That Podcast in Hutch explores the people, places, and events that make Hutchinson a vibrant and engaging community. We’ll step beyond the headlines, to hear the real-life stories from our community and develop a deeper understanding of policy and people.
What makes a place?
That's the question we asked in this episode of Rooted.
Amy Conkling and Denice Gilliland from HutchRec joined me, along with Kari Mailloux from the Hutchinson Community Foundation. We walked through some of the history and science of placemaking, and discussed some of the intentional spaces and places that people in Hutchinson enjoy today.
For me, this is an important conversation - but it's also one that's very fun to me. I enjoy thinking about those unique corners of our community that hold special memories and meaning. I especially enjoy it when I get to learn the stories about the places that are important to others, too.
One thing I think you'll learn in this episode is how much effort has been put into better understanding what spaces have been underused in our community, and how there's a growing movement to build public places around natural behaviors and actions of the people in a community.
I'm thankful for the work of people like Kari, Amy, and Denice, who put so much of themselves into building up our community. I think you'll feel that when you listen - and I suspect you'll have some new found appreciation for the places that make Hutchinson.
1 Oct 2026
TPiH 087 Bret Thomas - Feel Fest
This episode of That Podcast in Hutch is all about feelings - and an upcoming event that hopes to create more public conversation around the topic of mental health in our community.
Bret Thomas visited the studio to talk about Feel Fest (https://www.feelfest.org/)- which is being held in Downtown Hutchinson on Oct. 9 and 10. They'll have a dance, a run, some movies, and a number of workshops - all built around normalizing feelings and discussions about their effects on our daily lives.
I really enjoyed this conversation with Bret - who I first met a few years ago when he offered to record a live podcast interview with Brady Scott at the Hutchinson Library. I love Bret's energy, his passion for our community, and his willingness to throw his effort into helping with fun and meaningful events in Hutchinson.
Bret shared some of his own mental health experiences, both as a U.S. Army Veteran and as a young man trying to navigate modern life. I appreciated his vulnerability and openness about his life - and his hope that others might find some resources and tools to help them during Feel Fest.
I hope you'll take time to listen to our conversation - and that you'll support the work they're doing with Feel Fest. (https://www.feelfest.org/)
The event kicks off with a dance from 7-10 p.m. at the Farmer's Market Pavilion, 103 W. 2nd Ave.
Saturday morning begins at 9 a.m. with a Run to Remember - to honor those we've lost. You can run, walk, or ride in a golf cart if you have mobility issues. Feel Fest City will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on 1st Avenue, in front of the Fox Theater. This segment will include workshops, an open mic event, and a grief tree - where community members can write the name of a loved one in remembrance.
For more information, including comlete schedule of events, visit feelfest.org (http://feelfest.org/)
24 Sept 2026
An Ounce of Prevention Episode 3: Epidemiology
Welcome to another edition of Ounce of Prevention!
I had so much fun with this episode, and I think you'll have a lot of fun listening.
We talk about bats. We talk about sexually transmitted illnesses. We talk about Ebola virus - which to me is one of the scariest things on the planet.
Kate Gardner, the epidemiologist with the Reno County Health Department came into the studio to share with us her work recording, tracking, and educating us about communicable diseases.
This is really important work that a lot of us never see up close - but we're glad it's happening when a restaurant is serving bad chicken or when some random petting zoo in North Carolina is a suspected source of a massive rabies outbreak.
By the way, if you ever wake up with a bat in your house, just assume that you need to go get treated for rabies. It probably got you while you're asleep.
I'm excited for you to hear this episode. It's as fun as it is informative - and I think you'll walk away with a better understanding of the work that happens at your local health department.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Spotify
4.6 / 5
9 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
88
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
Contact That Podcast In Hutch
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of That Podcast In Hutch?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
