Sunflower Brew

Sunflower Brew

Sunflower Brew is a weekly podcast during which Zach Luea and his guests discuss Kansas politics and the impact proposed legislation will have on Kansas and Johnson County. Zach is a licensed attorney, program coordinator for a local university, a political news geek, and a lover of fine craft beers. We've solved the world's problems over a good pint. We just forgot to write them down. Now, we have a podcast.

Episodes

October 13, 2013
We are pleased to welcome community organizer and activist Amber Versola to the podcast.  Today's discussion included groups that Amber is active in, including the Johnson County NAACP, Greater KC Women's Political Caucus, National Breast Cancer Coalition, and so on.  Amber also organized the "Breaking the Chain" protest highlighted in SBTV Episode 20.

Today's beer is Blue Moon Belgian White - without the orange garnish.
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Today's podcast is part 4 of a four-parter with KC Barbeque Society judges Jeremy Schliesman and Charlie Vincent.

In Part 4, we judge barbeque beef brisket as prepared by Ryan Walsh.

Today's beer is Free State's seasonal Octoberfest.

Today's podcast is part 3 of a four-parter with KC Barbeque Society judges Jeremy Schliesman and Charlie Vincent.

In Part 3, we judge barbeque pulled pork as prepared by Nathan Victor.

Today's beer is Free State's seasonal Octoberfest.

Today's podcast is part 2 of a four-parter with KC Barbeque Society judges Jeremy Schliesman and Charlie Vincent.

In Part 2, we judge barbeque ribs as prepared by Mathew "Doc" Love.

Today's beer is Free State's seasonal Octoberfest.

August 18, 2013
On our 25th episode, our guest is Nate Bukaty of Sports Radio 810.  The discussion is about sports economics and how sports teams - college and pro - affect their communities.

There's even some Premier League discussion, how that has had an impact on the Kansas City sports scene, and a shout-out to the KC Gooners, a local group of supporters of Arsenal FC.

Our beer is Karma Belgian Pale Ale, brewed by Avery Brewing in Boulde...
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August 10, 2013
Today's guest is Al Frisby, Merriam City Councilmember and MoveOn.org Organizer.  We discussed what MoveOn does, from activism to petition drives, and how you can get involved.

Today's episode was recorded during Second Saturday, so no beer was consumed.

Today's guest is Dr. Larry Meeker, who sits on a number of arts organizations in the Kansas City area.  Today's discussion was on public funding for the arts in Kansas - or, more accurately, the lack thereof - and why the arts are important to the citizens of Kansas.

Today's beer comes from Montana's Big Sky Brewery - Moose Drool Brown Ale and Trout Slayer Wheat Ale.

Note: Mike had some car trouble before today's recording a...
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Today's guests are Justin Nichols, chairman of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, and Jeff Vaught, Shawnee City Councilman.  Our discussion was on business and economic issues as they apply to Shawnee and the Kansas City metro area as a whole.

We had three beers available today, marking two firsts for the podcast - first gluten-free beers and first international beer.  In addition to Boulevard Wheat, we had on hand Lakefro...
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For our 20th episode, we talk guns with Mark Jessup and Robin Miller of UT Arms in Kansas City, KS.  The discussion covers everything from gun laws to the process of purchasing a gun, including the background check.

Today's beer is Schlafly's Pale Ale, brewed in St. Louis.

Today's podcast guests are Dan Blom and Jay Senter from the Prairie Village Post, a hyper-local online newspaper serving Northeast Johnson County.  The discussion is on media - the rise of hyper-local online media, the fall of mainstream media (especially newspapers), and the Brownback administration's treatment of media that even remotely question his policies.

Today's beer is Freestyle Pilsner by Santa Fe Brewing Company.

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Our resident beer guru Jason Leib returns for another beer discussion, and joining us this time is James Harrington of Rimann Liquors and Brad Shultz of WorldWide Wine and Spirits.

Today we sampled six different beers.  They are, in order of sampling:

  1. Tow Head American blonde from Mother's Brewing in Springfield, MO
  2. Golden Frau Honey Wheat from Thunderhead Brewing in Kearney, NE
  3. Watermelon Wheat from Horny Goat Brewing ...
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Episode 17 is truly bipartisan as we host Kansas State Representatives Emily Perry (D-Mission) and Stephanie Clayton (R-Overland Park).  We once again discuss with our elected officials the goings-on in Topeka.

The beer for this episode is Tallgrass Brewery's Halcyon Unfiltered Wheat.

It is worth noting that Rep. Clayton was Zach's opponent in the 2012 election for the 19th State House District seat.

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