean of the Kansas News Service and took questions from a live audience at Washburn University in Topeka. As Kelly prepares to take over the reins of state government, she said she's found the problems to be worse than she thought. But the governor-elect, a veteran of the state senate, is confident she'll have a "moderate majority" of Democratic and Republican lawmakers working with her on solutions.

    My Fellow Kansans: 'Kansas Common Sense'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2018 22:16


    Well, fellow Kansans, it's over.

    My Fellow Kansans: 'Kansas Common Sense'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2018 22:16


    Well, fellow Kansans, it’s over. Democratic state Sen. Laura Kelly, running as the “fix-it” candidate on the premise that Kansas had gone off the rails, beat “full-throttle conservative” Kris Kobach in the race for governor. Her win signaled Kansans’ desire to, if not reverse the state’s turn to the right, at least turn down the political rhetoric and focus on the basics.

    My Fellow Kansans: Kelly Wins — A Minisode

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2018 7:48


    A race that looked to be oh-so-close turned out to be a clear victory for Democrat Laura Kelly, the new governor-elect of Kansas.

    kansas fellow kansans democrat laura kelly
    My Fellow Kansans: Kelly Wins — A Minisode

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2018 7:48


    A race that looked to be oh-so-close turned out to be a clear victory for Democrat Laura Kelly, the new governor-elect of Kansas. On this mini episode of “My Fellow Kansans” we hear what Kelly had to say on election night and her explanation of what vaulted her to victory over Republican Secretary of State and conservative firebrand Kris Kobach.

    My Fellow Kansans: Laura Kelly

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2018 19:04


    If conservative firebrand Kris Kobach would continue Kansas on its path to the right, Democrat Laura Kelly would be its pivot back to center.

    My Fellow Kansans: Laura Kelly

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2018 19:04


    If conservative firebrand Kris Kobach would continue Kansas on its path to the right, Democrat Laura Kelly would be its pivot back to center. After a weak start early in the campaign, polls suggest Kelly is now virtually tied with her Republican opponent in the heated race for Kansas governor.

    My Fellow Kansans: Kris Kobach

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2018 19:50


    If there's a talking point in Kris Kobach's campaign that virtually no one could quibble with, it's captured in his billboards: “The consistent conservative.”

    My Fellow Kansans: Kris Kobach

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2018 19:50


    If there’s a talking point in Kris Kobach’s campaign that virtually no one could quibble with, it’s captured in his billboards: “The consistent conservative.” On the campaign trail, he offers another term that underlines the ambitious Republican secretary of state’s approach to politics and to governing. He promises to be a “full-throttle” conservative. Indeed, if his politics are conservative, his approach to public life is aggressive. He pledges a hard line against abortion, on immigration, for lower taxes. And he promises to fashion a Kobach administration in Kansas the way President Donald Trump has remade politics in Washington.

    My Fellow Kansans: Greg Orman

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2018 17:32


    Of the three leading candidates in the race for Kansas governor, polls suggest Greg Orman is the least likely to win.

    My Fellow Kansans: Greg Orman

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2018 17:32


    Of the three leading candidates in the race for Kansas governor, polls suggest Greg Orman is the least likely to win. Recent surveys show the independent in single digits — well behind Republican Kris Kobach and Democrat Laura Kelly, who are virtually tied.

    interview politics government kansas fellow dialogue public radio kansans greg orman democrat laura kelly kcur studios political insiders ksleg
    My Fellow Kansans LIVE

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2018 0:57


    My Fellow Kansans is coming to Johnson County Library on Oct. 25 for a live event, featuring podcast host Jim McLean and political scientist Beth Vonnahme. We'll discuss the current state of Kansas politics and learn how Kansas voters are feeling ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. You'll have a chance to ask questions and hear more about the making of our podcast, too. Join us for this special live event on Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Johnson County Library Central Branch in Overland Park, Kansas. You can learn more and RSVP at kcur.org/kansans .

    My Fellow Kansans LIVE

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2018 0:57


    My Fellow Kansans is coming to Johnson County Library on Oct. 25 for a live event, featuring podcast host Jim McLean and political scientist Beth Vonnahme. We'll discuss the current state of Kansas politics and learn how Kansas voters are feeling ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. You'll have a chance to ask questions and hear more about the making of our podcast, too. Join us for this special live event on Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Johnson County Library Central Branch in Overland Park, Kansas. You can learn more and RSVP at kcur.org/kansans .

    My Fellow Kansans: The Red Pickup Truck

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2018 21:42


    In 2016, as Kansas voters revolted against Gov. Sam Brownback and his conservative allies in the Legislature, one-time Republican gubernatorial nominee Jim Barnett, saw an opening.

    My Fellow Kansans: The Red Pickup Truck

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2018 21:42


    In 2016, as Kansas voters revolted against Gov. Sam Brownback and his conservative allies in the Legislature, one-time Republican gubernatorial nominee Jim Barnett, saw an opening. The Topeka doctor bought a red pickup truck, and, with his wife, Rosie Hansen, started exploring the possibility of running for governor again — this time as the unabashed moderate in a field of conservatives.

    My Fellow Kansans: The Rise — And Fall — Of Sam Brownback

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2018 23:05


    Before he was governor, Sam Brownback had been state agriculture secretary, congressman, and U.S. senator. But when he captured the state's top office in 2010 he had even bigger plans: to transform Kansas into a red-state model for the nation.

    My Fellow Kansans: The Rise — And Fall — Of Sam Brownback

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2018 23:05


    Before he was governor, Sam Brownback had been state agriculture secretary, congressman, and U.S. senator. But when he captured the state’s top office in 2010 he had even bigger plans: to transform Kansas into a red-state model for the nation. That’s not the way things panned out.

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