In Our Town with Tom Carlson

We often don't choose the circumstances that inform our trajectories in life. For at-risk and foster care youth, difficulties such as poverty, teen pregnancy and incarceration can create monumental hurdles that severely impact early development. Addressing these issues head-on, Springfield-based nonprofit I Pour Life utilitizes full-spectrum programs to promote positive growth and opportunity. In...

When Amy Blansit moved to north Springfield during her college years at Drury University, she fell in love with both the charm of the historic buildings and her late husband Drew Lewis. Continuing the mission she and Lewis shared of improving the community through asset-based urban development, she founded the Drew Lewis Foundation, which provides programs that foster well-being, self-sufficiency...

With anxiety, depression and the risk of suicide on the rise among children and teens, mental health and education experts are searching for answers to intervene in the ongoing mental health crisis impacting our youth.  In this episode, Tom Carlson speaks with Amy Hill LCSW (licensed clinical social worker), Executive Vice President of Community and School-Based Services at Brightli, to learn abou...

Award-winning Springfield photographer Randy Bacon is driven by a simple but profound ideology when it comes to his work in portraiture, filmmaking and the nonprofit sphere: each and every person is a unique individual who deserves to have their story shared with the world. Never losing a sense of wonderment, he has used the culmination of four decades of experience to explore the stories of those...

For Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield CEO Brandy Harris, leading efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged children in the Springfield metro is a full circle moment. Having lived through a difficult childhood facing poverty and abuse, Harris believes her current position is a testament to the transformational impact caring adults can have on a child's life. In this episode, host Tom Carlson sp...

Get ready, football fans, Southwest Missouri will welcome its new professional arena football team, the Ozarks Lunkers, on June 1, 2024. For the first time, Springfieldians will get the exhilarating opportunity to watch this fast-paced, indoor version of American football live. As a kickoff to this noteworthy season, host Tom Carlson sat down with the Lunkers' general manager Caleb Scott to discus...

While becoming the superintendent of Missouri's largest school system in 2021 may have been a daunting task, Dr. Grenita Lathan's extensive experience in education has uniquely equipped her for this leadership role for Springfield Public Schools. Having served as the superintendent of Houston, Texas schools and held a variety of positions in public schools across the country, she brings a wealth o...

As a third-generation policeman, Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams has devoted his life to law enforcement. He joins In Our Town host Tom Carlson to discuss policing from the perspective of 43 years of expertise in the field.   Touching on topics such as the impacts of public perception of officers and the COVID-19 pandemic on the police force, diversity initiatives within the Springfield Pol...

The weather is finally warming up and we can already taste the popcorn and Cracker Jacks. It's time to celebrate the beginning of baseball season as the Springfield Cardinals have gotten off to a red-hot, record-breaking start. Join host Tom Carlson and Dan Reiter, vice president and general manager for the Springfield Cardinals, for this home run of an interview highlighting Reiter's remarkable c...

Dr. Hal Higdon, the Chancellor of the Ozark Technical Community College System and President of OTC's Springfield Campus, joins host Tom Carlson for an in-depth conversation.   As the longest serving public college president in Missouri, Dr. Higdon has been a catalyst of growth for OTC and has fostered a wide range of training programs to meet the needs of the ever-changing Ozarks workforce. He ha...

The forthcoming Springfield School Board election on April 2, 2024, is marked by unprecedented fundraising and ideological divides. In this episode, Tom interviews Calvin Morrow and Mary Griffith, representatives of the Back On Track PAC, offering insights into their support for incumbent Maryam Mohammadkhani amidst a backdrop of contrasting visions with United Springfield PAC.

A titan in Springfield's business community and CEO of Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation, Jack Stack shares his latest endeavor as the Interim Dean of the Breech School of Business at Drury University. With his unparalleled expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence, Jack provides unique insights into his vision for shaping the next generation of business leaders. Tune in as we explor...

Join us as we delve into the profound insights and experiences of one of Springfield's esteemed oncologists, Dr. Robert Carolla. Dr. Carolla, a pioneer in his field, sheds light on the delicate balance between life and mortality that oncologists navigate daily. Through his work with the Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks and national recognition from StoryCorps broadcasts, he and his wife Peg have t...

Tom Carlson sits down with Terri West McQueary and Jim Anderson, the chairs of the newly-formed nonpartisan PAC, United Springfield. In this discussion, Terri and Jim share insights into the PAC's mission to foster a diverse and robust field of candidates for local elections. Discover the motivations behind the formation of United Springfield, the challenges they aim to address in the local politi...

Tom Carlson, host of In Our Town and a former mayor of Springfield, engages in a sit-down conversation with the current mayor, Ken McClure. Join us for a compelling dialogue covering the intricacies of managing a city during a pandemic, notable achievements under McClure's tenure, the city's ongoing challenges and a look towards the future. This episode delivers a distinctive viewpoint on the dyna...

John Lopez, the trailblazing founder and CEO of Old Route 66 Wellness in Springfield and Ozark, joins up with Tom to reflect on the journey one year after the legalization of recreational marijuana in Missouri. Lopez shares his perspective as an entrepreneur on navigating the changing regulatory landscape, the impact of legalization of recreational use marijuana, and the evolving perceptions aroun...

Former Springfield Public Schools superintendent John Jungmann talks about the state of public education, home schooling and charter schools as well as challenges facing teachers and school boards across the country. 

We're taking our top downloaded episode of 2023 out for another spin around the block for those that missed it the first go around. Local historian and realtor Richard Crabtree discusses how past development has shaped Springfield, its neighborhoods and some of the present challenges facing the city's future growth.

Kitty Ledbetter, author and Professor Emeritus at Texas State University, joins Tom to discuss everything from her early days as Springfield's first female radio DJ to Victorian women's periodicals to her latest book on Si Siman and the history of Springfield's music scene from 1930s to the 80s.

Aaron Owen discusses improvements, strategy and growth under his leadership as the CEO of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, which is home to Missouri's second largest fair, and quickly becoming an entertainment hub responsible for bringing major events and entertainers to Southwest Missouri.

Amanda Ohlensehlen, Director of Economic Vitality for the City of Springfield and Ben Jones, Director of Development for City Utilities, join Tom to discuss the incentives that the city uses to entice businesses to move here and stay, as well as encourage new business and entrepreneurship within the community.  

Join us as we delve into Thomas Douglas's wealth of experience and uncover the secrets behind his remarkable success. Get ready for an enlightening conversation about adaptability, entrepreneurship, and the indispensable skills needed to thrive in today's fast-paced world.

Tune in for a captivating conversation with Steve Edwards, a true healthcare visionary, and learn about his reflections on leadership, his challenges and legacy while at Cox Health, and the exciting chapters that lie ahead. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a community member, or simply interested in stories of leadership and reinvention, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom and inspirat...

In this special episode of In Our Town, Tom bids a fond farewell to a beloved figure in higher education as Clif Smart, the distinguished President of Missouri State University, embarks on his well-deserved retirement. Join us as we reflect on Clif's transformative leadership, the impact he has had on the university and community, and what the future holds for both him and the institution.

Whether you're an art aficionado, a culture connoisseur, or simply curious about the artistic heartbeat of SGF, this episode is a must-listen. Join us for a delightful conversation about Celebrate SGF's 2023 theme of Arts and Culture , led by the passionate co-chair Megan Buchbinder, and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich artistic tapestry of Springfield.