The Pinnacle Pod

What does it mean to truly belong to a community? In this episode of The Pinnacle Pod, Doug Cowan, president and CEO of Community Services League, reflects on the gravitational pull that called him to serve the community he has always called home. He shares why knowing a community begins with knowing its people, how leading with heart creates space for others to contribute, and why meaningful progress rarely happens through one person or organization alone.

Through stories of neighbors, young people, families, and unexpected partnerships, Doug offers an inspiring reminder that strengthening Kansas City starts with being present, staying open and asking a simple question: what can I do to help?

In this compelling episode of The Pinnacle Pod, we sit down with 2025 Pinnacle Prize winner Merideth Rose, CEO of Cornerstones of Care, to explore what it truly means to support children and families in our community. Drawing from her own lived experience in foster care and early motherhood, Merideth challenges how poverty is often mislabeled as neglect and shares powerful data, personal stories, and prevention‑focused solutions reshaping child welfare in Kansas City. This conversation is both a call to action and a message of hope, reminding us that when communities lead with curiosity, compassion, and care, families can thrive. 

What does it actually take to move people out of homelessness—and keep them safe in the meantime? In this episode of The Pinnacle Pod, 2025 Pinnacle Prize winner Nick Allen breaks down the reality of street outreach work, from building trust through progressive engagement to coordinating wraparound services that save lives. Nick shares how data, consistency, and human connection are reshaping how the city responds to encampments, why housing alone isn’t enough, and what stands between Kansas City and functional zero homelessness. This conversation is a clear call to our community: the strategy exists—now it’s time to act.

The Pinnacle Pod welcomes Dr. Robbie Harriford—Chief Medical Officer at Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center and passionate community health advocate. Robbie shares her journey from research to family medicine to leading one of Kansas City’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC). Highlighting how her work bridges clinical care with a strategic vision to serve vulnerable populations, Robbie discusses the power of culturally competent care, interdisciplinary teamwork, and her mission to make healthcare accessible and equitable for all.

In this episode of The Pinnacle Pod, we sit down with Stacy Busch—composer, changemaker, and co-founder of No Divide KC. Stacy shares her powerful journey from personal recovery to community transformation, revealing how the arts became her tool for healing and social impact. Through No Divide KC, Stacy is democratizing access to the arts, amplifying underrepresented voices, and building bridges across Kansas City’s diverse communities.

In this episode of The Pinnacle Pod, we sit down with Mariya Goodbrake, 2024 Pinnacle Prize winner, public advocate and founder of Global FC. Mariya shares her own experiences as a refugee and how they fuel her passion for helping refugee youth in Kansas City. From her family’s resettlement to her commitment to promote peace and reconciliation, Mariya's journey is one of resilience, compassion, and the unwavering belief in human potential. We discuss the challenges facing refugees, the power of belonging, and how Global FC is making a difference at the crossroads of soccer and community.

In this episode of The Pinnacle Pod (recorded January 2025), we speak with Star Palmer, the founder and executive director of Our Spot KC and president of the KC Pride Alliance. Star is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in Kansas City. Her organization provides housing assistance and other support services to those in need. She discusses her path into activism, the current challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community, and hopes for the future. Star is one of the most recent winners of The Pinnacle Prize. 

The Pinnacle Prize welcomes back 2023 winners, Josh Henges and Kyle Hollins. Josh, Kansas City's Houseless Prevention Coordinator, and Kyle, founder of Lyrik's Institution, share updates on their impactful work and discuss the importance in addressing the root causes of homelessness and violence in the KC community. They explore their unique approaches, emphasizing the need for understanding and building relationships with those they serve and those who want to support their work. In conversation with moderator Tracy McFerrin (Credo Philanthropy Advisors), Josh and Kyle also share how winning The Pinnacle Prize has fueled their passion, provided financial reprieve, and offered a bigger platform to further their missions.

Join us on “The Pinnacle Pod” as we chat with Katie Boody Adorno, the founder of Leanlab Education. A Kansas City native and Pinnacle Prize finalist, Katie's journey from classroom teacher to education technology (edtech) pioneer is inspiring. Discover how Leanlab grew from a desire to rethink education to partnering schools with tech companies developing cutting-edge tools that truly benefit student learning experiences. Learn about their innovative co-designed projects and plans to impact the future of instruction.  

This episode of “The Pinnacle Pod” explores food accessibility with Max Kaniger, a Pinnacle Prize finalist and founder of Kanbe's Markets. Max's passion for providing healthy, affordable options has led him to create a groundbreaking nonprofit that's transforming food deserts in Kansas City. Learn how Kanbe's innovative and unique model provides fresh produce through local corner stores, enabling families to make healthier choices. Hear from Max as he discusses Kanbe's sustainable food distribution model, from sourcing excess food to supporting local farmers and nonprofits. Discover the impact they're making on the lives of thousands of residents in need.