Building Buchanan

In this episode, Colette interviewed Jonathan Martinis, legendary legal expert and advocate of supported decision-making. A recent Time Magazine article published on 6/25/21 shared Britney Spear’s testimony about her experience with conservatorship. It was revealed that her rights to manage her own money had been taken away years ago and the pop star is now fighting to have her rights restored. He shared his thoughts and perspective on the  trending news story about popular music star and how it relates to not only people with disabilities, but society as a whole.

For Jonathan's bio and the show links, visit our website at https://progressivecommunityservices.com/listen-now-to-episode-13-free-the-britneys/

In this part II of Episode 12 of the Building Buchanan Podcast, Rachel and Colette rapped about privacy and boundaries, recruiting caregivers for her grandma, her blog, and a whole lot more.

Rachel Hiles is a 30 something aspiring local celebrity do-gooder in Kansas City. She is a proud graduate of the UMKC Bloch school, where she obtained her Masters of Public Administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management. She worked in the developmental disabilities field in a variety of roles for over 13 years. Most recently, she ventured down the path to self-employment as a graphic, web and media designer so she could have flexibility in her role as primary caregiver to her grandma, Barbara. She blogs about her caregiving adventures at TakingCareofGrandma.com.

Episode 12 of #BuildingBuchanan is now available for your listening pleasure.

In this episode, Colette heard from Rachel Hiles, a millennial making her way in the world  while taking care of her grandma, Barbara. Listen in as Colette and Rachel rap about all things caregiving.

For Rachel's bio and our show links, visit https://progressivecommunityservices.com/tune-in-to-episode-12-a-millennial-caregiving-tale/

Our latest episode of #BuildingBuchanan is now available for your listening pleasure.

In this episode, Colette interviewed Cassidi Jobe, co-founder and Executive Director of the Summit Future Foundation. Listen in as Colette and Cassidi explore what it takes to help people get on the right path to meaningful work and their own personal visions for a good life.

For Cassidi's bio and the show links, visit our website at https://progressivecommunityservices.com/now-hear-this-building-buchanan-episode-11/

In this episode, Colette interviewed Jana Campbell, Director of the Employment Program at United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Missouri. Jana shared two programs at UCP NWMO focused on connecting youth with disabilities to employment opportunities. Listen in as Jana shares how she's accepted the challenge of creating employment opportunities in Buchanan County and beyond... and how you can accept the challenge, too! 

To view Jana's bio and episode links, visit our website at 

In this episode, Colette spoke with Kelly Derks, who is a resident here in Buchanan County. Colette and Kelly met through the WITH Grant that PCS participated in and she was struck by his perspective and positive attitude despite the barriers he has faced. Colette caught up with Kelly to find out what he has been up to and to talk about how he has built a life for himself, despite the challenges he's had to overcome.

Podcast Links

In this episode, Colette spoke with Jen Gentry, who is the Community Mental Health Liaison with the Northwest Missouri Crisis Intervention Council. We invited Jen as a guest on the Building Buchanan podcast because she came up during the interview Colette did with Matt Kneib in Episode 03.

Jen has worked to revive the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) in NWMO and provide such valuable training to law enforcement, along with helping so many professionals connect and continue to build their relationships with each other to best support people in our area. She has helped many professionals and law enforcement better recognize and understand autism and other conditions. This work helps provide officers the skills they need to confidently address the needs and to also better understand the agencies and services in the community that can help.

We learned a lot about the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) here in Northwest Missouri, the Council that makes it happen, and what attending the CIT training is like.

Visit our podcast page at progressivecommunityservices.com for Jen's bio and the show links!

In this episode, Colette interviewed Courtney Alsup and David Rotert, both parents of children with disabilities and Partners in Policymaking graduates. She talked to them about their experience completing their final project for Partners, which took them on a journey to stop discrimination against people with disabilities in the healthcare realm.

For Courtney and David's bios, visit our website at progressivecommunityservices.com/building-buchanan-podcast/

In this episode, Colette sat down and spoke with Jess Gould. Jess is the Youth Services Department Manager at the East Hills Library, a branch of the St. Joseph Public Library system. 

In this interview, Jess shared a little bit of her background and then dived into how libraries can assist people with disabilities and how libraries are changing to keep up with technology. Our favorite part was when she coined her role as being "The Cool Aunt of the Helping Community." 

Jess is a very down to earth and a compassionate person. Our community is very fortunate to have her as the Cool Aunt 😎📚

We hope you enjoy getting to know her and the library as much as we did! 

In the latest episode of the Building Buchanan podcast, Colette spoke with Brian Myers, local entrepreneur and St. Joseph city council member about everything from coming of age to poverty to how you can support local businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tired of the daily grind, Brian and his wife Amy began opening and operating small businesses in Saint Joseph in 2012.  They currently own a vintage clothing store named The Lucky Tiger, a combination bookstore/bar called The Tiger’s Den, and the newly opened event venue, Metropolitan.

Brian has been involved with the Saint Joseph community on multiple levels.  He and Amy co-founded First Saturdays Downtown (now Downtown First), and have been co-recipients of the Mayor’s Awards for the Arts.  Brian has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the MWSU Arts Foundation, the Saint Joseph Public Library Foundation Trust Board, has served as past president of Downtown First, and the Downtown Economic Stimulus Board.

Currently, Brian is serving his first term as a City Councilman at-large for the city of Saint Joseph.

All of the above to spite the educators who tossed him out of a rural learning institution.