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🥂 In This Episode

This week, we’re stepping into the spotlight and pulling back the curtain…

• Jen shares her experience seeing Hadestown (and why it stuck with her long after the final note)
• We dive into Heartspring’s mission ahead of the Rouge Gala—and why this organization is so special
• A sneak peek at Ballet Wichita’s Breaking Barriers
• Hits Different: Getaway Car by Taylor Swift
• Plus: a This or That that turns surprisingly introspective (because… of course it does)

🎭 Under the Lights: Hadestown Review

Jen takes us inside Broadway in Wichita’s production of Hadestown—and WOW.

From haunting vocals to a story rooted in mythology, love, and sacrifice, this one hit deep.

Highlights:

• A fully sung-through production (no dialogue, all music)
• Standout performances (Hermes as narrator stole the show)
• Themes of love, trust, and fate that leave room for interpretation

And maybe the most special part?
Sharing the experience with her mom—and realizing how powerful live theater can be when it means something.

❤️ Beyond the Spotlight: Heartspring + Rouge Gala

We’re honored to be guests at the upcoming Heartspring Rouge Gala, and after Jen’s behind-the-scenes tour, this organization left a lasting impression.

What makes Heartspring so impactful:

• Serving children with autism and developmental needs
• A whole-child approach (education, therapy, life skills)
• Supporting families—not just individuals
• Drawing families from across the country to Wichita

From classrooms to residential living spaces, it’s not just care—it’s community.

As we said in the episode: It’s easy to show up for the sparkle… but what stays with you is the purpose behind it.

🩰 What’s Next on Stage: Ballet Wichita

Next up, we’re heading to the same venue (hello full-circle moment 👀) for:

Breaking Barriers

A powerful performance inspired by the Dockum Sit-In, blending history, movement, and emotion.

📍 B-29 Doc Hangar
📅 April 3 & 4

We already know this one is going to be feel-it-in-your-chest kind of moving.

🚗 Hits Different: Getaway Car

This week’s song: Getaway Car by Taylor Swift

And WOW… this conversation went places.

We talked about:

• Fast, fiery relationships that feel electric… but don’t last
• Being someone’s escape—and realizing they were yours too
• The difference between love, timing, and emotional survival

The takeaway?
Sometimes the “getaway car” isn’t the destination…
It’s just the thing that helps you move forward.

✨ Final Thoughts

This episode is all about contrast:

🎭 Being seen vs. figuring it out
✨ Glamour vs. meaning
❤️ Performance vs. purpose

Some moments are meant for the spotlight… and some quietly shape who we become.

🥂 Next Episode Tease

We’re joined by Jamie Seipel of Blood Cancer United (formerly LLS) to talk about her Visionary of the Year campaign and how Wichita is showing up for a powerful cause.

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🍷 Episode Summary
What if the next big idea didn’t come from Silicon Valley… but from right here in Wichita?

In this episode, we sit down with Tracy Hoover, founder of Groover Labs, to talk about what it really takes to build something from the ground up and why you might not have to leave home to do it. From her background in big tech to creating a space where founders, developers, and creatives can collide and collaborate, Tracy shares how Groover Labs is helping shape the future of innovation in Kansas.

We explore the realities of entrepreneurship, the power of being surrounded by other builders, and the idea that sometimes what a city needs most isn’t more talent… it’s a place for that talent to come together.

Because big ideas? They’re not limited by geography. They’re just waiting for the right environment to grow.

🥂 In This Episode

• Tracy’s journey from Hewlett-Packard and startup leadership to founding Groover Labs
• The moment she realized Wichita needed a physical hub for builders and founders
• What Groover Labs actually is (and why it’s so much more than coworking)
• The role of space, tools, and proximity in accelerating ideas
• Why startups don’t just need funding… they need structure and support
• Inside the ACCEL-KS program and how it’s helping founders across Kansas
• Real examples of builders creating, prototyping, and refining ideas at Groover
• The truth about Midwest talent and why people are choosing to stay
• How community fuels innovation in ways you can’t replicate alone
  
  

💡 Key Takeaways

You don’t have to leave to build something big.
The narrative that success only exists on the coasts is shifting and Wichita is part of that story.

Ideas need more than inspiration. They need infrastructure.
Groover Labs exists to give founders a place to actually build, not just brainstorm.

Funding helps, but guidance changes everything.
Programs like ACCEL-KS show that mentorship, structure, and feedback can be just as valuable as capital.

Community is the multiplier.
There’s something powerful about being surrounded by people who are also in the messy, in-progress stage of building.

🔥 Memorable Moments

• The realization that Wichita didn’t lack talent… it lacked a central place for that talent to connect
• Founders evolving from modifying products to creating original prototypes
• The idea that even founders who didn’t receive funding still gained clarity and direction
• The energy inside Groover Labs when multiple builders are working and collaborating at the same time
  
  

🔗 Resources + Links

• Groover Labs — learn more, explore membership, and get involved
• ACCEL-KS — supporting early-stage founders across Kansas
  
  

🍷 Join the Conversation

Have you ever felt like you had to leave your city to chase something bigger?

Or have you seen something incredible being built right where you are?

We’d love to hear your story. Come join the conversation with us.

⭐️ If You Loved This Episode…

Share it with a friend, tag us on social, or leave a review. It helps more people discover conversations like this one.

And as always…

So THIS Happened. 🍷✨

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Cheers to Episode 36! This week’s episode unexpectedly turned into a celebration of live performance, unforgettable nights out and the artists who shape the soundtrack of our lives.

Jen and Rachel recap an electric night at Broadway in Wichita’s production of STOMP, explore the glamour and chaos of showbiz in Rachel’s Hits Different song assignment, and share memories of legendary local musician Jenny Wood, whose influence on the Wichita music scene will never be forgotten.

From rhythm-filled stages to sequined showgirl energy to heartfelt reflections on the power of music and community, this episode is a reminder that the show must go on.

🎭 Broadway in Wichita: STOMP

Jen and Rachel dive into their experience seeing STOMP, the iconic percussion performance that transforms everyday objects into music. They talk about:

• The incredible creativity of the production
• Trash can choreography and inventive rhythms
• The humor and audience interaction that made the show unforgettable
• Jen’s longtime fascination with STOMP after seeing it referenced in her childhood dance studio

The result? A standing ovation and a renewed appreciation for the magic of live performance.

🎶 Hits Different: Life of a Showgirl

Rachel’s song assignment this week brings the glamour.

The two unpack “Life of a Showgirl” by Taylor Swift feat. Sabrina Carpenter, exploring themes of:

• Performance and persona
• The sparkle and chaos behind showbiz
• Why showgirl energy feels perfectly aligned with the spirit of this episode

And of course, the conversation leads to one important realization:

Sequins are forever.

💚 Honoring Wichita Musician Jenny Wood

The episode also includes a heartfelt tribute to Jenny Wood, a beloved Wichita singer-songwriter who recently passed away.

Jen shares memories of:

• Seeing Jenny perform years ago in Wichita’s local music scene
• Jenny’s powerful song “I Am Not Scared” and the way she brought children on stage to sing it with her
• Interviewing Jenny in 2018 ahead of the release of her album Truth Has Legs
• Jenny’s album launch event at the Crown Uptown Theatre

Jenny wasn’t just a performer. She was an artist who lifted others up, especially young people, and helped shape the Wichita music community.

At the end of the episode, we share a video of Jenny performing live in Wichita.

Rest in peace, Jenny Wood. Your music lives on.

Jen and Rachel also catch up on what’s been happening around Wichita this week:

• A night of trivia with friends
• Coffee Breaks at Goldfinch Coffee
• Getting ready for the legendary Delano St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebrations

If you’re celebrating in Wichita this weekend… you just might spot them in green.

Next episode, Jen and Rachel will be recording Episode 37 at Groover Labs with guest Tracy. Expect more stories, more laughs and more local adventures.

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🥂 Cheers to unforgettable nights, live music an

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