LIVE!NSPIRE: A Whole New Conversation
KTWU’s local weekly series, !NSPIRE, brings a group of women around the table, where they inspire other women each week with stories highlighting women making moves in careers, community, politics, sports, industry, family, history and all elements of life. Inspiring Women, Inspiring You…on KTWU!
Email: inspire@ktwu.org
Phone: 785-670-1111
Season 6
Exploring Genealogy
You might know your parents and grandparents — but what about the generations before them?
On this episode of !nspire, we’re exploring genealogy! A show that provides advice and resources to help find our roots, the details of our family history, and why this is important for our future. Guests Cindy Cruz and Barb La Clair, both Genealogists from the Topeka Genealogical Society
The Topeka Genealogical Society
Since 1965, The Topeka Genealogical Society has been helping families research, discover and preserve their family histories. They believe all families have a heritage, stories and memories that should be preserved and passed on to future generations.
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library has a computer lab with resources for genealogists to discover their family connections and stories. Located on the second floor in the Topeka Room Suite, our computers as well as microfilm machines will help you find obituaries and newspaper articles from our collection of Topeka newspapers.
Kansas Book Festival
Let’s inspire book lovers!
We visit the Kansas Book Festival, talk with our guests about what it’s like to be an author and what goes into the creative process of books, from idea to distribution. Our guests include Tim Bascom, Director of the Kansas Book Festival; Rachel McCarthy James, author of “Whack Job: A History of Axe Murders”; Tom Averill, Co-editor of “Kansas Matters, Twenty-First-Century Writers on the Sunflower State”.
Kansas Book Festival
The Kansas Book Festival which began in 2011, takes place every September in Topeka, Kansas and is held at Washburn University, where it is sponsored by the Mabee Library.
Kansas Museum of History
On this episode of !nspire, we celebrating Kansas Day with a special feature on Kansas history!
Join us as we explore the newly-renovated Kansas Museum of History with Sarah Bell, Director, as she talks about the historical journey of our museum and the the changes we can expect when we make a visit to this impressive facility to explore the history of our state from prehistoric to modern times. Guest includes Sarah Bell, Director of the Kansas Museum of History.
Art of Tattooing
Tattoos are no longer taboo — they’re intentional. We’ll learn how women across generations are embracing ink as a powerful form of self-expression. Joining us to talk about the art of tattooing are Lisa Soller, Deputy Director of the Lyon County History Center and Judith White, Owner of Looking Glass Tattoo
Looking Glass Tattoo
Looking Glass Tattoo & Gallery is a welcoming, inclusive studio specializing in custom tattoos tailored to each client’s unique vision. Since 2004, we’ve prioritized respecting client wishes, comfort, & fostering a safe, body-positive environment.
Maud Wagner – First female tattoo artist in the United States
Maud Wagner began life as a circus performer. Maud was an aerialist and contortionist, and at the 1904 St. Louis World Fair, she made a deal with a tattoo artist named Gus Wagner. She agreed to go out on a date with him, as long as he promised to teach her how to tattoo.
Hatching Kindness
Today we’re learning about “Hatching Kindness”, A Kansas-grown project touching hearts far beyond farm fences… this isn’t your typical science project! To get more information about this project we’re joined by Kris Taylor, Founder of Shy 38, Inc., and Elizabeth Wallace, Curriculum Specialist for Shy 38, Inc.
SHY 38
Hatching Kindness, a program designed to offer an alternative to traditional chick hatching projects, providing a viewpoint for children of the lifecycle of chickens from egg to adult.
Topeka Zoo Master Plan
From conservation to community connection, the Topeka Zoo is planning for the future—and it’s bigger than just animals.
The Topeka Zoo
The Topeka Zoological Park was founded in 1933. They were renamed in 2016 to the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center to better reflect their endeavors. Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, they strive to enrich the community through wildlife conservation and education.
Historical Milestones for Women
The 20th and 21st centuries have created a number of hard-fought milestones for women’s equality. Did you know that up until just 50 years ago, women had to get permission from their husband to apply for/obtain a mortgage? We explore the women’s history timeline and the battles that still exist in present-day to uphold women’s rights.
Timeline of Legal History of Women in the United States
The National Women’s History Alliance advances equality through the stories of women who shaped — and continue to shape — our nation. They are committed to honoring the past, inspiring the present, and empowering future generations through inclusive, accurate, and transformative women’s history.
Women In Sports
Across Kansas, girls step onto fields, courts, and tracks with confidence, determination, and big dreams. Today, we celebrate the incredible women athletes who have helped shape the sports landscape in Kansas and beyond.
Basketball Camps
Jackie Stiles basketball camps are designed to give a player a large amount of information in the shortest amount of time possible. Players are taught how to improve their fundamentals, how to execute a skill and the strategy behind it. Camps are primarily offensive skill development such as: shooting, ball handling, one on one moves, learning how to get open, creating space to get your shot off against a defender.
Women Farmers of Kansas
It’s the International Year of the Woman Farmer and !nspire commemorates with a discussion on the role women farmers play in an increasingly vital role around the globe, representing a significant portion of ag workforce and producing a large share of the world’s food. Joining us for this discussion are Kenley Carpenter, Jackson County Farmer and Debbie Lyons-Blythe, Flint Hills Cattle Rancher.
International Year of the Woman Farmer
The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026). The Year spotlights the essential roles women play across agrifood systems, from production to trade, while often going unrecognized. Women farmers are central to food security, nutrition and economic resilience.
Empowering Communities
On this episode of !nspire, we discuss the YWCA Capital Peace Project and the strategies proven to reduce violence, strengthen relationships, and increase community resilience. Featured guest includes Courtland Davis, Director of Violence Intervention, YWCA
Capital Peace Project
The Capital Peace Project (CPP) is YWCA Northeast Kansas’ Community Violence Intervention (CVI) program focused on preventing violence, promoting healing, and building safer communities in Topeka. Our team works directly with individuals at the highest risk of violence, offering support, conflict mediation, and connection to life-changing resources.
CPP is built on evidence-based strategies proven to reduce violence by addressing root causes, strengthening relationships, and increasing community resilience.
Girls and Women In Aviation
Kansas is known as the air capital and women are a powerful part of that legacy. To learn more about this fascinating topic, we’re joined by Joyce Parker, who is a pilot and retired air force veteran and Kevin Drewelow, Director for the Combat Air Museum.
Combat Air Museum
The Combat Air Museum is a non-profit aviation museum that preserves and displays U.S. military aviation history through a collection of more than 40 historic aircraft. The museum also offers Young Aviators Education Classes. The five-day sessions will introduce students to the sciences behind aviation.
Right To Vote
Women fought for the right to vote—but today, new laws could impact how that right is exercised.
On this episode we discuss the SAVE Act and provide valuable voting information so our communities are prepared to vote in the primary and general elections. Guests include Dr. Glenda Overstreet-Vaughn, President for the League of Women Voters for Topeka/Shawnee County, Paul Post, Vice President for League of Women Voters for Topeka/Shawnee County and Cindy Lash, Secretary for League of Women Voters for Topeka/Shawnee County.
VOTE411:
VOTE411.org is a “one-stop-shop” for election related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on aspects of the election process.
EPISODE 513: Fun On A Budget
Whether you’re hiking, floating, or just relaxing in the sun, Kansas proves you don’t need to spend big to have a big adventure! To learn more about what budget firendly option the state offers we welcome Colby Sharples-Terry, PR & Communications Manager from Kansas Tourism and Jordan Roemerman, Deputy Director for Kansas Tourism.
Travel Kansas
To learn more about all of the sights, sounds, smells and tastes Kansas has to offer take a trip to TravelKS.
EPISODE 514: Food Bank Funding
The recent funding cut by the USDA is impacting services to communities in need. Food orders intended for the Harvesters in Kansas and Missouri were cancelled, resulting in in a lack of much-needed food products to area food pantries and shelters. Joining us to discuss the impact include, Elizabeth Keever, Chief Resource Officer, Harvesters; and Matt Hamer, Communications Manager, Harvesters.
Resources:
Harvesters
Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 900 nonprofit agencies including emergency food pantries, community kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes and others. We also offer education programs to increase community awareness of hunger and teach about good nutrition.
Food banks feel the pain from higher prices and cuts to government programs
Food banks nationwide are reporting record levels of need and after the USDA halted more than $500 million in deliveries to those food banks. Learn more from the PBS News Hour on this story.
EPISODE 515: Back To School
The percentage of adult learners attending college full-time is increasing. Today we’re diving into the world of non-traditional students with some help from our guests – Leah Brown, Interim Director of Admissions at Washburn University, Linda Tuller, a Non-traditional student auditing classes at Washburn and Valerie Peckham, Adjunct Faculty in Psychology at Washburn University.
Resources:
Holidays with Inspire - 4th of July
We discuss how to enjoy Independence Day, with fireworks, cooking and some festive decor!
To give us an explosive look at the art and science behind those breath-taking 4th of July fireworks displays, we welcome Marty Flickenger, pyrotechnician for Topeka’s “Spirit of Kansas” fireworks display at Lake Shawnee.
Holidays with Inspire - Origins of Halloween
The history and traditions of Halloween. Carving pumpkins, ghosts, costumes, trick-or-treating, where did this all originate?
We also feature some of the haunted areas of Kansas and their history! Guests include Katie Keckeisen, Spooky Historian and Sara Jean from Ohmygoodies.
Holidays with Inspire - Celebrating the Holidays
We’re celebrating the holidays on !nspire! Join us as we explore holiday traditions in our community and family and try our creative touch on festive desserts/crafts.
Nativities & Noels is a free event based in Topeka, KS displaying 850+ nativities from around the world, along with vocal and instrumental Christmas music. The event is organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with participation from other local churches.
Winter Wonderland – A Drive-Thru Holiday Light Display. The funds raised from the event help TARC to continue providing excellent service, support, and advocacy to children, families, and adults in Topeka & Shawnee County with developmental, intellectual, and related disabilities.
This year’s Topeka Zoo Lights theme is Holidays Around the World. It features 7 immersive zones and a sparkling Winter Wonderland. Each area reflects the colors, traditions, and decorations of a unique culture — from a giant sugar skull in Mexico to glowing koi and cherry blossoms in Japan.
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