Allan Swan is the President of Panasonic North America. In today’s episode, the Scotland native tells us how the tiny, unassuming De Soto, Kansas beat out over 100 other sites in 13 states to build Panasonic’s newest lithium battery plant. The $4 billion investment by Panasonic is the largest economic development project in Kansas history and it will employ up to 8,000 workers at all skill levels. In order to fill those positions, Panasonic is reaching out to local educational institutions to de...
Dec 10, 2024•44 min
Lindsey Patterson-Smith is Vice Chair of the American Royal. In today’s episode, she takes us on a ride through the 125 year old history of the American Royal and its future as one of Kansas City’s most iconic year-long celebrations. Lindsey also shares the impact her family has had on the KC area, from her father Neal’s co-founding of Cerner to the Patterson Family Foundation’s continued impact across rural Missouri and Kansas to assure the continued growth of agriculture. As her father always ...
Dec 03, 2024•52 min
Alejandro Sanchez Alvarado is the President and Chief Scientific Officer of the Stowers Institute. World renowned for his groundbreaking work in regenerative biology, Dr. Sanchez Alvarado is the leader in exploring the mysteries of life and the potential for organisms to regenerate damaged tissues. He’ll be the first to tell you none of his work, or that of his scientists and researchers would be possible without the incredible foresight and generosity of Jim and Virginia Stowers. They made sure...
Nov 26, 2024•52 min
Paul Kempinski is the CEO of Children’s Mercy Kansas City. In today’s episode, Paul takes us through the hospital’s incredible history, from its founding in 1897 by two sisters with a focus on research and philanthropy to the legacy he leaves behind as he prepares for retirement. Paul’s tenure adds to the already incredible reputation of Children’s Mercy Hospital, one of the top children’s hospitals in the country that’s helping to drive Kansas City’s economic engine as the city’s 4th biggest pr...
Nov 26, 2024•51 min
Matt Linski was born in Pennsylvania, migrated to Sedalia, Missouri and with inspiration from his father, set a path that saw him rise to president of Bank of America in this region. Matt’s work in the community goes well beyond the office, from Big Brothers Big Sisters, to a scholarship at Missouri State in honor of his late father, and countless local philanthropic causes through Bank of America Kansas City. Matt shares his life story — how his father inspired his “humble in defeat” approach t...
Nov 12, 2024•52 min
Madisen Ward is a Kansas City musician and songwriter. Hailing from Independence, Madisen was raised with a feeling that anything was possible, watching his mother Ruth playing shows at coffee shops and his uncle, actor Isiah Whitlock Jr., on the big screen. Madisen started writing in high school, and after taking the stage with his mother a few times and writing some originals, the two formed “Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear”. The Americana/roots duo went from the kitchen to Letterman almost ove...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr
A family-owned company lasting five generations is almost unheard of. But here in Kansas City, U.S. Engineering has defied the odds. Tyler Nottberg, the company’s CEO, tells the story of U.S. Engineering’s founding by Gustav Nottberg in 1893, its twists and turns through World Wars, and how the company has helped to shape the Kansas City we know today. Tyler takes us through their colorful family history from Germany to Strawberry Hill, weaving the journey together with the stories of the men an...
Oct 29, 2024•50 min
Pasquale Trozzolo is the founder of Kansas City’s Trozzolo Communications — and so, so much more. The entrepreneur turned champion racecar driver turned published poet & budding chef might just have the Dos Equis guy beat for “most interesting man in the world.” Pasquale is the Chicago-born son of Italian immigrants who found his “coming of age” adventures in Kansas City, from working as a political strategist, to finding success in sales, to following in his uncle’s footsteps by starting hi...
Oct 22, 2024•47 min
Claudia Meyer is the first female Latina president of Cristo Rey Kansas City. At the age of fifteen, Claudia moved from her native Brazil to the United States and found herself in a new country, with a new culture, and a new lifestyle knowing just one word in the English language: NO! But she didn't let that stop her. She quickly learned to say YES to take complete advantage of the opportunities before her. Her story is an inspiration to not just the students, but to everyone who comes in contac...
Oct 15, 2024•45 min
Heidi Gardner is an actress, writer, and comedian who's starred on Saturday Night Live since 2017. From Westport, to LA, to NYC, from the Tivoli, to the Groundlings, to 30 Rock, Heidi has done everything from popping popcorn, to cutting hair, to becoming the longest-tenured current female cast member on SNL. Even though Heidi had doubts on the way up, there was always someone there to give her the support she needed to keep on going. The Kansas City native still calls KC home and reps the Chiefs...
Oct 08, 2024•57 min
Kansas City Royals Owner John Sherman was born on opening day for the Kansas City Athletics. His first date with Marny, his wife of 40 years, was a Royals game. But while it may seem that his leadership of the boys in blue was fated, in truth, it’s been an incredible and improbable journey. John was born in Japan while his father served in the Air Force. The family of nine followed his father’s assignments all the way to Colorado Springs before John made his way to Kansas, pursuing a degree from...
Oct 01, 2024•51 min
Chase McAnulty is the founder & CEO of Charlie Hustle, Kansas City’s signature “vintage made fresh” clothing brand and home of the now-iconic KC heart. Shortly after graduating from the Kansas City Art Institute and getting a "real job" he didn’t particularly like, the entrepreneurial-minded Chase moved back into his parents basement and emerged as “Charlie Hustle.” No, not that Charlie Hustle — the Charlie Hustle who built the KC proud vintage t-shirt company. From Ebay to brick and mortar,...
Sep 24, 2024•51 min
Petra Kralickova has been serving as the Executive Director of The National Museum of Toys & Miniatures since 2017. From growing up in Communist Czechoslovakia, to watching the world “fill with color” during its fall, Petra shares her story of following her passion for art to the US and finding her way to Kansas City, the city she and her family now lovingly call home. Petra also takes us back to our own childhoods in this on-site conversation surrounded by the toys we grew up with at The Na...
Sep 17, 2024•58 min
Mike Mahoney and Dave Helling have a combined 104 years of experience in both local and national political coverage here in Kansas City. For about a third of our city's existence, these two have been “chasing mayors and council members around with microphones and notepads." We’ll never see local politics covered like this again. Hear the behind-the-scenes stories of some of the biggest political events and campaigns of the past half a century from these two rival journalists who have developed a...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Bill Zollars is a Kansas City transplant hailing from Minnesota. The now-retired CEO of Yellow Roadway Corp (YRC) came to KC with his wife and three kids in the 90’s and “immediately felt at home.” Now leading Kansas City’s first CEO Academy at UMKC’s Bloch School this fall, Bill is passionate about cultivating a supportive community of leaders like the network he relied upon during his tenure. The program will be facilitated by some of KC’s most successful CEO’s, including Bill himself, along w...
Sep 03, 2024•50 min
In the third grade, Bryan Busby knew exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up: a meteorologist. But that dream turned out to be easier said than done. Bryan takes us on his life’s journey of overcoming every obstacle put in front of him to become one of the first black TV meteorologists in the country and now one of the most respected nationwide. Despite bigger markets trying to lure him away, including ABC’s Good Morning America, Busby has stayed right here in KC. Factor in his musical stin...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 5 min
During an internship and short stint at WDAF-TV, Justin Gardner, a University of Missouri Journalism School grad, found out editing the evening news content wasn’t the life for him. I’m sure all the shouting, cursing and swearing coming from the sports department didn’t help. (I’m guilty as charged.) So Justin used his skills to create commercials and enhance brands for several media companies like AMC Theaters. He brought the film office back to KC and serves as the president of the Film Commis...
Aug 20, 2024•52 min
In 2011, life was good for Stan Hays. He was raising his family, working for Farmers Insurance and competing in BBQ competitions all around the country. That’s when an F5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri. Stan wanted to help but didn’t know how, so his wife suggested he gather all of his bbq buddies and go feed the Joplin community. Now, Stan heads up Operation BBQ Relief, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has served over 11 million meals in 47 states that have been hit with disasters ranging fr...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Kathy and Pat Cocherl started out with nothing, and Pat always told Kathy that if they ever got into a position to give back, they would. Pat was true to his word. After figuring out a way to quickly fix circuit boards for Panasonic, they suddenly had the money to set up and fund the Cocherl Family Foundation. The Cocherl’s and all five of their children run this philanthropic juggernaut that awards full college scholarships to children in the Blue Valley School District with mental and physical...
Aug 06, 2024•54 min
Joyce DiDonato is a transformative presence in the arts. The international opera star has been called “the most potent female singer of her generation.” From humble beginnings in a big Irish family in Prairie Village, Kansas to international superstar, Joyce DiDonato has dazzled audiences from around the world with her mezzo soprano voice that has been labeled “24-karat gold.” Learn how she overcame rejection and turned it into motivation to rise to the top of her profession, but still refers to...
Jul 30, 2024•59 min
In today's episode, we’re raising a toast to Andy Rieger, the president, co-founder, and driving force behind J. Rieger & Co. Andy's family built the historic Rieger Hotel in the years leading up to prohibition. Today, he has revived the family tradition of creating exceptional spirits, winning international acclaim in the world of craft distillation. And while Kansas Citians take great pride in our incredible "local distillery", J. Rieger & Co. has "passed the test" as one of the best d...
Jul 23, 2024•53 min
Cliff Illig went from loading punch cards into a computer, to a picnic bench in Loose Park, to founding Cerner, a $5 billion dollar healthcare software company. You’ll discover how saying things like, “figure it out”, “slog away at it” and “what would Neal do” became Cerner’s mantra for success. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 16, 2024•55 min
George Brett is Mr. Kansas City. He has spent 50 plus years inside the KC Royals organization, rising through the Minor Leagues, to the Major Leagues, to Cooperstown. George talks about his life, his brothers, his dad, and his career as only George can, and touches on the MLB Network’s recent documentary profiling his life - “Brett”. Join us for an in depth conversation with this legendary Hall of Famer, what motivated him, who helped him along the way and why he has never stopped giving back to...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 1 min
John Brown grew up on the mean streets of South St. Louis. He learned quickly to face his bullies with his fists, often finding himself in trouble with the law. His life changed dramatically when one police officer introduced him to the boxing gym, where he could channel and release his fury productively. But getting off the street was just a start. Boxing motivated him to take school more seriously and after graduating from college he founded Ringside Boxing. For the past 50 years Brown has coa...
Jul 02, 2024•59 min
Starlight Theatre is one of just two self-producing outdoors theaters in the United States. Its storied history is steeped in the fabric of Kansas City, and so is Lindsey Rood-Clifford. She started as an intern and worked her way up to become the first female President & CEO of this iconic venue. She’s working tirelessly to continue Starlight’s legacy and rich history of dazzling Broadway shows and concerts with an impassioned focus on the theater’s vibrant future. See omnystudio.com/listene...
Jun 25, 2024•45 min
The Linda Hall Library is the best kept secret in Kansas City, but that’s about to change. Library President and CEO Dr. Eric Dorfman is on a mission to let everyone know the Library goes way beyond its S.T.E.M. roots and offers something for everyone. Not only does Dr. Dorfman have a doctorate in Philosophy in Ecology, he also has extensive experience in tourism and hospitality and ties it all together to promote the magic of libraries and museums. The Linda Hall Library offers 1.2 million volu...
Jun 18, 2024•46 min
From Smith Center, Kansas to the Chief’s Kingdom to the 2024 Kansan of the Year, Mitch Holthus gives us an inside look at his career and what it means to him to be the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs. You’ll also hear about his family’s deep connection to the Western ballad, “Home on the Range.” It’s quite a story. Join Mitch as he tells the story about his life as only he can on this episode of “There’s Just Something About Kansas City.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 11, 2024•50 min
Max Floyd has a lifetime of stories from his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career as a disc jockey. He met Elvis, rode around in a ‘63 Mustang with Jimi Hendrix, interviewed McCartney, Janis Joplin, Elton John and a score of others and has a story about all of them. The Max, Tanna and Moffitt Show on KY102 was cutting edge during the Golden Age of KC radio. Max’s favorite group? You won’t believe the answer. Prepare to laugh — a lot — during this special episode with the legendary Max Floyd. See om...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Becky Cline, Director of the Disney Archives, and George Guastello, Union Station’s President & CEO walk us through the celebration of 100 years of Disney magic at the Disney100 Exhibition at Union Station! For 100 years, Walt Disney’s magic has spread throughout the world and Tinkerbell’s pixie dust continues to touch us all. Becky and George take us on a magical ride through the early life of the “Man from Marceline” and his formative years in Kansas City. Walt Disney’s drive, determinatio...
May 29, 2024•44 min
From rock and roll drummer to executive director of Steps of Faith, Shawnee native Billy Brimblecom has done a little bit of everything. After losing a leg to cancer in his 20’s, Brimblecom felt determined to continue to live life with the same vigor as before — and he found a passion for helping others do the same. Through Steps of Faith, Brimblecom helps others navigate the challenges amputees face, including the sometimes insurmountable financial hurdles associated with prosthetics. Brimbleco...
May 21, 2024•52 min
