That Podcast in Hutch - Jason Probst

Guest host Jackson Swearer once again turns the microphone on me

In June of 2017, I was pedaling my bicycle riding across the state with Biking Across Kansas, heading into Lincoln, Kansas.

My phone had been going off all day, but I had only answered a handful of the calls. I knew what they wanted to ask me, but I needed some time to think.

A week before, I had gotten a call that Patsy Terrell had passed away. Her and I were good friends, meeting for dinner or coffee at least several times each month and we’d talk for hours. Usually, when I arrived she had already ordered me a glass of water and an extra glass of ice. Patsy was good like that - she knew during the conversation I’d want more ice to chew.

She had just finished her first year in the Kansas Legislature, representing the 102nd House district. Almost immediately, people had suggested that I should consider stepping in to finish out the remaining year of her term.

As I pedaled my way to Lincoln, I considered what making such a move might mean. I’d have to quit my job at the Hutchinson News - and that wasn’t too concerning since we’d just been bought by a global hedge fund masquerading as a media company.

I didn’t know how I’d make money, or exactly what I was getting myself into. But I thought Patsy would be OK with me stepping in for her. And I thought I’d be able to do some good for the people I cared so much about in my community.

A week or so later, a group of people were casting votes to appoint me as Representative for the 102nd House District. Not long after that, I was in the state capitol swearing an oath to the people of Hutchinson, and to Kansas.

In this episode, Jackson takes me back through some of those first years to relive some of the overwhelming experiences of the time. I think when a person is inside of something, it’s easy to forget some of the change and growth. And some of the challenges. This conversation was a good chance to remember, and recall some of the feelings I had in those first moments - when I really couldn’t have predicted what the world might bring to me.

Along the way, we discuss some of the processes and tradition that governs the Kansas Legislature - including a couple of funny stories about some of my near missteps.

I hope you’ll enjoy our conversation. I know I did.

To listen to Jackson’s conversation with me, visit Salt City Sound or listen on your favorite podcast player. To find all available platforms, go here and click on That Podcast in Hutch.

Listen on Google

Thanks for subscribing to That Guy in Hutch . This post is public, so feel free to share it. In some cases this publication is paid for by Probst for Kansas, Erin Swearer, treasurer.