What happens when a white guy from a small Kansas town becomes the bridge-builder between Spanish-speaking and English-speaking communities — and somehow also changes the global cycling industry along the way? LeLan Dains is one of the most fascinating people we've had on this show, and honestly, we almost undersold him. As the executive director of Kansas Spanish Speakers, LeLan has spent years breaking down barriers, building trust with immigrant communities, and proving that opportunity doesn't leave rural Kansas — it waits there for the right person to claim it. Oh, and he co-founded what is now the world's premier gravel cycling event. From Emporia. On gravel roads. We told you.

HIGHLIGHTS

LeLan's motto for Kansas Spanish Speakers: "Sí, cómo no" — yes, of course. Whatever you need, they'll help you get there or find someone who can.
Kansas Spanish Speakers serves both Spanish speakers AND English speakers — because a bridge needs two solid banks. They offer immigration documentation help, health insurance navigation, driver's license assistance, Spanish classes, custom business training, and community workshops.
LeLan's origin story: he froze like a deer in headlights trying to order in Spanish at a Mexican restaurant after six months of studying — and that embarrassing moment sparked an entire nonprofit.
The Kansas Health Foundation invested $1 million over 10 years in Kansas Spanish Speakers through their Building Power and Equity Partnership. Since 2022, Kansas has moved up three consecutive spots in national health rankings.
LeLan addresses the elephant in the room — yes, he's a blue-eyed white guy leading a Latino-serving nonprofit. His answer is honest, thoughtful, and worth hearing.
The issue of children being used as translators for their parents in medical, legal, and financial situations — why it's inappropriate, and what Kansas Spanish Speakers is doing about it.
Emporia became the first certified Welcoming Community in Kansas, with LeLan's organization leading the effort. Dodge City and KCK have since followed.
LeLan co-founded Dirty Kanza — now rebranded as Unbound Gravel — which draws 5,000+ riders from 40+ countries to the Flint Hills every year. The event literally crashed the internet and now runs on a lottery system.
Gravel cycling didn't exist 15 years ago. Unbound Gravel helped create the entire category — and now the Tour de France has a gravel stage.
Kansas has 98,000 miles of gravel roads. That's not a typo.
LeLan's message to rural Kansas kids: a blank canvas isn't empty — it's an opportunity to paint whatever you want.

CHAPTERS

0:00 — Ditch Flower Season

0:55 — Numb Fingertips Story

1:36 — Stratica Salt Rock

4:17 — Welcome to Ask a Kansan

5:16 — Meet LeLan Dains

6:31 — What Kansas Spanish Speakers Does

7:20 — Services and Programs

8:36 — How It All Started

10:16 — Going Statewide

13:04 — Partners and Health Impact

16:53 — Imposter Syndrome and Privilege

19:43 — Rebrand and Mission Shift

22:27 — Spanish Dialects and Slang

26:05 — Working With Businesses

32:15 — Kids as Translators

38:24 — How Service Changes You

41:39 — Learning English Together

40:32 — Rural Kansas Roots

42:28 — Recreation Career Path

43:12 — Coming Home to Build

46:35 — Unbound Gravel Explained

48:26 — Why the World Comes

54:49 — Where to Learn More

56:35 — Post Interview Reflections

58:24 — Mystery Knick Knack Game

1:05:50 — Final Wrap and Thanks

RESOURCES

Kansas Spanish Speakers
Unbound Gravel
Kansas Health Foundation
Building Power and Equity Partnership (Kansas Health Foundation)
Kansas Leadership Center
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Welcoming America
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
Strataca — Kansas Underground Salt Museum
Emporia State University
Frost Valley YMCA
Carmichael Training Systems
Curious Kansan Newsletter
Kansas Spanish Speakers intro video
Leading Health Podcast - from the Kansas Health Foundation

Learn more about the podcast at askakansan.com!

This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net