What’s the Tea in Rural KC

Today Kelsey sits down with Cody Jolliff, CEO of Powell Gardens. Established in 1988, Powell Gardens is a non-profit public garden.  Powell Gardens maintains a vast acreage of lush, rolling hills and windswept meadows, with more than 175 acres and a large collection of plants open to the public for education, exploration, and recreation. *This episode is sponsored by The Hilltop , The Olive Lodge...

Today Kelsey sits down with Katie Davis, owner of LIV Aesthetics & Wellness. LIV Aesthetics & Wellness opened in 2024 and has quickly grown into a top-choice med-spa in Lee’s Summit due to the welcoming environment and expert knowledge and care provided by the staff. *This episode is sponsored by ⁠The Hilltop⁠ , ⁠The Olive Lodge⁠ , and ⁠Second Street Scoops⁠ . Did you know Odessa is home t...

This week Kelsey sits down with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County's Executive Director, Dana Phelps. They discuss what it takes to become a Big, the time commitment, and how impactful this program has been for children in Johnson County. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF JOHNSON COUNTY BECOME A LITTLE BECOME A BIG DONATE TO BBBSOJC RURAL KC'S BEST KEPT SECRET Raging Bull Steakhouse Cafe...

This week Kelsey chats with Jamie DeBacker, Main Street Warrensburg's Executive Director. Jamie shares about her passion for helping Downtown Warrensburg thrive through outreach events, networking, and collaboration.

This week, Kelsey sits down with Amber Myers with Country Crossroads Counseling. Amber gives tangible methods to de-escalate situations with toddlers and how adults can better understand the growing minds of children. 

This week, Kelsey sits down with Cara Riekhof. They talk about Cara's family's 5th generation farm, raising confident and successfully children, and what life really looks like growing up in the agriculture space.

On this episode of "What's the Tea in Rural KC," Kelsey sits down with mom, running friend, and animal lover, Audrey Badgley. The two discuss how Audrey grew and then lessened her bison herd and then dive into Audrey's journey to motherhood through IVF, domestic adoption, and embryo adoption.

Kelsey sits down for her first solo episode to talk about how she got into the real estate industry, tips for sellers to prepare their home for the market and the timeline buyers should be prepared for when house shopping. She also answers listener submitted questions about her marketing, Rural KC, and staying organized as a business owner and mom of two.

FIND KELSEY'S SUMMER IN RURAL KC GUIDE, HERE ! SUMMER IN RURAL KC: Strawberry U-Picks ( Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch / Fahrmeier's ) Powell Gardens Painted Garden Blue Branch Creek Trail BEAT THE HEAT (INDOOR ACTIVITIES): The Rabbit Hole Rainbow Slime Crown Center Showplace Mystic Mountain My Little Town Book with a Cop Splash Pad - Higginsville Splash Pad - Buckner Splash Pad - Mill Creek SUMMER PURCHA...

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC , Kelsey sits down with Jordan Murry, volunteer with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). They discuss the time commitment to volunteer for the program, how many foster children areimpacted by CASA volunteers, what home visits look like, and the importance of these advocates for children in our community. Jordan reported that only 20-25% of foster...

If you’ve ever wondered where your local tax dollars actually go—or how decisions impacting your kids’ schools get made—this one’s for you. I’m chatting with Marlon Dyer, a lifelong Lafayette County resident and former educator, about everything from public education challenges to the Children’s Services Fund and the real impact it’s making on families right here in our community. Plus, we get int...

What’s really happening behind the scenes in small-town leadership? ☕️ Kelsey sits down with former Odessa mayor Adam Couch to talk local politics, community growth, and the reality of serving in the public eye. From being elected at 28 to navigating “Facebook politics” and major city projects, Adam shares what people don’t see—and what every small-town resident should understand. Plus, an inside...

This week’s episode is extra special as Kelsey sits down with her mom, Cathy Thompson—Odessa’s Finance Director and longtime community leader. They break down major city updates, including the downtown sidewalk project, ECA changes, and future growth plans. It’s an inside look at how small-town decisions get made, why community involvement matters, and what’s ahead for Odessa. Plus, a little “spil...

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC , I sit down with Odessa R-7 Superintendent Dr. John Otinger to break down the two ballot measures voters will see on the April 7 ballot. We talk through why replacing McQuarrie Elementary has been identified as the district’s top facility priority, what improvements were completed in the 2022 bond issue, and what a potential new elementary school coul...

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC , Kelsey sits down with Odessa Police Chief Josh Thompson to break down the proposed public safety sales tax on the April 8 ballot. They walk through how the idea for a new police facility started, the legislative hurdles in Jefferson City, and why the current station—originally a school shop building—is no longer meeting the needs of officers or victi...

Scott Duncan, owner of Universal Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Odessa, joins me to share how he built his dealership from the ground up — starting with used cars, big risks, and a whole lot of grit. From Michigan to Chicago to Kansas City, Scott walks us through his journey in the automotive industry, growing from a one-room startup to 85 employees across two locations. We talk real estate investing,...

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC , I sit down with Tiffany Meinershagen, Executive Director of John Knox Village East, to talk about the realities families face as loved ones age. We dive into the emotional challenges of role reversal, why healthcare directives and power of attorney matter more than you think, and how rural communities can better access specialized care close to home....

Odessa veterinarian Dr. Jim Peddicord joins me to share stories from his 45-year career caring for animals across rural Missouri. From starting his clinic in a converted lumber yard to treating everything from wolves to Burmese pythons, Jim reflects on the moments that shaped his life in veterinary medicine. We also talk horses, farm calls, breeding performance horses, and the realities of serving...

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC , Kelsey sits down with Larry Hall, recipient of the 2025 Odessa Chamber of Commerce Hometown Hero Award . From his 30 years in the Odessa school district to his continued service through the Optimist Club and Community Service Center, Larry shares stories of quiet leadership, community impact, and a lifetime of showing up for others.

Kelsey sits down with friend and design-lover Megan Madsen to recap their favorite things—from trending paint colors and must-watch shows to viral recipes and splurge-worthy finds. They share honest takes on home projects, mom life hacks, ski trip prep, and the little things that made the year memorable. It’s a cozy, chatty episode full of real-life recommendations and plenty of laughs. OUR FAVORI...

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC , Kelsey chats with Sommer Watts, owner of Somersault Gymnastics and recipient of the 2025 Odessa Chamber of Commerce New Business of the Year Award . Summer shares how a side-gig tumbling class grew into a thriving gymnastics program serving over 100 local kids, the challenges of entrepreneurship as a single mom, and her vision for the future of gymna...

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC , Kelsey Legate sits down with Shelly Milner, owner of Heartland Pantry and the 2025 Business of the Year Award recipient. Shelly shares how Heartland Pantry grew from homemade jams to a brick-and-mortar staple in Odessa, plus insights on catering, community support, and what’s next for the business—including expanded hours and new menu offerings. HEAR...

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC , Kelsey sits down with Christina Durrill, labor and delivery nurse and founder of Divine Interruptions . Christina shares her journey into microcurrent neurotherapy, a gentle, non-invasive treatment helping people find relief from anxiety, migraines, insomnia, trauma, and more. They talk faith, neuroscience, and what it looks like when purpose meets h...

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC , Kelsey Legate sits down with Mayor Bryan Barner, recipient of the 2025 Community Betterment Award. Mayor Barner shares his passion for communication, transparency, and community engagement, along with updates on major city initiatives, growth plans, and what’s ahead for Odessa. A thoughtful look at leadership, momentum, and the future of a small town...

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC , Kelsey Legate sits down with Rayna and Evan Young, recipients of the 2025 Business Persons of the Year Award. They share the journey of growing Young Learning Academy—from navigating early ownership during COVID to expanding facilities, strengthening curriculum, and investing in the future of local families. A candid conversation about leadership, re...