Central Standard

Segment 1: UMKC political science professors give us a lesson in what socialism is, and what it isn't. With a democratic frontrunner who doesn't shy away from being labeled a socialist, the need to understand the term (and its baggage in US politics) is more crucial than ever. We start with the basics and take it from there. Max Skidmore , professor of Political Science, UMKC Deborah Leiter , associate professor of Political Science, UMKC Segment 2: How an increase in tourism could affect Kansas

In a show inspired by the film Hidden Figures, we hear local stories, like the story of Ed Dwight, a KCK native, came close to being the black man on a multiracial mission to the moon dreamed up by John F. Kennedy. This show has been rebroadcast, in 2020, as a tribute to the memory of NASA mathematician Katherine Goble Johnson, whose huge role in historic space launches was not well-known until Hidden Figures came out. She died this week at the age of 101. Guests: Ed Dwight , first African

Segment 1: Local musician AY has a new song out about his experience as a male victim of domestic abuse. When he was going through the experience, he didn't know where to turn for help or how to talk about it. Now he's sharing his story to open up the conversation about who gets abused by who. Researchers and support organizations say that while intimate partner violence can happen to anyone, it's harder to get help and find the right resources if you're a man. AY Young , musician, For You Emily

Segment 1: A Lawrence poet is coming out with the first book of fast food poetry. Danny Caine's new book reviews chain restaurants with poetry, touching on parenting and how they shaped his identity as a Midwesterner along the way. We'll also hear Caine's feelings on Amazon. As a local bookstore owner, he has recently become a central voice in the movement against its influence. Danny Caine , owner of The Raven Book Store and poet, El Dorado Freddy's Segment 2, beginning at 24:46: Season 1,

Phil Dixon is more than an expert on the Negro Leagues. He's an ambassador for stories that might've been lost without him. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues, we're taking some time to get to know one of the people who knows more about its history and players than anyone else. Before Phil Dixon was the author of nine books and a cross-country traveler, he was just a kid playing baseball in segregated Kansas City, Kansas obsessed with baseball cards. Phil Dixon , historian

Here's the deal with potholes in Kansas City and beyond. It feels like potholes are everywhere in Kansas City, especially if you listened to Mayor Quinton Lucas' recent speech . That's why we're devoting a full hour to studying the pothole from different angles with people who are taking matters into their own hands. After all, potholes may be universally hated, but they don't impact everyone in the same way. Frank Sereno , vigilante pothole activist, Waldo Mark Trokey , owner/mechanic, Trokey

The comedy about moral philosophy just wrapped up its fourth and final season. NBC's The Good Place captured the imaginations of people across all kinds of faiths because of the way it imagined what happens when we die. It also touched on existentialism and what it means to be human. After all, what does it mean to be a "good" person in our morally compromised world? What does it mean to be a "medium" person? (Listeners beware: spoilers will be aplenty). Maria Carter , super fan and editor,

Seg. 1: The famously dry comedian is coming to Kansas City and we're here for it. You might remember her as the comedian who did a set about getting cancer, but there's a lot more to her awkward sense of humor, which she'll be bringing to the Uptown later this month. Tig Notaro , comedian Seg. 2, beginning at 14:49: The restaurant owner/chef is mixing things up in the Kansas City food scene. Chef Carlos Mortera moved to Lenexa from Mexico City and now owns two local eateries in Kansas City. The

Segment 1: What does it mean to be presidential? Imagine a world in which campaigning for president was considered beneath the dignity of the office. That world used to be the United States! It's also one of the many takeaways from a recently published book from the University Press of Kansas that looks into how the office of the president has evolved in America's history. Steve Knott , author, The Lost Soul of the American Presidency: The Decline into Demagoguery and the Prospects for Renewal

Segment 1: Remembering the charismatic restaurant critic who never romanticized food. It's the first food show since we got news of longtime KCUR food critic Charles Ferruzza's death , so we're taking a moment to remember the special sauce that made Charles Charles one last time. Emily Farris , lifestyle writer CJ Janovy , digital managing editor, KCUR Liz Cook , restaurant critic, The Pitch Segment 2, beginning at 19:49: On this Valentine's Day, the food critics share their favorite restaurants