Central Standard

Leon's Thriftway might possibly be the oldest black-owned grocery store in the country. Meet Leon Stapleton, the 91-year-old who has owned it for 49 years. Then: In Kansas City, are we a little too quick to rise to our feet after every show? Should standing ovations be saved for truly exceptional performances? Or is that snobbish? Guests: Leon Stapleton, owner, Leon's Thriftway Hampton Stevens, music and theater critic, The Kansas City Star and Flatland Vanessa Severo, local actor Jeff Lunden ,

In this encore presentation , from weeds to wonder, we revisit those pesky oak mites that might soon be returning , and hear from a local seed collector on the stories she's reaped. Plus, how one local artist draws on Kansas City stories and the materials that grow wild in backyards and along highways. Guests: Rick Miller, agriculture agent, K-State Extension Center in Johnson County Dayna McDaniel, president, Seed Savers KC Rodolfo Marron, local artist

A recent study from the Brookings Institution suggests that the vast majority of our country's high-tech jobs are clustered in just a handful of cities. Local tech experts argue Kansas City, Missouri is on its way to the center of that cluster. Is Kansas City a tech hub? What factors are influencing the " rise of the rest " in our region? Guests: Mark Muro , senior fellow, policy director, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution Ryan Weber , president, KC Tech Council Lesa Mitchell ,

Every great story starts with an unforgettable opening line ... that's especially true at The Moth . Now, some of the best, most courageous stories you've heard, can be found as chapters in a book, that you can go back to, again and again . Artistic director Catherine Burns, editor of All These Wonders , joins us as The Moth celebrates its 20th anniversary. Guest: Catherine Burns , artistic director, The Moth

When he was a senior at Blue Valley North, Alex Haughey made a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. Now, he's coming back home with a new movie that's screening at the KC Film Fest . The five-day festival runs April 5 - April 9 at Cinemark on the Plaza. Then, a chat with a book designer about his work in the Book, Jacket & Journal Show (on display at the University Press of Kansas through April 7). Plus, the story behind a song: "Kansas City, Baby," by Calvin Arsenia. Guests: Alex Haughey,

What is the Midwest? In a recent video, comedian Jeff Houghton played a Midwest correspondent out to solve this great mystery . The typical perception? Think Wizard of Oz, and American Gothic ... you know, that old white couple standing in front of a church with a pitchfork, and yellow brick roads. Really though. What defines the Midwest? What are its borders, and what makes it home? Plus, we hear from a legitimate Midwestern correspondent: John Eligon, a New York Times reporter based right here

The new Kansas City label Haymaker Records just released a compilation album featuring local artists . After a taste of the album, we pivot from "math rock" to straight up science, with one KU sociologist whose research sheds light on a connection between success in life and genetic makeup . Plus, in an encore broadcast, we hear from artists Kimberly and Patrick Saunders, who sold their Union Hill condo, quit their desk jobs, and hit the open road in an airstream trailer two years ago . Guests:

It's been nearly 30 years since six Kansas City firefighters were killed in an explosion after responding to a call about a truck on fire. A few weeks ago, Bryan Sheppard, one of five sentenced to life in prison, was released, because juvenile sentencing laws have changed since the time of the then 17-year-old's conviction . We check-in with Sheppard on life after prison. Plus, what the ruins of the old Wheatley-Provident Hospital tell us about race in Kansas City. Guests: Bryan Sheppard ,

Brunch can take on many different forms. There’s the all-you-can-eat buffet, complete with waffle and omelet stations. And don’t forget the boozy brunch — quite possibly the only time of the week where one could have a drink in the morning without feeling too guilty. On Friday's Central Standard , KCUR's Food Critics took their annual look at the best brunch dishes in and around Kansas City. Here are their recommendations: Mary Bloch, Around the Block : Happy Gillis — shrimp and grits. Happy

Brunch: part-breakfast, part-lunch ... and all-delicious. KCUR's Food Critics search out the best brunch dishes in and around KC. Plus, a dim sum outing, and a lesson in making fresh pawpaw fruit jam. Guests: Charles Ferruzza, The Independent and Shawnee Mission Post Mary Bloch, Around the Block Jenny Vergara, Feast Magazine Christine and Bradford Williams, Pepper Berries Urban Farm Bonjwing Lee, The Ulterior Epicure