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

What can Tobi Parks not do? She is the owner of xBk Live, a 250-capacity music venue in Des Moines, Iowa. She serves as the Vice President of the National Independent Venue Association Foundation (NIVA). She works as an entertainment lawyer for Sony Music. Last but not least, Parks is a prolific bassist performing with her own bands and recording as a session player.

Ever purchased a $25 ticket only to pay $50 at the end of checkout after all the service fees? In this episode, Parks discusses NIVA's campaign for ticketing reform in the United States. Legislation that would regulate junk fees and result in more upfront pricing.

Parks also dives into the history of Performing Rights Organizations (PRO's), how they effect venues, and how NIVA is working to create a better way of paying songwriters their earned royalties.

Rev. Moose & Bobbie Nicholas III from Marauder dive into marketing tips for social media, finding your audience, bringing fans out to shows, and more.

Marauder is an independent creative marketing firm working at the intersection of business, art, and culture. Clients are positioned for growth by approaching each project with the dedication of a long-term partner, connecting a roster of globe-spanning entertainment organizations and artistic talent with North American audiences.

The firm’s unique advantage comes from custom-creating solutions for each client’s specific needs, with the ability to combine multiple services and strategies into every project.

A wide variety of artists and organizations work with Marauder including fine arts and economic development organizations; conferences and festivals; record labels from both established and emerging markets; music technology products; non-profits; one-off events; and entirely self-funded artists.

Marauder produces and promotes Independent Venue Week in the US, works with NIVA (National Independent Venue Association), M For Montreal, See Tickets North America, some of the most compelling independent labels and artists both internationally and stateside, and is the creator of The Port Authority Music Export Academy.

Lindsay Jamieson shares his experience balancing a career in brand consulting while touring the world with bands such as Ben Folds and Jim Jiminy. After consulting for corporations like Coca-Cola and Nike, Jamieson now works with Midtopia to help musicians effectively brand themselves to reach their desired audience. He shares his mindset when approaching branding for music and some steps on how to get started yourself.