Five Themes That Run Through the Best of THE KOSH
Last week I gave you twelve conversations — the ones KOSH listeners find, finish, and pass to a friend. If you're new here, that list is still where to start.
But twelve episodes is a list. This is the map underneath it. When I looked at what those twelve have in common, five themes kept showing up — the subjects listeners come back to again and again, across nearly 200 conversations.
The leadership conversations: Dr. Sam Coleman (Ep 109) on how schools actually improve from inside a district office, and sheriff candidate Darin Rice (Ep 191) on accountability and community-first leadership — the newest conversation on the list, and already one of the ones people talk about.
The belonging conversations: Angie Lee (Ep 59) on what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is and isn't, and Aaron Sherer (Ep 68) in an honest conversation titled "White People Talking About Race, Racism, and Racial Equity." These are the episodes listeners say they send to someone else.
The entrepreneurship conversations: Kevin Abernathy (Ep 127) on bringing investment and life back to small-town main streets across Wisconsin, and Fifth Ward Brewing co-founder Ian Wenger (Ep 107) on building a brewery that behaves like a community institution.
The faith and family conversations: LaKeisha Haase (Ep 49) on juvenile mental health — what's happening with young people and what actually helps — and Barb Nelson (Ep 86), a parent's-eye view of Williams Syndrome advocacy and awareness.
The arts and culture conversation: Dr. Chu May Paing (Ep 171) — the guest our listener survey named first. She came from Myanmar and now leads the Winnebago Area Literacy Council. Literacy as liberation.
Five themes. Twelve conversations. One show trying to take this community seriously.
Want the whole list in one place?
All twelve are in a one-page guide — Best of THE KOSH: The Most-Listened Episodes — with a short note on each and a direct listening link. It's the easiest way to find your next episode, or to hand the show to a friend.
One favor before you press play
THE KOSH runs a short listener survey, and it genuinely shapes what we record. Two minutes: your favorite episodes, the topics you want more of, the guests we should have on.
Your answers — and your listening — built this guide. Keep both coming.
— Timber
