We sit down with Rick Bean from the Top City Trail Alliance to map out Topeka’s natural surface trails and the volunteer work that keeps them open, safe, and fun. We talk everything from trail etiquette and erosion control to mountain biking gear, ultra-endurance “studs”, and a bigger vision for connecting the city through outdoor recreation.

• what the Top City Trail Alliance does and how it’s funded through volunteers and donations
• what “natural surface trails” are and how they differ from paved paths
• the four main Topeka dirt trail systems: Kaw River State Park, Cedar Crest, Skyline (Burnett’s Mound), and Dornwood
• how trail difficulty changes with elevation, terrain, and loop design
• how renegade trail building led to formal partnerships and MOUs with land managers
• why stormwater control and erosion prevention decide whether trails last
• “earn your dirt” and what it means for trail users
• where to start with mountain biking gear, local bike shops, and realistic entry costs
• favorite rides outside Topeka including Switchgrass in Kansas and Bentonville, Arkansas
• local social runs, hikes, and group rides plus how to find them on Facebook
• a practical case for trail connectivity across Topeka for families and commuters
man, come out and and you know, if you don't want to be a member, that's fine. Come out and enjoy the trail system with us on our social nights. Yeah. You know, let's go hike, let's go do some running or biking or whatever you want to do. Uh, bring your dogs. They got to be on a leash, but bring your dogs and uh yeah, let's go do it.
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0:00 - Cold Open And Sponsor Message
0:38 - Meet The Top City Trail Alliance
2:10 - What Counts As A Real Trail
6:09 - Topeka’s Key Trails And Difficulty
10:01 - How The Alliance Started
21:25 - Trail Building, Erosion, And Volunteers
25:57 - Best Rides Beyond Topeka
30:23 - Mountain Biking Starter Gear And Costs
37:29 - Ultra Races And Youth MTB Teams
44:30 - How To Join Runs, Rides, Hikes
45:55 - COVID, Health, And Outdoor Momentum
54:13 - Connectivity Vision For Topeka Trails
58:44 - Trail Safety And Final Invite
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Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

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Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

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For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram!

We sit down with Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay to unpack what prosecutors really do, how he thinks about fairness, and why leadership in the justice system starts with ethics. We also get candid stories about jury trials, campaigning for an elected role, and the surprising moments when accountability helps people change.

• defining the DA’s role as courtroom advocate and elected prosecutor
• becoming the youngest elected district attorney in Kansas history
• growing up on debate and learning what TV gets wrong about the law
• why “winning” arguments at home can cost you more
• seeing violent crime up close while still believing in the community
• focusing on repeat offenders and accountability to reduce harm
• managing trials, COVID disruptions, and a large prosecution team
• jury duty stories from both sides of the courtroom
• what campaigning teaches about leadership and building a team
• laws he would change, including jury unanimity and prosecutor guidance
• rapid fire Topeka favorites and where to find him locally and online
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0:00 - Cold Open And Sponsor Message
0:41 - Meeting Shawnee County’s District Attorney
2:50. -What A DA Actually Does
4:40. -Becoming Kansas’ Youngest DA
8:14. -From Bullying To Debate
10:48 -Marriage Advice From A Prosecutor
14:52 - What Crime Looks Like Up Close
19:04 - Repeat Offenders And Smarter Penalties
21:32 - Trials Workload And The COVID Backlog
22:59 - Jury Duty Tips And Wild Stories
27:39 - Prosecutors Ethics And Dropping Charges
30:07 - Running For DA Door To Door
35:07 - Laws He Would Change Today
42:05 - The Pressure And Reward Of Justice
44:00 - Rapid Fire Topeka Favorites
50:31 - Where To Find Him And Redemption
53:43 - Final Thoughts And Thanks
________________________________________

Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/

Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram!

We sit down with Raul and Ariana from the Fiesta Topeka planning committee to talk about how Topeka’s biggest summer tradition runs and what it funds. We dig into the history, the food, what’s new this year, and why volunteers are the reason a 93-year festival still works.

• Fiesta Topeka as a Mexican cultural celebration and Holy Family Catholic School fundraiser
• What first timers can expect, including live music, carnival, vendors, and five days of events
• How the committee operates year round and why the public only sees the finished product
• The Fiesta royalty candidate program, food sale campaigns, and coronation ball
• Attendance around 50,000, free entry, and how food and beverage sales power the fundraiser
• New additions like the Fiesta Connect app, notifications, sign ups, and future vendor mapping
• Oakland location details, neighborhood pride, church murals, and local history
• Best food talk, tamales selling fast, and why mole and homemade tortillas matter
• Local Topeka recommendations, food trucks, and rapid fire favorites around town

We need volunteers to come and help us to continue this tradition.
https://fiestatopeka.com/
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0:37 - Meet The Fiesta Topeka Leaders
2:48 - What Fiesta Topeka Really Supports
3:55 - What You’ll See And Do
6:30 - The All Year Work Behind Fiesta
8:33 - How Fiesta Royalty Campaigns Work
10:36 - 50,000 Visitors And Free Entry
12:39 - New Upgrades Like Fiesta Connect
14:55 - First Year Reality On The Committee
17:15 - Oakland Location And Neighborhood History
19:43 - Must Eat Foods And Tamale Traditions
29:13 - Their Day Jobs And Time Demands
32:15 - Rapid Fire Topeka Favorites
39:02 - Volunteer Need And Event Details
________________________________________

Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️
Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS

Website -- https://topekainsider.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/

Follow Your Hosts: 📱
Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.

Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/
Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd

For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram!