We often think of leadership as a title, but really, it’s an action. While some challenges just need a solid plan, solving the Kansas Health Gap requires a specific kind of leadership that goes beyond authority.

In Episode 6 of Leading Health, Ed O’Malley and Susan Kang unpack the three reasons why this gap is so hard to close—from the lack of urgency to the inevitable clash of values. Joined by Johnathan Sublet, Executive Director of SENT, they dive further to highlight what it really looks like to lead from a calling, punch deeper at daunting problems and build systems that free you to pursue the work that keeps you up at night.

Highlights

• Leadership is an activity, not a noun.
• Separating leadership from authority invites far more people into the work.
• The 30,000 Kansans have a specific and essential leadership role to play in improving capital-H Health, but having authority doesn't always mean you're exercising leadership.
• Johnathan Sublet's journey from chemical engineer to nonprofit leader illustrates what it looks like to lead from a calling rather than just manage a role.
• Burnout isn't caused by a heavy schedule; it's caused by an unsettled relationship. between daily tasks and the original passion that drove you to the work.
• The "punch deeper" metaphor: too many nonprofits throw shallow punches at problems; real leadership means aiming past the face and committing to closing gaps entirely.
• Competing values are not problems to solve, they're tensions to manage; if you're not getting pushback from all sides, you're probably not doing anything significant.
• "Leading is disappointing people at a rate they can tolerate," and remembering what got you into the work is what keeps the calling alive.

Chapters

0:48 — Chapter 6 Introduction

1:56 — Why Health Is a Leadership Challenge

2:32 — Three Factors of Leadership Explained

6:09 — Authority Versus Leadership

8:02 — Having Authority Does Not Mean Exercising Leadership

9:57 — Meet Johnathan Sublet of SENT

10:38 — Leading Versus Managing

12:08 — Calling and Community Work

15:29 — Burnout and Big Swings

17:43 — Systems Free Your Focus

18:48 — Leadership Challenge Mindset

19:44 — Share the Model Widely

20:17 — Greek Not Roman Legacy

21:57 — Housing Change Snowball

23:34 — ALICE and the Missing Middle

26:52 — Competing Values in Practice

30:37 — Keep the Calling Alive

33:08 — Key Takeaways

Resources

• SENT — A Topeka-based nonprofit that focuses on Community Health and Wellness, Education and Workforce Development and Housing and Revitalization.
• Kansas Leadership Center - Learn how to exercise leadership and mobilize others for greater change.
• ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) — a United Way framework describing the working poor, referenced in the housing discussion

Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way.

Don’t have a copy of Leading Health? Claim your copy and learn more about the movement at kansashealth.org/leadinghealth

And be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.

In this bridge episode between Parts 1 and 2 of the Leading Health book, we pause to recap where we've been and preview what's coming. We revisit the core arguments from our first five episodes — from capital H Health versus lower h health, to the 30,000 Kansans who hold civic authority and why they matter — before revealing the central thesis of Part 2: Kansas's health gap is not a health challenge. It's a leadership challenge. And until we frame it that way, we'll keep arriving at the same dead ends.

Highlights

• Kansas fell from #8 to #31 in America's Health Rankings — and treating this as a health problem is exactly why progress has stalled
• The 30,000 Kansans in roles of civic authority — elected officials, pastors, school principals, nonprofit executives, and community-minded CEOs — are the key to change
• America's Health Rankings serves as the "North Star" for measuring progress toward Kansas becoming the #1 healthiest state in the nation
• Part 1 describes the symptoms, Part 2 delivers the diagnosis, and Part 3 will outline the prescription
• Passionate people working for change are often their own biggest enemy — the real challenge is frequently different than it first appears
• Improving population health is an adaptive challenge, not a technical one — meaning there are no easy answers, and it involves risk, loss, and ongoing exploration
• Leadership is rare, and it's an activity, not a position — we prefer to talk about people exercising leadership rather than simply holding the title
• Even if every healthcare expert, public health professional, nutritionist, and researcher does their part, the health gap will remain — because it is first and foremost a leadership challenge

Chapters

1:28 – Recap of the First Five Episodes

2:13 – Capital H vs. Lower h Health

2:29 – Meet the 30,000 Civic Leaders

2:57 – America's Health Rankings as Our North Star

3:13 – The Symptoms → Diagnosis → Prescription Framework

3:55 – Passionate People and Hidden Challenges

5:44 – It's Not a Health Problem — It's a Leadership Problem

6:38 – Adaptive Challenge and the Rarity of Real Leadership

8:59 – Why This Lens Changes Everything

9:31 – Experts Matter, But Leadership Must Lead

10:48 – Wrap-Up and Next Episode Preview

Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way.

Don’t have a copy of Leading Health? Claim your copy and learn more about the movement at kansashealth.org/leadinghealth

And be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.

What would it look like if Kansas became the healthiest state in the nation — and what would it take to get there?

In Chapter 5 of Leading Health, we cast a bold vision of what Kansas at #1 in America’s Health Rankings could mean for real people. It would look like fewer Kansans going hungry, more kids reading at grade level, and hundreds of thousands fewer people struggling with substance use, just to name a few. We're joined by Kenny Wilk, former Kansas legislator and member of the Kansas Board of Regents, and now Vice President of Governmental and Community Affairs at the University of Kansas Health System. Alongside Ed and Susan, he shares what it means to cast a vision bold enough to be risky, and why that's exactly what leadership requires.

Highlights

• In 1991, Kansas was ranked #8 in America’s Health Rankings. Over the next 30 years, we’ve drastically slipped to our lowest at #31 and today, #27. Our goal is #1.
• If Kansas matched New Hampshire (currently #1), 105,000 fewer Kansans would face food insecurity, 32,000 more kids would read at grade level by 4th grade, 173,000 more Kansans would exercise regularly, and 183,000 fewer Kansans would engage in non-medical drug use.
• The distinction between capital H Health (everything that helps people thrive) and lowercase h health (healthcare) is central to understanding why this challenge requires more than hospitals and clinics.
• Kenny Wilk draws on his experience leading the Kansas Economic Growth Act and the Bioscience Authority to show how bold, long-term visions can outlast the individuals who cast them.
• Understanding that a vision is "imagining what you cannot see" — and being comfortable that casting a bold vision invites scrutiny.
• How the Kansas Health Foundation’s research on the Economic Case for Health shows that Health is not only an outcome of a great economy, it’s a driver.
• Progress should be celebrated — incremental wins keep people engaged and moving toward a long-term goal.

Chapters

1:25 – Kansas at Number One Vision

2:52 – Pragmatism Meets Idealism

3:31 – The Coins and the Climb

4:51 – What Kansans Told Us

8:04 – If Kansas Matched New Hampshire

11:21 – Up to the 30,000

11:53 – Meet Kenny Wilk

12:55 – Capital H vs. Small h Health

16:42 – Hospitals' Role in Thriving

18:41 – Casting a Risky Vision

21:31 – Players Change, Vision Stays

22:47 – Imagining the Unseen

23:50 – From Concern to Aspiration

24:32 – Listening Then Challenging

26:56 – Authority to Set Direction

28:51 – Scrutiny and Staying Steady

29:58 – Quiet Confidence and Decisions

32:01 – Kansas Number One Impact

34:51 – Health Drives the Economy

39:14 – Takeaways and Celebrate Wins

43:04 – Next Episode Leadership Challenge

Resources

• America's Health Rankings
• The Economic Case for Health Report
• University of Kansas Health System

Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way.

Don’t have a copy of Leading Health? Claim your copy and learn more about the movement at kansashealth.org/leadinghealth

And be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.

What happens when our state ranks 29th in Health? More importantly, what does it take to change where we rank in America’s Health Rankings? This episode explores the uncomfortable truth behind Kansas's health rankings and challenges listeners to move beyond easy explanations. We examine why leadership must start with dissatisfaction, how collective action differs from individual effort, and what it means to aim for excellence rather than just catching up. Through real examples from Wyandotte County and Cowley County, we discover how data can spark transformation when communities refuse to look away from difficult realities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Leadership always starts with dissatisfaction, not with comfort in the status quo.
• Kansas's biggest challenges are both adaptive (complex, no easy solutions) and collective (requiring collaboration across sectors).
• The "easy interpretation" of health data often explains problems away; the "tougher interpretation" faces them head-on.
• Wyandotte County's ranking of 105th out of 105 became a catalyst for community transformation.
• Aiming for "average" or "catching up" creates fundamentally different outcomes than striving for excellence.
• Data walks and reimagining exercises can break down scarcity mindsets and build collective ownership.

CHAPTERS

[0:00] Introduction and Episode Overview

[2:29] Chapter Four Focus

[3:19] Leadership Starts Dissatisfied

[5:27] Easy vs Tougher Takes

[7:36] Agency and Shared Responsibility

[9:10] Adaptive and Collective Challenges

[12:21] Why Collaboration Matters

[13:40] Meet Kari Bruffett

[15:17] Data Dismissed Then Faced

[16:07] Wyandotte County Wakeup Call

[17:44] Policy Barriers Behind Rankings

[19:26] Check Engine Light Lesson

[21:10] Mayor Confronts The Data

[22:02] Upstream Barriers And Action

[22:22] Authority And The 30000

[23:23] Why Kansas Settles For Average

[25:54] Chasing Excellence At KU Health

[29:51] Reimagining Beyond Constraints

[32:51] From Scarcity To Collective Leadership

[33:38] Cowley County Data Walk

[36:46] Adaptive Leadership Takeaways

RESOURCES

• Kansas' Health Rankings
• Kansas Health Institute (KHI)
• Kansas Leadership Center
• Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Data Walk

Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way.

Don’t have a copy of Leading Health? Claim your copy and learn more about the movement at kansashealth.org/leadinghealth

And be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.

What if the secret to Kansas's economic future isn't just about business growth—but about the health of every single person in the state? In this conversation, we explore why America's Health Rankings matter far beyond the healthcare sector, and how 30,000 influential Kansans hold the key to reversing our state's decades-long health decline.

Highlights

• Kansas has fallen from 8th to 27th in America's Health Rankings since 1991—the steepest decline of any state

• The ranking measures over 50 factors including economic opportunity, food security, education, civic engagement, and workplace safety—not just traditional healthcare

• Research shows the relationship between health and economics works both ways: healthier people are more productive, healthier workforces strengthen companies, and healthier populations boost GDP

• The "30,000" influential Kansans—leaders across sectors who don't necessarily work in healthcare—play an outsized role in creating conditions for health

• America's Health Rankings is produced by UnitedHealth in partnership with the American Public Health Association, combining private sector rigor with public health expertise

Chapters

00:00 - Welcome and Introduction to Chapter 3

01:30 - Recap and Personal Reflections

02:15 - Introducing America's Health Rankings

05:45 - The Importance of Health Rankings for Kansas

11:20 - Kansas Health Foundation's Strategic Focus

15:30 - The Role of the 30,000 in Improving Health

18:45 - Economic Implications of Health Rankings

20:30 - Call to Action and Conclusion

Resources

• Explore the Kansas State Summary of America's Health Rankings

• Economic Case for Health - The Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) has released its Economic Case for Health report, revealing that this decline is not just a medical crisis—it is a direct threat to the state’s workforce productivity and fiscal stability.

Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way.

Don’t have a copy of Leading Health? Claim your copy and learn more about the movement at kansashealth.org/leadinghealth

And be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.

What happens when the people with power and influence in our communities fail to act on the factors that create Health? The data tells a sobering story: stroke victims, ER visits, and cancer diagnoses are all trending upward. This isn't just a healthcare problem—it's a leadership problem.

We explore the concept of Kansas's "30,000"—the elected officials, nonprofit executives, pastors, business leaders, and community influencers who hold the keys to creating conditions where everyone can thrive. These aren't just abstract ideas. We sit down with Teresa Lovelady, President and CEO of HealthCore Clinic, who brings a unique perspective as someone who has lived on both sides of the health gap. From showing up as an uninsured mom seeking care for her son's asthma to now leading one of Wichita's most vital community health centers, Theresa shares what it really means to bridge the divide between those with authority and those struggling to survive.

Highlights

• The 30,000 Kansans who hold civic authority have outsized influence on the conditions that create health in our state

• The ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) represents the working poor who are trying hard but can't make ends meet

• "Mommy shaming"—the judgment that prevents people from seeking help—creates barriers to health that go beyond insurance and access

• Small acts by people in positions of authority can create massive ripple effects: asking how someone is doing, making thoughtful budget decisions, or simply listening without judgment

• The health gap isn't just about individual choices—it's about the systems and structures that the 30,000 create and maintain

• Being part of the 30,000 comes with responsibility, but also opportunity to make meaningful change in your sphere of influence

Chapters

[0:48] - Welcome to Episode Two

[0:54] - Recap of Chapter One and Introduction to Chapter Two

[1:46] - The Role of the 30,000 Kansans

[3:56] - Understanding the ALICE Population

[5:36] - Interview with Theresa Lovelady

[6:35] - Theresa's Personal Journey from Patient to CEO

[16:05] - Challenges and Responsibilities of Leadership

[23:56] - Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

Resources Mentioned

• HealthCore Clinic - Federally qualified health center in Wichita, Kansas providing medical, dental, behavioral health services, pharmacy, food pantry, and health education - https://www.healthcoreclinic.org

• United for ALICE - Learn more about the individuals that make up ALICE, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. https://www.unitedforalice.org/introducing-ALICE/Kansas

Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way.

Don’t have a copy of Leading Health? Claim your copy and learn more about the movement at kansashealth.org/leadinghealth

And be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.

What if the biggest health crisis in Kansas isn't happening in hospitals at all? After touring one of America's best health systems and witnessing cutting-edge stroke treatments and trauma care, host Ed O’Malley left feeling worried instead of impressed. The problem isn't that we lack brilliant doctors—it's that we need more and more of their brilliance every year. Everything is trending up and to the right: more strokes, more trauma cases, more cancer diagnoses. But why?

The answer lies in understanding a crucial distinction: health with a lowercase "h" versus Health with a capital "H." Lowercase health is healthcare—it's what happens when you're already sick. Capital H Health is your ability to thrive. It's everything that creates the conditions for wellbeing: your neighborhood quality, economic opportunity, education, transportation, even broadband access. And here's the thing: Kansas used to be one of the healthiest states in the nation. We've fallen as low as #31. No state has fallen further in 35 years.

This podcast series explores how 30,000 influential Kansans—elected officials, business leaders, educators, community organizers—can help turn this around. Because improving Health isn't just a healthcare challenge. It's a leadership challenge.

Highlights:

• The distinction between capital H Health (ability to thrive) and lowercase health (healthcare/sick care)

• Why everything is going "up and to the right" in healthcare—more strokes, trauma, and cancer cases every year

• The shocking lifespan gap: Mission Hills (86.7 years) vs. Argentine (75.1 years)—just miles apart

• Who the 30,000 are and why they hold the key to Kansas's health future

• Kansas's health ranking decline from top-tier to #31 in the nation

• The World Health Organization's definition of health as complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing

• Why broadband access, transportation, and zip codes are health issues

Chapters:

0:48 - Welcome to the Leading Health Podcast

0:56 - Introducing the Hosts and the Book

1:31 - The Vision Behind the Podcast

3:46 - Structure of the Book

4:28 - Conversation Catalysts

6:22 - Capital H Health vs. Lowercase Health

18:19 - The Role of the 30,000

23:11 - Conclusion and Next Steps

Resources Mentioned:

• Leading Health: How You and 30,000 Kansans Help Communities Thrive

https://kansashealth.org/leadinghealth/

Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way.

Don’t have a copy of Leading Health? Claim your copy and learn more about the movement at kansashealth.org/leadinghealth

And be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.