"Shelter is just that-- shelter. It is not long term." Ryan Gates, Executive Producer

Homelessness is a challenge, a problem, a fear, a sadness, a human condition that requires humanity to solve.  Wichita, Kansas and communities all over the Unites States want a solution. It is Wichita, Kansas that is putting poeple together to "triage" resources to end homelessness. 

Ryan Gates documentary Hope In The Heartland, Wichita's Quest to End Homelessness is a call to action.  We are all responsible for the solution.  

"This game has revealed the grace of play." -- Buff Farrow 

We all should strive to win the game however, the most important thing is to be able to play the game. Lifelong tennis players, Buff Farrow and Leo Estopare are welcoming all of us back to playing the game of tennis with their creation Lite Tennis. Innovation comes from passion and these two gentlemen have a tremendous passion for tennis and for the opportunity to bring people to playing tennis.

"Every time I get on stage I get better at something."

--Sierra Scott, founder It’s All Good

The move to Independent Journalism has exploded since 2020.  The environment is fertile with opportunity for a Journalist to be an Entrepreneur. Seizing the chance to tell the story the way they see fit— absent a News Director or Corporate influence.  

Sierra Scott has been an Entrepreneurial Journalist for well over 20 years.  She had the courage to leave what is now referred to as the “Legacy Media”.  In an effort to escape the tarnished and captured news media’s obsession with negative stories, Sierra had the point of view to tell the good news.  And the bosses would not capitulate to her positive storytelling so she said “good bye” and in many ways became a pioneer of the independent journalist.  

Sierra is the example of how life gets better for all when you take positive actions. 

"I have an album in my phone of haters." - Wichita by E.B.

Sharing your creativity is important and it takes a little courage.  For people to grasp on to your creaivity is a rewarding experience-- most of the time.

Wichita by E.B. is authentically sharing his experiences and he has become the Guide for tens of thousands of people in South Central Kansas.

I love what this guy does and I respect the way he does it.  He is credible and he is authentic.  Make sure you start to follow Wichita by E.B.

"Love is like the #1 ingrediant... taste the love."  - Chef Kevin LeBron

larchersmarket.com

A Professional Chef is an Artist and a Scientist and an Entrepreneur.  Kevin LeBron has spent his life cooking.  The restaurant business is the start of of many peoples' working career and the inspiration for many who become Entrepreneurs.

To go from cooking to a Head Chef to the Operations Manager takes an embrace of the grind.  "I love the concept of food, the culture of food," Chef LeBron professes as he wears his heart on his sleeve for the passion of cookoing and creating a unique experience for his customers every day. 

"There was no 'they'. Why Can't we be, THEY!?" -- Grant Mitchell, CEO Every Cure

Every Cure has powerful solutions for people seeking them and they did not invent them. The most effective soliutions connect individuals in need with those who offer a product-- specifically in this case a repursosed pill.  

Billions of dollars are spent researching and develeopning pharmacutical drugs and often times that R&D sits on a shelf because it does not know who to give it to.  Developed for one reason, there likely are applications for another solution and "they" do not know that.

Every Cure became the "They" because their Co-Founder David Fajgenbaum was one of those patients needing the drug that was sitting on that shelf with no one to connect the two.

It is an origin story our of desparation, courage, application of dedicated intellect, fear and an affliction that would lead to certain death because there was semingly no cure.

Grant Mitchell lives his life thoughtfully and with intention.  This means he pursues things because one of the disciplines in his life is to "Just Show Up."  And when you show up with intention you see "what you can do in life to create greater surface area."

When you increase your surface area you can connect people and it leads to solving problems.  Every Cure is solving the biggest problems-- they are saving lives. 

"It's about your reputation in the marketplace and that sounds scary for lots of people."

-James Franko, President Kansas Policy Institute

I always thought honesty was the best policy.  We have to be willing to work towards better policy and that means getting rid of policy that has not worked.  Our Constitution and the Bill of Rights create the framework for good policy.  It is an experiment in self government.  Hanging on to bad policies leads to bad government.  We must continue to experiment and communicate to create policy that protects Constitutional freedoms.  Individually we have the responsibility to act.  It leads to better policy. 

"I noticed opportunities and I would show up." -Dre Baldwin

Dre never saw failures or disappointment-- he only saw opportunity. As a young athlete with a desire to get better, he sought out opportunities to get himself in position to get better. He was always working on his game and now he wants you to work on your game.

When you’re stuck, or you can’t seem to get traction, you need to “put yourself on a better roster“ and that means surrounding yourself with better people.

Dre has built a first class coaching platform. To improve, you need confidence and you need experience. Dre‘s going to help you get both. You will find greater success and a balanced life. Work to collaborate. Work on your mindset. Work on your game.

"Innovation gets confused with Invention-- they are not the same words or case." -- Luis Rodriguez

Luis works to help others understand how and where technology can be used to improve their lives and business.  

"The scientific method is computational thinking," he proclaims. And it is that computational thinking that needs to be introduced early in the education process so kids have a chance to explain things in this manner. 

Education and integration of technology must happen at all levels.   As we pursue solving difficult problems we must embrace and apply technology.  Flagship Kansas was created for this purpose.  Luis is making the connections and he is thoughtful in his approach and he wants us to participate.

"When you are a game-changer, you may be ahead of the Game." -Anita Greenwood

"Show me. Don't tell me." -Damon Young

"A Strategy is a disproportionate allocation of Resources." -Brandon Gaide

The Emerging Leaders class of 2024 from Leadership Kansas gathered at Groover Labs to share ideas and a discussion with a panel of dynamic thinkers and Leaders.  Damon Young, Brandon Gaide and Anita Greenwood had time to make personal connections with this class of Young Leaders from all across the State of Kansas.  

We can take of big problems and solve them when we collaborate.  This group of young leaders is not only approachable but also courageous in taking action. Kansas is a unique state, and our future depends on our willingness to embrace challenges and strive for meaningful progress toward greater prosperity.

I want to thank Manroj Sangha for his Leadership and for the opportunity to host this discussion.  And thank you Groover Labs for hosting. 

"If you know the odds then maybe you'll never start." 

-- David Sasson

David came to this country because he knew the opportunity was better.  Whatever he wanted to do he knew he had a better opportunity in the United States.

We learn our greatest lessons about opportunity from first generation Americans.  We also see how successful you can become when you do not waste it.