What if the Federal Reserve wasn't just a boring government agency setting monetary policy, but a mission-driven storyteller trying to make sense of your household budget? On this episode, Julie and Sydney sit down with Jeremy Hill, regional executive for the Kansas City Federal Reserve, to unpack what the Fed actually does, why manufacturing is quietly booming across Kansas, and how inflation is hitting some households harder than others. Jeremy breaks down the Fed's three core functions, explains the K-shaped economy squeezing lower and middle-income families, and shares surprising stories from the Kansas City Fed's money museum, the shredded-cash vault, and the fly-fishing origins of the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium. Plus, stick around for a fun round of Kansas Penny Pinchers, where Sydney and Julie swap money-saving confessions. Highlights The Federal Reserve has three main functions: monetary policy, bank supervision/regulation, and managing how cash physically moves through the economy.The K-shaped economy is splitting households into two groups — some doing better every year, others falling further behind due to inflation eating into fixed costs like rent, insurance, and car payments.Kansas's GDP is currently growing faster than the national average, driven largely by a manufacturing boom (aerospace, machinery, fabricated metals).Agriculture and energy sectors in Kansas are struggling, while manufacturing is picking up steam and creating wage pressure as firms compete for labor.The Kansas City Fed operates a free, public money museum where visitors can see the history of currency and even watch cash being shredded.The Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, which draws central bank leaders from around the world, originated because a former Fed chair loved fly-fishing in Wyoming.The Fed is a semi-private organization with a public mission — it doesn't receive funding from Congress and instead earns revenue through banking services and its asset holdings.Jeremy describes economics as more art than math — piecing together abstract, nebulous signals to tell a bigger story about where the economy is heading. Chapters 0:00 – Kids Freezer Obsession0:39 – Frozen Fruit Cup Logic1:51 – Do Your Kids Do This2:47 – Podcast Intro & New Co-Host3:24 – Meet Jeremy Hill4:20 – Jeremy's Role at the Fed5:37 – Why Economics Clicked6:41 – The Fed Explained Simply7:36 – How Banks View the Fed9:07 – Which Businesses He Visits10:49 – Backbone Industries in Towns12:08 – K-Shaped Household Strain14:27 – Where the Data Comes From16:29 – Money Museum and Cash Vault18:18 – Why Money Gets Shredded18:57 – Counterfeits and Secret Service19:41 – Back to the Third Bucket19:51 – Fed Mandate Explained20:15 – Rates: Buyers vs. Savers21:05 – Kansas Bootstrap Spirit22:43 – Inside the Fed Culture23:53 – How the Fed Funds Itself25:10 – Kansas Roots and Career Path27:26 – Economics as Art28:34 – Kansas Economy Snapshot30:52 – How Manufacturers Adapt31:33 – Jackson Hole Symposium Story33:23 – Where to Learn More34:14 – Post-Interview Takeaways34:51 – Kansas Penny Pinchers Game40:25 – Wrap Up and Next Month Resources Mentioned Kansas City Federal ReserveKansas City Federal Reserve's Money Museum — a free, public museum highlighting the history of currencyFetch app — a receipt-scanning app for earning points/gift cards 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 story you've been told about the teenage years is just... wrong? My guest today, Megan Saxelby, founder of Wild Feelings, spent 15 years teaching middle school and 4 teaching high school before becoming a parent coach — and she's here to make the case that adolescence isn't something to survive, it's a season to actually enjoy. We get into what parents misunderstand before the tween years even start, what it really costs us when we buy into the "terrible teens" narrative, and how to stay close to our kids as they pull toward independence. Highlights The "terrible teens" narrative is a socially constructed story — and believing it primes you to see your kid's behavior through a negative lens.Adolescence, by current research, spans ages 10–25 (early adolescence 10–14, adolescence 14–17/18, late adolescence 18–25).Believing the bad narrative costs you connection and self-trust as a parent.Separate "connection" from "administration" (logistics) — they are not the same relationship currency.Happiness isn't the goal — resilience and contentment matter more than chasing a feeling.The research-backed parenting style that works best: high expectations + high support (authoritative parenting).Anxious kids need validation of their feelings paired with high expectations — not accommodation of the anxiety.Little-kid connection tools (playfulness, silliness, jokes) still work in the teen years — you just have to apply them differently.A single family "anchor behavior" (like a weekly dinner or movie night) is linked to a 20% reduction in anxiety and depression in youth.Family shorthand phrases (inside jokes, references) become powerful emotional shortcuts that last for decades.A "family care chart" — a shared, visible list of everyone's comfort items and needs — is Megan's top back-to-school tip. Chapters 0:00 — Meet Megan Saxelby2:11 — The Teen Myth4:30 — Beyond 18 Summers6:03 — Happiness Isn't the Goal9:26 — Defining Adolescence Ages10:17 — Cost of the Bad Narrative10:32 — Connection vs. Logistics12:10 — Trust Your Kid14:54 — Boundaries Without Shame17:55 — High Support, High Expectations19:29 — Helping Anxious Kids Grow20:20 — Holding the Line21:02 — Discomfort Isn't Failure21:17 — Capitalism and Parenting Pressure22:09 — Tween Parenting: A Second Act22:58 — Keep the Playfulness23:43 — Stay a Full Person26:38 — Build Connection on Purpose27:36 — Weird Questions and Anchor Rituals30:25 — Family Shorthand Moments34:11 — The Story You Tell Yourself35:55 — High Expectations, High Support (Revisited)37:48 — Back-to-School Encouragement38:50 — Family Care Chart Tip39:46 — Wrap Up and Where to Follow Resources Mentioned Wild FeelingsMegan Saxelby on Instagram, LinkedIn and Substack 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.

Ever left a great sales conversation feeling excited, only to watch it go completely silent? You're not imagining things — most people aren't thinking about you nearly as much as you think they are, and that's exactly why your follow-up game needs work. I'm breaking down why following up is the single surest way to grow your business, and the seven-touchpoint sequence that takes the guesswork (and the ick factor) out of staying in front of leads who've gone quiet. Highlights Reframe follow-up: if someone expressed interest, you're providing value by staying in touch — not being pushy.The real goal of following up isn't a "yes," it's clarity — a clear yes, a clear no, or nothing until one of you is dead.The seven-touchpoint framework covers roughly 30+ days of spaced-out, purposeful outreach.Touchpoint 1 is a same-day/next-day email full of gratitude, a recap, and one clear next step.Touchpoint 2 (3-4 days later) is the "objection killer" — proactively answering the 1-2 objections you hear most.Touchpoint 3 (1 week later) shares a relevant client testimonial to build trust without asking for anything.Touchpoint 4 (10-14 days later) makes a warm referral or connection with zero strings attached.The "pre-breakup" email (3-4 weeks out) introduces gentle scarcity around your proposal's expiration date.The professional "breakup" email closes the loop respectfully and often prompts a response due to loss aversion.Leads who go completely cold still get added to a long-term nurture list — a lead isn't dead until it's a clear no. Chapters 0:19 – Why Follow-Up Feels Awkward1:58 – Reframing Follow-Up as a Value-Add3:04 – The Real Goal: Clarity, Not Just a Yes4:04 – Introducing the 7-Touchpoint Framework4:34 – Setting the Next Step & Your First Follow-Up Email7:23 – Touchpoint 2: The Objection Killer8:42 – Touchpoint 3: The Client Testimonial10:06 – Touchpoint 4: The Connection/Referral12:34 – The Pre-Breakup Email & Scarcity15:42 – The Professional Breakup Email17:31 – Moving Leads to Your Nurture List19:25 – Recap: The Full Sequence Step-by-Step22:25 – Final Thoughts & Your Homework 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.

Why is it that sometimes what you see isn't what you get?  Today we're pulling back the layers on something I call the Identity Iceberg — the hidden forces of environment, beliefs, values, and identity that quietly shape the actions, behaviors, and results everyone can see on the surface. If you've ever wondered why some habits stick and others don't, or why you (or someone you know) keeps landing on the same outcomes, this conversation will give you a framework to understand it — and a few simple steps to start shifting it. Highlights The "identity iceberg" framework: actions, behaviors, and decisions sit above the waterline — visible to everyoneSkills live just below the surface and start to show up as you get to know someoneBeliefs (often formed as early as age 3-10) quietly drive which skills we choose to pursueValues, instilled from childhood, shape the beliefs we carryIdentity is the self-talk we repeat when we're alone — and it's often more negative than positiveThe environment (people, news, food, education) surrounds the whole iceberg and has a massive influence on every layerReal change starts at the environment level and works inward: environment, then identity, then values, then beliefs, then skillsAction steps: shift one environmental factor, change one identity statement, share a value with someone, and identify one belief to update Chapters 00:00 – Intro01:25 – Actions Above Waterline02:24 – Skills Below Surface03:40 – Beliefs Drive Skills04:52 – Values Shape Beliefs05:49 – Identity & Self-Talk07:14 – Environment & the Ocean Effect08:30 – How to Shift Each Level10:28 – Your Action Steps11:22 – Observe Others12:35 – 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.

Why do the animals you fall in love with sometimes have to leave the zoo? This week we sit down with Ryan VanZant, executive director of Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina, and trace his winding path from a childhood obsessed with parakeets and parrots to falconry, movie animal training, and eventually leading one of the youngest zoos in the country. We get the real story behind the zoo's famous museum, hear about the massive new Tiger Falls habitat on the way, talk through the tough calls zoo staff make about animal welfare, and dig into why Kansas prairie ecosystems deserve just as much attention as the savannas of Africa. Plus, we've got some big personal news of our own, and we close things out with a new round of Stories from the Hat. Highlights Ryan VanZant shares his journey from breeding parakeets and parrots as a kid to training animals for movies to running zoos in Hutchinson and now SalinaThe real history of the Rolling Hills Zoo museum and its taxidermy collection — plus a rumor finally debunkedDetails on Tiger Falls, a major new habitat expansion for Amur tigers, snow leopards, and incoming red pandasThe story behind Creed the baby rhino, named after Chiefs player Creed Humphrey, and how that story went viralAn honest look at how zoos make difficult animal welfare and relocation decisionsWhy Kansas's native prairie ecosystems are disappearing faster than any other ecosystem type, and why that mattersA rundown of upcoming Rolling Hills Zoo events like Zoo Brew, Safari Breakfasts, Silent Sundays, and Taste of AdventureA new round of "Stories from the Hat" with random prompts about hometown landmarks, guilty pleasure gas station snacks, and more Chapters 0:00 — Sydney's Big News0:48 — Podcast Plans Ahead1:30 — Meet Rolling Hills Zoo2:39 — Ryan's Kansas Path3:41 — Why This Zoo Location4:39 — Childhood Animal Obsession5:57 — Parakeets to Parrots8:12 — Peregrines and DDT10:24 — Falconry Life Explained12:48 — Becoming Zoo Director17:56 — Leading People Like Animals19:15 — Rolling Hills Origin Story24:10 — Funding and Conservation Work26:29 — Inside the Museum29:26 — Christmas Lights Feedback30:19 — Holiday Lights Highlights30:59 — Tiger Falls Expansion34:37 — Viral Zoo Babies36:44 — Animal Welfare Decisions42:15 — Future of Modern Zoos45:22 — Saving the Prairie50:36 — Events and Visiting Tips55:37 — Stories from the Hat59:56 — Podcast Wrap and Thanks Resources Mentioned Sunflower Summer app - https://sunflowersummer.org/Rolling Hills Zoo — https://www.rollinghillszoo.org/H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald Learn more about the podcast at askakansan.com! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net