In episode 21 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill visits with an 11-year-old boy, Andrew. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Andrew’s experience leaving school early as a result of the pandemic, as well as some pressing matters concerning Fortnite, swim team, and being an uncle at a young age!

In episode 20 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill visits with Sergeant Brad Anders of the Lee’s Summit Police Department and Officer Larry Parham of the Sedalia Police Department.  They talk about arcade games, donuts and a program called Safe Passage that helps people in active substance abuse find a path toward recovery.

In episode 19 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill talks with Jessica Paxton who shares what it is like to struggle with depression and anxiety while still pursuing acting, writing and performing her poetry.  She also shares a harrowing story that highlights the dangers of the internet, as well as the ways in which we … More 19. Transitions, Boundaries and Trusting Your Gut

In episode 18 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill shares a lecture she has been developing on the topic of forgiveness as a result of her work and travel with Holocaust survivor Eva Kor.  The lecture such topics as, What Is Forgiveness?  Are Forgiveness and Reconciliation the Same Thing?  How Can I Forgive? Show Notes: … More 18. Throwing Stones: a Lecture About Forgiveness

In episode 17 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill enjoys a conversation with Sherry Von Oster who shares her perspective of being the mom of a son who is a recovering drug addict.  Through the trials her family has gone through, Sherry has developed an online support group whose message is simple: #DontJudge  Show Notes: … More 17. Being the Parent of a Drug Addict

In episode 16 of Small Town Big Stories Jill interviews Christine Rogers who shares how the dreams she wrote in a journal as a young woman came true through her role as a servant leader and her involvement with the World Vision Organization. Show Notes: You can visit the Warrensburg Team World Vision Facebook page … More 16. Servant Leadership and the Power of “I See You.”

In episode 15 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill talks with Mark Pearce about how all forms of art connect us to ourselves and others and the importance of respecting the environment by making small, daily choices to protect our resources.  They also discuss poetry, books, movies and more!  A correction for the episode: Mark … More 15. Art Connects Us to Ourselves and Others

If you are being trafficked, and/or if you think you know someone who is, please call the tip line: 1-844-487-0492, or contact local law enforcement.   In episode 14, Jill talks with Emily Russell, Executive Director of the Human Trafficking Task Force for the Attorney General in Missouri.  Emily shares how she got into this … More 14. The Crime of Human Trafficking, with Emily Russell

In episode 13 of Small Town Big Stories, we hear from Sergeant Danny Logan of the Higginsville Police Department in Higginsville, Missouri.  In honor of Police Week (May 12-18, 2019), Jill asks Sgt. Logan about his work on the police force, as well as his own personal story.  In her intro, Jill discusses why we … More 13. Policing in a Small Town with Sergeant Logan

In episode 12 of Small Town Big Stories, Chrissie shares her story of growing up with an alcoholic father, looking for love in all the wrong places, getting addicted to meth in her early 20’s and, ultimately, how she broke free from the addiction. In this episode Chrissie mentions the murder of her aunt, Marsha … More 12. Clean and Sober After 9 Years on Meth