In this powerful episode of Midtopia Meets, host Marquee Nunley sits down with Wichita powerhouse and Midtopia’s own Community Engagement Officer, Rachelle Love—and trust us, this convo does not hold back.

Rachelle opens up about everything from:

• Growing up in a Wichita family that defines legacy
• The invisible pressure (and honor) of carrying a legendary last name
• Coaching on and off the court—and how she’s always in teacher mode
• Her time chasing the music dream in LA, and what it really meant to “make it”
• How art, mentorship, and music are all just different expressions of purpose
• Why Somewhere Music School is changing lives (and how she’s about to blow it wide open)
• Her vision for Bands Giving Back and what true community engagement actually looks like

Whether she’s mentoring kids at the YMCA or building the next generation of Midwestern music leaders, Rachelle brings heart, humor, and that unmistakable Love energy to everything she touches.

Tune in to witness real one drop gems on legacy, impact, and showing up fully—even when the dream doesn’t go how you thought it would.

This one is for the builders. The doers. The community change-makers. You’ll walk away inspired to pour good energy into your people, follow your purpose, and redefine what success really looks like.

In this episode of Midtopia Meets, Josh Cary, Midtopia's Audio Director, sits down for an engaging conversation about sound and dives deep into the art and science of audio engineering. With 27+ years of experience, Josh shares expert insights on topics like signal flow, EQ, compression, and mastering techniques. Whether you’re a beginner, hobbyist, or seasoned professional, this episode provides actionable insights and practical advice to level up your audio production game.

The conversation explores Josh’s journey into audio engineering, from his early experiments with sound to mastering modern digital workflows. The engaging discussion highlights key engineering principles like signal flow, EQ, compression, and time-based effects, alongside practical advice for optimizing home studios, with a focus on room acoustics. Josh also emphasizes the importance of fostering a comfortable and creative environment for artists, encouraging experimentation to unlock their full potential.

What You’ll Learn:

- Josh’s audio journey: From cassette tapes to cutting-edge digital tools
- Signal flow 101: How sound moves through the studio setup
- EQ & Compression: Breaking down the tools that shape your sound
- Home studio tips: Why room acoustics matter more than fancy gear
- Creative collaborations: How to make artists feel comfortable and spark innovation

Key Takeaways:

- “Room acoustics over expensive mics” – why great sound starts with your space
- Creativity unlocked: Never say “no” to experimenting in the studio
- Reverse-engineer your favorite sounds: Learn to listen critically

Gooding is a dynamic force not just as an artist who has built an impressive career navigating the music industry, but also as a change agent seeking to uplift the next generation of creatives. He is a financial literacy advocate and educator who founded the non-profit, Funding the Future, which aims to make financial literacy a requirement in every school so that young people can have a solid foundation for creating a successful life. Since its inception 10 years ago, they've reached 300,000 students across 38 states and raised nearly $4 million dollars for financial literacy.

Gooding talks with us a bit about his early music interests, including seeing his first Kiss show at age 4, as well as his early days as a working musician in Wichita. He speaks about how his upbringing by his single mom motivated him in later years to help others understand the basics of money and making smart financial decisions. He gives practical advice for musicians just starting out, as well as how to play the long game, as he talks about his own journey working his way to success in a rapidly changing industry. He talks about many of the societal and structural barriers that make it challenging for musicians to make smart financial decisions and offers resources for how to better manage money. He also speaks a bit about the documentary he's working on with the Wichita-based company Digital Brand that explores these topics in depth. Woven though the conversation is the importance of understanding how to balance authentic creative pursuits with the practical needs of life that require resources. Gooding's rich storytelling and talent for weaving personal narrative into larger issues are on full display in this episode, making this a fun and engaging must-listen!

Resources:

Gooding Music https://www.goodingmusic.com/

Funding the Future https://www.fundingthefuturelive.org

John Hope Bryant "Financial Literacy for All" (recommended reading)

Scott Gallaway "The Algebra of Wealth" (recommended reading)

Host: Marrque Nunley

Videographer: Austin Engler

Audio: Drew Mullen