There's Just Something About Kansas City

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) nonpr...

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 awar...

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 overca...

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...

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.

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 o...

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 seriou...

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 show...

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 t...

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 “...

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...

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 o...

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 f...

After serving as an intelligence officer during the war in Afghanistan, Jason Kander returned home and launched a political career where he almost ran for President of the United States. But when he unexpectedly dropped out of politics to go face-to-face against his PTSD and depression, a new mission began. Kander founded the Afghan Rescue Project, an initiative that successfully rescued 383 Afgha...

Boulevard Brewing is in great hands.  Executive Vice President Bobby Dykstra picked up right where founder John McDonald left off and never skipped a beat. From its humble, local beginnings back in the late ‘80’s, to a brand that can be found in 45 states and 11 foreign countries, Bobby takes us back through Boulevard's history and what's “on tap” for the future. Bobby is so good at his job that h...

He’s back! Terence O’Malley is our first return guest —and for good reason. The last time around, Terence and Frank explored the fascinating story of Nelly Don, her kidnapping, her rescue and the Kansas City Mafia’s role in the incident. This time, Terence, who wrote the definitive history of the KC Mafia called “Black Hand/Strawman”, explores the origins of organized crime in KC with its intricat...

Curt Nelson, the director of The KC Royals Hall of Fame, not only knows the storied history of the “boys in blue”, but he takes us all the back to the beginnings of pro baseball in KC. Curt has fascinating stories about iconic players, memorable moments and the rich heritage that has shaped this franchise’s history. This is a must listen for every Royals fan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Jan Stenerud is a former Chief, Pro Football Hall of Famer, and a pivotal member of the Chief’s very first Super Bowl championship team. The Norwegian-born skier accidentally found his way into American football at Montana State University while giving some unsolicited advice to the team’s kicker. Just a few years later, the very first Norwegian NFL player found himself in the Super Bowl with the...

Aaron Dontez Yates, better known as Tech N9ne, is a Kansas City native, rapper, and record label co-founder. He’s taken the hip hop world by storm for decades and has written anthem after anthem for Kansas City. The rap legend has dropped more than twenty albums, three of which have gone gold, collaborated with greats from The Doors, to Kendrick Lamar, to Gary Clarke Jr., and holds the record for...

Brenda Tinnen is not the type of woman to take “no” for an answer. Her career in entertainment started on her mother’s lap, helping out in the old Kansas City A’s ticket office. From there, she worked her way from the Kemper Arena, to Minneapolis, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, leading arenas and sports franchises and finding incredible success in what was then a male-driven industry. The KC native fin...

Chris Long is a father, a husband, a businessman, a Kansas City transplant, and along with his wife Angie and Brittany Mahomes, the founder and owner of the Kansas City Current. Chris takes us on his journey from growing up in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, to meeting Angie in a business class at Princeton, to the family’s journey back to Angie’s hometown, Kansas City. Together, the power couple started...

Michael Garozzo is an Italian restauranteur, a St. Louis native, a Chiefs mega-fan, a bonafide movie star, and a Kansas City household name.  Mike started his career as a busboy at 13 with a dream of one day owning his own restaurant. Hailing from “The Hill”, St. Louis’s Italian neighborhood, Mike worked his way into the world of Italian fine dining before putting his own stamp on the Kansas City...

Becky Blades is an author, a motivational speaker, an artist, a sculptor, a mentor, and even a licensed pilot. From her early days in PR at Starlight Theater, to her time as Kansas City entrepreneur and business owner, to her journey into writing and creating, her funny, refreshing, no nonsense approach to life and knack for bold leadership will leave you inspired — and smiling. Becky’s writing ha...

Jim Eddy is a Kansas City second-generation restauranteur and Kansas City native who has seen it all. Take a trip back in time to the food, entertainment, and lifestyle from the 1940s, ‘50’s and 60’s in Kansas City to today. The “Eddy Brothers” became world-famous during the era of the Supper Club Circuit, and Kansas City was right in the middle of the boom. Eddy’s Supper Club at 13th and Baltimor...

Kate McLiney is a Kansas City blogger, influencer, and native with a passion for sharing all of KC’s best-kept secrets with the community. “LoKCal” hit Instagram five years ago, and Kate has since become one of the top influencers in the KC Metro.  The Brookside local and Notre Dame de Sion grad made her way to Arkansas for college before returning home to KC and starting a career at Cerner, where...