In this episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, we sit down with Emily Bordner, founder and creative director of EBandCo, a Kansas City–based modern accessories brand that has grown from a single booth into multiple retail locations, national wholesale, airport shops, and viral fame. Emily shares her journey as a KC native entrepreneur, from early career stops at Hallmark and Five Points to launching EBandCo and scaling strategically. We dive into the moment her brand went viral thanks to Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Donna Kelce, how that exposure changed her business overnight, and what it really takes to manage growth after a viral moment. This conversation also explores: Building a successful retail brand in Kansas City Opening and operating multiple brick-and-mortar locations The balance between retail vs. wholesale growth Appearing on How I Built This (Advice Line) with Guy Raz & Tim Ferriss Licensing challenges, business strategy, and sustainable scaling Giving back locally, including EBandCo's partnership with Newhouse KC Whether you're a small business owner, creative entrepreneur, or a fan of Kansas City success stories, this episode is packed with real-world insights, honesty, and inspiration. 👉 Subscribe for more Kansas City stories 👉 Like & share if you love supporting local businesses 👉 Comment with your favorite takeaway from Emily's journey #KansasCityPodcast #EBandCo #WomenOwnedBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #KansasCityBusiness #RetailEntrepreneur #TaylorSwiftKC #TravisKelce #SmallBusinessGrowth #HowIBuiltThis

🎙️ Kansas City Bucket List Podcast | Billy & Allison Brimblecom – Steps of Faith Foundation In this inspiring episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, host Mindy Hargesheimer sits down with Kansas City power couple Billy and Allison Brimblecom, founders of the Steps of Faith Foundation and co-creators of the beloved annual fundraiser Thundergong, headlined by Jason Sudeikis. Billy and Allison share the deeply personal story behind Steps of Faith Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping amputees regain mobility through prosthetic limbs. The conversation dives into their journey through the music industry, Billy's life as a drummer, their long-running yacht rock band Summer Breeze, and how Kansas City became the heart of their mission-driven work. This episode blends inspiration, music, philanthropy, and Kansas City culture, offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of KC's most impactful nonprofits and events. Whether you're passionate about nonprofit leadership, community storytelling, or iconic Kansas City events, this is a must-listen. 👇 In this episode, we cover: • The origin story of Steps of Faith Foundation • How Thundergong became one of Kansas City's biggest annual events • Life, music, and marriage in the nonprofit world • Building a mission-driven organization with heart • Why Kansas City continues to show up for good causes 🎧 Subscribe for more Kansas City stories, local leaders, and bucket-list-worthy conversations. #KansasCityPodcast #StepsOfFaithFoundation #Thundergong #BillyBrimblecom #AllisonBrimblecom #KansasCityNonprofit #KCEvents #JasonSudeikis #SummerBreezeBand #KCCommunity #InspirationalPodcast #KansasCityBucketList

🎬 Inside B&B Theatres: 100 Years of Movies, Innovation & Community | Paul Farnsworth Interview

What does it take to run one of the largest family-owned movie theater circuits in America?

In this episode, Mindy sits down with Paul Farnsworth, Executive Director of Communications & Content at B&B Theatres, to talk about the evolution of the movie theater industry, the power of community experiences, and how this Midwest-based company has stayed relevant for over 100 years.

From immersive formats like Grand Screen, ScreenX, and MX4D, to innovative concepts like ScreenPLAY for kids, sensory-friendly showtimes, and the free Backstage Pass loyalty program, B&B Theatres is redefining what it means to "go to the movies."

We also dive into: ✔️ The history behind B&B (Bills & Bagby families) ✔️ How the theater industry has evolved since 2020 ✔️ Why streaming hasn't replaced the big screen ✔️ TikTok marketing & building a massive digital presence ✔️ Community events, trivia nights & special screenings ✔️ Inclusion initiatives like sensory backpacks & open captions ✔️ Upcoming blockbusters like Avatar, SpongeBob, and more

If you love movies, entrepreneurship, Kansas City business stories, or behind-the-scenes entertainment marketing — this episode is for you.

🎟️ Learn more about B&B Theatres 🌟 Join the Backstage Pass 📍 Explore Kansas City experiences

Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services!

Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services!

In this episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, host Mindy Hargesheimer sits down with Jenny Vergara, one of Kansas City's most trusted voices in food and dining, for a deep dive into the evolution of the local food scene—and what's ahead for 2026.

Jenny shares her unconventional path into the food world, proving it's never too late to pivot. After years in corporate marketing and advertising, she found her way into the restaurant industry through Z's Italian Kitchen, where she learned the business, creative, and operational sides of food. That experience sparked what would become a decades-long career advocating for chefs and educating diners.

The conversation traces the origin of Jenny's early food blog, Making of a Foodie, which focused less on reviews and more on translating chef techniques, ingredients, and culinary innovation for everyday diners. That mission led to the creation of Test Kitchen, her underground supper club designed to connect people directly with chefs and emerging culinary ideas—long before experiential dining became mainstream.

Jenny also discusses her many roles today: food columnist for Kansas City Magazine, co-host of the Hungry for MO podcast, marketing and PR consultant for restaurants, media food contributor, and founder of Foodie LLC—plus how she balances it all alongside a career in real estate.

Looking ahead, Jenny and Mindy talk about what made Kansas City's food scene stand out in 2025 and what to get excited about in 2026, especially as the city prepares for increased global attention with major events like FIFA. From evolving dining experiences to hidden gems and must-try concepts, Jenny shares insight on how Kansas City continues to grow as a serious food destination.

At its core, this episode is about curiosity, community, and championing the people behind the plate—while encouraging listeners to explore beyond their comfort zone and truly experience Kansas City through food.

Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services!

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast! 🎙️ Host Mindy Hargesheimer, founder of Kansas City Bucket List, officially launches the podcast alongside her very first guest, Brad Burrow, founder of Real Media in Kansas City.

In this kickoff episode, Mindy and Brad dive into the power of storytelling, podcasting, and local entrepreneurship, sharing how the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast came to life and why Kansas City is such a special place for creators, small business owners, and entrepreneurs. Brad shares his journey from playing in bands and audio production to founding Real Media and producing podcasts for businesses across Kansas City.

You'll hear candid conversation about:

• The behind-the-scenes launch of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast

• Why Kansas City is a thriving city for entrepreneurs and creatives

• Brad Burrow's transition from music to media production

• The importance of telling authentic local business stories

• How podcasting creates powerful, raw connections with audiences

If you love Kansas City, local business stories, entrepreneurship, media, or podcasting — this episode is for you.

👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations spotlighting the people shaping Kansas City 👉 Like & comment to support local storytelling 👉 Follow Kansas City Bucket List for more KC recommendations, events, and stories

Guest: Brad Burrow – Founder, Real Media Host: Mindy Hargesheimer – Kansas City Bucket List

#KansasCityBucketList #KansasCityPodcast #KansasCityEntrepreneurs #SmallBusinessStories #PodcastLaunch #KCEntrepreneurs #RealMedia #KansasCityMedia #LocalBusinessKC

Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services!